King. I would, I had; so I had broke thy pate, for't. And ask'd thee mercy Laf. Goodfaith, across: but, my good Lord, 'tis thus ; Will you be cur'd of your infirmity? Laf. O, will you eat no grapes, my royal fox? My royal fox could reach them: (8) I have feen That's able to breathe life into a stone; Quicken a rock, and make you dance Canary To give great Charlemain a pen in's hand, King. What her is this? Laf. Why, doctor-fhe: my Lord, there's one ar- If you will fee her. Now, by my faith and honour, In this my light deliverance, I have spoke With one, that in her fex, her years, profeffion, you fee her, For that is her Demand, and know her business? 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'ft it. Laf. Nay, I'll fit you, And not be all day neither. [Exit Lafeu. King. Thus he his special nothing ever prologues. (8) I have feen a Medecine,] Lafeu does not mean that he has feen a Remedy, but a Person bringing such Remedy. I therefore imagine, our Author used the French Word, Medecin, i. e. a with what he fubjoins immediately in Physician; this agrees Reply to the King, Why, Doctor-She; -and write to her a Love-line. Laf. Laf. [Returns.] Nay, come your ways. [Bringing in Helena. King. This hafte hath wings, indeed. This is his Majefty, fay your mind to him; [Exit. King. Now, fair One, do's your business follow us? Hel. Ay, my good Lord. Gerard de Narbon was my father, In what he did profefs, well found. Hel. The rather will I fpare my praise towards him; Knowing him, is enough: on's bed of death Many receipts he gave me, chiefly one, Safer than mine own two: more dear I have fo; power, King. We thank you, maiden; Our great felf and our credit, to esteem A fenfeless help, when help paft sense we deem. B 2 King King. I cannot give thee less, to be call'd grateful; Thou thought'ft to help me, and fuch thanks I give, As one near death to thofe that wish him live; But what at full I know, thou know'ft no part; I knowing all my peril, thou no art. Hel. What I can do, can do no hurt to try, Oft does them by the weakest minister: So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown, When judges have been babes; great floods have flown Where most it promises: and oft it hits King. I muft not hear thee; fare thee well, kind Thy pains, not us'd, muft by thy felf be paid: The help of heav'n we count the act of men. But know I think, and think I know moft fure, King. Art thou fo confident? within what space Hel. The greatest grace lending grace, What What is infirm from your found parts fhall fly, Hel. Tax of impudence, A ftrumpet's boldness, a divulged fhame King. Methinks, in thee fome bleffed Spirit doth speak His powerful found, within an organ weak; In common fenfe, fenfe faves another way. Hel. If I break time, or flinch in property And well deferv'd! Not helping, death's my fee ; (9) Touth, beauty, wisdom, courage, all, &c.] This Verfe is too fhort by a Foot; and apparently fome Diffyllable is drop'd out by Mischance. Mr. Warburton concurr'd with me in Conjecture to fupply the Verfe thus: Touth, beauty, wisdom, courage, virtue, all, &c. Helena had laid a particular Strefs on her maiden Reputation; and the King, afterwards, when he comes to speak of her to Bertram, fays; If fhe be All that is virtuous, (fave, What thou diflik'st, A poor Phyfician's Daughter;) thon diflik'st of Virtue for her name:" King. (10) Make thy demand. Hel. But will you make it even? King. Ay, by my fcepter, and my hopes of heaven. Hel. Then fhalt thou give me, with thy kingly hand, What Husband in thy power I will command. Exempted be from me the arrogance To chufe from forth the royal blood of France; King. Here is my hand, the premises obferv'd, More fhould I question thee, and more I must; Give me fome help here, hoa! if thou proceed Count. SCENE changes to Roufillon. Enter Countess and Clown. [Exeunt. NOME on, Sir; I fhall now put you to the Cheight of your breeding. Clown. I will fhew my felf highly fed, and lowly taught; I know, my business is but to the court. (10) King. Make thy Demand. Hel. But will you make it even ? King. Ay, by my Scepter and my hopes of help.] The King could have but a very flight Hope of Help from her, scarce enough to fwear by: and therefore Helen might fufpect, he meant to equivocate with her. Befides, obferve, the greatest Part of the Scene is ftrictly in Rhyme: and there is no Shadow of Reason why it should be interrupted here. I rather imagine, the Poet wrote; Ay, by my Scepter, and my Hopes of Heaven. Dr. Thirlby. Count. |