Or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths.
It is religion to be thus forsworn;
For charity itself fulfils the law; 364
And who can sever love from charity?
King. Saint Cupid, then! and, soldiers, to the field!
Ber. Advance your standards, and upon them, lords!
Pell-mell, down with them! but be first advis'd, 368
In conflict that you get the sun of them.
Long. Now to plain-dealing; lay these glozes by:
Shall we resolve to woo these girls of France?
King. And win them too: therefore let us devise 372
Some entertainment for them in their tents.
Ber. First, from the park let us conduct them thither;
Then homeward every man attach the hand
Of his fair mistress: in the afternoon 376
We will with some strange pastime solace them,
Such as the shortness of the time can shape;
For revels, dances, masks, and merry hours
Forerun fair Love, strewing her way with flowers. 380
King. Away, away! no time shall be omitted,
That will betime, and may by us be fitted.
Ber. Allons! allons! Sow'd cockle reap'd no corn;
And justice always whirls in equal measure: 384
Light wenches may prove plagues to men forsworn;
If so, our copper buys no better treasure.
364 Cf. n.
369 sun: advantage of position
370 glozes: sophistries
382 betime: betide, chance
383 Sow'd cockle; cf. n.
386 copper: base coin
