ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
by William Shakespeare
edited with notes, © 2017, 2018, 2019 by Deloss Brown
Prolog: The Castle of Perseveraunce filmed
Act I, Scene 1
Act I Scene 1 filmed
Act I, Scene 2
Act I, Scene 3
Act I Scene 3 filmed
Act II, Scene 1
Act II, Scene 1 filmed (second part)
Act II, Scene 2
Act II, Scene 3
Act II, Scene 3 filmed
Act II, Scene 4
Act II, Scene 5
Act II, Scene 5 filmed
Act III, Scene 1
Act III, Scene 2
Act III, Scene 2 filmed
Act III, Scene 3
Act III, Scene 4
Act III, Scene 5
Act III, Scene 6
Act III, Scene 7
Act IV, Scene 1
Act IV, Scene 2
Table of All Contents
Introduction
The Morality Play Structure of All's Well
Themes and Images
Characters in All's Well
Bibliography
The Castle of Perseverance (part)
Horrid Technical Details! (which you may ignore)
All's Well that Ends Well:
Prolog: The Castle of Perseveraunce filmed
Act I, Scene 1
Act I Scene 1 filmed
Act I, Scene 2
Act I, Scene 3
Act I Scene 3 filmed
Act II, Scene 1
Act II, Scene 1 filmed (second part)
Act II, Scene 2
Act II, Scene 3
Act II, Scene 3 filmed
Act II, Scene 4
Act II, Scene 5
Act II, Scene 5 filmed
Act III, Scene 1
Act III, Scene 2
Act III, Scene 2 filmed
Act III, Scene 3
Act III, Scene 4
Act III, Scene 5
Act III, Scene 6
Act III, Scene 7
Act IV, Scene 1
Act IV, Scene 2
Horrid Technical Details! (which you may ignore!)
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Table of Contents of this Page
Act I, Scene 1
Act I, Scene 2
Act I, Scene 3
Act I Scene 3 filmed
Act II, Scene 1
Act II, Scene 1 filmed (second part)
Act II, Scene 2
Act II, Scene 3
Act II, Scene 3 filmed
Act II, Scene 4
Act II, Scene 5
Act II, Scene 5 filmed
Act III, Scene 1
Act III, Scene 2
Act III, Scene 2 filmed
Act III, Scene 3
Act III, Scene 4
Act III, Scene 5
Act III, Scene 6
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT I. SCENE 1.
Rossillion. The COUNT'S palace.
Enter BERTRAM, the COUNTESS OF ROSSILLION, HELENA, and LAFEW, all in black. [1]
COUNTESS
In delivering [2] my son from me, I bury a second husband.
BERTRAM
And I in going, madam, weep o'er my father's death anew; but I must attend his Majesty's command, to whom I am now in ward, evermore in subjection.
LAFEW
You shall find of the King a husband, madam; 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. [3]
COUNTESS
What hope is there of his Majesty's amendment?
LAFEW
He hath abandoned his physicians, madam; 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.
COUNTESS
This young gentlewoman had a father-- O, 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 the King's sake, he were living! I think it would be the death of the King's disease.
LAFEW
How called you the man you speak of, madam?
COUNTESS
He was famous, sir, in his profession, and it was his great right to be so--Gerard de Narbon.
LAFEW
He was excellent indeed, madam; the King very lately spoke of him admiringly and mourningly; he was skilful enough to have lived still, if knowledge could be set up against mortality.
BERTRAM
What is it, my good lord, the King languishes of?
LAFEW
A fistula, my lord. [4]
BERTRAM
I heard not of it before. [5]
LAFEW
I would it were not notorious. Was this gentlewoman the daughter of Gerard de Narbon?
COUNTESS
His sole child, my lord, and bequeathed to 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.
LAFEW
Your commendations, madam, get from her tears.
COUNTESS
'Tis the best brine a maiden can season her praise in. The remembrance of her father never approaches her heart but the tyranny of her sorrows takes all livelihood from her cheek. No more of this, Helena; go to, no more, lest it be rather thought you affect a sorrow than to have--
HELENA
I do affect a sorrow indeed, but I have it too. [6]
LAFEW
Moderate lamentation is the right of the dead: excessive grief the enemy to the living.
COUNTESS
If the living be enemy to the grief, the excess makes it soon mortal. [7]
BERTRAM
Madam, I desire your holy wishes.
LAFEW
How understand we that? [8]
COUNTESS
Be thou blest, Bertram, and succeed thy father
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! Farewell. My lord,
'Tis an unseasoned courtier; good my lord,
Advise him. [9]
LAFEW
He cannot want the best
That shall attend his love.
COUNTESS
Heaven bless him! Farewell, Bertram. [10] [Exit.]
BERTRAM
The best wishes that can be forged in your thoughts be servants to you! [To HELENA] Be comfortable to my mother, your mistress, and make much of her.
LAFEW
Farewell, pretty lady; you must hold the credit of your father. [11]
(Exeunt BERTRAM and LAFEW.)
HELENA
O, were that all! I think not on my father;
And these great | tears grace his remembrance more [12]
Than those I shed for him. What was he like?
I have forgot him; my imagination
Carries no favour in't but Bertram's.
I am undone; there is no living, none,
If Bertram be away. [13] 'Twere all one
That I should love a bright particular star
And think to wed it, he is | so above me. [14]
In his bright radiance and collateral | light
Must I be comforted, not in his | sphere. [15]
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, [16]
In our heart's table--heart | too capable [17]
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?
(Enter PAROLLES--who doesn't hear HELENA)
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 [18]
Looks bleak i' th' cold wind; withal, [19] full oft we see in the cold wind [20]
Cold wisdom waiting on superfluous folly.
PAROLLES
Save you, fair queen! [21]
HELENA
And you, monarch! [22]
PAROLLES
No.
HELENA
And no.
PAROLLES
Are you meditating on virginity? [23]
HELENA
Ay. You have some stain of soldier in you; let me ask you a question. Man is enemy to virginity; how may we barricado[24] it against him?
PAROLLES
Keep him out.
HELENA
But he assails; and our virginity, though valiant in the defense, yet is weak. Unfold to us some warlike resistance.
PAROLLES
There is none. Man, setting down before you, will undermine you and blow you up. [25]
HELENA
Bless our poor virginity from underminers and blowers-up! Is there no military policy how virgins might blow up men?
PAROLLES
Virginity being blown down, man will 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.
HELENA
I will stand for 't a little, though therefore I die a virgin. [26]
PAROLLES
There's little can be said in 't; 'tis against the 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 ten, which is a goodly increase; and the principal itself not much the worse. Away with't. [27]
HELENA
How might one do, sir, to lose it to her own liking? [28]
PAROLLES
Let me see. Marry, ill to like him that ne'er it likes. [29] '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 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 drily; marry, 'tis a withered pear; it was formerly better; marry, yet | 'tis a withered pear. Will you anything with it?
HELENA
Not my virginity, yet--
There shall your master have a thousand loves, [30]
A mother, and a mistress, and a friend,
A phoenix, captain, and an enemy,
A guide, a goddess, and a sovereign,
A counsellor, 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 [31]
Of pretty, fond, adoptious christendoms
That blinking Cupid gossips. Now shall he-- [32]
I know not what he shall. God send him well!
The court's a learning-place, and he is one-- [33]
PAROLLES
What one, i' faith?
HELENA
That I wish well. 'Tis pity-- [34]
PAROLLES
What's pity?
HELENA
That wishing well had not a body in't [35] in it
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 [36]
Returns us thanks.
(Enter PAGE)
PAGE
Monsieur Parolles, my lord calls for you. (Exit PAGE)
PAROLLES
Little Helen, farewell; if I can remember thee, I will think of thee at court. [37]
HELENA
Monsieur Parolles, you were born under a charitable star.
PAROLLES
Under Mars, I.
HELENA
I especially think, under Mars. Emphasis by this editor.
