live, sir, in a dungeon, i' the stocks, or any where, of all your friends. so I may live.

[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.

Par. Who cannot be crushed with a plot?

1 Sold. We'll see what may be done, so you confess freely; therefore, once more to this captain Dumain: You have answered to his reputation with the duke, and to his valour: What is his honesty? Par. He will steal, sir, an egg out of a cloister; for rapes and ravishments he parallels Nessus. He 1 Lord. Good captain, will you give me a copy professes not keeping of oaths; in breaking them, of the sonnet you writ to Diana in behalf of the count he is stronger than Hercules. He will lie, sir, with Rousillon? an I were not a very coward, I'd compel such volubility, that you would think truth were a it of you; but fare you well. [Exe. Ber. Lords, &c. fool: drunkenness is his best virtue; for he will be 1 Sold. You are undone, captain: all but you swine-drunk; and in his sleep he does little harm, scarf, that has a knot on't yet. save to his bed-clothes about him; but they know his conditions, and lay him in straw. I have but 1 Sold. If you could find out a country where little more to say, sir, of his honesty: he has every but women were that had received so much shame, thing that an honest man should not have; what you might begin an impudent nation. Fare you an honest man should have, he has nothing. well, sir; I am for France too; we shall speak of 1 Lord. I begin to love him for this. you there. [Exil. Ber. For this description of thine honesty? A Par. Yet am I thankful: if my heart were great, pox upon him for me, he is more and more a cat. Twould burst at this: Captain I'll be no more; 1 Sold. What say you to his expertness in war? But I will eat and drink, and sleep as soft Par. Faith, sir, he has led the drum before the As captain shall: simply the thing I am English tragedians,—to belie him, I will not,-and Shall make me live. Who knows himself a braggart, more of his soldiership I know not; except, in that Let him fear this; for it will come to pass, country, he had the honour to be the officer at a That every braggart shall be found an ass. 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.

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.

[Eril. SCENE IV.-Florence. A room in the Widow's house. Enter Helena, Widow, and Diana.

Hel.

That you may well perceive I have not wrong'd you,

1 Sold. His qualities being at this poor price, I need not ask you, if gold will corrupt him to revolt. Par. Sir, for a quart d'ecu' he will sell the feesimple of his salvation, the inheritance of it; and One of the greatest in the Christian world cut the entail from all remainders, and a perpetual Shall be my surety; 'fore whose throne, 'tis needful, succession for it perpetually. 1 Sold. What's his brother, the other captain Time was, I did him a desired office, Ere I can perfect mine intents, to kneel:

Dumain?

2 Lord. Why does he ask him of me? 1 Sold. What's he?

Dear almost as his life; which gratitude
Through flinty Tartar's bosom would peep forth,
And answer, thanks: I duly am inform'd,

Par. E'en a crow of the same nest; not altogether His grace is at Marseilles; to which place so great as the first in goodness, but greater a great We have convenient convoy. You must know, deal in evil. He excels his brother for a coward, I am supposed dead: the army breaking, yet his brother is reputed one of the best that is: In My husband hies him home; where, heaven aiding a retreat he outruns any lackey; marry, in coming And by the leave of my good lord the king, on he has the cramp. We'll be, before our welcome. Wid.

1 Sold. If your life be saved, will you undertake to betray the Florentine?

Gentle madam, You never had a servant, to whose trust Par. Ay, and the captain of his horse, count Your business was inore welcome. Rousillon. Hel.

1 Sold. I'll whisper with the general, and know Ever a friend, whose thoughts more truly labour Nor you, mistress his pleasure. Par. I'll no more drumming; a plague of all Hath brought me up to be your daughter's dower To recompense your love; doubt not, but Heaver drums! Only to seem to deserve well, and to be-As it hath fated her to be my motives guile the supposition of that lascivious young boy And helper to a husband. But, O strange men! the count, have I run into this danger: Yet, who That can such sweet use make of what they hate, would have suspected an ambush where I was When saucy trusting of the cozen'd thoughts taken? [Aside. Defiles the pitchy night! so lust doth play

1 Sold. There is no remedy, sir, but you must With what it loaths, for that which is away: die: the general says, you, that have so traitorously But more of this hereafter:--You, Diana, discovered the secrets of your army, and made such Under my poor instructions yet must suffer pestiferous reports of men very nobly held, can Something in my behalf. serve the world for no honest use; therefore you Dia. must die. Come, headsman, off with his head. Go with your impositions, Par. O Lord, sir; let me live, or let me see my Upon your will to suffer.

death!
1 Sold. That shall you, and take your leave

(1) i. e. He will steal any thing however trifling, from any place however holy.

(2) The Centaur killed by Hercules.
(3) The fourth part of the smaller French crown.

Hel.

