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All's Wellthat Ends Well
By William Shakespeare


Actus primus. Scoena Prima.


Enter yong Bertram Count of Rossillionhis Motherand Helena
Lord
Lafewall in blacke.


Mother. In deliuering my sonne from meI burie a second
husband

Ros. And I in going Madamweep ore my
fathers death anew; but I must attend his maiesties
commandto whom I am now in Wardeuermore
in subiection

Laf. You shall find of the King a husband Madame
you sir a father. He that so generally is at all times good
must of necessitie hold his vertue to youwhose worthinesse
would stirre it vp where it wanted rather then lack
it where there is such abundance

Mo. What hope is there of his Maiesties amendment?

Laf. He hath abandon'd his Phisitions Madamvnder
whose practises he hath persecuted time with hope
and finds no other aduantage in the processebut onely
the loosing of hope by time

Mo. This yong Gentlewoman had a fatherO that
hadhow sad a passage tiswhose skill was almost as
great as his honestiehad it stretch'd so farwould haue
made nature immortalland death should haue play for
lacke of worke. Would for the Kings sake hee were liuing
I thinke it would be the death of the Kings disease

Laf. How call'd you the man you speake of Madam?
Mo. He was famous sir in his professionand it was
his great right to be so: Gerard de Narbon

Laf. He was excellent indeed Madamthe King very
latelie spoke of him admiringlyand mourningly: hee
was skilfull enough to haue liu'd stilif knowledge could
be set vp against mortallitie

Ros. What is it (my good Lord) the King languishes
of?
Laf. A Fistula my Lord

Ros. I heard not of it before

Laf. I would it were not notorious. Was this Gentlewoman
the Daughter of Gerard de Narbon?

Mo. His sole childe my Lordand bequeathed to my
ouer looking. I haue those hopes of her goodthat her
education promises her dispositions shee inheritswhich
makes faire gifts fairer: for where an vncleane mind carries


vertuous qualitiesthere commendations go with
pittythey are vertues and traitors too: in her they are
the better for their simplenesse; she deriues her honestie
and atcheeues her goodnesse

Lafew. Your commendations Madam get from her
teares

Mo. 'Tis the best brine a Maiden can season her praise
in. The remembrance of her father neuer approches her
heartbut the tirrany of her sorrowes takes all liuelihood
from her cheeke. No more of this Helenago toono
more least it be rather thought you affect a sorrowthen
to haue


Hell. I doe affect a sorrow indeedbut I haue it too

Laf. Moderate lamentation is the right of the dead
excessiue greefe the enemie to the liuing

Mo. If the liuing be enemie to the greefethe excesse
makes it soone mortall

Ros. Maddam I desire your holie wishes

Laf. How vnderstand we that?

Mo. Be thou blest Bertrameand succeed thy father
In manners as in shape: thy blood and vertue
Contend for Empire in theeand thy goodnesse
Share with thy birth-right. Loue alltrust a few
Doe wrong to none: be able for thine enemie
Rather in power then vse: and keepe thy friend
Vnder thy owne lifes key. Be checkt for silence
But neuer tax'd for speech. What heauen more wil
That thee may furnishand my prayers plucke downe
Fall on thy head. Farwell my Lord
'Tis an vnseason'd Courtiergood my Lord
Aduise him

Laf. He cannot want the best
That shall attend his loue

Mo. Heauen blesse him: Farwell Bertram

Ro. The best wishes that can be forg'd in your thoghts
be seruants to you: be comfortable to my motheryour
Mistrisand make much of her

Laf. Farewell prettie Ladyyou must hold the credit
of your father

Hell. O were that allI thinke not on my father
And these great teares grace his remembrance more
Then those I shed for him. What was he like?
I haue forgott him. My imagination
Carries no fauour in't but Bertrams.
I am vndonethere is no liuingnone
If Bertram be away. 'Twere all one
That I should loue a bright particuler starre
And think to wed ithe is so aboue me
In his bright radience and colaterall light
Must I be comfortednot in his sphere;
Th' ambition in my loue thus plagues it selfe:
The hind that would be mated by the Lion
Must die for loue. 'Twas prettiethough a plague


To see him euerie houre to sit and draw
His arched broweshis hawking eiehis curles
In our hearts table: heart too capeable
Of euerie line and tricke of his sweet fauour.
But now he's goneand my idolatrous fancie
Must sanctifie his Reliques. Who comes heere?
Enter Parrolles.


One that goes with him: I loue him for his sake
And yet I know him a notorious Liar
Thinke him a great way foolesolie a coward
Yet these fixt euils sit so fit in him
That they take placewhen Vertues steely bones
Lookes bleake i'th cold wind: withallfull ofte we see
Cold wisedome waighting on superfluous follie


Par. Saue you faire Queene

Hel. And you Monarch

Par. No

Hel. And no

Par. Are you meditating on virginitie?

Hel. I: you haue some staine of souldier in you: Let
mee aske you a question. Man is enemie to virginitie
how may we barracado it against him?

Par. Keepe him out

Hel. But he assailesand our virginitie though valiant
in the defence yet is weak: vnfold to vs some war-like
resistance

Par. There is none: Man setting downe before you
will vndermine youand blow you vp

Hel. Blesse our poore Virginity from vnderminers
and blowers vp. Is there no Military policy how Virgins
might blow vp men?

Par. Virginity beeing blowne downeMan will
quicklier be blowne vp: marry in blowing him downe
againewith the breach your selues madeyou lose your
Citty. It is not politickein the Common-wealth of
Natureto preserue virginity. Losse of Virginitieis
rationall encreaseand there was neuer Virgin goetill
virginitie was first lost. That you were made ofis mettall
to make Virgins. Virginitieby beeing once lost
may be ten times found: by being euer keptit is euer
lost: 'tis too cold a companion: Away with't

Hel. I will stand for't a littlethough therefore I die
a Virgin

Par. There's little can bee saide in't'tis against the
rule of Nature. To speake on the part of virginitieis
to accuse your Mothers; which is most infallible disobedience.
He that hangs himselfe is a Virgin: Virginitie
murthers it selfeand should be buried in highwayes
out of all sanctified limitas a desperate Offendresse against
Nature. Virginitie breedes mitesmuch like a
Cheeseconsumes it selfe to the very payringand so
dies with feeding his owne stomacke. BesidesVirginitie
is peeuishproudydlemade of selfe-louewhich


is the most inhibited sinne in the Cannon. Keepe it not
you cannot choose but loose by't. Out with't: within
ten yeare it will make it selfe twowhich is a goodly increase
and the principall it selfe not much the worse.
Away with't


Hel. How might one do sirto loose it to her owne
liking?

Par. Let mee see. Marry illto like him that ne're
it likes. 'Tis a commodity wil lose the glosse with lying:
The longer keptthe lesse worth: Off with't while 'tis
vendible. Answer the time of requestVirginitie like
an olde Courtierweares her cap out of fashionrichly
sutedbut vnsuteableiust like the brooch & the tooth-pick
which were not now: your Date is better in your
Pye and your Porredgethen in your cheeke: and your
virginityyour old virginityis like one of our French
wither'd pearesit lookes illit eates drilymarry 'tis a
wither'd peare: it was formerly bettermarry yet 'tis a
wither'd peare: Will you any thing with it?

Hel. Not my virginity yet:
There shall your Master haue a thousand loues
A Motherand a Mistresseand a friend
A PhenixCaptaineand an enemy
A guidea Goddesseand a Soueraigne
A Counsellora Traitoresseand a Deare:
His humble ambitionproud humility:
His iarringconcord: and his discorddulcet:
His faithhis sweet disaster: with a world
Of pretty fond adoptious christendomes
That blinking Cupid gossips. Now shall he:
I know not what he shallGod send him well
The Courts a learning placeand he is one

Par. What one ifaith?
Hel. That I wish well'tis pitty


Par. What's pitty?

Hel. That wishing well had not a body in't
Which might be feltthat we the poorer borne
Whose baser starres do shut vs vp in wishes
Might with effects of them follow our friends
And shew what we alone must thinkewhich neuer
Returnes vs thankes.
Enter Page.

Pag. Monsieur Parrolles
My Lord cals for you

Par. Little Hellen farewellif I can remember theeI
will thinke of thee at Court

Hel. Monsieur Parollesyou were borne vnder a
charitable starre

Par. Vnder Mars I

Hel. I especially thinkevnder Mars

Par. Why vnder Mars?
Hel. The warres hath so kept you vnderthat you
must needes be borne vnder Mars

Par. When he was predominant


Hel. When he was retrograde I thinke rather

Par. Why thinke you so?
Hel. You go so much backward when you fight


Par. That's for aduantage

Hel. So is running away
When feare proposes the safetie:
But the composition that your valour and feare makes
in youis a vertue of a good wingand I like the
weare well

Paroll. I am so full of businessesI cannot answere
thee acutely: I will returne perfect Courtierin the
which my instruction shall serue to naturalize theeso
thou wilt be capeable of a Courtiers councelland vnderstand
what aduice shall thrust vppon theeelse thou
diest in thine vnthankfulnesand thine ignorance makes
thee awayfarewell: When thou hast leysuresay thy
praiers: when thou hast noneremember thy Friends:
Get thee a good husbandand vse him as he vses thee:
So farewell

Hel. Our remedies oft in our selues do lye
Which we ascribe to heauen: the fated skye
Giues vs free scopeonely doth backward pull
Our slow designeswhen we our selues are dull.
What power is itwhich mounts my loue so hye
That makes me seeand cannot feede mine eye?
The mightiest space in fortuneNature brings
To ioyne likelikes; and kisse like natiue things.
Impossible be strange attempts to those
That weigh their paines in senceand do suppose
What hath beenecannot be. Who euer stroue
To shew her meritthat did misse her loue?
(The Kings disease) my proiect may deceiue me
But my intents are fixtand will not leaue me.

Exit

Flourish Cornets. Enter the King of France with Lettersand diuers
Attendants.

King. The Florentines and Senoys are by th' eares
Haue fought with equall fortuneand continue
A brauing warre

1.Lo.G. So tis reported sir

King. Nay tis most crediblewe heere receiue it
A certaintie vouch'd from our Cosin Austria
With cautionthat the Florentine will moue vs
For speedie ayde: wherein our deerest friend
Preiudicates the businesseand would seeme
To haue vs make deniall

1.Lo.G. His loue and wisedome
Approu'd so to your Maiestymay pleade
For amplest credence

King. He hath arm'd our answer
And Florence is deni'de before he comes:


Yet for our Gentlemen that meane to see
The Tuscan seruicefreely haue they leaue
To stand on either part

2.Lo.E. It well may serue
A nursserie to our Gentriewho are sicke
For breathingand exploit

King. What's he comes heere.
Enter BertramLafewand Parolles.

1.Lor.G. It is the Count Rosignoll my good Lord
Yong Bertram

King. Youththou bear'st thy Fathers face
Franke Nature rather curious then in hast
Hath well compos'd thee: Thy Fathers morall parts
Maist thou inherit too: Welcome to Paris

Ber. My thankes and dutie are your Maiesties

Kin. I would I had that corporall soundnesse now
As when thy fatherand my selfein friendship
First tride our souldiership: he did looke farre
Into the seruice of the timeand was
Discipled of the brauest. He lasted long
But on vs both did haggish Age steale on
And wore vs out of act: It much repaires me
To talke of your good father; in his youth
He had the witwhich I can well obserue
To day in our yong Lords: but they may iest
Till their owne scorne returne to them vnnoted
Ere they can hide their leuitie in honour:
So like a Courtiercontempt nor bitternesse
Were in his prideor sharpnesse; if they were
His equall had awak'd themand his honour
Clocke to it selfeknew the true minute when
Exception bid him speake: and at this time
His tongue obey'd his hand. Who were below him
He vs'd as creatures of another place
And bow'd his eminent top to their low rankes
Making them proud of his humilitie
In their poore praise he humbled: Such a man
Might be a copie to these yonger times;
Which followed wellwould demonstrate them now
But goers backward

Ber. His good remembrance sir
Lies richer in your thoughtsthen on his tombe:
So in approofe liues not his Epitaph
As in your royall speech

King. Would I were with him he would alwaies say
(Me thinkes I heare him now) his plausiue words
He scatter'd not in earesbut grafted them
To grow there and to beare: Let me not liue
This his good melancholly oft began
On the Catastrophe and heele of pastime
When it was out: Let me not liue (quoth hee)
After my flame lackes oyleto be the snuffe
Of yonger spiritswhose apprehensiue senses
All but new things disdaine; whose iudgements are
Meere fathers of their garments: whose constancies
Expire before their fashions: this he wish'd.


I after himdo after him wish too:
Since I nor wax nor honie can bring home
I quickly were dissolued from my hiue
To giue some Labourers roome


2.L.E. You'r loued Sir
They that least lend it youshall lacke you first
Kin. I fill a place I know't: how long ist Count
Since the Physitian at your fathers died?
He was much fam'd

Ber. Some six moneths since my Lord

Kin. If he were liuingI would try him yet.
Lend me an arme: the rest haue worne me out
With seuerall applications: Nature and sicknesse
Debate it at their leisure. Welcome Count
My sonne's no deerer

Ber. Thanke your Maiesty.

Exit

Flourish.

Enter CountesseStewardand Clowne.

Coun. I will now hearewhat say you of this gentlewoman

Ste. Maddam the care I haue had to euen your content
I wish might be found in the Kalender of my past
endeuoursfor then we wound our Modestieand make
foule the clearnesse of our deseruingswhen of our selues
we publish them

Coun. What doe's this knaue heere? Get you gone
sirra: the complaints I haue heard of you I do not all beleeue
'tis my slownesse that I doe not: For I know you
lacke not folly to commit them& haue abilitie enough
to make such knaueries yours

Clo. 'Tis not vnknown to you MadamI am a poore
fellow

Coun. Well sir

Clo. No maddam
'Tis not so well that I am poorethough manie
of the rich are damn'dbut if I may haue your Ladiships
good will to goe to the worldIsbell the woman and I
will doe as we may

Coun. Wilt thou needes be a begger?
Clo. I doe beg your good will in this case


Cou. In what case?

Clo. In Isbels case and mine owne: seruice is no heritage
and I thinke I shall neuer haue the blessing of God
till I haue issue a my bodie: for they say barnes are blessings

Cou. Tell me thy reason why thou wilt marrie?
Clo. My poore bodie Madam requires itI am driuen
on by the fleshand hee must needes goe that the diuell


driues

Cou. Is this all your worships reason?
Clo. Faith Madam I haue other holie reasonssuch as
they are

Cou. May the world know them?

Clo. I haue beene Madam a wicked creatureas you
and all flesh and blood areand indeede I doe marrie that
I may repent

Cou. Thy marriage sooner then thy wickednesse

Clo. I am out a friends Madamand I hope to haue
friends for my wiues sake

Cou. Such friends are thine enemies knaue

Clo. Y'are shallow Madam in great friendsfor the
knaues come to doe that for me which I am a wearie of:
he that eres my Landspares my teameand giues mee
leaue to Inne the crop: if I be his cuckold hee's my
drudge; he that comforts my wifeis the cherisher of
my flesh and blood; hee that cherishes my flesh and
bloodloues my flesh and blood; he that loues my flesh
and blood is my friend: ergohe that kisses my wife is my
friend: if men could be contented to be what they are
there were no feare in marriagefor yong Charbon the
Puritanand old Poysam the Papisthow somere their
hearts are seuer'd in Religiontheir heads are both one
they may ioule horns together like any Deare i'th Herd

Cou. Wilt thou euer be a foule mouth'd and calumnious
knaue?

