Page 2471 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Construe my speeches better, if you may.

PRINCESS

Then wish me better; I will give you leave.

KING

We came to visit you, and purpose now
To lead you to our court. Vouchsafe it then.

PRINCESS

This field shall hold me, and so hold your vow. [345]
Nor God nor I delights in perjured men.

KING

Rebuke me not for that which you provoke.
The virtue of your eye must break my oath.

PRINCESS

You nickname virtue - ‘vice’ you should have spoke;
For virtue’s office never breaks men’s troth. [350]

Now, by my maiden honour, yet as pure
As the unsullied lily, I protest,

A world of torments though I should endure,
I would not yield to be your house’s guest,

So much I hate a breaking cause to be [355]
Of heavenly oaths, vowed with integrity.

KING

O, you have lived in desolation here,
Unseen, unvisited, much to our shame.

PRINCESS

Not so, my lord. It is not so, I swear.
We have had pastimes here and pleasant game: [360]

A mess of Russian left us but of late.

KING

How, madam? Russians?

PRINCESS