Toolbox



Textual Analysis

[ Go ]

Shakespeare on Stage
American Shakespeare Center, Return to the Forbidden Planet. To Dec. 1, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, The Duchess of Malfi. To Jun. 15, 2013.
Folger Shakespeare Library, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 9, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Love's Labour's Lost. To Jun. 15, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 16, 2013.
More Performances…
‌

All's Well That Ends Well (Modern)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editors: Andrew Griffin, Helen Ostovich
Not Peer Reviewed

[2.5]

Enter Lafeu and Bertram.
1270Lafeu 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.
1275Lafeu 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 1280transgressed against his valor, 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 Paroles.
1285Paroles [To Bertram] These things shall be done, sir.
Lafeu [To Bertram] Pray you, sir, who's his tailor?
Paroles Sir!
Lafeu Oh, I know him well, ay, "Sir." He, sir, 's a good workman, a very good tailor.
1290Bertram [Aside to Paroles] Is she gone to the king?
Paroles She is.
Bertram Will she away tonight?
Paroles As you'll have her.
Bertram I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure,
1295Given order for our horses, and tonight,
When I should take possession of the bride,
End ere I doe begin.
Lafeu A good traveler is something at the latter end of a dinner, but one that lies three-thirds and uses a 1300known truth to pass a thousand nothings with should be once heard and thrice beaten. God save you, captain.
Bertram [To Paroles] Is there any unkindness between my lord and you, monsieur?
1305Paroles 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 1310for 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 1315of this man is his clothes; trust him not in matter of heavy consequence. I have kept of them tame and know their natures. -- [To Paroles] 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 Lafeu.]
1320Paroles An idle lord, I swear.
Bertram I think so.
Paroles 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.
1325
Enter Helen [with an Attendant].
Helen 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.
1330Bertram
I shall obey his will.
You must not marvel, Helen, at my course,
Which holds not color with the time, nor does
The ministration and required office
On my particular. Prepared I was not
1335For 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 then ask why I entreat you;
For my respects are better than they seem,
1340And my appointments have in them a need
Greater than shows itself at the first view
To you that know them not. [Giving her a letter] This to my mother.
'Twill be two days ere I shall see you, so
I leave you to your wisdom.
1345Helen
Sir, I can nothing say
But that I am your most obedient servant --
Bertram
Come, come, no more of that.
Helen
-- And ever shall,
With true observance, seek to eke out that
1350Wherein toward me my homely stars have failed
To equal my great fortune.
Bertram
Let that go.
My haste is very great. Farewell. Hie home.
Helen
Pray, sir, your pardon.
Helen 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.
1360Bertram
What would you have?
Helen 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.
1365Helen I shall not break your bidding, good my lord. -- [To Attendant] Where are my other men? -- [To Paroles] Monsieur, farewell.
Exit [Helen with Attendant].
Bertram Go thou toward home, where I will never come
Whilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum.
Away, and for our flight.
1370Paroles
Bravely. Corragio!