Clo. A Prophet I Madamand I speake the truth the
next waiefor I the Ballad will repeatewhich men full
true shall findeyour marriage comes by destinieyour
Cuckow sings by kinde

Cou. Get you gone sirIle talke with you more anon

Stew. May it please you Madamthat hee bid Hellen
come to youof her I am to speake

Cou. Sirra tell my gentlewoman I would speake with
herHellen I meane

Clo. Was this faire face the causequoth she
Why the Grecians sacked Troy
Fond donedonefond was this King Priams ioy
With that she sighed as she stood

bis

And gaue this sentence thenamong nine bad if one be
goodamong nine bad if one be goodthere's yet one
good in ten

Cou. Whatone good in tenne? you corrupt the song
sirra

Clo. One good woman in ten Madamwhich is a purifying
ath' song: would God would serue the world so
all the yeereweed finde no fault with the tithe woman


if I were the Parsonone in ten quoth a? and wee might
haue a good woman borne but ore euerie blazing starre
or at an earthquake'twould mend the Lotterie wella
man may draw his heart out ere a plucke one

Cou. Youle begone sir knaueand doe as I command
you?

Clo. That man should be at womans commandand
yet no hurt donethough honestie be no Puritanyet
it will doe no hurtit will weare the Surplis of humilitie
ouer the blacke-Gowne of a bigge heart: I am going
forsooththe businesse is for Helen to come hither.
Enter.

Cou. Well now

Stew. I know Madam you loue your Gentlewoman
intirely

Cou. Faith I doe: her Father bequeath'd her to mee
and she her selfe without other aduantagemay lawfullie
make title to as much loue as shee findesthere is
more owing her then is paidand more shall be paid
her then sheele demand

Stew. MadamI was verie late more neere her then
I thinke shee wisht meealone shee wasand did
communicate to her selfe her owne words to her
owne earesshee thoughtI dare vowe for herthey
toucht not anie stranger senceher matter wasshee
loued your Sonne; Fortune shee said was no goddesse
that had put such difference betwixt their two
estates: Loue no godthat would not extend his might
oneliewhere qualities were leuellQueene of Virgins
that would suffer her poore Knight surpris'd
without rescue in the first assault or ransome afterward:
This shee deliuer'd in the most bitter touch of
sorrow that ere I heard Virgin exclaime inwhich I held
my dutie speedily to acquaint you withallsithence in
the losse that may happenit concernes you something
to know it

Cou. You haue discharg'd this honestliekeepe it
to your selfemanie likelihoods inform'd mee of this
beforewhich hung so tottring in the ballancethat
I could neither beleeue nor misdoubt: praie you
leaue meestall this in your bosomeand I thanke
you for your honest care: I will speake with you further
anon.

Exit Steward.

Enter Hellen.

Old.Cou. Euen so it was with me when I was yong:
If euer we are naturesthese are oursthis thorne
Doth to our Rose of youth rightlie belong
Our bloud to vsthis to our blood is borne
It is the showand seale of natures truth
Where loues strong passion is imprest in youth
By our remembrances of daies forgon
Such were our faultsor then we thought them none
Her eie is sicke on'tI obserue her now


Hell. What is your pleasure Madam?
Ol.Cou. You know Hellen I am a mother to you


Hell. Mine honorable Mistris

Ol.Cou. Nay a motherwhy not a mother? when I

sed a mother

Me thought you saw a serpentwhat's in mother

That you start at it? I say I am your mother

And put you in the Catalogue of those

That were enwombed mine'tis often seene

Adoption striues with natureand choise breedes

A natiue slip to vs from forraine seedes:

You nere opprest me with a mothers groane

Yet I expresse to you a mothers care

(Gods mercie maiden) dos it curd thy blood

To say I am thy mother? what's the matter

That this distempered messenger of wet?

The manie colour'd Iris rounds thine eye? - Whythat you are my

daughter?
Hell. That I am not

Old.Cou. I say I am your Mother

Hell. Pardon Madam.

The Count Rosillion cannot be my brother:

I am from humblehe from honored name:

No note vpon my Parentshis all noble

My Mastermy deere Lord he isand I

His seruant liueand will his vassall die:

He must not be my brother

Ol.Cou. Nor I your Mother

Hell. You are my mother Madamwould you were

So that my Lord your sonne were not my brother

Indeede my motheror were you both our mothers

I care no more forthen I doe for heauen

So I were not his sistercant no other

But I your daughterhe must be my brother

Old.Cou. Yes Hellenyou might be my daughter in law

God shield you meane it notdaughter and mother

So striue vpon your pulse; what pale agen?

My feare hath catcht your fondnesse! now I see

The mistrie of your louelinesseand finde

Your salt teares headnow to all sence 'tis grosse:

You loue my sonneinuention is asham'd

Against the proclamation of thy passion

To say thou doost not: therefore tell me true

But tell me then 'tis sofor lookethy cheekes

Confesse it 'ton tooth to th' otherand thine eies

See it so grosely showne in thy behauiours

That in their kinde they speake itonely sinne

And hellish obstinacie tye thy tongue

That truth should be suspectedspeakeist so?

If it be soyou haue wound a goodly clewe:

If it be notforsweare't how ere I charge thee

As heauen shall worke in me for thine auaile

To tell me truelie

Hell. Good Madam pardon me

Cou. Do you loue my Sonne?


Hell. Your pardon noble Mistris

Cou. Loue you my Sonne?
Hell. Doe not you loue him Madam?
Cou. Goe not about; my loue hath in't a bond


Whereof the world takes note: Comecomedisclose:
The state of your affectionfor your passions
Haue to the full appeach'd

Hell. Then I confesse
Here on my kneebefore high heauen and you
That before youand next vnto high heauenI loue your
Sonne:
My friends were poore but honestso's my loue:
Be not offendedfor it hurts not him
That he is lou'd of me; I follow him not
By any token of presumptuous suite
Nor would I haue himtill I doe deserue him
Yet neuer know how that desert should be:
I know I loue in vainestriue against hope:
Yet in this captiousand intemible Siue.
I still poure in the waters of my loue
And lacke not to loose still; thus Indian like
Religious in mine errorI adore
The Sunne that lookes vpon his worshipper
But knowes of him no more. My deerest Madam
Let not your hate incounter with my loue
For louing where you doe; but if your selfe
Whose aged honor cites a vertuous youth
Did euerin so true a flame of liking
Wish chastlyand loue dearelythat your Dian
Was both her selfe and loueO then giue pittie
To her whose state is suchthat cannot choose
But lend and giue where she is sure to loose;
That seekes not to finde thather search implies
But riddle likeliues sweetely where she dies

Cou. Had you not lately an intentspeake truely
To goe to Paris?
Hell. Madam I had

Cou. Wherefore? tell true

Hell. I will tell truthby grace it selfe I sweare:
You know my Father left me some prescriptions
Of rare and prou'd effectssuch as his reading
And manifest experiencehad collected

For generall soueraigntie: and that he wil'd me
In heedefull'st reseruation to bestow them
As noteswhose faculties inclusiue were
More then they were in note: Amongst the rest
There is a remedieapprou'dset downe
To cure the desperate languishings whereof
The King is render'd lost


Cou. This was your motiue for Pariswas itspeake?

Hell. My Lordyour sonnemade me to think of this;
Else Parisand the medicineand the King
Had from the conuersation of my thoughts
Happily beene absent then

Cou. But thinke you Hellen
If you should tender your supposed aide


He would receiue it? He and his Phisitions
Are of a mindehethat they cannot helpe him:
Theythat they cannot helpehow shall they credit
A poore vnlearned Virginwhen the Schooles
Embowel'd of their doctrinehaue left off
The danger to it selfe

Hell. There's something in't
More then my Fathers skillwhich was the great'st
Of his professionthat his good receipt
Shall for my legacie be sanctified
Byth' luckiest stars in heauenand would your honor
But giue me leaue to trie successeI'de venture
The well lost life of mineon his Graces cure
By such a dayan houre

Cou. Doo'st thou beleeue't?
Hell. I Madam knowingly


Cou. Why Hellen thou shalt haue my leaue and loue
Meanes and attendantsand my louing greetings
To those of mine in CourtIle staie at home
And praie Gods blessing into thy attempt:
Begon to morrowand be sure of this
What I can helpe thee tothou shalt not misse.

Exeunt.

Actus Secundus.

Enter the King with diuers yong Lordstaking leaue for the
Florentine
warre: CountRosseand Parrolles. Florish Cornets.

King. Farewell yong Lordsthese warlike principles
Doe not throw from youand you my Lords farewell:
Share the aduice betwixt youif both gaineall
The guift doth stretch it selfe as 'tis receiu'd
And is enough for both

Lord.G. 'Tis our hope sir
After well entred souldiersto returne
And finde your grace in health

King. Nonoit cannot be; and yet my heart
Will not confesse he owes the mallady
That doth my life besiege: farwell yong Lords
Whether I liue or diebe you the sonnes
Of worthy French men: let higher Italy
(Those bated that inherit but the fall
Of the last Monarchy) see that you come
Not to wooe honourbut to wed itwhen
The brauest questant shrinkes: finde what you seeke
That fame may cry you loud: I say farewell

L.G. Health at your bidding serue your Maiesty
King. Those girles of Italytake heed of them
They say our Frenchlacke language to deny
If they demand: beware of being Captiues
Before you serue

Bo. Our hearts receiue your warnings


King. Farewellcome hether to me

1.Lo.G. Oh my sweet Lord y you wil stay behind vs

Parr. 'Tis not his fault the spark

2.Lo.E. Oh 'tis braue warres

Parr. Most admirableI haue seene those warres

Rossill. I am commanded hereand kept a coyle with
Too youngand the next yeereand 'tis too early

Parr. And thy minde stand too't boy
Steale away brauely

Rossill. I shal stay here the for-horse to a smocke
Creeking my shooes on the plaine Masonry
Till honour be bought vpand no sword worne
But one to dance with: by heauenIle steale away

1.Lo.G. There's honour in the theft

Parr. Commit it Count

2.Lo.E. I am your accessaryand so farewell

Ros. I grow to you& our parting is a tortur'd body

1.Lo.G. Farewell Captaine

2.Lo.E. Sweet Mounsier Parolles

Parr. Noble Heroes; my sword and yours are kinne
good sparkes and lustrousa word good mettals. You
shall finde in the Regiment of the Spinijone Captaine
Spurio his sicatricewith an Embleme of warre heere on
his sinister cheeke; it was this very sword entrench'd it:
say to him I liueand obserue his reports for me

Lo.G. We shall noble Captaine

Parr. Mars doate on you for his nouiceswhat will
ye doe?
Ross. Stay the King

Parr. Vse a more spacious ceremonie to the Noble
Lordsyou haue restrain'd your selfe within the List of
too cold an adieu: be more expressiue to them; for they
weare themselues in the cap of the timethere do muster
true gate; eatspeakeand moue vnder the influence of
the most receiu'd starreand though the deuill leade the
measuresuch are to be followed: after themand take a
more dilated farewell

Ross. And I will doe so

Parr. Worthy fellowesand like to prooue most sinewie
sword-men.

Exeunt.

Enter Lafew.


L.Laf. Pardon my Lord for mee and for my tidings

King. Ile see thee to stand vp

L.Laf. Then heres a man stands that has brought his pardon
I would you had kneel'd my Lord to aske me mercy
And that at my bidding you could so stand vp

King. I would I hadso I had broke thy pate
And askt thee mercy for't

Laf. Goodfaith a-crossebut my good Lord 'tis thus
Will you be cur'd of your infirmitie?
King. No

Laf. O will you eat no grapes my royall foxe?
Yes but you willmy noble grapesand if
My royall foxe could reach them: I haue seen a medicine
That's able to breath life into a stone
Quicken a rockeand make you dance Canari
With sprightly fire and motionwhose simple touch
Is powerfull to arayse King Pippennay
To giue great Charlemaine a pen in's hand
And write to her a loue-line

King. What her is this?

Laf. Why doctor she: my Lordthere's one arriu'd
If you will see her: now by my faith and honour
If seriously I may conuay my thoughts
In this my light deliueranceI haue spoke
With onethat in her sexeher yeeresprofession
Wisedome and constancyhath amaz'd mee more
Then I dare blame my weakenesse: will you see her?
For that is her demandand know her businesse?
That donelaugh well at me

King. Now good Lafew
Bring in the admirationthat we with thee
May spend our wonder tooor take off thine
By wondring how thou tookst it

Laf. NayIle fit you
And not be all day neither

King. Thus he his speciall nothing euer prologues

Laf. Naycome your waies.
Enter Hellen.

King. This haste hath wings indeed

Laf. Naycome your waies
This is his Maiestiesay your minde to him
A Traitor you doe looke likebut such traitors
His Maiesty seldome fearesI am Cresseds Vncle
That dare leaue two togetherfar you well.
Enter.

King. Now faire onedo's your busines follow vs?

Hel. I my good Lord
Gerard de Narbon was my father
In what he did professewell found


King. I knew him

Hel. The rather will I spare my praises towards him

Knowing him is enough: on's bed of death

Many receits he gaue mechieflie one

Which as the dearest issue of his practice

And of his olde experienceth' onlie darling

He bad me store vpas a triple eye

Safer then mine owne two: more deare I haue so

And hearing your high Maiestie is toucht

With that malignant causewherein the honour

Of my deare fathers giftstands cheefe in power

I come to tender itand my appliance

With all bound humblenesse

King. We thanke you maiden

But may not be so credulous of cure

When our most learned Doctors leaue vsand

The congregated Colledge haue concluded

That labouring Art can neuer ransome nature

From her inaydible estate: I say we must not

So staine our iudgementor corrupt our hope

To prostitute our past-cure malladie

To empericksor to disseuer so

Our great selfe and our creditto esteeme

A sencelesse helpewhen helpe past sence we deeme

Hell. My dutie then shall pay me for my paines:

I will no more enforce mine office on you

Humbly intreating from your royall thoughts

A modest one to beare me backe againe

King. I cannot giue thee lesse to be cal'd gratefull:

Thou thoughtst to helpe meand such thankes I giue

As one neere death to those that wish him liue:

But what at full I knowthou knowst no part

I knowing all my perillthou no Art

Hell. What I can doecan doe no hurt to try

Since you set vp your rest 'gainst remedie:

He that of greatest workes is finisher

Oft does them by the weakest minister:

So holy Writin babes hath iudgement showne

When Iudges haue bin babes; great flouds haue flowne

From simple sources: and great Seas haue dried

When Miracles haue by the great'st beene denied.

Oft expectation failesand most oft there

Where most it promises: and oft it hits

Where hope is coldestand despaire most shifts

King. I must not heare theefare thee wel kind maide

Thy paines not vs'dmust by thy selfe be paid

Proffers not tookereape thanks for their reward

Hel. Inspired Merit so by breath is bard

It is not so with him that all things knowes

As 'tis with vsthat square our guesse by showes:

But most it is presumption in vswhen

The help of heauen we count the act of men.

