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Act 2, Scene 1 — Paris. A room in the King’s palace.
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The argument The King bids farewell to the lords heading to Florence; Bertram chafes at being left behind; Helena arrives at court with her father's remedy and strikes a bargain with the King — her life for his cure, and a husband of her choosing if she succeeds.
Flourish. Enter the King with young Lords taking leave for the
Florentine war; Bertram, Parolles and Attendants.
KING ≋ verse KING

Farewell, young lords; these warlike principles

Do not throw from you; and you, my lords, farewell;

Share the advice betwixt you; if both gain all,

The gift doth stretch itself as ’tis receiv’d,

And is enough for both.

Farewell, young lords; these warlike principles Do not throw from you; and you, my lords, farewell; Share the advice between you; if both gain all, The gift does stretch itself as ’is receiv’d, And is enough for both.

farewell, young lords; these warlike principles do not throw from you; and you, my lords, farewell; sh're the advice between you; if both gain all, the gift does stretch itself as ’t's receiv’d, and 's enough for both.

Farewell, young lords; these warlike principles Do not throw from you; and...

FIRST LORD ≋ verse FIRST LORD

’Tis our hope, sir,

After well-ent’red soldiers, to return

And find your grace in health.

’is our hope, sir, After well-ent’red soldiers, to return And find your grace in health.

’t's our hope, sir, after well-ent’red soldiers, to return and find your grace in health.

’is our hope, sir, After well-ent’red soldiers, to return And find your...

KING ≋ verse KING

No, no, it cannot be; and yet my heart

Will not confess he owes the malady

That doth my life besiege. Farewell, young lords.

Whether I live or die, be you the sons

Of worthy Frenchmen; let higher Italy,—

Those bated that inherit but the fall

Of the last monarchy—see that you come

Not to woo honour, but to wed it, when

The bravest questant shrinks: find what you seek,

That fame may cry you loud. I say farewell.

No, no, it cannot be; and yet my heart Will not confess he owes the malady That does my life besiege. Farewell, young lords. Whether I live or die, be you the sons Of worthy Frenchmen; let higher Italy,— Those bated that inherit but the fall Of the last monarchy—see that you come Not to woo honour, but to wed it, when The bravest questant shrinks: find what you seek, That fame may cry you loud. I say farewell.

no, no, it cannot be; and yet my heart will not confess he owes the malady that does my life besiege. farewell, young lords. whether i live or die, be you the sons of worthy frenchmen; let higher italy,— those bated that inherit but the fall of the last monarchy—see that you come not to woo honour, but to wed it, when the bravest questant shrinks: find what you seek, that fame may cry you loud. i say farewell.

No, no, it cannot be; and yet my heart Will not confess...

"let higher Italy, Those bated that inherit but the fall Of the last monarchy" A reference to Italy's political history — the fall of the Holy Roman Empire left many Italian states in decline. 'Higher Italy' likely means the northern Italian city-states still at their height. The King is sending his lords to a sophisticated, dangerous world.
SECOND LORD SECOND LORD

Health, at your bidding serve your majesty!

Health, at your bidding serve your majesty!

health, at your bidding serve your majesty!

Health, at your bidding serve your majesty!

KING ≋ verse KING

Those girls of Italy, take heed of them;

They say our French lack language to deny

If they demand; beware of being captives

Before you serve.

Those girls of Italy, take heed of them; They say our French lack language to deny If they demand; beware of being captives Before you serve.

those girls of italy, take heed of them; they say our french lack language to deny if they demand; bew're of being captives before you serve.

Those girls of Italy, take heed of them; They say our French...

BOTH BOTH

Our hearts receive your warnings.

Our hearts receive your warnings.

our hearts receive your warnings.

Our hearts receive your warnings.

KING KING

Farewell.—Come hither to me.

Farewell.—Come here to me.

farewell.—come here to me.

Farewell.—Come here to me.

[_The King retires to a couch._]
FIRST LORD FIRST LORD

O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us!

