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All's Well That Ends Well
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READ STUDY GUIDE: Act II, Scenes iv-v; Act III, Scenes i-iv

 
Act II, Scene v:
Another room in the same.
 
[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, is 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 leapt 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 his prayers.
Fare you well, my lord; and believe this of me, there can be no
kernal 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 procur'd 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 your 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.]
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