SCENE IV. The Widow's House at Florence. Enter Helena, Widow, and Diana. home, more advanc'd by the king, than by that red-tail'd humble-bee Ispeak of. Count. I would, I had not known him! it was the death of the most virtuous genticwoman, that Hel. That you may well perceive I have not 5 ever nature had praise for creating: if she had wrong'd you, One of the greatest in the christian world [ful, Shall be my surety; 'fore whose throne, 'tis need- Wid. Gentle madam, You never had a servant, to whose trust Hel. Nor you, mistress, partaken of my flesh, and cost me the dearest groans of a mother, I could not have owed her a more rooted love. Laf. 'Twas a good lady, 'twas a good lady: 10 we may pick a thousand sallads, ere we light on such another herb. 15 20 Ever a friend, whose thoughts more truly labour And helper to a husband. But O strange men! Dia. Let death and honesty Go with your impositions, I am yours Hel. Yet, I pray you, But with the word, the times will bring on summer, 30 35 Clo. At your service. Laf. No, no, no. Clo. Why, sir, if I cannot serve you, I can serve as great a prince as you are. Laf. Who's that? a Frenchman? Clo. Faith, sir, he has an English name; but his phisnomy is more hotter in France, than there. Laf. What prince is that? Clo. The black prince, sir, alias, the prince of darkness; alias, the devil. 40 Laf. Hold thee, there's my purse: I give thee not this to suggest' thee from thy master thou talk'st of; serve him still. Clo. I am a woodland fellow, sir, that always lov'd a great fire; and the master I speak of, ever Whate'er the course, the end is the renown. [Exeunt. 45 keeps a good fire. But, sure, he is the prince of the SCENE V. world, let his nobility remain in his court. I am for the house with the narrow gate, which I take to be too little for pomp to enter: some, that humble themselves, may; but the many will be 50 too chill and tender; and they'll be for the flowery way, that leads to the broad gate, and the great fire. Laf. Go thy ways, I begin to be a-weary of thee; and I tell thee so before, because I would not fall out with thee. Go thy ways; let my horses be well look'd to, without any tricks. Enter Countess, Lafeu, and Clown. Laf. No, no, no, your son was mis-led with a snipt-taffata fellow there; whose villainous saffron' would have made all the unbak'd and doughy youth of a nation in his colour: your daughter-in-law had been alive at this hour; and your son here at 55 'Motive for assistant. 2 Saucy may here imply luxurious, and by consequence lascivious. i. e. in an instant of time. i. e. rouses us. Here some particulars of fashionable dress are ridiculed. Snipt-taffata needs no explanation; but villainous saffron is more obscure. This alludes to a fantastick fashion, then much followed, of using yellow starch for their bands and uffs. Sir John Hawkins gives the following explanation of this passage: " Part of the furniture of a fool was a bauble, which, though it be generally taken to signify any thing of small value, has a precise and determinable meaning. It is, in short, a kind of truncheon with a head carved on it, which the fool anciently carried in his hand. i, e. seduce. Clo. Act 5. Scene 2.] ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Clo. If I put any tricks upon 'em, sir, they shall be jades' tricks; which are their own right by the [Exit. law of nature. Laf. A shrewd knave, and an unhappy'. Count. So he is. My lord, that's gone, made 5 himselt much sport out of him: by his authority he remains here, which he thinks is a patent for his sauciness; and, indeed, he has no pace, but runs where he will. 10 Laf. I like him well: 'tis not amiss: and was about to tell you, Since I heard of the good lady's death, and that my lord your son was upon his return home, I mov'd the king my master, to speak in the behalf of my daughter; which, in the minority of them both, his majesty, out of a 15 self-gracious remembrance, did first propose: his highness has promised me to do it: and, to stop up the displeasure he hath conceiv'd against your son, there is no fitter matter. How does your ladyship like it? Count. With very much content, my lord, and I wish it happily effected. Laf. His highness comes post from Marseilles, of as able a body as when he numbered thirty; he 20 Count. It rejoices me, that I hope I shall see him ere I die. I have letters, that my son will be here to-night: I shall beseech your lordship, to remain with me till they meet together. Laf. Madam, I was thinking, with what manners I might safely be admitted. Count. You need but plead your honourable Luf. Lady, of that I have made a bold charter; Clo. O madam, yonder's my lord your son with a patch of velvet on's face; whether there be a scar under't, or no, the velvet knows; but 'tis a goodly patch of velvet: his left cheek is a cheek of two pile and a half, but his right cheek is worn bare. Count. A scar nobly got, or a noble scar, is a good livery of honour: so, belike, is that. Clo. But it is your carbonado'd face. Laf. Let us go see your son, I pray you; I long to talk with the young noble soldier. Clo. 