O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us!

o my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us!

O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us!

PAROLLES PAROLLES

’Tis not his fault; the spark.

’is not his fault; the spark.

’t's not h's fault; the spark.

’is not his fault; the spark.

SECOND LORD SECOND LORD

O, ’tis brave wars!

O, ’is brave wars!

o, ’t's brave wars!

O, ’is brave wars!

PAROLLES PAROLLES

Most admirable! I have seen those wars.

Most admirable! I have seen those wars.

most admirable! i 've seen those wars.

Most admirable! I have seen those wars.

BERTRAM ≋ verse BERTRAM

I am commanded here, and kept a coil with,

“Too young”, and “the next year” and “’tis too early”.

I am commanded here, and kept a coil with, “Too young”, and “the next year” and “’is too early”.

i am commanded here, and kept a coil with, “too young”, and “the next year” and “’t's too early”.

I am commanded here, and kept a coil with, “Too young”, and...

🎭 Dramatic irony Bertram chafes at being kept at court, fantasizing about escaping to the Italian wars. Within the scene, Helena is arranging the terms by which he will become her husband — and her winning him will become exactly the thing that drives him to the Italian wars he fantasizes about.
PAROLLES PAROLLES

An thy mind stand to’t, boy, steal away bravely.

An your mind stand to’t, boy, steal away bravely.

an your mind stand to’t, boy, steal away bravely.

An your mind stand to’t, boy, steal away bravely.

BERTRAM ≋ verse BERTRAM

I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock,

Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry,

Till honour be bought up, and no sword worn

But one to dance with. By heaven, I’ll steal away.

I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock, Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry, Till honour be bought up, and no sword worn But one to dance with. By heaven, I’ll steal away.

i shall stay here the forehorse to a smock, creaking my shoes on the plain masonry, till honour be bought up, and no sword worn but one to dance with. by heaven, i’ll steal away.

I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock, Creaking my shoes...

FIRST LORD FIRST LORD

There’s honour in the theft.

There’s honour in the theft.

there’s honour in the theft.

There’s honour in the theft.

PAROLLES PAROLLES

Commit it, count.

Commit it, count.

commit it, count.

Commit it, count.

SECOND LORD SECOND LORD

I am your accessary; and so farewell.

I am your accessary; and so farewell.

i am your accessary; and so farewell.

I am your accessary; and so farewell.

BERTRAM BERTRAM

I grow to you, and our parting is a tortur’d body.

I grow to you, and our parting is a tortur’d body.

i grow to you, and our parting 's a tortur’d body.

I grow to you, and our parting is a tortur’d body.

FIRST LORD FIRST LORD

Farewell, captain.

Farewell, captain.

farewell, captain.

Farewell, captain.

SECOND LORD SECOND LORD

Sweet Monsieur Parolles!

Sweet Monsieur Parolles!

sweet monsieur parolles!

Sweet Monsieur Parolles!

PAROLLES PAROLLES

Noble heroes, my sword and yours are kin. Good sparks and lustrous, a

word, good metals. You shall find in the regiment of the Spinii one

Captain Spurio, with his cicatrice, an emblem of war, here on his

sinister cheek; it was this very sword entrench’d it. Say to him I

live; and observe his reports for me.

Noble heroes, my sword and yours are kin. Good sparks and lustrous, a word, good metals. You shall find in the regiment of the Spinii one Captain Spurio, with his cicatrice, an emblem of war, here on his sinister cheek; it was this very sword entrench’d it. Say to him I live; and observe his reports for me.

noble heroes, my sword and yours 're kin. good sparks and lustrous, a word, good metals. you shall find in the regiment of the spinii one captain spurio, with h's cicatrice, an emblem of war, here on h's sinister cheek; it was th's very sword entrench’d it. say to him i live; and observe h's reports for me.

Noble heroes, my sword and yours are kin. Good sparks and lustrous,...

FIRST LORD FIRST LORD

We shall, noble captain.

