Hel. What more commands he? Attend his further pleasure. Hel. In every thing I wait upon his will. Hel. I pray you.-Come, sirrah. [Exeunt. SCENE V-Another room in the same. Enter Lafeu and 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. Laf. I have then sinned against his experience, and transgressed against his valour; and my state that way is dangerous, since I cannot yet find in my heart to repent. Here he comes; pray you, make us friends. I will pursue the amity. Enter Parolles. Par. These things shall be done, sir. [To Bertram. Laf Pray you, sir, who's his tailor? Par. Sir? Laf. O, I know him well: Ay, sir; he, sir, is a good workman, a very good tailor. Ber. Is she gone to the king? [Aside to Parolles. Ber. Will she away to-night? Par. As you'll have her. (1) The bunting nearly resembles the sky-lark; but has little or no song, which gives estimation to the sky-lark. Ber. I have writ my letters, casketed my trea sure, Given order for our horses; and to-night, When I should take possession of the bride,- 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, and thrice beaten. God save you, 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 leaped into the custard; and out of it you'll run again, rather than suffer question for your residence. Ber. It may be, you have mistaken him, my lord. Laf. And shall do so ever, though I took him at his 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 clothes: trust him not in matter of heavy consequence; I have kept of them tame, and know their natures.-Farewell, monsieur : I have spoken better of you, than you have or will deserve at my hand; but we must do good against evil. [Exit. Par. An idle lord, I swear. 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 I leave you to your wisdom. Sir, I can nothing say, 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: Farewell; hie home. Ber. Well, what would you say? Hel. I am not worthy of the wealth I owe;2 Nor dare I say, 'tis mine; and yet it is; But, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal Ber. What would you have? Hel. Something; and scarce so much :-nothing, indeed. I would not tell you what I would: my lord-'faith, 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 my other men, monsieur?— Farewell. 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! [Exe. ACT III. SCENE I-Florence. A room in the Duke's Palace. Flourish. Enter the Duke of Florence, attended; two French Lords, and others. Duke. So that, from point to point, now have you heard The fundamental reasons of this war; Whose great decision hath much blood let forth, And more thirsts after. 1 Lord. Holy seems the quarrel Upon your grace's part; black and fearful On the opposer. Duke. Therefore we marvel much, our cousin France Would, in so just a business, shut his bosom 2 Lord. Duke. Be it his pleasure. (1) i. e. I cannot inform you of the reasons. (2) One not in the secret of affairs. 2 Lord. But I am sure, the younger of our na ture, That surfeit on their ease, will, day by day, Duke. Welcome shall they be; And all the honours, that can fly from us, Shall on them settle. You know your places well; Count. It hath happened all as I would have had it, save, that he comes not along with her. Cle. By my troth, I take my young lord to be a very melancholy man. Count. By what observance, I pray you? Clo. Why, he will look upon his boot, and sing mend the ruff,2 and sing; ask questions, and sing; pick his teeth, and sing: I know a man that had this trick of melancholy, sold a goodly manor for a song. Count. Let me see what he writes, and when he [Opening a letter. means to come. Clo. I have no mind to Isbel, since I was at court: our old ling, and our Isbels o' the country, are nothing like your old ling and your Isbels o' the court: the brains of my Cupid's knocked out; and I begin to love, as an old man loves money, with no stomach. Count. What have we here? [Exit. Count. [Reads.] I have sent you a daughter-inlaw: she hath recovered the king, and undone me. I have wedded her, not bedded her; and sworn to make the not eternal. You shall hear, I am run away; know it, before the report come. If there (1) As we say at present, our young fellows. (2) The folding at the top of the boot. |