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SUMMARY
A soliloquy on the folly of loving women.
I do much wonder that one man, seeing how much another
man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviours
to love, will, after he hath laughed at such shal-
low follies in others, become the argument of his
own scorn by falling in love: and such a man is
Claudio. I have known, when there was no music
with Him but the drum and the fife; and now
had he rather hear the tabor and the pipe: I
have known, when he would have walked ten
mile afoot to see a good armour; and now will
he lie ten nights awake, carving the fashion of a
new doublet. He was wont to speak plain and
to the purpose, like an honest man and a soldier;
and now is he turned orthographer; his words
are a very fantastical banquet, just so many
strange dishes. May I be so converted, and see
with these eyes? I cannot tell; I think not: I
will not be sworn but love may transform me to
an oyster; but I'll take my oath on it, till he
have made an oyster of me, he shall never make
me such a fool. One woman is fair, yet I am
well; another is wise, yet I am well; another
virtuous, yet I am well; but till all graces be in
one woman, one woman shall not come in my
grace. Rich she shall be, that's certain; wise, or
I'll none; virtuous, or I'll never cheapen her;
fair, or I'll never look on her; mild, or come not
near me; noble, or not I for an angel; of good
discourse, an excellent musician, and her hair
shall be of what colour it please God. Ha! the
prince and Monsieur Love! I will hide me in the
arbour.
Withdraws