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Speeches (Lines) for (stage directions)
in "All's Well That Ends Well"

Total: 99

---
# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

I,1,1

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter BERTRAM, the COUNTESS of Rousillon, HELENA,]
and LAFEU, all in black]


2

I,1,73

Countess. Heaven bless him! Farewell, Bertram.

(stage directions). [Exit]


3

I,1,79

Lafeu. Farewell, pretty lady: you must hold the credit of
your father.

(stage directions). [Exeunt BERTRAM and LAFEU]


4

I,1,188

Helena. That wishing well had not a body in't,
Which might be felt; that we, the poorer born,
Whose baser stars do shut us up in wishes,
Might with effects of them follow our friends,
And show what we alone must think, which never
Return us thanks.

(stage directions). [Enter Page]


5

I,1,190

Page. Monsieur Parolles, my lord calls for you.

(stage directions). [Exit]


6

I,1,217

Parolles. I am so full of businesses, I cannot answer thee
acutely. I will return perfect courtier; in the
which, my instruction shall serve to naturalize
thee, so thou wilt be capable of a courtier's
counsel and understand what advice shall thrust upon
thee; else thou diest in thine unthankfulness, and
thine ignorance makes thee away: farewell. When
thou hast leisure, say thy prayers; when thou hast
none, remember thy friends; get thee a good husband,
and use him as he uses thee; so, farewell.

(stage directions). [Exit]


7

I,1,232

Helena. Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie,
Which we ascribe to heaven: the fated sky
Gives us free scope, only doth backward pull
Our slow designs when we ourselves are dull.
What power is it which mounts my love so high,
That makes me see, and cannot feed mine eye?
The mightiest space in fortune nature brings
To join like likes and kiss like native things.
Impossible be strange attempts to those
That weigh their pains in sense and do suppose
What hath been cannot be: who ever strove
So show her merit, that did miss her love?
The king's disease—my project may deceive me,
But my intents are fix'd and will not leave me.

(stage directions). [Exit]


8

I,2,233

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Flourish of cornets. Enter the KING of France,]
with letters, and divers Attendants]


9

I,2,257

King of France. What's he comes here?

(stage directions). [Enter BERTRAM, LAFEU, and PAROLLES]


10

I,2,322

Bertram. Thank your majesty.

(stage directions). [Exeunt. Flourish]


11

I,3,323

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter COUNTESS, Steward, and Clown]


12

I,3,413

Clown. That man should be at woman's command, and yet no
hurt done! Though honesty be no puritan, yet it
will do no hurt; it will wear the surplice of
humility over the black gown of a big heart. I am
going, forsooth: the business is for Helen to come hither.

(stage directions). [Exit]


13

I,3,589

Countess. Why, Helen, thou shalt have my leave and love,
Means and attendants and my loving greetings
To those of mine in court: I'll stay at home
And pray God's blessing into thy attempt:
Be gone to-morrow; and be sure of this,
What I can help thee to thou shalt not miss.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


14

II,1,590

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Flourish of cornets. Enter the KING, attended]
with divers young Lords taking leave for the
Florentine war; BERTRAM, and PAROLLES]


15

II,1,618

King of France. Farewell. Come hither to me.

(stage directions). [Exit, attended]


16

II,1,644

First Lord. We shall, noble captain.

(stage directions). [Exeunt Lords]


17

II,1,647

Bertram. Stay: the king.

(stage directions). [Re-enter KING. BERTRAM and PAROLLES retire]


18

II,1,658

Parolles. Worthy fellows; and like to prove most sinewy sword-men.

(stage directions). [Exeunt BERTRAM and PAROLLES]


19

II,1,659

(stage directions). [Exeunt BERTRAM and PAROLLES]

(stage directions). [Enter LAFEU]


20

II,1,695

Lafeu. Nay, I'll fit you,
And not be all day neither.

(stage directions). [Exit]


21

II,1,697

King of France. Thus he his special nothing ever prologues.

(stage directions). [Re-enter LAFEU, with HELENA]


22

II,1,705

Lafeu. Nay, come your ways:
This is his majesty; say your mind to him:
A traitor you do look like; but such traitors
His majesty seldom fears: I am Cressid's uncle,
That dare leave two together; fare you well.

(stage directions). [Exit]


23

II,1,823

King of France. Here is my hand; the premises observed,
Thy will by my performance shall be served:
So make the choice of thy own time, for I,
Thy resolved patient, on thee still rely.
More should I question thee, and more I must,
Though more to know could not be more to trust,
From whence thou camest, how tended on: but rest
Unquestion'd welcome and undoubted blest.
Give me some help here, ho! If thou proceed
As high as word, my deed shall match thy meed.

(stage directions). [Flourish. Exeunt]


24

II,2,824

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter COUNTESS and Clown]


25

II,2,889

Countess. Haste you again.

