The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 3 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 3 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
_First Lord._ So 'tis reported, sir.
_King._ Nay, 'tis most credible; we here receive it
A certainty, vouch'd from our cousin Austria, 5
With caution, that the Florentine will move us
For speedy aid; wherein our dearest friend
Prejudicates the business, and would seem
To have us make denial.
_First Lord._ His love and wisdom,
Approved so to your majesty, may plead 10
For amplest credence.
_King._ He hath arm'd 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.
_Sec. Lord._ It well may serve 15
A nursery to our gentry, who are sick
For breathing and exploit.
_King._ What's he comes here?
_Enter_ BERTRAM, LAFEU, _and_ PAROLLES.
_First Lord._ It is the Count Rousillon, my good lord,
Young Bertram.
_King._ Youth, thou bear'st thy father's face;
Frank nature, rather curious than in haste, 20
Hath well composed thee. Thy father's moral parts
Mayst 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 25
First tried our soldiership! He did look far
Into the service of the time, and was
Discipled of the bravest: he lasted long;
But on us both did haggish age steal on,
And wore us out of act. It much repairs me 30
To talk of your good father. In his youth
He had the wit, which I can well observe
To-day in our young lords; but they may jest
Till their own scorn return to them unnoted
Ere they can hide their levity in honour: 35
So like a courtier, contempt nor bitterness
Were in his pride or sharpness; if they were,
His equal had awaked them; and his honour,
Clock to itself, knew the true minute when
Exception bid him speak, and at this time 40
His tongue obey'd his hand: who were below him
He used 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 45
Might be a copy to these younger times;
Which, follow'd well, would demonstrate them now
But goers backward.
_Ber._ His good remembrance, sir,
Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb;
So in approof lives not his epitaph 50
As in your royal speech.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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