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Director, Folger Shakespeare Library
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”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With
blood
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soldier.
Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.
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In All’s Well That Ends Well, a woman is given in marriage to the man she longs for, but, because she is of lower rank, he refuses to accept the marriage. It becomes her challenge to win his acceptance.
Helen, the daughter of a dead physician, secretly loves Bertram, the Count of Rosillion’s son. When the count dies, Bertram becomes a ward of the French king, who is dying of a fistula. Helen heals the ailing king, and he grants her wish to marry his ward. Bertram refuses to consummate the marriage and goes off to war, sending Helen a list of seemingly impossible conditions to be met before he will consider her his wife.
To meet his conditions, Helen substitutes herself for a woman whom Bertram desires, and sleeps with him. When false news comes that Helen is dead, Bertram faces the charge that he has killed her. Helen, now pregnant, reappears, saving Bertram and demonstrating that she has met his conditions. Bertram then acknowledges her.
ACT 1
Scene 1
the Countess , and Helen , Lord Lafew , all in black .
husband .
father’s death anew ; but I must attend his Majesty’s
command , to whom I am now in ward , evermore
in subjection .
you , sir , a father . He that so generally is at all times
good must of necessity hold his virtue to you ,
whose worthiness would stir it up where it wanted
rather than lack it where there is such abundance .
amendment ?
under whose practices he hath persecuted time
with hope , and finds no other advantage in the
process but only the losing of hope by time .
that ‘had ,’ how sad a passage ’tis ! — whose skill
was almost as great as his honesty ; had it stretched
so far , would have made nature immortal , and
death should have play for lack of work . Would for
[9] ACT 1. SC. 1 the King’s sake he were living ! I think it would be
the death of the King’s disease .
madam ?
was his great right to be so : Gerard de Narbon .
very lately spoke of him admiringly , and mourningly .
He was skillful enough to have lived still , if
knowledge could be set up against mortality .
of ?
the daughter of Gerard de Narbon ?
my overlooking . I have those hopes of her good
that her education promises . Her dispositions she
inherits , which makes fair gifts fairer ; for where an
unclean mind carries virtuous qualities , there
commendations go with pity — they are virtues and
traitors too . In her they are the better for their simpleness .
She derives her honesty and achieves her
goodness .
tears .
praise in . The remembrance of her father never
approaches her heart but the tyranny of her sorrows
takes all livelihood from her cheek . — No
more of this , Helena . Go to . No more , lest it be
rather thought you affect a sorrow than to have —
excessive grief the enemy to the living .
[11]ACT 1. SC. 1
excess makes it soon mortal .
In manners as in shape . Thy blood and virtue
Contend for empire in thee , and thy goodness
Share with thy birthright . Love all , trust a few ,
Do wrong to none . Be able for thine enemy
Rather in power than use , and keep thy friend
Under thy own life’s key Be checked for silence ,
But never taxed for speech . What heaven more will ,
That thee may furnish and my prayers pluck down ,
Fall on thy head .
’Tis an unseasoned courtier . Good my lord ,
Advise him .
Attend his love .
thoughts be servants to you .
mistress , and make much of her .
of your father .
And these great tears grace his remembrance more
Than those I shed for him . What was he like ?
I have forgot him . My imagination
Carries no favor in ’t but Bertram’s .
I am undone . There is no living , none ,
If Bertram be away . ’Twere all one
That I should love a bright particular star
And think to wed it , he is so above me .
[13] ACT 1. SC. 1 In his bright radiance and collateral light
Must I be comforted , not in his sphere .
Th’ ambition in my love thus plagues itself :
The hind that would be mated by the lion
Must die for love . ’Twas pretty , though a plague ,
To see him every hour , to sit and draw
His archèd brows , his hawking eye , his curls
In our heart’s table — heart too capable
Of every line and trick of his sweet favor .
But now he’s gone , and my idolatrous fancy
Must sanctify his relics . Who comes here ?
One that goes with him . I love him for his sake ,
And yet I know him a notorious liar ,
Think him a great way fool , solely a coward .
Yet these fixed evils sit so fit in him
That they take place when virtue’s steely bones
Looks bleak i’ th’ cold wind . Withal , full oft we see
Cold wisdom waiting on superfluous folly .
me ask you a question . Man is enemy to virginity .
How may we barricado it against him ?
valiant in the defense , yet is weak . Unfold to us
some warlike resistance .
will undermine you and blow you up .
blowers-up ! Is there no military policy how virgins
might blow up men ?
[15]ACT 1. SC. 1
quicklier be blown up . Marry , in blowing him
down again , with the breach yourselves made you
lose your city . It is not politic in the commonwealth
of nature to preserve virginity . Loss of virginity
is rational increase , and there was never
virgin got till virginity was first lost . That you
were made of is metal to make virgins . Virginity by
being once lost may be ten times found ; by being
ever kept , it is ever lost . ’Tis too cold a companion .
Away with ’t .
die a virgin .
rule of nature . To speak on the part of virginity is
to accuse your mothers , which is most infallible
disobedience . He that hangs himself is a virgin ;
virginity murders itself and should be buried in
highways out of all sanctified limit as a desperate
offendress against nature . Virginity breeds mites ,
much like a cheese , consumes itself to the very
paring , and so dies with feeding his own stomach .
Besides , virginity is peevish , proud , idle , made of
self-love , which is the most inhibited sin in the
canon . Keep it not ; you cannot choose but lose by
’t . Out with ’t ! Within ten year it will make itself
two , which is a goodly increase , and the principal
itself not much the worse . Away with ’t !
liking ?
it likes . ’Tis a commodity will lose the gloss with
lying ; the longer kept , the less worth . Off with ’t
while ’tis vendible ; answer the time of request . Virginity ,
like an old courtier , wears her cap out of
fashion , richly suited but unsuitable , just like the
[17] ACT 1. SC. 1 brooch and the toothpick , which wear not now .
Your date is better in your pie and your porridge
than in your cheek . And your virginity , your old
virginity , is like one of our French withered pears :
it looks ill , it eats dryly ; marry , ’tis a withered pear .
It was formerly better , marry , yet ’tis a withered
pear . Will you anything with it ?
There shall your master have a thousand loves ,
A mother , and a mistress , and a friend ,
A phoenix , captain , and an enemy ,
A guide , a goddess , and a sovereign ,
A counselor , a traitress , and a dear ;
His humble ambition , proud humility ,
His jarring concord , and his discord dulcet ,
His faith , his sweet disaster , with a world
Of pretty , fond adoptious christendoms
That blinking Cupid gossips . Now shall he —
I know not what he shall . God send him well .
The court’s a learning place , and he is one —
Which might be felt , that we , the poorer born ,
Whose baser stars do shut us up in wishes ,
Might with effects of them follow our friends
And show what we alone must think , which never
Returns us thanks .
thee , I will think of thee at court .
charitable star .
[19]ACT 1. SC. 1
must needs be born under Mars .
safety . But the composition that your valor and
fear makes in you is a virtue of a good wing , and I
like the wear well .
thee acutely . I will return perfect courtier , in the
which my instruction shall serve to naturalize
thee , so thou wilt be capable of a courtier’s counsel
and understand what advice shall thrust upon
thee , else thou diest in thine unthankfulness , and
thine ignorance makes thee away . Farewell . When
thou hast leisure , say thy prayers ; when thou hast
none , remember thy friends . Get thee a good husband ,
and use him as he uses thee . So , farewell .
Which we ascribe to heaven . The fated sky
Gives us free scope , only doth backward pull
Our slow designs when we ourselves are dull .
What power is it which mounts my love so high ,
That makes me see , and cannot feed mine eye ?
The mightiest space in fortune nature brings
To join like likes and kiss like native things .
Impossible be strange attempts to those
That weigh their pains in sense and do suppose
[21] ACT 1. SC. 2 What hath been cannot be . Who ever strove
To show her merit that did miss her love ?
The King’s disease — my project may deceive me ,
But my intents are fixed and will not leave me .
Scene 2
two Lords , and divers Attendants .
Have fought with equal fortune , and continue
A braving war .
A certainty vouched from our cousin Austria ,
With caution that the Florentine will move us
For speedy aid , wherein our dearest friend
Prejudicates the business and would seem
To have us make denial .
Approved so to your Majesty , may plead
For amplest credence .
And Florence is denied before he comes .
Yet for our gentlemen that mean to see
The Tuscan service , freely have they leave
To stand on either part .
A nursery to our gentry , who are sick
For breathing and exploit .
[23]ACT 1. SC. 2
Young Bertram .
Frank nature , rather curious than in haste ,
Hath well composed thee . Thy father’s moral parts
Mayst thou inherit too . Welcome to Paris .
As when thy father and myself in friendship
First tried our soldiership . He did look far
Into the service of the time and was
Discipled of the bravest . He lasted long ,
But on us both did haggish age steal on
And wore us out of act . It much repairs me
To talk of your good father . In his youth
He had the wit which I can well observe
Today in our young lords ; but they may jest
Till their own scorn return to them unnoted
Ere they can hide their levity in honor .
So like a courtier , contempt nor bitterness
Were in his pride or sharpness ; if they were ,
His equal had awaked them , and his honor ,
Clock to itself , knew the true minute when
Exception bid him speak , and at this time
His tongue obeyed his hand . Who were below him
He used as creatures of another place
And bowed his eminent top to their low ranks ,
Making them proud of his humility ,
In their poor praise he humbled . Such a man
Might be a copy to these younger times ,
Which , followed well , would demonstrate them now
But goers backward .
[25] ACT 1. SC. 2 Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb .
So in approof lives not his epitaph
As in your royal speech .
Methinks I hear him now ; his plausive words
He scattered not in ears , but grafted them
To grow there and to bear . ‘Let me not live’ —
This his good melancholy oft began
On the catastrophe and heel of pastime ,
When it was out — ‘Let me not live ,’ quoth he ,
‘After my flame lacks oil , to be the snuff
Of younger spirits , whose apprehensive senses
All but new things disdain , whose judgments are
Mere fathers of their garments , whose constancies
Expire before their fashions .’ This he wished .
I , after him , do after him wish too ,
Since I nor wax nor honey can bring home ,
I quickly were dissolvèd from my hive
To give some laborers room .
They that least lend it you shall lack you first .
Since the physician at your father’s died ?
He was much famed .
Lend me an arm . — The rest have worn me out
With several applications . Nature and sickness
Debate it at their leisure . Welcome , count .
