being once loft, may be ten times found: by being ever kept, it is ever loft; 'tis too cold a companion; away with't. Hel. I will ftand for't a little, though therefore I die a virgin. Par. There's little can be faid in't; 'tis against the rule of nature. To speak on the part of virginity, is to accuse your mother; which is most infallible difobedience. He that hangs himself is like a virgin virginity murders itself, and fhould be buried in highways out of all fanctified limit, as a defperate offendress against nature. Virginity breeds mites, much like a cheese; confumes itself to the very paring, and fo dies with feeding on its own ftomach. Befides, virginity is peevish, proud, idle, made of felf-love, which is the most prohibited fin in the canon: keep it not, you cannot choose but loose by't: out with't: within ten years it will make itself ten, which is a goodly increase, and the principal itself not much the worse away with't. Hel. How might one do, fir, to lose it to her own liking? Par. Let me fee. Marry, ill, to like him that ne'er it likes, and 'tis a commodity will lose the glofs with lying. The longer kept, the lefs worth: off with't while 'tis vendible. Anfwer the time of request. Virginity, like an old courtier, wears her cap out of fashion, richly suited, but unsuitable; just like the brooch and the toothpick, which we wear not now: your date is better in your pie and your porridge, than in your cheek; and your virginity, your old virginity, is like one of our French wither'd pears; it looks ill, it eats drily; marry, 'tis a wither'd pear: it was formerly better; marry, yes, 'tis a wither'd pear: will you any thing with it? Hel. Not my virginity yet. You're for the court: There shall your mafter have a thousand loves, A mother, and a mistress, and a friend, A phoenix, captain, and an enemy, VOL. II. That U u That blinking Cupid goffips. Now shall he- Hel. That I wish well Par. What's pity? 'tis pity — Hel. That wishing well had not a body in't, Enter Page. Page. Monfieur Parolles, My lord calls for you. [Exit Page. Par. Little Helen, farewel; if I can remember thee, I will think of thee at court. Hel. Monfieur Parolles, you were born under a charitable star. Par. Under Mars, I. Hel. I especially think, under Mars. Par. Why under Mars? Hel. The wars have so kept you under, that you must needs be born under Mars. Par. When he was predominant. Hel. When he was retrograde, I think, rather. Par. Why think you fo? Hel. You go fo much backward when you fight. Par. That's for advantage. Hel. So is running away, when fear proposes safety: but the compofition that your valour and fear make in you, is a virtue of a good wing, and I like the wear well. Par. I am fo full of business, I cannot answer thee acutely: I will return perfect courtier; in the which my inftruction fhall ferve to naturalize thee, fo thou wilt be capable of courtiers' counsel, and understand what advice shall thrust upon thee; else thou diest in thine unthankfulness, and thine ignorance makes thee away; farewel: when thou haft leisure, fay thy prayers; when thou haft none, remember thy friends: get thee a good husband, and ufe him as he uses thee: fo farewel. [Exit. SCENE IV. Hel. Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie, The king's disease But my intents are fix'd, and will not leave me. [Exit. SCENE V. The Court of France. Flourish Cornets. Enter the King of France with letters, and King. T divers Attendants. HE Florentines and Senois are by th'ears, Have fought with equal fortune, and continue A braving war. I Lord. So 'tis reported, fir. King. Nay, 'tis moft credible; we here receive, it U u 2 For For speedy aid; wherein our dearest friend 1 Lord. His love and wisdom, Approv'd fo to your majefty, may plead For ampleft credence. King. He hath arm'd our answer, 2 Lord. It may well ferve A nursery to our gentry, who are fick King. What's he comes here? Enter Bertram, Lafeu, and Parolles. I Lord. It is the count Roufillon, my good lord, Young Bertram. King. Youth, thou bear'st thy father's face: Ber. My thanks and duty are your majesty's. So So like a courtier, no contempt or bitterness And bow'd his eminent top to their low ranks, In their poor praise he humbled: fuch a man Might be a copy to these younger times; Which, follow'd well, would now demonftrate them Ber. His remembrance, fir, Lies richer in your thoughts, than on his tomb: As in your royal fpeech. King. Would I were with him! He would always fay, (Methinks, I hear him now; his plaufive words He scatter'd not in ears, but grafted them To grow there, and to bear) Let me not live, Since I nor wax, nor honey, can bring home, To give some labourers room. 2 Lord. You're loved, fir; They that least lend it you fhall lack 1 King. I fill a place, I know't. How long is't, count, |