Chapter 16

LINENOTES:Act ii.]Actus Secundus. Ff (Sæcundus F2).Enter ... attended....]Capell. Enter ... warre: Count Rosse, and Parolles. Florish Cornets. Ff.divers]two Hanmer. om. Steevens.[1, 2]lords ... lords]Ff.lord ... lordHanmer.See note (vi).[2]and you]youPope.[3]both gain, all]Ff.both gain,Pope,both gain, well!Hanmer.both gain all,Johnson.back again,Jackson conj.both gain, AllAnon. conj.See note (vii).[5]First Lord]i. Lord. Rowe. Lord G. Ff.'Tis]Ff.It isSteevens.[9]he owes]it ownsPope.he ownsLong MS.[12]higher]hiredColeridge conj.[13]bated]bastardsHanmer.'bated onesCapell conj.[15, 16]wed it; when ... shrinks,]Pope,wed it, when ... shrinkes:F1 F2 F3.wed it, when ... shrinks;F4.[16]questant]F1.questionF2 F3 F4.questorCollier MS.[18]Sec. Lord.]2. Lord Rowe (ed. 2). L. G. Ff. 1. Lord Rowe (ed. 1).[22]Both.]Rowe. Bo. Ff.[23]Come ... me]Come ... me[to Bert.] Pope. om. Hanmer.Come ... me[to Attendants]. Theobald.Exit.]Pope. om. Ff. Retires to a Couch; Attendants leading him. Capell.See note (viii).[24, 34, 37]First Lord.]1. Lord. Rowe. 1. Lo. G. Ff.[25]fault, the spark.]F3 F4.fault the spark.F1 F2.fault, the spark— Rowe.fault; the spark— Theobald.[25, 35, 38]Sec. Lord.]2. Lord. Rowe. 2. Lo. E. Ff.[27]a coil]acoyleF2.[27, 28]with 'Too young']Pope.with, Too youngFf.with; 'Too young'Capell.[29]An ... to't, boy, ... bravely]Theobald.And ... too't boy, Steale away bravelyF1 F2 F3.And ... to it ...F4.And thy mind—stand to it, boy; steal away bravely.Pope.[30]I shall stay]I stayRowe.Shall I stayPope.[36]I ... our ... a tortured body]I ... this our ... A tortur'd bodyHanmer.I ... our ... the parting of a tortured bodyJohnson conj.I ... our ... a tortureCapell.I ... our ... as a tortured bodyS. Walker conj., reading lines 34-37Commit ... captain.as three lines, endingaccessary ... parting ... captain.to you]t' yeS. Walker conj.[37]captain]worthy captainHanmer.[39]yours]yours[measuring swords with them] Capell.[40]a word]in a wordLong MS.[41, 42]with his cicatrice, an emblem]Theobald.his cicatrice, with an emblemFf (sicatriceF1).he's cicatriced with an emblemRann conj.[44]for]F1 F2.ofF3 F4.[45]First Lord.]1. Lord. Rowe. Lo. G. F1 F2. L.G. F3 F4. 2. Lord. Warburton. Both. Edd. conj.[46]novices! what will ye do?]novices, what will ye do?Ff (doeF1 F2).See note (ix).ye]youHanmer.[47]Stay: the king.]F2 F3 F4.Stay the king.F1.Stay; the king—Pope.Stay with the kingGrant White (Collier conj.).Re-enter King.]Edd.See note (viii).[51]there do muster]there, to musterWarburton.they do muster with theJohnson conj.there do masterHeath conj.they do masterCollier conj.there demonstrateAnon. conj.[51, 52]there ... gait]do muster your true gaitéBecket conj. om. Collier MS.true gait]togetherHanmer.[52]eat]dressHanmer.they eatSinger conj.move]F1.moreF2 F3 F4.[57]Exeunt B. and P.]Exeunt. Ff.[58]Scene ii.Pope.Enter L.] Enter the King and L. Pope. Enter L. hastily. Capell.Kneeling]Johnson, om. Ff.[59]I'll fee]Theobald.Ile seeFf.I'll sueStaunton.I'll freeAnon. ap. Halliwell conj.I beseechKeightley conj.[59-62]Capell ends the linesman ... I would you ... mercy; and ... up.[60]has]F1.hathF2 F3 F4.brought]Ff.boughtTheobald.[63, 64]I would ... for't]You would ... for't?Anon. conj.[64-70]Capell ends the linesacross: ... cur'd ... eat ... will ... fox ... medicine.[65]across]a crossF4.[69]my noble grapes]omitted by Hanmer, ending the line atfox. aye, noble grapesCollier MS.[70]seen a medicine]seen A medicineAnon. conj.medicine]med'cin(in italics) Theobald.medecinSteevens.[74]araise]raisePope.upraiseCollier MS.Pepin]Theobald.PippenFf.[75]To give]And giveCapell.in's]in hisCapell. Malone supposes a line to be lost after this.[76]And write]To writeHanmer.And cause him writeSinger conj.to her a love-line]a love-line to herHanmer.[77]Doctor She]Grant White.doctor sheFf.Doctor-sheTheobald.[79]convey]convayF1.convoyF2 F3 F4.[83]Than ... weakness]Than(blame my weakness)I dare— Becket conj.blame]blazeTheobald conj.[89]Exit]Theobald. om. Ff.[90]nothing]nothingsHanmer.Re-enter L. with H.]Enter Hellen. Ff (after line 91come your ways).[91]Laf.Nay, ... ways]Laf. [Returns.]Nay ... ways[Bringing in Helena. Theobald.[95]I am]I'mPope.[96]Exit]Ff. Exit. Attendants retire. Capell.See note (viii).[97]Scene iii.] Pope.[98-100]Ay ... him]As in Ff. As three lines, endingwas ... found ... him.Hanmer. As two, endingfather ... him.Capell.[99]Gerard de Narbon]Gerardo of NarbonaAnon. conj.[100]In]One inS. Walker conj.[101]praises]praiseTheobald.[102]On's]On hisCapell.[103]receipts]Rowe.receitsFf.[105]the]th'Ff.[107]two, more dear]Steevens.two: dearFf.[109, 110]honour ... power]power ...honourRann (Johnson conj.).[116]ransom]answerSteevens (1778).[117]inaidible]inaydibleF1 F2.unaydibleF3 F4.unaidableRowe.inaidableCapell.estate]stateS. Walker conj.I say] om. Pope.[118]stain]strainAnon. conj.[124]mine]F1.myF2 F3 F4.[139]miracles ... greatest]miracles ... great'stFf.mir'cles ... greatestTheobald. Johnson supposes a line lost after this.[142]fits]Collier (Theobald conj.).shiftsFf.sitsPope.See note (x).[153]impostor]F3 F4.impostrueF1 F2.impostureCapell.[158]The great'st grace lending]Capell.The greatest grace lendingFf.The Greatest lendingRowe.[162]his]Rowe.herFf.[169, 170]shame ... ballads:my maidens name] Ff.shame; ... ballads my maiden's name,Theobald conj.shame; ... ballads: my maiden's nameId. conj.shame, ... ballads my maiden nameJohnson conj.[171]Sear'd otherwise, ne worse of...]F1.Seard otherwise, no worse of ...F2 F3 F4.Sear'd otherwise no worse of worst: extendedTheobald conj.Sear'd, otherwise no worse of worst extended;Id. conj.Sear'd: otherwise, the worst of ...Hanmer.Sear'd otherwise, to worst of ...Johnson conj.Fear otherwise to worst of ...Id. conj.Sear'd; otherwise the worst to ...Id. conj.Fear, otherwise, to worst of worseHeath conj.Sear'd otherwise; or, worse to ...Capell.Seard otherwise, as worse of ...Long MS.Fear'd o' the wise no worse if ...Mason conj.Sear'd otherwise; nay, worst of ...Malone conj.Scar'd otherwise; the worst of ...Id. conj.Sear'd otherwise; the worst of ...Rann.Sear'd otherwise; nay, worse of ...Singer.ne ... extended]and worse, if worse, attendedBecket conj.and, worse of worst expendedStaunton conj.on worst of racks extendedAnon. conj.nay, worse, if worse, extendedAnon. conj.[173, 174]speak His powerful sound]speak, It powerful soundsHanmer.speak: His power full soundsWarburton.O powerful soundBecket conj. (transposing lines 173, 174.)[174]within]F1.whereinF2 F3 F4.[179]courage]courage, virtueTheobald.courage, honourCollier (Collier MS.).[180]and prime]and prideTyrwhitt conj.in primeRann (Mason conj.).[190]heaven]Theobald (Thirlby conj.).helpeF1 F2.helpF3 F4.[196]image]impageWarburton.[201]make the]make theeAnon. conj.thy]F1.thineF2 F3 F4.[208]thy deed]thy meedAnon. conj.[Flourish. Exeunt.]Florish. Exit. F1. Exeunt. F2 F3 F4.

