A certain King of France had always manifested sincere affection for a certain Count de Rousillon; who, consequently, at his death, left his only son-now the young Count Bertram-to become a ward of the King.

The widowed Countess, mother of the youth, had in her household a kind of lady-companion named Helena, the only child of a late celebrated physician, Gerard de Narbonne, whose untimely death had left this daughter entirely unprovided for-except what might be yielded by a few prescriptions and remedies, which her father's long medical experience had proved valuable.

The kind-hearted King had lately been suffering from a malady which baffled the skill of his physicians; and he now sends, while he is able, one of his most distinguished Courtiers, the old Lord Lafeu, to conduct the young Count to Paris, to be publicly graced with the royal favour.

The old Countess had observed that her young companion Helena was frequently in tears, shed, as was supposed, for the death of her father; but, in reality, for the departure of the young Count, for whom the poor girl had conceived, and concealed, a hopeless because unrequited affection.

The opening Scene presents to us a room in the Palace at Rousillon, where the young Count Bertram is, in company with old Lord Lafeu, about to take leave of his mother, the old Countess, who is accompanied by the sorrowing Helena.

Countess. In delivering my 'son from me, I bury a second 'husband.

Ber. And I, in 'going, madam, weep o'er my father's death anew; but I must attend his 'Majesty's command,— to whom I am now in 'ward, evermore in subjection. Countess. [Leu.] What hope is there of his Majesty's 'amendment ?b

To

Laf. He hath 'abandoned his physicians, madam; under whose practices he hath persecuted Time with Hope; and finds no 'other advantage in the process, but only the 'losing of Hope by Time. Countess. This young gentlewoman [a] 'had a father,taking Hel-'had O, that "had!" how sad a passage 't is!-whose skill was almost as great as his 'honesty; had it stretched so far, it would have made Nature 'immortal. 'Would, for the King's sake, he were 'living!

Old Lord Lafeu inquires:

Laf. How 'called you the man you speak of, madam?
Countess. He was famous, sir, in his profession, and it was
his great 'right to be so:-Gerard de Narbonne.
Laf. He was excellent, indeed, madam: the King very

under guardianship (like a ward in chancery). The heirs of great fortunes were formerly called the King's wards. bimprovement in health. change of circumstances.

lately spoke of him, admiringly and mourningly.-Was this gentlewoman the 'daughter of Gerard de Narbonne? Countess. His 'sole child, my lord; and bequeathed to 'my overlooking. I have those hopes of her good that her 'education promises: her 'dispositions she 'inherits, which make fair gifts fairer; she 'derives her honesty, and 'achieves her 'goodness.

Laf.... Your commendations, madam, get from her 'tears. Countess. 'Tis the best brine a maiden can season her praise in. The remembrance of her father never approaches her 'heart, but the tyranny of her sorrows takes all livelihood" from her 'cheek.-No more of this, Helena, go to, no more; lest it be rather thought you 'affect a sorrow, than to 'have.

Hel. I'do affect a sorrow, indeed; but I 'have it too.

The young Count, impatient for immediate departure, interrupts by addressing his mother:

Ber. Madam, I desire your holy wishes.

Countess. Be thou blest, Bertram; and succeed thy father
In 'manners, as in shape! thy blood, and virtue,
Contend for empire in thee; and thy 'goodness
Share with thy birthright! What Heaven 'more will,
That thee may furnish and my prayers pluck-down,
Fall on thy head! Farewell. My lord,

Laf.

'Tis an 'unseasoned courtier: good my lord,
Advise him.

He cannot want the 'best

That shall attend his love.

Countess. Heaven bless him!--Farewell, Bertram. [E

Exeunt all but Helena.

Hel. O, were that all!-I think not on my 'father;
And these 'great tears grace Bertram's absence more
Than those I shed for 'him. What was he 'like?
I have 'forgot him: my imagination
Carries no favour in 't but Bertram's.
I am undone: there is no living, none,
If Bertram be away.
That I should love a
And think to 'wed it,
O, I must 'die for love!

It were all one
bright particular 'star,
he is 'so above me!
'Twas pretty, (though a plague,)

To see him every hour; to sit and draw

reserve, give a zest to.

bliveliness, appearance of life.

e provide (supply with what is wanted). dO. R. And these great teares grace his remembrance more.

e her balm.

f contenance.

His archéd brows, his hawking eye, his curls,
In our heart's table-heart too capable
Of every line and trick" of his sweet favour:
But now he's gone,
and my
idolatrous fancy
Must sanctify his relics!-Who comes here?

One that goes 'with him: I love him for 'his sake;
And yet I know him a notorious 'liar,

Think him a great-way 'fool, solely a 'coward;

Yet these fixed evils sit so fit in him,

That they take place, when virtue's steely bones

Look bleak in the cold wind: withal, full oft we see
Cold" wisdom waiting on superfluous folly.

Captain Parolles enters to take his leave before he accompanies young Bertram :

Par. Little Helen, farewell: if I can remember thee, I will think of thee at Court.

