Count. Love you my son ?
Hel. Do not you love him, madam ?
Coutit. Go not about; my love hath in't a bond,
Whereof the world takes note : come, come, disclose
The state of your atfection ; for your passions
Have to the full appeach'd.
Hel. Then, I confess.
Here on my knee, before high heaven and you,
That before you, and next unto high heaven,
I love your son : —
My friends were poor, but honest ; so's my love:
Be not offended ; for it hurts not him.
That he is lov'd of me : I follow him not
By any token of presumptuous suit ;
Nor would I have him till I do deserve him ;
Yet never know how that desert should be.
I know I love in vain, strive against hope ;
Yet in this captious and intenible siev^e
I still pour in the waters of my love,
And lack not to lose still : thus, Indian-like,
Religious in mine error, I adore
The sun, that looks upon his worshiper,
But knows of him no more. My dearest madam,
Let not your hate encounter with my love.
For loving where you do : but, if yourself.
Whose ag(^d honor cites a virtuous youth.
Did ever, in so true a flame of liking,
Wish chastely, and love dearly, that your Dian
Was both herself and Love ; O, then, give pity
To her, whose state is such, that cannot choose
But lend and give, where she is sure to lose ;
That seeks not to find that her search implies.
But, riddle-like, lives sweetly where she dies !
IV. i6. [a.w.t.e.w. i6.
Act J.] ALL'S WELL THA T ENDS H'ELL. [Scene III.
Count. Had you not lately an intent,— speak truly, —
To go to Paris ?
Hel. Madam. 1 IukI.
Count. Wherefore?
Tell true.
Hel. I will tell truth ; byjjrace itself, I swear.
You know my fatlier left me some ])rescriptions
Of rare and prov'd effects, such as his reading
And manifold experience had collected
For general sovereignty; and that he will'd me
In heedfuH'st reser\ation to bestow them,
As notes, whose faculties inclusive were.
More than they were in note : amongst the rest.
There is a remedy, approv'd. set down,
To cure the desperate languishings whereof
The king is render'd lost.
Count. This was your motive
For Paris, was it ? speak.
Hel. My lord your son made me to think of this;
Else Paris, and the medicine, and the king,
Had from the conversation of my thoughts
Haply been absent then.
Count. l>ut think you, Helen,
If you should tender your supposed aid.
He w'ould receive it } he and his physicians
Are of a mind ; he, that they cannot help him ;
They, that they cannot help : how shall they credit
A poor unlearned virgin, when the schools,
Embowel'd of their doctrine, have left off
The danger to itself .''
Hel. There's something hints.
More than my father's skill, which was the greatest
Of his profession, that his good receipt
Shall, for my legacy, be sanctified
By the luckiest stars in heaven : and, would your honor
But give me leave to try success, I'd venture
This well-lost life of mine on's grace's cure
By such a day and hour.
Count. Dost thou beheve't ?
Hel. Ay, madam, knowingly.
Count. Why, Helen, thou shalt have my leave, and
love,
A.W.T.B.W. 17.] IV. 17.
Aci//.] ALVS IVELL THAT EXDS iVELL. [Sceue I.
Means, and attendants, and my loving greetings
To tliose of mine in court : I'll stay at home,
And pray Ciod's blessing into thy attempt :
Be gone to-morrow ; and be sure of this,
What I can help thee to, thou shalt not miss. [£xeunt
ACT II.
Scene I. Paris. A room in the YJxwgs palace.
Flourish. Enter King, with divers youJig Lords taking
leave for the Florentine war; BERTRAM,
Parolles, and Attendants.
King. Farewell, young lord ; these warlike principles
Do not throw from you : and you, my lord, farewell: —
Share the advice betwixt you ; if both gain all,
The gift doth stretch itself as 'tis receiv'd.
And is enough for both.
First Lord. It is our hope, sir,
After well-enter'd soldiers, to return
And find your grace in health.
King. No, no, it cannot be ; and yet my heart
Will not confess he owes the malady
That doth my life besiege. Farewell, young lords ;
Whether I live or die, be you the sons
Of worthy Frenchmen : let higher Italy —
Those bated that inherit but the fall
Of the last monarchy • — see that j'ou come
Not to woo honor, but to wed it ; when
The bravest questant shrinks, find what you seek.
