Parolles.
King.
Farewell, young lords; these warlike principles
Do not throw from you: and you note, my lords note, farewell:
Share the advice betwixt you; if both gain, all note
The gift doth stretch itself as 'tis received,
And is enough for both.
First Lord. note
'Tis note our hope, sir,
After well-enter'd soldiers, to return
And find your Grace in health.
King.
No, no, it cannot be; and yet my heart
Will not confess he owes note the malady
That doth my life besiege. Farewell, young lords;
Whether I live or die, be you the sons
Of worthy Frenchmen: let higher note Italy,—
Those bated note that inherit but the fall
Of the last monarchy,—see that you come
Not to woo honour, but to wed it; when
The bravest questant note shrinks, note find what you seek,
That fame may cry you loud: I say, farewell.
Sec. Lord. note
Health, at your bidding, serve your majesty!
-- 131 --
King.
Those girls of Italy, take heed of them:
They say, our French lack language to deny,
If they demand: beware of being captives,
Before you serve.
Both. note
Our hearts receive your warnings.
King.
Farewell. Come hither to me note.
[Exit. note
First Lord. note
O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us!
Par.
'Tis not his fault, the spark. note
Sec. Lord. note
O, 'tis brave wars!
Par.
Most admirable: I have seen those wars.
Ber.
I am commanded here, and kept a coil note with
‘Too young,’ note and ‘the next year,’ and ‘'tis too early.’
Par.
An thy mind stand to't, boy, steal away bravely note.
Ber.
I shall stay note here the forehorse to a smock,
Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry,
Till honour be bought up, and no sword worn
But one to dance with! By heaven, I'll steal away.
First Lord. note
There's honour in the theft.
Par.
Commit it, count.
Sec. Lord. note
I am your accessary; and so, farewell.
Ber.
I grow to you note, and our parting is a tortured body note.
First Lord. note
Farewell, captain note.
Sec. Lord. note
Sweet Monsieur Parolles!
-- 132 --
Par.
Noble heroes, my sword and yours note are kin. Good
sparks and lustrous, a word note, good metals: you shall find
in the regiment of the Spinii one Captain Spurio, with his
cicatrice, an emblem note of war, here on his sinister cheek; it
was this very sword entrenched it: say to him, I live; and
observe his reports for note me.
First Lord. note
We shall, noble captain.
[Exeunt Lords.
Par.
Mars dote on you for his novices! what will ye note do? note
Ber.
Stay: the king. note
Re-enter King. note
Par. [Aside to Ber.]
Use a more spacious ceremony to
the noble lords; you have restrained yourself within the list
of too cold an adieu: be more expressive to them: for they
wear themselves in the cap of the time, there do muster note true
gait note note, eat note, speak, and move note under the influence of the most received
star; and though the devil lead the measure, such are
to be followed: after them, and take a more dilated farewell.
Ber.
And I will do so.
Par.
Worthy fellows; and like to prove most sinewy
sword-men.
[Exeunt Bertram and Parolles. note
noteEnter Lafeu. note
Laf. [Kneeling note]
Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings.
-- 133 --
King.
I'll fee note thee to stand up.
Laf.
Then here's a man stands, that has note brought note his pardon.
I would you had kneel'd, my lord, to ask me mercy;
And that at my bidding you could so stand up. note
King.
I would I had; so I had broke thy pate,
And ask'd thee mercy for't note.
Laf.
Good faith, across note: but, my good lord, 'tis thus;
Will you be cured of your infirmity?
King.
No.
Laf.
O, will you eat no grapes, my royal fox?
Yes, but you will my noble grapes note, an if
My royal fox could reach them: I have seen a medicine note note note
That's able to breathe life into a stone,
Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary
With spritely fire and motion; whose simple touch
Is powerful to araise note King Pepin note, nay,
To give note great Charlemain a pen in's note hand,
And write note to her a love-line note.
King.
What ‘her’ is this?
Laf.
Why, Doctor She note: my lord, there's one arrived,
If you will see her: now, by my faith and honour,
If seriously I may convey note my thoughts
In this my light deliverance, I have spoke
With one that, in her sex, her years, profession,
-- 134 --
Wisdom and constancy, hath amazed me more
Than I dare blame note my weakness note: will you see her,
For that is her demand, and know her business?
