Part 12

_King._ Here is my hand; the premises observed, Thy will by my performance shall be served: 200 So make the choice of thy own time; for I, Thy resolved patient, on thee still rely. More should I question thee, and more I must, Though more to know could not be more to trust, From whence thou camest, how tended on: but rest 205 Unquestion'd welcome, and undoubted blest. Give me some help here, ho! If thou proceed As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed. [_Flourish. Exeunt._

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 ... lord_ Hanmer. See note (VI).

[2] _and you_] _you_ Pope.

[3] _both gain, all_] Ff. _both gain,_ Pope, _both gain, well!_ Hanmer. _both gain all,_ Johnson. _back again,_ Jackson conj. _both gain, All_ Anon. conj. See note (VII).

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

_'Tis_] Ff. _It is_ Steevens.

[9] _he owes_] _it owns_ Pope. _he owns_ Long MS.

[12] _higher_] _hired_ Coleridge conj.

[13] _bated_] _bastards_ Hanmer. _'bated ones_ Capell conj.

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

[16] _questant_] F1. _question_ F2 F3 F4. _questor_ Collier 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_] _acoyle_ F2.

[27, 28] _with 'Too young'_] Pope. _with, Too young_ Ff. _with; 'Too young'_ Capell.

[29] _An ... to't, boy, ... bravely_] Theobald. _And ... too't boy, Steale away bravely_ F1 F2 F3. _And ... to it ..._ F4. _And thy mind--stand to it, boy; steal away bravely._ Pope.

[30] _I shall stay_] _I stay_ Rowe. _Shall I stay_ Pope.

[36] _I ... our ... a tortured body_] _I ... this our ... A tortur'd body_ Hanmer. _I ... our ... the parting of a tortured body_ Johnson conj. _I ... our ... a torture_ Capell. _I ... our ... as a tortured body_ S. Walker conj., reading lines 34-37 _Commit ... captain._ as three lines, ending _accessary ... parting ... captain._

_to you_] _t' ye_ S. Walker conj.

[37] _captain_] _worthy captain_ Hanmer.

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

[40. _a word_] _in a word_ Long MS.

[41, 42] _with his cicatrice, an emblem_] Theobald. _his cicatrice, with an emblem_ Ff (_sicatrice_ F1). _he's cicatriced with an emblem_ Rann conj.

[44] _for_] F1 F2. _of_ F3 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 (_doe_ F1 F2). See note (IX).

_ye_] _you_ Hanmer.

[47] _Stay: the king._] F2 F3 F4. _Stay the king._ F1. _Stay; the king--_ Pope. _Stay with the king_ Grant White (Collier conj.).

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

[51] _there do muster_] _there, to muster_ Warburton. _they do muster with the_ Johnson conj. _there do master_ Heath conj. _they do master_ Collier conj. _there demonstrate_ Anon. conj.

[51, 52] _there ... gait_] _do muster your true gaité_ Becket conj. om. Collier MS.

_true gait_] _together_ Hanmer.

[52] _eat_] _dress_ Hanmer. _they eat_ Singer conj.

_move_] F1. _more_ F2 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 see_ Ff. _I'll sue_ Staunton. _I'll free_ Anon. ap. Halliwell conj. _I beseech_ Keightley conj.

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

[60] _has_] F1. _hath_ F2 F3 F4.

_brought_] Ff. _bought_ Theobald.

[63, 64] _I would ... for't_] _You would ... for't?_ Anon. conj.

[64-70. Capell ends the lines _across: ... cur'd ... eat ... will ... fox ... medicine._

[65] _across_] _a cross_ F4.

[69] _my noble grapes_] omitted by Hanmer, ending the line at _fox. aye, noble grapes_ Collier MS.

[70] _seen a medicine_] _seen A medicine_ Anon. conj.

_medicine_] _med'cin_ (in italics) Theobald. _medecin_ Steevens.

[74] _araise_] _raise_ Pope. _upraise_ Collier MS.

_Pepin_] Theobald. _Pippen_ Ff.

[75] _To give_] _And give_ Capell.

_in's_] _in his_ Capell. Malone supposes a line to be lost after this.

[76] _And write_] _To write_ Hanmer. _And cause him write_ Singer conj.

_to her a love-line_] _a love-line to her_ Hanmer.

[77] _Doctor She_] Grant White. _doctor she_ Ff. _Doctor-she_ Theobald.

