Page 811 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

And of his old experience th’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 touched [110]

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.

KING

We thank you, maiden,
But may not be so credulous of cure, [115]
When our most learnèd doctors leave us, and
The congregated college have concluded
That labouring art can never ransom nature

From her inaidible estate. I say we must not
So stain our judgement or corrupt our hope, [120]
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.

HELENA
My duty then shall pay me for my pains. [125]
I will no more enforce mine office on you,

Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts
A modest one to bear me back again.

KING
I cannot give thee less, to be called grateful.
Thou thoughtest to help me, and such thanks I give [130]

As one near death to those that wish him live.
But what at full I know, thou knowest no part;
I knowing all my peril, thou no art.

HELENA
What I can do can do no hurt to try,
Since you set up your rest ’gainst remedy. [135]