All's Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare
Act 2 - Scene 5
Paris. The KING’s palace.
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
[p]knowledge and
accordingly valiant.
Lafeu : I have then sinned against his experience and
[p]transgressed against
his valour; and my state that
[p]way is dangerous, since I cannot yet
find in my
[p]heart to repent. Here he comes: I pray you, make
[p]us
friends; I will pursue the amity.
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
[p]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,
[p]Given order for our
horses; and to-night,
[p]When I should take possession of the
bride,
[p]End ere I do begin.
Lafeu : A good traveller is something at the latter end of a
[p]dinner; but
one that lies three thirds and uses a
[p]known truth to pass a
thousand nothings with, should
[p]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
[p]displeasure.
Lafeu : You have made shift to run into 't, boots and spurs
[p]and all, like
him that leaped into the custard; and
[p]out of it you'll run again,
rather than suffer
[p]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
[p]prayers. Fare you
well, my lord; and believe this
[p]of me, there can be no kernel in
this light nut; the
[p]soul of this man is his clothes. Trust him not
in
[p]matter of heavy consequence; I have kept of them
[p]tame, and
know their natures. Farewell, monsieur:
[p]I have spoken better of you
than you have or will to
[p]deserve at my hand; but we must do good
against evil.
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
[p]Gives him a worthy pass.
Here comes my clog.
Helena : I have, sir, as I was commanded from you,
[p]Spoke with the king and
have procured his leave
[p]For present parting; only he
desires
[p]Some private speech with you.
Bertram : I shall obey his will.
[p]You must not marvel, Helen, at my
course,
[p]Which holds not colour with the time, nor does
[p]The
ministration and required office
[p]On my particular. Prepared I was
not
[p]For such a business; therefore am I found
[p]So much unsettled:
this drives me to entreat you
[p]That presently you take our way for
home;
[p]And rather muse than ask why I entreat you,
[p]For my
respects are better than they seem
[p]And my appointments have in them
a need
[p]Greater than shows itself at the first view
[p]To you that
know them not. This to my mother:
[p][Giving a letter]
[p]'Twill be
two days ere I shall see you, so
[p]I leave you to your wisdom.
Helena : Sir, I can nothing say,
[p]But that I am your most obedient servant.
Bertram : Come, come, no more of that.
Helena : And ever shall
[p]With true observance seek to eke out that
[p]Wherein
toward me my homely stars have fail'd
[p]To equal my great fortune.
Bertram : Let that go:
[p]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,
[p]Nor dare I say 'tis mine, and
yet it is;
[p]But, like a timorous thief, most fain would
steal
[p]What law does vouch mine own.
Bertram : What would you have?
Helena : Something; and scarce so much: nothing, indeed.
[p]I would not tell
you what I would, my lord:
[p]Faith yes;
[p]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.
[p][Exit HELENA]
[p]Go
thou toward home; where I will never come
[p]Whilst I can shake my
sword or hear the drum.
[p]Away, and for our flight.
Parolles : Bravely, coragio!
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Next: Act 3 - Scene 1