Deare sirto my endeauors giue consent

Of heauennot memake an experiment.

I am not an Imposturethat proclaime

My selfe against the leuill of mine aime

But know I thinkeand thinke I know most sure


My Art is not past powernor you past cure

King. Art thou so confident? Within what space
Hop'st thou my cure?

Hel. The greatest grace lending grace
Ere twice the horses of the sunne shall bring
Their fiery torcher his diurnall ring
Ere twice in murke and occidentall dampe
Moist Hesperus hath quench'd her sleepy Lampe:
Or foure and twenty times the Pylots glasse
Hath told the theeuish minuteshow they passe:
What is infirmefrom your sound parts shall flie
Health shall liue freeand sickenesse freely dye

King. Vpon thy certainty and confidence
What dar'st thou venter?

Hell. Taxe of impudence
A strumpets boldnessea divulged shame
Traduc'd by odious ballads: my maidens name
Seard otherwisene worse of worst extended
With vildest torturelet my life be ended

Kin. Methinks in thee some blessed spirit doth speak
His powerfull soundwithin an organ weake:
And what impossibility would slay
In common sencesence saues another way:
Thy life is deerefor all that life can rate
Worth name of lifein thee hath estimate:
Youthbeautywisedomecourageall
That happines and primecan happy call:
Thou this to hazardneeds must intimate
Skill infiniteor monstrous desperate
Sweet practiserthy Physicke I will try
That ministers thine owne death if I die

Hel. If I breake timeor flinch in property
Of what I spokevnpittied let me die
And well deseru'd: not helpingdeath's my fee
But if I helpewhat doe you promise me

Kin. Make thy demand

Hel. But will you make it euen?
Kin. I by my Scepterand my hopes of helpe


Hel. Then shalt thou giue me with thy kingly hand
What husband in thy power I will command:
Exempted be from me the arrogance
To choose from forth the royall bloud of France
My low and humble name to propagate
With any branch or image of thy state:
But such a one thy vassallwhom I know
Is free for me to askethee to bestow

Kin. Heere is my handthe premises obseru'd
Thy will by my performance shall be seru'd:
So make the choice of thy owne timefor I
Thy resolv'd Patienton thee still relye:
More should I question theeand more I must
Though more to knowcould not be more to trust:
From whence thou cam'sthow tended onbut rest
Vnquestion'd welcomeand vndoubted blest.
Giue me some helpe heere hoaif thou proceed
As high as wordmy deed shall match thy deed.


Florish. Exit.

Enter Countesse and Clowne.

Lady. Come on sirI shall now put you to the height
of your breeding

Clown. I will shew my selfe highly fedand lowly
taughtI know my businesse is but to the Court

Lady. To the Courtwhy what place make you speciall
when you put off that with such contemptbut to
the Court?

Clo. Truly Madamif God haue lent a man any manners
hee may easilie put it off at Court: hee that cannot
make a leggeput off's capkisse his handand say nothing
has neither leggehandslippenor cap; and indeed
such a fellowto say preciselywere not for the
Courtbut for meI haue an answere will serue all men

Lady. Marry that's a bountifull answere that fits all
questions

Clo. It is like a Barbers chaire that fits all buttockes
the pin buttockethe quatch-buttockethe brawn buttocke
or any buttocke

Lady. Will your answere serue fit to all questions?

Clo. As fit as ten groats is for the hand of an Atturney
as your French Crowne for your taffety punkeas
Tibs rush for Toms fore-fingeras a pancake for Shroue-tuesday
a Morris for May-dayas the naile to his hole
the Cuckold to his horneas a scolding queane to a
wrangling knaueas the Nuns lip to the Friers mouth
nay as the pudding to his skin

Lady. Haue youI sayan answere of such fitnesse for
all questions?
Clo. From below your Duketo beneath your Constable
it will fit any question

Lady. It must be an answere of most monstrous size
that must fit all demands

Clo. But a triflle neither in good faithif the learned
should speake truth of it: heere it isand all that belongs
to't. Aske mee if I am a Courtierit shall doe you no
harme to learne

Lady. To be young againe if we could: I will bee a
foole in questionhoping to bee the wiser by your answer

La. I pray you sirare you a Courtier?
Clo. O Lord sir theres a simple putting off: more
morea hundred of them

La. Sir I am a poore freind of yoursthat loues you

Clo. O Lord sirthickethickespare not me

La. I thinke siryou can eate none of this homely
meate


Clo. O Lord sir; nay put me too'tI warrant you

La. You were lately whipt sir as I thinke

Clo. O Lord sirspare not me

La. Doe you crie O Lord sir at your whippingand
spare not me? Indeed your O Lord siris very sequent
to your whipping: you would answere very well to a
whipping if you were but bound too't

Clo. I nere had worse lucke in my life in my O Lord
sir: I see things may serue longbut not serue euer

La. I play the noble huswife with the timeto entertaine
it so merrily with a foole

Clo. O Lord sirwhy there't serues well agen

La. And end sir to your businesse: giue Hellen this
And vrge her to a present answer backe
Commend me to my kinsmenand my sonne
This is not much

Clo. Not much commendation to them

La. Not much imployement for youyou vnderstand
me

Clo. Most fruitfullyI am therebefore my legges

La. Hast you agen.

Exeunt.

Enter CountLafewand Parolles.

Ol.Laf. They say miracles are pastand we haue our
Philosophicall personsto make moderne and familiar
things supernaturall and causelesse. Hence is itthat we
make trifles of terroursensconcing our selues into seeming
knowledgewhen we should submit our selues to
an vnknowne feare

Par. Why 'tis the rarest argument of wonderthat
hath shot out in our latter times

Ros. And so 'tis

Ol.Laf. To be relinquisht of the Artists

Par. So I say both of Galen and Paracelsus

Ol.Laf. Of all the learned and authenticke fellowes

Par. Right so I say

Ol.Laf. That gaue him out incureable

Par. Why there 'tisso say I too

Ol.Laf. Not to be help'd

Par. Rightas 'twere a man assur'd of a



Ol.Laf. Vncertaine lifeand sure death

Par. Iustyou say well: so would I haue said

Ol.Laf. I may truly sayit is a noueltie to the world

Par. It is indeede if you will haue it in shewingyou
shall reade it in what do ye call there

Ol.Laf. A shewing of a heauenly effect in an earthly
Actor

Par. That's itI would haue saidthe verie same

Ol.Laf. Why your Dolphin is not lustier: fore mee
I speake in respect


Par. Nay 'tis strange'tis very straungethat is the
breefe and the tedious of itand he's of a most facinerious
spiritthat will not acknowledge it to be the


Ol.Laf. Very hand of heauen

Par. Iso I say

Ol.Laf. In a most weake


Par. And debile minister great powergreat trancendence
which should indeede giue vs a further vse to
be madethen alone the recou'ry of the kingas to bee

Old Laf. Generally thankfull.
Enter KingHellenand attendants.

Par. I would haue said ityou say well: heere comes
the King

Ol.Laf. Lustiqueas the Dutchman saies: Ile like a
maide the Better whil'st I haue a tooth in my head: why
he's able to leade her a Carranto

Par. Mor du vinageris not this Helen?
Ol.Laf. Fore God I thinke so


King. Goe call before mee all the Lords in Court
Sit my preseruer by thy patients side
And with this healthfull hand whose banisht sence
Thou hast repeal'da second time receyue
The confirmation of my promis'd guift
Which but attends thy naming.
Enter 3 or 4 Lords.

Faire Maide send forth thine eyethis youthfull parcell
Of Noble Batchellorsstand at my bestowing
Ore whom both Soueraigne powerand fathers voice
I haue to vse; thy franke election make
Thou hast power to chooseand they none to forsake

Hel. To each of youone faire and vertuous Mistris;
Fall when loue pleasemarry to each but one

Old Laf. I'de giue bay curtalland his furniture
My mouth no more were broken then these boyes
And writ as little beard

King. Peruse them well:
Not one of thosebut had a Noble father.


She addresses her to a Lord.

Hel. Gentlemenheauen hath through merestor'd
the king to health

All. We vnderstand itand thanke heauen for you

Hel. I am a simple Maideand therein wealthiest
That I protestI simply am a Maide:
Please it your MaiestieI haue done already:
The blushes in my cheekes thus whisper mee
We blush that thou shouldst choosebut be refused;
Let the white death sit on thy cheeke for euer
Wee'l nere come there againe

King. Make choise and see
Who shuns thy loueshuns all his loue in mee

Hel. Now Dian from thy Altar do I fly
And to imperiall louethat God most high
Do my sighes streame: Sirwil you heare my suite?

1.Lo. And grant it

Hel. Thankes sirall the rest is mute

Ol.Laf. I had rather be in this choisethen throw
Ames-ace for my life

Hel. The honor sir that flames in your faire eyes
Before I speake too threatningly replies:
Loue make your fortunes twentie times aboue
Her that so wishesand her humble loue

2.Lo. No better if you please

Hel. My wish receiue
Which great loue grantand so I take my leaue

Ol.Laf. Do all they denie her? And they were sons
of mineI'de haue them whip'dor I would send them
to'th Turke to make Eunuches of

Hel. Be not afraid that I your hand should take
Ile neuer do you wrong for your owne sake:
Blessing vpon your vowesand in your bed
Finde fairer fortuneif you euer wed

Old Laf. These boyes are boyes of Icethey'le none
haue heere: sure they are bastards to the Englishthe
French nere got em

La. You are too youngtoo happieand too good
To make your selfe a sonne out of my blood

4.Lord. Faire oneI thinke not so

Ol.Lord There's one grape yetI am sure thy father
drunke wine. But if thou be'st not an asseI am a youth
of fourteene: I haue knowne thee already

Hel. I dare not say I take youbut I giue
Me and my seruiceeuer whilst I liue
Into your guiding power: This is the man


King. Why then young Bertram take her shee's thy
wife

Ber. My wife my Leige? I shal beseech your highnes
In such a businesgiue me leaue to vse
The helpe of mine owne eies

King. Know'st thou not Bertram what shee ha's
done for mee?
Ber. Yes my good Lordbut neuer hope to know
why I should marrie her

King. Thou know'st shee ha's rais'd me from my sickly
bed

Ber. But followes it my Lordto bring me downe
Must answer for your raising? I knowe her well:
Shee had her breeding at my fathers charge:
A poore Physitians daughter my wife? Disdaine
Rather corrupt me euer

King. Tis onely title thou disdainst in herthe which
I can build vp: strange is it that our bloods
Of colourwaightand heatpour'd all together
Would quite confound distinction: yet stands off
In differences so mightie. If she bee
All that is vertuous (saue what thou dislik'st)
A poore Phisitians daughterthou dislik'st
Of vertue for the name: but doe not so:
From lowest placewhence vertuous things proceed
The place is dignified by th' doers deede.
Where great additions swell'sand vertue none
It is a dropsied honour. Good alone
Is good without a name? Vilenesse is so:
The propertie by what is isshould go
Not by the title. Shee is youngwisefaire
In theseto Nature shee's immediate heire:
And these breed honour: that is honours scorne
Which challenges it selfe as honours borne
And is not like the sire: Honours thriue
When rather from our acts we them deriue
Then our fore-goers: the meere wordsa slaue
Debosh'd on euerie tombeon euerie graue:
A lying Tropheeand as oft is dumbe
Where dustand damn'd obliuion is the Tombe.
Of honour'd bones indeedwhat should be saide?
If thou canst like this creatureas a maide
I can create the rest: Vertueand shee
Is her owne dower: Honour and wealthfrom mee

Ber. I cannot loue hernor will striue to doo't

King. Thou wrong'st thy selfeif thou shold'st striue
to choose

Hel. That you are well restor'd my LordI'me glad:
Let the rest go

King. My Honor's at the stakewhich to defeate
I must produce my power. Heeretake her hand
Proud scornfull boyvnworthie this good gift
That dost in vile misprision shackle vp
My loueand her desert: that canst not dreame
We poizing vs in her defectiue scale


Shall weigh thee to the beame: That wilt not know
It is in Vs to plant thine Honourwhere
We please to haue it grow. Checke thy contempt:
Obey Our willwhich trauailes in thy good:
Beleeue not thy disdainebut presentlie
Do thine owne fortunes that obedient right
Which both thy dutie owesand Our power claimes
Or I will throw thee from my care for euer
Into the staggersand the carelesse lapse
Of youth and ignorance: both my reuenge and hate
Loosing vpon theein the name of iustice
Without all termes of pittie. Speakethine answer

Ber. Pardon my gracious Lord: for I submit
My fancie to your eieswhen I consider
What great creationand what dole of honour
Flies where you bid it: I finde that she which late
Was in my Nobler thoughtsmost base: is now
The praised of the Kingwho so ennobled
Is as 'twere borne so

King. Take her by the hand
And tell her she is thine: to whom I promise
A counterpoize: If not to thy estate
A ballance more repleat

Ber. I take her hand

Kin. Good fortuneand the fauour of the King
Smile vpon this Contract: whose Ceremonie
Shall seeme expedient on the now borne briefe
And be perform'd to night: the solemne Feast
Shall more attend vpon the coming space
Expecting absent friends. As thou lou'st her
Thy loue's to me Religious: elsedo's erre.

Exeunt.

Parolles and Lafew stay behindcommenting of this wedding.

Laf. Do you heare Monsieur? A word with you

Par. Your pleasure sir

Laf. Your Lord and Master did well to make his recantation

Par. Recantation? My Lord? my Master?
Laf. I: Is it not a Language I speake?
Par. A most harsh oneand not to bee vnderstoode


without bloudie succeeding. My Master?
Laf. Are you Companion to the Count Rosillion?
Par. To any Countto all Counts: to what is man

Laf. To what is Counts man: Counts maister is of
another stile

Par. You are too old sir: Let it satisfie youyou are
too old

Laf. I must tell thee sirrahI write Man: to which
title age cannot bring thee

Par. What I dare too well doI dare not do


Laf. I did thinke thee for two ordinaries: to bee a
prettie wise fellowthou didst make tollerable vent of
thy trauellit might passe: yet the scarffes and the bannerets
about theedid manifoldlie disswade me from beleeuing
thee a vessell of too great a burthen. I haue now
found theewhen I loose thee againeI care not: yet art
thou good for nothing but taking vpand that th'ourt
scarce worth

Par. Hadst thou not the priuiledge of Antiquity vpon
thee

Laf. Do not plundge thy selfe to farre in angerleast
thou hasten thy triall: which ifLord haue mercie on
thee for a henso my good window of Lettice fare thee
wellthy casement I neede not openfor I look through
thee. Giue me thy hand

Par. My Lordyou giue me most egregious indignity

Laf. I with all my heartand thou art worthy of it

Par. I haue not my Lord deseru'd it

Laf. Yes good faitheu'ry dramme of itand I will
not bate thee a scruple

Par. WellI shall be wiser

Laf. Eu'n as soone as thou can'stfor thou hast to pull
at a smacke a'th contrarie. If euer thou bee'st bound
in thy skarfe and beatenthou shall finde what it is to be
proud of thy bondageI haue a desire to holde my acquaintance
with theeor rather my knowledgethat I
may say in the defaulthe is a man I know

Par. My Lord you do me most insupportable vexation

Laf. I would it were hell paines for thy sakeand my
poore doing eternall: for doing I am pastas I will by
theein what motion age will giue me leaue.
Enter.