That done, laugh well at me.
King.
Now, good Lafeu,
Bring in the admiration; that we with thee
May spend our wonder too, or take off thine
By wondering how thou took'st it.
Laf.
Nay, I'll fit you,
And not be all day neither.
[Exit note.
King.
Thus he his special nothing note ever prologues.
Re-enter Lafeu, with Helena. note
Laf.
Nay, come your ways note.
King.
This haste hath wings indeed.
Laf.
Nay, come your ways;
This is his majesty, say your mind to him:
A traitor you do look like; but such traitors
His majesty seldom fears: I am note Cressid's uncle,
That dare leave two together; fare you well.
[Exit. note
note
King.
Now, fair one, does your business follow us?
Hel.
Ay, my good lord.
Gerard de Narbon note was my father;
In note what he did profess, well found.
King.
I knew him note.
Hel.
The rather will I spare my praises note towards him;
Knowing him is enough. On's note bed of death
Many receipts note he gave me; chiefly one,
-- 135 --
Which, as the dearest issue of his practice,
And of his old experience the note only darling,
He bade me store up, as a triple eye,
Safer than mine own two, more dear note; I have so:
And, hearing your high majesty is touch'd
With that malignant cause, wherein the honour
Of my dear father's gift stands chief in power note,
I come to tender it and my appliance,
With all bound humbleness.
King.
We thank you, maiden;
But may not be so credulous of cure,
When our most learned doctors leave us, and
The congregated college have concluded
That labouring art can never ransom note nature
From her inaidible note estate note; I say note we must not
So stain note our judgement, or corrupt our hope,
To prostitute our past-cure malady
To empirics, or to dissever so
Our great self and our credit, to esteem
A senseless help, when help past sense we deem.
Hel.
My duty, then, shall pay me for my pains:
I will no more enforce mine note office on you;
Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts
A modest one, to bear me back again.
King.
I cannot give thee less, to be call'd grateful:
Thou thought'st to help me; and such thanks I give
As one near death to those that wish him live:
But, what at full I know, thou know'st no part;
I knowing all my peril, thou no art.
Hel.
What I can do can do no hurt to try,
Since you set up your rest 'gainst remedy
He that of greatest works is finisher,
Oft does them by the weakest minister:
-- 136 --
So holy writ in babes hath judgement shown,
When judges have been babes; great floods have flown
From simple sources; and great seas have dried,
When miracles have by the greatest note been denied.
Oft expectation fails, and most oft there
Where most it promises; and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest, and despair most fits note.
King.
I must not hear thee; fare thee well, kind maid;
Thy pains not used must by thyself be paid:
Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward.
Hel.
Inspired merit so by breath is barr'd:
It is not so with Him that all things knows,
As 'tis with us that square our guess by shows;
But most it is presumption in us when
The help of heaven we count the act of men.
Dear sir, to my endeavours give consent;
Of heaven, not me, make an experiment.
I am not an impostor note, that proclaim
Myself against the level of mine aim;
But know I think, and think I know most sure,
My art is not past power, nor you past cure.
King.
Art thou so confident? within what space
Hopest thou my cure?
Hel.
The great'st grace lending note grace,
Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring
Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring;
Ere twice in murk and occidental damp
Moist Hesperus hath quench'd his note sleepy lamp;
Or four and twenty times the pilot's glass
Hath told the thievish minutes how they pass;
What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly,
Health shall live free, and sickness freely die.
King.
Upon thy certainty and confidence
-- 137 --
What darest thou venture?
Hel.
Tax of impudence,
A strumpet's boldness, a divulged shame
Traduced by odious ballads: my maiden's note name note
Sear'd otherwise, ne worse of note worst extended note,
With vilest torture let my life be ended.
King.
Methinks in thee some blessed spirit doth speak
His powerful sound note within note an organ weak:
And what impossibility would slay
In common sense, sense saves another way.
Thy life is dear; for all, that life can rate
Worth name of life, in thee hath estimate,
Youth, beauty, wisdom, courage note, all
That happiness and prime note can happy call:
Thou this to hazard needs must intimate
Skill infinite or monstrous desperate.
