[table=60%,#ffffff,#dddddd,2][tr][td] [attachment=11781554]《爱的徒劳》是莎士比亚讽刺性最强的一部喜剧，也是一部宫廷喜剧。一开始，那瓦国君臣四人发誓要清心寡欲，拒绝一切物质享受，不近女色，专心读三年。可是当美丽的法国公主和她的侍女们来到宫廷后，他们就把誓言忘得一干二净，争先恐后地向她们求爱。但由于他们缺少真实的感情，法国公主把他们训斥一番以后离弃他们而去。莎士比亚在这部戏剧中讽刺了宫廷贵族的爱情言辞爱情观。
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SCENE I. The king of Navarre's park. Enter FERDINAND king of Navarre, BIRON, LONGAVILLE and DUMAIN FERDINAND Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives, Live register'd upon our brazen tombs And then grace us in the disgrace of death; When, spite of cormorant devouring Time, The endeavor of this present breath may buy That honour which shall bate his scythe's keen edge And make us heirs of all eternity. Therefore, brave conquerors,--for so you are, That war against your own affections And the huge army of the world's desires,-- Our late edict shall strongly stand in force: Navarre shall be the wonder of the world; Our court shall be a little Academe, Still and contemplative in living art. You three, Biron, Dumain, and Longaville, Have sworn for three years' term to live with me My fellow-scholars, and to keep those statutes That are recorded in this schedule here: Your oaths are pass'd; and now subscribe your names, That his own hand may strike his honour down That violates the smallest branch herein: If you are arm'd to do as sworn to do, Subscribe to your deep oaths, and keep it too. LONGAVILLE I am resolved; 'tis but a three years' fast: The mind shall banquet, though the body pine: Fat paunches have lean pates, and dainty bits Make rich the ribs, but bankrupt quite the wits. DUMAIN My loving lord, Dumain is mortified: The grosser manner of these world's delights He throws upon the gross world's baser slaves: To love, to wealth, to pomp, I pine and die; With all these living in philosophy. BIRON I can but say their protestation over; So much, dear liege, I have already sworn, That is, to live and study here three years. But there are other strict observances; As, not to see a woman in that term, Which I hope well is not enrolled there; And one day in a week to touch no food And but one meal on every day beside, The which I hope is not enrolled there; And then, to sleep but three hours in the night, And not be seen to wink of all the day-- When I was wont to think no harm all night And make a dark night too of half the day-- Which I hope well is not enrolled there: O, these are barren tasks, too hard to keep, Not to see ladies, study, fast, not sleep! FERDINAND Your oath is pass'd to pass away from these. BIRON Let me say no, my liege, an if you please: I only swore to study with your grace And stay here in your court for three years' space. LONGAVILLE You swore to that, Biron, and to the rest. BIRON By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest. What is the end of study? let me know. FERDINAND Why, that to know, which else we should not know. BIRON Things hid and barr'd, you mean, from common sense? FERDINAND Ay, that is study's godlike recompense. BIRON Come on, then; I will swear to study so, To know the thing I am forbid to know: As thus,--to study where I well may dine, When I to feast expressly am forbid; Or study where to meet some mistress fine, When mistresses from common sense are hid; Or, having sworn too hard a keeping oath, Study to break it and not break my troth. If study's gain be thus and this be so, Study knows that which yet it doth not know: Swear me to this, and I will ne'er say no. FERDINAND These be the stops that hinder study quite And train our intellects to vain delight. BIRON Why, all delights are vain; but that most vain, Which with pain purchased doth inherit pain: As, painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth; while truth the while Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look: Light seeking light doth light of light beguile: So, ere you find where light in darkness lies, Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes. Study me how to please the eye indeed By fixing it upon a fairer eye, Who dazzling so, that eye shall be his heed And give him light that it was blinded by. Study is like the heaven's glorious sun That will not be deep-search'd with saucy looks: Small have continual plodders ever won Save base authority from others' books These earthly godfathers of heaven's lights That give a name to every fixed star Have no more profit of their shining nights Than those that walk and wot not what they are. Too much to know is to know nought but fame; And every godfather can give a name. FERDINAND How well he's read, to reason against reading! DUMAIN Proceeded well, to stop all good proceeding! LONGAVILLE He weeds the corn and still lets grow the weeding. BIRON The spring is near when green geese are a-breeding. DUMAIN How follows that? BIRON Fit in his place and time. DUMAIN In reason nothing. BIRON Something then in rhyme. FERDINAND Biron is like an envious sneaping frost, That bites the first-born infants of the spring. BIRON Well, say I am; why should proud summer boast Before the birds have any cause to sing? Why should I joy in any abortive birth? At Christmas I no more desire a rose Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled mirth; But like of each thing that in season grows. So you, to study now it is too late, Climb o'er the house to unlock the little gate. FERDINAND Well, sit you out: go home, Biron: adieu. BIRON No, my good lord; I have sworn to stay with you: And though I have for barbarism spoke more Than for that angel knowledge you can say, Yet confident I'll keep what I have swore And bide the penance of each three years' day. Give me the paper; let me read the same; And to the strict'st decrees I'll write my name. FERDINAND How well this yielding rescues thee from shame! BIRON [Reads] 'Item, That no woman shall come within a mile of my court:' Hath this been proclaimed? LONGAVILLE Four days ago. BIRON Let's see the penalty. Reads 'On pain of losing her tongue.' Who devised this penalty? LONGAVILLE Marry, that did I. BIRON Sweet lord, and why? LONGAVILLE To fright them hence with that dread penalty. BIRON A dangerous law against gentility! Reads 'Item, If any man be seen to talk with a woman within the term of three years, he shall endure such public shame as the rest of the court can possibly devise.' This article, my liege, yourself must break; For well you know here comes in embassy The French king's daughter with yourself to speak-- A maid of grace and complete majesty-- About surrender up of Aquitaine To her decrepit, sick and bedrid father: Therefore this article is made in vain, Or vainly comes the admired princess hither. FERDINAND What say you, lords? Why, this was quite forgot. BIRON So study evermore is overshot: While it doth study to have what it would It doth forget to do the thing it should, And when it hath the thing it hunteth most, 'Tis won as towns with fire, so won, so lost. FERDINAND We must of force dispense with this decree; She must lie here on mere necessity. BIRON Necessity will make us all forsworn Three thousand times within this three years' space; For every man with his affects is born, Not by might master'd but by special grace: If I break faith, this word shall speak for me; I am forsworn on 'mere necessity.' So to the laws at large I write my name: Subscribes And he that breaks them in the least degree Stands in attainder of eternal shame: Suggestions are to other as to me; But I believe, although I seem so loath, I am the last that will last keep his oath. But is there no quick recreation granted? FERDINAND Ay, that there is. Our court, you know, is haunted With a refined traveller of Spain; A man in all the world's new fashion planted, That hath a mint of phrases in his brain; One whom the music of his own vain tongue Doth ravish like enchanting harmony; A man of complements, whom right and wrong Have chose as umpire of their mutiny: This child of fancy, that Armado hight, For interim to our studies shall relate In high-born words the worth of many a knight From tawny Spain lost in the world's debate. How you delight, my lords, I know not, I; But, I protest, I love to hear him lie And I will use him for my minstrelsy. BIRON Armado is a most illustrious wight, A man of fire-new words, fashion's own knight. LONGAVILLE Costard the swain and he shall be our sport; And so to study, three years is but short. Enter DULL with a letter, and COSTARD DULL Which is the duke's own person? BIRON This, fellow: what wouldst? DULL I myself reprehend his own person, for I am his grace's tharborough: but I would see his own person in flesh and blood. BIRON This is he. DULL Signior Arme--Arme--commends you. There's villany abroad: this letter will tell you more. COSTARD Sir, the contempts thereof are as touching me. FERDINAND A letter from the magnificent Armado. BIRON How low soever the matter, I hope in God for high words. LONGAVILLE A high hope for a low heaven: God grant us patience! BIRON To hear? or forbear laughing? LONGAVILLE To hear meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately; or to forbear both. BIRON Well, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause to climb in the merriness. COSTARD The matter is to me, sir, as concerning Jaquenetta. The manner of it is, I was taken with the manner. BIRON In what manner? COSTARD 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. BIRON For the following, sir? COSTARD As it shall follow in my correction: and God defend the right! FERDINAND Will you hear this letter with attention? BIRON As we would hear an oracle. COSTARD Such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh. FERDINAND [Reads] 'Great deputy, the welkin's vicegerent and sole dominator of Navarre, my soul's earth's god, and body's fostering patron.' COSTARD Not a word of Costard yet. FERDINAND [Reads] 'So it is,'-- COSTARD It may be so: but if he say it is so, he is, in telling true, but so. FERDINAND Peace! COSTARD Be to me and every man that dares not fight! FERDINAND No words! COSTARD Of other men's secrets, I beseech you. FERDINAND [Reads] 'So it is, besieged with sable-coloured melancholy, I did commend the black-oppressing humour to the most wholesome physic of thy health-giving air; and, as I am a gentleman, betook myself to walk. The time when. About the sixth hour; when beasts most graze, birds best peck, and men sit down to that nourishment which is called supper: so much for the time when. Now for the ground which; which, I mean, I walked upon: it is y-cleped thy park. Then for the place where; where, I mean, I did encounter that obscene and preposterous event, that draweth from my snow-white pen the ebon-coloured ink, which here thou viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or seest; but to the place where; it standeth north-north-east and by east from the west corner of thy curious- knotted garden: there did I see that low-spirited swain, that base minnow of thy mirth,'-- COSTARD Me? FERDINAND [Reads] 'that unlettered small-knowing soul,'-- COSTARD Me? FERDINAND [Reads] 'that shallow vassal,'-- COSTARD Still me? FERDINAND [Reads] 'which, as I remember, hight Costard,'-- COSTARD O, me! FERDINAND [Reads] 'sorted and consorted, contrary to thy established proclaimed edict and continent canon, which with,--O, with--but with this I passion to say wherewith,-- COSTARD With a wench. FERDINAND [Reads] 'with a child of our grandmother Eve, a female; or, for thy more sweet understanding, a woman. Him I, as my ever-esteemed duty pricks me on, have sent to thee, to receive the meed of punishment, by thy sweet grace's officer, Anthony Dull; a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and estimation.' DULL 'Me, an't shall please you; I am Anthony Dull. FERDINAND [Reads] 'For Jaquenetta,--so is the weaker vessel called which I apprehended with the aforesaid swain,--I keep her as a vessel of the law's fury; and shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, bring her to trial. Thine, in all compliments of devoted and heart-burning heat of duty. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO.' BIRON This is not so well as I looked for, but the best that ever I heard. FERDINAND Ay, the best for the worst. But, sirrah, what say you to this? COSTARD Sir, I confess the wench. FERDINAND Did you hear the proclamation? COSTARD I do confess much of the hearing it but little of the marking of it. FERDINAND It was proclaimed a year's imprisonment, to be taken with a wench. COSTARD I was taken with none, sir: I was taken with a damsel. FERDINAND Well, it was proclaimed 'damsel.' COSTARD This was no damsel, neither, sir; she was a virgin. FERDINAND It is so varied, too; for it was proclaimed 'virgin.' COSTARD If it were, I deny her virginity: I was taken with a maid. FERDINAND This maid will not serve your turn, sir. COSTARD This maid will serve my turn, sir. FERDINAND Sir, I will pronounce your sentence: you shall fast a week with bran and water. COSTARD I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge. FERDINAND And Don Armado shall be your keeper. My Lord Biron, see him deliver'd o'er: And go we, lords, to put in practise that Which each to other hath so strongly sworn. Exeunt FERDINAND, LONGAVILLE, and DUMAIN BIRON I'll lay my head to any good man's hat, These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn. Sirrah, come on. COSTARD I suffer for the truth, sir; for true it is, I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a true girl; and therefore welcome the sour cup of prosperity! Affliction may one day smile again; and till then, sit thee down, sorrow! Exeunt LOVE'S LABOURS LOST第一幕     第一场 那瓦王御苑     国王、俾隆、朗格维及杜曼上。     国王 让众人所追求的名誉永远记录在我们的墓碑上， 使我们在死亡的耻辱中 获得不朽的光荣；不管饕餮的时间怎样吞噬着一切，我们要在这一息尚存的时候， 努力博取我们的声名，使时间的镰刀不能伤害我们；我们的生命可以终了，我们的 名誉却要永垂万古。所以，勇敢的战士们——因为你们都是向你们自己的感情和一 切俗世的欲望奋勇作战的英雄——我们必须把我们最近的敕令严格实行起来：那瓦 将要成为世界的奇迹；我们的宫廷将要成为一所小小的学院，潜心探讨有益人生的 学术。你们三个人，俾隆、杜曼和朗格维，已经立誓在这三年之内，跟我一起生活， 做我的学侣，并且绝对遵守这一纸戒约上所规定的各项条文；你们的誓已经宣过， 现在就请你们签下自己的名字；这样一来，谁要是破坏了这戒约上最细微的一枝一 节，就可以让亲笔的字迹勾消他的荣誉。要是你们已经下了最大的决心，愿你们签 下名字，无渝斯盟。     朗格维 我已经决定了。 左右不过是三年的长斋；身体虽然憔悴，精神上却享 受着盛宴。饱了肚皮，饿了头脑；美食珍馐可以充实肌肤，却会闭塞心窍。     杜曼 陛下， 杜曼已经抑制了他的情欲，把世间一切粗俗的物质的欢娱丢给伧 夫俗子们去享受。恋爱、财富和荣华把人暗中催老；我要在哲学中间找寻生命的奥 妙。     俾隆 我所能够说的话， 他们两人都已经说过了。我已经发誓，陛下，在这儿 读书三年；可是其他严厉的戒条，例如在那时期以内，不许见一个女人，这一条我 希望并不包括在内；还有每一星期中有一天不许接触任何食物，平常的日子，每天 只有一餐，这一条我也希望并不包括在内；还有晚上只许睡三小时，白天不准瞌睡， 这一条我也希望并不包括在内，因为我一向总是从天黑睡到天亮，还要再把半个白 昼当作黑夜。啊！这些题目太难，叫人怎么办得到？不看女人尽读书，不吃饭又不 许睡觉！     国王 你在宣誓的时候，已经声明遵守这些条件了。     俾隆 请陛下恕我， 我并没有发这样的誓。我只发誓陪着陛下读书，在您的宫 廷里居住三年。     朗格维 除了这一点以外，俾隆，其余的条件你也都发誓遵守的。     俾隆 那么， 先生，我只是开玩笑说说的。我倒要请问，读书的目的究竟是什 么？     国王 知道我们所不知道的事情。     俾隆 您的意思是说那些我们常识所不能窥察的事情吗？     国王 正是，那就是读书的莫大的报酬。     俾隆 好， 那么我要发誓苦读，把天地间的奥秘勤搜冥索：当煌煌的禁令阻止 我宴乐的时候，我要知道什么地方可以填满我的饥肠；当我们的肉眼望不见一个女 人的时候，我要知道什么地方可以遇见天仙般的姑娘；要是我发了一个难以遵守的 誓言，我要知道怎样可以一边叛誓，一边把我的信誉保全。要是读书果然有这样的 用处，能够知道目前还不知道的东西，你尽可以命我发誓，我一定踊跃从命，决无 二言。     国王 这些是学问途中的障碍，引导我们的智慧去追寻无聊的愉快。     俾隆 一切愉快都是无聊； 最大的无聊却是为了无聊费尽辛劳。你捧着一本书 苦苦钻研，为的是追寻真理的光明；真理却虚伪地使你的眼睛失明。这就叫作：本 想找光明，反而失去了光明；因为黑暗里的光明尚未发现，你两眼的光明已经转为 黑暗。我宁愿消受眼皮上的供养，把美人的妙目姿情鉴赏，那脉脉含情的夺人光艳 可以扫去我眼中的雾障。学问就像是高悬中天的日轮，愚妄的肉眼不能测度它的高 深；孜孜矻矻的腐儒白首穷年，还不是从前人书本里掇拾些片爪寸鳞？那些自命不 凡的文人学士，替每一颗星球取下一个名字；可是在众星吐辉的夜里，灿烂的星光 一样会照射到无知的俗子。过分的博学无非浪博虚声；每一个教父都会替孩子命名。     国王 他反对读书的理由多么充足！     杜曼 他用巧妙的言辞阻善济恶！     朗格维 他让莠草蔓生，刈除了嘉谷！     俾隆 春天到了，小鹅孵出了蛋壳！     杜曼 这句话是怎么接上去的？     俾隆 各得其时，各如其分。     杜曼 一点意思都没有。     俾隆 聊以凑韵。     国王 俾隆就像一阵冷酷无情的霜霰，用他的利嘴咬死了春天初生的婴孩。     俾隆 好， 就算我是；要是小鸟还没有啭动它的新腔，为什么要让盛夏夸耀它 的荣光？为什么要我喜爱流产的婴儿？我不愿冰雪遮掩了五月的花天锦地，也不希 望蔷薇花在圣诞节含娇弄媚；万物都各自有它生长的季节，太早太迟同样是过犹不 及。你们到现在才去埋头功课，等于爬过了墙头去拔开门上的键锁。     国王 好，那么你退出好了。回家去吧，俾隆，再会！     俾隆 不， 陛下；我已经宣誓陪着您在一起；虽然我说了这许多话为无知的愚 昧张目，使你们理竭词穷，不能为神圣的知识辩护，可是请相信我，我一定遵守我 的誓言，安心忍受这三年的苦行。把那纸儿给我，让我一条一条读下去，在这些严 厉的规律下面把我的名字签署。     国王 你这样回心转意，免去了你终身的耻辱！     俾隆“第一条，任何女子不得进入离朕宫廷一哩之内。”这一条有没有公布？     朗格维 已经公布四天了。     俾隆 让我们看看违禁的有些什么处分。 “如有故违，割去该女之舌示儆。” 这惩罚是谁定出来的？     朗格维 不敢，是我。     俾隆 好大人，请问您的理由？     朗格维 她们看见了这样可怕的刑罚，就会吓得不敢来了。     俾隆 好一条禁止良好风尚的野蛮法律！ “第二条，倘有人在三年之内，被发 现与任何女子交谈，当由其他朝臣共同议定最严厉之办法，予以公开之羞辱。”这 一条，陛下，您自己就要破坏的；您知道法国国王的女儿，一位端庄淑美的姑娘， 就要奉命到这儿来，跟您交涉把阿奎丹归还给她的老迈衰弱、卧病在床的父亲；所 以这一条规律倘不是等于虚设，就只好让这位众人赞慕的公主白白跋涉这一趟。     国王 你们怎么说，各位贤卿？这一件事情我全然忘了。     俾隆 读书人总是这样舍近而求远， 当他一心研究着怎样可以达到他的志愿的 时候，却把眼前所应该做的事情忘了；等到志愿成就，正像用火攻夺取城市一样， 得到的只是一堆灰烬。     国王 为了事实上的必要， 我们只好废止这一条法令；她必须寄宿在我们的宫 廷之内。     俾隆 事实上的必要将使我们在这三年之内毁誓三千次， 因为每个人都是生来 就有他自己的癖好，对这些癖好只能宽大为怀，不能用强力来横加压制。要是我破 坏了约誓，就可以用这个字眼作盾牌，说我所以背信是出于事实上的必要。所以我 在这儿签下我的名字，全部接受这一切规律；（签名）谁要是违反了戒约上最微细 的一枝一节，让他永远不齿于人口。倘然别人受到诱惑，我也会同样受到诱惑；可 是我相信，虽然今天你们看我是这样地不情愿，我一定是最后毁誓的一个。可是戒 约上有没有允许我们可以找些有趣的消遣呢？     国王 有， 有。你们知道我们的宫廷里来了一个文雅的西班牙游客，他的身上 包罗着全世界各地的奇腔异调，他的脑筋里收藏着取之不尽的古怪的辞句；从他自 负不凡的舌头上吐出来的狂言，在他自己听起来就像迷人的音乐一样使人沉醉；他 是个富有才能、善于折衷是非的人。这个幻想之儿，名字叫做亚马多的，将要在我 们读书的余暇，用一些夸张的字句，给我们讲述在战争中丧生的热带之国西班牙骑 士们的伟绩。我不知道你们喜不喜欢他；可是我自己很爱听他说谎，我要叫他作我 的行吟诗人。     俾隆 亚马多是一个最出色的家伙，一个会用崭新字句的十足时髦的骑士。     朗格维 考斯塔德那个村夫和他配成一对， 可以替我们制造无穷的笑料；这样 读书三年也不会觉得太长。     德尔持信及考斯塔德同上。     德尔 哪一位是王上本人？     俾隆 这一位便是，家伙。你有什么事？     德尔 我自己也是代表王上的， 因为我是王上陛下的巡丁；可是我要看看王上 本人。     俾隆 这便是他。     劳德尔 亚马——亚马——先生问候陛下安好。 外边有人图谋不轨；这封信可 以告诉您一切。     考斯塔德 陛下，这封信里所提起的事情是跟我有关系的。     国王 伟大的亚马多写来的信！     俾隆 不管内容多么罗苏，我希望它充满了夸大的字眼。     朗格维 问题不大，希望倒满大的，愿上帝给我们忍耐吧！     俾隆 耐着听，还是忍住笑？     朗格维 随便听听，轻声笑笑，要不然就别听也别笑。     俾隆 好，先生，我们应该怎么开心，还是让文章的本身替我们决定吧。     考斯塔德 这件事， 先生，是关于我和杰奎妮妲两个人的。至于情，我确是知 情的。     俾隆 知什么情？     考斯塔德 其情其状随后即见分晓， 先生；三者具备，一无欠缺：他们看见我 在庄上和她并坐谈情，行为有些莽撞；等她走到御苑里的时候，我又随后跟着，结 果被人抓住了。这不是“其情其状随后即见分晓”吗？说到情，先生，那只是男女 之情；说到状——咳，不过是奇形怪状。     俾隆 还有个随后呢，老兄？     考斯塔德 随后就要看对我的处置了；愿上帝保佑善人！     国王 你们愿意用心听我读这一封信吗？     俾隆 我们愿意洗耳恭听，就像它是天神的圣谕一般。     考斯塔德 愚蠢的世人对肉体的需要也是同样洗耳恭听的。     国王“上天的伟大的代理人，那瓦的唯一的统治者，我的灵魂的地上的真神， 我的肉体的养育的恩主——”     考斯塔德 还没有一个字提起考斯塔德。     国王“事情是这样的——”     考斯塔德 也许是这样的； 可是假如他说是这样的，那他，说实话，也不过这 样。     国王 闭嘴！     考斯塔德 像我们这种安分守己，不敢跟人家打架的人，只好把一张嘴闭起来。     国王 少说话！     考斯塔德 我也恳求你，对别人的私事还是少说话为妙。     国王“事情是这样的，我因为被黑色的忧郁所包围，想要借着你的令人健康的 空气的最灵效的医药，祛除这一种阴沉的重压的情绪，所以凭着我的绅士的身分， 使我自己出外散步。是什么时间呢？大约在六点钟左右，正是畜类纷纷吃草，鸟儿 成群啄食，人们坐下来享受那所谓晚餐的一种营养的时候：以上说明了时间。现在 要说到什么场所：我的意思是说我散步的场所；那是称为你的御苑的所在。于是要 说到什么地点：我的意思是说我在什么地点碰到这一桩最淫秽而荒谬的事件，使我 从我的雪白的笔端注出了乌黑的墨水，成为现在你所看见、察阅、诵读或者浏览的 这一封信。可是说到什么地点，那是在你的曲曲折折的花园里的西边角上东北偏北 而略近东首的方向；就在那边我看见那卑鄙的村夫，那可发一笑的，下贱的小人物 ——”     考斯塔德 我。     国王“那没有教养的孤陋寡闻的灵魂——”     考斯塔德 我。     国王“那浅薄的东西——”     考斯塔德 还是我。     国王“照我所记得，考斯塔德是他的名字——”     考斯塔德 啊，我。     国王“公然违反你的颁布晓谕的诏令和禁抑邪行的法典，跟一个——跟一个— —啊！跟一个说起了就使我万分气愤的人结伴同行——”     考斯塔德 跟一个女人。     国王“跟一个我们祖母夏娃的孩儿，一个阴人；或者为了使你格外明白起见， 一个女子。受着责任心的驱策，我把他交给陛下的巡丁安东尼·德尔，一个在名誉、 态度、举止和信用方面都很优良的人，带到你的面前，领受应得的惩戒。——”     德尔 启禀陛下，我就是安东尼·德尔。     国王“至于杰奎妮妲——因为这就是那和前述村夫同时被我捕获的脆弱的东西 的名称——我让她等候着你的法律的威严；一得到你的最轻微的传谕，我就会把她 带来受审。抱着必恭必敬、燃烧全心的忠诚，你的仆人唐·阿德里安诺·德·亚马 多敬上。”     俾隆 这封信还不能适如我的预期， 可是在我所曾经听到过的书信中间，这不 失为最有趣的一封。     国王 是的，这是古今恶札中的杰作。喂，你对于这封信有什么话说吗？     考斯塔德 陛下，我承认是有这么一个女人。     国王 你听见谕告吗？     考斯塔德 我听倒是听见的，不过没有十分注意。     国王 谕告上说，和妇人在一起而被捕，处以一年的监禁。     考斯塔德 我不是和妇人在一起，陛下，我是跟一个姑娘在一起。     国王 好，谕告上说姑娘也包括在内。     考斯塔德 这也不是一个姑娘，陛下；她是个处女。     国王 处女也包括在内。     考斯塔德 那么我就否认她是个处女。我是跟一个女孩子在一起。     国王 女孩子不女孩子，随你怎么说都没有用。     考斯塔德 这女孩子对我很有用呢，陛下。     国王 听我的判决：你必须禁食一星期，每天吃些糠喝些水。     考斯塔德 我宁愿祈祷一个月，每天吃些羊肉喝些粥。     国王 唐·亚马多将要做你的看守人。 俾隆贤卿，你监视着把他押送过去。各 位贤卿，我们现在就去把我们彼此坚决立誓的事情实行起来。（国王、朗格维、杜 曼同下。）     俾隆 我愿意用我的头去和无论哪一个人的帽子打赌， 这些誓约和戒律不过是 一场无聊的笑柄。喂，来。     考斯塔德 我是为了真理而受难， 先生；因为我跟杰奎妮妲在一起而被他们捉 住，这是一件真实的事实，而且杰奎妮妲也是一个真心的女孩子。所以欢迎，幸运 的苦杯！痛苦也许会有一天露出笑容；现在，歇歇吧，悲哀！（同下。）