Par. Wellthou hast a sonne shall take this disgrace
off me; scuruyoldfilthyscuruy Lord: WellI must
be patientthere is no fettering of authority. Ile beate
him (by my life) if I can meete him with any conuenience
and he were double and double a Lord. Ile haue
no more pittie of his age then I would haue of- Ile
beate himand if I could but meet him agen.
Enter Lafew.

Laf. Sirrayour Lord and masters marriedthere's
newes for you: you haue a new Mistris

Par. I most vnfainedly beseech your Lordshippe to
make some reseruation of your wrongs. He is my good
Lordwhom I serue aboue is my master

Laf. Who? God

Par. I sir

Laf. The deuill it isthat's thy master. Why dooest


thou garter vp thy armes a this fashion? Dost make hose
of thy sleeues? Do other seruants so? Thou wert best set
thy lower part where thy nose stands. By mine Honor
if I were but two houres yongerI'de beate thee: mee-think'st
thou art a generall offenceand euery man shold
beate thee: I thinke thou wast created for men to breath
themselues vpon thee

Par. This is hard and vndeserued measure my Lord

Laf. Go too siryou were beaten in Italy for picking
a kernell out of a Pomgranatyou are a vagabondand
no true traueller: you are more sawcie with Lordes and
honourable personagesthen the Commission of your
birth and vertue giues you Heraldry. You are not worth
another wordelse I'de call you knaue. I leaue you.

Exit

Enter Count Rossillion.

Par. Goodvery goodit is so then: goodvery
goodlet it be conceal'd awhile

Ros. Vndoneand forfeited to cares for euer

Par. What's the matter sweet-heart?
Rossill. Although before the solemne Priest I haue
sworneI will not bed her

Par. What? what sweet heart?
Ros. O my Parrollesthey haue married me:
Ile to the Tuscan warresand neuer bed her

Par. France is a dog-holeand it no more merits
The tread of a mans foot: too'th warres

Ros. There's letters from my mother: What th' import
isI know not yet

Par. I that would be knowne: too'th warrs my boy
too'th warres:
He weares his honor in a boxe vnseene
That hugges his kickie wickie heare at home
Spending his manlie marrow in her armes
Which should sustaine the bound and high curuet
Of Marses fierie steed: to other Regions
France is a stablewee that dwell in't Iades
Therefore too'th warre

Ros. It shall be soIle 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 speake. His present gift
Shall furnish me to those Italian fields
Where noble fellowes strike: Warres is no strife
To the darke houseand the detected wife

Par. Will this Caprichio hold in theeart sure?

Ros. Go with me to my chamberand aduice me.
Ile send her straight away: To morrow
Ile to the warresshe to her single sorrow

Par. Why these bals boundther's noise in it. Tis hard


A yong man mariedis a man that's mard:
Therefore awayand leaue her brauely: go
The King ha's done you wrong: but hush 'tis so.


Exit


Enter Helena and Clowne.


Hel. My mother greets me kindlyis she well?

Clo. She is not wellbut yet she has her healthshe's
very merriebut yet she is not well: but thankes be giuen
she's very welland wants nothing i'th world: but
yet she is not well

Hel. If she be verie welwhat do's she aylethat she's

not verie well?
Clo. Truly she's very well indeedbut for two things
Hel. What two things?
Clo. Onethat she's not in heauenwhether God send

her quickly: the otherthat she's in earthfrom whence
God send her quickly.
Enter Parolles.


Par. Blesse you my fortunate Ladie

Hel. I hope sir I haue your good will to haue mine
owne good fortune

Par. You had my prayers to leade them onand to
keepe them onhaue them still. O my knauehow do's
my old Ladie?

Clo. So that you had her wrinklesand I her money
I would she did as you say

Par. Why I say nothing

Clo. Marry you are the wiser man: for many a mans
tongue shakes out his masters vndoing: to say nothing
to do nothingto know nothingand to haue nothing
is to be a great part of your titlewhich is within a verie
little of nothing

Par. Awayth'art a knaue

Clo. You should haue said sir before a knaueth'art a
knauethat's before me th'art a knaue: this had beene
truth sir

Par. Go toothou art a wittie fooleI haue found
thee

Clo. Did you finde me in your selfe siror were you
taught to finde me?

Clo. The search sir was profitableand much Foole
may you find in youeuen to the worlds pleasureand the
encrease of laughter

Par. A good knaue ifaithand well fed.
Madammy Lord will go awaie to night
A verie serrious businesse call's on him:
The great prerogatiue and rite of loue
Which as your due time claimeshe do's acknowledge
But puts it off to a compell'd restraint:
Whose wantand whose delayis strew'd with sweets


Which they distill now in the curbed time
To make the comming houre oreflow with ioy
And pleasure drowne the brim

Hel. What's his will else?

Par. That you will take your instant leaue a'th king
And make this hast as your owne good proceeding
Strengthned with what Apologie you thinke
May make it probable neede

Hel. What more commands hee?
Par. That hauing this obtain'dyou presentlie
Attend his further pleasure

Hel. In euery thing I waite vpon his will

Par. I shall report it so.

Exit Par.

Hell. I pray you come sirrah.

Exit

Enter Lafew and Bertram.

Laf. But I hope your Lordshippe thinkes not him a
souldier

Ber. Yes my Lord and of verie valiant approofe

Laf. You haue it from his owne deliuerance

Ber. And by other warranted testimonie

Laf. Then my Diall goes not trueI tooke this Larke
for a bunting

Ber. I do assure you my Lord he is very great in knowledge
and accordinglie valiant

Laf. I haue then sinn'd against his experienceand
transgrest against his valourand my state that way is
dangeroussince I cannot yet find in my heart to repent:
Heere he comesI pray you make vs freindsI will pursue
the amitie.
Enter Parolles.

Par. These things shall be done sir

Laf. Pray you sir whose his Tailor?

Par. Sir?

Laf. O I know him wellI sirhee sirs a good workeman
a verie good Tailor

Ber. Is shee gone to the king?
Par. Shee is


Ber. Will shee away to night?
Par. As you'le haue her


Ber. I haue writ my letterscasketted my treasure
Giuen order for our horsesand to night
When I should take possession of the Bride


And ere I doe begin

Laf. A good Trauailer is something at the latter end
of a dinnerbut on that lies three thirdsand vses a
known truth to passe a thousand nothings withshould
bee once hardand thrice beaten. God saue you Captaine

Ber. Is there any vnkindnes betweene my Lord and
you Monsieur?
Par. I know not how I haue deserued to run into my
Lords displeasure

Laf. You haue made shift to run into'tbootes and
spurres and all: like him that leapt into the Custardand
out of it you'le runne againerather then suffer question
for your residence

Ber. It may bee you haue mistaken him my Lord

Laf. And shall doe so euerthough I tooke him at's
prayers. Fare you well my Lordand beleeue this of
methere can be no kernell in this light Nut: the soule
of this man is his cloathes: Trust him not in matter of
heauie consequence: I haue kept of them tame& know
their natures. Farewell MonsieurI haue spoken better
of youthen you haue or will to deserue at my handbut
we must do good against euill

Par. An idle LordI sweare

Ber. I thinke so

Par. Why do you not know him?

Ber. YesI do know him welland common speech
Giues him a worthy passe. Heere comes my clog.
Enter Helena.

Hel. I haue sir as I was commanded from you
Spoke with the Kingand haue procur'd his leaue
For present partingonely he desires
Some priuate speech with you

Ber. I shall obey his will.
You must not meruaile Helen at my course
Which holds not colour with the timenor does
The ministrationand required office
On my particular. Prepar'd I was not
For such a businessetherefore am I found
So much vnsetled: This driues me to intreate you
That presently you take your way for home
And rather muse then aske why I intreate you
For my respects are better then they seeme
And my appointments haue in them a neede
Greater then shewes it selfe at the first view
To you that know them not. This to my mother
'Twill be two daies ere I shall see youso
I leaue you to your wisedome

Hel. SirI can nothing say
But that I am your most obedient seruant

Ber. Comecomeno more of that

Hel. And euer shall


With true obseruance seeke to eeke out that
Wherein toward me my homely starres haue faild
To equall my great fortune

Ber. Let that goe: my hast is verie great. Farwell:
Hie home

Hel. Pray sir your pardon

Ber. Wellwhat would you say?

Hel. I am not worthie of the wealth I owe
Nor dare I say 'tis mine: and yet it is
But like a timorous theefemost faine would steale
What law does vouch mine owne

Ber. What would you haue?

Hel. Somethingand scarse so much: nothing indeed
I would not tell you what I would my Lord: Faith yes
Strangers and foes do sunderand not kisse

Ber. I pray you stay notbut in hast to horse

Hel. I shall not breake your biddinggood my Lord:
Where are my other men? Monsieurfarwell.

Exit

Ber. Go thou toward homewhere I wil neuer come
Whilst I can shake my swordor heare the drumme:
Awayand for our flight

Par. BrauelyCoragio.

Actus Tertius.

Flourish. Enter the Duke of Florencethe two Frenchmenwith a
troope of
Souldiers.

Duke. So that from point to pointnow haue you heard
The fundamentall reasons of this warre
Whose great decision hath much blood let forth
And more thirsts after

1.Lord. Holy seemes the quarrell
Vpon your Graces part: blacke and fearefull
On the opposer

Duke. Therefore we meruaile much our Cosin France
Would in so iust a businesseshut his bosome
Against our borrowing prayers

French E. Good my Lord
The reasons of our state I cannot yeelde
But like a common and an outward man
That the great figure of a Counsaile frames
By selfe vnable motiontherefore dare not
Say what I thinke of itsince I haue found
My selfe in my incertaine grounds to faile
As often as I guest

Duke. Be it his pleasure

Fren.G. But I am sure the yonger of our nature


That surfet on their easewill day by day
Come heere for Physicke

Duke. Welcome shall they bee:
And all the honors that can flye from vs
Shall on them settle: you know your places well
When better fallfor your auailes they fell
To morrow to'th the field.

Flourish.

Enter Countesse and Clowne.

Count. It hath happen'd allas I would haue had itsaue
that he comes not along with her

Clo. By my troth I take my young Lord to be a verie
melancholly man

Count. By what obseruance I pray you

Clo. Why he will looke vppon his booteand sing:
mend the Ruffe and singaske questions and singpicke
his teethand sing: I know a man that had this tricke of
melancholy hold a goodly Mannor for a song

Lad. Let me see what he writesand when he meanes
to come

Clow. I haue no minde to Isbell since I was at Court.
Our old Lingsand our Isbels a'th Countryare nothing
like your old Ling and your Isbels a'th Court: the brains
of my Cupid's knock'd outand I beginne to loueas an
old man loues moneywith no stomacke

Lad. What haue we heere?
Clo. In that you haue there.


Exit


A Letter.


I haue sent you a daughter-in-Lawshee hath recouered the
Kingand vndone me: I haue wedded hernot bedded her
and sworne to make the not eternall. You shall heare I am
runne awayknow it before the report come. If there bee
bredth enough in the worldI will hold a long distance. My
duty to you. Your vnfortunate sonne
Bertram.
This is not well rash and vnbridled boy
To flye the fauours of so good a King
To plucke his indignation on thy head
By the misprising of a Maide too vertuous
For the contempt of Empire.
Enter Clowne.


Clow. O Madamyonder is heauie newes within betweene
two souldiersand my yong Ladie

La. What is the matter

Clo. Nay there is some comfort in the newessome
comfortyour sonne will not be kild so soone as I thoght
he would


La. Why should he be kill'd?

Clo. So say I Madameif he runne awayas I heare he
doesthe danger is in standing too'tthat's the losse of
menthough it be the getting of children. Heere they
come will tell you more. For my part I onely heare your
sonne was run away.
Enter Hellen and two Gentlemen.

French E. Saue you good Madam

Hel. Madammy Lord is gonefor euer gone

French G. Do not say so

La. Thinke vpon patiencepray you Gentlemen
I haue felt so many quirkes of ioy and greefe
That the first face of neither on the start
Can woman me vntoo't. Where is my sonne I pray you?

Fren.G. Madam he's gone to serue the Duke of Florence
We met him thitherwardfor thence we came:
And after some dispatch in hand at Court
Thither we bend againe

Hel. Looke on his Letter Madamhere's my Pasport.
When thou canst get the Ring vpon my fingerwhich neuer
shall come offand shew mee a childe begotten of thy bodie
that I am father toothen call me husband: but in such a (then)
I write a Neuer.
This is a dreadfull sentence

La. Brought you this Letter Gentlemen?

1.G. I Madamand for the Contents sake are sorrie
for our paines
Old La. I prethee Ladie haue a better cheere
If thou engrossestall the greefes are thine
Thou robst me of a moity: He was my sonne
But I do wash his name out of my blood
And thou art all my childe. Towards Florence is he?

Fren.G. I Madam

La. And to be a souldier

Fren.G. Such is his noble purposeand beleeu't
The Duke will lay vpon him all the honor
That good conuenience claimes

La. Returne you thither

Fren.E. I Madamwith the swiftest wing of speed

Hel. Till I haue no wifeI haue nothing in France
'Tis bitter

La. Finde you that there?
Hel. I Madame


Fren.E. 'Tis but the boldnesse of his hand haplywhich
his heart was not consenting too

Lad. Nothing in Francevntill he haue no wife:
There's nothing heere that is too good for him
But onely sheand she deserues a Lord


That twenty such rude boyes might tend vpon
And call her hourely Mistris. Who was with him?
Fren.E. A seruant onelyand a Gentleman: which I
haue sometime knowne

La. Parolles was it not?
Fren.E. I my good Ladiehee


La. A verie tainted fellowand full of wickednesse
My sonne corrupts a well deriued nature
With his inducement

Fren.E. Indeed good Ladie the fellow has a deale of
thattoo muchwhich holds him much to haue

La. Y'are welcome GentlemenI will intreate you
when you see my sonneto tell him that his sword can
neuer winne the honor that he looses: more Ile intreate
you written to beare along

Fren.G. We serue you Madam in that and all your
worthiest affaires

La. Not sobut as we change our courtesies
Will you draw neere?
Enter.

Hel. Till I haue no wife I haue nothing in France.
Nothing in France vntill he has no wife:
Thou shalt haue none Rossillionnone in France
Then hast thou all againe: poore Lordis't I
That chase thee from thy Countrieand expose
Those tender limbes of thineto the euent
Of the none-sparing warre? And is it I
That driue thee from the sportiue Courtwhere thou
Was't shot at with faire eyesto be the marke
Of smoakie Muskets? O you leaden messengers
That ride vpon the violent speede of fire
Fly with false aymemoue the still-peering aire
That sings with piercingdo not touch my Lord:
Who euer shoots at himI set him there.
Who euer charges on his forward brest
I am the Caitiffe that do hold him too't
And though I kill him notI am the cause
His death was so effected: Better 'twere
I met the rauine Lyon when he roar'd
With sharpe constraint of hunger: better 'twere
That all the miseries which nature owes
Were mine at once. No come thou home Rossillion
Whence honor but of danger winnes a scarre
As oft it looses all. I will be gone:
My being heere it isthat holds thee hence
Shall I stay heere to doo't? Nonoalthough
The ayre of Paradise did fan the house
And Angels offic'd all: I will be gone
That pittifull rumour may report my flight
To consolate thine eare. Come nightend day
For with the darke (poore theefe) Ile steale away.
Enter.