Sweet practiser, thy physic I will try,
That ministers thine own death if I die.
Hel.
If I break time, or flinch in property
Of what I spoke, unpitied let me die,
And well deserved: not helping, death's my fee;
-- 138 --
But, if I help, what do you promise me?
King.
Make thy demand.
Hel.
But will you make it even?
King.
Ay, by my sceptre and my hopes of heaven note.
Hel.
Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand
What husband in thy power I will command:
Exempted be from me the arrogance
To choose from forth the royal blood of France,
My low and humble name to propagate
With any branch or image note of thy state;
But such a one, thy vassal, whom I know
Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow.
King.
Here is my hand; the premises observed,
Thy will by my performance shall be served:
So make the note choice of thy note own time; for I,
Thy resolved patient, on thee still rely.
More should I question thee, and more I must,
Though more to know could not be more to trust,
From whence thou camest, how tended on: but rest
Unquestion'd welcome, and undoubted blest.
Give me some help here, ho! If thou proceed
As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed note.
[Flourish. Exeunt. note
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
Rousillon. The Count's palace.
Enter Countess and Clown.
Count. note
Come on, sir; I shall now put you to the height
of your breeding.
Clo.
I will show myself highly fed and lowly taught: I
know my business is but to the court.
-- 139 --
Count.
To the court note! why, what place make you special,
when you put off that with such contempt? But to the court! note
Clo.
Truly, madam, if God have lent a man any manners,
he may easily put it off at court: he that cannot make
a leg, put off's cap, kiss his hand, and say nothing, has
neither leg, hands, lip, nor cap; and, indeed, such a fellow,
to say precisely, were not for the court; but for me, note I have
an answer will serve all men.
Count.
Marry, that's a bountiful answer that fits all
questions.
Clo.
It is like a barber's chair, that fits all buttocks, the
pin-buttock, the quatch-buttock, the brawn-buttock, or any
buttock.
Count.
Will your answer serve fit note to all questions?
Clo.
As fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney,
as your French crown for your taffeta punk, as Tib's rush
for Tom's note forefinger, as a pancake for Shrove Tuesday, a
morris for May-day, as the nail to his hole, the cuckold to his
horn, as a scolding quean to a wrangling knave, as the nun's
lip to the friar's mouth, nay, as the pudding to his skin.
Count.
Have you, I say, an answer of such fitness for
all questions?
Clo.
From below your duke to beneath your constable,
it will fit any question.
Count.
It must be an answer of most monstrous size
that must fit all demands.
Clo.
But a trifle neither, in good faith, if the learned
should speak truth of it: here it is, and all that belongs to't.
Ask me if I am a courtier: it shall do you no harm to learn.
Count.
To be young again, if we could: I will be a
fool in question, hoping to be the wiser by your answer.
I pray note you, sir, are you a courtier?
-- 140 --
Clo.
O Lord, sir! There's a simple putting off. More,
more, a hundred of them.
Count.
Sir, I am a poor friend of yours, that loves you.
Clo.
O Lord, sir! Thick, thick, spare not me.
Count.
I think, sir, you can eat none of this homely meat.
Clo.
O Lord, sir! Nay, put me to't, I warrant you.
Count.
You were lately whipped, sir, as I think.
Clo.
O Lord, sir! spare not me.
Count.
Do you cry, ‘O Lord, sir!’ at your whipping,
and ‘spare not me’? Indeed your ‘O Lord, sir!’ is very
sequent to your whipping: you would answer very well to
a whipping, if you were but bound to't.
Clo.
I ne'er had worse luck in my life in my ‘O Lord,
sir!’ I see things may serve long, but note not serve ever.
note
Count.
I play the noble housewife note with the time,
To entertain 't note so merrily with a fool.
Clo.
O Lord, sir! why, there't serves well again.
Count.
An end, sir; to note your business. Give Helen this,
And urge her to a present answer back:
Commend me to my kinsmen and my son:
This is not note much.
Clo.
Not much commendation to them.
Count.
Not much employment for you: you understand
me?