That fame may cr)' you loud : I say, farewell.
Sec. Lord. Health, at your bidding, serve your majesty !
King. Those girls of Italy, take heed of them :
They say, our French lack language to deny,
If they demand : beware of being captives,
Before you serve.
Both Lords. Our hearts receive your warnings.
King. Farewell. — Come hither to me.
[Exit, led out by Attendants.
First Lord. O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind
us !
Par. 'Tis not his fault, the spark.
Sec, Lord, O, 'tis brave wars !
IV. 18. [a.W.t.h.w. 18
Act//.] ALVS ll^ELL THAlENnSWELL. [Seen*/.
Par. Most admirable : I have seen those wars.
Ber. I am commanded here, and kept a coil with, —
" Too young," and " the next year," and " 'tis too early."
Par. An thy mind stand to't, boy, steal away bravely.
Ber. I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock.
Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry,
Till honor be bought up, and no sword worn
But one to dance with I By heaven, I'll steal away.
First Lord. There's honor in the theft.
Par. Commit it, count.
Sec. Lord. I am your accessary ; and so, farewell.
Ber. I grow to you, and our parting is a tortured body.
First Lord. Farewell, captain.
Sec. Lord. Sweet Monsieur Paroll*j !
Par. Noble heroes, my sword and yours are kin. Good
sparks and lustrous, a word, good metals : — you shall
find in the regiment of the Spinii one Captain Spurio,
with his cicatrice, an emblem of war, here on his sinister
cheek ; it was this very sword intrenched it : say to him,
I live ; and observe his reports for me.
Sec. Lord. We shall, noble captain.
Par. Mars dote on you for his novices ! [Exeunt Lords.
What will ye do }
Ber. Stay ; the king !
Re-enter the King, led back to his chair by Attendants.
Par. Use a more spacious ceremony to the noble lords;
you have restrained yourself within the list of too cold an
adieu : be more expressive to them : for they wear them-
selves in the cap of the time, there do muster true gait,
eat, speak, and move under the influence of the most re-
ceived star ; and though the devil lead the measure, such
are to be followed : after them, and take a more dilated
farewell.
Ber. And I will do so.
Par. Worthy fellows ; and like to prove most sinewy
sword-men. [Exeunt Bertram and Parolles.
Enter Lafeu.
Laf. [kneeling'] Pardon, my lord, for me and for my
tidings.
King. I'll fee thee to stand up.
A.W.T.B.W. 19.] IV. 19.
Actll.^ ALVS WELL THAT ENDS WELL. [_Sccnc L
La/, {rising'] Then here's a man stands that has bought
his pardon.
I would you had kneel'd, my lord, to ask me mercy;
And that, at my bidding, you could so stand up.
King. I would I had ; so I had broke thy pate,
And ask'd thee mercy for't.
Laf. Good faith, across : but, my good lord, 'tis thus;
Will you be cur'd of your infirmity }
King. No.
Laf. O, will you eat no grapes, my royal fox ?
Yes, but you will my noble grapes, an if
My royal fox could reach them : I've seen a medicine
That's able to breathe life into a stone.
Quicken a rock, ancf make you dance canary
With sprightly tire and motion ; whose simple touch
Is powerful to araise King Pepin, nay,
To give great Charlemain a pen in's hand.
And write to her a love-line.
King. What " her " is this !
Laf. Why, doctor she : my lord, there's one arriv'd,
If you will see her : — now, by my faith and honor.
If seriously I may convey my thoughts
In this my light deliverance, I have spoke
With one that, in her sex, her years, profession,
Wisdom, and constancy, hath amaz'd me more
Than I dare blame my weakness : will you see her, —
For that is her demand, — and know her business.-*
That done, laugh well at me.
King. Now, good Lafeu,
Bring in the admiration ; that we with thee
May spend our wonder too, or take off thine
By wondenng how thou took'st it.
