Page 2399 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

MARIA

They say so most that most his humours know.

PRINCESS

Such short-lived wits do wither as they grow.
Who are the rest? [55]

KAT HARINE

The young Dumaine, 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. [60]
I saw him at the Duke Alençon’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. [65]
Berowne 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 [70]
The other turns to a mirth-moving jest,
Which his fair tongue - conceit’s expositor -
Delivers in such apt and gracious words
That agèd ears play truant at his tales
And younger hearings are quite ravishèd, [75]
So sweet and voluble is his discourse.

PRINCESS

God bless my ladies! Are they all in love,
That every one her own hath garnishèd
With such bedecking ornaments of praise?

FIRST LORD

Here comes Boyet.