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Flourish cornets. Enter the KING, attended, with divers
young LORDS, taking leave for the Florentine war;
BERTRAM COUNT ROSSILLION , and PAROLLES.
Flourish cornets. Enter the KING, attended, with divers
young LORDS, taking leave for the Florentine war;
BERTRAM COUNT ROSSILLION , and PAROLLES.
KING  
Farewell, young lords. These warlike principles
Do not throw from you.—And you, my lords,
   farewell.
Share the advice betwixt you. If both gain all,
5
The gift doth stretch itself as ’tis received
And is enough for both.
KING  
Farewell, young lords. These warlike principles
Do not throw from you.—And you, my lords,
   farewell.
Share the advice betwixt you. If both gain all,
The gift doth stretch itself as ’tis received
And is enough for both.
FIRST LORD
’Tis our hope, sir,
After well-entered soldiers, to return
And find your Grace in health.
FIRST LORD
’Tis our hope, sir,
After well-entered soldiers, to return
And find your Grace in health.
KING  
10
No, no, it cannot be. And yet my heart
Will not confess he owes the malady
That doth my life besiege. Farewell, young lords.
Whether I live or die, be you the sons
Of worthy Frenchmen. Let higher Italy—
15
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 shrinks, find what you seek,
That fame may cry you loud. I say farewell.
KING  
No, no, it cannot be. And yet my heart
Will not confess he owes the malady
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 shrinks, find what you seek,
That fame may cry you loud. I say farewell.
FIRST LORD
20
Health at your bidding serve your Majesty!
FIRST 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.
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.
LORDS
25
Our hearts receive your warnings.
LORDS
Our hearts receive your warnings.
KING
Farewell.—Come hither to me.
KING
Farewell.—Come hither to me.
The KING speaks to ATTENDANTS, while BERTRAM,
PAROLLES, and other LORDS come forward.
The KING speaks to ATTENDANTS, while BERTRAM,
PAROLLES, and other LORDS come forward.
FIRST LORD, to BERTRAM
O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us!
FIRST LORD, to BERTRAM
O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us!
PAROLLES
’Tis not his fault, the spark.
PAROLLES
’Tis not his fault, the spark.
SECOND LORD
O, ’tis brave wars.
SECOND LORD
O, ’tis brave wars.
PAROLLES
30
Most admirable. I have seen those wars.
PAROLLES
Most admirable. I have seen those wars.
BERTRAM
I am commanded here and kept a coil
With “Too young,” and “The next year,” and “’Tis
too early.”
BERTRAM
I am commanded here and kept a coil
With “Too young,” and “The next year,” and “’Tis
too early.”
PAROLLES
An thy mind stand to ’t, boy, steal away bravely.
PAROLLES
An thy mind stand to ’t, boy, steal away bravely.
BERTRAM
35
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 steal away!
BERTRAM
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 steal away!
FIRST LORD
There’s honor in the theft.
FIRST LORD
There’s honor in the theft.
PAROLLES
40
Commit it, count.
PAROLLES
Commit it, count.
SECOND LORD
I am your accessory. And so, farewell.
SECOND LORD
I am your accessory. And so, farewell.
BERTRAM
I grow to you, and our parting is a tortured
body.
BERTRAM
I grow to you, and our parting is a tortured
body.
FIRST LORD
Farewell, captain.
FIRST LORD
Farewell, captain.
SECOND LORD
45
Sweet Monsieur Parolles.
SECOND LORD
Sweet Monsieur Parolles.
PAROLLES
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
50
war, here on his sinister cheek. It was this very
sword entrenched it. Say to him I live, and observe
his reports for me.
PAROLLES
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.
FIRST LORD
We shall, noble captain.
FIRST LORD
We shall, noble captain.
PAROLLES
Mars dote on you for his novices.
LORDS exit.
55
To BERTRAM. What will you do?
PAROLLES
Mars dote on you for his novices.
LORDS exit.
To BERTRAM. What will you do?
BERTRAM
Stay the King.
BERTRAM
Stay the King.
PAROLLES
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,
60
for they wear themselves in the cap of the time;
there do muster true gait; eat, speak, and move
under the influence of the most received star, and,
though the devil lead the measure, such are to be
followed. After them, and take a more dilated
65
farewell.
PAROLLES
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,
for they wear themselves in the cap of the time;
there do muster true gait; eat, speak, and move
under the influence of the most received star, and,
though the devil lead the measure, such are to be
followed. After them, and take a more dilated
farewell.