(stage directions). [Exeunt severally]


26

II,3,890

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter BERTRAM, LAFEU, and PAROLLES]


27

II,3,1087

King of France. Good fortune and the favour of the king
Smile upon this contract; whose ceremony
Shall seem expedient on the now-born brief,
And be perform'd to-night: the solemn feast
Shall more attend upon the coming space,
Expecting absent friends. As thou lovest her,
Thy love's to me religious; else, does err.

(stage directions). [Exeunt all but LAFEU and PAROLLES]


28

II,3,1134

Lafeu. I would it were hell-pains for thy sake, and my poor
doing eternal: for doing I am past: as I will by
thee, in what motion age will give me leave.

(stage directions). [Exit]


29

II,3,1142

Parolles. Well, thou hast a son shall take this disgrace off
me; scurvy, old, filthy, scurvy lord! Well, I must
be patient; there is no fettering of authority.
I'll beat him, by my life, if I can meet him with
any convenience, an he were double and double a
lord. I'll have no more pity of his age than I
would of—I'll beat him, an if I could but meet him again.

(stage directions). [Re-enter LAFEU]


30

II,3,1165

Lafeu. Go to, sir; you were beaten in Italy for picking a
kernel out of a pomegranate; you are a vagabond and
no true traveller: you are more saucy with lords
and honourable personages than the commission of your
birth and virtue gives you heraldry. You are not
worth another word, else I'ld call you knave. I leave you.

(stage directions). [Exit]


31

II,3,1168

Parolles. Good, very good; it is so then: good, very good;
let it be concealed awhile.

(stage directions). [Re-enter BERTRAM]


32

II,3,1203

Parolles. Why, these balls bound; there's noise in it. 'Tis hard:
A young man married is a man that's marr'd:
Therefore away, and leave her bravely; go:
The king has done you wrong: but, hush, 'tis so.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


33

II,4,1204

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter HELENA and Clown]


34

II,4,1217

Clown. One, that she's not in heaven, whither God send her
quickly! the other that she's in earth, from whence
God send her quickly!

(stage directions). [Enter PAROLLES]


35

II,4,1263

Helena. I pray you.
[Exit PAROLLES]
Come, sirrah.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


36

II,5,1264

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter LAFEU and BERTRAM]


37

II,5,1277

Lafeu. I have then sinned against his experience and
transgressed against his valour; and my state that
way is dangerous, since I cannot yet find in my
heart to repent. Here he comes: I pray you, make
us friends; I will pursue the amity.

(stage directions). [Enter PAROLLES]


38

II,5,1311

Lafeu. And shall do so ever, though I took him at 's
prayers. Fare you well, my lord; and believe this
of me, there can be no kernel in this light nut; the
soul of this man is his clothes. Trust him not in
matter of heavy consequence; I have kept of them
tame, and know their natures. Farewell, monsieur:
I have spoken better of you than you have or will to
deserve at my hand; but we must do good against evil.

(stage directions). [Exit]


39

II,5,1317

Bertram. Yes, I do know him well, and common speech
Gives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog.

(stage directions). [Enter HELENA]


40

II,5,1366

Parolles. Bravely, coragio!

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


41

III,1,1367

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Flourish. Enter the DUKE of Florence attended;]
the two Frenchmen, with a troop of soldiers.


42

III,1,1396

Duke of Florence. Welcome shall they be;
And all the honours that can fly from us
Shall on them settle. You know your places well;
When better fall, for your avails they fell:
To-morrow to the field.

(stage directions). [Flourish. Exeunt]


43

III,2,1397

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter COUNTESS and Clown]


44

III,2,1408

Countess. Let me see what he writes, and when he means to come.

(stage directions). [Opening a letter]


45

III,2,1416

Clown. E'en that you have there.

(stage directions). [Exit]


46

III,2,1430

Countess. [Reads] I have sent you a daughter-in-law: she hath
recovered the king, and undone me. I have wedded
her, not bedded her; and sworn to make the 'not'
eternal. You shall hear I am run away: know it
before the report come. If there be breadth enough
in the world, I will hold a long distance. My duty
to you.. Your unfortunate son,
BERTRAM.
This is not well, rash and unbridled boy.
To fly the favours of so good a king;
To pluck his indignation on thy head
By the misprising of a maid too virtuous
For the contempt of empire.

(stage directions). [Re-enter Clown]


47

III,2,1443

Clown. So say I, madam, if he run away, as I hear he does:
the danger is in standing to't; that's the loss of
men, though it be the getting of children. Here
they come will tell you more: for my part, I only
hear your son was run away.

(stage directions). [Exit]


48

III,2,1444

(stage directions). [Exit]

(stage directions). [Enter HELENA, and two Gentlemen]


49

III,2,1508

Countess. Not so, but as we change our courtesies.
Will you draw near!

