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And make a dark night too of half the day—

Which I hope well is not enrolled there.

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.

Ber.

Let me say no, my liege, and 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, Berowne, and to the rest.

Ber.

By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest.

What is the end of study, let me know.

King.

Why, that to know which else we should not know.

Ber.

Things hid and barr’d (you mean) from common sense.

King.

Ay, that is study’s godlike recompense.

Ber.

Com’ on then, I will swear to study so,

To know the thing I am forbid to know:

As thus—to study where I well may dine,

When I to [feast] expressly am forbid;

Or study where to meet some mistress fine,

When mistresses from common sense are hid;

Or having sworn too hard-a-keeping oath,

Study to break it and not break my troth.