My son’s no dearer .
[27]ACT 1. SC. 3
Scene 3
gentlewoman ?
content I wish might be found in the calendar of
my past endeavors , for then we wound our modesty
and make foul the clearness of our deservings
when of ourselves we publish them .
you gone , sirrah . The complaints I have heard of
you I do not all believe . ’Tis my slowness that I do
not , for I know you lack not folly to commit them
and have ability enough to make such knaveries
yours .
fellow .
though many of the rich are damned . But if I may
have your Ladyship’s good will to go to the world ,
Isbel the woman and I will do as we may .
and I think I shall never have the blessing of
God till I have issue o’ my body , for they say bairns
are blessings .
on by the flesh , and he must needs go that the devil
drives .
as they are .
[29]ACT 1. SC. 3
and all flesh and blood are , and indeed I do marry
that I may repent .
friends for my wife’s sake .
knaves come to do that for me which I am aweary
of . He that ears my land spares my team and gives
me leave to in the crop ; if I be his cuckold , he’s my
drudge . He that comforts my wife is the cherisher
of my flesh and blood ; he that cherishes my flesh
and blood loves my flesh and blood ; he that loves
my flesh and blood is my friend . Ergo , he that
kisses my wife is my friend . If men could be contented
to be what they are , there were no fear in
marriage , for young Charbon the Puritan and old
Poysam the Papist , howsome’er their hearts are
severed in religion , their heads are both one ; they
may jowl horns together like any deer i’ th’ herd .
calumnious knave ?
next way :
Which men full true shall find :
Your marriage comes by destiny ;
Your cuckoo sings by kind .
anon .
come to you . Of her I am to speak .
with her — Helen , I mean .
[31]ACT 1. SC. 3
‘Why the Grecians sackèd Troy ?
Fond done , done fond .
Was this King Priam’s joy ?’
With that she sighèd as she stood ,
With that she sighèd as she stood ,
And gave this sentence then :
‘Among nine bad if one be good ,
Among nine bad if one be good ,
There’s yet one good in ten .’
song , sirrah .
purifying o’ th’ song . Would God would serve the
world so all the year ! We’d find no fault with the
tithe-woman if I were the parson . One in ten ,
quoth he ? An we might have a good woman born
but or every blazing star or at an earthquake ,
’twould mend the lottery well . A man may draw his
heart out ere he pluck one .
you !
yet no hurt done ! Though honesty be no Puritan ,
yet it will do no hurt ; it will wear the surplice of
humility over the black gown of a big heart . I am
going , forsooth . The business is for Helen to come
hither .
entirely .
me , and she herself , without other advantage , may
lawfully make title to as much love as she finds .
There is more owing her than is paid , and more
shall be paid her than she’ll demand .
[33]ACT 1. SC. 3
think she wished me . Alone she was and did communicate
to herself her own words to her own
ears ; she thought , I dare vow for her , they touched
not any stranger sense . Her matter was she loved
your son . Fortune , she said , was no goddess , that
had put such difference betwixt their two estates ;
Love no god , that would not extend his might only
where qualities were level ; Dian no queen of virgins ,
that would suffer her poor knight surprised
without rescue in the first assault or ransom afterward .
This she delivered in the most bitter touch
of sorrow that e’er I heard virgin exclaim in , which
I held my duty speedily to acquaint you withal ,
sithence in the loss that may happen it concerns
you something to know it .
to yourself . Many likelihoods informed me of this
before , which hung so tott’ring in the balance that
I could neither believe nor misdoubt . Pray you
leave me . Stall this in your bosom , and I thank you
for your honest care . I will speak with you further
anon .
Even so it was with me when I was young .
If ever we are nature’s , these are ours . This thorn
Doth to our rose of youth rightly belong .
Our blood to us , this to our blood is born .
It is the show and seal of nature’s truth ,
Where love’s strong passion is impressed in youth .
By our remembrances of days foregone ,
Such were our faults , or then we thought them none .
Her eye is sick on ’t , I observe her now .
[35]ACT 1. SC. 3
Why not a mother ? When I said ‘a mother ,’
Methought you saw a serpent . What’s in ‘mother’
That you start at it ? I say I am your mother
And put you in the catalogue of those
That were enwombèd mine . ’Tis often seen
Adoption strives with nature , and choice breeds
A native slip to us from foreign seeds .
You ne’er oppressed me with a mother’s groan ,
Yet I express to you a mother’s care .
God’s mercy , maiden , does it curd thy blood
To say I am thy mother ? What’s the matter ,
That this distempered messenger of wet ,
The many-colored Iris , rounds thine eye ?
Why ? That you are my daughter ?
The Count Rossillion cannot be my brother .
I am from humble , he from honored name ;
No note upon my parents , his all noble .
My master , my dear lord he is , and I
His servant live and will his vassal die .
He must not be my brother .
So that my lord your son were not my brother —
Indeed my mother ! Or were you both our mothers ,
I care no more for than I do for heaven ,
So I were not his sister . Can ’t no other
[37] ACT 1. SC. 3 But , I your daughter , he must be my brother ?
God shield you mean it not ! ‘Daughter’ and ‘mother’
So strive upon your pulse . What , pale again ?
My fear hath catched your fondness ! Now I see
The mystery of your loneliness and find
Your salt tears’ head . Now to all sense ’tis gross :
You love my son . Invention is ashamed
Against the proclamation of thy passion
To say thou dost not . Therefore tell me true ,
But tell me then ’tis so , for , look , thy cheeks
Confess it th’ one to th’ other , and thine eyes
See it so grossly shown in thy behaviors
That in their kind they speak it . Only sin
And hellish obstinacy tie thy tongue
That truth should be suspected . Speak . Is ’t so ?
If it be so , you have wound a goodly clew ;
If it be not , forswear ’t ; howe’er , I charge thee ,
As heaven shall work in me for thine avail ,
To tell me truly .
Whereof the world takes note . Come , come , disclose
The state of your affection , for your passions
Have to the full appeached .
Here on my knee before high heaven and you
That before you and next unto high heaven
[39] ACT 1. SC. 3 I love your son .
My friends were poor but honest ; so ’s my love .
Be not offended , for it hurts not him
That he is loved of me . I follow him not
By any token of presumptuous suit ,
Nor would I have him till I do deserve him ,
Yet never know how that desert should be .
I know I love in vain , strive against hope ,
Yet in this captious and intenible sieve
I still pour in the waters of my love
And lack not to lose still . Thus , Indian-like ,
Religious in mine error , I adore
The sun that looks upon his worshipper
But knows of him no more . My dearest madam ,
Let not your hate encounter with my love
For loving where you do ; but if yourself ,
Whose agèd honor cites a virtuous youth ,
Did ever in so true a flame of liking
Wish chastely and love dearly , that your Dian
Was both herself and Love , O then give pity
To her whose state is such that cannot choose
But lend and give where she is sure to lose ;
That seeks not to find that her search implies ,
But riddle-like lives sweetly where she dies .
To go to Paris ?
Tell true .
You know my father left me some prescriptions
Of rare and proved effects , such as his reading
And manifest experience had collected
For general sovereignty ; and that he willed me
[41] ACT 1. SC. 3 In heedfull’st reservation to bestow them
As notes whose faculties inclusive were
More than they were in note . Amongst the rest
There is a remedy , approved , set down ,
To cure the desperate languishings whereof
The King is rendered lost .
Else Paris , and the medicine , and the King
Had from the conversation of my thoughts
Haply been absent then .
If you should tender your supposèd aid ,
He would receive it ? He and his physicians
Are of a mind : he that they cannot help him ,
They that they cannot help . How shall they credit
A poor unlearnèd virgin , when the schools
Emboweled of their doctrine have left off
The danger to itself ?
More than my father’s skill , which was the great’st
Of his profession , that his good receipt
Shall for my legacy be sanctified
By th’ luckiest stars in heaven ; and would your
Honor
But give me leave to try success , I’d venture
The well-lost life of mine on his Grace’s cure
By such a day , an hour .
Means and attendants , and my loving greetings
To those of mine in court . I’ll stay at home
[43] ACT 1. SC. 3 And pray God’s blessing into thy attempt .
Be gone tomorrow , and be sure of this :
What I can help thee to thou shalt not miss .
[47]
ACT 2
Scene 1
young Lords , taking leave for the Florentine war ;
Bertram Count Rossillion , and Parolles .
Do not throw from you . — And you , my lords ,
farewell .
Share the advice betwixt you . If both gain all ,
The gift doth stretch itself as ’tis received
And is enough for both .
After well-entered soldiers , to return
And find your Grace in health .
Will not confess he owes the malady
That doth my life besiege . Farewell , young lords .
Whether I live or die , be you the sons
Of worthy Frenchmen . Let higher Italy —
Those bated that inherit but the fall
Of the last monarchy — see that you come
Not to woo honor but to wed it . When
The bravest questant shrinks , find what you seek ,
That fame may cry you loud . I say farewell .
[49]ACT 2. SC. 1
They say our French lack language to deny
If they demand . Beware of being captives
Before you serve .
Parolles , and other Lords come forward .
With ‘Too young ,’ and ‘The next year ,’ and ‘’Tis
too early .’
Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry
Till honor be bought up , and no sword worn
But one to dance with . By heaven , I’ll steal away !
body .
[51]ACT 2. SC. 1
Good sparks and lustrous , a word , good metals .
You shall find in the regiment of the Spinii one
Captain Spurio with his cicatrice , an emblem of
war , here on his sinister cheek . It was this very
sword entrenched it . Say to him I live , and observe
his reports for me .
lords . You have restrained yourself within the list
of too cold an adieu . Be more expressive to them ,
for they wear themselves in the cap of the time ;
there do muster true gait ; eat , speak , and move
under the influence of the most received star , and ,
though the devil lead the measure , such are to be
followed . After them , and take a more dilated
farewell .
sinewy swordmen .
pardon .
I would you had kneeled , my lord , to ask me mercy ,
And that at my bidding you could so stand up .
[53]ACT 2. SC. 1
And asked thee mercy for ’t .
But , my good lord , ’tis thus : will you be cured
Of your infirmity ?
No grapes , my royal fox ? Yes , but you will
My noble grapes , an if my royal fox
Could reach them . I have seen a medicine
That’s able to breathe life into a stone ,
Quicken a rock , and make you dance canary
With sprightly fire and motion , whose simple touch
Is powerful to araise King Pippen , nay ,
To give great Charlemagne a pen in ’s hand
And write to her a love line .