Clo.
Most fruitfully: I am there before my legs.
Count.
Haste you again.
[Exeunt severally note.
-- 141 --
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
Paris. The King's palace.
Enter Bertram, Lafeu, and Parolles.
Laf. note
They say miracles are past; and note we have our philosophical
persons note, to make modern and familiar, things note supernatural
and causeless. Hence is it that we make trifles
of terrors; ensconcing ourselves into seeming knowledge,
when we should submit ourselves to an unknown fear.
Par. note
Why, 'tis the rarest argument of wonder that
hath shot out in our latter note times.
Ber. note
And so 'tis.
Laf.
To be relinquished of the artists,—
Par.
So I say; both of Galen and Paracelsus.
Laf. note note
Of all the learned and authentic fellows,—
Par.
Right; so I say.
Laf.
That gave him out incurable,—
Par.
Why, there 'tis; so say I too.
Laf.
Not to be helped,—
Par.
Right; as 'twere, a man assured of a— note
Laf.
Uncertain life, and sure death.
Par.
Just, you say well; so would I have said.
Laf.
I may truly say, it is a novelty to the world.
Par.
It is, indeed: if you will have it in showing note, you
shall read it in—what do ye call there?
Laf.
A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor.
Par.
That's it; I would have said the note very same.
-- 142 --
Laf.
Why, your dolphin note is not lustier: 'fore note me, I
speak in respect—
Par.
Nay, 'tis strange, 'tis very strange, that is the brief
and the tedious of it; and he's of a most facinerious note spirit
that will not acknowledge it to be the—
Laf.
Very hand of heaven.
Par.
Ay, so I say.
Laf.
In a most weak—
Par.
And debile minister, great power, great transcendence:
which should, indeed, give us a further note use to be
made than alone note the recovery of the king, as to be— note
Laf.
Generally thankful.
note
Par.
I would have said it; you say note well. Here comes
the king.
Enter note King, Helena, and Attendants.
Laf.
Lustig note, as the Dutchman says: I'll like a maid
the better, whilst note I have a tooth in my head: why, he's
able to lead her a coranto note.
Par.
Mort du vinaigre note! is not this Helen?
Laf.
'Fore God, I think so.
note
King.
Go, call before me all the lords in court.
Sit, my preserver, by thy patient's side;
And with this healthful hand, whose banish'd sense
Thou hast repeal'd, a second time receive
The confirmation of my promised gift,
Which but attends thy naming.
-- 143 --
Enter three or four Lords.
Fair maid, send forth thine eye: this youthful parcel
Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing,
O'er whom both sovereign note power and father's voice
I have to use: thy frank election make;
Thou hast power to choose, and they none to forsake.
note
Hel.
To each of you one fair and virtuous mistress
Fall note, when Love please! marry, to each, but one! note
Laf.
I'd give bay Curtal and his furniture,
My mouth no more were broken than these boys',
And writ note as little beard.
King.
Peruse them well:
Not one of those but had a noble father.
note
Hel.
Gentlemen,
Heaven hath through me restored the king to health note.
All.
We understand it, and thank heaven for you.
Hel.
I am a simple maid; and therein wealthiest,
That I protest I simply am a maid.
Please it your majesty, I have done already:
The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me,
‘We blush that thou shouldst choose; but, be refused, note
Let the note white death note sit on thy cheek note for ever;
We'll ne'er come there again note.’
King. note
Make choice; and, see,
Who shuns thy love shuns all his love in me.
Hel.
Now, Dian, from thy altar do I fly;
And to imperial Love note, that god most high,
-- 144 --
Do my sighs stream note. Sir, will you hear my suit?
First Lord.
And grant it.
Hel.
Thanks, sir; all the rest is mute note.
Laf. note
I had rather be in this choice than throw
Ames-ace note for my life.
Hel.
The honour, sir, that flames in your fair eyes,
Before I speak, too threateningly note replies:
Love make your fortunes twenty times above
Her that so wishes and her humble love!
Sec. Lord.
No better, if you please.
Hel.
My wish receive,
Which great Love note grant! and so, I take my leave.
Laf.
