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.]