Archidamus.
Arch.
If you shall chance, Camillo, to visit Bohemia,
on the like occasion whereon my services are
now on foot, you shall see, as I have said, great difference
betwixt our Bohemia, and your Sicilia.
Cam.
I think, this coming summer, the king of
Sicilia means to pay Bohemia the visitation which
he justly owes him.
Arch.
Wherein our entertainment shall shame
us1 note, we will be justified in our loves: for, indeed,—
Cam.
'Beseech you,—
Arch.
Verily, I speak it in the freedom of my
knowledge: we cannot with such magnificence—
in so rare—I know not what to say.—We will
give you sleepy drinks; that your senses, unintelligent
of our insufficience, may, though they cannot
praise us, as little accuse us.
Cam.
You pay a great deal too dear, for what's
given freely.
Arch.
Believe me, I speak as my understanding
instructs me, and as mine honesty puts it to utterance.
Cam.
Sicilia cannot show himself over-kind to
Bohemia. They were trained together in their
-- 238 --
childhoods; and there rooted betwixt them then
such an affection, which cannot choose but branch
now. Since their more mature dignities, and royal
necessities, made separation o' their society, their
encounters, though not personal, have been royally
attornied2 note, with interchange of gifts, letters, loving
embassies; that they have seemed to be together,
though absent; shook hands, as over a vast; and
embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed
winds3 note
. The heavens continue their loves!
Arch.
I think, there is not in the world either
malice, or matter, to alter it. You have an unspeakable
comfort of your young prince Mamillius;
it is a gentleman of the greatest promise, that ever
came into my note.
Cam.
I very well agree with you in the hopes of
him: It is a gallant child; one that, indeed, physicks
the subject4 note
, makes old hearts fresh: they,
-- 239 --
that went on crutches ere he was born, desire yet
their life, to see him a man.
Arch.
Would they else be content to die?
Cam.
Yes; if there were no other excuse why
they should desire to live.
Arch.
If the king had no son, they would desire
to live on crutches till he had one.
[Exeunt.
James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].
