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Title: All’s Well That Ends Well (published 1603) Author: William Shakespeare (died 1616)
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Helena, a ward of the Countess of Rousillion, falls in love with the Countess's son, Bertram. Daughter of a famous doctor, and a skilled physician in her own right, Helena cures the King of France—who feared he was dying—and he grants her Bertram's hand as a reward. Bertram, however, offended by the inequality of the marriage, sets off for war, swearing he will not live with his wife until she can present him with a son, and with his own ring—two tasks which he believes impossible. However, with the aid of a bed trick, Helena fulfils his tasks, Bertram realises the error of his ways, and they are reconciled.
later Captains in the army of the Duke of Florence
Other Lords in the court of the King of France
First Gentleman
Second Gentleman
Gentleman, a “gentle Astringer”
from the court of the King of France
First Soldier, interpreter
The Duke of Florence
A Widow of Florence
Diana, the Widow’s daughter
Mariana, the Widow’s neighbor
Attendants, Soldiers, Citizens of Florence, Servants
ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter young Bertram Count of Rossillion, his mother the Countess, and Helen, Lord Lafew, all in black.
line 0001COUNTESSIn delivering my son from me, I bury a second line 0002husband. line 0003BERTRAMAnd I in going, madam, weep o’er my line 0004father’s death anew; but I must attend his Majesty’s 5line 0005command, to whom I am now in ward, evermore line 0006in subjection. line 0007LAFEWYou shall find of the King a husband, madam; line 0008you, sir, a father. He that so generally is at all times line 0009good must of necessity hold his virtue to you, 10line 0010whose worthiness would stir it up where it wanted line 0011rather than lack it where there is such abundance. line 0012COUNTESSWhat hope is there of his Majesty’s line 0013amendment? line 0014LAFEWHe hath abandoned his physicians, madam, 15line 0015under whose practices he hath persecuted time line 0016with hope, and finds no other advantage in the line 0017process but only the losing of hope by time. line 0018COUNTESSThis young gentlewoman had a father—O, line 0019that “had,” how sad a passage ’tis!—whose skill 20line 0020was almost as great as his honesty; had it stretched line 0021so far, would have made nature immortal, and line 0022death should have play for lack of work. Would for Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 9line 0023the King’s sake he were living! I think it would be line 0024the death of the King’s disease. 25line 0025LAFEWHow called you the man you speak of, line 0026madam? line 0027COUNTESSHe was famous, sir, in his profession, and it line 0028was his great right to be so: Gerard de Narbon. line 0029LAFEWHe was excellent indeed, madam. The King 30line 0030very lately spoke of him admiringly, and mourningly. line 0031He was skillful enough to have lived still, if line 0032knowledge could be set up against mortality. line 0033BERTRAMWhat is it, my good lord, the King languishes line 0034of? 35line 0035LAFEWA fistula, my lord. line 0036BERTRAMI heard not of it before. line 0037LAFEWI would it were not notorious.—Was this gentlewoman line 0038the daughter of Gerard de Narbon? line 0039COUNTESSHis sole child, my lord, and bequeathed to 40line 0040my overlooking. I have those hopes of her good line 0041that her education promises. Her dispositions she line 0042inherits, which makes fair gifts fairer; for where an line 0043unclean mind carries virtuous qualities, there line 0044commendations go with pity—they are virtues and 45line 0045traitors too. In her they are the better for their simpleness. line 0046She derives her honesty and achieves her line 0047goodness. line 0048LAFEWYour commendations, madam, get from her line 0049tears. 50line 0050COUNTESS’Tis the best brine a maiden can season her line 0051praise in. The remembrance of her father never line 0052approaches her heart but the tyranny of her sorrows line 0053takes all livelihood from her cheek.—No line 0054more of this, Helena. Go to. No more, lest it be 55line 0055rather thought you affect a sorrow than to have— line 0056HELENI do affect a sorrow indeed, but I have it too. line 0057LAFEWModerate lamentation is the right of the dead, line 0058excessive grief the enemy to the living. Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 11line 0059COUNTESSIf the living be enemy to the grief, the 60line 0060excess makes it soon mortal. line 0061BERTRAMMadam, I desire your holy wishes. line 0062LAFEWHow understand we that? COUNTESS line 0063Be thou blessed, Bertram, and succeed thy father line 0064In manners as in shape. Thy blood and virtue 65line 0065Contend for empire in thee, and thy goodness line 0066Share with thy birthright. Love all, trust a few, line 0067Do wrong to none. Be able for thine enemy line 0068Rather in power than use, and keep thy friend line 0069Under thy own life’s key Be checked for silence, 70line 0070But never taxed for speech. What heaven more will, line 0071That thee may furnish and my prayers pluck down, line 0072Fall on thy head. To Lafew. Farewell, my lord. line 0073’Tis an unseasoned courtier. Good my lord, line 0074Advise him. 75line 0075LAFEWHe cannot want the best that shall line 0076Attend his love. line 0077COUNTESSHeaven bless him.—Farewell, Bertram. line 0078BERTRAMThe best wishes that can be forged in your line 0079thoughts be servants to you.Countess exits. 80line 0080To Helen. Be comfortable to my mother, your line 0081mistress, and make much of her. line 0082LAFEWFarewell, pretty lady. You must hold the credit line 0083of your father. Bertram and Lafew exit. HELEN line 0084O, were that all! I think not on my father, 85line 0085And these great tears grace his remembrance more line 0086Than those I shed for him. What was he like? line 0087I have forgot him. My imagination line 0088Carries no favor in ’t but Bertram’s. line 0089I am undone. There is no living, none, 90line 0090If Bertram be away. ’Twere all one line 0091That I should love a bright particular star line 0092And think to wed it, he is so above me. Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 13line 0093In his bright radiance and collateral light line 0094Must I be comforted, not in his sphere. 95line 0095Th’ ambition in my love thus plagues itself: line 0096The hind that would be mated by the lion line 0097Must die for love. ’Twas pretty, though a plague, line 0098To see him every hour, to sit and draw line 0099His archèd brows, his hawking eye, his curls 100line 0100In our heart’s table—heart too capable line 0101Of every line and trick of his sweet favor. line 0102But now he’s gone, and my idolatrous fancy line 0103Must sanctify his relics. Who comes here?
Enter Parolles.
line 0104One that goes with him. I love him for his sake, 105line 0105And yet I know him a notorious liar, line 0106Think him a great way fool, solely a coward. line 0107Yet these fixed evils sit so fit in him line 0108That they take place when virtue’s steely bones line 0109Looks bleak i’ th’ cold wind. Withal, full oft we see 110line 0110Cold wisdom waiting on superfluous folly. line 0111PAROLLESSave you, fair queen. line 0112HELENAnd you, monarch. line 0113PAROLLESNo. line 0114HELENAnd no. 115line 0115PAROLLESAre you meditating on virginity? line 0116HELENAy. You have some stain of soldier in you; let line 0117me ask you a question. Man is enemy to virginity. line 0118How may we barricado it against him? line 0119PAROLLESKeep him out. 120line 0120HELENBut he assails, and our virginity, though line 0121valiant in the defense, yet is weak. Unfold to us line 0122some warlike resistance. line 0123PAROLLESThere is none. Man setting down before you line 0124will undermine you and blow you up. 125line 0125HELENBless our poor virginity from underminers and line 0126blowers-up! Is there no military policy how virgins line 0127might blow up men? Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 15line 0128PAROLLESVirginity being blown down, man will line 0129quicklier be blown up. Marry, in blowing him 130line 0130down again, with the breach yourselves made you line 0131lose your city. It is not politic in the commonwealth line 0132of nature to preserve virginity. Loss of virginity line 0133is rational increase, and there was never line 0134virgin got till virginity was first lost. That you 135line 0135were made of is metal to make virgins. Virginity by line 0136being once lost may be ten times found; by being line 0137ever kept, it is ever lost. ’Tis too cold a companion. line 0138Away with ’t. line 0139HELENI will stand for ’t a little, though therefore I 140line 0140die a virgin. line 0141PAROLLESThere’s little can be said in ’t. ’Tis against the line 0142rule of nature. To speak on the part of virginity is line 0143to accuse your mothers, which is most infallible line 0144disobedience. He that hangs himself is a virgin; 145line 0145virginity murders itself and should be buried in line 0146highways out of all sanctified limit as a desperate line 0147offendress against nature. Virginity breeds mites, line 0148much like a cheese, consumes itself to the very line 0149paring, and so dies with feeding his own stomach. 150line 0150Besides, virginity is peevish, proud, idle, made of line 0151self-love, which is the most inhibited sin in the line 0152canon. Keep it not; you cannot choose but lose by line 0153’t. Out with ’t! Within ten year it will make itself line 0154two, which is a goodly increase, and the principal 155line 0155itself not much the worse. Away with ’t! line 0156HELENHow might one do, sir, to lose it to her own line 0157liking? line 0158PAROLLESLet me see. Marry, ill, to like him that ne’er line 0159it likes. ’Tis a commodity will lose the gloss with 160line 0160lying; the longer kept, the less worth. Off with ’t line 0161while ’tis vendible; answer the time of request. Virginity, line 0162like an old courtier, wears her cap out of line 0163fashion, richly suited but unsuitable, just like the Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 17line 0164brooch and the toothpick, which wear not now. 165line 0165Your date is better in your pie and your porridge line 0166than in your cheek. And your virginity, your old line 0167virginity, is like one of our French withered pears: line 0168it looks ill, it eats dryly; marry, ’tis a withered pear. line 0169It was formerly better, marry, yet ’tis a withered 170line 0170pear. Will you anything with it? line 0171HELENNot my virginity, yet— line 0172There shall your master have a thousand loves, line 0173A mother, and a mistress, and a friend, line 0174A phoenix, captain, and an enemy, 175line 0175A guide, a goddess, and a sovereign, line 0176A counselor, a traitress, and a dear; line 0177His humble ambition, proud humility, line 0178His jarring concord, and his discord dulcet, line 0179His faith, his sweet disaster, with a world 180line 0180Of pretty, fond adoptious christendoms line 0181That blinking Cupid gossips. Now shall he— line 0182I know not what he shall. God send him well. line 0183The court’s a learning place, and he is one— line 0184PAROLLESWhat one, i’ faith? 185line 0185HELENThat I wish well. ’Tis pity— line 0186PAROLLESWhat’s pity? HELEN line 0187That wishing well had not a body in ’t line 0188Which might be felt, that we, the poorer born, line 0189Whose baser stars do shut us up in wishes, 190line 0190Might with effects of them follow our friends line 0191And show what we alone must think, which never line 0192Returns us thanks.
Enter Page.
line 0193PAGEMonsieur Parolles, my lord calls for you. line 0194PAROLLESLittle Helen, farewell. If I can remember 195line 0195thee, I will think of thee at court. line 0196HELENMonsieur Parolles, you were born under a line 0197charitable star. Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 19line 0198PAROLLESUnder Mars, I. line 0199HELENI especially think under Mars. 200line 0200PAROLLESWhy under Mars? line 0201HELENThe wars hath so kept you under that you line 0202must needs be born under Mars. line 0203PAROLLESWhen he was predominant. line 0204HELENWhen he was retrograde, I think rather. 205line 0205PAROLLESWhy think you so? line 0206HELENYou go so much backward when you fight. line 0207PAROLLESThat’s for advantage. line 0208HELENSo is running away, when fear proposes the line 0209safety. But the composition that your valor and 210line 0210fear makes in you is a virtue of a good wing, and I line 0211like the wear well. line 0212PAROLLESI am so full of businesses I cannot answer line 0213thee acutely. I will return perfect courtier, in the line 0214which my instruction shall serve to naturalize 215line 0215thee, so thou wilt be capable of a courtier’s counsel line 0216and understand what advice shall thrust upon line 0217thee, else thou diest in thine unthankfulness, and line 0218thine ignorance makes thee away. Farewell. When line 0219thou hast leisure, say thy prayers; when thou hast 220line 0220none, remember thy friends. Get thee a good husband, line 0221and use him as he uses thee. So, farewell.
Parolles and Page exit.
HELEN line 0222Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie line 0223Which we ascribe to heaven. The fated sky line 0224Gives us free scope, only doth backward pull 225line 0225Our slow designs when we ourselves are dull. line 0226What power is it which mounts my love so high, line 0227That makes me see, and cannot feed mine eye? line 0228The mightiest space in fortune nature brings line 0229To join like likes and kiss like native things. 230line 0230Impossible be strange attempts to those line 0231That weigh their pains in sense and do suppose Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 21line 0232What hath been cannot be. Who ever strove line 0233To show her merit that did miss her love? line 0234The King’s disease—my project may deceive me, 235line 0235But my intents are fixed and will not leave me.
She exits.
Scene 2
Flourish cornets. Enter the King of France with letters, two Lords, and divers Attendants.
KING line 0236The Florentines and Senoys are by th’ ears, line 0237Have fought with equal fortune, and continue line 0238A braving war. line 0239FIRST LORDSo ’tis reported, sir. KING 5line 0240Nay, ’tis most credible. We here receive it line 0241A certainty vouched from our cousin Austria, line 0242With caution that the Florentine will move us line 0243For speedy aid, wherein our dearest friend line 0244Prejudicates the business and would seem 10line 0245To have us make denial. line 0246FIRST LORDHis love and wisdom, line 0247Approved so to your Majesty, may plead line 0248For amplest credence. line 0249KINGHe hath armed our answer, 15line 0250And Florence is denied before he comes. line 0251Yet for our gentlemen that mean to see line 0252The Tuscan service, freely have they leave line 0253To stand on either part. line 0254SECOND LORDIt well may serve 20line 0255A nursery to our gentry, who are sick line 0256For breathing and exploit.
Enter Bertram, Lafew, and Parolles.
line 0257KINGWhat’s he comes here? Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 23FIRST LORD line 0258It is the Count Rossillion, my good lord, line 0259Young Bertram. 25line 0260KINGYouth, thou bear’st thy father’s face. line 0261Frank nature, rather curious than in haste, line 0262Hath well composed thee. Thy father’s moral parts line 0263Mayst thou inherit too. Welcome to Paris. BERTRAM line 0264My thanks and duty are your Majesty’s. KING 30line 0265I would I had that corporal soundness now line 0266As when thy father and myself in friendship line 0267First tried our soldiership. He did look far line 0268Into the service of the time and was line 0269Discipled of the bravest. He lasted long, 35line 0270But on us both did haggish age steal on line 0271And wore us out of act. It much repairs me line 0272To talk of your good father. In his youth line 0273He had the wit which I can well observe line 0274Today in our young lords; but they may jest 40line 0275Till their own scorn return to them unnoted line 0276Ere they can hide their levity in honor. line 0277So like a courtier, contempt nor bitterness line 0278Were in his pride or sharpness; if they were, line 0279His equal had awaked them, and his honor, 45line 0280Clock to itself, knew the true minute when line 0281Exception bid him speak, and at this time line 0282His tongue obeyed his hand. Who were below him line 0283He used as creatures of another place line 0284And bowed his eminent top to their low ranks, 50line 0285Making them proud of his humility, line 0286In their poor praise he humbled. Such a man line 0287Might be a copy to these younger times, line 0288Which, followed well, would demonstrate them now line 0289But goers backward. 55line 0290BERTRAMHis good remembrance, sir, Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 25line 0291Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb. line 0292So in approof lives not his epitaph line 0293As in your royal speech. KING line 0294Would I were with him! He would always say— 60line 0295Methinks I hear him now; his plausive words line 0296He scattered not in ears, but grafted them line 0297To grow there and to bear. “Let me not live”— line 0298This his good melancholy oft began line 0299On the catastrophe and heel of pastime, 65line 0300When it was out—“Let me not live,” quoth he, line 0301“After my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff line 0302Of younger spirits, whose apprehensive senses line 0303All but new things disdain, whose judgments are line 0304Mere fathers of their garments, whose constancies 70line 0305Expire before their fashions.” This he wished. line 0306I, after him, do after him wish too, line 0307Since I nor wax nor honey can bring home, line 0308I quickly were dissolvèd from my hive line 0309To give some laborers room. 75line 0310SECOND LORDYou’re lovèd, sir. line 0311They that least lend it you shall lack you first. KING line 0312I fill a place, I know ’t.—How long is ’t, count, line 0313Since the physician at your father’s died? line 0314He was much famed. 80line 0315BERTRAMSome six months since, my lord. KING line 0316If he were living, I would try him yet.— line 0317Lend me an arm.—The rest have worn me out line 0318With several applications. Nature and sickness line 0319Debate it at their leisure. Welcome, count. 85line 0320My son’s no dearer. line 0321BERTRAMThank your Majesty.
They exit. Flourish.
