Abridged Love’s Labor’s Lost/#1/Commitment/Act 1, Scene 1.1
This light, zany, youthful love story is set in Navarre,
a kingdom then located near the French border in present day Spain. The young Ferdinand, often known here as
Navarre, is king. Navarre has convinced
three of his young friends to “for three years’ term to live with me,” where
they will live frugally, disavow the company of women, and study hard “where
his court shall be a little academe, still and contemplative in living
art.” He tells them “Navarre shall be
the wonder of the world.” It’s an
overstatement! They have verbally
committed to a demanding regimen. The
three lords are Longaville, Dumaine and Berowne. Longaville signs on, saying “I am resolved.
‘Tis but a three years’ fast.” Dumaine
says “Dumaine is mortified. These world’s delights he throws upon the gross
world’s baser slaves.” He signs on. Berowne says “I have already sworn to live
and study here three years. But these
barren tasks, too hard to keep, not to see ladies, fast, not sleep! Then I swore in jest. What is the end of study, let me know?” Navarre replies “Why, to know which else we
should not know.” Berowne comes back
with “Things hid and barred, you mean, from common sense.” The King says “Ay, that is study’s godlike
recompense.” Berowne continues to
complain about what he’s agreed to. The
King tells him “Well, sit you out. Go
home, Berowne.” Berowne quickly replies
“No, my good lord, I have sworn to stay with you.” Berowne reads over the agreement the others
have signed, and then offers more comments.
One of the terms reads: “If any man be seen to talk with a woman within
the term of three years, he shall endure such public shame as the rest of the
court can possibly devise.” Berowne says
to the King “This article, my liege, yourself must break. In embassy comes the French king’s daughter
with yourself to speak about surrender up of Aquitaine. Therefore this article is made in vain, or
vainly come th’ admired princess hither.”
The startled King says “Why, this was quite forgot.” A foretelling Berowne says “I am the one who
keeps his oath longest.” He signs his
name.