Clo. I am a woodland fellow fir, that alwaies loued a great fire, and the mafter I fpeak of euer keeps a good fire, but fure he is the Prince of the world, let his Nobilitie remaine in's Court. I am for the house with the narrow gate, which I take to be too little for pompe to enter fome that humble themfelues may, but the manie will be too chill and tender, and theyle bee for the flowrie way that leads to the broad gate, and the great fire.

:

Laf. Go thy waies, I begin to bee a wearie of thee, and I tell thee fo before, because I would not fall out with thee. Go thy wayes, let my horfes be wel look'd too, without any trickes.

Clo. If I put any trickes vpon em fir, they fhall bee Iades trickes, which are their owne right by the law of Nature.

Laf. A fhrewd knaue and an vnhappie.

exit

Lady. So a is. My Lord that's gone made himfelfe much port out of him, by his authoritie hee remaines heere, which he thinkes is a pattent for his fawcineffe, and indeede he has no pace, but runnes where he will.

Laf. I like him well, 'tis not amiffe:and I was about to tell you, fince I heard of the good Ladies death, and that my Lord your fonne was vpon his returne home. I moued the King my mafter to fpeake in the behalfe of my daughter, which in the minoritie of them both, his Maieftie out of a felfe-gracious remembrance did first propofe, his Highneffe hath promis'd me to doe it, and to ftoppe vp the difpleasure he hath conceiued against your fonne, there is no fitter matter. How do's your Ladyship like it?

La. With verie much content my Lord, and I wish it happily effected.

Laf. His Highneffe comes poft from Marcellus, of as able bodie as when he number'd thirty, a will be heere to morrow, or I am deceiu'd, by him that in fuch intelligence hath feldome fail'd.

La. Ir reioyces me, that I hope I fhall fee him ere I die. I haue letters that my fonne will be heere to night: I fhall befeech your Lordship to remaine with mee, till they meete together.

Laf. Madam, I was thinking with what manners I might fafely be admitted.

Lad. You neede but pleade your honourable priuiledge.

Laf. Ladie, of that I haue made a bold charter, but I thanke my God, it holds yet.

Actus Quintus.

Enter Hellen, Widdow, and Diana, with
two Attendants.

Hel. But this exceeding pofting day and night,
Muft wear your fpirits low, we cannot helpe it :
But fince you haue made the daies and nights as one,
To weare your gentle limbes in my affayres,
Be bold you do to grow in my requitall,

As nothing can vnroote you. In happie time,
Enter a gentle Aftringer.

This man may helpe me to his Maiefties eare,
If he would spend his power. God saue you fir.
Gent. And you.

Hel. Sir, I haue feene you in the Court of France.
Gent. I haue beene fometimes there.

Hel. I do prefume fir, that you are not falne
From the report that goes vpon your goodnesse,
And therefore goaded with moft sharpe occafions,
Which lay nice manners by, I put you to

The vfe of your owne vertues, for the which
I fhall 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 ftore of power you haue
To come into his prefence.

Gen. The Kings not heere.

Hel. Not heere fir?

Gen. Not indeed,

He hence remou'd last night, and with more haft Then is his vfe.

Wid. Lord how we loofe our paines. Hel. All's well that ends well yet, Though time feeme so aduerfe, and meanes vnfit: I do befeech you, whither is he gone? Gent. Marrie as I take it to Roffillion, Whither I am going.

Hel. I do befeech you fir,

Since you are like to fee the King before me,
Commend the paper to his gracious hand,
Which I prefume fhall 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 fhall finde your felfe to be well thankt what e're falles more. We must to horfe againe, Go, go, prouide.

Enter Clowne and Parrolles.

Par. Good Mr Lauatch giue my Lord Lafew this letter, I haue ere now fir beene better knowne to you, when I haue held familiaritie with fresher cloathes: but I am now fir muddied in fortunes mood, and fmell fomewhat ftrong of her strong difpleasure.

Clo, Truely, Fortunes difpleasure is but fluttish if it fmell fo ftrongly as thou speak'ft of: I will hencefoorth eate no Fish of Fortunes butt'ring. Pre thee alow the winde.

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

Clo. Indeed fir, if your Metaphor ftinke, I will stop my nose, or against any mans Metaphor. Prethe get thee further. Par.

Par. Pray you fir deliuer me this paper. Clo. Foh, prethee ftand away: a paper from fortunes clofe-ftoole, to giue to a Nobleman. Looke heere he comes himfelfe.

Enter Lafew.

