ON A PASSAGE IN LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST

In *Love's Labour's Lost*, Act II. Sc. 1., Boyet, speaking of the King of Navarre and addressing the Princess of France, says: "All his behaviours did make their retire To the court of his eye, peeping thorough desire: His heart, like an agate, with your print impressed, Proud with his form, in his eye pride expressed: His tongue, *all impatient to speak and not see*, Did stumble with haste in his eyesight to be; All senses to that sense did make their repair, To feel only looking on fairest of fair." This speech is a remarkable specimen of the affected style of compliment prevalent in the tim…