LINENOTES:

Act ii.]Actus Secundus. Ff (Sæcundus F2).

Enter ... attended....]Capell. Enter ... warre: Count Rosse, and Parolles. Florish Cornets. Ff.

divers]two Hanmer. om. Steevens.

[1, 2]lords ... lords]Ff.lord ... lordHanmer.See note (vi).

[2]and you]youPope.

[3]both gain, all]Ff.both gain,Pope,both gain, well!Hanmer.both gain all,Johnson.back again,Jackson conj.both gain, AllAnon. conj.See note (vii).

[5]First Lord]i. Lord. Rowe. Lord G. Ff.

'Tis]Ff.It isSteevens.

[9]he owes]it ownsPope.he ownsLong MS.

[12]higher]hiredColeridge conj.

[13]bated]bastardsHanmer.'bated onesCapell conj.

[15, 16]wed it; when ... shrinks,]Pope,wed it, when ... shrinkes:F1 F2 F3.wed it, when ... shrinks;F4.

[16]questant]F1.questionF2 F3 F4.questorCollier MS.

[18]Sec. Lord.]2. Lord Rowe (ed. 2). L. G. Ff. 1. Lord Rowe (ed. 1).

[22]Both.]Rowe. Bo. Ff.

[23]Come ... me]Come ... me[to Bert.] Pope. om. Hanmer.Come ... me[to Attendants]. Theobald.

Exit.]Pope. om. Ff. Retires to a Couch; Attendants leading him. Capell.See note (viii).

[24, 34, 37]First Lord.]1. Lord. Rowe. 1. Lo. G. Ff.

[25]fault, the spark.]F3 F4.fault the spark.F1 F2.fault, the spark— Rowe.fault; the spark— Theobald.

[25, 35, 38]Sec. Lord.]2. Lord. Rowe. 2. Lo. E. Ff.

[27]a coil]acoyleF2.

[27, 28]with 'Too young']Pope.with, Too youngFf.with; 'Too young'Capell.

[29]An ... to't, boy, ... bravely]Theobald.And ... too't boy, Steale away bravelyF1 F2 F3.And ... to it ...F4.And thy mind—stand to it, boy; steal away bravely.Pope.

[30]I shall stay]I stayRowe.Shall I stayPope.

[36]I ... our ... a tortured body]I ... this our ... A tortur'd bodyHanmer.I ... our ... the parting of a tortured bodyJohnson conj.I ... our ... a tortureCapell.I ... our ... as a tortured bodyS. Walker conj., reading lines 34-37Commit ... captain.as three lines, endingaccessary ... parting ... captain.

to you]t' yeS. Walker conj.

[37]captain]worthy captainHanmer.

[39]yours]yours[measuring swords with them] Capell.

[40]a word]in a wordLong MS.

[41, 42]with his cicatrice, an emblem]Theobald.his cicatrice, with an emblemFf (sicatriceF1).he's cicatriced with an emblemRann conj.

[44]for]F1 F2.ofF3 F4.

[45]First Lord.]1. Lord. Rowe. Lo. G. F1 F2. L.G. F3 F4. 2. Lord. Warburton. Both. Edd. conj.

[46]novices! what will ye do?]novices, what will ye do?Ff (doeF1 F2).See note (ix).

ye]youHanmer.

[47]Stay: the king.]F2 F3 F4.Stay the king.F1.Stay; the king—Pope.Stay with the kingGrant White (Collier conj.).

Re-enter King.]Edd.See note (viii).

[51]there do muster]there, to musterWarburton.they do muster with theJohnson conj.there do masterHeath conj.they do masterCollier conj.there demonstrateAnon. conj.

[51, 52]there ... gait]do muster your true gaitéBecket conj. om. Collier MS.

true gait]togetherHanmer.

[52]eat]dressHanmer.they eatSinger conj.

move]F1.moreF2 F3 F4.

[57]Exeunt B. and P.]Exeunt. Ff.

[58]Scene ii.Pope.

Enter L.] Enter the King and L. Pope. Enter L. hastily. Capell.

Kneeling]Johnson, om. Ff.

[59]I'll fee]Theobald.Ile seeFf.I'll sueStaunton.I'll freeAnon. ap. Halliwell conj.I beseechKeightley conj.

[59-62]Capell ends the linesman ... I would you ... mercy; and ... up.

[60]has]F1.hathF2 F3 F4.

brought]Ff.boughtTheobald.

[63, 64]I would ... for't]You would ... for't?Anon. conj.

[64-70]Capell ends the linesacross: ... cur'd ... eat ... will ... fox ... medicine.

[65]across]a crossF4.

[69]my noble grapes]omitted by Hanmer, ending the line atfox. aye, noble grapesCollier MS.

[70]seen a medicine]seen A medicineAnon. conj.

medicine]med'cin(in italics) Theobald.medecinSteevens.

[74]araise]raisePope.upraiseCollier MS.