BERTRAM
And I will do so.
BERTRAM
And I will do so.
PAROLLES
Worthy fellows, and like to prove most
sinewy swordmen.
PAROLLES
Worthy fellows, and like to prove most
sinewy swordmen.
BERTRAM and PAROLLES exit.
BERTRAM and PAROLLES exit.
Enter LAFEW, to the KING.
Enter LAFEW, to the KING.
LAFEW, kneeling
Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings.
LAFEW, kneeling
Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings.
KING
70
I’ll fee thee to stand up.
KING
I’ll fee thee to stand up.
LAFEW, standing
Then here’s a man stands that has brought his
   pardon.
I would you had kneeled, my lord, to ask me mercy,
And that at my bidding you could so stand up.
LAFEW, standing
Then here’s a man stands that has brought his
   pardon.
I would you had kneeled, my lord, to ask me mercy,
And that at my bidding you could so stand up.
KING
75
I would I had, so I had broke thy pate
And asked thee mercy for ’t.
KING
I would I had, so I had broke thy pate
And asked thee mercy for ’t.
LAFEW
Good faith, across.
But, my good lord, ’tis thus: will you be cured
Of your infirmity?
LAFEW
Good faith, across.
But, my good lord, ’tis thus: will you be cured
Of your infirmity?
KING
80
No.
KING
No.
LAFEW
O, will you eat
No grapes, my royal fox? Yes, but you will
My noble grapes, an if my royal fox
Could reach them. I have seen a medicine
85
That’s able to breathe life into a stone,
Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary
With sprightly fire and motion, whose simple touch
Is powerful to araise King Pippen, nay,
To give great Charlemagne a pen in ’s hand
90
And write to her a love line.
LAFEW
O, will you eat
No grapes, my royal fox? Yes, but you will
My noble grapes, an if my royal fox
Could reach them. I have seen a medicine
That’s able to breathe life into a stone,
Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary
With sprightly fire and motion, whose simple touch
Is powerful to araise King Pippen, nay,
To give great Charlemagne a pen in ’s hand
And write to her a love line.
KING
What “her” is this?
KING
What “her” is this?
LAFEW
Why, Doctor She. My lord, there’s one arrived,
If you will see her. Now, by my faith and honor,
If seriously I may convey my thoughts
95
In this my light deliverance, I have spoke
With one that in her sex, her years, profession,
Wisdom, and constancy hath amazed me more
Than I dare blame my weakness. Will you see her—
For that is her demand—and know her business?
100
That done, laugh well at me.
LAFEW
Why, Doctor She. My lord, there’s one arrived,
If you will see her. Now, by my faith and honor,
If seriously I may convey my thoughts
In this my light deliverance, I have spoke
With one that in her sex, her years, profession,
Wisdom, and constancy hath amazed me more
Than I dare blame my weakness. Will you see her—
For that is her demand—and know her business?
That done, laugh well at me.
LAFEW
Why, a female doctor. She’s here, if you will see her. In all faith and honor, let me tell you my thoughts briefly. I have spoken with this person who in her gender, her experience, profession, wisdom, and constancy has amazed me more than my bias could account for. Will you see her—for that’s her demand—and hear her thoughts? Once you have, you can laugh at me all you want.
LAFEW
Why, a female doctor. She’s here, if you will see her. In all faith and honor, let me tell you my thoughts briefly. I have spoken with this person who in her gender, her experience, profession, wisdom, and constancy has amazed me more than my bias could account for. Will you see her—for that’s her demand—and hear her thoughts? Once you have, you can laugh at me all you want.
LAFEW
105
Nay, I’ll fit you,
And not be all day neither.
LAFEW
Nay, I’ll fit you,
And not be all day neither.
He goes to bring in HELEN.
He goes to bring in HELEN.
KING
Thus he his special nothing ever prologues.
KING
Thus he his special nothing ever prologues.
Enter HELEN.
Enter HELEN.
LAFEW, to HELEN
110
Nay, come your ways.
LAFEW, to HELEN
Nay, come your ways.
KING
This haste hath wings indeed.
KING
This haste hath wings indeed.
LAFEW
Nay, come your ways.
This is his Majesty. Say your mind to him.
A traitor you do look like, but such traitors
His Ma jesty seldom fears. I am Cressid’s uncle
That dare leave two together. Fare you well.