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 27
Scene 3
Enter Countess, Steward, and Fool.
line 0322COUNTESSI will now hear. What say you of this line 0323gentlewoman? line 0324STEWARDMadam, the care I have had to even your line 0325content I wish might be found in the calendar of 5line 0326my past endeavors, for then we wound our modesty line 0327and make foul the clearness of our deservings line 0328when of ourselves we publish them. line 0329COUNTESSWhat does this knave here? To Fool. Get line 0330you gone, sirrah. The complaints I have heard of 10line 0331you I do not all believe. ’Tis my slowness that I do line 0332not, for I know you lack not folly to commit them line 0333and have ability enough to make such knaveries line 0334yours. line 0335FOOL’Tis not unknown to you, madam, I am a poor 15line 0336fellow. line 0337COUNTESSWell, sir. line 0338FOOLNo, madam, ’tis not so well that I am poor, line 0339though many of the rich are damned. But if I may line 0340have your Ladyship’s good will to go to the world, 20line 0341Isbel the woman and I will do as we may. line 0342COUNTESSWilt thou needs be a beggar? line 0343FOOLI do beg your good will in this case. line 0344COUNTESSIn what case? line 0345FOOLIn Isbel’s case and mine own. Service is no heritage, 25line 0346and I think I shall never have the blessing of line 0347God till I have issue o’ my body, for they say bairns line 0348are blessings. line 0349COUNTESSTell me thy reason why thou wilt marry. line 0350FOOLMy poor body, madam, requires it. I am driven 30line 0351on by the flesh, and he must needs go that the devil line 0352drives. line 0353COUNTESSIs this all your Worship’s reason? line 0354FOOLFaith, madam, I have other holy reasons, such line 0355as they are. Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 2935line 0356COUNTESSMay the world know them? line 0357FOOLI have been, madam, a wicked creature, as you line 0358and all flesh and blood are, and indeed I do marry line 0359that I may repent. line 0360COUNTESSThy marriage sooner than thy wickedness. 40line 0361FOOLI am out o’ friends, madam, and I hope to have line 0362friends for my wife’s sake. line 0363COUNTESSSuch friends are thine enemies, knave. line 0364FOOLYou’re shallow, madam, in great friends, for the line 0365knaves come to do that for me which I am aweary 45line 0366of. He that ears my land spares my team and gives line 0367me leave to in the crop; if I be his cuckold, he’s my line 0368drudge. He that comforts my wife is the cherisher line 0369of my flesh and blood; he that cherishes my flesh line 0370and blood loves my flesh and blood; he that loves 50line 0371my flesh and blood is my friend. Ergo, he that line 0372kisses my wife is my friend. If men could be contented line 0373to be what they are, there were no fear in line 0374marriage, for young Charbon the Puritan and old line 0375Poysam the Papist, howsome’er their hearts are 55line 0376severed in religion, their heads are both one; they line 0377may jowl horns together like any deer i’ th’ herd. line 0378COUNTESSWilt thou ever be a foul-mouthed and line 0379calumnious knave? line 0380FOOLA prophet I, madam, and I speak the truth the 60line 0381next way: line 0382Sings. For I the ballad will repeat line 0383Which men full true shall find: line 0384Your marriage comes by destiny; line 0385Your cuckoo sings by kind. 65line 0386COUNTESSGet you gone, sir. I’ll talk with you more line 0387anon. line 0388STEWARDMay it please you, madam, that he bid Helen line 0389come to you. Of her I am to speak. line 0390COUNTESSSirrah, tell my gentlewoman I would speak 70line 0391with her—Helen, I mean. Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 31FOOLsings line 0392“Was this fair face the cause,” quoth she, line 0393“Why the Grecians sackèd Troy? line 0394Fond done, done fond. line 0395Was this King Priam’s joy?” 75line 0396With that she sighèd as she stood, line 0397With that she sighèd as she stood, line 0398And gave this sentence then: line 0399“Among nine bad if one be good, line 0400Among nine bad if one be good, 80line 0401There’s yet one good in ten.” line 0402COUNTESSWhat, one good in ten? You corrupt the line 0403song, sirrah. line 0404FOOLOne good woman in ten, madam, which is a line 0405purifying o’ th’ song. Would God would serve the 85line 0406world so all the year! We’d find no fault with the line 0407tithe-woman if I were the parson. One in ten, line 0408quoth he? An we might have a good woman born line 0409but or every blazing star or at an earthquake, line 0410’twould mend the lottery well. A man may draw his 90line 0411heart out ere he pluck one. line 0412COUNTESSYou’ll be gone, sir knave, and do as I command line 0413you! line 0414FOOLThat man should be at woman’s command, and line 0415yet no hurt done! Though honesty be no Puritan, 95line 0416yet it will do no hurt; it will wear the surplice of line 0417humility over the black gown of a big heart. I am line 0418going, forsooth. The business is for Helen to come line 0419hither.He exits. line 0420COUNTESSWell, now. 100line 0421STEWARDI know, madam, you love your gentlewoman line 0422entirely. line 0423COUNTESSFaith, I do. Her father bequeathed her to line 0424me, and she herself, without other advantage, may line 0425lawfully make title to as much love as she finds. 105line 0426There is more owing her than is paid, and more line 0427shall be paid her than she’ll demand. Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 33line 0428STEWARDMadam, I was very late more near her than I line 0429think she wished me. Alone she was and did communicate line 0430to herself her own words to her own 110line 0431ears; she thought, I dare vow for her, they touched line 0432not any stranger sense. Her matter was she loved line 0433your son. Fortune, she said, was no goddess, that line 0434had put such difference betwixt their two estates; line 0435Love no god, that would not extend his might only 115line 0436where qualities were level; Dian no queen of virgins, line 0437that would suffer her poor knight surprised line 0438without rescue in the first assault or ransom afterward. line 0439This she delivered in the most bitter touch line 0440of sorrow that e’er I heard virgin exclaim in, which 120line 0441I held my duty speedily to acquaint you withal, line 0442sithence in the loss that may happen it concerns line 0443you something to know it. line 0444COUNTESSYou have discharged this honestly. Keep it line 0445to yourself. Many likelihoods informed me of this 125line 0446before, which hung so tott’ring in the balance that line 0447I could neither believe nor misdoubt. Pray you line 0448leave me. Stall this in your bosom, and I thank you line 0449for your honest care. I will speak with you further line 0450anon.Steward exits.
Enter Helen.
Aside. 130line 0451Even so it was with me when I was young. line 0452If ever we are nature’s, these are ours. This thorn line 0453Doth to our rose of youth rightly belong. line 0454Our blood to us, this to our blood is born. line 0455It is the show and seal of nature’s truth, 135line 0456Where love’s strong passion is impressed in youth. line 0457By our remembrances of days foregone, line 0458Such were our faults, or then we thought them none. line 0459Her eye is sick on ’t, I observe her now. line 0460HELENWhat is your pleasure, madam? Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 35COUNTESS 140line 0461You know, Helen, I am a mother to you. HELEN line 0462Mine honorable mistress. line 0463COUNTESSNay, a mother. line 0464Why not a mother? When I said “a mother,” line 0465Methought you saw a serpent. What’s in “mother” 145line 0466That you start at it? I say I am your mother line 0467And put you in the catalogue of those line 0468That were enwombèd mine. ’Tis often seen line 0469Adoption strives with nature, and choice breeds line 0470A native slip to us from foreign seeds. 150line 0471You ne’er oppressed me with a mother’s groan, line 0472Yet I express to you a mother’s care. line 0473God’s mercy, maiden, does it curd thy blood line 0474To say I am thy mother? What’s the matter, line 0475That this distempered messenger of wet, 155line 0476The many-colored Iris, rounds thine eye? line 0477Why? That you are my daughter? line 0478HELENThat I am not. COUNTESS line 0479I say I am your mother. line 0480HELENPardon, madam. 160line 0481The Count Rossillion cannot be my brother. line 0482I am from humble, he from honored name; line 0483No note upon my parents, his all noble. line 0484My master, my dear lord he is, and I line 0485His servant live and will his vassal die. 165line 0486He must not be my brother. line 0487COUNTESSNor I your mother? HELEN line 0488You are my mother, madam. Would you were— line 0489So that my lord your son were not my brother— line 0490Indeed my mother! Or were you both our mothers, 170line 0491I care no more for than I do for heaven, line 0492So I were not his sister. Can ’t no other Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 37line 0493But, I your daughter, he must be my brother? COUNTESS line 0494Yes, Helen, you might be my daughter-in-law. line 0495God shield you mean it not! “Daughter” and “mother” 175line 0496So strive upon your pulse. What, pale again? line 0497My fear hath catched your fondness! Now I see line 0498The mystery of your loneliness and find line 0499Your salt tears’ head. Now to all sense ’tis gross: line 0500You love my son. Invention is ashamed 180line 0501Against the proclamation of thy passion line 0502To say thou dost not. Therefore tell me true, line 0503But tell me then ’tis so, for, look, thy cheeks line 0504Confess it th’ one to th’ other, and thine eyes line 0505See it so grossly shown in thy behaviors 185line 0506That in their kind they speak it. Only sin line 0507And hellish obstinacy tie thy tongue line 0508That truth should be suspected. Speak. Is ’t so? line 0509If it be so, you have wound a goodly clew; line 0510If it be not, forswear ’t; howe’er, I charge thee, 190line 0511As heaven shall work in me for thine avail, line 0512To tell me truly. line 0513HELENGood madam, pardon me. COUNTESS line 0514Do you love my son? line 0515HELENYour pardon, noble mistress. COUNTESS 195line 0516Love you my son? line 0517HELENDo not you love him, madam? COUNTESS line 0518Go not about. My love hath in ’t a bond line 0519Whereof the world takes note. Come, come, disclose line 0520The state of your affection, for your passions 200line 0521Have to the full appeached. line 0522HELENkneelingThen I confess line 0523Here on my knee before high heaven and you line 0524That before you and next unto high heaven Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 39line 0525I love your son. 205line 0526My friends were poor but honest; so ’s my love. line 0527Be not offended, for it hurts not him line 0528That he is loved of me. I follow him not line 0529By any token of presumptuous suit, line 0530Nor would I have him till I do deserve him, 210line 0531Yet never know how that desert should be. line 0532I know I love in vain, strive against hope, line 0533Yet in this captious and intenible sieve line 0534I still pour in the waters of my love line 0535And lack not to lose still. Thus, Indian-like, 215line 0536Religious in mine error, I adore line 0537The sun that looks upon his worshipper line 0538But knows of him no more. My dearest madam, line 0539Let not your hate encounter with my love line 0540For loving where you do; but if yourself, 220line 0541Whose agèd honor cites a virtuous youth, line 0542Did ever in so true a flame of liking line 0543Wish chastely and love dearly, that your Dian line 0544Was both herself and Love, O then give pity line 0545To her whose state is such that cannot choose 225line 0546But lend and give where she is sure to lose; line 0547That seeks not to find that her search implies, line 0548But riddle-like lives sweetly where she dies. COUNTESS line 0549Had you not lately an intent—speak truly— line 0550To go to Paris? 230line 0551HELENMadam, I had. line 0552COUNTESSWherefore? line 0553Tell true. HELENstanding line 0554I will tell truth, by grace itself I swear. line 0555You know my father left me some prescriptions 235line 0556Of rare and proved effects, such as his reading line 0557And manifest experience had collected line 0558For general sovereignty; and that he willed me Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 41line 0559In heedfull’st reservation to bestow them line 0560As notes whose faculties inclusive were 240line 0561More than they were in note. Amongst the rest line 0562There is a remedy, approved, set down, line 0563To cure the desperate languishings whereof line 0564The King is rendered lost. COUNTESS line 0565This was your motive for Paris, was it? Speak. HELEN 245line 0566My lord your son made me to think of this; line 0567Else Paris, and the medicine, and the King line 0568Had from the conversation of my thoughts line 0569Haply been absent then. line 0570COUNTESSBut think you, Helen, 250line 0571If you should tender your supposèd aid, line 0572He would receive it? He and his physicians line 0573Are of a mind: he that they cannot help him, line 0574They that they cannot help. How shall they credit line 0575A poor unlearnèd virgin, when the schools 255line 0576Emboweled of their doctrine have left off line 0577The danger to itself? line 0578HELENThere’s something in ’t line 0579More than my father’s skill, which was the great’st line 0580Of his profession, that his good receipt 260line 0581Shall for my legacy be sanctified line 0582By th’ luckiest stars in heaven; and would your line 0583Honor line 0584But give me leave to try success, I’d venture line 0585The well-lost life of mine on his Grace’s cure 265line 0586By such a day, an hour. line 0587COUNTESSDost thou believe ’t? line 0588HELENAy, madam, knowingly. COUNTESS line 0589Why, Helen, thou shalt have my leave and love, line 0590Means and attendants, and my loving greetings 270line 0591To those of mine in court. I’ll stay at home Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 43line 0592And pray God’s blessing into thy attempt. line 0593Be gone tomorrow, and be sure of this: line 0594What I can help thee to thou shalt not miss.
They exit.
ACT 2
Scene 1
Flourish cornets. Enter the King, attended, with divers young Lords, taking leave for the Florentine war; Bertram Count Rossillion, and Parolles.
KING line 0595Farewell, young lords. These warlike principles line 0596Do not throw from you.—And you, my lords, line 0597farewell. line 0598Share the advice betwixt you. If both gain all, 5line 0599The gift doth stretch itself as ’tis received line 0600And is enough for both. line 0601FIRST LORD’Tis our hope, sir, line 0602After well-entered soldiers, to return line 0603And find your Grace in health. KING 10line 0604No, no, it cannot be. And yet my heart line 0605Will not confess he owes the malady line 0606That doth my life besiege. Farewell, young lords. line 0607Whether I live or die, be you the sons line 0608Of worthy Frenchmen. Let higher Italy— 15line 0609Those bated that inherit but the fall line 0610Of the last monarchy—see that you come line 0611Not to woo honor but to wed it. When line 0612The bravest questant shrinks, find what you seek, line 0613That fame may cry you loud. I say farewell. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 49FIRST LORD 20line 0614Health at your bidding serve your Majesty! KING line 0615Those girls of Italy, take heed of them. line 0616They say our French lack language to deny line 0617If they demand. Beware of being captives line 0618Before you serve. 25line 0619LORDSOur hearts receive your warnings. line 0620KINGFarewell.—Come hither to me.
The King speaks to Attendants, while Bertram, Parolles, and other Lords come forward.
FIRST LORDto Bertram line 0621O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us! PAROLLES line 0622’Tis not his fault, the spark. line 0623SECOND LORDO, ’tis brave wars. PAROLLES 30line 0624Most admirable. I have seen those wars. BERTRAM line 0625I am commanded here and kept a coil line 0626With “Too young,” and “The next year,” and “’Tis line 0627too early.” PAROLLES line 0628An thy mind stand to ’t, boy, steal away bravely. BERTRAM 35line 0629I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock, line 0630Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry line 0631Till honor be bought up, and no sword worn line 0632But one to dance with. By heaven, I’ll steal away! FIRST LORD line 0633There’s honor in the theft. 40line 0634PAROLLESCommit it, count. SECOND LORD line 0635I am your accessory. And so, farewell. line 0636BERTRAMI grow to you, and our parting is a tortured line 0637body. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 51line 0638FIRST LORDFarewell, captain. 45line 0639SECOND LORDSweet Monsieur Parolles. line 0640PAROLLESNoble heroes, my sword and yours are kin. line 0641Good sparks and lustrous, a word, good metals. line 0642You shall find in the regiment of the Spinii one line 0643Captain Spurio with his cicatrice, an emblem of 50line 0644war, here on his sinister cheek. It was this very line 0645sword entrenched it. Say to him I live, and observe line 0646his reports for me. line 0647FIRST LORDWe shall, noble captain. line 0648PAROLLESMars dote on you for his novices.
Lords exit.
55line 0649To Bertram. What will you do? line 0650BERTRAMStay the King. line 0651PAROLLESUse a more spacious ceremony to the noble line 0652lords. You have restrained yourself within the list line 0653of too cold an adieu. Be more expressive to them, 60line 0654for they wear themselves in the cap of the time; line 0655there do muster true gait; eat, speak, and move line 0656under the influence of the most received star, and, line 0657though the devil lead the measure, such are to be line 0658followed. After them, and take a more dilated 65line 0659farewell. line 0660BERTRAMAnd I will do so. line 0661PAROLLESWorthy fellows, and like to prove most line 0662sinewy swordmen.Bertram and Parolles exit.
Enter Lafew, to the King.
LAFEWkneeling line 0663Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings. 70line 0664KINGI’ll fee thee to stand up. LAFEWstanding line 0665Then here’s a man stands that has brought his line 0666pardon. line 0667I would you had kneeled, my lord, to ask me mercy, line 0668And that at my bidding you could so stand up. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 53KING 75line 0669I would I had, so I had broke thy pate line 0670And asked thee mercy for ’t. line 0671LAFEWGood faith, across. line 0672But, my good lord, ’tis thus: will you be cured line 0673Of your infirmity? 80line 0674KINGNo. line 0675LAFEWO, will you eat line 0676No grapes, my royal fox? Yes, but you will line 0677My noble grapes, an if my royal fox line 0678Could reach them. I have seen a medicine 85line 0679That’s able to breathe life into a stone, line 0680Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary line 0681With sprightly fire and motion, whose simple touch line 0682Is powerful to araise King Pippen, nay, line 0683To give great Charlemagne a pen in ’s hand 90line 0684And write to her a love line. line 0685KINGWhat “her” is this? LAFEW line 0686Why, Doctor She. My lord, there’s one arrived, line 0687If you will see her. Now, by my faith and honor, line 0688If seriously I may convey my thoughts 95line 0689In this my light deliverance, I have spoke line 0690With one that in her sex, her years, profession, line 0691Wisdom, and constancy hath amazed me more line 0692Than I dare blame my weakness. Will you see her— line 0693For that is her demand—and know her business? 100line 0694That done, laugh well at me. line 0695KINGNow, good Lafew, line 0696Bring in the admiration, that we with thee line 0697May spend our wonder too, or take off thine line 0698By wond’ring how thou took’st it. 105line 0699LAFEWNay, I’ll fit you, line 0700And not be all day neither.
He goes to bring in Helen.
KING line 0701Thus he his special nothing ever prologues. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 55
Enter Helen.
line 0702LAFEWto HelenNay, come your ways. line 0703KINGThis haste hath wings indeed. 110line 0704LAFEWNay, come your ways. line 0705This is his Majesty. Say your mind to him. line 0706A traitor you do look like, but such traitors line 0707His Majesty seldom fears. I am Cressid’s uncle line 0708That dare leave two together. Fare you well.
He exits.
KING 115line 0709Now, fair one, does your business follow us? line 0710HELENAy, my good lord, line 0711Gerard de Narbon was my father, line 0712In what he did profess well found. line 0713KINGI knew him. HELEN 120line 0714The rather will I spare my praises towards him. line 0715Knowing him is enough. On ’s bed of death line 0716Many receipts he gave me, chiefly one line 0717Which, as the dearest issue of his practice, line 0718And of his old experience th’ only darling, 125line 0719He bade me store up as a triple eye, line 0720Safer than mine own two, more dear. I have so, line 0721And hearing your high Majesty is touched line 0722With that malignant cause wherein the honor line 0723Of my dear father’s gift stands chief in power, 130line 0724I come to tender it and my appliance line 0725With all bound humbleness. line 0726KINGWe thank you, maiden, line 0727But may not be so credulous of cure, line 0728When our most learnèd doctors leave us and 135line 0729The congregated college have concluded line 0730That laboring art can never ransom nature line 0731From her inaidible estate. I say we must not line 0732So stain our judgment or corrupt our hope Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 57line 0733To prostitute our past-cure malady 140line 0734To empirics, or to dissever so line 0735Our great self and our credit to esteem line 0736A senseless help when help past sense we deem. HELEN line 0737My duty, then, shall pay me for my pains. line 0738I will no more enforce mine office on you, 145line 0739Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts line 0740A modest one to bear me back again. KING line 0741I cannot give thee less, to be called grateful. line 0742Thou thought’st to help me, and such thanks I give line 0743As one near death to those that wish him live. 150line 0744But what at full I know, thou know’st no part, line 0745I knowing all my peril, thou no art. HELEN line 0746What I can do can do no hurt to try line 0747Since you set up your rest ’gainst remedy. line 0748He that of greatest works is finisher 155line 0749Oft does them by the weakest minister. line 0750So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown line 0751When judges have been babes. Great floods have flown line 0752From simple sources, and great seas have dried line 0753When miracles have by the great’st been denied. 160line 0754Oft expectation fails, and most oft there line 0755Where most it promises, and oft it hits line 0756Where hope is coldest and despair most shifts. KING line 0757I must not hear thee. Fare thee well, kind maid. line 0758Thy pains, not used, must by thyself be paid. 165line 0759Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward. HELEN line 0760Inspirèd merit so by breath is barred. line 0761It is not so with Him that all things knows line 0762As ’tis with us that square our guess by shows; line 0763But most it is presumption in us when Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 59170line 0764The help of heaven we count the act of men. line 0765Dear sir, to my endeavors give consent. line 0766Of heaven, not me, make an experiment. line 0767I am not an impostor that proclaim line 0768Myself against the level of mine aim, 175line 0769But know I think and think I know most sure line 0770My art is not past power nor you past cure. KING line 0771Art thou so confident? Within what space line 0772Hop’st thou my cure? line 0773HELENThe greatest grace lending grace, 180line 0774Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring line 0775Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring; line 0776Ere twice in murk and occidental damp line 0777Moist Hesperus hath quenched her sleepy lamp; line 0778Or four and twenty times the pilot’s glass 185line 0779Hath told the thievish minutes, how they pass, line 0780What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly, line 0781Health shall live free, and sickness freely die. KING line 0782Upon thy certainty and confidence line 0783What dar’st thou venture? 190line 0784HELENTax of impudence, line 0785A strumpet’s boldness, a divulgèd shame; line 0786Traduced by odious ballads, my maiden’s name line 0787Seared otherwise; nay, worse of worst, extended line 0788With vilest torture let my life be ended. KING 195line 0789Methinks in thee some blessèd spirit doth speak line 0790His powerful sound within an organ weak, line 0791And what impossibility would slay line 0792In common sense, sense saves another way. line 0793Thy life is dear, for all that life can rate 200line 0794Worth name of life in thee hath estimate: line 0795Youth, beauty, wisdom, courage, all line 0796That happiness and prime can happy call. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 61line 0797Thou this to hazard needs must intimate line 0798Skill infinite or monstrous desperate. 205line 0799Sweet practicer, thy physic I will try, line 0800That ministers thine own death if I die. HELEN line 0801If I break time or flinch in property line 0802Of what I spoke, unpitied let me die, line 0803And well deserved. Not helping, death’s my fee. 210line 0804But if I help, what do you promise me? KING line 0805Make thy demand. line 0806HELENBut will you make it even? KING line 0807Ay, by my scepter and my hopes of heaven. HELEN line 0808Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand 215line 0809What husband in thy power I will command. line 0810Exempted be from me the arrogance line 0811To choose from forth the royal blood of France, line 0812My low and humble name to propagate line 0813With any branch or image of thy state; 220line 0814But such a one, thy vassal, whom I know line 0815Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow. KING line 0816Here is my hand. The premises observed, line 0817Thy will by my performance shall be served. line 0818So make the choice of thy own time, for I, 225line 0819Thy resolved patient, on thee still rely. line 0820More should I question thee, and more I must, line 0821Though more to know could not be more to trust: line 0822From whence thou cam’st, how tended on; but rest line 0823Unquestioned welcome and undoubted blessed.— 230line 0824Give me some help here, ho!—If thou proceed line 0825As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed.
