O heresy in fair, fit for these days!
A giving hand, though foul, shall have fair praise.
But come, the bow: now mercy goes to kill, 24
And shooting well is then accounted ill.
Thus will I save my credit in the shoot:
Not wounding, pity would not let me do 't;
If wounding, then it was to show my skill, 28
That more for praise than purpose meant to kill.
And out of question so it is sometimes,
Glory grows guilty of detested crimes,
When, for fame's sake, for praise, an outward part, 32
We bend to that the working of the heart;
As I for praise alone now seek to spill
The poor deer's blood, that my heart means no ill.
Boyet. Do not curst wives hold that self-sovereignty 36
Only for praise' sake, when they strive to be
Lords o'er their lords?
Prin. Only for praise; and praise we may afford
To any lady that subdues a lord. 40
Enter Clown [Costard].
Boyet. Here comes a member of the commonwealth.
Cost. God dig-you-den all! Pray you, which
is the head lady?
Prin. Thou shalt know her, fellow, by the 44
rest that have no heads.
Cost. Which is the greatest lady, the highest?
Prin. The thickest, and the tallest.
Cost. The thickest, and the tallest: it is so; truth is truth, 48
22 heresy; cf. n.
23 giving: generous
30 out of question: undoubtedly
32 outward part: extraneous quality
36 curst: shrewish
41 commonwealth: i.e. common people
42 dig-you-den: give you good evening
48 The thickest, etc.; cf. n.
