Act 2, Scene III

SCENE III. Paris. The KING's palace.

Enter BERTRAM, LAFEU, and PAROLLES
LAFEU
They say miracles are past; and we have our
philosophical persons, to make modern and familiar,
things supernatural and causeless. Hence is it that
we make trifles of terrors, ensconcing ourselves
into seeming knowledge, when we should submit
ourselves to an unknown fear.

PAROLLES
Why, 'tis the rarest argument of wonder that hath
shot out in our latter times.

BERTRAM
And so 'tis.

LAFEU
To be relinquish'd of the artists,--

PAROLLES
So I say.

LAFEU
Both of Galen and Paracelsus.

PAROLLES
So I say.

LAFEU
Of all the learned and authentic fellows,--

PAROLLES
Right; so I say.

LAFEU
That gave him out incurable,--

PAROLLES
Why, there 'tis; so say I too.

LAFEU
Not to be helped,--

PAROLLES
Right; as 'twere, a man assured of a--

LAFEU
Uncertain life, and sure death.

PAROLLES
Just, you say well; so would I have said.

LAFEU
I may truly say, it is a novelty to the world.

PAROLLES
It is, indeed: if you will have it in showing, you
shall read it in--what do you call there?

LAFEU
A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor.

PAROLLES
That's it; I would have said the very same.

LAFEU
Why, your dolphin is not lustier: 'fore me,
I speak in respect--

PAROLLES
Nay, 'tis strange, 'tis very strange, that is the
brief and the tedious of it; and he's of a most
facinerious spirit that will not acknowledge it to be the--

LAFEU
Very hand of heaven.

PAROLLES
Ay, so I say.

LAFEU
In a most weak--

pausing

and debile minister, great power, great
transcendence: which should, indeed, give us a
further use to be made than alone the recovery of
the king, as to be--

pausing

generally thankful.

PAROLLES
I would have said it; you say well. Here comes the king.

Enter KING, HELENA, and Attendants. LAFEU and PAROLLES retire

LAFEU
Lustig, as the Dutchman says: I'll like a maid the
better, whilst I have a tooth in my head: why, he's
able to lead her a coranto.

PAROLLES
Mort du vinaigre! is not this Helen?

LAFEU
'Fore God, I think so.

KING
Go, call before me all the lords in court.
Sit, my preserver, by thy patient's side;
And with this healthful hand, whose banish'd sense
Thou hast repeal'd, a second time receive
The confirmation of my promised gift,
Which but attends thy naming.

Enter three or four Lords

Fair maid, send forth