We shall, noble captain.

we shall, noble captain.

We shall, noble captain.

PAROLLES PAROLLES

Mars dote on you for his novices!

Mars dote on you for his novices!

mars dote on you for h's novices!

Mars dote on you for his novices!

[_Exeunt Lords._]
What will ye do?
BERTRAM BERTRAM

Stay the king.

Stay the king.

stay the king.

Stay the king.

PAROLLES PAROLLES

Use a more spacious ceremony to the noble lords; you have restrain’d

yourself within the list of too cold an adieu. Be more expressive to

them; for they wear themselves in the cap of the time; there do muster

true gait; eat, speak, and move, under the influence of the most

receiv’d star; and though the devil lead the measure, such are to be

followed. After them, and take a more dilated farewell.

Use a more spacious ceremony to the noble lords; you have restrain’d yourself within the list of too cold an adieu. Be more expressive to them; for they wear themselves in the cap of the time; there do muster true gait; eat, speak, and move, under the influence of the most receiv’d star; and though the devil lead the measure, such are to be followed. After them, and take a more dilated farewell.

use a more spacious ceremony to the noble lords; you 've restrain’d yourself within the list of too cold an adieu. be more expressive to them; for they wear themselves in the cap of the time; there do muster true gait; eat, speak, and move, under the influence of the most receiv’d star; and though the devil lead the measure, such 're to be followed. after them, and take a more dilated farewell.

Use a more spacious ceremony to the noble lords; you have restrain’d...

BERTRAM BERTRAM

And I will do so.

And I will do so.

and i will do so.

And I will do so.

PAROLLES PAROLLES

Worthy fellows, and like to prove most sinewy sword-men.

Worthy fellows, and like to prove most sinewy sword-men.

worthy fellows, and like to prove most sinewy sword-men.

Worthy fellows, and like to prove most sinewy sword-men.

[_Exeunt Bertram and Parolles._]
Enter Lafew.
LAFEW LAFEW

Pardon, my lord [_kneeling_], for me and for my tidings.

Pardon, my lord [_kneeling_], for me and for my tidings.

pardon, my lord [_kneeling_], for me and for my tidings.

Pardon, my lord [_kneeling_], for me and for my tidings.

KING KING

I’ll fee thee to stand up.

I’ll fee you to stand up.

i’ll fee you to stand up.

I’ll fee you to stand up.

LAFEW ≋ verse LAFEW

Then here’s a man stands that has brought his pardon.

I would you had kneel’d, my lord, to ask me mercy,

And that at my bidding you could so stand up.

Then here’s a man stands that has brought his pardon. I would you had kneel’d, my lord, to ask me mercy, And that at my bidding you could so stand up.

then here’s a man stands that has brought h's pardon. i would you had kneel’d, my lord, to ask me mercy, and that at my bidding you could so stand up.

Then here’s a man stands that has brought his pardon. I would...

KING ≋ verse KING

I would I had; so I had broke thy pate,

And ask’d thee mercy for’t.

I would I had; so I had broke your pate, And ask’d you mercy for’t.

i would i had; so i had broke your pate, and ask’d you mercy for’t.

I would I had; so I had broke your pate, And ask’d...

LAFEW ≋ verse LAFEW

Good faith, across;

But, my good lord, ’tis thus: will you be cur’d

Of your infirmity?

Good faith, across; But, my good lord, ’is thus: will you be cur’d Of your infirmity?

good faith, across; but, my good lord, ’t's thus: will you be cur’d of your infirmity?

Good faith, across; But, my good lord, ’is thus: will you be...

KING KING

No.

No.

no.

No.

LAFEW ≋ verse LAFEW

O, will you eat

No grapes, my royal fox? Yes, but you will

My noble grapes, and if my royal fox

Could reach them. I have seen a medicine

That’s able to breathe life into a stone,

Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary

With sprightly fire and motion; whose simple touch

Is powerful to araise King Pippen, nay,

To give great Charlemain a pen in’s hand

And write to her a love-line.

