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All's Well That Ends Well - Act 2, scene 5
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All's Well That Ends Well - Act 2, scene 5Act 2, scene 5
⌜Scene 5⌝
Synopsis:
Bertram is warned that Parolles is an untrustworthy coward. Bertram gives Helen a letter and instructs her to go immediately to Rossillion to await him. He says privately that he has no intention of ever going there.
Enter Lafew and Bertram.LAFEW 1268 But I hope your Lordship thinks not him a
1269 soldier.
BERTRAM 1270 Yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof.
LAFEW 1271 You have it from his own deliverance.
BERTRAM 1272 5And by other warranted testimony.
LAFEW 1273 Then my dial goes not true. I took this lark for
1274 a bunting.
BERTRAM 1275 I do assure you, my lord, he is very great in
1276 knowledge and accordingly valiant.
LAFEW 1277 10I have then sinned against his experience and
1278 transgressed against his valor, and my state that
1279 way is dangerous since I cannot yet find in my
1280 heart to repent. Here he comes. I pray you make us
1281 friends. I will pursue the amity.
Enter Parolles.
PAROLLES, ⌜to Bertram⌝ 1282 15These things shall be done, sir.
LAFEW, ⌜to Bertram⌝ 1283 Pray you, sir, who’s his tailor?
PAROLLES 1284 Sir?
LAFEW 1285 O, I know him well. Ay, sir, he, sir, ’s a good
1286 workman, a very good tailor.
BERTRAM, ⌜aside to Parolles⌝ 1287 20Is she gone to the King?
PAROLLES 1288 She is.
BERTRAM 1289 Will she away tonight?
PAROLLES 1290 As you’ll have her.
BERTRAM
1291 I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure,
1292 25 Given order for our horses, and tonight,
1293 When I should take possession of the bride,
1294 ⌜End⌝ ere I do begin.
LAFEW, ⌜aside⌝ 1295 A good traveler is something at the latter
1296 end of a dinner, but one that lies three thirds,
1297 30 and uses a known truth to pass a thousand nothings
p.
93
1298
with, should be once heard and thrice beaten.—1299 God save you, captain.
BERTRAM, ⌜to Parolles⌝ 1300 Is there any unkindness
1301 between my lord and you, monsieur?
PAROLLES 1302 35I know not how I have deserved to run into
1303 my lord’s displeasure.
LAFEW 1304 You have made shift to run into ’t, boots and
1305 spurs and all, like him that leapt into the custard;
1306 and out of it you’ll run again rather than suffer
1307 40 question for your residence.
BERTRAM 1308 It may be you have mistaken him, my lord.
LAFEW 1309 And shall do so ever, though I took him at ’s
1310 prayers. Fare you well, my lord, and believe this of
1311 me: there can be no kernel in this light nut. The
1312 45 soul of this man is his clothes. Trust him not in
1313 matter of heavy consequence. I have kept of them
1314 tame and know their natures.—Farewell, monsieur.
1315 I have spoken better of you than you have or
1316 will to deserve at my hand, but we must do good
1317 50 against evil.⌜He exits.⌝
PAROLLES 1318 An idle lord, I swear.
BERTRAM 1319 I think ⌜not⌝ so.
PAROLLES 1320 Why, do you not know him?
BERTRAM
1321 Yes, I do know him well, and common speech
1322 55 Gives him a worthy pass.
Enter Helen.
1323 Here comes my clog.
HELEN
1324 I have, sir, as I was commanded from you,
1325 Spoke with the King and have procured his leave
1326 For present parting. Only he desires
1327 60 Some private speech with you.
BERTRAM 1328 I shall obey his will.
1329 You must not marvel, Helen, at my course,
p.
95
1330
Which holds not color with the time, nor does1331 The ministration and requirèd office
1332 65 On my particular. Prepared I was not
1333 For such a business; therefore am I found
1334 So much unsettled. This drives me to entreat you
1335 That presently you take your way for home,
1336 And rather muse than ask why I entreat you;
1337 70 For my respects are better than they seem,
1338 And my appointments have in them a need
1339 Greater than shows itself at the first view
1340 To you that know them not.⌜Giving her a paper.⌝
1341 This to my mother.
1342 75 ’Twill be two days ere I shall see you, so
1343 I leave you to your wisdom.
HELEN 1344 Sir, I can nothing say
1345 But that I am your most obedient servant—
BERTRAM
1346 Come, come, no more of that.
HELEN 1347 80 And ever shall
1348 With true observance seek to eke out that
1349 Wherein toward me my homely stars have failed
1350 To equal my great fortune.
BERTRAM 1351 Let that go.
1352 85 My haste is very great. Farewell. Hie home.
HELEN
1353 Pray, sir, your pardon.
BERTRAM 1354 Well, what would you say?
HELEN
1355 I am not worthy of the wealth I owe,
1356 Nor dare I say ’tis mine—and yet it is—
1357 90 But, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal
1358 What law does vouch mine own.
BERTRAM 1359 What would you have?
HELEN
1360 Something, and scarce so much; nothing, indeed.
p.
97
1361
I would not tell you what I would, my lord. Faith,1362 95 yes:
1363 Strangers and foes do sunder and not kiss.
BERTRAM
1364 I pray you stay not, but in haste to horse.
HELEN
1365 I shall not break your bidding, good my lord.—
1366 Where are my other men?—Monsieur, farewell.
She exits.
BERTRAM
1367 100 Go thou toward home, where I will never come
1368 Whilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum.—
1369 Away, and for our flight.
PAROLLES 1370 Bravely, coraggio!
⌜They exit.⌝