ous boy; who is a whale to virginity, and devours up all the fry it finds. Ber. Damnable, both sides rogue! of the best that is. In a retreat he outruns any lackey; marry, in coming on he has the cramp. 1 Sold. If your life be saved, will you under 1 Sold. When he swears oaths, bid him drop gold, take to betray the Florentine? and take it; [it; After he scores, he never pays the score; Thine, as he vow'd to thee in thine ear, Pur. Ay, and the captain of his horse, count Rousillon. [his pleasure. 1 Sold. I'll whisper with the general, and know Par. I'll no more drumming; a plague of all drums! Only to seem to deserve well, and to beguile the supposition of that lascivious young boy the count, have I run into this danger: Yet, who would have suspected an ambush where I was taken? [Aside. 1 Sold. There is no remedy, sir, but you must die: the general says, you, that have so traitorously discovered the secrets of your army, 2 Lord. This is your devoted friend, sir, the and made such pestiferous reports of men very manifold linguist, and the armipotent soldier.nobly held, can serve the world for no honest Br. I could endure any thing before but a use; therefore you must die. Come, headsmen, cat, and now he's a cat to ine. off with his head. [my death! Par. O Lord, sir; let me live, or let me see 1 Sold. That shall you, and take your leave of all your friends. [Unmuffling him. So, look about you; Know you any here? Ber. Good morrow, noble captain. 1 Sold. I perceive, sir, by the general's looks, we shall be fain to hang you. Par. My life, sir, in any case: not that I am afraid to die; but that, my offences being many, I would repent out the remainder of nature; let) me live, sir, in a dungeon, i'the stocks, or any where, so I may live. 2 Lord. God bless you, captain Parolles. 1 Lord. God save you, noble captain. 1 Sold. We'll see what may be done, so you confess freely; therefore, once more to this cap-lord Lafeu? I am for France. 2 Lord. Captain, what greeting will you to my tain Dumain: You have answered to his reputa 1 Lord. Good captain, will you give me a tion with the duke, and to his valour: What is copy of the sounet you writ to Diana in behalf his honesty? of the count Rousillon? an I were not a very Par. Who cannot be crushed with a plot? 1 Sold. If you could find out a country where but women were that had received so much shame, you might begin an impudent nation. Fare you well, sir; I am for France too; we shall speak of you there. [Exit. Par. Yet I am thankful; if my heart were great. Tur. He will steal, sir, an egg out of a clois-coward, I'd compel it of you; but fare you well. ter; for rapes and ravishments he parallels [Exeunt BERTRAM, Lords, de Nessus. He professes not keeping of oaths; in, 1 Sold. You are undone, captain: all but your breaking them, he is stronger than Hercules. scarf, that has a knot on't yet. He will lie, sir, with such volubility, that you would think truth were a fool: drunkenness is his best virtue; for he will be swine-drunk; and in his sleep he does little harm, save to his bed-clothes about him; but they know his conditions, and lay him in straw. I have but little more to say, sir, of his honesty: he has every thing that an honest man should not have; what an honest man should have, he has nothing. 1 Lord. I begin to love him for this. Ber. For this description of thine honesty? A pox upon him for me, he is more and more a cat. 1 Sold. What say you to his expertness in war? Pur. Faith, sir, he has led the drum before the English tragedians,-to belie him, I will not, and more of his soldiership I know not; except in that country, he had the honour to be the officer at a place there call'd Mile End, to instruct for the doubling of files: I would do the man what honour I can, but of this I am not certain. 1 Lord. He hath out-villained villany so far, that the rarity redeems him. Ber. A pox on him! he's a cat still. 1 Sold. His qualities being at this poor price, I need not ask you, if gold will corrupt him to revolt. Pur. Sir, for a quart d'ecu he will sell the feesimple of his salvation, the inheritance of it: and cut the entail from all remainders, and a perpetual succession for it perpetually. 1 Sold. What's his brother, the other captain Dumain? 2 Lord. Why does he ask him of me? 1 Sold. What's he? Par. Ev'n a crow of the same nest; not alto gether so great as the first in goodness, but greater a great deal in evil. He excels his brother for a coward, yet his brother is reputed one 'Twould burst at this: Captain, I'll be no more: Let him fear this; for it will come to pass, SCENE IV. Florence. A Room in the Widow's House. [ful One of the greatest in the Christian world And by the leave of my good lord the king, Wid. Gentle madam, not this to suggest thee from thy master thou talkest of; serve him still. You never had a servant, to whose trust Your business was more welcome. Hel. Nor you, mistress, Ever a friend, whose thoughts more truly labour To recompense your love: doubt not, but heaven Hath brought me up to be your daughter's dower, As it hath fated her to be my motive And helper to a husband. But, O strange men! That can such sweet use make of what they hate, When saucy trusting of the cozen'd thoughts Defiles the pitchy night! so lust doth play With what it loather, for that which is away: But more of this hereafter:--You, Diana, Under my poor instructions yet must suffer Something in my behalf. Dia. Let death and honesty Go with your impositions, I am yours Upon your will to suffer. Hel. Yet, I pray yon, But with the word, the time will bring on sum A Room in the Countess's Palace. Enter Countess, LAFEU, and Clown. Laf. No, no, no, your son was misled with a snipt-taff at a fellowthere;whosevillanous saffron would have made all the unbaked and doughy youth of a nation in his colour: your daughterin-law had been alive at this hour; and your sou here at home, more advanced by the king, than by that red-tailed humble-bee I speak of. Count. I would, I had not known him it was the death of the most virtuous gentlewoman, that ever nature had praise for creating: if she had partaken of my flesh, and cost me the dearest groans of a mother, I could not have owed her a more rooted love. Laf. 