Do all they note deny her? An note they were sons of
mine, I'd have them whipped; or I would send them to
the note Turk, to make eunuchs of.
Hel.
Be not afraid that I your hand should take;
I'll never do you wrong for your own sake:
Blessing upon your vows! and in your bed
Find fairer note fortune, if you ever note wed!
Laf.
These boys are boys of ice, they'll none have
her note: sure, they are bastards to the English; the French
ne'er got 'em. note note
Hel. note
You are too young, too happy, and too good,
To make yourself a son out of my blood.
Fourth Lord.
Fair one, I think not so.
Laf.
There's one grape yet; I am sure thy note father
drunk wine: but if thou be'st not an ass, I am a youth of
fourteen; I have known thee already note.
Hel. [To Bertram note]
I dare not say I take you; but I give
-- 145 --
Me and my service, ever whilst I live,
Into your guiding power. This is the man.
King.
Why, then, young Bertram, take her; she's thy wife.
Ber.
My wife, my liege! I shall beseech your highness,
In such a business give me leave to use
The help of mine own eyes.
King.
Know'st thou not, Bertram,
What she has note done for me?
Ber.
Yes, my good lord;
But never hope to know why I should marry her note.
King.
Thou know'st she has raised me from my sickly bed.
Ber.
But follows it, my lord, to bring me down
Must answer for your raising? I know her well:
She had her breeding at my father's charge.
A poor physician's daughter my wife! Disdain
Rather note corrupt me ever!
King.
'Tis only title note thou disdain'st in her, the which
I can build up. Strange is it, that our bloods,
Of colour note, weight, and heat, pour'd all together,
Would quite confound distinction, yet stand note off
In differences so note mighty. If she be
All that is virtuous, save what thou dislikest,
A poor physician's daughter, thou dislikest
Of virtue for the name note: but do not so:
From lowest place when note virtuous things proceed,
The place is dignified by the note doer's deed:
Where great additions swell's note, and virtue none,
It is a dropsied honour. note Good alone
-- 146 --
Is good without a name. Vileness is so: note
The property by what it is note should go,
Not by the title. She is young note, wise, fair;
In these to nature she's immediate heir,
And these breed honour: that is honour's scorn,
Which challenges itself as honour's born note,
And is not like the sire: honours thrive note,
When rather from our acts we them derive
Than our foregoers: the mere word's note a slave
Debosh'd on every tomb, on every grave note
A lying trophy; and as oft is dumb
Where dust and damn'd oblivion is the tomb
Of honour'd bones indeed. note What should be said?
If thou canst like this creature as a maid,
I can create the rest: virtue and she
Is her own dower; honour and wealth from me.
Ber.
I cannot love her, nor will strive to do't.
King.
Thou wrong'st thyself, if thou shouldst strive to choose.
Hel.
That you are well restored, my lord, I'm glad:
Let the rest go.
King.
My honour's at the stake; which to defeat, note
I must produce my power. Here, take her hand,
Proud scornful boy, unworthy this good gift;
That dost in vile misprision shackle up
My love and her desert; that canst not dream,
We, poising us in her defective scale,
-- 147 --
Shall weigh thee to the beam; that wilt not know,
It is in us to plant thine honour where
We please to have it grow. Check thy contempt:
Obey our will, which travails note in thy good:
Believe not thy disdain, but presently
Do thine own fortunes that obedient right
Which both thy duty owes and our power claims;
Or I will throw note thee from my care note for ever
Into the staggers and the note careless note lapse
Of youth and ignorance; both note my revenge and hate
Loosing note upon thee, in the name of justice,
Without all terms of pity. Speak; thine note answer.
Ber.
Pardon, my gracious lord; for I submit
My fancy to your eyes: when I consider
What great creation and what dole of honour
Flies where you bid it note, I find that she, which late
Was in my nobler thoughts most base, is now
The praised note of the king; who, so note ennobled,
Is as 't were born so.
King.
Take her by the hand,
And tell her she is thine: to whom I promise
A counterpoise; if not to note thy estate,
A balance more replete.
Ber.
I take her hand.
King.
