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.
-- 44 --
Laf.
I have then sin'd against his experience, and
transgress'd 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 Ber.
Laf.
I pray you, sir, who's his note tailor?14Q0397
Par.
Sir?
Laf.
O, I know him well: ay, sir; he, sir, 's a good
workman, a very good tailor.
&clquo;Ber.
&clquo;Is she gone to the king?&crquo;
&clquo;Par.
&clquo;She is.&crquo;
&clquo;Ber.
&clquo;Will she away to-night?&crquo;
&clquo;Par.
&clquo;As you'll have her.&crquo;
&clquo;Ber.
&clquo;I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure,&crquo;
&clquo;Given order for our horses note; and to-night,&crquo;
&clquo;When I should take possession of the bride,—&crquo;
&clquo;And, ere I do begin,—
Laf.
A good traveller is something at the latter end
of a dinner; but one that 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 leapt note into the custard; and
out of it you'll run again, rather than suffer question for
your residence.
-- 45 --
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 cloaths: trust him not in matter of
heavy consequence; I have kept of them tame, and know
their natures.—Farewel, monsieur: I have spoken better
of you, than you have or will deserve note at my hand; but
we must do good against evil.
[Exit Lafeu.
Par.
An idle lord, I swear.
Ber.
I think so.
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.
Enter Helena.
Hel.
I have, sir, as I was commanded from you,
Spoke with the king, and have procur'd his leave
For present parting; only, he desires
Some private speech with you.
Ber.
I shall obey his will.
You must not marvel, Helen, at my course,
Which holds not colour with the time, nor does
The ministration and required office
On my particular: prepar'd I was not
For such a business; therefore am I found
So much unsettl'd: This drives me to entreat you,
That presently you take your way for home;
And rather muse, than ask, why I entreat you:
For my respects are better than they seem;
And my appointments have in them a need,
Greater than shews itself, at the first view,
To you that know them not. This &dagger2; to my mother:
-- 46 --
'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: Farewel; hye home.
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?
Hel.
Something; and scarce so much: nothing, indeed:
I would not tell you what I would: 'Faith note, yes;
Strangers, and foes, do sunder, and not kiss.
Ber.
I pray you, stay not, but in haste to horse.
Hel.
I shall not break your bidding, good my lord.
Ber.
Where are my14Q0398 other men, monsieur?—Farewel.
[Exit Helena.
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.
Edward Capell [1767], Mr William Shakespeare his comedies, histories, and tragedies, set out by himself in quarto, or by the Players his Fellows in folio, and now faithfully republish'd from those Editions in ten Volumes octavo; with an introduction: Whereunto will be added, in some other Volumes, notes, critical and explanatory, and a Body of Various Readings entire (Printed by Dryden Leach, for J. and R. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S10601].