SCENE II. The same. Enter DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO and MOTH DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Boy, what sign is it when a man of great spirit grows melancholy? MOTH A great sign, sir, that he will look sad. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Why, sadness is one and the self-same thing, dear imp. MOTH No, no; O Lord, sir, no. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO How canst thou part sadness and melancholy, my tender juvenal? MOTH By a familiar demonstration of the working, my tough senior. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Why tough senior? why tough senior? MOTH Why tender juvenal? why tender juvenal? DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO I spoke it, tender juvenal, as a congruent epitheton appertaining to thy young days, which we may nominate tender. MOTH And I, tough senior, as an appertinent title to your old time, which we may name tough. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Pretty and apt. MOTH How mean you, sir? I pretty, and my saying apt? or I apt, and my saying pretty? DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Thou pretty, because little. MOTH Little pretty, because little. Wherefore apt? DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO And therefore apt, because quick. MOTH Speak you this in my praise, master? DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO In thy condign praise. MOTH I will praise an eel with the same praise. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO What, that an eel is ingenious? MOTH That an eel is quick. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO I do say thou art quick in answers: thou heatest my blood. MOTH I am answered, sir. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO I love not to be crossed. MOTH [Aside] He speaks the mere contrary; crosses love not him. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO I have promised to study three years with the duke. MOTH You may do it in an hour, sir. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Impossible. MOTH How many is one thrice told? DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO I am ill at reckoning; it fitteth the spirit of a tapster. MOTH You are a gentleman and a gamester, sir. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO I confess both: they are both the varnish of a complete man. MOTH Then, I am sure, you know how much the gross sum of deuce-ace amounts to. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO It doth amount to one more than two. MOTH Which the base vulgar do call three. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO True. MOTH Why, sir, is this such a piece of study? Now here is three studied, ere ye'll thrice wink: and how easy it is to put 'years' to the word 'three,' and study three years in two words, the dancing horse will tell you. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO A most fine figure! MOTH To prove you a cipher. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO I will hereupon confess I am in love: and as it is base for a soldier to love, so am I in love with a base wench. If drawing my sword against the humour of affection would deliver me from the reprobate thought of it, I would take Desire prisoner, and ransom him to any French courtier for a new-devised courtesy. I think scorn to sigh: methinks I should outswear Cupid. Comfort, me, boy: what great men have been in love? MOTH Hercules, master. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Most sweet Hercules! More authority, dear boy, name more; and, sweet my child, let them be men of good repute and carriage. MOTH Samson, master: he was a man of good carriage, great carriage, for he carried the town-gates on his back like a porter: and he was in love. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO O well-knit Samson! strong-jointed Samson! 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 第二场 同前     亚马多及毛子上。     亚马多 孩子，一个精神伟大的人要是变得忧郁起来，会有些什么征象？     毛子 他会显出悲哀的神气，主人，这是一个伟大的征象。     亚马多 忧郁和悲哀不是同样的东西吗，亲爱的小鬼？     毛子 不，不，主啊！不，主人。     亚马多 你怎么可以把悲哀和忧郁分开，我的柔嫩的青年？     毛子 我可以从作用上举出很普通的证明，我的粗硬的长老。     亚马多 为什么是粗硬的长老？为什么是粗硬的长老？     毛子 为什么是柔嫩的青年？为什么是柔嫩的青年？     亚马多 我说你是柔嫩的青年，因为这是对于你的弱龄的一个适当的名称。     毛子 我说您是粗硬的长老，因为这是对于您的老年的一个合宜的尊号。     亚马多 美不可言，妙不可言！     毛子 这怎么讲，主人？你是说我美、我的话妙呢，还是说我妙、我的话美？     亚马多 我是说你美，因为身材娇小。     毛子 小人还美得了吗？那么妙从何来呢？     亚马多 妙者，敏捷之谓也。     毛子 你说这话，主人，是捧我吗？     亚马多 确系盛誉。     毛子 我倒想把你这番盛誉送给鳝鱼。     亚马多 怎么，鳝鱼有何聪明可言？     毛子 鳝鱼算是够敏捷的。     亚马多 我是说你应对敏捷；你要使我肝火旺盛了。     毛子 得，主人，我没什么说的了。     亚马多 我最讨厌的是贫。     毛子（旁白）真叫他说着了，他口袋里一个子儿也没有。     亚马多 我已经答应陪着王上研究三年。     毛子 主人，您用不着一点钟的工夫，就可以把它研究出来。     亚马多 不可能的事。     毛子 一的三倍是多少？     亚马多 我不会计算；那是堂倌酒保们干的事。     毛子 主人，您是一位绅士，也是一位赌徒。     亚马多 这两个名义我都承认；它们都是一个堂堂男子的标识。     毛子 那么我相信您一定知道两点加一点一共几点。     亚马多 比两点多一点。     毛子 那在下贱的俗人嘴里是称为三点的。     亚马多 不错。     毛子 瞧， 主人，这不是很容易的研究吗？您还没有霎过三次眼睛，我们已经 把三字研究出来了；要是再在“三”字后面加上一个“年”字，一共两个字，不是 用不着那匹会跳舞的马①也可以给您算出来吗？     亚马多 此论甚通。     毛子 这说明您不通。     亚马多 我承认我是在恋爱了； 一个军人谈恋爱是一件下流的事，所以我恋爱 着一个下流的女人。要是我向爱情拔剑作战，可以把我从这种堕落的思想中间拯救 出来的话，我就要把欲望作为我的俘虏，让无论哪一个法国宫廷里的朝士用一些新 式的礼节把它赎去。我不屑于叹气，但是在骂誓这点上，丘匹德见了我也得甘拜下 风。安慰我，孩子；哪几个伟大的人物是曾经恋爱过的？     毛子 赫剌克勒斯，主人。     亚马多 最亲爱的赫剌克勒斯！ 再举几个例子，好孩子，再举几个；我的亲爱 的孩子，你必须替我举几个赫赫有名身担重任的人。     毛子 参孙②， 主人；说起身担重任，谁也比不了他。他曾经像一个脚夫似地 把城门负在背上；他也恋爱过的。     亚马多 啊， 结实的参孙！强壮的参孙！你在剑法上不如我，我在背城门这一 件事情上也不如你。我也在恋爱了。谁是参孙的爱人，我的好毛子？     毛子 一个女人，主人。     亚马多 是什么肤色的女人？     毛子 一共四种肤色， 也许她四种都有，也许她有四种之中的三种、两种，或 是一种颜色。     亚马多 正确一些告诉我她的皮肤是什么颜色？     毛子 是海水一样碧绿的颜色，主人。     亚马多 那也是四种肤色中的一种吗？     毛子 我在书上是这样读过的，主人；最好看的女人都是这种颜色。     亚马多 绿色的确是情人们的颜色； 可是我想参孙会爱上一个绿皮肤的女人， 却是不可思议的。他准是看中她有头脑。     毛子 不错，主人。头脑要绿，帽子也会绿的。     亚马多 我爱的女人生得十分干净，红是红，白是白的。     毛子 最污秽的思想，主人，都是藏匿在这种颜色之下的。     亚马多 说出你的理由来，懂事的婴孩。     毛子 我的父亲的智慧，我的母亲的舌头，帮助我！     亚马多 一个孩子的可爱的祷告，非常佳妙而动人！     毛子     要是她的脸色又红又白， 你永远不会发现她犯罪，     因为白色表示惊恐惶迫， 绯红的胜表示羞耻惭愧；     可是她倘然犯下了错误， 你不能从她的脸上看出，     因为红的羞愧白的恐怖， 都是她天然生就的颜色。     这几行诗句，主人，可以证明白和红是两种危险的颜色。     亚马多 孩子，不是有一支谣曲歌咏着国王恋爱丐女的故事吗？     毛子 大概在三个世代以前， 曾经流行着这么一支恶劣的谣曲；可是我想它现 在已经失传了；即使还有人记得，也写不出来，而且不能歌唱的。     亚马多 我要把那题目重新写成一首诗，使它作为我的迷恋的一个有力的前例。 孩子，我真的爱上了我在御苑里捉住的那个跟村夫考斯塔德在一起的乡下姑娘了； 她应该有一个人好好地照顾她。     毛子（旁白）好好地抽一顿鞭子；可是她应该有一个比我的主人更好的情郎。     亚马多 唱吧，孩子；我的心灵因为爱情而沉重起来了。     毛子 那是一件大大的奇事，因为您爱的是一个轻狂的女人。     亚马多 我说，唱吧。     毛子 等这班人过去了再唱吧。     德尔、考斯塔德及杰奎妮妲上。     德尔 先生， 王上的旨意，叫你把考斯塔德看守起来，不要叫他寻欢作乐也不 要叫他忏悔，还要叫他每星期禁食三天。讲到这一位姑娘，我必须让她留在御苑里 挤牛乳。再会！     亚马多 我羞得满脸都红了。姑娘！     杰奎妮妲 汉子？     亚马多 我要到你居住的地方来看你。     杰奎妮妲 那就在附近。     亚马多 我知道它的所在。     杰奎妮妲 主啊，你是多么聪明！     亚马多 我会给你讲海外奇闻。     杰奎妮妲 凭着你这一副嘴脸吗？     亚马多 我爱你。     杰奎妮妲 我已经听见你说过了。     亚马多 再会！     杰奎妮妲 愿你平安！     德尔 来，杰奎妮妲，去吧！（德尔及杰奎妮妲下。）     亚马多 混蛋，你干了这样的坏事，非让你禁食不可。     考斯塔德 呃，先生，我希望您让我在禁食以前先吃个饱。     亚马多 我要把你重重惩罚一下。     考斯塔德 多谢您的盛意，可是这帮下人却叫王上轻轻就打发走了。     亚马多 把这混蛋带下去，把他关起来。     毛子 来，你这胡作非为的奴才；去！     考斯塔德 别把我关起来吧，先生。把我放了，我一定禁食。     毛子 既然放了，还能禁吗？快去坐牢吧！     考斯塔德 好，要是我有一天恢复了自由，我要叫一些人看看——     毛子 叫一些人看看什么？     考斯塔德 不， 没有什么，毛子少爷；他们爱看什么就看什么。做了囚犯是不 能一声不响的，所以，我还是不要多说什么才好。谢谢上帝我是个没有耐性的人， 所以我会安安静静住在牢里。（毛子及考斯塔德下。）     亚马多  我爱上了那被她穿在她的卑贱的鞋子里的更卑贱的脚所践踏的最卑贱 的地面。要是我恋爱了，我将要破坏誓约，那就是说了一句虚伪的谎。虚伪的谎怎 么可以换到真实的爱呢？爱情是一个魔鬼，是一个独一无二的罪恶的天使。可是参 孙也曾被它引诱，他是个力气很大的人；所罗门也曾被它迷惑，他是个聪明无比的 人。赫剌克勒斯的巨棍也敌不住丘匹德的箭镞，所以一个西班牙人的宝剑怎么能够 对抗得了呢？不消一两个回合，我的剑法就要完全散乱了。什么直刺，什么横劈， 在他看来都是不值一笑。他的耻辱是被人称为孩子；他的光荣却是征服成人。别了， 勇气！锈了吧，宝剑！静下来，战鼓！因为你们的主人在恋爱了；是的，他在恋爱 了。即景生情的诗神啊，帮助我！因为我相信我要写起十四行诗来了。想吧，智慧； 写吧，笔！我有足够的诗情，可以写满几大卷的对开大本呢。（下。）

SCENE I. The same. Enter the PRINCESS of France, ROSALINE, MARIA, KATHARINE, BOYET, Lords, and other Attendants BOYET Now, madam, summon up your dearest spirits: Consider who the king your father sends, To whom he sends, and what's his embassy: Yourself, held precious in the world's esteem, To parley with the sole inheritor Of all perfections that a man may owe, Matchless Navarre; the plea of no less weight Than Aquitaine, a dowry for a queen. Be now as prodigal of all dear grace As Nature was in making graces dear When she did starve the general world beside And prodigally gave them all to you. PRINCESS Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Needs not the painted flourish of your praise: Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye, Not utter'd by base sale of chapmen's tongues: I am less proud to hear you tell my worth Than you much willing to be counted wise In spending your wit in the praise of mine. But now to task the tasker: good Boyet, You are not ignorant, all-telling fame 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-visaged suitors, his high will. BOYET Proud of employment, willingly I go. PRINCESS All pride is willing pride, and yours is so. Exit BOYET Who are the votaries, my loving lords, That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke? First Lord Lord Longaville is one. PRINCESS Know you the man? MARIA I know him, madam: at a marriage-feast, Between Lord Perigort and the beauteous heir Of Jaques Falconbridge, solemnized In Normandy, saw I this Longaville: A man of sovereign parts he is esteem'd; Well fitted in 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 matched with too blunt a will; Whose edge hath power to cut, whose will still wills It should none spare that come within his power. PRINCESS Some merry mocking lord, belike; is't so? MARIA They say so most that most his humours know. PRINCESS Such short-lived wits do wither as they grow. Who are the rest? KATHARINE The young Dumain, a well-accomplished youth, Of all that virtue love for virtue loved: Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill; For he hath wit to make an ill shape good, And shape to win grace though he had no wit. I saw him at the Duke Alencon's once; And much too little of that good I saw Is my report to his great worthiness. ROSALINE Another of these students at that time Was there with him, if I have heard a truth. Biron they call him; but a merrier man, Within the limit of becoming mirth, I never spent an hour's talk withal: His eye begets occasion for his wit; For every object that the one doth catch The other turns to a mirth-moving jest, Which his fair tongue, conceit's expositor, Delivers in such apt and gracious words That aged ears play truant at his tales And younger hearings are quite ravished; So sweet and voluble is his discourse. PRINCESS God bless my ladies! are they all in love, That every one her own hath garnished With such bedecking ornaments of praise? First Lord Here comes Boyet. Re-enter BOYET PRINCESS Now, what admittance, lord? BOYET Navarre had notice of your fair approach; And he and his competitors in oath Were all address'd to meet you, gentle lady, Before I came. Marry, thus much I have learnt: 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, To let you enter his unpeopled house. Here comes Navarre. Enter FERDINAND, LONGAVILLE, DUMAIN, BIRON, and Attendants FERDINAND Fair princess, welcome to the court of Navarre. PRINCESS '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 wide fields too base to be mine. FERDINAND You shall be welcome, madam, to my court. PRINCESS I will be welcome, then: conduct me thither. FERDINAND Hear me, dear lady; I have sworn an oath. PRINCESS Our Lady help my lord! he'll be forsworn. FERDINAND Not for the world, fair madam, by my will. PRINCESS Why, will shall break it; will and nothing else. FERDINAND Your ladyship is ignorant what it is. PRINCESS Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise, Where now his knowledge must prove ignorance. I hear your grace hath sworn out house-keeping: Tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord, And sin to break it. But pardon me. I am too sudden-bold: To teach a teacher ill beseemeth me. Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming, And suddenly resolve me in my suit. FERDINAND Madam, I will, if suddenly I may. PRINCESS You will the sooner, that I were away; For you'll prove perjured if you make me stay. BIRON Did not I dance with you in Brabant once? ROSALINE Did not I dance with you in Brabant once? BIRON I know you did. ROSALINE How needless was it then to ask the question! BIRON You must not be so quick. ROSALINE 'Tis 'long of you that spur me with such questions. BIRON Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill tire. ROSALINE Not till it leave the rider in the mire. BIRON What time o' day? ROSALINE The hour that fools should ask. BIRON Now fair befall your mask! ROSALINE Fair fall the face it covers! BIRON And send you many lovers! ROSALINE Amen, so you be none. BIRON Nay, then will I be gone. FERDINAND Madam, your father here doth intimate The payment of a hundred thousand crowns; Being but the one half of an entire 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, One part of Aquitaine is bound to us, Although not valued to the money's worth. If then the king your father will restore But that one half which is unsatisfied, We will give up our right in Aquitaine, And hold fair friendship with his majesty. But that, it seems, he little purposeth, For here he doth demand to have repaid A hundred thousand crowns; and not demands, On payment of a hundred thousand crowns, To have his title live in Aquitaine; Which we much rather had depart withal And have the money by our father lent Than Aquitaine so gelded as it is. Dear Princess, were not his requests so far From reason's yielding, your fair self should make A yielding 'gainst some reason in my breast And go well satisfied to France again. PRINCESS You do the king my father too much wrong And wrong the reputation of your name, In so unseeming to confess receipt Of that which hath so faithfully been paid. FERDINAND I do protest I never heard of it; And if you prove it, I'll repay it back Or yield up Aquitaine. PRINCESS We arrest your word. Boyet, you can produce acquittances For such a sum from special officers Of Charles his father. FERDINAND Satisfy me so. BOYET So please your grace, the packet is not come Where that and other specialties are bound: To-morrow you shall have a sight of them. FERDINAND It shall suffice me: at which interview All liberal reason I will yield unto. Meantime receive such welcome at my hand As honour without breach of honour may Make tender of to thy true worthiness: You may not come, fair princess, in my gates; But here without you shall be so received As you shall deem yourself lodged in my heart, Though so denied fair harbour in my house. Your own good thoughts excuse me, and farewell: To-morrow shall we visit you again. PRINCESS Sweet health and fair desires consort your grace! FERDINAND Thy own wish wish I thee in every place! Exit BIRON Lady, I will commend you to mine own heart. ROSALINE Pray you, do my commendations; I would be glad to see it. BIRON I would you heard it groan. ROSALINE Is the fool sick? BIRON Sick at the heart. ROSALINE Alack, let it blood. BIRON Would that do it good? ROSALINE My physic says 'ay.' BIRON Will you prick't with your eye? ROSALINE No point, with my knife. BIRON Now, God save thy life! ROSALINE And yours from long living! BIRON I cannot stay thanksgiving. Retiring DUMAIN Sir, I pray you, a word: what lady is that same? BOYET The heir of Alencon, Katharine her name. DUMAIN A gallant lady. Monsieur, fare you well. Exit LONGAVILLE I beseech you a word: what is she in the white? BOYET A woman sometimes, an you saw her in the light. LONGAVILLE Perchance light in the light. I desire her name. BOYET She hath but one for herself; to desire that were a shame. LONGAVILLE Pray you, sir, whose daughter? BOYET Her mother's, I have heard. LONGAVILLE God's blessing on your beard! BOYET Good sir, be not offended. She is an heir of Falconbridge. LONGAVILLE Nay, my choler is ended. She is a most sweet lady. BOYET Not unlike, sir, that may be. Exit LONGAVILLE BIRON What's her name in the cap? BOYET Rosaline, by good hap. BIRON Is she wedded or no? BOYET To her will, sir, or so. BIRON You are welcome, sir: adieu. BOYET Farewell to me, sir, and welcome to you. Exit BIRON MARIA That last is Biron, the merry madcap lord: Not a word with him but a jest. BOYET And every jest but a word. PRINCESS It was well done of you to take him at his word. BOYET I was as willing to grapple as he was to board. MARIA Two hot sheeps, marry. BOYET And wherefore not ships? No sheep, sweet lamb, unless we feed on your lips. MARIA You sheep, and I pasture: shall that finish the jest? BOYET So you grant pasture for me. Offering to kiss her MARIA Not so, gentle beast: My lips are no common, though several they be. BOYET Belonging to whom? MARIA To my fortunes and me. PRINCESS Good wits will be jangling; but, gentles, agree: This civil war of wits were much better used On Navarre and his book-men; for here 'tis abused. BOYET If my observation, which very seldom lies, By the heart's still rhetoric disclosed with eyes, Deceive me not now, Navarre is infected. PRINCESS With what? BOYET With that which we lovers entitle affected. PRINCESS Your reason? BOYET Why, all his behaviors did make their retire To the court of his eye, peeping thorough desire: His heart, like an agate, with your print impress'd, Proud with his form, in his eye pride express'd: His tongue, all impatient to speak and not see, Did stumble with haste in his eyesight to be; All senses to that sense did make their repair, To feel only looking on fairest of fair: Methought all his senses were lock'd in his eye, As jewels in crystal for some prince to buy; Who, tendering their own worth from where they were glass'd, Did point you to buy them, along as you pass'd: His face's own margent did quote such amazes That all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes. I'll give you Aquitaine and all that is his, An you give him for my sake but one loving kiss. PRINCESS Come to our pavilion: Boyet is disposed. BOYET But to speak that in words which his eye hath disclosed. I only have made a mouth of his eye, By adding a tongue which I know will not lie. ROSALINE Thou art an old love-monger and speakest skilfully. MARIA He is Cupid's grandfather and learns news of him. ROSALINE Then was Venus like her mother, for her father is but grim. BOYET Do you hear, my mad wenches? MARIA No. BOYET What then, do you see? ROSALINE Ay, our way to be gone. BOYET You are too hard for me. Exeunt LOVE'S LABOURS LOST 第二幕     第一场 那瓦王御苑。远处设大小帐幕     法国公主、罗瑟琳、玛利娅、凯瑟琳、鲍益、群臣及其他侍从等上。     鲍益 现在， 公主，振起您的最宝贵的精神来吧；想想您的父王特意选择了一 个什么人来充任他的使节，跟一个什么人接洽一件什么任务；他不派别人，却派他 那为全世界所敬爱的女儿，您自己，来跟具备着一切人间完善的德性的、举世无双 的那瓦国王进行谈判，而谈判的中心，又是适宜于作为一个女王的嫁奁的阿奎丹。 造化不愿把才华丽色赋与庸庸碌碌的众人，却大量地把天地间所有的灵秀锺萃于您 一身；您现在就该效法造化的大量，充分表现您的惊才绝艳。     公主 好鲍益大人， 我的美貌虽然卑不足道，却也不需要你的谀辞的渲染；美 貌是凭着眼睛判断的，不是贾人的利口所能任意抑扬。你这样搬弄你的智慧把我恭 维，无非希望人家称赞你口齿伶俐；可是我听了你这一番褒美，却一点不觉得可以 骄傲。现在我也要请你干一件事：好鲍益，你不会不知道，远近的人们都在议论纷 纷，说那瓦王已经立下誓言，要在这三年之内发愤读书，不让一个女人走近他的静 肃的宫廷；所以我们在没有进入他的禁门以前，似乎应该先去探问他的意旨；我相 信你的才干可以胜任这一项使命，所以选择你做我的代言人，向他陈述我们的来意， 告诉他法兰西国王的女儿有重要的事情希望得到迅速的解决，要求和他当面接洽。 快去对他这样说了；我们就像一群谦卑的请愿人一般，等候着他的庄严的谕示。     鲍益 得到这样的委任是我的莫大的荣幸，敢不踊跃拜命。     公主 果真引以为荣， 自然乐于从事，你正是这样。（鲍益下）各位爱卿，你 们知道哪几个人是和这位贤德的国王一同立誓守戒的信徒？     臣甲 朗格维勋爵是其中的一个。     公主 你认识这个人吗？     玛利娅 我认识他， 公主。当配力各特勋爵和杰奎斯·福康勃立琪的美丽的息 女在诺曼第举行婚礼的时候，我在宴会上见过这位朗格维。他是一个公认为才能出 众的人，文学固然是他的擅长，武艺方面也十分了得。在他心怀善意的时候，言谈 举止无可指摘。要是美德的光彩可以蒙上污点的话，那么他的唯一的缺点是一副尖 刻的机智配上一个太直率的意志：他的机智能够出口伤人，他的意志使他一往直前， 不为他人留一点余地。     公主 听起来是一位善于戏谑的贵人，是不是？     玛利娅 最熟悉他脾气的人都这样说他。     公主 这种浮华之士往往是不成大器的。还有些什么人？     凯瑟琳 年少的杜曼，一个才华出众的青年，受到一切敬爱美德的人们的爱戴； 最具有伤人的能力，却又最不怀恶心。他的智慧可以使一个形貌丑陋的人容光焕发， 可是即使他没有智慧，他的堂堂的仪表也可以博取别人的爱悦。我在阿朗松公爵的 府中见过他一次；我对于他的伟大的品格的赞美，实在不能道出我在他身上所看到 的美德于万一。     罗瑟琳 要是我所听到的话并不虚假， 那时候在阿朗松公爵那儿，还有一个他 们的同学也跟他在一起；他们叫他做俾隆；在我所交谈过的人们中间，从来不曾有 一个比他更会说笑的人，能够雅谑而不流于鄙俗。他的眼睛一看到什么事情，他的 机智就会把它编成一段有趣的笑话，他的善于抒述种种奇思妙想的舌头，会用那样 灵巧而隽永的字句把它表达出来，使老年人听了娓娓忘倦，少年人听了手舞足蹈； 他的口才是这样敏捷而巧妙。     公主 上帝祝福我的姑娘们！ 她们都在恋爱了吗？怎么每一个人都用这种侈张 的夸饰赞赏她自己中意的人？     臣甲 鲍益来了。     鲍益重上。     公主 国王怎样招待你的，鲍益？     鲍益 那瓦王已经知道您到来的消息； 我还没有见他以前，他跟他那班一同立 誓的学侣们已经准备来迎接您了。我听他的口气是这样的：他宁愿把您安顿在郊野 里，就像你们是来围攻他的宫廷的一支军队一般，而不愿违反他的誓言，让您走进 他的无人侍候的屋子。那瓦王来了。（众女戴脸罩。）     国王、朗格维、杜曼、俾隆及侍从等上。     国王 美貌的公主，欢迎你光临那瓦的宫廷。     公主 我把“美貌” 两字璧还陛下；至于说到“欢迎”，那么我还没有实受其 惠。这夐高的天宇不是您所能私有的，这辽阔的郊野也不是招待贵宾的所在。     国王 公主，我们少不得有一天要请你到我们宫廷里屈驾一游。     公主 那么我现在就接受您的邀请，请引我前往。     国王 听我说，亲爱的公主，我曾经立下重誓。     公主 圣母保佑陛下！您有一天会毁誓的。     国王 凭着我的意志起誓，公主，我决不毁誓。     公主 是啊，意志，也只有意志，能使您毁誓。     国王 公主，你不知道我发下的是个什么誓。     公主 要是陛下也不知道您自己所发的誓， 那倒是陛下的聪明，因为知道这样 的誓，反而是一种愚昧。我听说陛下已经发誓不理家政；谨守那样一个无聊的誓， 真是一桩极大的罪恶，虽然毁弃它也同样是一桩罪恶。可是恕我吧，我太放肆了， 我不该向一个教师训诲。请您读一读我此来的目的，迅速赐给我一个答复。（以文 件授国王。）     国王 公主，我愿意尽快答复你的赐教。     公主 您更愿意的还是早一点把我打发走， 因为要是您让我羁留在贵国，就等 于把您的誓言毁弃了。     俾隆 我不是有一次在勃拉旁跟您跳过舞吗？     罗瑟琳 我不是有一次在勃拉旁跟您跳过舞吗？     俾隆 我知道您跟我跳过舞的。     罗瑟琳 既然知道，何必多问！     俾隆 您不要这样火辣辣的。     罗瑟琳 谁叫你用这种问题引起我的火性来？     俾隆 您的舌头就像一匹快马，奔得太快会把力气都奔完的。     罗瑟琳 它不到把骑马的人掀下在泥潭里，是不会止步的。     俾隆 现在是什么时候了？     罗瑟琳 现在是傻瓜们向别人发问的时候。     俾隆 愿幸运降在您的脸罩上！     罗瑟琳 愿脸罩下的脸能走运！     俾隆 并且给您带来许多恋人！     罗瑟琳 阿门，但愿您不是其中之一。     俾隆 嗳哟，那么我要走了。     国王 公主， 令尊在这封信上说起他已经付了我们十万克郎，那只是先父在日 贵国所欠我们的战债的半数。这笔款子先父和我都从未收到；即使果有此事，那么 也还有十万克郎的欠款没有清还。当初贵国同意把阿奎丹的一部分抵押给我们，作 为这一笔欠款的保证，虽然拿土地的价值说起来，实在抵不上这一个数目。现在你 的父王只要愿意把那未清偿的半数还给我们，我们也愿意放弃我们在阿奎丹的权利， 和他永结盟好。可是他似乎一点没有这种意思，因为在这信上，他单单提出要我们 偿还已经付出的十万克郎这一点，却绝口不谈清付十万克郎余欠，以便收复他对阿 奎丹的权利的问题。其实我们只要收回先父在日出借的债款，对于阿奎丹这一块瘦 瘠不毛的地方，倒是很乐于割舍的。亲爱的公主，倘不是令尊的要求太不近情理， 这次蒙你芳踪蒞止，我一定不会让你失望而归。     公主 家君从来没有愆约背信， 不履行他的偿债的义务；陛下否认收到这一笔 偿款，不但诬蔑家君，而且有失一国元首的器度；我不能不为陛下的名誉惋惜。     国王 我郑重声明对于这一笔债款的归还未有所闻；你要是能够证明此事属实， 我愿意把它全数奉还贵国，或者把阿奎丹交出。     公主 敬遵台命。 鲍益，你去把那些曾经他的父王查理手下的专任大员签署， 上面载明着这么一笔数目的收据找出来。     国王 给我看。     鲍益 启禀陛下，这一类有关文件的包裹还没有送到；明天一定可以请您过目。     国王 那很好； 只要证据确凿，任何合理的要求我都可以允从。现在请你接受 在不毁弃盟誓的条件下我的荣誉所能给予你崇高地位的一切礼遇吧。虽然你不能走 进我的宫门，美貌的公主，我一定尽力使你在这儿大自然的怀抱之中感到宾至如归 的愉快；你将要觉得虽然我这样靳惜着自己的屋宇，可是你已经栖息在我的心灵的 深处了。一切失礼之处，请你加以善意的原谅。再会；明天早上我们一定再来奉访。     公主 愿陛下政躬康健，所愿皆偿！     国王 我也愿意为你作同样的祝祷！（国王及侍从下。）     俾隆 姑娘，我要把您放在我的心坎里温存。     罗瑟琳 那么请您把我放进去吧，我倒要看看您的心是怎样的。     俾隆 我希望您听见它的呻吟。     罗瑟琳 这傻瓜害病了吗？     俾隆 害的是心病。     罗瑟琳 唉！替它放放血吧。     俾隆 放血可以把它医治吗？     罗瑟琳 我的医药知识说是可以的。     俾隆 您愿意用您的眼睛刺我的心出血吗？     罗瑟琳 我的眼睛太钝，用我的刀吧。     俾隆 嗳哟，上帝保佑你不要死于非命！     罗瑟琳 上帝保佑你早日归阴！     俾隆 我不能呆在这儿答谢你的祷告。（退后。）     杜曼 先生，请问您一句话，那位姑娘是什么人？     鲍益 阿朗松的息女，凯瑟琳是她的名字。     杜曼 一位漂亮的姑娘！先生，再会！（下。）     朗格维 请教那位白衣的姑娘是什么人？     鲍益 您在光天化日之下，可以看清楚她是一个女人。     朗格维 要是看清楚了，多半很轻佻。请问她的名字？     鲍益 她只有一个名字，您不能问她要。     朗格维 先生，请问她是谁的女儿？     鲍益 我听说是她母亲的女儿。     劳朗格维 上帝祝福您的胡子！     鲍益 好先生，别生气。她是福康勃立琪家的女儿。     朗格维 我现在不生气了。她是一位最可爱的姑娘。     鲍益 也许是的，先生；或者是这样。（朗格维下。）     俾隆 那位戴帽子的女人叫什么名字？     鲍益 巧得很，她叫罗瑟琳。     俾隆 她结过婚没有？     鲍益 她只能说是守定了她自己的意志，先生。     俾隆 欢迎，先生。再会！     鲍益 彼此彼此。（俾隆下；众女去脸罩。）     玛利娅 最后的一个就是俾隆， 那爱开玩笑的贵人；他的每一句话都是一个笑 话。     鲍益 每一个笑话不过是一句话。     公主 你能和他对答如流，不相上下，本领不小。     鲍益 他一心想登船接战，我同样想靠拢杀敌。     玛利娅 不像两艘船，倒像两头疯羊。     鲍益 为什么不像船？ 我看倒是不像羊，除非把您的嘴唇当作我们的芳草，可 爱的羔羊小姐！     玛利娅 您算羊，我算牧场；笑话总算了结了吧？     鲍益 那么请让我到牧场上来寻食吧。（欲吻玛利娅。）     玛利娅 不行，好牲口，我的嘴唇虽说不止一片，却不是公地。     鲍益 它们属于谁呢？     玛利娅 属于我的命运和我自己。     公主 你们老是爱斗嘴， 大家不要闹了。这种舌剑唇熗，不应该在自己人面前 耍弄，还是用来对付那瓦王和他的同学们吧。     鲍益 我这一双眼睛可以看出别人心里的秘密， 难得有时错误；要是这一回我 的观察没有把我欺骗，那么那瓦王是染上病了。     公主 染上什么病？     鲍益 他染上的是我们情人们所说的相思病。     公主 何以见得？     鲍益 他的一切行为都集中于他的眼睛， 透露出不可遏抑的热情；他的心像一 颗刻着你的小像的玛瑙，在他的眼里闪耀着骄傲；他急躁的嘴由于不能看，只能说， 想平分眼睛的享受，反而张口结舌。一切感觉都奔赴他的眼底，争看那绝世无双的 秀丽。仿佛他眼睛里锁藏着整个的灵魂，正像玻璃柜内陈列着珠翠缤纷，放射它们 晶莹夺目的光彩，招引过路的行人购买。他脸上写满着无限的惊奇，谁都看得出他 意夺神移。我可以给你阿奎丹和他所有的一切，只要你为了我的缘故吻一吻他的脸。     公主 到我的帐里来；鲍益又在装疯卖傻了。     鲍益 我不过把他的眼睛里所透露的意思用话表示出来。 我使他的眼睛变成一 张嘴，再替他安上一条不会说谎的舌头。     罗瑟琳 你是一个恋爱场中的老手，真会说话。     玛利娅 他是丘匹德的外公，他的消息都是丘匹德告诉他的。     罗瑟琳 那么维纳斯一定像她的母亲，因为她的父亲是很丑的。     鲍益 你们听见吗，我的疯丫头们？     玛利娅 没听见。     鲍益 那么你们看见些什么没有？     罗瑟琳 嗯，看见我们回去的路。     鲍益 我真拿你们没有办法。（同下。）     ----------