Flourish. Enter the Duke of FlorenceRossilliondrum and
trumpets
soldiersParrolles.



Duke. The Generall of our horse thou artand we
Great in our hopelay our best loue and credence
Vpon thy promising fortune

Ber. Sir it is
A charge too heauy for my strengthbut yet
Wee'l striue to beare it for your worthy sake
To th' extreme edge of hazard

Duke. Then go thou forth
And fortune play vpon thy prosperous helme
As thy auspicious mistris

Ber. This very day
Great Mars I put my selfe into thy file
Make me but like my thoughtsand I shall proue
A louer of thy drummehater of loue.

Exeunt. omnes
Enter Countesse & Steward.


La. Alas! and would you take the letter of her:
Might you not know she would doas she has done
By sending me a Letter. Reade it agen.

Letter.


I am S[aint]. Iaques Pilgrimthither gone:
Ambitious loue hath so in me offended
That bare-foot plod I the cold ground vpon
With sainted vow my faults to haue amended
Writewritethat from the bloodie course of warre
My deerest Master your deare sonnemay hie
Blesse him at home in peace. Whilst I from farre
His name with zealous feruour sanctifie:
His taken labours bid him me forgiue:
I his despightfull Iuno sent him forth
From Courtly friendswith Camping foes to liue
Where death and danger dogges the heeles of worth.
He is too good and faire for deathand mee
Whom I my selfe embraceto set him free.
Ah what sharpe stings are in her mildest words?
Rynaldoyou did neuer lacke aduice so much
As letting her passe so: had I spoke with her
I could haue well diuerted her intents
Which thus she hath preuented


Ste. Pardon me Madam
If I had giuen you this at ouer-night
She might haue beene ore-tane: and yet she writes
Pursuite would be but vaine

La. What Angell shall
Blesse this vnworthy husbandhe cannot thriue
Vnlesse her prayerswhom heauen delights to heare
And loues to grantrepreeue him from the wrath
Of greatest Iustice. Writewrite Rynaldo
To this vnworthy husband of his wife
Let euerie word waigh heauie of her worth
That he does waigh too light: my greatest greefe
Though little he do feele itset downe sharpely.
Dispatch the most conuenient messenger
When haply he shall heare that she is gone


He will returneand hope I may that shee
Hearing so muchwill speede her foote againe
Led hither by pure loue: which of them both
Is deerest to meI haue no skill in sence
To make distinction: prouide this Messenger:
My heart is heauieand mine age is weake
Greefe would haue tearesand sorrow bids me speake.


Exeunt.


A Tucket afarre off.


Enter old Widdow of Florenceher daughter Violenta and
Marianawith
other Citizens.


Widdow. Nay come
For if they do approach the Citty
We shall loose all the sight

Diana. They saythe French Count has done
Most honourable seruice

Wid. It is reported
That he has taken their great'st Commander
And that with his owne hand he slew
The Dukes brother: we haue lost our labour
They are gone a contrarie way: harke
you may know by their Trumpets

Maria. Come lets returne againe
And suffice our selues with the report of it.
Well Dianatake heed of this French Earle
The honor of a Maide is her name
And no Legacie is so rich
As honestie

Widdow. I haue told my neighbour
How you haue beene solicited by a Gentleman
His Companion

Maria. I know that knauehang himone Parolles
a filthy Officer he is in those suggestions for the young
Earlebeware of them Diana; their promisesentisements
oathestokensand all these engines of lustare
not the things they go vnder: many a maide hath beene
seduced by themand the miserie is examplethat so
terrible shewes in the wracke of maiden-hoodcannot
for all that disswade successionbut that they are limed
with the twigges that threatens them. I hope I neede
not to aduise you furtherbut I hope your owne grace
will keepe you where you arethough there were no
further danger knownebut the modestie which is so
lost

Dia. You shall not neede to feare me.
Enter Hellen.

Wid. I hope so: looke here comes a pilgrimI know
she will lye at my housethither they send one another
Ile question her. God saue you pilgrimwhether are
bound?

Hel. To S[aint]. Iaques la grand.
Where do the Palmers lodgeI do beseech you?


Wid. At the S[aint]. Francis heere beside the Port

Hel. Is this the way?

A march afarre.

Wid. I marrie ist. Harke youthey come this way:
If you will tarrie holy Pilgrime
But till the troopes come by
I will conduct you where you shall be lodg'd
The rather for I thinke I know your hostesse
As ample as my selfe

Hel. Is it your selfe?
Wid. If you shall please so Pilgrime


Hel. I thanke youand will stay vpon your leisure

Wid. You came I thinke from France?
Hel. I did so


Wid. Heere you shall see a Countriman of yours
That has done worthy seruice

Hel. His name I pray you?
Dia. The Count Rossillion: know you such a one?
Hel. But by the eare that heares most nobly of him:

His face I know not

Dia. What somere he is
He's brauely taken heere. He stole from France
As 'tis reported: for the King had married him
Against his liking. Thinke you it is so?

Hel. I surely meere the truthI know his Lady

Dia. There is a Gentleman that serues the Count
Reports but coursely of her

Hel. What's his name?
Dia. Monsieur Parrolles


Hel. Oh I beleeue with him
In argument of praiseor to the worth
Of the great Count himselfeshe is too meane
To haue her name repeatedall her deseruing
Is a reserued honestieand that
I haue not heard examin'd

Dian. Alas poore Ladie
'Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
Of a detesting Lord

Wid. I write good creaturewheresoere she is
Her hart waighes sadly: this yong maid might do her
A shrewd turne if she pleas'd

Hel. How do you meane?
May be the amorous Count solicites her
In the vnlawfull purpose

Wid. He does indeede
And brokes with all that can in such a suite
Corrupt the tender honour of a Maide:
But she is arm'd for himand keepes her guard


In honestest defence.

Drumme and Colours. Enter Count RossillionParrollesand the
whole
Armie.

Mar. The goddes forbid else

Wid. Sonow they come:
That is Anthonio the Dukes eldest sonne
That Escalus

Hel. Which is the Frenchman?

Dia. Hee
That with the plume'tis a most gallant fellow
I would he lou'd his wife: if he were honester
He were much goodlier. Is't not a handsom Gentleman

Hel. I like him well

Di. 'Tis pitty he is not honest: yonds that same knaue
That leades him to these places: were I his Ladie
I would poison that vile Rascall

Hel. Which is he?
Dia. That Iacke-an-apes with scarfes. Why is hee
melancholly?
Hel. Perchance he's hurt i'th battaile

Par. Loose our drum? Well

Mar. He's shrewdly vext at something. Looke he
has spyed vs

Wid. Marrie hang you

Mar. And your curtesiefor a ring-carrier.
Enter.

Wid. The troope is past: Come pilgrimI wil bring
youWhere you shall host: Of inioyn'd penitents
There's foure or fiueto great S[aint]. Iaques bound
Alreadie at my house

Hel. I humbly thanke you:
Please it this Matronand this gentle Maide
To eate with vs to nightthe charge and thanking
Shall be for meand to requite you further
I will bestow some precepts of this Virgin
Worthy the note

Both. Wee'l take your offer kindly.

Exeunt.

Enter Count Rossillion and the Frenchmenas at first.

Cap.E. Nay good my Lord put him too't: let him
haue his way

Cap.G. If your Lordshippe finde him not a Hilding
hold me no more in your respect

Cap.E. On my life my Lorda bubble


Ber. Do you thinke I am so farre
Deceiued in him

Cap.E. Beleeue it my Lordin mine owne direct
knowledgewithout any malicebut to speake of him
as my kinsmanhee's a most notable Cowardan infinite
and endlesse Lyaran hourely promise-breakerthe
owner of no one good qualitieworthy your Lordships
entertainment

Cap.G. It were fit you knew himleast reposing too
farre in his vertue which he hath nothe might at some
great and trustie businessein a maine daungerfayle
you

Ber. I would I knew in what particular action to try
him

Cap.G. None better then to let him fetch off his
drummewhich you heare him so confidently vndertake
to do

C.E. I with a troop of Florentines wil sodainly surprize
him; such I will haue whom I am sure he knowes
not from the enemie: wee will binde and hoodwinke
him sothat he shall suppose no other but that he is carried
into the Leager of the aduersarieswhen we bring
him to our owne tents: be but your Lordship present
at his examinationif he do not for the promise of his
lifeand in the highest compulsion of base feareoffer to
betray youand deliuer all the intelligence in his power
against youand that with the diuine forfeite of his
soule vpon oathneuer trust my iudgement in anie
thing
Cap.G. O for the loue of laughterlet him fetch his
drummehe sayes he has a stratagem for't: when your
Lordship sees the bottome of this successe in'tand to
what mettle this counterfeyt lump of ours will be melted
if you giue him not Iohn drummes entertainement
your inclining cannot be remoued. Heere he comes.
Enter Parrolles.

Cap.E. O for the loue of laughter hinder not the honor
of his designelet him fetch off his drumme in any
hand

Ber. How now Monsieur? This drumme sticks sorely
in your disposition

Cap.G. A pox on'tlet it go'tis but a drumme

Par. But a drumme: Ist but a drumme? A drum so
lost. There was excellent commandto charge in with
our horse vpon our owne wingsand to rend our owne
souldiers

Cap.G. That was not to be blam'd in the command
of the seruice: it was a disaster of warre that Cæsar him
selfe could not haue preuentedif he had beene there to
command

Ber. Wellwee cannot greatly condemne our successe:
some dishonor wee had in the losse of that drum


but it is not to be recouered

Par. It might haue beene recouered

Ber. It mightbut it is not now

Par. It is to be recoueredbut that the merit of seruice
is sildome attributed to the true and exact performer
I would haue that drumme or anotheror hic iacet

Ber. Why if you haue a stomacketoo't Monsieur: if
you thinke your mysterie in stratagemcan bring this
instrument of honour againe into his natiue quarterbe
magnanimious in the enterprize and go onI wil grace
the attempt for a worthy exploit: if you speede well in
itthe Duke shall both speake of itand extend to you
what further becomes his greatnesseeuen to the vtmost
syllable of your worthinesse

Par. By the hand of a souldier I will vndertake it

Ber. But you must not now slumber in it

Par. Ile about it this eueningand I will presently
pen downe my dilemma'sencourage my selfe in my
certaintieput my selfe into my mortall preparation:
and by midnight looke to heare further from me

Ber. May I bee bold to acquaint his grace you are
gone about it

Par. I know not what the successe wil be my Lord
but the attempt I vow

Ber. I know th'art valiant
And to the possibility of thy souldiership
Will subscribe for thee: Farewell

Par. I loue not many words.

Exit

Cap.E. No more then a fish loues water. Is not this
a strange fellow my Lordthat so confidently seemes to
vndertake this businessewhich he knowes is not to be
donedamnes himselfe to do& dares better be damnd
then to doo't

Cap.G. You do not know him my Lord as we doe
certaine it is that he will steale himselfe into a mans fauour
and for a weeke escape a great deale of discoueries
but when you finde him outyou haue him euer after

Ber. Why do you thinke he will make no deede at
all of this that so seriouslie hee dooes addresse himselfe
vnto?

Cap.E. None in the worldbut returne with an inuention
and clap vpon you two or three probable lies:
but we haue almost imbost himyou shall see his fall to
night; for indeede he is not for your Lordshippes respect

Cap.G. Weele make you some sport with the Foxe
ere we case him. He was first smoak'd by the old Lord
Lafewwhen his disguise and he is partedtell me what


a sprat you shall finde himwhich you shall see this verie
night

Cap.E. I must go looke my twigges
He shall be caught

Ber. Your brother he shall go along with me

Cap.G. As't please your LordshipIle leaue you

Ber. Now wil I lead you to the houseand shew you
The Lasse I spoke of

Cap.E. But you say she's honest

Ber. That's all the fault: I spoke with hir but once
And found her wondrous coldbut I sent to her
By this same Coxcombe that we haue i'th winde
Tokens and Letterswhich she did resend
And this is all I haue done: She's a faire creature
Will you go see her?

Cap.E. With all my heart my Lord.

Exeunt.

Enter Hellenand Widdow.

Hel. If you misdoubt me that I am not shee
I know not how I shall assure you further
But I shall loose the grounds I worke vpon

Wid. Though my estate be falneI was well borne
Nothing acquainted with these businesses
And would not put my reputation now
In any staining act

Hel. Nor would I wish you.
First giue me trustthe Count he is my husband
And what to your sworne counsaile I haue spoken
Is so from word to word: and then you cannot
By the good ayde that I of you shall borrow
Erre in bestowing it

Wid. I should beleeue you
For you haue shew'd me that which well approues
Y'are great in fortune

Hel. Take this purse of Gold
And let me buy your friendly helpe thus farre
Which I will ouer-payand pay againe
When I haue found it. The Count he woes your
daughter
Layes downe his wanton siedge before her beautie
Resolue to carrie her: let her in fine consent
As wee'l direct her how 'tis best to beare it:
Now his important blood will naught denie
That shee'l demand: a ring the Countie weares
That downward hath succeeded in his house
From sonne to sonnesome foure or fiue discents
Since the first father wore it. This Ring he holds
In most rich choice: yet in his idle fire
To buy his willit would not seeme too deere
How ere repented after


Wid. Now I see the bottome of your purpose

Hel. You see it lawfull thenit is no more
But that your daughter ere she seemes as wonne
Desires this Ring; appoints him an encounter;
In finedeliuers me to fill the time
Her selfe most chastly absent: after
To marry herIle adde three thousand Crownes
To what is past already

Wid. I haue yeelded:
Instruct my daughter how she shall perseuer
That time and place with this deceite so lawfull
May proue coherent. Euery night he comes
With Musickes of all sortsand songs compos'd
To her vnworthinesse: It nothing steeds vs
To chide him from our eeuesfor he persists
As if his life lay on't

Hel. Why then to night
Let vs assay our plotwhich if it speed
Is wicked meaning in a lawfull deede;
And lawfull meaning in a lawfull act
Where both not sinneand yet a sinfull fact.
But let's about it.

Actus Quartus.

Enter one of the Frenchmenwith fiue or sixe other souldiers in
ambush.

Lord E. He can come no other way but by this hedge
corner: when you sallie vpon himspeake what terrible
Language you will: though you vnderstand it not your
seluesno matter: for we must not seeme to vnderstand
himvnlesse some one among vswhom wee must produce
for an Interpreter

1.Sol. Good Captainelet me be th' Interpreter

Lor.E. Art not acquainted with him? knowes he not
thy voice?
1.Sol. No sir I warrant you

Lo.E. But what linsie wolsy hast thou to speake to vs
againe

1.Sol. E'n such as you speake to me

Lo.E. He must thinke vs some band of strangersi'th
aduersaries entertainment. Now he hath a smacke of all
neighbouring Languages: therefore we must euery one
be a man of his owne fancienot to know what we speak
one to another: so we seeme to knowis to know straight
our purpose: Choughs languagegabble enoughand
good enough. As for you interpreteryou must seeme
very politicke. But couch hoaheere hee comesto beguile
two houres in a sleepeand then to returne & swear
the lies he forges.
Enter Parrolles.