O, will you eat No grapes, my royal fox? Yes, but you will My noble grapes, and if my royal fox Could reach them. I have seen a medicine That’s able to breathe life into a stone, Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary With sprightly fire and motion; whose simple touch Is powerful to araise King Pippen, no, To give great Charlemain a pen in’s hand And write to her a love-line.

o, will you eat no grapes, my royal fox? yes, but you will my noble grapes, and if my royal fox could reach them. i 've seen a medicine that’s able to breathe life into a stone, quicken a rock, and make you dance canary with sprightly fire and motion; whose simple touch 's powerful to araise king pippen, no, to give great charlemain a pen in’s hand and write to her a love-line.

O, will you eat No grapes, my royal fox? Yes, but you...

"O, will you eat No grapes, my royal fox?" A reference to Aesop's fable of the fox who calls grapes sour because he can't reach them — Lafew is saying the King has decided Helena's cure is worthless before even trying it, exactly as the fox dismissed the grapes.
KING KING

What ‘her’ is this?

What ‘her’ is this?

what ‘her’ 's this?

What ‘her’ is this?

LAFEW ≋ verse LAFEW

Why, doctor ‘she’! My lord, there’s one arriv’d,

If you will see her. Now, by my faith and honour,

If seriously I may convey my thoughts

In this my light deliverance, I have spoke

With one that in her sex, her years, profession,

Wisdom, and constancy, hath amaz’d me more

Than I dare blame my weakness. Will you see her,

For that is her demand, and know her business?

That done, laugh well at me.

Why, doctor ‘she’! My lord, there’s one arriv’d, If you will see her. Now, by my faith and honour, If seriously I may convey my thoughts In this my light deliverance, I have spoke With one that in her sex, her years, profession, Wisdom, and constancy, has amaz’d me more Than I dare blame my weakness. Will you see her, For that is her demand, and know her business? That done, laugh well at me.

why, doctor ‘she’! my lord, there’s one arriv’d, if you will see her. now, by my faith and honour, if seriously i may convey my thoughts in th's my light deliverance, i 've spoke with one that in her sex, her years, profession, wisdom, and constancy, has amaz’d me more than i d're blame my weakness. will you see her, for that 's her demand, and know her business? that done, laugh well at me.

Why, doctor ‘she’! My lord, there’s one arriv’d, If you will see...

KING ≋ verse KING

Now, good Lafew,

Bring in the admiration; that we with thee

May spend our wonder too, or take off thine

By wond’ring how thou took’st it.

Now, good Lafew, Bring in the admiration; that we with you May spend our wonder too, or take off yours By wond’ring how you took’st it.

now, good lafew, bring in the admiration; that we with you may spend our wonder too, or take off yours by wond’ring how you took’st it.

Now, good Lafew, Bring in the admiration; that we with you May...

LAFEW ≋ verse LAFEW

Nay, I’ll fit you,

And not be all day neither.

no, I’ll fit you, And not be all day neither.

no, i’ll fit you, and not be all day neither.

no, I’ll fit you, And not be all day neither.

[_Exit Lafew._]
KING KING

Thus he his special nothing ever prologues.

Thus he his special nothing ever prologues.

thus he h's special nothing ever prologues.

Thus he his special nothing ever prologues.

Enter Lafew with Helena.
LAFEW LAFEW

Nay, come your ways.

no, come your ways.

no, come your ways.

no, come your ways.

KING KING

This haste hath wings indeed.

This haste has wings indeed.

th's haste has wings indeed.

This haste has wings indeed.

LAFEW ≋ verse LAFEW

Nay, come your ways.

This is his majesty, say your mind to him.

A traitor you do look like, but such traitors

His majesty seldom fears; I am Cressid’s uncle,

That dare leave two together. Fare you well.

no, come your ways. This is his majesty, say your mind to him. A traitor you do look like, but such traitors His majesty seldom fears; I am Cressid’s uncle, That dare leave two together. Fare you well.

no, come your ways. th's 's h's majesty, say your mind to him. a traitor you do look like, but such traitors h's majesty seldom fears; i am cressid’s uncle, that d're leave two together. f're you well.

no, come your ways. This is his majesty, say your mind to...

