Page 798 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

STEWARD

I know, madam, you love your gentlewoman entirely. [95]

COUNTESS
Faith, I do. Her father bequeathed her to me, and she herself, without other
advantage, may lawfully make title to as much love as she finds. There is
more owing her than is paid, and more shall be paid her than she’ll demand.

[100]

STEWARD
Madam, I was very late more near her than I think she wished me. Alone she
was, and did communicate to herself her own words to her own ears; she
thought, I dare vow for her, they touched not any stranger sense. Her matter
was, she loved your son. Fortune, she said, [105] was no goddess, that had

put such difference betwixt their two estates; Love no god, that would not
extend his might only where qualities were level; Dian no queen of virgins,
that would suffer her poor knight surprised without rescue in the first assault

or ransom afterward. [110] This she delivered in the most bitter touch of
sorrow that e’er I heard virgin exclaim in, which I held my duty speedily to
acquaint you withal, sithence, in the loss that may happen, it concerns you
something to know it.

COUNTESS
You have discharged this honestly; keep it to [115] yourself. Many likelihoods

informed me of this before, which hung so tottering in the balance that I
could neither believe nor misdoubt. Pray you leave me. Stall this in your
bosom, and I thank you for your honest care. I will speak with you further
anon. [120]

Exit Steward.

Enter Helena.

COUNTESS
Even so it was with me when I was young.
If ever we are nature’s, these are ours; this thorn
Doth to our rose of youth rightly belong;

Our blood to us, this to our blood is born.
It is the show and seal of nature’s truth, [125]