LAFEW
Nay, come your ways.
This is his Majesty. Say your mind to him.
A traitor you do look like, but such traitors
His Ma jesty seldom fears. I am Cressid’s uncle
That dare leave two together. Fare you well.
He exits.
He exits.
KING
115
Now, fair one, does your business follow us?
KING
Now, fair one, does your business follow us?
HELEN
Ay, my good lord,
Gerard de Narbon was my father,
In what he did profess well found.
HELEN
Ay, my good lord,
Gerard de Narbon was my father,
In what he did profess well found.
KING
I knew him.
KING
I knew him.
HELEN
120
The rather will I spare my praises towards him.
Knowing him is enough. On ’s bed of death
Many receipts he gave me, chiefly one
Which, as the dearest issue of his practice,
And of his old experience th’ only darling,
125
He bade me store up as a triple eye,
Safer than mine own two, more dear. I have so,
And hearing your high Majesty is touched
With that malignant cause wherein the honor
Of my dear father’s gift stands chief in power,
130
I come to tender it and my appliance
With all bound humbleness.
HELEN
The rather will I spare my praises towards him.
Knowing him is enough. On ’s bed of death
Many receipts he gave me, chiefly one
Which, as the dearest issue of his practice,
And of his old experience th’ only darling,
He bade me store up as a triple eye,
Safer than mine own two, more dear. I have so,
And hearing your high Majesty is touched
With that malignant cause wherein the honor
Of my dear father’s gift stands chief in power,
I come to tender it and my appliance
With all bound humbleness.
KING
We thank you, maiden,
But may not be so credulous of cure,
When our most learnèd doctors leave us and
135
The congregated college have concluded
That laboring art can never ransom nature
From her inaidible estate. I say we must not
So stain our judgment or corrupt our hope
To prostitute our past-cure malady
140
To empirics, or to dissever so
Our great self and our credit to esteem
A senseless help when help past sense we deem.
KING
We thank you, maiden,
But may not be so credulous of cure,
When our most learnèd doctors leave us and
The congregated college have concluded
That laboring art can never ransom nature
From her inaidible estate. I say we must not
So stain our judgment or corrupt our hope
To prostitute our past-cure malady
To empirics, or to dissever so
Our great self and our credit to esteem
A senseless help when help past sense we deem.
HELEN
My duty, then, shall pay me for my pains.
I will no more enforce mine office on you,
145
Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts
A modest one to bear me back again.
HELEN
My duty, then, shall pay me for my pains.
I will no more enforce mine office on you,
Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts
A modest one to bear me back again.
KING
I cannot give thee less, to be called grateful.
Thou thought’st to help me, and such thanks I give
As one near death to those that wish him live.
150
But what at full I know, thou know’st no part,
I knowing all my peril, thou no art.
KING
I cannot give thee less, to be called grateful.
Thou thought’st to help me, and such thanks I give
As one near death to those that wish him live.
But what at full I know, thou know’st no part,
I knowing all my peril, thou no art.
HELEN
What I can do can do no hurt to try
Since you set up your rest ’gainst remedy.
He that of greatest works is finisher
155
Oft does them by the weakest minister.
So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown
When judges have been babes. Great floods have flown
From simple sources, and great seas have dried
When miracles have by the great’st been denied.
160
Oft expectation fails, and most oft there
Where most it promises, and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest and despair most shifts.
HELEN
What I can do can do no hurt to try
Since you set up your rest ’gainst remedy.
He that of greatest works is finisher
Oft does them by the weakest minister.
So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown
When judges have been babes. Great floods have flown
From simple sources, and great seas have dried
When miracles have by the great’st been denied.
Oft expectation fails, and most oft there
Where most it promises, and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest and despair most shifts.
KING
I must not hear thee. Fare thee well, kind maid.
Thy pains, not used, must by thyself be paid.
165
Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward.
KING
I must not hear thee. Fare thee well, kind maid.
Thy pains, not used, must by thyself be paid.
Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward.
HELEN
Inspirèd merit so by breath is barred.
It is not so with Him that all things knows
As ’tis with us that square our guess by shows;
But most it is presumption in us when
170
The help of heaven we count the act of men.
Dear sir, to my endeavors give consent.
Of heaven, not me, make an experiment.
I am not an impostor that proclaim
Myself against the level of mine aim,
175
But know I think and think I know most sure
My art is not past power nor you past cure.