'Faith, there's a dozen of 'em, with delicate fine hats, and most courteous feathers, which bow will be here to-morrow, or I am deceiv'd by him 25 the head, and nod at every man. that in such intelligence hath seldom fail'd. [Exeunt. [35]To come into his presence. Hel. BUT [one, But, since you have made the days and nights as As nothing can unroot you. In happy time;- 45 This man may help me to his majesty's ear, Hel. Sir, I have seen you in the court of France. 50 Hel. I do presume, sir, that you are not fallen Gent. What's your will? Gent. The king's not here. Gent. Not, indeed: He hence remov'd last night, and with more haste Wid. Lord, how we lose our pains! Hel. All's well that ends well, yet; Though time seem so adverse, and means unfit. I do beseech you, whither is be gone? Hel. I do beseech you, sir, Since you are like to see the king before me, I will come after you with what good speed [thank'd, Hel. That it will please you 60 To give this poor petition to the king; And aid me with that store of power you have, That is, unlucky. Mr. Steevens says, that a gentle astringer, means a gentleman falconer. to you, when I have held familiarity with fresher clothes: but I am now, sir, muddy'd in fortune's moat, and smell somewhat strong of her strong displeasure. Clo. Truly, fortune's displeasure is but sluttish, 5 if it smell so strongly as thou speak'st of: I will henceforth eat no fish of fortune's buttering. Pr'ythee, allow the wind'. Par. Nay, you need not stop your nose, sir; 1 spake but by a metaphor. Clo. Indeed, sir, if your metaphor stink, I will stop my nose; or against any man's metaphor. Pr'ythee, get thee further. Enter King, Countess, Lafeu, Lords, King. We lost a jewel of her; and our esteem* Par. Pray you, sir, deliver me this paper. Clo. Foh! pr'ythee, stand away; A paper from 15 fortune's close-stool to give to a nobleman! Look, here he comes himself. Enter Lafeu. Here is a pur of fortune's, sir, or of fortune's cat, (but not a musk-cat) that has fallen into the unclean fishpond of her displeasure, and, as he says, is muddy'd withal: Pray you, sir, use the carp as you may; for he looks like a poor, decay'd, ingenious, foolish, rascally knave. I do pity his distress in my smiles of comfort, and leave him to your lordship. [Exit Clown. Pur. My lord, I am a man whom fortune hath cruelly scratch'd. 20 25 Count. 'Tis past, my liege : And I beseech your majesty to make it King. My honour'd lady, I have forgiven and forgotten all: Though my revenges were high bent upon him, And watch'd the time to shoot. Laf. This I must say, But first I beg my pardon.-The young lord Of richest eyes; whose words all ears took captive; Whose dear perfection, hearts that scorn'd to serve, 30Humbly call'd mistress. Laf. And what would you have me to do? 'tis too late to pare her nails now. Wherein have you play'd the knave with fortune, that she should scratch you, who of herself is a good lady, and would not have knaves thrive long under her: 35 There's a quart d'ecu for you: Let the justices make you and fortune friends; I am for other business. Par. I beseech your honour, to hear me one single word. Laf. You beg a single penny more: come, you shall ha't; save your word. Par. My name, my good lord, is Parolles. 140 King. Praising what is lost, [hither;Makes the remembrance dear.-Well, call hin We are reconcil'd, and the first view shall kill All repetition:-Let him not ask our pardon; The nature of his great offence is dead, And deeper than oblivion we do bury The incensing relicks of it: let him approach, A stranger, no offender; and inform him, So 'tis our will he should. Gent. I shall, my liege. [spoke? King. What says he to your daughter? have you Loy. All that he is hath reference to your high[ters sent me, King. Then shall we have a match. I have let ness. Cox'my passion; give me your hand:- How does 45 That set him high in fame. your drum? Par. O my good lord, you were the first that found me. Laf. Was I, in sooth? 