'Twas a good lady, 'twas a good lady: we may pick a thousand salads, ere we light on Ench another herb. Clo. Indeed, sir, she was the sweet-marjoram of the salad, or rather the herb of grace. Laf. They are not salad-herbs, you knave, they are nose-herbs. Clo. I am no great Nebuchadnezzar, sir, I have not much skill in grass. knave or a fool? Laf. Whether dost thou profess thyself: a (knave at a man's. Clo. A fool, sir, at a woman's service, and a Laf. Your distinction? Clo. I would cozen the man of his wife, and do his service. Laf. So you were a knave at his service, indeed. Clo. And I would give his wife my bauble, sir, to do her service. Laf. I will subscribe for thee; thou art both Clo. At your service. [knave and fool. 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 Iaf. What prince is that? [there. Clo. The black prince, sir, alias, the prince of darkness; alias, the devil. Laf. Hold thee, there's my purse: I give thee Clo. I am a woodland fellow, sir, that always loved a great fire; and the master I speak of, ever keeps a good fire. But, sure, he is the prince of the world, let his nobility remain in 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 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 looked to, without any tricks. Clo. If I put any tricks upon 'em, sir, they shall be jades' tricks; which are their own right by the law of nature. [Exit. Laf. A shrewd kuave, and an unhappy. Count. So he is. My lord, that's gone, made himself 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. Laf. I like him well; 'tis not amiss: and I was about to tell you, since I heard of the good lady's death, and that my Jord your son was upon his return home, I moved the king my master, to speak in the behalf of my daughter, which, in the minority of them both, his majesty, out of a self-gracious remembrance, did first pro pose: his highness hath promised me to do it: and, to stop up the displeasure he hath conceived against your son, there is no fitter matter. How does your ladyship like it? Count. With very much content, my lord, and I wish it happily effected. Laf. His highness comes post from Marseilles, of as able body as when he numbered thirty; he will be here to-morrow, or I am deceived by him that in such intelligence hath seldom failed. 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. [privilege. Count. You need but plead your honourable Laf. Lady, of that I have made a bold charter; but, I thank my God, it holds yet. Re-enter Clown. Clo. O madam, yonder's my lord your son with a patch of velvet on's face: whether there be a scar under it, 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 check is worn bare. Laj. A scar nobly got, or a noble scar, is a good livery of honour; so, belike, is that. Clo. But it is your carbonadoed face. Laf. Let us go see your son, I pray you; 1 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 the head, and nod at every man. [Exeunt. Art Fifth. SCENE I. Marseilles. A Street. Enter HELENA, Widow, and DIANA, with two Attendants. Hel. But this exceeding posting, day and night, Must wear your spirits low: we cannot help it; 'pity his distress in my smiles of comfort, and But, since you have made the days and nights as leave him to your lordship. To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs, [one, This man may help me to his majesty's ear, Hel. Sir, I have seen you in the court of France. Hel. I do presume, sir, that you are not fallen Hel. Not here, sir? Gent. Hel. Gent. This I'll do for you. Hel. And you shall find yourself to be well thank'd, Whate'er falls more.-We must to horse again;— SCENE II. Rousillon. The inner Court of the Countess's Palace. Enter Clown and PAROLLES. Pur. Good Monsieur Lavatch, give my Lord Lafeu this letter: I have ere now, sir, been better known to you, when I have held familiarity with fresher clothes; but I am now, sir, muddied in fortune's moat, and smell somewhat strong of her strong displeasure. [Exit Clown. Par. My lord, I am a man whom fortune hath cruelly scratched. Laf. And what would you have me to do? 'tis too late to pare her nails now. Wherein have you played the knave with fortune, that she should scratch you, who of herself is a good lady, and would not have knaves thrive long under her? There's a quart d'ecu for you: Let the justices make you and fortune friends; I am for other business. Pur. 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. Pur. O my good lord, you were the first that 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 out. [Trumpets sound.] The king's coming, I know by his trumpets.-Sirrah, inquire further after me; I had talk of you last night: though you are a fool and a knave, you shall eat; go to, follow. Par. I praise God for you. SCENE III. The same. [Exeunt. Flourish. A Room in the Countess's Palace. King. We lost a jewel of her; and our esteem "Tis past, my liege: 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 Did to his majesty, his mother, and his lady, Clo. Truly, fortune's displeasure is but slut-Offence of mighty note; but to himself tish, if it smell so strong as thou speakest of: I will henceforth eat no fish of fortune's buttering. 