[79] _convey_] _convay_ F1. _convoy_ F2 F3 F4.

[83] _Than ... weakness_] _Than_ (_blame my weakness_) _I dare_-- Becket conj.

_blame_] _blaze_ Theobald conj.

[89] Exit] Theobald. om. Ff.

[90] _nothing_] _nothings_ Hanmer.

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

[91] Laf. _Nay, ... ways_] Laf. [Returns.] _Nay ... ways_ [Bringing in Helena. Theobald.

[95] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

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

[97] SCENE III.] Pope.

[98-100] _Ay ... him_] As in Ff. As three lines, ending _was ... found ... him._ Hanmer. As two, ending _father ... him._ Capell.

[99] _Gerard de Narbon_] _Gerardo of Narbona_ Anon. conj.

[100] _In_] _One in_ S. Walker conj.

[101] _praises_] _praise_ Theobald.

[102] _On's_] _On his_ Capell.

[103] _receipts_] Rowe. _receits_ Ff.

[105] _the_] _th'_ Ff.

[107] _two, more dear_] Steevens. _two: dear_ Ff.

[109, 110] _honour ... power_] _power ...honour_ Rann (Johnson conj.).

[116] _ransom_] _answer_ Steevens (1778).

[117] _inaidible_] _inaydible_ F1 F2. _unaydible_ F3 F4. _unaidable_ Rowe. _inaidable_ Capell.

_estate_] _state_ S. Walker conj.

_I say_] om. Pope.

[118] _stain_] _strain_ Anon. conj.

[124] _mine_] F1. _my_ F2 F3 F4.

[139] _miracles ... greatest_] _miracles ... great'st_ Ff. _mir'cles ... greatest_ Theobald. Johnson supposes a line lost after this.

[142] _fits_] Collier (Theobald conj.). _shifts_ Ff. _sits_ Pope. See note (X).

[153] _impostor_] F3 F4. _impostrue_ F1 F2. _imposture_ Capell.

[158] _The great'st grace lending_] Capell. _The greatest grace lending_ Ff. _The Greatest lending_ Rowe.

[162] _his_] Rowe. _her_ Ff.

[169, 170] _shame ... ballads: my maidens name_] Ff. _shame; ... ballads my maiden's name,_ Theobald conj. _shame; ... ballads: my maiden's name_ Id. conj. _shame, ... ballads my maiden name_ Johnson conj.

[171] _Sear'd otherwise, ne worse of ...]_ F1. _Seard otherwise, no worse of ..._ F2 F3 F4. _Sear'd otherwise no worse of worst: extended_ Theobald 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 worse_ Heath 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, attended_ Becket conj. _and, worse of worst expended_ Staunton conj. _on worst of racks extended_ Anon. conj. _nay, worse, if worse, extended_ Anon. conj.

[173, 174] _speak His powerful sound_] _speak, It powerful sounds_ Hanmer. _speak: His power full sounds_ Warburton. _O powerful sound_ Becket conj. (transposing lines 173, 174.)

[174] _within_] F1. _wherein_ F2 F3 F4.

[179] _courage_] _courage, virtue_ Theobald. _courage, honour_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[180] _and prime_] _and pride_ Tyrwhitt conj. _in prime_ Rann (Mason conj.).

[190] _heaven_] Theobald (Thirlby conj.). _helpe_ F1 F2. _help_ F3 F4.

[196] _image_] _impage_ Warburton.

[201] _make the_] _make thee_ Anon. conj.

_thy_] F1. _thine_ F2 F3 F4.

[208] _thy deed_] _thy meed_ Anon. conj.

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

## SCENE II. _Rousillon._ _The_ COUNT'S _palace_.

_Enter_ COUNTESS _and_ CLOWN.

_Count._ Come on, sir; I shall now put you to the height of your breeding.

_Clo._ I will show myself highly fed and lowly taught: I know my business is but to the court.

COUNT. To the court! why, what place make you special, 5 when you put off that with such contempt? 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 make a leg, put off's cap, kiss his hand, and say nothing, has neither leg, hands, lip, nor cap; and, indeed, such a fellow, 10 to say precisely, were not for the court; but for me, I have an answer will serve all men.

_Count._ Marry, that's a bountiful answer that fits all questions.

_Clo._ It is like a barber's chair, that fits all buttocks, the 15 pin-buttock, the quatch-buttock, the brawn-buttock, or any buttock.