If you will see her . Now , by my faith and honor ,
If seriously I may convey my thoughts
In this my light deliverance , I have spoke
With one that in her sex , her years , profession ,
Wisdom , and constancy hath amazed me more
Than I dare blame my weakness . Will you see her —
For that is her demand — and know her business ?
That done , laugh well at me .
Bring in the admiration , that we with thee
May spend our wonder too , or take off thine
By wond’ring how thou took’st it .
And not be all day neither .
[55]ACT 2. SC. 1
This is his Majesty . Say your mind to him .
A traitor you do look like , but such traitors
His Majesty seldom fears . I am Cressid’s uncle
That dare leave two together . Fare you well .
Gerard de Narbon was my father ,
In what he did profess well found .
Knowing him is enough . On ’s bed of death
Many receipts he gave me , chiefly one
Which , as the dearest issue of his practice ,
And of his old experience th’ only darling ,
He bade me store up as a triple eye ,
Safer than mine own two , more dear . I have so ,
And hearing your high Majesty is touched
With that malignant cause wherein the honor
Of my dear father’s gift stands chief in power ,
I come to tender it and my appliance
With all bound humbleness .
But may not be so credulous of cure ,
When our most learnèd doctors leave us and
The congregated college have concluded
That laboring art can never ransom nature
From her inaidible estate . I say we must not
So stain our judgment or corrupt our hope
[57] ACT 2. SC. 1 To prostitute our past-cure malady
To empirics , or to dissever so
Our great self and our credit to esteem
A senseless help when help past sense we deem .
I will no more enforce mine office on you ,
Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts
A modest one to bear me back again .
Thou thought’st to help me , and such thanks I give
As one near death to those that wish him live .
But what at full I know , thou know’st no part ,
I knowing all my peril , thou no art .
Since you set up your rest ’gainst remedy .
He that of greatest works is finisher
Oft does them by the weakest minister .
So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown
When judges have been babes . Great floods have flown
From simple sources , and great seas have dried
When miracles have by the great’st been denied .
Oft expectation fails , and most oft there
Where most it promises , and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest and despair most shifts .
Thy pains , not used , must by thyself be paid .
Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward .
It is not so with Him that all things knows
As ’tis with us that square our guess by shows ;
But most it is presumption in us when
[59] ACT 2. SC. 1 The help of heaven we count the act of men .
Dear sir , to my endeavors give consent .
Of heaven , not me , make an experiment .
I am not an impostor that proclaim
Myself against the level of mine aim ,
But know I think and think I know most sure
My art is not past power nor you past cure .
Hop’st thou my cure ?
Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring
Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring ;
Ere twice in murk and occidental damp
Moist Hesperus hath quenched her sleepy lamp ;
Or four and twenty times the pilot’s glass
Hath told the thievish minutes , how they pass ,
What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly ,
Health shall live free , and sickness freely die .
What dar’st thou venture ?
A strumpet’s boldness , a divulgèd shame ;
Traduced by odious ballads , my maiden’s name
Seared otherwise ; nay , worse of worst , extended
With vilest torture let my life be ended .
His powerful sound within an organ weak ,
And what impossibility would slay
In common sense , sense saves another way .
Thy life is dear , for all that life can rate
Worth name of life in thee hath estimate :
Youth , beauty , wisdom , courage , all
That happiness and prime can happy call .
[61] ACT 2. SC. 1 Thou this to hazard needs must intimate
Skill infinite or monstrous desperate .
Sweet practicer , thy physic I will try ,
That ministers thine own death if I die .
Of what I spoke , unpitied let me die ,
And well deserved . Not helping , death’s my fee .
But if I help , what do you promise me ?
What husband in thy power I will command .
Exempted be from me the arrogance
To choose from forth the royal blood of France ,
My low and humble name to propagate
With any branch or image of thy state ;
But such a one , thy vassal , whom I know
Is free for me to ask , thee to bestow .
Thy will by my performance shall be served .
So make the choice of thy own time , for I ,
Thy resolved patient , on thee still rely .
More should I question thee , and more I must ,
Though more to know could not be more to trust :
From whence thou cam’st , how tended on ; but rest
Unquestioned welcome and undoubted blessed . —
Give me some help here , ho ! — If thou proceed
As high as word , my deed shall match thy deed .
[63]ACT 2. SC. 2
Scene 2
height of your breeding .
know my business is but to the court .
special when you put off that with such contempt ?
‘But to the court’ ?
he may easily put it off at court . He that cannot
make a leg , put off ’s cap , kiss his hand , and
say nothing , has neither leg , hands , lip , nor cap ;
and indeed such a fellow , to say precisely , were
not for the court . But , for me , I have an answer
will serve all men .
questions .
the pin-buttock , the quatch-buttock , the brawn-buttock ,
or any buttock .
as your French crown for your taffety punk , as
Tib’s rush for Tom’s forefinger , as a pancake for
Shrove Tuesday , a morris for May Day , as the nail
to his hole , the cuckold to his horn , as a scolding
quean to a wrangling knave , as the nun’s lip to the
friar’s mouth , nay , as the pudding to his skin .
for all questions ?
it will fit any question .
size that must fit all demands .
[65]ACT 2. SC. 2
should speak truth of it . Here it is , and all that
belongs to ’t . Ask me if I am a courtier ; it shall do
you no harm to learn .
fool in question , hoping to be the wiser by your
answer . I pray you , sir , are you a courtier ?
more , a hundred of them .
you .
meat .
and ‘spare not me’ ? Indeed your ‘O Lord , sir !’ is
very sequent to your whipping . You would answer
very well to a whipping if you were but bound to ’t .
sir !’ I see things may serve long but not serve ever .
entertain it so merrily with a fool .
And urge her to a present answer back .
Commend me to my kinsmen and my son .
This is not much .
Scene 3
philosophical persons to make modern and familiar
things supernatural and causeless . Hence is it
that we make trifles of terrors , ensconcing ourselves
into seeming knowledge when we should
submit ourselves to an unknown fear .
hath shot out in our latter times .
you shall read it in what-do-you-call there .
actor .
speak in respect —
brief and the tedious of it ; and he’s of a most facinorous
spirit that will not acknowledge it to be
the —
[69]ACT 2. SC. 3
transcendence , which should indeed give us a further
use to be made than alone the recov’ry of the
King , as to be —
comes the King .
the better whilst I have a tooth in my head . Why ,
he’s able to lead her a coranto .
Sit , my preserver , by thy patient’s side ,
And with this healthful hand , whose banished sense
Thou hast repealed , a second time receive
The confirmation of my promised gift ,
Which but attends thy naming .
Fair maid , send forth thine eye . This youthful parcel
Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing ,
O’er whom both sovereign power and father’s voice
I have to use . Thy frank election make .
Thou hast power to choose , and they none to forsake .
Fall when Love please ! Marry , to each but one .
[71] ACT 2. SC. 3 My mouth no more were broken than these boys’
And writ as little beard .
Not one of those but had a noble father .
Heaven hath through me restored the King to health .
That I protest I simply am a maid . —
Please it your Majesty , I have done already .
The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me :
‘We blush that thou shouldst choose ; but , be
refused ,
Let the white death sit on thy cheek forever ;
We’ll ne’er come there again .’
Who shuns thy love shuns all his love in me .
And to imperial Love , that god most high ,
Do my sighs stream .
Sir , will you hear my suit ?
rest is mute .
throw ambs-ace for my life .
Before I speak too threat’ningly replies .
Love make your fortunes twenty times above
Her that so wishes , and her humble love .
[73] ACT 2. SC. 3 Which great Love grant , and so I take my leave .
of mine , I’d have them whipped , or I would send
them to th’ Turk to make eunuchs of .
I’ll never do you wrong , for your own sake .
Blessing upon your vows , and in your bed
Find fairer fortune if you ever wed .
have her . Sure they are bastards to the English ;
the French ne’er got ’em .
To make yourself a son out of my blood .
father drunk wine . But if thou be’st not an ass , I
am a youth of fourteen ; I have known thee already .
Me and my service ever whilst I live
Into your guiding power . — This is the man .
In such a business give me leave to use
The help of mine own eyes .
Bertram ,
What she has done for me ?
But never hope to know why I should marry her .
[75]ACT 2. SC. 3
Must answer for your raising ? I know her well ;
She had her breeding at my father’s charge .
A poor physician’s daughter my wife ? Disdain
Rather corrupt me ever !
I can build up . Strange is it that our bloods ,
Of color , weight , and heat , poured all together ,
Would quite confound distinction , yet stands off
In differences so mighty . If she be
All that is virtuous , save what thou dislik’st —
‘A poor physician’s daughter’ — thou dislik’st
Of virtue for the name . But do not so .
From lowest place whence virtuous things proceed ,
The place is dignified by th’ doer’s deed .
Where great additions swell ’s , and virtue none ,
It is a dropsied honor . Good alone
Is good , without a name ; vileness is so ;
The property by what it is should go ,
Not by the title . She is young , wise , fair ;
In these to nature she’s immediate heir ,
And these breed honor . That is honor’s scorn
Which challenges itself as honor’s born
And is not like the sire . Honors thrive
When rather from our acts we them derive
Than our foregoers . The mere word’s a slave
Debauched on every tomb , on every grave
A lying trophy , and as oft is dumb
Where dust and damned oblivion is the tomb
Of honored bones indeed . What should be said ?
If thou canst like this creature as a maid ,
I can create the rest . Virtue and she
Is her own dower , honor and wealth from me .
[77]ACT 2. SC. 3
choose .
Let the rest go .
I must produce my power . — Here , take her hand ,
Proud , scornful boy , unworthy this good gift ,
That dost in vile misprision shackle up
My love and her desert ; that canst not dream
We , poising us in her defective scale ,
Shall weigh thee to the beam ; that wilt not know
It is in us to plant thine honor where
We please to have it grow . Check thy contempt ;
Obey our will , which travails in thy good .
Believe not thy disdain , but presently
Do thine own fortunes that obedient right
Which both thy duty owes and our power claims ,
Or I will throw thee from my care forever
Into the staggers and the careless lapse
Of youth and ignorance , both my revenge and hate
Loosing upon thee in the name of justice
Without all terms of pity . Speak . Thine answer .
My fancy to your eyes . When I consider
What great creation and what dole of honor
Flies where you bid it , I find that she which late
Was in my nobler thoughts most base is now
The praisèd of the King , who , so ennobled ,
Is as ’twere born so .