[_Exit._]
KING KING

Now, fair one, does your business follow us?

Now, fair one, does your business follow us?

now, fair one, does your business follow us?

Now, fair one, does your business follow us?

HELENA ≋ verse HELENA

Ay, my good lord.

Gerard de Narbon was my father,

In what he did profess, well found.

Ay, my good lord. Gerard de Narbon was my father, In what he did profess, well found.

ay, my good lord. gerard de narbon was my father, in what he did profess, well found.

Ay, my good lord. Gerard de Narbon was my father, In what...

KING KING

I knew him.

I knew him.

i knew him.

I knew him.

HELENA ≋ verse HELENA

The rather will I spare my praises towards him.

Knowing him is enough. On his bed of death

Many receipts he gave me; chiefly one,

Which, as the dearest issue of his practice,

And of his old experience the only darling,

He bade me store up as a triple eye,

Safer than mine own two; more dear I have so,

And hearing your high majesty is touch’d

With that malignant cause, wherein the honour

Of my dear father’s gift stands chief in power,

I come to tender it, and my appliance,

With all bound humbleness.

The rather will I spare my praises towards him. Knowing him is enough. On his bed of death Many receipts he gave me; chiefly one, Which, as the dearest issue of his practice, And of his old experience the only darling, He bade me store up as a triple eye, Safer than mine own two; more dear I have so, And hearing your high majesty is touch’d With that malignant cause, wherein the honour Of my dear father’s gift stands chief in power, I come to tender it, and my appliance, With all bound humbleness.

the rather will i sp're my praises towards him. knowing him 's enough. on h's bed of death many receipts he gave me; chiefly one, which, as the dearest issue of h's practice, and of h's old experience the only darling, he bade me store up as a triple eye, safer than mine own two; more dear i 've so, and hearing your high majesty 's touch’d with that malignant cause, wherein the honour of my dear father’s gift stands chief in power, i come to tender it, and my appliance, with all bound humbleness.

The rather will I spare my praises towards him. Knowing him is...

KING ≋ verse KING

We thank you, maiden,

But may not be so credulous of cure,

When our most learned doctors leave us, and

The congregated college have concluded

That labouring art can never ransom nature

From her inaidable estate. I say we must not

So stain our judgment, or corrupt our hope,

To prostitute our past-cure malady

To empirics, or to dissever so

Our great self and our credit, to esteem

A senseless help, when help past sense we deem.

We thank you, maiden, But may not be so credulous of cure, When our most learned doctors leave us, and The congregated college have concluded That labouring are can never ransom nature From her inaidable estate. I say we must not So stain our judgment, or corrupt our hope, To prostitute our past-cure malady To empirics, or to dissever so Our great self and our credit, to esteem A senseless help, when help past sense we deem.

we thank you, maiden, but may not be so credulous of cure, when our most learned doctors leave us, and the congregated college 've concluded that labouring 're can never ransom nature from her inaidable estate. i say we must not so stain our judgment, or corrupt our hope, to prostitute our past-cure malady to empirics, or to dissever so our great self and our credit, to esteem a senseless help, when help past sense we deem.

We thank you, maiden, But may not be so credulous of cure,...

HELENA ≋ verse HELENA

My duty then shall pay me for my pains.

I will no more enforce mine office on you,

Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts

A modest one to bear me back again.

My duty then shall pay me for my pains. I will no more enforce mine office on you, Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts A modest one to bear me back again.

my duty then shall pay me for my pains. i will no more enforce mine office on you, humbly entreating from your royal thoughts a modest one to bear me back again.

My duty then shall pay me for my pains. I will no...

KING ≋ verse KING

I cannot give thee less, to be call’d grateful.

Thou thought’st to help me; and such thanks I give

As one near death to those that wish him live.