Hel. Monsieur Parolles, you were born under a charitable star.

Par. Under Mars, when he was predominant.
Hel. When he was 'retrograde, I think, rather.
Par. 'Why think you so?

Hel. You go so much 'backward-when you fight.
Par. That's for 'advantage.

Hel. So is running away, when 'fear proposes the safety.
Par.

.. I am so full of businesses, I cannot answer thee 'acutely. Farewell. When thou hast 'leisure, say thy prayers; when thou hast 'none, remember thy 'friends. Get thee a good husband, and use him as he uses 'thee: so farewell.

Hel. Our remedies oft in 'ourselves do lie,

[Exit.

Which we ascribe to 'heaven! Who ever strove
To show her 'merit, that did miss her 'love?
The King's disease-my 'project may deceive me,
But my 'intents are fixed, and will not leave me. [Exit.

The young Count Bertram hastens to Paris in obedience to the royal mandate; and immediately attends the Court, where the sickly King has received intelligence of some neighbouring wars : King. The Florentines and Senoys' are by the ears;

tablet.

bpeculiar expression of face. e countenance. d cool, unimpassioned. the planet, of astrological war-like influence fthe inhabitants of Sienna in Tuscany) the Florentines were at perpetual variance with them.

Have fought with equal fortune, and continue
A braving war: We here receive it

A certainty, vouched from our cousin Austria,
With caution" that the Florentine will move us
For speedy aid. He hath armed our answer,
And Florence is 'denied before he comes:
Yet, for our gentlemen that mean to see
The 'Tuscan service, freely have they leave
To stand on 'either part.-What's he comes here?
Lafeu, Bertram, and Parolles enter.

C

1 Lord. The son of old Count Rousillon, my good lord, Young Bertram.

King Youth, thou bear'st thy father's 'face;

Frank Nature, rather 'curious than in haste,

Hath well composed 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 soundness 'now, As when thy father, and myself, in friendship First tried our soldiership. It much restores me To 'talk of your good father. How long is 't, Count, Since the 'Physician at your father's died?

He was much famed.

Ber.
Some six months since, my lord.
King. If he were living, I would try 'him yet:-
Lend me an arm :-the 'rest have worn me out
With several applications: Nature and Sickness
Debate it at their leisure. Welcome, Count;
My 'son 's no dearer.

Ber.

Thank your majesty.

[Exeunt.

The Countess, after her son's departure, was informed by her Steward that Helena had been overheard talking to herself, and making such strange revelations that he felt it was his duty to inform his mistress:

Stew. I know, madam, you 'love your gentlewoman entirely. Countess. Indeed I do: her father 'bequeathed her to me;

and she herself, without other advantage, may lawfully make title to as much love as she 'finds: there is more 'owing her than is 'paid; and 'more shall be paid her than she 'll demand.

a mutually defying.

dO. R. repairs (rejuvenates).

b notice.
different remedies.

CO. R. Rosignel.

flay a just claim.

Stew. Madam, I was, very late, more near her, than, I think, she wished me: alone she was, and did communicate to herself, her own words to her own ears. Her 'mattera was,—she 'loved your 'son. Fortune, she said, was no 'goddess, that had put such difference betwixt their two estates; Love, no 'god, that would not extend his might, only where 'qualities' were level. This she delivered in the most bitter touch of sorrow; which I held my duty speedily to acquaint 'you withal. Countess. You have discharged this honestly: keep it to yourself. Many likelihoods informed me of this before. She is coming. Pray you, leave me: I will speak with you further anon.

с

Helena enters :

Hel. What is your pleasure, madam?

A Steward.

Countess. . . . You know, Helen, I am a 'mother to you? Hel. Mine honourable 'mistress.

Countess.

'Nay, a mother.
Heaven's mercy, maiden! does it curd thy blood,
To say, I am thy 'mother? I'am your mother.
Hel. Pardon, madam;

The Count Rousillon cannot be my 'brother:
'I am from 'humble, 'he from 'honoured name;
No note upon 'my parents-his, all noble:
My 'master, my dear 'lord, he is; and I
His 'servant live, and will his vassal 'die:
He 'must not be my brother.

Countess. Nor I your mother? Yes, Helen, you might be ... my daughter-in-law.

Heaven shield you mean it not! What, 'pale again?
My fear hath catched your fondness! Now I see
The mystery of your loneliness," and find

Your salt tears' head! Now to all sense 't is gross'
You love my son. Speak, Helena, is 't so?
If it be so, you have wound a goodly clue;
If it be 'not, forswear 't: howe'er, I charge thee,
As heaven shall work in me for thine avail,
To tell me 'truly.

Hel.
Countess. 'Do you love my son?
Hel. Do not 'you love him, madam?

Good madam, pardon me.

a subject. b of rank and fortune. e source, origin.

e three inserted words. fmost evident.

d O. R. loue.inesse. g twined.