Love's Labour's Lost

The Princess of France enters with her attendant ladies, Rosaline, Katherine, and Maria, and some Lords, including Boyet. Boyet praises her beauty and summarizes their purpose: The Princess has come to parley with the King of Navarre over Aquitaine. The Princess comments that his praise is merely an opportunity for him to show off his eloquence. She has heard of the King’s pact to avoid women, so she sends Boyet to ask him how they can proceed with their negotiations. She asks who the other Lords are who have joined his pact. Her ladies each know one of them: Maria has met Longaville, Katherine has met Dumaine, and Rosaline has met Berowne. They each praise the men’s wits, and the Princess wonders if they are attracted to them.

Boyet returns with the news that the King intends to host their party outside the court to avoid breaking his oath. They will have to camp in a pavilion, in a field. When the King and his Lords enter, the Princess questions this lack of hospitality. The King will not relent, so she asks him to read her message and resolve it quickly.