REFERENCES DESCRIPTIVE OF THE

PLATES.

LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST.

THE masque of the Muscovites, and the pageant of the nine worthies, have been made as authentic an antiquarian document as is possible. No pains have been spared in consulting authorities, that the pledge of correct costume may be fairly redeemed. Pompey not being one of the genuine worthies, his "cote armure" is not to be found in the archives of heraldry, but two eagles combatant have been thought a bearing as appropriate as could be devised in these degenerate days of the "noble science."

COSTARD has been represented as a wearer of the motley, in opposition to Mr. Douce's opinion, but it is supposed on sufficient authority.

He is called the swain, clown, and fool, synonymously, and applies the two former appellations to BOYET.

"By my soul! a swain, a simple clown."

In no one instance are his rustic pursuits alluded

to; but he is catechised as fools commonly were,

and rustics never.

Biron addresses him,

"Welcome, pure wit! thou partest a fair fray." All his blunders are evidently wilful, and he displays more knowledge than a rustic could possess.

"Welcome the sour cup of prosperity! affliction may one day smile again, and, till then, sit thee down, sorrow.

"Well, if ever I do see the merry days of desolation that I have seen, some shall see.

"MOTH. What shall some see?

"COST. Nay nothing, master Moth, but what they look upon. It is not for prisoners to be too silent in their words; and therefore I will say nothing: I thank God, I have as little patience as another man; and, therefore, I can be quiet.

"Thou art not so long by the head as honorificabilitudinitatibus.

"Go to, thou hast it, ad dunghill, at thy finger's ends, as they say."

Dun Adramadio and Armatho for Armado, Pompion for Pompey, &c. &c.

LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST.

5

I.

The KING, BIRON, LONGAVILLE, and DUMAIN, signing an agreement to study, &c.

"BIRON. O these are barren tasks, too hard to keep; Not to see ladies, study, fast, not sleep.

KING. Your oath is pass'd to pass away from these. BIRON. Let me say no, my liege, an if you please: I only swore, to study with your grace,

And stay here in your court for three years' space.

LONG. You swore to that, Biron, and to the rest. BIRON. By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest. What is the end of study let me know."

ACT I. S. 1.

II.

COSTARD discovered talking to JAQUENETTA by DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO and MOTH.

"ARM. Then did I see that obscene and most preposterous event that draweth from my snow-white pen the ebon-coloured ink.

There did I see that low-spirited swain, that base minnow of thy mirth, that unletter'd small-knowing soul, that shallow vassal, which, as I remember, hight Costard, sorted and consorted, contrary to thy established, proclaimed edict and continent canon, with-with-O with-but with this I passion to say wherewith, with a child of our grandmother Eve, a female; or for thy more sweet understanding, a woman."

ACT I. S. 1.

III.

The KING receiving the PRINCESS OF FRANCE.

"PRINC. Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming, And suddenly resolve me in my suit. (Gives a paper.) BIRON to ROSALINE. Did I not dance with you in Brabant once?

Ros. Did I not dance with you in Brabant once?
BIRON. I know you did.

Ros.

To ask the question!"

How needless was it then

ACT II. S. 1.

IV.

BIRON sending COSTARD with a letter for ROSALINE. COSTARD having also just received one to deliver to JAQUENETTA from DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO.

"BIRON. The Princess comes to hunt here in the park, And in her train there comes a gentle lady;

When tongues speak sweetly, then they name her name, And Rosaline they call her: ask for her:

And to her white hand see thou do commend

This seal'd up counsel. There's thy guerdon; go.

(Gives him money.)

COST. Guerdon,-O sweet guerdon! better than remuneration; eleven pence farthing better: most sweet guerdon! I will do it, sir, in print."

ACT III. S. 1.

LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST.

7

V.

The detection of the KING and Lords.

"DUM. This will I send; and something else more plain,

That shall express my true love's fasting pain.

O, would the King, Biron, and Longaville

Were lovers too!

LONG. (advancing.) Dumain, your love is far from

charity,

That in love's grief desir'st society:

You may look pale, but I should blush, I know,

To be o'erheard, and taken napping so.

KING (advancing). Come, sir, you blush; as his your case is such;

You chide at him, offending twice as much.

What will Biron say, when that he shall hear
A faith infring'd, which such a zeal did swear?
How will he scorn? how will he spend his wit?
How will he triumph, leap, and laugh at it?
For all the wealth that ever I did see,

I would not have him know so much of me.
BIRON. Now step I forth to whip hypocrisy."

(Descends from the tree.)

ACT IV. S. 3.

(COSTARD and JAQUENETTA are seen bringing the letter to expose BIRON, which was intended for ROSALINE, but by COSTARD's mistake, fell into the hands of JAQUENETTA.)