All's Well that Ends Well

All's Well that Ends Well

ACT II SCENE V	Paris. The KING's palace.
	Enter LAFEU and BERTRAM
LAFEU	But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier.
BERTRAM	Yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof.
LAFEU	You have it from his own deliverance.
BERTRAM	And by other warranted testimony.	5
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
	knowledge and accordingly valiant.
LAFEU	I have then sinned against his experience and
	transgressed against his valour; and my state that	10
	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.
	Enter PAROLLES
PAROLLES	To BERTRAM
LAFEU	Pray you, sir, who's his tailor?
PAROLLES	Sir?	15
LAFEU	O, I know him well, I, sir; he, sir, 's a good
	workman, a very good tailor.
BERTRAM	Aside to PAROLLES
PAROLLES	She is.
BERTRAM	Will she away to-night?
PAROLLES	As you'll have her.	20
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.
LAFEU	A good traveller is something at the latter end of a	25
	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?
PAROLLES	I know not how I have deserved to run into my lord's	30
	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
	question for your residence.	35
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
	soul of this man is his clothes. Trust him not in	40
	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.
	Exit
PAROLLES	An idle lord. I swear.	45
BERTRAM	I think so.
PAROLLES	Why, do you not know him?
BERTRAM	Yes, I do know him well, and common speech
	Gives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog.
	Enter HELENA
HELENA	I have, sir, as I was commanded from you,	50
	Spoke with the king and have procured his leave
	For present parting; only he desires
	Some private speech with you.
BERTRAM	I shall obey his will.
	You must not marvel, Helen, at my course,	55
	Which holds not colour with the time, nor does
	The ministration and required office
	On my particular. Prepared I was not
	For such a business; therefore am I found
	So much unsettled: this drives me to entreat you	60
	That presently you take our way for home;
	And rather muse than ask why I entreat you,
	For my respects are better than they seem
	And my appointments have in them a need
	Greater than shows itself at the first view	65
	To you that know them not. This to my mother:
	Giving a letter
	'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.	70
BERTRAM	Come, come, no more of that.
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.	75
BERTRAM	Let that go:
	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,	80
	Nor dare I say 'tis mine, and yet it is;
	But, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal
	What law does vouch mine own.
BERTRAM	What would you have?
HELENA	Something; and scarce so much: nothing, indeed.	85
	I would not tell you what I would, my lord:
	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.	90
BERTRAM	Where are my other men, monsieur? Farewell.
	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.
PAROLLES	Bravely, coragio!	95
	Exeunt