All's Well That Ends Well: ACT III , SCENE V. Florence. Without the walls. A tucket afar off.

All's Well That Ends Well: ACT III


	Introduction

	ACT I

	ACT II

	ACT III

		SCENE I. Florence. The DUKE's palace.

		SCENE II. Rousillon. The COUNT's palace.

		SCENE III. Florence. Before the DUKE's palace.

		SCENE IV. Rousillon. The COUNT's palace.

		SCENE V. Florence. Without the walls. A tucket afar off.

		SCENE VI. Camp before Florence.

		SCENE VII. Florence. The Widow's house.

	ACT IV

	ACT V

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SCENE V. Florence. Without the walls. A tucket afar off.

Enter an old Widow of Florence, DIANA, VIOLENTA, 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
5     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.

MARIANA

      Come, let's return again, and suffice ourselves with
10    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
by a gentleman his companion.

MARIANA

15    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
      lust, are not the things they go under: many a maid
20    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
      them. I hope I need not to advise you further; but
25    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.

Widow

I hope so.

Enter HELENA, disguised like a Pilgrim

30    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?

HELENA

To Saint Jaques le Grand.
Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?

Widow

35 At the Saint Francis here beside the port.

HELENA

Is this the way?

Widow

Ay, marry, is't.

A march afar

      Hark you! they come this way.
      If you will tarry, holy pilgrim,
40    But till the troops come by,
      I will conduct you where you shall be lodged;
      The rather, for I think I know your hostess
      As ample as myself.

HELENA

Is it yourself?

Widow

45 If you shall please so, pilgrim.

HELENA

I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.

Widow

You came, I think, from France?

HELENA

I did so.

Widow

Here you shall see a countryman of yours
50 That has done worthy service.

HELENA

His name, I pray you.

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

55    Whatsome'er he is,
      He's bravely taken here. He stole from France,
      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

60 There is a gentleman that serves the count
Reports but coarsely of her.

HELENA

What's his name?

DIANA

Monsieur Parolles.

HELENA

      O, I believe with him,
65    In argument of praise, or to the worth
      Of the great count himself, she is too mean
      To have her name repeated: all her deserving
      Is a reserved honesty, and that
      I have not heard examined.

DIANA

70    Alas, poor lady!
      'Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
      Of a detesting lord.

Widow

      I warrant, good creature, wheresoe'er she is,
      Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do her
75    A shrewd turn, if she pleased.

HELENA

      How do you mean?
      May be the amorous count solicits her
      In the unlawful purpose.

Widow

      He does indeed;
80    And brokes with all that can in such a suit
      Corrupt the tender honour of a maid:
      But she is arm'd for him and keeps her guard
      In honestest defence.

MARIANA

The gods forbid else!

Widow

85 So, now they come:

Drum and Colours

Enter BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and the whole army

That is Antonio, the duke's eldest son;
That, Escalus.

HELENA

Which is the Frenchman?

DIANA

      He;
90    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
95    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.

PAROLLES

100 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
105   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:
      Please it this matron and this gentle maid
110   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.

BOTH

We'll take your offer kindly.

Exeunt

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