Pepin]Theobald.PippenFf.

[75]To give]And giveCapell.

in's]in hisCapell. Malone supposes a line to be lost after this.

[76]And write]To writeHanmer.And cause him writeSinger conj.

to her a love-line]a love-line to herHanmer.

[77]Doctor She]Grant White.doctor sheFf.Doctor-sheTheobald.

[79]convey]convayF1.convoyF2 F3 F4.

[83]Than ... weakness]Than(blame my weakness)I dare— Becket conj.

blame]blazeTheobald conj.

[89]Exit]Theobald. om. Ff.

[90]nothing]nothingsHanmer.

Re-enter L. with H.]Enter Hellen. Ff (after line 91come your ways).

[91]Laf.Nay, ... ways]Laf. [Returns.]Nay ... ways[Bringing in Helena. Theobald.

[95]I am]I'mPope.

[96]Exit]Ff. Exit. Attendants retire. Capell.See note (viii).

[97]Scene iii.] Pope.

[98-100]Ay ... him]As in Ff. As three lines, endingwas ... found ... him.Hanmer. As two, endingfather ... him.Capell.

[99]Gerard de Narbon]Gerardo of NarbonaAnon. conj.

[100]In]One inS. Walker conj.

[101]praises]praiseTheobald.

[102]On's]On hisCapell.

[103]receipts]Rowe.receitsFf.

[105]the]th'Ff.

[107]two, more dear]Steevens.two: dearFf.

[109, 110]honour ... power]power ...honourRann (Johnson conj.).

[116]ransom]answerSteevens (1778).

[117]inaidible]inaydibleF1 F2.unaydibleF3 F4.unaidableRowe.inaidableCapell.

estate]stateS. Walker conj.

I say] om. Pope.

[118]stain]strainAnon. conj.

[124]mine]F1.myF2 F3 F4.

[139]miracles ... greatest]miracles ... great'stFf.mir'cles ... greatestTheobald. Johnson supposes a line lost after this.

[142]fits]Collier (Theobald conj.).shiftsFf.sitsPope.See note (x).

[153]impostor]F3 F4.impostrueF1 F2.impostureCapell.

[158]The great'st grace lending]Capell.The greatest grace lendingFf.The Greatest lendingRowe.

[162]his]Rowe.herFf.

[169, 170]shame ... ballads:my maidens name] Ff.shame; ... ballads my maiden's name,Theobald conj.shame; ... ballads: my maiden's nameId. conj.shame, ... ballads my maiden nameJohnson conj.

[171]Sear'd otherwise, ne worse of...]F1.Seard otherwise, no worse of ...F2 F3 F4.Sear'd otherwise no worse of worst: extendedTheobald conj.Sear'd, otherwise no worse of worst extended;Id. conj.Sear'd: otherwise, the worst of ...Hanmer.Sear'd otherwise, to worst of ...Johnson conj.Fear otherwise to worst of ...Id. conj.Sear'd; otherwise the worst to ...Id. conj.Fear, otherwise, to worst of worseHeath conj.Sear'd otherwise; or, worse to ...Capell.Seard otherwise, as worse of ...Long MS.Fear'd o' the wise no worse if ...Mason conj.Sear'd otherwise; nay, worst of ...Malone conj.Scar'd otherwise; the worst of ...Id. conj.Sear'd otherwise; the worst of ...Rann.Sear'd otherwise; nay, worse of ...Singer.

ne ... extended]and worse, if worse, attendedBecket conj.and, worse of worst expendedStaunton conj.on worst of racks extendedAnon. conj.nay, worse, if worse, extendedAnon. conj.

[173, 174]speak His powerful sound]speak, It powerful soundsHanmer.speak: His power full soundsWarburton.O powerful soundBecket conj. (transposing lines 173, 174.)

[174]within]F1.whereinF2 F3 F4.

[179]courage]courage, virtueTheobald.courage, honourCollier (Collier MS.).

[180]and prime]and prideTyrwhitt conj.in primeRann (Mason conj.).

[190]heaven]Theobald (Thirlby conj.).helpeF1 F2.helpF3 F4.

[196]image]impageWarburton.

[201]make the]make theeAnon. conj.

thy]F1.thineF2 F3 F4.

[208]thy deed]thy meedAnon. conj.

[Flourish. Exeunt.]Florish. Exit. F1. Exeunt. F2 F3 F4.

EnterCountessandClown.Count.Come on, sir; I shall now put you to the heightof your breeding.Clo.I will show myself highly fed and lowly taught: Iknow my business is but to the court.5Count.To the court! why, what place make you special,when you put off that with suchcontempt? But to the court!Clo.Truly, madam, if God have lent a man any manners,he may easily put it off at court: he that cannot makea leg, put off's cap, kiss his hand, and say nothing, has10neither leg, hands, lip, nor cap; and, indeed, such a fellow,to say precisely, were not for thecourt; but for me, I havean answer will serve all men.Count.Marry, that's a bountiful answer that fits allquestions.15Clo.It is like a barber's chair, that fits all buttocks, thepin-buttock, the quatch-buttock, the brawn-buttock, or anybuttock.Count.Will your answerserve fitto all questions?Clo.As fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney,20as your French crown for your taffeta punk, asTib's rushfor Tom's forefinger, as a pancake for Shrove Tuesday, amorris for May-day, as the nail to his hole, the cuckold to hishorn, as a scolding quean to a wrangling knave, as the nun'slip to the friar's mouth, nay, as the pudding to his skin.25Count.Have you, I say, an answer of such fitness forall questions?Clo.From below your duke to beneath your constable,it will fit any question.Count.It must be an answer of most monstrous size30that must fit all demands.Clo.But a trifle neither, in good faith, if the learnedshould 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 a35fool in question, hoping to be the wiser by your answer.I prayyou, sir, are you a courtier?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.40Clo.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.45Count.Do you cry, 'O Lord, sir!' at your whipping,and 'spare not me'? Indeed your 'O Lord, sir!' is verysequent to your whipping: you would answer very well toa whipping, if you were but bound to't.Clo.I ne'er had worse luck in my life in my 'O Lord,50sir!' I see things may serve long,butnot serve ever.Count.I playthe noblehousewifewith the time,Toentertain 'tso merrily with a fool.Clo.O Lord, sir! why, there't serves well again.

EnterCountessandClown.

Count.Come on, sir; I shall now put you to the heightof your breeding.

Clo.I will show myself highly fed and lowly taught: Iknow my business is but to the court.5Count.To the court! why, what place make you special,when you put off that with suchcontempt? But to the court!

Clo.Truly, madam, if God have lent a man any manners,he may easily put it off at court: he that cannot makea leg, put off's cap, kiss his hand, and say nothing, has10neither leg, hands, lip, nor cap; and, indeed, such a fellow,to say precisely, were not for thecourt; but for me, I havean answer will serve all men.

Count.Marry, that's a bountiful answer that fits allquestions.

