BIRON Let me say no, my liege, an if you please:
I only swore to study with your grace
And stay here in your court for three years' space.
LONGAVILLE You swore to that, Biron, and to the rest.
BIRON By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest.
What is the end of study? let me know.
FERDINAND Why, that to know, which else we should not know.
BIRON Things hid and barr'd, you mean, from common sense?
FERDINAND Ay, that is study's godlike recompense.
BIRON Come on, then; I will swear to study so,
To know the thing I am forbid to know:
As thus,--to study where I well may dine,
When I to feast expressly am forbid;
Or study where to meet some mistress fine,
When mistresses from common sense are hid;
Or, having sworn too hard a keeping oath,
Study to break it and not break my troth.
If study's gain be thus and this be so,
Study knows that which yet it doth not know:
Swear me to this, and I will ne'er say no.
FERDINAND These be the stops that hinder study quite
And train our intellects to vain delight.
BIRON Why, all delights are vain; but that most vain,
Which with pain purchased doth inherit pain:
As, painfully to pore upon a book
To seek the light of truth; while truth the while
Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look:
Light seeking light doth light of light beguile:
So, ere you find where light in darkness lies,
Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes.
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