SparkNotes: Complete Text of All's Well That Ends Well: Act IV, Scene iv

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READ STUDY GUIDE: Act IV, scene iv-v; Act V, scene i-iii

Act IV, Scene iv:
Florence. A room in the Widow's house.

[Enter HELENA, Widow, and DIANA.]

HELENA:

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,

Dear almost as his life; which gratitude

Through flinty Tartar's bosom would peep forth,

And answer, thanks: I duly am informed

His grace is at Marseilles; to which place

We have convenient convoy. You must know

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.

WIDOW:

Gentle madam,

You never had a servant to whose trust

Your business was more welcome.

HELENA:

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

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:

But more of this hereafter.—You, Diana,

Under my poor instructions yet must suffer

Something in my behalf.

DIANA:

Let death and honesty

Go with your impositions, I am yours

Upon your will to suffer.

HELENA:

Yet, I pray you:

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 prepar'd, and time revives us:

All's well that ends well: still the fine's the crown;

Whate'er the course, the end is the renown.

[Exeunt.]

All's Well That Ends Well

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