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Flourish cornets. Enter the KING OF FRANCE with letters,
two LORDS, and divers ATTENDANTS.
Flourish cornets. Enter the KING OF FRANCE with letters,
two LORDS, and divers ATTENDANTS.
KING
The Florentines and Senoys are by th’ ears,
Have fought with equal fortune, and continue
A braving war.
KING
The Florentines and Senoys are by th’ ears,
Have fought with equal fortune, and continue
A braving war.
FIRST LORD
So ’tis reported, sir.
FIRST LORD
So ’tis reported, sir.
KING
5
Nay, ’tis most credible. We here receive it
A certainty vouched from our cousin Austria,
With caution that the Florentine will move us
For speedy aid, wherein our dearest friend
Prejudicates the business and would seem
10
To have us make denial.
KING
Nay, ’tis most credible. We here receive it
A certainty vouched from our cousin Austria,
With caution that the Florentine will move us
For speedy aid, wherein our dearest friend
Prejudicates the business and would seem
To have us make denial.
FIRST LORD
His love and wisdom,
Approved so to your Majesty, may plead
For amplest credence.
FIRST LORD
His love and wisdom,
Approved so to your Majesty, may plead
For amplest credence.
KING
He hath armed our answer,
15
And Florence is denied before he comes.
Yet for our gentlemen that mean to see
The Tuscan service, freely have they leave
To stand on either part.
KING
He hath armed our answer,
And Florence is denied before he comes.
Yet for our gentlemen that mean to see
The Tuscan service, freely have they leave
To stand on either part.
SECOND LORD
It well may serve
20
A nursery to our gentry, who are sick
For breathing and exploit.
SECOND LORD
It well may serve
A nursery to our gentry, who are sick
For breathing and exploit.
Enter BERTRAM, LAFEW, and PAROLLES.
Enter BERTRAM, LAFEW, and PAROLLES.
KING
What’s he comes here?
KING
What’s he comes here?
FIRST LORD
It is the Count Rossillion, my good lord,
Young Bertram.
FIRST LORD
It is the Count Rossillion, my good lord,
Young Bertram.
KING
25
Youth, thou bear’st thy father’s face.
Frank nature, rather curious than in haste,
Hath well composed thee. Thy father’s moral parts
Mayst thou inherit too. Welcome to Paris.
KING
Youth, thou bear’st thy father’s face.
Frank nature, rather curious than in haste,
Hath well composed thee. Thy father’s moral parts
Mayst thou inherit too. Welcome to Paris.
BERTRAM
My thanks and duty are your Majesty’s.
BERTRAM
My thanks and duty are your Majesty’s.
KING
30
I would I had that corporal soundness now
As when thy father and myself in friendship
First tried our soldiership. He did look far
Into the service of the time and was
Discipled of the bravest. He lasted long,
35
But on us both did haggish age steal on
And wore us out of act. It much repairs me
To talk of your good father. In his youth
He had the wit which I can well observe
Today in our young lords; but they may jest
40
Till their own scorn return to them unnoted
Ere they can hide their levity in honor.
So like a courtier, contempt nor bitterness
Were in his pride or sharpness; if they were,
His equal had awaked them, and his honor,
45
Clock to itself, knew the true minute when
Exception bid him speak, and at this time
His tongue obeyed his hand. Who were below him
He used as creatures of another place
And bowed his eminent top to their low ranks,
50
Making them proud of his humility,
In their poor praise he humbled. Such a man
Might be a copy to these younger times,
Which, followed well, would demonstrate them now
But goers backward.
KING
I would I had that corporal soundness now
As when thy father and myself in friendship
First tried our soldiership. He did look far
Into the service of the time and was
Discipled of the bravest. He lasted long,
But on us both did haggish age steal on
And wore us out of act. It much repairs me
To talk of your good father. In his youth
He had the wit which I can well observe
Today in our young lords; but they may jest
Till their own scorn return to them unnoted
Ere they can hide their levity in honor.
So like a courtier, contempt nor bitterness
Were in his pride or sharpness; if they were,
His equal had awaked them, and his honor,
Clock to itself, knew the true minute when
Exception bid him speak, and at this time
His tongue obeyed his hand. Who were below him
He used as creatures of another place
And bowed his eminent top to their low ranks,
Making them proud of his humility,
In their poor praise he humbled. Such a man
Might be a copy to these younger times,
Which, followed well, would demonstrate them now
But goers backward.
BERTRAM
55
His good remembrance, sir,
Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb.
So in approof lives not his epitaph
As in your royal speech.
BERTRAM
His good remembrance, sir,
Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb.
