King.
The Florentines and Senoys ^note are by the ears ^note;
Have fought with equal fortune, and continue
A braving war.

First Lord. ^note
So 'tis reported, sir.

King.
Nay, 'tis most credible; we here receive it
A certainty, vouch'd from our cousin Austria,
With caution, that the Florentine will move us
For speedy aid; wherein our dearest friend
Prejudicates the business, and would seem
To have us make denial.

First Lord. ^note
His love and wisdom,
Approved so to your majesty, may plead
For amplest credence.

King.
He hath arm'd our answer,
And Florence is denied before he comes:

Yet, for our gentlemen that mean to see
The Tuscan service, freely have they leave
To stand on either part.

Sec. Lord. ^note
It well may ^note serve
A nursery to our gentry, who are sick
For breathing and exploit.

King.
What's he comes here? Enter Bertram, Lafeu, and Parolles.

First Lord. ^note
It is ^note the Count Rousillon ^note, my good lord,
Young Bertram.

King.
Youth, thou bear'st thy father's face;
Frank nature, rather curious than in haste,
Hath well composed thee ^note. Thy father's moral parts
Mayst thou inherit too! Welcome to Paris.

Ber.
My thanks and duty are your majesty's.

King.
I would I had that corporal soundness now,
As when thy father and myself in friendship
First tried our soldiership! He did look far
Into the service of the time, and was
Discipled of the bravest ^note: he lasted long;
But on us both did haggish age steal on,
And wore us out of act. It much repairs me
To talk of your good father. In his youth
He had the wit, which I can well ^note observe
To-day in our young lords; but they may jest
Till their own scorn return to them unnoted
Ere they can hide their levity in honour ^note:
So like a courtier, ^note contempt nor ^note bitterness
Were in his pride or sharpness; ^note if they were ^note,

His equal had awaked them; and his honour,
Clock ^note to itself, knew the true minute when
Exception ^note bid him speak, and at this ^note time
His tongue obey'd his hand ^note: who were below him
He used as creatures of another place ^note;
And bow'd his eminent top to their low ranks,
Making them proud of ^note his humility,
In their poor praise he humbled ^{note note}. Such a man
Might be a copy to these younger times;
Which, follow'd well, would demonstrate them now ^note
But goers backward.

Ber.
His good remembrance, sir,
Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb;
So in approof lives not his ^note epitaph
As in your royal speech.

King.
Would I were with him! He would always say—
Methinks I hear him now; his plausive words
He scatter'd not in ears, but grafted them,
To grow there and to bear,—‘Let me not live,’—
This ^note his good melancholy oft began,
On the catastrophe and heel of pastime,
When it ^note was out,—‘Let me not live,’ quoth he,
‘After my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff
Of younger spirits, whose apprehensive senses
All but new things disdain; whose judgements are
Mere fathers ^note of their garments; whose constancies
Expire before their fashions. This he wish'd:

I after him do after him wish too,
Since I nor wax nor honey can bring home,
I quickly were dissolved from my hive,
To give some labourers ^note room.

Sec. Lord. ^note
You are ^note loved, sir;
They that least lend it you shall lack you first.

King.
I fill a place, I know't. How long is't, count,
Since the physician at your father's died?
He was much famed.

Ber.
Some six months since, my lord.

King.
If he were living, I would try him yet.
Lend me an arm; the rest have worn me out
With several applications: nature and sickness
Debate it at their leisure. Welcome, count;
My son's no dearer.

Ber.
Thank ^note your majesty. [Exeunt. ^note Flourish. ^note

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