Lafeu, all in Mourning.
Countess.
1 noteIn dissevering my son from me, I bury
a second husband.
Ber.
And I in going, Madam, weep
o'er my father's death anew; but I must
attend his Majesty's command, to whom
I am now in ward, evermore in subjection.
Laf.
You shall find of the King a husband, Madam;
you, Sir, a father. He, that so generally is at
all times good, must of necessity hold his virtue to
-- 4 --
you; 2 notewhose worthiness would stir it up where it
wanted, rather than slack it where there is such abundance.
Count.
What hope is there of his Majesty's amendment?
Laf.
He hath abandon'd his physicians, Madam,
under whose practices he hath persecuted time with
hope; and finds no other advantage in the process,
but only the losing of hope by time.
Count.
3 noteThis young gentlewoman had a father,
(O, that had! how sad a Presage 'tis!) whose skill
was almost as great as his honesty; had it stretch'd so
far, it would have made nature immortal, and death
should have play'd for lack of work. 'Would, for
the King's sake, he were living! I think, it would
be the death of the King's disease.
Laf.
How call'd you the man you speak of,
Madam?
Count.
He was famous, Sir, in his profession, and
it was his great right to be so: Gerard de Narbon.
Laf.
He was excellent, indeed, Madam; the King
very lately spoke of him admiringly, and mourningly:
-- 5 --
he was skilful enough to have liv'd still, if knowledge
could be set up against mortality.
Ber.
What is it, my good lord, the King languishes
of?
Laf.
A fistula, my lord.
Ber.
I heard not of it before.
Laf.
I would, it were not notorious. Was this
gentlewoman the daughter of Gerard de Narbon?
Count.
His sole child, my lord, and bequeathed to
my overlooking. I have those hopes of her good,
that her education promises her; disposition she inherits,
which makes fair gifts fairer; for 4 note
where an
unclean mind carries virtuous qualities, there, commendations
go with pity; they are virtues and traitors
too: in her they are the better for her simpleness; she
derives her honesty, and atchieves her goodness.
-- 6 --
Laf.
Your commendations, Madam, get from her
tears.
Count.
'Tis the best brine a maiden can season her
praise in. The remembrance of her father never approaches
her heart, but the tyranny of her sorrows
takes all livelihood from her cheek. No more of
this, Helena, go to, no more; lest it be rather thought
you affect a sorrow, than to have it.
Hel.
I do affect a sorrow, indeed, but I have it
too.
Laf.
Moderate lamentation is the right of the dead,
excessive grief the enemy to the living.
Count.
5 noteIf the living be not enemy to the grief,
the excess makes it soon mortal.
Ber.
Madam, I desire your holy wishes.
Laf.
How understand we that?
Count.
Be thou blest, Bertram, and succeed thy father
In manners as in shape! thy blood and virtue
Contend for empire in thee, and thy goodness
Share with thy birth-right! Love all, trust a few,
Do wrong to none: be able for thine enemy
Rather in power, than use; and keep thy friend
Under thy own life's key: be check'd for silence,
But never tax'd for speech. What heav'n more will,
That thee may furnish, and my prayers pluck down,
Fall on thy head! Farewel, my lord;
'Tis an unseason'd courtier, good my lord,
Advise him.
Laf.
He cannot want the best,
That shall attend his love.
-- 7 --
Count.
Heav'n bless him! Farewel, Bertram.
[Exit Countess.
Ber. [To. Hel.
The best wishes, that can be forg'd
in your thoughts, be servants to you! Be comfortable
to my mother, your mistress, and make much of
her.
Laf.
Farewel, pretty lady, you must hold the
credit of your father.
[Exeunt Bertram and Lafeu.
Alexander Pope [1747], The works of Shakespear in eight volumes. The Genuine Text (collated with all the former Editions, and then corrected and emended) is here settled: Being restored from the Blunders of the first Editors, and the Interpolations of the two Last: with A Comment and Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By Mr. Pope and Mr. Warburton (Printed for J. and P. Knapton, [and] S. Birt [etc.], London) [word count] [S11301].
