The king is render'd lost.
Count.

This was your motive
For Paris, was it ? speak.

Hel. My lord your son made me to think of this; Else Paris, and the medicine, and the king, Had, from the conversation of my thoughts, Haply, been absent then. Count.

But think you, Helen, If you should tender your supposed aid, He would receive it? He and his physicians Are of a mind; he, that they cannot help him; They, that they cannot help. How shall they credit A poor unlearned virgin, when the schools, Embowel'd of their doctrine,1 have left off The danger to itself? Hel.

There's something hints,
More than my father's skill, which was the greatest
Of his profession, that his good receipt
Shall, for my legacy, be sanctified
By the luckiest stars in heaven : and, would your

honor
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,
Means, and attendants, and my loving greetings
To those of mine in court ; I'll stay at home,
And pray God's blessing into thy attempt.
Be gone to-morrow, and be sure of this;
What I can help thee to, thou shalt not miss.

[Exeunt.

ACT II.

SCENE I.

Paris. A room in the King's palace. Florish. Enter KING, with young Lords taking leave for the Florentine war ; BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and Attendants. King. Farewell, young lords: these warlike prin.,

ciples Do not throw from you :-and you, my lords, fare

well :Share the advice betwixt you; if both gain all, The gift doth stretch itself as 'tis received, 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 1 the malady

1

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 honor, but to wed it: when
The bravest questant 2 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; the spark2 Lord.

O, 'tis brave wars ! Par. Most admirable : I have seen those wars. Ber. I am commanded here, and kept a coil *

withToo young,' and 'the next year,' and tis too

early.'

1. Those excepted who possess modern Italy, the remains of the Roman empire.'- Holt White.

% Seeker. Be not captives before you are soldiers. 4 In a bustle.

Par. An thy mind stand to it, buy, steal away

bravely. Ber. I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock, Creaking my

shoes on the plain masonry, Till honor be bought up, and no sword worn, But one to dance with. By heaven, I'll stea!

away. 1 Lord. There's honor 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 ? Ber. Stay; the king

[seeing hinn rise. Par. Use a more spacious ceremony to the noble lords : you have restrained yourself within the list

In Shakspeare's time it was usual for gentlemen to dance with swords on.

of too cold an adieu : be more expressive to them ; for they wear themselves in the cap of the time; 1 there do muster true gait, 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 swordmen. [Exeunt Bertram and Parolles.

Enter LAFEU. La. Pardon, my lord, [kneeling.] for me and for

my tidings. King. I'll fee thee to stand up. La.

Then here's a man Stands, that has brought his pardon. I would, 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.
La.

Good faith, across.
But, my good lord, 'tis thus. Will you be cured
Of your infirmity ?
King.

No.
Lu.

O, will you eat