So in approof lives not his epitaph
As in your royal speech.
KING
Would I were with him! He would always say—
60
Methinks I hear him now; his plausive words
He scattered not in ears, but grafted them
To grow there and to bear. “Let me not live”—
This his good melancholy oft began
On the catastrophe and heel of pastime,
65
When it was out—“Let me not live,” quoth he,
“After my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff
Of younger spirits, whose apprehensive senses
All but new things disdain, whose judgments are
Mere fathers of their garments, whose constancies
70
Expire before their fashions.” This he wished.
I, after him, do after him wish too,
Since I nor wax nor honey can bring home,
I quickly were dissolvèd from my hive
To give some laborers room.
KING
Would I were with him! He would always say—
Methinks I hear him now; his plausive words
He scattered not in ears, but grafted them
To grow there and to bear. “Let me not live”—
This his good melancholy oft began
On the catastrophe and heel of pastime,
When it was out—“Let me not live,” quoth he,
“After my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff
Of younger spirits, whose apprehensive senses
All but new things disdain, whose judgments are
Mere fathers of their garments, whose constancies
Expire before their fashions.” This he wished.
I, after him, do after him wish too,
Since I nor wax nor honey can bring home,
I quickly were dissolvèd from my hive
To give some laborers room.
SECOND LORD
75
You’re lovèd, sir.
They that least lend it you shall lack you first.
SECOND LORD
You’re lovèd, sir.
They that least lend it you shall lack you first.
KING
I fill a place, I know ’t.—How long is ’t, count,
Since the physician at your father’s died?
He was much famed.
KING
I fill a place, I know ’t.—How long is ’t, count,
Since the physician at your father’s died?
He was much famed.
BERTRAM
80
Some six months since, my lord.
BERTRAM
Some six months since, my lord.
KING
If he were living, I would try him yet.—
Lend me an arm.—The rest have worn me out
With several applications. Nature and sickness
Debate it at their leisure. Welcome, count.
85
My son’s no dearer.
KING
If he were living, I would try him yet.—
Lend me an arm.—The rest have worn me out
With several applications. Nature and sickness
Debate it at their leisure. Welcome, count.
My son’s no dearer.
BERTRAM
Thank your Majesty.
BERTRAM
Thank your Majesty.
They exit. Flourish.
They exit. Flourish.

Original Text

Modern Text
Flourish cornets. Enter the KING OF FRANCE with letters,
two LORDS, and divers ATTENDANTS.
Flourish cornets. Enter the KING OF FRANCE with letters,
two LORDS, and divers ATTENDANTS.
KING
The Florentines and Senoys are by th’ ears,
Have fought with equal fortune, and continue
A braving war.
KING
The Florentines and Senoys are by th’ ears,
Have fought with equal fortune, and continue
A braving war.
FIRST LORD
So ’tis reported, sir.
FIRST LORD
So ’tis reported, sir.
KING
5
Nay, ’tis most credible. We here receive it
A certainty vouched from our cousin Austria,
With caution that the Florentine will move us
For speedy aid, wherein our dearest friend
Prejudicates the business and would seem
10
To have us make denial.
KING
Nay, ’tis most credible. We here receive it
A certainty vouched from our cousin Austria,
With caution that the Florentine will move us
For speedy aid, wherein our dearest friend
Prejudicates the business and would seem
To have us make denial.
FIRST LORD
His love and wisdom,
Approved so to your Majesty, may plead
For amplest credence.
FIRST LORD
His love and wisdom,
Approved so to your Majesty, may plead
For amplest credence.
KING
He hath armed our answer,
15
And Florence is denied before he comes.
Yet for our gentlemen that mean to see
The Tuscan service, freely have they leave
To stand on either part.
KING
He hath armed our answer,
And Florence is denied before he comes.
Yet for our gentlemen that mean to see
The Tuscan service, freely have they leave
To stand on either part.
SECOND LORD
It well may serve
20
A nursery to our gentry, who are sick
For breathing and exploit.
SECOND LORD
It well may serve
A nursery to our gentry, who are sick
For breathing and exploit.
Enter BERTRAM, LAFEW, and PAROLLES.
Enter BERTRAM, LAFEW, and PAROLLES.
KING
What’s he comes here?
KING
What’s he comes here?
FIRST LORD
It is the Count Rossillion, my good lord,
Young Bertram.
FIRST LORD
It is the Count Rossillion, my good lord,
Young Bertram.
KING
25
Youth, thou bear’st thy father’s face.
Frank nature, rather curious than in haste,
Hath well composed thee. Thy father’s moral parts
Mayst thou inherit too. Welcome to Paris.
