All 's well that ends well : still the fine's the Clo. Why, sir, if I cannot serve you, I can crown:

serve as great a prince as you are. Whate'er the course, the end is the renown. Laf. Who's that? a Frenchman ?

[E.ceunt. Clo. Faith, sir, he has an English name; but

his phisnomy is more hotter in France than there.

Laf. What prince is that? SCENE V. - Rousillon. A Room in the COUNT- Clo. The black prince, sir; alias, the prince of Ess's Palace.

darkness; alias, the Devil.

Laf. Hold thee, there's my purse: I give thee Enter COUNTESS, LAFEU, and Clown.

not this to suggest thee from thy master thou

talk'st of; serve him still. Laf. No, no, no, your son was misled with a Clo. I am a woodland fellow, sir, that always snipt-taffeta fellow there, whose villainous saffron loved a great fire; and the master I speak of ever would have made all the unbaked and doughy youth keeps a good fire. But sure he is the prince of of a nation in his color: your daughter-in-law had the world; let his nobility remain in his court. I been alive at this hour, and son here at home, am for the house with the narrow gate, which I more advanced by the King than by that red-tailed take to be too little for pomp to enter: some that bumble-bee I speak of.

humble themselves may; but the many will be too Count. I would I had not known him! it was chill and tender, and they'll be for the flowery the death of the most virtuous gentlewoman that way that leads to the broad gate and the great fire. ever nature had praise for creating: if she had par- Laf. Go thy ways, I begin to be a-weary of thee: taken of my flesh, and cost me the dearest groans and I tell thee so before, because I would not fall of a mother, I could not have owed her a more out with thee. Go thy ways; let my horses be rooted love.

well looked to, without any

tricks. Laf. 'Twas a good lady, 't was a good lady: we Clo. If I put any tricks upon 'em, sir, they may pick a thousand salads, ere we light on such shall be jades' tricks; which are their own right another herb.

by the law of nature.

[E.cit. Clo. Indeed, sir, she was the sweet marjoram Laf. A shrewd knave, and an unhappy. of the salad ; or rather the herb of

grace.
Count. So he is. My lord that's gone

made Laf. They are not salad-herbs, you knave; they himself much sport out of him: by his authority are nose-herbs.

he remains here, which he thinks is å patent for Clo. I am no great Nebuchadnezzar, sir; I have his sauciness; and indeed he has no pace, but not much skill in grass.

where he will. Laf. Whether dost thou profess thyself-a Laf. I like him well; 't is not amiss.-And I knave or a fool ?

was about to tell you, since I heard of the good Clo. A fool, sir, at a woman's service, and a lady's death, and that my lord your son was upon knave at a man's.

his return home, I moved the King my master to Laf. Your distinction ?

speak in the behalf of my daughter: which, in the Clo. I would cozen the man of his wife, and do minority of them both, his majesty, out of a selfhis service.

gracious remembrance, did first propose.

His Laf. So you were a knave at his service, in- highness hath promised me to do it; and, to stop deed.

up the displeasure he hath conceived against your Clo. And I would give his wife my bauble, sir, son, there is no fitter matter. How does your ladyto do her service.

ship like it? Laf. I will subscribe for thee; thou art both Count. With very much content, my lord, and krave and fool.

I wish it happily effected. Clo. At your service.

Laf. His highness comes post from Marseilles, Laf. No, no, no.

of as able body as when he numbered thirty : he

runs

а

will be here to-morrow, or I am deceived by him a patch of velvet on’s face; whether there be a that in such intelligence hath seldom failed. scar under it or no, the velvet knows; but 't is a

Count. It rejoices me that I hope I shall see goodly patch of velvet. His left cheek is a cheek him ere I die. I have letters that my son will be of two pile and a half, but his right cheek is worn here to-night: I shall beseech your lordship to re- bare. main with me till they meet together.

Laf. A scar nobly got, or a noble scar, is a good Laf. Madam, I was thinking with what man- livery of honor; so belike is that. ners I might safely be admitted.