But what at full I know, thou know’st no part;

I knowing all my peril, thou no art.

I cannot give you less, to be call’d grateful. you thought’st to help me; and such thanks I give As one near death to those that wish him live. But what at full I know, you know’st no part; I knowing all my peril, you no are.

i cannot give you less, to be call’d grateful. you thought’st to help me; and such thanks i give as one near death to those that wish him live. but what at full i know, you know’st no part; i knowing all my peril, you no are.

I cannot give you less, to be call’d grateful. you thought’st to...

HELENA ≋ verse HELENA

What I can do can do no hurt to try,

Since you set up your rest ’gainst remedy.

He that of greatest works is finisher

Oft does them by the weakest minister.

So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown,

When judges have been babes. Great floods have flown

From simple sources, and great seas have dried

When miracles have by the great’st been denied.

Oft expectation fails, and most oft there

Where most it promises; and oft it hits

Where hope is coldest, and despair most fits.

What I can do can do no hurt to try, Since you set up your rest ’gainst remedy. He that of greatest works is finisher Oft does them by the weakest minister. So holy writ in babes has judgment shown, When judges have been babes. Great floods have flown From simple sources, and great seas have dried When miracles have by the great’st been denied. Oft expectation fails, and most oft there Where most it promises; and oft it hits Where hope is coldest, and despair most fits.

what i can do can do no hurt to try, since you set up your rest ’gainst remedy. he that of greatest works 's finisher oft does them by the weakest minister. so holy writ in babes has judgment shown, when judges 've been babes. great floods 've flown from simple sources, and great seas 've dried when miracles 've by the great’st been denied. oft expectation fails, and most oft there where most it promises; and oft it hits where hope 's coldest, and despair most fits.

What I can do can do no hurt to try, Since you...

KING ≋ verse KING

I must not hear thee. Fare thee well, kind maid.

Thy pains, not us’d, must by thyself be paid;

Proffers, not took, reap thanks for their reward.

I must not hear you. Fare you well, kind maid. your pains, not us’d, must by yourself be paid; Proffers, not took, reap thanks for their reward.

i must not hear you. f're you well, kind maid. your pains, not us’d, must by yourself be paid; proffers, not took, reap thanks for their reward.

I must not hear you. Fare you well, kind maid. your pains,...

HELENA ≋ verse HELENA

Inspired merit so by breath is barr’d.

It is not so with Him that all things knows

As ’tis with us that square our guess by shows;

But most it is presumption in us when

The help of heaven we count the act of men.

Dear sir, to my endeavours give consent;

Of heaven, not me, make an experiment.

I am not an impostor, that proclaim

Myself against the level of mine aim,

But know I think, and think I know most sure,

My art is not past power nor you past cure.

Inspired merit so by breath is barr’d. It is not so with Him that all things knows As ’is with us that square our guess by shows; But most it is presumption in us when The help of heaven we count the act of men. Dear sir, to my endeavours give consent; Of heaven, not me, make an experiment. I am not an impostor, that proclaim Myself against the level of mine aim, But know I think, and think I know most sure, My are is not past power nor you past cure.

inspired merit so by breath 's barr’d. it 's not so with him that all things knows as ’t's with us that squ're our guess by shows; but most it 's presumption in us when the help of heaven we count the act of men. dear sir, to my endeavours give consent; of heaven, not me, make an experiment. i am not an impostor, that proclaim myself against the level of mine aim, but know i think, and think i know most sure, my 're 's not past power nor you past cure.

Inspired merit so by breath is barr’d. It is not so with...

KING ≋ verse KING

Art thou so confident? Within what space

Hop’st thou my cure?

are you so confident? Within what space Hop’st you my cure?

're you so confident? within what space hop’st you my cure?

are you so confident? Within what space Hop’st you my cure?

HELENA ≋ verse HELENA

The greatest grace lending grace.

Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring

Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring,

Ere twice in murk and occidental damp

Moist Hesperus hath quench’d her sleepy lamp;

Or four and twenty times the pilot’s glass

Hath told the thievish minutes how they pass;

What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly,

Health shall live free, and sickness freely die.

The greatest grace lending grace. before twice the horses of the sun shall bring Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring, before twice in murk and occidental damp Moist Hesperus has quench’d her sleepy lamp; Or four and twenty times the pilot’s glass has told the thievish minutes how they pass; What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly, Health shall live free, and sickness freely die.

the greatest grace lending grace. before twice the horses of the sun shall bring their fiery torcher h's diurnal ring, before twice in murk and occidental damp moist hesperus has quench’d her sleepy lamp; or four and twenty times the pilot’s glass has told the thievish minutes how they pass; what 's infirm from your sound parts shall fly, health shall live free, and sickness freely die.

The greatest grace lending grace. before twice the horses of the sun...

"Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring" A deliberately elevated, mythological way of saying 'within two days' — the horses of the sun are the horses pulling Apollo's chariot across the sky. Helena's poetry signals both confidence and reverence.
KING ≋ verse KING

Upon thy certainty and confidence

What dar’st thou venture?

Upon your certainty and confidence What dar’st you venture?

upon your certainty and confidence what dar’st you venture?

Upon your certainty and confidence What dar’st you venture?

HELENA ≋ verse HELENA

Tax of impudence,

A strumpet’s boldness, a divulged shame,

Traduc’d by odious ballads; my maiden’s name

Sear’d otherwise; nay worse of worst extended

With vilest torture, let my life be ended.

Tax of impudence, A strumpet’s boldness, a divulged shame, Traduc’d by odious ballads; my maiden’s name Sear’d otherwise; no worse of worst extended With vilest torture, let my life be ended.

tax of impudence, a strumpet’s boldness, a divulged shame, traduc’d by odious ballads; my maiden’s name sear’d otherwise; no worse of worst extended with vilest torture, let my life be ended.

Tax of impudence, A strumpet’s boldness, a divulged shame, Traduc’d by odious...

Why it matters Helena puts not just her life but her reputation at stake — in a world where a young woman's name was her only asset, this is the most total wager imaginable.
KING ≋ verse KING

Methinks in thee some blessed spirit doth speak

His powerful sound within an organ weak;

And what impossibility would slay

In common sense, sense saves another way.

Thy life is dear, for all that life can rate

Worth name of life in thee hath estimate:

Youth, beauty, wisdom, courage, all

That happiness and prime can happy call.

Thou this to hazard needs must intimate

Skill infinite, or monstrous desperate.

Sweet practiser, thy physic I will try,

That ministers thine own death if I die.

I think in you some blessed spirit does speak His powerful sound within an organ weak; And what impossibility would slay In common sense, sense saves another way. your life is dear, for all that life can rate Worth name of life in you has estimate: Youth, beauty, wisdom, courage, all That happiness and prime can happy call. you this to hazard needs must intimate Skill infinite, or monstrous desperate. Sweet practiser, your physic I will try, That ministers yours own death if I die.

i think in you some blessed spirit does speak h's powerful sound within an organ weak; and what impossibility would slay in common sense, sense saves another way. your life 's dear, for all that life can rate worth name of life in you has estimate: youth, beauty, wisdom, courage, all that happiness and prime can happy call. you th's to hazard needs must intimate skill infinite, or monstrous desperate. sweet practiser, your physic i will try, that ministers yours own death if i die.

I think in you some blessed spirit does speak His powerful sound...

Why it matters The King's capitulation is the pivot of the play. Everything before this has been setup; everything after follows from his 'I will try.'
HELENA ≋ verse HELENA

If I break time, or flinch in property

Of what I spoke, unpitied let me die,

And well deserv’d. Not helping, death’s my fee;

But if I help, what do you promise me?

