King. Farewell.-Come hither to me. [The King retires to a couch. 1 Lord. O my sweet lord, that you will stay be hind us. Par. 'Tis not his fault; the spark 2 Lord. O, 'tis brave wars! Par. Most admirable: I have seen those wars. Ber. I am commanded here, and kept a coil1 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 2 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; and 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? Rer. 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; (1) With a noise, bustle. (2) In Shakspeare's time it was usual for gentlemen to dance with swords on. for they wear themselves in the cap of time,' there, do muster true gait,2 eat, speak, and move under the influence of the most received star; and though the devil lead the measure,3 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. [Exe. Bertram and Parolles. Enter Lafeu. Laf. Pardon, my lord, [Kneeling.] for me and for my tidings. King. I'll fee thee to stand up. Laf. Then here's a man Stands, that has brought his pardon. I would, you Good faith, across :4 Will you be cur'd No. O, will you eat But, my good lord, 'tis thus; No grapes, my royal fox? yes, but you will, Could reach them: I have seen a medicine,5 Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary,6 With sprightly fire and motion; whose simple touch To give great Charlemain a pen in his hand, King. What her is this? (1) They are the foremost in the fashion. (2) Have the true military step. (3) The dance. (4) Unskilfully; a phrase taken from the exercise at a quintaine. (5) A female physician. (6) A kind of dance. If Laf. Why, doctor she: My lord, there's one arriv'd, 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,1 Wisdom, and constancy, hath amaz'd me more Than I dare blare my weakness: Will you see her (For that is her demand,) and know her business? That done, laugh well at me. King. Now, good Lafeu, Bring in the admiration; that we with thee Laf And not be all day neither. Nay, I'll fit you, [Exit Lafeu. King. Thus he his special nothing ever prologues. Re-enter Lafeu, with Helena. Laf. Nay, come your ways. King. This haste hath wings indeed. Laf. Nay, come your ways; This is his majesty, say your mind to him: Hel. The rather will I spare my praises towards him; Knowing him, is enough. On his bed of death (1) By profession is meant her declaration of the object of her coming. (2) I am like Pandarus. (3) Of acknowledged excellence. He bade me store up, as a triple eye,1 Safer than mine own two, more dear: I have so: King. To empirics; or to dissever so Our great self and our credit, to esteem A senseless help, when help past sense we deem. King. I cannot give thee less, to be call'd grateful; Thou thought'st to help me; and such thanks I give, Hel. What I can do, can do no hurt to try, Oft does them by the weakest minister: flown From simple sources ;3 and great seas have dried, (1) A third eye. (2) An allusion to Daniel judging the two Elders. (3) i. e. When Moses smote the rock in Horeb. When miracles have by the greatest been denied. Thy pains, not us'd, must by thyself be paid: But know I think, and think I know most surc, Hel. The greatest grace lending grace, Moist Hesperus3 hath quench'd his sleepy lamp; Hel. Tax of impudence, (1) This must refer to the children of Israel passing the Red Sea, when miracles had been denied by Pharaoh. (2) i. e. Pretend to greater things than befits the mediocrity of my condition. (3) The evening star. |