Ber. Undone, and forfeited to cares for ever!
Par. What is the matter, fweet heart?
Ber. Although before the folemn Priest I've sworn,
I will not bed her.

Par. What? what, fweet heart?

Ber. O my Parolles, they have married me:
I'll to the Tuscan wars, and never bed her.

Par. France is a dog hole, and it no more merits the tread of a man's foot: to th' wars.

Ber. There's letters from my mother; what the import is, I know not yet.

Par. Ay, that would be known: to th' wars, my boy, to th' wars.

He wears his honour in a box, unseen,
That hugs his kickfy-wickfy here at home;
Spending his manly marrow in her arms,
Which should fuftain the bound and high curvet
Of Mars's fiery steed: to other regions
France is a ftable, we that dwell in't jades,
Therefore to th' war.

Ber. It fhall be fo, I'll fend her to my house,
Acquaint my mother with my hate to her,
And wherefore I am fled; write to the King
That which I durft not speak. His present gift
Shall furnish me to those Italian fields,
Where noble fellows ftrike. War is no ftrife
To the dark houfe, and the detefted wife.

Par. Will this capricio hold in thee, art fure?
Ber. Go with me to my chamber, and advise me.
I'll fend her straight away: to-morrow
I'll to the wars, the to her fingle forrow.

Par. Why, these balls bound, there's noise in it.-
'Tis hard;

A young man, married, is a man that's marr'd:
Therefore away, and leave her bravely; go,
The King has done you wrong: but, hufh! 'tis fo.

[Exeunt.

Enter

Ber. I do affure you, my Lord, he is very great in knowledge, and accordingly valiant.

way

Laf. I have then finned against his experience, and tranfgrefs'd against his valour; and my state that is dangerous, fince I cannot yet find in my heart to repent: here he comes; I pray you, make us friends, I will pursue the amity.

Enter Parolles.

Par. Thefe things fhall be done, Sir.

Laf. I pray you, Sir, who's his taylor?
Par. Sir?

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?
Par. She is.

[Afide to Parolles.

Ber. Will fhe away to night? Par. As you'll have her. 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 uses a known truth to pass a thousand nothings with, fhould be once heard, and thrice beaten. God fave 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. (17) You have made fhift to run into't, boots and spurs and all, like him that leapt into the custard;

(17) Tou have made shift to run into't, Boots and Spurs and all, like him that leapt into the Cuftard.] This odd Allusion is not introduc'd without a View to Satire. It was a Foolery practis'd at City-Entertainments, whilst the Jefter or Zany was in Vogue, for him to jump into a large deep Custard: set for the Purpose, to set on a Quantity of barren Spectators to laugh ; as our Poet fays in his Hamlet.

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.

to

Ber. I fhall obey his will.

You must not marvel, Helen, at my course,
Which holds not colour with the time; nor does
The miniftration and required office
On my particular. Prepar'd I was not

50 For fuch a bufinefs; therefore am I found

and out of it you'll run again, rather than suffer question for your refidence.

1

Ber. It may be, you have mistaken him, my Lord.
Laf. And fhall do fo ever, tho' I took him at's prayers.
Fare you well, my Lord, and believe this of me, there
can be no kernel in this light nut: the foul of this man
is his clothes. Trust him not in matter of heavy con-
fequence: I have kept of them tame, and know their
natures. Farewel, Monfieur, I have spoken better of
you, than you have or will deserve at my hand, but we
must do good against evil.
[Exit.

Par. An idle lord, I swear.
Ber. I think fo.

Par. Why, do you not know him?

Ber. Yes, I know him well, and common speech
Gives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog.
Enter Helena.

So much unfettled: this drives me to intreat you,
That presently you take your way for home,
And rather mufe, than ask, why I intreat you;
For my refpects are better than they seem,
And my appointments have in them a need
Greater than fhews itself at the first view,
To you that know them not. This to my
mother.
[Giving a letter.

"Twill be two days ere I fhall fee you, fo
I leave you to your wisdom.

Hel. Sir, I can nothing fay,
But that I am your moft obedient fervant.

Ber.

SCENE changes to the Court of France.

Flourish Cornets. Enter the King of France with letters, and divers Attendants.

King. T

HE Florentines and Senoys are by th' ears; Have fought with equal fortune, and continue

A braving war.

1 Lord. So 'tis reported, Sir.

King. Nay, 'tis moft credible; we here receive it,
A certainty vouch'd from our cousin Auftria;
With caution, that the Florentine will move us
For fpeedy aid; wherein our dearest friend
Prejudicates the business, and would feem
To have us make denial.

I Lord. His love and wisdom,

Approv'd fo to your Majefty, may plead
For ample credence.

King. He hath arm'd our answer;
And Florence is deny'd, before he comes:
Yet, for our gentlemen that mean to see
The Tufcan fervice, freely have they leave
To ftand on either
part.
2 Lord. It may well serve

A nurfery to our gentry, who are fick
For breathing and exploit.

King. What's he comes here?

Enter Bertram, Lafeu and Parolles.

I Lord. It is the count Roufillon, my good lord, young Bertram..

King. Youth, thou bear'ft thy father's face.
Frank nature, rather curious than in haste,
Hath well compos'd thee. Thy father's moral parts
May'st thou inherit too! Welcome to Paris.

Ber. My thanks and duty are your Majesty's.
King. I would, I had that corporal foundness now,
As when thy father and myself in friendship

First try'd our foldiership: he did look far
Into the fervice of the time, and was
Difcipled of the brav'ft. He laited long;
But on us both did haggifh age fteal on,
And wore us out of act. It much repairs me
To talk of your good father; in his youth
He had the wit, which I can well obferve
To day in our young lords; but they may jeft,
Till their own fcorn return to them unnoted,
Ere they can hide their levity in honour :
So like a courtier, no contempt or bitterness (3)
Were in him; pride or fharpnefs, if there were,
His equal had awak'd them; and his honour,
Clock to itself, knew the true minute when
Exceptions bid him fpeak; and at that time.
His tongue obey'd his hand. Who were below him
He us'd as creatures of another place,
And bow'd his eminent top to their low ranks;
Making them proud of his humility,

In their poor praise he humbled: Such a man
Might be a copy to these younger times;
Which, follow'd well, would now demonftrate them
But goers backward.

Ber. His good remembrance, Sir,

Lies richer in your thoughts, than on his tomb;
So in approof lives not his epitaph,
As in your royal speech.

King. 'Would, I were with him! he would always
fay,

(3) So like a Courtier, no Contempt or Bitterness

Were in his Pride or Sharpness; if they were,

His Equal had awak'd them.] This Paffage seems fo very incorrectly pointed, that the Author's Meaning is loft in the Carelessnefs. As the Text and Stops are reform'd, these are most beautiful Lines, and the Senfe this- "He had no

cc

Contempt or Bitterness; if he had any thing that look'd like "Pride of Sharpness, (of which Qualities Contempt and Bit"ternefs are the Exceffes,) his Equal had awak'd them, not "his Inferior; to whom he fcorn'd to discover any thing that "bore the Shadow of Pride or Sharpness." Mr. Warburton.

(Methinks,