PAROLLES
Why under Mars?
HELENA
The wars hath so kept you under that you must needs be born under Mars.
PAROLLES
When he was predominant.
HELENA
When he was retrograde, I think, rather.
PAROLLES
Why think you so?
HELENA
You go so much backward when you fight.
PAROLLES
That's for advantage.
HELENA
So is running away, when fear proposes the 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. [38]
PAROLLES
I am so full of business I cannot answer 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.
(PAROLLES starts out, then returns--my SD. He said "farewell," did he not?)
When thou hast leisure, say thy prayers; when thou hast none, remember thy friends.
(PAROLLES starts out, then returns--my SD. He still hasn't told her what he wants to say.)
Get thee a good husband and use him as he uses thee. So, farewell. [39] (Exit, finally.)
HELENA
Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie,
Which we ascribe to heaven. The fated sky
Gives us free scope; only doth backward pull
Our slow designs when we ourselves are dull. [40]
What power is it which mounts my love so high, [41]
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
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. [42] (Exit.)
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT I. SCENE 2.
Paris. The KING'S palace
Flourish of cornets. Enter the KING OF FRANCE, with letters, and divers ATTENDANTS. [43]
KING
The Florentines and Senoys are by th' ears; [44] by the
Have fought with equal fortune, and continue
A braving war.
LORD G
So 'tis reported, sir.
KING
Nay, 'tis most credible. We here receive it,
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.
LORD G
His love and wisdom,
Approved so to your Majesty, may plead
For amplest credence.
KING
He hath armed our answer,
And Florence is denied before he comes; [45]
Yet, for our gentlemen that mean to see
The Tuscan service, freely have they leave
To stand on either part. [46]
LORD E
It well may serve
A nursery to our gentry, who are sick
For breathing and exploit.
KING
What's he comes here?
(Enter BERTRAM, LAFEW, and PAROLLES.)
LORD G
It is the Count Rossilion, my good lord,
Young Bertram.
KING
Youth, thou bear'st thy father's face; [47]
Frank nature, rather curious than in haste,
Hath well composed thee. Thy father's moral parts
Mayst thou inherit too! Welcome to Paris.
BERTRAM
My thanks and duty are your Majesty's.
KING
I would I had that corporal soundness now,
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.
BERTRAM
His good remembrance, sir,
Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb;
So in approof lives not his epitaph
As in your royal speech. [48]
KING
Would I were with him![49] He would always say--
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[50]
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 dissolved from my hive,
To give some laborers room.
LORD E
You're loved, sir;
They that least lend it you shall lack you first.
KING
I fill a place, I know't. How long is't, Count,
Since the physician at your father's died?
He was much famed.
BERTRAM
Some six months since, my lord.
KING
If he were living, I would try him yet--
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. [51]
BERTRAM
Thank your Majesty. (Exeunt.) [Flourish]
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT I. SCENE 3.
Rossilion. The COUNT'S palace. Enter COUNTESS, STEWARD, and CLOWN (LAVATCH).
Note: we have made a video of this scene and it can be viewed at Act I Scene 3 filmed
COUNTESS
I will now hear; what say you of this gentlewoman?
STEWARD
Madam, the care I have had to even your 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. [52]
COUNTESS (noticing LAVATCH)
What does this knave here? Get 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.
LAVATCH
'Tis not unknown to you, madam, I am a poor fellow.
COUNTESS
Well, sir.
LAVATCH
No, madam, 'tis not so well that I am poor, 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. [53]
COUNTESS
Wilt thou needs be a beggar?
LAVATCH
I do beg your good will in this case.
COUNTESS
In what case?
LAVATCH
In Isbel's case and mine own. Service is no heritage; and I think I shall never have the blessing of God till I have issue o' my body; for they say barnes [54] are blessings.
COUNTESS
Tell me thy reason why thou wilt marry.
LAVATCH
My poor body, madam, requires it. I am driven on by the flesh; and he must needs go that the devil drives. [55]
COUNTESS
Is this all your worship's reason? [56]
LAVATCH
Faith, madam, I have other holy reasons, such as they are.
COUNTESS
May the world know them?
LAVATCH
I have been, madam, a wicked creature, as you and all flesh and blood are; and, indeed, I do marry that I may repent.
COUNTESS
Thy marriage, sooner than thy wickedness.
LAVATCH
I am out o' friends, madam, and I hope to have friends for my wife's sake. out o' = "out of"; please do not say "out oh"
COUNTESS
Such friends are thine enemies, knave.
LAVATCH
Y'are shallow, madam-in great friends; for the knaves come to do that for me which I am aweary of. He that ears [57] 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 [58] the puritan and old Poysam [59] 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.
COUNTESS
Wilt thou ever be a foul-mouthed and calumnious knave?
LAVATCH
A prophet I, madam; [60] and I speak the truth the next way: [61]
For I the ballad will repeat,
Which men full true shall find:
Your marriage comes by destiny,
Your cuckoo sings by kind. [62]
COUNTESS
Get you gone, sir; I'll talk with you more anon.
STEWARD
May it please you, madam, that he bid Helen come to you. Of her I am to speak.
COUNTESS
Sirrah, tell my gentlewoman I would speak with her; Helen I mean.
LAVATCH
[Sings]
"Was this fair face the cause" quoth she
"Why the Grecians sacked 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." [63]
COUNTESS
What, one good in ten? You corrupt the song, sirrah.
LAVATCH
One good woman in ten, madam, which is a 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 'a! An we might have a good woman born before every blazing star, or at an earthquake, 'twould mend the lottery well: a man may draw his heart out ere 'a pluck one. [64]
COUNTESS
You'll be gone, sir knave, and do as I command you.
LAVATCH
That man should be at woman's command, and yet no hurt done! [65] 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. [66] I am going, forsooth. The business is for Helen to come hither. (Exit.)
COUNTESS
Well, now.
STEWARD
I know, madam, you love your gentlewoman entirely.
COUNTESS
Faith I do. Her father bequeathed her to 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.
STEWARD
Madam, I was very late more near her than I 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; Diana 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, [67] in the loss that may happen, it concerns you something to know it.
COUNTESS
You have discharged this honestly; keep 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. [68] Pray you leave me. Stall this in your bosom; and I thank you for your honest care. I will speak with you further anon. (Exit STEWARD.)
(Enter HELENA)
Even so it was with me when I was young. [69]
If ever we are nature's, these are ours; this thorn [70]
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. [71]
HELENA
What is your pleasure, madam?
COUNTESS
You know, Helen,
I am a mother to you. [72]
HELENA
Mine honorable mistress.
COUNTESS
Nay, a mother.
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, [73]
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-coloured Iris, rounds thine eye? [74]
Why, that you are my daughter?
HELENA
That I am not.
COUNTESS
I say I am your mother.
HELENA
Pardon, madam.
The Count Rossilion 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.
COUNTESS
Nor I your mother?
HELENA
You are my mother, madam; would you were--
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,
But, I your daughter, he must be my brother?
COUNTESS
Yes, Helen, you might be my daughter-in-law. [75]
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 myst'ry 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 behaviours
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.
HELENA
Good madam, pardon me.
COUNTESS
Do you love my son?
HELENA
Your pardon, noble mistress.
COUNTESS
Love you my son?
HELENA
Do not you love him--madam? [76]
COUNTESS
Go not about; my love hath in't a bond
Whereof the world takes note. Come, come, disclose
The state of your affection; for your passions
Have to the full appeached.
HELENA (kneels)
Then I confess,
Here on my knee, before high heaven and you,
That before you, and next unto high heaven,
I love your son. [77]
My friends were poor, but honest; so's my love. [77A]
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 [78]
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! [79]
COUNTESS
Had you not lately an intent--speak truly--
To go to Paris?
HELENA
Madam, I had.
COUNTESS
Wherefore? Tell true. [80]
HELENA
I will tell truth; by grace itself I swear.
