A platform before the castle. Francisco at his post. Enter to him Bernardo Bernardo Who’s there? Francisco Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself. Bernardo Long live the king! Francisco Bernardo? Bernardo He. Francisco You come most carefully upon your hour. Bernardo ’Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco. Francisco For this relief much thanks: ’tis bitter cold, And I am…

A room in the castle. Enter King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern King Claudius There’s matter in these sighs, these profound heaves: You must translate: ’tis fit we understand them. Where is your son? Queen Gertrude Bestow this place on us a little while. Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Ah, my good lord, what have I seen to-night! King Claudius What, Gertrude?… Read the rest of this passage →

Is she to be buried in Christian burial that wilfully seeks her own salvation? Second Clown I tell thee she is: and therefore make her grave straight: the crowner hath sat on her, and finds it Christian burial. First Clown How can that be, unless she drowned herself in her own defence? Second Clown Why, ’tis found so. First Clown It must be ‘se offendendo;’ it cannot be else. For here lies… Read the rest of this passage →

Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo. Reynaldo I will, my lord. Lord Polonius You shall do marvellous wisely, good Reynaldo, Before you visit him, to make inquire Of his behavior. Reynaldo My lord, I did intend it. Lord Polonius Marry, well said; very well said. Look you, sir, Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris; And how, and who, what means, and where they keep, What… Read the rest of this passage →

Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse; Since I am put to know that your own science Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice My strength can give you: then no more remains, But that to your sufficiency as your Worth is able, And let them work. The nature of our people, Our city’s institutions, and the terms For common justice, you’re as…

We must not make a scarecrow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Their perch and not their terror. Escalus Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Than fall, and bruise to death. Alas, this gentleman Whom I would save, had a most noble father! Let but your honour know, Whom I believe to be most strait in… Read the rest of this passage →

My very worthy cousin, fairly met! Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. Angelo Escalus Happy return be to your royal grace! Duke Vincentio Many and hearty thankings to you both. We have made inquiry of you; and we hear Such goodness of your justice, that our soul Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, Forerunning more requital. Angelo You make my bonds still… Read the rest of this passage →

O, take those lips away, That so sweetly were forsworn; And those eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mislead the morn: But my kisses bring again, bring again; Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain. Mariana Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often still’d my brawling discontent. Exit Boy Enter Duke Vincentio… Read the rest of this passage →

Hast thou, according to thy oath and band, Brought hither Henry Hereford thy bold son, Here to make good the boisterous late appeal, Which then our leisure would not let us hear, Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray? John Of Gaunt I have, my liege. King Richard II Tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded him, If he appeal the duke on ancient malice; Or worthily, as a good subject… Read the rest of this passage →

Bagot, freely speak thy mind; What thou dost know of noble Gloucester’s death, Who wrought it with the king, and who perform’d The bloody office of his timeless end. Bagot Then set before my face the Lord Aumerle. Henry Bolingbroke Cousin, stand forth, and look upon that man. Bagot My Lord Aumerle, I know your daring tongue Scorns to unsay what once it hath deliver’d. In that dead time… Read the rest of this passage →

II and Guard But soft, but see, or rather do not see, My fair rose wither: yet look up, behold, That you in pity may dissolve to dew, And wash him fresh again with true-love tears. Ah, thou, the model where old Troy did stand, Thou map of honour, thou King Richard’s tomb, And not King Richard; thou most beauteous inn, Why should hard-favour’d grief be lodged in thee, When triumph is… Read the rest of this passage →

Theseus, that these lovers speak of. Theseus More strange than true: I never may believe These antique fables, nor these fairy toys. Lovers and madmen have such seething brains, Such shaping fantasies, that apprehend More than cool reason ever comprehends. The lunatic, the lover and the poet Are of imagination all compact: One sees more devils than vast hell can hold, That is, the… Read the rest of this passage →

Draws on apace; four happy days bring in Another moon: but, O, methinks, how slow This old moon wanes! she lingers my desires, Like to a step-dame or a dowager Long withering out a young man’s revenue. Hippolyta Four days will quickly steep themselves in night; Four nights will quickly dream away the time; And then the moon, like to a silver bow New-bent in heaven, shall behold the… Read the rest of this passage →

