The Park of Ferdinand, King of Navarre, hard by the gates leading to the palace; trees and a coppice

The King, Berowne, Longaville, and Dumaine

King. Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives,

Live regist'red upon our brazen tombs,

And then grace us, in the disgrace of death;

When, spite of cormorant devouring Time,

Th'endeavour of this present breath may buy

That honour which shall bate his scythe's keen edge,

And make us heirs of all eternity.

Therefore, brave conquerors—for so you are

That war against your own affections

And the huge army of the world's desires—

Our late edict shall strongly stand in force:

Navarre shall be the wonder of the world,

Our court shall be a little academe,

Still and contemplative in living art.

You three, Berowne, Dumaine, and Longaville,

Have sworn for three years' term to live with me,

My fellow-scholars, and to keep those statutes

That are recorded in this schedule here.

Your oaths are passed; and now subscribe your names,

That his own hand may strike his honour down

That violates the smallest branch herein.

If you are armed to do, as sworn to do,

Subscribe to your deep oaths, and keep it too.

Longaville. I am resolved—'tis but a three years' fast:

The mind shall banquet, though the body pine.

Fat paunches have lean pates; and dainty bits

Make rich the ribs, but bankrupt quite the wits.

Dumaine. My loving lord, Dumaine is mortified.