Let death and honesty
I am yours

But with the word, the time will bring on summe
Yet, I pray you,——
When briars shall have leaves as well as thorns,

(4) To deceive the opinion.
(5) For mover. (6) Lascivious.
i. e. An honest death.
(8) Commands.

And be as sweet as sharp. We must away;
Our wagon is prepar'd, and time revives us :
All's well that ends well: still the fine's' the crown;
Whate'er the course, the end is the renown. [Exe.

be jade's 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

SCENE V.-Rousillon. A room in the Countess's Palace. Enter Countess, Lafeu, and Clown. Laf. No, no, no, your son was misled with a where he will. snipt-taffeta fellow there; whose villanous saffron2 Laf. I like him well: 'tis not amiss: and I was would have made all the unbaked and doughy about to tell you, since I heard of the good lady's youth of a nation in his colour: your daughter-in-death, and that my lord your son was upon his relaw had been alive at this hour; and your son turn home, I moved the king my master, to speak here at home, more advanced by the king, than by in the behalf of my daughter; which, in the minothat red-tailed humble-bee I speak of. rity of them both, his majesty, out of a self-gra

Count. I would, I had not known him! it was cious remembrance, did first propose: his highthe death of the most virtuous gentlewoman, that ness hath promised me to do it: and, to stop up ever nature had praise for creating : if she had par- the displeasure he hath conceived against your son, taken of my flesh, and cost me the dearest groans there is no fitter matter. How does your ladyship of a mother, I could not have owed her a more like it? rooted love.

Count. With very much content, my lord, and I

Laf. 'Twas a good lady, 'twas a good lady: we wish it happily effected. 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.3

Laf. They are not salad-herbs, you knave, they are nose-hcrbs.

Clo. I am no great Nebuchadnezzar, sir, I have not much skill in grass.

Laf. Whether dost thou profess thyself; a knave, of a fool?

Clo. A fool, sir, at a woman's service, and a knave at a man's.

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.

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.

a

Re-enter Clown.

Clo. O madam, yonder's my lord your son with 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 check of two pile and a half, but his right check 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 carbonadoede 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.

ACT V.

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;
But, since you have made the days and nights as

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. am for the house with the narrow gate, which I take to be too little for pomp to enter: some, that To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs, humble themselves, may; but the many will be too Be bold, you do so grow in my requital, chill and tender; and they'll be for the flowery way, As nothing can unroot you. In happy time ;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

one,

Enter a gentle Astringer."

This man may help me to his majesty's ear,
If he would spend his power.-God save you, sir.
Gent. And you.

Hel. Sir, I have seen you in the court of France.
Gent. I have been sometimes there.

(5) Mischievously unhappy, waggish.
(6) Scotched like a piece of meat for the gridiron.
(7) A gentleman Falconer.

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 busi

ness.

Par. I beseech your honour, to hear me one sin 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.

Luf. Was I, in sooth? and I was the first that

Lord, how we lose our pains!
Hel. All's well that ends well; yet;
Though time scem so advérse, and means unfit.-lost thec.
I do beseech you, whither is he gone?
Gent. Marry, as I take it, to Rousillon;
Whither I am going.

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: I will come after you, with what good speed Our means will make us means.

Gent.

This I'll do for you. Hel. And you shall find yourself to be well thank'd,

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 Coun tess's Palace. Flourish. Enter King, Coun tess, Lafeu, Lords, Gentlemen, guards, &c. King. We lost a jewel of her; and our esteem' Was made much poorer by it: but your son, As mad in folly, lack'd the sense to know Her estimation home. Count.

Whate'er falls more.-We must to horse again;Go, go, provide. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Rousillon. The inner court of the Countess's Palace. Enter Clown and Parolles. Par. Good monsieur Lavatch, give my lord Lafeu this letter: I have ere now, sir, been better known And I beseech your majesty to make it to you, when I have held familiarity with fresher Natural rebellion, done i'the blaze of youth; clothes; but I am now, sir, muddied in fortune's When oil and fire, too strong for reason's force, moat, and smell somewhat strong of her strong O'erbears it, and burns on.

displeasure.

King.

'Tis past, my liege

My honour'd lady,

Clo. Truly, fortune's displeasure is but sluttish, I have forgiven and forgotten all; if it smell so strong as thou speakest of: I will Though my revenges were high bent upon him, henceforth cat no fish of fortune's buttering.And watch'd the time to shoot. Pr'ythee, allow the wind.

Par. Nay, you need not stop your nose, sir; spake but by a metaphor.

Laf.

This I must say,

But first I beg my pardon, The young lord
Did to his majesty, his mother, and his lady,
Offence of mighty note; but to himself

Clo. Indeed, sir, if your metaphor stink, I will stop my nose; or against any man's metaphor.-The greatest wrong of all: he lost a wife, 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.