15Clo.It is like a barber's chair, that fits all buttocks, thepin-buttock, the quatch-buttock, the brawn-buttock, or anybuttock.

Count.Will your answerserve fitto all questions?

Clo.As fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney,20as your French crown for your taffeta punk, asTib's rushfor Tom's forefinger, as a pancake for Shrove Tuesday, amorris for May-day, as the nail to his hole, the cuckold to hishorn, as a scolding quean to a wrangling knave, as the nun'slip to the friar's mouth, nay, as the pudding to his skin.

25Count.Have you, I say, an answer of such fitness forall questions?

Clo.From below your duke to beneath your constable,it will fit any question.

Count.It must be an answer of most monstrous size30that must fit all demands.

Clo.But a trifle neither, in good faith, if the learnedshould 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 a35fool in question, hoping to be the wiser by your answer.I prayyou, sir, are you a courtier?

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.

40Clo.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.

45Count.Do you cry, 'O Lord, sir!' at your whipping,and 'spare not me'? Indeed your 'O Lord, sir!' is verysequent to your whipping: you would answer very well toa whipping, if you were but bound to't.

Clo.I ne'er had worse luck in my life in my 'O Lord,50sir!' I see things may serve long,butnot serve ever.

Count.I playthe noblehousewifewith the time,Toentertain 'tso merrily with a fool.

Clo.O Lord, sir! why, there't serves well again.

Count.An end, sir; toyour business. Give Helen this,55And urge her to a present answer back:Commend me to my kinsmen and my son:Thisis notmuch.Clo.Not much commendation to them.Count.Not much employment for you: you understand60me?Clo.Most fruitfully: I am there before my legs.Count.Haste you again.[Exeunt severally.

Count.An end, sir; toyour business. Give Helen this,55And urge her to a present answer back:Commend me to my kinsmen and my son:Thisis notmuch.

Count.An end, sir; toyour business. Give Helen this,

And urge her to a present answer back:

Commend me to my kinsmen and my son:

Thisis notmuch.

Clo.Not much commendation to them.

Count.Not much employment for you: you understand60me?

Count.Not much employment for you: you understand

me?

Clo.Most fruitfully: I am there before my legs.

Count.Haste you again.[Exeunt severally.

LINENOTES:Scene ii.]Scene iv.Pope.[1]Count.]Lady. Ff (and Lady. or La. throughout the scene).[5]To the court]But to the courtTheobald.[6]contempt? ... court!]Pope.contempt, ... Court?Ff.[11]court; but for me,]Rowe.court, but for me,Ff.court, but for me:Pope.[18]serve fit]sir, fitAnon. conj.fitAnon. conj.[20, 21]Tib's ... Tom's]Tom's ... Tib'sHawkins conj.[36]I pray ...]F3. La.I pray ...F1 F2. Lady.I pray ...F4.[50]but]andHanmer.[51, 52]Printed as prose in Ff.As verse first by Knight.[51]housewife]huswifeFf.[52]entertain 't]Edd. (S. Walker conj.).entertain itFf.[54]An end, sir; to]Rowe (ed. 2).And end sir toF1 F2.And end; sir toF3 F4.[57]is not]isn'tHanmer.[62][Exeunt severally]Capell. Exeunt. Ff.

LINENOTES:

Scene ii.]Scene iv.Pope.

[1]Count.]Lady. Ff (and Lady. or La. throughout the scene).

[5]To the court]But to the courtTheobald.

[6]contempt? ... court!]Pope.contempt, ... Court?Ff.

[11]court; but for me,]Rowe.court, but for me,Ff.court, but for me:Pope.

[18]serve fit]sir, fitAnon. conj.fitAnon. conj.

[20, 21]Tib's ... Tom's]Tom's ... Tib'sHawkins conj.

[36]I pray ...]F3. La.I pray ...F1 F2. Lady.I pray ...F4.

[50]but]andHanmer.

[51, 52]Printed as prose in Ff.As verse first by Knight.

[51]housewife]huswifeFf.

[52]entertain 't]Edd. (S. Walker conj.).entertain itFf.

[54]An end, sir; to]Rowe (ed. 2).And end sir toF1 F2.And end; sir toF3 F4.

[57]is not]isn'tHanmer.

[62][Exeunt severally]Capell. Exeunt. Ff.

EnterBertram,Lafeu,andParolles.

