If it be not, forswear't: howe'er I charge thee, Good madam, pardon me! Hel. Your pardon, noble mistress! Count. Love you my son? Hel. Do not you love him, madam? Count. Go not about; my love hath in't a bond, Whereof the world takes note: come, come, disclose The state of your affection; for your passions Have to the full appeach'd. Hel. Then, I confess, My friends were poor, but honest; so's my love: Nor would I have him, till I do deserve him ; The sun, that looks upon his worshipper, Wish chastly, and love dearly, that your Dian To go to Paris? Hel. Count. Madam, I had. Wherefore? tell true. Hel. I will tell truth; by grace itself, I swear, You know, my father left me some prescrip tions Of rare and proved effects, such as his reading, For general sovereignty; and that he will'd me This was your motive For Paris, was it? speak. Count. A poor unlearned virgin, when the schools, Hel. There's something hints, More than my father's skill which was the great est Of his profession, that his good receipt Shall, for my legacy, be sanctified By the luckiest stars in heaven: and, would your honour But give me leave to try success, I'd venture The well-lost life of mine on his grace's cure, By such a day, and hour. Count. Dost thou believe't? Hel. Ay, madam, knowingly. Count. Why, Helen, thou shalt have my leave, and love, Means, and attendants, and my loving greetings [Exeunt ACT II. SCENE I. Paris. A Room in the King's Palace. Flourish. Enter King, with young Lords taking leave for the Florentine war; BERTRAM, PAROLLES and Attendants. King. Farewell, young lord, these warlike principles Do not throw from you:-and you, my lord farewell: Share the advice betwixt you: if both gain all, The gift doth stretch itself as 'tis receiv'd, And is enough for both. 1 Lord. It is 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 the malady That doth my life besiege. Farewell, young lords; Whether I live or die, be you the sons Of worthy Frenchmen: let higher Italy (Those 'bated, 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 shrinks, find what you seek, That fame may cry you loud: I say, farewell. 2 Lord. Health, at your bidding, serve your majesty ! 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. Our hearts receive your warnings. King. Farewell.-Come hither to me. [The King retires to a Couch. 1 Lord. O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us! Par. 'Tis not his fault; 2 Lord. the spark O, 'tis brave wars! Par. Most admirable: I have seen those wars. Ber. I am commanded here, and kept a coil with; Too young, and the next year, and 'tis too early. Par. An thy mind stand to it, boy, steal away bravely. Ber. I shall stay 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. 1 Lord. There's honour in the theft. Par. Commit it, count. 2 Lord. I am your accessary; and so farewell. Ber. I grow to you, and our parting is a tortured body. 1 Lord. Farewell, captain. 2 Lord. Sweet monsieur Parolles! Par. Noble heroes, my sword and yours are kin. Good sparks and lustrous, a word, good metals: You shall find in the regiment of the Spinii, one captain Spurio, with his cicatrice, an emblem of war, here on his sinister cheek; it was this very sword entrenched it: say to him I live; observe his reports for me. 2 Lord. We shall, noble captain. Par. Mars dote on you for his novices! [Exeunt Lords.] What will you do? Ber. Stay; the king [Seeing him rise. Par. 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 true gait; eat, speak, and move 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. Enter LAFEU. Laf. Pardon, my lord, [ Kneeling.] for me and for my tidings. King. I'll fee thee to stand up. Then here's a man Stands, that has brought his pardon. I would, Laf. you Had kneel'd, my lord, to ask me mercy; and That at my bidding, you could so stand up. King. I would, I had; so I had broke thy pate, And ask'd thee mercy for't. Laf. Goodfaith, across : But, my good lord, 'tis thus; Will you be cur'd Of your infirmity? King. Laf. No. O, will you eat No grapes, my royal fox? yes, but you will, Could reach them: I have seen a medicine, Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary, tonch Is powerful to araise king Pepin, nay, King. What her is this? Laf. Why, doctor she: My lord, there's one arriv'd, If you will see her,-now, by my faith and honour, If seriously I may convey my thoughts In this my light deliverance, I have spoke With one, that, in her sex, her years, profession, Wisdom, and constancy, hath amaz'd me more Than I dare blame my weakness: Will yon see her, (For that is her demand,) and know her busi ness? 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 wond'ring how thou took'st it. Laf. And not be all day neither. Nay, I'll fit you, [Exit LAFEU. King. Thus he his special nothing ever prologues. |