And though I have for barbarism spoke more
Than for that angel knowledge you can say,
[114] Yet confident I’ll keep what I have swore,
115 And bide the penance of each three years’ day.
Give me the paper; let me read the same;
[117] And to the strict’st decrees I’ll write my name.
King. How well this yielding rescues thee from shame!
Biron [reads]. ‘Item, That no woman shall come within a 120 mile of my court,’—Hath this been proclaimed?
Long. Four days ago.
[123] Biron. Let’s see the penalty. [Reads] ‘on pain of losing her tongue.’ Who devised this penalty?