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by William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

How tastes it? is it bitter? forty...
Language: English 
Old Lady.
How tastes it? is it bitter? forty pence, no.
There was a lady once, 'tis an old story,
That would not be a queen, that would she not,
For all the mud in Egypt: have you heard it?

Anne Bullen.
Come, you are pleasant.

Old Lady.
With your theme, I could
O'ermount the lark. The Marchioness of Pembroke!
A thousand pounds a year for pure respect!
No other obligation! By my life,
That promises moe thousands: honour's train
Is longer than his foreskirt. By this time
I know your back will bear a duchess: say,
Are you not stronger than you were?

Anne Bullen.
Good lady,
Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy,
And leave me out on't. Would I had no being,
If this salute my blood a jot: it faints me,
To think what follows.
The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful
In our long absence: pray, do not deliver
What here you've heard to her.

Old Lady.
What do you think me?

About the headline (FAQ)

Text Authorship:

  • by William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), no title, appears in Henry VIII, Act II, Scene 3, lines 1310-1331 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

  • by Joel Balzun (b. 1990), "Old Woman's Lament `Egyptian Mud'", 2014 [ mezzo-soprano and piano ], from Cabaret Songs, Vol. 1 "Thus Saith the Dames and Wenches", no. 2 [sung text not yet checked]

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2021-02-10
Line count: 27
Word count: 167

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