Laf. Nay, I'll fit you,
And not be all day neither. [Exit.
King. Thus he his special nothing ever prologues.
Re-enter Lafeu, with Helena.
Laf. Nay, come your ways.
King. This haste hath wings indeed.
Laf. Nay, come your ways ;
This is his majesty, say your mind to him :
A traitor you do look like ; but such traitors
IV. 20. [a.w.t.e.w. 20.
Act II. J ALI:K well TIIA T K.VDS H'ELL. [Scene I.
His majesty seldom fears: I'm Cressid's uncle,
That dare leave two together ; fare you well. [£>//,
King, Now, fair one, does your business follow us?
IleL Ay, my good lord.
Oerard de Narbon was my father; one,
in what he did profess, well found.
King. 1 knew him.
Hel. The rather will I spare my praises towards him;
Knowing him is enough. On's bed of death
Many receipts he gav^ me ; chiefly one.
Which, as the dearest issue of his practice.
And of his old experience th' only darling.
He bade me store up, as a triple eye.
Safer than mine own two, more dear : I have so :
And, hearing your high majesty is touch 'd
With that malignant cause, wherein the honor
Of my dear father's gift stands chief in power,
I come to tender it, and my appliance,
With all bound humbleness.
King. We thank you, maiden ;
But may not be so credulous of cure.
When our most learned doctors leave us, a^^d
The congregated college have concluded
That laboring art can never ransom nature
From her inaidable state,— I say we must not
So stain our judgment, or corrupt our hope.
To prostitute our past-cure malady
To empirics ; or to dissever so
Our great self and our credit, to esteem
A senseless help, when help past sense we deem.
Hel. My duty, then, shall pay me for my pains :
1 will no more enforce mine office on you ;
Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts
A modest one, to bear me back again.
King. I cannot give thee less, to be call'd grateful :
Thou thought'st to hel]) me ; and such thanks I give
As one near death to those that wish him live :
But, what at full I know, thou know'st no part ;
I knowing all my peril, thou no art.
Hel. What I can do can do no hurt to try,
Since you set up your rest 'gainst remedy.
He that of greatest works is finisher
il.W.T.E.W. 21.] IV. 21
Act//.] ALVS IVELL THAT ENDS ^f'ELL. ISant /.
Oft does them by the weakest minister:
So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown,
When judges have been babes ; great floods have flown
From simple sources ; and great seas have dried,
When miracles have by the greatest been denied.
Oft expectation fails, and most oft there
Where most it promises ; and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest, and despair most fits.
King. I must not hear thee ; fare thee well, kind maid;
Thy pains, not us'd, must by thyself be paid :
Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward.
Hel. Inspired merit so by breath is barr'd :
It is not so with Him that all things knows,
As 'tis with us that square our guess by shows ;
But most it is presumption in us when
The help of heaven we count the act of men.
Dear sir, to my endeavors give consent ;
Of heaven, not me, make an experiment.
I am not an impostor, that proclaim
Myself against the level of mine aim ;
But know I think, and think I know most sure,
My art is not past power, nor you past cure.
King. Art thou so confident ? within what space
Hop'st thou my cure.^
He/. The great 'st grace lending grace,
Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring
Their fiery torches his diurnal ring ;
Ere twice in murk and occidental damp
Moist Hesperus hath quench'd his sleepy lamp;
Or four and twenty times the pilot's glass
Hath told the thievish minutes how they pass;
What is infirm from your sound parts shall fiy,
Health shall live free, and sickness freely die.
Kzng. Upon thy certainty and confidence
What dar'st thou venture }
Hel. Tax of impudence, —
A strumpet's boldness, a divulged shame, —
Traduc'd by odious ballads ; my maid's name
Sear'd otherwise ; the worst of worst extended, —
With vilest torture let my life be ended.
King. Methinks in thee some blessed spirit doth speak,
His powerful sound within an organ weak :
IV. 22. [A.W.T.E.W. 22,
Act II.] ALVS WELL THAT ENDS WELL. {Sctnt 11-
And what impossibility would slay
In common sense, sense saves another way.