Good fortune and the favour of the king
Smile upon this note contract; whose ceremony
Shall seem expedient on the now-born note brief,
And be note perform'd to-night: the solemn feast
Shall more attend upon the coming space,
Expecting absent friends. As thou lovest her,
-- 148 --
Thy love's to me religious; else, does err.
[Exeunt note all but Lafeu and Parolles.
note
Laf.
Do you hear, monsieur? a word with you.
Par.
Your pleasure, sir?
Laf.
Your lord and master did well to make his recantation.
Par.
Recantation! My lord! my master!
Laf.
Ay; is it not a language I speak?
Par.
A most harsh one, and not to be understood
without bloody succeeding. My master!
Laf.
Are you companion to the Count Rousillon?
Par.
To any count, to all counts, to what is man.
Laf.
To what is count's man: count's master is of
another style.
Par.
You are too old, sir; let it satisfy you, you are
too old.
Laf.
I must tell thee, sirrah, I write man; to which
title age cannot bring thee.
Par.
What I dare too well do, I dare not do.
Laf.
I did think thee, for two ordinaries, to be a pretty
wise fellow; thou note didst make tolerable vent of thy travel;
it might pass: yet the scarfs and the bannerets note about thee
did manifoldly dissuade me from believing thee a vessel of
too great a burthen. I have now found thee; when I lose
thee again, I care not: yet art thou good for nothing but
taking up; and that thou'rt scarce worth.
Par.
Hadst thou not the privilege of antiquity upon
thee,—
Laf.
Do not plunge thyself too far in anger, lest thou
hasten thy trial; which if— noteLord have mercy on thee for
a hen! So, my good window of lattice note, fare thee well:
thy casement I need not open, for note I look through thee.
Give me thy hand.
Par.
My lord, you give me most egregious indignity.
-- 149 --
Laf.
Ay, with all my heart; and thou art worthy of it.
Par.
I have not, my lord, deserved it.
Laf.
Yes, good faith, every dram of it; and I will not
bate thee a scruple.
Par.
Well, I shall be wiser. note
Laf.
Ev'n as soon as thou canst, for thou hast to pull at
a smack o' the note contrary. If ever thou be'st bound in thy
scarf and beaten, thou shalt note find what it is to be proud of
thy bondage. I have a desire to hold my acquaintance
with thee, or rather my knowledge, that I may say in the
default note, he is a man I know.
Par.
My lord, you do me most insupportable vexation.
Laf.
I would it were hell-pains for thy sake, and my
poor doing eternal: for doing I am past; as I will note by thee,
in what motion age will give me leave note.
[Exit.
Par.
Well, thou hast a son shall take this disgrace off
me; scurvy, old, filthy, scurvy lord note! Well, I must be patient;
there is no fettering of authority. I'll beat him, by
my life, if I can meet him with any convenience, an he were
double and double a lord. I'll have no more pity of his
age than I would have of—I'll beat him, an if I could but
meet him again.
Re-enter Lafeu.
Laf.
Sirrah, your lord and master's married; there's
news for you: you have a new mistress.
Par.
I most unfeignedly beseech your lordship to make
some reservation of your wrongs: he is my good lord:
whom note note I serve above is my master.
Laf.
Who? God?
Par.
Ay, sir.
-- 150 --
Laf.
The devil it is that's thy master. Why dost thou
garter up thy arms o' note this fashion? dost make hose of thy
sleeves? do other servants so? Thou wert best set thy lower
part where thy nose stands. By mine honour, if I were but
two hours younger, I'd beat thee: methinks't note, thou art a
general offence, and every man should beat thee: I think
thou wast created for men to breathe themselves upon thee.
Par.
This is hard and undeserved measure, my lord.
Laf.
Go to, sir; you were beaten in Italy for picking a
kernel out of a pomegranate; you are a vagabond, and no
true traveller: you are more saucy with lords and honourable
personages than the commission of your birth and
virtue gives you heraldry note. You are not worth another
word, else I'd call you knave. I leave you.
[Exit.
note
Par.
Good, very good; it is so then: good, very
good; let it be concealed awhile.
Re-enter Bertram. note
Ber.
Undone, and forfeited to cares for ever!
Par.
What's note the matter, sweet-heart?
