Bertram is preparing to go to Paris after the death of his father to become a ward of the King of France, which saddens his mother, the Countess. Lord Lafew, another noble going to Paris, explains how the King is in poor health suffering from a fistula which his doctors can't cure and also talks about how Helen's late father, Gerard de Narbon, would be able to cure the king. Helen is still sad from her father's death and has gone to live with the Countess. Bertram departs for Paris,leaving Helen alone where she explains her love for him, even though they can't be together because she is not nobility. Paroles enters the scene, who Helen doesn't seem to like, and they compare her virginity to a battle between her and men wanting to take it before Parolles departs as well. Helen then hints at a plan to remedy the king's illness before the scene ends. The next scene starts with the King of France and his two lords discussing a war between Florence and Senia when Bertram, Lord Lafew, and Parolles arrive. The king starts talking about how Bertram makes him remember his father and how he said that he wanted to die young, which is a sentiment the king now agrees with.The scene ends as the king welcomes Bertram to the court. The third scene follows the countess speaking with steward when the court fool asks for permission to marry a girl named Isabel. Ignoring the request, the countess asks for the fool to retrieve Helen and the Steward tells her that Helen loves her son. This leads to a conversation between Helen and the countess where Helen admits her love for Bertram, explains her plan to cure the king and go to Paris to see Bertram, which the countess agrees to allow her to do.