taffata fellow there, whose villainous saffron would have made all the unbaked and doughy youth of a nation in his colour: your daughter-in-law had been alive at this hour, and your son here at home more advanced by the king, than by that red-tailed humble-bee I speak of. Count. I would I had not known him! it was the death of the most virtuous gentlewoman that ever nature had praise for creating if she had partaken of my flesh, and cost me the dearest groans of a mother, I could not have owed her a more rooted love. : Laf. "T was a good lady, 't was a good lady: we may pick a thousand sallets, ere we light on such another herb. Clo. Indeed, sir, she was the sweet marjoram of the sallet, or, rather, the herb of grace. Laf. They are not sallet-herbs, you knave, they are nose-herbs. Clo. I am no great Nebuchadnezzar, sir; I have not much skill in grass. Laf. Whether dost thou profess thyself—a knave or a fool? Clo. A fool, sir, at a woman's service, and a knave at a man's. Laf. Your distinction? Clo. I would cozen the man of his wife, and do his service. Laf. So you were a knave at his service, indeed. Clo. And I would give his wife my bauble, sir, to do her service. Laf. I will subscribe for thee; thou art both knave and fool. Clo. At your service. Laf. No, no, no. Clo. Why, sir, if I cannot serve you, I can serve as great a prince as you are. Laf. Who 's that? a Frenchman? Clo. Faith, sir, a has an English name ; but his phisnomy is more hotter in France than there. Laf. What prince is that? Clo. The black prince, sir, alias, the prince of darkness; alias, the devil. Laf. Hold thee, there 's my purse: I give thee not this to suggest thee from thy master thou talkest of; serve him still. Clo. I am a woodland fellow, sir, that always loved a great fire; and the master I speak of ever keeps a good fire. But, sure, he is the prince of the world; let his nobility remain in his court. I am for the house with the narrow gate, which I take to be too little for pomp to enter some that humble themselves may; but the many will be too chill and tender, and they'll be for the flowery way, that leads to the broad gate and the great fire. Laf. Go thy ways, I begin to be a-weary of thee; and I tell thee so before, because I would not fall out with thee. Go thy ways; let my horses be well looked to, without any tricks. Clo. If I put any tricks upon 'em, sir, they shall be jades' tricks; which are their own right by the law of nature. Laf. A shrewd knave, and an unhappy.a [Exit. Count. So he is. My lord, that 's gone, made himself much sport out of him: by his authority he remains here, which he thinks is a patent for his sauciness; and, indeed, he has no pace, but runs where he will. Laf. I like him well; 't is not amiss: And I was about to tell you, since I heard of the good lady's death, and that my lord your son was upon his return home, moved the king my master to speak in the behalf of my daughter; which, in the minority of them both, his majesty, out of a self-gracious remembrance, did first proa Unhappy-unlucky-mischievous. pose his highness hath promised me to do it: and, to stop up the displeasure he hath conceived against your son, there is no fitter matter. How does your ladyship like it? Count. With very much content, my lord, and I wish it happily effected. Laf. His highness comes post from Marseilles, of as able body as when he numbered thirty; he will be here to-morrow, or I am deceived by him that in such intelligence hath seldom failed. Count. It rejoices me that I hope I shall see him ere I die. I have letters, that my son will be here to-night: I shall beseech your lordship to remain with me till they meet together. Laf. Madam, I was thinking with what manners I might safely be admitted. Count. You need but plead your honourable privilege. Laf. Lady, of that I have made a bold charter; but, I thank my God, it holds yet. Re-enter Clown. Clo. O madam, yonder 's my lord your son with a patch of velvet on 's face; whether there be a scar under it, or no, the velvet knows; but 't is a goodly patch of velvet his left cheek is a cheek of two pile and a half, but his right cheek is worn bare. : Laf. A scar nobly got, or a noble scar, is a good livery of honour; so, belike, is that. Clo. But it is your carbonadoed face. Laf. Let us go see your son, I pray you; I long to talk with the young noble soldier. Clo. 'Faith, there's a dozen of 'em, with delicate fine hats, and most courteous feathers, which bow the head, and nod at every man. [Exeunt. ACT V. SCENE I.-Marseilles. A Street. Enter HELENA, Widow, and DIANA, with two Hel. But this exceeding posting, day and night, Be bold you do so grow in my requital, As nothing can unroot you. In happy time; Enter a gentle Astringer.a This man may help me to his majesty's ear, Hel. Sir, I have seen you in the court of France. Hel. I do presume, sir, that you are not fallen Ast. What's your will? Hel. That it will please you To give this poor petition to the king; And aid me with that store of power you have, To come into his presence. Ast. The king 's not here. Hel. Not here, sir? a An astringer is a falconer. A "gentle astringer" probably meant the head of the king's hawking establishment-not a menial, but an officer of rank in his household. Ast. Not, indeed : He hence remov'd last night, and with more haste Than is his use. Wid. Lord, how we lose our pains ! Hel. All's well that ends well, yet; Though time seem so adverse, and means unfit.- Ast. Marry, as I take it, to Rousillon ; Hel. Ast. This I'll do for you. Hel. And you shall find yourself to be well thank'd, Whate'er falls more.- -We must to horse again ; Go, go, provide. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Rousillon. The inner Court of the Countess's Palace. Enter Clown and PAROLLES. Par. Good monsieur Lavatch, give my lord Lafeu this letter: I have ere now, sir, been better known to you, when I have held familiarity with fresher clothes; but I am now, sir, muddied in fortune's mood,a and smell somewhat strong of her strong displeasure. Clo. Truly, fortune's displeasure is but sluttish, if it smell so strongly as thou speakest of: I will henceforth eat no fish of fortune's buttering. Prithee allow the wind. Par. Nay, you need not to stop your nose, sir; I spake but by a metaphor. a Mood-caprice. |