Laf.They say miracles are past;andwe have our philosophicalpersons, to make modern andfamiliar, thingssupernaturaland causeless. Hence is it that we make triflesof terrors; ensconcing ourselves into seeming knowledge,5when we should submit ourselves to an unknown fear.Par.Why, 'tis the rarest argument of wonder thathath shot out in ourlattertimes.Ber.And so 'tis.Laf.To be relinquished of the artists,—10Par.So I say; both of Galen and Paracelsus.Laf.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.15Laf.Not to be helped,—Par.Right; as 'twere,aman assured of a—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.20Par.It is, indeed: if you will have itin showing, youshall read it in—what do ye call there?Laf.A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor.Par.That'sit;I would have said the very same.Laf.Why, yourdolphinis not lustier:'foreme, I25speak in respect—Par.Nay, 'tis strange, 'tis very strange, that is the briefand the tedious of it; and he's of a mostfacineriousspiritthat will not acknowledge it to be the—Laf.Very hand of heaven.30Par.Ay, so I say.Laf.In a most weak—Par.And debile minister, great power, great transcendence:which should, indeed,give us a furtheruse to bemade thanalonethe recovery of the king, as to be—35Laf.Generally thankful.Par.I would have said it; yousaywell. Here comesthe king.EnterKing,Helena,andAttendants.Laf.Lustig,as the Dutchman says: I'll like a maidthe better,whilstI have a tooth in my head: why, he's40able to lead her acoranto.Par.Mort du vinaigre!is not this Helen?Laf.'Fore God, I think so.King.Go, call before me all the lords incourt.Sit, my preserver, by thy patient's side;45And with this healthful hand, whose banish'd senseThou hast repeal'd, a second time receiveThe confirmation of my promised gift,Which but attends thy naming.Enter three or fourLords.Fair maid, send forth thine eye: this youthful parcel50Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing,O'er whom bothsovereignpower and father's voiceI have to use: thy frank election make;Thou hast power to choose, and they none to forsake.Hel.To each of you one fair and virtuousmistress55Fall, when Love please!marry,to each, butone!Laf.I'd give bay Curtal and his furniture,My mouth no more were broken than these boys',Andwritas little beard.King.Peruse them well:Not one of those but had a noble father.60Hel.Gentlemen,Heaven hath through me restored the king to health.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.65Please it your majesty, I have done already:The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me,'Hel.We blushthat thou shouldstHel.choose; but, be refused,Hel.Let thewhitedeathsit on thycheekfor ever;We'll ne'er come there again.'Hel.King.Make choice; and, see,70Who shuns thy love shuns all his love in me.Hel.Now, Dian, from thy altar do I fly;And toHel.imperial Love, that god most high,Do my sighsstream. Sir, will you hear my suit?First Lord.And grant it.Hel.Thanks, sir; all the restis mute.75Laf.I had rather be in this choice than throwAmes-acefor my life.Hel.The honour, sir, that flames in your fair eyes,Before I speak, toothreateninglyreplies:Love make your fortunes twenty times above80Her that so wishes and her humble love!Sec. Lord.No better, if you please.Hel.My wish receive,Which greatLovegrant! and so, I take my leave.Laf.Doall theydeny her?Anthey were sons ofmine, I'd have them whipped; or I would send themto85the 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 bedFindfairerfortune, if you ever wed!90Laf.These boys are boys of ice, they'll nonehaveher: sure, they are bastards to the English; the Frenchne'er got'em.Hel.You are too young, too happy, and too good,To make yourself a son out of my blood.95Fourth Lord.Fair one, I think not so.Laf.There'sone grape yet; I am surethyfatherdrunk wine: but if thou be'st not an ass, I am a youth offourteen; I have known thee already.Hel.[To Bertram]I dare not say I take you; but I give100Me 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 useThe help of mine own eyes.105King.Know'st thou not, Bertram,What shehasdone for me?Ber.Yes, my good lord;But never hope to know why I should marry her.King.Thou know'st she has raised me from my sickly bed.Ber.But follows it, my lord, to bring me down110Must answer for your raising? I know her well:She had her breeding at my father's charge.A poor physician's daughtermy wife! DisdainRather corrupt me ever!King.'Tisonly titlethou disdain'st in her, the which115I can build up. Strange is it, that our bloods,Of colour, weight, and heat, pour'd all together,Would quite confound distinction, yetstandoffIn differencessomighty. If she beAll that is virtuous, save what thou dislikest,120A poor physician's daughter, thou dislikestOf virtue forthe name: but do not so:From lowestplace whenvirtuous things proceed,The place is dignifiedby thedoer's deed:Where greatadditions swell's,and virtue none,125It is a dropsiedhonour.GoodaloneIs good without a name. Vileness is so:The property by whatit isshould go,Not by the title. She isyoung, wise, fair;In these to nature she's immediate heir,130And these breed honour: that is honour's scorn,Which challenges itself ashonour's born,And is not like the sire: honoursthrive,When rather from our acts we them deriveThan our foregoers: the mereword'sa slave135Debosh'd on every tomb, on everygraveA lying trophy; and as oft is dumbWhere dust and damn'd oblivion is thetombOf honour'd bones indeed. What should be said?If thou canst like this creature as a maid,140I can create the rest: virtue and sheIs 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:145Let the rest go.King.My honour's at the stake; which todefeat,I must produce my power. Here, take her hand,Proud scornful boy, unworthy this good gift;That dost in vile misprision shackle up150My love and her desert; that canst not dream,We, poising us in her defective scale,Shall weigh thee to the beam; that wilt not know,It is in us to plant thine honour whereWe please to have it grow. Check thy contempt:155Obey our will, whichtravailsin thy good:Believe not thy disdain, but presentlyDo thine own fortunes that obedient rightWhich both thy duty owes and our power claims;Or I willthrowthee from mycarefor ever160Into thestaggers andthe carelesslapseOf youth and ignorance;bothmy revenge and hateLoosingupon thee, in the name of justice,Without all terms of pity.Speak; thineanswer.Ber.Pardon, my gracious lord; for I submit165My fancy to your eyes: when I considerWhat great creation and what dole of honourFlies where youbid it, I find that she, which lateWas in my nobler thoughts most base, is nowThepraisedof the king;who, soennobled,Is as 't were born so.170King.Take her by the hand,And tell her she is thine: to whom I promiseA counterpoise; if nottothy estate,A balance more replete.Ber.I take her hand.King.Good fortune and the favour of the king175Smile uponthiscontract;whose ceremonyShall seem expedient on thenow-bornbrief,And be perform'd to-night: the solemn feastShall more attend upon the coming space,Expecting absent friends. As thou lovest her,180Thy love's to me religious; else, does err.[Exeuntall but Lafeu andParolles.Laf.Do you hear, monsieur? a word with you.Par.Your pleasure, sir?Laf.Your lord and master did well to make his recantation.185Par.Recantation! My lord! my master!Laf.Ay; is it not a language I speak?Par.A most harsh one, and not to be understoodwithout bloody succeeding. My master!Laf.Are you companion to the Count Rousillon?190Par.To any count, to all counts, to what is man.Laf.To what is count's man: count's master is ofanother style.Par.You are too old, sir; let it satisfy you, you aretoo old.195Laf.I must tell thee, sirrah, I write man; to whichtitle 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 prettywise fellow;thoudidst make tolerable vent of thy travel;200it might pass: yet the scarfs and thebanneretsabout theedid manifoldly dissuade me from believing thee a vessel oftoo great a burthen. I have now found thee; when I losethee again, I care not: yet art thou good for nothing buttaking up; and that thou'rt scarce worth.205Par.Hadst thou not the privilege of antiquity uponthee,—Laf.Do not plunge thyself too far in anger, lest thouhasten thy trial; whichif—Lord have mercy on thee fora hen! So, my good window oflattice, fare thee well:210thy casement I need not open,forI look through thee.Give me thy hand.Par.My lord, you give me most egregious indignity.Laf.Ay, with all my heart; and thou art worthy of it.Par.I have not, my lord, deserved it.215Laf.Yes, good faith, every dram of it; and I will notbate thee a scruple.Par.Well, I shall bewiser.Laf.Ev'n as soon as thou canst, for thou hast to pull ata smacko' thecontrary. If ever thou be'st bound in thy220scarf and beaten, thoushaltfind what it is to be proud ofthy bondage. I have a desire to hold my acquaintancewith thee, or rather my knowledge, that I may sayin thedefault, he is a man I know.Par.My lord, you do me most insupportable vexation.225Laf.I would it were hell-pains for thy sake, and mypoor doing eternal:for doingI ampast; as I willby thee,in what motion age will give me leave.[Exit.Par.Well, thou hast a son shall take this disgrace offme; scurvy, old, filthy,scurvy lord! Well, I must be patient;230there is no fettering of authority. I'll beat him, bymy life, if I can meet him with any convenience, an he weredouble and double a lord. I'll have no more pity of hisage than I would have of—I'll beat him, an if I could butmeet him again.Re-enterLafeu.235Laf.Sirrah, your lord and master's married; there'snews for you: you have a new mistress.Par.I most unfeignedly beseech your lordship to makesome reservation of your wrongs:he is my good lord:whomI serve above is my master.240Laf.Who? God?Par.Ay, sir.Laf.The devil it is that's thy master. Why dost thougarter up thy armso'this fashion? dost make hose of thysleeves? do other servants so? Thou wert best set thy lower245part where thy nose stands. By mine honour, if I were buttwo hours younger, I'd beat thee:methinks't, thou art ageneral offence, and every man should beat thee: I thinkthou wast created for men to breathe themselves upon thee.Par.This is hard and undeserved measure, my lord.250Laf.Go to, sir; you were beaten in Italy for picking akernel out of a pomegranate; you are a vagabond, and notrue traveller: you are more saucy with lords and honourablepersonages than thecommissionof your birth andvirtue gives you heraldry. You are not worth another255word, else I'd call you knave. I leave you.[Exit.Par.Good, very good; it is so then: good, verygood; let it be concealed awhile.Re-enterBertram.Ber.Undone, and forfeited to cares for ever!Par.What'sthe matter, sweet-heart?260Ber.Althoughbefore the solemn priest I have sworn,I will not bed her.Par.What, what, sweet-heart?Ber.O my Parolles, they have married me!I'll to the Tuscan wars, and never bed her.265Par.Franceis a dog-hole, and it no more meritsThe tread of a man's foot: to thewars!Ber.There's letters from my mother: what the importis, I know not yet.Par.Ay, that would be known. To the wars, myboy, to the wars!270He wears his honour in a box unseen,That hugs hiskicky-wickyhere at home.Spending his manly marrow in her arms,Which should sustain the bound and high curvetOf Mars's fiery steed. To otherregions275France 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 king280That which I durst not speak: his present giftShall furnish me to those Italian fields,Where noble fellows strike:waris no strifeTo the dark house and thedetestedwife.Par.Will this capriccio hold in thee, art sure?285Ber.Go with me to my chamber, and advise me.I'll send her straight away:to-morrowI'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:290Therefore away, and leaveher bravely; go:The king has done you wrong: but, hush, 'tis so.[Exeunt.

