Page 2400 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 2400
Enter Boyet.
PRINCESS
Now, what admittance, lord? [80]
BOY ET
Navarre had notice of your fair approach,
And he and his competitors in oath
Were all addressed to meet you, gentle lady,
Before I came. Marry, thus much I have learned:
He rather means to lodge you in the field, [85]
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 the King, Berowne, Longaville, and Dumaine.
KING
Fair Princess, welcome to the court of Navarre. [90]
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.
KING
You shall be welcome, madam, to my court. [95]
PRINCESS
I will be welcome, then. Conduct me thither.
KING
Hear me, dear lady. I have sworn an oath -
PRINCESS
Our Lady help my lord! He’ll be forsworn.
KING
Not for the world, fair madam, by my will.