[79] ACT 2. SC. 3 And tell her she is thine , to whom I promise
A counterpoise , if not to thy estate ,
A balance more replete .
Smile upon this contract , whose ceremony
Shall seem expedient on the now-born brief
And be performed tonight . The solemn feast
Shall more attend upon the coming space ,
Expecting absent friends . As thou lov’st her
Thy love’s to me religious ; else , does err .
commenting of this wedding .
recantation .
without bloody succeeding . My ‘master’ ?
another style .
too old .
title age cannot bring thee .
pretty wise fellow ; thou didst make tolerable vent
of thy travel ; it might pass . Yet the scarves and the
bannerets about thee did manifoldly dissuade me
from believing thee a vessel of too great a burden .
[81] ACT 2. SC. 3 I have now found thee . When I lose thee again , I
care not . Yet art thou good for nothing but taking
up , and that thou ’rt scarce worth .
upon thee —
hasten thy trial , which if — Lord have mercy on
thee for a hen ! So , my good window of lattice , fare
thee well ; thy casement I need not open , for I look
through thee . Give me thy hand .
indignity .
bate thee a scruple .
pull at a smack o’ th’ contrary . If ever thou be’st
bound in thy scarf and beaten , thou shalt find
what it is to be proud of thy bondage . I have a
desire to hold my acquaintance with thee , or
rather my knowledge , that I may say in the default
‘He is a man I know .’
vexation .
poor doing eternal ; for doing I am past , as I will by
thee in what motion age will give me leave .
off me . Scurvy , old , filthy , scurvy lord ! Well , I must
be patient ; there is no fettering of authority . I’ll
beat him , by my life , if I can meet him with any
convenience , an he were double and double a lord .
I’ll have no more pity of his age than I would have
of — I’ll beat him , an if I could but meet him again .
[83]ACT 2. SC. 3
news for you : you have a new mistress .
to make some reservation of your wrongs . He is
my good lord ; whom I serve above is my master .
garter up thy arms o’ this fashion ? Dost make hose
of thy sleeves ? Do other servants so ? Thou wert
best set thy lower part where thy nose stands . By
mine honor , if I were but two hours younger , I’d
beat thee . Methink’st thou art a general offense ,
and every man should beat thee . I think thou wast
created for men to breathe themselves upon thee .
lord .
kernel out of a pomegranate . You are a vagabond ,
and no true traveler . You are more saucy with
lords and honorable personages than the commission
of your birth and virtue gives you heraldry .
You are not worth another word ; else I’d call you
knave . I leave you .
good . Let it be concealed awhile .
I will not bed her .
[85]ACT 2. SC. 3
I’ll to the Tuscan wars and never bed her .
the tread of a man’s foot . To th’ wars !
import is I know not yet .
boy , to th’ wars !
He wears his honor in a box unseen
That hugs his kicky-wicky here at home ,
Spending his manly marrow in her arms
Which should sustain the bound and high curvet
Of Mars’s fiery steed . To other regions !
France is a stable , we that dwell in ’t jades .
Therefore , to th’ war !
Acquaint my mother with my hate to her
And wherefore I am fled , write to the King
That which I durst not speak . His present gift
Shall furnish me to those Italian fields
Where noble fellows strike . Wars is no strife
To the dark house and the detested wife .
I’ll send her straight away . Tomorrow
I’ll to the wars , she to her single sorrow .
A young man married is a man that’s marred .
Therefore away , and leave her bravely . Go .
The King has done you wrong , but hush , ’tis so .
[87]ACT 2. SC. 4
Scene 4
very merry , but yet she is not well . But , thanks be
given , she’s very well and wants nothing i’ th’ world ,
but yet she is not well .
not very well ?
her quickly ; the other , that she’s in Earth , from
whence God send her quickly .
own good fortunes .
keep them on have them still . — O my knave , how
does my old lady ?
would she did as you say .
tongue shakes out his master’s undoing . To say
nothing , to do nothing , to know nothing , and to
have nothing is to be a great part of your title ,
which is within a very little of nothing .
thou ’rt a knave’ ; that’s ‘Before me , thou ’rt a
knave .’ This had been truth , sir .
thee .
[89]ACT 2. SC. 4
taught to find me ?
may you find in you , even to the world’s pleasure
and the increase of laughter .
Madam , my lord will go away tonight ;
A very serious business calls on him .
The great prerogative and rite of love ,
Which as your due time claims , he does acknowledge
But puts it off to a compelled restraint ,
Whose want and whose delay is strewed with sweets ,
Which they distill now in the curbèd time
To make the coming hour o’erflow with joy
And pleasure drown the brim .
And make this haste as your own good proceeding ,
Strengthened with what apology you think
May make it probable need .
Attend his further pleasure .
[91]ACT 2. SC. 5
Scene 5
soldier .
a bunting .
knowledge and accordingly valiant .
transgressed against his valor , and my state that
way is dangerous since I cannot yet find in my
heart to repent . Here he comes . I pray you make us
friends . I will pursue the amity .
workman , a very good tailor .
Given order for our horses , and tonight ,
When I should take possession of the bride ,
End ere I do begin .
end of a dinner , but one that lies three thirds ,
and uses a known truth to pass a thousand nothings
[93] ACT 2. SC. 5 with , should be once heard and thrice beaten . —
God save you , captain .
between my lord and you , monsieur ?
my lord’s displeasure .
spurs and all , like him that leapt into the custard ;
and out of it you’ll run again rather than suffer
question for your residence .
prayers . Fare you well , my lord , and believe this of
me : there can be no kernel in this light nut . The
soul of this man is his clothes . Trust him not in
matter of heavy consequence . I have kept of them
tame and know their natures . — Farewell , monsieur .
I have spoken better of you than you have or
will to deserve at my hand , but we must do good
against evil .
Gives him a worthy pass .
Here comes my clog .
Spoke with the King and have procured his leave
For present parting . Only he desires
Some private speech with you .
You must not marvel , Helen , at my course ,
[95] ACT 2. SC. 5 Which holds not color with the time , nor does
The ministration and requirèd office
On my particular . Prepared I was not
For such a business ; therefore am I found
So much unsettled . This drives me to entreat you
That presently you take your way for home ,
And rather muse than ask why I entreat you ;
For my respects are better than they seem ,
And my appointments have in them a need
Greater than shows itself at the first view
To you that know them not .
This to my mother .
’Twill be two days ere I shall see you , so
I leave you to your wisdom .
But that I am your most obedient servant —
With true observance seek to eke out that
Wherein toward me my homely stars have failed
To equal my great fortune .
My haste is very great . Farewell . Hie home .
Nor dare I say ’tis mine — and yet it is —
But , like a timorous thief , most fain would steal
What law does vouch mine own .
[97] ACT 2. SC. 5 I would not tell you what I would , my lord . Faith ,
yes :
Strangers and foes do sunder and not kiss .
Where are my other men ? — Monsieur , farewell .
Whilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum . —
Away , and for our flight .
[101]
ACT 3
Scene 1
Lords , with a troop of Soldiers .
The fundamental reasons of this war ,
Whose great decision hath much blood let forth
And more thirsts after .
Upon your Grace’s part , black and fearful
On the opposer .
Would in so just a business shut his bosom
Against our borrowing prayers .
The reasons of our state I cannot yield
But like a common and an outward man
That the great figure of a council frames
By self-unable motion ; therefore dare not
Say what I think of it , since I have found
Myself in my incertain grounds to fail
As often as I guessed .
[103]ACT 3. SC. 2
That surfeit on their ease , will day by day
Come here for physic .
And all the honors that can fly from us
Shall on them settle . You know your places well .
When better fall , for your avails they fell .
Tomorrow to th’ field .
Scene 2
save that he comes not along with her .
melancholy man .
the ruff and sing , ask questions and sing , pick his
teeth and sing . I know a man that had this trick of
melancholy sold a goodly manor for a song .
means to come .
old lings and our Isbels o’ th’ country are nothing
like your old ling and your Isbels o’ th’ court . The
brains of my Cupid’s knocked out , and I begin to
love as an old man loves money , with no stomach .
She hath recovered the King and undone me . I have
wedded her , not bedded her , and sworn to make the
[105] ACT 3. SC. 2 ‘not’ eternal . You shall hear I am run away . Know it
before the report come . If there be breadth enough in
the world , I will hold a long distance . My duty to
you .
Your unfortunate son ,
Bertram .
This is not well , rash and unbridled boy :
To fly the favors of so good a king ,
To pluck his indignation on thy head
By the misprizing of a maid too virtuous
For the contempt of empire .
two soldiers and my young lady .
comfort . Your son will not be killed so soon as I
thought he would .
does . The danger is in standing to ’t ; that’s the loss
of men , though it be the getting of children . Here
they come will tell you more . For my part , I only
hear your son was run away .
madam .
I have felt so many quirks of joy and grief
That the first face of neither on the start
Can woman me unto ’t . Where is my son , I pray you ?
[107]ACT 3. SC. 2
We met him thitherward , for thence we came ,
And , after some dispatch in hand at court ,
Thither we bend again .
my finger , which never shall come off , and show me
a child begotten of thy body that I am father to , then
call me husband . But in such a ‘then’ I write a
‘never .’
This is a dreadful sentence .
And for the contents’ sake are sorry for our pains .
If thou engrossest all the griefs are thine ,
Thou robb’st me of a moiety . He was my son ,
But I do wash his name out of my blood ,
And thou art all my child . — Towards Florence is he ?
The Duke will lay upon him all the honor
That good convenience claims .
’Tis bitter .
[109]ACT 3. SC. 2
Which his heart was not consenting to .
There’s nothing here that is too good for him
But only she , and she deserves a lord
That twenty such rude boys might tend upon
And call her hourly mistress . Who was with him ?
Which I have sometime known .
My son corrupts a well-derivèd nature
With his inducement .
The fellow has a deal of that too much
Which holds him much to have .
gentlemen .
I will entreat you when you see my son
To tell him that his sword can never win
The honor that he loses . More I’ll entreat you
Written to bear along .
In that and all your worthiest affairs .
Will you draw near ?
[111]ACT 3. SC. 2
Nothing in France until he has no wife .
Thou shalt have none , Rossillion , none in France .