Laf.They say miracles are past;andwe have our philosophical

persons, to make modern andfamiliar, thingssupernatural

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.Why, 'tis the rarest argument of wonder thathath shot out in ourlattertimes.

Par.Why, 'tis the rarest argument of wonder that

hath shot out in ourlattertimes.

Ber.And so 'tis.

Laf.To be relinquished of the artists,—

10Par.So I say; both of Galen and Paracelsus.

Par.So I say; both of Galen and Paracelsus.

Laf.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.

15Laf.Not to be helped,—

Laf.Not to be helped,—

Par.Right; as 'twere,aman assured of a—

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.

20Par.It is, indeed: if you will have itin showing, youshall read it in—what do ye call there?

Par.It is, indeed: if you will have itin showing, you

shall read it in—what do ye call there?

Laf.A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor.

Par.That'sit;I would have said the very same.

Laf.Why, yourdolphinis not lustier:'foreme, I25speak in respect—

Laf.Why, yourdolphinis not lustier:'foreme, I

speak in respect—

Par.Nay, 'tis strange, 'tis very strange, that is the briefand the tedious of it; and he's of a mostfacineriousspiritthat will not acknowledge it to be the—

Par.Nay, 'tis strange, 'tis very strange, that is the brief

and the tedious of it; and he's of a mostfacineriousspirit

that will not acknowledge it to be the—

Laf.Very hand of heaven.

30Par.Ay, so I say.

Par.Ay, so I say.

Laf.In a most weak—

Par.And debile minister, great power, great transcendence:which should, indeed,give us a furtheruse to bemade thanalonethe recovery of the king, as to be—

Par.And debile minister, great power, great transcendence:

which should, indeed,give us a furtheruse to be

made thanalonethe recovery of the king, as to be—

35Laf.Generally thankful.

Laf.Generally thankful.

Par.I would have said it; yousaywell. Here comesthe king.

Par.I would have said it; yousaywell. Here comes

the king.

EnterKing,Helena,andAttendants.

Laf.Lustig,as the Dutchman says: I'll like a maidthe better,whilstI have a tooth in my head: why, he's40able to lead her acoranto.

Laf.Lustig,as the Dutchman says: I'll like a maid

the better,whilstI have a tooth in my head: why, he's

able to lead her acoranto.

Par.Mort du vinaigre!is not this Helen?

Laf.'Fore God, I think so.

King.Go, call before me all the lords incourt.Sit, my preserver, by thy patient's side;45And with this healthful hand, whose banish'd senseThou hast repeal'd, a second time receiveThe confirmation of my promised gift,Which but attends thy naming.

King.Go, call before me all the lords incourt.

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.

Enter three or fourLords.

Fair maid, send forth thine eye: this youthful parcel50Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing,O'er whom bothsovereignpower and father's voiceI have to use: thy frank election make;Thou hast power to choose, and they none to forsake.

Fair maid, send forth thine eye: this youthful parcel

Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing,

O'er whom bothsovereignpower and father's voice

I have to use: thy frank election make;

Thou hast power to choose, and they none to forsake.

Hel.To each of you one fair and virtuousmistress55Fall, when Love please!marry,to each, butone!

Hel.To each of you one fair and virtuousmistress

Fall, when Love please!marry,to each, butone!

Laf.I'd give bay Curtal and his furniture,My mouth no more were broken than these boys',Andwritas little beard.

Laf.I'd give bay Curtal and his furniture,

My mouth no more were broken than these boys',

Andwritas little beard.

King.Peruse them well:Not one of those but had a noble father.

King.Peruse them well:

Not one of those but had a noble father.

60Hel.Gentlemen,Heaven hath through me restored the king to health.

Hel.Gentlemen,

Heaven hath through me restored the king to health.

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.65Please it your majesty, I have done already:The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me,'Hel.We blushthat thou shouldstHel.choose; but, be refused,Hel.Let thewhitedeathsit on thycheekfor ever;We'll ne'er come there again.'

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,

'Hel.We blushthat thou shouldstHel.choose; but, be refused,

Hel.Let thewhitedeathsit on thycheekfor ever;

We'll ne'er come there again.'

Hel.King.Make choice; and, see,70Who shuns thy love shuns all his love in me.

Hel.King.Make choice; and, see,

Who shuns thy love shuns all his love in me.

Hel.Now, Dian, from thy altar do I fly;And toHel.imperial Love, that god most high,Do my sighsstream. Sir, will you hear my suit?

Hel.Now, Dian, from thy altar do I fly;

And toHel.imperial Love, that god most high,

Do my sighsstream. Sir, will you hear my suit?

First Lord.And grant it.

Hel.Thanks, sir; all the restis mute.

75Laf.I had rather be in this choice than throwAmes-acefor my life.

Laf.I had rather be in this choice than throw

Ames-acefor my life.

Hel.The honour, sir, that flames in your fair eyes,Before I speak, toothreateninglyreplies:Love make your fortunes twenty times above80Her that so wishes and her humble love!

Hel.The honour, sir, that flames in your fair eyes,

Before I speak, toothreateninglyreplies:

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 greatLovegrant! and so, I take my leave.

Hel.My wish receive,

Which greatLovegrant! and so, I take my leave.