Clo. But it is your carbonadoed face. Count. You need but plead your honorable Laf. Let us go see your son, I pray you : I long privilege.

to talk with the

young

noble soldier. Laf. Lady, of that I have made a bold charter; Clo. Faith, there's a dozen of 'em, with delibut I thank my God it holds yet.

cate fine hats and most courteous feathers, which

bow the head and nod at every man. Re-enter Clown.

[E.ccunt. Clo. O madam, yonder 's my lord, your son, with

a

ACT V.

SCENE I. — Marseilles. A Street. To give this poor petition to the King;

And aid me with that store of power you have, Enter HELENA, Widow, and DIANA, with two

To come into his

presence. Attendants.

Astr. The King's not here. Hel. But this exceeding posting, day and night, Hel. Not here, sir ? Must wear your spirits low: we cannot help it: Astr.

Not, indeed : But since you have made the days and nights as He hence removed last night, and with more one,

haste To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs,

Than is his use. Be bold you do so grow in my requital

Wid. Lord, how we lose our pains ! As nothing can unroot you. In happy time ;- Hel. All's well that ends well, yet;

Though time seems so advérse, and means unfit.-
Enter a Gentle Astringer.

I do beseech you, whither has he gone ?
This man may help me to his majesty's ear,. Astr. Marry, as I take it, to Rousillon;
If he would spend his power.— God save you, sir. Whither I am going.
Astr. And you.

Hel. I do beseech you, sir,
Hel. Sir, I have seen you in the court of Since you are like to see the King before me,
France.

Commend the paper to his gracious hand; Astr. I have been sometimes there.

Which, I presume, shall render you no blame, Hel. I do presume, sir, that you are not fallen But rather make you thank your pains for it. From the report that goes upon your goodness : I will come after you, with what good speed And therefore, goaded with most sharp occasions, Our means will make us means. Which lay nice manners by, I put you to

Ι

Astr. The use of your own virtues, for the which

Iel. And you shall find yourself to be well I shall continue thankful.

thanked, Astr. What's

your
will ?

Whate'er falls more.-We must to horse again : Hel. That it will please you

Go, go, provide.

[E.ceunt.

I'll do for you.

SCENE II.-Rousillon. The inner Court of the

COUNTESS's Palace.

Laf. You beg more than one word, then.Cox' my passion! give me your hand : how does

your drum?

a

Enter Clown and PAROLLES.

Par. O my good lord, you were the first that Par. Good Monsieur Lavatch, give my lord found me. Lafeu this letter. I have ere now, sir, been better Laf. Was I, in sooth ? and I was the first that known to you, when I have held familiarity with lost thee. fresher clothes; but I am now, sir, muddied in Par. It lies in you, my lord, to bring me in fortune's mood, and smell somewhat strong of her some grace, for you did bring me out. strong displeasure.

Laf. Out upon thee, knave! dost thou put upon Clo. Truly, fortune's displeasure is but sluttish, me at once both the office of God and the Devil ? if it smell so strong as thou speakest of: I will one brings thee in grace, and the other brings thee henceforth eat no fish of fortune's buttering. Pr’y- out. [Trumpets sound] The King's coming, I thee, allow the wind.

know by his trumpets.- Sirrah, inquire further Par. Nay, you need not stop your nose, sir: I after me: I had talk of you last night: though spake but by a metaphor.

you are a fool and a knave, you shall eat: go to, Clo. Indeed, sir, if your metaphor stink, I will follow. stop my nose; or against any man's metaphor. Par. I praise God for you.

[Exeunt. Pr'y thee, get thee further.

Par. Pray you, sir, deliver me this paper.

Clo. Toh, pr'y thee, stand away. A paper from SCENE III.— The same. A Room in the COUNTfortune's closestool to give to a nobleman ! — Look,

Ess's Palace. here he comes himself.

Flourish. Enter King, COUNTESS, LAFEU, Lords. Enter LAFEU.