SCENE I. The same. Enter DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO and MOTH DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Warble, child; make passionate my sense of hearing. MOTH Concolinel. Singing DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Sweet air! Go, tenderness of years; take this key, give enlargement to the swain, bring him festinately hither: I must employ him in a letter to my love. MOTH Master, will you win your love with a French brawl? DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO How meanest thou? brawling in French? MOTH No, my complete master: but to jig off a tune at the tongue's end, canary to it with your feet, humour it with turning up your eyelids, sigh a note and sing a note, sometime through the throat, as if you swallowed love with singing love, sometime through the nose, as if you snuffed up love by smelling love; with your hat penthouse-like o'er the shop of your eyes; with your arms crossed on your thin-belly doublet like a rabbit on a spit; or your hands in your pocket like a man after the old painting; and keep not too long in one tune, but a snip and away. These are complements, these are humours; these betray nice wenches, that would be betrayed without these; and make them men of note--do you note me?--that most are affected to these. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO How hast thou purchased this experience? MOTH By my penny of observation. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO But O,--but O,-- MOTH 'The hobby-horse is forgot.' DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Callest thou my love 'hobby-horse'? MOTH No, master; the hobby-horse is but a colt, and your love perhaps a hackney. But have you forgot your love? DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Almost I had. MOTH Negligent student! learn her by heart. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO By heart and in heart, boy. MOTH And out of heart, master: all those three I will prove. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO What wilt thou prove? MOTH A man, if I live; and this, by, in, and without, upon the instant: by heart you love her, because your heart cannot come by her; in heart you love her, because your heart is in love with her; and out of heart you love her, being out of heart that you cannot enjoy her. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO I am all these three. MOTH And three times as much more, and yet nothing at all. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Fetch hither the swain: he must carry me a letter. MOTH A message well sympathized; a horse to be ambassador for an ass. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Ha, ha! what sayest thou? MOTH Marry, sir, you must send the ass upon the horse, for he is very slow-gaited. But I go. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO The way is but short: away! MOTH As swift as lead, sir. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO The meaning, pretty ingenious? Is not lead a metal heavy, dull, and slow? MOTH Minime, honest master; or rather, master, no. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO I say lead is slow. MOTH You are too swift, sir, to say so: Is that lead slow which is fired from a gun? DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Sweet smoke of rhetoric! He reputes me a cannon; and the bullet, that's he: I shoot thee at the swain. MOTH Thump then and I flee. Exit DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO A most acute juvenal; voluble and free of grace! By thy favour, sweet welkin, I must sigh in thy face: Most rude melancholy, valour gives thee place. My herald is return'd. Re-enter MOTH with COSTARD MOTH A wonder, master! here's a costard broken in a shin. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Some enigma, some riddle: come, thy l'envoy; begin. COSTARD No enigma, no riddle, no l'envoy; no salve in the mail, sir: O, sir, plantain, a plain plantain! no l'envoy, no l'envoy; no salve, sir, but a plantain! DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO By virtue, thou enforcest laughter; thy silly thought my spleen; the heaving of my lungs provokes me to ridiculous smiling. O, pardon me, my stars! Doth the inconsiderate take salve for l'envoy, and the word l'envoy for a salve? MOTH Do the wise think them other? is not l'envoy a salve? DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO No, page: it is an epilogue or discourse, to make plain Some obscure precedence that hath tofore been sain. I will example it: The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee, Were still at odds, being but three. There's the moral. Now the l'envoy. MOTH I will add the l'envoy. Say the moral again. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee, Were still at odds, being but three. MOTH Until the goose came out of door, And stay'd the odds by adding four. Now will I begin your moral, and do you follow with my l'envoy. The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee, Were still at odds, being but three. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Until the goose came out of door, Staying the odds by adding four. MOTH A good l'envoy, ending in the goose: would you desire more? COSTARD The boy hath sold him a bargain, a goose, that's flat. Sir, your pennyworth is good, an your goose be fat. To sell a bargain well is as cunning as fast and loose: Let me see; a fat l'envoy; ay, that's a fat goose. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Come hither, come hither. How did this argument begin? MOTH By saying that a costard was broken in a shin. Then call'd you for the l'envoy. COSTARD True, and I for a plantain: thus came your argument in; Then the boy's fat l'envoy, the goose that you bought; And he ended the market. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO But tell me; how was there a costard broken in a shin? MOTH I will tell you sensibly. COSTARD Thou hast no feeling of it, Moth: I will speak that l'envoy: I Costard, running out, that was safely within, Fell over the threshold and broke my shin. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO We will talk no more of this matter. COSTARD Till there be more matter in the shin. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Sirrah Costard, I will enfranchise thee. COSTARD O, marry me to one Frances: I smell some l'envoy, some goose, in this. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO By my sweet soul, I mean setting thee at liberty, enfreedoming thy person; thou wert immured, restrained, captivated, bound. COSTARD True, true; and now you will be my purgation and let me loose. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO I give thee thy liberty, set thee from durance; and, in lieu thereof, impose on thee nothing but this: bear this significant Giving a letter to the country maid Jaquenetta: there is remuneration; for the best ward of mine honour is rewarding my dependents. Moth, follow. Exit MOTH Like the sequel, I. Signior Costard, adieu. COSTARD My sweet ounce of man's flesh! my incony Jew! Exit MOTH Now will I look to his remuneration. Remuneration! O, that's the Latin word for three farthings: three farthings--remuneration.--'What's the price of this inkle?'--'One penny.'--'No, I'll give you a remuneration:' why, it carries it. Remuneration! why, it is a fairer name than French crown. I will never buy and sell out of this word. Enter BIRON BIRON O, my good knave Costard! exceedingly well met. COSTARD Pray you, sir, how much carnation ribbon may a man buy for a remuneration? BIRON What is a remuneration? COSTARD Marry, sir, halfpenny farthing. BIRON Why, then, three-farthing worth of silk. COSTARD I thank your worship: God be wi' you! BIRON Stay, slave; I must employ thee: As thou wilt win my favour, good my knave, Do one thing for me that I shall entreat. COSTARD When would you have it done, sir? BIRON This afternoon. COSTARD Well, I will do it, sir: fare you well. BIRON Thou knowest not what it is. COSTARD I shall know, sir, when I have done it. BIRON Why, villain, thou must know first. COSTARD I will come to your worship to-morrow morning. BIRON It must be done this afternoon. Hark, slave, it is but this: The princess comes to hunt here in the park, And in her train there is a gentle lady; When tongues speak sweetly, then they name her name, And Rosaline they call her: ask for her; And to her white hand see thou do commend This seal'd-up counsel. There's thy guerdon; go. Giving him a shilling COSTARD Gardon, O sweet gardon! better than remuneration, a'leven-pence farthing better: most sweet gardon! I will do it sir, in print. Gardon! Remuneration! Exit BIRON And I, forsooth, in love! I, that have been love's whip; A very beadle to a humorous sigh; A critic, nay, a night-watch constable; A domineering pedant o'er the boy; Than whom no mortal so magnificent! This whimpled, whining, purblind, wayward boy; This senior-junior, giant-dwarf, Dan Cupid; Regent of love-rhymes, lord of folded arms, The anointed sovereign of sighs and groans, Liege of all loiterers and malcontents, Dread prince of plackets, king of codpieces, Sole imperator and great general Of trotting 'paritors:--O my little heart:-- And I to be a corporal of his field, And wear his colours like a tumbler's hoop! What, I! I love! I sue! I seek a wife! A woman, that is like a German clock, Still a-repairing, ever out of frame, And never going aright, being a watch, But being watch'd that it may still go right! Nay, to be perjured, which is worst of all; And, among three, to love the worst of all; A wightly wanton with a velvet brow, With two pitch-balls stuck in her face for eyes; Ay, and by heaven, one that will do the deed Though Argus were her eunuch and her guard: And I to sigh for her! to watch for her! To pray for her! Go to; it is a plague That Cupid will impose for my neglect Of his almighty dreadful little might. Well, I will love, write, sigh, pray, sue and groan: Some men must love my lady and some Joan. Exit LOVE'S LABOURS LOST第三幕     第一场 那瓦王御苑     亚马多及毛子上。     亚马多 唱吧，孩子，使我的听觉充满热情。     毛子（唱）     康考里耐尔——     亚马多 这调子真美！ 去，稚嫩的青春；拿了这钥匙去，把那乡下人放了，快 快带他到这儿来；我必须叫他替我送一封信去给我的爱人。     毛子 主人，您愿意用法国式的喧哗得到您的爱人的欢心吗？     亚马多 你是什么意思？用法国话吵架吗？     毛子 不， 我的好主人；我的意思是说，从舌尖上溜出一支歌来，用您的脚和 着它跳舞，翻起您的眼皮，唱一个音符叹息一个音符；有时候从您的喉咙里滚出来， 好像您一边歌唱爱情，一边要把它吞下去似的；有时候从您的鼻孔里哼出来，好像 您在嗅寻爱情的踪迹，要把它吸进去似的；您的帽檐斜罩住您的眼睛；您的手臂交 叉在您的胸前，像一头炙叉上的兔子；或者把您的手插在口袋里，就像古画上的人 像一般；也不要老是唱着一支曲子，唱几句就要换个曲子。这是台型，这是功架， 可以诱动好姑娘们的心，虽然没有这些她们也会被人诱动；而且——请听众先生们 注意——这还可以使那些最擅长于这个调调儿的人成为一世的红人。     亚马多 你这种经验是怎么得来的？     毛子 这是我一点一点观察得来的结果。     亚马多 不过唉，不过唉，——     毛子 柳条马给忘掉了③。     亚马多 怎么？你把我的爱人叫柳条马吗？     毛子 岂敢， 主人。柳条马只能叫孩子骑着玩，——您的爱人却是谁都能骑的 壮母马。可是您忘记您的爱人了吗？     亚马多 我几乎忘了。     毛子 健忘的学生！把她记住在您的心头。     亚马多 她不但在我的心头，而且在我的心坎里，孩子。     毛子 而且还在您的心儿外面，主人；这三句话我都可以证明。     亚马多 证明什么？          毛子 证明我是个男子汉，要是我能长大成人的话。至于说心头、心里和心外， 可以即时作证：您在心头爱着她，因为您的心得不到她的爱；您在心里爱着她，因 为她已经占据了您的心；您在心儿外面爱着她，因为您已经为她失去您的心。     亚马多 这三样我果然都有。     毛子 再加上三样。也还是个不折不扣的大零。     亚马多 把那乡下人带来；他必须替我送一封信。     毛子 好得很，马儿替驴子送信。     亚马多 嘿，嘿！你说什么？     毛子 呃，主人，您该叫那驴子骑了马去，因为他走得太慢啦。我去了。     亚马多 路是很近的；快去！     毛子 像铅一般快，主人。     亚马多 什么意思，小精灵鬼儿？铅不是一种很沉重迟钝的金属吗？     毛子 非也，我的好主人；也就是说，不，主人。     亚马多 我说，铅是迟钝的。     毛子 主人，您这结论下得太快了；从炮口里放出来的铅丸，难道还算慢吗？     亚马多 好巧妙的辞锋！ 他把我说成了一尊大炮；他自己是弹丸；好，我就把 你向那乡下人轰了过去。     毛子 那么您开炮吧，我飞出去了。（下。）     亚马多 一个乖巧的小子， 又活泼又伶俐！对不起，亲爱的苍天，我要把我的 叹息呵在你的脸上了。最粗暴的忧郁，勇敢见了你也要远远退避。我的使者回来了。     毛子率考斯塔德重上。     毛子 怪事，主人！这位“脑袋”④把腿给摔坏了。     亚马多 真是疑团，真是谜语：好，来个说明，讲吧。     考斯塔德 什么疑团、谜语、说明，装包的膏药我都用不着，先生。啊，先生， 敷上个车前草叶子就成了！不要说明，不要说明！也不要膏药，先生，我就要车前 草！     亚马多 凭我的德行起誓，你真逼得我不能不笑啦；你的愚蠢激动了我的肝火； 我两肺的抽搐使我破例开颜。宽恕我吧，我的本命星！难道凡夫俗子把膏药当说明， 把“说明”这个名词当作一种膏药吗？     毛子 智者贤人又何尝不然？在说明里，不是也要这样、要那样吗？     亚马多 不，童子。“说明”乃是曲终奏雅的方式，阐述前文令人费解的言词。 让我举例以明之：     狐狸、猿猴与蜜蜂，     三人吵闹不成双。     这是正文，你再听说明。     毛子 我可以加上说明。你把正文再念一遍。     亚马多 狐狸、猿猴与蜜蜂，     三人吵闹不成双。     毛子 出来一个大呆鹅，     三加为四讲了和。     好，现在我念正文，你随后念说明：     狐狸、猿猴与蜜蜂，     三人吵闹不成双。     亚马多 出来一个大呆鹅，     三加为四讲了和。     毛子 这说明很好，最后叫呆鹅出场。难道你还不满意吗？     考斯塔德 这孩子可叫他上当了， 搞出个呆鹅来，真不错。先生，你的鹅要是 肥，这买卖还作得过。会要价钱的人作生意准不吃亏，让我看：“说明”不瘦，鹅 也挺肥。     亚马多 别扯了，别扯了。这议论是怎么起的？     毛子 因为说起脑袋把腿摔坏了；接着你就要求说明。     考斯塔德 是啊， 我就要求车前草。然后你的议论又来了，这孩子又搞出个老 肥的“说明”，就是你买的那只鹅；这一来，市场上货色就都全了。     亚马多 不过你还得给我讲讲，脑袋怎么会把腿摔坏了？     毛子 我一定给你讲得津津有味。     考斯塔德 你不知道这滋味，毛子。这“说明”还是让我来吧：     我，脑袋，不甘心坐守囚屋，     往外跑，绊一交，跌断腿骨。     亚马多 这件事就不必再谈了。     考斯塔德 可是先得我的腿没事才行。     亚马多 考斯塔德，我要宽释你。     考斯塔德 咳， 还不是把我配给一个臭花娘——这话里有几分说明，有几分呆 鹅的味道。     亚马多 拿我美好的灵魂起誓， 我是说使你解除桎梏，获得自由；你原来是被 囚、被禁、被捕、被缚。     考斯塔德 不错，不错，现在你打算把我吐出来、放出来。     亚马多 我要恢复你的自由， 免除你的禁锢；我只要你替我干这一件事。（以 信授考斯塔德）把这封书简送给那村姑娘杰奎妮妲。（以钱授考斯塔德）这是给你 的酬劳；因为对底下人赏罚分明，是我的名誉的最大的保障。毛子，跟我来。（下。）     毛子 人家说狗尾续貂，我就像狗尾之貂。考斯塔德先生，再会！     考斯塔德 我的小心肝肉儿！ 我的可爱的小犹太人！（毛子下）现在我要看看 他的酬劳。酬劳！啊！原来在他们读书人嘴里，三个铜子就叫做酬劳。“这条带子 什么价钱？”“一便士。”“不，一个酬劳卖不实？”啊，好得很！酬劳！这是一 个比法国的克郎更好的名称。我再也不把这两个字转卖给别人。     俾隆上。     俾隆 啊！我的好小子考斯塔德，咱们碰见得巧极了。     考斯塔德 请问先生，一个酬劳可以买多少淡红色的丝带？     俾隆 怎么叫一个酬劳？     考斯塔德 呃，先生，一个酬劳就是三个铜子。     俾隆 那么你就可以买到值三个铜子的丝带了。     考斯塔德 谢谢您。上帝和您在一起！     俾隆 不要走， 家伙；我要差你干一件事。你要是希望得到我的恩宠，我的好 小子，那么答应我这一个请托吧。     考斯塔德 您要我在什么时候干这件事，先生？     俾隆 哦，今天下午。     考斯塔德 好，我一定给您办到，先生。再会！     俾隆 啊，你还没有知道是件什么事哩。     考斯塔德 等我把它办好以后，先生，我就会知道是件什么事。     俾隆 嗨，混蛋，你该先知道了以后才去办呀。     考斯塔德 那么我明儿早上来看您。     俾隆 这事情必须在今天下午办好。 听着，家伙，很简单的一回事：公主就要 到这儿御苑里来打猎，她有一位随身侍从的贵女，粗俗的舌头不敢轻易提起她的名 字，他们称她为罗瑟琳；你问清楚了哪一个是她，就把这一通密封的书信交在她的 洁白的手里。（以一先令授考斯塔德）这是给你的犒赏；去。     考斯塔德 犒赏， 啊，可爱的犒赏！比酬劳好得多啦；多了足足十一便士外加 一个铜子。最可爱的犒赏！我一定给您送去，先生，决不有错。犒赏！酬劳！（下。）     俾隆 而我——确确实实， 我是在恋爱了！我曾经鞭责爱情；我是抽打相思的 鞭子手；我把刻毒的讥刺加在那个比一切人类都更傲慢的孩子的身上，像一个守夜 的警吏一般监视他的行动，像一个厉害的塾师一般呵斥他的错误！这个盲目的、哭 笑无常的、淘气的孩子，这个年少的老爷，矮小的巨人，丘匹德先生；掌管一切恋 爱的诗句，交叉的手臂，叹息、呻吟、一切无聊的踯躅和怨尤的无上君主，受到天 下痴男怨女敬畏的大王，统领忙于处理通奸案件的衙役们的唯一将帅；啊，我怯弱 的心灵，难道我倒要在他的战场上充当一名班长，把他的标帜带满在身上，活像卖 艺人耍的套圈！什么，我恋爱！我追求！我找寻妻子！一个像德国时钟似的女人， 永远要修理，永远出毛病，永远走不准，除非受到严密注视，才能循规蹈矩！嘿， 最不该的是叛弃了誓约，而且在三个之中，偏偏爱上了最坏的一个。一个白脸盘细 眉毛的风骚女人，脸上嵌着两枚煤球作为眼睛；凭上天起誓，即使百眼的怪物阿耳 戈斯把她终日监视，她也会什么都干得出来。我却要为她叹息！为她整夜不睡！为 她祷告神明！罢了，这是丘匹德给我的惩罚，因为我藐视了他的全能而可怖的小小 的威力。好吧，我要恋爱、写诗、叹息、祷告、追求和呻吟；谁都有他心爱的姑娘， 我的爱人也该有痴心的情郎。（下。）     ----------

SCENE I. The same. Enter the PRINCESS, and her train, a Forester, BOYET, ROSALINE, MARIA, and KATHARINE PRINCESS Was that the king, that spurred his horse so hard Against the steep uprising of the hill? BOYET I know not; but I think it was not he. PRINCESS Whoe'er a' was, a' show'd a mounting mind. Well, lords, to-day we shall have our dispatch: On Saturday we will return to France. Then, forester, my friend, where is the bush That we must stand and play the murderer in? Forester Hereby, upon the edge of yonder coppice; A stand where you may make the fairest shoot. PRINCESS I thank my beauty, I am fair that shoot, And thereupon thou speak'st the fairest shoot. Forester Pardon me, madam, for I meant not so. PRINCESS What, what? first praise me and again say no? O short-lived pride! Not fair? alack for woe! Forester Yes, madam, fair. PRINCESS Nay, never paint me now: Where fair is not, praise cannot mend the brow. Here, good my glass, take this for telling true: Fair payment for foul words is more than due. Forester Nothing but fair is that which you inherit. PRINCESS See see, my beauty will be saved by merit! O heresy in fair, fit for these days! A giving hand, though foul, shall have fair praise. But come, the bow: now mercy goes to kill, And shooting well is then accounted ill. Thus will I save my credit in the shoot: Not wounding, pity would not let me do't; If wounding, then it was to show my skill, That more for praise than purpose meant to kill. And out of question so it is sometimes, Glory grows guilty of detested crimes, When, for fame's sake, for praise, an outward part, We bend to that the working of the heart; As I for praise alone now seek to spill The poor deer's blood, that my heart means no ill. BOYET Do not curst wives hold that self-sovereignty Only for praise sake, when they strive to be Lords o'er their lords? PRINCESS Only for praise: and praise we may afford To any lady that subdues a lord. BOYET Here comes a member of the commonwealth. Enter COSTARD COSTARD God dig-you-den all! Pray you, which is the head lady? PRINCESS Thou shalt know her, fellow, by the rest that have no heads. COSTARD Which is the greatest lady, the highest? PRINCESS The thickest and the tallest. COSTARD The thickest and the tallest! it is so; truth is truth. An your waist, mistress, were as slender as my wit, One o' these maids' girdles for your waist should be fit. Are not you the chief woman? you are the thickest here. PRINCESS What's your will, sir? what's your will? COSTARD I have a letter from Monsieur Biron to one Lady Rosaline. PRINCESS O, thy letter, thy letter! he's a good friend of mine: Stand aside, good bearer. Boyet, you can carve; Break up this capon. BOYET I am bound to serve. This letter is mistook, it importeth none here; It is writ to Jaquenetta. PRINCESS We will read it, I swear. Break the neck of the wax, and every one give ear. Reads BOYET 'By heaven, that thou art fair, is most infallible; true, that thou art beauteous; truth itself, that thou art lovely. More fairer than fair, beautiful than beauteous, truer than truth itself, have commiseration on thy heroical vassal! The magnanimous and most illustrate king Cophetua set eye upon the pernicious and indubitate beggar Zenelophon; and he it was that might rightly say, Veni, vidi, vici; which to annothanize in the vulgar,--O base and obscure vulgar!--videlicet, He came, saw, and overcame: he came, one; saw two; overcame, three. Who came? the king: why did he come? to see: why did he see? to overcome: to whom came he? to the beggar: what saw he? the beggar: who overcame he? the beggar. The conclusion is victory: on whose side? the king's. The captive is enriched: on whose side? the beggar's. The catastrophe is a nuptial: on whose side? the king's: no, on both in one, or one in both. I am the king; for so stands the comparison: thou the beggar; for so witnesseth thy lowliness. Shall I command thy love? I may: shall I enforce thy love? I could: shall I entreat thy love? I will. What shalt thou exchange for rags? robes; for tittles? titles; for thyself? me. Thus, expecting thy reply, I profane my lips on thy foot, my eyes on thy picture. and my heart on thy every part. Thine, in the dearest design of industry, DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO.' Thus dost thou hear the Nemean lion roar 'Gainst thee, thou lamb, that standest as his prey. Submissive fall his princely feet before, And he from forage will incline to play: But if thou strive, poor soul, what art thou then? Food for his rage, repasture for his den. PRINCESS What plume of feathers is he that indited this letter? What vane? what weathercock? did you ever hear better? BOYET I am much deceived but I remember the style. PRINCESS Else your memory is bad, going o'er it erewhile. BOYET This Armado is a Spaniard, that keeps here in court; A phantasime, a Monarcho, and one that makes sport To the prince and his bookmates. PRINCESS Thou fellow, a word: Who gave thee this letter? COSTARD I told you; my lord. PRINCESS To whom shouldst thou give it? COSTARD From my lord to my lady. PRINCESS From which lord to which lady? COSTARD From my lord Biron, a good master of mine, To a lady of France that he call'd Rosaline. PRINCESS Thou hast mistaken his letter. Come, lords, away. To ROSALINE Here, sweet, put up this: 'twill be thine another day. Exeunt PRINCESS and train BOYET Who is the suitor? who is the suitor? ROSALINE Shall I teach you to know? BOYET Ay, my continent of beauty. ROSALINE Why, she that bears the bow. Finely put off! BOYET My lady goes to kill horns; but, if thou marry, Hang me by the neck, if horns that year miscarry. Finely put on! ROSALINE Well, then, I am the shooter. BOYET And who is your deer? ROSALINE If we choose by the horns, yourself come not near. Finely put on, indeed! MARIA You still wrangle with her, Boyet, and she strikes at the brow. BOYET But she herself is hit lower: have I hit her now? ROSALINE Shall I come upon thee with an old saying, that was a man when King Pepin of France was a little boy, as touching the hit it? BOYET So I may answer thee with one as old, that was a woman when Queen Guinover of Britain was a little wench, as touching the hit it. ROSALINE Thou canst not hit it, hit it, hit it, Thou canst not hit it, my good man. BOYET An I cannot, cannot, cannot, An I cannot, another can. Exeunt ROSALINE and KATHARINE COSTARD By my troth, most pleasant: how both did fit it! MARIA A mark marvellous well shot, for they both did hit it. BOYET A mark! O, mark but that mark! A mark, says my lady! Let the mark have a prick in't, to mete at, if it may be. MARIA Wide o' the bow hand! i' faith, your hand is out. COSTARD Indeed, a' must shoot nearer, or he'll ne'er hit the clout. BOYET An if my hand be out, then belike your hand is in. COSTARD Then will she get the upshoot by cleaving the pin. MARIA Come, come, you talk greasily; your lips grow foul. COSTARD She's too hard for you at pricks, sir: challenge her to bowl. BOYET I fear too much rubbing. Good night, my good owl. Exeunt BOYET and MARIA COSTARD By my soul, a swain! a most simple clown! Lord, Lord, how the ladies and I have put him down! O' my troth, most sweet jests! most incony vulgar wit! When it comes so smoothly off, so obscenely, as it were, so fit. Armado o' th' one side,--O, a most dainty man! To see him walk before a lady and to bear her fan! To see him kiss his hand! and how most sweetly a' will swear! And his page o' t' other side, that handful of wit! Ah, heavens, it is a most pathetical nit! Sola, sola! Shout within Exit COSTARD, running LOVE'S LABOURS LOST第四幕     第一场 那瓦王御苑     公主、罗瑟琳、玛利娅、凯瑟琳、鲍益、群臣、侍从及一管林人上。     公主 那向着峻峭的山崖加鞭疾驰的，不就是国王吗？     鲍益 我不知道；可是我想那不是他。     公主 不管他是谁， 瞧上去倒是很雄心勃勃似的。好，各位贤卿，今天我们的 文件就可以到；星期六就可以回法国去了。管林子的朋友，你说我们应该到哪一丛 树木里去杀害生灵？     管林人 您只要站在那一簇小树林边搭起的台上，准可以百发百中。     公主 人家说， 美人有沉鱼落雁之容；我只要用美目的利箭射了出去，无论什 么飞禽走兽都会应弦而倒。     管林人 恕我，公主，我不是这个意思。     公主 什么，什么？你不愿恭维我吗？啊，一瞬间的骄傲！我不美吗？唉！     管林人 不，公主，您美。     公主 不， 现在你不用把我装点了；不美的人，怎样的赞美都不能使她变得好 看一点的。这儿，我的好镜子；（以钱给管林人）给你这些钱，因为你不说谎，骂 了人反得厚赐，这是分外的重赏。     管林人 您所有的一切都是美好的。     公主 瞧， 瞧！只要行了好事，就可以保全美貌。啊，不可靠的美貌！正像这 些覆雨翻云的时世；多花几个钱，丑女也会变成无双的姝丽。可是拿弓来；现在我 们要不顾慈悲，杀生害命，显一显我们射猎的本领；要是射而不中，我可以饰词自 辩，因为心怀不忍，才故意网开一面；要是射中了，那不是存心杀害，唯一的目的 无非博取一声喝采。人世间的煊赫光荣，往往产生在罪恶之中，为了身外的浮名， 牺牲自己的良心；正像如今我去杀害一头可怜的麋鹿，只为了他人的赞美，并不为 自己的怨毒。     鲍益 凶悍的妻子拚命压制她们的丈夫，不也就是为了博得人们的赞美吗？     公主 正是，无论哪一位太太，能够压倒她的老爷，总是值得赞美的。     考斯塔德上。     鲍益 来了一个老百姓。     考斯塔德 列位好！请问这儿哪一位是头儿脑儿的小姐？     公主 朋友，你只要看别人都是没有头颅脑袋的，就知道哪一个是她了。          考斯塔德 哪一位小姐是顶大的顶高的？     公主 她就是顶胖的顶长的一个。     考斯塔德 顶胖的， 顶长的！对了，一点没有错儿。小姐，要是您的腰身跟我 的心眼儿一样细，您就可以套得上这几位小姐们的腰带。您不是她们的首领吗？您 在这儿是顶胖的一个。     公主 你有什么见教，先生？你有什么见教？     考斯塔德 俾隆先生叫我带封信来，给一位叫做罗瑟琳的小姐。     公主 啊！ 你的信呢？你的信呢？他是我的一个好朋友。站在一旁，好信差。 鲍益，你会切肉的，把这块鸡切一切吧。     鲍益 遵命。 这封信送错了；它跟这儿每个人都没有关系；它是写给杰奎妮妲 的。     公主 我们也要读它一下。把封蜡打开了，大家听着。     鲍益（读）“凭着上天起誓，你是美貌的，这是一个绝无错误的事实；真的， 你是娇艳的；真实的本身，你是可爱的。比美貌更美貌，比娇艳更娇艳，比真实更 真实的，怜悯你的英雄的奴隶吧！慷慨知名的科菲多亚王看中了下贱污秽的丐女齐 妮罗芳⑤，他可以说，余来，余见，余胜⑥；用俗语把它分析——啊，下流而卑劣 的俗语！——即为，他来了，他看见，他战胜。他来了，一；看见，二；战胜，三； 谁来了？国王。他为什么来？因为要看见。他为什么看？因为要战胜。他到谁的地 方来？到丐女的地方。他看见什么？丐女。他战胜谁？丐女。结果是胜利。谁的胜 利？国王的胜利。俘虏因此而富有了。谁富有了？丐女富有了。收场是结婚。谁结 婚？国王结婚；不，两人合而为一，一人化而为二。我就是国王，因为在比喻上是 这样的；你就是丐女，你的卑贱可以证明。我应该命令你爱我吗？我可以。我应该 强迫你爱我吗？我能够。我应该请求你爱我吗？我愿意。你的褴褛将要换到什么？ 锦衣。你的灰尘将要换到什么？富贵。你自己将要换到什么？我。我让你的脚玷污 我的嘴唇，让你的小像玷污我的眼睛，让你的每一部分玷污我的心，等候着你的答 复。你的最忠实的唐·阿德里安诺·德·亚马多。” 你听那雄狮咆哮的怒响，     你已是他爪牙下的羔羊； 俯伏在他足前不要反抗，     他不会把你的生命损伤； 倘然妄图挣扎，那便怎样？     免不了充他饥腹的食粮。     公主 写这信的是一片什么羽毛， 一个什么三心二意的人？你们有没有听见过 比这更妙的文章？     鲍益 这文章的风格，我记得好像看见过的。     公主 读过了这样的文章还会忘记，那你的记性真是太坏了。     鲍益 这亚马多是这儿宫廷里豢养着的一个西班牙人； 他是一个荒唐古怪的家 伙，一个疯子，常常用他的奇腔异调逗国王和他的同学们发笑。     公主 喂，家伙，我问你一句话。谁给你这封信？     考斯塔德 我早对您说过了，是一位大人。     公主 他叫你把信送给谁的？     考斯塔德 从一位大人送给一位小姐。     公主 从哪一位大人送给哪一位小姐？     考斯塔德 从俾隆大人， 我的一位很好的大爷，送给一位法国的小姐，他说她 名叫罗瑟琳。     公主 你把他的信送错了。来！各位贤卿，我们走吧。好人儿，把这信收起来； 将来有一天也会轮到你的。（公主及侍从下。）     鲍益 追你的是谁？是谁？     罗瑟琳 要不要我告诉你？     鲍益 请，我绝色的美人儿。     罗瑟琳 那位拿弓的女郎便是。这可把你的嘴堵住啦！     鲍益 公主拿弓是要害鹿； 你若一旦结了婚，准得害得你的丈夫戴上几打绿头 巾。这可叫你开窍了！     罗瑟琳 好吧，那么我拿弓来追。     鲍益 可是谁作你的鹿？     罗瑟琳 如果要选脑袋绿的，就请你屈尊让步。这才叫真开窍呢！     玛利娅 你别和她纠缠，鲍益，她惯会迎头痛击。     鲍益 如果还手，她喊痛的地方比头可要低。这下子打着她了吧？     罗瑟琳 说起“打着” ，当年法兰西国王培平还是个孩子的时候，就流行着一 句俗语，让我奉送给你好吗？     鲍益 当年英格兰王后姬尼佛还是个小姑娘的时候， 流行着另一句俗语，我就 把它奉还给你吧。     罗瑟琳     管保你打不着，打不着，打不着，     管保你打不着，我的好先生。     鲍益     就算我打不着，打不着，打不着，     就算我打不着，还有别人。（罗瑟琳及凯瑟琳下。）     考斯塔德 说实话，真有趣儿；双方兴致都很高。     玛利娅 既不偏，也不倚，两人全打个正着。     鲍益 要说打，就说打，我请姑娘瞧一瞧。靶上如果安红心，放射就能有目标。     玛利娅 离开足有八丈远！你的手段实在差。     考斯塔德 的确他得站近点儿，不然没法射中靶。     鲍益 如果我的手段差，也许你的手段强。     考斯塔德 她要是占了上风，大伙儿就全得缴熗。     玛利娅 得了，得了，别耍贫。字眼儿太脏，不像话。     考斯塔德 射箭你射不过她；先生，跟她滚球吧。     鲍益 我滚起来也没劲。晚安，我的猫头鹰。（鲍益及玛利娅下。）     考斯塔德 凭我的灵魂起誓， 他口齿倒满伶俐。上帝！我和姑娘们说得他一败 涂地；真逗乐，真有趣，既不雅来也不俗；你一句，我一句，有点荤味有点粗。亚 马多，站一边，唉呀，真像个英雄，替姑娘拿着扇子，走在前面作先锋！又弯腰， 又吻手，嘴里一串新字眼儿！旁边还有那娃娃，一个淘气的机灵鬼儿！老天在上， 个儿不大，可是十分有心眼儿。（内打猎喊声）索拉，索拉！（跑下。）