Laf.Doall theydeny her?Anthey were sons ofmine, I'd have them whipped; or I would send themto85the Turk, to make eunuchs of.

Laf.Doall theydeny her?Anthey were sons of

mine, I'd have them whipped; or I would send themto

the 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 bedFindfairerfortune, if you ever wed!

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

Findfairerfortune, if you ever wed!

90Laf.These boys are boys of ice, they'll nonehaveher: sure, they are bastards to the English; the Frenchne'er got'em.

Laf.These boys are boys of ice, they'll nonehave

her: sure, they are bastards to the English; the French

ne'er got'em.

Hel.You are too young, too happy, and too good,To make yourself a son out of my blood.

Hel.You are too young, too happy, and too good,

To make yourself a son out of my blood.

95Fourth Lord.Fair one, I think not so.

Fourth Lord.Fair one, I think not so.

Laf.There'sone grape yet; I am surethyfatherdrunk wine: but if thou be'st not an ass, I am a youth offourteen; I have known thee already.

Laf.There'sone grape yet; I am surethyfather

drunk wine: but if thou be'st not an ass, I am a youth of

fourteen; I have known thee already.

Hel.[To Bertram]I dare not say I take you; but I give100Me and my service, ever whilst I live,Into your guiding power. This is the man.

Hel.[To Bertram]I dare not say I take you; but I give

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 useThe help of mine own eyes.

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.

105King.Know'st thou not, Bertram,What shehasdone for me?

King.Know'st thou not, Bertram,

What shehasdone for me?

Ber.Yes, my good lord;But never hope to know why I should marry her.

Ber.Yes, my good lord;

But never hope to know why I should marry her.

King.Thou know'st she has raised me from my sickly bed.

Ber.But follows it, my lord, to bring me down110Must answer for your raising? I know her well:She had her breeding at my father's charge.A poor physician's daughtermy wife! DisdainRather corrupt me ever!

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 daughtermy wife! Disdain

Rather corrupt me ever!

King.'Tisonly titlethou disdain'st in her, the which115I can build up. Strange is it, that our bloods,Of colour, weight, and heat, pour'd all together,Would quite confound distinction, yetstandoffIn differencessomighty. If she beAll that is virtuous, save what thou dislikest,120A poor physician's daughter, thou dislikestOf virtue forthe name: but do not so:From lowestplace whenvirtuous things proceed,The place is dignifiedby thedoer's deed:Where greatadditions swell's,and virtue none,125It is a dropsiedhonour.GoodaloneIs good without a name. Vileness is so:The property by whatit isshould go,Not by the title. She isyoung, wise, fair;In these to nature she's immediate heir,130And these breed honour: that is honour's scorn,Which challenges itself ashonour's born,And is not like the sire: honoursthrive,When rather from our acts we them deriveThan our foregoers: the mereword'sa slave135Debosh'd on every tomb, on everygraveA lying trophy; and as oft is dumbWhere dust and damn'd oblivion is thetombOf honour'd bones indeed. What should be said?If thou canst like this creature as a maid,140I can create the rest: virtue and sheIs her own dower; honour and wealth from me.

King.'Tisonly titlethou disdain'st in her, the which

I can build up. Strange is it, that our bloods,

Of colour, weight, and heat, pour'd all together,

Would quite confound distinction, yetstandoff

In differencessomighty. If she be

All that is virtuous, save what thou dislikest,

A poor physician's daughter, thou dislikest

Of virtue forthe name: but do not so:

From lowestplace whenvirtuous things proceed,

The place is dignifiedby thedoer's deed:

Where greatadditions swell's,and virtue none,

It is a dropsiedhonour.Goodalone

Is good without a name. Vileness is so:

The property by whatit isshould go,

Not by the title. She isyoung, wise, fair;

In these to nature she's immediate heir,

And these breed honour: that is honour's scorn,

Which challenges itself ashonour's born,

And is not like the sire: honoursthrive,

When rather from our acts we them derive

Than our foregoers: the mereword'sa slave

Debosh'd on every tomb, on everygrave

A lying trophy; and as oft is dumb

Where dust and damn'd oblivion is thetomb

Of honour'd bones indeed. 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:145Let the rest go.

Hel.That you are well restored, my lord, I'm glad:

Let the rest go.

King.My honour's at the stake; which todefeat,I must produce my power. Here, take her hand,Proud scornful boy, unworthy this good gift;That dost in vile misprision shackle up150My love and her desert; that canst not dream,We, poising us in her defective scale,Shall weigh thee to the beam; that wilt not know,It is in us to plant thine honour whereWe please to have it grow. Check thy contempt:155Obey our will, whichtravailsin thy good:Believe not thy disdain, but presentlyDo thine own fortunes that obedient rightWhich both thy duty owes and our power claims;Or I willthrowthee from mycarefor ever160Into thestaggers andthe carelesslapseOf youth and ignorance;bothmy revenge and hateLoosingupon thee, in the name of justice,Without all terms of pity.Speak; thineanswer.

King.My honour's at the stake; which todefeat,

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,

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, whichtravailsin 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 willthrowthee from mycarefor ever

Into thestaggers andthe carelesslapse

Of youth and ignorance;bothmy revenge and hate

Loosingupon thee, in the name of justice,

Without all terms of pity.Speak; thineanswer.

Ber.Pardon, my gracious lord; for I submit165My fancy to your eyes: when I considerWhat great creation and what dole of honourFlies where youbid it, I find that she, which lateWas in my nobler thoughts most base, is nowThepraisedof the king;who, soennobled,Is as 't were born so.

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 youbid it, I find that she, which late

Was in my nobler thoughts most base, is now

Thepraisedof the king;who, soennobled,

Is as 't were born so.

170King.Take her by the hand,And tell her she is thine: to whom I promiseA counterpoise; if nottothy estate,A balance more replete.

King.Take her by the hand,

And tell her she is thine: to whom I promise

A counterpoise; if nottothy estate,

A balance more replete.

Ber.I take her hand.

King.Good fortune and the favour of the king175Smile uponthiscontract;whose ceremonyShall seem expedient on thenow-bornbrief,And be perform'd to-night: the solemn feastShall more attend upon the coming space,Expecting absent friends. As thou lovest her,180Thy love's to me religious; else, does err.[Exeuntall but Lafeu andParolles.

King.Good fortune and the favour of the king

Smile uponthiscontract;whose ceremony

Shall seem expedient on thenow-bornbrief,

And be perform'd to-night: the solemn feast

Shall more attend upon the coming space,

Expecting absent friends. As thou lovest her,

Thy love's to me religious; else, does err.

[Exeuntall but Lafeu andParolles.

Laf.Do you hear, monsieur? a word with you.

Par.Your pleasure, sir?

Laf.Your lord and master did well to make his recantation.

185Par.Recantation! My lord! my master!

Par.Recantation! My lord! my master!

Laf.Ay; is it not a language I speak?

