Speeches (Lines) for Sir Nathaniel
in "Love's Labour's Lost"
Total: 19

1

IV,2,1142

Very reverend sport, truly; and done in the testimony
of a good conscience.

2

IV,2,1149

Truly, Master Holofernes, the epithets are sweetly
varied, like a scholar at the least: but, sir, I
assure ye, it was a buck of the first head.

3

IV,2,1165

Sir, he hath never fed of the dainties that are bred
in a book; he hath not eat paper, as it were; he
hath not drunk ink: his intellect is not
replenished; he is only an animal, only sensible in
the duller parts:
And such barren plants are set before us, that we
thankful should be,
Which we of taste and feeling are, for those parts that
do fructify in us more than he.
For as it would ill become me to be vain, indiscreet, or a fool,
So were there a patch set on learning, to see him in a school:
But omne bene, say I; being of an old father's mind,
Many can brook the weather that love not the wind.

4

IV,2,1183

A title to Phoebe, to Luna, to the moon.

5

IV,2,1197

Perge, good Master Holofernes, perge; so it shall
please you to abrogate scurrility.

6

IV,2,1210

A rare talent!

7

IV,2,1221

Sir, I praise the Lord for you; and so may my
parishioners; for their sons are well tutored by
you, and their daughters profit very greatly under
you: you are a good member of the commonwealth.

8

IV,2,1249

Ay, sir, and very learned.

9

IV,2,1251

[Reads]
If love make me forsworn, how shall I swear to love?
Ah, never faith could hold, if not to beauty vow'd!
Though to myself forsworn, to thee I'll faithful prove:
Those thoughts to me were oaks, to thee like
osiers bow'd.
Study his bias leaves and makes his book thine eyes,
Where all those pleasures live that art would
comprehend:
If knowledge be the mark, to know thee shall suffice;
Well learned is that tongue that well can thee commend,
All ignorant that soul that sees thee without wonder;
Which is to me some praise that I thy parts admire:
Thy eye Jove's lightning bears, thy voice his dreadful thunder,
Which not to anger bent, is music and sweet fire.
Celestial as thou art, O, pardon, love, this wrong,
That sings heaven's praise with such an earthly tongue.

10

IV,2,1296

Sir, you have done this in the fear of God, very
religiously; and, as a certain father saith,—

11

IV,2,1301

Marvellous well for the pen.

12

IV,2,1310

And thank you too; for society, saith the text, is
the happiness of life.

13

V,1,1735

I praise God for you, sir: your reasons at dinner
have been sharp and sententious; pleasant without
scurrility, witty without affection, audacious without
impudency, learned without opinion, and strange with-
out heresy. I did converse this quondam day with
a companion of the king's, who is intituled, nomi-
nated, or called, Don Adriano de Armado.

14

V,1,1748

A most singular and choice epithet.

15

V,1,1761

Laus Deo, bene intelligo.

16

V,1,1764

Videsne quis venit?

17

V,1,1852

Where will you find men worthy enough to present them?

18

V,2,2501

When in the world I lived, I was the world's
commander;
By east, west, north, and south, I spread my
conquering might:
My scutcheon plain declares that I am Alisander,—

19

V,2,2509

When in the world I lived, I was the world's
commander,—