Then hast thou all again . Poor lord , is ’t I
That chase thee from thy country and expose
Those tender limbs of thine to the event
Of the none-sparing war ? And is it I
That drive thee from the sportive court , where thou
Wast shot at with fair eyes , to be the mark
Of smoky muskets ? O you leaden messengers
That ride upon the violent speed of fire ,
Fly with false aim ; move the still-’pearing air
That sings with piercing ; do not touch my lord .
Whoever shoots at him , I set him there ;
Whoever charges on his forward breast ,
I am the caitiff that do hold him to ’t ;
And though I kill him not , I am the cause
His death was so effected . Better ’twere
I met the ravin lion when he roared
With sharp constraint of hunger ; better ’twere
That all the miseries which nature owes
Were mine at once . No , come thou home , Rossillion ,
Whence honor but of danger wins a scar ,
As oft it loses all . I will be gone .
My being here it is that holds thee hence .
Shall I stay here to do ’t ? No , no , although
The air of paradise did fan the house
And angels officed all . I will be gone ,
That pitiful rumor may report my flight
To consolate thine ear . Come , night ; end , day ;
For with the dark , poor thief , I’ll steal away .
[113]ACT 3. SC. 4
Scene 3
Rossillion , Drum and Trumpets , Soldiers , Parolles .
Great in our hope , lay our best love and credence
Upon thy promising fortune .
A charge too heavy for my strength , but yet
We’ll strive to bear it for your worthy sake
To th’ extreme edge of hazard .
And Fortune play upon thy prosperous helm
As thy auspicious mistress .
Great Mars , I put myself into thy file .
Make me but like my thoughts , and I shall prove
A lover of thy drum , hater of love .
Scene 4
Might you not know she would do as she has done
By sending me a letter ? Read it again .
Ambitious love hath so in me offended
That barefoot plod I the cold ground upon ,
With sainted vow my faults to have amended .
Write , write , that from the bloody course of war
My dearest master , your dear son , may hie .
[115] ACT 3. SC. 4 Bless him at home in peace , whilst I from far
His name with zealous fervor sanctify .
His taken labors bid him me forgive ;
I , his despiteful Juno , sent him forth
From courtly friends , with camping foes to live
Where death and danger dogs the heels of worth .
He is too good and fair for death and me ,
Whom I myself embrace to set him free .
Rinaldo , you did never lack advice so much
As letting her pass so . Had I spoke with her ,
I could have well diverted her intents ,
Which thus she hath prevented .
If I had given you this at overnight ,
She might have been o’erta’en . And yet she writes
Pursuit would be but vain .
Bless this unworthy husband ? He cannot thrive
Unless her prayers , whom heaven delights to hear
And loves to grant , reprieve him from the wrath
Of greatest justice . Write , write , Rinaldo ,
To this unworthy husband of his wife .
Let every word weigh heavy of her worth
That he does weigh too light . My greatest grief ,
Though little he do feel it , set down sharply .
Dispatch the most convenient messenger .
When haply he shall hear that she is gone ,
He will return ; and hope I may that she ,
Hearing so much , will speed her foot again ,
Led hither by pure love . Which of them both
Is dearest to me , I have no skill in sense
To make distinction . Provide this messenger .
My heart is heavy , and mine age is weak .
Grief would have tears , and sorrow bids me speak .
[117]ACT 3. SC. 5
Scene 5
daughter Diana , and Mariana , with other Citizens .
shall lose all the sight .
service .
commander , and that with his own hand he slew
the Duke’s brother . A trumpet sounds . We have
lost our labor . They are gone a contrary way . Hark ,
you may know by their trumpets .
with the report of it . — Well , Diana , take heed of
this French earl . The honor of a maid is her name ,
and no legacy is so rich as honesty .
have been solicited by a gentleman , his
companion .
filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the
young earl . — Beware of them , Diana . Their promises ,
enticements , oaths , tokens , and all these
engines of lust are not the things they go under .
Many a maid hath been seduced by them ; and
the misery is example that so terrible shows in the
wrack of maidenhood cannot for all that dissuade
succession , but that they are limed with the twigs
that threatens them . I hope I need not to advise
you further , but I hope your own grace will keep
you where you are , though there were no further
danger known but the modesty which is so lost .
[119] ACT 3. SC. 5
Look , here comes a pilgrim . I know she will lie at
my house ; thither they send one another . I’ll question
her . — God save you , pilgrim . Whither are
bound ?
Where do the palmers lodge , I do beseech you ?
If you will tarry , holy pilgrim ,
But till the troops come by ,
I will conduct you where you shall be lodged ,
The rather for I think I know your hostess
As ample as myself .
That has done worthy service .
His face I know not .
He’s bravely taken here . He stole from France ,
[121] ACT 3. SC. 5 As ’tis reported , for the King had married him
Against his liking . Think you it is so ?
Reports but coarsely of her .
In argument of praise , or to the worth
Of the great count himself , she is too mean
To have her name repeated . All her deserving
Is a reservèd honesty , and that
I have not heard examined .
’Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
Of a detesting lord .
Her heart weighs sadly . This young maid might do
her
A shrewd turn if she pleased .
Maybe the amorous count solicits her
In the unlawful purpose ?
And brokes with all that can in such a suit
Corrupt the tender honor of a maid ,
But she is armed for him and keeps her guard
In honestest defense .
[123]ACT 3. SC. 5
Parolles , and the whole Army .
That is Antonio , the Duke’s eldest son ;
That , Escalus .
That with the plume . ’Tis a most gallant fellow .
I would he loved his wife . If he were honester ,
He were much goodlier . Is ’t not a handsome
gentleman ?
That leads him to these places . Were I his lady ,
I would poison that vile rascal .
has spied us .
ring-carrier .
Where you shall host . Of enjoined penitents
There’s four or five , to Great Saint Jaques bound ,
Already at my house .
Please it this matron and this gentle maid
To eat with us tonight , the charge and thanking
[125] ACT 3. SC. 6 Shall be for me . And to requite you further ,
I will bestow some precepts of this virgin
Worthy the note .
Scene 6
Lords , as at first .
have his way .
hold me no more in your respect .
knowledge , without any malice , but to speak of
him as my kinsman , he’s a most notable coward ,
an infinite and endless liar , an hourly promise-breaker ,
the owner of no one good quality worthy
your Lordship’s entertainment .
too far in his virtue , which he hath not , he might
at some great and trusty business in a main danger
fail you .
try him .
drum , which you hear him so confidently undertake
to do .
surprise him . Such I will have whom I am sure
he knows not from the enemy . We will bind and
hoodwink him so , that he shall suppose no other
[127] ACT 3. SC. 6 but that he is carried into the leaguer of the adversary’s
when we bring him to our own tents . Be but
your Lordship present at his examination . If he do
not for the promise of his life , and in the highest
compulsion of base fear , offer to betray you and
deliver all the intelligence in his power against
you , and that with the divine forfeit of his soul
upon oath , never trust my judgment in anything .
his drum . He says he has a stratagem for ’t . When
your Lordship sees the bottom of his success in
’t , and to what metal this counterfeit lump of ore
will be melted , if you give him not John Drum’s
entertainment , your inclining cannot be removed .
Here he comes .
hinder not the honor of his design . Let him
fetch off his drum in any hand .
drum sticks sorely in your disposition .
lost ! There was excellent command , to charge in
with our horse upon our own wings and to rend
our own soldiers !
of the service . It was a disaster of war that
Caesar himself could not have prevented if he had
been there to command .
Some dishonor we had in the loss of that
drum , but it is not to be recovered .
[129]ACT 3. SC. 6
service is seldom attributed to the true and exact
performer , I would have that drum or another , or
hic jacet .
If you think your mystery in stratagem can bring
this instrument of honor again into his native
quarter , be magnanimous in the enterprise and go
on . I will grace the attempt for a worthy exploit . If
you speed well in it , the Duke shall both speak of it
and extend to you what further becomes his greatness ,
even to the utmost syllable of your
worthiness .
pen down my dilemmas , encourage myself in my
certainty , put myself into my mortal preparation ;
and by midnight look to hear further from me .
gone about it ?
lord , but the attempt I vow .
of thy soldiership will subscribe for thee . Farewell .
a strange fellow , my lord , that so confidently seems
to undertake this business which he knows is not
to be done , damns himself to do , and dares better
be damned than to do ’t ?
Certain it is that he will steal himself into a man’s
favor and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries ,
but when you find him out , you have him
ever after .
[131]ACT 3. SC. 6
all of this that so seriously he does address himself
unto ?
invention and clap upon you two or three probable
lies . But we have almost embossed him . You shall
see his fall tonight ; for indeed he is not for your
Lordship’s respect .
ere we case him . He was first smoked by the old
Lord Lafew . When his disguise and he is parted ,
tell me what a sprat you shall find him , which you
shall see this very night .
caught .
The lass I spoke of .
And found her wondrous cold . But I sent to her ,
By this same coxcomb that we have i’ th’ wind ,
Tokens and letters , which she did re-send .
And this is all I have done . She’s a fair creature .
Will you go see her ?
[133]ACT 3. SC. 7
Scene 7
I know not how I shall assure you further
But I shall lose the grounds I work upon .
Nothing acquainted with these businesses ,
And would not put my reputation now
In any staining act .
First give me trust the Count he is my husband ,
And what to your sworn counsel I have spoken
Is so from word to word ; and then you cannot ,
By the good aid that I of you shall borrow ,
Err in bestowing it .
For you have showed me that which well approves
You’re great in fortune .
And let me buy your friendly help thus far ,
Which I will overpay and pay again
When I have found it . The Count he woos your
daughter ,
Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty ,
Resolved to carry her . Let her in fine consent
As we’ll direct her how ’tis best to bear it .
Now his important blood will naught deny
That she’ll demand . A ring the County wears
That downward hath succeeded in his house
From son to son some four or five descents
Since the first father wore it . This ring he holds
In most rich choice . Yet , in his idle fire ,
To buy his will it would not seem too dear ,
Howe’er repented after .
[135]ACT 3. SC. 7
But that your daughter , ere she seems as won ,
Desires this ring , appoints him an encounter ,
In fine , delivers me to fill the time ,
Herself most chastely absent . After ,
To marry her , I’ll add three thousand crowns
To what is passed already .
Instruct my daughter how she shall persever
That time and place with this deceit so lawful
May prove coherent . Every night he comes
With musics of all sorts and songs composed
To her unworthiness . It nothing steads us
To chide him from our eaves , for he persists
As if his life lay on ’t .
