Page 792 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

FIRST LORD

It is the Count Rossillion, my good lord,
Young Bertram.

KING
Youth, thou bearest thy father’s face;
Frank nature, rather curious than in haste, [20]

Hath well composed thee. Thy father’s moral parts
Mayst thou inherit too! Welcome to Paris.

BERTRAM
My thanks and duty are your majesty’s.

KING
I would I had that corporal soundness now,
As when thy father and myself in friendship [25]

First tried our soldiership. He did look far
Into the service of the time, and was
Discipled of the bravest. He lasted long,
But on us both did haggish age steal on,

And wore us out of act. It much repairs me [30]
To talk of your good father. In his youth
He had the wit which I can well observe
Today in our young lords, but they may jest

Till their own scorn return to them unnoted
Ere they can hide their levity in honour. [35]
So like a courtier, contempt nor bitterness
Were in his pride or sharpness; if they were,

His equal had awaked them, and his honour,
Clock to itself, knew the true minute when
Exception bid him speak, and at this time [40]
His tongue obeyed his hand. Who were below him

He used as creatures of another place,
And bowed his eminent top to their low ranks,
Making them proud of his humility,
In their poor praise he humbled. Such a man [45]

Might be a copy to these younger times;
Which, followed well, would demonstrate them now