Chapter XVI: Act IV: SCENE I. Without the Florentine camp

_Enter_ Second French Lord, _with five or six other_ Soldiers _in ambush._

_Sec. Lord._ He can come no other way but by this
hedge-corner. When you sally upon him, speak what terrible
language you will: though you understand it not
yourselves, no matter; for we must not seem to understand
him, unless some one among us whom we must produce 5
for an interpreter.

_First Sold._ Good captain, let me be the interpreter.

_Sec. Lord._ Art not acquainted with him? knows he not
thy voice? 10

_First Sold._ No, sir, I warrant you.

_Sec. Lord._ But what linsey-woolsey hast thou to speak
to us again?

_First Sold._ E'en such as you speak to me.

_Sec. Lord._ He must think us some band of strangers i'
the adversary's entertainment. Now he hath a smack of 15
all neighbouring languages; therefore we must every one be
a man of his own fancy, not to know what we speak one to
another; so we seem to know, is to know straight our purpose:
choughs' language, gabble enough, and good enough.
As for you, interpreter, you must seem very politic. But 20
couch, ho! here he comes, to beguile two hours in a sleep,
and then to return and swear the lies he forges.

_Enter_ PAROLLES.

_Par._ Ten o'clock: within these three hours 'twill be
time enough to go home. What shall I say I have done?
It must be a very plausive invention that carries it: they 25
begin to smoke me; and disgraces have of late knocked too
often at my door. I find my tongue is too foolhardy; but
my heart hath the fear of Mars before it and of his creatures,
not daring the reports of my tongue.

_Sec. Lord._ This is the first truth that e'er thine own 30
tongue was guilty of.

_Par._ What the devil should move me to undertake the
recovery of this drum, being not ignorant of the impossibility,
and knowing I had no such purpose? I must give
myself some hurts, and say I got them in exploit: yet 35
slight ones will not carry it; they will say, 'Came you off
with so little?' and great ones I dare not give. Wherefore,
what's the instance? Tongue, I must put you into a butter-woman's
mouth, and buy myself another of Bajazet's
mule, if you prattle me into these perils. 40

_Sec. Lord._ Is it possible he should know what he is,
and be that he is?

_Par._ I would the cutting of my garments would serve
the turn, or the breaking of my Spanish sword.

_Sec. Lord._ We cannot afford you so. 45

_Par._ Or the baring of my beard; and to say it was in
stratagem.

_Sec. Lord._ 'Twould not do.

_Par._ Or to drown my clothes, and say I was stripped.

_Sec. Lord._ Hardly serve. 50

_Par._ Though I swore I leaped from the window of the
citadel--

_Sec. Lord._ How deep?

_Par._ Thirty fathom.

_Sec. Lord._ Three great oaths would scarce make that 55
be believed.

_Par._ I would I had any drum of the enemy's: I would
swear I recovered it.

_Sec. Lord._ You shall hear one anon.

_Par._ A drum now of the enemy's,-- [_Alarum within._ 60

_Sec. Lord._ Throca movousus, cargo, cargo, cargo.

_All._ Cargo, cargo, cargo, villianda par corbo, cargo.

_Par._ O, ransom, ransom! do not hide mine eyes.
[They seize and blindfold him.

_First Sold._ Boskos thromuldo boskos.

_Par._ I know you are the Muskos' regiment; 65
And I shall lose my life for want of language:
If there be here German, or Dane, low Dutch,
Italian, or French, let him speak to me; I'll
Discover that which shall undo the Florentine.

_First Sold._ Boskos vauvado: I understand thee, and 70
can speak thy tongue. Kerelybonto, sir, betake thee to
thy faith, for seventeen poniards are at thy bosom.

_Par._ O!

_First Sold._ O, pray, pray, pray! Manka revania dulche. 75

_Sec. Lord._ Oscorbidulchos volivorco.

_First Sold._ The general is content to spare thee yet;
And, hoodwink'd as thou art, will lead thee on
To gather from thee: haply thou mayst inform
Something to save thy life.

_Par._ O, let me live! 80
And all the secrets of our camp I'll show,
Their force, their purposes; nay, I'll speak that
Which you will wonder at.

_First Sold._ But wilt thou faithfully?

_Par._ If I do not, damn me.

_First Sold._ Acordo linta. 85
Come on; thou art granted space.
[_Exit, with Parolles guarded. A short alarum within._

_Sec. Lord._ Go, tell the Count Rousillon, and my brother,
We have caught the woodcock, and will keep him muffled
Till we do hear from them.

_Sec. Sold._ Captain, I will.

_Sec. Lord._ A' will betray us all unto ourselves: 90
Inform on that.

_Sec. Sold._ So I will, sir.

_Sec. Lord._ Till then I'll keep him dark and safely lock'd.
[_Exeunt._

LINENOTES:

SCENE I. Without....] Capell. Continues in Florence. Pope. Part of the
French camp in Florence. Theobald.

Enter Second French Lord....] Edd. Enter one of the Frenchmen.... Ff.
Enter First Lord.... Capell. Enter French Envoy.... Collier. See note
(VI).

Sec. Lord.] 1. Lord. E. Ff.

[5] _among_] _amongst_ Rowe.

[7] _captain_] F3 F4. _captaine_ F1. _captaive_ F2.

[15] _adversary's_] Johnson, _adversaries_ Ff. _adversaries'_
Warburton.

[18] _know straight_] _shew straight_ Hanmer. _go straight to_ Collier
(Collier MS.).

[19] _choughs'_] _chough's_ F3 F4. _choughs_ F1 F2.

[23] _o'_] Johnson, _a_ Ff.

[29] _my_] _my own_ Mason conj. _mine own_ Rann.

[39 _myself_] om. Steevens.

_Bajazet's_] _Baiazeths_ F1. _Bajazeths_ F2 F3 F4.