(stage directions). [Exeunt COUNTESS and Gentlemen]


50

III,2,1540

Helena. 'Till I have no wife, I have nothing in France.'
Nothing in France, until he has no wife!
Thou shalt have none, Rousillon, none in France;
Then hast thou all again. Poor lord! is't I
That chase thee from thy country and expose
Those tender limbs of thine to the event
Of the none-sparing war? and is it I
That drive thee from the sportive court, where thou
Wast shot at with fair eyes, to be the mark
Of smoky muskets? O you leaden messengers,
That ride upon the violent speed of fire,
Fly with false aim; move the still-peering air,
That sings with piercing; do not touch my lord.
Whoever shoots at him, I set him there;
Whoever charges on his forward breast,
I am the caitiff that do hold him to't;
And, though I kill him not, I am the cause
His death was so effected: better 'twere
I met the ravin lion when he roar'd
With sharp constraint of hunger; better 'twere
That all the miseries which nature owes
Were mine at once. No, come thou home, Rousillon,
Whence honour but of danger wins a scar,
As oft it loses all: I will be gone;
My being here it is that holds thee hence:
Shall I stay here to do't? no, no, although
The air of paradise did fan the house
And angels officed all: I will be gone,
That pitiful rumour may report my flight,
To consolate thine ear. Come, night; end, day!
For with the dark, poor thief, I'll steal away.

(stage directions). [Exit]


51

III,3,1541

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Flourish. Enter the DUKE of Florence, BERTRAM,]
PAROLLES, Soldiers, Drum, and Trumpets]


52

III,3,1557

Bertram. This very day,
Great Mars, I put myself into thy file:
Make me but like my thoughts, and I shall prove
A lover of thy drum, hater of love.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


53

III,4,1558

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter COUNTESS and Steward]


54

III,4,1604

Countess. What angel shall
Bless this unworthy husband? he cannot thrive,
Unless her prayers, whom heaven delights to hear
And loves to grant, reprieve him from the wrath
Of greatest justice. Write, write, Rinaldo,
To this unworthy husband of his wife;
Let every word weigh heavy of her worth
That he does weigh too light: my greatest grief.
Though little he do feel it, set down sharply.
Dispatch the most convenient messenger:
When haply he shall hear that she is gone,
He will return; and hope I may that she,
Hearing so much, will speed her foot again,
Led hither by pure love: which of them both
Is dearest to me. I have no skill in sense
To make distinction: provide this messenger:
My heart is heavy and mine age is weak;
Grief would have tears, and sorrow bids me speak.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


55

III,5,1605

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter an old Widow of Florence, DIANA, VIOLENTA,]
and MARIANA, with other Citizens]


56

III,5,1715

Mariana. And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier!

(stage directions). [Exeunt BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and army]


57

III,5,1727

Both. We'll take your offer kindly.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


58

III,6,1728

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter BERTRAM and the two French Lords]


59

III,6,1766

First Lord. O, for the love of laughter, let him fetch his drum;
he says he has a stratagem for't: when your
lordship sees the bottom of his success in't, and to
what metal this counterfeit lump of ore will be
melted, if you give him not John Drum's
entertainment, your inclining cannot be removed.
Here he comes.

(stage directions). [Enter PAROLLES]


60

III,6,1810

Parolles. I love not many words.

(stage directions). [Exit]


61

III,6,1834

Second Lord. As't please your lordship: I'll leave you.

(stage directions). [Exit]


62

III,6,1845

First Lord. With all my heart, my lord.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


63

III,7,1846

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter HELENA and Widow]


64

III,7,1901

Helena. Why then to-night
Let us assay our plot; which, if it speed,
Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed
And lawful meaning in a lawful act,
Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact:
But let's about it.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


65

IV,1,1902

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter Second French Lord, with five or six other]
Soldiers in ambush]


66

IV,1,1925

Second Lord. He must think us some band of strangers i' the
adversary's entertainment. Now he hath a smack of
all neighbouring languages; therefore we must every
one be a man of his own fancy, not to know what we
speak one to another; so we seem to know, is to
know straight our purpose: choughs' language,
gabble enough, and good enough. As for you,
interpreter, you must seem very politic. But couch,
ho! here he comes, to beguile two hours in a sleep,
and then to return and swear the lies he forges.

(stage directions). [Enter PAROLLES]


67

IV,1,1964

Parolles. A drum now of the enemy's,—

(stage directions). [Alarum within]


68

IV,1,1968

Parolles. O, ransom, ransom! do not hide mine eyes.

(stage directions). [They seize and blindfold him]


69

IV,1,1993

First Soldier. Acordo linta.
Come on; thou art granted space.

(stage directions). [Exit, with PAROLLES guarded. A short alarum within]


70

IV,1,2002

Second Lord. Till then I'll keep him dark and safely lock'd.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


71

IV,2,2003

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter BERTRAM and DIANA]


72

IV,2,2080

Bertram. A heaven on earth I have won by wooing thee.

