Page 814 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Make thy demand.

HELENA
But will you make it even?

KING
Ay, by my sceptre and my hopes of heaven.

HELENA
Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand
What husband in thy power I will command:
Exempted be from me the arrogance [195]

To choose from forth the royal blood of France
My low and humple name to propagate
With any branch or image of thy state;

But such a one, thy vassal, whom I know
Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow. [200]

KING
Here is my hand; the premises observed,
Thy will by my performance shall be served.
So make the choice of thy own time, for I,

Thy resolved patient, on thee still rely.
More should I question thee, and more I must, [205]
Though more to know could not be more to trust:
From whence thou camest, how tended on − but rest

Unquestioned welcome, and undoubted blessed.
Give me some help here, ho! If thou proceed
As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed. [210]
Flourish. Exeunt.

Scene II IT

Enter the Countess and the Clown.

COUNTESS
Come on, sir. I shall now put you to the height of your breeding.