onthewillowsthere

From:

"Wouldst thou?" Claudius traces the corner of that smile, with a few fingers curling along Galahad's cheek. Then, gently, he lowers Galahad's head, so he's facing the mirror once more. "I wore it longer when I was younger," he says. He combs Galahad's hair with his fingers, from root to tip, holding out a strand and considering the length of it. "When I went to war, all knew I was no soldier, but I still feared to look soft and effeminate ... and there had already murmurings among good Christians at court, about whether my hair was a shame to me, as Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth. As though fashions for long hair haven't circled in and out of court since courts existed." He rolls his eyes. "I grew my beard to look more masculine, too -- but I mislike it when it grows too thick and begin to resemble my brother's. We both hair that's a sable silver'd, and there were days I could not bear my reflection. Love was a fine excuse to shave it. Men in love are oft found at the barber's¹, and I was full enamored with thee. I wanted thee to see me soft, to see how thou hadst softened me." And he wanted to face Galahad with a face he could stand, not one that made him bitter.

¹ cf. Much Ado About Nothing --

CLAUDIO
If he be not in love with some woman, there is no
believing old signs: a' brushes his hat o'
mornings; what should that bode?
DON PEDRO
Hath any man seen him at the barber's?
CLAUDIO
No, but the barber's man hath been seen with him,
and the old ornament of his cheek hath already
stuffed tennis-balls.
LEONATO
Indeed, he looks younger than he did, by the loss of a beard.

Old signs! Can't miss them!