All's Well That Ends Well (Modern)
Not Peer Reviewed
[3.7]
1855
Enter Helen, and Widow.
¶Helen If you misdoubt me that I am not she,
¶I know not how I shall assure you further,
¶But I shall lose the grounds I work upon.
¶Widow Though my estate be fallen, I was well born,
1860Nothing acquainted with these businesses,
¶And would not put my reputation now
| ¶In any staining act. | |
| ¶Helen | |
| Nor would I wish you. | |
¶First give me trust: the count he is my husband,
1865And what to your sworn counsel I have spoken
¶Is so from word to word; and then you cannot,
¶By the good aid that I of you shall borrow,
| ¶Err in bestowing it. | |
| ¶Widow | |
| I should believe you, | |
1870For you have showed me that which well approves
| ¶You're great in fortune. | |
| ¶Helen | |
| Take this purse of gold, | |
¶And let me buy your friendly help thus far,
¶Which I will over-pay and pay again
¶Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty,
¶Resolves to carry her. Let her in fine consent
¶As we'll direct her how 'tis best to bear it.
1880Now his important blood will naught deny
¶That she'll demand: a ring the county wears,
¶That downward hath succeeded in his house
¶From son to son some four or five descents
¶Since the first father wore it. This ring he holds
1885In most rich choice. Yet in his idle fire
¶To buy his will, it would not seem too dear,
¶Howe'er repented after.
¶Widow Now I see the bottom of your purpose.
¶Helen You see it lawful then. It is no more
1890But that your daughter, ere she seems as won,
¶Desires this ring; appoints him an encounter;
¶In fine, delivers me to fill the time,
¶Herself most chastely absent. After,
¶To marry her, I'll add three thousand crowns
| 1895To what is passed already. | |
| ¶Widow | |
| I have yielded. | |
¶Instruct my daughter how she shall persever
¶That time and place with this deceit so lawful
¶May prove coherent. Every night he comes
1900With musics of all sorts and songs composed
¶To her unworthiness: it nothing steads us
¶To chide him from our eaves, for he persists
| ¶As if his life lay on 't. | |
| ¶Helen | |
| Why then, to night | |
1905Let us assay our plot, which, if it speed,
¶Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed;
¶But let's about it.
[Exeunt.]