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
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.
COUNTESS
This was your motive
For Paris, was it? . . . Speak! [81]
HELENA
My lord your son made me to think of this, [82]
Else Paris, and the medicine, and the King,
Had from the conversation of my thoughts
Haply been absent then.
COUNTESS
But think you, Helen,
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,
Embowelled of their doctrine, have left off
The danger to itself?
HELENA
There's something in't
More than my father's skill, which was the great'st
Of his profession, that his good receipt [83]
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 and hour.
COUNTESS
Dost thou believe't?
HELENA
Ay, madam, knowingly. [84]
COUNTESS
Why, Helen, thou shalt have my leave and love,
Means and attendants, and my loving greetings
To those of mine in court. I'll stay at home,
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. (Exeunt.) [85]
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT II. SCENE 1.
Act II, Scene 1 filmed (second part)
Paris. The KING'S palace
Flourish of cornets. Enter the KING with divers
young LORDS taking leave for the Florentine war;
BERTRAM and PAROLLES; ATTENDANTS [86]
KING
Farewell, young lords; these war-like principles
Do not throw from you. And you, my lords, farewell; [87]
Share the advice betwixt you; if both gain all,
The gift doth stretch itself as 'tis received,
And is enough for both.
LORD G. (CAPTAIN DUMAIN 1)
'Tis our hope, sir,
After well-entered soldiers, to return
And find your Grace in health. [88]
KING
No, no, it cannot be; and yet my heart
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 [89]
Not to woo honor, but to wed it; when
The bravest questant shrinks, find what you seek,
That fame may cry you aloud. I say farewell.
LORD G. (CAPTAIN DUMAIN 1)
Health at your bidding serve your Majesty!
KING
Those girls of Italy, take heed of them; [90]
They say our French lack language to deny,
If they demand; beware of being captives
Before you serve.
BOTH LORDS
Our hearts receive your warnings.
KING
Farewell. [To ATTENDANTS] Come hither to me. (The KING retires attended.) [91]
LORD G.
O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us!
PAROLLES
'Tis not his fault, the spark. [92]
LORD E. (CAPTAIN DUMAIN 2)
O, 'tis brave wars!
PAROLLES
Most admirable! I have seen those wars.
BERTRAM
I am commanded here and kept a coil with "too young" and "next year" and " 'tis too early." [93]
PAROLLES
An thy mind stand to 't, boy, steal away bravely.
BERTRAM
I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock, [94]
Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry, [95]
Till honor be bought up, and no sword worn
But one to dance with. By heaven, I'll steal away. [96]
LORD G.
There's honor in the theft. [97]
PAROLLES
Commit it, Count.
LORD E.
I am your accessary; and so farewell. [98]
BERTRAM
I grow to you, and our parting is a tortured body. [99]
LORD G.
Farewell, Captain. [100]
LORD E.
Sweet Monsieur Parolles! [101]
PAROLLES
Noble heroes, my sword and yours are kin. 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. [102]
LORD G.
We shall, noble captain.
PAROLLES
Mars dote on you for his novices! (Exeunt LORDS.)
(to Bertram)
What will ye do?
BERTRAM
Stay the King. [103]
PAROLLES
Use a more spacious ceremony to the noble 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. [104]
BERTRAM
And I will do so.
PAROLLES
Worthy fellows; and like to prove most sinewy sword-men.
(Exeunt BERTRAM and PAROLLES and enter LAFEW to the KING.)
LAFEW (kneeling) [105]
Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings.
KING
I'll fee thee to stand up. [106]
LAFEW (stands up)
Then here's a man stands that has brought his pardon.
I would you had kneeled, my lord, to ask me mercy;
And that at my bidding you could so stand up.
KING
I would I had; so I had broke thy pate,
And asked thee mercy for't. for it
LAFEW
Good faith, across!
But, my good lord, 'tis thus: will you be cured
Of your infirmity?
KING
No. [107]
LAFEW
O, will you eat
No grapes, my royal fox? [108] 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 [109]
With spritely fire and motion; whose simple touch
Is powerful to araise King Pepin, nay,
To give great Charlemain a pen in's hand
And write to her a love-line.
KING
What "her" is this?
LAFEW
Why, Doctor She! My lord, there's one arrived,
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. [110]
KING
Now, good Lafew,
Bring in the admiration, that we with the
May spend our wonder too, or take off thine
By wond'ring how thou took'st it. [111]
LAFEW
Nay, I'll fit you,
And not be all day neither. (Exit LAFEW.)
KING
Thus he his special nothing ever prologues. [112]
(Re-enter LAFEW with HELENA.)
LAFEW
Nay, come your ways.
KING
This haste hath wings indeed.
LAFEW
Nay, come your ways; [113]
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, [114]
That dare leave two together. Fare you well. (Exit.)
KING
Now, fair one, does your business follow us? [115]
HELENA
Ay, my good lord. [116]
Gerard de Narbon was my father,
In what he did profess, well found.
KING
I knew him. [117]
HELENA
The rather will I spare my praises towards him;
Knowing him is enough. On's bed of death
Many receipts [118] 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 [119] eye,
Safer than mine own two, more dear. I have so:
And, hearing your high Majesty is touched
With that malignant [120] cause wherein the honor
Of my dear father's gift stands chief in power,
I come to tender it, and my appliance, [121]
With all bound humbleness.
KING
We thank you, maiden;
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 inaidable estate--I say we must not
So stain our judgment, or corrupt our hope,
To prostitute our past-cure malady
To empirics; [122] or to dissever so
Our great self and our credit to esteem
A senseless help, when help past sense we deem. [123]
HELENA
My duty then shall pay me for my pains.
I will no more enforce mine office on you;
Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts
A modest one to bear me back again. [124]
KING
I cannot give thee less, to be called grateful.
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. [125]
HELENA
What I can do can do no hurt to try,
Since you set up your rest 'gainst remedy. [126]
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 greatest been denied.
Oft expectation fails, and most oft there
Where most it promises; and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest, and despair most fits. [127]
KING
I must not hear thee. Fare thee well, kind maid;
Thy pains, not used, must by thyself be paid;
Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward.
HELENA
Inspirèd merit so by breath is barred.
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
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; [128]
But know I think, and think I know most sure,
My art is not past power nor you past cure.
KING
Art thou so confident? Within what space
Hop'st thou my cure? [129] hop'st = hopest = hopes
HELENA
The greatest Grace lending grace, [130] [131]
Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring
Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring, [132]
Ere twice in murk and occidental damp
Moist Hesperus hath quenched his sleepy lamp, [133]
Or four and twenty times the pilot's glass [134]
Hath told the thievish minutes how they pass, [135]
What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly,
Health shall live free, and sickness freely die. [136]
KING
Upon thy certainty and confidence
What dar'st thou venture?
HELENA
Tax of impudence,
A strumpet's boldness, a divulged shame,
Traduced by odious ballads; my maiden's name [137]
Seared otherwise; ne worse of worst--extended
With vildest torture let my life be ended. [138]
KING
Methinks in thee some blessed spirit doth speak
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.
Thou this to hazard needs must intimate
Skill infinite or monstrous desperate.
Sweet practiser, thy physic I will try,
That ministers thine own death if I die.
HELENA
If I break time, or flinch in property
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? [139]
KING
Make thy demand.
HELENA
But will you make it even? [140]
KING
Ay, by my sceptre and my hopes of heaven.
HELENA
Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand
What husband in thy power I will command.
Exempted be from me the arrogance
To choose from forth the royal blood of France, [141]
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.
KING
Here is my hand; the premises observed,
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 blest.
(calls)
Give me some help here, ho!
(to Helena)
If thou proceed
As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed.
[Flourish. Exeunt]
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT II. SCENE 2.
Rossilion. The COUNT'S palace.
