Page 2457 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

O, I am stabbed with laughter! Where’s her grace? [80]

PRINCESS

Thy news, Boyet?

BOY ET

Prepare, madam, prepare!
Arm, wenches, arm! Encounters mounted are
Against your peace. Love doth approach disguised,
Armèd in arguments. You’ll be surprised.
Muster your wits, stand in your own defence, [85]
Or hide your heads like cowards and fly hence.

PRINCESS

Saint Denis to Saint Cupid! What are they
That charge their breath against us? Say, scout, say.

BOY ET

Under the cool shade of a sycamore
I thought to close mine eyes some half an hour, [90]
When, lo, to interrupt my purposed rest,
Toward that shade I might behold addressed
The King and his companions! Warily
I stole into a neighbour thicket by,
And overheard what you shall overhear - [95]
That, by and by, disguised they will be here.
Their herald is a pretty knavish page
That well by heart hath conned his embassage.
Action and accent did they teach him there:
‘Thus must thou speak’ and ‘thus thy body bear’. [100]
And ever and anon they made a doubt
Presence majestical would put him out;
‘For’, quoth the King, ‘an angel shalt thou see;
Yet fear not thou, but speak audaciously.’
The boy replied ‘An angel is not evil; [105]
I should have feared her had she been a devil.’
With that all laughed and clapped him on the shoulder,
Making the bold wag by their praises bolder.
One rubbed his elbow thus, and fleered, and swore
A better speech was never spoke before. [110]