Open Source Shakespeare

All's Well That Ends Well

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Act III, Scene 5

Florence. Without the walls. A tucket afar off.

       

[Enter an old Widow of Florence, DIANA, VIOLENTA,] [p]and MARIANA, with other Citizens]

  • Widow. Nay, come; for if they do approach the city, we
    shall lose all the sight.
  • Diana. They say the French count has done most honourable service.
  • Widow. It is reported that he has taken their greatest 1610
    commander; and that with his own hand he slew the
    duke's brother.
    [Tucket]
    We have lost our labour; they are gone a contrary
    way: hark! you may know by their trumpets. 1615
  • Mariana. Come, let's return again, and suffice 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 so rich as honesty.
  • Widow. I have told my neighbour how you have been solicited 1620
    by a gentleman his companion.
  • Mariana. I know that knave; hang him! one Parolles: a
    filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the
    young earl. Beware of them, Diana; their promises,
    enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of 1625
    lust, are not the things they go under: many a maid
    hath been seduced by them; and the misery is,
    example, that so terrible shows in the wreck of
    maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession,
    but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten 1630
    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 known but the
    modesty which is so lost.
  • Diana. You shall not need to fear me. 1635
  • Widow. I hope so.
    [Enter HELENA, disguised like a Pilgrim]
    Look, here comes a pilgrim: I know she will lie at
    my house; thither they send one another: I'll
    question her. God save you, pilgrim! whither are you bound? 1640
  • Helena. To Saint Jaques le Grand.
    Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?
  • Widow. At the Saint Francis here beside the port.
  • Helena. Is this the way?
  • Widow. Ay, marry, is't. 1645
    [A march afar]
    Hark you! they come this way.
    If you will tarry, holy pilgrim,
    But till the troops come by,
    I will conduct you where you shall be lodged; 1650
    The rather, for I think I know your hostess
    As ample as myself.
  • Helena. Is it yourself?
  • Widow. If you shall please so, pilgrim.
  • Helena. I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure. 1655
  • Widow. You came, I think, from France?
  • Helena. I did so.
  • Widow. Here you shall see a countryman of yours
    That has done worthy service.
  • Helena. His name, I pray you. 1660
  • Diana. The Count Rousillon: know you such a one?
  • Helena. But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him:
    His face I know not.
  • Diana. Whatsome'er he is,
    He's bravely taken here. He stole from France, 1665
    As 'tis reported, for the king had married him
    Against his liking: think you it is so?
  • Helena. Ay, surely, mere the truth: I know his lady.
  • Diana. There is a gentleman that serves the count
    Reports but coarsely of her. 1670
  • Helena. What's his name?
  • Diana. Monsieur Parolles.
  • Helena. O, I believe with him,
    In argument of praise, or to the worth
    Of the great count himself, she is too mean 1675
    To have her name repeated: all her deserving
    Is a reserved honesty, and that
    I have not heard examined.
  • Diana. Alas, poor lady!
    'Tis a hard bondage to become the wife 1680
    Of a detesting lord.
  • Widow. I warrant, good creature, wheresoe'er she is,
    Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do her
    A shrewd turn, if she pleased.
  • Helena. How do you mean? 1685
    May be the amorous count solicits her
    In the unlawful purpose.
  • Widow. He does indeed;
    And brokes with all that can in such a suit
    Corrupt the tender honour of a maid: 1690
    But she is arm'd for him and keeps her guard
    In honestest defence.
  • Mariana. The gods forbid else!
  • Widow. So, now they come:
    [Drum and Colours] 1695
    [Enter BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and the whole army]
    That is Antonio, the duke's eldest son;
    That, Escalus.
  • Helena. Which is the Frenchman?
  • Diana. He; 1700
    That with the plume: 'tis a most gallant fellow.
    I would he loved his wife: if he were honester
    He were much goodlier: is't not a handsome gentleman?
  • Helena. I like him well.
  • Diana. 'Tis pity he is not honest: yond's that same knave 1705
    That leads him to these places: were I his lady,
    I would Poison that vile rascal.
  • Helena. Which is he?
  • Diana. That jack-an-apes with scarfs: why is he melancholy?
  • Helena. Perchance he's hurt i' the battle. 1710
  • Parolles. Lose our drum! well.
  • Mariana. He's shrewdly vexed at something: look, he has spied us.
  • Widow. Marry, hang you!
  • Mariana. And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier!

[Exeunt BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and army]

  • Widow. The troop is past. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you
    Where you shall host: of enjoin'd penitents
    There's four or five, to great Saint Jaques bound,
    Already at my house.
  • Helena. I humbly thank you: 1720
    Please it this matron and this gentle maid
    To eat with us to-night, the charge and thanking
    Shall be for me; and, to requite you further,
    I will bestow some precepts of this virgin
    Worthy the note. 1725
  • Both. We'll take your offer kindly.

[Exeunt]