All’s Well That Ends Well

1 Enter Lafew and Bertram.
2 LAFEW.
3 But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier.
4 BERTRAM.
5 Yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof.
6 LAFEW.
7 You have it from his own deliverance.
8 BERTRAM.
9 And by other warranted testimony.
10 LAFEW.
11 Then my dial goes not true; I took this lark for a bunting.
12 BERTRAM.
13 I do assure you, my lord, he is very great in knowledge, and
14 accordingly valiant.
15 LAFEW.
16 I have, then, sinned against his experience and transgressed against
17 his valour; and my state that way is dangerous, since I cannot yet find
18 in my heart to repent. Here he comes; I pray you make us friends; I
19 will pursue the amity.
20 Enter Parolles.
21 PAROLLES.
22 [_To Bertram._] These things shall be done, sir.
23 LAFEW.
24 Pray you, sir, who’s his tailor?
25 PAROLLES.
26 Sir!
27 LAFEW.
28 O, I know him well, I, sir; he, sir, is a good workman, a very good
29 tailor.
30 BERTRAM.
31 [_Aside to Parolles._] Is she gone to the king?
32 PAROLLES.
33 She is.
34 BERTRAM.
35 Will she away tonight?
36 PAROLLES.
37 As you’ll have her.
38 BERTRAM.
39 I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure,
40 Given order for our horses; and tonight,
41 When I should take possession of the bride,
42 End ere I do begin.
43 LAFEW.
44 A good traveller is something at the latter end of a dinner; but one
45 that lies three-thirds and uses a known truth to pass a thousand
46 nothings with, should be once heard and thrice beaten.— God save you,
47 Captain.
48 BERTRAM.
49 Is there any unkindness between my lord and you, monsieur?
50 PAROLLES.
51 I know not how I have deserved to run into my lord’s displeasure.
52 LAFEW.
53 You have made shift to run into ’t, boots and spurs and all, like him
54 that leapt into the custard; and out of it you’ll run again, rather
55 than suffer question for your residence.
56 BERTRAM.
57 It may be you have mistaken him, my lord.
58 LAFEW.
59 And shall do so ever, though I took him at his prayers. Fare you well,
60 my lord; and believe this of me, there can be no kernal in this light
61 nut; the soul of this man is his clothes; trust him not in matter of
62 heavy consequence; I have kept of them tame, and know their natures.
63 Farewell, monsieur; I have spoken better of you than you have or will
64 to deserve at my hand; but we must do good against evil.
65 [_Exit._]
66 PAROLLES.
67 An idle lord, I swear.
68 BERTRAM.
69 I think so.
70 PAROLLES.
71 Why, do you not know him?
72 BERTRAM.
73 Yes, I do know him well; and common speech
74 Gives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog.
75 Enter Helena.
76 HELENA.
77 I have, sir, as I was commanded from you,
78 Spoke with the king, and have procur’d his leave
79 For present parting; only he desires
80 Some private speech with you.
81 BERTRAM.
82 I shall obey his will.
83 You must not marvel, Helen, at my course,
84 Which holds not colour with the time, nor does
85 The ministration and required office
86 On my particular. Prepared I was not
87 For such a business; therefore am I found
88 So much unsettled: this drives me to entreat you;
89 That presently you take your way for home,
90 And rather muse than ask why I entreat you:
91 For my respects are better than they seem;
92 And my appointments have in them a need
93 Greater than shows itself at the first view
94 To you that know them not. This to my mother.
95 [_Giving a letter._]
96 ’Twill be two days ere I shall see you; so
97 I leave you to your wisdom.
98 HELENA.
99 Sir, I can nothing say
100 But that I am your most obedient servant.
101 BERTRAM.
102 Come, come, no more of that.
103 HELENA.
104 And ever shall
105 With true observance seek to eke out that
106 Wherein toward me my homely stars have fail’d
107 To equal my great fortune.
108 BERTRAM.
109 Let that go.
110 My haste is very great. Farewell; hie home.
111 HELENA.
112 Pray, sir, your pardon.
113 BERTRAM.
114 Well, what would you say?
115 HELENA.
116 I am not worthy of the wealth I owe;
117 Nor dare I say ’tis mine, and yet it is;
118 But, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal
119 What law does vouch mine own.
120 BERTRAM.
121 What would you have?
122 HELENA.
123 Something; and scarce so much; nothing indeed.
124 I would not tell you what I would, my lord. Faith, yes,
125 Strangers and foes do sunder and not kiss.
126 BERTRAM.
127 I pray you, stay not, but in haste to horse.
128 HELENA.
129 I shall not break your bidding, good my lord.
130 Where are my other men, monsieur?
131 Farewell,
132 [_Exit Helena._]
133 BERTRAM.
134 Go thou toward home, where I will never come
135 Whilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum.
136 Away, and for our flight.
137 PAROLLES.
138 Bravely, coragio!
139 [_Exeunt._]