We shall find a time, Audrey; patience, gentle Audrey. Audrey Faith, the priest was good enough, for all the old gentleman’s saying. Touchstone A most wicked Sir Oliver, Audrey, a most vile Martext. But, Audrey, there is a youth here in the forest lays claim to you. Audrey Ay, I know who ’tis; he hath no interest in me in the world: here comes the man you mean. Touchstone It is meat and drink… Read the rest of this passage →

Adam, it was upon this fashion bequeathed me by will but poor a thousand crowns, and, as thou sayest, charged my brother, on his blessing, to breed me well: and there begins my sadness. My brother Jaques he keeps at school, and report speaks goldenly of his profit: for my part, he keeps me rustically at home, or, to speak more properly, stays me here at home unkept; for call you that keeping for…

I have too austerely punish’d you, Your compensation makes amends, for I Have given you here a third of mine own life, Or that for which I live; who once again I tender to thy hand: all thy vexations Were but my trials of thy love and thou Hast strangely stood the test here, afore Heaven, I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand, Do not smile at me that I boast her off, For thou shalt… Read the rest of this passage →

Another part of the island. Enter Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian, Francisco, and others Gonzalo Beseech you, sir, be merry; you have cause, So have we all, of joy; for our escape Is much beyond our loss. Our hint of woe Is common; every day some sailor’s wife, The masters of some merchant and the merchant Have just our theme of woe; but for the miracle, I mean our… Read the rest of this passage →

On a ship at sea: a tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning heard. Enter a Master and a Boatswain Master Boatswain! Boatswain Here, master: what cheer? Master Good, speak to the mariners: fall to’t, yarely, or we run ourselves aground: bestir, bestir. Exit Enter Mariners Boatswain Heigh, my hearts! cheerly, cheerly, my hearts! yare, yare! Take in the topsail. Tend to the master’s…

If there be ten, shrink not, but down with ’em. Enter Valentine and Speed Third Outlaw Stand, sir, and throw us that you have about ye: If not: we’ll make you sit and rifle you. Speed Sir, we are undone; these are the villains That all the travellers do fear so much. Valentine My friends — First Outlaw That’s not so, sir: we are your enemies. Second Outlaw Peace! we’ll hear him. Third… Read the rest of this passage →

Not mine; my gloves are on. Speed Why, then, this may be yours, for this is but one. Valentine Ha! let me see: ay, give it me, it’s mine: Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine! Ah, Silvia, Silvia! Speed Madam Silvia! Madam Silvia! Valentine How now, sirrah? Speed She is not within hearing, sir. Valentine Why, sir, who bade you call her? Speed Your worship, sir; or else I… Read the rest of this passage →

Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus: Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits. Were’t not affection chains thy tender days To the sweet glances of thy honour’d love, I rather would entreat thy company To see the wonders of the world abroad, Than, living dully sluggardized at home, Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness. But since thou lovest, love still and thrive therein, Even as I…

Let me look back upon thee. O thou wall, That girdlest in those wolves, dive in the earth, And fence not Athens! Matrons, turn incontinent! Obedience fail in children! slaves and fools, Pluck the grave wrinkled senate from the bench, And minister in their steads! to general filths Convert o’ the instant, green virginity, Do ’t in your parents’ eyes! bankrupts, hold fast; Rather than… Read the rest of this passage →

Merchant, and others, at several doors Poet Good day, sir. Painter I am glad you’re well. Poet I have not seen you long: how goes the world? Painter It wears, sir, as it grows. Poet Ay, that’s well known: But what particular rarity? what strange, Which manifold record not matches? See, Magic of bounty! all these spirits thy power Hath conjured to attend. I know the merchant. Painter I… Read the rest of this passage →

Timon watching them from his cave Painter As I took note of the place, it cannot be far where he abides. Poet What’s to be thought of him? does the rumour hold for true, that he’s so full of gold? Painter Certain: Alcibiades reports it; Phrynia and Timandra had gold of him: he likewise enriched poor straggling soldiers with great quantity: ’tis said he gave unto his steward a mighty sum. Poet… Read the rest of this passage →