Par.A most harsh one, and not to be understoodwithout bloody succeeding. My master!

Par.A most harsh one, and not to be understood

without bloody succeeding. My master!

Laf.Are you companion to the Count Rousillon?

190Par.To any count, to all counts, to what is man.

Par.To any count, to all counts, to what is man.

Laf.To what is count's man: count's master is ofanother style.

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 aretoo old.

Par.You are too old, sir; let it satisfy you, you are

too old.

195Laf.I must tell thee, sirrah, I write man; to whichtitle age cannot bring thee.

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 prettywise fellow;thoudidst make tolerable vent of thy travel;200it might pass: yet the scarfs and thebanneretsabout theedid manifoldly dissuade me from believing thee a vessel oftoo great a burthen. I have now found thee; when I losethee again, I care not: yet art thou good for nothing buttaking up; and that thou'rt scarce worth.

Laf.I did think thee, for two ordinaries, to be a pretty

wise fellow;thoudidst make tolerable vent of thy travel;

it might pass: yet the scarfs and thebanneretsabout 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.

205Par.Hadst thou not the privilege of antiquity uponthee,—

Par.Hadst thou not the privilege of antiquity upon

thee,—

Laf.Do not plunge thyself too far in anger, lest thouhasten thy trial; whichif—Lord have mercy on thee fora hen! So, my good window oflattice, fare thee well:210thy casement I need not open,forI look through thee.Give me thy hand.

Laf.Do not plunge thyself too far in anger, lest thou

hasten thy trial; whichif—Lord have mercy on thee for

a hen! So, my good window oflattice, fare thee well:

thy casement I need not open,forI look through thee.

Give me thy hand.

Par.My lord, you give me most egregious indignity.

Laf.Ay, with all my heart; and thou art worthy of it.

Par.I have not, my lord, deserved it.

215Laf.Yes, good faith, every dram of it; and I will notbate thee a scruple.

Laf.Yes, good faith, every dram of it; and I will not

bate thee a scruple.

Par.Well, I shall bewiser.

Laf.Ev'n as soon as thou canst, for thou hast to pull ata smacko' thecontrary. If ever thou be'st bound in thy220scarf and beaten, thoushaltfind what it is to be proud ofthy bondage. I have a desire to hold my acquaintancewith thee, or rather my knowledge, that I may sayin thedefault, he is a man I know.

Laf.Ev'n as soon as thou canst, for thou hast to pull at

a smacko' thecontrary. If ever thou be'st bound in thy

scarf and beaten, thoushaltfind 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 sayin the

default, he is a man I know.

Par.My lord, you do me most insupportable vexation.

225Laf.I would it were hell-pains for thy sake, and mypoor doing eternal:for doingI ampast; as I willby thee,in what motion age will give me leave.[Exit.

Laf.I would it were hell-pains for thy sake, and my

poor doing eternal:for doingI ampast; as I willby thee,

in what motion age will give me leave.[Exit.

Par.Well, thou hast a son shall take this disgrace offme; scurvy, old, filthy,scurvy lord! Well, I must be patient;230there is no fettering of authority. I'll beat him, bymy life, if I can meet him with any convenience, an he weredouble and double a lord. I'll have no more pity of hisage than I would have of—I'll beat him, an if I could butmeet him again.

Par.Well, thou hast a son shall take this disgrace off

me; scurvy, old, filthy,scurvy lord! 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-enterLafeu.

235Laf.Sirrah, your lord and master's married; there'snews for you: you have a new mistress.

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 makesome reservation of your wrongs:he is my good lord:whomI serve above is my master.

Par.I most unfeignedly beseech your lordship to make

some reservation of your wrongs:he is my good lord:

whomI serve above is my master.

240Laf.Who? God?

Laf.Who? God?

Par.Ay, sir.

Laf.The devil it is that's thy master. Why dost thougarter up thy armso'this fashion? dost make hose of thysleeves? do other servants so? Thou wert best set thy lower245part where thy nose stands. By mine honour, if I were buttwo hours younger, I'd beat thee:methinks't, thou art ageneral offence, and every man should beat thee: I thinkthou wast created for men to breathe themselves upon thee.

Laf.The devil it is that's thy master. Why dost thou

garter up thy armso'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, 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.

250Laf.Go to, sir; you were beaten in Italy for picking akernel out of a pomegranate; you are a vagabond, and notrue traveller: you are more saucy with lords and honourablepersonages than thecommissionof your birth andvirtue gives you heraldry. You are not worth another255word, else I'd call you knave. I leave you.[Exit.

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 thecommissionof your birth and

virtue gives you heraldry. You are not worth another

word, else I'd call you knave. I leave you.[Exit.

Par.Good, very good; it is so then: good, verygood; let it be concealed awhile.

Par.Good, very good; it is so then: good, very

good; let it be concealed awhile.

Re-enterBertram.

Ber.Undone, and forfeited to cares for ever!

Par.What'sthe matter, sweet-heart?

260Ber.Althoughbefore the solemn priest I have sworn,I will not bed her.

Ber.Althoughbefore the solemn priest I have sworn,

I will not bed her.

Par.What, what, sweet-heart?

Ber.O my Parolles, they have married me!I'll to the Tuscan wars, and never bed her.

Ber.O my Parolles, they have married me!

I'll to the Tuscan wars, and never bed her.

265Par.Franceis a dog-hole, and it no more meritsThe tread of a man's foot: to thewars!

Par.Franceis a dog-hole, and it no more merits

The tread of a man's foot: to thewars!

Ber.There's letters from my mother: what the importis, I know not yet.

Ber.There's letters from my mother: what the import

is, I know not yet.

Par.Ay, that would be known. To the wars, myboy, to the wars!270He wears his honour in a box unseen,That hugs hiskicky-wickyhere at home.Spending his manly marrow in her arms,Which should sustain the bound and high curvetOf Mars's fiery steed. To otherregions275France is a stable; we that dwell in't jades;Therefore, to the war!

Par.Ay, that would be known. To the wars, my

boy, to the wars!

He wears his honour in a box unseen,

That hugs hiskicky-wickyhere at home.

Spending his manly marrow in her arms,

Which should sustain the bound and high curvet

Of Mars's fiery steed. To otherregions

France 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 king280That which I durst not speak: his present giftShall furnish me to those Italian fields,Where noble fellows strike:waris no strifeTo the dark house and thedetestedwife.

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:waris no strife

To the dark house and thedetestedwife.

Par.Will this capriccio hold in thee, art sure?

285Ber.Go with me to my chamber, and advise me.I'll send her straight away:to-morrowI'll to the wars, she to her single sorrow.

Ber.Go with me to my chamber, and advise me.

I'll send her straight away:to-morrow

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:290Therefore away, and leaveher bravely; go:The king has done you wrong: but, hush, 'tis so.[Exeunt.

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 leaveher bravely; go:

The king has done you wrong: but, hush, 'tis so.[Exeunt.

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