Enter COUNTESS and CLOWN (LAVATCH). [142]
COUNTESS
Come on, sir; I shall now put you to the height of your breeding. [143]
LAVATCH
I will show myself highly fed and lowly taught. I know my business is but to the court. [144]
COUNTESS
To the court! Why, what place make you special, when you put off that with such contempt? But to the court!
LAVATCH
Truly, madam, if God have lent a man any manners, he may easily put it off [145] at court. He that cannot make a leg, [146] 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.
COUNTESS
Marry, that's a bountiful answer that fits all questions. [147]
LAVATCH
It is like a barber's chair, that fits all buttocks--the pin buttock, the quatch buttock, the brawn buttock, or any buttock. [148]
COUNTESS
Will your answer serve fit to all questions? [149]
LAVATCH
As fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney, 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 Mayday, 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. [150]
COUNTESS
Have you, I, say, an answer of such fitness for all questions?
LAVATCH
From below your duke to beneath your constable, it will fit any question. [151]
COUNTESS
It must be an answer of most monstrous size that must fit all demands. [152]
LAVATCH
But a trifle neither, in good faith, if the learned 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.
COUNTESS
To be young again, if we could, I will be a fool in question, hoping to be the wiser by your answer. [153] I pray you, sir, are you a courtier?
LAVATCH
O Lord, sir!--There's a simple putting off. [154] More, more, a hundred of them.
COUNTESS
Sir, I am a poor friend of yours, that loves you. [155]
LAVATCH
O Lord, sir!--Thick, thick; spare not me.
COUNTESS
I think, sir, you can eat none of this homely meat. [156]
LAVATCH
O Lord, sir!--Nay, put me to't, I warrant you. [157]
COUNTESS
You were lately whipped, sir, as I think. [158]
LAVATCH
O Lord, sir!--Spare not me.
COUNTESS
Do you cry 'O Lord, sir!' at your whipping, 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.
LAVATCH
I ne'er had worse luck in my life in my 'O Lord, sir!' I see thing's may serve long, but not serve ever.
COUNTESS
I play the noble housewife with the time, [159]
To entertain it so merrily with a fool.
LAVATCH
O Lord, sir!--Why, there't serves well again.
COUNTESS
An end, sir! To your business: give Helen this,
And urge her to a present answer back;
Commend me to my kinsmen and my son. This is not much.
LAVATCH
Not much commendation to them?
COUNTESS
Not much employment for you. You understand me?
LAVATCH
Most fruitfully; I am there before my legs. [160]
COUNTESS
Haste you again. [161] (Exeunt.)
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT II. SCENE 3.
Act II, Scene 3 filmed
Paris. The KING'S palace
Enter BERTRAM, LAFEW, and PAROLLES. [162]
LAFEW
They say miracles are past; [163] and we have our 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. [164]
PAROLLES
Why, 'tis the rarest argument of wonder that hath shot out in our latter times.
BERTRAM
And so 'tis.
LAFEW
To be relinquished of the artists-- [165]
PAROLLES
So I say--both of Galen and Paracelsus. [166]
LAFEW
Of all the learned and authentic fellows--
PAROLLES
Right; so I say.
LAFEW
That gave him out incurable--
PAROLLES
Why, there 'tis; so say I too.
LAFEW
Not to be helped--
PAROLLES
Right; as 'twere a man assured of a--
LAFEW
Uncertain life and sure death.
PAROLLES
Just; you say well; so would I have said.
LAFEW
I may truly say it is a novelty to the world.
PAROLLES
It is indeed. If you will have it in showing, you shall read it in what-do-ye-call't here.
LAFEW (Reading the ballad title)
"A Showing of a Heavenly Effect in an Earthly Actor." [167]
PAROLLES
That's it; I would have said the very same.
LAFEW
Why, your dolphin is not lustier. [168] 'Fore me, I speak in respect-- [169]
PAROLLES
Nay, 'tis strange, 'tis very strange; that is the brief and the tedious of it; and he's of a most facinerious spirit that will not acknowledge it to be the-- [170]
LAFEW
Very hand of heaven.
PAROLLES
Ay; so I say.
LAFEW
In a most weak--
PAROLLES
And debile minister, great power, great transcendence; which should, indeed, give us a further use to be made than alone the recov'ry of the King, as to be--
LAFEW
Generally thankful.
(Enter KING, HELENA, and ATTENDANTS.)
PAROLLES
I would have said it; you say well. Here comes the King.
LAFEW
Lustig, as the Dutchman says. [171] I'll like a maid the better, whilst I have a tooth in my head. Why, he's able to lead her a coranto. [172]
PAROLLES
Mort du vinaigre! [173] Is not this Helen?
LAFEW
'Fore God, I think so.
KING
Go, call before me all the lords in court.
(Exit an ATTENDANT.)
Sit, my preserver, by thy patient's side;
And with this healthful hand, whose banished sense
Thou has repealed, a second time receive
The confirmation of my promised gift,
Which but attends thy naming.
(Enter three or four LORDS.)
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.
HELENA
To each of you one fair and virtuous mistress
Fall, when love please. Marry, to each but one! [174]
LAFEW
I'd give bay Curtal and his furniture [175]
My mouth no more were broken than these boys', [176]
And writ as little beard. [177]
KING
Peruse them well.
Not one of those but had a noble father.
HELENA
Gentlemen, [178]
Heaven hath through me restored the King to health.
ALL
We understand it, and thank heaven for you.
HELENA
I am a simple maid, and therein wealthiest
That I protest I simply am a maid. [179]
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 for ever,
We'll ne'er come there again."
KING
Make choice and see:
Who shuns thy love shuns all his love in me.
HELENA
Now, Dian, from thy altar do I fly, [180]
And to imperial Love, that god most high,
Do my sighs stream. Sir, will you hear my suit?
LORD G
And grant it. [181]
HELENA
Thanks, sir; all the rest is mute.
(HELEN moves on to the next candidate.)
LAFEW
I had rather be in this choice than throw ames-ace for my life. [182]
HELENA
The honor, sir, that flames in your fair eyes,
Before I speak, too threat'ningly replies. [183]
Love make your fortunes twenty times above
Her that so wishes, and her humble love!
LORD E
No better, if you please. [184]
HELENA
My wish receive,
Which great Love grant; and so I take my leave.
LAFEW
Do all they deny her? An they were sons of mine I'd have them whipt; or I would send them to th' Turk to make eunuchs of. [185]
HELENA (to ANOTHER LORD)
Be not afraid that I your hand should take;
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! [186]
LAFEW
These boys are boys of ice; they'll none have her. Sure, they are bastards to the English; the French ne'er got 'em.
HELENA
You are too young, too happy, and too good,
To make yourself a son out of my blood.
FOURTH LORD
Fair one, I think not so.
LAFEW
There's one grape yet; I am sure thy father drunk wine--but if thou be'st not an ass, I am a youth of fourteen; I have known thee already.
HELENA (to BERTRAM)
I dare not say I take you; but I give
Me and my service, ever whilst I live,
Into your guiding power. This is the man.
KING
Why, then, young Bertram, take her; she's thy wife.
BERTRAM
My wife, my liege! I shall beseech your Highness,
In such a business give me leave to use
The help of mine own eyes.
KING
Know'st thou not, Bertram,
What she has done for me?
BERTRAM
Yes, my good lord;
But never hope to know why I should marry her.
KING
Thou know'st she has raised me from my sickly bed.
BERTRAM
But follows it, my lord, to bring me down
Must answer for your raising? I know her well:
She had her breeding at my father's charge. [187]
A poor physician's daughter my wife! Disdain
Rather corrupt me ever! [188]
KING (after a pause)
'Tis only title thou disdain'st in her, the which [189]
I can build up. Strange is it that our bloods,
Of colour, weight, and heat, poured all together,
Would quite confound distinction, yet stand 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 when virtuous things proceed,
The place is dignified by the doer's deed;
Where great additions swell's, and virtue none, [190]
It is a dropsied honor. Good alone [191]
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 fore-goers. [192] 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 [193]
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.