Yet better thus, and known to be contemn’d, Than still contemn’d and flatter’d. To be worst, The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear: The lamentable change is from the best; The worst returns to laughter. Welcome, then, Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace! The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst Owes nothing to thy blasts. But… Read the rest of this passage →

I thought the king had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall. Gloucester It did always seem so to us: but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes he values most; for equalities are so weighed, that curiosity in neither can make choice of either’s moiety. Kent Is not this your son, my lord? Gloucester His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I have so… Read the rest of this passage →

Muse of fire, that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention, A kingdom for a stage, princes to act And monarchs to behold the swelling scene! Then should the warlike Harry, like himself, Assume the port of Mars; and at his heels, Leash’d in like hounds, should famine, sword and fire Crouch for employment. But pardon, and gentles all, The flat unraised spirits that have dared On… Read the rest of this passage →

Vouchsafe to those that have not read the story, That I may prompt them: and of such as have, I humbly pray them to admit the excuse Of time, of numbers and due course of things, Which cannot in their huge and proper life Be here presented. Now we bear the king Toward Calais: grant him there; there seen, Heave him away upon your winged thoughts Athwart the sea. Behold, the English… Read the rest of this passage →

Now entertain conjecture of a time When creeping murmur and the poring dark Fills the wide vessel of the universe. From camp to camp through the foul womb of night The hum of either army stilly sounds, That the fixed sentinels almost receive The secret whispers of each other’s watch: Fire answers fire, and through their paly flames Each battle sees the other’s umber’d face; Steed… Read the rest of this passage →

Enter a company of mutinous Citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons First Citizen Before we proceed any further, hear me speak. All Speak, speak. First Citizen You are all resolved rather to die than to famish? All Resolved. resolved. First Citizen First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people. All We know’t, we know’t. First Citizen Let us kill him, and we’ll have…

Which was sometime his general; who loved him In a most dear particular. He call’d me father: But what o’ that? Go, you that banish’d him; A mile before his tent fall down, and knee The way into his mercy: nay, if he coy’d To hear Cominius speak, I’ll keep at home. Cominius He would not seem to know me. Menenius Do you hear? Cominius Yet one time he did call me by my name: I urged our… Read the rest of this passage →

Before a gate of the city. Enter Coriolanus, Volumnia, Virgilia, Menenius, Cominius, with the young Nobility of Rome Coriolanus Come, leave your tears: a brief farewell: the beast With many heads butts me away. Nay, mother, Where is your ancient courage? you were used To say extremity was the trier of spirits; That common chances common men could bear; That when the sea was calm all boats… Read the rest of this passage →

When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees And they did make no noise, in such a night Troilus methinks mounted the Troyan walls And sigh’d his soul toward the Grecian tents, Where Cressid lay that night. Jessica In such a night Did Thisbe fearfully o’ertrip the dew And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself And ran dismay’d away. Lorenzo In such a night Stood Dido with a willow in her… Read the rest of this passage →

It wearies me; you say it wearies you; But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn; And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, That I have much ado to know myself. Salarino Your mind is tossing on the ocean; There, where your argosies with portly sail, Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood, Or, as it were, the pageants of… Read the rest of this passage →

Ready, so please your grace. Duke I am sorry for thee: thou art come to answer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch Uncapable of pity, void and empty From any dram of mercy. Antonio I have heard Your grace hath ta’en great pains to qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate And that no lawful means can carry me Out of his envy’s reach, I do oppose My patience to his fury,… Read the rest of this passage →

I war without the walls of Troy, That find such cruel battle here within? Each Trojan that is master of his heart, Let him to field; Troilus, alas! hath none. Pandarus Will this gear ne’er be mended? Troilus The Greeks are strong and skilful to their strength, Fierce to their skill and to their fierceness valiant; But I am weaker than a woman’s tear, Tamer than sleep, fonder than… Read the rest of this passage →

Patroclus, let us feast him to the height. Patroclus Here comes Thersites. Enter Thersites Achilles How now, thou core of envy! Thou crusty batch of nature, what’s the news? Thersites Why, thou picture of what thou seemest, and idol of idiot worshippers, here’s a letter for thee. Achilles From whence, fragment? Thersites Why, thou full dish of fool, from Troy. Patroclus Who keeps the tent… Read the rest of this passage →

