the beggar: What saw he? the beggar. Who
overcame he? the beggar. The conclusion is
victory: on whose side? the king's; the captive 76
is enriched: on whose side? the beggar's. The
catastrophe is a nuptial: on whose side? the
king's, no, on both in one, or one in both. I am
the king, for so stands the comparison; thou 80
the beggar, for so witnesseth thy lowliness. Shall
I command thy love? I may: Shall I enforce
thy love? I could: Shall I entreat thy love? I
will. What shalt thou exchange for rags? robes; 84
for tittles? titles; for thyself? me. Thus, ex-
pecting thy reply, I profane my lips on thy foot,
my eyes on thy picture, and my heart on thy
every part. 88
Thine, in the dearest design of Industry,
Don Adriano de Armado.
Thus dost thou hear the Nemean lion roar
'Gainst thee, thou lamb, that standest as his prey: 92
Submissive fall his princely feet before,
And he from forage will incline to play.
But if thou strive, poor soul, what art thou then?
Food for his rage, repasture for his den.' 96
Prin. What plume of feathers is he that indited this letter?
What vane? what weathercock? did you ever hear better?
Boyet. I am much deceiv'd but I remember the style.
Prin. Else your memory is bad, going o'er it erewhile. 100
85 expecting: awaiting
89 Industry: gallantry
91 Nemean lion; cf. n.
94 from forage: abandoning rapacity
96 repasture: repast
97 plume of feathers: featherhead
99 but: unless
100 erewhile: just now
