This article, my liege, yourself must break; 132
For well you know here comes in embassy
The French king's daughter with yourself to speak—
A maid of grace and complete majesty—
About surrender up of Aquitaine 136
To her decrepit, sick, and bed-rid father.
Therefore this article is made in vain,
Or vainly comes th' admired princess hither.
King. What say you, lords? why, this was quite forgot. 140
Ber. So study evermore is overshot:
While it doth study to have what it would,
It doth forget to do the thing it should;
And when it hath the thing it hunteth most, 144
'Tis won as towns with fire; so won, so lost.
King. We must of force dispense with this decree;
She must lie here on mere necessity.
Ber. Necessity will make us all forsworn 148
Three thousand times within this three years' space:
For every man with his affects is born,
Not by might master'd, but by special grace.
If I break faith, this word shall speak for me: 152
I am forsworn 'on mere necessity.'
So to the laws at large I write my name: [Signs.]
And he that breaks them in the least degree
Stands in attainder of eternal shame. 156
Suggestions are to others as to me;
But I believe, although I seem so loath,
I am the last that will last keep his oath.
But is there no quick recreation granted? 160
King. Ay, that there is. Our court, you know, is haunted
147 lie: lodge
mere: absolute
150 affects: affections, passions
151 special grace: divine help
156 in attainder: convicted
157 Suggestions: temptations
160 quick: lively
