Page 188 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

SECOND GENTLEMAN

That is the cause we trouble you so early;
’Tis not our husbandry.

CERIMON
O, you say well.

FIRST GENTLEMAN
But I much marvel that your lordship, having [20]

Rich tire about you, should at these early hours
Shake off the golden slumber of repose.
’Tis most strange
Nature should be so conversant with pain,
Being thereto not compelled. [25]

CERIMON

I held it ever
Virtue and cunning were endowments greater
Than nobleness and riches. Careless heirs
May the two latter darken and expend,

But immortality attends the former,
Making a man a god. ’Tis known I ever [30]
Have studied physic, through which secret art,
By turning o’er authorities, I have,

Together with my practice, made familiar
To me and to my aid the blest infusions
That dwells in vegetives, in metals, stones; [35]
And I can speak of the disturbances

That nature works, and of her cures; which doth give me
A more content in course of true delight
Than to be thirsty after tottering honour,
Or tie my pleasure up in silken bags, [40]

To please the fool and death.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Your honour has
Through Ephesus poured forth your charity,
And hundreds call themselves your creatures, who