And stay here in your court for three years' space. 52
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. 56
Ber. Things hid and barr'd, you mean, from common sense?
King. Ay, that is study's godlike recompense.
Ber. Come on then; I will swear to study so,
To know the thing I am forbid to know; 60
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; 64
Or, having sworn too hard-a-keeping oath,
Study to break it, and not break my troth.
If study's gain be thus, and this be so,
Study knows that which yet it doth not know. 68
Swear me to this, and I will ne'er say no.
King. These be the stops that hinder study quite,
And train our intellects to vain delight.
Ber. Why, all delights are vain; but that most vain 72
Which, with pain purchas'd, doth inherit pain:
As, painfully to pore upon a book,
To seek the light of truth; while truth the while
Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look: 76
Light seeking light doth light of light beguile:
So, ere you find where light in darkness lies,
Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes.
54 By yea and nay: i.e. by the most positive oath of affirmation and denial
57 common sense: ordinary sight or perception
62 feast; cf. n.
67, 68 Cf. n.
73 Cf. n.
76 his: its
77 beguile: deprive
79 light: i.e. sight