Clo. Heere is a purre of Fortunes fir, or of Fortunes Cat, but not a Mufcat, that ha's falne into the vncleane fish-pond of her displeasure, and as he fayes is muddied withall. Pray you fir, vse the Carpe as you may, for he lookes like a poore decayed, ingenious, foolish, rafcally knaue. I doe pittie his diftreffe in my fmiles of comfort, and leaue him to your Lordship.

Par. My Lord I am a man whom fortune hath cruelly fcratch'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 you, who of her felfe is a good Lady, and would not haue knaues thriue long vnder? There's a Cardecue for you: Let the Iuftices make you and fortune friends; I am for other bufineffe.

Par. I beseech your honour to heare mee one single word,

Laf. you begge a fingle peny more: Come you fhall ha't, faue your word.

Par. My name my good Lord is Parrolles.

Laf. You begge more then word then. Cox my paffion, giue me your hand : How does your drumme?

Par. O my good Lord, you were the first that found

mee.

for

Laf. Was I infooth? And I was the first that loft thee. Par. It lies in you my Lord to bring me in fome grace you did bring me out.

Laf. Out vpon thee knaue, doeft thou put vpon mee at once both the office of God and the diuel: one brings thee in grace, and the other brings thee out. The Kings comming I know by his Trumpets. Sirrah, inquire further after me, I had talke of you last night, though you are a foole and a knaue, you shall eate, go too, follow. Par. I praife God for you.

Flourish. Enter King, old Lady, Lafew, the two French Lords, with attendants.

Kin. We loft a lewell of her, and our esteeme Was made much poorer by it: but your fonne, As mad in folly, lack'd the fence to know

Not one word more of the consumed time,
Let's take the inftant by the forward top:
For we are old, and on our quick'st decrees
Th'inaudible, and noifeleffe foot of time
Steales, ere we can effect them. You remember
The daughter of this Lord?

Ber. Admiringly my Liege, at first

I ftucke my choice vpon her, ere my heart
Durft make too bold a herauld of my tongue :
Where the impreffion of mine eye enfixing,
Contempt his fcornfull Perfpectiue did lend me,
Which warpt the line, of euerie other fauour,
Scorn'd a faire colour, or expreft it ftolne,
Extended or contracted all proportions

To a moft hideous obiect. Thence it came,
That she whom all men prais'd, and whom my felfe,
Since I haue loft, haue lou'd; was in mine eye
The duft that did offend it.

Kin. Well excus'd :

That thou didst loue her, ftrikes fome fcores away
From the great compt: but loue that comes too late,
Like a remorsefull pardon flowly carried

To the great fender, turnes a fowre offence,
Crying, that's good that's gone : Our rafh faults,
Make triuiall price of ferious things we haue,
Not knowing them, vntill we know their graue.
Oft our difpleasures to our felues vniuft,
Destroy our friends, and after weepe their duft:
Our owne loue waking, cries to fee what's don,e
While fhamefull hate fleepes out the afternoone.
Be this fweet Helens knell, and now forget her.
Send forth your amorous token for faire Maudlin,
The maine confents are had, and heere wee'l stay
To see our widdowers fecond marriage day :
Which better then the first, O deere heauen blesse,
Or, ere they meete in me, O Nature ceffe.

Laf. Come on my fonne, in whom my houses name
Must be digefted: giue a fauour from you
To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter,

That

King. Now pray you let me fee it. For mine eye, While I was speaking, oft was faften'd too't: This Ring was mine, and when I gaue it Hellen,

I bad her if her fortunes euer stoode

Neceffitied to helpe, that by this token

I would releeue her. Had you that craft to reaue her Of what should ftead her moft?

Ber. My gracious Soueraigne,

How ere it pleases you to take it so,

The ring was neuer hers.

Old La. Sonne, on my life

I haue feene her weare it, and she reckon'd it

At her liues rate.

Laf. I am fure I saw her weare it.

Ber. You are deceiu'd my Lord, she neuer saw it : In Florence was it from a casement throwne mee, Wrap'd in a paper, which contain'd the name

Of her that threw it: Noble fhe was, and thought
I ftood ingag'd. but when I had fubfcrib'd
To mine owne fortune, and inform'd her fully,

I could not answer in that courfe of Honour

As the had made the ouerture, the ceaft

In heauie fatisfaction, and would neuer
Receiue the Ring againe.