SCENE II. The same. Enter HOLOFERNES, SIR NATHANIEL, and DULL SIR NATHANIEL Very reverend sport, truly; and done in the testimony of a good conscience. HOLOFERNES The deer was, as you know, sanguis, in blood; ripe as the pomewater, who now hangeth like a jewel in the ear of caelo, the sky, the welkin, the heaven; and anon falleth like a crab on the face of terra, the soil, the land, the earth. SIR NATHANIEL Truly, Master Holofernes, the epithets are sweetly varied, like a scholar at the least: but, sir, I assure ye, it was a buck of the first head. HOLOFERNES Sir Nathaniel, haud credo. DULL 'Twas not a haud credo; 'twas a pricket. HOLOFERNES Most barbarous intimation! yet a kind of insinuation, as it were, in via, in way, of explication; facere, as it were, replication, or rather, ostentare, to show, as it were, his inclination, after his undressed, unpolished, uneducated, unpruned, untrained, or rather, unlettered, or ratherest, unconfirmed fashion, to insert again my haud credo for a deer. DULL I said the deer was not a haud credo; twas a pricket. HOLOFERNES Twice-sod simplicity, his coctus! O thou monster Ignorance, how deformed dost thou look! SIR NATHANIEL Sir, he hath never fed of the dainties that are bred in a book; he hath not eat paper, as it were; he hath not drunk ink: his intellect is not replenished; he is only an animal, only sensible in the duller parts: And such barren plants are set before us, that we thankful should be, Which we of taste and feeling are, for those parts that do fructify in us more than he. For as it would ill become me to be vain, indiscreet, or a fool, So were there a patch set on learning, to see him in a school: But omne bene, say I; being of an old father's mind, Many can brook the weather that love not the wind. DULL You two are book-men: can you tell me by your wit What was a month old at Cain's birth, that's not five weeks old as yet? HOLOFERNES Dictynna, goodman Dull; Dictynna, goodman Dull. DULL What is Dictynna? SIR NATHANIEL A title to Phoebe, to Luna, to the moon. HOLOFERNES The moon was a month old when Adam was no more, And raught not to five weeks when he came to five-score. The allusion holds in the exchange. DULL 'Tis true indeed; the collusion holds in the exchange. HOLOFERNES God comfort thy capacity! I say, the allusion holds in the exchange. DULL And I say, the pollusion holds in the exchange; for the moon is never but a month old: and I say beside that, 'twas a pricket that the princess killed. HOLOFERNES Sir Nathaniel, will you hear an extemporal epitaph on the death of the deer? And, to humour the ignorant, call I the deer the princess killed a pricket. SIR NATHANIEL Perge, good Master Holofernes, perge; so it shall please you to abrogate scurrility. HOLOFERNES I will something affect the letter, for it argues facility. The preyful princess pierced and prick'd a pretty pleasing pricket; Some say a sore; but not a sore, till now made sore with shooting. The dogs did yell: put L to sore, then sorel jumps from thicket; Or pricket sore, or else sorel; the people fall a-hooting. If sore be sore, then L to sore makes fifty sores one sorel. Of one sore I an hundred make by adding but one more L. SIR NATHANIEL A rare talent! DULL [Aside] If a talent be a claw, look how he claws him with a talent. HOLOFERNES This is a gift that I have, simple, simple; a foolish extravagant spirit, full of forms, figures, shapes, objects, ideas, apprehensions, motions, revolutions: these are begot in the ventricle of memory, nourished in the womb of pia mater, and delivered upon the mellowing of occasion. But the gift is good in those in whom it is acute, and I am thankful for it. SIR NATHANIEL Sir, I praise the Lord for you; and so may my parishioners; for their sons are well tutored by you, and their daughters profit very greatly under you: you are a good member of the commonwealth. HOLOFERNES Mehercle, if their sons be ingenuous, they shall want no instruction; if their daughters be capable, I will put it to them: but vir sapit qui pauca loquitur; a soul feminine saluteth us. Enter JAQUENETTA and COSTARD JAQUENETTA God give you good morrow, master Parson. HOLOFERNES Master Parson, quasi pers-on. An if one should be pierced, which is the one? COSTARD Marry, master schoolmaster, he that is likest to a hogshead. HOLOFERNES Piercing a hogshead! a good lustre of conceit in a tuft of earth; fire enough for a flint, pearl enough for a swine: 'tis pretty; it is well. JAQUENETTA Good master Parson, be so good as read me this letter: it was given me by Costard, and sent me from Don Armado: I beseech you, read it. HOLOFERNES Fauste, precor gelida quando pecus omne sub umbra Ruminat,--and so forth. Ah, good old Mantuan! I may speak of thee as the traveller doth of Venice; Venetia, Venetia, Chi non ti vede non ti pretia. Old Mantuan, old Mantuan! who understandeth thee not, loves thee not. Ut, re, sol, la, mi, fa. Under pardon, sir, what are the contents? or rather, as Horace says in his--What, my soul, verses? SIR NATHANIEL Ay, sir, and very learned. HOLOFERNES Let me hear a staff, a stanze, a verse; lege, domine. SIR NATHANIEL [Reads] If love make me forsworn, how shall I swear to love? Ah, never faith could hold, if not to beauty vow'd! Though to myself forsworn, to thee I'll faithful prove: Those thoughts to me were oaks, to thee like osiers bow'd. Study his bias leaves and makes his book thine eyes, Where all those pleasures live that art would comprehend: If knowledge be the mark, to know thee shall suffice; Well learned is that tongue that well can thee commend, All ignorant that soul that sees thee without wonder; Which is to me some praise that I thy parts admire: Thy eye Jove's lightning bears, thy voice his dreadful thunder, Which not to anger bent, is music and sweet fire. Celestial as thou art, O, pardon, love, this wrong, That sings heaven's praise with such an earthly tongue. HOLOFERNES You find not the apostraphas, and so miss the accent: let me supervise the canzonet. Here are only numbers ratified; but, for the elegancy, facility, and golden cadence of poesy, caret. Ovidius Naso was the man: and why, indeed, Naso, but for smelling out the odouriferous flowers of fancy, the jerks of invention? Imitari is nothing: so doth the hound his master, the ape his keeper, the tired horse his rider. But, damosella virgin, was this directed to you? JAQUENETTA Ay, sir, from one Monsieur Biron, one of the strange queen's lords. HOLOFERNES I will overglance the superscript: 'To the snow-white hand of the most beauteous Lady Rosaline.' I will look again on the intellect of the letter, for the nomination of the party writing to the person written unto: 'Your ladyship's in all desired employment, BIRON.' Sir Nathaniel, this Biron is one of the votaries with the king; and here he hath framed a letter to a sequent of the stranger queen's, which accidentally, or by the way of progression, hath miscarried. Trip and go, my sweet; deliver this paper into the royal hand of the king: it may concern much. Stay not thy compliment; I forgive thy duty; adieu. JAQUENETTA Good Costard, go with me. Sir, God save your life! COSTARD Have with thee, my girl. Exeunt COSTARD and JAQUENETTA SIR NATHANIEL Sir, you have done this in the fear of God, very religiously; and, as a certain father saith,-- HOLOFERNES Sir tell me not of the father; I do fear colourable colours. But to return to the verses: did they please you, Sir Nathaniel? SIR NATHANIEL Marvellous well for the pen. HOLOFERNES I do dine to-day at the father's of a certain pupil of mine; where, if, before repast, it shall please you to gratify the table with a grace, I will, on my privilege I have with the parents of the foresaid child or pupil, undertake your ben venuto; where I will prove those verses to be very unlearned, neither savouring of poetry, wit, nor invention: I beseech your society. SIR NATHANIEL And thank you too; for society, saith the text, is the happiness of life. HOLOFERNES And, certes, the text most infallibly concludes it. To DULL Sir, I do invite you too; you shall not say me nay: pauca verba. Away! the gentles are at their game, and we will to our recreation. Exeunt LOVE'S LABOURS LOST第二场 同 前     霍罗福尼斯、纳森聂尔牧师及德尔上。     纳森聂尔 真是一种敬畏神明的游戏，而且是很合人道的。     霍罗福尼斯 那头鹿， 您知道，沐浴于血泊之中；像一只烂熟的苹果，刚才还 是明珠般悬在太虚、穹苍、天空的耳边，一下子就落到平陆、原壤、土地的面上。     纳森聂尔 真的， 霍罗福尼斯先生，您的字眼变化得非常巧妙，不愧学者的吐 属。可是先生，相信我，它是一头新出角的牡鹿。     霍罗福尼斯 纳森聂尔牧师，信哉！     德尔 它不是信哉；它是一头两岁的公鹿。     霍罗福尼斯 最愚昧的指示！ 然而这也是他用他那种不加修饰、未经琢磨、既 无教育、又鲜训练，或者不如说是浑噩无知，或者更不如说是诞妄无稽的方式，反 映或者不如说是表现他的心理状态的一种解释性的暗示，把我的信哉说成了一头鹿。     德尔 我说那鹿不是信哉；它是一头两岁的公鹿。     霍罗福尼斯 蠢而又蠢的蠢物， 愚哉愚哉！啊！你无知的魔鬼，你的容貌多么 伧俗！     纳森聂尔 先生， 他不曾饱餐过书本中的美味；他没有吃过纸张，喝过墨水； 他的智力是残缺破碎的；他不过是一头畜生，只有下等的感觉。这种愚鲁的木石放 在我们的面前，我们这些有情趣有性灵的人，应该感谢上帝，赐给我们如许的智慧 才能，使我们不至于像他一样。论起我，如果狂妄、放肆、愚蠢，自然有失身分， 但叫他去学习，去进塾读书也是枉费心机。但是，知足常乐；正如先哲所云：天气 晴雨莫测，不能扰乱吾心。     德尔 你们两位都是读书人； 你们能不能用你们的智慧告诉我，什么东西在该 隐出世的时候已经有一个月大，到现在还没有长满五星期？     霍罗福尼斯 狄克丁娜，德尔好伙计；狄克丁娜，德尔好伙计。     德尔 狄克丁娜是什么？     纳森聂尔 狄克丁娜是菲苾，也就是琉娜，也就是月亮的别名。     霍罗福尼斯 亚当生下一个月以后， 月亮已经长满了一个月；可是他到了一百 岁的时候，月亮还是一百年前的月亮，不曾多老了一个星期。名异实同。     德尔 不错，这名字满有意思。     霍罗福尼斯 愿上帝治愈你的脑筋！我是说“差异”的“异”。     德尔 我也是说“诧异” 的“异”，因为月亮横竖总不会老过一个月；我还要 说：公主射死的是一头两岁的公鹿。     霍罗福尼斯 纳森聂尔牧师， 你想不想听一首信口吟成的咏死鹿的诗篇？为了 使愚氓易解，姑且称之为鹿，亦无不可。     纳森聂尔 请开篇，好霍罗福尼斯先生，请开篇；然君子出言应远鄙俚。     霍罗福尼斯 我要试用谐声体，因为那才算尽才人之能事：     公主一箭鹿身亡，     昔日矫健今负伤。     猎犬争吠鹿逃奔，     猎人寻路找上门。     猎人有路，鹿无路——     无路，无禄，哀哉，一命呜呼！     纳森聂尔 真奇才也，可仰，可仰！     德尔 可痒大概是有虱子，你看他浑身直搔。     霍罗福尼斯 此乃小技， 何足道哉？为诗之诀在有气、有势、有情、有韵、有 起、有承、有转、有合，体之于心，厚之以虑，发之以时。此虽别才，得来亦属不 易，聊堪自怡而已。     纳森聂尔 先生， 我为您赞美上帝，我的教区里的全体居民也都要为您赞美上 帝，因为他们的儿子受到您很好的教诲，他们的女儿也从您的地方得益不少；您是 社会上的功臣。     霍罗福尼斯 诚然， 他们的儿子如果是天真诚朴的，不怕得不到我的教诲；他 们的女儿如果是聪慧可教的，我也愿意尽力开导她们。可是哲人寡言。有一个阴性 之人找我们来了。     杰奎妮妲及考斯塔德上。     杰奎妮妲 早安，牧师先生，愿您尊体安隐。     霍罗福尼斯 把“安稳”说成“安隐”。余将安隐乎？     考斯塔德 塾师先生，找个大酒桶，您不就可以痛饮一阵吗？     霍罗福尼斯 以“隐” 谐“饮”！愚者千虑，亦有一得；可称美玉杂于顽石， 明珠出于老蚌。小有才思，深堪嘉许。     杰奎妮妲 牧师先生， （以一信授纳森聂尔）谢谢您把这一封信读给我听听； 这是唐·亚马多叫考斯塔德送来给我的。请你读一读好不好？     霍罗福尼斯“群羊树下趁风凉”云云……。啊，妇孺皆晓的诗篇。旅人称道威 尼斯的话可以移赠给你：     威尼斯，威尼斯，     未曾见面不相知。     此诗何尝不然？不能理解的人也不能欣赏。多、莱、索、拉、密、发。对不起， 先生，这里面写些什么？或者正像贺拉斯⑦所说的——什么，一首诗吗？     纳森聂尔 正是，先生，而且写得非常典雅。     霍罗福尼斯 愿闻一二，先生其为余诵之乎？     纳森聂尔（读）     为爱背盟，怎么向你自表寸心？ 啊！美色当前，谁不要失去操守？     虽然抚躬自愧，对你誓竭忠贞； 昔日的橡树已化作依人弱柳：     请细读它一叶叶的柔情密爱， 它的幸福都写下在你的眼中。     你是全世界一切知识的渊海， 赞美你便是一切学问的尖峰；     倘不是蠢如鹿豕的冥顽愚人， 谁见了你不发出惊奇的嗟叹？     你目藏闪电，声音里藏着雷霆； 平静时却是天乐与星光灿烂。     你是天人，啊！赦免爱情的无知，     以尘俗之舌讴歌绝世的仙姿。     霍罗福尼斯 您没有把应该重读的地方读了出来， 所以完全失去了抑扬顿挫之 妙。让我把这首小诗推敲一下：在韵律方面倒还不错；可是讲到高雅、流利和诗歌 的铿锵的音调，此则尚有憾焉。奥维狄斯·奈索⑧才是真正的诗人；然而奈索之所 以为奈索者，不是因为他嗅出了想像的芬芳的花朵，那激发创作的动力吗？摹拟算 得了什么？猎犬也会追随它的主人，猴子也会效学它的饲养者，马儿也会听从它的 骑师。可是姑娘淑女，这封信是寄给你的吗？     杰奎妮妲 嗯， 先生；这封信是一位俾隆先生寄给我的，他是那位外国女王手 下的一位贵人。     霍罗福尼斯 我要看看那上面的题名： “敬献于最美丽的罗瑟琳小姐的雪白的 手中。”我还要看看信里面寄信人的署名：“乐于供你驱使的俾隆。”——纳森聂 尔牧师，这俾隆是一个和王上一同发下誓愿的人；现在他却写了一封信给那外国女 王手下的一个侍女，这封信由于一时的偶然，被送信的人送错了地方。快去，我的 好人儿；把这封信给王上看，也许它是很有关系的。不必多礼，尽管去吧；再见！     杰奎妮妲 好考斯塔德，跟我去。先生，上帝保佑您！     考斯塔德 去吧，我的姑娘。（考斯塔德，杰奎妮妲下。）     纳森聂尔 先生， 您把这件事情干得非常严正，充分显出了敬畏上帝的精神； 正像有一位神父说的——     霍罗福尼斯 先生， 别对我提起什么神父不神父啦；我最怕那些似是而非的论 调。可是让我们再来讨论讨论那首诗；纳森聂尔牧师，您觉得它怎么样？     纳森聂尔 写是写得非常之好。     霍罗福尼斯 今天我要到我的一个学生的父亲家里吃饭； 要是您愿意在进餐之 前替在座众人作一次祈祷，凭着该生家长对我的交情，我可以介绍您出席；在宴会 上我愿意向您证明这首诗非常浅薄，既无诗趣，又无巧思，一点没有匠心独运之处。 请您一定光临。     纳森聂尔 那真是多谢了；因为《圣经》上说，交际是人生的幸福。     霍罗福尼斯 不错，《圣经》上这句话是一个很确当的结论。（向德尔）朋友， 请你也一同出席，千万不要推却；毋多言！去！那些绅士们正在打猎，我们还是去 满足我们口腹的享受。（同下。）

SCENE III. The same. Enter BIRON, with a paper BIRON The king he is hunting the deer; I am coursing myself: they have pitched a toil; I am toiling in a pitch,--pitch that defiles: defile! a foul word. Well, set thee down, sorrow! for so they say the fool said, and so say I, and I the fool: well proved, wit! By the Lord, this love is as mad as Ajax: it kills sheep; it kills me, I a sheep: well proved again o' my side! I will not love: if I do, hang me; i' faith, I will not. O, but her eye,--by this light, but for her eye, I would not love her; yes, for her two eyes. Well, I do nothing in the world but lie, and lie in my throat. By heaven, I do love: and it hath taught me to rhyme and to be melancholy; and here is part of my rhyme, and here my melancholy. Well, she hath one o' my sonnets already: the clown bore it, the fool sent it, and the lady hath it: sweet clown, sweeter fool, sweetest lady! By the world, I would not care a pin, if the other three were in. Here comes one with a paper: God give him grace to groan! Stands aside Enter FERDINAND, with a paper FERDINAND Ay me! BIRON [Aside] Shot, by heaven! Proceed, sweet Cupid: thou hast thumped him with thy bird-bolt under the left pap. In faith, secrets! FERDINAND [Reads] So sweet a kiss the golden sun gives not To those fresh morning drops upon the rose, As thy eye-beams, when their fresh rays have smote The night of dew that on my cheeks down flows: Nor shines the silver moon one half so bright Through the transparent bosom of the deep, As doth thy face through tears of mine give light; Thou shinest in every tear that I do weep: No drop but as a coach doth carry thee; So ridest thou triumphing in my woe. Do but behold the tears that swell in me, And they thy glory through my grief will show: But do not love thyself; then thou wilt keep My tears for glasses, and still make me weep. O queen of queens! how far dost thou excel, No thought can think, nor tongue of mortal tell. How shall she know my griefs? I'll drop the paper: Sweet leaves, shade folly. Who is he comes here? Steps aside What, Longaville! and reading! listen, ear. BIRON Now, in thy likeness, one more fool appear! Enter LONGAVILLE, with a paper LONGAVILLE Ay me, I am forsworn! BIRON Why, he comes in like a perjure, wearing papers. FERDINAND In love, I hope: sweet fellowship in shame! BIRON One drunkard loves another of the name. LONGAVILLE Am I the first that have been perjured so? BIRON I could put thee in comfort. Not by two that I know: Thou makest the triumviry, the corner-cap of society, The shape of Love's Tyburn that hangs up simplicity. LONGAVILLE I fear these stubborn lines lack power to move: O sweet Maria, empress of my love! These numbers will I tear, and write in prose. BIRON O, rhymes are guards on wanton Cupid's hose: Disfigure not his slop. LONGAVILLE This same shall go. Reads Did not the heavenly rhetoric of thine eye, 'Gainst whom the world cannot hold argument, Persuade my heart to this false perjury? Vows for thee broke deserve not punishment. A woman I forswore; but I will prove, Thou being a goddess, I forswore not thee: My vow was earthly, thou a heavenly love; Thy grace being gain'd cures all disgrace in me. Vows are but breath, and breath a vapour is: Then thou, fair sun, which on my earth dost shine, Exhalest this vapour-vow; in thee it is: If broken then, it is no fault of mine: If by me broke, what fool is not so wise To lose an oath to win a paradise? BIRON This is the liver-vein, which makes flesh a deity, A green goose a goddess: pure, pure idolatry. God amend us, God amend! we are much out o' the way. LONGAVILLE By whom shall I send this?--Company! stay. Steps aside BIRON All hid, all hid; an old infant play. Like a demigod here sit I in the sky. And wretched fools' secrets heedfully o'ereye. More sacks to the mill! O heavens, I have my wish! Enter DUMAIN, with a paper Dumain transform'd! four woodcocks in a dish! DUMAIN O most divine Kate! BIRON O most profane coxcomb! DUMAIN By heaven, the wonder in a mortal eye! BIRON By earth, she is not, corporal, there you lie. DUMAIN Her amber hair for foul hath amber quoted. BIRON An amber-colour'd raven was well noted. DUMAIN As upright as the cedar. BIRON Stoop, I say; Her shoulder is with child. DUMAIN As fair as day. BIRON Ay, as some days; but then no sun must shine. DUMAIN O that I had my wish! LONGAVILLE And I had mine! FERDINAND And I mine too, good Lord! BIRON Amen, so I had mine: is not that a good word? DUMAIN I would forget her; but a fever she Reigns in my blood and will remember'd be. BIRON A fever in your blood! why, then incision Would let her out in saucers: sweet misprision! DUMAIN Once more I'll read the ode that I have writ. BIRON Once more I'll mark how love can vary wit. DUMAIN [Reads] On a day--alack the day!-- Love, whose month is ever May, Spied a blossom passing fair Playing in the wanton air: Through the velvet leaves the wind, All unseen, can passage find; That the lover, sick to death, Wish himself the heaven's breath. Air, quoth he, thy cheeks may blow; Air, would I might triumph so! But, alack, my hand is sworn Ne'er to pluck thee from thy thorn; Vow, alack, for youth unmeet, Youth so apt to pluck a sweet! Do not call it sin in me, That I am forsworn for thee; Thou for whom Jove would swear Juno but an Ethiope were; And deny himself for Jove, Turning mortal for thy love. This will I send, and something else more plain, That shall express my true love's fasting pain. O, would the king, Biron, and Longaville, Were lovers too! Ill, to example ill, Would from my forehead wipe a perjured note; For none offend where all alike do dote. LONGAVILLE [Advancing] Dumain, thy love is far from charity. You may look pale, but I should blush, I know, To be o'erheard and taken napping so. FERDINAND [Advancing] Come, sir, you blush; as his your case is such; You chide at him, offending twice as much; You do not love Maria; Longaville Did never sonnet for her sake compile, Nor never lay his wreathed arms athwart His loving bosom to keep down his heart. I have been closely shrouded in this bush And mark'd you both and for you both did blush: I heard your guilty rhymes, observed your fashion, Saw sighs reek from you, noted well your passion: Ay me! says one; O Jove! the other cries; One, her hairs were gold, crystal the other's eyes: To LONGAVILLE You would for paradise break faith, and troth; To DUMAIN And Jove, for your love, would infringe an oath. What will Biron say when that he shall hear Faith so infringed, which such zeal did swear? How will he scorn! how will he spend his wit! How will he triumph, leap and laugh at it! For all the wealth that ever I did see, I would not have him know so much by me. BIRON Now step I forth to whip hypocrisy. Advancing Ah, good my liege, I pray thee, pardon me! Good heart, what grace hast thou, thus to reprove These worms for loving, that art most in love? Your eyes do make no coaches; in your tears There is no certain princess that appears; You'll not be perjured, 'tis a hateful thing; Tush, none but minstrels like of sonneting! But are you not ashamed? nay, are you not, All three of you, to be thus much o'ershot? You found his mote; the king your mote did see; But I a beam do find in each of three. O, what a scene of foolery have I seen, Of sighs, of groans, of sorrow and of teen! O me, with what strict patience have I sat, To see a king transformed to a gnat! To see great Hercules whipping a gig, And profound Solomon to tune a jig, And Nestor play at push-pin with the boys, And critic Timon laugh at idle toys! Where lies thy grief, O, tell me, good Dumain? And gentle Longaville, where lies thy pain? And where my liege's? all about the breast: A caudle, ho! FERDINAND Too bitter is thy jest. Are we betray'd thus to thy over-view? BIRON Not you to me, but I betray'd by you: I, that am honest; I, that hold it sin To break the vow I am engaged in; I am betray'd, by keeping company With men like men of inconstancy. When shall you see me write a thing in rhyme? Or groan for love? or spend a minute's time In pruning me? When shall you hear that I Will praise a hand, a foot, a face, an eye, A gait, a state, a brow, a breast, a waist, A leg, a limb? FERDINAND Soft! whither away so fast? A true man or a thief that gallops so? BIRON I post from love: good lover, let me go. Enter JAQUENETTA and COSTARD JAQUENETTA God bless the king! FERDINAND What present hast thou there? COSTARD Some certain treason. FERDINAND What makes treason here? COSTARD Nay, it makes nothing, sir. FERDINAND If it mar nothing neither, The treason and you go in peace away together. JAQUENETTA I beseech your grace, let this letter be read: Our parson misdoubts it; 'twas treason, he said. FERDINAND Biron, read it over. Giving him the paper Where hadst thou it? JAQUENETTA Of Costard. FERDINAND Where hadst thou it? COSTARD Of Dun Adramadio, Dun Adramadio. BIRON tears the letter FERDINAND How now! what is in you? why dost thou tear it? BIRON A toy, my liege, a toy: your grace needs not fear it. LONGAVILLE It did move him to passion, and therefore let's hear it. DUMAIN It is Biron's writing, and here is his name. Gathering up the pieces BIRON [To COSTARD] Ah, you whoreson loggerhead! you were born to do me shame. Guilty, my lord, guilty! I confess, I confess. FERDINAND What? BIRON That you three fools lack'd me fool to make up the mess: He, he, and you, and you, my liege, and I, Are pick-purses in love, and we deserve to die. O, dismiss this audience, and I shall tell you more. DUMAIN Now the number is even. BIRON True, true; we are four. Will these turtles be gone? FERDINAND Hence, sirs; away! COSTARD Walk aside the true folk, and let the traitors stay. Exeunt COSTARD and JAQUENETTA BIRON Sweet lords, sweet