Page 2419 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 2419
FOREST ER
Yes, madam, fair.
PRINCESS
Nay, never paint me now!
Where fair is not, praise cannot mend the brow.
Here, good my glass, take this for telling true;
(She gives him money.)
Fair payment for foul words is more than due.
FOREST ER
Nothing but fair is that which you inherit. [20]
PRINCESS
See, see, my beauty will be saved by merit!
O heresy in fair, fit for these days!
A giving hand, though foul, shall have fair praise.
But come, the bow! Now mercy goes to kill,
And shooting well is then accounted ill. [25]
Thus will I save my credit in the shoot:
Not wounding, pity would not let me do’t;
If wounding, then it was to show my skill,
That more for praise than purpose meant to kill.
And out of question so it is sometimes; [30]
Glory grows guilty of detested crimes,
When, for fame’s sake, for praise, an outward part,
We bend to that the working of the heart;
As I for praise alone now seek to spill
The poor deer’s blood, that my heart means no ill. [35]
BOY ET
Do not curst wives hold that self-sovereignty
Only for praise’ sake, when they strive to be
Lords o’er their lords?
PRINCESS
Only for praise, and praise we may afford
To any lady that subdues a lord. [40]
Enter Costard.
