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

Author: William Shakespeare
Editors: Andrew Griffin, Helen Ostovich
Not Peer Reviewed
Flourish Cornets
Enter the King of France with Letters, and
diuers Attendants
240King The Florentinesand Senoysare by th' eares,
Haue fought with equall fortune, and continue
A brauing warre.
1.Lo.G So tis reported sir.
King Nay tis most credible, we heere receiue it,
245A certaintie vouch'd from our Cosin Austria
With caution, that the Florentinewill moue vs
For speedie ayde: wherein our deerest friend
Preiudicates the businesse, and would seeme
To haue vs make deniall.
2501.Lo.G His loue and wisedome
Approu'd so to your Maiesty, may pleade
For amplest credence.
King He hath arm'd our answer,
And Florenceis deni'de before he comes:
255Yet for our Gentlemen that meane to see
The Tuscanseruice, freely haue they leaue
To stand on either part.
2.Lo.E It well may serue
A nursserie to our Gentrie, who are sicke
260For breathing, and exploit.
King What's he comes heere.
Enter Bertram, Lafew, and Parolles
1.Lor.G It is the Count Rosignollmy good Lord,
Yong Bertram
265King Youth, thou bear'st thy Fathers face,
Franke Nature rather curious then in hast
Hath well compos'd thee: Thy Fathers morall parts
Maist thou inherit too: Welcome to Paris
Ber My thankes and dutie are your Maiesties.
270Kin I would I had that corporall soundnesse now,
As when thy father, and my selfe, in friendship
First tride our souldiership: he did looke farre
Into the seruice of the time, and was
Discipled of the brauest. He lasted long,
275But on vs both did haggish Age steale on,
And wore vs out of act: It much repaires me
To talke of your good father; in his youth
He had the wit, which I can well obserue
To day in our yong Lords: but they may iest
280Till their owne scorne returne to them vnnoted
Ere they can hide their leuitie in honour:
So like a Courtier, contempt nor bitternesse
Were in his pride, or sharpnesse; if they were,
His equall had awak'd them, and his honour
285Clocke to it selfe, knew the true minute when
Exception bid him speake: and at this time
His tongue obey'd his hand. Who were below him,
He vs'd as creatures of another place,
And bow'd his eminent top to their low rankes,
290Making them proud of his humilitie,
In their poore praise he humbled: Such a man
Might be a copie to these yonger times;
Which followed well, would demonstrate them now
But goers backward.
295Ber His good remembrance sir
Lies richer in your thoughts, then on his tombe:
So in approofe liues not his Epitaph,
As in your royall speech.
King Would I were with him he would alwaies say,
300(Me thinkes I heare him now) his plausiue words
He scatter'd not in eares, but grafted them
To grow there and to beare: Let me not liue,
This his good melancholly oft began
On the Catastrophe and heele of pastime
305When it was out: Let me not liue (quoth hee)
After my flame lackes oyle, to be the snuffe
Of yonger spirits, whose apprehensiue senses
All but new things disdaine; whose iudgements are
Meere fathers of their garments: whose constancies
310Expire before their fashions: this he wish'd.
I after him, do after him wish too:
Since I nor wax nor honie can bring home,
I quickly were dissolued from my hiue
To giue some Labourers roome.
315L2.E You'r loued Sir,
They that least lend it you, shall lacke you first.
Kin I fill a place I know't: how long ist Count
Since the Physitian at your fathers died?
He was much fam'd.
320Ber Some six moneths since my Lord.
Kin If he were liuing, I would try him yet.
Lend me an arme: the rest haue worne me out
With seuerall applications: Nature and sicknesse
Debate it at their leisure. Welcome Count,
325My sonne's no deerer.
Ber Thanke your Maiesty.
Exit
Flourish