Flourish. They exit, the King assisted.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 63
Scene 2
Enter Countess and Fool.
line 0826COUNTESSCome on, sir. I shall now put you to the line 0827height of your breeding. line 0828FOOLI will show myself highly fed and lowly taught. I line 0829know my business is but to the court. 5line 0830COUNTESS“To the court”? Why, what place make you line 0831special when you put off that with such contempt? line 0832“But to the court”? line 0833FOOLTruly, madam, if God have lent a man any manners, line 0834he may easily put it off at court. He that cannot 10line 0835make a leg, put off ’s cap, kiss his hand, and line 0836say nothing, has neither leg, hands, lip, nor cap; line 0837and indeed such a fellow, to say precisely, were line 0838not for the court. But, for me, I have an answer line 0839will serve all men. 15line 0840COUNTESSMarry, that’s a bountiful answer that fits all line 0841questions. line 0842FOOLIt is like a barber’s chair that fits all buttocks: line 0843the pin-buttock, the quatch-buttock, the brawn-buttock, line 0844or any buttock. 20line 0845COUNTESSWill your answer serve fit to all questions? line 0846FOOLAs fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney, line 0847as your French crown for your taffety punk, as line 0848Tib’s rush for Tom’s forefinger, as a pancake for line 0849Shrove Tuesday, a morris for May Day, as the nail 25line 0850to his hole, the cuckold to his horn, as a scolding line 0851quean to a wrangling knave, as the nun’s lip to the line 0852friar’s mouth, nay, as the pudding to his skin. line 0853COUNTESSHave you, I say, an answer of such fitness line 0854for all questions? 30line 0855FOOLFrom below your duke to beneath your constable, line 0856it will fit any question. line 0857COUNTESSIt must be an answer of most monstrous line 0858size that must fit all demands. Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 65line 0859FOOLBut a trifle neither, in good faith, if the learned 35line 0860should speak truth of it. Here it is, and all that line 0861belongs to ’t. Ask me if I am a courtier; it shall do line 0862you no harm to learn. line 0863COUNTESSTo be young again, if we could! I will be a line 0864fool in question, hoping to be the wiser by your 40line 0865answer. I pray you, sir, are you a courtier? line 0866FOOLO Lord, sir!—There’s a simple putting off. More, line 0867more, a hundred of them. line 0868COUNTESSSir, I am a poor friend of yours that loves line 0869you. 45line 0870FOOLO Lord, sir!—Thick, thick. Spare not me. line 0871COUNTESSI think, sir, you can eat none of this homely line 0872meat. line 0873FOOLO Lord, sir!—Nay, put me to ’t, I warrant you. line 0874COUNTESSYou were lately whipped, sir, as I think. 50line 0875FOOLO Lord, sir!—Spare not me. line 0876COUNTESSDo you cry “O Lord, sir!” at your whipping, line 0877and “spare not me”? Indeed your “O Lord, sir!” is line 0878very sequent to your whipping. You would answer line 0879very well to a whipping if you were but bound to ’t. 55line 0880FOOLI ne’er had worse luck in my life in my “O Lord, line 0881sir!” I see things may serve long but not serve ever. line 0882COUNTESSI play the noble huswife with the time to line 0883entertain it so merrily with a fool. line 0884FOOLO Lord, sir!—Why, there ’t serves well again. COUNTESSgiving him a paper 60line 0885An end, sir. To your business. Give Helen this, line 0886And urge her to a present answer back. line 0887Commend me to my kinsmen and my son. line 0888This is not much. line 0889FOOLNot much commendation to them? COUNTESS 65line 0890Not much employment for you. You understand me. line 0891FOOLMost fruitfully. I am there before my legs. line 0892COUNTESSHaste you again.
They exit.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 67
Scene 3
Enter Count Bertram, Lafew, and Parolles.
line 0893LAFEWThey say miracles are past, and we have our line 0894philosophical persons to make modern and familiar line 0895things supernatural and causeless. Hence is it line 0896that we make trifles of terrors, ensconcing ourselves 5line 0897into seeming knowledge when we should line 0898submit ourselves to an unknown fear. line 0899PAROLLESWhy, ’tis the rarest argument of wonder that line 0900hath shot out in our latter times. line 0901BERTRAMAnd so ’tis. 10line 0902LAFEWTo be relinquished of the artists— line 0903PAROLLESSo I say, both of Galen and Paracelsus. line 0904LAFEWOf all the learned and authentic fellows— line 0905PAROLLESRight, so I say. line 0906LAFEWThat gave him out incurable— 15line 0907PAROLLESWhy, there ’tis. So say I too. line 0908LAFEWNot to be helped. line 0909PAROLLESRight, as ’twere a man assured of a— line 0910LAFEWUncertain life and sure death. line 0911PAROLLESJust. You say well. So would I have said. 20line 0912LAFEWI may truly say it is a novelty to the world. line 0913PAROLLESIt is indeed. If you will have it in showing, line 0914you shall read it in what-do-you-call there.
He points to a paper in Lafew’s hand.
line 0915LAFEWreads A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly line 0916actor. 25line 0917PAROLLESThat’s it. I would have said the very same. line 0918LAFEWWhy, your dolphin is not lustier. ’Fore me, I line 0919speak in respect— line 0920PAROLLESNay, ’tis strange, ’tis very strange; that is the line 0921brief and the tedious of it; and he’s of a most facinorous 30line 0922spirit that will not acknowledge it to be line 0923the— line 0924LAFEWVery hand of heaven. Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 69line 0925PAROLLESAy, so I say. line 0926LAFEWIn a most weak— 35line 0927PAROLLESAnd debile minister. Great power, great line 0928transcendence, which should indeed give us a further line 0929use to be made than alone the recov’ry of the line 0930King, as to be— line 0931LAFEWGenerally thankful.
Enter King, Helen, and Attendants.
40line 0932PAROLLESI would have said it. You say well. Here line 0933comes the King. line 0934LAFEWLustig, as the Dutchman says. I’ll like a maid line 0935the better whilst I have a tooth in my head. Why, line 0936he’s able to lead her a coranto. 45line 0937PAROLLESMort du vinaigre! Is not this Helen? line 0938LAFEW’Fore God, I think so. KING line 0939Go, call before me all the lords in court.
An Attendant exits.
line 0940Sit, my preserver, by thy patient’s side, line 0941And with this healthful hand, whose banished sense 50line 0942Thou hast repealed, a second time receive line 0943The confirmation of my promised gift, line 0944Which but attends thy naming.
Enter three or four Court Lords.
line 0945Fair maid, send forth thine eye. This youthful parcel line 0946Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing, 55line 0947O’er whom both sovereign power and father’s voice line 0948I have to use. Thy frank election make. line 0949Thou hast power to choose, and they none to forsake. HELEN line 0950To each of you one fair and virtuous mistress line 0951Fall when Love please! Marry, to each but one. LAFEWaside 60line 0952I’d give bay Curtal and his furniture Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 71line 0953My mouth no more were broken than these boys’ line 0954And writ as little beard. line 0955KINGPeruse them well. line 0956Not one of those but had a noble father. 65line 0957HELENGentlemen, line 0958Heaven hath through me restored the King to health. ALL line 0959We understand it and thank heaven for you. HELEN line 0960I am a simple maid, and therein wealthiest line 0961That I protest I simply am a maid.— 70line 0962Please it your Majesty, I have done already. line 0963The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me: line 0964“We blush that thou shouldst choose; but, be line 0965refused, line 0966Let the white death sit on thy cheek forever; 75line 0967We’ll ne’er come there again.” line 0968KINGMake choice and see. line 0969Who shuns thy love shuns all his love in me. HELEN line 0970Now, Dian, from thy altar do I fly, line 0971And to imperial Love, that god most high, 80line 0972Do my sighs stream.She addresses her to a Lord. line 0973Sir, will you hear my suit? FIRST COURT LORD line 0974And grant it. line 0975HELENThanks, sir. All the line 0976rest is mute. 85line 0977LAFEWasideI had rather be in this choice than line 0978throw ambs-ace for my life. HELENto another Lord line 0979The honor, sir, that flames in your fair eyes line 0980Before I speak too threat’ningly replies. line 0981Love make your fortunes twenty times above 90line 0982Her that so wishes, and her humble love. SECOND COURT LORD line 0983No better, if you please. line 0984HELENMy wish receive, Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 73line 0985Which great Love grant, and so I take my leave. line 0986LAFEWasideDo all they deny her? An they were sons 95line 0987of mine, I’d have them whipped, or I would send line 0988them to th’ Turk to make eunuchs of. HELENto another Lord line 0989Be not afraid that I your hand should take. line 0990I’ll never do you wrong, for your own sake. line 0991Blessing upon your vows, and in your bed 100line 0992Find fairer fortune if you ever wed. line 0993LAFEWasideThese boys are boys of ice; they’ll none line 0994have her. Sure they are bastards to the English; line 0995the French ne’er got ’em. HELENto another Lord line 0996You are too young, too happy, and too good 105line 0997To make yourself a son out of my blood. line 0998FOURTH COURT LORDFair one, I think not so. line 0999LAFEWasideThere’s one grape yet. I am sure thy line 1000father drunk wine. But if thou be’st not an ass, I line 1001am a youth of fourteen; I have known thee already. HELENto Bertram 110line 1002I dare not say I take you, but I give line 1003Me and my service ever whilst I live line 1004Into your guiding power.—This is the man. KING line 1005Why then, young Bertram, take her. She’s thy wife. BERTRAM line 1006My wife, my liege? I shall beseech your Highness 115line 1007In such a business give me leave to use line 1008The help of mine own eyes. line 1009KINGKnow’st thou not, line 1010Bertram, line 1011What she has done for me? 120line 1012BERTRAMYes, my good lord, line 1013But never hope to know why I should marry her. KING line 1014Thou know’st she has raised me from my sickly bed. Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 75BERTRAM line 1015But follows it, my lord, to bring me down line 1016Must answer for your raising? I know her well; 125line 1017She had her breeding at my father’s charge. line 1018A poor physician’s daughter my wife? Disdain line 1019Rather corrupt me ever! KING line 1020’Tis only title thou disdain’st in her, the which line 1021I can build up. Strange is it that our bloods, 130line 1022Of color, weight, and heat, poured all together, line 1023Would quite confound distinction, yet stands off line 1024In differences so mighty. If she be line 1025All that is virtuous, save what thou dislik’st— line 1026“A poor physician’s daughter”—thou dislik’st 135line 1027Of virtue for the name. But do not so. line 1028From lowest place whence virtuous things proceed, line 1029The place is dignified by th’ doer’s deed. line 1030Where great additions swell ’s, and virtue none, line 1031It is a dropsied honor. Good alone 140line 1032Is good, without a name; vileness is so; line 1033The property by what it is should go, line 1034Not by the title. She is young, wise, fair; line 1035In these to nature she’s immediate heir, line 1036And these breed honor. That is honor’s scorn 145line 1037Which challenges itself as honor’s born line 1038And is not like the sire. Honors thrive line 1039When rather from our acts we them derive line 1040Than our foregoers. The mere word’s a slave line 1041Debauched on every tomb, on every grave 150line 1042A lying trophy, and as oft is dumb line 1043Where dust and damned oblivion is the tomb line 1044Of honored bones indeed. What should be said? line 1045If thou canst like this creature as a maid, line 1046I can create the rest. Virtue and she 155line 1047Is her own dower, honor and wealth from me. Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 77BERTRAM line 1048I cannot love her, nor will strive to do ’t. KING line 1049Thou wrong’st thyself if thou shouldst strive to line 1050choose. HELEN line 1051That you are well restored, my lord, I’m glad. 160line 1052Let the rest go. KING line 1053My honor’s at the stake, which to defeat line 1054I must produce my power.—Here, take her hand, line 1055Proud, scornful boy, unworthy this good gift, line 1056That dost in vile misprision shackle up 165line 1057My love and her desert; that canst not dream line 1058We, poising us in her defective scale, line 1059Shall weigh thee to the beam; that wilt not know line 1060It is in us to plant thine honor where line 1061We please to have it grow. Check thy contempt; 170line 1062Obey our will, which travails in thy good. line 1063Believe not thy disdain, but presently line 1064Do thine own fortunes that obedient right line 1065Which both thy duty owes and our power claims, line 1066Or I will throw thee from my care forever 175line 1067Into the staggers and the careless lapse line 1068Of youth and ignorance, both my revenge and hate line 1069Loosing upon thee in the name of justice line 1070Without all terms of pity. Speak. Thine answer. BERTRAM line 1071Pardon, my gracious lord, for I submit 180line 1072My fancy to your eyes. When I consider line 1073What great creation and what dole of honor line 1074Flies where you bid it, I find that she which late line 1075Was in my nobler thoughts most base is now line 1076The praisèd of the King, who, so ennobled, 185line 1077Is as ’twere born so. line 1078KINGTake her by the hand, Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 79line 1079And tell her she is thine, to whom I promise line 1080A counterpoise, if not to thy estate, line 1081A balance more replete. 190line 1082BERTRAMI take her hand. KING line 1083Good fortune and the favor of the King line 1084Smile upon this contract, whose ceremony line 1085Shall seem expedient on the now-born brief line 1086And be performed tonight. The solemn feast 195line 1087Shall more attend upon the coming space, line 1088Expecting absent friends. As thou lov’st her line 1089Thy love’s to me religious; else, does err.
They exit. Parolles and Lafew stay behind, commenting of this wedding.
line 1090LAFEWDo you hear, monsieur? A word with you. line 1091PAROLLESYour pleasure, sir. 200line 1092LAFEWYour lord and master did well to make his line 1093recantation. line 1094PAROLLES“Recantation”? My “lord”? My “master”? line 1095LAFEWAy. Is it not a language I speak? line 1096PAROLLESA most harsh one, and not to be understood 205line 1097without bloody succeeding. My “master”? line 1098LAFEWAre you companion to the Count Rossillion? line 1099PAROLLESTo any count, to all counts, to what is man. line 1100LAFEWTo what is count’s man. Count’s master is of line 1101another style. 210line 1102PAROLLESYou are too old, sir; let it satisfy you, you are line 1103too old. line 1104LAFEWI must tell thee, sirrah, I write man, to which line 1105title age cannot bring thee. line 1106PAROLLESWhat I dare too well do, I dare not do. 215line 1107LAFEWI did think thee, for two ordinaries, to be a line 1108pretty wise fellow; thou didst make tolerable vent line 1109of thy travel; it might pass. Yet the scarves and the line 1110bannerets about thee did manifoldly dissuade me line 1111from believing thee a vessel of too great a burden. Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 81220line 1112I have now found thee. When I lose thee again, I line 1113care not. Yet art thou good for nothing but taking line 1114up, and that thou ’rt scarce worth. line 1115PAROLLESHadst thou not the privilege of antiquity line 1116upon thee— 225line 1117LAFEWDo not plunge thyself too far in anger lest thou line 1118hasten thy trial, which if—Lord have mercy on line 1119thee for a hen! So, my good window of lattice, fare line 1120thee well; thy casement I need not open, for I look line 1121through thee. Give me thy hand. 230line 1122PAROLLESMy lord, you give me most egregious line 1123indignity. line 1124LAFEWAy, with all my heart, and thou art worthy of it. line 1125PAROLLESI have not, my lord, deserved it. line 1126LAFEWYes, good faith, ev’ry dram of it, and I will not 235line 1127bate thee a scruple. line 1128PAROLLESWell, I shall be wiser. line 1129LAFEWEv’n as soon as thou canst, for thou hast to line 1130pull at a smack o’ th’ contrary. If ever thou be’st line 1131bound in thy scarf and beaten, thou shalt find 240line 1132what it is to be proud of thy bondage. I have a line 1133desire to hold my acquaintance with thee, or line 1134rather my knowledge, that I may say in the default line 1135“He is a man I know.” line 1136PAROLLESMy lord, you do me most insupportable 245line 1137vexation. line 1138LAFEWI would it were hell pains for thy sake, and my line 1139poor doing eternal; for doing I am past, as I will by line 1140thee in what motion age will give me leave.
