Enter two Gentlemen

Two gentlemen enter.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

You do not meet a man but frowns: our bloods No more obey the heavens than our courtiers Still seem as does the king.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Every man you meet these days is frowning. Our bodies are in agreement with the planetary influences just as the courtiers's moods seem to reflect the king's.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

But what's the matter?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

What's wrong?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

His daughter, and the heir of's kingdom, whom He purposed to his wife's sole son—a widow That late he married—hath referr'd herself Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: she's wedded; Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all Is outward sorrow; though I think the king Be touch'd at very heart.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

The king wanted his daughter, the only heir to his kingdom, to marry his wife's only son. By his wife, I mean a widow he recently married. But the daughter decided to marry a poor but honest man instead. She's married, her husband is banished, she's imprisoned: everything seems terrible. I think the king is overwhelmed with sadness.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

None but the king?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Only the king?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

He that hath lost her too; so is the queen, That most desired the match; but not a courtier, Although they wear their faces to the bent Of the king's look's, hath a heart that is not Glad at the thing they scowl at.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

So is the man who was supposed to marry her. So is the queen, who really wanted the marriage to happen. But all the courtiers, although they frown like the king, are secretly happy about the thing they frown at.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

And why so?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Why?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

He that hath miss'd the princess is a thing Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her— I mean, that married her, alack, good man! And therefore banish'd—is a creature such As, to seek through the regions of the earth For one his like, there would be something failing In him that should compare. I do not think So fair an outward and such stuff within Endows a man but he.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

The man who lost the princess is so bad it's impossible to describe him accurately. And the man who has her—I mean the man who married her, oh, poor good man!—and is banished because of this, is a man so good that even if you searched through the whole world for his equal, anyone you found to compare with him would still be a little less good. I don't think any man is as attractive inside and out as he is.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

You speak him far.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

You speak highly of him.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

I do extend him, sir, within himself,Crush him together rather than unfoldHis measure duly.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

I cannot speak highly of him enough. What I say is too low and his virtue cannot be accurately measured.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

What's his name and birth?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

What's his name and family?