Agamemnon, how if he had boils? full, all over, generally? Ajax Thersites! Thersites And those boils did run? say so: did not the general run then? were not that a botchy core? Ajax Dog! Thersites Then would come some matter from him; I see none now. Ajax Thou bitch-wolf’s son, canst thou not hear? Beating him Feel, then. Thersites The plague of Greece upon thee, thou mongrel beef-witted… Read the rest of this passage →

Being mechanical, you ought not walk Upon a labouring day without the sign Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou? First Commoner Why, sir, a carpenter. Marullus Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? What dost thou with thy best apparel on? You, sir, what trade are you? Second Commoner Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am but, as you would say, a cobbler. Marullus But… Read the rest of this passage →

Antony, our hopes are answered: You said the enemy would not come down, But keep the hills and upper regions; It proves not so: their battles are at hand; They mean to warn us at Philippi here, Answering before we do demand of them. Antony Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know Wherefore they do it: they could be content To visit other places; and come down With fearful bravery, thinking… Read the rest of this passage →

Lepidus, seated at a table Antony These many, then, shall die; their names are prick’d. Octavius Your brother too must die; consent you, Lepidus? Lepidus I do consent — Octavius Prick him down, Antony. Lepidus Upon condition Publius shall not live, Who is your sister’s son, Mark Antony. Antony He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him. But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar’s house; Fetch… Read the rest of this passage →

Here, stand behind this bulk; straight will he come: Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home: Quick, quick; fear nothing; I’ll be at thy elbow: It makes us, or it mars us; think on that, And fix most firm thy resolution. Roderigo Be near at hand; I may miscarry in’t. Iago Here, at thy hand: be bold, and take thy stand. Retires Roderigo I have no great devotion to the deed; And yet he… Read the rest of this passage →

I take it much unkindly That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. Iago ’Sblood, but you will not hear me: If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me. Roderigo Thou told’st me thou didst hold him in thy hate. Iago Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city, In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Off-capp’d to him: and,…

Solinus, to procure my fall And by the doom of death end woes and all. Duke Solinus Merchant of Syracuse, plead no more; I am not partial to infringe our laws: The enmity and discord which of late Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke To merchants, our well-dealing countrymen, Who wanting guilders to redeem their lives Have seal’d his rigorous statutes with their…

Neither my husband nor the slave return’d, That in such haste I sent to seek his master! Sure, Luciana, it is two o’clock. Luciana Perhaps some merchant hath invited him, And from the mart he’s somewhere gone to dinner. Good sister, let us dine and never fret: A man is master of his liberty: Time is their master, and, when they see time, They’ll go or come: if so, be patient,… Read the rest of this passage →

I am sorry, sir, that I have hinder’d you; But, I protest, he had the chain of me, Though most dishonestly he doth deny it. Second Merchant How is the man esteemed here in the city? Angelo Of very reverend reputation, sir, Of credit infinite, highly beloved, Second to none that lives here in the city: His word might bear my wealth at any time. Second Merchant Speak softly; yonder, as I… Read the rest of this passage →

Nay, but this dotage of our general’s O’erflows the measure: those his goodly eyes, That o’er the files and musters of the war Have glow’d like plated Mars, now bend, now turn, The office and devotion of their view Upon a tawny front: his captain’s heart, Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper, And is become the bellows and the… Read the rest of this passage →

Proculeius, and others, his council of war Octavius Caesar Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield; Being so frustrate, tell him he mocks The pauses that he makes. Dolabella Caesar, I shall. Exit Enter Dercetas, with the sword of Mark Antony Octavius Caesar Wherefore is that? and what art thou that darest Appear thus to us? Dercetas I am call’d Dercetas; Mark Antony I served, who best was… Read the rest of this passage →