_Count._ Will your answer serve fit to all questions?

_Clo._ As fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney, as your French crown for your taffeta punk, as Tib's rush 20 for Tom's forefinger, as a pancake for Shrove Tuesday, a morris for May-day, as the nail to his hole, the cuckold to his horn, as a scolding quean to a wrangling knave, as the nun's lip to the friar's mouth, nay, as the pudding to his skin.

_Count._ Have you, I say, an answer of such fitness for 25 all questions?

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

_Count._ It must be an answer of most monstrous size that must fit all demands. 30

_Clo._ But a trifle neither, in good faith, if the learned should 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 a fool in question, hoping to be the wiser by your answer. 35 I pray you, 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.

_Clo._ O Lord, sir! Thick, thick, spare not me. 40

_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.

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

_Clo._ I ne'er had worse luck in my life in my 'O Lord, sir!' I see things may serve long, but not serve ever. 50

_Count._ I play the noble housewife with the time, To entertain 't so merrily with a fool.

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

_Count._ An end, sir; to your business. Give Helen this, And urge her to a present answer back: 55 Commend me to my kinsmen and my son: This is not much.

_Clo._ Not much commendation to them.

_Count._ Not much employment for you: you understand me? 60

_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 court_ Theobald.

[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, fit_ Anon. conj. _fit_ Anon. conj.

[20, 21] _Tib's ... Tom's_] _Tom's ... Tib's_ Hawkins conj.

[36] _I pray ..._] F3. La. _I pray ..._ F1 F2. Lady. _I pray ..._ F4.

[50] _but_] _and_ Hanmer.

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

[51] _housewife_] _huswife_ Ff.

[52] _entertain 't_] Edd. (S. Walker conj.). _entertain it_ Ff.

[54] _An end, sir; to_] Rowe (ed. 2). _And end sir to_ F1 F2. _And end; sir to_ F3 F4.

[57] _is not_] _isn't_ Hanmer.

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

## SCENE III. _Paris._ _The_ KING'S _palace_.

_Enter_ BERTRAM, LAFEU, _and_ PAROLLES.

_Laf._ They say miracles are past; and we have our philosophical persons, to make modern and familiar, things supernatural 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. 5

_Par._ Why, 'tis the rarest argument of wonder that hath shot out in our latter times.

_Ber._ And so 'tis.

_Laf._ To be relinquished of the artists,--

_Par._ So I say; both of Galen and Paracelsus. 10

_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.

_Laf._ Not to be helped,-- 15

_Par._ Right; as 'twere, a man 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.

_Par._ It is, indeed: if you will have it in showing, you 20 shall read it in--what do ye call there?

_Laf._ A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor.

_Par._ That's it; I would have said the very same.

_Laf._ Why, your dolphin is not lustier: 'fore me, I speak in respect-- 25

_Par._ Nay, 'tis strange, 'tis very strange, that is the brief and the tedious of it; and he's of a most facinerious spirit that will not acknowledge it to be the--

_Laf._ Very hand of heaven.

_Par._ Ay, so I say. 30

_Laf._ In a most weak--

_Par._ And debile minister, great power, great transcendence: which should, indeed, give us a further use to be made than alone the recovery of the king, as to be--

_Laf._ Generally thankful. 35

_Par._ I would have said it; you say well. Here comes the king.

_Enter_ KING, HELENA, _and_ Attendants.

_Laf._ Lustig, as the Dutchman says: I'll like a maid the better, whilst I have a tooth in my head: why, he's able to lead her a coranto. 40

_Par._ Mort du vinaigre! is not this Helen?

_Laf._ 'Fore God, I think so.

_King._ Go, call before me all the lords in court. Sit, my preserver, by thy patient's side; And with this healthful hand, whose banish'd sense 45 Thou hast repeal'd, a second time receive The confirmation of my promised gift, Which but attends thy naming.

_Enter three or four_ Lords.

Fair maid, send forth thine eye: this youthful parcel Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing, 50 O'er whom both sovereign power 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 virtuous mistress Fall, when Love please! marry, to each, but one! 55

_Laf._ I'd give bay Curtal and his furniture, My mouth no more were broken than these boys', And writ as little beard.

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

_Hel._ Gentlemen, 60 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. Please it your majesty, I have done already: 65 The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me, 'We blush that thou shouldst choose; but, be refused, Let the white death sit on thy cheek for ever; We'll ne'er come there again.'

