Page 2393 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 2393
ARMADO
Define, define, well-educated infant. [90]
MOTE
My father’s wit and my mother’s tongue assist me!
ARMADO
Sweet invocation of a child - most pretty and pathetical!
MOTE
If she be made of white and red,
Her faults will ne’er be known, [95]
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 [100]
Which native she doth owe.
A dangerous rhyme, master, against the reason of white and red.
ARMADO
Is there not a ballad, boy, of the King and the Beggar? [105]
MOTE
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.
ARMADO
I will have that subject newly writ o’er, that I [110] 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.
MOTE
(aside) To be whipped - and yet a better love than my master. [115]
ARMADO
Sing, boy. My spirit grows heavy in love.
MOTE