HELEN
Inspirèd merit so by breath is barred.
It is not so with Him that all things knows
As ’tis with us that square our guess by shows;
But most it is presumption in us when
The help of heaven we count the act of men.
Dear sir, to my endeavors give consent.
Of heaven, not me, make an experiment.
I am not an impostor that proclaim
Myself against the level of mine aim,
But know I think and think I know most sure
My art is not past power nor you past cure.
KING
Art thou so confident? Within what space
Hop’st thou my cure?
KING
Art thou so confident? Within what space
Hop’st thou my cure?
HELEN
The greatest grace lending grace,
180
Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring
Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring;
Ere twice in murk and occidental damp
Moist Hesperus hath quenched her sleepy lamp;
Or four and twenty times the pilot’s glass
185
Hath told the thievish minutes, how they pass,
What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly,
Health shall live free, and sickness freely die.
HELEN
The greatest grace lending grace,
Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring
Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring;
Ere twice in murk and occidental damp
Moist Hesperus hath quenched her sleepy lamp;
Or four and twenty times the pilot’s glass
Hath told the thievish minutes, how they pass,
What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly,
Health shall live free, and sickness freely die.
KING
Upon thy certainty and confidence
What dar’st thou venture?
KING
Upon thy certainty and confidence
What dar’st thou venture?
HELEN
190
Tax of impudence,
A strumpet’s boldness, a divulgèd shame;
Traduced by odious ballads, my maiden’s name
Seared otherwise; nay, worse of worst, extended
With vilest torture let my life be ended.
HELEN
Tax of impudence,
A strumpet’s boldness, a divulgèd shame;
Traduced by odious ballads, my maiden’s name
Seared otherwise; nay, worse of worst, extended
With vilest torture let my life be ended.
KING
195
Methinks in thee some blessèd spirit doth speak
His powerful sound within an organ weak,
And what impossibility would slay
In common sense, sense saves another way.
Thy life is dear, for all that life can rate
200
Worth name of life in thee hath estimate:
Youth, beauty, wisdom, courage, all
That happiness and prime can happy call.
Thou this to hazard needs must intimate
Skill infinite or monstrous desperate.
205
Sweet practicer, thy physic I will try,
That ministers thine own death if I die.
KING
Methinks in thee some blessèd spirit doth speak
His powerful sound within an organ weak,
And what impossibility would slay
In common sense, sense saves another way.
Thy life is dear, for all that life can rate
Worth name of life in thee hath estimate:
Youth, beauty, wisdom, courage, all
That happiness and prime can happy call.
Thou this to hazard needs must intimate
Skill infinite or monstrous desperate.
Sweet practicer, thy physic I will try,
That ministers thine own death if I die.
HELEN
If I break time or flinch in property
Of what I spoke, unpitied let me die,
And well deserved. Not helping, death’s my fee.
210
But if I help, what do you promise me?
HELEN
If I break time or flinch in property
Of what I spoke, unpitied let me die,
And well deserved. Not helping, death’s my fee.
But if I help, what do you promise me?
KING
Make thy demand.
KING
Make thy demand.
HELEN
But will you make it even?
HELEN
But will you make it even?
KING
Ay, by my scepter and my hopes of heaven.
KING
Ay, by my scepter and my hopes of heaven.
HELEN
Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand
215
What husband in thy power I will command.
Exempted be from me the arrogance
To choose from forth the royal blood of France,
My low and humble name to propagate
With any branch or image of thy state;
220
But such a one, thy vassal, whom I know
Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow.
HELEN
Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand
What husband in thy power I will command.
Exempted be from me the arrogance
To choose from forth the royal blood of France,
My low and humble name to propagate
With any branch or image of thy state;
But such a one, thy vassal, whom I know
Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow.
KING
Here is my hand. The premises observed,
Thy will by my performance shall be served.
So make the choice of thy own time, for I,
225
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 cam’st, how tended on; but rest
Unquestioned welcome and undoubted blessed.—
230
Give me some help here, ho!—If thou proceed
As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed.
KING
Here is my hand. The premises observed,
Thy will by my performance shall be served.
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 cam’st, how tended on; but rest
Unquestioned welcome and undoubted blessed.—
Give me some help here, ho!—If thou proceed
As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed.
Flourish. They exit, the KING assisted.
Flourish. They exit, the KING assisted.

