A fellow of no mark nor likelihood.
By being seldom seen, I could not stir,
But like a comet I was wonder' d at;
That men would tell their children, 'This is he;'
Others would say, 'Where? which is Bolingbroke?' 49
And then I stole all courtesy from heaven,
And dress'd myself in such humility
That I did pluck allegiance from men's hearts,
Loud shouts and salutations from their mouths,
Even in the presence of the crowned king.
Thus did I keep my person fresh and new;
My presence, like a robe pontifical, 56
Ne'er seen but wonder'd at: and so my state,
Seldom but sumptuous, showed like a feast,
And won by rareness such solemnity.
The skipping king, he ambled up and down 60
With shallow jesters and rash bavin wits,
Soon kindled and soon burnt; carded his state,
Mingled his royalty with capering fools,
Had his great name profaned with their scorns,
And gave his countenance, against his name, 65
To laugh at gibing boys and stand the push
Of every beardless vain comparative;
Grew a companion to the common streets, 68
Enfeoff'd himself to popularity;
That, being daily swallow'd by men's eyes,
They surfeited with honey and began
To loathe the taste of sweetness, whereof a little
More than a little is by much too much. 73
So, when he had occasion to be seen,
50 stole, etc.; cf. n.
61 bavin: brushwood, which soon burns out
62 carded; cf. n.
65 against his name: contrary to his dignity
66 stand the push: withstand the attack
67 comparative: one who affects wit; cf. I. ii. 90
69 Enfeoff'd himself: gave himself up entirely
popularity: low company
