[289] Flat treason ’gainst the kingly state of youth.

290 Say, can you fast? your stomachs are too young;

And abstinence engenders maladies.

And where that you have vow’d to study, lords,

[293] In that each of you have forsworn his book,

Can you still dream and pore and thereon look?

[295] For when would you, my Lord, or you, or you,

Have found the ground of study’s excellence

Without the beauty of a woman’s face?

From women’s eyes this doctrine I derive;