He exits.
line 1141PAROLLESWell, thou hast a son shall take this disgrace 250line 1142off me. Scurvy, old, filthy, scurvy lord! Well, I must line 1143be patient; there is no fettering of authority. I’ll line 1144beat him, by my life, if I can meet him with any line 1145convenience, an he were double and double a lord. line 1146I’ll have no more pity of his age than I would have 255line 1147of—I’ll beat him, an if I could but meet him again. Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 83
Enter Lafew.
line 1148LAFEWSirrah, your lord and master’s married. There’s line 1149news for you: you have a new mistress. line 1150PAROLLESI most unfeignedly beseech your Lordship line 1151to make some reservation of your wrongs. He is 260line 1152my good lord; whom I serve above is my master. line 1153LAFEWWho? God? line 1154PAROLLESAy, sir. line 1155LAFEWThe devil it is that’s thy master. Why dost thou line 1156garter up thy arms o’ this fashion? Dost make hose 265line 1157of thy sleeves? Do other servants so? Thou wert line 1158best set thy lower part where thy nose stands. By line 1159mine honor, if I were but two hours younger, I’d line 1160beat thee. Methink’st thou art a general offense, line 1161and every man should beat thee. I think thou wast 270line 1162created for men to breathe themselves upon thee. line 1163PAROLLESThis is hard and undeserved measure, my line 1164lord. line 1165LAFEWGo to, sir. You were beaten in Italy for picking a line 1166kernel out of a pomegranate. You are a vagabond, 275line 1167and no true traveler. You are more saucy with line 1168lords and honorable personages than the commission line 1169of your birth and virtue gives you heraldry. line 1170You are not worth another word; else I’d call you line 1171knave. I leave you.He exits. 280line 1172PAROLLESGood, very good! It is so, then. Good, very line 1173good. Let it be concealed awhile.
Enter Bertram Count Rossillion.
BERTRAM line 1174Undone, and forfeited to cares forever! line 1175PAROLLESWhat’s the matter, sweetheart? BERTRAM line 1176Although before the solemn priest I have sworn, 285line 1177I will not bed her. Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 85line 1178PAROLLESWhat, what, sweetheart? BERTRAM line 1179O my Parolles, they have married me! line 1180I’ll to the Tuscan wars and never bed her. line 1181PAROLLESFrance is a dog-hole, and it no more merits 290line 1182the tread of a man’s foot. To th’ wars! line 1183BERTRAMThere’s letters from my mother. What th’ line 1184import is I know not yet. line 1185PAROLLESAy, that would be known. To th’ wars, my line 1186boy, to th’ wars! 295line 1187He wears his honor in a box unseen line 1188That hugs his kicky-wicky here at home, line 1189Spending his manly marrow in her arms line 1190Which should sustain the bound and high curvet line 1191Of Mars’s fiery steed. To other regions! 300line 1192France is a stable, we that dwell in ’t jades. line 1193Therefore, to th’ war! BERTRAM line 1194It shall be so. I’ll send her to my house, line 1195Acquaint my mother with my hate to her line 1196And wherefore I am fled, write to the King 305line 1197That which I durst not speak. His present gift line 1198Shall furnish me to those Italian fields line 1199Where noble fellows strike. Wars is no strife line 1200To the dark house and the detested wife. PAROLLES line 1201Will this capriccio hold in thee? Art sure? BERTRAM 310line 1202Go with me to my chamber, and advise me. line 1203I’ll send her straight away. Tomorrow line 1204I’ll to the wars, she to her single sorrow. PAROLLES line 1205Why, these balls bound; there’s noise in it. ’Tis hard. line 1206A young man married is a man that’s marred. 315line 1207Therefore away, and leave her bravely. Go. line 1208The King has done you wrong, but hush, ’tis so.
They exit.
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 87
Scene 4
Enter Helen with a paper, and Fool.
line 1209HELENMy mother greets me kindly. Is she well? line 1210FOOLShe is not well, but yet she has her health. She’s line 1211very merry, but yet she is not well. But, thanks be line 1212given, she’s very well and wants nothing i’ th’ world, 5line 1213but yet she is not well. line 1214HELENIf she be very well, what does she ail that she’s line 1215not very well? line 1216FOOLTruly, she’s very well indeed, but for two things. line 1217HELENWhat two things? 10line 1218FOOLOne, that she’s not in heaven, whither God send line 1219her quickly; the other, that she’s in Earth, from line 1220whence God send her quickly.
Enter Parolles.
line 1221PAROLLESBless you, my fortunate lady. line 1222HELENI hope, sir, I have your good will to have mine 15line 1223own good fortunes. line 1224PAROLLESYou had my prayers to lead them on, and to line 1225keep them on have them still.—O my knave, how line 1226does my old lady? line 1227FOOLSo that you had her wrinkles and I her money, I 20line 1228would she did as you say. line 1229PAROLLESWhy, I say nothing. line 1230FOOLMarry, you are the wiser man, for many a man’s line 1231tongue shakes out his master’s undoing. To say line 1232nothing, to do nothing, to know nothing, and to 25line 1233have nothing is to be a great part of your title, line 1234which is within a very little of nothing. line 1235PAROLLESAway. Thou ’rt a knave. line 1236FOOLYou should have said, sir, “Before a knave, line 1237thou ’rt a knave”; that’s “Before me, thou ’rt a 30line 1238knave.” This had been truth, sir. line 1239PAROLLESGo to. Thou art a witty fool. I have found line 1240thee. Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 89line 1241FOOLDid you find me in yourself, sir, or were you line 1242taught to find me? line 1243PAROLLES… 35line 1244FOOLThe search, sir, was profitable, and much fool line 1245may you find in you, even to the world’s pleasure line 1246and the increase of laughter. line 1247PAROLLESA good knave, i’ faith, and well fed. line 1248Madam, my lord will go away tonight; 40line 1249A very serious business calls on him. line 1250The great prerogative and rite of love, line 1251Which as your due time claims, he does acknowledge line 1252But puts it off to a compelled restraint, line 1253Whose want and whose delay is strewed with sweets, 45line 1254Which they distill now in the curbèd time line 1255To make the coming hour o’erflow with joy line 1256And pleasure drown the brim. line 1257HELENWhat’s his will else? PAROLLES line 1258That you will take your instant leave o’ th’ King 50line 1259And make this haste as your own good proceeding, line 1260Strengthened with what apology you think line 1261May make it probable need. line 1262HELENWhat more commands he? PAROLLES line 1263That, having this obtained, you presently 55line 1264Attend his further pleasure. HELEN line 1265In everything I wait upon his will. line 1266PAROLLESI shall report it so.Parolles exits. line 1267HELENto FoolI pray you, come, sirrah.
They exit.
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 91
Scene 5
Enter Lafew and Bertram.
line 1268LAFEWBut I hope your Lordship thinks not him a line 1269soldier. line 1270BERTRAMYes, my lord, and of very valiant approof. line 1271LAFEWYou have it from his own deliverance. 5line 1272BERTRAMAnd by other warranted testimony. line 1273LAFEWThen my dial goes not true. I took this lark for line 1274a bunting. line 1275BERTRAMI do assure you, my lord, he is very great in line 1276knowledge and accordingly valiant. 10line 1277LAFEWI have then sinned against his experience and line 1278transgressed against his valor, and my state that line 1279way is dangerous since I cannot yet find in my line 1280heart to repent. Here he comes. I pray you make us line 1281friends. I will pursue the amity.
Enter Parolles.
15line 1282PAROLLESto BertramThese things shall be done, sir. line 1283LAFEWto BertramPray you, sir, who’s his tailor? line 1284PAROLLESSir? line 1285LAFEWO, I know him well. Ay, sir, he, sir, ’s a good line 1286workman, a very good tailor. 20line 1287BERTRAMaside to ParollesIs she gone to the King? line 1288PAROLLESShe is. line 1289BERTRAMWill she away tonight? line 1290PAROLLESAs you’ll have her. BERTRAM line 1291I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure, 25line 1292Given order for our horses, and tonight, line 1293When I should take possession of the bride, line 1294End ere I do begin. line 1295LAFEWasideA good traveler is something at the latter line 1296end of a dinner, but one that lies three thirds, 30line 1297and uses a known truth to pass a thousand nothings Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 93line 1298with, should be once heard and thrice beaten.— line 1299God save you, captain. line 1300BERTRAMto ParollesIs there any unkindness line 1301between my lord and you, monsieur? 35line 1302PAROLLESI know not how I have deserved to run into line 1303my lord’s displeasure. line 1304LAFEWYou have made shift to run into ’t, boots and line 1305spurs and all, like him that leapt into the custard; line 1306and out of it you’ll run again rather than suffer 40line 1307question for your residence. line 1308BERTRAMIt may be you have mistaken him, my lord. line 1309LAFEWAnd shall do so ever, though I took him at ’s line 1310prayers. Fare you well, my lord, and believe this of line 1311me: there can be no kernel in this light nut. The 45line 1312soul of this man is his clothes. Trust him not in line 1313matter of heavy consequence. I have kept of them line 1314tame and know their natures.—Farewell, monsieur. line 1315I have spoken better of you than you have or line 1316will to deserve at my hand, but we must do good 50line 1317against evil.He exits. line 1318PAROLLESAn idle lord, I swear. line 1319BERTRAMI think not so. line 1320PAROLLESWhy, do you not know him? BERTRAM line 1321Yes, I do know him well, and common speech 55line 1322Gives him a worthy pass.
Enter Helen.
line 1323Here comes my clog. HELEN line 1324I have, sir, as I was commanded from you, line 1325Spoke with the King and have procured his leave line 1326For present parting. Only he desires 60line 1327Some private speech with you. line 1328BERTRAMI shall obey his will. line 1329You must not marvel, Helen, at my course, Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 95line 1330Which holds not color with the time, nor does line 1331The ministration and requirèd office 65line 1332On my particular. Prepared I was not line 1333For such a business; therefore am I found line 1334So much unsettled. This drives me to entreat you line 1335That presently you take your way for home, line 1336And rather muse than ask why I entreat you; 70line 1337For my respects are better than they seem, line 1338And my appointments have in them a need line 1339Greater than shows itself at the first view line 1340To you that know them not.Giving her a paper. line 1341This to my mother. 75line 1342’Twill be two days ere I shall see you, so line 1343I leave you to your wisdom. line 1344HELENSir, I can nothing say line 1345But that I am your most obedient servant— BERTRAM line 1346Come, come, no more of that. 80line 1347HELENAnd ever shall line 1348With true observance seek to eke out that line 1349Wherein toward me my homely stars have failed line 1350To equal my great fortune. line 1351BERTRAMLet that go. 85line 1352My haste is very great. Farewell. Hie home. HELEN line 1353Pray, sir, your pardon. line 1354BERTRAMWell, what would you say? HELEN line 1355I am not worthy of the wealth I owe, line 1356Nor dare I say ’tis mine—and yet it is— 90line 1357But, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal line 1358What law does vouch mine own. line 1359BERTRAMWhat would you have? HELEN line 1360Something, and scarce so much; nothing, indeed. Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 97line 1361I would not tell you what I would, my lord. Faith, 95line 1362yes: line 1363Strangers and foes do sunder and not kiss. BERTRAM line 1364I pray you stay not, but in haste to horse. HELEN line 1365I shall not break your bidding, good my lord.— line 1366Where are my other men?—Monsieur, farewell.
She exits.
BERTRAM 100line 1367Go thou toward home, where I will never come line 1368Whilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum.— line 1369Away, and for our flight. line 1370PAROLLESBravely, coraggio!
They exit.
ACT 3
Scene 1
Flourish. Enter the Duke of Florence, the two French Lords, with a troop of Soldiers.
DUKE line 1371So that from point to point now have you heard line 1372The fundamental reasons of this war, line 1373Whose great decision hath much blood let forth line 1374And more thirsts after. 5line 1375FIRST LORDHoly seems the quarrel line 1376Upon your Grace’s part, black and fearful line 1377On the opposer. DUKE line 1378Therefore we marvel much our cousin France line 1379Would in so just a business shut his bosom 10line 1380Against our borrowing prayers. line 1381SECOND LORDGood my lord, line 1382The reasons of our state I cannot yield line 1383But like a common and an outward man line 1384That the great figure of a council frames 15line 1385By self-unable motion; therefore dare not line 1386Say what I think of it, since I have found line 1387Myself in my incertain grounds to fail line 1388As often as I guessed. line 1389DUKEBe it his pleasure. Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 103FIRST LORD 20line 1390But I am sure the younger of our nation, line 1391That surfeit on their ease, will day by day line 1392Come here for physic. line 1393DUKEWelcome shall they be, line 1394And all the honors that can fly from us 25line 1395Shall on them settle. You know your places well. line 1396When better fall, for your avails they fell. line 1397Tomorrow to th’ field.
Flourish. They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Countess, with a paper, and Fool.
line 1398COUNTESSIt hath happened all as I would have had it, line 1399save that he comes not along with her. line 1400FOOLBy my troth, I take my young lord to be a very line 1401melancholy man. 5line 1402COUNTESSBy what observance, I pray you? line 1403FOOLWhy, he will look upon his boot and sing, mend line 1404the ruff and sing, ask questions and sing, pick his line 1405teeth and sing. I know a man that had this trick of line 1406melancholy sold a goodly manor for a song. 10line 1407COUNTESSLet me see what he writes and when he line 1408means to come.She opens the letter. line 1409FOOLI have no mind to Isbel since I was at court. Our line 1410old lings and our Isbels o’ th’ country are nothing line 1411like your old ling and your Isbels o’ th’ court. The 15line 1412brains of my Cupid’s knocked out, and I begin to line 1413love as an old man loves money, with no stomach. line 1414COUNTESSWhat have we here? line 1415FOOLE’en that you have there.He exits. line 1416COUNTESSreads.I have sent you a daughter-in-law. 20line 1417She hath recovered the King and undone me. I have line 1418wedded her, not bedded her, and sworn to make the Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 105line 1419“not” eternal. You shall hear I am run away. Know it line 1420before the report come. If there be breadth enough in line 1421the world, I will hold a long distance. My duty to 25line 1422you. line 1423Your unfortunate son, line 1424Bertram. line 1425This is not well, rash and unbridled boy: line 1426To fly the favors of so good a king, 30line 1427To pluck his indignation on thy head line 1428By the misprizing of a maid too virtuous line 1429For the contempt of empire.
Enter Fool.
line 1430FOOLO madam, yonder is heavy news within, between line 1431two soldiers and my young lady. 35line 1432COUNTESSWhat is the matter? line 1433FOOLNay, there is some comfort in the news, some line 1434comfort. Your son will not be killed so soon as I line 1435thought he would. line 1436COUNTESSWhy should he be killed? 40line 1437FOOLSo say I, madam, if he run away, as I hear he line 1438does. The danger is in standing to ’t; that’s the loss line 1439of men, though it be the getting of children. Here line 1440they come will tell you more. For my part, I only line 1441hear your son was run away.He exits.
Enter Helen, with a paper, and two Gentlemen.
45line 1442FIRST GENTLEMANto CountessSave you, good line 1443madam. HELEN line 1444Madam, my lord is gone, forever gone. line 1445SECOND GENTLEMANDo not say so. COUNTESS line 1446Think upon patience, pray you.—Gentlemen, 50line 1447I have felt so many quirks of joy and grief line 1448That the first face of neither on the start line 1449Can woman me unto ’t. Where is my son, I pray you? Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 107SECOND GENTLEMAN line 1450Madam, he’s gone to serve the Duke of Florence. line 1451We met him thitherward, for thence we came, 55line 1452And, after some dispatch in hand at court, line 1453Thither we bend again. HELEN line 1454Look on his letter, madam; here’s my passport. line 1455She reads. When thou canst get the ring upon line 1456my finger, which never shall come off, and show me 60line 1457a child begotten of thy body that I am father to, then line 1458call me husband. But in such a “then” I write a line 1459“never.” line 1460This is a dreadful sentence. COUNTESS line 1461Brought you this letter, gentlemen? 65line 1462SECOND GENTLEMANAy, madam, line 1463And for the contents’ sake are sorry for our pains. COUNTESS line 1464I prithee, lady, have a better cheer. line 1465If thou engrossest all the griefs are thine, line 1466Thou robb’st me of a moiety. He was my son, 70line 1467But I do wash his name out of my blood, line 1468And thou art all my child.—Towards Florence is he? line 1469SECOND GENTLEMANAy, madam. line 1470COUNTESSAnd to be a soldier? SECOND GENTLEMAN line 1471Such is his noble purpose, and, believe ’t, 75line 1472The Duke will lay upon him all the honor line 1473That good convenience claims. line 1474COUNTESSReturn you thither? FIRST GENTLEMAN line 1475Ay, madam, with the swiftest wing of speed. HELENreads line 1476Till I have no wife I have nothing in France. 80line 1477’Tis bitter. Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 109line 1478COUNTESSFind you that there? line 1479HELENAy, madam. FIRST GENTLEMAN line 1480’Tis but the boldness of his hand, haply, line 1481Which his heart was not consenting to. COUNTESS 85line 1482Nothing in France until he have no wife! line 1483There’s nothing here that is too good for him line 1484But only she, and she deserves a lord line 1485That twenty such rude boys might tend upon line 1486And call her hourly mistress. Who was with him? FIRST GENTLEMAN 90line 1487A servant only, and a gentleman line 1488Which I have sometime known. line 1489COUNTESSParolles was it not? line 1490FIRST GENTLEMANAy, my good lady, he. COUNTESS line 1491A very tainted fellow, and full of wickedness. 95line 1492My son corrupts a well-derivèd nature line 1493With his inducement. line 1494FIRST GENTLEMANIndeed, good lady, line 1495The fellow has a deal of that too much line 1496Which holds him much to have. 100line 1497COUNTESSYou’re welcome, line 1498gentlemen. line 1499I will entreat you when you see my son line 1500To tell him that his sword can never win line 1501The honor that he loses. More I’ll entreat you 105line 1502Written to bear along. line 1503SECOND GENTLEMANWe serve you, madam, line 1504In that and all your worthiest affairs. COUNTESS line 1505Not so, but as we change our courtesies. line 1506Will you draw near?
She exits with the Gentlemen.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 111HELEN 110line 1507“Till I have no wife I have nothing in France.” line 1508Nothing in France until he has no wife. line 1509Thou shalt have none, Rossillion, none in France. line 1510Then hast thou all again. Poor lord, is ’t I line 1511That chase thee from thy country and expose 115line 1512Those tender limbs of thine to the event line 1513Of the none-sparing war? And is it I line 1514That drive thee from the sportive court, where thou line 1515Wast shot at with fair eyes, to be the mark line 1516Of smoky muskets? O you leaden messengers 120line 1517That ride upon the violent speed of fire, line 1518Fly with false aim; move the still-’pearing air line 1519That sings with piercing; do not touch my lord. line 1520Whoever shoots at him, I set him there; line 1521Whoever charges on his forward breast, 125line 1522I am the caitiff that do hold him to ’t; line 1523And though I kill him not, I am the cause line 1524His death was so effected. Better ’twere line 1525I met the ravin lion when he roared line 1526With sharp constraint of hunger; better ’twere 130line 1527That all the miseries which nature owes line 1528Were mine at once. No, come thou home, Rossillion, line 1529Whence honor but of danger wins a scar, line 1530As oft it loses all. I will be gone. line 1531My being here it is that holds thee hence. 135line 1532Shall I stay here to do ’t? No, no, although line 1533The air of paradise did fan the house line 1534And angels officed all. I will be gone, line 1535That pitiful rumor may report my flight line 1536To consolate thine ear. Come, night; end, day; 140line 1537For with the dark, poor thief, I’ll steal away.