(stage directions). [Exit]


73

IV,2,2091

Diana. For which live long to thank both heaven and me!
You may so in the end.
My mother told me just how he would woo,
As if she sat in 's heart; she says all men
Have the like oaths: he had sworn to marry me
When his wife's dead; therefore I'll lie with him
When I am buried. Since Frenchmen are so braid,
Marry that will, I live and die a maid:
Only in this disguise I think't no sin
To cozen him that would unjustly win.

(stage directions). [Exit]


74

IV,3,2092

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter the two French Lords and some two or three Soldiers]


75

IV,3,2205

Second Lord. His confession is taken, and it shall be read to his
face: if your lordship be in't, as I believe you
are, you must have the patience to hear it.

(stage directions). [Enter PAROLLES guarded, and First Soldier]


76

IV,3,2401

First 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'ld compel it of you:
but fare you well.

(stage directions). [Exeunt BERTRAM and Lords]


77

IV,3,2409

First Soldier. If you could find out a country where but women were
that had received so much shame, you might begin an
impudent nation. Fare ye well, sir; I am for France
too: we shall speak of you there.

(stage directions). [Exit with Soldiers]


78

IV,3,2421

Parolles. 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 braggart,
Let him fear this, for it will come to pass
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.

(stage directions). [Exit]


79

IV,4,2422

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter HELENA, Widow, and DIANA]


80

IV,4,2463

Helena. Yet, I pray you:
But with the word the time will bring on summer,
When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns,
And be as sweet as sharp. We must away;
Our wagon is prepared, 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.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


81

IV,5,2464

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter COUNTESS, LAFEU, and Clown]


82

IV,5,2518

Clown. If I put any tricks upon 'em, sir, they shall be
jades' tricks; which are their own right by the law of nature.

(stage directions). [Exit]


83

IV,5,2549

Lafeu. Lady, of that I have made a bold charter; but I
thank my God it holds yet.

(stage directions). [Re-enter Clown]


84

IV,5,2563

Clown. Faith there's a dozen of 'em, with delicate fine
hats and most courteous feathers, which bow the head
and nod at every man.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


85

V,1,2564

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter HELENA, Widow, and DIANA, with two]
Attendants]


86

V,1,2611

Helena. And you shall find yourself to be well thank'd,
Whate'er falls more. We must to horse again.
Go, go, provide.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


87

V,2,2612

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Enter Clown, and PAROLLES, following]


88

V,2,2641

Clown. Foh! prithee, stand away: a paper from fortune's
close-stool to give to a nobleman! Look, here he
comes himself.
[Enter LAFEU]
Here is a purr of fortune's, sir, or of fortune's
cat,—but not a musk-cat,—that has fallen into the
unclean fishpond of her displeasure, and, as he
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 similes of comfort and leave him to
your lordship.

(stage directions). [Exit]


89

V,2,2670

Parolles. I praise God for you.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


90

V,3,2671

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). [Flourish. Enter KING, COUNTESS, LAFEU, the two]
French Lords, with Attendants]


91

V,3,2705

Gentleman. I shall, my liege.

(stage directions). [Exit]


92

V,3,2710

King of France. Then shall we have a match. I have letters sent me
That set him high in fame.

(stage directions). [Enter BERTRAM]LAFEU. He looks well on't.


93

V,3,2821

Bertram. If you shall prove
This ring was ever hers, you shall as easy
Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence,
Where yet she never was.

(stage directions). [Exit, guarded]


94

V,3,2823

King of France. I am wrapp'd in dismal thinkings.

(stage directions). [Enter a Gentleman]


95

V,3,2852

Countess. Now, justice on the doers!

(stage directions). [Re-enter BERTRAM, guarded]


96

V,3,2910

King of France. Find him, and bring him hither.

(stage directions). [Exit an Attendant]


97

V,3,2943

Diana. I have spoke the truth.

(stage directions). [Enter PAROLLES]


98

V,3,3022

Diana. Good mother, fetch my bail. Stay, royal sir:
[Exit Widow]
The jeweller that owes the ring is sent for,
And he shall surety me. But for this lord,
Who hath abused me, as he knows himself,
Though yet he never harm'd me, here I quit him:
He knows himself my bed he hath defiled;
And at that time he got his wife with child:
Dead though she be, she feels her young one kick:
So there's my riddle: one that's dead is quick:
And now behold the meaning.

(stage directions). [Re-enter Widow, with HELENA]


99

V,3,3065

King of France. The king's a beggar, now the play is done:
All is well ended, if this suit be won,
That you express content; which we will pay,
With strife to please you, day exceeding day:
Ours be your patience then, and yours our parts;
Your gentle hands lend us, and take our hearts.

(stage directions). [Exeunt]


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