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Here comes Navarre.

[The ladies-in-waiting mask.]

King.

Fair Princess, welcome to the court of Navarre.

Prin. “Fair” I give you back again, and “welcome” I have not yet. The roof of this court is too high to be yours, and welcome to the wide fields too base to be mine.

King.

You shall be welcome, madam, to my court.

Prin.

I will be welcome then—conduct me thither.

King.

Hear me, dear lady: I have sworn an oath.

Prin.

Our Lady help my lord! he’ll be forsworn.

King.

Not for the world, fair madam, by my will.

Prin.

Why, will shall break it, will, and nothing else.

King.

Your ladyship is ignorant what it is.

Prin.

Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise,

Where now his knowledge must prove ignorance.

I hear your Grace hath sworn out house-keeping:

’Tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord,

And sin to break it.

But pardon me, I am too sudden bold;

To teach a teacher ill beseemeth me.

Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming,

And suddenly resolve me in my suit.

[Giving a paper.]