She exits.
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 113
Scene 3
Flourish. Enter the Duke of Florence, Bertram Count Rossillion, Drum and Trumpets, Soldiers, Parolles.
DUKEto Bertram line 1538The general of our horse thou art, and we, line 1539Great in our hope, lay our best love and credence line 1540Upon thy promising fortune. line 1541BERTRAMSir, it is 5line 1542A charge too heavy for my strength, but yet line 1543We’ll strive to bear it for your worthy sake line 1544To th’ extreme edge of hazard. line 1545DUKEThen go thou forth, line 1546And Fortune play upon thy prosperous helm 10line 1547As thy auspicious mistress. line 1548BERTRAMThis very day, line 1549Great Mars, I put myself into thy file. line 1550Make me but like my thoughts, and I shall prove line 1551A lover of thy drum, hater of love.
All exit.
Scene 4
Enter Countess and Steward, with a paper.
COUNTESS line 1552Alas! And would you take the letter of her? line 1553Might you not know she would do as she has done line 1554By sending me a letter? Read it again. STEWARDreads the letter line 1555I am Saint Jaques’ pilgrim, thither gone. 5line 1556Ambitious love hath so in me offended line 1557That barefoot plod I the cold ground upon, line 1558With sainted vow my faults to have amended. line 1559Write, write, that from the bloody course of war line 1560My dearest master, your dear son, may hie. Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 11510line 1561Bless him at home in peace, whilst I from far line 1562His name with zealous fervor sanctify. line 1563His taken labors bid him me forgive; line 1564I, his despiteful Juno, sent him forth line 1565From courtly friends, with camping foes to live 15line 1566Where death and danger dogs the heels of worth. line 1567He is too good and fair for death and me, line 1568Whom I myself embrace to set him free. COUNTESS line 1569Ah, what sharp stings are in her mildest words! line 1570Rinaldo, you did never lack advice so much 20line 1571As letting her pass so. Had I spoke with her, line 1572I could have well diverted her intents, line 1573Which thus she hath prevented. line 1574STEWARDPardon me, madam. line 1575If I had given you this at overnight, 25line 1576She might have been o’erta’en. And yet she writes line 1577Pursuit would be but vain. line 1578COUNTESSWhat angel shall line 1579Bless this unworthy husband? He cannot thrive line 1580Unless her prayers, whom heaven delights to hear 30line 1581And loves to grant, reprieve him from the wrath line 1582Of greatest justice. Write, write, Rinaldo, line 1583To this unworthy husband of his wife. line 1584Let every word weigh heavy of her worth line 1585That he does weigh too light. My greatest grief, 35line 1586Though little he do feel it, set down sharply. line 1587Dispatch the most convenient messenger. line 1588When haply he shall hear that she is gone, line 1589He will return; and hope I may that she, line 1590Hearing so much, will speed her foot again, 40line 1591Led hither by pure love. Which of them both line 1592Is dearest to me, I have no skill in sense line 1593To make distinction. Provide this messenger. line 1594My heart is heavy, and mine age is weak. line 1595Grief would have tears, and sorrow bids me speak.
They exit.
Act 3 Scene 5 - Pg 117
Scene 5
A tucket afar off. Enter old Widow of Florence, her daughter Diana, and Mariana, with other Citizens.
line 1596WIDOWNay, come, for if they do approach the city, we line 1597shall lose all the sight. line 1598DIANAThey say the French count has done most honorable line 1599service. 5line 1600WIDOWIt is reported that he has taken their great’st line 1601commander, and that with his own hand he slew line 1602the Duke’s brother. A trumpet sounds. We have line 1603lost our labor. They are gone a contrary way. Hark, line 1604you may know by their trumpets. 10line 1605MARIANACome, let’s return again and suffice ourselves line 1606with the report of it.—Well, Diana, take heed of line 1607this French earl. The honor of a maid is her name, line 1608and no legacy is so rich as honesty. line 1609WIDOWto DianaI have told my neighbor how you 15line 1610have been solicited by a gentleman, his line 1611companion. line 1612MARIANAI know that knave, hang him! One Parolles, a line 1613filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the line 1614young earl.—Beware of them, Diana. Their promises, 20line 1615enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these line 1616engines of lust are not the things they go under. line 1617Many a maid hath been seduced by them; and line 1618the misery is example that so terrible shows in the line 1619wrack of maidenhood cannot for all that dissuade 25line 1620succession, but that they are limed with the twigs line 1621that threatens them. I hope I need not to advise line 1622you further, but I hope your own grace will keep line 1623you where you are, though there were no further line 1624danger known but the modesty which is so lost. 30line 1625DIANAYou shall not need to fear me. line 1626WIDOWI hope so. Act 3 Scene 5 - Pg 119
Enter Helen as a pilgrim.
line 1627Look, here comes a pilgrim. I know she will lie at line 1628my house; thither they send one another. I’ll question line 1629her.—God save you, pilgrim. Whither are 35line 1630bound? line 1631HELENas pilgrimTo Saint Jaques le Grand. line 1632Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you? WIDOW line 1633At the Saint Francis here beside the port. line 1634HELENas pilgrimIs this the way?A march afar. WIDOW 40line 1635Ay, marry, is ’t.—Hark you, they come this way.— line 1636If you will tarry, holy pilgrim, line 1637But till the troops come by, line 1638I will conduct you where you shall be lodged, line 1639The rather for I think I know your hostess 45line 1640As ample as myself. line 1641HELENas pilgrimIs it yourself? line 1642WIDOWIf you shall please so, pilgrim. HELENas pilgrim line 1643I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure. WIDOW line 1644You came I think from France? 50line 1645HELENas pilgrimI did so. WIDOW line 1646Here you shall see a countryman of yours line 1647That has done worthy service. line 1648HELENas pilgrimHis name, I pray you? DIANA line 1649The Count Rossillion. Know you such a one? HELENas pilgrim 55line 1650But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him. line 1651His face I know not. line 1652DIANAWhatsome’er he is, line 1653He’s bravely taken here. He stole from France, Act 3 Scene 5 - Pg 121line 1654As ’tis reported, for the King had married him 60line 1655Against his liking. Think you it is so? HELENas pilgrim line 1656Ay, surely, mere the truth. I know his lady. DIANA line 1657There is a gentleman that serves the Count line 1658Reports but coarsely of her. line 1659HELENas pilgrimWhat’s his name? DIANA 65line 1660Monsieur Parolles. line 1661HELENas pilgrimO, I believe with him. line 1662In argument of praise, or to the worth line 1663Of the great count himself, she is too mean line 1664To have her name repeated. All her deserving 70line 1665Is a reservèd honesty, and that line 1666I have not heard examined. line 1667DIANAAlas, poor lady, line 1668’Tis a hard bondage to become the wife line 1669Of a detesting lord. WIDOW 75line 1670I warrant, good creature, wheresoe’er she is, line 1671Her heart weighs sadly. This young maid might do line 1672her line 1673A shrewd turn if she pleased. line 1674HELENas pilgrimHow do you mean? 80line 1675Maybe the amorous count solicits her line 1676In the unlawful purpose? line 1677WIDOWHe does indeed, line 1678And brokes with all that can in such a suit line 1679Corrupt the tender honor of a maid, 85line 1680But she is armed for him and keeps her guard line 1681In honestest defense. MARIANA line 1682The gods forbid else! Act 3 Scene 5 - Pg 123
Drum and Colors. Enter Bertram Count Rossillion, Parolles, and the whole Army.
line 1683WIDOWSo, now they come. line 1684That is Antonio, the Duke’s eldest son; 90line 1685That, Escalus. line 1686HELENas pilgrimWhich is the Frenchman? line 1687DIANAHe, line 1688That with the plume. ’Tis a most gallant fellow. line 1689I would he loved his wife. If he were honester, 95line 1690He were much goodlier. Is ’t not a handsome line 1691gentleman? line 1692HELENas pilgrimI like him well. DIANA line 1693’Tis pity he is not honest. Yond’s that same knave line 1694That leads him to these places. Were I his lady, 100line 1695I would poison that vile rascal. line 1696HELENas pilgrimWhich is he? DIANA line 1697That jackanapes with scarves. Why is he melancholy? line 1698HELENas pilgrimPerchance he’s hurt i’ th’ battle. line 1699PAROLLESLose our drum? Well. 105line 1700MARIANAHe’s shrewdly vexed at something. Look, he line 1701has spied us. line 1702WIDOWto ParollesMarry, hang you. line 1703MARIANAto ParollesAnd your courtesy, for a line 1704ring-carrier.
Bertram, Parolles, and the army exit.
WIDOW 110line 1705The troop is passed. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you line 1706Where you shall host. Of enjoined penitents line 1707There’s four or five, to Great Saint Jaques bound, line 1708Already at my house. line 1709HELENas pilgrimI humbly thank you. 115line 1710Please it this matron and this gentle maid line 1711To eat with us tonight, the charge and thanking Act 3 Scene 6 - Pg 125line 1712Shall be for me. And to requite you further, line 1713I will bestow some precepts of this virgin line 1714Worthy the note. 120line 1715BOTHWe’ll take your offer kindly.
They exit.
Scene 6
Enter Bertram Count Rossillion and the French Lords, as at first.
line 1716FIRST LORDNay, good my lord, put him to ’t. Let him line 1717have his way. line 1718SECOND LORDIf your Lordship find him not a hilding, line 1719hold me no more in your respect. 5line 1720FIRST LORDOn my life, my lord, a bubble. line 1721BERTRAMDo you think I am so far deceived in him? line 1722FIRST LORDBelieve it, my lord. In mine own direct line 1723knowledge, without any malice, but to speak of line 1724him as my kinsman, he’s a most notable coward, 10line 1725an infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise-breaker, line 1726the owner of no one good quality worthy line 1727your Lordship’s entertainment. line 1728SECOND LORDIt were fit you knew him, lest, reposing line 1729too far in his virtue, which he hath not, he might 15line 1730at some great and trusty business in a main danger line 1731fail you. line 1732BERTRAMI would I knew in what particular action to line 1733try him. line 1734SECOND LORDNone better than to let him fetch off his 20line 1735drum, which you hear him so confidently undertake line 1736to do. line 1737FIRST LORDI, with a troop of Florentines, will suddenly line 1738surprise him. Such I will have whom I am sure line 1739he knows not from the enemy. We will bind and 25line 1740hoodwink him so, that he shall suppose no other Act 3 Scene 6 - Pg 127line 1741but that he is carried into the leaguer of the adversary’s line 1742when we bring him to our own tents. Be but line 1743your Lordship present at his examination. If he do line 1744not for the promise of his life, and in the highest 30line 1745compulsion of base fear, offer to betray you and line 1746deliver all the intelligence in his power against line 1747you, and that with the divine forfeit of his soul line 1748upon oath, never trust my judgment in anything. line 1749SECOND LORDO, for the love of laughter, let him fetch 35line 1750his drum. He says he has a stratagem for ’t. When line 1751your Lordship sees the bottom of his success in line 1752’t, and to what metal this counterfeit lump of ore line 1753will be melted, if you give him not John Drum’s line 1754entertainment, your inclining cannot be removed. 40line 1755Here he comes.
Enter Parolles.
line 1756FIRST LORDaside to BertramO, for the love of laughter, line 1757hinder not the honor of his design. Let him line 1758fetch off his drum in any hand. line 1759BERTRAMto ParollesHow now, monsieur? This 45line 1760drum sticks sorely in your disposition. line 1761SECOND LORDA pox on ’t! Let it go. ’Tis but a drum. line 1762PAROLLESBut a drum! Is ’t but a drum? A drum so line 1763lost! There was excellent command, to charge in line 1764with our horse upon our own wings and to rend 50line 1765our own soldiers! line 1766SECOND LORDThat was not to be blamed in the command line 1767of the service. It was a disaster of war that line 1768Caesar himself could not have prevented if he had line 1769been there to command. 55line 1770BERTRAMWell, we cannot greatly condemn our success. line 1771Some dishonor we had in the loss of that line 1772drum, but it is not to be recovered. line 1773PAROLLESIt might have been recovered. line 1774BERTRAMIt might, but it is not now. Act 3 Scene 6 - Pg 12960line 1775PAROLLESIt is to be recovered. But that the merit of line 1776service is seldom attributed to the true and exact line 1777performer, I would have that drum or another, or line 1778hic jacet. line 1779BERTRAMWhy, if you have a stomach, to ’t, monsieur! 65line 1780If you think your mystery in stratagem can bring line 1781this instrument of honor again into his native line 1782quarter, be magnanimous in the enterprise and go line 1783on. I will grace the attempt for a worthy exploit. If line 1784you speed well in it, the Duke shall both speak of it 70line 1785and extend to you what further becomes his greatness, line 1786even to the utmost syllable of your line 1787worthiness. line 1788PAROLLESBy the hand of a soldier, I will undertake it. line 1789BERTRAMBut you must not now slumber in it. 75line 1790PAROLLESI’ll about it this evening, and I will presently line 1791pen down my dilemmas, encourage myself in my line 1792certainty, put myself into my mortal preparation; line 1793and by midnight look to hear further from me. line 1794BERTRAMMay I be bold to acquaint his Grace you are 80line 1795gone about it? line 1796PAROLLESI know not what the success will be, my line 1797lord, but the attempt I vow. line 1798BERTRAMI know thou ’rt valiant, and to the possibility line 1799of thy soldiership will subscribe for thee. Farewell. 85line 1800PAROLLESI love not many words.He exits. line 1801FIRST LORDNo more than a fish loves water. Is not this line 1802a strange fellow, my lord, that so confidently seems line 1803to undertake this business which he knows is not line 1804to be done, damns himself to do, and dares better 90line 1805be damned than to do ’t? line 1806SECOND LORDYou do not know him, my lord, as we do. line 1807Certain it is that he will steal himself into a man’s line 1808favor and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries, line 1809but when you find him out, you have him 95line 1810ever after. Act 3 Scene 6 - Pg 131line 1811BERTRAMWhy, do you think he will make no deed at line 1812all of this that so seriously he does address himself line 1813unto? line 1814FIRST LORDNone in the world, but return with an 100line 1815invention and clap upon you two or three probable line 1816lies. But we have almost embossed him. You shall line 1817see his fall tonight; for indeed he is not for your line 1818Lordship’s respect. line 1819SECOND LORDWe’ll make you some sport with the fox 105line 1820ere we case him. He was first smoked by the old line 1821Lord Lafew. When his disguise and he is parted, line 1822tell me what a sprat you shall find him, which you line 1823shall see this very night. line 1824FIRST LORDI must go look my twigs. He shall be 110line 1825caught. line 1826BERTRAMYour brother he shall go along with me. line 1827FIRST LORDAs ’t please your Lordship. I’ll leave you.
He exits.
BERTRAM line 1828Now will I lead you to the house and show you line 1829The lass I spoke of. 115line 1830SECOND LORDBut you say she’s honest. BERTRAM line 1831That’s all the fault. I spoke with her but once line 1832And found her wondrous cold. But I sent to her, line 1833By this same coxcomb that we have i’ th’ wind, line 1834Tokens and letters, which she did re-send. 120line 1835And this is all I have done. She’s a fair creature. line 1836Will you go see her? line 1837SECOND LORDWith all my heart, my lord.
They exit.
Act 3 Scene 7 - Pg 133
Scene 7
Enter Helen and Widow.
HELEN line 1838If you misdoubt me that I am not she, line 1839I know not how I shall assure you further line 1840But I shall lose the grounds I work upon. WIDOW line 1841Though my estate be fall’n, I was well born, 5line 1842Nothing acquainted with these businesses, line 1843And would not put my reputation now line 1844In any staining act. line 1845HELENNor would I wish you. line 1846First give me trust the Count he is my husband, 10line 1847And what to your sworn counsel I have spoken line 1848Is so from word to word; and then you cannot, line 1849By the good aid that I of you shall borrow, line 1850Err in bestowing it. line 1851WIDOWI should believe you, 15line 1852For you have showed me that which well approves line 1853You’re great in fortune. line 1854HELENTake this purse of gold, line 1855And let me buy your friendly help thus far, line 1856Which I will overpay and pay again 20line 1857When I have found it. The Count he woos your line 1858daughter, line 1859Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty, line 1860Resolved to carry her. Let her in fine consent line 1861As we’ll direct her how ’tis best to bear it. 25line 1862Now his important blood will naught deny line 1863That she’ll demand. A ring the County wears line 1864That downward hath succeeded in his house line 1865From son to son some four or five descents line 1866Since the first father wore it. This ring he holds 30line 1867In most rich choice. Yet, in his idle fire, line 1868To buy his will it would not seem too dear, line 1869Howe’er repented after. Act 3 Scene 7 - Pg 135WIDOW line 1870Now I see the bottom of your purpose. HELEN line 1871You see it lawful, then. It is no more 35line 1872But that your daughter, ere she seems as won, line 1873Desires this ring, appoints him an encounter, line 1874In fine, delivers me to fill the time, line 1875Herself most chastely absent. After, line 1876To marry her, I’ll add three thousand crowns 40line 1877To what is passed already. line 1878WIDOWI have yielded. line 1879Instruct my daughter how she shall persever line 1880That time and place with this deceit so lawful line 1881May prove coherent. Every night he comes 45line 1882With musics of all sorts and songs composed line 1883To her unworthiness. It nothing steads us line 1884To chide him from our eaves, for he persists line 1885As if his life lay on ’t. line 1886HELENWhy then tonight 50line 1887Let us assay our plot, which, if it speed, line 1888Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed, line 1889And lawful meaning in a lawful act, line 1890Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact. line 1891But let’s about it.
They exit.
ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter one of the French Lords, with five or six other Soldiers in ambush.
line 1892LORDHe can come no other way but by this hedge line 1893corner. When you sally upon him, speak what terrible line 1894language you will. Though you understand it line 1895not yourselves, no matter. For we must not seem to 5line 1896understand him, unless some one among us whom line 1897we must produce for an interpreter. line 1898FIRST SOLDIERGood captain, let me be th’ interpreter. line 1899LORDArt not acquainted with him? Knows he not thy line 1900voice? 10line 1901FIRST SOLDIERNo, sir, I warrant you. line 1902LORDBut what linsey-woolsey hast thou to speak to line 1903us again? line 1904FIRST SOLDIERE’en such as you speak to me. line 1905LORDHe must think us some band of strangers i’ th’ 15line 1906adversary’s entertainment. Now, he hath a smack line 1907of all neighboring languages. Therefore we must line 1908every one be a man of his own fancy, not to know line 1909what we speak one to another. So we seem to know line 1910is to know straight our purpose: choughs’ language, 20line 1911gabble enough and good enough. As for line 1912you, interpreter, you must seem very politic. But line 1913couch, ho! Here he comes to beguile two hours in Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 141line 1914a sleep and then to return and swear the lies he line 1915forges.They move aside.