When shall we three meet again In thunder, lightning, or in rain? Second Witch When the hurlyburly’s done, When the battle’s lost and won. Third Witch That will be ere the set of sun. First Witch Where the place? Second Witch Upon the heath. Third Witch There to meet with Macbeth. First Witch I come, Graymalkin! Second Witch Paddock calls. Third Witch Anon. All Fair is foul, and foul… Read the rest of this passage →

I have two nights watched with you, but can perceive no truth in your report. When was it she last walked? Gentlewoman Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write upon’t, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep. Doctor A great… Read the rest of this passage →

In the middle, a boiling cauldron. Thunder. Enter the three Witches First Witch Thrice the brinded cat hath mew’d. Second Witch Thrice and once the hedge-pig whined. Third Witch Harpier cries ’Tis time, ’tis time. First Witch Round about the cauldron go; In the poison’d entrails throw. Toad, that under cold stone Days and nights has thirty-one Swelter’d venom sleeping got, Boil thou… Read the rest of this passage →

You do not meet a man but frowns: our bloods No more obey the heavens than our courtiers Still seem as does the king. Second Gentleman But what’s the matter? First Gentleman His daughter, and the heir of’s kingdom, whom He purposed to his wife’s sole son — a widow That late he married — hath referr’d herself Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: she’s wedded; Her husband banish’d; she… Read the rest of this passage →

Posthumus, with a bloody handkerchief Posthumus Leonatus Yea, bloody cloth, I’ll keep thee, for I wish’d Thou shouldst be colour’d thus. You married ones, If each of you should take this course, how many Must murder wives much better than themselves For wrying but a little! O Pisanio! Every good servant does not all commands: No bond but to do just ones. Gods! if you Should have ta’en… Read the rest of this passage →

In delivering my son from me, I bury a second husband. Bertram And I in going, madam, weep o’er my father’s death anew: but I must attend his majesty’s command, to whom I am now in ward, evermore in subjection. Lafeu You shall find of the king a husband, madam; you, sir, a father: he that so generally is at all times good must of necessity hold his virtue to you; whose worthiness would stir it…

King, attended with divers young Lords taking leave for the Florentine war; Bertram, and Parolles King Farewell, young lords; these warlike principles Do not throw from you: and you, my lords, farewell: Share the advice betwixt you; if both gain, all The gift doth stretch itself as ’tis received, And is enough for both. First Lord ’Tis our hope, sir, After well enter’d soldiers, to… Read the rest of this passage →

Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night! Comets, importing change of times and states, Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky, And with them scourge the bad revolting stars That have consented unto Henry’s death! King Henry the Fifth, too famous to live long! England ne’er lost a king of so much worth. Gloucester England ne’er had a king until his time. Virtue he had,… Read the rest of this passage →

Have you perused the letters from the pope, The emperor and the Earl of Armagnac? Gloucester I have, my lord: and their intent is this: They humbly sue unto your excellence To have a godly peace concluded of Between the realms of England and of France. King Henry VI How doth your grace affect their motion? Gloucester Well, my good lord; and as the only means To stop effusion of our… Read the rest of this passage →

Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York; And all the clouds that lour’d upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; Our bruised arms hung up for monuments; Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, Our dreadful marches to delightful measures. Grim-visaged war hath smooth’d his wrinkled… Read the rest of this passage →

Buckingham, with halberds, led to execution Buckingham Will not King Richard let me speak with him? Sheriff No, my good lord; therefore be patient. Buckingham Hastings, and Edward’s children, Rivers, Grey, Holy King Henry, and thy fair son Edward, Vaughan, and all that have miscarried By underhand corrupted foul injustice, If that your moody discontented souls Do through the clouds behold… Read the rest of this passage →

Tranio, since for the great desire I had To see fair Padua, nursery of arts, I am arrived for fruitful Lombardy, The pleasant garden of great Italy; And by my father’s love and leave am arm’d With his good will and thy good company, My trusty servant, well approved in all, Here let us breathe and haply institute A course of learning and ingenious studies. Pisa renown’d for grave… Read the rest of this passage →

Softly and swiftly, sir; for the priest is ready. Lucentio I fly, Biondello: but they may chance to need thee at home; therefore leave us. Biondello Nay, faith, I’ll see the church o’ your back; and then come back to my master’s as soon as I can. Exeunt Lucentio, Bianca, and Biondello Gremio I marvel Cambio comes not all this while. Enter Petruchio, Katharina, Vincentio, Grumio, with… Read the rest of this passage →

Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life; Whole misadventured piteous overthrows Do with their death bury their parents’ strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark’d… Read the rest of this passage →

I may trust the flattering truth of sleep, My dreams presage some joyful news at hand: My bosom’s lord sits lightly in his throne; And all this day an unaccustom’d spirit Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts. I dreamt my lady came and found me dead — Strange dream, that gives a dead man leave to think! — And breathed such life with kisses in my lips, That I revived, and was an… Read the rest of this passage →

Princess, and her train, a Forester, Boyet, Rosaline, Maria, and Katharine Princess Was that the king, that spurred his horse so hard Against the steep uprising of the hill? Boyet I know not; but I think it was not he. Princess Whoe’er a’ was, a’ show’d a mounting mind. Well, lords, to-day we shall have our dispatch: On Saturday we will return to France. Then, forester, my friend, where is… Read the rest of this passage →

Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives, Live register’d upon our brazen tombs And then grace us in the disgrace of death; When, spite of cormorant devouring Time, The endeavor of this present breath may buy That honour which shall bate his scythe’s keen edge And make us heirs of all eternity. Therefore, brave conquerors — for so you are, That war against your own affections And the… Read the rest of this passage →

I, that please some, try all, both joy and terror Of good and bad, that makes and unfolds error, Now take upon me, in the name of Time, To use my wings. Impute it not a crime To me or my swift passage, that I slide O’er sixteen years and leave the growth untried Of that wide gap, since it is in my power To o’erthrow law and in one self-born hour To plant and o’erwhelm custom. Let me… Read the rest of this passage →

Lavinia running after him, and the boy flies from her, with books under his arm. Then enter Titus and Marcus Young Lucius Help, grandsire, help! my aunt Lavinia Follows me every where, I know not why: Good uncle Marcus, see how swift she comes. Alas, sweet aunt, I know not what you mean. Marcus Andronicus Stand by me, Lucius; do not fear thine aunt. Titus Andronicus She loves thee, boy, too… Read the rest of this passage →

Enter, below, from one side, Saturninus and his Followers; and, from the other side, Bassianus and his Followers; with drum and colours Saturninus Noble patricians, patrons of my right, Defend the justice of my cause with arms, And, countrymen, my loving followers, Plead my successive title with your swords: I am his first-born son, that was the last That wore the imperial diadem of… Read the rest of this passage →

Thus, after greeting, speaks the King of France In my behavior to the majesty, The borrow’d majesty, of England here. Queen Elinor A strange beginning: ‘borrow’d majesty!’ King John Silence, good mother; hear the embassy. Chatillon Philip of France, in right and true behalf Of thy deceased brother Geffrey’s son, Arthur Plantagenet, lays most lawful claim To this fair island and the…

Scene III. Warkworth Castle. Enter Hotspur solus, reading a letter. Hot. 'But, for mine own part, my lord, I could be well contented to be there, in respect of the love I bear your house.' He could be contented- why is he not then? In respect of the love he bears our house! He shows in this he loves his own barn better than he loves our house. Let me see some more. 'The purpose… Read the rest of this passage →

To sing a song that old was sung, From ashes ancient Gower is come; Assuming man’s infirmities, To glad your ear, and please your eyes. It hath been sung at festivals, On ember-eves and holy-ales; And lords and ladies in their lives Have read it for restoratives: The purchase is to make men glorious; Et bonum quo antiquius, eo melius. If you, born in these latter times, When wit’s more…

If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die. That strain again! it had a dying fall: O, it came o’er my ear like the sweet sound, That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour! Enough; no more: ’Tis not so sweet now as it was before. O spirit of love! how quick and fresh art thou, That,…

From fairest creatures we desire increase, That thereby beauty’s rose might never die, But as the riper should by time decease, His tender heir might bear his memory: But thou contracted to thine own bright eyes, Feed’st thy light’s flame with self-substantial fuel, Making a famine where abundance lies, Thy self thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel: Thou that art now the world’s fresh…