Let us assay our plot , which , if it speed ,
Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed ,
And lawful meaning in a lawful act ,
Where both not sin , and yet a sinful fact .
But let’s about it .
[139]
ACT 4
Scene 1
Soldiers in ambush .
corner . When you sally upon him , speak what terrible
language you will . Though you understand it
not yourselves , no matter . For we must not seem to
understand him , unless some one among us whom
we must produce for an interpreter .
voice ?
us again ?
adversary’s entertainment . Now , he hath a smack
of all neighboring languages . Therefore we must
every one be a man of his own fancy , not to know
what we speak one to another . So we seem to know
is to know straight our purpose : choughs’ language ,
gabble enough and good enough . As for
you , interpreter , you must seem very politic . But
couch , ho ! Here he comes to beguile two hours in
[141] ACT 4. SC. 1 a sleep and then to return and swear the lies he
forges .
be time enough to go home . What shall I say I have
done ? It must be a very plausive invention that
carries it . They begin to smoke me , and disgraces
have of late knocked too often at my door . I find
my tongue is too foolhardy , but my heart hath the
fear of Mars before it , and of his creatures , not
daring the reports of my tongue .
tongue was guilty of .
the recovery of this drum , being not ignorant
of the impossibility and knowing I had no such
purpose ? I must give myself some hurts and say I
got them in exploit . Yet slight ones will not carry it .
They will say ‘Came you off with so little ?’ And
great ones I dare not give . Wherefore ? What’s the
instance ? Tongue , I must put you into a butter-woman’s
mouth and buy myself another of
Bajazeth’s mule if you prattle me into these perils .
and be that he is ?
serve the turn , or the breaking of my Spanish
sword .
in stratagem .
stripped .
[143]ACT 4. SC. 1
the citadel —
that be believed .
would swear I recovered it .
cargo .
And I shall lose my life for want of language .
If there be here German or Dane , Low Dutch ,
Italian , or French , let him speak to me .
I’ll discover that which shall undo the Florentine .
can speak thy tongue . Kerelybonto , sir , betake thee
to thy faith , for seventeen poniards are at thy
bosom .
dulche .
And , hoodwinked as thou art , will lead thee on
To gather from thee . Haply thou mayst inform
Something to save thy life .
[145]ACT 4. SC. 2
And all the secrets of our camp I’ll show ,
Their force , their purposes . Nay , I’ll speak that
Which you will wonder at .
granted space .
We have caught the woodcock and will keep him
muffled
Till we do hear from them .
Inform on that .
Scene 2
And worth it , with addition . But , fair soul ,
In your fine frame hath love no quality ?
If the quick fire of youth light not your mind ,
[147] ACT 4. SC. 2 You are no maiden but a monument .
When you are dead , you should be such a one
As you are now , for you are cold and stern ,
And now you should be as your mother was
When your sweet self was got .
My mother did but duty — such , my lord ,
As you owe to your wife .
I prithee do not strive against my vows .
I was compelled to her , but I love thee
By love’s own sweet constraint , and will forever
Do thee all rights of service .
Till we serve you . But when you have our roses ,
You barely leave our thorns to prick ourselves
And mock us with our bareness .
But the plain single vow that is vowed true .
What is not holy , that we swear not by ,
But take the high’st to witness . Then pray you , tell
me ,
If I should swear by Jove’s great attributes
I loved you dearly , would you believe my oaths
When I did love you ill ? This has no holding
To swear by him whom I protest to love
That I will work against him . Therefore your oaths
Are words , and poor conditions but unsealed ,
At least in my opinion .
Be not so holy-cruel . Love is holy ,
[149] ACT 4. SC. 2 And my integrity ne’er knew the crafts
That you do charge men with . Stand no more off ,
But give thyself unto my sick desires ,
Who then recovers . Say thou art mine , and ever
My love as it begins shall so persever .
That we’ll forsake ourselves . Give me that ring .
To give it from me .
Bequeathèd down from many ancestors ,
Which were the greatest obloquy i’ th’ world
In me to lose .
My chastity’s the jewel of our house ,
Bequeathèd down from many ancestors ,
Which were the greatest obloquy i’ th’ world
In me to lose . Thus your own proper wisdom
Brings in the champion Honor on my part
Against your vain assault .
My house , mine honor , yea , my life be thine ,
And I’ll be bid by thee .
window .
I’ll order take my mother shall not hear .
Now will I charge you in the band of truth ,
When you have conquered my yet maiden bed ,
Remain there but an hour , nor speak to me .
My reasons are most strong , and you shall know them
When back again this ring shall be delivered .
[151] ACT 4. SC. 3 And on your finger in the night I’ll put
Another ring , that what in time proceeds
May token to the future our past deeds .
Adieu till then ; then , fail not . You have won
A wife of me , though there my hope be done .
You may so in the end .
My mother told me just how he would woo
As if she sat in ’s heart . She says all men
Have the like oaths . He had sworn to marry me
When his wife’s dead . Therefore I’ll lie with him
When I am buried . Since Frenchmen are so braid ,
Marry that will , I live and die a maid .
Only , in this disguise I think ’t no sin
To cozen him that would unjustly win .
Scene 3
or three Soldiers .
letter ?
is something in ’t that stings his nature , for on the
reading it he changed almost into another man .
for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady .
displeasure of the King , who had even tuned
his bounty to sing happiness to him . I will tell you
a thing , but you shall let it dwell darkly with you .
[153]ACT 4. SC. 3
am the grave of it .
here in Florence of a most chaste renown ,
and this night he fleshes his will in the spoil of her
honor . He hath given her his monumental ring and
thinks himself made in the unchaste composition .
ourselves , what things are we !
common course of all treasons we still see them
reveal themselves till they attain to their abhorred
ends , so he that in this action contrives against his
own nobility , in his proper stream o’erflows
himself .
of our unlawful intents ? We shall not , then ,
have his company tonight ?
his hour .
have him see his company anatomized , that he
might take a measure of his own judgments
wherein so curiously he had set this counterfeit .
come , for his presence must be the whip of the
other .
wars ?
Will he travel higher or return again into France ?
of his counsel .
great deal of his act .
[155]ACT 4. SC. 3
from his house . Her pretense is a pilgrimage to
Saint Jaques le Grand , which holy undertaking
with most austere sanctimony she accomplished .
And , there residing , the tenderness of her nature
became as a prey to her grief ; in fine , made a groan
of her last breath , and now she sings in heaven .
which makes her story true even to the point of her
death . Her death itself , which could not be her
office to say is come , was faithfully confirmed by
the rector of the place .
from point , to the full arming of the verity .
this .
comforts of our losses .
drown our gain in tears . The great dignity that his
valor hath here acquired for him shall at home be
encountered with a shame as ample .
good and ill together . Our virtues would be proud
if our faults whipped them not , and our crimes
would despair if they were not cherished by our
virtues .
How now ? Where’s your master ?
he hath taken a solemn leave . His Lordship will
next morning for France . The Duke hath offered
him letters of commendations to the King .
[157]ACT 4. SC. 3
there , if they were more than they can commend .
They cannot be too sweet for the King’s tartness .
Here’s his Lordship now . — How now , my lord ? Is ’t
not after midnight ?
a month’s length apiece . By an abstract of
success : I have congeed with the Duke , done my
adieu with his nearest , buried a wife , mourned for
her , writ to my lady mother I am returning , entertained
my convoy , and between these main parcels
of dispatch effected many nicer needs . The last
was the greatest , but that I have not ended yet .
this morning your departure hence , it requires
haste of your Lordship .
to hear of it hereafter . But shall we have this dialogue
between the Fool and the Soldier ? Come ,
bring forth this counterfeit module ; has deceived
me like a double-meaning prophesier .
night , poor gallant knave .
usurping his spurs so long . How does he carry
himself ?
stocks carry him . But to answer you as you would
be understood : he weeps like a wench that had
shed her milk . He hath confessed himself to Morgan ,
whom he supposes to be a friar , from the time
of his remembrance to this very instant disaster of
his setting i’ th’ stocks . And what think you he hath
confessed ?
[159]ACT 4. SC. 3
read to his face . If your Lordship be in ’t , as I
believe you are , you must have the patience to
hear it .
the First Soldier .
nothing of me .
comes . — Portotartarossa .
What will you say without ’em ?
If you pinch me like a pasty , I can say no
more .
bids you answer to what I shall ask you out of a
note .
him how many horse the Duke is strong . — What say
you to that ?
unserviceable . The troops are all scattered , and the
commanders very poor rogues , upon my reputation
and credit , and as I hope to live .
which way you will .
slave is this !
[161] ACT 4. SC. 3 lord . This is Monsieur Parolles , the gallant
militarist — that was his own phrase — that had the
whole theoric of war in the knot of his scarf , and
the practice in the chape of his dagger .
keeping his sword clean , nor believe he can have
everything in him by wearing his apparel neatly .
say true — ‘or thereabouts’ set down , for I’ll speak
truth .
nature he delivers it .
The rogues are marvelous poor .
what strength they are o’ foot . — What say you to
that ?
present hour , I will tell true . Let me see : Spurio a
hundred and fifty , Sebastian so many , Corambus
so many , Jaques so many ; Guiltian , Cosmo ,
Lodowick and Gratii , two hundred fifty each ; mine
own company , Chitopher , Vaumond , Bentii , two
hundred fifty each ; so that the muster-file , rotten
and sound , upon my life amounts not to fifteen
thousand poll , half of the which dare not shake the
snow from off their cassocks lest they shake themselves
to pieces .
and what credit I have with the Duke .
[163]ACT 4. SC. 3
to read :
one Captain Dumaine be i’ th’ camp , a Frenchman ;
what his reputation is with the Duke , what his valor ,
honesty , and expertness in wars ; or whether he
thinks it were not possible with well-weighing sums
of gold to corrupt him to a revolt . — What say you to
this ? What do you know of it ?
of the inter’gatories . Demand them singly .
Paris , from whence he was whipped for getting the
shrieve’s fool with child , a dumb innocent that
could not say him nay .
your hands , though I know his brains are forfeit to
the next tile that falls .
Florence’s camp ?
me . We shall hear of your Lordship anon .
poor officer of mine , and writ to me this other day
to turn him out o’ th’ band . I think I have his letter
in my pocket .
there , or it is upon a file with the Duke’s other letters
in my tent .
you ?