Par. Ten a clocke: Within these three houres 'twill
be time enough to goe home. What shall I say I haue
done? It must bee a very plausiue inuention that carries


it. They beginne to smoake meeand disgraces haue of
lateknock'd too often at my doore: I finde my tongue
is too foole-hardiebut my heart hath the feare of Mars
before itand of his creaturesnot daring the reports of
my tongue

Lo.E. This is the first truth that ere thine own tongue
was guiltie of

Par. What the diuell should moue mee to vndertake
the recouerie of this drummebeing not ignorant of the
impossibilityand knowing I had no such purpose? I
must giue my selfe some hurtsand say I got them in exploit:
yet slight ones will not carrie it. They will say
came you off with so little? And great ones I dare not
giuewherefore what's the instance. TongueI must put
you into a Butter-womans mouthand buy my selfe another
of Baiazeths Muleif you prattle mee into these
perilles

Lo.E. Is it possible he should know what hee isand
be that he is

Par. I would the cutting of my garments wold serue
the turneor the breaking of my Spanish sword

Lo.E. We cannot affoord you so

Par. Or the baring of my beardand to say it was in
stratagem

Lo.E. 'Twould not do

Par. Or to drowne my cloathesand say I was stript

Lo.E. Hardly serue

Par. Though I swore I leapt from the window of the
Citadell

Lo.E. How deepe?
Par. Thirty fadome


Lo.E. Three great oathes would scarse make that be
beleeued

Par. I would I had any drumme of the enemiesI
would sweare I recouer'd it

Lo.E. You shall heare one anon

Par. A drumme now of the enemies.

Alarum within.

Lo.E. Throca movoususcargocargocargo

All. Cargocargocargovillianda par corbocargo

Par. O ransomeransome
Do not hide mine eyes

Inter. Boskos thromuldo boskos


Par. I know you are the Muskos Regiment
And I shall loose my life for want of language.
If there be heere German or DaneLow Dutch
Italianor Frenchlet him speake to me
Ile discouer thatwhich shal vndo the Florentine

Int. Boskos vauvadoI vnderstand thee& can speake
thy tongue: Kerelybonto sirbetake thee to thy faithfor
seuenteene ponyards are at thy bosome

Par. Oh

Inter. Oh praypraypray
Manka reuania dulche

Lo.E. Oscorbidulchos voliuorco

Int. The Generall is content to spare thee yet
And hoodwinkt as thou artwill leade thee on
To gather from thee. Haply thou mayst informe
Something to saue thy life

Par. O let me liue
And all the secrets of our campe Ile shew
Their forcetheir purposes: NayIle speake that
Which you will wonder at

Inter. But wilt thou faithfully?
Par. If I do notdamne me


Inter. Acordo linta.
Come onthou are granted space.

Exit

A short Alarum within.

L.E. Go tell the Count Rossillion and my brother
We haue caught the woodcockeand will keepe him mufled
Till we do heare from them
Sol. Captaine I will

L.E. A will betray vs all vnto our selues
Informe on that
Sol. So I will sir

L.E. Till then Ile keepe him darke and safely lockt.
Exit

Enter Bertramand the Maide called Diana.

Ber. They told me that your name was Fontybell

Dia. No my good LordDiana

Ber. Titled Goddesse
And worth it with addition: but faire soule
In your fine frame hath loue no qualitie?
If the quicke fire of youth light not your minde


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 sterne
And now you should be as your mother was
When your sweet selfe was got

Dia. She then was honest

Ber. So should you be

Dia. No:
My mother did but dutiesuch (my Lord)
As you owe to your wife

Ber. No more a'that:
I prethee do not striue against my vowes:
I was compell'd to herbut I loue thee
By loues owne sweet constraintand will for euer
Do thee all rights of seruice

Dia. I so you serue vs
Till we serue you: But when you haue our Roses
You barely leaue our thornes to pricke our selues
And mocke vs with our barenesse

Ber. How haue I sworne

Dia. Tis not the many oathes that makes the truth
But the plaine single vowthat is vow'd true:
What is not holiethat we sweare not by
But take the high'st to witnesse: then pray you tell me
If I should sweare by Ioues great attributes
I lou'd you deerelywould you beleeue my oathes
When I did loue you ill? This ha's no holding
To sweare by him whom I protest to loue
That I will worke against him. Therefore your oathes
Are words and poore conditionsbut vnseal'd
At lest in my opinion

Ber. Change itchange it:
Be not so holy cruell: Loue is holie
And my integritie ne're knew the crafts
That you do charge men with: Stand no more off
But giue thy selfe vnto my sicke desires
Who then recouers. Say thou art mineand euer
My loue as it beginnesshall so perseuer

Dia. I see that men make rope's in such a scarre
That wee'l forsake our selues. Giue me that Ring

Ber. Ile lend it thee my deere; but haue no power
To giue it from me

Dia. Will you not my Lord?

Ber. It is an honour longing to our house
Bequeathed downe from manie Ancestors
Which were the greatest obloquie i'th world
In me to loose

Dian. Mine Honors such a Ring
My chastities the Iewell of our house
Bequeathed downe from many Ancestors
Which were the greatest obloquie i'th world
In mee to loose. Thus your owne proper wisedome


Brings in the Champion honor on my part
Against your vaine assault

Ber. Heeretake my Ring
My housemine honoryea my life be thine
And Ile be bid by thee

Dia. When midnight comesknocke at my chamber
window:
Ile order takemy mother shall not heare.
Now will I charge you in the band of truth
When you haue conquer'd my yet maiden-bed
Remaine there but an hourenor speake to mee:
My reasons are most strongand you shall know them
When backe againe this Ring shall be deliuer'd:
And on your finger in the nightIle put
Another Ringthat what in time proceeds
May token to the futureour past deeds.
Adieu till thenthen faile not: you haue wonne
A wife of methough there my hope be done

Ber. A heauen on earth I haue won by wooing thee

Di. For whichliue long to thank both heauen & me
You may so in the end.
My mother told me iust how he would woo
As if she sate in's heart. She sayesall men
Haue the like oathes: He had sworne to marrie me
When his wife's dead: therfore Ile lye with him
When I am buried. Since Frenchmen are so braide
Marry that willI liue and die a Maid:
Onely in this disguiseI think't no sinne
To cosen him that would vniustly winne.

Exit

Enter the two French Captainesand some two or three Souldiours.

Cap.G. You haue not giuen him his mothers letter

Cap.E. I haue deliu'red it an houre sincethere is som
thing in't that stings his nature: for on the reading it
he chang'd almost into another man

Cap.G. He has much worthy blame laid vpon him
for shaking off so good a wifeand so sweet a Lady

Cap.E. Especiallyhee hath incurred the euerlasting
displeasure of the Kingwho had euen tun'd his bounty
to sing happinesse to him. I will tell you a thingbut
you shall let it dwell darkly with you

Cap.G. When you haue spoken it 'tis deadand I am
the graue of it

Cap.E. Hee hath peruerted a young Gentlewoman
heere in Florenceof a most chaste renown& this night
he fleshes his will in the spoyle of her honour: hee hath
giuen her his monumentall Ringand thinkes himselfe
made in the vnchaste composition

Cap.G. Now God delay our rebellion as we are our
selueswhat things are we


Cap.E. Meerely our owne traitours. And as in the
common course of all treasonswe still see them reueale
themseluestill they attaine to their abhorr'd ends: so
he that in this action contriues against his owne Nobility
in his proper streameore-flowes himselfe

Cap.G. Is it not meant damnable in vsto be Trumpeters
of our vnlawfull intents? We shall not then haue
his company to night?

Cap.E. Not till after midnight: for hee is dieted to
his houre

Cap.G. That approaches apace: I would gladly haue
him see his company anathomiz'dthat hee might take
a measure of his owne iudgementswherein so curiously
he had set this counterfeit

Cap.E. We will not meddle with him till he come;
for his presence must be the whip of the other

Cap.G. In the meane timewhat heare you of these
Warres?
Cap.E. I heare there is an ouerture of peace

Cap.G. NayI assure you a peace concluded

Cap.E. What will Count Rossillion do then? Will he
trauaile higheror returne againe into France?
Cap.G. I perceiue by this demandyou are not altogether
of his councell

Cap.E. Let it be forbid sirso should I bee a great
deale of his act

Cap.G. Sirhis wife some two months since fledde
from his househer pretence is a pilgrimage to Saint Iaques
le grand; which holy vndertakingwith most austere
sanctimonie she accomplisht: and there residing
the tendernesse of her Naturebecame as a prey to her
greefe: in finemade a groane of her last breath& now
she sings in heauen

Cap.E. How is this iustified?

Cap.G. The stronger part of it by her owne Letters
which makes her storie trueeuen to the poynt of her
death: her death it selfewhich could not be her office
to sayis come: was faithfully confirm'd by the Rector
of the place

Cap.E. Hath the Count all this intelligence?
Cap.G. Iand the particular confirmationspoint
from pointto the full arming of the veritie

Cap.E. I am heartily sorrie that hee'l bee gladde of
this

Cap.G. How mightily sometimeswe make vs comforts
of our losses

Cap.E. And how mightily some other timeswee
drowne our gaine in tearesthe great dignitie that his
valour hath here acquir'd for himshall at home be encountred
with a shame as ample


Cap.G. The webbe of our lifeis of a mingled yarne
good and ill together: our vertues would bee proudif
our faults whipt them notand our crimes would dispaire
if they were not cherish'd by our vertues.
Enter a Messenger.

How now? Where's your master?

Ser. He met the Duke in the street sirof whom hee
hath taken a solemne leaue: his Lordshippe will next
morning for France. The Duke hath offered him Letters
of commendations to the King

Cap.E. They shall bee no more then needfull there
if they were more then they can commend.
Enter Count Rossillion.

Ber. They cannot be too sweete for the Kings tartnesse
heere's his Lordship now. How now my Lord
i'st not after midnight?

Ber. I haue to night dispatch'd sixteene businessesa
moneths length a peeceby an abstract of successe: I
haue congied with the Dukedone my adieu with his
neerest; buried a wifemourn'd for herwrit to my Ladie
motherI am returningentertain'd my Conuoy&
betweene these maine parcels of dispatchaffected many
nicer needs: the last was the greatestbut that I haue
not ended yet

Cap.E. If the businesse bee of any difficultyand this
morning your departure henceit requires hast of your
Lordship

Ber. I meane the businesse is not endedas fearing
to heare of it hereafter: but shall we haue this dialogue
betweene the Foole and the Soldiour. Comebring
forth this counterfet moduleha's deceiu'd meelike a
double-meaning Prophesier

Cap.E. Bring him forthha's sate i'th stockes all night
poore gallant knaue

Ber. No matterhis heeles haue deseru'd itin vsurping
his spurres so long. How does he carry himselfe?

Cap.E. I haue told your Lordship alreadie: The
stockes carrie him. But to answer you as you would be
vnderstoodhee weepes like a wench that had shed her
milkehe hath confest himselfe to Morganwhom hee
supposes to be a Friarfro[m] the time of his remembrance
to this very instant disaster of his setting i'th stockes:
and what thinke you he hath confest?

Ber. Nothing of meha's a?

Cap.E. His confession is takenand it shall bee read
to his faceif your Lordshippe be in'tas I beleeue you
areyou must haue the patience to heare it.
Enter Parolles with his Interpreter.

Ber. A plague vpon himmuffeld; he can say nothing
of me: hushhush

Cap.G. Hoodman comes: Portotartarossa

Inter. He calles for the tortureswhat will you say
without em


Par. I will confesse what I know without constraint
If ye pinch me like a PastyI can say no more

Int. Bosko Chimurcho

Cap. Boblibindo chicurmurco

Int. You are a mercifull Generall: Our Generall
bids you answer to what I shall aske you out of a Note

Par. And trulyas I hope to liue

Int. First demand of himhow many horse the Duke
is strong. What say you to that?

Par. Fiue or sixe thousandbut very weake and vnseruiceable:
the troopes are all scatteredand the Commanders
verie poore roguesvpon my reputation and
creditand as I hope to liue

Int. Shall I set downe your answer so?
Par. DoIle take the Sacrament on'thow & which
way you will: all's one to him

Ber. What a past-sauing slaue is this?

Cap.G. Y'are deceiu'd my Lordthis is Mounsieur
Parrolles the gallant militaristthat was his owne phrase
that had the whole theoricke of warre in the knot of his
scarfeand the practise in the chape of his dagger

Cap.E. I will neuer trust a man againefor keeping
his sword cleanenor beleeue he can haue euerie thing
in himby wearing his apparrell neatly

Int. Wellthat's set downe

Par. Fiue or six thousand horse I sedI will say true
or thereabouts set downefor Ile speake truth

Cap.G. He's very neere the truth in this

Ber. But I con him no thankes for't in the nature he
deliuers it

Par. Poore roguesI pray you say

Int. Wellthat's set downe

Par. I humbly thanke you sira truth's a truththe
Rogues are maruailous poore

Interp. Demaund of him of what strength they are a
foot. What say you to that?

Par. By my troth sirif I were to liue this present
houreI will tell true. Let me seeSpurio a hundred &
fiftieSebastian so manyCorambus so manyIaques so
many: GuiltianCosmoLodowickeand Gratijtwo hundred
fiftie each: Mine owne CompanyChitopherVaumond
Bentijtwo hundred fiftie each: so that the muster
filerotten and soundvppon my life amounts not to fifteene
thousand polehalfe of the whichdare not shake
the snow from off their Cassockesleast they shake themselues
to peeces

Ber. What shall be done to him?


Cap.G. Nothingbut let him haue thankes. Demand
of him my condition: and what credite I haue with the
Duke

Int. Well that's set downe: you shall demaund of
himwhether one Captaine Dumaine bee i'th Campea
Frenchman: what his reputation is with the Dukewhat
his valourhonestieand expertnesse in warres: or whether
he thinkes it were not possible with well-waighing
summes of gold to corrupt him to a reuolt. What say you
to this? What do you know of it?

Par. I beseech you let me answer to the particular of
the intergatories. Demand them singly

Int. Do you know this Captaine Dumaine?

Par. I know hima was a Botchers Prentize in Paris
from whence he was whipt for getting the Shrieues fool
with childea dumbe innocent that could not say him
nay

Ber. Nayby your leaue hold your handsthough I
know his braines are forfeite to the next tile that fals

Int. Wellis this Captaine in the Duke of Florences
campe?
Par. Vpon my knowledge he isand lowsie

Cap.G. Nay looke not so vpon me: we shall heare of
your Lord anon

Int. What is his reputation with the Duke?