BERTRAM
I cannot love her, nor will strive to do't. [194] do it
KING
Thou wrong'st thyself, if thou shouldst strive to choose.
HELENA
That you are well restored, my lord, I'm glad.
Let the rest go.
KING (after an ominous pause) [195]
My honor's at the stake; which to defeat,
I must produce my power. Here, take her hand,
Proud scornful boy, unworthy this good gift,
That dost in vile misprision [196] shackle up
My love and her desert; that canst not dream
We, poising us in her defective scale,
Shall weigh thee to the beam; [197] 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 for ever
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! [198]
BERTRAM
Pardon, my gracious lord; for I submit
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. [199]
KING
Take her by the hand,
And tell her she is thine; to whom I promise
A counterpoise, if not to thy estate
A balance more replete.
BERTRAM
I take her hand. [200]
KING
Good fortune and the favour of the King
Smile upon this contract; whose ceremony
Shall seem expedient on the now-born brief, [200A]
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.
(Exeunt all but LAFEW and PAROLLES who stay behind, commenting of this wedding.)
LAFEW
Do you hear, monsieur? A word with you.
PAROLLES
Your pleasure, sir?
LAFEW
Your lord and master did well to make his recantation.
PAROLLES
Recantation! My Lord! my master!
LAFEW
Ay; is it not a language I speak? "ay" pronounced "aye"
PAROLLES
A most harsh one, and not to be understood without bloody succeeding. My master!
LAFEW
Are you companion to the Count Rossilion? [201]
PAROLLES
To any count; to all counts; to what is man.
LAFEW
To what is count's man: count's master is of another style.
PAROLLES
You are too old, sir; let it satisfy you, you are too old.
LAFEW
I must tell thee, sirrah, [202] I write man; to which title age cannot bring thee.
PAROLLES
What I dare too well do, I dare not do.
LAFEW
I did think thee, for two ordinaries, to be a pretty wise fellow; thou didst make tolerable vent of thy travel; it might pass. Yet the scarfs and the bannerets about thee did manifoldly dissuade me from believing thee a vessel of too great a burden. 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. [203]
PAROLLES
Hadst thou not the privilege of antiquity upon thee--
LAFEW
Do not plunge thyself too far in anger, lest thou 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.
PAROLLES
My lord, you give me most egregious indignity.
LAFEW
Ay, with all my heart; and thou art worthy of it.
PAROLLES
I have not, my lord, deserved it.
LAFEW
Yes, good faith, ev'ry dram of it; and I will not bate thee a scruple. [204]
PAROLLES
Well, I shall be wiser.
LAFEW
Ev'n as soon as thou canst, for thou hast to pull at a smack o' th' contrary. [205] If ever thou be'st bound in thy scarf and beaten, thou shalt find what it is to be proud of thy bondage. [206] 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."
PAROLLES
My lord, you do me most insupportable vexation.
LAFEW
I would it were hell pains for thy sake, and my poor doing eternal; for doing I am past, as I will by thee, in what motion age will give me leave. [207] (Exit.)
PAROLLES
Well, thou hast a son shall take this disgrace off me: scurvy, old, filthy, scurvy lord! Well, I must be patient; there is no fettering of authority. [208] 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, and if I could but meet him again.
(Re-enter LAFEW.)
LAFEW
Sirrah, your lord and master's married; there's news for you; you have a new mistress.
PAROLLES
I most unfeignedly beseech your lordship to make some reservation of your wrongs. [209] He is my good lord: whom I serve above is my master.
LAFEW
Who? God?
PAROLLES
Ay, sir.
LAFEW
The devil it is that's thy master. [209A] Why dost thou 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 [210] upon thee.
PAROLLES
This is hard and undeserved measure, my lord.
LAFEW
Go to, sir; you were beaten in Italy for picking a kernel out of a pomegranate; [211] you are a vagabond, and no true traveller; 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. (Exit.)
PAROLLES
Good, very, good, it is so then. Good, very good; let it be concealed awhile.
(Enter BERTRAM.)
BERTRAM
Undone, and forfeited to cares for ever!
PAROLLES
What's the matter, sweetheart? [212]
BERTRAM
Although before the solemn priest I have sworn,
I will not bed her.
PAROLLES
What, what, sweetheart?
BERTRAM
O my Parolles, they have married me!
I'll to the Tuscan wars, and never bed her.
PAROLLES
France is a dog-hole, and it no more merits
The tread of a man's foot. To th' wars! to the [213]
BERTRAM
There's letters from my mother; what th' import is I know not yet. [214]
PAROLLES
Ay, that would be known. To th' wars, my boy, to th' wars!
He wears his honor in a box unseen [215]
That hugs his kicky-wicky here at home, [216]
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!
BERTRAM
It shall be so; I'll send her to my house,
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. War is no strife
To the dark house and the detested wife.
PAROLLES
Will this capriccio hold in thee, art sure?
BERTRAM
Go with me to my chamber and advise me.
I'll send her straight away. Tomorrow [217]
I'll to the wars, she to her single sorrow.
PAROLLES
Why, these balls bound; there's noise in it. 'Tis hard: [218]
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. (Exeunt.)
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT II. SCENE 4.
Paris. The KING'S palace
Enter HELENA and CLOWN (LAVATCH)
HELENA
My mother greets me kindly; is she well?
LAVATCH
She is not well, but yet she has her health; she's very merry, but yet she is not well. But thanks be given, she's very well, and wants nothing i' th' [in the] world; but yet she is not well. [219]
HELENA
If she be very well, what does she ail that she's not very well?
LAVATCH
Truly, she's very well indeed, but for two things.
HELENA
What two things?
LAVATCH
One, that she's not in heaven, whither God send her quickly! The other, that she's in earth, from whence God send her quickly!
(Enter PAROLLES.)
PAROLLES
Bless you, my fortunate lady!
HELENA
I hope, sir, I have your good will to have mine own good fortunes.
PAROLLES
You had my prayers to lead them on; and to keep them on, have them still. O, my knave, how does my old lady?
LAVATCH
So that you had her wrinkles and I her money, I would she did as you say.
PAROLLES
Why, I say nothing.
LAVATCH
Marry, you are the wiser man; for many a man's 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.
PAROLLES
Away! th'art a knave. thou art [220]
LAVATCH
You should have said, sir, "Before a knave th'art a knave"; that's "Before me th'art a knave." This had been truth, sir. [221]
PAROLLES
Go to, thou art a witty fool; I have found thee. [222]
LAVATCH
Did you find me in yourself, sir, or were you taught to find me? The search, sir, was profitable; and much fool may you find in you, even to the world's pleasure and the increase of laughter.
PAROLLES
A good knave, i' faith, and well fed. [223] in faith
Madam, my lord will go away to-night:
A very serious business calls on him.
The great prerogative and rite of love, [224]
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 distil now in the curbèd time,
To make the coming hour o'erflow with joy
And pleasure drown the brim.
HELENA
What's his will else?
PAROLLES
That you will take your instant leave o' th' King, of the
And make this haste as your own good proceeding,
Strength'ned with what apology you think
May make it probable need.
HELENA
What more commands he?
PAROLLES
That, having this obtained, you presently
Attend his further pleasure.
HELENA
In everything I wait upon his will. [225]
PAROLLES
I shall report it so.
HELENA
I pray you. (Exit PAROLLES.)
Come, sirrah. (Exeunt.) [226]
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL:
ACT II. SCENE 5.
Act II, Scene 5 filmed
See our video of this scene at You Tube Act II Scene 5.
Paris. The KING'S palace
Enter LAFEW and BERTRAM
LAFEW
But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier.
BERTRAM
Yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof.
LAFEW
You have it from his own deliverance.
BERTRAM
And by other warranted testimony.
