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  • Title: Love's Labor's Lost (Quarto 1, 1598)
  • Editor: Timothy Billings

  • Copyright Timothy Billings. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Timothy Billings
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Love's Labor's Lost (Quarto 1, 1598)

    called Loues Labor's lost.

    Bero. What reason haue you fort.
    2665Brag. The naked trueth of it is, I hane no Shirt.
    I goe Woolward for pennance.
    Boy. True, and it was inioyned him in Rome for want of
    Linnen: since when, Ile be sworne he wore none, but a dish-
    cloute of Jaquenettaes, and that a weares next his hart for a
    2670Fauour.

    Enter a Messenger Mounsier Marcade.

    Marcad. God saue you Madame.
    Quee. Welcome Marcade, but that thou interrnpptest our
    merriment.
    2675Marcad. I am sorrie Madame for the newes I bring
    is heauie in my tongue. The King your father
    Quee. Dead for my life.
    Marcad. Euen so: my tale is tolde.
    B er. Worthies away, the Scaene begins to cloude.
    2680Brag. For mine owne part I breath free breath: I haue
    seene the day of wrong through the litle hole of discretion,
    and I will right my selfe like a Souldier. Exeunt Worthys
    King. How fares your Maiestie?
    2685Quee. Boyet prepare, I will away to nyght.
    King. Madame Not so, I do beseech you stay.
    Quee. Prepare I say: I thanke you gracious Lords
    For all your faire endeuours and intreat:
    Out of a new sad-soule, that you vouchsafe,
    2690In your rich wisedome to excuse, or hide,
    The liberall opposition of our spirites,
    If ouerboldly we haue borne our selues,
    In the conuerse of breath (your gentlenes
    Was guyltie of it.) Farewell worthy Lord:
    2695A heauie hart beares not a humble tongue.
    Excuse me so comming too short of thankes,
    For my great sute, so easely obtainde.
    King. The extreame partes of time extreamly formes,
    All causes to the purpose of his speede:
    2700And often at his very loose decides
    That