Count. He was famous, sir, in his profession, and it was
his great right to be so,—Gerard de Narbon.
25 Laf. He was excellent indeed madam: the king very
lately spoke of him admiringly and mourningly: he was
skilful enough to have lived still, if knowledge could be set
up against mortality.
[Ber.] What is it, my good lord, the king languishes of?
30 Laf. A fistula, my lord.
Ber. I heard not of it before.
Laf. I would it were not notorious. Was this gentlewoman
the daughter of Gerard de Narbon?
Count. His sole child, my lord; and bequeathed to my
35 overlooking. I have those [hopes of her good that her] education
[promises; her] dispositions she inherits, which makes
fair gifts fairer; for where an unclean mind carries virtuous
qualities, there commendations go with pity; they are virtues
and traitors too: in her they are the better for [their] simpleness;
40 she derives her honesty and achieves her goodness.
Laf. Your commendations, madam, get [from her tears].
Count. 'Tis the best brine a maiden can season her praise
in. The remembrance of her father never approaches her
heart but the tyranny of her sorrows takes all livelihood from
45 her cheek. No more of this, Helena, go to, no more; lest
[it be rather thought you] affect a sorrow than to have—
Hel. I do affect a sorrow, indeed, but I have it too.