Thy life is dear; for all, that life can rate
Worth name of life, in thee hatii estimate, —
Youth, beauty, wisdom, courage, virtue, all
That happiness and prime can happy call :
Thou this to hazard, needs must intimate
Skill infinite or monstrous desperate.
Sweet practicer, thy physic I will try,
That ministers thine own death, if 1 die.
Hel. If I break time, or flinch in property
Of what I spoke, unpiticd let me die;
And well deserv'd : not helping, death's my fee;
But, if I help, what do you promise me }
King. Make thy demand.
Hel. But will you make it even ?
King. Ay, by my scepter and my hopes of heaven.
Hel. Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand
What husband in thy power I will command :
Exempted be from me the arrogance
To choose from forth the royal blood of France,
My low and humble name to propagate
With any branch or image of thy state ;
But such a one, thy vassal, whom I know
Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow.
King. Here is my hand ; the premises observ'd,
Thy will by my performance shall be serv'd :
So make the choice of thy own time ; for I,
Thy r^solv'd patient, on thee still rely.
More should I question thee, and more I must, —
Though more to know could not be more to trust, —
From whence thou cam'st, how tended on : but rest
Unquestion'd welcome, and undoubted blest. —
Give me some help here, ho ! — If thou proceed
As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed.
{^Flourish. Exeunt^S
Scene II. Rousillon. A room in the house of the
Countess.
Enter Countess ^///c/ Clown.
Count. Come on, sir ; I shall now put you to the height
of your breeding.
A.W.T.E.W. 23.] IV. 23.
Act//.} ALVS WELL THAT ENDS WELL. [Scene /I.
Clo. I will show myself highly fed and lowly taught :
I know my business is but to the court.
Count. To the court ! why, what place make you
special, when you put off that with such contempt ? But
to the court !
Clo. Truly, madam, if God have lent a man any man-
ners, he may easily put it off at court : he that cannot
make a leg, put off's cap, kiss his hand, and say nothing,
has neither leg, hands, lip, nor cap ; and, indeed, such a
fellow, to say precisely, were not for the court : but, for
me, I have an answer will serve all men.
Count. Marr)', that's a bountiful answer that fits all
questions.
Clo. It is like a barber's chair, that fits all buttocks, —
the pin-buttock, the quatch-buttock, the brawn-buttock,
or any buttock.
Count. Will your answer serve fit to all questions ?
Clo. As fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney,
as your French crown for your taffeta punk, as Tib's rush
for Tom's forefinger, as a pancake for Shiove-Tuesday, a
morris for May-day, as the nail to his hole, the cuckold to
his horn, as a scolding quean to a wrangling knave, as
the nun's lip to the friar's mouth, nay, as the pudding to
his skin.
Count. Have you, I say, an answer of such fitness for
all questions }
Clo. From below your duke to beneath your constable,
it will fit any question.
Count. It must be an answer of most monstrous size
that must fit all demands.
Clo. But a trifle neither, in good faith, if the learned
should speak truth of it : here it is, and all that belongs
to't. Ask me if I am a courtier : it shall do you no harm
to learn.
Count. To be young again, if we could : — I will be a
fool in question, hoping to be the wiser by your answer.
I pray you, sir, are you a courtier?
Clo. " O Lord, sir ! " — there's a simple putting off. —
More, more, a hundred of them.
Count. Sir, I am a poor friend of yours th;it loves you.
Clo. " O Lord, sir ! " — Thick, thick, spare not me.
Count. I think, sir, you can eat none of this homely meat.
IV. ^4. [a.w.t.e.w. 24.
Act//] ALL'S WELL T/IA T ENDS WELL. [.Scent 11/.
Clo. "O Lord, sir!" — Nay, put me to't, I warrant
you.
Count. You were lately whipped, sir, as I think.
Clo. " O Lord, sir ! " — Spare not me.
Count Do you cry, "O Lord, sir! " at your whipping,
and "Spare not me?" Indeed, your "O Lord, sir!" is
very sequent to your whipping; : you would answer very
well to a whipping, if you were but bound to't.