[40] _mule_] F1 F2. _Mules_ F3 F4. _mute_ Hanmer (Warburton).

[57] _enemy's_] Malone. _enemies_ Ff. _enemies'_ Capell.

[60] _enemy's_,--] Edd. _enemy's!_ Malone. _enemies!_ Theobald.
_enemies._ Ff.

[62] _cargo, cargo_] _cargo_ Hanmer.

[63] [They ... him.] Rowe. om. Ff.

[64] _Boskos ... boskos_] F1. _Baskos ... baskos_ F2 F3 F4.

[65] _Muskos'_] Capell. _Muskos_ Ff.

[68] _or_] om. Capell.

[68, 69] Arranged as in Capell. _Ile ... Florentine_ (in one line) Ff.
_I will ... undo The...._ Malone.

[70-74] _Boskos ... pray!_] Printed as verse by Capell.

[73, 74] Par. _O!_ First Sold. _O, pray_] Par. _Oh, oh!_ 1. S. _Pray._
Capell.

[74] _revania_] F1. _revanta_ F2. _revancha_ F3 F4.

[76] _Oscorbidulchos_] F1. _Osceorbidulchos_ F2 F3 F4.

[86] Exit....] Capell. Exit. Ff.

A short alarum within.] Ff. om. Capell.

[88] _We have_] _We've_ Pope.

[90] _A'_] _A_ Ff. _He_ Rowe.

[91] _Inform on that_] _Inform 'em that_ Rowe. _Inform 'em too of
that_ Capell.

SCENE II. _Florence. The_ Widow's _house._

_Enter_ BERTRAM _and_ DIANA.

_Ber._ They told me that your name was Fontibell.

_Dia._ No, my good lord, Diana.

_Ber._ Titled goddess;
And worth it, with addition! But, fair soul,
In your fine frame hath love no quality?
If the quick fire of youth light not your mind, 5
You are no maiden, but a monument:
When you are dead, you should be such a one
As you are now, for you are cold and stern;
And now you should be as your mother was
When your sweet self was got. 10

_Dia._ She then was honest.

_Ber._ So should you be.

_Dia._ No:
My mother did but duty; such, my lord,
As you owe to your wife.

_Ber._ No more o' that;
I prithee, do not strive against my vows:
I was compell'd to her; but I love thee 15
By love's own sweet constraint, and will for ever
Do thee all rights of service.

_Dia._ Ay, so you serve us
Till we serve you; but when you have our roses,
You barely leave our thorns to prick ourselves,
And mock us with our bareness.

_Ber._ How have I sworn! 20

_Dia._ 'Tis not the many oaths that makes the truth,
But the plain single vow that is vow'd true.
What is not holy, that we swear not by,
But take the High'st to witness: then, pray you, tell me,
If I should swear by Jove's great attributes, 25
I loved you dearly, would you believe my oaths,
When I did love you ill? This has no holding,
To swear by him whom I protest to love,
That I will work against him: therefore your oaths
Are words and poor conditions, but unseal'd, 30
At least in my opinion.

_Ber._ Change it, change it;
Be not so holy-cruel: love is holy;
And my integrity ne'er knew the crafts
That you do charge men with. Stand no more off,
But give thyself unto my sick desires, 35
Who then recover: say thou art mine, and ever
My love as it begins shall so persever.

_Dia._ I see that men make rope's in such a scarre
That we'll forsake ourselves. Give me that ring.

_Ber._ I'll lend it thee, my dear; but have no power 40
To give it from me.

_Dia._ Will you not, my lord?

_Ber._ It is an honour 'longing to our house,
Bequeathed down from many ancestors;
Which were the greatest obloquy i' the world
In me to lose.

_Dia._ Mine honour's such a ring: 45
My chastity's the jewel of our house,
Bequeathed down from many ancestors;
Which were the greatest obloquy i' the world
In me to lose: thus your own proper wisdom
Brings in the champion Honour on my part, 50
Against your vain assault.

_Ber._ Here, take my ring:
My house, mine honour, yea, my life, be thine,
And I'll be bid by thee.

_Dia._ When midnight comes, knock at my chamber-window:
I'll order take my mother shall not hear. 55
Now will I charge you in the band of truth,
When you have conquer'd my yet maiden bed,
Remain there but an hour, nor speak to me:
My reasons are most strong; and you shall know them
When back again this ring shall be deliver'd: 60
And on your finger in the night I 'll put
Another ring, that what in time proceeds
May token to the future our past deeds.
Adieu, till then; then, fail not. You have won
A wife of me, though there my hope be done. 65

_Ber._ A heaven on earth I have won by wooing thee. [_Exit._

_Dia._ For which live long to thank both heaven and me!
You may so in the end.
My mother told me just how he would woo,
As if she sat in's heart; she says all men 70
Have the like oaths: he had sworn to marry me
When his wife's dead; therefore I'll lie with him
When I am buried. Since Frenchmen are so braid,
Marry that will, I live and die a maid:
Only in this disguise I think't no sin 75
To cozen him that would unjustly win. [_Exit._

LINENOTES:

Enter....] Enter Bertram and the Maid called Diana. Ff.

[2] _Titled goddess_] _Titl'd, goddess_ Capell.

[8] _stern_] F3 F4. _sterne_ F1 F2. _stone_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[13] _o'_] Rowe. _a'_ Ff.

[14] _strive ... vows:_] _drive against my vows:_ Johnson conj.
_shrive--against my voice_ Id. conj.

[19] _barely_] _basely_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[21-31] Dia. _'Tis not ... opinion_] Dia. _'Tis not ... witness._ Ber.
_Then ... ill?_ Dia. _This ... opinion_ Staunton conj.

[21] _makes_] F1. _make_ F2 F3 F4.

[23, 24] _What ... me,_] _But ... by?_ Jackson conj. (inverting the
lines).