lovers, O, let us embrace! As true we are as flesh and blood can be: The sea will ebb and flow, heaven show his face; Young blood doth not obey an old decree: We cannot cross the cause why we were born; Therefore of all hands must we be forsworn. FERDINAND What, did these rent lines show some love of thine? BIRON Did they, quoth you? Who sees the heavenly Rosaline, That, like a rude and savage man of Inde, At the first opening of the gorgeous east, Bows not his vassal head and strucken blind Kisses the base ground with obedient breast? What peremptory eagle-sighted eye Dares look upon the heaven of her brow, That is not blinded by her majesty? FERDINAND What zeal, what fury hath inspired thee now? My love, her mistress, is a gracious moon; She an attending star, scarce seen a light. BIRON My eyes are then no eyes, nor I Biron: O, but for my love, day would turn to night! Of all complexions the cull'd sovereignty Do meet, as at a fair, in her fair cheek, Where several worthies make one dignity, Where nothing wants that want itself doth seek. Lend me the flourish of all gentle tongues,-- Fie, painted rhetoric! O, she needs it not: To things of sale a seller's praise belongs, She passes praise; then praise too short doth blot. A wither'd hermit, five-score winters worn, Might shake off fifty, looking in her eye: Beauty doth varnish age, as if new-born, And gives the crutch the cradle's infancy: O, 'tis the sun that maketh all things shine. FERDINAND By heaven, thy love is black as ebony. BIRON Is ebony like her? O wood divine! A wife of such wood were felicity. O, who can give an oath? where is a book? That I may swear beauty doth beauty lack, If that she learn not of her eye to look: No face is fair that is not full so black. FERDINAND O paradox! Black is the badge of hell, The hue of dungeons and the suit of night; And beauty's crest becomes the heavens well. BIRON Devils soonest tempt, resembling spirits of light. O, if in black my lady's brows be deck'd, It mourns that painting and usurping hair Should ravish doters with a false aspect; And therefore is she born to make black fair. Her favour turns the fashion of the days, For native blood is counted painting now; And therefore red, that would avoid dispraise, Paints itself black, to imitate her brow. DUMAIN To look like her are chimney-sweepers black. LONGAVILLE And since her time are colliers counted bright. FERDINAND And Ethiopes of their sweet complexion crack. DUMAIN Dark needs no candles now, for dark is light. BIRON Your mistresses dare never come in rain, For fear their colours should be wash'd away. FERDINAND 'Twere good, yours did; for, sir, to tell you plain, I'll find a fairer face not wash'd to-day. BIRON I'll prove her fair, or talk till doomsday here. FERDINAND No devil will fright thee then so much as she. DUMAIN I never knew man hold vile stuff so dear. LONGAVILLE Look, here's thy love: my foot and her face see. BIRON O, if the streets were paved with thine eyes, Her feet were much too dainty for such tread! DUMAIN O, vile! then, as she goes, what upward lies The street should see as she walk'd overhead. FERDINAND But what of this? are we not all in love? BIRON Nothing so sure; and thereby all forsworn. FERDINAND Then leave this chat; and, good Biron, now prove Our loving lawful, and our faith not torn. DUMAIN Ay, marry, there; some flattery for this evil. LONGAVILLE O, some authority how to proceed; Some tricks, some quillets, how to cheat the devil. DUMAIN Some salve for perjury. BIRON 'Tis more than need. Have at you, then, affection's men at arms. Consider what you first did swear unto, To fast, to study, and to see no woman; Flat treason 'gainst the kingly state of youth. Say, can you fast? your stomachs are too young; And abstinence engenders maladies. And where that you have vow'd to study, lords, In that each of you have forsworn his book, Can you still dream and pore and thereon look? For when would you, my lord, or you, or you, Have found the ground of study's excellence Without the beauty of a woman's face? From women's eyes this doctrine I derive; They are the ground, the books, the academes From whence doth spring the true Promethean fire Why, universal plodding poisons up The nimble spirits in the arteries, As motion and long-during action tires The sinewy vigour of the traveller. Now, for not looking on a woman's face, You have in that forsworn the use of eyes And study too, the causer of your vow; For where is any author in the world Teaches such beauty as a woman's eye? Learning is but an adjunct to ourself And where we are our learning likewise is: Then when ourselves we see in ladies' eyes, Do we not likewise see our learning there? O, we have made a vow to study, lords, And in that vow we have forsworn our books. For when would you, my liege, or you, or you, In leaden contemplation have found out Such fiery numbers as the prompting eyes Of beauty's tutors have enrich'd you with? Other slow arts entirely keep the brain; And therefore, finding barren practisers, Scarce show a harvest of their heavy toil: But love, first learned in a lady's eyes, Lives not alone immured in the brain; But, with the motion of all elements, Courses as swift as thought in every power, And gives to every power a double power, Above their functions and their offices. It adds a precious seeing to the eye; A lover's eyes will gaze an eagle blind; A lover's ear will hear the lowest sound, When the suspicious head of theft is stopp'd: Love's feeling is more soft and sensible Than are the tender horns of cockl'd snails; Love's tongue proves dainty Bacchus gross in taste: For valour, is not Love a Hercules, Still climbing trees in the Hesperides? Subtle as Sphinx; as sweet and musical As bright Apollo's lute, strung with his hair: And when Love speaks, the voice of all the gods Makes heaven drowsy with the harmony. Never durst poet touch a pen to write Until his ink were temper'd with Love's sighs; O, then his lines would ravish savage ears And plant in tyrants mild humility. From women's eyes this doctrine I derive: They sparkle still the right Promethean fire; They are the books, the arts, the academes, That show, contain and nourish all the world: Else none at all in ought proves excellent. Then fools you were these women to forswear, Or keeping what is sworn, you will prove fools. For wisdom's sake, a word that all men love, Or for love's sake, a word that loves all men, Or for men's sake, the authors of these women, Or women's sake, by whom we men are men, Let us once lose our oaths to find ourselves, Or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths. It is religion to be thus forsworn, For charity itself fulfills the law, And who can sever love from charity? FERDINAND Saint Cupid, then! and, soldiers, to the field! BIRON Advance your standards, and upon them, lords; Pell-mell, down with them! but be first advised, In conflict that you get the sun of them. LONGAVILLE Now to plain-dealing; lay these glozes by: Shall we resolve to woo these girls of France? FERDINAND And win them too: therefore let us devise Some entertainment for them in their tents. BIRON First, from the park let us conduct them thither; Then homeward every man attach the hand Of his fair mistress: in the afternoon We will with some strange pastime solace them, Such as the shortness of the time can shape; For revels, dances, masks and merry hours Forerun fair Love, strewing her way with flowers. FERDINAND Away, away! no time shall be omitted That will betime, and may by us be fitted. BIRON Allons! allons! Sow'd cockle reap'd no corn; And justice always whirls in equal measure: Light wenches may prove plagues to men forsworn; If so, our copper buys no better treasure. Exeunt LOVE'S LABOURS LOST第三场 同 前     俾隆持一纸上。     俾隆 王上正在逐鹿； 我却在追赶我自己。他们张罗设网；我却陷身在泥坑之 中。泥坑，这字眼真不好听。好，歇歇吧，悲哀！因为他们说那傻子曾经这样说， 我也这样说，我就是傻子：证明得很好，聪明人！上帝啊，这恋爱疯狂得就像埃阿 斯⑨一样；它会杀死一头绵羊；它会杀死我，我就是绵羊：又是一个很好的证明！ 我不愿恋爱；要是我恋爱，把我吊死了吧；真的，我不愿。啊！可是她的眼睛—— 天日在上，倘不是为了她的眼睛，我决不会爱她；是的，只是为了她的两只眼睛。 唉，我这个人一味说谎，全然的胡说八道。天哪，我在恋爱，它已经教会我作诗， 也教会我发愁；这儿是我的一部分的诗，这儿是我的愁。她已经收到我的一首十四 行诗了；送信的是个蠢货，寄信的是个呆子，收信的是个佳人；可爱的蠢货，更可 爱的呆子，最可爱的佳人！凭着全世界发誓，即使那三个家伙都落下了情网，我也 不以为意。这儿有一个拿了一张纸来了；求上帝让他呻吟吧！（爬登树上。）     国王持一纸上。     国王 唉！     俾隆（旁白）射中了，天哪！继续施展你的本领吧，可爱的丘匹德；你已经用 你的鸟箭从他的左乳下面射进去了。当真他也有秘密！     国王（读）     旭日不曾以如此温馨的蜜吻 给予蔷薇上晶莹的黎明清露，     有如你的慧眼以其灵辉耀映 那淋下在我颊上的深宵残雨；     皓月不曾以如此璀璨的光箭 穿过深海里透明澄澈的波心，     有如你的秀颜照射我的泪点， 一滴滴荡漾着你冰雪的精神。     每一颗泪珠是一辆小小的车， 载着你在我的悲哀之中驱驰；     那洋溢在我睫下的朵朵水花， 从忧愁里映现你胜利的荣姿；     请不要以我的泪作你的镜子，     你顾影自怜，我将要永远流泪。     啊，倾国倾城的仙女，     你的颜容使得我搜索枯肠也感觉词穷。     她怎么可以知道我的悲哀呢？让我把这纸儿丢在地上；可爱的草叶啊，遮掩我 的痴心吧。谁到这儿来了？（退立一旁）什么，朗格维！他在读些什么东西！听着！     朗格维持一纸上。     俾隆 现在又有一个跟你同样的傻子来了！     朗格维 唉！我破了誓了！     俾隆 果然像个破誓的，还带着证明罪行的文件呢。     国王 我希望他也在恋爱，同病相怜的罪人！     俾隆 一个酒鬼会把另一个酒鬼引为同调。     朗格维 我是第一个违反誓言的人吗？     俾隆 我可以给你安慰； 照我所知道的，已经有两个人比你先破誓了，你来刚 好凑成一个三分鼎足，三角帽子，爱情的三角绞刑台，专叫傻瓜送命。     朗格维 我怕这几行生硬的诗句缺少动人的力量。 啊，亲爱的玛利娅，我的爱 情的皇后！我还是把诗撕了，用散文写吧。     俾隆 诗句是爱神裤子上的花边；别让他见不得人。     朗格维 算了，还是让它去吧。（读）     你眼睛里有天赋动人的辞令， 能使全世界的辩士唯唯俯首，     不是它劝诱我的心寒盟背信？ 为了你把誓言毁弃不应遭咎。     我所舍弃的只是地上的女子， 你却是一位美妙的天仙化身；     为了天神之爱毁弃人世的誓， 你的垂怜可以洗涤我的罪名。     一句誓只是一阵口中的雾气， 禁不起你这美丽的太阳晒蒸；     我脆弱的愿心既已被你引起， 这毁誓的过失怎能由我担承？     即使是我的错，谁会那样疯狂，     不愿意牺牲一句话换取天堂！     俾隆 一个人发起疯来，会把血肉的凡人敬若神明，把一只小鹅看做一个仙女； 全然的、全然的偶像崇拜！上帝拯救我们，上帝拯救我们！我们都走到邪路上去了。     朗格维 我应该叫谁把这首诗送去呢？——有人来了！且慢。（退立一旁。）     俾隆 大家躲好了，大家躲好了，就像小孩子捉迷藏似的。我像一尊天神一般， 在这儿高坐天空，察看这些可怜的愚人们的秘密。再多来点！天啊，真应了我的话 了。     杜曼持一纸上。     俾隆 杜曼也变了；一个盘子里盛着四只山鹬！     杜曼 啊，最神圣的凯德⑩！     俾隆 啊，亵渎神圣的傻瓜！     杜曼 凭着上天起誓，一个凡夫眼中的奇迹！     俾隆 凭着土地起誓，她是个平平常常的女人；你在说谎。     杜曼 她的琥珀般的头发使琥珀为之逊色。     俾隆 琥珀色的乌鸦倒是很少有的。     杜曼 像杉树一般亭亭直立。     俾隆 我说她身体有点弯屈；她的肩膀好像怀孕似的。     杜曼 像白昼一般明朗。     俾隆 嗯，像有几天的白昼一般，不过是没有太阳的白昼。     杜曼 啊！但愿我能够如愿以偿！     朗格维 但愿我也如愿以偿！     国王 主啊，但愿我也如愿以偿！     俾隆 阿门，但愿我也如愿以偿！这总算够客气了吧？     杜曼 我希望忘记她；可是她像热病一般焚烧我的血液，使我再也忘不了她。     俾隆 你血液里的热病！ 那么只要请医生开一刀，就可以把她放出来盛在盘子 里了。     杜曼 我还要把我所写的那首歌读一遍。     俾隆 那么我就再听一次爱情怎样改变了一个聪明人。     杜曼（读）     有一天，唉，那一天！     爱永远是五月天，     见一朵好花娇媚，     在款款风前游戏；     穿过柔嫩的叶网，     风儿悄悄地来往。     憔悴将死的恋人，     羡慕天风的轻灵；     风能吹上你面颊，     我只能对花掩泣！     我已向神前许愿，     不攀折鲜花嫩瓣；     少年谁不爱春红？     这种誓情理难通。     今日我为你叛誓，     请不要把我讥刺；     你曾经迷惑乔武，     使朱诺变成黑人，     放弃天上的威尊，     来作尘世的凡人。 我要把这首歌寄去，另外再用一些更明白的字句，说明我的真诚的恋情的痛苦。啊！ 但愿王上、俾隆和朗格维也都变成恋人！作恶的有了榜样，可以抹去我叛誓的罪名； 大家都是一样有罪，谁也不能把谁怨怼。     朗格维（上前）杜曼，你希望别人分担你的相思的痛苦，你这种恋爱太自私了。 你可以脸色发白，可是我要是也这样被人听见了我的秘密，我知道我一定会满脸通 红的。     国王（上前）来，先生，你的脸红起来吧。你的情形和他正是一样；可是你明 于责人，暗于责己，你的罪比他更加一等。你不爱玛利娅，朗格维从来不曾为她写 过一首十四行诗，从来不曾绞着两手，按放在他的多情的胸前，压下他那跳动的心。 我躲在这一丛树木后面，已经完全窥破你们的秘密了；我替你们两人好不害羞！我 听见你们罪恶的诗句，留心观察着你们的举止，看见你们长吁短叹，注意到你们的 热情：一个说，唉！一个说，天哪！一个说她的头发像黄金，一个说她的眼睛像水 晶；（向朗格维）你愿意为了天堂的幸福寒盟背信；（向杜曼）乔武为了你的爱人 不惜毁弃誓言。要是俾隆听见你们已经把一个用极大的热心发下的誓这样破坏了， 他会怎么说呢？他会把你们怎样嘲笑！他会怎样掉弄他的刻毒的舌头！他会怎样高 兴得跳起来！我宁愿失去全世界所有的财富，也不愿让他知道我有这样不可告人的 心事。     俾隆 现在我要挺身而出， 揭破伪君子的面目了。（自树上跳下）啊！我的好 陛下，请您原谅我；好人儿！您自己沉浸在恋爱之中，您有什么权利责备这两个可 怜虫？您的眼睛不会变成马车；您的泪珠里不会反映出一位公主的笑容；您不会毁 誓，那是一件可憎的罪恶；咄！只有无聊的诗人才会写那些十四行的歌曲。可是您 不害羞吗？你们三人一个个当场出丑，都不觉得害羞吗？您发现了他眼中的微尘； 王上发现了你们的；可是我发现了你们每人眼中的梁木。啊！我看见了一幕多么愚 蠢的活剧，不是这个人叹息呻吟，就是那个人捶胸顿足。嗳哟！我好容易耐住我的 心，看一位国王变成一只飞蝇，伟大的赫剌克勒斯抽弄陀螺，渊深的所罗门起舞婆 娑，年老的涅斯托⑾变成儿童的游侣，厌世的泰门戏弄无聊的玩具！你的悲哀在什 么地方？啊！告诉我，好杜曼。善良的朗格维，你的痛苦在什么地方？陛下，您的 又在什么地方？都在这心口儿里。喂，煮一锅稀粥来！这儿有很重的病人哩。     国王 你太挖苦人了。那么我们的秘密都被你窥破了吗？     俾隆 我算是受了你们的骗。 我是个老实人，我以为违背一个自己所发的誓是 一件罪恶；谁料竟会受一班虚有其表、反复无常的人们的欺骗。你们什么时候会见 我写一句诗？或者为了一个女人而痛苦呻吟？或者费一分钟的时间把我自己修饰？ 你们什么时候会听见我赞美一只手，一只脚，一张脸，一双眼，一种姿态，一段丰 度，一副容貌，一个胸脯，一个腰身，一条腿，一条臂？——     国王 且慢！你又不是怕有人在后面追赶的偷儿，用不着这样急急忙忙地奔跑。     俾隆 我这样急急忙忙，是为了要逃避爱情；好情人，放我去吧。     杰奎妮妲及考斯塔德上。     杰奎妮妲 上帝祝福王上！     国王 你有什么东西送来？     考斯塔德 一件叛逆的阴谋。     国王 已经成事的叛逆吗？     考斯塔德 没有成事，陛下。     国王 那么也不要叫它败事。请你和叛逆安安静静地一同退场吧。     杰奎妮妲 陛下， 请您读一读这封信；我们的牧师先生觉得它很可疑；他说其 中有叛逆的阴谋。     国王 俾隆，你把它读一读。（以信授俾隆）这封信你是从什么地方得来的？     杰奎妮妲 考斯塔德给我的。     国王 你从什么地方得来的？     考斯塔德 邓·阿德拉马狄奥，邓·阿德拉马狄奥给我的。（俾隆撕信。）     国王 怎么！你怎么啦？为什么把它撕碎？     俾隆 无关重要，陛下，无关重要，您用不着担心。     朗格维 这封信看得他面红耳赤，让我们听听吧。     杜曼（拾起纸片）这是俾隆的笔迹，这儿还有他的名字。     俾隆（向考斯塔德）啊，你这下贱的蠢货！你把我的脸丢尽了。我承认有罪， 陛下，我承认有罪。     国王 什么？     俾隆 你们三个呆子加上了我， 刚巧凑成一桌；他、他、您陛下，跟我，都是 恋爱场中的扒手，我们都有该死的罪名。啊！把这两个人打发走了，我可以详详细 细告诉你们。     杜曼 现在大家都是一样的了。     俾隆 不错，不错，我们是同道四人。叫这一双斑鸠去吧。     国王 你们去吧！     考斯塔德 好人走了，让坏人留在这儿。（考斯塔德、杰奎妮妲下。）     俾隆 亲爱的朋友们， 亲爱的情人们，啊！让我们拥抱吧。我们都是有血有肉 的凡人；大海潮升潮落，青天终古长新，陈腐的戒条不能约束少年的热情。我们不 能反抗生命的意志，我们必须推翻不合理的盟誓。     国王 什么！你也会在这些破碎的诗句之中表示你的爱情吗？     俾隆“我也会”！谁见了天仙一样的罗瑟琳，不会像一个野蛮的印度人，只要 东方的朝阳一开始呈现它的奇丽，就俯首拜伏，用他虔诚的胸膛贴附土地？哪一道 鹰隼般威棱闪闪的眼光，不会眩耀于她的华艳，敢仰望她眉宇间的天堂？     国王 什么狂热的情绪鼓动着你？我的爱人，她的女主人，是一轮美丽的明月， 她只是月亮旁边闪烁着微光的一点小星。     俾隆 那么我的眼睛不是眼睛， 我也不是俾隆。啊！倘不是为了我的爱人，白 昼都要失去它的光亮。她的娇好的颊上集合着一切出众的美点，她的华贵的全身找 不出丝毫缺陷。借给我所有辩士们的生花妙舌——啊，不！她不需要夸大的辞藻； 待沽的商品才需要赞美，任何赞美都比不上她自身的美妙。形容枯瘦的一百岁的隐 士，看了她一眼会变成五十之翁；美貌是一服换骨的仙丹，它会使扶杖的衰龄返老 还童。啊！她就是太阳，万物都被她照耀得灿烂生光。     国王 凭着上天起誓，你的爱人黑得就像乌木一般。     俾隆 乌木像她吗？啊，神圣的树木！娶到乌木般的妻子才是无上的幸福。啊！ 我要按着《圣经》发誓，她那点漆的瞳人，泼墨的脸色，才是美的极致，不这样便 够不上“美人”两字。     国王 一派胡说！ 黑色是地狱的象征，囚牢的幽暗，暮夜的阴沉；美貌应该像 天色一样清明。     俾隆 魔鬼往往化装光明的天使引诱世人。 啊！我的爱人有两道黑色的修眉， 因为她悲伤世人的愚痴，让涂染的假发以伪乱真，她要向他们证明黑色的神奇。她 的美艳转变了流行的风尚，因为脂粉的颜色已经混淆了天然的红白，自爱的女郎们 都知道洗尽铅华，学着她把皮肤染成黝黑。     杜曼 打扫烟囱的人也是学着她把烟煤涂满一身。     朗格维 从此以后，炭坑夫都要得到俊美的名称。     国王 非洲的黑人夸耀他们美丽的肤色。     杜曼 黑暗不再需要灯烛，因为黑暗即是光明。     俾隆 你们的爱人们永远不敢在雨中走路，她们就怕雨水洗去了脸上的脂粉。     国王 你的爱人倒该淋雨，让雨水把她的脸冲洗干净。     俾隆 我要证明她的美貌，拚着舌敝唇焦，一直讲到世界末日的来临。     国王 到那时候你就知道没有一个魔鬼不比她漂亮几分。     杜曼 像你这样钟情丑妇的人真是世间少见。     朗格维 瞧，这儿是你的爱人；（举鞋示俾隆）把她的脸多看两眼。     俾隆 啊！要是把你的眼睛铺成道路，也会玷污了她的姗姗微步。     杜曼 啊，真下流！街道上若都是眼睛，她走起路来一迈步，多么丢人。     国王 可是何必这样斤斤争论？我们不是大家都在恋爱吗？     俾隆 一点不错，我们大家都毁了誓啦。     国王 那么不要作这种无聊的空谈。 好俾隆，现在请你证明我们的恋爱是合法 的；我们的信心并没有遭到损害。     杜曼 对了，赞美赞美我们的罪恶。     朗格维 啊！ 用一些充分的理由壮壮我们的胆；用一些巧妙的诡计把魔鬼轻轻 骗过。     杜曼 用一些娓娓动听的辩解减除我们叛誓的内疚。     俾隆 啊， 那是不必要的。好，那么，爱情的战士们，想一想你们最初发下的 誓，绝食，读书，不近女色，全然是对于绚烂的青春的重大的谋叛！你们能够绝食 吗？你们的肠胃太娇嫩了，绝食会引起种种的病症。你们虽然立誓发愤读书，要是 你们已经抛弃了各人的一本最宝贵的书籍，你们还能在梦寐之中不废吟哦吗？因为 除了一张女人的美丽的容颜以外，您，我的陛下，或是你，或是你，什么地方找得 到学问的真正价值？从女人的眼睛里我得到这一个教训：它们是艺术的经典，知识 的宝库，是它们燃起了智慧的神火。刻苦的钻研可以使活泼的心神变为迟钝，正像 长途的跋涉消耗旅人的精力。你们不看女人的脸，不但放弃了眼睛的天赋的功用， 而且根本违背你们立誓求学的原意；因为世上哪一个著作家能够像一个女人的眼睛 一般把如许的美丽启示读者？学问是我们随身的财产，我们自己在什么地方，我们 的学问也跟着我们在一起；那么当我们在女人的眼睛里看见我们自己的时候，我们 不是也可以看到它里边存在着我们的学问吗？啊！朋友们，我们发誓读书，同时却 抛弃了我们的书本；因为在你们钝拙的思索之中，您，我的陛下，或是你，或是你， 几曾歌咏出像美人的慧眼所激发你们的那种火一般热烈的诗句？一切沉闷的学术都 局限于脑海之中，它们因为缺少活动，费了极大的艰苦还是绝无收获；可是从一个 女人的眼睛里学会了恋爱，却不会禁闭在方寸的心田，它会随着全身的血液，像思 想一般迅速地通过百官四肢，使每一个器官发挥出双倍的效能；它使眼睛增加一重 明亮，恋人眼中的光芒可以使猛鹰眩目；恋人的耳朵听得出最微细的声音，任何鬼 祟的奸谋都逃不过他的知觉；恋人的感觉比戴壳蜗牛的触角还要微妙灵敏；恋人的 舌头使善于辨味的巴克科斯⑿显得迟钝；讲到勇力，爱情不是像赫剌克勒斯一般， 永远在乐园里爬树想摘金苹果吗？像斯芬克斯⒀一般狡狯；像那以阿波罗的金发为 弦的天琴一般和谐悦耳；当爱情发言的时候，就像诸神的合唱，使整个的天界陶醉 于仙乐之中。诗人不敢提笔抒写他的诗篇，除非他的墨水里调和着爱情的叹息；啊！ 那时候他的诗句就会感动野蛮的猛兽，激发暴君的天良。从女人的眼睛里我得到这 一个教训：它们永远闪耀着智慧的神火；它们是艺术的经典，是知识的宝库，装饰、 涵容、滋养着整个世界；没有它们，一切都会失去它们的美妙。那么你们真是一群 呆子，甘心把这些女人舍弃；你们谨守你们的誓约，就可以证明你们的痴愚。为了 智慧，这一个众人喜爱的名词，为了爱情，这一个喜爱众人的名词，为了男人，一 切女人的创造者，为了女人，没有她们便没有男人，让我们放弃我们的誓约，找到 我们自己，否则我们就要为了谨守誓约而丧失自己。这样的毁誓是为神明所容许的； 因为慈悲的本身可以代替法律，谁能把爱情和慈悲分而为二？     国王 那么凭着圣丘匹德的名字，兵士们，上阵呀！     俾隆 举起你们的大旗， 向她们努力进攻吧，朋友们！来他一阵混杀！但是先 要当心，交手的时候哪个太阳是归你的。     朗格维 把这些巧妙的字句搁在一旁， 老老实实谈一谈吧。我们要不要决定去 向这些法国女郎们求爱？     国王 是的， 而且我们一定要达到目的。所以让我们商量商量用些什么方法娱 乐她们。     俾隆 第一， 让我们从御苑里护送她们到她们的帐幕之内；然后每一个人握着 他的美貌的恋人的纤手回来。在下午我们要计划一些短时间内可以筹备起来的新奇 的娱乐安慰她们；因为饮酒、跳舞和狂欢是恋爱的先驱，是它们把缤纷的花朵铺成 一道康衢。     国王 去，去！我们现在必须利用每一秒钟的时间。     俾隆 去， 去！种下莠草哪能收起佳禾？那昭昭的天道从不会有私心：轻狂的 娘儿嫁给背信的丈夫；是顽铜怎么换得到美玉精金？（同下。）

SCENE I. The same. Enter HOLOFERNES, SIR NATHANIEL, and DULL HOLOFERNES Satis quod sufficit. SIR NATHANIEL I praise God for you, sir: your reasons at dinner have been sharp and sententious; pleasant without scurrility, witty without affection, audacious without impudency, learned without opinion, and strange with- out heresy. I did converse this quondam day with a companion of the king's, who is intituled, nomi- nated, or called, Don Adriano de Armado. HOLOFERNES Novi hominem tanquam te: his humour is lofty, his discourse peremptory, his tongue filed, his eye ambitious, his gait majestical, and his general behavior vain, ridiculous, and thrasonical. He is too picked, too spruce, too affected, too odd, as it were, too peregrinate, as I may call it. SIR NATHANIEL A most singular and choice epithet. Draws out his table-book HOLOFERNES He draweth out the thread of his verbosity finer than the staple of his argument. I abhor such fanatical phantasimes, such insociable and point-devise companions; such rackers of orthography, as to speak dout, fine, when he should say doubt; det, when he should pronounce debt,--d, e, b, t, not d, e, t: he clepeth a calf, cauf; half, hauf; neighbour vocatur nebor; neigh abbreviated ne. This is abhominable,--which he would call abbominable: it insinuateth me of insanie: anne intelligis, domine? to make frantic, lunatic. SIR NATHANIEL Laus Deo, bene intelligo. HOLOFERNES Bon, bon, fort bon, Priscian! a little scratch'd, 'twill serve. SIR NATHANIEL Videsne quis venit? HOLOFERNES Video, et gaudeo. Enter DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO, MOTH, and COSTARD DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Chirrah! To MOTH HOLOFERNES Quare chirrah, not sirrah? DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Men of peace, well encountered. HOLOFERNES Most military sir, salutation. MOTH [Aside to COSTARD] They have been at a great feast of languages, and stolen the scraps. COSTARD O, they have lived long on the alms-basket of words. I marvel thy master hath not eaten thee for a word; for thou art not so long by the head as honorificabilitudinitatibus: thou art easier swallowed than a flap-dragon. MOTH Peace! the peal begins. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO [To HOLOFERNES] Monsieur, are you not lettered? MOTH Yes, yes; he teaches boys the hornbook. What is a, b, spelt backward, with the horn on his head? HOLOFERNES Ba, pueritia, with a horn added. MOTH Ba, most silly sheep with a horn. You hear his learning. HOLOFERNES Quis, quis, thou consonant? MOTH The third of the five vowels, if you repeat them; or the fifth, if I. HOLOFERNES I will repeat them,--a, e, i,-- MOTH The sheep: the other two concludes it,--o, u. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Now, by the salt wave of the Mediterraneum, a sweet touch, a quick venue of wit! snip, snap, quick and home! it rejoiceth my intellect: true wit! MOTH Offered by a child to an old man; which is wit-old. HOLOFERNES What is the figure? what is the figure? MOTH Horns. HOLOFERNES Thou disputest like an infant: go, whip thy gig. MOTH Lend me your horn to make one, and I will whip about your infamy circum circa,--a gig of a cuckold's horn. COSTARD An I had but one penny in the world, thou shouldst have it to buy gingerbread: hold, there is the very remuneration I had of thy master, thou halfpenny purse of wit, thou pigeon-egg of discretion. O, an the heavens were so pleased that thou wert but my bastard, what a joyful father wouldst thou make me! Go to; thou hast it ad dunghill, at the fingers' ends, as they say. HOLOFERNES O, I smell false Latin; dunghill for unguem. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Arts-man, preambulate, we will be singled from the barbarous. Do you not educate youth at the charge-house on the top of the mountain? HOLOFERNES Or mons, the hill. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO At your sweet pleasure, for the mountain. HOLOFERNES I do, sans question. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Sir, it is the king's most sweet pleasure and affection to congratulate the princess at her pavilion in the posteriors of this day, which the rude multitude call the afternoon. HOLOFERNES The posterior of the day, most generous sir, is liable, congruent and measurable for the afternoon: the word is well culled, chose, sweet and apt, I do assure you, sir, I do assure. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Sir, the king is a noble gentleman, and my familiar, I do assure ye, very good friend: for what is inward between us, let it pass. I do beseech thee, remember thy courtesy; I beseech thee, apparel thy head: and among other important and most serious designs, and of great import indeed, too, but let that pass: for I must tell thee, it will please his grace, by the world, sometime to lean upon my poor shoulder, and with his royal finger, thus, dally with my excrement, with my mustachio; but, sweet heart, let that pass. By the world, I recount no fable: some certain special honours it pleaseth his greatness to impart to Armado, a soldier, a man of travel, that hath seen the world; but let that pass. The very all of all is,--but, sweet heart, I do implore secrecy,--that the king would have me present the princess, sweet chuck, with some delightful ostentation, or show, or pageant, or antique, or firework. Now, understanding that the curate and your sweet self are good at such eruptions and sudden breaking out of mirth, as it were, I have acquainted you withal, to the end to crave your assistance. HOLOFERNES Sir, you shall present before her the Nine Worthies. Sir, as concerning some entertainment of time, some show in the posterior of this day, to be rendered by our assistants, at the king's command, and this most gallant, illustrate, and learned gentleman, before the princess; I say none so fit as to present the Nine Worthies. SIR NATHANIEL Where will you find men worthy enough to present them? HOLOFERNES Joshua, yourself; myself and this gallant gentleman, Judas Maccabaeus; this swain, because of his great limb or joint, shall pass Pompey the Great; the page, Hercules,-- DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Pardon, sir; error: he is not quantity enough for that Worthy's thumb: he is not so big as the end of his club. HOLOFERNES Shall I have audience? he shall present Hercules in minority: his enter and exit shall be strangling a snake; and I will have an apology for that purpose. MOTH An excellent device! so, if any of the audience hiss, you may cry 'Well done, Hercules! now thou crushest the snake!' that is the way to make an offence gracious, though few have the grace to do it. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO For the rest of the Worthies?-- HOLOFERNES I will play three myself. MOTH Thrice-worthy gentleman! DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Shall I tell you a thing? HOLOFERNES We attend. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO We will have, if this fadge not, an antique. I beseech you, follow. HOLOFERNES Via, goodman Dull! thou hast spoken no word all this while. DULL Nor understood none neither, sir. HOLOFERNES Allons! we will employ thee. DULL I'll make one in a dance, or so; or I will play On the tabour to the Worthies, and let them dance the hay. HOLOFERNES Most dull, honest Dull! To our sport, away! Exeunt LOVE'S LABOURS LOST 第五幕     第一场 那瓦王御苑     霍罗福尼斯、纳森聂尔牧师及德尔上。     霍罗福尼斯 已而者，已而而已矣。     纳森聂尔 先生，我为您赞美上帝。您在宴会上这一番议论，的确是犀利雋永， 风趣而不俚俗，机智而不做作，大胆而不轻率，渊博而不固执，新奇而不乖僻。我 前天跟一个王上手下的人谈话，他的雅篆，他的尊号，他的大名是唐·阿德里安诺 ·德·亚马多。     霍罗福尼斯 后生小子， 何足道哉！这个人秉性傲慢，出言武断，满口虚文， 目空一世，高视阔步，旁若无人，可谓狂妄之尤。他太拘泥不化，太矫揉造作，太 古怪，也可以说太不近人情了。     纳森聂尔 一个非常确切而巧妙的断语。（取出笔记簿。）     霍罗福尼斯 他从贫弱的论据中间抽出他的琐碎而繁缛的言辞。 我痛恨这种荒 唐的妄人， 这种乖僻而苛细的家伙，这种破坏文字的罪人：明明是doubt，他却说 是dout； 明明是d，e，b，t，debt，他偏要读做d，e，t，det；他把c alf读成了 cauf， half读成了hauf； neighbour变成nebour，neigh的音缩做了ne。这简直是 abhominable， 可是叫他说起来又是abominable了。此类谬误之读音，闻之殆于令 人痫发；足下其知之乎？所谓雋发者，即发疯之谓也。     纳森聂尔 赞美上帝，真乃打开茅塞。     霍罗福尼斯 打开？应该是“顿开”。用词不甚得当，尚可，尚可。     亚马多、毛子及考斯塔德上。     纳森聂尔 来者其谁耶？     霍罗福尼斯 此固余所乐见者也。     亚马多（向毛子）崽子！     霍罗福尼斯 不曰小子而曰崽子，何哉？     亚马多 两位文士，幸会了。     霍罗福尼斯 最英勇的骑士，敬礼。     毛子（向考斯塔德旁白）他们刚从一场文字的盛宴上，偷了些吃剩的肉皮鱼骨 回来。     考斯塔德 啊！ 他们一向是靠着咬文嚼字过活的。我奇怪你家主人没有把你当 作一个字吞了下去， 因为你连头到脚，还没有honorificabilitudinitatibus⒁这 一个字那么长；把你吞下去，一点儿不费事。     毛子 静些！钟声敲起来了。     亚马多（向霍罗福尼斯）先生，你不是有学问的吗？     毛子 是的， 是的；他会教孩子们认字呢。请问把a，b，颠倒拼起来，头上再 加一只角，是个什么字？     霍罗福尼斯 孺子听之，这是一个Ba字，多了一只角。     毛子 Ba，好一头出角的蠢羊。你们听听他的学问。     霍罗福尼斯 谁，谁，你说哪一个，你这没有母音的子音？     毛子 你自己说起来，是五个母音中间的第三个；要是我说起来，就是第五个。     霍罗福尼斯 让我说说看——a，e，i——L就是我。     毛子 对了，你就是那头羊；让我接下去——o，u——You就是你，那头羊还是 你。     亚马多 凭着地中海里滚滚的波涛起誓，好巧妙的讥刺，好敏捷的才智！爽快， 干脆，一剑就刺中了要害！它欣慰了我的心灵；真是呱呱叫。     毛子 孩子要是呱呱叫，大人就该“哶哶”叫了。     霍罗福尼斯 什么意思？什么意思？     毛子 还是蠢羊。     霍罗福尼斯 孺子焉知应对？去抽陀螺玩吧。     毛子 把你的角借给我作个陀螺，我准保抽得你体无完肤。羊角作陀螺最好。     考斯塔德 要是我在这世上一共只剩了一个便士，我也要把它送给你买姜饼吃。 拿去，这是你的主人给我的酬劳，你这智慧的小钱囊，你这伶俐的鸽蛋。啊！要是 上天愿意让你做我的私生子，你将要使我成为一个多么快乐的爸爸！好，你正像人 家说的，连屁股尖上都是聪明的。     霍罗福尼斯 嗳哟！这是什么话？应该说手指尖上，他说成屁股尖上啦。     亚马多 学士先生， 请了；我们不必理会那些无知无识的人。你不是在山顶上 那所学校里教授青年的吗？     霍罗福尼斯 亦即峰头。     亚马多 峰头或者山顶，谨听尊便。     霍罗福尼斯 正是。     亚马多 先生， 王上已经宣布他的最圣明的意旨，要在这一个白昼的尾闾，那 就是粗俗的群众所称为下午的，到公主的帐幕里访问佳宾。     霍罗福尼斯 最高贵的先生， 用白昼的尾闾代替下午，果然是再合适、确切、 适当不过的了；真的，先生，这一个名词拣选得非常佳妙。     亚马多 先生， 王上是一位高贵的绅士，不瞒你说，他是我的知交，很好的朋 友。讲到我们两人之间的交情，那可以不用提了。——请你不要多礼，请你务必戴 上你的帽子——还有其他许多既重要又重大又严重的情节，可是那都不用提了。因 为我必须告诉你，王上陛下往往靠在我的卑贱的肩上，用他的御指玩弄我的废物— —我的胡子；可是好人儿，那也不用提了。我可以发誓我说的不是假话，他老人家 曾经把特殊的恩宠赏给亚马多，一个军人，一个见过世面的旅行者；可是那也不用 提了。一切的一切是这样的，可是好人儿，我要请你保守秘密，王上的意思，要我 在那公主面前，可爱的小东西！表演一些有趣的节目，一些玩意儿，一些热闹的花 样，一些滑稽的戏剧，或是一些焰火。我因为知道你跟牧师先生两位对于这种寻开 心的事情是很来得的，所以特来跟你们商量商量，请你们帮帮我的忙。     霍罗福尼斯 先生， 您可以在她面前表演九大伟人。纳森聂尔牧师，我们奉王 上的命令，承这位最倜傥贵显而博学的绅士的嘱托，略效微劳，在这一个白昼的尾 闾，表演一些应时的娱乐于公主之前，照我说起来，没有比扮演九大伟人的事迹更 适当的了。     纳森聂尔 您在什么地方可以找得到胜任愉快的人来扮演他们呢？     霍罗福尼斯 您自己扮约书亚；我自己或是这位倜傥的绅士扮犹大·麦卡俾斯， 这乡下人手脚粗大，可以充庞贝大王；⒂这童儿就叫他扮赫剌克勒斯——     亚马多 对不起， 先生，你错了；他还没有那位伟人的拇指那么大，他的棍子 的一头也要比他粗一些。     霍罗福尼斯 你们愿意听我说吗？ 他可以扮演幼年的赫剌克勒斯，上场下场都 在绞弄一条蛇；我还可以预备一段话向观众解释。     毛子 妙极了的设计！ 这样要是观众中间有人喝倒采，你就可以嚷，“好呀， 赫剌克勒斯！你把蛇儿勒死了！”这样就可以把错处遮掩过去，虽然没有什么人会 有这么厚的脸皮。     亚马多 还有那五位伟人呢？——     霍罗福尼斯 我一个人可以扮演三个。     毛子 三重的伟人！     亚马多 我可以告诉你们一句话吗？     霍罗福尼斯 我们愿意洗耳恭听。     亚马多 伟人要是扮不成功，我们可以演一出滑稽戏。请你们跟我来。     霍罗福尼斯 来，德尔好伙计！你直到现在，还没有说过一句话哩。     德尔 而且我一句话也没有听懂，先生。     霍罗福尼斯 来！我们也要叫你做些事情。     德尔 我可以跟着人家跳跳舞；或者替伟人们打打小鼓，让别人去跳舞。     霍罗福尼斯 最笨的老实的德尔；来，我们去准备我们的玩意儿吧！（同下。）

