They, that they cannot help: How shall they credit
A poor unlearned virgin, when the schools,
Embowell’d of their doctrine, have left off
The danger to itself?
Hel.

There's something hints,
More than my father's skill, which was the greatest
Of his profession, that his good receipt
Shall, for my legacy, be sanctified
By the luckiest stars in heaven : and, would your

honour
But give me leave to try success, I'd venture
The well-lost life of mine on his grace's cure,
By such a day, and hour.
Count.

Dost thou believe't?
Hel. Ay, madam, knowingly.
Count. Why, Helen, thou shalt have my leave,

and love,
Means, and attendants, and my loving greetings

To those of mine in court;, I'll stay at home,
And pray God's blessing into thy attempt :
Be gone to-morrow; and be sure of this,
What I can help thee to, thou shalt not miss.

[Exeunt,

6 Exhausted of their skill,

SCENE I. Paris. A Room in the King's Palace. Flourish. Enter King, with young Lords taking leave for the Florentine war; BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and Attendants, King. Farewell, young lord, these warlike prin

ciples Do not throw from you :-and you, my lord, fare.

well :
Share the advice betwixt you ; if both gain all,
The gift doth stretch itself as 'tis receiv'd,
And is enough for both.
1 Lord.

It is our hope, sir,
After well-enter'd soldiers, to return
And find your grace in health.

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
Of worthy Frenchmen: let higher Italy
(Those 'bated, that inherit but the fall
Of the last monarchy,?) see, that you come
Not to woo honour, but to wed it; when
The bravest questant 8 shrinks, find what you seek,
That fame may cry you loud: I

say,

farewell. 2 Lord. Health, at your bidding, serve your ma

jesty!

the sons

7 i.e. Those exc who possess modern Italy, the remains of the Roman Empire.

8 Seeker, enquirer.

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.9

Both. Our hearts receive your warnings, King. Farewell. Come hither to me.

[The King retires to a couch. 1 Lord. O my sweet lord, that you will stay be.

hind us ! Par. "Tis not his fault; the spark2 Lord.

O, 'tis brave wars! Par. Most admirable : I have seen those wars. ? Ber. I am commanded here, and kept a coils

with; Too young, and the next year, and 'tis too early. Par. An thy mind stand to it, boy, steal away

bravely. Ber. I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock, Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry, Till honour be bought up, and no sword worn, But one to dance with !6 By heaven, I'll steal away.

1 Lord. There's honour in the theft. Par.

Commit it, count. 2 Lord. I am your accessary; and so farewell.

Ber. I grow to you, and our parting is a tortured body.

i Lord. Farewell, captain.
2 Lord, Sweet monsieur Parolles !

9 Be not captives before you are soldiers. 5 With a noise, bustle.

6 In Shakspeare's time it was usual for gentlemen to dance with swords on.

Par. 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.

2 Lord. We shall, noble captain.

Par. Mars dote on you for his novices ! [Exeunt Lords.] What will you do? Ber. Stay; the king

[Seeing him rise. Par. 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.

Ber. And I will do so.

Par. Worthy fellows; and like to prove most sinewy sword-men.

[Exeunt BERTRAM and PAROLLES.

Enter LAFUU. Laf. Pardon, my lord, [Kneeling.] for me and for

my tidings. King. I'll fee thee to stand up. Laf.

Then here's a man Stands, that has brought his pardon. I would, you

1

They are the foremost in the fashion. ? Have the true military step.

3 The dance.

Had kneel'd, my lord, to ask me mercy; and
That, at my bidding, you could so stand

up. King. I would I had; so I had broke thy pate, And ask'd thee

mercy

for't, Laf.

Goodfaith, across : 4 But, my good lord, 'tis thus ; Will you be cur'd Of your infirmity? King.

No. Laf.

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, 5 That's able to breathe life into a stone; Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary, With spritely fire and motion; whose simple touch Is powerful to araise king Pepin, nay, To give great Charlemain a pen in his hand, And write to her a love-line. King.

What her is this? Laf. Why, doctor she: My lord, there's one

arriv'd, If you will see her,—now, by my faith and honour, 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 amaz'd me more Than I dare blame my weakness: Will you see her

4 Unskilfully; a phrase taken from the exercise at a quintaine. 5 A female physician.

6 A kind of dance. 7 By profession is meant her declaration of the object of her coming