LAFEW
Then my dial goes not true; I took this lark for a bunting. [227]
BERTRAM
I do assure you, my lord, he is very great in knowledge, and accordingly valiant.
LAFEW
I have then sinned against his experience and transgressed gainst his valor; and my state that way is dangerous, since I cannot yet find in my heart to repent. [228] Here he comes; I pray you make us friends; I will pursue the amity.
(Enter PAROLLES.)
PAROLLES [To BERTRAM]
These things shall be done, sir.
LAFEW
Pray you, sir, who's his tailor?
PAROLLES
Sir!
LAFEW
O, I know him well. Ay, sir; he, sir, 's a good workman, a very good tailor.
BERTRAM [Aside to PAROLLES]
Is she gone to the King?
PAROLLES
She is.
BERTRAM
Will she away tonight?
PAROLLES
As you'll have her.
BERTRAM
I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure,
Given order for our horses; and to-night,
When I should take possession of the bride,
End ere I do begin.
LAFEW [229]
A good traveller is something at the latter end of a dinner; but one that lies three-thirds and uses a known truth to pass a thousand nothings with, should be once heard and thrice beaten. God save you, Captain.
BERTRAM
Is there any unkindness between my lord and you, monsieur?
PAROLLES
I know not how I have deserved to run into my lord's displeasure.
LAFEW
You have made shift to run into 't, [into it] boots and 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. [230]
BERTRAM
It may be you have mistaken him, my lord.
LAFEW
And shall do so ever, though I took him at's 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. [231] 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. (Exit.)
PAROLLES
An idle lord, I swear.
BERTRAM
I think so. [232]
PAROLLES
Why, do you not know him?
BERTRAM
Yes, I do know him well; and common speech
Gives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog.
(Enter HELENA.)
HELENA [233]
I have, sir, as I was commanded from you,
Spoke with | the King, and have procured his leave
For present parting; only he desires |
Some private speech with you.
BERTRAM
I shall obey his will. [234]
You must not marvel, Helen, at my course, [235]
Which holds not color with the time, nor does
The ministration and requirèd office
On my particular. Prepared I was not [236]
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 [237]
To you that know them not. This to my mother.
[Giving a letter] [238]
'Twill be two days ere I shall see you; so
I leave you to your wisdom. [239]
HELENA
Sir, I can nothing say
But that I am your most obedient servant. [240]
BERTRAM
Come, come, no more of that.
HELENA
And ever shall
With true observance seek to eke out that
Wherein toward me my homely stars have failed
To equal my great fortune. [241]
BERTRAM
Let that go.
My haste is very great. Farewell; hie home. [242]
HELENA
Pray, sir, your pardon.
BERTRAM
Well, what would you say?
HELENA
I am not worthy of the wealth I owe, [243]
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.
BERTRAM
What would you have?
HELENA
Something; and scarce so much; nothing, indeed.
I would not tell you what I would, my lord.
Faith, yes: [244]
Strangers and foes do sunder and not kiss.
BERTRAM
I pray you, stay not, but in haste to horse.
HELENA
I shall not break your bidding, good my lord.
Where are my other men? Monsieur, farewell! [245]
(Exit HELENA.)
BERTRAM
Go thou toward home, where I will never come
Whilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum.
Away, and for our flight.
PAROLLES
Bravely, coragio! (Exeunt.)
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT III. SCENE 1.
Florence. The DUKE's palace
Flourish. Enter the DUKE OF FLORENCE, attended; two
FRENCH LORDS, with a TROOP OF SOLDIERS
DUKE
So that, from point to point, now have you heard
The fundamental reasons of this war;
Whose great decision hath much blood let forth,
And more thirsts after.
LORD G
Holy seems the quarrel
Upon your Grace's part; black and fearful
On the opposer. [246]
DUKE
Therefore we marvel much our cousin France
Would in so just a business shut his bosom
Against our borrowing prayers.
LORD E
Good my lord,
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.
DUKE
Be it his pleasure.
LORD G
But I am sure the younger of our nature,
That surfeit on their ease, will day by day
Come here for physic.
DUKE
Welcome shall they be
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.
To-morrow to th' field. (Flourish. Exeunt.)
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT III. SCENE 2.
You can see our filmed version of this scene on You Tube at Act III Scene 2.
Rossilion. The COUNT'S palace
Enter COUNTESS and CLOWN (LAVATCH)
COUNTESS
It hath happened all as I would have had it, save that he comes not along with her.
LAVATCH
By my troth, I take my young lord to be a very melancholy man. [247]
COUNTESS
By what observance, I pray you?
LAVATCH
Why, he will look upon his boot and sing; mend 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.
COUNTESS
Let me see what he writes, and when he means to come.
(Opening a letter.)
LAVATCH
I have no mind to Isbel since I was at court. Our old lings [248] 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.
COUNTESS
What have we here?
LAVATCH
E'en that you have there. (Exit.)
COUNTESS (reads)
"I have sent you a daughter-in-law; she hath recovered the King and undone me. I have wedded her, not bedded her; and sworn to make the "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.
(Re-enter CLOWN.)
LAVATCH
O madam, yonder is heavy news within between two soldiers and my young lady.
COUNTESS
What is the matter?
LAVATCH
Nay, there is some comfort in the news, some comfort; your son will not be killed so soon as I thought he would. [248A]
COUNTESS
Why should he be killed?
LAVATCH
So say I, madam, if he run away, as I hear he 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.
(Exit LAVATCH; enter HELENA and the two FRENCH GENTLEMEN, LORD G and LORD E.)[248B]
LORD E
Save you, good madam.
HELENA
Madam, my lord is gone, for ever gone.
LORD G
Do not say so.
COUNTESS
Think upon patience. Pray you, gentlemen--
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?
LORD G
Madam, he's gone to serve the Duke of Florence.
We met him thitherward; for thence we came,
And, after some dispatch in hand at court,
Thither we bend again.
HELENA
Look on this letter, madam; here's my passport.
(reads) "When thou canst get the ring upon 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.' " [249]
This is a dreadful sentence.
COUNTESS
Brought you this letter, gentlemen?
LORD G
Ay, madam;
And for the contents' sake are sorry for our pains.
COUNTESS
I prithee, lady, have a better cheer;
If thou engrossest all the griefs are thine,
Thou robb'st me of a moiety. He was my son; [250]
But I do wash his name out of my blood,
And thou art all my child. Towards Florence is he?
LORD G
Ay, madam.
COUNTESS
And to be a soldier?
LORD G
Such is his noble purpose; and, believe 't,
The Duke will lay upon him all the honor
That good convenience claims.
COUNTESS
Return you thither?
LORD E
Ay, madam, with the swiftest wing of speed.
HELENA
(reads) "Till I have no wife, I have nothing in France."
'Tis bitter.
COUNTESS
Find you that there?
HELENA
Ay, madam. [251]
LORD E
'Tis but the boldness of his hand haply, which his heart was not consenting to.
COUNTESS
Nothing in France until he have no wife!
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?
LORD E
A servant only, and a gentleman
Which I have sometime known.
COUNTESS
Parolles, was it not? [252]
LORD E
Ay, my good lady, he.
COUNTESS
A very tainted fellow, and full of wickedness.
My son corrupts a well-derivèd nature
With his inducement. [252A]
LORD E
Indeed, good lady,
The fellow has a deal of that too much
Which holds him much to have. [253]
COUNTESS
Y'are welcome, 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.
LORD G
We serve you, madam,
In that and all your worthiest affairs.
COUNTESS
Not so, but as we change our courtesies. [254]
Will you draw near?
(Exeunt COUNTESS and LORDS.)
HELENA
"Till I have no wife, I have nothing in France."
Nothing in France until he has no wife!