_What ... witness: then, pray_] Bert. _What ... witness._ Diana.
_Then, pray_ Johnson conj.

[23-29] _What ... against him_] Erased in Collier MS.

[23] _swear not by,_] _swear, not 'bides,_ Warburton.

[24] _pray you_] _pray_ Pope.

[25] _Jove's_] _Joves_ F3 F4. _Ioues_ F1 F2. _love's_ Grant White
(Johnson conj.). _God's_ Edd. conj. See note (xv).

_attributes_] F1. _attribute_ F2 F3 F4.

[28] _by_] _to_ Johnson conj.

_whom_] _when_ Singer.

[28, 29] _whom I ... him_] _and to protest I love Whom I will work
against_ Becket conj.

[32] _holy-cruel_] Theobald. _holy cruel_ Ff.

_love_] _my love_ Staunton conj.

[35, 36] _desires, Who then recover_] Rowe (ed. 2). _desires, Who then
recovers_ Ff. _desires, Which then recover_ Pope. _desire, Who then
recovers_ Capell.

[38] _rope's ... scarre_] F1 F2. _ropes ... scarre_ F3. _ropes ...
scar_ F4. _hopes ... affairs_ Rowe. _hopes ... scene_ Malone. _mopes
in ... scar_ or _japes of ... scathe_ Becket conj. _hopes ... scare_
Henley conj. _hopes ... cause_ Mitford conj. _hopes ... war_ Singer
(ed. 1). _hopes ... scarre_ Singer (Knight conj.). _slopes ... scarre_
Collier conj. _ropes ... staire_ Id. conj. _hopes ... case_ Dyce.
_hopes ... snare_ Staunton. _hopes ... suit_ Collier (Collier MS.).
_may cope's ... sorte_ Williams conj.

[44] _were_] _'twere_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[53] _And I'll_] _An I_ Collier conj.

[65] _done_] _none_ Collier MS.

[66] _I have_] F1 F2. _I've_ F3 F4.

[71] _had_] _hath_ Capell conj. _has_ Grant White.

[73] _Frenchmen_] _men_ Hanmer.

[74] _Marry_] _Marry 'em_ Theobald (Warburton).

[74] _I_] F1 F2. _I'le_ F3 F4. _I'd_ Theobald (Warburton).

Lords] Captains Ff.

SCENE III. _The Florentine camp._

_Enter the two French_ Lords _and some two or three_ Soldiers.

_First Lord._ You have not given him his mother's letter?

_Sec. Lord._ I have delivered it an hour since: there is
something in't that stings his nature; for on the reading it
he changed almost into another man.

_First Lord._ He has much worthy blame laid upon him 5
for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady.

_Sec. Lord._ Especially he hath incurred the everlasting
displeasure of the king, who had even tuned his bounty to
sing happiness to him. I will tell you a thing, but you
shall let it dwell darkly with you. 10

_First Lord._ When you have spoken it, 'tis dead, and I
am the grave of it.

_Sec. Lord._ He hath perverted a young gentlewoman
here in Florence, of a most chaste renown; and this night
he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honour: he hath given 15
her his monumental ring, and thinks himself made in the
unchaste composition.

_First Lord._ Now, God delay our rebellion! as we are
ourselves, what things are we!

_Sec. Lord._ Merely our own traitors. And as in the 20
common course of all treasons, we still see them reveal
themselves, till they attain to their abhorred ends, so he
that in this action contrives against his own nobility, in his
proper stream o'erflows himself.

_First Lord._ Is it not meant damnable in us, to be 25
trumpeters of our unlawful intents? We shall not then
have his company to-night?

_Sec. Lord._ Not till after midnight; for he is dieted to
his hour.

_First Lord._ That approaches apace: I would gladly 30
have him see his company anatomized, that he might take
a measure of his own judgements, wherein so curiously
he had set this counterfeit.

_Sec. Lord._ We will not meddle with him till he come;
for his presence must be the whip of the other. 35

_First Lord._ In the mean time, what hear you of these
wars?

_Sec. Lord._ I hear there is an overture of peace.

_First Lord._ Nay, I assure you, a peace concluded.

_Sec. Lord._ What will Count Rousillon do then? will 40
he travel higher, or return again into France?

_First Lord._ I perceive, by this demand, you are not
altogether of his council.

_Sec. Lord._ Let it be forbid, sir; so should I be a great
deal of his act. 45

_First Lord._ Sir, his wife some two months since fled
from his house: her pretence is a pilgrimage to Saint Jaques
le Grand; which holy undertaking with most austere sanctimony
she accomplished; and, there residing, the tenderness
of her nature became as a prey to her grief; in fine, made a 50
groan of her last breath, and now she sings in heaven.

_Sec. Lord._ How is this justified?

_First Lord._ The stronger part of it by her own letters,
which makes her story true, even to the point of her death:
her death itself, which could not be her office to say is come, 55
was faithfully confirmed by the rector of the place.

_Sec. Lord._ Hath the count all this intelligence?

_First Lord._ Ay, and the particular confirmations, point
from point, to the full arming of the verity.

_Sec. Lord._ I am heartily sorry that he'll be glad of this. 60

_First Lord._ How mightily sometimes we make us comforts
of our losses!

_Sec. Lord._ And how mightily some other times we
drown our gain in tears! The great dignity that his valour
hath here acquired for him shall at home be encountered 65
with a shame as ample.

_First Lord._ The web of our life is of a mingled yarn,
good and ill together: our virtues would be proud, if our
faults whipped them not; and our crimes would despair, if
they were not cherished by our virtues. 70

_Enter a_ Messenger.

How now! where's your master?

_Serv._ He met the Duke in the street, sir, of whom he
hath taken a solemn leave: his lordship will next morning
for France. The Duke hath offered him letters of commendations
to the king. 75

_Sec. Lord._ They shall be no more than needful there,
if they were more than they can commend.