Whose beauty did astonish the survey

Of richest eyes; whose words all cars took captive,
Whose dear perfection, hearts that scorn'd to serve,
Humbly call'd mistress.
King.
Praising what is lost,
Makes the remembrance dear.--Well, call him
hither;

Here is a pur of fortune's, sir, or of fortune's cat, We are reconcil'd, and the first view shall kill
(but not a musk-cat,) that has fallen into the un-All repetition :-Let him not ask our pardon;
clean fishpond of her displeasure, and, as he says, The nature of his great offence is dead,
is muddied withal: Pray you, sir, use the carp as And deeper than oblivion do we bury
you may; for he looks like a poor, decayed, inge-The incensing relics of it: let him approach,
nious, foolish, rascally knave. I do pity his dis- A stranger, no offender; and inform him,
tress in my smiles of comfort, and leave him to So 'tis our will he should.
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

(1) You need not ask ;-here it is,

(2) Reckoning or estimate.

Completely, in its full extent.

and to have nothing, is to have rich eyes and poor hands.'

(5) i. e. The first interview shall put an end te

So in As you like It:-to have seen much all recollection of the past.

Laf. All that he is hath reference to your high-Of what should stead her most?

King. Then shall we have a match. I have Howe'er it pleases you to take it so,
The ring was never hers.
Count.

I would relieve her: Had you that craft, to reave her paid to him. He stole from Florence, taking no

Grant il me, O king; in you it best lies; otherwise Conferr'd by testament to the sequent issue, a seducer flourishes, and a poor maid is undone. Hath it been ow'd and worn. This is his wife; DIANA CAPULET. That ring's a thousand proofs. King. 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,
Lafeu,

To bring forth this discovery.-Seck these suitors:-
Go, speedily, and bring again the count.

[Exeunt Gentleman, and some attendants.
I am afeard, the life of Helen, lady,
Was foully snatch'd.
Count.

Now, justice on the doers!
Enter Bertram, guarded.

King. I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to

you,

And that you fly them as you swear them lordship,
Yet 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 honour
Both suffer under this complaint we bring,
And both shall cease, without your remedy.
King. Come hither, count. Do you know these

women?

2

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 wife?
Ber. She's none of mine, my lord.
Dia.

If you shall marry,
You give away this hand, and that is mine;
You give away heaven's vows, and those are mine;
You give away myself, which is known mine;
For I by vow am so embodied yours,

That she which marries you, must marry me,
Either both, or none.

Laf. Your reputation [To Bertram.] comes too short for my daughter, you are no husband for her. Ber. My lord, this is a fond and desperate crea-] ture,

Whom sometime I have laughed with; let your

highness

Lay a more noble thought upon mine honour,
Than for to think that I would sink it here.

King. Sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to
friend,

Till your deeds gain them: Fairer prove your honour,

Than in my thought it lics!

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.3
Dia. He does me wrong, my lord; if I were so,
He might have bought me at a common price:
Do not believe him: O, behold this ring,
Whose high respect, and rich validity,

Did lack a parallel; yet, for all that,
He gave it to a commoner o' the camp,
If I be one.

Count. He blushes, and 'tis it:
Of six preceding ancestors, that gem

(1) Pay toll for him. (2) Decease, die. Gamester, when applied to a female, then (6) Debauched.

meant a common woman.

(4) Value. (5) Noted.

Methought, you said
You saw one here in court could witness it.
So bad an instrument; his name's Parolles.
Dia. I did, my lord, but loath am to produce
Laf. I saw the man to-day, if man he be.
King. Find him, and bring him hither.
Ber.
What of him?

He's quoted for a most perfidious slave,
With all the spots o' the world tax'd and debosh'd,
Whose nature sickens, but to speak a truth:
Am I or that, or this, for what he'll utter,
That will speak any thing?

King.
Ber. I think, she has: certain it is, I lik'd her
And boarded her i' the wanton way of youth:
She knew her distance, and did angle for me,
Madding my eagerness with her restraint,
As all impediments in fancy's' course
Are motives of more fancy; and, in fine,
Her insuit coming with her modern grace
Subdued me to her rate: she got the ring,
And I had that, which any inferior might
At market-price have bought.

She hath that ring of yours

Dia.

I must be patient
You, that turn'd off a first so noble wife,
May justly diet me. I pray you yet,
(Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband,)
Send for your ring, I will return it home,
And give me mine again.
Ber.
I have it not.
King, What ring was yours, I pray you?
Dia.
Sir, much like

The same upon your finger.

King. Know you this ring? this ring was his of
late.

Dia. And this was it I gave him, being a-bed.
King. The story then goes false, you threw it him

Out of a casement.
Dia.

I have spoke the truth.
Enter Parolles.

Ber. My lord, I do confess the ring was hers.
King. You boggle shrewdly, every feather starts

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 he 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 loves