|F (3 | ઉનાઃ|*||0|08||કાક Dramatis Perfonæ, KING of France. "Duke of Florence. Bertram, Count of Roufillon. Lafeu, an old Lord. Parolles, a parafitical follower of Bertram; a coward, but vain, and a great pretender to valour. Several young French Lords, that ferve with Bertram in the Florentine war. Sterward, Clown, } Servants to the Countess of Roufillon. Countess of Roufillon, mother to Bertram. Helena, daughter to Gerard de Narbon, a famous phyfician, fome time fince dead. An old widow of Florence. Dianna, daughter to the widow. Violenta, } Neighbours, and friends to the widow. Mariana, 1 Lords attending on the King; Officers, Soldiers, &c. SCENE lies partly in France; and, partly in Tuscany. ALL'S ALL's well, that that ENDS well. A C T I. SCENE, the Countefs of Roufillon's Enter Bertram, the Countess of Roufillon, Helena, and Lafeu, all in Mourning. I' COUNTESS. N delivering my fon from me, I bury a fecond husband. Ber. And I in going, Madam, weep o'er my father's death anew; but I muft attend his Majesty's command, to whom I am now in ward, evermore in fubjection. Laf. You fhall find of the King a husband, Madam; you, Sir, a father. He, that fo generally is at all times good, muft of neceffity hold his virtue to you; (1) whofe worthinefs would stir it up were it wanted, rather than flack it where there is fuch abundance. (1) whofe worthiness would ftir it up where it wanted, rather than lack it where there is fuch abundance.] An oppofition of terms is vifibly defign'd in this fentence; tho' the oppofition is not visible, as the terms now ftand. Wanted and Abundance are the oppofites to one another; but how is lack a contraft to fir up? The addition of a fingle letter gives it, and the very fenfe requires it. Mr. Warburton. Count. What hope is there of his Majesty's amendmentigrad ! Laf. He hath abandon'd his Phyficians, Madam, under whofe practices he hath perfecuted time with hope and finds no other advantage in the process, but only the fofing of hope by time. Count. This young Gentlewoman had a Father, (O, that bad! how fad a paffage tis!) whofe fkill was almost as great as his honefly; had it ftretch'd fo far, it would have made nature immortal, and death should have play for lack of work. Would, for the King's fake, he were living! I think, it would be the death of the King's difeafe.. Laf. How call'd you the man you speak of, Madam? Count. He was famous, Sir, in his profeffion, and it was his great right to be fo: Gerard de Narbon. Laf, He was excellent, indeed, Madam; the King very lately spoke of him admiringly, and mourningly: he was fkilful enough to have liv'd ftill, if knowledge could be fet up against mortality. Ber. What is it, my good Lord, the King languishes of ? Laf. A fiftula, my Lord. Ber. I heard not of it before. Laf. I would, it were not notorious. Was this Gentlewoman the daughter of Gerard de Narbon. Count. His fole child, my Lord, and bequeathed to my overlooking. I have thofe hopes of her good, that her education promifes her; difpofition fhe inherits, which makes fair gifts fairer; for where an unclean mind carries virtuous qualities, there commendations go with pity, they are virtues and traitors too: in her they are the better for their fimplenefs; fhe derives her honesty, and atchieves her goodness. 1 Laf. Your commendations, Madam, get from her Count. 'Tis the best brine a maiden can feafon her praife in. The remembrance of her father never approaches her heart, but the tyranny of her forrows takes all livelihood from her cheek. No more of this, Helena; |