If I break time, or flinch in property Of what I spoke, unpitied let me die, And well deserv’d. Not helping, death’s my fee; But if I help, what do you promise me?

if i break time, or flinch in property of what i spoke, unpitied let me die, and well deserv’d. not helping, death’s my fee; but if i help, what do you promise me?

If I break time, or flinch in property Of what I spoke,...

KING KING

Make thy demand.

Make your demand.

make your demand.

Make your demand.

HELENA HELENA

But will you make it even?

But will you make it even?

but will you make it even?

But will you make it even?

KING KING

Ay, by my sceptre and my hopes of heaven.

Ay, by my sceptre and my hopes of heaven.

ay, by my sceptre and my hopes of heaven.

Ay, by my sceptre and my hopes of heaven.

HELENA ≋ verse HELENA

Then shalt thou give me, with thy kingly hand

What husband in thy power I will command:

Exempted be from me the arrogance

To choose from forth the royal blood of France,

My low and humble name to propagate

With any branch or image of thy state;

But such a one, thy vassal, whom I know

Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow.

Then shall you give me, with your kingly hand What husband in your power I will command: Exempted be from me the arrogance To choose from forth the royal blood of France, My low and humble name to propagate With any branch or image of your state; But such a one, your vassal, whom I know Is free for me to ask, you to bestow.

then shall you give me, with your kingly hand what husband in your power i will command: exempted be from me the arrogance to choose from forth the royal blood of france, my low and humble name to propagate with any branch or image of your state; but such a one, your vassal, whom i know 's free for me to ask, you to bestow.

Then shall you give me, with your kingly hand What husband in...

Why it matters Helena's demand is radical: she is asking for the right to choose her own husband, using the King's power as the mechanism. This reverses every expectation of gender and class in Elizabethan courtship.
KING ≋ verse KING

Here is my hand; the premises observ’d,

Thy will by my performance shall be serv’d;

So make the choice of thy own time, for I,

Thy resolv’d patient, on thee still rely.

More should I question thee, and more I must,

Though more to know could not be more to trust:

From whence thou cam’st, how tended on; but rest

Unquestion’d welcome, and undoubted bless’d.

Give me some help here, ho! If thou proceed

As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed.

Here is my hand; the premises observ’d, your will by my performance shall be serv’d; So make the choice of your own time, for I, your resolv’d patient, on you still rely. More should I question you, and more I must, Though more to know could not be more to trust: From whence you cam’st, how tended on; but rest Unquestion’d welcome, and undoubted bless’d. Give me some help here, ho! If you proceed As high as word, my deed shall match your deed.

here 's my hand; the premises observ’d, your will by my performance shall be serv’d; so make the choice of your own time, for i, your resolv’d patient, on you still rely. more should i question you, and more i must, though more to know could not be more to trust: from whence you cam’st, how tended on; but rest unquestion’d welcome, and undoubted bless’d. give me some help here, ho! if you proceed as high as word, my deed shall match your deed.

Here is my hand; the premises observ’d, your will by my performance...

[_Flourish. Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

The scene runs two tracks simultaneously: Bertram getting steadily more resentful as his peers ride off to glory while he is kept like a child, and Helena making one of the most audacious bargains in all of Shakespeare. The King's dismissal of her offer is almost comically formal — he has been humiliated by too many false promises. But Helena doesn't argue from credentials. She argues from God: try me not as an empiric but as a miracle. The King's conversion from skeptic to believer happens in real time, in verse. When he takes her hand and says 'Thy will by my performance shall be serv'd,' the play's engine fires.

If this happened today…

A terminally ill tech billionaire holds a farewell meeting for his team going to launch a major product in Europe. His young ward, who grew up in his household, is the only one not invited — too junior, too soon. He sulks. Meanwhile, a young woman who grew up as the daughter of his company's legendary early researcher shows up uninvited with a file of her father's unpublished work. Every doctor on the executive team laughs at her. She tells the billionaire: 'Test me. If it doesn't work, ruin me publicly. If it works, give me the employee of your choice.' He pauses. Then he says: let's try it.

Continue to 2.2 →