Enter Parolles.
25line 1916PAROLLESTen o’clock. Within these three hours ’twill line 1917be time enough to go home. What shall I say I have line 1918done? It must be a very plausive invention that line 1919carries it. They begin to smoke me, and disgraces line 1920have of late knocked too often at my door. I find 30line 1921my tongue is too foolhardy, but my heart hath the line 1922fear of Mars before it, and of his creatures, not line 1923daring the reports of my tongue. line 1924LORDasideThis is the first truth that e’er thine own line 1925tongue was guilty of. 35line 1926PAROLLESWhat the devil should move me to undertake line 1927the recovery of this drum, being not ignorant line 1928of the impossibility and knowing I had no such line 1929purpose? I must give myself some hurts and say I line 1930got them in exploit. Yet slight ones will not carry it. 40line 1931They will say “Came you off with so little?” And line 1932great ones I dare not give. Wherefore? What’s the line 1933instance? Tongue, I must put you into a butter-woman’s line 1934mouth and buy myself another of line 1935Bajazeth’s mule if you prattle me into these perils. 45line 1936LORDasideIs it possible he should know what he is, line 1937and be that he is? line 1938PAROLLESI would the cutting of my garments would line 1939serve the turn, or the breaking of my Spanish line 1940sword. 50line 1941LORDasideWe cannot afford you so. line 1942PAROLLESOr the baring of my beard, and to say it was line 1943in stratagem. line 1944LORDaside’Twould not do. line 1945PAROLLESOr to drown my clothes and say I was 55line 1946stripped. line 1947LORDasideHardly serve. Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 143line 1948PAROLLESThough I swore I leapt from the window of line 1949the citadel— line 1950LORDasideHow deep? 60line 1951PAROLLESThirty fathom. line 1952LORDasideThree great oaths would scarce make line 1953that be believed. line 1954PAROLLESI would I had any drum of the enemy’s. I line 1955would swear I recovered it. 65line 1956LORDasideYou shall hear one anon. line 1957PAROLLESA drum, now, of the enemy’s—
Alarum within.
line 1958LORDadvancingThroca movousus, cargo, cargo, line 1959cargo. line 1960ALLCargo, cargo, cargo, villianda par corbo, cargo.
They seize him.
70line 1961PAROLLESO ransom, ransom! Do not hide mine eyes.
They blindfold him.
line 1962FIRST SOLDIERBoskos thromuldo boskos. PAROLLES line 1963I know you are the Muskos’ regiment, line 1964And I shall lose my life for want of language. line 1965If there be here German or Dane, Low Dutch, 75line 1966Italian, or French, let him speak to me. line 1967I’ll discover that which shall undo the Florentine. line 1968FIRST SOLDIERBoskos vauvado, I understand thee and line 1969can speak thy tongue. Kerelybonto, sir, betake thee line 1970to thy faith, for seventeen poniards are at thy 80line 1971bosom. line 1972PAROLLESO! line 1973FIRST SOLDIERO, pray, pray, pray! Manka reuania line 1974dulche. line 1975LORDOscorbidulchos voliuorco. FIRST SOLDIER 85line 1976The General is content to spare thee yet line 1977And, hoodwinked as thou art, will lead thee on line 1978To gather from thee. Haply thou mayst inform line 1979Something to save thy life. Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 145line 1980PAROLLESO, let me live, 90line 1981And all the secrets of our camp I’ll show, line 1982Their force, their purposes. Nay, I’ll speak that line 1983Which you will wonder at. line 1984FIRST SOLDIERBut wilt thou faithfully? line 1985PAROLLESIf I do not, damn me. 95line 1986FIRST SOLDIERAcordo linta. Come on, thou art line 1987granted space.
He exits with Parolles under guard.
A short alarum within.
LORD line 1988Go tell the Count Rossillion and my brother line 1989We have caught the woodcock and will keep him line 1990muffled 100line 1991Till we do hear from them. line 1992SECOND SOLDIERCaptain, I will. LORD line 1993He will betray us all unto ourselves. line 1994Inform on that. line 1995SECOND SOLDIERSo I will, sir. LORD 105line 1996Till then I’ll keep him dark and safely locked.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Bertram and the maid called Diana.
BERTRAM line 1997They told me that your name was Fontibell. DIANA line 1998No, my good lord, Diana. line 1999BERTRAMTitled goddess, line 2000And worth it, with addition. But, fair soul, 5line 2001In your fine frame hath love no quality? line 2002If the quick fire of youth light not your mind, Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 147line 2003You are no maiden but a monument. line 2004When you are dead, you should be such a one line 2005As you are now, for you are cold and stern, 10line 2006And now you should be as your mother was line 2007When your sweet self was got. DIANA line 2008She then was honest. line 2009BERTRAMSo should you be. line 2010DIANANo. 15line 2011My mother did but duty—such, my lord, line 2012As you owe to your wife. line 2013BERTRAMNo more o’ that. line 2014I prithee do not strive against my vows. line 2015I was compelled to her, but I love thee 20line 2016By love’s own sweet constraint, and will forever line 2017Do thee all rights of service. line 2018DIANAAy, so you serve us line 2019Till we serve you. But when you have our roses, line 2020You barely leave our thorns to prick ourselves 25line 2021And mock us with our bareness. line 2022BERTRAMHow have I sworn! DIANA line 2023’Tis not the many oaths that makes the truth, line 2024But the plain single vow that is vowed true. line 2025What is not holy, that we swear not by, 30line 2026But take the high’st to witness. Then pray you, tell line 2027me, line 2028If I should swear by Jove’s great attributes line 2029I loved you dearly, would you believe my oaths line 2030When I did love you ill? This has no holding 35line 2031To swear by him whom I protest to love line 2032That I will work against him. Therefore your oaths line 2033Are words, and poor conditions but unsealed, line 2034At least in my opinion. line 2035BERTRAMChange it, change it. 40line 2036Be not so holy-cruel. Love is holy, Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 149line 2037And my integrity ne’er knew the crafts line 2038That you do charge men with. Stand no more off, line 2039But give thyself unto my sick desires, line 2040Who then recovers. Say thou art mine, and ever 45line 2041My love as it begins shall so persever. DIANA line 2042I see that men may rope ’s in such a snare line 2043That we’ll forsake ourselves. Give me that ring. BERTRAM line 2044I’ll lend it thee, my dear, but have no power line 2045To give it from me. 50line 2046DIANAWill you not, my lord? BERTRAM line 2047It is an honor ’longing to our house, line 2048Bequeathèd down from many ancestors, line 2049Which were the greatest obloquy i’ th’ world line 2050In me to lose. 55line 2051DIANAMine honor’s such a ring. line 2052My chastity’s the jewel of our house, line 2053Bequeathèd down from many ancestors, line 2054Which were the greatest obloquy i’ th’ world line 2055In me to lose. Thus your own proper wisdom 60line 2056Brings in the champion Honor on my part line 2057Against your vain assault. line 2058BERTRAMHere, take my ring. line 2059My house, mine honor, yea, my life be thine, line 2060And I’ll be bid by thee. DIANA 65line 2061When midnight comes, knock at my chamber line 2062window. line 2063I’ll order take my mother shall not hear. line 2064Now will I charge you in the band of truth, line 2065When you have conquered my yet maiden bed, 70line 2066Remain there but an hour, nor speak to me. line 2067My reasons are most strong, and you shall know them line 2068When back again this ring shall be delivered. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 151line 2069And on your finger in the night I’ll put line 2070Another ring, that what in time proceeds 75line 2071May token to the future our past deeds. line 2072Adieu till then; then, fail not. You have won line 2073A wife of me, though there my hope be done. BERTRAM line 2074A heaven on Earth I have won by wooing thee. DIANA line 2075For which live long to thank both heaven and me! 80line 2076You may so in the end.He exits. line 2077My mother told me just how he would woo line 2078As if she sat in ’s heart. She says all men line 2079Have the like oaths. He had sworn to marry me line 2080When his wife’s dead. Therefore I’ll lie with him 85line 2081When I am buried. Since Frenchmen are so braid, line 2082Marry that will, I live and die a maid. line 2083Only, in this disguise I think ’t no sin line 2084To cozen him that would unjustly win.
She exits.
Scene 3
Enter the two French Lords and some two or three Soldiers.
line 2085FIRST LORDYou have not given him his mother’s line 2086letter? line 2087SECOND LORDI have delivered it an hour since. There line 2088is something in ’t that stings his nature, for on the 5line 2089reading it he changed almost into another man. line 2090FIRST LORDHe has much worthy blame laid upon him line 2091for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady. line 2092SECOND LORDEspecially he hath incurred the everlasting line 2093displeasure of the King, who had even tuned 10line 2094his bounty to sing happiness to him. I will tell you line 2095a thing, but you shall let it dwell darkly with you. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 153line 2096FIRST LORDWhen you have spoken it, ’tis dead, and I line 2097am the grave of it. line 2098SECOND LORDHe hath perverted a young gentlewoman 15line 2099here in Florence of a most chaste renown, line 2100and this night he fleshes his will in the spoil of her line 2101honor. He hath given her his monumental ring and line 2102thinks himself made in the unchaste composition. line 2103FIRST LORDNow God delay our rebellion! As we are 20line 2104ourselves, what things are we! line 2105SECOND LORDMerely our own traitors. And, as in the line 2106common course of all treasons we still see them line 2107reveal themselves till they attain to their abhorred line 2108ends, so he that in this action contrives against his 25line 2109own nobility, in his proper stream o’erflows line 2110himself. line 2111FIRST LORDIs it not meant damnable in us to be trumpeters line 2112of our unlawful intents? We shall not, then, line 2113have his company tonight? 30line 2114SECOND LORDNot till after midnight, for he is dieted to line 2115his hour. line 2116FIRST LORDThat approaches apace. I would gladly line 2117have him see his company anatomized, that he line 2118might take a measure of his own judgments 35line 2119wherein so curiously he had set this counterfeit. line 2120SECOND LORDWe will not meddle with him till he line 2121come, for his presence must be the whip of the line 2122other. line 2123FIRST LORDIn the meantime, what hear you of these 40line 2124wars? line 2125SECOND LORDI hear there is an overture of peace. line 2126FIRST LORDNay, I assure you, a peace concluded. line 2127SECOND LORDWhat will Count Rossillion do then? line 2128Will he travel higher or return again into France? 45line 2129FIRST LORDI perceive by this demand you are not altogether line 2130of his counsel. line 2131SECOND LORDLet it be forbid, sir! So should I be a line 2132great deal of his act. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 155line 2133FIRST LORDSir, his wife some two months since fled 50line 2134from his house. Her pretense is a pilgrimage to line 2135Saint Jaques le Grand, which holy undertaking line 2136with most austere sanctimony she accomplished. line 2137And, there residing, the tenderness of her nature line 2138became as a prey to her grief; in fine, made a groan 55line 2139of her last breath, and now she sings in heaven. line 2140SECOND LORDHow is this justified? line 2141FIRST LORDThe stronger part of it by her own letters, line 2142which makes her story true even to the point of her line 2143death. Her death itself, which could not be her 60line 2144office to say is come, was faithfully confirmed by line 2145the rector of the place. line 2146SECOND LORDHath the Count all this intelligence? line 2147FIRST LORDAy, and the particular confirmations, point line 2148from point, to the full arming of the verity. 65line 2149SECOND LORDI am heartily sorry that he’ll be glad of line 2150this. line 2151FIRST LORDHow mightily sometimes we make us line 2152comforts of our losses. line 2153SECOND LORDAnd how mightily some other times we 70line 2154drown our gain in tears. The great dignity that his line 2155valor hath here acquired for him shall at home be line 2156encountered with a shame as ample. line 2157FIRST LORDThe web of our life is of a mingled yarn, line 2158good and ill together. Our virtues would be proud 75line 2159if our faults whipped them not, and our crimes line 2160would despair if they were not cherished by our line 2161virtues.
Enter a Servant.
line 2162How now? Where’s your master? line 2163SERVANTHe met the Duke in the street, sir, of whom 80line 2164he hath taken a solemn leave. His Lordship will line 2165next morning for France. The Duke hath offered line 2166him letters of commendations to the King. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 157line 2167SECOND LORDThey shall be no more than needful line 2168there, if they were more than they can commend. 85line 2169They cannot be too sweet for the King’s tartness.
Enter Bertram Count Rossillion.
line 2170Here’s his Lordship now.—How now, my lord? Is ’t line 2171not after midnight? line 2172BERTRAMI have tonight dispatched sixteen businesses, line 2173a month’s length apiece. By an abstract of 90line 2174success: I have congeed with the Duke, done my line 2175adieu with his nearest, buried a wife, mourned for line 2176her, writ to my lady mother I am returning, entertained line 2177my convoy, and between these main parcels line 2178of dispatch effected many nicer needs. The last 95line 2179was the greatest, but that I have not ended yet. line 2180SECOND LORDIf the business be of any difficulty, and line 2181this morning your departure hence, it requires line 2182haste of your Lordship. line 2183BERTRAMI mean the business is not ended as fearing 100line 2184to hear of it hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue line 2185between the Fool and the Soldier? Come, line 2186bring forth this counterfeit module; has deceived line 2187me like a double-meaning prophesier. line 2188SECOND LORDBring him forth. Has sat i’ th’ stocks all 105line 2189night, poor gallant knave.Soldiers exit. line 2190BERTRAMNo matter. His heels have deserved it in line 2191usurping his spurs so long. How does he carry line 2192himself? line 2193SECOND LORDI have told your Lordship already: the 110line 2194stocks carry him. But to answer you as you would line 2195be understood: he weeps like a wench that had line 2196shed her milk. He hath confessed himself to Morgan, line 2197whom he supposes to be a friar, from the time line 2198of his remembrance to this very instant disaster of 115line 2199his setting i’ th’ stocks. And what think you he hath line 2200confessed? Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 159line 2201BERTRAMNothing of me, has he? line 2202SECOND LORDHis confession is taken, and it shall be line 2203read to his face. If your Lordship be in ’t, as I 120line 2204believe you are, you must have the patience to line 2205hear it.
Enter Parolles, blindfolded, with his Interpreter, the First Soldier.
line 2206BERTRAMA plague upon him! Muffled! He can say line 2207nothing of me. line 2208FIRST LORDaside to BertramHush, hush. Hoodman 125line 2209comes.—Portotartarossa. line 2210FIRST SOLDIERto ParollesHe calls for the tortures. line 2211What will you say without ’em? line 2212PAROLLESI will confess what I know without constraint. line 2213If you pinch me like a pasty, I can say no 130line 2214more. line 2215FIRST SOLDIERBosko Chimurcho. line 2216FIRST LORDBoblibindo chicurmurco. line 2217FIRST SOLDIERYou are a merciful general.—Our general line 2218bids you answer to what I shall ask you out of a 135line 2219note. line 2220PAROLLESAnd truly, as I hope to live. line 2221FIRST SOLDIERas if reading a noteFirst, demand of line 2222him how many horse the Duke is strong.—What say line 2223you to that? 140line 2224PAROLLESFive or six thousand, but very weak and line 2225unserviceable. The troops are all scattered, and the line 2226commanders very poor rogues, upon my reputation line 2227and credit, and as I hope to live. line 2228FIRST SOLDIERShall I set down your answer so? 145line 2229PAROLLESDo. I’ll take the Sacrament on ’t, how and line 2230which way you will. line 2231BERTRAMasideAll’s one to him. What a past-saving line 2232slave is this! line 2233FIRST LORDaside to BertramYou’re deceived, my Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 161150line 2234lord. This is Monsieur Parolles, the gallant line 2235militarist—that was his own phrase—that had the line 2236whole theoric of war in the knot of his scarf, and line 2237the practice in the chape of his dagger. line 2238SECOND LORDasideI will never trust a man again for 155line 2239keeping his sword clean, nor believe he can have line 2240everything in him by wearing his apparel neatly. line 2241FIRST SOLDIERto ParollesWell, that’s set down. line 2242PAROLLES“Five or six thousand horse,” I said—I will line 2243say true—“or thereabouts” set down, for I’ll speak 160line 2244truth. line 2245FIRST LORDasideHe’s very near the truth in this. line 2246BERTRAMasideBut I con him no thanks for ’t, in the line 2247nature he delivers it. line 2248PAROLLES“Poor rogues,” I pray you say. 165line 2249FIRST SOLDIERWell, that’s set down. line 2250PAROLLESI humbly thank you, sir. A truth’s a truth. line 2251The rogues are marvelous poor. line 2252FIRST SOLDIERas if reading a noteDemand of him of line 2253what strength they are o’ foot.—What say you to 170line 2254that? line 2255PAROLLESBy my troth, sir, if I were to live but this line 2256present hour, I will tell true. Let me see: Spurio a line 2257hundred and fifty, Sebastian so many, Corambus line 2258so many, Jaques so many; Guiltian, Cosmo, 175line 2259Lodowick and Gratii, two hundred fifty each; mine line 2260own company, Chitopher, Vaumond, Bentii, two line 2261hundred fifty each; so that the muster-file, rotten line 2262and sound, upon my life amounts not to fifteen line 2263thousand poll, half of the which dare not shake the 180line 2264snow from off their cassocks lest they shake themselves line 2265to pieces. line 2266BERTRAMasideWhat shall be done to him? line 2267FIRST LORDasideNothing but let him have thanks. line 2268Aside to First Soldier. Demand of him my condition 185line 2269and what credit I have with the Duke. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 163line 2270FIRST SOLDIERto ParollesWell, that’s set down. Pretending to read: line 2271You shall demand of him whether line 2272one Captain Dumaine be i’ th’ camp, a Frenchman; line 2273what his reputation is with the Duke, what his valor, 190line 2274honesty, and expertness in wars; or whether he line 2275thinks it were not possible with well-weighing sums line 2276of gold to corrupt him to a revolt.—What say you to line 2277this? What do you know of it? line 2278PAROLLESI beseech you let me answer to the particular 195line 2279of the inter’gatories. Demand them singly. line 2280FIRST SOLDIERDo you know this Captain Dumaine? line 2281PAROLLESI know him. He was a botcher’s prentice in line 2282Paris, from whence he was whipped for getting the line 2283shrieve’s fool with child, a dumb innocent that 200line 2284could not say him nay. line 2285BERTRAMaside to First LordNay, by your leave, hold line 2286your hands, though I know his brains are forfeit to line 2287the next tile that falls. line 2288FIRST SOLDIERWell, is this captain in the Duke of 205line 2289Florence’s camp? line 2290PAROLLESUpon my knowledge he is, and lousy. line 2291FIRST LORDaside to BertramNay, look not so upon line 2292me. We shall hear of your Lordship anon. line 2293FIRST SOLDIERWhat is his reputation with the Duke? 210line 2294PAROLLESThe Duke knows him for no other but a line 2295poor officer of mine, and writ to me this other day line 2296to turn him out o’ th’ band. I think I have his letter line 2297in my pocket. line 2298FIRST SOLDIERMarry, we’ll search.