_First Lord._ They cannot be too sweet for the king's
tartness. Here's his lordship now.

_Enter_ BERTRAM.

How now, my lord! is't not after midnight? 80

_Ber._ I have to-night dispatched sixteen businesses, a
month's length a-piece, by an abstract of success: I have
congied with the Duke, done my adieu with his nearest;
buried a wife, mourned for her; writ to my lady mother I
am returning; entertained my convoy; and between these 85
main parcels of dispatch effected many nicer needs: the
last was the greatest, but that I have not ended yet.

_Sec. Lord._ If the business be of any difficulty, and this
morning your departure hence, it requires haste of your
lordship. 90

_Ber._ I mean, the business is not ended, as fearing to
hear of it hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue between
the fool and the soldier? Come, bring forth this
counterfeit module, has deceived me, like a double-meaning
prophesier. 95

_Sec. Lord._ Bring him forth: he has sat i' the stocks all
night, poor gallant knave.

_Ber._ No matter; his heels have deserved it, in usurping
his spurs so long. How does he carry himself?

_Sec. Lord._ I have told your lordship already, the stocks 100
carry him. But to answer you as you would be understood;
he weeps like a wench that had shed her milk: he
hath confessed himself to Morgan, whom he supposes to be
a friar, from the time of his remembrance to this very instant
disaster of his setting i' the stocks: and what think 105
you he hath confessed?

_Ber._ Nothing of me, has a'?

_Sec. Lord._ His confession is taken, and it shall be read
to his face: if your lordship be in't, as I believe you are,
you must have the patience to hear it. 110

_Enter_ PAROLLES _guarded, and_ First Soldier.

_Ber._ A plague upon him! muffled! he can say nothing
of me: hush, hush!

_First Lord._ Hoodman comes! Portotartarosa.

_First Sold._ He calls for the tortures: what will you
say without 'em? 115

_Par._ I will confess what I know without constraint: if
ye pinch me like a pasty, I can say no more.

_First Sold._ Bosko chimurcho.

_First Lord._ Boblibindo chicurmurco.

_First Sold._ You are a merciful general. Our general 120
bids you answer to what I shall ask you out of a note.

_Par._ And truly, as I hope to live.

_First Sold._ [_reads_] First demand of him how many horse the
Duke is strong. What say you to that?

_Par._ Five or six thousand; but very weak and unserviceable: 125
the troops are all scattered, and the commanders
very poor rogues, upon my reputation and credit and as I
hope to live.

_First Sold._ Shall I set down your answer so?

_Par._ Do: I'll take the sacrament on 't, how and which 130
way you will.

_Ber._ All's one to him. What a past-saving slave is this!

_First Lord._ You're deceived, my lord: this is Monsieur
Parolles, the gallant militarist,--that was his own phrase,--
that had the whole theoric of war in the knot of his scarf, 135
and the practice in the chape of his dagger.

_Sec. Lord._ I will never trust a man again for keeping
his sword clean, nor believe he can have every thing in
him by wearing his apparel neatly.

_First Sold._ Well, that's set down. 140

_Par._ Five or six thousand horse, I said,--I will say
true,--or thereabouts, set down, for I'll speak truth.

_First Lord._ He's very near the truth in this.

_Ber._ But I con him no thanks for't, in the nature he
delivers it. 145

_Par._ Poor rogues, I pray you, say.

_First Sold._ Well, that's set down.

_Par._ I humbly thank you, sir: a truth's a truth, the
rogues are marvellous poor.

_First Sold._ [_reads_] Demand of him, of what strength they
are 150
a-foot. What say you to that?

_Par._ By my troth, sir, if I were to live this present hour,
I will tell true. Let me see: Spurio, a hundred and fifty;
Sebastian, so many; Corambus, so many; Jaques, so many;
Guiltian, Cosmo, Lodowick, and Gratii, two hundred and 155
fifty each; mine own company, Chitopher, Vaumond, Bentii,
two hundred and fifty each: so that the muster-file, rotten
and sound, upon my life, amounts not to fifteen thousand
poll; half of the which dare not shake the snow from off
their cassocks, lest they shake themselves to pieces. 160

_Ber._ What shall be done to him?

_First Lord._ Nothing, but let him have thanks. Demand
of him my condition, and what credit I have with the Duke.

_First Sold._ Well, that's set down. [_Reads_] You shall demand
of him, whether one Captain Dumain be i' the camp, a Frenchman; 165
what his reputation is with the Duke; what his valour, honesty,
and expertness in wars; or whether he thinks it were not possible,
with well-weighing sums of gold, to corrupt him to a revolt.
What say you to this? what do you know of it?

_Par._ I beseech you, let me answer to the particular of 170
the inter'gatories: demand them singly.

_First Sold._ Do you know this Captain Dumain?

_Par._ I know him: a' was a botcher's 'prentice in Paris,
from whence he was whipped for getting the shrieve's fool
with child,--a dumb innocent, that could not say him nay. 175

_Ber._ Nay, by your leave, hold your hands; though I
know his brains are forfeit to the next tile that falls.

_First Sold._ Well, is this captain in the Duke of Florence's
camp?

_Par._ Upon my knowledge, he is, and lousy. 180

_First Lord._ Nay, look not so upon me; we shall hear
of your lordship anon.

_First Sold._ What is his reputation with the Duke?

_Par._ The Duke knows him for no other but a poor
officer of mine; and writ to me this other day to turn him 185
out o' the band: I think I have his letter in my pocket.

_First Sold._ Marry, we'll search.

_Par._ In good sadness, I do not know; either it is there,
or it is upon a file with the Duke's other letters in my tent.

_First Sold._ Here 'tis; here's a paper: shall I read it to 190
you?