KING
Youth, thou bear’st thy father’s face.
Frank nature, rather curious than in haste,
Hath well composed thee. Thy father’s moral parts
Mayst thou inherit too. Welcome to Paris.
BERTRAM
My thanks and duty are your Majesty’s.
BERTRAM
My thanks and duty are your Majesty’s.
KING
30
I would I had that corporal soundness now
As when thy father and myself in friendship
First tried our soldiership. He did look far
Into the service of the time and was
Discipled of the bravest. He lasted long,
35
But on us both did haggish age steal on
And wore us out of act. It much repairs me
To talk of your good father. In his youth
He had the wit which I can well observe
Today in our young lords; but they may jest
40
Till their own scorn return to them unnoted
Ere they can hide their levity in honor.
So like a courtier, contempt nor bitterness
Were in his pride or sharpness; if they were,
His equal had awaked them, and his honor,
45
Clock to itself, knew the true minute when
Exception bid him speak, and at this time
His tongue obeyed his hand. Who were below him
He used as creatures of another place
And bowed his eminent top to their low ranks,
50
Making them proud of his humility,
In their poor praise he humbled. Such a man
Might be a copy to these younger times,
Which, followed well, would demonstrate them now
But goers backward.
KING
I would I had that corporal soundness now
As when thy father and myself in friendship
First tried our soldiership. He did look far
Into the service of the time and was
Discipled of the bravest. He lasted long,
But on us both did haggish age steal on
And wore us out of act. It much repairs me
To talk of your good father. In his youth
He had the wit which I can well observe
Today in our young lords; but they may jest
Till their own scorn return to them unnoted
Ere they can hide their levity in honor.
So like a courtier, contempt nor bitterness
Were in his pride or sharpness; if they were,
His equal had awaked them, and his honor,
Clock to itself, knew the true minute when
Exception bid him speak, and at this time
His tongue obeyed his hand. Who were below him
He used as creatures of another place
And bowed his eminent top to their low ranks,
Making them proud of his humility,
In their poor praise he humbled. Such a man
Might be a copy to these younger times,
Which, followed well, would demonstrate them now
But goers backward.
BERTRAM
55
His good remembrance, sir,
Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb.
So in approof lives not his epitaph
As in your royal speech.
BERTRAM
His good remembrance, sir,
Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb.
So in approof lives not his epitaph
As in your royal speech.
KING
Would I were with him! He would always say—
60
Methinks I hear him now; his plausive words
He scattered not in ears, but grafted them
To grow there and to bear. “Let me not live”—
This his good melancholy oft began
On the catastrophe and heel of pastime,
65
When it was out—“Let me not live,” quoth he,
“After my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff
Of younger spirits, whose apprehensive senses
All but new things disdain, whose judgments are
Mere fathers of their garments, whose constancies
70
Expire before their fashions.” This he wished.
I, after him, do after him wish too,
Since I nor wax nor honey can bring home,
I quickly were dissolvèd from my hive
To give some laborers room.
KING
Would I were with him! He would always say—
Methinks I hear him now; his plausive words
He scattered not in ears, but grafted them
To grow there and to bear. “Let me not live”—
This his good melancholy oft began
On the catastrophe and heel of pastime,
When it was out—“Let me not live,” quoth he,
“After my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff
Of younger spirits, whose apprehensive senses
All but new things disdain, whose judgments are
Mere fathers of their garments, whose constancies
Expire before their fashions.” This he wished.
I, after him, do after him wish too,
Since I nor wax nor honey can bring home,
I quickly were dissolvèd from my hive
To give some laborers room.
SECOND LORD
75
You’re lovèd, sir.
They that least lend it you shall lack you first.
SECOND LORD
You’re lovèd, sir.
They that least lend it you shall lack you first.
KING
I fill a place, I know ’t.—How long is ’t, count,
Since the physician at your father’s died?
He was much famed.
KING
I fill a place, I know ’t.—How long is ’t, count,
Since the physician at your father’s died?
He was much famed.
BERTRAM
80
Some six months since, my lord.
BERTRAM
Some six months since, my lord.
KING
If he were living, I would try him yet.—
Lend me an arm.—The rest have worn me out
With several applications. Nature and sickness
Debate it at their leisure. Welcome, count.
85
My son’s no dearer.
KING
If he were living, I would try him yet.—
Lend me an arm.—The rest have worn me out
With several applications. Nature and sickness
Debate it at their leisure. Welcome, count.
My son’s no dearer.
BERTRAM
Thank your Majesty.
BERTRAM
Thank your Majesty.
They exit. Flourish.
They exit. Flourish.
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