They search Parolles’ pockets.
215line 2299PAROLLESIn good sadness, I do not know. Either it is line 2300there, or it is upon a file with the Duke’s other letters line 2301in my tent. line 2302FIRST SOLDIERHere ’tis; here’s a paper. Shall I read it to line 2303you? 220line 2304PAROLLESI do not know if it be it or no. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 165line 2305BERTRAMasideOur interpreter does it well. line 2306FIRST LORDasideExcellently. line 2307FIRST SOLDIERreadsDian, the Count’s a fool and full line 2308of gold— 225line 2309PAROLLESThat is not the Duke’s letter, sir. That is an line 2310advertisement to a proper maid in Florence, one line 2311Diana, to take heed of the allurement of one Count line 2312Rossillion, a foolish idle boy, but for all that very line 2313ruttish. I pray you, sir, put it up again. 230line 2314FIRST SOLDIERNay, I’ll read it first, by your favor. line 2315PAROLLESMy meaning in ’t, I protest, was very honest line 2316in the behalf of the maid, for I knew the young line 2317count to be a dangerous and lascivious boy, who is line 2318a whale to virginity and devours up all the fry it 235line 2319finds. line 2320BERTRAMasideDamnable both-sides rogue! FIRST SOLDIERreads line 2321When he swears oaths, bid him drop gold, and line 2322take it. line 2323After he scores, he never pays the score. 240line 2324Half won is match well made. Match, and well line 2325make it. line 2326He ne’er pays after-debts. Take it before. line 2327And say a soldier, Dian, told thee this: line 2328Men are to mell with; boys are not to kiss. 245line 2329For count of this: the Count’s a fool, I know it, line 2330Who pays before, but not when he does owe it. line 2331Thine, as he vowed to thee in thine ear, line 2332Parolles. line 2333BERTRAMasideHe shall be whipped through the 250line 2334army with this rhyme in ’s forehead. line 2335SECOND LORDasideThis is your devoted friend, sir, line 2336the manifold linguist and the armipotent soldier. line 2337BERTRAMasideI could endure anything before but a line 2338cat, and now he’s a cat to me. 255line 2339FIRST SOLDIERto ParollesI perceive, sir, by our line 2340general’s looks we shall be fain to hang you. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 167line 2341PAROLLESMy life, sir, in any case! Not that I am afraid line 2342to die, but that, my offenses being many, I would line 2343repent out the remainder of nature. Let me live, 260line 2344sir, in a dungeon, i’ th’ stocks, or anywhere, so I line 2345may live. line 2346FIRST SOLDIERWe’ll see what may be done, so you confess line 2347freely. Therefore once more to this Captain line 2348Dumaine: you have answered to his reputation 265line 2349with the Duke, and to his valor. What is his line 2350honesty? line 2351PAROLLESHe will steal, sir, an egg out of a cloister. For line 2352rapes and ravishments, he parallels Nessus. He line 2353professes not keeping of oaths. In breaking ’em he 270line 2354is stronger than Hercules. He will lie, sir, with such line 2355volubility that you would think truth were a fool. line 2356Drunkenness is his best virtue, for he will be line 2357swine-drunk, and in his sleep he does little harm, line 2358save to his bedclothes about him; but they know 275line 2359his conditions and lay him in straw. I have but line 2360little more to say, sir, of his honesty; he has everything line 2361that an honest man should not have; what an line 2362honest man should have, he has nothing. line 2363FIRST LORDasideI begin to love him for this. 280line 2364BERTRAMasideFor this description of thine honesty? line 2365A pox upon him! For me, he’s more and more line 2366a cat. line 2367FIRST SOLDIERWhat say you to his expertness in war? line 2368PAROLLESFaith, sir, has led the drum before the English 285line 2369tragedians. To belie him I will not, and more line 2370of his soldiership I know not, except in that country line 2371he had the honor to be the officer at a place line 2372there called Mile End, to instruct for the doubling line 2373of files. I would do the man what honor I can, but 290line 2374of this I am not certain. line 2375FIRST LORDasideHe hath out-villained villainy so line 2376far that the rarity redeems him. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 169line 2377BERTRAMasideA pox on him! He’s a cat still. line 2378FIRST SOLDIERHis qualities being at this poor price, 295line 2379I need not to ask you if gold will corrupt him to line 2380revolt. line 2381PAROLLESSir, for a cardecu he will sell the fee-simple line 2382of his salvation, the inheritance of it, and cut th’ line 2383entail from all remainders, and a perpetual succession 300line 2384for it perpetually. line 2385FIRST SOLDIERWhat’s his brother, the other Captain line 2386Dumaine? line 2387SECOND LORDasideWhy does he ask him of me? line 2388FIRST SOLDIERWhat’s he? 305line 2389PAROLLESE’en a crow o’ th’ same nest: not altogether line 2390so great as the first in goodness, but greater a great line 2391deal in evil. He excels his brother for a coward, yet line 2392his brother is reputed one of the best that is. In a line 2393retreat he outruns any lackey. Marry, in coming on 310line 2394he has the cramp. line 2395FIRST SOLDIERIf your life be saved, will you undertake line 2396to betray the Florentine? line 2397PAROLLESAy, and the captain of his horse, Count line 2398Rossillion. 315line 2399FIRST SOLDIERI’ll whisper with the General and know line 2400his pleasure. line 2401PAROLLESasideI’ll no more drumming. A plague of line 2402all drums! Only to seem to deserve well, and to line 2403beguile the supposition of that lascivious young 320line 2404boy the Count, have I run into this danger. Yet who line 2405would have suspected an ambush where I was line 2406taken? line 2407FIRST SOLDIERThere is no remedy, sir, but you must line 2408die. The General says you that have so traitorously 325line 2409discovered the secrets of your army and made line 2410such pestiferous reports of men very nobly held line 2411can serve the world for no honest use. Therefore line 2412you must die.—Come, headsman, off with his line 2413head. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 171330line 2414PAROLLESO Lord, sir, let me live, or let me see my line 2415death! line 2416FIRST SOLDIERThat shall you, and take your leave of line 2417all your friends. He removes the blindfold. So, line 2418look about you. Know you any here? 335line 2419BERTRAMGood morrow, noble captain. line 2420SECOND LORDGod bless you, Captain Parolles. line 2421FIRST LORDGod save you, noble captain. line 2422SECOND LORDCaptain, what greeting will you to my line 2423Lord Lafew? I am for France. 340line 2424FIRST LORDGood captain, will you give me a copy of line 2425the sonnet you writ to Diana in behalf of the Count line 2426Rossillion? An I were not a very coward, I’d compel line 2427it of you. But fare you well.
Bertram and Lords exit.
line 2428FIRST SOLDIERYou are undone, captain—all but your 345line 2429scarf; that has a knot on ’t yet. line 2430PAROLLESWho cannot be crushed with a plot? line 2431FIRST SOLDIERIf you could find out a country where line 2432but women were that had received so much line 2433shame, you might begin an impudent nation. Fare 350line 2434you well, sir. I am for France too. We shall speak of line 2435you there.He exits. PAROLLES line 2436Yet am I thankful. If my heart were great, line 2437’Twould burst at this. Captain I’ll be no more, line 2438But I will eat and drink, and sleep as soft 355line 2439As captain shall. Simply the thing I am line 2440Shall make me live. Who knows himself a braggart, line 2441Let him fear this, for it will come to pass line 2442That every braggart shall be found an ass. line 2443Rust, sword; cool, blushes; and Parolles live 360line 2444Safest in shame. Being fooled, by fool’ry thrive. line 2445There’s place and means for every man alive. line 2446I’ll after them.He exits. Act 4 Scene 4 - Pg 173
Scene 4
Enter Helen, Widow, and Diana.
HELEN line 2447That you may well perceive I have not wronged you, line 2448One of the greatest in the Christian world line 2449Shall be my surety, ’fore whose throne ’tis needful, line 2450Ere I can perfect mine intents, to kneel. 5line 2451Time was, I did him a desirèd office line 2452Dear almost as his life, which gratitude line 2453Through flinty Tartar’s bosom would peep forth line 2454And answer thanks. I duly am informed line 2455His Grace is at Marseilles, to which place 10line 2456We have convenient convoy. You must know line 2457I am supposèd dead. The army breaking, line 2458My husband hies him home, where, heaven aiding line 2459And by the leave of my good lord the King, line 2460We’ll be before our welcome. 15line 2461WIDOWGentle madam, line 2462You never had a servant to whose trust line 2463Your business was more welcome. line 2464HELENNor you, mistress, line 2465Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labor 20line 2466To recompense your love. Doubt not but heaven line 2467Hath brought me up to be your daughter’s dower, line 2468As it hath fated her to be my motive line 2469And helper to a husband. But O, strange men, line 2470That can such sweet use make of what they hate 25line 2471When saucy trusting of the cozened thoughts line 2472Defiles the pitchy night! So lust doth play line 2473With what it loathes for that which is away. line 2474But more of this hereafter.—You, Diana, line 2475Under my poor instructions yet must suffer 30line 2476Something in my behalf. line 2477DIANALet death and honesty line 2478Go with your impositions, I am yours line 2479Upon your will to suffer. Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 175line 2480HELENYet, I pray you— 35line 2481But with the word “The time will bring on summer,” line 2482When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns line 2483And be as sweet as sharp. We must away. line 2484Our wagon is prepared, and time revives us. line 2485All’s well that ends well. Still the fine’s the crown. 40line 2486Whate’er the course, the end is the renown.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter Fool, Countess, and Lafew.
line 2487LAFEWNo, no, no, your son was misled with a line 2488snipped-taffeta fellow there, whose villainous saffron line 2489would have made all the unbaked and doughy line 2490youth of a nation in his color. Your daughter-in-law 5line 2491had been alive at this hour, and your son here line 2492at home, more advanced by the King than by that line 2493red-tailed humble-bee I speak of. line 2494COUNTESSI would I had not known him. It was the line 2495death of the most virtuous gentlewoman that ever 10line 2496nature had praise for creating. If she had partaken line 2497of my flesh and cost me the dearest groans of a line 2498mother, I could not have owed her a more rooted line 2499love. line 2500LAFEW’Twas a good lady, ’twas a good lady. We may 15line 2501pick a thousand salads ere we light on such another line 2502herb. line 2503FOOLIndeed, sir, she was the sweet marjoram of the line 2504salad, or rather the herb of grace. line 2505LAFEWThey are not herbs, you knave. They are 20line 2506nose-herbs. line 2507FOOLI am no great Nebuchadnezzar, sir. I have not line 2508much skill in grass. line 2509LAFEWWhether dost thou profess thyself, a knave or a line 2510fool? Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 17725line 2511FOOLA fool, sir, at a woman’s service, and a knave at a line 2512man’s. line 2513LAFEWYour distinction? line 2514FOOLI would cozen the man of his wife and do his line 2515service. 30line 2516LAFEWSo you were a knave at his service indeed. line 2517FOOLAnd I would give his wife my bauble, sir, to do line 2518her service. line 2519LAFEWI will subscribe for thee, thou art both knave line 2520and fool. 35line 2521FOOLAt your service. line 2522LAFEWNo, no, no. line 2523FOOLWhy, sir, if I cannot serve you, I can serve as line 2524great a prince as you are. line 2525LAFEWWho’s that, a Frenchman? 40line 2526FOOLFaith, sir, he has an English name, but his line 2527phys’nomy is more hotter in France than there. line 2528LAFEWWhat prince is that? line 2529FOOLThe black prince, sir, alias the prince of darkness, line 2530alias the devil. 45line 2531LAFEWgiving him moneyHold thee, there’s my line 2532purse. I give thee not this to suggest thee from thy line 2533master thou talk’st of. Serve him still. line 2534FOOLI am a woodland fellow, sir, that always loved a line 2535great fire, and the master I speak of ever keeps a 50line 2536good fire. But sure he is the prince of the world; let line 2537his Nobility remain in ’s court. I am for the house line 2538with the narrow gate, which I take to be too little line 2539for pomp to enter. Some that humble themselves line 2540may, but the many will be too chill and tender, and 55line 2541they’ll be for the flow’ry way that leads to the line 2542broad gate and the great fire. line 2543LAFEWGo thy ways. I begin to be aweary of thee. And line 2544I tell thee so before because I would not fall out line 2545with thee. Go thy ways. Let my horses be well 60line 2546looked to, without any tricks. Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 179line 2547FOOLIf I put any tricks upon ’em, sir, they shall be line 2548jades’ tricks, which are their own right by the law line 2549of nature.He exits. line 2550LAFEWA shrewd knave and an unhappy. 65line 2551COUNTESSSo he is. My lord that’s gone made himself line 2552much sport out of him. By his authority he line 2553remains here, which he thinks is a patent for his line 2554sauciness, and indeed he has no pace, but runs line 2555where he will. 70line 2556LAFEWI like him well. ’Tis not amiss. And I was about line 2557to tell you, since I heard of the good lady’s death line 2558and that my lord your son was upon his return line 2559home, I moved the King my master to speak in the line 2560behalf of my daughter, which in the minority of 75line 2561them both his Majesty out of a self-gracious line 2562remembrance did first propose. His Highness hath line 2563promised me to do it, and to stop up the displeasure line 2564he hath conceived against your son there is line 2565no fitter matter. How does your Ladyship like it? 80line 2566COUNTESSWith very much content, my lord, and I line 2567wish it happily effected. line 2568LAFEWHis Highness comes post from Marseilles, of line 2569as able body as when he numbered thirty. He will line 2570be here tomorrow, or I am deceived by him that in 85line 2571such intelligence hath seldom failed. line 2572COUNTESSIt rejoices me that, I hope, I shall see him line 2573ere I die. I have letters that my son will be here line 2574tonight. I shall beseech your Lordship to remain line 2575with me till they meet together. 90line 2576LAFEWMadam, I was thinking with what manners I line 2577might safely be admitted. line 2578COUNTESSYou need but plead your honorable line 2579privilege. line 2580LAFEWLady, of that I have made a bold charter. But I 95line 2581thank my God it holds yet. Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 181
Enter Fool.
line 2582FOOLO madam, yonder’s my lord your son with a line 2583patch of velvet on ’s face. Whether there be a scar line 2584under ’t or no, the velvet knows, but ’tis a goodly line 2585patch of velvet. His left cheek is a cheek of two pile 100line 2586and a half, but his right cheek is worn bare. line 2587LAFEWA scar nobly got, or a noble scar, is a good liv’ry line 2588of honor. So belike is that. line 2589FOOLBut it is your carbonadoed face. line 2590LAFEWLet us go see your son, I pray you. I long to talk 105line 2591with the young noble soldier. line 2592FOOL’Faith, there’s a dozen of ’em, with delicate fine line 2593hats, and most courteous feathers which bow the line 2594head and nod at every man.
They exit.
ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter Helen, Widow, and Diana, with two Attendants.
HELEN line 2595But this exceeding posting day and night line 2596Must wear your spirits low. We cannot help it. line 2597But since you have made the days and nights as one line 2598To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs, 5line 2599Be bold you do so grow in my requital line 2600As nothing can unroot you.
Enter a Gentleman, a gentle Astringer.
line 2601In happy time! line 2602This man may help me to his Majesty’s ear, line 2603If he would spend his power.—God save you, sir. 10line 2604GENTLEMANAnd you. HELEN line 2605Sir, I have seen you in the court of France. line 2606GENTLEMANI have been sometimes there. HELEN line 2607I do presume, sir, that you are not fall’n line 2608From the report that goes upon your goodness, 15line 2609And therefore, goaded with most sharp occasions line 2610Which lay nice manners by, I put you to line 2611The use of your own virtues, for the which line 2612I shall continue thankful. Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 187line 2613GENTLEMANWhat’s your will? 20line 2614HELENtaking out a paperThat it will please you line 2615To give this poor petition to the King line 2616And aid me with that store of power you have line 2617To come into his presence. GENTLEMAN line 2618The King’s not here. 25line 2619HELENNot here, sir? line 2620GENTLEMANNot indeed. line 2621He hence removed last night, and with more haste line 2622Than is his use. line 2623WIDOWLord, how we lose our pains! 30line 2624HELENAll’s well that ends well yet, line 2625Though time seem so adverse and means unfit.— line 2626I do beseech you, whither is he gone? GENTLEMAN line 2627Marry, as I take it, to Rossillion, line 2628Whither I am going. 35line 2629HELENgiving him the paperI do beseech you, sir, line 2630Since you are like to see the King before me, line 2631Commend the paper to his gracious hand, line 2632Which I presume shall render you no blame line 2633But rather make you thank your pains for it. 40line 2634I will come after you with what good speed line 2635Our means will make us means. line 2636GENTLEMANThis I’ll do for you. HELEN line 2637And you shall find yourself to be well thanked line 2638Whate’er falls more. We must to horse again.— 45line 2639Go, go, provide.
They exit.
Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 189
Scene 2
Enter Fool and Parolles.
line 2640PAROLLESholding out a paperGood Monsieur line 2641Lavatch, give my lord Lafew this letter. I have ere line 2642now, sir, been better known to you, when I have line 2643held familiarity with fresher clothes. But I am 5line 2644now, sir, muddied in Fortune’s mood, and smell line 2645somewhat strong of her strong displeasure. line 2646FOOLTruly, Fortune’s displeasure is but sluttish if it line 2647smell so strongly as thou speak’st of. I will henceforth line 2648eat no fish of Fortune’s butt’ring. Prithee, 10line 2649allow the wind. line 2650PAROLLESNay, you need not to stop your nose, sir. I line 2651spake but by a metaphor. line 2652FOOLIndeed, sir, if your metaphor stink I will stop my line 2653nose, or against any man’s metaphor. Prithee, get 15line 2654thee further. line 2655PAROLLESPray you, sir, deliver me this paper. line 2656FOOLFoh! Prithee, stand away. A paper from Fortune’s line 2657close-stool, to give to a nobleman!
Enter Lafew.
line 2658Look, here he comes himself.—Here is a purr of 20line 2659Fortune’s, sir, or of Fortune’s cat—but not a line 2660musk-cat—that has fall’n into the unclean fishpond line 2661of her displeasure and, as he says, is muddied line 2662withal. Pray you, sir, use the carp as you may, line 2663for he looks like a poor, decayed, ingenious, foolish, 25line 2664rascally knave. I do pity his distress in my line 2665smiles of comfort, and leave him to your Lordship.
