And Fortune play upon thy profp'rous helm, Ber. This very day, Great Mars, I put myself into thy file; Make me but like my thoughts, and I fhall prove A lover of thy drum; hater of love. [Exeunt. Changes to Roufillon in France. Enter Countefs and Steward. Count. Alas! and would you take the letter of her? Might you not know, fhe would do, as fhe has done, By fending me a letter? Read it again. LETTER. I am St Jaques' pilgrim, thither gone; I, his defpiteful Funo, fent him forth Ah, what sharp ftings are in her mildeft words? Stew. Pardon, Madam, If I had given you this at over-night, She might have been o'er-ta'en; and yet fhe writes, Count. What angel fhall Blefs this unworthy husband? he cannot thrive, And loves to grant, reprieve him from the wrath To make diftinction; provide this meffenger; Grief would have tears, and forrow bids me speak. SCENE VII. [Exeunt. Changes to a public place in Florence. Enter an old Widow of Florence, Diana, Violenta, and Wid. Nay, come. For if they do approach the city, we shall lofe all the fight. Dia. They fay the French Count has done moft honourable fervice. Wid. It is reported, that he has ta'en their greatest commander; and that with his own hand he flew the Duke's brother. We have loft our labour, they are gone a contrary way: hark, you may know by their trumpets. Mar. Come, let's return again, and fuffice ourselves with the report of it. Well, Diana, take heed of this French Earl; the honour of a maid is her name, and no legacy is fo rich as honefty. Wid. I have told my neighbour how you have been folicited by a gentleman his companion. Mar. I know that knave, (hang him!) one Parolles; a filthy officer he is in thofe fuggeftions for the young Earl; beware of them, Diana; their promises, A& 111. enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of luft, are the things they go under; many a maid hath been feduced by them; and the mifery is, example, that fo terrible fhews in the wreck of maidenhood, cannot for all that diffuade fucceffion, but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten them. I hope I need not to advise you further; but I hope your own grace will keep you where you are, though there were no further danger found but the modesty which is fo lost. Dia. You fhall not need to fear me. Enter Helena, difguis'd like a pilgrim. Wid. I hope fo-Look, here comes a pilgrim; I know she will lie at my houfe; thither they send one another; I'll queftion her: God fave you, pilgrim ! whither are you bound? Hel. To St Jaques le Grand. Where do the palmers lodge, I do befeech you? If Wid. At the St Francis, befide the port. Hel. Is this the way? Wid. Ay, marry, is 't. way. [A march afar off. Hark you, they come this you will tarry, holy pilgrim, but till the troops come I will conduct you where you fhall be lodg'd; The rather, for 1 think I know your hoftefs As ample as myself. Hel. Is it yourfelf? Wid. If you fhall pleafe fo, pilgrim. [by, Hel. I thank you, and will stay upon your leifure. Wid. You came, I think, from France. Hel. I did fo. Wid. Here you fhall fee a countryman of your's, That has done worthy fervice. Fel. His name, I pray you? Dia. The Count Roufillon: know you fuch a one? Hel. But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him; His face I know not. Dia. Whatfoe'er he is, He's bravely taken here. He ftole from France, As 'tis reported; for the King had married him Againft his liking. Think you it is fo? Hel. Ay, furely, merely truth; I know his lady. Dia. There is a gentleman that ferves the count, Hel. Oh, I believe with him, I have not heard examin'd. Dia. Alas, poor lady! 'Tis a hard bondage, to become the wife Of a detefting Lord. Wid. Ah! right; good creature! wherefoe'er she is Her heart weighs fadly; this young maid might do her A fhrewd turn, if she pleas'd. Hel. How do you mean? In the unlawful purpose. Wid. He does indeed; And brokes with all that can in fuch a fuit But the is arm'd for him, and keeps her guard SCENE VIII. Drum and Colours. Enter Bertram, Parolles, Officers and Soldiers attending. Mar. The Gods forbid elfe! Wid. So now they come : That is Antonio, the Duke's eldest fon; That, Efcalus. Hel. Which is the Frenchman? Dia. He; That with the plume; 'tis a moft gallant fellow; I would he lov'd his wife! if he were honefter, He were much goodlier. Is't not a handsome gentle man? Hel. I like him well. Dia. 'Tis pity he is not honeft; yond's that fame knave, That leads him to thefe places; were I his lady, I'd poifon that vile rascal. Hel. Which is he? Dia. That jack-an-apes with fearfs. Why is he melancholy? Hel. Perchance he's hurt i' th' battle. Par. Lofe our drum! well. Mar. He's fhrewdly vex'd at fomething. Look, he hath fpied us. Wid. Marry, hang you! [Exeunt Bertram, Parolles, &c. Mar. And your courtefy, for a ring-carrier ! Wid. The troop is pafs'd. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you Where you fhall hoft: Of injoin'd penitents There's four or five, to great St Jaques bound, Hel. I humbly thank you: Please it this matron, and this gentle maid To eat with us to-night, the charge and thanking I will beftow fome precepts on this virgin Worthy the note. Both. We'll take your offer kindly. SCENE [Exeunt, IX. Enter Bertram, and the two French Lords. 1 Lord. Nay, good my Lord, put him to't: let him have his way. 2 Lord. If your Lordship find him not a hilding, hold me no more in your respect. I Lord. On my life, my Lord, a bubble. Ber. Do you think I am fo far deceiv'd in him? I Lord. Believe it, my Lord, in mine own direct knowledge, without any malice, but to fpeak of him as my kinfman; he's a moft notable coward, an infinite and endless lyar, an hourly promife-breaker, the owner of no one good quality worthy your Lordship's entertainment. 2 Lord. It were fit you knew him, left, repofing too far in his virtue, which he hath not, he might |