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All's Well That Ends Well (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editors: Andrew Griffin, Helen Ostovich
Not Peer Reviewed
252
All's Well that Ends Well
Clo I am a woodland fellow sir, that alwaies loued
a great fire, and the master I speak of euer keeps a good
2530fire, but sure he is the Prince of the world, let his No-
bilitie remaine in's Court. I am for the house with the
narrow gate, which I take to be too little for pompe to
enter: some that humble themselues may, but the ma-
nie will be too chill and tender, and theyle bee for the
2535flowrie way that leads to the broad gate, and the great
fire.
Laf Go thy waies, I begin to bee a wearie of thee,
and I tell thee so before, because I would not fall out
with thee. Go thy wayes, let my horses be wel look'd
2540too, without any trickes.
Clo If I put any trickes vpon em sir, they shall bee
Iades trickes, which are their owne right by the law of
Nature.
exit
Laf A shrewd knaue and an vnhappie.
2545Lady So a is. My Lord that's gone made himselfe
much sport out of him, by his authoritie hee remaines
heere, which he thinkes is a pattent for his sawcinesse,
and indeede he has no pace, but runnes where he will.
Laf I like him well, 'tis not amisse: and I was about
2550to tell you, since I heard of the good Ladies death, and
that my Lord your sonne was vpon his returne home. I
moued the King my master to speake in the behalfe of
my daughter, which in the minoritie of them both, his
Maiestie out of a selfe gracious remembrance did first
2555propose, his Highnesse hath promis'd me to doe it, and
to stoppe vp the displeasure he hath conceiued against
your sonne, there is no fitter matter. How do's your
Ladyship like it?
La With verie much content my Lord, and I wish
2560it happily effected.
Laf His Highnesse comes post from Marcellus of as
able bodie as when he number'd thirty, a will be heere
to morrow, or I am deceiu'd by him that in such intel-
ligence hath seldome fail'd.
2565La It reioyces me, that I hope I shall see him ere I
die. I haue letters that my sonne will be heere to night:
I shall beseech your Lordship to remaine with mee, till
they meete together.
Laf Madam, I was thinking with what manners I
2570might safely be admitted.
Lad You neede but pleade your honourable priui-
ledge.
Laf Ladie, of that I haue made a bold charter, but
I thanke my God, it holds yet.

2575
Enter Clowne

Clo O Madam, yonders my Lord your sonne with
a patch of veluet on's face, whether there bee a scar vn-
der't or no, the Veluet knowes, but 'tis a goodly patch
of Veluet, his left cheeke is a cheeke of two pile and a
2580halfe, but his right cheeke is worne bare.
Laf A scarre nobly got,
Or a noble scarre, is a good liu'rie of honor,
So belike is that.
Clo But it is your carbinado'd face.
2585Laf Let vs go see
your sonne I pray you, I long to talke
With the yong noble souldier.
Clowne 'Faith there's a dozen of em, with delicate
fine hats, and most courteous feathers, which bow the
2590head, and nod at euerie man.
Exeunt

Actus Quintus


Enter Hellen, Widdow, and Diana, with
two Attendants
2595Hel But this exceeding posting day and night,
Must wear your spirits low, we cannot helpe it:
But since you haue made the daies and nights as one,
To weare your gentle limbes in my affayres,
Be bold you do so grow in my requitall,
2600As nothing can vnroote you. In happie time,
Enter a gentle Astringer
This man may helpe me to his Maiesties eare,
If he would spend his power. God saue you sir.
Gent And you.
2605Hel Sir, I haue seene you in the Court of France.
Gent I haue beene sometimes there.
Hel I do presume sir, that you are not falne
From the report that goes vpon your goodnesse,
And therefore goaded with most sharpe occasions,
2610Which lay nice manners by, I put you to
The vse of your owne vertues, for the which
I shall continue thankefull.
Gent What's your will?
Hel That it will please you
2615To giue this poore petition to the King,
And ayde me with that store of power you haue
To come into his presence.
Gen The Kings not heere.
Hel Not heere sir?
2620Gen Not indeed,
He hence remou'd last night, and with more hast
Then is his vse.
Wid Lord how we loose our paines.
Hel All's well that ends well yet,
2625Though time seeme so aduerse, and meanes vnfit:
I do beseech you, whither is he gone?
Gent Marrie as I take it to Rossillion
Whither I am going.
Hel I do beseech you sir,
2630Since 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 thanke your paines for it,
I will come after you with what good speede
2635Our meanes will make vs meanes.
Gent This Ile do for you.
Hel And you shall finde your selfe to be well thankt
what e're falles more. We must to horse againe, Go, go,
prouide.
2640
Enter Clowne and Parrolles
Par Good CMC Lauatchgiu e my Lord Lafewthis let-
ter, I haue ere now sir beene better knowne to you, when
I haue held familiaritie with fresher cloathes: but I am
now sir muddied in fortunes mood, and smell somewhat
2645strong of her strong displeasure.
Clo Truely, Fortunes displeasure is but sluttish if it
smell so strongly as thou speak'st of: I will hencefoorth
eate no Fish of Fortunes butt'ring. Prethee alow the
winde.
2650Par Nay you neede not to stop your nose sir: I spake
but by a Metaphor.
Clo Indeed sir, if your Metaphor stinke, I will stop
my nose, or against any mans Metaphor. Prethe get thee
further.
Par
All's Well that Ends Well
251