The Sea-Water Green

I think scorn to sigh. Shakespeare Friday - as it will be known here henceforth. Though surely the Rum-and-Cokes will make their usual appearances on this grand, weekly occasion. If they prove as potent as last night's The Glenlivet, they will serve. Zero is most definitely a number, as I most vociferously argued. Perhaps Infinity is as well...

To the scene. Act I, scene ii of Love's Labour's Lost. The hilariously ridiculous Don dotes upon Jaquetta, and seeks counsel from the lowly but witty Moth, on others who have encountered the same fate, thusly. Read it aloud - and be merry.

ADRIANO DE ARMADO
I will hereupon confess I am in love: and as it is
base for a soldier to love, so am I in love with a
base wench. If drawing my sword against the humour
of affection would deliver me from the reprobate
thought of it, I would take Desire prisoner, and
ransom him to any French courtier for a new-devised courtesy. I think scorn to sigh: methinks I should
outswear Cupid. Comfort, me, boy: what great men
have been in love?

MOTH
Hercules, master.

ADRIANO DE ARMADO
Most sweet Hercules! More authority, dear boy, name
more; and, sweet my child, let them be men of good
repute and carriage.

MOTH
Samson, master: he was a man of good carriage, great
carriage, for he carried the town-gates on his back like a porter: and he was in love.

ADRIANO DE ARMADO
O well-knit Samson! strong-jointed Samson! I do
excel thee in my rapier as much as thou didst me
in carrying gates. I am in love too. Who was Samson's
love, my dear Moth?

MOTH
A woman, master.

ADRIANO DE ARMADO
Of what complexion?

MOTH
Of all the four, or the three,
or the two, or one of the four.

ADRIANO DE ARMADO
Tell me precisely of what complexion.

MOTH
Of the sea-water green, sir.

ADRIANO DE ARMADO
Is that one of the four complexions?

MOTH
As I have read, sir; and the best of them too.

ADRIANO DE ARMADO
Green indeed is the colour of lovers; but to have a
love of that colour, methinks Samson had small
reason for it. He surely affected her for her wit.

MOTH
It was so, sir; for she had a green wit.