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)
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