Page 812 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

He that of greatest works is finisher
Oft does them by the weakest minister.
So holy writ in babes hath judgement shown,
When judges have been babes; great floods have flown

From simple sources; and great seas have dried [140]
When miracles have by the greatest 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.

KING
I must not hear thee. Fare thee well, kind maid. [145]
Thy pains, not used, must by thyself be paid;
Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward.

HELENA
Inspirèd merit so by breath is barred.

It is not so with Him that all things knows
As ’tis with us that square our guess by shows; [150]
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 [155]
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.

KING
Art thou so confident? Within what space
Hopest thou my cure?

HELENA
The greatest grace lending grace, [160]

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 quenched her sleepy lamp,