Original Text

Modern Text
Flourish cornets. Enter the KING, attended, with divers
young LORDS, taking leave for the Florentine war;
BERTRAM COUNT ROSSILLION , and PAROLLES.
Flourish cornets. Enter the KING, attended, with divers
young LORDS, taking leave for the Florentine war;
BERTRAM COUNT ROSSILLION , and PAROLLES.
KING  
Farewell, young lords. These warlike principles
Do not throw from you.—And you, my lords,
   farewell.
Share the advice betwixt you. If both gain all,
5
The gift doth stretch itself as ’tis received
And is enough for both.
KING  
Farewell, young lords. These warlike principles
Do not throw from you.—And you, my lords,
   farewell.
Share the advice betwixt you. If both gain all,
The gift doth stretch itself as ’tis received
And is enough for both.
FIRST LORD
’Tis our hope, sir,
After well-entered soldiers, to return
And find your Grace in health.
FIRST LORD
’Tis our hope, sir,
After well-entered soldiers, to return
And find your Grace in health.
KING  
10
No, no, it cannot be. And yet my heart
Will not confess he owes the malady
That doth my life besiege. Farewell, young lords.
Whether I live or die, be you the sons
Of worthy Frenchmen. Let higher Italy—
15
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 shrinks, find what you seek,
That fame may cry you loud. I say farewell.
KING  
No, no, it cannot be. And yet my heart
Will not confess he owes the malady
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 shrinks, find what you seek,
That fame may cry you loud. I say farewell.
FIRST LORD
20
Health at your bidding serve your Majesty!
FIRST 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.
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.
LORDS
25
Our hearts receive your warnings.
LORDS
Our hearts receive your warnings.
KING
Farewell.—Come hither to me.
KING
Farewell.—Come hither to me.
The KING speaks to ATTENDANTS, while BERTRAM,
PAROLLES, and other LORDS come forward.
The KING speaks to ATTENDANTS, while BERTRAM,
PAROLLES, and other LORDS come forward.
FIRST LORD, to BERTRAM
O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us!
FIRST LORD, to BERTRAM
O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us!
PAROLLES
’Tis not his fault, the spark.
PAROLLES
’Tis not his fault, the spark.
SECOND LORD
O, ’tis brave wars.
SECOND LORD
O, ’tis brave wars.
PAROLLES
30
Most admirable. I have seen those wars.
PAROLLES
Most admirable. I have seen those wars.
BERTRAM
I am commanded here and kept a coil
With “Too young,” and “The next year,” and “’Tis
too early.”
BERTRAM
I am commanded here and kept a coil
With “Too young,” and “The next year,” and “’Tis
too early.”
PAROLLES
An thy mind stand to ’t, boy, steal away bravely.
PAROLLES
An thy mind stand to ’t, boy, steal away bravely.
BERTRAM
35
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 steal away!
BERTRAM
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 steal away!
FIRST LORD
There’s honor in the theft.
FIRST LORD
There’s honor in the theft.
PAROLLES
40
Commit it, count.
PAROLLES
Commit it, count.
SECOND LORD
I am your accessory. And so, farewell.
SECOND LORD
I am your accessory. And so, farewell.
BERTRAM
I grow to you, and our parting is a tortured
body.
BERTRAM
I grow to you, and our parting is a tortured
body.
FIRST LORD
Farewell, captain.
FIRST LORD
Farewell, captain.
SECOND LORD
45
Sweet Monsieur Parolles.
SECOND LORD
Sweet Monsieur Parolles.
PAROLLES
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
50
war, here on his sinister cheek. It was this very
sword entrenched it. Say to him I live, and observe
his reports for me.
PAROLLES
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.
FIRST LORD
We shall, noble captain.
FIRST LORD
We shall, noble captain.
PAROLLES
Mars dote on you for his novices.
LORDS exit.
55
To BERTRAM. What will you do?
PAROLLES
Mars dote on you for his novices.
LORDS exit.
To BERTRAM. What will you do?
BERTRAM
Stay the King.
BERTRAM
Stay the King.
PAROLLES
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,
60
for they wear themselves in the cap of the time;
there do muster true gait; eat, speak, and move
under the influence of the most received star, and,
though the devil lead the measure, such are to be
followed. After them, and take a more dilated
65
farewell.
