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All's Well That Ends Well: Act 2 Scene 5

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.

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

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] These things shall be done, sir.

LAFEU

Pray you, sir, who's his tailor?

PAROLLES

Sir?

LAFEU

O, I know him well, I, sir; he, sir, 's a good

workman, a very good tailor.

BERTRAM

[Aside to PAROLLES] Is she gone to the king?

PAROLLES

She is.

BERTRAM

Will she away to-night?

PAROLLES

As you'll have her.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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,

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,

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

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

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.

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.

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,

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.

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.

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!

[Exeunt]