Page 2378 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 2378
By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest.
What is the end of study, let me know? [55]
KING
Why, that to know which else we should not know.
BEROWNE
Things hid and barred, you mean, from common sense?
KING
Ay, that is study’s god-like recompense.
BEROWNE
Com’on then, I will swear to study so,
To know the thing I am forbid to know: [60]
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, [65]
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.
KING
These be the stops that hinder study quite, [70]
And train our intellects to vain delight.
BEROWNE
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 [75]
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 [80]
By fixing it upon a fairer eye,