PAROLLES
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,
for they wear themselves in the cap of the time;
there do muster true gait; eat, speak, and move
under the influence of the most received star, and,
though the devil lead the measure, such are to be
followed. After them, and take a more dilated
farewell.
BERTRAM
And I will do so.
BERTRAM
And I will do so.
PAROLLES
Worthy fellows, and like to prove most
sinewy swordmen.
PAROLLES
Worthy fellows, and like to prove most
sinewy swordmen.
BERTRAM and PAROLLES exit.
BERTRAM and PAROLLES exit.
Enter LAFEW, to the KING.
Enter LAFEW, to the KING.
LAFEW, kneeling
Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings.
LAFEW, kneeling
Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings.
KING
70
I’ll fee thee to stand up.
KING
I’ll fee thee to stand up.
LAFEW, standing
Then here’s a man stands that has brought his
   pardon.
I would you had kneeled, my lord, to ask me mercy,
And that at my bidding you could so stand up.
LAFEW, standing
Then here’s a man stands that has brought his
   pardon.
I would you had kneeled, my lord, to ask me mercy,
And that at my bidding you could so stand up.
KING
75
I would I had, so I had broke thy pate
And asked thee mercy for ’t.
KING
I would I had, so I had broke thy pate
And asked thee mercy for ’t.
LAFEW
Good faith, across.
But, my good lord, ’tis thus: will you be cured
Of your infirmity?
LAFEW
Good faith, across.
But, my good lord, ’tis thus: will you be cured
Of your infirmity?
KING
80
No.
KING
No.
LAFEW
O, will you eat
No grapes, my royal fox? Yes, but you will
My noble grapes, an if my royal fox
Could reach them. I have seen a medicine
85
That’s able to breathe life into a stone,
Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary
With sprightly fire and motion, whose simple touch
Is powerful to araise King Pippen, nay,
To give great Charlemagne a pen in ’s hand
90
And write to her a love line.
LAFEW
O, will you eat
No grapes, my royal fox? Yes, but you will
My noble grapes, an if my royal fox
Could reach them. I have seen a medicine
That’s able to breathe life into a stone,
Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary
With sprightly fire and motion, whose simple touch
Is powerful to araise King Pippen, nay,
To give great Charlemagne a pen in ’s hand
And write to her a love line.
KING
What “her” is this?
KING
What “her” is this?
LAFEW
Why, Doctor She. My lord, there’s one arrived,
If you will see her. Now, by my faith and honor,
If seriously I may convey my thoughts
95
In this my light deliverance, I have spoke
With one that in her sex, her years, profession,
Wisdom, and constancy hath amazed me more
Than I dare blame my weakness. Will you see her—
For that is her demand—and know her business?
100
That done, laugh well at me.
LAFEW
Why, Doctor She. My lord, there’s one arrived,
If you will see her. Now, by my faith and honor,
If seriously I may convey my thoughts
In this my light deliverance, I have spoke
With one that in her sex, her years, profession,
Wisdom, and constancy hath amazed me more
Than I dare blame my weakness. Will you see her—
For that is her demand—and know her business?
That done, laugh well at me.
LAFEW
Why, a female doctor. She’s here, if you will see her. In all faith and honor, let me tell you my thoughts briefly. I have spoken with this person who in her gender, her experience, profession, wisdom, and constancy has amazed me more than my bias could account for. Will you see her—for that’s her demand—and hear her thoughts? Once you have, you can laugh at me all you want.
LAFEW
Why, a female doctor. She’s here, if you will see her. In all faith and honor, let me tell you my thoughts briefly. I have spoken with this person who in her gender, her experience, profession, wisdom, and constancy has amazed me more than my bias could account for. Will you see her—for that’s her demand—and hear her thoughts? Once you have, you can laugh at me all you want.
LAFEW
105
Nay, I’ll fit you,
And not be all day neither.
LAFEW
Nay, I’ll fit you,
And not be all day neither.
He goes to bring in HELEN.
He goes to bring in HELEN.
KING
Thus he his special nothing ever prologues.
KING
Thus he his special nothing ever prologues.
Enter HELEN.
Enter HELEN.
LAFEW, to HELEN
110
Nay, come your ways.
LAFEW, to HELEN
Nay, come your ways.
KING
This haste hath wings indeed.
KING
This haste hath wings indeed.
LAFEW
Nay, come your ways.
This is his Majesty. Say your mind to him.
A traitor you do look like, but such traitors
His Ma jesty seldom fears. I am Cressid’s uncle
That dare leave two together. Fare you well.