[165]ACT 4. SC. 3
of gold —
advertisement to a proper maid in Florence , one
Diana , to take heed of the allurement of one Count
Rossillion , a foolish idle boy , but for all that very
ruttish . I pray you , sir , put it up again .
in the behalf of the maid , for I knew the young
count to be a dangerous and lascivious boy , who is
a whale to virginity and devours up all the fry it
finds .
take it .
After he scores , he never pays the score .
Half won is match well made . Match , and well
make it .
He ne’er pays after-debts . Take it before .
And say a soldier , Dian , told thee this :
Men are to mell with ; boys are not to kiss .
For count of this : the Count’s a fool , I know it ,
Who pays before , but not when he does owe it .
Thine , as he vowed to thee in thine ear ,
Parolles .
army with this rhyme in ’s forehead .
the manifold linguist and the armipotent soldier .
cat , and now he’s a cat to me .
general’s looks we shall be fain to hang you .
[167]ACT 4. SC. 3
to die , but that , my offenses being many , I would
repent out the remainder of nature . Let me live ,
sir , in a dungeon , i’ th’ stocks , or anywhere , so I
may live .
freely . Therefore once more to this Captain
Dumaine : you have answered to his reputation
with the Duke , and to his valor . What is his
honesty ?
rapes and ravishments , he parallels Nessus . He
professes not keeping of oaths . In breaking ’em he
is stronger than Hercules . He will lie , sir , with such
volubility that you would think truth were a fool .
Drunkenness is his best virtue , for he will be
swine-drunk , and in his sleep he does little harm ,
save to his bedclothes about him ; but they know
his conditions and lay him in straw . I have but
little more to say , sir , of his honesty ; he has everything
that an honest man should not have ; what an
honest man should have , he has nothing .
A pox upon him ! For me , he’s more and more
a cat .
tragedians . To belie him I will not , and more
of his soldiership I know not , except in that country
he had the honor to be the officer at a place
there called Mile End , to instruct for the doubling
of files . I would do the man what honor I can , but
of this I am not certain .
far that the rarity redeems him .
[169]ACT 4. SC. 3
I need not to ask you if gold will corrupt him to
revolt .
of his salvation , the inheritance of it , and cut th’
entail from all remainders , and a perpetual succession
for it perpetually .
Dumaine ?
so great as the first in goodness , but greater a great
deal in evil . He excels his brother for a coward , yet
his brother is reputed one of the best that is . In a
retreat he outruns any lackey . Marry , in coming on
he has the cramp .
to betray the Florentine ?
Rossillion .
his pleasure .
all drums ! Only to seem to deserve well , and to
beguile the supposition of that lascivious young
boy the Count , have I run into this danger . Yet who
would have suspected an ambush where I was
taken ?
die . The General says you that have so traitorously
discovered the secrets of your army and made
such pestiferous reports of men very nobly held
can serve the world for no honest use . Therefore
you must die . — Come , headsman , off with his
head .
[171]ACT 4. SC. 3
death !
all your friends . He removes the blindfold . So ,
look about you . Know you any here ?
Lord Lafew ? I am for France .
the sonnet you writ to Diana in behalf of the Count
Rossillion ? An I were not a very coward , I’d compel
it of you . But fare you well .
scarf ; that has a knot on ’t yet .
but women were that had received so much
shame , you might begin an impudent nation . Fare
you well , sir . I am for France too . We shall speak of
you there .
’Twould burst at this . Captain I’ll be no more ,
But I will eat and drink , and sleep as soft
As captain shall . Simply the thing I am
Shall make me live . Who knows himself a braggart ,
Let him fear this , for it will come to pass
That every braggart shall be found an ass .
Rust , sword ; cool , blushes ; and Parolles live
Safest in shame . Being fooled , by fool’ry thrive .
There’s place and means for every man alive .
I’ll after them .
[173]ACT 4. SC. 4
Scene 4
One of the greatest in the Christian world
Shall be my surety , ’fore whose throne ’tis needful ,
Ere I can perfect mine intents , to kneel .
Time was , I did him a desirèd office
Dear almost as his life , which gratitude
Through flinty Tartar’s bosom would peep forth
And answer thanks . I duly am informed
His Grace is at Marseilles , to which place
We have convenient convoy . You must know
I am supposèd dead . The army breaking ,
My husband hies him home , where , heaven aiding
And by the leave of my good lord the King ,
We’ll be before our welcome .
You never had a servant to whose trust
Your business was more welcome .
Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labor
To recompense your love . Doubt not but heaven
Hath brought me up to be your daughter’s dower ,
As it hath fated her to be my motive
And helper to a husband . But O , strange men ,
That can such sweet use make of what they hate
When saucy trusting of the cozened thoughts
Defiles the pitchy night ! So lust doth play
With what it loathes for that which is away .
But more of this hereafter . — You , Diana ,
Under my poor instructions yet must suffer
Something in my behalf .
Go with your impositions , I am yours
Upon your will to suffer .
[175]ACT 4. SC. 5
But with the word ‘The time will bring on summer ,’
When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns
And be as sweet as sharp . We must away .
Our wagon is prepared , and time revives us .
All’s well that ends well . Still the fine’s the crown .
Whate’er the course , the end is the renown .
Scene 5
snipped-taffeta fellow there , whose villainous saffron
would have made all the unbaked and doughy
youth of a nation in his color . Your daughter-in-law
had been alive at this hour , and your son here
at home , more advanced by the King than by that
red-tailed humble-bee I speak of .
death of the most virtuous gentlewoman that ever
nature had praise for creating . If she had partaken
of my flesh and cost me the dearest groans of a
mother , I could not have owed her a more rooted
love .
pick a thousand salads ere we light on such another
herb .
salad , or rather the herb of grace .
nose-herbs .
much skill in grass .
fool ?
[177]ACT 4. SC. 5
man’s .
service .
her service .
and fool .
great a prince as you are .
phys’nomy is more hotter in France than there .
alias the devil .
purse . I give thee not this to suggest thee from thy
master thou talk’st of . Serve him still .
great fire , and the master I speak of ever keeps a
good fire . But sure he is the prince of the world ; let
his Nobility remain in ’s court . I am for the house
with the narrow gate , which I take to be too little
for pomp to enter . Some that humble themselves
may , but the many will be too chill and tender , and
they’ll be for the flow’ry way that leads to the
broad gate and the great fire .
I tell thee so before because I would not fall out
with thee . Go thy ways . Let my horses be well
looked to , without any tricks .
[179]ACT 4. SC. 5
jades’ tricks , which are their own right by the law
of nature .
much sport out of him . By his authority he
remains here , which he thinks is a patent for his
sauciness , and indeed he has no pace , but runs
where he will .
to tell you , since I heard of the good lady’s death
and that my lord your son was upon his return
home , I moved the King my master to speak in the
behalf of my daughter , which in the minority of
them both his Majesty out of a self-gracious
remembrance did first propose . His Highness hath
promised me to do it , and to stop up the displeasure
he hath conceived against your son there is
no fitter matter . How does your Ladyship like it ?
wish it happily effected .
as able body as when he numbered thirty . He will
be here tomorrow , or I am deceived by him that in
such intelligence hath seldom failed .
ere I die . I have letters that my son will be here
tonight . I shall beseech your Lordship to remain
with me till they meet together .
might safely be admitted .
privilege .
thank my God it holds yet .
[181]ACT 4. SC. 5
patch of velvet on ’s face . Whether there be a scar
under ’t or no , the velvet knows , but ’tis a goodly
patch of velvet . His left cheek is a cheek of two pile
and a half , but his right cheek is worn bare .
of honor . So belike is that .
with the young noble soldier .
hats , and most courteous feathers which bow the
head and nod at every man .
[185]
ACT 5
Scene 1
Must wear your spirits low . We cannot help it .
But since you have made the days and nights as one
To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs ,
Be bold you do so grow in my requital
As nothing can unroot you .
In happy time !
This man may help me to his Majesty’s ear ,
If he would spend his power . — God save you , sir .
From the report that goes upon your goodness ,
And therefore , goaded with most sharp occasions
Which lay nice manners by , I put you to
The use of your own virtues , for the which
I shall continue thankful .
[187]ACT 5. SC. 1
To give this poor petition to the King
And aid me with that store of power you have
To come into his presence .
He hence removed last night , and with more haste
Than is his use .
Though time seem so adverse and means unfit . —
I do beseech you , whither is he gone ?
Whither I am going .
Since you are like to see the King before me ,
Commend the paper to his gracious hand ,
Which I presume shall render you no blame
But rather make you thank your pains for it .
I will come after you with what good speed
Our means will make us means .
Whate’er falls more . We must to horse again . —
Go , go , provide .
[189]ACT 5. SC. 2
Scene 2
Lavatch , give my lord Lafew this letter . I have ere
now , sir , been better known to you , when I have
held familiarity with fresher clothes . But I am
now , sir , muddied in Fortune’s mood , and smell
somewhat strong of her strong displeasure .
smell so strongly as thou speak’st of . I will henceforth
eat no fish of Fortune’s butt’ring . Prithee ,
allow the wind .
spake but by a metaphor .
nose , or against any man’s metaphor . Prithee , get
thee further .
close-stool , to give to a nobleman !
Look , here he comes himself . — Here is a purr of
Fortune’s , sir , or of Fortune’s cat — but not a
musk-cat — that has fall’n into the unclean fishpond
of her displeasure and , as he says , is muddied
withal . Pray you , sir , use the carp as you may ,
for he looks like a poor , decayed , ingenious , foolish ,
rascally knave . I do pity his distress in my
smiles of comfort , and leave him to your Lordship .
cruelly scratched .
late to pare her nails now . Wherein have you
[191] ACT 5. SC. 3 played the knave with Fortune that she should
scratch you , who of herself is a good lady and
would not have knaves thrive long under her ?
There’s a cardecu for you . Let the justices make
you and Fortune friends . I am for other business .
word .
ha ’t . Save your word .
passion ; give me your hand . How does your drum ?
found me .
thee .
grace , for you did bring me out .
at once both the office of God and the devil ? One
brings thee in grace , and the other brings thee out .
Trumpets sound . The King’s coming . I know by
his trumpets . Sirrah , inquire further after me . I
had talk of you last night . Though you are a fool
and a knave , you shall eat . Go to , follow .
Scene 3
Lords , with Attendants .
Was made much poorer by it . But your son ,
[193] ACT 5. SC. 3 As mad in folly , lacked the sense to know
Her estimation home .