Thou shalt have none, Rossilion, 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-piecing air, [255]
That sings with piercing; do not | touch my lord. [256]
Whoever shoots at him, I set him there;
Whoever charges on his forward breast,
I am the caitiff that do hold him to't; [257]
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 [258]
With sharp constraint of hunger; better 'twere
That all the miseries which nature owes
Were mine at once. No; come thou home, Rossilion,
Whence honor but of danger wins a scar, [259]
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, [260]
That pitiful rumor may report my flight
To consolate thine ear. Come, night; end, | day. [261]
For with | the dark, poor thief, I'll steal away. [262]
(Exit.)
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT III. SCENE 3.
Florence. Before the DUKE's palace. [263]
Flourish. Enter the DUKE OF FLORENCE, BERTRAM, PAROLLES, SOLDIERS, drum and trumpets
DUKE
The General of our Horse thou art; and we,
Great in our hope, lay our best love and credence
Upon thy promising fortune.
BERTRAM
Sir, it is
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.
DUKE
Then go thou forth;
And Fortune play upon thy prosperous helm,
As thy auspicious mistress!
BERTRAM
This very day,
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.
(Exeunt.)
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT III. SCENE 4.
Rossilion. The COUNT'S palace. Enter COUNTESS and STEWARD.
COUNTESS
Alas! and would you take the letter of her?
Might you not know she would do as she has done
By sending me a letter? Read it again.
STEWARD (reads)
"I am Saint Jaques' pilgrim, thither gone. [264]
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.
Bless him at home in peace, whilst I from far
His name with zealous fervour sanctify.
His taken labours bid him me forgive;
I, his despiteful Juno, sent him forth [265]
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." [266]
COUNTESS
Ah, what sharp stings are in her mildest words!
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.
STEWARD
Pardon me, madam;
If I had given you this at overnight, [267]
She might have been o'er ta'en; and yet she writes
Pursuit would be but vain.
COUNTESS
What angel shall
Bless this unworthy husband? [268] 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. (Exeunt.)
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT III. SCENE 5.
Outside the walls of Florence.
A tucket afar off. [269]
Enter an old WIDOW OF FLORENCE, her daughter, VIOLENTA and MARIANA, with other CITIZENS. [270]
WIDOW
Nay, come; for if they do approach the city we shall lose all the sight.
DIANA
They say the French count has done most honorable service.
WIDOW
It is reported that he has taken their great'st commander; and that with his own hand he slew the Duke's brother. [271] (Tucket.) We have lost our labor; they are gone a contrary way. Hark! you may know by their trumpets.
MARIANA
Come, let's return again, and suffice ourselves 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. [272]
WIDOW
I have told my neighbour how you have been solicited by a gentleman his companion.
MARIANA
I know that knave, hang him! one Parolles; a 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 wreck of maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession, but that they are limed with the twigs that threatens them. [273] 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.
DIANA
You shall not need to fear me.
(Enter HELENA in the dress of a pilgrim.)[274]
WIDOW
I hope so. 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?
HELENA
To Saint Jaques le Grand. [275] Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?
WIDOW
At the Saint Francis here, beside the port.
HELENA
Is this the way?
[A march afar]
WIDOW
Ay, marry, is't. Hark you! They come this way.
If you will tarry, holy pilgrim,
But till the troops come by, [276]
I will conduct you where you shall be lodged;
The rather for I think I know your hostess
As ample as myself.
HELENA
Is it yourself?
WIDOW
If you shall please so, pilgrim. [277]
HELENA
I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.
WIDOW
You came, I think, from France?
HELENA
I did so.
WIDOW
Here you shall see a countryman of yours
That has done worthy service.
HELENA
His name, I pray you.
DIANA
The Count Rossilion. Know you such a one?
HELENA
But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him;
His face I know not.
DIANA
What some'er he is,
He's bravely taken here. He stole from France,
As 'tis reported, for the King had married him
Against his liking. Think you it is so?
HELENA
Ay, surely, mere the truth; I know his lady.
DIANA
There is a gentleman that serves the Count
Reports but coarsely of her.
HELENA
What's his name?
DIANA
Monsieur Parolles.
HELENA
O, I believe with him,
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.
DIANA
Alas, poor lady!
'Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
Of a detesting lord.
WIDOW
I write, [278] good creature, wheresoe'er she is
Her heart weighs sadly. This young maid might do her
A shrewd turn, if she pleased. [279]
HELENA
How do you mean?
May be the amorous Count solicits her [280]
In the unlawful purpose?
WIDOW
He does, indeed;
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.
(Enter, with drum and colours, BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and the whole ARMY.)
MARIANA
The gods forbid else!
WIDOW
So, now they come. [280A]
That is Antonio, the Duke's eldest son;
That, Escalus.
HELENA
Which is the Frenchman?
DIANA
He--
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?
HELENA
I like him well. [281]
DIANA
'Tis pity he is not honest. Yond's that same knave
That leads him to these places; were I his lady
I would poison that vile rascal.
HELENA
Which is he?
DIANA
That jackanapes with scarfs. Why is he melancholy?
HELENA
Perchance he's hurt i' th' battle.
PAROLLES
Lose our drum! well. [282]
MARIANA
He's shrewdly vexed at something.
Look, he has spied us.
WIDOW
Marry, hang you!
MARIANA
And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier! [283]
(Exeunt BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and ARMY)
WIDOW
The troop is past. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you
Where you shall host. Of enjoined penitents
There's four or five, to great Saint Jaques bound,
Already at my house.
HELENA
I humbly thank you.
Please it this matron and this gentle maid
To eat with us tonight; the charge and thanking
Shall be for me, and, to requite you further,
I will bestow some precepts of this virgin,
Worthy the note.
BOTH.
We'll take your offer kindly. (Exeunt.)
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT III. SCENE 6.
Florence. The Florentine camp. Enter BERTRAM, and the two FRENCH LORDS
LORD E
Nay, good my lord, put him to't; let him have his way.
LORD G
If your lordship find him not a hilding, [284] hold me no more in your respect.
LORD E
On my life, my lord, a bubble.
BERTRAM
Do you think I am so far deceived in him?
LORD E
Believe it, my lord, in mine own direct 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. [285]
LORD G
It were fit you knew him; lest, reposing too far in his virtue, which he hath not, he might at some great and trusty business in a main danger fail you.
BERTRAM
I would I knew in what particular action to try him.
LORD G
None better than to let him fetch off his drum, which you hear him so confidently undertake to do.
LORD E
I with a troop of Florentines will suddenly 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 but that he is carried into the leaguer of the adversaries 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.
LORD G
O, for the love of laughter, let him fetch 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.
(Enter PAROLLES.)
LORD E
O, for the love of laughter, hinder not the honour of his design; let him fetch off his drum in any hand.
BERTRAM
How now, monsieur! This drum sticks sorely in your disposition.
LORD G
A pox on 't; let it go; 'tis but a drum.
PAROLLES
But a drum! Is't but a drum? A drum so lost! There was excellent command: to charge in with our horse upon our own wings, and to rend our own soldiers!
LORD G
That was not to be blamed in the command of the service; it was a disaster of war that Caesar himself could not have prevented, if he had been there to command.
BERTRAM
Well, we cannot greatly condemn our success. Some dishonour we had in the loss of that drum; but it is not to be recovered.
PAROLLES
It might have been recovered.
BERTRAM
It might, but it is not now.
PAROLLES
It is to be recovered. But that the merit of service is seldom attributed to the true and exact performer, I would have that drum or another, or "hic jacet." [286]
BERTRAM
Why, if you have a stomach, to't, monsieur. If you think your mystery in stratagem can bring this instrument of honour 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 our worthiness.
PAROLLES
By the hand of a soldier, I will undertake it.
BERTRAM
But you must not now slumber in it.
PAROLLES
I'll about it this evening; and I will presently pen down my dilemmas, encourage myself in my certainty, put myself into my mortal preparation; and by midnight look to hear further from me.
BERTRAM
May I be bold to acquaint his Grace you are gone about it?
PAROLLES
I know not what the success will be, my lord, but the attempt I vow.
