Digital facsimile of the Bodleian First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Arch. G c.7
Title: Search
Rich. And whiles I liue, t'account this World but Hell,
Rich. Vntill my mis‑shap'd Trunke, that beares this Head,
Rich. Be round impaled with a glorious Crowne.
Rich. And yet I know not how to get the Crowne,
Rich. For many Liues stand betweene me and home:
Rich. And I, like one lost in a Thornie Wood,
Rich. That rents the Thornes, and is rent with the Thornes,
Rich. Seeking a way, and straying from the way,
Rich. Not knowing how to finde the open Ayre,
Rich. But toyling desperately to finde it out,
Rich. Torment my selfe, to catch the English Crowne:
Rich. And from that torment I will free my selfe,
Rich. Or hew my way out with a bloody Axe.
Rich. Why I can smile, and murther whiles I smile,
Rich. And cry, Content, to that which grieues my Heart,
Rich. And wet my Cheekes with artificiall Teares,
Rich. And frame my Face to all occasions.
Rich. Ile drowne more Saylers then the Mermaid shall,
Rich. Ile slay more gazers then the Basiliske,
Rich. Ile play the Orator as well as Nestor,