_Par._ I do not know if it be it or no.

_Ber._ Our interpreter does it well.

_First Lord._ Excellently.

_First Sold._ [reads] Dian, the count's a fool, and full of gold,-- 195

_Par._ That is not the Duke's letter, sir; that is an advertisement
to a proper maid in Florence, one Diana, to
take heed of the allurement of one Count Rousillon, a
foolish idle boy, but for all that very ruttish: I pray you,
sir, put it up again. 200

_First Sold._ Nay, I'll read it first, by your favour.

_Par._ My meaning in't, I protest, was very honest in
the behalf of the maid; for I knew the young count to be
a dangerous and lascivious boy, who is a whale to virginity
and devours up all the fry it finds. 205

_Ber._ Damnable both-sides rogue!

_First Sold._ [_reads_] When he swears oaths, bid him drop gold,
and take it;
After he scores, he never pays the score:
Half won is match well made; match, and well make it;
He ne'er pays after-debts, take it before; 210
And say a soldier, Dian, told thee this,
Men are to mell with, boys are not to kiss:
For count of this, the count's a fool, I know it,
Who pays before, but not when he does owe it.

Thine, as he vowed to thee in thine ear, 215
PAROLLES.

_Ber._ He shall be whipped through the army with this
rhyme in's forehead.

_Sec. Lord._ This is your devoted friend, sir, the manifold
linguist and the armipotent soldier. 220

_Ber._ I could endure any thing before but a cat, and
now he's a cat to me.

_First Sold._ I perceive, sir, by the general's looks, we
shall be fain to hang you.

_Par._ My life, sir, in any case: not that I am afraid to 225
die; but that, my offences being many, I would repent out
the remainder of nature: let me live, sir, in a dungeon, i' the
stocks, or any where, so I may live.

_First Sold._ We'll see what may be done, so you confess
freely; therefore, once more to this Captain Dumain: 230
you have answered to his reputation with the Duke and to
his valour: what is his honesty?

_Par._ He will steal, sir, an egg out of a cloister: for
rapes and ravishments he parallels Nessus: he professes
not keeping of oaths; in breaking 'em he is stronger than 235
Hercules: he will lie, sir, with such volubility, that you
would think truth were a fool: drunkenness is his best virtue,
for he will be swine-drunk; and in his sleep he does
little harm, save to his bed-clothes about him; but they
know his conditions and lay him in straw. I have but 240
little more to say, sir, of his honesty: he has every thing
that an honest man should not have; what an honest man
should have, he has nothing.

_First Lord._ I begin to love him for this.

_Ber._ For this description of thine honesty? A pox 245
upon him for me, he's more and more a cat.

_First Sold._ What say you to his expertness in war?

_Par._ Faith, sir, has led the drum before the English
tragedians; to belie him, I will not, and more of his soldiership
I know not; except, in that country he had the 250
honour to be the officer at a place there called Mile-end,
to instruct for the doubling of files: I would do the man
what honour I can, but of this I am not certain.

_First Lord._ He hath out-villained villany so far, that
the rarity redeems him. 255

_Ber._ A pox on him, he's a cat still.

_First Sold._ His qualities being at this poor price, I
need not to ask you if gold will corrupt him to revolt.

_Par._ Sir, for a quart d'écu he will sell the fee-simple of
his salvation, the inheritance of it; and cut the entail from 260
all remainders, and a perpetual succession for it perpetually.

_First Sold._ What's his brother, the other Captain Dumain?

_Sec. Lord._ Why does he ask him of me?

_First Sold._ What's he? 265

_Par._ E'en a crow o' the same nest; not altogether so
great as the first in goodness, but greater a great deal in
evil: he excels his brother for a coward, yet his brother is
reputed one of the best that is: in a retreat he outruns any
lackey; many, in coming on he has the cramp. 270

_First Sold._ If your life be saved, will you undertake to
betray the Florentine?

_Par._ Ay, and the captain of his horse, Count Rousillon.

_First Sold._ I'll whisper with the general, and know his
pleasure. 275

_Par._ [_Aside_] I'll no more drumming; a plague of all
drums! Only to seem to deserve well, and to beguile the
supposition of that lascivious young boy the count, have I
run into this danger. Yet who would have suspected an
ambush where I was taken? 280

_First Sold._ There is no remedy, sir, but you must die:
the general says, you that have so traitorously discovered the
secrets of your army and made such pestiferous reports of
men very nobly held, can serve the world for no honest use;
therefore you must die. Come, headsman, off with his head. 285

_Par._ O Lord, sir, let me live, or let me see my death!

_First Sold._ That shall you, and take your leave of all
your friends. [_Unblinding him._
So, look about you: know you any here?

_Ber._ Good morrow, noble captain. 290

_Sec. Lord._ God bless you, Captain Parolles.

_First Lord._ God save you, noble captain.

_Sec. Lord._ Captain, what greeting will you to my Lord
Lafeu? I am for France.

_First Lord._ Good captain, will you give me a copy of 295
the sonnet you writ to Diana in behalf of the Count Rousillon?
an I were not a very coward, I'ld compel it of you:
but fare you well. [_Exeunt Bertram and Lords._

_First Sold._ You are undone, captain, all but your
scarf; that has a knot on't yet. 300

_Par._ Who cannot be crushed with a plot?

_First Sold._ If you could find out a country where but
women were that had received so much shame, you might
begin an impudent nation. Fare ye well, sir; I am for
France too: we shall speak of you there. 305
[_Exit, with Soldiers._

_Par._ Yet am I thankful: if my heart were great,
'Twould burst at this. Captain I'll be no more;
But I will eat and drink, and sleep as soft
As captain shall: simply the thing I am
Shall make me live. Who knows himself a braggart, 310
Let him fear this, for it will come to pass
That every braggart shall be found an ass.
Rust, sword! cool, blushes! and, Parolles, live
Safest in shame! being fool'd, by foolery thrive!
There's place and means for every man alive. 315
I'll after them. [_Exit_

LINENOTES:

[1] First Lord.] 1 Ld. Rowe. Cap. G. Ff (and throughout the scene).