C/o. I ne'er had worse luck in my life in my " O Lord,
sir ! " I see things may serve long, but not serve ever.
Cou?tt. I play the noble housewife with the time,
To entertain't so merrily with a fool.
Clo. "O Lord, sir !" — why, there't serves well again.
Count. An end, sir: to your business. Give Helen this.
And urge her to a present answer back :
Commend me to my kinsmen and my son :
This is not much.
Clo. Not much commendation to them.
Count. Not much employment for you : you understand
me.'*
Clo. Most fruitfully : I am there before my legs.
Count. Haste you again. [Exetint severally.
Scene HL Paris. A room in the King's palace.
Enter Lafeu and Parolles,
Laf. They say miracles are past ; and we have our
philosophical persons, to make modern and familiar,
things supernatural and causeless. Hence is it that we
make trifles of terrors ; ensconcing ourselves into seem-
ing knowledge, when we should submit ourselves to an
unknown fear. Why, 'tis the rarest argument of wondet
that hath shot out in our latter times.
Par. And so 'tis.
Laf. To be relinquished of the artists, —
Par. So I say.
Laf. Both of Galen and Paracelsus, of all the learned
and authentic fellows, —
Par. Right ; so I say.
Laf. That gave him out incurable, —
Par. Why, there 'tis ; so say I too.
Laf. Not to be helped, —
A.W.T.H.W. 25.] IV. 25.
Act /I.] ALVS IVELL THAT ENDS WELL. {Scene 111.
Par. Right ; as 'twere a man assured of a —
Laf. Uncertain life, and sure deatli.
Far. Just, you say well ; so would I have said.
Laf. I may truly say, it is a novelty to the world.
Par. It is, indeed : if you will have it in showing, you
shall read it in What do ye call there —
Laf. A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly
actor.
Par. That's it I would have said, the very same.
Laf. Why, your dolphin is not lustier : 'fore me, I
speak in respect —
Par. Nay, 'tis strange, 'tis very strange, that is the
brief and the tedious of it ; and he's of a most facinorous
spirit that will not acknowledge it to be the —
Laf. Very hand of heaven —
Par. Ay, so I say.
Laf. In a most weak and debile minister great power,
great transcendence : which should, indeed, give us a fur-
ther use to be made than alone the recovery of the king.
Par. As to be —
Laf. Generally thankful.
Par. I would have said it ; you say well. — Here comes
the king.
Enter King, Helena, and Attendants.
Laf. Lustic, as the Dutchman says : I'll like a maid the
better, whilst I have a tooth in my head : why, he's able
to lead her a coranto.
Par. Mort du vhiaigre ! is not this Helen ?
Laf. 'Fore God, I think so.
King. Go, call before me all the lords in court. —
^Exit an Attendant,
Sit, my preserver, by thy patient's side ;
And with this healthful hand, whose banish'd sense
Thou hast repeal'd, a second time receive
The confirmation of my promis'd gift,
Which but attends thy naming.
Enter several Lords, and BERTRAM.
Fair maid, send forth thine eye : this youthful parcel
Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing.
O'er whom both sovereign power and father's voice
IV, 26. [a.w.t.k.w. 26.
Act//.} ALL\S IVE/.L THAT /â– .XnS li'/iLL. [Scene///.
[ have to use : thy frank election make ;
Thou'st power to choose, and tliey none to forsake.
Hel. To each of you one fair and virtuous mistress 'â–
Fall, when Love please! — marry, to each, but one !
Laf. I'd give bay curtal and his furniture,
My mouth no more were broken than these boys'.
And writ as little beard.
A'/;/;'. Peruse them well :
Not one of those but had a noble father.
He!. Gentlemen,
Heaven hath, througii me, restor'd the king to health.
A//. We understand it, and thank heaven for you. '''
Hel. I am a simple maid ; and therein wealthiest.
That I protest I simply ain a maid. —
Please it your majest), I've done already :
The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me,
" We blush that thou shouldst choose ; but, be refus'd,
Let the white death sit on thy clieek for ever ;
We'll ne'er come there again."
Kt7ig. Make choice ; and, see,
Who shuns thy love slums all his love in me.
