Page 2445 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Or for men’s sake, the authors of these women, [335]
Or women’s sake, by whom we men are men -
Let us once lose our oaths to find ourselves,
Or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths.
It is religion to be thus forsworn,
For charity itself fulfils the law, [340]
And who can sever love from charity?

KING

Saint Cupid, then! And, soldiers, to the field!

BEROWNE

Advance your standards, and upon them, lords!
Pell-mell, down with them! But be first advised
In conflict that you get the sun of them. [345]

LONGAVILLE

Now to plain-dealing. Lay these glosses by.
Shall we resolve to woo these girls of France?

KING

And win them too! Therefore let us devise
Some entertainment for them in their tents.

BEROWNE

First from the park let us conduct them thither; [350]
Then homeward every man attach the hand
Of his fair mistress. In the afternoon
We will with some strange pastime solace them,
Such as the shortness of the time can shape;
For revels, dances, masques, and merry hours [355]
Forerun fair Love, strewing her way with flowers.

KING

Away, away! No time shall be omitted
That will betime and may by us be fitted.

BEROWNE

Allons! Allons!

Exeunt King, Longaville, and Dumaine.