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

_Hel._ Now, Dian, from thy altar do I fly; And to imperial Love, that god most high, Do my sighs stream. Sir, will you hear my suit?

_First Lord._ And grant it.

_Hel._ Thanks, sir; all the rest is mute.

_Laf._ I had rather be in this choice than throw 75 Ames-ace for my life.

_Hel._ The honour, sir, that flames in your fair eyes, Before I speak, too threateningly replies: Love make your fortunes twenty times above Her that so wishes and her humble love! 80

_Sec. Lord._ No better, if you please.

_Hel._ My wish receive, Which great Love grant! and so, I take my leave.

_Laf._ Do all they deny her? An they were sons of mine, I'd have them whipped; or I would send them to the Turk, to make eunuchs of. 85

_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 Find fairer fortune, if you ever wed!

_Laf._ These boys are boys of ice, they'll none have 90 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.

_Fourth Lord._ Fair one, I think not so. 95

_Laf._ There's one grape yet; I am sure thy father 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 give Me and my service, ever whilst I live, 100 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 use The help of mine own eyes.

_King._ Know'st thou not, Bertram, 105 What she has done 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 down Must answer for your raising? I know her well: 110 She had her breeding at my father's charge. A poor physician's daughter my wife! Disdain Rather corrupt me ever!

_King._ 'Tis only title thou disdain'st in her, the which I can build up. Strange is it, that our bloods, 115 Of colour, weight, and heat, pour'd all together, Would quite confound distinction, yet stand off In differences so mighty. If she be All that is virtuous, save what thou dislikest, A poor physician's daughter, thou dislikest 120 Of virtue for the name: but do not so: From lowest place when virtuous things proceed, The place is dignified by the doer's deed: Where great additions swell's, and virtue none, It is a dropsied honour. Good alone 125 Is good without a name. Vileness is so: The property by what it is should go, Not by the title. She is young, wise, fair; In these to nature she's immediate heir, And these breed honour: that is honour's scorn, 130 Which challenges itself as honour's born, And is not like the sire: honours thrive, When rather from our acts we them derive Than our foregoers: the mere word's a slave Debosh'd on every tomb, on every grave 135 A lying trophy; and as oft is dumb Where dust and damn'd oblivion is the tomb 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 140 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: Let the rest go. 145

_King._ My honour's at the stake; which to defeat, 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, 150 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, which travails in thy good: 155 Believe not thy disdain, but presently Do thine own fortunes that obedient right Which both thy duty owes and our power claims; Or I will throw thee from my care for ever Into the staggers and the careless lapse 160 Of youth and ignorance; both my revenge and hate Loosing upon thee, in the name of justice, Without all terms of pity. Speak; thine answer.

_Ber._ Pardon, my gracious lord; for I submit My fancy to your eyes: when I consider 165 What great creation and what dole of honour Flies where you bid it, I find that she, which late Was in my nobler thoughts most base, is now The praised of the king; who, so ennobled, Is as 't were born so.

_King._ Take her by the hand, 170 And tell her she is thine: to whom I promise A counterpoise; if not to thy estate, A balance more replete.

_Ber._ I take her hand.

_King._ Good fortune and the favour of the king Smile upon this contract; whose ceremony 175 Shall seem expedient on the now-born brief, 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. 180 [_Exeunt all but Lafeu and Parolles._

_Laf._ Do you hear, monsieur? a word with you.

_Par._ Your pleasure, sir?

_Laf._ Your lord and master did well to make his recantation.

_Par._ Recantation! My lord! my master! 185

_Laf._ Ay; is it not a language I speak?

_Par._ A most harsh one, and not to be understood without bloody succeeding. My master!

_Laf._ Are you companion to the Count Rousillon?

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

_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 are too old.

_Laf._ I must tell thee, sirrah, I write man; to which 195 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 pretty wise fellow; thou didst make tolerable vent of thy travel; it might pass: yet the scarfs and the bannerets about thee 200 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.

_Par._ Hadst thou not the privilege of antiquity upon 205 thee,--

_Laf._ Do not plunge thyself too far in anger, lest thou hasten thy trial; which if--Lord have mercy on thee for a hen! So, my good window of lattice, fare thee well: thy casement I need not open, for I look through thee. 210 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.

_Laf._ Yes, good faith, every dram of it; and I will not 215 bate thee a scruple.