Hel. Now, Dian, from thy altar do I tly ;
And to imperial Love, that god most high,
Do my sighs stream.^ [ To F/t'st Lord] Sir, will you hear
my suit }
First Lord. And grant it.
Hel. Thanks, sir ; all the rest is mute.
Laf. I had rather be in this choice than throw ames-
ace for my life.
Hel. [lo See. Lord] The honor, sir, that flames in your
fair eyes.
Before I speak, too threateningly replies :
Love make your fortunes twenty times above
Her that so wishes and her humble love !
Sec. Lord. No better, if you please.
Hel. My wish receive,
Which great Love grant ! and so, I take my leave.
La/. Do all they deny her. '' And they were sons of mine,
I'd have them whipped ; or I would send them to the
Turk, to make eunuchs of.
Hel. [lo Third Lord\ Be not afraid that I your hand
should take ;
A.W.T.K.W. a?.] IV. 27.
Act//.] ALL'S WRLL Tff AT E\^DS IVELL. [Scene III.
I'll never do you wrong for your own sake :
Blessing upon your vows ! and in your bed
Find fairer fortune, if you ever wed.
Laf. These boys are boys of ice, they'll none of her :
sure, they are bastards to the English ; the French ne'er
got 'em.
Hel. [to Fourth Lord'\ You are too young, too happy,
and too good,
To make yourself a son out of my blood.
Fourt/i Lord. Fair one, I think not so.
Laf. There's one grape yet,— I am sure thy father
drunk wine : — but if thou be'st not an ass, I am a youth
of fourteen ; I have known thee already.
Hel. {to Bertram] I dare not say I take you ; but I give
Me and my service, ever whilst I live,
Into your guiding power. — This is the man.
King. Why, then, young Bertram, take her ; she's thy
wife.
Ber. My wife, my liege ! I shall beseech your highness.
In such a business give me leave to use
The help of mine own eyes.
King. Know'st thou not, Bertram,
What she has done for me ?
Bcr. Yes, my good lord ;
But never hope to know why I should marry her.
Kitig. Thou know'st she has rais'd me from my sickly
bed.
Ber. But follows it, my lord, to bring me down
Must answer for your raising ? I know her well :
She had her breeding at my father's charge.
A poor physician's daughter my wife ! — Disdam
Rather corrupt me ever !
King. 'Tis only title thou disdain'st in her, the which
1 can build up. Strange is it that our bloods,
Of color, weight, and heat, pour'd all together,
Would quite confound distinction, yi-X stand off
In differences so mighty. If she be
All that is virtuous, — save what thou dislik'st,
A poor physician's daughter, — thou dislik'st
Of virtue for the name : but do not so :
From lowest place when virtuous things proceed,
The place is dignified by the doer's deed :
IV. 28. [a.w.t.e.w. 28.
A^l JJ.] ALL'S WELL THAT ENDU WELL. \_S.cne 111
Where great additions swell's, ami \ irtue none,
It is a dropsied iioiior : good alone
Is good witliout a name ; vileness is so :
The property by what it is should go,
Not by the title. She is young, wise, fair;
In these to nature she's immediate heir ;
And these breed honor : that is honor's scorn,
Which challenges itself as honor's born.
And is not like the sire: honors thrive,
When ratlier from our acts we them derive
Than our foregoers : the mere word's a slave,
Debauch'tl on every tomb, on every grave
A lying trophy ; and as oft is dumb
Where dust and damn'd oblivion is the tomb
Of honor'd bones indeed. What should be said ?
If thou canst like this creature as a maid,
I can create the rest : virtue and she
Is her own dower ; honor and wealth from me.
Ber. I cannot love her, nor will strive to do't.
King. Thou wrong'st thyself, if thou shouldst strive to
choose.
Hel. That you are well restor'd, my lord, I'm glad ;
Let the rest go.
King. My honor's at the stake ; which to defend,
I must produce my power. Here, take her hand,
Proud scornful boy, unworthy this good gift ;
That dost in vile misprision shackle up
My love and her desert ; that canst not dream.
We, poising us in her defective scale,