Par. The Duke knowes him for no otherbut a poore
Officer of mineand writ to mee this other dayto turne
him out a'th band. I thinke I haue his Letter in my pocket

Int. Marry we'll search

Par. In good sadnesse I do not knoweither it is there
or it is vpon a file with the Dukes other Lettersin my
Tent

Int. Heere 'tisheere's a papershall I reade it to you?
Par. I do not know if it be it or no


Ber. Our Interpreter do's it well

Cap.G. Excellently

Int. Dianthe Counts a fooleand full of gold

Par. That is not the Dukes letter sir: that is an aduertisement
to a proper maide in Florenceone Dianato
take heede of the allurement of one Count Rossilliona
foolish idle boy: but for all that very ruttish. I pray you
sir put it vp againe

Int. NayIle reade it first by your fauour

Par. My meaning in't I protest was very honest in the
behalfe of the maid: for I knew the young Count to be a
dangerous and lasciuious boywho is a whale to Virginity
and deuours vp all the fry it finds

Ber. Damnable both-sides rogue


Int.

Let.

When he sweares oathesbid him drop goldand
take it:
After he scoreshe neuer payes the score:
Halfe won is match well madematch and well make it
He nere payes after-debtstake it before
And say a souldier (Dian) told thee this:
Men are to mell withboyes are not to kis.
For count of thisthe Counts a Foole I know it
Who payes beforebut not when he does owe it.
Thine as he vow'd to thee in thine eare
Parolles


Ber. He shall be whipt through the Armie with this
rime in's forehead

Cap.E. This is your deuoted friend sirthe manifold
Linguistand the army-potent souldier

Ber. I could endure any thing before but a Catand
now he's a Cat to me

Int. I perceiue sir by your Generals lookeswee shall
be faine to hang you

Par. My life sir in any case: Not that I am afraide to
dyebut that my offences beeing manyI would repent
out the remainder of Nature. Let me liue sir in a dungeon
i'th stockesor any whereso I may liue

Int. Wee'le see what may bee doneso you confesse
freely: therefore once more to this Captaine Dumaine:
you haue answer'd to his reputation with the Dukeand
to his valour. What is his honestie?

Par. He will steale sir an Egge out of a Cloister: for
rapes and rauishments he paralels Nessus. Hee professes
not keeping of oathsin breaking em he is stronger then
Hercules. He will lye sirwith such volubilitiethat you
would thinke truth were a foole: drunkennesse is his best
vertuefor he will be swine-drunkeand in his sleepe he
does little harmesaue to his bed-cloathes about him:
but they know his conditionsand lay him in straw. I
haue but little more to say sir of his honestyhe ha's euerie
thing that an honest man should not haue; what an
honest man should hauehe has nothing

Cap.G. I begin to loue him for this

Ber. For this description of thine honestie? A pox
vpon him for mehe's more and more a Cat

Int. What say you to his expertnesse in warre?

Par. Faith sirha's led the drumme before the English
Tragedians: to belye him I will notand more of his
souldiership I know notexcept in that Countryhe had
the honour to be the Officer at a place there called Mile-end
to instruct for the doubling of files. I would doe the
man what honour I canbut of this I am not certaine

Cap.G. He hath out-villain'd villanie so farrethat the


raritie redeemes him

Ber. A pox on himhe's a Cat still

Int. His qualities being at this poore priceI neede
not to aske youif Gold will corrupt him to reuolt

Par. Sirfor a Cardceue he will sell the fee-simple of
his saluationthe inheritance of itand cut th' intaile from
all remaindersand a perpetuall succession for it perpetually

Int. What's his Brotherthe other Captain Dumain?
Cap.E. Why do's he aske him of me?
Int. What's he?
Par. E'ne a Crow a'th same nest: not altogether so


great as the first in goodnessebut greater a great deale in
euill. He excels his Brother for a cowardyet his Brother
is reputed one of the best that is. In a retreate hee outrunnes
any Lackey; marrie in comming onhee ha's the
Crampe

Int. If your life be sauedwill you vndertake to betray
the Florentine

Par. Iand the Captaine of his horseCount Rossillion

Int. Ile whisper with the Generalland knowe his
pleasure

Par. Ile no more drumminga plague of all drummes
onely to seeme to deserue welland to beguile the supposition
of that lasciuious yong boy the Counthaue I run
into this danger: yet who would haue suspected an ambush
where I was taken?

Int. There is no remedy sirbut you must dye: the
Generall sayesyou that haue so traitorously discouerd
the secrets of your armyand made such pestifferous reports
of men very nobly heldcan serue the world for
no honest vse: therefore you must dye. Come headesman
off with his head

Par. O Lord sir let me liueor let me see my death

Int. That shall youand take your leaue of all your
friends:
Solooke about youknow you any heere?

Count. Good morrow noble Captaine

Lo.E. God blesse you Captaine Parolles

Cap.G. God saue you noble Captaine

Lo.E. Captainwhat greeting will you to my Lord
Lafew? I am for France

Cap.G. Good Captaine will you giue me a Copy of
the sonnet you writ to Diana in behalfe of the Count
Rossillionand I were not a verie CowardI'de compell
it of youbut far you well.

Exeunt.

Int. You are vndone Captaine all but your scarfe
that has a knot on't yet


Par. Who cannot be crush'd with a plot?

Inter. If you could finde out a Countrie where but
women were that had receiued so much shameyou
might begin an impudent Nation. Fare yee well sirI
am for France toowe shall speake of you there.

Exit

Par. Yet am I thankfull: if my heart were great
'Twould burst at this: Captaine Ile be no more
But I will eateand drinkeand sleepe as soft
As Captaine shall. Simply the thing I am
Shall make me liue: who knowes himselfe a braggart
Let him feare this; for it will come to passe
That euery braggart shall be found an Asse.
Rust swordcoole blushesand Parrolles liue
Safest in shame: being fool'dby fool'rie thriue;
There's place and meanes for euery man aliue.
Ile after them.
Enter.

Enter HellenWiddowand Diana.

Hel. That you may well perceiue I haue not
wrong'd you
One of the greatest in the Christian world
Shall be my suretie: for whose throne 'tis needfull
Ere I can perfect mine intentsto kneele.
Time wasI did him a desired office
Deere almost as his lifewhich gratitude
Through flintie Tartars bosome would peepe forth
And answer thankes. I duly am inform'd
His grace is at Marcellaeto which place
We haue conuenient conuoy: you must know
I am supposed deadthe Army breaking
My husband hies him homewhere heauen ayding
And by the leaue of my good Lord the King
Wee'l be before our welcome

Wid. Gentle Madam
You neuer had a seruant to whose trust
Your busines was more welcome

Hel. Nor your Mistris
Euer a friendwhose thoughts more truly labour
To recompence your loue: Doubt not but heauen
Hath brought me vp to be your daughters dower
As it hath fated her to be my motiue
And helper to a husband. But O strange men
That can such sweet vse make of what they hate
When sawcie trusting of the cosin'd thoughts
Defiles the pitchy nightso lust doth play
With what it loathesfor that which is away
But more of this heereafter: you Diana
Vnder my poore instructions yet must suffer
Something in my behalfe

Dia. Let death and honestie
Go with your impositionsI am yours
Vpon your will to suffer

Hel. Yet I pray you:
But with the word the time will bring on summer


When Briars shall haue leaues as well as thornes
And be as sweet as sharpe: we must away
Our Wagon is prepar'dand time reuiues vs
All's well that ends wellstill the fines the Crowne;
What ere the coursethe end is the renowne.


Exeunt.


Enter Clowneold Ladyand Lafew.


Laf. Nononoyour sonne was misled with a snipt
taffata fellow therewhose villanous saffron wold haue
made all the vnbak'd and dowy youth of a nation in his
colour: your daughter-in-law had beene aliue at this
houreand your sonne heere at homemore aduanc'd
by the Kingthen by that red-tail'd humble Bee I speak
of

La. I would I had not knowne himit was the death
of the most vertuous gentlewomanthat euer Nature
had praise for creating. If she had pertaken of my flesh
and cost mee the deerest groanes of a motherI could
not haue owed her a more rooted loue

Laf. Twas a good Lady'twas a good Lady. Wee
may picke a thousand sallets ere wee light on such another
hearbe

Clo. Indeed sir she was the sweete Margerom of the
salletor rather the hearbe of grace

Laf. They are not hearbes you knauethey are nose-hearbes

Clowne. I am no great Nabuchadnezar sirI haue not
much skill in grace

Laf. Whether doest thou professe thy selfea knaue
or a foole?
Clo. A foole sir at a womans seruiceand a knaue at a
mans

Laf. Your distinction

Clo. I would cousen the man of his wifeand do his
seruice

Laf. So you were a knaue at his seruice indeed

Clo. And I would giue his wife my bauble sir to doe
her seruice

Laf. I will subscribe for theethou art both knaue
and foole

Clo. At your seruice

Laf. Nonono

Clo. Why sirif I cannot serue youI can serue as
great a prince as you are

Laf. Whose thata Frenchman?
Clo. Faith sir a has an English mainebut his fisnomie
is more hotter in France then there


Laf. What prince is that?
Clo. The blacke prince siralias the prince of darkenesse
alias the diuell

Laf. Hold thee there's my purseI giue thee not this
to suggest thee from thy master thou talk'st offserue
him still

Clo. I am a woodland fellow sirthat alwaies loued
a great fireand the master I speak of euer keeps a good
firebut sure he is the Prince of the worldlet his Nobilitie
remaine in's Court. I am for the house with the
narrow gatewhich I take to be too little for pompe to
enter: some that humble themselues maybut the manie
will be too chill and tenderand theyle bee for the
flowrie way that leads to the broad gateand the great
fire

Laf. Go thy waiesI begin to bee a wearie of thee
and I tell thee so beforebecause I would not fall out
with thee. Go thy wayeslet my horses be wel look'd
toowithout any trickes

Clo. If I put any trickes vpon em sirthey shall bee
Iades trickeswhich are their owne right by the law of
Nature.

Exit

Laf. A shrewd knaue and an vnhappie

Lady. So a is. My Lord that's gone made himselfe
much sport out of himby his authoritie hee remaines
heerewhich he thinkes is a pattent for his sawcinesse
and indeede he has no pacebut runnes where he will

Laf. I like him well'tis not amisse: and I was about
to tell yousince I heard of the good Ladies deathand
that my Lord your sonne was vpon his returne home. I
moued the King my master to speake in the behalfe of
my daughterwhich in the minoritie of them bothhis
Maiestie out of a selfe gracious remembrance did first
proposehis Highnesse hath promis'd me to doe itand
to stoppe vp the displeasure he hath conceiued against
your sonnethere is no fitter matter. How do's your
Ladyship like it?

La. With verie much content my Lordand I wish
it happily effected

Laf. His Highnesse comes post from Marcellusof as
able bodie as when he number'd thirtya will be heere
to morrowor I am deceiu'd by him that in such intelligence
hath seldome fail'd

La. It reioyces methat I hope I shall see him ere I
die. I haue letters that my sonne will be heere to night:
I shall beseech your Lordship to remaine with meetill
they meete together

Laf. MadamI was thinking with what manners I
might safely be admitted

Lad. You neede but pleade your honourable priuiledge


Laf. Ladieof that I haue made a bold charterbut
I thanke my Godit holds yet.
Enter Clowne.

Clo. O Madamyonders my Lord your sonne with
a patch of veluet on's facewhether there bee a scar vnder't
or nothe Veluet knowesbut 'tis a goodly patch
of Veluethis left cheeke is a cheeke of two pile and a
halfebut his right cheeke is worne bare

Laf. A scarre nobly got
Or a noble scarreis a good liu'rie of honor
So belike is that

Clo. But it is your carbinado'd face

Laf. Let vs go see
your sonne I pray youI long to talke
With the yong noble souldier

Clowne. 'Faith there's a dozen of emwith delicate
fine hatsand most courteous featherswhich bow the
headand nod at euerie man.

Exeunt.

Actus Quintus.

Enter HellenWiddowand Dianawith two Attendants.

Hel. But this exceeding posting day and night
Must wear your spirits lowwe cannot helpe it:
But since you haue made the daies and nights as one
To weare your gentle limbes in my affayres
Be bold you do so grow in my requitall
As nothing can vnroote you. In happie time
Enter a gentle Astringer.

This man may helpe me to his Maiesties eare
If he would spend his power. God saue you sir

Gent. And you

Hel. SirI haue seene you in the Court of France

Gent. I haue beene sometimes there

Hel. I do presume sirthat you are not falne
From the report that goes vpon your goodnesse
And therefore goaded with most sharpe occasions
Which lay nice manners byI put you to
The vse of your owne vertuesfor the which
I shall continue thankefull

Gent. What's your will?

Hel. That it will please you
To giue this poore petition to the King
And ayde me with that store of power you haue
To come into his presence

Gen. The Kings not heere

Hel. Not heere sir?


Gen. Not indeed
He hence remou'd last nightand with more hast
Then is his vse

Wid. Lord how we loose our paines

Hel. All's well that ends well yet
Though time seeme so aduerseand meanes vnfit:
I do beseech youwhither is he gone?

Gent. Marrie as I take it to Rossillion
Whither I am going

Hel. I do beseech you sir
Since you are like to see the King before me
Commend the paper to his gracious hand
Which I presume shall render you no blame
But rather make you thanke your paines for it
I will come after you with what good speede
Our meanes will make vs meanes

Gent. This Ile do for you

Hel. And you shall finde your selfe to be well thankt
what e're falles more. We must to horse againeGogo
prouide.
Enter Clowne and Parrolles.

Par. Good Mr Lauatch giue my Lord Lafew this letter
I haue ere now sir beene better knowne to youwhen
I haue held familiaritie with fresher cloathes: but I am
now sir muddied in fortunes moodand smell somewhat
strong of her strong displeasure

Clo. TruelyFortunes displeasure is but sluttish if it
smell so strongly as thou speak'st of: I will hencefoorth
eate no Fish of Fortunes butt'ring. Prethee alow the
winde

Par. Nay you neede not to stop your nose sir: I spake
but by a Metaphor

Clo. Indeed sirif your Metaphor stinkeI will stop
my noseor against any mans Metaphor. Prethe get thee
further

Par. Pray you sir deliuer me this paper

Clo. Fohprethee stand away: a paper from fortunes
close-stooleto giue to a Nobleman. Looke heere he
comes himselfe.
Enter Lafew.

Clo. Heere is a purre of Fortunes siror of Fortunes
Catbut not a Muscatthat ha's falne into the vncleane
fish-pond of her displeasureand as he sayes is muddied
withall. Pray you sirvse the Carpe as you mayfor he
lookes like a poore decayedingeniousfoolishrascally
knaue. I doe pittie his distresse in my smiles of comfort
and leaue him to your Lordship

Par. My Lord I am a man whom fortune hath cruelly
scratch'd

Laf. And what would you haue me to doe? 'Tis too


late to paire her nailes now. Wherein haue you played
the knaue with fortune that she should scratch youwho
of her selfe is a good Ladyand would not haue knaues
thriue long vnder? There's a Cardecue for you: Let the
Iustices make you and fortune friends; I am for other
businesse

Par. I beseech your honour to heare mee one single
word
Laf. you begge a single peny more: Come you shall
ha'tsaue your word

Par. My name my good Lord is Parrolles

Laf. You begge more then word then. Cox my passion
giue me your hand: How does your drumme?
Par. O my good Lordyou were the first that found
mee

Laf. Was I insooth? And I was the first that lost thee

Par. It lies in you my Lord to bring me in some grace
for you did bring me out

Laf. Out vpon thee knauedoest thou put vpon mee
at once both the office of God and the diuel: one brings
thee in graceand the other brings thee out. The Kings
comming I know by his Trumpets. Sirrahinquire further
after meI had talke of you last nightthough you
are a foole and a knaueyou shall eatego toofollow

Par. I praise God for you.

