All's Well that Ends Well

All's Well that Ends Well

ACT IV SCENE IV	Florence. The Widow's house.
	Enter HELENA, Widow, and DIANA
HELENA	That you may well perceive I have not wrong'd you,
	One of the greatest in the Christian world
	Shall be my surety; 'fore whose throne 'tis needful,
	Ere I can perfect mine intents, to kneel:	5
	Time was, I did him a desired office,
	Dear almost as his life; which gratitude
	Through flinty Tartar's bosom would peep forth,
	And answer, thanks: I duly am inform'd
	His grace is at Marseilles; to which place	10
	We have convenient convoy. You must know
	I am supposed dead: the army breaking,
	My husband hies him home; where, heaven aiding,
	And by the leave of my good lord the king,
	We'll be before our welcome.	15
Widow	Gentle madam,
	You never had a servant to whose trust
	Your business was more welcome.
HELENA	Nor you, mistress,
	Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labour	20
	To recompense your love: doubt not but heaven
	Hath brought me up to be your daughter's dower,
	As it hath fated her to be my motive
	And helper to a husband. But, O strange men!
	That can such sweet use make of what they hate,	25
	When saucy trusting of the cozen'd thoughts
	Defiles the pitchy night: so lust doth play
	With what it loathes for that which is away.
	But more of this hereafter. You, Diana,
	Under my poor instructions yet must suffer	30
	Something in my behalf.
DIANA	Let death and honesty
	Go with your impositions, I am yours
	Upon your will to suffer.
HELENA	Yet, I pray you:	35
	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;	40
	Whate'er the course, the end is the renown.
	Exeunt