Hel. I fhe be very well, what does fhe ail, that she's not very well? Clo. Truly, he's very well, indeed, but for two things. Hel. What two things? Clo. One, that she's not in heav'n, whither God fend her quickly; the other, that she's in earth, from whence God fend her quickly! Enter Parolles. Par. B'efs you, my fortunate Lady. Hel. I hope, Sir, I have your good will to have mine own good fortune. Par. You had my prayers to lead them on; and to keep them on, have them ftill. O, my knave, how does my old Lady? Clo. So that you had her wrinkles and I her money, I would, fhe did, as you say. Par. Why, I fay nothing. Clo. Marry, you are the wifer man; for many a man's tongue fhakes 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 fhould have faid, Sir, before a knave, th'art a knave; that's, before me th'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 fearch, Sir, was profitable, and* much fool may you find in you, even to the world's pleasure, and the encrease of laughter. Par. A good knave, i' faith, and well fed. Which, as your due, time claims, he does acknowledge;. Whofe want, and whofe delay, is ftrew'd with sweets Which they diftil now in the curbed time, To To make the coming hour o'erflow with joy, And pleasure drown the brim. Hel. What's his will elfe? Par. That you will take your inftant leave o' th' King, And make this hafte as your own good proceeding; Strengthen'd with what apology, you think, May make it probable need. Hel. What more commands he? Par. That having this obtain'd, you prefently Attend his further pleasure. Hel. (24) In every thing I wait upon his will. Hel. I pray you.-Come, firrah. Enter Lafeu and Bertram. [Exit Par. [To Clown. [Exeunt. Laf. But, I hope, your Lordship thinks not him a foldier. 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 affure you, my Lord, he is very great in knowledge, and accordingly valiant. Laf. I have then finned against his experience, and tranfgrefs'd against his valour; and my ftate that way is dangerous, fince I cannot yet find in my heart to repent: here he comes; I pray you, make us friends, I will purfue the amity. Enter Parolles. Par. These things shall be done, Sir. (24) Hel. In every thing I wait upon bis will. Par. I fhall report it f. Hel. I pray you come, firrah.] The pointing of Helen's laft fhort speech ftands thus abfurdly, through all the editions. My regulation reftores the true meaning Upon Parolles faying, he fhall report it fo; Helena is intended to reply, I pray you, do fo; and then, turning to the Clown, the more familiarly addreffes bim, and bids him come along with her. Laf. Laf. I pray you, Sir, who's his taylor? Laf. O, I know him well; I, Sir, he, Sir's, a good workman, a very good taylor. Ber. Is the gone to the King? Ber. Will the away to-night? [Afide to Parolles. Ber. I have writ my letters, cafketed my treasure, given order for our horfes; and to-night, when I' fhould take poffeffion of the bride-and ere I do begin Laf. A good traveller is fomething at the latter end of a dinner; but one that lyes three thirds, and ufes a known truth to pass a thousand nothings with, fhould be once heard and thrice beaten-God save you, Captain. Ber. Is there any unkindness between my Lord and you, Monfieur ? Par. I know not, how I have deferved to run into my Lord's displeasure. Laf. (25) You have made fhift to run into't, boots and fpurs and all, like him that leapt into the custard; and out of it you'll run again, rather than fuffer queftion for your refidence. Ber. It may be, you have miftaken him, my Lord. Laf. And fhall do fo ever, tho' I took him at's prayers. Fare you well, my Lord, and believe this (25) You have made shift to run into't, boots and fpurs and all, like bim that leapt into the custard.] This odd allufion is not introduc'd, without a view to fatire. It was a foolery practis'd at city-entertainments, whilft the Jefter or Zany was in vogue, for him to jump into a large deep cuftard; fet for the purpose, to fet on a quantity of barren fpectators to laugh; as our poet fays in his Hamlet. I do not advance this without fome authority: and a quotation from Ben Jonson will very well explain it. He ne'er will be admitted there, where Vennor comes. Devil's an Afs, Act I, Sc. I. of of me, there can be no kernel in this light nut: the foul of this man is his clothes. Truft him not in matter of heavy confequence: I have kept of them tame, and know their natures. Farewel, Monfieur, I have spoken better of you, than you have or will deferve at my hand, but we must do good against [Exit. evil. Par. An idle Lord, I fwear. Ber. I think fo. Par. Why, do you not know him? Ber. Yes, I do know him well, and common fpeech Gives him a worthy pafs. Here comes my clog. Enter Helena. Hel. I have, Sir, as I was commanded from you, Spoke with the King, and have procur'd his leave For prefent parting; only, he defires Some private fpeech with you. Ber. I fhall obey his will. You must not marvel, Helen, at my course, On my particular. Prepar'd I was not you that know them not. This to my mother.. [Giving a letter. 'Twill be two days ere I fhall fee you, so I leave you to your wisdom. Hel. Sir, I can nothing fay, But that I am your most obedient fervant. Hel. And ever shall With true obfervance feek to eke out that, Wherein tow'rd me my homely stars have fail'd To To equal my great fortune., My hafte is very great. Farewel; hie home. Ber. Let that go: Hel. Pray, Sir, your pardon. Ber. Well, what would you fay? He!. I am not worthy of the wealth I owe; But, like a tim’rous thief, most fain would steal Ber. What would you have? Hel. Something, and fcarce fo much-nothing, indeed. I would not tell you what I would, my Lord-'faith, yes;— Ber. I pray you, ftay not; but in hafte to horse. Where are my other men? Monfieur, farewel. [Exit. Par. Bravely, couragio! (26) Hel. I shall not break your bidding, good my Lord: Where are my other men? Monfieur, farewel. Ber. Go thou toward home, where I will never come,] [Exeunt.. What other men is Helen here enquiring after? or who is the fuppos'd to ask for them? The old Countefs, 'tis certain, did not fend her to the court without fome attendants: but neither the Clown, nor any of her retinue, are now upon the stage: I have not difturb'd the text, tho', I fufpect, the lines fhould be thus plac'd, and pointed. Ber. Where are my other men, Monfieur ?- [To Par.] Farewel: [To Hel, who goes out. Go thou towards bome,-where I &c. Bertram, obferving Heler to linger fondly, and wanting to fhift her off, puts on a fhew of hafte, afks Parolles for his fervants, and then gives his wife an abrupt difmiffion. ACT |