Shakespeare Portal

Act 1, Scene 2

Paris. A room in the King's palace.

  1. [Flourish of cornets. Enter the KING OF FRANCE, with letters; Lords and others attending.]
  2. King of France
  3. 206 The Florentines and Senoys are by the ears;
  4. 207 Have fought with equal fortune, and continue
  5. 208 A braving war.
  6. First Lord (Dumaine)
  7. 209 So 'tis reported, sir.
  8. King of France
  9. 210 Nay, 'tis most credible; we here receive it,
  10. 211 A certainty, vouch'd from our cousin Austria,
  11. 212 With caution, that the Florentine will move us
  12. 213 For speedy aid; wherein our dearest friend
  13. 214 Prejudicates the business, and would seem
  14. 215 To have us make denial.
  15. First Lord (Dumaine)
  16. 216 His love and wisdom,
  17. 217 Approv'd so to your majesty, may plead
  18. 218 For amplest credence.
  19. King of France
  20. 219 He hath arm'd our answer,
  21. 220 And Florence is denied before he comes:
  22. 221 Yet, for our gentlemen that mean to see
  23. 222 The Tuscan service, freely have they leave
  24. 223 To stand on either part.
  25. Second Lord (Dumaine)
  26. 224 It well may serve
  27. 225 A nursery to our gentry, who are sick
  28. 226 For breathing and exploit.
  29. King of France
  30. 227 What's he comes here?
  31. [Enter BERTRAM, LAFEU, and PAROLLES.]
  32. First Lord (Dumaine)
  33. 228 It is the Count Rousillon, my good lord,
  34. 229 Young Bertram.
  35. King of France
  36. 230 Youth, thou bear'st thy father's face;
  37. 231 Frank nature, rather curious than in haste,
  38. 232 Hath well compos'd thee. Thy father's moral parts
  39. 233 Mayst thou inherit too! Welcome to Paris.
  40. Bertram
  41. 234 My thanks and duty are your majesty's.
  42. King of France
  43. 235 I would I had that corporal soundness now,
  44. 236 As when thy father and myself in friendship
  45. 237 First tried our soldiership! He did look far
  46. 238 Into the service of the time, and was
  47. 239 Discipled of the bravest: he lasted long;
  48. 240 But on us both did haggish age steal on,
  49. 241 And wore us out of act. It much repairs me
  50. 242 To talk of your good father. In his youth
  51. 243 He had the wit which I can well observe
  52. 244 To-day in our young lords; but they may jest
  53. 245 Till their own scorn return to them unnoted,
  54. 246 Ere they can hide their levity in honour
  55. 247 So like a courtier: contempt nor bitterness
  56. 248 Were in his pride or sharpness; if they were,
  57. 249 His equal had awak'd them; and his honour,
  58. 250 Clock to itself, knew the true minute when
  59. 251 Exception bid him speak, and at this time
  60. 252 His tongue obey'd his hand: who were below him
  61. 253 He us'd as creatures of another place;
  62. 254 And bow'd his eminent top to their low ranks,
  63. 255 Making them proud of his humility,
  64. 256 In their poor praise he humbled. Such a man
  65. 257 Might be a copy to these younger times;
  66. 258 Which, follow'd well, would demonstrate them now
  67. 259 But goers backward.
  68. Bertram
  69. 260 His good remembrance, sir,
  70. 261 Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb;
  71. 262 So in approof lives not his epitaph
  72. 263 As in your royal speech.
  73. King of France
  74. 264 Would I were with him! He would always say,—
  75. 265 Methinks I hear him now; his plausive words
  76. 266 He scatter'd not in ears, but grafted them
  77. 267 To grow there, and to bear,—'Let me not live,'—
  78. 268 This his good melancholy oft began,
  79. 269 On the catastrophe and heel of pastime,
  80. 270 When it was out,—'Let me not live' quoth he,
  81. 271 'After my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff
  82. 272 Of younger spirits, whose apprehensive senses
  83. 273 All but new things disdain; whose judgments are
  84. 274 Mere fathers of their garments; whose constancies
  85. 275 Expire before their fashions:'—This he wish'd:
  86. 276 I, after him, do after him wish too,
  87. 277 Since I nor wax nor honey can bring home,
  88. 278 I quickly were dissolved from my hive,
  89. 279 To give some labourers room.
  90. Second Lord (Dumaine)
  91. 280 You're lov'd, sir;
  92. 281 They that least lend it you shall lack you first.
  93. King of France
  94. 282 I fill a place, I know't.—How long is't, Count,
  95. 283 Since the physician at your father's died?
  96. 284 He was much fam'd.
  97. Bertram
  98. 285 Some six months since, my lord.
  99. King of France
  100. 286 If he were living, I would try him yet;—
  101. 287 Lend me an arm;—the rest have worn me out
  102. 288 With several applications:—nature and sickness
  103. 289 Debate it at their leisure. Welcome, count;
  104. 290 My son's no dearer.
  105. Bertram
  106. 291 Thank your majesty.
  107. [Exeunt. Flourish.]