Drama  |  William Shakespeare  |  Love's Labours Lost  |  Scene 2.

Love's Labours Lost — Scene 2. (Part 5 of 34)

KATHARINE

But in this changing what is your intent?

PRINCESS

The effect of my intent is to cross theirs:
They do it but in mocking merriment;
And mock for mock is only my intent.
Their several counsels they unbosom shall
To loves mistook, and so be mock'd withal
Upon the next occasion that we meet,
With visages displayed, to talk and greet.

ROSALINE

But shall we dance, if they desire to't?

PRINCESS

No, to the death, we will not move a foot;
Nor to their penn'd speech render we no grace,
But while 'tis spoke each turn away her face.

BOYET

Why, that contempt will kill the speaker's heart,
And quite divorce his memory from his part.

PRINCESS

Therefore I do it; and I make no doubt
The rest will ne'er come in, if he be out
There's no such sport as sport by sport o'erthrown,
To make theirs ours and ours none but our own:
So shall we stay, mocking intended game,
And they, well mock'd, depart away with shame.

Trumpets sound within

BOYET

The trumpet sounds: be mask'd; the maskers come.
The Ladies mask
Enter Blackamoors with music; MOTH; FERDINAND, BIRON, LONGAVILLE, and DUMAIN, in Russian habits, and masked

MOTH

All hail, the richest beauties on the earth!–

BOYET

Beauties no richer than rich taffeta.

MOTH

A holy parcel of the fairest dames.
The Ladies turn their backs to him
That ever turn'd their–backs–to mortal views!