KING.
All hail, sweet madam, and fair time of day.
PRINCESS.
“Fair” in “all hail” is foul, as I conceive.
KING.
Construe my speeches better, if you may.
PRINCESS.
Then wish me better. I will give you leave.
KING.
We came to visit you, and purpose now
To lead you to our court. Vouchsafe it then.
PRINCESS.
This field shall hold me, and so hold your vow.
Nor God nor I delights in perjured men.
KING.
Rebuke me not for that which you provoke.
The virtue of your eye must break my oath.
PRINCESS.
You nickname virtue: “vice” you should have spoke;
For virtue’s office never breaks men’s troth.
Now by my maiden honour, yet as pure
As the unsullied lily, I protest,
A world of torments though I should endure,
I would not yield to be your house’s guest,
So much I hate a breaking cause to be
Of heavenly oaths, vowed with integrity.
KING.
O, you have lived in desolation here,
Unseen, unvisited, much to our shame.
PRINCESS.
Not so, my lord. It is not so, I swear.
We have had pastimes here and pleasant game.
A mess of Russians left us but of late.