Page 784 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Your commendations, madam, get from her tears.

COUNTESS
’Tis the best brine a maiden can season her [45] praise in. The remembrance
of her father never approaches her heart but the tyranny of her sorrows takes
all livelihood from her cheek. No more of this, Helena; go to, no more, lest it
be rather thought you affect a sorrow than to have’t. [50]

HELENA
I do affect a sorrow indeed, but I have it too.

LAFEW
Moderate lamentation is the right of the dead, excessive grief the enemy to
the living.

COUNTESS
If the living be enemy to the grief, the excess makes it soon mortal. [55]

BERTRAM
Madam, I desire your holy wishes.

LAFEW
How understand we that?

COUNTESS

Be thou blessed, Bertram, and succeed thy father
In manners as in shape! Thy blood and virtue
Contend for empire in thee, and thy goodness [60]
Share with thy birthright! Love all, trust a few,
Do wrong to none. Be able for thine enemy

Rather in power than use, and keep thy friend
Under thy own life’s key. Be checked for silence,
But never taxed for speech. What heaven more will, [65]

That thee may furnish and my prayers pluck down,
Fall on thy head! Farewell. − My lord,
’Tis an unseasoned courtier: good my lord,
Advise him.