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 bauble1, 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 name2; 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 the nobility remain in 's 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 [Exit. nature. Laf. A shrewd knave, and an unhappy3. 1 A short stick, with a fool's head, or a small figure, at the end of it. An inflated bladder was sometimes attached. 2 Old copies: maine. 3 Mischievous. 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 place1, 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, I 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 propose. 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: a' 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. 2 pace: in f.e 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, 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 The use of your own virtues, for the which Gent. 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. Gent. The king's not here. Hel. Gent. [Giving it to him. Not here, sir? 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.— I do beseech you, whither is he gone? Gent. Marry, as I take it, to Rousillon; Whither I am going. Hel. I do beseech you, sir, Since you are like to see the king before me, 1 a gentle Astringer: in f. e. Which, I presume, shall render you no blame, Gent. 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. SCENE II.-Rousillon. [Exeunt. The inner Court of the COUNTESS's Palace. Enter Clown, and PAROLLES, ill-favoured.1 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, 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. Pr'ythee, allow the wind. Par. Nay, you need not to stop your nose, sir: I spake but by a metaphor. Clo. Indeed, sir, if your metaphor stink, I will stop my nose; or against any man's metaphor. Pr'ythee, get thee farther. Par. Pray you, sir, deliver me this paper. Clo. Foh! pr'ythee, stand away: a paper from fortune's close-stool to give to a nobleman! Look, here he comes himself. Enter LAFEU. Here is a pur of fortune's, sir, or of fortune's cat, (but not a musk-cat) that has fallen into the unclean fishpond of her displeasure, and, as he says, is muddied withal. Pray you, sir, use the carp as you may, for he looks like a poor, decayed, ingenious, foolish, rascally knave. I do pity his distress in my smiles of comfort, and leave him to your lordship. [Exit Clown. Par. My lord, I am a man whom fortune hath cruelly scratched. Laf. And what would you have me to do? 't is too late to pare her nails now. Wherein have you played the knave with fortune, that she should scratch you, 1 This word is not added in f. e. who of herself is a good lady, and would not have knaves thrive long under her? There's a quart d'ecu for you. Let the justices make you and fortune friends; I am for other business. Par. I beseech your honour to hear me one single word. Laf. You beg a single penny more: come, you shall ha 't; save your word. Par. My name, my good lord, is Parolles. Laf. You beg more than one word, then.-Cox' my passion! give me your hand.-How does your drum? Par. O, my good lord! you were the first that found me. [thee. Laf. Was I, in sooth ? and I was the first that lost Par. It lies in you, my lord, to bring me in some grace, for you did bring me out. Laf. Out upon thee, knave! dost thou put upon me at once both the office of God and the devil? one brings thee in grace, and the other brings thee out. [Trumpets sound.] The king's coming; I know by his trumpets.-Sirrah, inquire farther after me: I had talk of you last night. Though you are a fool and a knave, you shall eat go to, follow. Par. I praise God for you. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The Same. A Room in the COUNTESS's Palace. Flourish. Enter KING, COUNTESS, LAFEU, Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, &c. King. We lost a jewel of her, and our esteem Was made much poorer by it; but your son, As mad in folly, lack'd the sense to know Her estimation home. Count. 'Tis past, my liege; And I beseech your majesty to make it Natural rebellion, done i' the blaze1 of youth; King. My honour'd lady, I have forgiven and forgotten all, Though my revenges were high bent upon him, Laf. This I must say. 1 blade: in f. e. |