SCENE II. The same. Enter the PRINCESS, KATHARINE, ROSALINE, and MARIA PRINCESS Sweet hearts, we shall be rich ere we depart, If fairings come thus plentifully in: A lady wall'd about with diamonds! Look you what I have from the loving king. ROSALINE Madame, came nothing else along with that? PRINCESS Nothing but this! yes, as much love in rhyme As would be cramm'd up in a sheet of paper, Writ o' both sides the leaf, margent and all, That he was fain to seal on Cupid's name. ROSALINE That was the way to make his godhead wax, For he hath been five thousand years a boy. KATHARINE Ay, and a shrewd unhappy gallows too. ROSALINE You'll ne'er be friends with him; a' kill'd your sister. KATHARINE He made her melancholy, sad, and heavy; And so she died: had she been light, like you, Of such a merry, nimble, stirring spirit, She might ha' been a grandam ere she died: And so may you; for a light heart lives long. ROSALINE What's your dark meaning, mouse, of this light word? KATHARINE A light condition in a beauty dark. ROSALINE We need more light to find your meaning out. KATHARINE You'll mar the light by taking it in snuff; Therefore I'll darkly end the argument. ROSALINE Look what you do, you do it still i' the dark. KATHARINE So do not you, for you are a light wench. ROSALINE Indeed I weigh not you, and therefore light. KATHARINE You weigh me not? O, that's you care not for me. ROSALINE Great reason; for 'past cure is still past care.' PRINCESS Well bandied both; a set of wit well play'd. But Rosaline, you have a favour too: Who sent it? and what is it? ROSALINE I would you knew: An if my face were but as fair as yours, My favour were as great; be witness this. Nay, I have verses too, I thank Biron: The numbers true; and, were the numbering too, I were the fairest goddess on the ground: I am compared to twenty thousand fairs. O, he hath drawn my picture in his letter! PRINCESS Any thing like? ROSALINE Much in the letters; nothing in the praise. PRINCESS Beauteous as ink; a good conclusion. KATHARINE Fair as a text B in a copy-book. ROSALINE 'Ware pencils, ho! let me not die your debtor, My red dominical, my golden letter: O, that your face were not so full of O's! KATHARINE A pox of that jest! and I beshrew all shrows. PRINCESS But, Katharine, what was sent to you from fair Dumain? KATHARINE Madam, this glove. PRINCESS Did he not send you twain? KATHARINE Yes, madam, and moreover Some thousand verses of a faithful lover, A huge translation of hypocrisy, Vilely compiled, profound simplicity. MARIA This and these pearls to me sent Longaville: The letter is too long by half a mile. PRINCESS I think no less. Dost thou not wish in heart The chain were longer and the letter short? MARIA Ay, or I would these hands might never part. PRINCESS We are wise girls to mock our lovers so. ROSALINE They are worse fools to purchase mocking so. That same Biron I'll torture ere I go: O that I knew he were but in by the week! How I would make him fawn and beg and seek And wait the season and observe the times And spend his prodigal wits in bootless rhymes And shape his service wholly to my hests And make him proud to make me proud that jests! So perttaunt-like would I o'ersway his state That he should be my fool and I his fate. PRINCESS None are so surely caught, when they are catch'd, As wit turn'd fool: folly, in wisdom hatch'd, Hath wisdom's warrant and the help of school And wit's own grace to grace a learned fool. ROSALINE The blood of youth burns not with such excess As gravity's revolt to wantonness. MARIA Folly in fools bears not so strong a note As foolery in the wise, when wit doth dote; Since all the power thereof it doth apply To prove, by wit, worth in simplicity. PRINCESS Here comes Boyet, and mirth is in his face. Enter BOYET BOYET O, I am stabb'd with laughter! Where's her grace? PRINCESS Thy news Boyet? BOYET Prepare, madam, prepare! Arm, wenches, arm! encounters mounted are Against your peace: Love doth approach disguised, Armed in arguments; you'll be surprised: Muster your wits; stand in your own defence; Or hide your heads like cowards, and fly hence. PRINCESS Saint Denis to Saint Cupid! What are they That charge their breath against us? say, scout, say. BOYET Under the cool shade of a sycamore I thought to close mine eyes some half an hour; When, lo! to interrupt my purposed rest, Toward that shade I might behold addrest The king and his companions: warily I stole into a neighbour thicket by, And overheard what you shall overhear, That, by and by, disguised they will be here. Their herald is a pretty knavish page, That well by heart hath conn'd his embassage: Action and accent did they teach him there; 'Thus must thou speak,' and 'thus thy body bear:' And ever and anon they made a doubt Presence majestical would put him out, 'For,' quoth the king, 'an angel shalt thou see; Yet fear not thou, but speak audaciously.' The boy replied, 'An angel is not evil; I should have fear'd her had she been a devil.' With that, all laugh'd and clapp'd him on the shoulder, Making the bold wag by their praises bolder: One rubb'd his elbow thus, and fleer'd and swore A better speech was never spoke before; Another, with his finger and his thumb, Cried, 'Via! we will do't, come what will come;' The third he caper'd, and cried, 'All goes well;' The fourth turn'd on the toe, and down he fell. With that, they all did tumble on the ground, With such a zealous laughter, so profound, That in this spleen ridiculous appears, To cheque their folly, passion's solemn tears. PRINCESS But what, but what, come they to visit us? BOYET They do, they do: and are apparell'd thus. Like Muscovites or Russians, as I guess. Their purpose is to parle, to court and dance; And every one his love-feat will advance Unto his several mistress, which they'll know By favours several which they did bestow. PRINCESS And will they so? the gallants shall be task'd; For, ladies, we shall every one be mask'd; And not a man of them shall have the grace, Despite of suit, to see a lady's face. Hold, Rosaline, this favour thou shalt wear, And then the king will court thee for his dear; Hold, take thou this, my sweet, and give me thine, So shall Biron take me for Rosaline. And change your favours too; so shall your loves Woo contrary, deceived by these removes. ROSALINE Come on, then; wear the favours most in sight. KATHARINE But in this changing what is your intent? PRINCESS The effect of my intent is to cross theirs: They do it but in mocking merriment; And mock for mock is only my intent. Their several counsels they unbosom shall To loves mistook, and so be mock'd withal Upon the next occasion that we meet, With visages displayed, to talk and greet. ROSALINE But shall we dance, if they desire to't? PRINCESS No, to the death, we will not move a foot; Nor to their penn'd speech render we no grace, But while 'tis spoke each turn away her face. BOYET Why, that contempt will kill the speaker's heart, And quite divorce his memory from his part. PRINCESS Therefore I do it; and I make no doubt The rest will ne'er come in, if he be out There's no such sport as sport by sport o'erthrown, To make theirs ours and ours none but our own: So shall we stay, mocking intended game, And they, well mock'd, depart away with shame. Trumpets sound within BOYET The trumpet sounds: be mask'd; the maskers come. The Ladies mask Enter Blackamoors with music; MOTH; FERDINAND, BIRON, LONGAVILLE, and DUMAIN, in Russian habits, and masked MOTH All hail, the richest beauties on the earth!-- BOYET Beauties no richer than rich taffeta. MOTH A holy parcel of the fairest dames. The Ladies turn their backs to him That ever turn'd their--backs--to mortal views! BIRON [Aside to MOTH] Their eyes, villain, their eyes! MOTH That ever turn'd their eyes to mortal views!--Out-- BOYET True; out indeed. MOTH Out of your favours, heavenly spirits, vouchsafe Not to behold-- BIRON [Aside to MOTH] Once to behold, rogue. MOTH Once to behold with your sun-beamed eyes, --with your sun-beamed eyes-- BOYET They will not answer to that epithet; You were best call it 'daughter-beamed eyes.' MOTH They do not mark me, and that brings me out. BIRON Is this your perfectness? be gone, you rogue! Exit MOTH ROSALINE What would these strangers? know their minds, Boyet: If they do speak our language, 'tis our will: That some plain man recount their purposes Know what they would. BOYET What would you with the princess? BIRON Nothing but peace and gentle visitation. ROSALINE What would they, say they? BOYET Nothing but peace and gentle visitation. ROSALINE Why, that they have; and bid them so be gone. BOYET She says, you have it, and you may be gone. FERDINAND Say to her, we have measured many miles To tread a measure with her on this grass. BOYET They say, that they have measured many a mile To tread a measure with you on this grass. ROSALINE It is not so. Ask them how many inches Is in one mile: if they have measured many, The measure then of one is easily told. BOYET If to come hither you have measured miles, And many miles, the princess bids you tell How many inches doth fill up one mile. BIRON Tell her, we measure them by weary steps. BOYET She hears herself. ROSALINE How many weary steps, Of many weary miles you have o'ergone, Are number'd in the travel of one mile? BIRON We number nothing that we spend for you: Our duty is so rich, so infinite, That we may do it still without accompt. Vouchsafe to show the sunshine of your face, That we, like savages, may worship it. ROSALINE My face is but a moon, and clouded too. FERDINAND Blessed are clouds, to do as such clouds do! Vouchsafe, bright moon, and these thy stars, to shine, Those clouds removed, upon our watery eyne. ROSALINE O vain petitioner! beg a greater matter; Thou now request'st but moonshine in the water. FERDINAND Then, in our measure do but vouchsafe one change. Thou bid'st me beg: this begging is not strange. ROSALINE Play, music, then! Nay, you must do it soon. Music plays Not yet! no dance! Thus change I like the moon. FERDINAND Will you not dance? How come you thus estranged? ROSALINE You took the moon at full, but now she's changed. FERDINAND Yet still she is the moon, and I the man. The music plays; vouchsafe some motion to it. ROSALINE Our ears vouchsafe it. FERDINAND But your legs should do it. ROSALINE Since you are strangers and come here by chance, We'll not be nice: take hands. We will not dance. FERDINAND Why take we hands, then? ROSALINE Only to part friends: Curtsy, sweet hearts; and so the measure ends. FERDINAND More measure of this measure; be not nice. ROSALINE We can afford no more at such a price. FERDINAND Prize you yourselves: what buys your company? ROSALINE Your absence only. FERDINAND That can never be. ROSALINE Then cannot we be bought: and so, adieu; Twice to your visor, and half once to you. FERDINAND If you deny to dance, let's hold more chat. ROSALINE In private, then. FERDINAND I am best pleased with that. They converse apart BIRON White-handed mistress, one sweet word with thee. PRINCESS Honey, and milk, and sugar; there is three. BIRON Nay then, two treys, and if you grow so nice, Metheglin, wort, and malmsey: well run, dice! There's half-a-dozen sweets. PRINCESS Seventh sweet, adieu: Since you can cog, I'll play no more with you. BIRON One word in secret. PRINCESS Let it not be sweet. BIRON Thou grievest my gall. PRINCESS Gall! bitter. BIRON Therefore meet. They converse apart DUMAIN Will you vouchsafe with me to change a word? MARIA Name it. DUMAIN Fair lady,-- MARIA Say you so? Fair lord,-- Take that for your fair lady. DUMAIN Please it you, As much in private, and I'll bid adieu. They converse apart KATHARINE What, was your vizard made without a tongue? LONGAVILLE I know the reason, lady, why you ask. KATHARINE O for your reason! quickly, sir; I long. LONGAVILLE You have a double tongue within your mask, And would afford my speechless vizard half. KATHARINE Veal, quoth the Dutchman. Is not 'veal' a calf? LONGAVILLE A calf, fair lady! KATHARINE No, a fair lord calf. LONGAVILLE Let's part the word. KATHARINE No, I'll not be your half Take all, and wean it; it may prove an ox. LONGAVILLE Look, how you butt yourself in these sharp mocks! Will you give horns, chaste lady? do not so. KATHARINE Then die a calf, before your horns do grow. LONGAVILLE One word in private with you, ere I die. KATHARINE Bleat softly then; the butcher hears you cry. They converse apart BOYET The tongues of mocking wenches are as keen As is the razor's edge invisible, Cutting a smaller hair than may be seen, Above the sense of sense; so sensible Seemeth their conference; their conceits have wings Fleeter than arrows, bullets, wind, thought, swifter things. ROSALINE Not one word more, my maids; break off, break off. BIRON By heaven, all dry-beaten with pure scoff! FERDINAND Farewell, mad wenches; you have simple wits. PRINCESS Twenty adieus, my frozen Muscovits. Exeunt FERDINAND, Lords, and Blackamoors Are these the breed of wits so wonder'd at? BOYET Tapers they are, with your sweet breaths puff'd out. ROSALINE Well-liking wits they have; gross, gross; fat, fat. PRINCESS O poverty in wit, kingly-poor flout! Will they not, think you, hang themselves tonight? Or ever, but in vizards, show their faces? This pert Biron was out of countenance quite. ROSALINE O, they were all in lamentable cases! The king was weeping-ripe for a good word. PRINCESS Biron did swear himself out of all suit. MARIA Dumain was at my service, and his sword: No point, quoth I; my servant straight was mute. KATHARINE Lord Longaville said, I came o'er his heart; And trow you what he called me? PRINCESS Qualm, perhaps. KATHARINE Yes, in good faith. PRINCESS Go, sickness as thou art! ROSALINE Well, better wits have worn plain statute-caps. But will you hear? the king is my love sworn. PRINCESS And quick Biron hath plighted faith to me. KATHARINE And Longaville was for my service born. MARIA Dumain is mine, as sure as bark on tree. BOYET Madam, and pretty mistresses, give ear: Immediately they will again be here In their own shapes; for it can never be They will digest this harsh indignity. PRINCESS Will they return? BOYET They will, they will, God knows, And leap for joy, though they are lame with blows: Therefore change favours; and, when they repair, Blow like sweet roses in this summer air. PRINCESS How blow? how blow? speak to be understood. BOYET Fair ladies mask'd are roses in their bud; Dismask'd, their damask sweet commixture shown, Are angels vailing clouds, or roses blown. PRINCESS Avaunt, perplexity! What shall we do, If they return in their own shapes to woo? ROSALINE Good madam, if by me you'll be advised, Let's, mock them still, as well known as disguised: Let us complain to them what fools were here, Disguised like Muscovites, in shapeless gear; And wonder what they were and to what end Their shallow shows and prologue vilely penn'd And their rough carriage so ridiculous, Should be presented at our tent to us. BOYET Ladies, withdraw: the gallants are at hand. PRINCESS Whip to our tents, as roes run o'er land. Exeunt PRINCESS, ROSALINE, KATHARINE, and MARIA Re-enter FERDINAND, BIRON, LONGAVILLE, and DUMAIN, in their proper habits FERDINAND Fair sir, God save you! Where's the princess? BOYET Gone to her tent. Please it your majesty Command me any service to her thither? FERDINAND That she vouchsafe me audience for one word. BOYET I will; and so will she, I know, my lord. Exit BIRON This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons pease, And utters it again when God doth please: He is wit's pedler, and retails his wares At wakes and wassails, meetings, markets, fairs; And we that sell by gross, the Lord doth know, Have not the grace to grace it with such show. This gallant pins the wenches on his sleeve; Had he been Adam, he had tempted Eve; A' can carve too, and lisp: why, this is he That kiss'd his hand away in courtesy; This is the ape of form, monsieur the nice, That, when he plays at tables, chides the dice In honourable terms: nay, he can sing A mean most meanly; and in ushering Mend him who can: the ladies call him sweet; The stairs, as he treads on them, kiss his feet: This is the flower that smiles on every one, To show his teeth as white as whale's bone; And consciences, that will not die in debt, Pay him the due of honey-tongued Boyet. FERDINAND A blister on his sweet tongue, with my heart, That put Armado's page out of his part! BIRON See where it comes! Behavior, what wert thou Till this madman show'd thee? and what art thou now? Re-enter the PRINCESS, ushered by BOYET, ROSALINE, MARIA, and KATHARINE FERDINAND All hail, sweet madam, and fair time of day! PRINCESS 'Fair' in 'all hail' is foul, as I conceive. FERDINAND Construe my speeches better, if you may. PRINCESS Then wish me better; I will give you leave. FERDINAND We came to visit you, and purpose now To lead you to our court; vouchsafe it then. PRINCESS This field shall hold me; and so hold your vow: Nor God, nor I, delights in perjured men. FERDINAND Rebuke me not for that which you provoke: The virtue of your eye must break my oath. PRINCESS You nickname virtue; vice you should have spoke; For virtue's office never breaks men's troth. Now by my maiden honour, yet as pure As the unsullied lily, I protest, A world of torments though I should endure, I would not yield to be your house's guest; So much I hate a breaking cause to be Of heavenly oaths, vow'd with integrity. FERDINAND O, you have lived in desolation here, Unseen, unvisited, much to our shame. PRINCESS Not so, my lord; it is not so, I swear; We have had pastimes here and pleasant game: A mess of Russians left us but of late. FERDINAND How, madam! Russians! PRINCESS Ay, in truth, my lord; Trim gallants, full of courtship and of state. ROSALINE Madam, speak true. It is not so, my lord: My lady, to the manner of the days, In courtesy gives undeserving praise. We four indeed confronted were with four In Russian habit: here they stay'd an hour, And talk'd apace; and in that hour, my lord, They did not bless us with one happy word. I dare not call them fools; but this I think, When they are thirsty, fools would fain have drink. BIRON This jest is dry to me. Fair gentle sweet, Your wit makes wise things foolish: when we greet, With eyes best seeing, heaven's fiery eye, By light we lose light: your capacity Is of that nature that to your huge store Wise things seem foolish and rich things but poor. ROSALINE This proves you wise and rich, for in my eye,-- BIRON I am a fool, and full of poverty. ROSALINE But that you take what doth to you belong, It were a fault to snatch words from my tongue. BIRON O, I am yours, and all that I possess! ROSALINE All the fool mine? BIRON I cannot give you less. ROSALINE Which of the vizards was it that you wore? BIRON Where? when? what vizard? why demand you this? ROSALINE There, then, that vizard; that superfluous case That hid the worse and show'd the better face. FERDINAND We are descried; they'll mock us now downright. DUMAIN Let us confess and turn it to a jest. PRINCESS Amazed, my lord? why looks your highness sad? ROSALINE Help, hold his brows! he'll swoon! Why look you pale? Sea-sick, I think, coming from Muscovy. BIRON Thus pour the stars down plagues for perjury. Can any face of brass hold longer out? Here stand I lady, dart thy skill at me; Bruise me with scorn, confound me with a flout; Thrust thy sharp wit quite through my ignorance; Cut me to pieces with thy keen conceit; And I will wish thee never more to dance, Nor never more in Russian habit wait. O, never will I trust to speeches penn'd, Nor to the motion of a schoolboy's tongue, Nor never come in vizard to my friend, Nor woo in rhyme, like a blind harper's song! Taffeta phrases, silken terms precise, Three-piled hyperboles, spruce affectation, Figures pedantical; these summer-flies Have blown me full of maggot ostentation: I do forswear them; and I here protest, By this white glove;--how white the hand, God knows!