simple of his salvation, the inheritance of it; and My husband hies him home; where, heaven aidcut the entail from all remainders, and a perpetual And by the leave of my good lord the king, [ing, succession for it perpetually. We'll be, before our welcome. Gentle madam, 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. E'en a crow of the same nest; not altogether 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 of the best that is: In a retreat he out-runs any lackey; marry, in coming on he has the cramp. 1 Sold. If your life be saved, will you undertake to betray the Florentine? Par. Ay, and the captain of his horse, count Rousillon. 1 Sold. I'll whisper with the general, and know his pleasure. 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, and made such pestiferous reports of men very nobly held, can serve the world for no honest use; therefore you must die. Come, headsmen, off with his head. Wid. You never had a servant, to whose trust Hel. Nor you, mistress, [Exeunt. A Room in the Countess's Palace. Par. O Lord, sir; let me live, or let me see my SCENE V.-Rousillon. death! 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. 2 Lord. God bless you, captain Parolles. 1 Lord. God save you, noble captain. 2 Lord. Captain, what greeting will you to my lord Lafeu ? I am for France. 1 Lord. Good captain, will you give me a copy of the sonnet you writ to Diana in behalf of the count Rousillon? an I were not a very coward, I'd compel it of you; but fare you well. [Exeunt Bertram, Lords, &c. 1 Sold. You are undone, captain: all but your scarf, that has a knot on't yet. 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 am I thankful: if my heart were great, "Twould burst at this: Captain, I'll be no more; But I will eat and drink, and sleep as soft As captain shall, simply the thing I am Shall make me live. Who knows himself a bragLet him fear this; for it will come to pass, [gart, That every braggart shall be found an ass. Rust, sword! cool, blushes! and, Parolles, live Safest in shame! being fool'd, by foolery thrive! There's place, and means, for every man alive. I'll after them. [Exit. SCENE IV.-Florence, A Room in the Widow's Enter Helena, Widow, and Diana. Hel. That you may well perceive I have not One of the greatest in the Christian world Enter Countesa, Lafeu, and Clown. Laf. No, no, no, your son was misled with a snipt-taffata fellow there; whose villainous saffron would have made all the unbaked and doughy youth of a nation in his colour: your daughter-inlaw had been alive at this hour; and your son 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 such 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. Laf. Whether dost thou profess thyself; a knave or a fool? Clo. A fool, sir, at a woman's service, and a knave at a man's. 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. to do her service. Laf. I will subscribe for thee; thou art both knave and fool. 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. Laf. Hold thee, there's my purse: I give thee not this to suggest thee from thy master thou talkest of; serve him still. Enter a gentle Astringer. 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 This man may help me to his majesty's ear, the world, let his nobility remain in his court. IIf he would spend his power.-God save you, sir am for the house with the narrow gate, which I Gent. And you. 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 tire. 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 knave, 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 lord 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 propose: his highness hath promis'd 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 ? Hel. Sir, I have seen you in the court of France. Hel. I do presume, sir, that you are not fallen What's your will? Hel. That it will please you Hel. Gent. Not here, sir? Not, indeed : Wid. 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 thank your pains for it: Count. With very much content, my lord, and II will come after you, with what good speed wish it happily effected. Our means will make us means. Gent. 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. Count. You need but plead your honourable privilege. 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 cheek is worn bare. Laf. 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; 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 the head, and nod at every man. [Exeunt. 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; But since you have made the days and nights as one, To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs, 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 Enter Clown and Parolles. this letter: I have ere now, sir, been better known Par. Good monsieur Lavatch, give my lord Lafeu clothes; but I am now, sir, muddied in fortune's to you, when I have held familiarity with fresher moat, and smell somewhat strong of her strong displeasure. Clo. Truly, fortune's displeasure is but sluttish, henceforth eat no fish of fortune's buttering. if it smell so strong as thou speakest of: I will Pr'ythee, allow the wind. spake but by a metaphor. stop my nose; or against any man's metaphor. Par. Pray you, sir, deliver me this paper. Clo. Foh, pr'ythee, stand away; A paper from here he comes himself. fortune's close-stool to give to a nobleman! Look, 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 fish-pond of her displeasure, and, as be 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 pity his distress in my smiles of comfort, and leave him to your lordship. [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 decu for you: Let the justices | Not one word more of the consumed time. Par. I beseech your honour, to hear me one sin-The inaudible and noiseless foot of time gle word. Laf. You beg a single penny more: come, you shall ha't; save your word. Par. My name, my good lord, is Parolles. Laf. You beg more than one word then.