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farther use to be made, than alone the recovery of

the king, as to be

La. Generally thankful.

Enter KING, HELENA, and Attendants.

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

1

La. Lustick, 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.2

Par. Mort du Vinaigre! Is not this Helen?
La. 'Fore God, I think so.

King. Go, call before me all the lords in court.

[Exit an Attendant.

Sit, my preserver, by thy patient's side;

And with this healthful hand, whose banish'd sense Thou hast repeal'd, a second time receive

The confirmation of my promised gift,

Which but attends thy naming.

Enter several LORDS.

Fair maid, send forth thine eye: this youthful parcel

Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing,

O'er whom both sovereign power and father's voice I have to use: 3 thy frank election make;

1 Lustigh is the Dutch word for lusty, cheerful.
2 A sprightly dance.

They were his wards as well as his subjects.

[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Thou hast power to choose, and they none to for

sake.

Hel. To each of you one fair and virtuous mis

tress

Fall, when Love please !-marry, to each, but one!
La. I'd give bay Curtal,1 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,

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.

The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me ;

'We blush, that thou shouldst choose; but, be re

fused,

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.

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?

1 A docked horse.

1 Lord. And grant it.

Hel.

Thanks, sir; all the rest is mute.1 La. I had rather be in this choice, than throw ames-ace 2 for my life.

Hel. The honor, 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! 2 Lord. No better, if you please. Hel. My wish receive, Which great Love grant! and so I take my leave. La. 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.

Hel. Be not afraid [to a Lord.] 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!

La. These boys are boys of ice; they'll none have her: sure, they are bastards to the English ; the French ne'er got them.

Hel. You are too young, too happy, and too

good,

To make yourself a son out of my blood.

4 Lord. Fair one, I think not so.

La. There's one grape yet: I am sure, thy father

1 I have no more to say to you.

2 The lowest chance of the dice.

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