Whose edge hath power to cut, whose will still wills
It should none spare that come within his power.
Prin. Some merry mocking lord, belike; is 't so? 52
1. Lad. They say so most that most his humours know.
Prin. Such short-liv'd wits do wither as they grow.
Who are the rest?
2. Lad. [Kath.] The young Dumaine, a well-accomplish'd youth, 56
Of all that virtue love for virtue lov'd:
Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill,
For he hath wit to make an ill shape good,
And shape to win grace though he had no wit. 60
I saw him at the Duke Alençon's once;
And much too little of that good I saw
Is my report to his great worthiness.
3. Lad. [Ros.] Another of these students at that time 64
Was there with him, if I have heard a truth.
Berowne they call him; but a merrier man,
Within the limit of becoming mirth,
I never spent an hour's talk withal. 68
His eye begets occasion for his wit;
For every object that the one doth catch
The other turns to a mirth-moving jest,
Which his fair tongue, conceit's expositor, 72
Delivers in such apt and gracious words,
That aged ears play truant at his tales,
And younger hearings are quite ravished;
So sweet and voluble is his discourse. 76
Prin. God bless my ladies! are they all in love,
50 still: ever
57 Of: by
59 shape: form, or figure
63 report: testimony; cf. n.
68 withal: with
72 conceit's expositor: expounder of fancy
74 Cf. n.