Gentlemen, Guards, &c. Here is a pur of fortune's, sir, or of fortune's cat King. We lost a jewel of her, and our esteem (but not a musk-cat), that has fallen into the un- Was made much poorer by it: but your son, clean fishpond of her displeasure, and, as he says, As mad in folly, lacked the sense to know is muddied withal. Pray you, sir, use the carp as Her estimation home. you may; for he looks like a poor, decayed, inge- Count. 'T is past, my liege : nious, foolish, rascally knave. I do pity his dis- And I beseech your majesty to make it tress in my smiles of comfort, and leave him to Natural rebellion, done i’ the blaze of youth ; your lordship.

[Exit Clown. When oil and fire, too strong for reason's force, Par. My lord, I am a man whom fortune hath O'erbears it, and burns on. cruelly scratched.

King. My honored lady, Laf. And what would you have me to do? 't is I have forgiven and forgotten all; too late to pare her nails now. Wherein have you Though my revenges were high bent upon him, played the knave with fortune, that she should And watched the time to shoot. scratch you, who of herself is a good lady, and Laf.

This I must say, — would not have knaves thrive long under her? But first I beg my pardon,- the young lord There's a quart d'écu for you: let the justices Did to his majesty, his mother, and his lady, make you and fortune friends; I am for other Offense of mighty note; but to himself business.

The greatest wrong of all: he lost a wife Par. I beseech your honor to hear me one single Whose beauty did astonish the survey word.

Of richest eyes; whose words all ears took captive; Laf. You beg a single penny more : come, you Whose dear perfection hearts that scorned to serve shall ha't; save your word.

Humbly called mistress.
Par. My name, my good lord, is Parolles. King. Praising what is lost

a

ness.

а

Makes the remembrance dear.-Well, call him King. Well excused : hither:

That thou didst love her, strikes some scores away We are reconciled, and the first view shall kill From the great compt. But love that comes too All repetition.— Let him not ask our pardon :

late, The nature of his great offense is dead,

Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried, And deeper than oblivion do we bury

To the great sender turns a sour offense, The incensing relics of it: let him approach, Crying “That's good that's gone." Our rash A stranger, no offender; and inform him

faults So 't is our will he should.

Make trivial price of serious things we have, Gent. I shall, my liegc.

Not knowing them until we know their grave:

[Exit Gentleman. Oft our displeasures, to ourselves unjust, King. What says he to your daughter ? have Destroy our friends, and after weep their dust : you spoke ?

Our own love waking cries to see what's done, Laf. All that he is hath reference to your high-While shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon.

Be this sweet Helen's knell, and now forget her. King. Then shall we have a match. I have Send forth your amorous token for fair Maudlin : letters sent me

The main consents are had; and here we'll stay That set him high in fame.

To see our widower's second marriage-day.

Count. Which better than the first, 0 dear Enter BERTRAM.

Heaven, bless! Laf. He looks well on't.

Or ere they meet, in me, O naturo, cease ! King. I am not a day of season,

Laf. Come on, my son, in whom my house's For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail

name
In me at once: but to the brightest beams Must be digested, - give a favor from you,
Distracted clouds give way; so stand thou forth, To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter,
The time is fair again.

That she may quickly come.— By my old beard,

Ber. My high-repented blames,

And
every

hair that's on 't, Helen that's dead Dear sovereign, pardon to me.

Was a sweet creature ! such a ring as this,
King.
All is whole;

The last that e'er I took her leave at court,
Not one word more of the consumed time.

I saw upon her finger. Let's take the instant by the forward top:

Ber. Hers it was not. For we are old, and on our quick'st decrces King. Now, pray you let me see it; for mine The inaudible and noiseless foot of time

eye, Steals, ere we can effect them. You remember While I was speaking, oft was fastened to 't.-The daughter of this lord ?