[2] Sec. Lord.] 2 Ld. Rowe. Cap. E. Ff (and throughout the scene).

[16] _made_] _paid_ Staunton conj.

[18] _delay_] _allay_ Hanmer.

[22] _till_] _ere_ Hanmer. _when_ Mason conj.

[23, 24] _nobility, ... stream_] Theobald. _nobility ... stream,_ Ff.

[25] _meant_] Ff. _most_ Hanmer. _meantime_ Heath conj. _mean and_
Mason conj. _maint_ Nicholson conj. _mere_ Anon. conj.

[26] _trumpeters_] _the trumpeters_ Rowe.

[30] _apace_] _agace_ F3.

[31] _company_] _companion_ Hanmer.

_anatomized_] _anatomiz'd_ Rowe. _anathomiz'd_ Ff.

[32] _judgements_] Ff. _judgement_ Pope.

_wherein so curiously_] _where so incuriously_ Badham conj.

_curiously_] F1 F2. _seriously_ F3 F4.

[33] _this_] F1 F2. _his_ F3 F4.

[36] _these_] F1. _those_ F2 F3 F4.

[39] _concluded_] _is concluded_ Rowe (ed. 1).

[47] _is_] om. Capell.

[48] _most_] _a most_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[49] _the_] _through the_ Capell.

[50] _as_] om. Long MS.

[53] _stronger_] _stranger_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[54] _makes_] Ff. _make_ Malone.

[55] _itself_] _is selfe_ F2. See note (XVI).

[56] _was_] _and_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[58, 59] _point from point_] Ff. _from point to point_
Hanmer. _point for point_ Capell.

[64] _gain_] _gains_ Edd. conj.

[70] Messenger] Ff. Servant Rowe (ed. 2).

[74, 75] _commendations_] _commendation_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[78] SCENE IV. Pope.

First Lord.] Ber. F1 F2. Cap. G. F3 F4.

[79] Enter B.] Enter Count Rossillion Ff (after line 77).

[83] _congied_] Ff. _conge'd_ Capell.

[86] _effected_] F3 F4. _affected_ F1 F2.

[94] _module_] Ff. _medal_ Hanmer (Warburton). _model_ Collier.

_module, has_] F2. _module has_ F1. _module; 'has_ F3 F4. _module;
h'as_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[96] _forth_] _forth_ [Exeunt Soldiers.] Capell.

_he has_] _h'as_ F1 F2. _ha's_ F3 F4.

_i'the_] _i'th_ Ff. _in the_ Rowe.

[100] Sec. Lord.] 2 L. Capell. Cap. E. F1 F2. Cap. G. F3 F4. 1 Ld.
Rowe.

[105] _i'the_] _i'th_ Ff.

[107] _has a'_] _ha's a_ F1 F2 F3. _has a_ F4. _has he_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[110] _hear_] _bear_ Anon conj.

[Enter...] Enter Parolles with his Interpreter. Ff.

[111] SCENE V. Pope.

[112] _hush, hush!_] _hush_ F2.

[112, 113 _hush, hush!_ First Lord. _Hoodman_] 1 Lord. _Hush! hoodman_
Hanmer. 1 L. _Hush, hush! hoodman_ S. Walker conj.

[113] _Hoodman_] _Headsman_ Grey conj.

[114] First Sold.] Int. Ff (and throughout the scene).

[116, 117] _I will ... more_] Printed as two lines in Ff, ending
_...constraint, ...more._

[132] Ber. _All's one to him. What_] Capell. _All's one to him._ Ber.
_What_ Ff. _All's one to me._ Ber. _What_ Rowe. 1 Lord, or 2. Lord,
_All's ... him_ Ber. _What_ Ritson conj. _All's one to me._ Ber.
_All's one to him! what_ Anon. conj.

[132-139, 143-145, 161-163, 176, 177, 181, 182, 193, 194, 206,
217-222, 244-246, 254-256, 264] are marked as 'Asides' by Capell.

[133] _You're_] _Y'are_ Ff.

[135] _theoric_] _theory_ Rowe.

[152] _live_] _die_ S. Walker conj. _leave_ Staunton conj. _shrive_
Anon. conj.

_this_] _but this_ Hanmer. See note (XIV).

[155] _Guiltian_] _Julian_ S. Walker conj.

[155, 156] _and fifty_] Rowe (ed. 2). _fifty_ F1 F2. om. F3 F4.

[157] _and fifty_] Rowe (ed. 2). _fifty_ Ff.

[163] _condition_] F1. _conditions_ F2 F3 F4.

[165] _i'the_] i'th F1 F3 F4. _it'h_ F2.

[167] _wars_] F1 F2 F3. _war_ F4.

[170] _particular_] _particulars_ Capell.

[171] _inter'gatories_] _interrogatories_ F4. _interrogatory_ Capell.

[173] _a'_] _a_ Ff. _he_ Rowe.

[174] _shrieve's_] _sheriff's_ Hanmer.

[175] [Dumain lifts up his hand in anger. Johnson.

[182] _your lordship_] Pope. _your Lord_ Ff. _you Lord_ Rowe (ed. 1).

[185] _this_] F1 F2. _the_ F3 F4.

[186] _o' the_] _a' th_ Ff.

[189] _a file_] _the file_ Theobald.

[195] After this line Johnson supposes one to be lost.

_gold_] _golden store_ or _golden ore_ Steevens conj. _gold, I speak
it_ Jackson conj. (reading lines 208-210 in this order 209, 210,
208).