Kin. Platus himselfe,

That knowes the tinct and multiplying med'cine,
Hath not in natures myfterie 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 felfe,
Confeffe 'twas hers, and by what rough enforcement
You got it from her. She call'd the Saints to furetie,
That she would neuer put it from her finger,
Vnleffe the gaue it to your felfe in bed,
Where you haue neuer come: or fent it vs
Vpon her great disaster.

Ber. She neuer faw it.

Kin. Thou speak'ft it falfely : as I loue mine Honor,
And mak'ft connecturall feares to come into me,
Which I would faine fhut out, if it should proue
That rhou art fo inhumane, 'twill not proue fo:
And yet I know not, thou didst hate her deadly,
And she is dead, which nothing but to close
Her eyes my felfe, could win me to beleeue,
More then to fee this Ring. Take him away,
My fore-paft proofes, how ere the matter fall
Shall taze my feares of little vanitie,

Hauing vainly fear'd too little. Away with him,
Wee'l fift this matter further.

Upon his many proteftations to marrie mee when bis wife was dead, I blush to fay it, be wonne me. Now is the Count Roffillion a Widdower, bis vores are ̧ e forfeited to mee, and my bonors payed to him. Hee ftole from Florence, taking s leaue, and I follow him to bis Countrey for Iuftice: Grant it me, O King, in you it beft lies, otherwise a seducer flourifbes, and a poore Maid is undone. Diana Capilet.

Laf. I will buy me a fonne in Law in a faire, and toule for this. Ile none of him.

Kin. The heauens haue thought well on thee Lafew, To bring forth this difcou'rie, feeke these futors: Go fpeedily, and bring againe the Count.

Enter Bertram.

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

Old La. Now iuftice on the doers.

King. I wonder fir, fir, wiues are monsters to you, And that you flye them as you fweare them Lordship, Yet you defire to marry. What woman's that?

Enter Widdow, Diana, and Parrolles. Dia. I am my Lord a wretched Florentine, Deriued from the ancient Capilet,

My fuite as I do vnderstand you know,

And therefore know how farre I may be pittied.

Wid. I am her Mother fir, whofe age and honour
Both fuffer vnder this complaint we bring,
And both fhall ceafe, without your remedie.

King. Come hether Count, do you know these Women?

Ber. My Lord, I neither can nor will denie,

But that I know them, do they charge me further ? Dia. Why do you looke fo ftrange vpon your wife? Ber. She's none of mine my Lord.

Dia. If you fhall marrie

You giue away this hand, and that is mine,

You giue away heauens vowes, and those are mine:

You giue away my felfe, which is knowne mine:

For I by vow am fo embodied yours,

That the which marries you, must marrie me,
Either both or none.

Laf. your reputation comes too fhort for my daughter, you are no husband for her.

Ber. My Lord, this is a fond and defp'rate creature, Whom fometime I haue laugh'd with: Let your highnes Lay a more noble thought vpon mine honour, Then for to thinke that I would finke it heere.

Kin. Sir for my thoughts, you 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 oath, if hee do's thinke He had not my virginity.

Kin. What faift thou to her?

Whether I haue beene too blame or no

I know not,

Ber. She's impudent my Lord,

Here's a petition from a Florentine,

And was a common gamefter to the Campe.

Who hath for foure or fiue remoues come fhort,

To tender it her felfe. I vndertooke it,

Do not beleeue him. O behold this Ring,
Whofe high refpect 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 blushes, and 'tis hit :

Of fixe preceding Ancestors, that Iemme
Confer'd by teftament to'th fequent iffue

Hath it beene owed and worne. This is his wife,
That Ring's a thousand proofes.

King. Me thought you faide

You faw one heere in Court could witneffe it.
Dia. I did my Lord, but loath am to produce
So bad an inftrument, his names Parrolles.
Laf. I faw the man to day, if man he bee.
Kin. Finde him, and bring him hether.
Ref. What of him :

He's quoted for a most pe fidious flaue

With all the fpots a'th world, taxt and debosh'd,
Whofe nature fickens : but to fpeake a truth,
Am I, or that or this for what he'l vtter,
That will speake any thing.

Kin. She hath that Ring of yours.

Ref. I thinke fhe has; certaine it is I lyk'd her, And boorded her i'th wanton way of youth: She knew her diftance, and did angle for mee, Madding my eagerneffe with her restraint, As all impediments in fancies course Are motiues of more fancie, and in fine, Her infuite comming with her moderne grace, Subdu'd me to her rate, fhe 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 iuftly dyet me. I pray you yet,

(Since you lacke vertue, I will loofe a husband) Send for your Ring, I will returne it home, And giue me mine againe.

