Par. Why, these balls bound; there's noise in it.— 'Tis hard; A young man, married, is a man that's marred : The king has done you wrong; but, hush! 'tis so. SCENE IV. The same. Another Room in the same. Enter HELENA and Clown. Hel. My mother greets me kindly; is she well? Clo. She is not well; but yet she has her health; she's very merry; but yet she is not well: but thanks be given, she's very well, and wants nothing i'the world; but yet she is not well. Hel. If she be very well, what does she ail, that she's not very well? Clo. Truly, she's very well, indeed, but for two things. Hel. What two things? Clo. One, that she's not in heaven, whither God send her quickly! the other, that she's in earth, from whence God send her quickly! Enter PAROLles. Par. Bless you, my fortunate lady! Hel. I hope, sir, I have your good will to have mine own good fortunes. Par. You had my prayers to lead them on; and to keep them on, have them still.-O, my knave! how does my old lady? Clo. So that you had her wrinkles, and I her money, I would she did as you say. Par. Why, I say nothing. Clo. Marry, you are the wiser man; for many a man's tongue shakes out his master's undoing. To say nothing, to do nothing, to know nothing, and to have nothing, is to be a great part of your title; which is within a very little of nothing. Par. Away; thou'rt a knave. Clo. You should have said, sir, before a knave thou art a knave; that is, before me thou art a knave. This had been truth, sir. Par. Go to, thou art a witty fool, I have found thee. Clo. Did you find me in yourself, sir? or were you taught to find me? The search, sir, was profitable; and much fool may you find in you, even to the world's pleasure, and the increase of laughter. Par. A good knave, i'faith, and well fed.'- Which, as your due, time claims, he does acknowledge ; Whose want, and whose delay, is strewed with sweets, Which they distil now in the curbed time, To make the coming hour o'erflow with joy, And pleasure drown the brim. Hel. What's his will else? Par. That you will take your instant leave o' the king, And make this haste as your own good proceeding, May make it probable need.3 Hel. What more commands he? Par. That, having this obtained, you presently Hel. In every thing I wait upon his will. Hel. I pray you.-Come, sirrah. [Exeunt. 1 Perhaps the old saying, "Better fed than taught," is alluded to here as in a preceding scene, where the clown says, "I will show myself highly fed and lowly taught." 2 The old copy reads, "to a compelled restraint.” 3 A specious appearance of necessity. 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. 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 valor; and my state that way is dangerous, since I cannot yet find in my heart to repent. Here he comes; I pray you, make us friends; I will pursue the amity. Enter PAROLLES. Par. These things shall be done, sir. Laf. Pray you, sir, who's his tailor? [TO BERTRAM. 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? Par. She is. Ber. Will she away to-night? Par. As you'll have her. [Aside to PAROlles. Ber. I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure, Given order for our horses; and to-night, When I should take possession of the bride,— And, ere I do begin, Laf. A good traveller is something at the latter 1 The bunting nearly resembles the sky-lark, but has little or no song. 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; we must do good against evil. Par. An idle lord, I swear. Ber. I think so. Par. Why, do you not know him? [Exit. 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 procured his leave For present parting; only, he desires Some private speech with Ber. you. I shall obey his will You must not marvel, Helen, at my course, Which holds not color with the time, nor does 1 It was a piece of foolery practised at city entertainments, when an allowed fool or jester was in fashion, for him to jump into a large, deep custard set for the purpose, to cause laughter among the "barren spectators." 2 The first folio reads, "than you have or will to deserve."-Perhaps the word wit was omitted: the second folio omits to. The ministration and required office On my particular: prepared I was not So much unsettled. This drives me to entreat you, Hel. Sir, I can nothing say, And ever shall With true observance seek to eke out that, Wherein toward me my homely stars have failed Ber. Let that go. My haste is very great: farewell; hie home Hel. Pray, sir, your pardon. Ber. Well, what would you say? Hel. I am not worthy of the wealth I owe; But, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal Ber. 1 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. well. 1 Possess, or own. |