1    The Florentines and Senoys are by the ears;
2    Have fought with equal fortune and continue
3    A braving war.

4    So 'tis reported, sir.

5    Nay, 'tis most credible; we here received it
6    A certainty, vouch'd from our cousin Austria,
7    With caution that the Florentine will move us
8    For speedy aid; wherein our dearest friend
9    Prejudicates the business and would seem
10   To have us make denial.

11   His love and wisdom,
12   Approved so to your majesty, may plead
13   For amplest credence.

14   He hath arm'd our answer,
15   And Florence is denied before he comes:
16   Yet, for our gentlemen that mean to see
17   The Tuscan service, freely have they leave
18   To stand on either part.

19   It well may serve
20   A nursery to our gentry, who are sick
21   For breathing and exploit.

22   What's he comes here?

23   It is the Count Rousillon, my good lord,
24   Young Bertram.

25   Youth, thou bear'st thy father's face;
26   Frank nature, rather curious than in haste,
27   Hath well composed thee. Thy father's moral parts
28   Mayst thou inherit too! Welcome to Paris.

29   My thanks and duty are your majesty's.

30   I would I had that corporal soundness now,
31   As when thy father and myself in friendship
32   First tried our soldiership! He did look far
33   Into the service of the time and was
34   Discipled of the bravest: he lasted long;
35   But on us both did haggish age steal on
36   And wore us out of act. It much repairs me
37   To talk of your good father. In his youth
38   He had the wit which I can well observe
39   To-day in our young lords; but they may jest
40   Till their own scorn return to them unnoted
41   Ere they can hide their levity in honour;
42   So like a courtier, contempt nor bitterness
43   Were in his pride or sharpness; if they were,
44   His equal had awaked them, and his honour,
45   Clock to itself, knew the true minute when
46   Exception bid him speak, and at this time
47   His tongue obey'd his hand: who were below him
48   He used as creatures of another place
49   And bow'd his eminent top to their low ranks,
50   Making them proud of his humility,
51   In their poor praise he humbled. Such a man
52   Might be a copy to these younger times;
53   Which, follow'd well, would demonstrate them now
54   But goers backward.

55   His good remembrance, sir,
56   Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb;
57   So in approof lives not his epitaph
58   As in your royal speech.

59   Would I were with him! He would always say--
60   Methinks I hear him now; his plausive words
61   He scatter'd not in ears, but grafted them,
62   To grow there and to bear,--'Let me not live,'--
63   This his good melancholy oft began,
64   On the catastrophe and heel of pastime,
65   When it was out,--'Let me not live,' quoth he,
66   'After my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff
67   Of younger spirits, whose apprehensive senses
68   All but new things disdain; whose judgments are
69   Mere fathers of their garments; whose constancies
70   Expire before their fashions.' This he wish'd;
71   I after him do after him wish too,
72   Since I nor wax nor honey can bring home,
73   I quickly were dissolved from my hive,
74   To give some labourers room.

75   You are loved, sir:
76   They that least lend it you shall lack you first.

77   I fill a place, I know't. How long is't, count,
78   Since the physician at your father's died?
79   He was much famed.

80   Some six months since, my lord.

81   If he were living, I would try him yet.
82   Lend me an arm; the rest have worn me out
83   With several applications; nature and sickness
84   Debate it at their leisure. Welcome, count;
85   My son's no dearer.

86   Thank your majesty.