First Sold. He calls for the tortures: what will you say without 'em? 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. 141 Boblibindo chicurmurco. First Sold. You are a merciful general. Our general 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? 150 Par. Five or six thousand; but very weak and unserviceable: 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 way you will. Ber. All's one to him. What a past-saving slave is this! 159 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, 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. 169 First Sold. Well, that's set down. Par. Five or six thousand horse, I said,—Í 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. 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. 179 First Sold. [Reads] 'Demand of him, of what strength they are 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 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. 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; 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. Upon my knowledge, he is, and lousy. 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 out o' the band: I think I have his letter in my pocket. 229 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 you? Par. I do not know if it be it or no. First Sold. [Reads] 'Dian, the count's a fool, and full of gold,' 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. 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. 250 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; 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, 260 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. 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. 269 Par. My life, sir, in any case: not that I am afraid to 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: you have answered to his reputation with the duke and to his valour: what is his honesty? 279 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 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 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 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 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 Lean, but of this I am not certain. First Lord. He hath out-villained villany so far, that the rarity redeems him. 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. 310 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 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? 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; marry, in coming on he has the cramp. 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. 330 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 ? 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. Par. O Lord, sir, let me live, or let me see my death! 349 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. 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 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. 359 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. [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, 370 Let him fear this, for it will come to pass [Exit. SCENE IV. Florence. The Widow's house. Enter HELENA, Widow, and DIANA. Hel. That you may well perceive I have not wrong'd you, II One of the greatest in the Christian world 20 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-inlaw had been alive at this hour, and your son here at home, more advanced by the king 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 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. Laf. They are not herbs, you knave; they are nose-herbs. 20 not this to suggest thee from thy master thou talkest of; serve him still. I 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. am for the house with the narrow gate, 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 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.cf nature. [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. 71 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 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 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. 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 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 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. Ascar nobly got, or a noble scar, is a good livery 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. 109 Clo. Faith, there's a dozen of 'em, with delicate fine hats and most courteous feathers. which bow the head and nod at every man. [Exeunt. Enter HELENA, Widow, and DIANA, with two Attendants. Hel. But this exceeding posting day and night This man may help me to his majesty's ear, I shall continue thankful. Gent. What's your will? And aid me with that store of power you have 20 To come into his presence. Gent. The king's not here. Hel. Not here, sir! Gent. Not, indeed: He hence removed last night and with more haste Than is his use. Wid. Lord, how we lose our pains! Hel. ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL yet, Though time seem so adverse and means unfit. I do beseech you, whither is he gone? Gent. Marry, as I take it, to Rousillon; Whither I am going. Hel. I do beseech you, sir, Since you are like to see the king before me, Commend the paper to his gracious hand, Which I presume shall render you no blame But rather make you thank your pains for it. I will come after you with what good speed Our means will make us means. 30 you. Gent. Whate'er falls more. We must to horse again. [Exeunt. SCENE II. Rousillon. Before the COUNT's palace. Enter CLOWN, and PAROLLES, following. Par Good Monsieur Lavache, give my Lord Lafeu this letter: I have ere now, sir, been better known to you, when I have held familiarity with fresher clothes; but I am now, sir, muddied in fortune's mood, and smell somewhat strong of her strong displeasure. Clo. Truly, fortune's displeasure is but sluttish, if it smell so strongly as thou speakest of: I will henceforth eat no fish of fortune's buttering. Prithee, allow the wind. Par. Nay, you need not to stop your nose, sir; I spake but by a metaphor. Here is a purr of fortune's, sir, or of fortune's cat, -but not a musk-cat,-that has fallen into the unclean fishpond of her displeasure, and, as he says, is muddied withal: pray you, sir, use the carp as you may; for he looks like a poor, decayed, ingenious, foolish, rascally knave. I do pity his distress in my similes of comfort and leave him to your lordship. [Exit. Par. My lord, I am a man whom fortune hath cruelly scratched. 29 Laf. And what would you have me to do? 'Tis too late to pare her nails now. Wherein have you played the knave with fortune, that she should scratch you, who of herself is a good lady and would not have knaves thrive long under her? There's a quart d'écu for you: let the justices make you and fortune friends: I am for other business. Par. I beseech your honour to hear me one single word. Laf. You beg a single penny more: come, you shall ha't; save your word. 40 Par. My name, my good lord, is Parolles. Laf. You beg more than 'word,' then. Cox my passion! give me your hand. How does your drum? Par. O my good lord, you were the first that found me! Laf. Was I, in sooth? and I was the first that lost thee. Par. It lies in you, my lord, to bring me in some grace, for you did bring me out. 50 Laf. Out upon thee, knave! dost thou put upon me at once both the office of God and the devil? One brings thee in grace and the other brings thee out. [Trumpets sound.] The king's coming; I know by his trumpets. Sirrah, inquire further after ine; I had talk of you last night though you are a fool and a knave, you shall eat; go to, follow. Par. I praise God for you. Count. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Rousillon. The COUNT's palace. II Laf. Enter BERTRAM. 30 He looks well on 't. King. I am not a day of season, For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail In me at once: but to the brightest beams Distracted clouds give way; so stand thou forth; The time is fair again. Ber. My high-repented blames, Dear sovereign, pardon to me. King. All is whole; Not one word more of the consumed time. Let's take the instant by the forward top; For we are old, and on our quick'st decrees The inaudible and noiseless foot of Time Steals ere we can effect them. You remember The daughter of this lord? 40 Ber. Admiringly, my liege, at first Since I have lost, have loved, was in mine eye Well excused: 50 That thou didst love her, strikes some scores Must be digested, give a favour from you And every hair that's on't, Helen, that's dead, Hers it was not. 80 King. Now, pray you, let me see it; for mine eye, While I was speaking, oft was fasten'd to't. I would relieve her. Had you that craft, to reave her Of what should stead her most? Ber. My gracious sovereign, Howe'er it pleases you to take it so, The ring was never hers. Count. Son, on my life, I have seen her wear it; and she reckon'd it 90 At her life's rate. Laf. I am sure I saw her wear it. Ber. You are deceived, my lord; she never saw it: In Florence was it from a casement thrown me, That she would never put it from her finger, |