-- Henceforth my wooing mind shall be express'd In russet yeas and honest kersey noes: And, to begin, wench,--so God help me, la!-- My love to thee is sound, sans crack or flaw. ROSALINE Sans sans, I pray you. BIRON Yet I have a trick Of the old rage: bear with me, I am sick; I'll leave it by degrees. Soft, let us see: Write, 'Lord have mercy on us' on those three; They are infected; in their hearts it lies; They have the plague, and caught it of your eyes; These lords are visited; you are not free, For the Lord's tokens on you do I see. PRINCESS No, they are free that gave these tokens to us. BIRON Our states are forfeit: seek not to undo us. ROSALINE It is not so; for how can this be true, That you stand forfeit, being those that sue? BIRON Peace! for I will not have to do with you. ROSALINE Nor shall not, if I do as I intend. BIRON Speak for yourselves; my wit is at an end. FERDINAND Teach us, sweet madam, for our rude transgression Some fair excuse. PRINCESS The fairest is confession. Were not you here but even now disguised? FERDINAND Madam, I was. PRINCESS And were you well advised? FERDINAND I was, fair madam. PRINCESS When you then were here, What did you whisper in your lady's ear? FERDINAND That more than all the world I did respect her. PRINCESS When she shall challenge this, you will reject her. FERDINAND Upon mine honour, no. PRINCESS Peace, peace! forbear: Your oath once broke, you force not to forswear. FERDINAND Despise me, when I break this oath of mine. PRINCESS I will: and therefore keep it. Rosaline, What did the Russian whisper in your ear? ROSALINE Madam, he swore that he did hold me dear As precious eyesight, and did value me Above this world; adding thereto moreover That he would wed me, or else die my lover. PRINCESS God give thee joy of him! the noble lord Most honourably doth unhold his word. FERDINAND What mean you, madam? by my life, my troth, I never swore this lady such an oath. ROSALINE By heaven, you did; and to confirm it plain, You gave me this: but take it, sir, again. FERDINAND My faith and this the princess I did give: I knew her by this jewel on her sleeve. PRINCESS Pardon me, sir, this jewel did she wear; And Lord Biron, I thank him, is my dear. What, will you have me, or your pearl again? BIRON Neither of either; I remit both twain. I see the trick on't: here was a consent, Knowing aforehand of our merriment, To dash it like a Christmas comedy: Some carry-tale, some please-man, some slight zany, Some mumble-news, some trencher-knight, some Dick, That smiles his cheek in years and knows the trick To make my lady laugh when she's disposed, Told our intents before; which once disclosed, The ladies did change favours: and then we, Following the signs, woo'd but the sign of she. Now, to our perjury to add more terror, We are again forsworn, in will and error. Much upon this it is: and might not you To BOYET Forestall our sport, to make us thus untrue? Do not you know my lady's foot by the squier, And laugh upon the apple of her eye? And stand between her back, sir, and the fire, Holding a trencher, jesting merrily? You put our page out: go, you are allow'd; Die when you will, a smock shall be your shroud. You leer upon me, do you? there's an eye Wounds like a leaden sword. BOYET Full merrily Hath this brave manage, this career, been run. BIRON Lo, he is tilting straight! Peace! I have done. Enter COSTARD Welcome, pure wit! thou partest a fair fray. COSTARD O Lord, sir, they would know Whether the three Worthies shall come in or no. BIRON What, are there but three? COSTARD No, sir; but it is vara fine, For every one pursents three. BIRON And three times thrice is nine. COSTARD Not so, sir; under correction, sir; I hope it is not so. You cannot beg us, sir, I can assure you, sir we know what we know: I hope, sir, three times thrice, sir,-- BIRON Is not nine. COSTARD Under correction, sir, we know whereuntil it doth amount. BIRON By Jove, I always took three threes for nine. COSTARD O Lord, sir, it were pity you should get your living by reckoning, sir. BIRON How much is it? COSTARD O Lord, sir, the parties themselves, the actors, sir, will show whereuntil it doth amount: for mine own part, I am, as they say, but to parfect one man in one poor man, Pompion the Great, sir. BIRON Art thou one of the Worthies? COSTARD It pleased them to think me worthy of Pompion the Great: for mine own part, I know not the degree of the Worthy, but I am to stand for him. BIRON Go, bid them prepare. COSTARD We will turn it finely off, sir; we will take some care. Exit FERDINAND Biron, they will shame us: let them not approach. BIRON We are shame-proof, my lord: and tis some policy To have one show worse than the king's and his company. FERDINAND I say they shall not come. PRINCESS Nay, my good lord, let me o'errule you now: That sport best pleases that doth least know how: Where zeal strives to content, and the contents Dies in the zeal of that which it presents: Their form confounded makes most form in mirth, When great things labouring perish in their birth. BIRON A right description of our sport, my lord. Enter DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Anointed, I implore so much expense of thy royal sweet breath as will utter a brace of words. Converses apart with FERDINAND, and delivers him a paper PRINCESS Doth this man serve God? BIRON Why ask you? PRINCESS He speaks not like a man of God's making. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO That is all one, my fair, sweet, honey monarch; for, I protest, the schoolmaster is exceeding fantastical; too, too vain, too too vain: but we will put it, as they say, to fortuna de la guerra. I wish you the peace of mind, most royal couplement! Exit FERDINAND Here is like to be a good presence of Worthies. He presents Hector of Troy; the swain, Pompey the Great; the parish curate, Alexander; Armado's page, Hercules; the pedant, Judas Maccabaeus: And if these four Worthies in their first show thrive, These four will change habits, and present the other five. BIRON There is five in the first show. FERDINAND You are deceived; 'tis not so. BIRON The pedant, the braggart, the hedge-priest, the fool and the boy:-- Abate throw at novum, and the whole world again Cannot pick out five such, take each one in his vein. FERDINAND The ship is under sail, and here she comes amain. Enter COSTARD, for Pompey COSTARD I Pompey am,-- BOYET You lie, you are not he. COSTARD I Pompey am,-- BOYET With libbard's head on knee. BIRON Well said, old mocker: I must needs be friends with thee. COSTARD I Pompey am, Pompey surnamed the Big-- DUMAIN The Great. COSTARD It is, 'Great,' sir:-- Pompey surnamed the Great; That oft in field, with targe and shield, did make my foe to sweat: And travelling along this coast, I here am come by chance, And lay my arms before the legs of this sweet lass of France, If your ladyship would say, 'Thanks, Pompey,' I had done. PRINCESS Great thanks, great Pompey. COSTARD 'Tis not so much worth; but I hope I was perfect: I made a little fault in 'Great.' BIRON My hat to a halfpenny, Pompey proves the best Worthy. Enter SIR NATHANIEL, for Alexander SIR NATHANIEL When in the world I lived, I was the world's commander; By east, west, north, and south, I spread my conquering might: My scutcheon plain declares that I am Alisander,-- BOYET Your nose says, no, you are not for it stands too right. BIRON Your nose smells 'no' in this, most tender-smelling knight. PRINCESS The conqueror is dismay'd. Proceed, good Alexander. SIR NATHANIEL When in the world I lived, I was the world's commander,-- BOYET Most true, 'tis right; you were so, Alisander. BIRON Pompey the Great,-- COSTARD Your servant, and Costard. BIRON Take away the conqueror, take away Alisander. COSTARD [To SIR NATHANIEL] O, sir, you have overthrown Alisander the conqueror! You will be scraped out of the painted cloth for this: your lion, that holds his poll-axe sitting on a close-stool, will be given to Ajax: he will be the ninth Worthy. A conqueror, and afeard to speak! run away for shame, Alisander. SIR NATHANIEL retires There, an't shall please you; a foolish mild man; an honest man, look you, and soon dashed. He is a marvellous good neighbour, faith, and a very good bowler: but, for Alisander,--alas, you see how 'tis,--a little o'erparted. But there are Worthies a-coming will speak their mind in some other sort. Enter HOLOFERNES, for Judas; and MOTH, for Hercules HOLOFERNES Great Hercules is presented by this imp, Whose club kill'd Cerberus, that three-headed canis; And when he was a babe, a child, a shrimp, Thus did he strangle serpents in his manus. Quoniam he seemeth in minority, Ergo I come with this apology. Keep some state in thy exit, and vanish. MOTH retires Judas I am,-- DUMAIN A Judas! HOLOFERNES Not Iscariot, sir. Judas I am, ycliped Maccabaeus. DUMAIN Judas Maccabaeus clipt is plain Judas. BIRON A kissing traitor. How art thou proved Judas? HOLOFERNES Judas I am,-- DUMAIN The more shame for you, Judas. HOLOFERNES What mean you, sir? BOYET To make Judas hang himself. HOLOFERNES Begin, sir; you are my elder. BIRON Well followed: Judas was hanged on an elder. HOLOFERNES I will not be put out of countenance. BIRON Because thou hast no face. HOLOFERNES What is this? BOYET A cittern-head. DUMAIN The head of a bodkin. BIRON A Death's face in a ring. LONGAVILLE The face of an old Roman coin, scarce seen. BOYET The pommel of Caesar's falchion. DUMAIN The carved-bone face on a flask. BIRON Saint George's half-cheek in a brooch. DUMAIN Ay, and in a brooch of lead. BIRON Ay, and worn in the cap of a tooth-drawer. And now forward; for we have put thee in countenance. HOLOFERNES You have put me out of countenance. BIRON False; we have given thee faces. HOLOFERNES But you have out-faced them all. BIRON An thou wert a lion, we would do so. BOYET Therefore, as he is an ass, let him go. And so adieu, sweet Jude! nay, why dost thou stay? DUMAIN For the latter end of his name. BIRON For the ass to the Jude; give it him:--Jud-as, away! HOLOFERNES This is not generous, not gentle, not humble. BOYET A light for Monsieur Judas! it grows dark, he may stumble. HOLOFERNES retires PRINCESS Alas, poor Maccabaeus, how hath he been baited! Enter DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO, for Hector BIRON Hide thy head, Achilles: here comes Hector in arms. DUMAIN Though my mocks come home by me, I will now be merry. FERDINAND Hector was but a Troyan in respect of this. BOYET But is this Hector? FERDINAND I think Hector was not so clean-timbered. LONGAVILLE His leg is too big for Hector's. DUMAIN More calf, certain. BOYET No; he is best endued in the small. BIRON This cannot be Hector. DUMAIN He's a god or a painter; for he makes faces. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO The armipotent Mars, of lances the almighty, Gave Hector a gift,-- DUMAIN A gilt nutmeg. BIRON A lemon. LONGAVILLE Stuck with cloves. DUMAIN No, cloven. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Peace!-- The armipotent Mars, of lances the almighty Gave Hector a gift, the heir of Ilion; A man so breathed, that certain he would fight; yea From morn till night, out of his pavilion. I am that flower,-- DUMAIN That mint. LONGAVILLE That columbine. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Sweet Lord Longaville, rein thy tongue. LONGAVILLE I must rather give it the rein, for it runs against Hector. DUMAIN Ay, and Hector's a greyhound. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO The sweet war-man is dead and rotten; sweet chucks, beat not the bones of the buried: when he breathed, he was a man. But I will forward with my device. To the PRINCESS Sweet royalty, bestow on me the sense of hearing. PRINCESS Speak, brave Hector: we are much delighted. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO I do adore thy sweet grace's slipper. BOYET [Aside to DUMAIN] Loves her by the foot,-- DUMAIN [Aside to BOYET] He may not by the yard. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO This Hector far surmounted Hannibal,-- COSTARD The party is gone, fellow Hector, she is gone; she is two months on her way. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO What meanest thou? COSTARD Faith, unless you play the honest Troyan, the poor wench is cast away: she's quick; the child brags in her belly already: tis yours. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Dost thou infamonize me among potentates? thou shalt die. COSTARD Then shall Hector be whipped for Jaquenetta that is quick by him and hanged for Pompey that is dead by him. DUMAIN Most rare Pompey! BOYET Renowned Pompey! BIRON Greater than great, great, great, great Pompey! Pompey the Huge! DUMAIN Hector trembles. BIRON Pompey is moved. More Ates, more Ates! stir them on! stir them on! DUMAIN Hector will challenge him. BIRON Ay, if a' have no man's blood in's belly than will sup a flea. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO By the north pole, I do challenge thee. COSTARD I will not fight with a pole, like a northern man: I'll slash; I'll do it by the sword. I bepray you, let me borrow my arms again. DUMAIN Room for the incensed Worthies! COSTARD I'll do it in my shirt. DUMAIN Most resolute Pompey! MOTH Master, let me take you a buttonhole lower. Do you not see Pompey is uncasing for the combat? What mean you? You will lose your reputation. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Gentlemen and soldiers, pardon me; I will not combat in my shirt. DUMAIN You may not deny it: Pompey hath made the challenge. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Sweet bloods, I both may and will. BIRON What reason have you for't? DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO The naked truth of it is, I have no shirt; I go woolward for penance. BOYET True, and it was enjoined him in Rome for want of linen: since when, I'll be sworn, he wore none but a dishclout of Jaquenetta's, and that a' wears next his heart for a favour. Enter MERCADE MERCADE God save you, madam! PRINCESS Welcome, Mercade; But that thou interrupt'st our merriment. MERCADE I am sorry, madam; for the news I bring Is heavy in my tongue. The king your father-- PRINCESS Dead, for my life! MERCADE Even so; my tale is told. BIRON Worthies, away! the scene begins to cloud. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO For mine own part, I breathe free breath. I have seen the day of wrong through the little hole of discretion, and I will right myself like a soldier. Exeunt Worthies FERDINAND How fares your majesty? PRINCESS Boyet, prepare; I will away tonight. FERDINAND Madam, not so; I do beseech you, stay. PRINCESS Prepare, I say. I thank you, gracious lords, For all your fair endeavors; and entreat, Out of a new-sad soul, that you vouchsafe In your rich wisdom to excuse or hide The liberal opposition of our spirits, If over-boldly we have borne ourselves In the converse of breath: your gentleness Was guilty of it. Farewell worthy lord! A heavy heart bears not a nimble tongue: Excuse me so, coming too short of thanks For my great suit so easily obtain'd. FERDINAND The extreme parts of time extremely forms All causes to the purpose of his speed, And often at his very loose decides That which long process could not arbitrate: And though the mourning brow of progeny Forbid the smiling courtesy of love The holy suit which fain it would convince, Yet, since love's argument was first on foot, Let not the cloud of sorrow justle it From what it purposed; since, to wail friends lost Is not by much so wholesome-profitable As to rejoice at friends but newly found. PRINCESS I understand you not: my griefs are double. BIRON Honest plain words best pierce the ear of grief; And by these badges understand the king. For your fair sakes have we neglected time, Play'd foul play with our oaths: your beauty, ladies, Hath much deform'd us, fashioning our humours Even to the opposed end of our intents: And what in us hath seem'd ridiculous,-- As love is full of unbefitting strains, All wanton as a child, skipping and vain, Form'd by the eye and therefore, like the eye, Full of strange shapes, of habits and of forms, Varying in subjects as the eye doth roll To every varied object in his glance: Which parti-coated presence of loose love Put on by us, if, in your heavenly eyes, Have misbecomed our oaths and gravities, Those heavenly eyes, that look into these faults, Suggested us to make. Therefore, ladies, Our love being yours, the error that love makes Is likewise yours: we to ourselves prove false, By being once false for ever to be true To those that make us both,--fair ladies, you: And even that falsehood, in itself a sin, Thus purifies itself and turns to grace. PRINCESS We have received your letters full of love; Your favours, the ambassadors of love; And, in our maiden council, rated them At courtship, pleasant jest and courtesy, As bombast and as lining to the time: But more devout than this in our respects Have we not been; and therefore met your loves In their own fashion, like a merriment. DUMAIN Our letters, madam, show'd much more than jest. LONGAVILLE So did our looks. ROSALINE We did not quote them so. FERDINAND Now, at the latest minute of the hour, Grant us your loves. PRINCESS A time, methinks, too short To make a world-without-end bargain in. No, no, my lord, your grace is perjured much, Full of dear guiltiness; and therefore this: If for my love, as there is no such cause, You will do aught, this shall you do for me: Your oath I will not trust; but go with speed To some forlorn and naked hermitage, Remote from all the pleasures of the world; There stay until the twelve celestial signs Have brought about the annual reckoning. If this austere insociable life Change not your offer made in heat of blood; If frosts and fasts, hard lodging and thin weeds Nip not the gaudy blossoms of your love, But that it bear this trial and last love; Then, at the expiration of the year, Come challenge me, challenge me by these deserts, And, by this virgin palm now kissing thine I will be thine; and till that instant shut My woeful self up in a mourning house, Raining the tears of lamentation For the remembrance of my father's death. If this thou do deny, let our hands part, Neither entitled in the other's heart. FERDINAND If this, or more than this, I would deny, To flatter up these powers of mine with rest, The sudden hand of death close up mine eye! Hence ever then my heart is in thy breast. DUMAIN But what to me, my love? but what to me? A wife? KATHARINE A beard, fair health, and honesty; With three-fold love I wish you all these three. DUMAIN O, shall I say, I thank you, gentle wife? KATHARINE Not so, my lord; a twelvemonth and a day I'll mark no words that smooth-faced wooers say: Come when the king doth to my lady come; Then, if I have much love, I'll give you some. DUMAIN I'll serve thee true and faithfully till then. KATHARINE Yet swear not, lest ye be forsworn again. LONGAVILLE What says Maria? MARIA At the twelvemonth's end I'll change my black gown for a faithful friend. LONGAVILLE I'll stay with patience; but the time is long. MARIA The liker you; few taller are so young. BIRON Studies my lady? mistress, look on me; Behold the window of my heart, mine eye, What humble suit attends thy answer there: Impose some service on me for thy love. ROSALINE Oft have I heard of you, my Lord Biron, Before I saw you; and the world's large tongue Proclaims you for a man replete with mocks, Full of comparisons and wounding flouts, Which you on all estates will execute That lie within the mercy of your wit. To weed this wormwood from your fruitful brain, And therewithal to win me, if you please, Without the which I am not to be won, You shall this twelvemonth term from day to day Visit the speechless sick and still converse With groaning wretches; and your task shall be, With all the fierce endeavor of your wit To enforce the pained impotent to smile. BIRON To move wild laughter in the throat of death? It cannot be; it is impossible: Mirth cannot move a soul in agony. ROSALINE Why, that's the way to choke a gibing spirit, Whose influence is begot of that loose grace Which shallow laughing hearers give to fools: A jest's prosperity lies in the ear Of him that hears it, never in the tongue Of him that makes it: then, if sickly ears, Deaf'd with the clamours of their own dear groans, Will hear your idle scorns, continue then, And I will have you and that fault withal; But if they will not, throw away that spirit, And I shall find you empty of that fault, Right joyful of your reformation. BIRON A twelvemonth! well; befall what will befall, I'll jest a twelvemonth in an hospital. PRINCESS [To FERDINAND] Ay, sweet my lord; and so I take my leave. FERDINAND No, madam; we will bring you on your way. BIRON Our wooing doth not end like an old play; Jack hath not Jill: these ladies' courtesy Might well have made our sport a comedy. FERDINAND Come, sir, it wants a twelvemonth and a day, And then 'twill end. BIRON That's too long for a play. Re-enter DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Sweet majesty, vouchsafe me,-- PRINCESS Was not that Hector? DUMAIN The worthy knight of Troy. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO I will kiss thy royal finger, and take leave. I am a votary; I have vowed to Jaquenetta to hold the plough for her sweet love three years. But, most esteemed greatness, will you hear the dialogue that the two learned men have compiled in praise of the owl and the cuckoo? It should have followed in the end of our show. FERDINAND Call them forth quickly; we will do so. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO Holla! approach. Re-enter HOLOFERNES, SIR NATHANIEL, MOTH, COSTARD, and others This side is Hiems, Winter, this Ver, the Spring; the one maintained by the owl, the other by the cuckoo. Ver, begin. THE SONG SPRING. When daisies pied and violets blue And lady-smocks all silver-white And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue Do paint the meadows with delight, The cuckoo then, on every tree, Mocks married men; for thus sings he, Cuckoo; Cuckoo, cuckoo: O word of fear, Unpleasing to a married ear! When shepherds pipe on oaten straws And merry larks are ploughmen's clocks, When turtles tread, and rooks, and daws, And maidens bleach their summer smocks The cuckoo then, on every tree, Mocks married men; for thus sings he, Cuckoo; Cuckoo, cuckoo: O word of fear, Unpleasing to a married ear! WINTER. When icicles hang by the wall And Dick the shepherd blows his nail And Tom bears logs into the hall And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu-whit; Tu-who, a merry note, While greasy Joan doth keel the pot. When all aloud the wind doth blow And coughing drowns the parson's saw And birds sit brooding in the snow And Marian's nose looks red and raw, When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu-whit; Tu-who, a merry note, While greasy Joan doth keel the pot. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO The words of Mercury are harsh after the songs of Apollo. You that way: we this way. Exeunt第二场 同前。公主帐幕前     公主、凯瑟琳、罗瑟琳及玛利娅同上。     公主 好人儿们， 要是每天有这么多的礼物源源而来，我们在回国以前，一定 可以变成巨富了。一个被金刚钻包围的女郎！瞧这就是那多情的国王给我的。     罗瑟琳 公主，没有别的东西跟着它一起送来吗？     公主 没有别的东！ 怎么没有？他用塞满了爱情的诗句密密地写在一张纸的两 面，连边上都不留出一点空白；他恨不得用丘匹德的名字把它封起来呢。     罗瑟琳 只有这样才能使这位小神仙老起来；他已经做了五千年的孩子了。     凯瑟琳 嗯，他也是个倒霉的催命鬼。     罗瑟琳 你再也不会跟他要好，因为他杀死了你的姊姊。     凯瑟琳 他使她悲哀忧闷； 她就是这样死的。要是她也像你一样轻狂，有你这 样一副风流活泼的性情，她也许会做了祖母才死。你大概也有做祖母的一天，因为 无忧无虑的人是容易长寿的。     罗瑟琳 你说我轻狂，耗子，可是你的话没说清楚。     凯瑟琳 皮肤黑的人决不会稳重。     罗瑟琳 你的脑子才真是漆黑一团。     凯瑟琳 既然你气得黑白不分，我这番话也就只好糊涂了之。     罗瑟琳 当心你在黑里别作什么糊涂事。     凯瑟琳 你不用等到黑，因为你本性就轻狂。     罗瑟琳 说轻我承认；至于你那一身肉有多重，我没称过。     凯瑟琳 你没称过我？这不是对我不关心吗？     罗瑟琳 正是；俗话说得好：“没救的事少操心。”     公主 两人的嘴都够利害， 堪称旗鼓相当。可是罗瑟琳，你不是也收到一件礼 物吗？是谁送来的？是什么东西？     罗瑟琳 我希望您知道， 只要我的脸也像您一样娇艳，我也可以收到像您的一 样贵重的礼物；瞧这个吧。嘿，我也有一首诗呢，谢谢俾隆；那音律倒是毫无错误； 要是那诗句也没有说错，我就是地上最美的女神；他把我跟两万个美人比较。啊！ 他在这信里替我描下了一幅小像哩。     公主 像不像呢？     罗瑟琳 文字倒不错，赞美的辞句却用得很糟糕。     公主 像墨水一样美；比喻很恰当。     凯瑟琳 和楷书一样端正大方。     罗瑟琳 近墨者黑， 近朱者赤。你的脸色像日历上的星期日；你的头发像个金 字；但愿你一脸不生满了斑痣！     凯瑟琳 这种玩笑就是天花！会把所有的悍妇都染上！     公主（向凯瑟琳）可是漂亮的杜曼送给你什么东西？     凯瑟琳 公主，他给我这一只手套。     公主 他没有送你一双吗？     凯瑟琳 是的， 公主；而且他还写了一千行表明他爱情忠实的诗句，全然是一 大堆假惺惺的废话，非但拙劣不堪，而且无聊透顶。     玛利娅 这个， 还有这些珍珠，都是朗格维送给我的；他的信写得足足有半哩 路长。     公主 我完全同意。你心里不是希望这项链再长一些，这信再短一些吗？     玛利娅 正是，否则愿我这双手合拢了再也分不开来。     公主 我们都是聪明的女孩子，才会这样讥笑我们的爱人。     罗瑟琳 他们都是蠢透了的傻瓜， 才会出这样的代价来买我们的讥笑。我要在 我未去以前，把那个俾隆大大折磨一下。啊，要是我知道他在一星期内就会落下情 网！我一定要叫他摇尾乞怜，殷勤求爱；叫他静候时机，耐心等待；叫他呕尽才华， 写下无聊的诗句；叫他奉命驱驰，甘受诸般的辛苦：我尽管冷嘲热骂，他却是受宠 若惊；他做了我手中玩物，我变成他司命灾星。     公主 聪明人变成了痴愚， 是一条最容易上钩的游鱼；因为他凭恃才高学广， 看不见自己的狂妄。     罗瑟琳 中年人动了春心，比年轻的更一发难禁。     玛利娅 愚人的蠢事算不得希奇， 聪明人的蠢事才叫人笑痛肚皮；因为他用全 副的本领证明他自己的愚笨。     鲍益上。     公主 鲍益来了，他满脸都是高兴。     鲍益 啊！我笑死了。公主殿下呢？     公主 你有什么消息，鲍益？     鲍益 预备， 公主，预备！——武装起来，姑娘们，武装起来！大队人马要来 破坏你们的和平了。爱情用说辞做它的武器，乔装改扮，要来袭击你们了。集合你 们的智慧，布置你们的防御；否则像懦夫一样缩紧了头，赶快逃走吧。     公主 圣丘匹德呀！那些用言语来向我们挑战的是什么人？说，探子，说。     鲍益 在一株枫树的凉荫之下，我正想睡它半点钟的时间，忽然在树荫的对面， 我看见了国王和他的一群同伴；我就小小心心地溜进了一丛附近的树林，听听他们 说些什么话；原来他们打算过一会儿就化了装到这儿来呢。他们的先驱是一个刁钻 伶俐的童儿，他已经背熟了他们叫他传达的使命；他们就在那边教他动作的姿势和 说话的声调，“你必须这样说，你的身体必须站得这个样子。”他们又怕他当着贵 人的面前会吓得说不出话来；“因为，”那国王说，“你将要看见一位天使；可是 不用害怕，尽管放大胆子说。”那孩子却回答说，“天使又不是妖精；倘然她是一 个魔鬼，我才会怕她哩。”大家听了这句话，都笑起来，拍他的肩膀，那大胆的小 油嘴得到他们的夸奖，便格外大胆了。一个高兴地掀着他的肘子，咧开了嘴，发誓 说从来没有人说过一句比这更俏皮的话；一个翘起了手指嚷着，“嘿！不管结果如 何，我们一定要干一下；”一个边跳边嚷，“一切顺利；”还有一个踮起脚趾旋了 个身，一交跌在地上。于是大家全都在地上打起滚来，疯了似的笑个不停，笑得连 眼泪都淌下来了。     公主 可是，可是，他们要来访问我们吗？     鲍益 是的， 是的；照我猜想起来，他们都要扮成俄罗斯人的样子。他们的目 的是谈情求爱和跳舞；凭着他们赠送的礼物，认明各人恋爱的对象，倾吐自己倾慕 的衷诚。     公主 他们想要这样吗？ 我们倒要把这些情人们作弄一下。姑娘们，我们每一 个人都要套上脸罩，无论他们怎样请求，我们都不让他们瞧见我们的脸。拿着，罗 瑟琳，你把这一件礼物佩在身上，国王就会把你当作他心爱的人；你把这拿了去， 我的好人儿，再把你的给我，俾隆就会把我当作罗瑟琳了。你们两人也各人交换了 礼物，让你们的情人大家认错求爱的对象。     罗瑟琳 那么来，大家把礼物佩戴在最注目的地方。     凯瑟琳 可是这样交换了，您有什么目的呢？     公主 我的目的就是要使他们不能达到目的。 他们的用意不过是向我们开开玩 笑，所以我们也要开开他们的玩笑。他们现在向认错了的爱人吐露心曲，下回我们 用本来面目和他们相见的时候，便可以把他们尽情奚落。     罗瑟琳 可是假如他们要求我们跳舞，我们要不要陪他们跳呢？     公主 不， 我们死也不动一步。我们也不要理会他们预先写就的说辞，当来人 开口的时候，各人都把脸扭过去。     鲍益 嗳哟，说话的人遭到了这样的冷淡，一定会伤心得忘记了他的词句。     公主 那正是我的用意所在； 我相信只要那打头阵的受了没趣，别人都会失去 勇气。最有意味的戏谑是以谑攻谑，让那存心侮弄的自取其辱；且看他们碰了一鼻 子的灰，乘兴而来，败兴而归。（内吹喇叭声。）     鲍益 喇叭响了；戴上脸罩；跳舞的人来啦。（众女戴脸罩。）     众乐工扮黑人，毛子前行，国王、俾隆、朗格维及杜曼各扮俄罗斯人戴假面上。     毛子     万福，地上最富丽的美人们！     鲍益 只有黑缎子脸罩称不起富丽。     毛子     最娇艳的女郎的神圣之群，（众女转背）你们曼妙的——背影——为世人所瞻 仰！     俾隆“你们曼妙的容华”，混蛋，“你们曼妙的容华”。     毛子     你们曼妙的容华为世人所瞻仰！天——     鲍益 你听，急得叫天了。     毛子     天仙们啊，愿你们大发慈悲，闭上你们——     俾隆“睁开你们——”，混蛋！     毛子     睁开你们阳光普照的眼睛——阳光普照的眼睛——     鲍益 这样形容她们完全不对；应该说：“黑夜笼罩的眼睛。”     毛子 她们睬也不睬我，我念不下去了。     俾隆 这就是你的好记性吗？滚开，你这混蛋！（毛子下。）     罗瑟琳 这些异邦人到这儿来有什么事？ 鲍益，你去问问他们，要是他们会讲 我们的言语，就叫他们举出一个老老实实的人来说明他们的来意。你去问吧。     鲍益 你们来见公主有什么事？     俾隆 我们唯一的愿望，只是和平而善意的晋谒。     罗瑟琳 他们说他们有什么事？     鲍益 他们唯一的愿望，只是和平而善意的晋谒。     罗瑟琳 那么他们已经谒见过了；叫他们走吧。     鲍益 公主说，你们已经谒见过了，叫你们走吧。     国王 对她说， 我们为了希望在这草坪上和她跳一次舞，已经跋涉山川，用我 们的脚步丈量了不少的路程。     鲍益 他们说， 他们为了希望在这草坪上和您跳一次舞，已经跋涉山川，用他 们的脚步丈量了不少的路程。     罗瑟琳 没有的事。 问他们一哩路有多少吋；要是他们已经丈量过不少路程， 一哩路的吋数是很容易计算出来的。     鲍益 要是你们迢迢来此，已经丈量过不少路程，公主问你们一哩路有多少吋。     俾隆 告诉她我们是用疲乏的脚步丈量的。     鲍益 她已经听见了。     罗瑟琳 在你们所经过的许多疲乏的路程之中，走一哩路需要多少疲乏的脚步？     俾隆 我们从不计算我们为您所费的辛勤； 我们的忠心是无限的富有，不能用 数字估计的。愿您展现您脸上的阳光，让我们像一群野蛮人一样，可以向它顶礼膜 拜。     罗瑟琳 我的脸不过是一个月亮，而且是遮着乌云的。     国王 遮蔽着这样的明月， 那乌云是幸福的！皎洁的明月，和你的灿烂的众星 啊，愿你们扫去浮云，把你们的光明照射在我们的眼波之上。     罗瑟琳 愚妄的祈求者啊！ 你不要追寻镜里的空花，水中的明月；你应该请求 一些更重要的事物。     国王 那么请你陪我们跳一回舞。你叫我请求，这一个请求应该不算过分。     罗瑟琳 那么音乐， 奏起来！你要跳舞必须赶快。（奏乐）不！不跳了！我正 像月亮一般，一下子又有了更改。     国王 您不愿跳舞吗？怎么又突然走开了？     罗瑟琳 你刚才看见的是满月，现在她已经变了。     国王 可是她还是这一个月亮， 我还是这一个人。音乐在奏着，请给它一些动 作吧。     罗瑟琳 我们的耳朵在听着呢。     国王 可是您必须提起您的腿来。     罗瑟琳 既然你们都是些异邦人， 偶然来到这里，我们也不必过于拘谨；搀着 我的手，我们不跳舞了。     国王 那么为什么要搀手呢？     罗瑟琳 因为我们可以像朋友似的握手而别。 好人儿们，行个礼；跳舞已经完 了。     国王 再跳两步吧；不要这样吝啬。     罗瑟琳 凭着这样的代价，我们不能满足你们超过限度的要求。     国王 那么你们是有价格的吗？怎样的代价才可以买到你们伴舞的光荣？     罗瑟琳 唯一的代价是请你们离开这里。     国王 那是永远不可能的。     罗瑟琳 那么我们是买不到的；再会！     国王 要是您拒绝跳舞，让我们谈谈心怎么样？     罗瑟琳 那么找个僻静点儿的所在吧。     国王 那好极了。（二人趋一旁谈话。）     俾隆 玉手纤纤的姑娘，让我跟你谈一句甜甜的话儿。     公主 蜂蜜，牛乳，蔗糖，我已经说了三句了。     俾隆 你既然这样俏皮， 我也要回答你三句，百花露，麦芽汁，葡萄酒。好得 很，我们各人都掷了个三点。现在有六种甜啦。     公主 第七种甜，再会吧；您既然是个无赖的赌徒，我不要再跟您玩啦。     俾隆 让我悄悄地告诉你一句话。     公主 可不要是句甜甜的话儿。     俾隆 你不知道我心里多苦！     公主 和黄连一样苦。     俾隆 一点不错。（二人趋一旁谈话。）     杜曼 您愿意跟我交换一句话吗？     玛利娅 说吧。     杜曼 美貌的姑娘——     玛利娅 您这样说吗？“漂亮的先生”；把这句话交换您的“美貌的姑娘”吧。     杜曼 请您允许我跟您悄悄地说句话，我就向您告辞。（二人趋一旁谈话。）     凯瑟琳 怎么！您的假面上没有舌头吗？     朗格维 姑娘，我知道您这样问我的原因。     凯瑟琳 啊！把您的原因说出来；快些，先生；我很想听一听呢。     朗格维 在您的脸罩之内， 您有两条舌头，所以要想借一条给我那不会说话的 假面。     凯瑟琳 还是叫荷兰人借给你一条牛舌头吧。     朗格维 牛，美人！     凯瑟琳 不，牛先生。     朗格维 我们把这牛平分了吧。     凯瑟琳 不，我可不跟你配对儿。你一人全牵去吧；大了也许是头好牲口。     朗格维 看啊，你出语伤人，和牛没有两样。贞洁的女郎，请不要用角勾搭人！     凯瑟琳 你怕头上长角，最好在作牛犊子的时候就一命归天。     朗格维 让我在归天以前跟您悄悄地说句话吧。     凯瑟琳 那么轻轻地叫吧，小牛儿；屠夫在听着呢。（二人趋一旁谈话。）     鲍益 姑娘们一张尖刻的利嘴，     就像无形的剃刀般锋锐，     任是最纤细的秋毫微末，     碰着它免不了迎刃而折；     她们的想像驾起了羽翼，     最快的风比不上它迅疾。     罗瑟琳 别再说下去了，我的姑娘们；停止，停止。     俾隆 天哪，大家都被她们取笑得狼狈不堪！     国王 再会，疯狂的姑娘们，你们真是希有的刁钻。     公主 二十个再会， 我的冰冻的莫斯科人！（国王、众臣、乐工及侍从等下） 这些就是举世钦佩的聪明人吗？     鲍益 他们的聪明不过是蜡烛的微光，被你们可爱的气息一吹就吹熄了。     罗瑟琳 他们都有一点小小的才情，可是粗俗不堪。     公主 啊， 贫乏的智慧！身为国王，受到这样无情的揶揄！你们想他们今晚会 不会上吊？或者从此以后，不套假脸再也不敢见人？这放肆的俾隆今天丢尽了脸。     罗瑟琳 啊！ 他们全都狼狈万分。那国王因为想不出一句巧妙的答复，急得简 直要哭出来呢。     公主 俾隆发了无数的誓；他越是发誓，人家越是不相信他。     玛利娅 杜曼把他自己和他的剑呈献给我， 愿意为我服役；我说，“可惜你的 剑是没有锋的；”我的仆人立刻闭住了嘴。     凯瑟琳 朗格维大人说，我占据着他的心；你们猜他叫我什么？     公主 是不是他的心病？     凯瑟琳 正是。     公主 去，你这无药可治的恶症！     罗瑟琳 你们要不要知道？国王是我的信誓旦旦的爱人哩。     公主 伶俐的俾隆已经向我矢告他的忠诚。     凯瑟琳 朗格维愿意终身供我的驱策。     玛利娅 杜曼是我的，正像树皮长在树干上一般毫无疑问。     鲍益 公主和各位可爱的姑娘们， 听着：他们立刻就会用他们的本来面目再到 这儿来，因为他们决不能忍受这样刻毒的侮辱。     公主 他们还会回来吗？     鲍益 他们会来的， 他们会来的，上帝知道；虽然打跛了脚，他们也会高兴得 跳起来。所以把你们的礼物各还原主，等他们回来的时候，像芬芳的蔷薇一般在熏 风里开放吧。     公主 怎么开放？怎么开放？说得明白一些。     鲍益 美貌的姑娘们蒙着脸罩， 是一朵朵含苞待放的蔷薇；卸下脸罩，露出她 们娇媚的红颜，就像云中出现的天使，或是盈盈展瓣的鲜花。     公主 不要说这种哑谜似的话！ 要是他们用他们的本来面目再来向我们求爱， 我们应该怎么办呢？     罗瑟琳 好公主， 他们改头换面地来，我们已经把他们取笑过了；要是您愿意 采纳我的意见，他们明目张胆地来，我们还是要把他们取笑。让我们向他们诉苦， 说是刚才来了一群傻瓜，装扮做俄罗斯人的样子，穿着不三不四的服饰，不知道究 竟是些什么东西；他们凭着一股浮薄的腔调，一段恶劣的致辞和一副荒唐的形状， 到我们帐里来显露他们的丑态，不知究竟有些什么目的。     鲍益 姑娘们，进去吧；那些情人们就要来了。     公主 像一群小鹿似的， 跳进你们的帐里去吧。（公主、罗瑟琳、凯瑟琳、玛 利娅同下。）     国王、俾隆、朗格维及杜曼各穿原服重上。     国王 好先生，上帝保佑你！公主呢？     鲍益 进帐去了。请问陛下有没有什么谕旨，要我向她传达？     国王 请她允许我见见面，我有一句话要跟她谈谈。     鲍益 遵命；我知道她一定会允许您的，陛下。（下。）     俾隆 这家伙惯爱拾人牙慧， 就像鸽子啄食青豆，一碰到天赐的机会，就要卖 弄他的伶牙俐齿。他是个智慧的稗贩，宴会里、市集上，到处向人兜卖；我们这些 经营批发的，上帝知道，再也学不会他这一副油腔滑调。他是妇人的爱宠，娘儿们 见了他都要牵裳挽袖；要是他做了亚当，夏娃免不了被他勾引。他会扭捏作态，他 会吞吐其声；他会把她的手吻个不住，表示他礼貌的殷勤。他是文明的猴儿，他是 儒雅的绅士；他在赌博的时候，也不会用恶言怒骂他的骰子。不错，他还会唱歌， 唱的是中音，高不成，低不就；还惯会招待、看门。“好人儿”是妇女们给他的名 称；他走上楼梯，梯子也要吻他脚下的泥尘；他见了每一个人满脸生花，嘻开了那 鲸骨一样洁白的齿牙；谁只要一提起鲍益的名字，都知道他是位舌头上涂蜜的绅士。     国王 愿他舌头上长疮，这个混账；是他把毛子奚落得晕头转向！     鲍益前导，公主、罗瑟琳、玛利娅、凯瑟琳及侍从等重上。     俾隆 瞧， 他来了！礼貌啊，在这个人还没有把你表现出来以前，你是什么东 西？现在你又是什么东西？     国王 万福，亲爱的公主，愿你安好！     公主 听来似乎我目前的处境不妙。     国王 请你善意地解释我的言辞。     公主 你若是说得好，我并不吹毛求疵。     国王 我们今天专诚拜访的目的， 是要迎接你到我们宫廷里去盘桓盘桓，略尽 地主之谊，愿你不要推辞。     公主 这一块广场可以容留我， 它也必须替您保全您的誓言；上帝和我都不喜 欢背誓的人。     国王 不要责备我， 因为这不是我自己的过失；你的美目的魔力使我破坏了誓 言。     公主 你不该说美目， 应该说恶目；美的事物不会使人破坏誓言。凭着我那像 一尘不染的莲花一般纯洁的处女的贞操起誓，即使我必须忍受无穷尽的磨难，我也 不愿做您府上的客人；我不愿因为我的缘故，使您毁弃了立誓信守的神圣的盟约。     国王 啊！ 你冷冷清清地住在这儿不让人家看见，也没有人来看你，实在使我 感到莫大的歉仄。     公主 不， 陛下，我发誓您的话不符事实；我们在这儿并不缺少消遣娱乐，刚 才还有一队俄罗斯人来过，他们离去还不久哩。     国王 怎么，公主！俄罗斯人？     公主 是的，陛下；都是衣冠楚楚、神采轩昂、温文有礼的风流人物。     罗瑟琳 公主， 不要骗人。不是这样的，陛下；我家公主因为沾染了时尚，所 以会作这样过分的赞美。我们四个人刚才的确碰见四个穿着俄罗斯装束的人，他们 在这儿停留了一小时的时间，噜哩噜苏地讲了许多话；可是在那一小时之内，陛下， 他们不曾让我们听到一句有意思的话。我不敢骂他们呆子；可是我想，当他们口渴 的时候，呆子们一定很想喝一点水。     俾隆 这一句笑话在我听起来很是干燥。 温柔美貌的佳人，您的智慧使您把聪 明看成了愚蠢。当我们仰望着天上的火眼的时候，无论我们自己的眼睛多么明亮， 也会在耀目的金光之下失去它本来的光彩；您自己因为有了浩如烟海的才华，所以 在您看起来，当然聪明也会变成愚蠢，富有也会变成贫乏啦。     罗瑟琳 这可以证明您是聪明而富有的，因为在我的眼中——     俾隆 我是一个傻瓜，一个穷光蛋。     罗瑟琳 这个头衔倘不是本来属于你的，您就不该从我的舌头上夺去我的话。     俾隆 啊！我是您的，我所有的一切也都是您的。     罗瑟琳 这一个傻瓜整个儿是属于我的吗？     俾隆 我所给您的，不能更少于此了。     罗瑟琳 您本来套的是哪一张假面？     俾隆 哪儿？什么时候？什么假面？您为什么问我这个问题？     罗瑟琳 当地， 当时，就是那一张假面；您不是套着一具比您自己好看一些的 脸壳，遮掩了一副比它更难看的尊容吗？     国王 我们的秘密被她们发现了；她们现在一定要把我们取笑得体无完肤了。     杜曼 我们还是招认了，把这回事情当作一场笑话过去了吧。     公主 发呆了吗，陛下？陛下为什么这样不高兴？     罗瑟琳 嗳哟， 救命！按住他的额角！他要晕过去了。您为什么脸色发白？我 想大概因为从莫斯科来，多受了些海上的风浪吧。     俾隆 天上的星星因为我们发了伪誓， 所以把这样的灾祸降在我们头上。那一 张铁铸的厚脸能够恬不为意呢？——姑娘，我站在这儿，把你的舌箭唇熗向我投射， 用嘲笑把我伤害，用揶揄使我昏迷，用你锋锐的机智刺透我的愚昧，用你尖刻的思 想把我寸寸解剖吧；我再也不穿着俄罗斯人的服装，希望你陪我跳舞了。啊！从此 以后，我再也不信任那些预先拟就的说辞，他学童背书似的诉述我的情思；我再也 不套着面具访问我的恋人，像盲乐师奏乐似的用诗句求婚；那些绢一般柔滑、绸一 般细致的字句，三重的夸张，刻意雕琢的言语，还有那冬烘的辞藻像一群下卵的苍 蝇，让蛆一样的矜饰汩没了我的性灵，我从此要把这一切全都抛弃；凭着这洁白的 手套——那手儿有多么白，上帝知道！——我发誓要用土布般坚韧的“是”，粗毡 般质朴的“不”，把我恋慕的深情向你申说。让我现在开始，姑娘，——上帝保佑 我！——我对你的爱是完整的，没有一点残破。海枯石烂——     罗瑟琳 不要“海枯石烂”了，我求求你。     俾隆 这是我积习未除；原谅我，我的病根太深了，必须把它慢慢除去。慢点！ 有了，给他们三个人都贴上“重病”的封条；他们的心灵都得了不治之症，受到你 眼睛的传染，神智不清。这些贵人的症状准确无误，满脸通红——那正是瘟疫的礼 物。     公主 他们送礼来的时候，神智很清。     俾隆 我们已经破产了，请您留情。     罗瑟琳 哪里，你们的言词如此体面，如此富有，怎么说得上破产？     俾隆 住口，我今后不再和你交战。     罗瑟琳 能这样最好，这正是我的心愿。     俾隆 你们开言吧！我简直一筹莫展。     国王 亲爱的公主，为了我们卤莽的错误，指点我们一个巧妙的辩解吧。     公主 坦白的供认是最好的辩解。您刚才不是改扮了到这儿来过的吗？     国王 公主，是的。     公主 您这样作是有道理的吗？     国王 有道理的，公主。     公主 那时候您在您爱人的耳边轻轻地说过些什么来着？     国王 我说我尊敬她甚于整个的世界。     公主 等到她要求您履行您对她的誓言的时候，您就要否认说过这样的话了。     国王 凭着我的荣誉起誓，我决不否认。     公主 且慢！且慢！不要随便发誓；一次背誓以后，什么誓都靠不住了。     国王 我要是毁弃了这一个誓，你可以永远轻视我。     公主 我要轻视您的， 所以千万遵守着吧。罗瑟琳，那俄罗斯人在你的耳边轻 轻地说过些什么来着？     罗瑟琳 公主， 他发誓说他把我当作自己的瞳人一样珍爱，重视我甚于整个的 世界；他还说他要娶我为妻，否则就要爱我而死。     公主 上帝祝福你嫁到这样一位丈夫！这位高贵的君王是决不食言的。     国王 这是什么意思， 公主？凭着我的生命和忠诚起誓，我从不曾向这位姑娘 发过这样的盟誓。     罗瑟琳 苍天在上， 您发过的；为了证明您的信实，您还给我这一件东西；可 是陛下，请您把它拿回去吧。     国王 我把我的赤心和这东西一起献给公主的； 凭着她衣袖上佩带的宝石，我 认明是她。     公主 对不起， 陛下，刚才佩带这宝石的是她呀。俾隆大人才是我的爱人，我 得谢谢他。喂，俾隆大人，您还是要我呢，还是要我把您的珍珠还给您？     俾隆 什么都不要； 我全都放弃了。我懂得你们的诡计，你们预先知道了我们 的把戏，有心捣乱，让它变成一本圣诞节的喜剧。哪一个鼓唇摇舌的家伙，哪一个 逢迎献媚的佞人，哪一个无聊下贱的蠢物，哪一个搬弄是非的食客，哪一个侍候颜 色的奴才，泄漏了我们的计划；这些淑女们因为听到这样的消息，才把各人收到的 礼物交换佩带，我们只知道认明标记，却不曾想到已经张冠李戴。我们本来已经负 上一重欺神背誓的罪名，现在又加上第二次的背誓；第一次是有意，这一次是无心。 （向鲍益）看来都是你破坏了我们的兴致，使我们言而无信。你不是连我们公主的 脚寸有多少长短也知道得清清楚楚，老是望着她的眼睛堆起一脸笑容吗？你不是常 常靠着火炉，站在她的背后，手里捧了一盆食物，讲些逗人发笑的话吗？你把我们 的侍童也气糊涂了。好，你是个享有特权的人，你什么时候死了，让一件女人的衬 衫做你的殓衾吧。你把眼睛瞟着我吗？哼，你的眼睛就像一柄铅剑，伤不了人的。     鲍益 这一场玩意儿安排得真好，怪有趣的。     俾隆 听！他简直向我挑战。算了，我可不跟你斗嘴啦。     考斯塔德上。     俾隆 欢迎，纯粹的哲人！你来得正好，否则我们又要开始一场恶战了。     考斯塔德 主啊！先生，他们想要知道那三位伟人要不要就进来？     俾隆 什么，只有三个吗？     考斯塔德 不，先生；好得很，因为每一个人都扮着三个哩。     俾隆 三个的三倍是九个。     考斯塔德 不， 先生；您错了，先生，我想不是这样。我们知道就知道，不知 道就不知道；我希望，先生，三个的三倍——     俾隆 不是九个。考斯塔德 先生，请你宽恕，我们是知道总数多少的。     俾隆 天哪，我一向总以为三个的三倍是九个。     考斯塔德 主啊，先生！您可不能靠着打算盘吃饭哩，先生。     俾隆 那么究竟多少呀？     考斯塔德 主啊，先生！那班表演的人，先生，可以让您知道究竟一共有几个； 讲到我自己，那么正像他们说的，我这个下贱的人，只好扮演一个；我扮的是庞贝 大王，先生。     俾隆 你也是一个伟人吗？     考斯塔德 他们以为我可以扮演庞贝大王； 讲到我自己，我可不知道伟人是一 个什么官衔，可是，他们要叫我扮演他。     俾隆 去，叫他们预备起来。     考斯塔德 我们一定会演得好好的，先生；我们一定演得非常小心。（下。）     国王 俾隆，他们一定会丢尽我们的脸；叫他们不要来吧。     俾隆 我们的脸已经丢尽了， 陛下，还怕什么？让他们表演一幕比国王和他的 同伴们所表演的更拙劣的戏剧，也可以遮遮我们的羞。     国王 我说不要叫他们来。     公主 不， 我的好陛下，这一回让我作主吧。最有趣的游戏是看一群手脚无措 的人表演一些他们自己也不明白的玩意儿；他们拚命卖力，想讨人家的喜欢，结果 却在过分卖力之中失去了原来的意义；虽然他们糟蹋了大好的材料，他们那慌张的 姿态却很可以博人一笑。     俾隆 陛下，这几句话把我们的游戏形容得确切之至。     亚马多上。     亚马多 天命的君王， 我请求你略微吐出一些芳香的御气，赐给我一两句尊严 的圣语。（亚马多与国王谈话，以一纸呈国王。）     公主 这个人是敬奉上帝的吗？     俾隆 您为什么问这个问题？     公主 他讲的话不像是一个上帝造下的人所说的。     亚马多 那都一样， 我的美好的、可爱的、蜜一般甜的王上；因为我要声明一 句，那教书先生是太乖僻，太太自负，太太自负了；可是我们只好像人家说的，胜 败各凭天命。愿你们心灵安静，最尊贵的一双！（下。）     国王 看来要有一场很出色的伟人表演哩。 他扮的是特洛亚的赫克托；那乡人 扮庞贝大王；教区牧师扮亚历山大；亚马多的童儿扮赫剌克勒斯；那村学究扮犹大 ·麦卡俾斯；要是这四位伟人在第一场表演中得到成功，他们就要改换服装，再来 表演其余的五个。     俾隆 在第一场里有五个伟人。     国王 你弄错了，不是五个。     俾隆 一个冬烘学究， 一个法螺骑士，一个穷酸牧师，一个傻瓜，一个孩子； 除了掷骰子五点可以算九之外，照我看全世界也找不出同样的五个人来。     国王 船已经扯起帆篷，乘风而来了。     考斯塔德穿甲胃扮庞贝重上。     考斯塔德     我是庞贝——     鲍益 胡说，你不是他。     考斯塔德     我是庞贝——     鲍益 抱着盾摔了个马爬。     俾隆 说得好，快嘴老，我俩讲和啦。     考斯塔德     我是庞贝，人称庞贝老大——     杜曼“大王”。     考斯塔德 是“大王”，先生。     ——人称庞贝大王；     在战场上挺起盾牌，杀得敌人流浆；     这回沿着海岸旅行，偶然经过贵邦，     放下武器，敬礼法兰西的可爱姑娘。     公主小姐要是说一声“谢谢你，庞贝”，我就可以下场了。     公主 多谢多谢，伟大的庞贝。     考斯塔德 这不算什么； 可是我希望我没有闹了笑话。我就是把“大王”念错 了。     俾隆 我拿我的帽子跟别人打赌半便士，庞贝是最好的伟人。     纳森聂尔牧师穿甲胄扮亚历山大上。     纳森聂尔     当我在世之日，我是世界的主人；     东西南北四方传布征服的威名：     我的盾牌证明我就是亚历山大——     鲍益 你的鼻子说不，你不是；因为它太直了。     俾隆 你的鼻子也会嗅出个“不”字来，真是一位嗅觉灵敏的骑士。     公主 这位征服者在发恼了。说下去，好亚历山大。     纳森聂尔     当我在世之日，我是世界的主人；——     鲍益 不错，对的；你是世界的主人，亚历山大。     俾隆 庞贝大王——     考斯塔德 您的仆人考斯塔德在此。     俾隆 把这征服者，把这亚历山大摔下去。     考斯塔德（向纳森聂尔）啊！先生，您丧尽了亚历山大的威风！从此以后，人 家要把您的尊容从画布上擦掉，把您那衔着斧头坐在便桶上的狮子送给埃阿斯；他 将要坐第九把伟人的交椅了。一个盖世的英雄，吓得不敢说话！赶快溜走吧，亚归 山大，别丢脸啦！（纳森聂尔退下）各位看吧，一个又笨又和善的人；一个老实的 家伙，你们瞧，一下子就会着慌！他是个很好的邻居，凭良心说，而且滚得一手好 球；可是叫他扮亚历山大——唉，你们都看见的，——实在有点儿不配。可是还有 几个伟人就要来啦，他们会用另外一种样式说出他们的心思来的。     公主 站开，好庞贝。     霍罗福尼斯穿甲胄扮犹大；毛子穿甲胄扮赫剌克勒斯上。     霍罗福尼斯     这小鬼扮的是赫剌克勒斯， 他一棍打得死三头猘犬；     他在儿童孩提少小之时， 叫两条蛇死于他的铁腕。     诸位听了我这一番交代，     请看他幼年的英雄气概。     放出一些威势来，下去。（毛子退下）     我是犹大——     杜曼 一个犹大！     霍罗福尼斯 不是犹大·伊斯凯里奥特⒃，先生。     我是犹大，姓麦卡俾斯——     杜曼 去了姓，不就是货真价实的犹大吗？     俾隆 你怎么证明你不是当面接吻，背地里出卖基督的犹大？     霍罗福尼斯     我是犹大——     杜曼 不要脸的犹大！     霍罗福尼斯 您是什么意思，先生？     鲍益 他的意思是要叫你去上吊。     霍罗福尼斯 得了，先生，你比我大。     俾隆 不然，要说大还得让犹大。     霍罗福尼斯 你们不能这样不给我一点面子。     俾隆 因为你是没有脸的。     霍罗福尼斯 这是什么？     鲍益 一个琵琶头。     杜曼 一个针孔。     俾隆 一个指环上的骷髅。     朗格维 一张模糊不清的罗马古钱上的面孔。     鲍益 凯撒的剑把。     杜曼 水瓶上的骨雕人面。     俾隆 别针上半面的圣乔治。     杜曼 嗯，这别针还是铅的。     俾隆 嗯，插在一个拔牙齿人的帽子上。现在说下去吧，你有面子了。     霍罗福尼斯 你们叫我把面子丢尽了。     俾隆 胡说，我们给了你许多面子。     霍罗福尼斯 可是你们自己的面皮比哪个都厚。     俾隆 你的狮子皮也不簿。     鲍益 可惜狮子皮底下蒙的是一头驴， 叫他走吧。再见，好犹大。怎么，你还 等什么？     杜曼 他等你吆喝呢。     俾隆 说“犹——大——” 还不够吗？——好，再听着：“犹——大——咳— —喝，”快走！     霍罗福尼斯 这太刻薄、太欺人、太不客气啦。     鲍益 替犹大先生拿一个火来！天黑起来了，他也许会跌交。     公主 唉，可怜的麦卡俾斯！他给你们作弄得好苦！     亚马多披甲胄扮赫克托重上。     俾隆 藏好你的头，阿喀琉斯；赫克托全身甲胄来了。     杜曼 果然叫我自作自受了，但是我仍然很开心。     国王 跟这个人一比，赫克托不过是一个特洛亚人。     鲍益 可是这是赫克托吗？     国王 我想赫克托不会长得这么漂亮。     朗格维 赫克托的小腿也不会有这么粗。     杜曼 确实很粗。     鲍益 也许是整天逃跑练出来的。     俾隆 这个人决不是赫克托。     杜曼 他不是一个天神，就是一个画师，因为他会制造千变万化的脸相。     亚马多     马斯，那长熗万能的无敌战神，     垂眷于赫克托，——     杜曼 马斯给了赫克托一颗镀金的荳蔻。     俾隆 一只柠檬。     朗格维 里头塞着丁香。     杜曼 不，塞着茴香。     亚马多 不要吵！     马斯，那长熗万能的无敌战神，     垂眷于赫克托，伊利恩的后人，     把无限勇力充满了他的全身，     使他百战不怠，从清晨到黄昏。     我就是那战士之花，——     杜曼 那薄荷花。     朗格维 那白鸽花。     亚马多 亲爱的朗格维大人，请你把你的舌头收住一下。     朗格维 我必须用绳拉住它，免得它冲倒了赫克托。     杜曼 是啊，赫克托也是猎狗的名字。     亚马多 这位可爱的骑士久已死去烂掉了； 好人儿们，不要敲死人的骨头；当 他在世的时候，他也是一条汉子。可是我要继续我的台词。（向公主）亲爱的公主， 请你俯赐垂听。     公主 说吧，勇敢的赫克托；我们很喜欢听着你哩。     亚马多 我崇拜你的可爱的纤履。     鲍益 你只能在她脚底下爬着。     杜曼 再高一点也不行。     亚马多     这赫克托比汉尼拔⒄凶狠万分——     考斯塔德 那个人已经有了孕啦； 赫克托朋友，她有了孕啦；她已经怀了两个 月的身孕。     亚马多 你说什么话？     考斯塔德 真的， 您要是不做一个老老实实的特洛亚人，这可怜的丫头从此就 要完啦。她有了孕，那孩子已经在她的肚子里说话了；它是您的。     亚马多 你要在这些君主贵人之前破坏我的名誉吗？我要叫你死。     考斯塔德 赫克托害杰奎妮妲有了身孕， 本该抽一顿鞭子；要是他再犯了杀死 庞贝的人命重案，绞罪是免不了的。     杜曼 举世无匹的庞贝！     鲍益 遐迩闻名的庞贝！     俾隆 比伟大更伟大，伟大的、伟大的、伟大的庞贝！庞大绝伦的庞贝！     杜曼 赫克托发抖了。     俾隆 庞贝也动怒了。打！打！叫他们打起来！叫他们打起来！     杜曼 赫克托会向他挑战的。     俾隆 嗯，即使他肚子里所有的男人的血，还喂不饱一个跳蚤。     亚马多 凭着北极起誓，我要向你挑战。     考斯塔德 我不知道什么北极不北极； 我只知道拿起一柄剑就斫。请你让我再 去借那身盔甲穿上。     杜曼 伟人发怒了，让开！     考斯塔德 我就穿着衬衫跟你打。     杜曼 最坚决的庞贝！     毛子 主人， 让我给您解开一个钮扣。您不看见庞贝已经脱下衣服，准备厮杀 了吗？您是什么意思？您这样会毁了您的名誉的。     亚马多 各位先生和骑士，原谅我；我不愿穿着衬衫决斗。     杜曼 你不能拒绝；庞贝已经向你挑战了。     亚马多 好人们，我可以拒绝，我必须拒绝。     俾隆 你凭着什么理由拒绝？     亚马多 赤裸裸的事实是， 我没有衬衫。我因为忏悔罪孽，贴身只穿着一件羊 毛的衣服。     鲍益 真的， 罗马因为缺少麻布，所以向教徒们下了这样的命令；自从那时候 起，我可以发誓，他只有一方杰奎妮妲的揩碟布系在他的胸前，作为一件纪念的礼 物。     法国使者马凯德上。     马凯德 上帝保佑您，公主！     公主 欢迎，马凯德；可是你打断我们的兴致了。     马凯德 我很抱歉， 公主，因为我给您带来了一个我所不愿意出口的消息。您 的父王——     公主 死了，一定是的！     马凯德 正是，我的话已经让您代说了。     俾隆 各位伟人，大家去吧！这场面被愁云笼罩起来了。     亚马多 讲到我自己， 却呼吸到了自由的空气。通过一点能屈能伸的手腕，我 总算逃过了这场威胁，我要像一个军人般赎回这个侮辱。（众伟人下。）     国王 公主安好吗？     公主 鲍益，准备起来；我今天晚上就要动身。     国王 公主，不；请你再少留几天。     公主 我说，准备起来。殷勤的陛下和各位大人，我感谢你们一切善意的努力； 我还要用我这一颗新遭惨变的心灵向你们请求，要是我们在言语之间有什么放肆失 礼之处，愿你们运用广大的智慧，多多包涵我们任性的孟浪；是你们的宽容纵坏了 我们。再会，陛下！一个人在悲哀之中，说不出娓娓动听的话；原谅我用这样菲薄 的感谢，交换您的慷慨的允诺。     国王 人生的种种鹄的， 往往在最后关头达到了完成的境界；长期的艰辛所不 能取得结果的，却会在紧急的一刻中得到决定。虽然天伦的哀痛打断了爱情的温柔 的礼仪，使它不敢提出那萦绕心头的神圣的请求，可是这一个论题既然已经开始， 让悲伤的暗云不要压下它的心愿吧；因为欣幸获得新交的朋友，是比哀悼已故的亲 人更为有益的。     公主 我不懂您的意思；我的悲哀是双重的。     俾隆 坦白直率的言语， 最容易打动悲哀的耳朵；让我替王上解释他的意思。 为了你们的缘故，我们蹉跎了大好的光阴，毁弃了神圣的誓言。你们的美貌，女郎 们，使我们神魂颠倒，违反了我们本来的意志。恋爱是充满了各种失态的怪癖的， 因此它才使我们表现出荒谬的举止，像孩子一般无赖、淘气而自大；它是产生在眼 睛里的，因此它像眼睛一般，充满了无数迷离惝怳、变幻多端的形象，正像眼珠的 转动反映着它所观照的事事物物一样。要是恋爱加于我们身上的这一种轻佻狂妄的 外表，在你们天仙般的眼睛里看来，是不适宜于我们的誓言和身分的，那么你们必 须知道，就是这些看到我们的缺点的天仙般的眼睛，使我们造成了这些缺点。所以， 女郎们，我们的爱情既然是你们的，爱情所造成的错误也都是你们的；我们一度不 忠于自己，从此以后，永远把我们的一片忠心，紧系在那能使我们变心也能使我们 尽忠的人的身上——美貌的女郎们，我们要对你们永远忠实；凭着这一段耿耿的至 诚，洗净我们叛誓的罪愆。     公主 我们已经收到你们充满了爱情的信札， 并且拜领了你们的礼物，那些爱 情的使节；在我们这几个少女的心目中看来，这一切不过是调情的游戏、风雅的玩 笑的酬酢的虚文，有些夸张过火而适合时俗的习尚，可是我们却没有看到比这更挚 诚的情感；所以我们才用你们自己的方式应付你们的爱情，只把它当作一场玩笑。     杜曼 公主，我们的信里并不只是一些开玩笑的话。     朗格维 我们的眼光里也流露着真诚的爱慕。     罗瑟琳 我们却不是这样解释。     国王 现在在这最后一分钟的时间，把你们的爱给了我们吧。     公主 我想这是一个太短促的时间， 缔结这一注天长地久的买卖。不，不，陛 下，您毁过大多的誓，您的罪孽太深重啦；所以请您听我说，要是您为了我的爱， 愿意干无论什么事情——我知道这种情形是不会有的——您就得替我做这一件事： 我不愿相信您所发的誓；您必须赶快找一处荒凉僻野的隐居的所在，远离一切人世 的享乐；在那边安心住下，直到天上的列星终结了它们一岁的行程。要是这种严肃 而孤寂的生活，改变不了您在一时热情冲动之中所作的提议；要是霜雪和饥饿、粗 劣的居室和菲薄的衣服，摧残不了您的爱情的绚艳的花朵；它经过了这一番磨炼， 并没有憔悴而枯萎；那么在一年终了的时候，您就可以凭着已经履行这一条件，来 向我提出要求，我现在和您握手为盟，那时候我一定愿意成为您的；在那时以前， 我将要在一所惨淡凄凉的屋子里闭户幽居，为了纪念死去的父亲而流着悲伤的泪雨。 要是这一个条件你不能接受，让我们从此分手；分明不是姻缘，要请您另寻佳偶。     国王 倘为了贪图身体的安乐， 我拒绝了你这一番提议，让死的魔手掩闭我的 双目！从今以往，我的心永远和你在一起。     俾隆 你对我有什么话说，我的爱人？你对我有什么话说？     罗瑟琳 你也必须洗涤你的罪恶； 你的身上沾染着种种恶德，而且还负着叛誓 的重罪；所以要是你希望得到我的好感，你必须在这一年之内，昼夜不休地服侍那 些呻吟床榻的病人。     杜曼 可是你对我有什么话说， 我的爱人？可是你对我有什么话说？我能得到 个妻子吗？     凯瑟琳 一把胡须， 一个健康的身体，一颗正直的良心；我用三重的爱希望你 有这三种东西。     杜曼 啊！我可不可以说，谢谢你，温柔的妻子？     凯瑟琳 不， 我的大人。在这一年之内，无论哪一个小白脸来向我求婚，我都 一概不理睬他们。等你们的国王来看我们公主的时候，你也来看我；要是那时候我 有很多的爱，我会给你一些的。     杜曼 我一定对你克尽忠诚，等候那一天的到来。     凯瑟琳 不要发誓了，免得再背誓。     朗格维 玛利娅怎么说？     玛利娅 一年过去以后，我愿意为了一个忠心的朋友脱下我的黑衣。     朗格维 我愿意耐心等候；可是这时间太长了。     玛利娅 正像你自己；年轻轻的，个子却很长。     俾隆 我的爱人在想些什么？姑娘，瞧着我吧。瞧我的心灵的窗门，我的眼睛， 在多么谦恭而恳切地等候着你的答复；吩咐我为了你的爱干些什么事吧。     罗瑟琳 俾隆大人， 我在没有识荆以前，就常常听到你的名字；世间的长舌说 你是一个玩世不恭的人物，满嘴都是借题影射的讥讽和尖酸刻薄的嘲笑；无论贵贱 贫富，只要触动了你的灵机，你都要把他们挖苦得不留余地。要是你希望得到我的 爱，第一就得把这种可厌的习气从你的脑海之中根本除去；为了达到这一个目的， 你必须在这一年的时期之内，不许有一天间断，去访问那些无言的病人，和那些痛 苦呻吟的苦人儿谈话；你的唯一的任务，就是竭力运用你的才智，逗那受着疾病折 磨的人们一笑。     俾隆 在濒死者的喉间激起哄然的狂笑来吗？ 那可办不到，绝对不可能的；谐 谑不能感动一个痛苦的灵魂。     罗瑟琳 这是克服口头上的轻薄的唯一办法。 自恃能言的傻子，正因为有了浅 薄的听众随声哗笑，才会得意扬扬。可笑或不可笑取决于听者的耳朵，而不是说者 的舌头。如果病人能够不顾自己的呻吟惨叫，忘却本身的痛苦，而来听你的无聊的 讥嘲，那么继续把你的笑话说下去吧，我愿意连同你这一个缺点把你接受下来；可 是如其他们没有那样的闲情听你说笑，那么还是赶快丢掉这种习气的好，我看见你 这样勇于改过，一定会非常高兴的。     俾隆 十二个月！ 好，不管命运怎样把人玩弄，我要把一岁光阴，三寸妙舌， 在病榻之前葬送。     公主（向国王）是的，我的好陛下；我就此告别了。     国王 不，公主，我们要送你一程。     俾隆 我们的求婚结束得不像一本旧式的戏剧； 有情人未成眷属，好好的喜剧 缺少一幕团圆的场面。     国王 算了，老兄，只要挨过一年就好了。     俾隆 那么这本戏演得又太长了。     亚马多重上。     亚马多 亲爱的陛下，准许我——     公主 这不是赫克托吗？     杜曼 特洛亚的可尊敬的骑士。     亚马多 我要敬吻你的御指， 然后向你告别。我已经许下愿心，向杰奎妮妲发 誓，为了她的爱，我要帮助她耕种三年。可是，最可尊敬的陛下，你们要不要听听 那两位有学问的人所写的赞美鸱鸮和杜鹃的一段对话？它本来是预备放在我们的表 演以后歌唱的。     国王 快叫他们来；我们倒要听听。     亚马多 喂！进来！     霍罗福尼斯、纳森聂尔、毛子、考斯塔德及余人等重上。     亚马多 这一边是冬天，这一边是春天；鸱鸮代表冬天，杜鹃代表春天。春天， 你先开始。 春之歌     当杂色的雏菊开遍牧场， 蓝的紫罗兰，白的美人衫，     还有那杜鹃花吐蕾娇黄， 描出了一片广大的欣欢；     听杜鹃在每一株树上叫，     把那娶了妻的男人讥笑：     咯咕！     咯咕！咯咕！啊，可怕的声音！     害得做丈夫的肉跳心惊。     当无愁的牧童口吹麦笛， 清晨的云雀惊醒了农人，     斑鸠乌鸦都在觅侣求匹， 女郎们漂洗夏季的衣裙；     听杜鹃在每一株树上叫，     把那娶了妻的男人讥笑：     咯咕！     咯咕！咯咕！啊，可怕的声音！     害得做丈夫的肉跳心惊。 冬之歌     当一条条冰柱檐前悬吊， 汤姆把木块向屋内搬送，     牧童狄克呵着他的指爪， 挤来的牛乳凝结了一桶，     刺骨的寒气，泥泞的路途，     大眼睛的鸱鸮夜夜高呼：     哆呵！     哆喴，哆呵！它歌唱着欢喜，     当油垢的琼转她的锅子。     当怒号的北风漫天吹响， 咳嗽打断了牧师的箴言，     鸟雀们在雪里缩住颈项， 玛利恩冻得红肿了鼻尖，     炙烤的螃蟹在锅内吱喳，     大眼睛的鸱鸮夜夜喧哗：     哆呵！     哆喴，哆呵！它歌唱着欢喜，     当油垢的琼转她的锅子。     亚马多 听罢了阿波罗的歌声， 麦鸠利⒅的语言是粗糙的。你们向那边去；我 们向这边去。（各下。）     注释     1.一匹名叫“摩洛哥”的马，曾轰动当时杂技界，屡见于伊丽莎伯时代的文学 作品中。     2.参孙（Samson），《圣经》中的大力士，见《旧约》：《士师记》。     3.一句流行的童谣，亦见于《哈姆莱特》第三幕第二场。     4.考斯塔德（Costard），原意是“脑袋”。     5.科菲多亚（Cophetua）和培妮罗芳（Penelophon）是古代英国歌谣中的人物； 亚马多将培妮罗芳误为齐妮罗芳（Zenelophon）。     6.“我来，我看见，我征服”是凯撒征服本都王法那西斯后告知罗马贵族院之 有名豪语。     7.贺拉斯（Horace，公元前65—8年），罗马诗人。     8.奥维狄斯·奈索（Ovidius Naso）即奥维德（Ovid，公元前43—公元17？）， 罗马诗人，《变形记》的作者。     9.埃阿斯（Ajax），特洛亚战争中的英雄。参阅《特洛伊罗斯与克瑞西达》一 剧。     10.凯德是凯瑟琳的爱称。     11. 涅斯托（Nestor），荷马史诗《伊利亚特》中年纪最大的希腊将领，以严 肃著名。     12.巴克科斯（Bacchus），希腊神话里的酒神。     13. 斯芬克斯（Sphinx），希腊神话中狮身女首有翼之怪物，常坐路旁以甚狡 诡之谜语难人。     14.拉丁文，意为“在充满了荣誉的情况中”     15. 约书亚 （Joshua）  ，  古代以色列先知；  犹大·麦卡俾斯  （Judas Maccabaeus），古代犹太民族英雄，庞贝大王（Pompey the Great），罗马大将。     16.犹大·伊斯凯里爽特（Judas Iscariot），耶稣门徒，耶稣即被其出卖。     17.汉尼拔（Hannibal，公元前247—183），迦太基名将。     18.麦鸠利（Mereury），罗马神话中的商神，又为盗贼等的保护神。