and how easy it is to put 'years' to the word 56
'three,' and study three years in two words, the
dancing horse will tell you.
Arm. A most fine figure!
Boy. To prove you a cipher. 60
Arm. I will hereupon confess I am in love;
and as it is base for a soldier to love, so am I in
love with a base wench. If drawing my sword
against the humour of affection would deliver 64
me from the reprobate thought of it, I would
take Desire prisoner, and ransom him to any
French courtier for a new devised curtsy. I
think scorn to sigh: methinks I should out- 68
swear Cupid. Comfort me, boy: what great men
have been in love?
Boy. Hercules, master.
Arm. Most sweet Hercules! More authority, 72
dear boy, name more; and, sweet my child, let
them be men of good repute and carriage.
Boy. Samson, master: he was a man of good
carriage, great carriage, for he carried the town- 76
gates on his back like a porter; and he was in love.
Arm. O well-knit Samson! strong-jointed
Samson! I do excel thee in my rapier as much as
thou didst me in carrying gates. I am in love 80
too. Who was Samson's love, my dear Moth?
Boy. A woman, master.
Arm. Of what complexion?
Boy. Of all the four, or the three, or the 84
two, or one of the four.
Arm. Tell me precisely of what complexion.
Boy. Of the sea-water green, sir.
58 dancing horse; cf. n.
59 figure: illustration
64 humour of affection: caprice of being in love
68 think: think it
83 complexion: disposition; cf. n.