Ber.
Although before the solemn priest I have sworn,
I will not bed her note.
Par.
What, what, sweet-heart?
Ber.
O my Parolles, they have married me!
I'll to the Tuscan wars, and never bed her.
Par.
France is a dog-hole, and it no more merits
The tread of a man's foot: to the wars note! note
Ber.
There's letters from my mother: what the import
is, I know not yet.
Par.
Ay, that would be known. To the wars, my boy, to the wars!
-- 151 --
He wears his honour in a box unseen,
That hugs his kicky-wicky note here at home,
Spending his manly marrow in her arms,
Which should sustain the bound and high curvet
Of Mars's fiery steed. To other regions
France note is a stable; we that dwell in't jades;
Therefore, to the war!
Ber.
It shall be so: I'll send her to my house,
Acquaint my mother with my hate to her,
And wherefore I am fled; write to the king
That which I durst not speak: his present gift
Shall furnish me to those Italian fields,
Where noble fellows strike: war note is no strife
To the dark house and the detested note wife.
Par.
Will this capriccio hold in thee, art sure?
Ber.
Go with me to my chamber, and advise me.
I'll send her straight away: to-morrow note
I'll to the wars, she to her single sorrow.
Par.
Why, these balls bound; there's noise in it. 'Tis hard:
A young man married is a man that's marr'd:
Therefore away, and leave her bravely; go note:
The king has done you wrong: but, hush, 'tis so.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene IV. [Footnote:
Paris. The King's Palace. note
Enter Helena and Clown.
Hel.
My mother greets me kindly: is she well?
Clo.
She is not well; but yet she has her health: she's
-- 152 --
very merry; but yet she is not well: but thanks note be given,
she's very well and wants nothing i' the world; but yet
she is not well. note
Hel.
If she be very well, what does she ail, that she's
not very well?
Clo.
Truly, she's very well indeed, but for two things.
Hel.
What two things?
Clo.
One, that she's note not in heaven, whither God send
her quickly! the other, that she's in earth note, from whence note
God send her quickly!
Enter Parolles.
Par.
Bless you, my fortunate lady!
Hel.
I hope, sir, I have your good will to have mine
own good fortunes note.
Par.
You had my prayers to lead them on; and to
keep them on, have them still. O, my knave, how does
my old lady?
Clo.
So that you had her wrinkles, and I her money, I
would she did as you say.
Par.
Why, I say nothing.
Clo.
Marry, you are the wiser man; for many a man's
tongue shakes out note his master's undoing: to say nothing, to
do nothing, to know nothing, and to have nothing, is to be
a great part of your title; which is within a very little of
nothing.
Par.
Away! thou'rt note a knave.
Clo.
You should have said, sir, before a knave thou'rt note
a knave; that's, before me thou'rt note a knave: this had been
truth, sir.
Par.
Go to, thou art a witty fool; I have found thee.
-- 153 --
Clo.
Did you find me in yourself, sir? or were you
taught to find me? The search note, sir, was profitable; and
much fool may you find in you, even to the world's pleasure
and the increase of laughter.
Par.
A good knave, i' faith, and well fed.
Madam, my lord will go away to-night;
A very serious business calls on him.
The great prerogative and rite note of love,
Which, as your due, time claims note, he does acknowledge;
But puts it off to note a compell'd restraint;
Whose want, and whose delay, is note strew'd with sweets,
Which they distil now in the curbed note time,
To make the coming hour o'erflow with joy,
And pleasure drown the brim.
Hel.
What's his will else?
Par.
That you will take your instant leave o' note the king,
And make this haste as your own good proceeding,
Strengthen'd with what apology you think
May make it probable need.
Hel.
What more commands he?
Par.
That, having this obtain'd, you presently
Attend his further pleasure.
Hel.
In every thing I wait upon his will.
Par.
I shall report it so.
Hel.
I pray you.
[Exit Parolles. note]
Come note, sirrah.
[Exeunt. note
-- 154 --
note
Scene V. [Footnote:
Paris. The King's Palace. note
Enter Lafeu and Bertram.
Laf.
But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier.
Ber.
Yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof.
Laf.