Flourish. Enter Kingold LadyLafewthe two French Lordswith
attendants.

Kin. We lost a Iewell of herand our esteeme
Was made much poorer by it: but your sonne
As mad in follylack'd the sence to know
Her estimation home

Old La. 'Tis past my Liege
And I beseech your Maiestie to make it
Naturall rebelliondone i'th blade of youth
When oyle and firetoo strong for reasons force
Ore-beares itand burnes on

Kin. My honour'd Lady
I haue forgiuen and forgotten all
Though my reuenges were high bent vpon him
And watch'd the time to shoote

Laf. This I must say
But first I begge my pardon: the yong Lord
Did to his Maiestyhis Motherand his Ladie
Offence of mighty note; but to himselfe
The greatest wrong of all. He lost a wife
Whose beauty did astonish the suruey
Of richest eies: whose words all eares tooke captiue
Whose deere perfectionhearts that scorn'd to serue
Humbly call'd Mistris

Kin. Praising what is lost
Makes the remembrance deere. Wellcall him hither


We are reconcil'dand the first view shall kill
All repetition: Let him not aske our pardon
The nature of his great offence is dead
And deeper then obliuionwe do burie
Th' incensing reliques of it. Let him approach
A strangerno offender; and informe him
So 'tis our will he should

Gent. I shall my Liege

Kin. What sayes he to your daughter
Haue you spoke?
Laf. All that he ishath reference to your Highnes

Kin. Then shall we haue a match. I haue letters sent
methat sets him high in fame.
Enter Count Bertram.

Laf. He lookes well on't

Kin. I am not a day of season
For thou maist see a sun-shineand a haile
In me at once: But to the brightest beames
Distracted clouds giue wayso stand thou forth
The time is faire againe

Ber. My high repented blames
Deere Soueraigne pardon to me

Kin. All is whole
Not one word more of the consumed time
Let's take the instant by the forward top:
For we are oldand on our quick'st decrees
Th' inaudibleand noiselesse foot of time
Stealesere we can effect them. You remember
The daughter of this Lord?

Ber. Admiringly my Liegeat first
I stucke my choice vpon herere my heart
Durst make too bold a herauld of my tongue:
Where the impression of mine eye enfixing
Contempt his scornfull Perspectiue did lend me
Which warpt the lineof euerie other fauour
Scorn'd a faire colouror exprest it stolne
Extended or contracted all proportions
To a most hideous obiect. Thence it came
That she whom all men prais'dand whom my selfe
Since I haue losthaue lou'd; was in mine eye
The dust that did offend it

Kin. Well excus'd:
That thou didst loue herstrikes some scores away
From the great compt: but loue that comes too late
Like a remorsefull pardon slowly carried
To the great senderturnes a sowre offence
Cryingthat's good that's gone: Our rash faults
Make triuiall price of serious things we haue
Not knowing themvntill we know their graue.
Oft our displeasures to our selues vniust
Destroy our friendsand after weepe their dust:
Our owne loue wakingcries to see what's done
While shamefull hate sleepes out the afternoone.
Be this sweet Helens knelland now forget her.
Send forth your amorous token for faire Maudlin
The maine consents are hadand heere wee'l stay


To see our widdowers second marriage day:
Which better then the firstO deere heauen blesse
Orere they meete in meO Nature cesse


Laf. Come on my sonnein whom my houses name
Must be digested: giue a fauour from you
To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter
That she may quickly come. By my old beard
And eu'rie haire that's on'tHelen that's dead
Was a sweet creature: such a ring as this
The last that ere I tooke her leaue at Court
I saw vpon her finger

Ber. Hers it was not

King. Now pray you let me see it. For mine eye
While I was speakingoft was fasten'd too't:
This Ring was mineand when I gaue it Hellen
I bad her if her fortunes euer stoode
Necessitied to helpethat by this token
I would releeue her. Had you that craft to reaue her
Of what should stead her most?

Ber. My gracious Soueraigne
How ere it pleases you to take it so
The ring was neuer hers

Old La. Sonneon my life
I haue seene her weare itand she reckon'd it
At her liues rate

Laf. I am sure I saw her weare it

Ber. You are deceiu'd my Lordshe neuer saw it:
In Florence was it from a casement throwne mee
Wrap'd in a paperwhich contain'd the name
Of her that threw it: Noble she wasand thought
I stood ingag'dbut when I had subscrib'd
To mine owne fortuneand inform'd her fully
I could not answer in that course of Honour
As she had made the ouertureshe ceast
In heauie satisfactionand would neuer
Receiue the Ring againe

Kin. Platus himselfe
That knowes the tinct and multiplying med'cine
Hath not in natures mysterie more science
Then I haue in this Ring. 'Twas mine'twas Helens
Who euer gaue it you: then if you know
That you are well acquainted with your selfe
Confesse 'twas hersand by what rough enforcement
You got it from her. She call'd the Saints to suretie
That she would neuer put it from her finger
Vnlesse she gaue it to your selfe in bed
Where you haue neuer come: or sent it vs
Vpon her great disaster

Ber. She neuer saw it

Kin. Thou speak'st it falsely: as I loue mine Honor
And mak'st connecturall feares to come into me
Which I would faine shut outif it should proue
That thou art so inhumane'twill not proue so:
And yet I know notthou didst hate her deadly
And she is deadwhich nothing but to close


Her eyes my selfecould win me to beleeue
More then to see this Ring. Take him away
My fore-past proofeshow ere the matter fall
Shall taze my feares of little vanitie
Hauing vainly fear'd too little. Away with him
Wee'l sift this matter further


Ber. If you shall proue
This Ring was euer hersyou shall as easie
Proue that I husbanded her bed in Florence
Where yet she neuer was.
Enter a Gentleman.

King. I am wrap'd in dismall thinkings

Gen. Gracious Soueraigne.
Whether I haue beene too blame or noI know not
Here's a petition from a Florentine
Who hath for foure or fiue remoues come short
To tender it her selfe. I vndertooke it
Vanquish'd thereto by the faire grace and speech
Of the poore suppliantwho by this I know
Is heere attending: her businesse lookes in her
With an importing visageand she told me
In a sweet verball breefeit did concerne
Your Highnesse with her selfe.

A Letter.

Vpon his many protestations to marrie mee when his wife was
deadI blush to say ithe wonne me. Now is the Count Rossillion
a Widdowerhis vowes are forfeited to meeand my
honors payed to him. Hee stole from Florencetaking no
leaueand I follow him to his Countrey for Iustice: Grant
it meO Kingin you it best liesotherwise a seducer flourishes
and a poore Maid is vndone.
Diana Capilet

Laf. I will buy me a sonne in Law in a faireand toule
for this. Ile none of him

Kin. The heauens haue thought well on thee Lafew
To bring forth this discou'rieseeke these sutors:
Go speedilyand bring againe the Count.
Enter Bertram.

I am a-feard the life of Hellen (Ladie)
Was fowly snatcht

Old La. Now iustice on the doers

King. I wonder sirsirwiues are monsters to you
And that you flye them as you sweare them Lordship
Yet you desire to marry. What woman's that?
Enter WiddowDianaand Parrolles.

Dia. I am my Lord a wretched Florentine
Deriued from the ancient Capilet
My suite as I do vnderstand you know
And therefore know how farre I may be pittied

Wid. I am her Mother sirwhose age and honour
Both suffer vnder this complaint we bring
And both shall ceasewithout your remedie


King. Come hether Countdo you know these Women?
Ber. My LordI neither can nor will denie


But that I know themdo they charge me further?
Dia. Why do you looke so strange vpon your wife?
Ber. She's none of mine my Lord

Dia. If you shall marrie
You giue away this handand that is mine
You giue away heauens vowesand those are mine:
You giue away my selfewhich is knowne mine:
For I by vow am so embodied yours
That she which marries youmust marrie me
Either both or none

Laf. Your reputation comes too short for my daughter
you are no husband for her

Ber. My Lordthis is a fond and desp'rate creature
Whom sometime I haue laugh'd with: Let your highnes
Lay a more noble thought vpon mine honour
Then for to thinke that I would sinke it heere

Kin. Sir for my thoughtsyou haue them il to friend
Till your deeds gaine them fairer: proue your honor
Then in my thought it lies

Dian. Good my Lord
Aske him vpon his oathif hee do's thinke
He had not my virginity

Kin. What saist thou to her?
Ber. She's impudent my Lord
And was a common gamester to the Campe

Dia. He do's me wrong my Lord: If I were so
He might haue bought me at a common price.
Do not beleeue him. O behold this Ring
Whose high respect and rich validitie
Did lacke a Paralell: yet for all that
He gaue it to a Commoner a'th Campe
If I be one

Coun. He blushesand 'tis hit:
Of sixe preceding Ancestors that Iemme
Confer'd by testament to'th sequent issue
Hath it beene owed and worne. This is his wife
That Ring's a thousand proofes

King. Me thought you saide
You saw one heere in Court could witnesse it

Dia. I did my Lordbut loath am to produce
So bad an instrumenthis names Parrolles

Laf. I saw the man to dayif man he bee

Kin. Finde himand bring him hether

Ros. What of him:
He's quoted for a most perfidious slaue
With all the spots a'th worldtaxt and debosh'd
Whose nature sickens: but to speake a truth
Am Ior that or this for what he'l vtter


That will speake any thing

Kin. She hath that Ring of yours

Ros. I thinke she has; certaine it is I lyk'd her
And boorded her i'th wanton way of youth:
She knew her distanceand did angle for mee
Madding my eagernesse with her restraint
As all impediments in fancies course
Are motiues of more fancieand in fine
Her insuite comming with her moderne grace
Subdu'd me to her rateshe got the Ring
And I had that which any inferiour might
At Market price haue bought

Dia. I must be patient:
You that haue turn'd off a first so noble wife
May iustly dyet me. I pray you yet
(Since you lacke vertueI will loose a husband)
Send for your RingI will returne it home
And giue me mine againe

Ros. I haue it not

Kin. What Ring was yours I pray you?
Dian. Sir much like the same vpon your finger


Kin. Know you this Ringthis Ring was his of late

Dia. And this was it I gaue him being a bed

Kin. The story then goes falseyou threw it him
Out of a Casement

Dia. I haue spoke the truth.
Enter Parolles.

Ros. My LordI do confesse the ring was hers

Kin. You boggle shrewdlyeuery feather starts you:
Is this the man you speake of?
Dia. Imy Lord

Kin. Tell me sirrahbut tell me true I charge you
Not fearing the displeasure of your master:
Which on your iust proceedingIle keepe off
By him and by this woman heerewhat know you?

Par. So please your Maiestymy master hath bin an
honourable Gentleman. Trickes hee hath had in him
which Gentlemen haue

Kin. Comecometo'th' purpose: Did hee loue this
woman?
Par. Faith sir he did loue herbut how

Kin. How I pray you?
Par. He did loue her siras a Gent. loues a Woman


Kin. How is that?
Par. He lou'd her sirand lou'd her not


Kin. As thou art a knaue and no knauewhat an equiuocall
Companion is this?
Par. I am a poore manand at your Maiesties command


Laf. Hee's a good drumme my Lordbut a naughtie
Orator

Dian. Do you know he promist me marriage?
Par. Faith I know more then Ile speake


Kin. But wilt thou not speake all thou know'st?

Par. Yes so please your Maiesty: I did goe betweene
them as I saidbut more then that he loued herfor indeede
he was madde for herand talkt of Sathanand of
Limboand of Furiesand I know not what: yet I was in
that credit with them at that timethat I knewe of their
going to bedand of other motionsas promising her
marriageand things which would deriue mee ill will to
speake oftherefore I will not speake what I know

Kin. Thou hast spoken all alreadievnlesse thou canst
say they are mariedbut thou art too fine in thy euidence
therefore stand aside. This Ring you say was yours

Dia. I my good Lord

Kin. Where did you buy it? Or who gaue it you?
Dia. It was not giuen menor I did not buy it


Kin. Who lent it you?
Dia. It was not lent me neither


Kin. Where did you finde it then?
Dia. I found it not


Kin. If it were yours by none of all these wayes
How could you giue it him?
Dia. I neuer gaue it him

Laf. This womans an easie gloue my Lordshe goes
off and on at pleasure

Kin. This Ring was mineI gaue it his first wife

Dia. It might be yours or hers for ought I know

Kin. Take her awayI do not like her now
To prison with her: and away with him
Vnlesse thou telst me where thou hadst this Ring
Thou diest within this houre

Dia. Ile neuer tell you

Kin. Take her away

Dia. Ile put in baile my liedge

Kin. I thinke thee now some common Customer

Dia. By Ioue if euer I knew man 'twas you

King. Wherefore hast thou accusde him al this while

Dia. Because he's guiltieand he is not guilty:
He knowes I am no Maidand hee'l sweare too't:
Ile sweare I am a Maidand he knowes not.
Great King I am no strumpetby my life


I am either Maidor else this old mans wife

Kin. She does abuse our earesto prison with her

Dia. Good mother fetch my bayle. Stay Royall sir
The Ieweller that owes the Ring is sent for
And he shall surety me. But for this Lord
Who hath abus'd me as he knowes himselfe
Though yet he neuer harm'd meheere I quit him.
He knowes himselfe my bed he hath defil'd
And at that time he got his wife with childe:
Dead though she beshe feeles her yong one kicke:
So there's my riddleone that's dead is quicke
And now behold the meaning.
Enter Hellen and Widdow.

Kin. Is there no exorcist
Beguiles the truer Office of mine eyes?
Is't reall that I see?

Hel. No my good Lord
'Tis but the shadow of a wife you see
The nameand not the thing

Ros. BothbothO pardon

Hel. Oh my good Lordwhen I was like this Maid
I found you wondrous kindethere is your Ring
And looke youheeres your letter: this it sayes
When from my finger you can get this Ring
And is by me with childe&c. This is done
Will you be mine now you are doubly wonne?

Ros. If she my Liege can make me know this clearly
Ile loue her dearelyeuereuer dearly

Hel. If it appeare not plaineand proue vntrue
Deadly diuorce step betweene me and you.
O my deere mother do I see you liuing?

Laf. Mine eyes smell OnionsI shall weepe anon:
Good Tom Drumme lend me a handkercher.
So I thanke theewaite on me homeIle make sport with
thee: Let thy curtsies alonethey are scuruy ones

King. Let vs from point to point this storie know
To make the euen truth in pleasure flow:
If thou beest yet a fresh vncropped flower
Choose thou thy husbandand Ile pay thy dower.
For I can guessethat by thy honest ayde
Thou keptst a wife her selfethy selfe a Maide.
Of that and all the progresse more and lesse
Resoluedly more leasure shall expresse:
All yet seemes welland if it end so meete
The bitter pastmore welcome is the sweet.

Flourish.


The Kings a Beggernow the Play is done
All is well endedif this suite be wonne
That you expresse Content: which we will pay
With strife to please youday exceeding day:
Ours be your patience thenand yours our parts
Your gentle hands lend vsand take our hearts.


Exeunt. omn.



FINIS. ALL'S Wellthat Ends Well.