SEARCH TEXTS  

Plays  +  Sonnets  +  Poems  +  Concordance  +  Advanced Search  +  About OSS

All's Well That Ends Well

print/save print/save view

---
       

Act II, Scene 5

Paris. The KING’s palace.

       
---

[Enter LAFEU and BERTRAM]

  • Lafeu. But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier. 1265
  • Bertram. Yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof.
  • Lafeu. You have it from his own deliverance.
  • Bertram. And by other warranted testimony.
  • Lafeu. Then my dial goes not true: I took this lark for a bunting.
  • Bertram. I do assure you, my lord, he is very great in 1270
    knowledge and accordingly valiant.
  • 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 1275
    us friends; I will pursue the amity.

[Enter PAROLLES]

  • Parolles. [To BERTRAM] These things shall be done, sir.
  • Lafeu. Pray you, sir, who's his tailor?
  • Lafeu. O, I know him well, I, sir; he, sir, 's a good
    workman, a very good tailor.
  • Bertram. [Aside to PAROLLES] Is she gone to the king?
  • Bertram. Will she away to-night? 1285
  • Bertram. I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure,
    Given order for our horses; and to-night,
    When I should take possession of the bride,
    End ere I do begin. 1290
  • Lafeu. A good traveller is something at the latter end of a
    dinner; but one that lies three thirds and uses a
    known truth to pass a thousand nothings with, should
    be once heard and thrice beaten. God save you, captain.
  • Bertram. Is there any unkindness between my lord and you, monsieur? 1295
  • Parolles. I know not how I have deserved to run into my lord's
    displeasure.
  • Lafeu. You have made shift to run into 't, boots and spurs
    and all, like him that leaped into the custard; and
    out of it you'll run again, rather than suffer 1300
    question for your residence.
  • Bertram. It may be you have mistaken him, my lord.
  • 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 1305
    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. 1310

[Exit]

  • Bertram. Yes, I do know him well, and common speech 1315
    Gives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog.

[Enter HELENA]

  • Helena. I have, sir, as I was commanded from you,
    Spoke with the king and have procured his leave
    For present parting; only he desires 1320
    Some private speech with you.
  • Bertram. I shall obey his will.
    You must not marvel, Helen, at my course,
    Which holds not colour with the time, nor does
    The ministration and required office 1325
    On my particular. Prepared I was not
    For such a business; therefore am I found
    So much unsettled: this drives me to entreat you
    That presently you take our way for home;
    And rather muse than ask why I entreat you, 1330
    For my respects are better than they seem
    And my appointments have in them a need
    Greater than shows itself at the first view
    To you that know them not. This to my mother:
    [Giving a letter] 1335
    'Twill be two days ere I shall see you, so
    I leave you to your wisdom.
  • Helena. Sir, I can nothing say,
    But that I am your most obedient servant.
  • Bertram. Come, come, no more of that. 1340
  • Helena. And ever shall
    With true observance seek to eke out that
    Wherein toward me my homely stars have fail'd
    To equal my great fortune.
  • Bertram. Let that go: 1345
    My haste is very great: farewell; hie home.
  • Helena. Pray, sir, your pardon.
  • Bertram. Well, what would you say?
  • Helena. I am not worthy of the wealth I owe,
    Nor dare I say 'tis mine, and yet it is; 1350
    But, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal
    What law does vouch mine own.
  • Helena. Something; and scarce so much: nothing, indeed.
    I would not tell you what I would, my lord: 1355
    Faith yes;
    Strangers and foes do sunder, and not kiss.
  • Bertram. I pray you, stay not, but in haste to horse.
  • Helena. I shall not break your bidding, good my lord.
  • Bertram. Where are my other men, monsieur? Farewell. 1360
    [Exit HELENA]
    Go thou toward home; where I will never come
    Whilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum.
    Away, and for our flight.

[Exeunt]