[207] First Sold. [reads] Int. Let. Ff. Inter. reads the letter.
Rowe.

[209] _well made_] _ill made_ Capell conj. _half made_ Jackson conj.

_match, and well_] _match well and_ Hanmer. _watch, and well_ Johnson
conj. (who would read the lines 207-210 in the following order, 209,
207, 208, 210).

_and well_] _an' we'll_ Steevens conj.

[212] _not_] _but_ Pope (ed. 2. Theobald).

[213] _count's_] _count_ F2.

[214] _when_] _where_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[218] _in's_] _in his_ Rowe.

[222] _now_] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.

[223] _the_] F3 F4. _your_ F1 F2. _our_ Capell.

[227] _i' the_] _i' th_ Ff.

[228] _or_] F1 F2. om. F3 F4.

[233] _an egg_] _an Ag._ (i.e. _Agnes_) Becket conj.

[235] _in breaking_] F1. _breaking_ F2 F3 F4.

_'em_] _em_ F1 F2 F3. _them_ F4.

[246] _he's_] _he is_ Pope.

[248] _has_] _ha's_ Ff. _h'as_ Rowe.

[254] _out-villained_] _out-villanied_ S. Walker conj.

[259] _quart d'écu_] Pope. _cardceue_ F1. _cardecue_ F2 F3 F4.

[261] _for it_] _in it_ Hanmer.

[266] _o' the_] _a' th_ F1 F2 F4, _at'h_ F3.

[270] _has_] _ha's_ F1.

[276] [Aside] Rowe (ed. 2).

[279] _this danger_] _danger_ Rowe.

[288] [Unblinding him.] Rowe (ed. 1). [Unbinding him. Rowe (ed. 2).
[Unmuffling him. Steevens.

[291, 293] Sec. Lord.] Lo. E. F1.

[296] _the sonnet_] F1 F2. _the same sonnet_ F3 F4. _that same sonnet_
Rowe.

[297] _an_] _and_ Ff. _if_ Pope.

[298] [Exeunt B. and Lords.] Exeunt. Ff.

[305] [Exit...] Exit. Ff.

[306] SCENE VI. Pope.

_am I_] _I am_ Hanmer.

[312] After this S. Walker conjectures that a line has been omitted.

SCENE IV. _Florence. The_ Widow's _house._

_Enter_ HELENA, Widow, _and_ DIANA.

_Hel._ 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:
Time was, I did him a desired office, 5
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
We have convenient convoy. You must know, 10
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.

_Wid._ Gentle madam,
You never had a servant to whose trust 15
Your business was more welcome.

_Hel._ Nor you, mistress,
Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labour
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 20
And helper to a husband. But, O strange men!
That can such sweet use make of what they hate,
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. 25
But more of this hereafter. You, Diana,
Under my poor instructions yet must suffer
Something in my behalf.

_Dia._ Let death and honesty
Go with your impositions, I am yours
Upon your will to suffer.

_Hel._ Yet, I pray you: 30
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 waggon is prepared, and time revives us:
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: still the fine's the crown; 35
Whate'er the course, the end is the renown. [_Exeunt._

LINENOTES:

SCENE IV.] SCENE VII. Pope.

[3] _'fore_] _for_ F1.

[6] _which_] _for which_ Hanmer.

[9] _is at_] _it_ F2.

_Marseilles_] Rowe (ed. 2). _Marcellæ_ F1. _Marsellis_ F2 F3.
_Marselis_ F4.

[16] _you_] F4. _your_ F1 F2 F3.

[23] _saucy trusting of_] Ff. _fancy trusting in_ Hanmer. _fancy
trusting of_ Warburton.

[30, 31] _I pray you: But with the word_] Ff. _I pray you, Bear with
the word:_ Hanmer. _I pray you, But with the word:_ Capell. _I pray
you,--But with the word,_ Steevens (Henley conj.). _I fray you But
with the word:_ Collier (Blackstone conj.). _I play you But with the
word:_ Jackson conj. _I pray you: But with the world_ Collier MS. _I
pay you But with the word;_ Grant White. _I pay you But with the
word,_ Staunton conj.

[31-33] _But ... away_] _But--with the word 'The time ... sharp,'--we
must away_ Anon. conj.

[34] _revives_] Ff. _reviles_ Hanmer. _revyes_ Warburton. _invites_
Johnson and Heath conj.

[35] _the fine's_] Theobald. _the fines_ F1. _that fines_ F2 F3. _that
finds_ F4.

[36] _course_] _curse_ Rowe (ed. 2).

SCENE V. _Rousillon. The_ COUNT'S _palace._

_Enter_ COUNTESS, LAFEU, _and_ Clown.

_Laf._ No, no, no, your son was misled with a snipt-taffeta
fellow there, whose villanous saffron would have
made all the unbaked and doughy youth of a nation in his
colour: your daughter-in-law had been alive at this hour,
and your son here at home, more advanced by the king 5
than by that red-tailed humble-bee I speak of.

_Count._ I would I had not known him; it was the death
of the most virtuous gentlewoman that ever nature had
praise for creating. If she had partaken of my flesh, and
cost me the dearest groans of a mother, I could not have 10
owed her a more rooted love.

_Laf._ 'Twas a good lady, 'twas a good lady: we may
pick a thousand salads ere we light on such another herb.

_Clo._ Indeed, sir, she was the sweet-marjoram of the
salad, or rather, the herb of grace. 15

_Laf._ They are not herbs, you knave; they are nose-herbs.

_Clo._ I am no great Nebuchadnezzar, sir; I have not
much skill in grass.

_Laf._ Whether dost thou profess thyself, a knave or a fool? 20

_Clo._ A fool, sir, at a woman's service, and a knave at a
man's.

_Laf._ Your distinction?

_Clo._ I would cozen the man of his wife and do his service.