Rof. I haue it not.

Kin. What Ring was yours I pray you?

Dian. Sir much like the fame vpon your finger.

Kin. Know you this Ring, this Ring was his of late. Dia. And this was it I gaue him being a bed. Kin. The story then goes false, you threw it him Out of a Cafement.

Dia. I haue fpoke the truth.

Enter Parolles.

Rof. My Lord, I do confeffe the ring was hers. Kin. You boggle fhrewdly, euery feather starts you: Is this the man you speake of?

Dia. 1, my Lord.

Kin. Tell me firrah, but tell me true I charge you,
Not fearing the difpleasure of your master :
Which on your iuft proceeding, Ile keepe off,

By him and by this woman heere, what know you?
Par. So please your Maiefty, my mafter hath bin an
honourable Gentleman. Trickes hee hath had in him,
which Gentlemen haue.

Kin. Come, come, to'th'purpose: Did hee loue this

woman?

Par. Faith fir he did loue her, but how.

Kin. How I pray you?

Par. He did loue her fir, as a Gent. loues a Woman.

Kin. How is that?

Par. He lou'd her fir, and lou'd her not.

Kin. As thou art a knaue and no knaue, what an equi

uocall Companion is this?

Par. I am a poore man, and at your Maiefties com

mand.

Laf. Hee's a good drumme my Lord, but a naughtie Orator.

Dian. Do you know he promist me marriage?

Par. Faith I know more then Ile speake.

Kin. But wilt thou not fpeake all thou know'ft? Par. Yes fo please your Maiefty: I did goe betweene them as I faid, but more then that he loued her, for indeede he was madde for her, and talkt of Sathan, and of Limbo, and of Furies, and I know not what yet I was in that credit with them at that time, that I knewe of their going to bed, and of other motions, as promifing her marriage, and things which would deriue mee ill will to fpeake of, therefore I will not fpeake what I know.

Kin. Thou haft spoken all alreadie, vnleffe thou canst fay they are maried, but thou art too fine in thy euidence, therefore ftand afide. 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 me, nor 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 eafie gloue my Lord, fhe goes off and on at pleasure.

Kin. This Ring was mine, I gaue it his first wife.
Dia. It might be yours or hers for ought I know.
Kin. Take her away, I do not like her now,

To prifon with her and away with him,
Vnleffe thou telft me where thou hadst this Ring,
Thou dieft within this houre.

Dia. Ile neuer tell you.

Kin. Take her away.

Dia. Ile put in baile my liedge.

Kin. I thinke thee now fome common Customer.

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

King. Wherefore haft thou accufde him al this while.
Dia. Because he's guiltie, and he is not guilty:

He knowes I am no Maid, and hee'l fweare too't:
Ile fweare I am a Maid, and he knowes not.
Great King I am no ftrumpet, by my life,

I am either Maid, or elfe this old mans wife.
Kin. She does abuse our eares, to prifon with her.
Dia. Good mother fetch my bayle. Stay Royall fir,
The Jeweller that owes the Ring is fent for,
And he shall furety me. But for this Lord,
Who hath abus'd me as he knowes himselfe,
Though yet he neuer harm'd me, heere 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 be, the feeles her yong one kicke:
So there's my riddle, one that's dead is quicke,
And now behold the meaning.

'Tis but the fhadow of a wife you fee, The name, and not the thing.

Rof. Both, both, O pardon.

Hel. Oh my good Lord, when I was like this Maid,
I found you wondrous kinde, there is your Ring,
And looke you, heeres your letter: this it fayes,
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?

Rof. If the my Liege can make me know this clearly, Ile loue her dearely, euer, euer dearly.

Hel. If it appeare not plaine, and proue vntrue, Deadly diuorce ftep betweene me and you.

O my deere mother do I fee you liuing?

Laf. Mine eyes fmell Onions, I fhall weepe anon:

Good Tom Drumme lend me a handkercher.

So I thanke thee, waite on me home, Ile make sport with thee: Let thy curtfies alone, they are fcuruy ones.

King Let vs from point to point this storie know, To make the euen truth in pleasure flow: If thou beeft yet a fresh vncropped flower, Choose thou thy husband, and Ile pay thy dower. For I can gueffe, that by thy honeft ayde, Thou keptft a wife her felfe, thy felfe a Maide. Of that and all the progreffe more and leffe, Refolduedly more leafure fhall expreffe : All yet feemes well, and if it end fo meete, The bitter paft, more welcome is the sweet. Flourish.