LAFEW
Nay, come your ways.
This is his Majesty. Say your mind to him.
A traitor you do look like, but such traitors
His Ma jesty seldom fears. I am Cressid’s uncle
That dare leave two together. Fare you well.
He exits.
He exits.
KING
115
Now, fair one, does your business follow us?
KING
Now, fair one, does your business follow us?
HELEN
Ay, my good lord,
Gerard de Narbon was my father,
In what he did profess well found.
HELEN
Ay, my good lord,
Gerard de Narbon was my father,
In what he did profess well found.
KING
I knew him.
KING
I knew him.
HELEN
120
The rather will I spare my praises towards him.
Knowing him is enough. On ’s bed of death
Many receipts he gave me, chiefly one
Which, as the dearest issue of his practice,
And of his old experience th’ only darling,
125
He bade me store up as a triple eye,
Safer than mine own two, more dear. I have so,
And hearing your high Majesty is touched
With that malignant cause wherein the honor
Of my dear father’s gift stands chief in power,
130
I come to tender it and my appliance
With all bound humbleness.
HELEN
The rather will I spare my praises towards him.
Knowing him is enough. On ’s bed of death
Many receipts he gave me, chiefly one
Which, as the dearest issue of his practice,
And of his old experience th’ only darling,
He bade me store up as a triple eye,
Safer than mine own two, more dear. I have so,
And hearing your high Majesty is touched
With that malignant cause wherein the honor
Of my dear father’s gift stands chief in power,
I come to tender it and my appliance
With all bound humbleness.
KING
We thank you, maiden,
But may not be so credulous of cure,
When our most learnèd doctors leave us and
135
The congregated college have concluded
That laboring art can never ransom nature
From her inaidible estate. I say we must not
So stain our judgment or corrupt our hope
To prostitute our past-cure malady
140
To empirics, or to dissever so
Our great self and our credit to esteem
A senseless help when help past sense we deem.
KING
We thank you, maiden,
But may not be so credulous of cure,
When our most learnèd doctors leave us and
The congregated college have concluded
That laboring art can never ransom nature
From her inaidible estate. I say we must not
So stain our judgment or corrupt our hope
To prostitute our past-cure malady
To empirics, or to dissever so
Our great self and our credit to esteem
A senseless help when help past sense we deem.
HELEN
My duty, then, shall pay me for my pains.
I will no more enforce mine office on you,
145
Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts
A modest one to bear me back again.
HELEN
My duty, then, shall pay me for my pains.
I will no more enforce mine office on you,
Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts
A modest one to bear me back again.
KING
I cannot give thee less, to be called grateful.
Thou thought’st to help me, and such thanks I give
As one near death to those that wish him live.
150
But what at full I know, thou know’st no part,
I knowing all my peril, thou no art.
KING
I cannot give thee less, to be called grateful.
Thou thought’st to help me, and such thanks I give
As one near death to those that wish him live.
But what at full I know, thou know’st no part,
I knowing all my peril, thou no art.
HELEN
What I can do can do no hurt to try
Since you set up your rest ’gainst remedy.
He that of greatest works is finisher
155
Oft does them by the weakest minister.
So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown
When judges have been babes. Great floods have flown
From simple sources, and great seas have dried
When miracles have by the great’st been denied.
160
Oft expectation fails, and most oft there
Where most it promises, and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest and despair most shifts.
HELEN
What I can do can do no hurt to try
Since you set up your rest ’gainst remedy.
He that of greatest works is finisher
Oft does them by the weakest minister.
So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown
When judges have been babes. Great floods have flown
From simple sources, and great seas have dried
When miracles have by the great’st been denied.
Oft expectation fails, and most oft there
Where most it promises, and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest and despair most shifts.
KING
I must not hear thee. Fare thee well, kind maid.
Thy pains, not used, must by thyself be paid.
165
Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward.
KING
I must not hear thee. Fare thee well, kind maid.
Thy pains, not used, must by thyself be paid.
Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward.
HELEN
Inspirèd merit so by breath is barred.
It is not so with Him that all things knows
As ’tis with us that square our guess by shows;
But most it is presumption in us when
170
The help of heaven we count the act of men.
Dear sir, to my endeavors give consent.
Of heaven, not me, make an experiment.
I am not an impostor that proclaim
Myself against the level of mine aim,
175
But know I think and think I know most sure
My art is not past power nor you past cure.
