Page 674 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Yet herein will I imitate the sun,
Who doth permit the base contagious clouds
To smother up his beauty from the world,
That, when he please again to be himself, [190]

Being wanted, he may be more wond’red at
By breaking through the foul and ugly mists
Of vapours that did seem to strangle him.
If all the year were playing holidays,

To sport would be as tedious as to work; [195]
But when they seldom come, they wished-for come,
And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents.
So, when this loose behavior I throw off

And pay the debt I never promisèd,
By how much better than my word I am, [200]
By so much shall I falsify men’s hopes;
And, like bright metal on a sullen ground,

My reformation, glitt’ring o’er my fault,
Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes
Than that which hath no foil to set it off. [205]
I’ll so offend to make offense a skill,

Redeeming time when men think least I will.
Exit.

Scene III IT

Enter the King, Northumberland, Worcester, Hotspur, Sir Walter Blunt, with

others.

KING
My blood hath been too cold and temperate,
Unapt to stir at these indignities,
And you have found me, for accordingly

You tread upon my patience; but be sure
I will from henceforth rather be myself, [5]
Mighty and to be feared, than my condition,
Which hath been smooth as oil, soft as young down,

And therefore lost that title of respect