-Cox' my passion! give me your hand: How does 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. 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. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. A Room in the Countess's Palace. Steals ere we can effect them: You remember Ber. Admiringly, my liege: at first Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried, Flourish. Enter King, Countess, Lafeu, Lords, Our own love waking cries to see what's done, Gentlemen, Guards, &c. King. We lost a jewel of her; and our esteem Count. 'Tis past, my liege: King. My honour'd lady, Laf. Of richest eyes; whose words all ears took captive; Praising what is lost, Makes the remembrance dear. Well, call him We are reconcil'd, and the first view shall kill The incensing relicks of it: let him approach, I shall, my liege. Laf. ness. Enter Bertram. He looks well on't. My high-repented blames, Ber. While shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon. Count. Which better than the first, O dear hea Or, ere they meet in me, O nature, cease! name Laf. I am sure, I saw her wear it. Ber. You are deceiv'd, my lord, she never saw it. King. Unless she gave it to yourself in bed, And mak'st conjectural fears to come into me, If you shall prove Gent. King. I am wrapp'd in dismal thinkings. Lay a more noble thought upon mine honour, King. Sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to Dia. Till your deeds gain them: Fairer prove your ho- King. What say'st thou to her ? She's impudent, my lord; Dia. He does me wrong, my lord; if I were so, Count. He blushes, and 'tis it : Of six preceding ancestors, that gem King. Ber. Methought, you said, You saw one here in court could witness it. Dia. I did, my lord, but loath am to produce So bad an instrument; his name's Parolles. King. [Reads.] Upon his many protestations to Laf. I saw the man to day, if man he be. marry me, when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, King. Find him, and bring him hither. he won me. Now is the count Rousillon a widower He's quoted for a most perfidious slave, What of him? his vows are forfeited to me, and my honour's paid With all the spots o' the world tax'd and debosh'd, to him. He stole from Florence, taking no leave, Whose nature sickens, but to speak a truth: and I follow him to his country for justice: Grant Am I or that, or this, for what he'll utter, it me, O king; in you it best lies; otherwise a sedu-That will speak any thing? cer flourishes, and a poor maid is undone. Diana Capulet. Laf. I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll him for this, I'll none of him. King. The heavens have thought well on thee, To bring forth this discovery.-Seek these suitors: [Exeunt Gentleman, and some Attendants. Now, justice on the doers ! you, And that you fly them as you swear them lordship, Re-enter Gentleman, with Widow, and Diana. Ber. My lord, I neither can, nor will deny If you shall marry, King. Ber. I have it not. Dia. Dia. I have spoke the truth. Enter Parolles. 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. Laf. He's a good drum, my lord, but a naughty orator. King. She does abuse our ears; to prison with her. Dia. Good mother, fetch my bail.-Stay, royal Ber. Re-enter Widow, with Helena. Is there no exorcist Both, both; O, pardon ! Hel. O, my good lord, when I was like this maid, King. Dia. Do you know, he promised me marriage? Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes? Par. 'Faith, I know more than I'll speak. Is't real, that I see? King. But wilt thou not speak all thou know'st? Hel. No, my good lord; Par. Yes, so please your majesty; I did go be-Tis but the shadow of a wife you see, tween them, as I said; but more than that, he The name, and not the thing. loved her, for, indeed, he was mad for her, and talked of Satan, 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. Ay, my good lord. It was not lent me neither. Dia. I never gave it him. Laf. This woman's an easy glove, my lord; she goes off and on at pleasure. King. This ring was mine, I gave it his first wife. King. Take her away, I do not like her now; King. Take her away. Dia. I'll never tell you. I'll put in bail, my liege. King. I think thee now some common customer. Dia. By Jove, if ever I knew man, 'twas you. King. Wherefore hast thou accus'd him all this while? Dia. Because he's guilty, and he is not guilty: I found you wond'rous kind. There is your ring, And, look you, here's your letter; This it says, When from my finger you can get this ring, And are by me with child, &c. This is done: Will you be mine, now you are doubly won? Ber. If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly, I'll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly. Hel. If it appear not plain, and prove untrue, Laf. Mine eyes smell onions, I shall weep anon:-Good Tom Drum, [to Parolles.] lend me a handkerchief:-So, I thank thee; wait on me home, I'll make sport with thee: Let thy courtesies alone, they are scurvy ones. King. Let us from point to point this story To make the even truth in pleasure flow :- [To Diana. |