This ring was mine; and when I gave it Helen, Ber. Admiringly, my liege : at first

I bade her, if her fortunes ever stood I stuck

my

choice upon her, ere my heart Necessitied to help, that by this token Durst make too bold a herald of my tongue :

I would relieve her. Had you that craft, to reave Where the impression of mine eye infixing,

her Contempt his scornful pérspective did lend me,

Of what should stead her most? Which warped the line of every other favor ;

Ber. My gracious sovereign, Scorned a fair color, or expressed it stol'n; Howe'er it pleases you to take it so, Extended or contracted all proportions,

The ring was never hers. To a most hideous object. Thence it came,

Count. Son, on my life, That she whom all men praised, and whom my I have seen her wear it; and she reckoned it self

At her life's rate.
Since I have lost have loved, was in mine eye Laf. I am sure I saw her wear it.
The dust that did offend it.

Ber. You are deceived, my lord, she never saw it:

a

a

come

Whoever gave

In Florence was it from a casement thrown me, Whether I have been to blame or no, I know not:
Wrapped in a paper, which contained the name Here's a petition from a Florentine,
Of her that threw it: noble she was, and thought Who hath, for four or five removes, short
I stood engaged: but when I had subscribed To tender it herself. I undertook it,
To mine own fortune, and informed her fully Vanquished thereto by the fair grace and speech
I could not answer in that course of honor Of the poor suppliant, who by this, I know
As she had made the overture, she ceased, Is here attending : her business looks in her
In heavy satisfaction, and would never

With an importing visage; and she told me, Receive the ring again.

In a sweet verbal brief, it did concern King. Plutus himself,

Your highness with herself.
That knows the tinct and multiplying medicine,

KING reads.
Ilath not in nature's mystery more science
Than I have in this ring: 't was mine, 't was

"Upon his many protestations to marry me when bis Helen's,

wife was dead, I blush to say it, he won me. Now is the it you. Then, if you know

Count Rousillon a widower; his rows are forfeited to That you are well acquainted with yourself, me, and my honor's paid to him. He stole from FlorConfess 't was hers, and by what rough enforce-ence, taking no leave, and I follow him to his country

for justice. Grant it me, O King: in you it best lies : ment

otherwise a seducer flourishes, and a poor maid is unYou got it from her : she called the saints to

done.

“Diaxa CAPULET." surety That she would never put it from her finger, Laf. I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and Unless she gave it to yourself in bed

toll for this : I'll none of him. (Where you have never come), or sent it us King. The heavens have thought well on thee, Upon her great disaster.

Lafeu, Ber. She never saw it.

To bring forth this discovery.— Seek these suitors: King. Thou speak’st it falsely, as I love mine Go speedily, and bring again the Count. honor;

[Exeunt the Astringer and some Attendants.
And mak'st conjectural fears to come into me, I am afeard the life of Helen, lady,
Which I would fain shut out. If it should prove Was foully snatched.
That thou art so inhuman,-'t will not prove so;- Count. Now, justice on the doers !
And yet I know not: thou didst hate her deadly,

Enter BERTRAM, guarded.
And she is dead; which nothing but to close
Her eyes myself could win me to believe,

King. I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to More than to see this ring. - Take him away.

you, [Guards seize BERTRAM. And that you fly them as you swear them lordMy forepast proofs, howe'er the matter fall,

ship, Shall tax my fears of little vanity,

Yet you desire to marry.—What woman 's that? Having vainly feared too little.—Away with bim : We'll sift this matter further.

Re-enter the Astringer, with Widow, and DIANA. Ber. If you shall prove

Dia. I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine, This ring was ever hers, you shall as easy

Derived from the ancient Capulet : Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence, My suit, as I do understand, you know, Where yet she never was.

And therefore know how far I

may

be pitied. [E.cit BERTRAM, guarded. Wid. I am her mother, sir, whose

age

and honor Both suffer under this complaint we bring; Enter the Astringer.

And both shall cease, without your remedy. King. I am wrapped in dismal thinkings. King. Come hither, Count : do you know these Astr. Gracious sovereign,

women?