You have it from his own deliverance.
Ber.
And by other warranted testimony.
Laf.
Then my dial goes not true: I took this lark for
a bunting.
Ber.
I do assure you, my lord, he is very great in
knowledge, and accordingly valiant.
Laf.
I have then sinned against his experience and
transgressed against his valour; and my state that way is
dangerous, since I cannot yet note find in my heart to repent.
Here he comes: I pray you, make us friends; I will pursue
the amity.
Enter Parolles.
Par.
These things shall be done, sir.
[To Bertram. note
Laf.
Pray you note, sir, who's note his tailor?
Par.
Sir?
Laf.
O, I know him well, I, sir; he, sir, 's note a good
workman, a very good tailor.
Ber.
Is she gone to the king?
[Aside note to Parolles.
Par.
She is.
Ber.
Will she away to-night?
Par.
As you'll have her.
Ber.
I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure,
Given order for our horses note; and to-night,
-- 155 --
When I should take possession of the bride,
End ere I do begin note. note
Laf.
A good traveller is something at the latter end of
a dinner; but one that note lies three thirds, and uses a known
truth to pass a thousand nothings with, should be once
heard note, and thrice beaten. God save you note, captain.
Ber.
Is there any unkindness between my lord and
you, monsieur?
Par.
I know not how I have deserved to run into my
lord's displeasure.
Laf.
You have made shift to run into't, boots and spurs
and all, like him that leaped note into the custard note; and out of
it you'll run again, rather than suffer question for your
residence.
Ber.
It may be you have mistaken him, my lord.
Laf.
And shall do so ever, though I took him at's
prayers. Fare you well, my lord; and believe this of me,
there can be no kernel in this light nut; the soul of this
man is his clothes. Trust him not in matter of heavy consequence;
I have kept of them tame, and know their natures.
Farewell, monsieur: I have spoken better of you
than you have or will note to note deserve at my hand note; but we must
do good against evil.
[Exit. note
Par.
An idle lord, I swear.
Ber.
I think so note.
Par.
Why, do you not know him?
Ber.
Yes, I do know him well, and common speech
Gives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog note.
noteEnter Helena.
Hel.
I have, sir, as I was commanded from you,
-- 156 --
Spoke with the king, and have procured his leave
For present parting; only he desires
Some private speech with you.
Ber.
I shall obey his will.
You must note not marvel, Helen, at my course,
Which holds not colour with the time, nor does
The ministration and required office
On my particular. Prepared I was not
For such a business; therefore am I found
So much unsettled: this drives me to entreat you,
That presently you take your way for home,
And rather muse than ask why I note entreat you note;
For my respects are better than they seem,
And my appointments have in them a need
Greater than shows itself at the first view
To you that know them not. This to my mother:
[Giving a letter. note
'Twill be two days ere I shall see you; so,
I leave you to your wisdom.
Hel.
Sir, I can nothing say,
But that I am your most obedient servant.
Ber.
Come, come, no more of that.
Hel.
And ever shall
With true observance seek to eke out that
Wherein toward me my homely stars have fail'd
To equal my great fortune.
Ber.
Let that go:
My haste is very great: farewell; hie home note.
Hel.
Pray, sir, your pardon.
Ber.
Well, what would you say?
Hel.
I am not worthy of the wealth I owe;
Nor dare I say 'tis mine, and yet it is;
But, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal
What law does vouch mine own.
Ber.
What would you have?
-- 157 --
Hel.
Something; and scarce so much: nothing, indeed.
I would not tell you what I would, my lord note: faith, yes;
Strangers and foes do sunder, and not kiss note.
Ber.
I pray you, stay not, but in haste to horse.
Hel.
I shall not break your bidding, good my lord.
Ber.
Where are my other men, monsieur? note Farewell note.
[Exit Helena. note
Go thou toward home; where I will never come,
Whilst I can shake my sword, or hear the drum.
Away, and for our flight.
Par.
Bravely, coragio!
[Exeunt. note
William Aldis Wright [1863–1866], The works of William Shakespeare edited by William George Clark... and John Glover [and William Aldis Wright] (Macmillan and Co., London) [word count] [S10701].
