Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: All's Well That Ends Well (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editors: Andrew Griffin, Helen Ostovich
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-432-5

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editors: Andrew Griffin, Helen Ostovich
    Not Peer Reviewed

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

    2640Enter Clowne and Parrolles
    Par Good Mr Lauatch giue my Lord Lafew this 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
    2655Par Pray you sir deliuer me this paper.
    Clo Foh, prethee stand away: a paper from fortunes
    close-stoole, to giue to a Nobleman. Looke heere he
    comes himselfe.
    Enter Lafew
    2660Clo Heere is a purre of Fortunes sir, or of Fortunes
    Cat, but not a Muscat, that ha's falne into the vncleane
    fish-pond of her displeasure, and as he sayes is muddied
    withall. Pray you sir, vse the Carpe as you may, for he
    lookes like a poore decayed, ingenious, foolish, rascally
    2665knaue. I doe pittie his distresse in my smiles of comfort,
    and leaue him to your Lordship.
    Par My Lord I am a man whom fortune hath cruel-
    ly scratch'd.
    Laf And what would you haue me to doe? 'Tis too
    2670late to paire her nailes now. Wherein haue you played
    the knaue with fortune that she should scratch you, who
    of her selfe is a good Lady, and would not haue knaues
    thriue long vnder? There's a Cardecue for you: Let the
    Iustices make you and fortune friends; I am for other
    2675businesse.
    Par I beseech your honour to heare mee one single
    word,
    Laf you begge a single peny more: Come you shall
    ha't, saue your word.
    2680Par My name my good Lord is Parrolles
    Laf You begge more then word then. Cox my pas-
    sion, giue me your hand: How does your drumme?
    Par O my good Lord, you were the first that found
    mee.
    2685Laf Was I insooth? And I was the first that lost thee.
    Par It lies in you my Lord to bring me in some grace
    for you did bring me out.
    Laf Out vpon thee knaue, doest thou put vpon mee
    at once both the office of God and the diuel: one brings
    2690thee in grace, and the other brings thee out. The Kings
    comming I know by his Trumpets. Sirrah, inquire fur-
    ther after me, I had talke of you last night, though you
    are a foole and a knaue, you shall eate, go too, follow.
    Par I praise God for you.