Florizel: Those lovely words....

Their transformations
Were never for a piece of beauty rarer,
Nor in a way so chaste, since my desires
Run not before mine honour, nor my lusts
Burn hotter than my faith.

There he got me. I am very vulnerable to sweet princes and sweet words. There he is. Florizel, The Prince of Bohemia. The young man is madly in love with Perdita, the lost (the clue is in the name) daughter of the King and Queen of Sicilia.

But at that time, nobody knew that.

So it's lovely to see his love for the "low-born" Perdita, and how he insisted that he would always be true to her. More impressive, he stayed true to his vows.

For I cannot be
Mine own, nor any thing to any, if
I be not thine. To this I am most constant,
Though destiny say no.

I find the last line so beautiful. Not more nor less beautiful than this one:

What you do
Still betters what is done.

(I think you understand why I still believe in Prince Charming.)

Wait, more vows.

And he, and more
Than he, and men, the earth, the heavens, and all:
That, were I crown'd the most imperial monarch,
Thereof most worthy, were I the fairest youth
That ever made eye swerve, had force and knowledge
More than was ever man's, I would not prize them
Without her love;

It's easy to swear, but would it stand opposition? Here's what he said to his father.

From my succession wipe me, father; I
Am heir to my affection.

Don't get me wrong. I prefer mature male characters to those who would do anything for love. I love men with something to live for other than "love". But when confronted with words...

I hate you Shakespeare.

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