BERTRAM
I know th' art valiant; and, to the possiblity of thy soldiership, will subscribe for thee. Farewell.
PAROLLES
I love not many words. (Exit.)
LORD E
No more than a fish loves water. Is not this 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. [287]
LORD G
You do not know him, my lord, as we do. Certain it is that he will steal himself into a man's favour, and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries; but when you find him out, you have him ever after.
BERTRAM
Why, do you think he will make no deed at all of this that so seriously he does address himself unto?
LORD E
None in the world; but return with an invention, and clap upon you two or three probable lies. But we have almost embossed him. [287A] You shall see his fall to-night; for indeed he is not for your lordship's respect.
LORD G
We'll make you some sport with the fox 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.
LORD E
I must go look my twigs; he shall be caught. [288]
BERTRAM
Your brother, he shall go along with me.
LORD G
As't please your lordship. I'll leave you. [289] (Exit.)
BERTRAM
Now will I lead you to the house, and show you
The lass I spoke of.
LORD E
But you say she's honest.
BERTRAM
That's all the fault. I spoke with her but once,
And found her wondrous cold; but I sent to her, [290]
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?
LORD E
With all my heart, my lord. (Exeunt.)
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT III. SCENE 7.
Florence. The WIDOW'S house
Enter HELENA and WIDOW
HELENA
If you misdoubt me that I am not she,
I know not how I shall assure you further
But I shall lose the grounds I work upon.
WIDOW
Though my estate be fall'n, I was well born,
Nothing acquainted with these businesses;
And would not put my reputation now
In any staining act.
HELENA
Nor would I wish you.
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.
WIDOW
I should believe you;
For you have showed me that which well approves
Y'are great in fortune.
HELENA
Take this purse of gold,
And let me buy your friendly help thus far,
Which I will over-pay and pay again
When I have found it. The Count he woos your daughter [291]
Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty,
Resolved to carry her. Let her in fine consent, [292]
As we'll direct her how 'tis best to bear it.
Now his important blood will nought deny [293]
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. (implied pause; line is not 10 syllables)
WIDOW
Now I see the bottom of your purpose! [294]
HELENA
You see it lawful then. It is no more
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 this,
To marry her, I'll add three thousand crowns
To what is passed already.
WIDOW
I have yielded.
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 [295]
To chide him from our eaves, for he persists
As if his life lay on 't.
HELENA
Why then to-night
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. Exeunt
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT IV. SCENE 1.
Enter LORD E. (SECOND FRENCH LORD) with five or six other SOLDIERS (FIRST SOLDIER will be the Interpreter) in ambush.
LORD E.
He can come no other way but by this hedge-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.
FIRST SOLDIER
Good captain, let me be th' interpreter.
LORD E.
Art not acquainted with him? Knows he not thy voice?
FIRST SOLDIER
No, sir, I warrant you.
LORD E.
But what linsey-woolsey has thou to speak to us again? [296]
FIRST SOLDIER
E'en such as you speak to me.
LORD E.
He must think us some band of strangers i' th' ["in the," pronounced "ith"] adversary's entertainment. [297] [298] 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 a sleep, and then to return and swear the lies he forges.
(Enter PAROLLES.)
PAROLLES
Ten o'clock. Within these three hours 'twill 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 to 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.
LORD E.
This is the first truth that e'er thine own tongue was guilty of.
PAROLLES
What the devil should move me to undertake 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 butterwoman's mouth, and buy myself another of Bajazeth's mule, if you prattle me into these perils. [299]
LORD E.
Is it possible he should know what he is, and be that he is?
PAROLLES
I would the cutting of my garments would serve the turn, or the breaking of my Spanish sword.
LORD E.
We cannot afford you so.
PAROLLES
Or the baring of my beard; and to say it was in stratagem.
LORD E.
'Twould not do.
PAROLLES
Or to drown my clothes, and say I was stripped.
LORD E.
Hardly serve.
PAROLLES
Though I swore I leaped from the window of the citadel--
LORD E.
How deep?
PAROLLES
Thirty fathom.
LORD E.
Three great oaths would scarce make that be believed.
PAROLLES
I would I had any drum of the enemy's; I would swear I recovered it.
LORD E.
You shall hear one anon.
PAROLLES
A drum now of the enemy's--
[Alarum within]
LORD E.
Throca movousus, cargo, cargo, cargo.
ALL
Cargo, cargo, cargo, villianda par corbo, cargo.
PAROLLES
O, ransom, ransom! Do not hide mine eyes.
[They blindfold him.]
FIRST SOLDIER
Boskos thromuldo boskos. [300]
PAROLLES
I know you are the Muskos' regiment,
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.
FIRST SOLDIER
Boskos vauvado. I understand thee, and can speak thy tongue. Kerely-bonto, sir, betake thee to thy faith, for seventeen poniards are at thy bosom.
PAROLLES
O!
FIRST SOLDIER
O, pray, pray, pray! Manka revania dulche.
LORD E.
Oscorbidulchos volivorco.
FIRST SOLDIER.
The General is content to spare thee yet;
And, hoodwinked as thou art, will lead thee on
To gather from thee. Haply thou mayst inform
Something to save thy life.
PAROLLES
O, let me live,
And all the secrets of our camp I'll show,
Their force, their purposes. Nay, I'll speak that
Which you will wonder at.
FIRST SOLDIER
But wilt thou faithfully?
PAROLLES
If I do not, damn me.
FIRST SOLDIER
Acordo linta.
Come on; thou art granted space.
(Exit, PAROLLES guarded. A short alarum within.)
LORD E.
Go, tell the Count Rossilion and my brother
We have caught the woodcock, and will keep him muffled
Till we do hear from them.
SECOND SOLDIER
Captain, I will.
LORD E.
'A will betray us all unto ourselves--
Inform on that.
SECOND SOLDIER
So I will, sir.
LORD E.
Till then I'll keep him dark and safely locked.
(Exeunt)
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: ACT IV. SCENE 2.
Florence. The Widow's House.
Enter BERTRAM and DIANA.[301]
BERTRAM
They told me that your name was Fontibell.
DIANA
No, my good lord, Diana.
BERTRAM
Titled goddess;
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,
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.
DIANA
She then was honest.
BERTRAM
So should you be. [302]
DIANA
No.
My mother did but duty; such, my lord,
As you owe to your wife.
BERTRAM
No more o'that!
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 for ever
Do thee all rights of service.
DIANA
Ay, so you serve us
Till we serve you; but when you have our roses
You barely leave our thorns to prick ourselves,
And mock us with our bareness.
BERTRAM
How have I sworn!
DIANA
'Tis not the many oaths that makes the truth,
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. [303]
BERTRAM
Change it, change it;
Be not so holy-cruel. Love is holy;
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.
DIANA
I see that men make rope's in such a scarre [304]
That we'll forsake ourselves. Give me that ring.
BERTRAM
I'll lend it thee, my dear, but have no power
To give it from me.
DIANA
Will you not, my lord?
BERTRAM
It is an honor 'longing to our house,
Bequeathèd down from many ancestors;
Which were the greatest obloquy i' th' world in the
In me to lose.
DIANA
Mine honor's such a ring:
My chastity's the jewel of our house,
Bequeathed down from many ancestors;
Which were the greatest obloquy i' th' world in the
In me to lose. Thus your own proper wisdom
Brings in the champion Honor on my part
Against your vain assault.
BERTRAM
Here, take my ring;
My house, mine honor, yea, my life, be thine,
And I'll be bid by thee.
(Shakespeare has called for a long pause, probably for Diana to realize her horrible position and to try to think of what to say.)
DIANA
When midnight comes, knock at my chamber 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.
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.
BERTRAM
A heaven on earth I have won by wooing thee.
DIANA
For which live long to thank both heaven and me!
(Bertram exit.)
You may so in the end. [305]
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. (Exit.)
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
UNDER CONSTRUCTION