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. Enter Bertram. King. I am not a day of season, For thou may'st see a sun-shine and a hail 50 In me at once: But to the brightest beams Distracted clouds give way; so stand thou forth, The time is fair again. Laf. Out upon thee, knave! dost thou put upon me at once both the office of God and the devil: one brings thee in grace, and the other brings thee 55 [Sound trumpets.] The king's coming, I know by his trumpets-Sirrah, inquire further after me; I had talk of you last night: though out. 1 That is, stand to the windward of me. 4 Ber. My high-repented blames, Dear sovereign, pardon to me. King. All is whole; Not one word more of the consumed time. Let's take the instant by the forward top; For we are old, and on our quick'st decrees The meaning is, I testify my pity for hi distress, by encouraging him with a gracious smile. A quibble is intended on the word Paroles, which in French is plural, and signifies words. Esteem here means reckoning or estimate. i. e. completely, in its full extent.i. e. in the spring of early life, when the man is yet green. Oil and fire suit but ill with blade, and therefore Dr. Warburton reads, blaze of youth. 11 The Act 5. Scene 3.] The inaudible and noiseless foot of time Ber. Admiringly, my liege: At first King. Well excus'd: That thou dost love her, strikes some scores away As she had made the overture, she ceas'd, King. Plutus himself, 5 That knows the tinct and multiplying medicine, That you are well acquainted with yourself, Ber. She never saw it. [honour; 25 30 Laf. Come on, my son, in whom my house's Ber. Her's it was not. Ber. If you shall prove This ring was ever her's, you shall as easy King. I am wrapp'd in dismal thinkings. Whether I have been to blame, or no, I know not; Who hath for four or five removes', come short 40 To tender it herself. I undertook it, [eye, [her] I would relieve her: Had you that craft, to reave Ber. My gracious sovereign, Howe'er it pleases you to take it so, The ring was never her's. Count. Son, on my life, I have seen her wear it; and she reckoned it At her life's rate. Laf. I am sure, I saw her wear it. [it: Ber. You are deceived, my lord, she never saw 'Removes are journies or post-stages. 2 Vanquish'd thereto by the fair grace and speech The King reads. Upon his many protestations to marry me, when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, Now is the count Rousillon a "he won me. "widower; his vows are forfeited to me, and He stole from my honour's paid to him. Florence, taking no leave, and I follow him to "his country for justice: Grant it me, O king; in vou it best lies; otherwise a seducer flourishes, "and a poor maid is undone. "DIANA CAPULET." King. The heavens have thought well on thee, To bring forth this discovery.-Seek these suitors: Go, speedily, and bring again the count.— Alluding to buying horses in fairs, and paying toll for them Enter Enter Bertrum, guarded. I am afeard, the life of Helen, lady, Count. Now, justice on the doers! [you, Dia. I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine, women? 5 10 Laf. I saw the man to-day, if man he be. He's quoted for a most perfidious slave, With all the spots o' the world tax'd and debosh'd'; King. She hath that ring of yours. Ber. I think, she has: certain it is, I lik'd her, Ber. My lord, I neither can nor will deny Dia. If you shall marry, You give away this hand, and that is mine; Dia. I must be patient ; You, that turn'd off a first so noble wife, Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband) You give away heaven's vows, and those are mine; 25 And give me mine again. You give away myself, which is known mine; Laf. Your reputation comes too short for my 30| highness 'Till your deeds gain them: Fairer prove your hoThan in my thought it lies! Dia. Good my lord, Ask him upon his oath, if he does think He had not my virginity. King. What say'st thou to her? Ber. She's impudent, my lord; And was a common gamester to the camp. Count. He blushes, and 'tis it: Of six preceding ancestors, that gem Conferr'd by testament to the sequent issue, Hath it been ow'd, and worn. This is his wife; That ring's a thousand proofs. King. Methought you said, You saw one here in court could witness it. 3 35 40 Ber. I have it not. King. What ring was yours, I pray you? [late. Dia. I have spoke the truth. [hinz Ber. My lord, I do contess the ring was hers. King. Tell me, sirrah, but tell me true, I charge King. Come, come, to the purpose; Did he love this woman? Par. 'Faith, sir, he did love her: But how? 50 King. How, I pray you? 55 Par. He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves 60 orator. Dia. Do you know, he promis'd me marriage? That is, decease, die. i. e. value. Quoted has the same sense as noted. See note 3, p. 13. Le. only to speak a truth. King T |