He exits.
line 2666PAROLLESMy lord, I am a man whom Fortune hath line 2667cruelly scratched. line 2668LAFEWAnd what would you have me to do? ’Tis too 30line 2669late to pare her nails now. Wherein have you Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 191line 2670played the knave with Fortune that she should line 2671scratch you, who of herself is a good lady and line 2672would not have knaves thrive long under her? line 2673There’s a cardecu for you. Let the justices make 35line 2674you and Fortune friends. I am for other business. line 2675PAROLLESI beseech your Honor to hear me one single line 2676word. line 2677LAFEWYou beg a single penny more. Come, you shall line 2678ha ’t. Save your word. 40line 2679PAROLLESMy name, my good lord, is Parolles. line 2680LAFEWYou beg more than a word, then. Cock’s my line 2681passion; give me your hand. How does your drum? line 2682PAROLLESO my good lord, you were the first that line 2683found me. 45line 2684LAFEWWas I, in sooth? And I was the first that lost line 2685thee. line 2686PAROLLESIt lies in you, my lord, to bring me in some line 2687grace, for you did bring me out. line 2688LAFEWOut upon thee, knave! Dost thou put upon me 50line 2689at once both the office of God and the devil? One line 2690brings thee in grace, and the other brings thee out. line 2691Trumpets sound. The King’s coming. I know by line 2692his trumpets. Sirrah, inquire further after me. I line 2693had talk of you last night. Though you are a fool 55line 2694and a knave, you shall eat. Go to, follow. line 2695PAROLLESI praise God for you.
They exit.
Scene 3
Flourish. Enter King, Countess, Lafew, the two French Lords, with Attendants.
KING line 2696We lost a jewel of her, and our esteem line 2697Was made much poorer by it. But your son, Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 193line 2698As mad in folly, lacked the sense to know line 2699Her estimation home. 5line 2700COUNTESS’Tis past, my liege, line 2701And I beseech your Majesty to make it line 2702Natural rebellion done i’ th’ blade of youth, line 2703When oil and fire, too strong for reason’s force, line 2704O’erbears it and burns on. 10line 2705KINGMy honored lady, line 2706I have forgiven and forgotten all, line 2707Though my revenges were high bent upon him line 2708And watched the time to shoot. line 2709LAFEWThis I must say— 15line 2710But first I beg my pardon: the young lord line 2711Did to his Majesty, his mother, and his lady line 2712Offense of mighty note, but to himself line 2713The greatest wrong of all. He lost a wife line 2714Whose beauty did astonish the survey 20line 2715Of richest eyes, whose words all ears took captive, line 2716Whose dear perfection hearts that scorned to serve line 2717Humbly called mistress. line 2718KINGPraising what is lost line 2719Makes the remembrance dear. Well, call him hither. 25line 2720We are reconciled, and the first view shall kill line 2721All repetition. Let him not ask our pardon. line 2722The nature of his great offense is dead, line 2723And deeper than oblivion we do bury line 2724Th’ incensing relics of it. Let him approach 30line 2725A stranger, no offender, and inform him line 2726So ’tis our will he should. line 2727GENTLEMANI shall, my liege.He exits. KING line 2728What says he to your daughter? Have you spoke? LAFEW line 2729All that he is hath reference to your Highness. KING 35line 2730Then shall we have a match. I have letters sent me line 2731That sets him high in fame. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 195
Enter Count Bertram.
line 2732LAFEWHe looks well on ’t. line 2733KINGI am not a day of season, line 2734For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail 40line 2735In me at once. But to the brightest beams line 2736Distracted clouds give way. So stand thou forth. line 2737The time is fair again. line 2738BERTRAMMy high-repented blames, line 2739Dear sovereign, pardon to me. 45line 2740KINGAll is whole. line 2741Not one word more of the consumèd time. line 2742Let’s take the instant by the forward top, line 2743For we are old, and on our quick’st decrees line 2744Th’ inaudible and noiseless foot of time 50line 2745Steals ere we can effect them. You remember line 2746The daughter of this lord? line 2747BERTRAMAdmiringly, my liege. At first line 2748I stuck my choice upon her, ere my heart line 2749Durst make too bold a herald of my tongue; 55line 2750Where the impression of mine eye infixing, line 2751Contempt his scornful perspective did lend me, line 2752Which warped the line of every other favor, line 2753Scorned a fair color or expressed it stol’n, line 2754Extended or contracted all proportions 60line 2755To a most hideous object. Thence it came line 2756That she whom all men praised and whom myself, line 2757Since I have lost, have loved, was in mine eye line 2758The dust that did offend it. line 2759KINGWell excused. 65line 2760That thou didst love her strikes some scores away line 2761From the great compt. But love that comes too late, line 2762Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried, line 2763To the great sender turns a sour offense, line 2764Crying “That’s good that’s gone!” Our rash faults 70line 2765Make trivial price of serious things we have, Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 197line 2766Not knowing them until we know their grave. line 2767Oft our displeasures, to ourselves unjust, line 2768Destroy our friends and after weep their dust. line 2769Our own love, waking, cries to see what’s done, 75line 2770While shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon. line 2771Be this sweet Helen’s knell, and now forget her. line 2772Send forth your amorous token for fair Maudlin. line 2773The main consents are had, and here we’ll stay line 2774To see our widower’s second marriage day. COUNTESS 80line 2775Which better than the first, O dear heaven, bless, line 2776Or, ere they meet, in me, O nature, cesse! LAFEW line 2777Come on, my son, in whom my house’s name line 2778Must be digested, give a favor from you line 2779To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter, 85line 2780That she may quickly come.
Bertram gives him a ring.
line 2781By my old beard line 2782And ev’ry hair that’s on ’t, Helen that’s dead line 2783Was a sweet creature. Such a ring as this, line 2784The last that e’er I took her leave at court, 90line 2785I saw upon her finger. line 2786BERTRAMHers it was not. KING line 2787Now, pray you, let me see it, for mine eye, line 2788While I was speaking, oft was fastened to ’t.
Lafew passes the ring to the King.
line 2789This ring was mine, and when I gave it Helen, 95line 2790I bade her if her fortunes ever stood line 2791Necessitied to help, that by this token line 2792I would relieve her. To Bertram. Had you that craft to line 2793reave her line 2794Of what should stead her most? 100line 2795BERTRAMMy gracious line 2796sovereign, Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 199line 2797Howe’er it pleases you to take it so, line 2798The ring was never hers. line 2799COUNTESSSon, on my life, 105line 2800I have seen her wear it, and she reckoned it line 2801At her life’s rate. line 2802LAFEWI am sure I saw her wear it. BERTRAM line 2803You are deceived, my lord. She never saw it. line 2804In Florence was it from a casement thrown me, 110line 2805Wrapped in a paper which contained the name line 2806Of her that threw it. Noble she was, and thought line 2807I stood ungaged, but when I had subscribed line 2808To mine own fortune and informed her fully line 2809I could not answer in that course of honor 115line 2810As she had made the overture, she ceased line 2811In heavy satisfaction and would never line 2812Receive the ring again. line 2813KINGPlutus himself, line 2814That knows the tinct and multiplying med’cine, 120line 2815Hath not in nature’s mystery more science line 2816Than I have in this ring. ’Twas mine, ’twas Helen’s, line 2817Whoever gave it you. Then if you know line 2818That you are well acquainted with yourself, line 2819Confess ’twas hers and by what rough enforcement 125line 2820You got it from her. She called the saints to surety line 2821That she would never put it from her finger line 2822Unless she gave it to yourself in bed, line 2823Where you have never come, or sent it us line 2824Upon her great disaster. 130line 2825BERTRAMShe never saw it. KING line 2826Thou speak’st it falsely, as I love mine honor, line 2827And mak’st conjectural fears to come into me line 2828Which I would fain shut out. If it should prove line 2829That thou art so inhuman—’twill not prove so, 135line 2830And yet I know not. Thou didst hate her deadly, Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 201line 2831And she is dead, which nothing but to close line 2832Her eyes myself could win me to believe line 2833More than to see this ring.—Take him away. line 2834My forepast proofs, howe’er the matter fall, 140line 2835Shall tax my fears of little vanity, line 2836Having vainly feared too little. Away with him. line 2837We’ll sift this matter further. line 2838BERTRAMIf you shall prove line 2839This ring was ever hers, you shall as easy 145line 2840Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence, line 2841Where yet she never was.He exits, under guard. KING line 2842I am wrapped in dismal thinkings.
Enter a Gentleman.
line 2843GENTLEMANGracious sovereign, line 2844Whether I have been to blame or no, I know not.
He gives the King a paper.
150line 2845Here’s a petition from a Florentine line 2846Who hath for four or five removes come short line 2847To tender it herself. I undertook it, line 2848Vanquished thereto by the fair grace and speech line 2849Of the poor suppliant, who, by this, I know 155line 2850Is here attending. Her business looks in her line 2851With an importing visage, and she told me, line 2852In a sweet verbal brief, it did concern line 2853Your Highness with herself. line 2854KINGreadsUpon his many protestations to marry me 160line 2855when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, he won line 2856me. Now is the Count Rossillion a widower, his line 2857vows are forfeited to me and my honor’s paid to him. line 2858He stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I follow line 2859him to his country for justice. Grant it me, O king. 165line 2860In you it best lies. Otherwise a seducer flourishes, line 2861and a poor maid is undone. line 2862Diana Capilet. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 203line 2863LAFEWI will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll for line 2864this. I’ll none of him. KING 170line 2865The heavens have thought well on thee, Lafew, line 2866To bring forth this discov’ry.—Seek these suitors. line 2867Go speedily, and bring again the Count.
Gentleman and Attendants exit.
line 2868I am afeard the life of Helen, lady, line 2869Was foully snatched. 175line 2870COUNTESSNow justice on the doers!
Enter Bertram under guard.
KING line 2871I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to you line 2872And that you fly them as you swear them lordship, line 2873Yet you desire to marry.
Enter Widow and Diana.
line 2874What woman’s that? DIANA 180line 2875I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine, line 2876Derivèd from the ancient Capilet. line 2877My suit, as I do understand, you know line 2878And therefore know how far I may be pitied. WIDOW line 2879I am her mother, sir, whose age and honor 185line 2880Both suffer under this complaint we bring, line 2881And both shall cease without your remedy. KING line 2882Come hither, count. Do you know these women? BERTRAM line 2883My lord, I neither can nor will deny line 2884But that I know them. Do they charge me further? DIANA 190line 2885Why do you look so strange upon your wife? Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 205BERTRAM line 2886She’s none of mine, my lord. line 2887DIANAIf you shall marry, line 2888You give away this hand, and that is mine; line 2889You give away heaven’s vows, and those are mine; 195line 2890You give away myself, which is known mine, line 2891For I by vow am so embodied yours line 2892That she which marries you must marry me, line 2893Either both or none. line 2894LAFEWto BertramYour reputation comes too short 200line 2895for my daughter. You are no husband for her. BERTRAMto the King line 2896My lord, this is a fond and desp’rate creature line 2897Whom sometime I have laughed with. Let your line 2898Highness line 2899Lay a more noble thought upon mine honor 205line 2900Than for to think that I would sink it here. KING line 2901Sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to friend line 2902Till your deeds gain them. Fairer prove your honor line 2903Than in my thought it lies. line 2904DIANAGood my lord, 210line 2905Ask him upon his oath if he does think line 2906He had not my virginity. KING line 2907What sayst thou to her? line 2908BERTRAMShe’s impudent, my lord, line 2909And was a common gamester to the camp. DIANA 215line 2910He does me wrong, my lord. If I were so, line 2911He might have bought me at a common price. line 2912Do not believe him. O, behold this ring, line 2913Whose high respect and rich validity line 2914Did lack a parallel. Yet for all that 220line 2915He gave it to a commoner o’ th’ camp, line 2916If I be one. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 207line 2917COUNTESSHe blushes, and ’tis hit. line 2918Of six preceding ancestors that gem, line 2919Conferred by testament to th’ sequent issue, 225line 2920Hath it been owed and worn. This is his wife. line 2921That ring’s a thousand proofs. line 2922KINGto DianaMethought you said line 2923You saw one here in court could witness it. DIANA line 2924I did, my lord, but loath am to produce 230line 2925So bad an instrument. His name’s Parolles. LAFEW line 2926I saw the man today, if man he be. KING line 2927Find him, and bring him hither.Attendant exits. line 2928BERTRAMWhat of him? line 2929He’s quoted for a most perfidious slave, 235line 2930With all the spots o’ th’ world taxed and debauched, line 2931Whose nature sickens but to speak a truth. line 2932Am I or that or this for what he’ll utter, line 2933That will speak anything? line 2934KINGShe hath that ring of yours. BERTRAM 240line 2935I think she has. Certain it is I liked her line 2936And boarded her i’ th’ wanton way of youth. line 2937She knew her distance and did angle for me, line 2938Madding my eagerness with her restraint, line 2939As all impediments in fancy’s course 245line 2940Are motives of more fancy; and in fine line 2941Her infinite cunning with her modern grace line 2942Subdued me to her rate. She got the ring, line 2943And I had that which any inferior might line 2944At market price have bought. 250line 2945DIANAI must be patient. line 2946You that have turned off a first so noble wife line 2947May justly diet me. I pray you yet— line 2948Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband— Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 209line 2949Send for your ring. I will return it home, 255line 2950And give me mine again. line 2951BERTRAMI have it not. line 2952KINGto DianaWhat ring was yours, I pray you? DIANA line 2953Sir, much like the same upon your finger. KING line 2954Know you this ring? This ring was his of late. DIANA 260line 2955And this was it I gave him, being abed. KING line 2956The story, then, goes false you threw it him line 2957Out of a casement? line 2958DIANAI have spoke the truth.
Enter Parolles.
BERTRAM line 2959My lord, I do confess the ring was hers. KING 265line 2960You boggle shrewdly. Every feather starts you.— line 2961Is this the man you speak of? line 2962DIANAAy, my lord. KING line 2963Tell me, sirrah—but tell me true, I charge you, line 2964Not fearing the displeasure of your master, 270line 2965Which, on your just proceeding, I’ll keep off— line 2966By him and by this woman here what know you? line 2967PAROLLESSo please your Majesty, my master hath line 2968been an honorable gentleman. Tricks he hath had line 2969in him which gentlemen have. 275line 2970KINGCome, come, to th’ purpose. Did he love this line 2971woman? line 2972PAROLLESFaith, sir, he did love her, but how? line 2973KINGHow, I pray you? line 2974PAROLLESHe did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a 280line 2975woman. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 211line 2976KINGHow is that? line 2977PAROLLESHe loved her, sir, and loved her not. line 2978KINGAs thou art a knave and no knave. What an line 2979equivocal companion is this! 285line 2980PAROLLESI am a poor man, and at your Majesty’s line 2981command. line 2982LAFEWHe’s a good drum, my lord, but a naughty line 2983orator. line 2984DIANADo you know he promised me marriage? 290line 2985PAROLLESFaith, I know more than I’ll speak. line 2986KINGBut wilt thou not speak all thou know’st? line 2987PAROLLESYes, so please your Majesty. I did go line 2988between them, as I said; but more than that he line 2989loved her, for indeed he was mad for her, and 295line 2990talked of Satan and of limbo and of furies and I line 2991know not what. Yet I was in that credit with them line 2992at that time, that I knew of their going to bed and line 2993of other motions, as promising her marriage, and line 2994things which would derive me ill will to speak of. 300line 2995Therefore I will not speak what I know. line 2996KINGThou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst line 2997say they are married. But thou art too fine in thy line 2998evidence. Therefore stand aside. To Diana. line 2999This ring you say was yours? 305line 3000DIANAAy, my good lord. KING line 3001Where did you buy it? Or who gave it you? DIANA line 3002It was not given me, nor I did not buy it. KING line 3003Who lent it you? line 3004DIANAIt was not lent me neither. KING 310line 3005Where did you find it then? line 3006DIANAI found it not. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 213KING line 3007If it were yours by none of all these ways, line 3008How could you give it him? line 3009DIANAI never gave it him. 315line 3010LAFEWThis woman’s an easy glove, my lord; she goes line 3011off and on at pleasure. KING line 3012This ring was mine. I gave it his first wife. DIANA line 3013It might be yours or hers for aught I know. KINGto Attendants line 3014Take her away. I do not like her now. 320line 3015To prison with her, and away with him.— line 3016Unless thou tell’st me where thou hadst this ring, line 3017Thou diest within this hour. line 3018DIANAI’ll never tell you. KING line 3019Take her away. 325line 3020DIANAI’ll put in bail, my liege. KING line 3021I think thee now some common customer. DIANAto Bertram line 3022By Jove, if ever I knew man, ’twas you. KING line 3023Wherefore hast thou accused him all this while? DIANA line 3024Because he’s guilty and he is not guilty. 330line 3025He knows I am no maid, and he’ll swear to ’t. line 3026I’ll swear I am a maid, and he knows not. line 3027Great king, I am no strumpet. By my life, line 3028I am either maid or else this old man’s wife. KING line 3029She does abuse our ears. To prison with her. DIANA 335line 3030Good mother, fetch my bail. Widow exits. Stay, line 3031royal sir. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 215line 3032The jeweler that owes the ring is sent for, line 3033And he shall surety me. But for this lord line 3034Who hath abused me as he knows himself, 340line 3035Though yet he never harmed me, here I quit him. line 3036He knows himself my bed he hath defiled, line 3037And at that time he got his wife with child. line 3038Dead though she be, she feels her young one kick. line 3039So there’s my riddle: one that’s dead is quick. 345line 3040And now behold the meaning.
Enter Helen and Widow.
line 3041KINGIs there no exorcist line 3042Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes? line 3043Is ’t real that I see? line 3044HELENNo, my good lord, 350line 3045’Tis but the shadow of a wife you see, line 3046The name and not the thing. line 3047BERTRAMBoth, both. O, pardon! HELEN line 3048O, my good lord, when I was like this maid, line 3049I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring, 355line 3050And, look you, here’s your letter. She takes out a paper. line 3051This it says: line 3052When from my finger you can get this ring line 3053And are by me with child, etc. This is done. line 3054Will you be mine now you are doubly won? BERTRAM 360line 3055If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly, line 3056I’ll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly. HELEN line 3057If it appear not plain and prove untrue, line 3058Deadly divorce step between me and you.— line 3059O my dear mother, do I see you living? LAFEW 365line 3060Mine eyes smell onions. I shall weep anon.— line 3061To Parolles. Good Tom Drum, lend me a handkercher. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 217line 3062So, I thank thee. Wait on me home. line 3063I’ll make sport with thee. Let thy courtesies alone. line 3064They are scurvy ones. KING 370line 3065Let us from point to point this story know, line 3066To make the even truth in pleasure flow. line 3067To Diana. If thou be’st yet a fresh uncroppèd flower, line 3068Choose thou thy husband, and I’ll pay thy dower. line 3069For I can guess that by thy honest aid 375line 3070Thou kept’st a wife herself, thyself a maid. line 3071Of that and all the progress more and less, line 3072Resolvedly more leisure shall express. line 3073All yet seems well, and if it end so meet, line 3074The bitter past, more welcome is the sweet.
Flourish.
Page 219 - All’s Well That Ends Well - EPILOGUE
EPILOGUE
line 3075The King’s a beggar, now the play is done. line 3076All is well ended if this suit be won, line 3077That you express content, which we will pay, line 3078With strift to please you, day exceeding day. 5line 3079Ours be your patience, then, and yours our parts. line 3080Your gentle hands lend us, and take our hearts.