_Laf._ So you were a knave at his service, indeed. 25

_Clo._ And I would give his wife my bauble, sir, to do
her service.

_Laf._ I will subscribe for thee, thou art both knave and
fool.

_Clo._ At your service. 30

_Laf._ No, no, no.

_Clo._ Why, sir, if I cannot serve you, I can serve as
great a prince as you are.

_Laf._ Who's that? a Frenchman?

_Clo._ Faith, sir, a' has an English name; but his fisnomy 35
is more hotter in France than there.

_Laf._ What prince is that?

_Clo._ The black prince, sir; alias, the prince of darkness;
alias, the devil.

_Laf._ Hold thee, there's my purse: I give thee not this to 40
suggest thee from thy master thou talkest of; serve him still.

_Clo._ I am a woodland fellow, sir, that always loved a
great fire; and the master I speak of ever keeps a good fire.
But, sure, he is the prince of the world; let his nobility remain
in's court. I am for the house with the narrow gate, 45
which I take to be too little for pomp to enter: some that
humble themselves may; but the many will be too chill
and tender, and they'll be for the flowery way that leads
to the broad gate and the great fire.

_Laf._ Go thy ways, I begin to be aweary of thee; and 50
I tell thee so before, because I would not fall out with thee.
Go thy ways: let my horses be well looked to, without any
tricks.

_Clo._ If I put any tricks upon 'em, sir, they shall be jades'
tricks; which are their own right by the law of nature. 55
[_Exit._

_Laf._ A shrewd knave and an unhappy.

_Count._ So he is. My lord that's gone made himself
much sport out of him: by his authority he remains here,
which he thinks is a patent for his sauciness; and, indeed,
he has no pace, but runs where he will. 60

_Laf._ I like him well; 'tis not amiss. And I was about
to tell you, since I heard of the good lady's death and that
my lord your son was upon his return home, I moved the
king my master to speak in the behalf of my daughter;
which, in the minority of them both, his majesty, out of a 65
self-gracious remembrance, did first propose: his highness
hath promised me to do it: and, to stop up the displeasure
he hath conceived against your son, there is no fitter matter.
How does your ladyship like it?

_Count._ With very much content, my lord; and I wish 70
it happily effected.

_Laf._ His highness comes post from Marseilles, of as
able body as when he numbered thirty: he will be here to-morrow,
or I am deceived by him that in such intelligence
hath seldom failed. 75

_Count._ It rejoices me, that I hope I shall see him ere
I die. I have letters that my son will be here to-night: I
shall beseech your lordship to remain with me till they
meet together.

_Laf._ Madam, I was thinking with what manners I 80
might safely be admitted.

_Count._ You need but plead your honourable privilege.

_Laf._ Lady, of that I have made a bold charter; but I
thank my God it holds yet.

_Re-enter_ Clown.

_Clo._ O madam, yonder's my lord your son with a 85
patch of velvet on's face: whether there be a scar under't
or no, the velvet knows; but 'tis a goodly patch of velvet:
his left cheek is a cheek of two pile and a half, but his right
cheek is worn bare.

_Laf._ A scar nobly got, or a noble scar, is a good livery 90
of honour; so belike is that.

_Clo._ But it is your carbonadoed face.

_Laf._ Let us go see your son, I pray you: I long to
talk with the young noble soldier.

_Clo._ Faith, there's a dozen of 'em, with delicate fine 95
hats and most courteous feathers, which bow the head and
nod at every man. [_Exeunt._

LINENOTES:

SCENE V.] SCENE VIII. Pope.

COUNTESS,2] Old Lady, Ff.

[5] _advanced_] _advantaged_ Warburton.

[6] _than by that_] _but for that_ Hanmer.

[7] _I had_] _he had_ Hanmer (Theobald conj.).

[13] _salads_] _sallets_ Ff.

[15] _salad_] _sallet_ Ff.

[16] _herbs_] Ff. _sallet-herbs_ Rowe. _pot-herbs_ Collier MS.

[19] _grass_] Rowe. _grace_ Ff.

[24] _his wife_] _this wife_ F2.

[26] _bauble_] _folly_ Hanmer.

[34] _Who's_] F4. _Whose_ F1 F2 F3.

[35] _a'_] _a_ Ff. he Rowe (ed. 2).

_name_] Rowe. _maine_ F1 F2. _main_ F3. _mean_ F4. _mien_ Anon. conj.

[36] _hotter_] _honour'd_ Hanmer (Warburton).

_there_] F1 F2. _here_ F3 F4.

[41] _suggest_] _seduce_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[42] _I am_] _I'm_ Theobald.

[43, 44] _fire But, sure, he ... world;_] _fire, but sure he ...
world,_ Ff. _fire; but since he ... world,_ Hanmer. _fire. But, for he
... world,_ Capell.

[44] _his_] _the_ Collier MS.

[54] _sir_] om. Rowe.

[57] _he_] Rowe. _a_ Ff.

[60] _pace_] _place_ Hanmer.

_runs_] _he runs_ F3 F4.

[72] _Marseilles_] Pope. _Marcellus_ F1. _Marsellis_ F2. _Marselles_
F3 F4.

[73] _he_] Rowe (ed. 2). _a_ Ff. _and_ Rowe (ed. 1).

[76] _It_] _Ir_ F1. _I_ F2.

_that I hope I_] _that hope that I_ Warburton.

[90] Laf.] F1. La. F2 F3 F4. Count Rowe.

[90, 91] _A scar ... that_] Printed as three lines in Ff, ending _got
... honour ... that_.

[92] _carbonadoed_] Theobald. _carbinado'd_ Ff.

[93] Laf.] F1 F3 F4. La. F2 (and frequently in this scene).

[93, 94] _Let us ... soldier_] Printed as three lines in Ff, ending
_see ... talk ... soldier_.