'Pr'ythee, allow the wind. Pur. Nay, you need not stop your nose, sir; I 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. Par. 'Pray you, sir, deliver me this paper. Clo. Foh, 'pr'ythee, stand away; A paper from 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 muddied withal: 'Pray you, sir, use the carp as you may; for he looks like a poor, decayed, ingenious, foolish, rascally knave. I do The greatest wrong of all: he lost a wife, We are reconcil'd, and the first view shall kill Laf. All that he is hath reference to your high ness. King. Then shall we have a match. I have That set him high in fame. [letters sent me Enter BERTRAM. Laf. He looks well on't. King. I am not a day of season, For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail In me at once: But to the brightest beams Distracted clouds give way; so stand thou forth, The time is fair again. Ber. My high-repented blames, Dear sovereign, pardon to me. King. In Florence was it from a casement thrown me Plutus himself, Not one word more of the consumed time. Helen's, ment Whoever gave it you: Then if you know Ber. Admiringly, my liege: at first I stuck my choice upon her, ere my heart Durst make too bold a herald of my tongue : Where the impression of mine eye infixing, Contempt his scornful perspective did lend Which warp'd the line of every other favour; Scorn'd a fair colour, or express'd it stol'n; Extended or contracted all proportion, To a most hideous object: Thence it came, That she, whom all men prais'd, and whom myself, Since I have lost, have lov'd, was in mine eye The dust that did offend it. Or. are they meet in me O nature, cease! name Must be digested, give a favour from you, Ber. King. Thou speak'st it falsely, as I love ming honour; And mak'st conjectural fears to come into me, My fore-past proofs, howe'er the matter fall, Ber. [Exit BERTRAM, guarded. Vanquish'd thereto by the fair grace and speech King. [Reads.] Upon his many protestations to marry me, when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, he won me. Now is the Count Rousillon a widower: his vows are forfeited to me, and my honour's paid to him. He stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I follow him to his country for justice: Grant it me, Oking; in you it best lies; otherwise a seducer flourishes, and a poor maid is undone. I would relieve her: Had you that craft to reave Ber. Count. Son, on my life, I have seen her wear it; and she rockon'd it At her life's rate. To bring forth this discovery.-Seek these Go, speedily, and bring again the count. [Exeunt Gentleman, and some Attendnuts, Q I am afrard, the life of Helen, lady, to you, Now, justice on the doers Enter BERTRAM, guarded. King. I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters [ship, And that you fly them as you swear them lordYet you desire to marry.-What woman's that? Re-enter Gentleman, with Widow, and DIANA. Dia. I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine, Derived from the ancient Capulet: My suit, as I do understand you know, And therefore know how far I may be pitied. Wid. I am her mother, sir, whose age and nour King. Dia. She hath that ring of yours. Both suffer under this complaint we bring, And both shall cease, without your remedy. King. Come hither, count; Do you know these women? Ber. My lord, I neither can, nor will deny But that I know them: Do they charge me further? Dia. Why do you look so strange upon your You give away myself, which is known mine; Laf. Your reputation [To BERTRAM] comes too short for my daughter; you are no husband for her. [creature, Ber. My lord, this is a fond and desperate Whom sometime I have laughed with: let your highness Lay a more noble thought upon mine honour, Till your deeds gain them: Fairer prove your He blushes, and 'tis it: Count. King. Ber. Dia. King. Tell me, sirrah, but tell me true, I charge you, Not fearing the displeasure of your master (Which, on your just proceeding, I'll keep off), By him, and by this woman here, what know you? Par. So please your majesty, my master hath been an honourable gentleman; tricks he hath had in him, which gentlemen have. King, Come, come, to the purpose: Did ho love this woman? Par. 'Faith, sir, he did love her; But how? King. How, I pray you? Par. He did love her, sir, as a gentleman King. How is that? [loves a woman. Par. He loved her, sir, and loved her not. King. As thou art a knave, and no knave:What an equivocal companion is this? Par. I am a poor man, and at your majesty's command. [orator. Laf. He's a good drum, my lord, but a naughty Dia. Do you know, be promis'd me marriage? Par. 'Faith, I know more than I'll speak. King. But wilt thou not speak all thou know'st? Far. Yes, so please your majesty: I did go between them, as I said; but more than that, he loved her,-for, indeed, he was mad for her, and talk'd of Satau, and of limbo, and of furies, and I know not what: yet I was in that credit with them at that time, that I knew of their going to bed; and of other motions, as promising her marriage, and things that would derive me ill will to speak of, therefore I will not speak what I know. King. Thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst say they are married! But thou art too fine in thy evidence: therefore stand aside.This ring, you say, was yours? Dia. Dia. It was not given me, nor I did not buy it. Dia. |