HELEN
Inspirèd merit so by breath is barred.
It is not so with Him that all things knows
As ’tis with us that square our guess by shows;
But most it is presumption in us when
The help of heaven we count the act of men.
Dear sir, to my endeavors give consent.
Of heaven, not me, make an experiment.
I am not an impostor that proclaim
Myself against the level of mine aim,
But know I think and think I know most sure
My art is not past power nor you past cure.
KING
Art thou so confident? Within what space
Hop’st thou my cure?
KING
Art thou so confident? Within what space
Hop’st thou my cure?
HELEN
The greatest grace lending grace,
180
Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring
Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring;
Ere twice in murk and occidental damp
Moist Hesperus hath quenched her sleepy lamp;
Or four and twenty times the pilot’s glass
185
Hath told the thievish minutes, how they pass,
What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly,
Health shall live free, and sickness freely die.
HELEN
The greatest grace lending grace,
Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring
Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring;
Ere twice in murk and occidental damp
Moist Hesperus hath quenched her sleepy lamp;
Or four and twenty times the pilot’s glass
Hath told the thievish minutes, how they pass,
What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly,
Health shall live free, and sickness freely die.
KING
Upon thy certainty and confidence
What dar’st thou venture?
KING
Upon thy certainty and confidence
What dar’st thou venture?
HELEN
190
Tax of impudence,
A strumpet’s boldness, a divulgèd shame;
Traduced by odious ballads, my maiden’s name
Seared otherwise; nay, worse of worst, extended
With vilest torture let my life be ended.
HELEN
Tax of impudence,
A strumpet’s boldness, a divulgèd shame;
Traduced by odious ballads, my maiden’s name
Seared otherwise; nay, worse of worst, extended
With vilest torture let my life be ended.
KING
195
Methinks in thee some blessèd spirit doth speak
His powerful sound within an organ weak,
And what impossibility would slay
In common sense, sense saves another way.
Thy life is dear, for all that life can rate
200
Worth name of life in thee hath estimate:
Youth, beauty, wisdom, courage, all
That happiness and prime can happy call.
Thou this to hazard needs must intimate
Skill infinite or monstrous desperate.
205
Sweet practicer, thy physic I will try,
That ministers thine own death if I die.
KING
Methinks in thee some blessèd spirit doth speak
His powerful sound within an organ weak,
And what impossibility would slay
In common sense, sense saves another way.
Thy life is dear, for all that life can rate
Worth name of life in thee hath estimate:
Youth, beauty, wisdom, courage, all
That happiness and prime can happy call.
Thou this to hazard needs must intimate
Skill infinite or monstrous desperate.
Sweet practicer, thy physic I will try,
That ministers thine own death if I die.
HELEN
If I break time or flinch in property
Of what I spoke, unpitied let me die,
And well deserved. Not helping, death’s my fee.
210
But if I help, what do you promise me?
HELEN
If I break time or flinch in property
Of what I spoke, unpitied let me die,
And well deserved. Not helping, death’s my fee.
But if I help, what do you promise me?
KING
Make thy demand.
KING
Make thy demand.
HELEN
But will you make it even?
HELEN
But will you make it even?
KING
Ay, by my scepter and my hopes of heaven.
KING
Ay, by my scepter and my hopes of heaven.
HELEN
Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand
215
What husband in thy power I will command.
Exempted be from me the arrogance
To choose from forth the royal blood of France,
My low and humble name to propagate
With any branch or image of thy state;
220
But such a one, thy vassal, whom I know
Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow.
HELEN
Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand
What husband in thy power I will command.
Exempted be from me the arrogance
To choose from forth the royal blood of France,
My low and humble name to propagate
With any branch or image of thy state;
But such a one, thy vassal, whom I know
Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow.
KING
Here is my hand. The premises observed,
Thy will by my performance shall be served.
So make the choice of thy own time, for I,
225
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 cam’st, how tended on; but rest
Unquestioned welcome and undoubted blessed.—
230
Give me some help here, ho!—If thou proceed
As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed.
KING
Here is my hand. The premises observed,
Thy will by my performance shall be served.
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 cam’st, how tended on; but rest
Unquestioned welcome and undoubted blessed.—
Give me some help here, ho!—If thou proceed
As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed.
Flourish. They exit, the KING assisted.
Flourish. They exit, the KING assisted.
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