And I beseech your Majesty to make it
Natural rebellion done i’ th’ blade of youth ,
When oil and fire , too strong for reason’s force ,
O’erbears it and burns on .
I have forgiven and forgotten all ,
Though my revenges were high bent upon him
And watched the time to shoot .
But first I beg my pardon : the young lord
Did to his Majesty , his mother , and his lady
Offense of mighty note , but to himself
The greatest wrong of all . He lost a wife
Whose beauty did astonish the survey
Of richest eyes , whose words all ears took captive ,
Whose dear perfection hearts that scorned to serve
Humbly called mistress .
Makes the remembrance dear . Well , call him hither .
We are reconciled , and the first view shall kill
All repetition . Let him not ask our pardon .
The nature of his great offense is dead ,
And deeper than oblivion we do bury
Th’ incensing relics of it . Let him approach
A stranger , no offender , and inform him
So ’tis our will he should .
That sets him high in fame .
[195]ACT 5. SC. 3
For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail
In me at once . But to the brightest beams
Distracted clouds give way . So stand thou forth .
The time is fair again .
Dear sovereign , pardon to me .
Not one word more of the consumèd time .
Let’s take the instant by the forward top ,
For we are old , and on our quick’st decrees
Th’ inaudible and noiseless foot of time
Steals ere we can effect them . You remember
The daughter of this lord ?
I stuck my choice upon her , ere my heart
Durst make too bold a herald of my tongue ;
Where the impression of mine eye infixing ,
Contempt his scornful perspective did lend me ,
Which warped the line of every other favor ,
Scorned a fair color or expressed it stol’n ,
Extended or contracted all proportions
To a most hideous object . Thence it came
That she whom all men praised and whom myself ,
Since I have lost , have loved , was in mine eye
The dust that did offend it .
That thou didst love her strikes some scores away
From the great compt . But love that comes too late ,
Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried ,
To the great sender turns a sour offense ,
Crying ‘That’s good that’s gone !’ Our rash faults
Make trivial price of serious things we have ,
[197] ACT 5. SC. 3 Not knowing them until we know their grave .
Oft our displeasures , to ourselves unjust ,
Destroy our friends and after weep their dust .
Our own love , waking , cries to see what’s done ,
While shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon .
Be this sweet Helen’s knell , and now forget her .
Send forth your amorous token for fair Maudlin .
The main consents are had , and here we’ll stay
To see our widower’s second marriage day .
Or , ere they meet , in me , O nature , cesse !
Must be digested , give a favor from you
To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter ,
That she may quickly come .
By my old beard
And ev’ry hair that’s on ’t , Helen that’s dead
Was a sweet creature . Such a ring as this ,
The last that e’er I took her leave at court ,
I saw upon her finger .
While I was speaking , oft was fastened to ’t .
This ring was mine , and when I gave it Helen ,
I bade her if her fortunes ever stood
Necessitied to help , that by this token
I would relieve her .
reave her
Of what should stead her most ?
sovereign ,
[199] ACT 5. SC. 3 Howe’er it pleases you to take it so ,
The ring was never hers .
I have seen her wear it , and she reckoned it
At her life’s rate .
In Florence was it from a casement thrown me ,
Wrapped in a paper which contained the name
Of her that threw it . Noble she was , and thought
I stood ungaged , but when I had subscribed
To mine own fortune and informed her fully
I could not answer in that course of honor
As she had made the overture , she ceased
In heavy satisfaction and would never
Receive the ring again .
That knows the tinct and multiplying med’cine ,
Hath not in nature’s mystery more science
Than I have in this ring . ’Twas mine , ’twas Helen’s ,
Whoever gave it you . Then if you know
That you are well acquainted with yourself ,
Confess ’twas hers and by what rough enforcement
You got it from her . She called the saints to surety
That she would never put it from her finger
Unless she gave it to yourself in bed ,
Where you have never come , or sent it us
Upon her great disaster .
And mak’st conjectural fears to come into me
Which I would fain shut out . If it should prove
That thou art so inhuman — ’twill not prove so ,
And yet I know not . Thou didst hate her deadly ,
[201] ACT 5. SC. 3 And she is dead , which nothing but to close
Her eyes myself could win me to believe
More than to see this ring . — Take him away .
My forepast proofs , howe’er the matter fall ,
Shall tax my fears of little vanity ,
Having vainly feared too little . Away with him .
We’ll sift this matter further .
This ring was ever hers , you shall as easy
Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence ,
Where yet she never was .
Whether I have been to blame or no , I know not .
Here’s a petition from a Florentine
Who hath for four or five removes come short
To tender it herself . I undertook it ,
Vanquished thereto by the fair grace and speech
Of the poor suppliant , who , by this , I know
Is here attending . Her business looks in her
With an importing visage , and she told me ,
In a sweet verbal brief , it did concern
Your Highness with herself .
when his wife was dead , I blush to say it , he won
me . Now is the Count Rossillion a widower , his
vows are forfeited to me and my honor’s paid to him .
He stole from Florence , taking no leave , and I follow
him to his country for justice . Grant it me , O king .
In you it best lies . Otherwise a seducer flourishes ,
and a poor maid is undone .
Diana Capilet .
[203]ACT 5. SC. 3
this . I’ll none of him .
To bring forth this discov’ry . — Seek these suitors .
Go speedily , and bring again the Count .
I am afeard the life of Helen , lady ,
Was foully snatched .
And that you fly them as you swear them lordship ,
Yet you desire to marry .
What woman’s that ?
Derivèd from the ancient Capilet .
My suit , as I do understand , you know
And therefore know how far I may be pitied .
Both suffer under this complaint we bring ,
And both shall cease without your remedy .
But that I know them . Do they charge me further ?
[205]ACT 5. SC. 3
You give away this hand , and that is mine ;
You give away heaven’s vows , and those are mine ;
You give away myself , which is known mine ,
For I by vow am so embodied yours
That she which marries you must marry me ,
Either both or none .
for my daughter . You are no husband for her .
Whom sometime I have laughed with . Let your
Highness
Lay a more noble thought upon mine honor
Than for to think that I would sink it here .
Till your deeds gain them . Fairer prove your honor
Than in my thought it lies .
Ask him upon his oath if he does think
He had not my virginity .
And was a common gamester to the camp .
He might have bought me at a common price .
Do not believe him . O , behold this ring ,
Whose high respect and rich validity
Did lack a parallel . Yet for all that
He gave it to a commoner o’ th’ camp ,
If I be one .
[207]ACT 5. SC. 3
Of six preceding ancestors that gem ,
Conferred by testament to th’ sequent issue ,
Hath it been owed and worn . This is his wife .
That ring’s a thousand proofs .
You saw one here in court could witness it .
So bad an instrument . His name’s Parolles .
He’s quoted for a most perfidious slave ,
With all the spots o’ th’ world taxed and debauched ,
Whose nature sickens but to speak a truth .
Am I or that or this for what he’ll utter ,
That will speak anything ?
And boarded her i’ th’ wanton way of youth .
She knew her distance and did angle for me ,
Madding my eagerness with her restraint ,
As all impediments in fancy’s course
Are motives of more fancy ; and in fine
Her infinite cunning with her modern grace
Subdued me to her rate . She got the ring ,
And I had that which any inferior might
At market price have bought .
You that have turned off a first so noble wife
May justly diet me . I pray you yet —
Since you lack virtue , I will lose a husband —
[209] ACT 5. SC. 3 Send for your ring . I will return it home ,
And give me mine again .
Out of a casement ?
Is this the man you speak of ?
Not fearing the displeasure of your master ,
Which , on your just proceeding , I’ll keep off —
By him and by this woman here what know you ?
been an honorable gentleman . Tricks he hath had
in him which gentlemen have .
woman ?
woman .
[211]ACT 5. SC. 3
equivocal companion is this !
command .
orator .
between them , as I said ; but more than that he
loved her , for indeed he was mad for her , and
talked of Satan and of limbo and of furies and I
know not what . Yet I was in that credit with them
at that time , that I knew of their going to bed and
of other motions , as promising her marriage , and
things which would derive me ill will to speak of .
Therefore I will not speak what I know .
say they are married . But thou art too fine in thy
evidence . Therefore stand aside .
This ring you say was yours ?
[213]ACT 5. SC. 3
How could you give it him ?
off and on at pleasure .
To prison with her , and away with him . —
Unless thou tell’st me where thou hadst this ring ,
Thou diest within this hour .
He knows I am no maid , and he’ll swear to ’t .
I’ll swear I am a maid , and he knows not .
Great king , I am no strumpet . By my life ,
I am either maid or else this old man’s wife .
royal sir .
[215] ACT 5. SC. 3 The jeweler that owes the ring is sent for ,
And he shall surety me . But for this lord
Who hath abused me as he knows himself ,
Though yet he never harmed me , here I quit him .
He knows himself my bed he hath defiled ,
And at that time he got his wife with child .
Dead though she be , she feels her young one kick .
So there’s my riddle : one that’s dead is quick .
And now behold the meaning .
Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes ?
Is ’t real that I see ?
’Tis but the shadow of a wife you see ,
The name and not the thing .
I found you wondrous kind . There is your ring ,
And , look you , here’s your letter . She takes out a
paper . This it says :
When from my finger you can get this ring
And are by me with child , etc. This is done .
Will you be mine now you are doubly won ?
I’ll love her dearly , ever , ever dearly .
Deadly divorce step between me and you . —
O my dear mother , do I see you living ?
[217] ACT 5. SC. 3 So , I thank thee . Wait on me home .
I’ll make sport with thee . Let thy courtesies alone .
They are scurvy ones .
To make the even truth in pleasure flow .
Choose thou thy husband , and I’ll pay thy dower .
For I can guess that by thy honest aid
Thou kept’st a wife herself , thyself a maid .
Of that and all the progress more and less ,
Resolvedly more leisure shall express .
All yet seems well , and if it end so meet ,
The bitter past , more welcome is the sweet .
EPILOGUE
All is well ended if this suit be won ,
That you express content , which we will pay ,
With strift to please you , day exceeding day .
Ours be your patience , then , and yours our parts .
Your gentle hands lend us , and take our hearts .
Appendix A
- Lizenz
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CC BY 4.0
Link zur Lizenz
- Zitationsvorschlag für diese Edition
- TextGrid Repository (2025). Shakespeare, William. All’s Well That Ends Well. The Folger Digital Texts in TextGrid. https://hdl.handle.net/21.11113/0000-0016-8483-E