All's Well That Ends Well - Act 2 - Scene 5

SCENE V. Paris. The KING's palace.

    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, 's 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 leaped 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 's
    prayers. Fare you well, my lord; and believe this
    of me, there can be no kernel 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 procured 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 our 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