Internet Shakespeare Editions

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Not Peer Reviewed

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

Actus Tertius
Flourish. Enter the Duke of Florence, the two Frenchmen
with a troope of Souldiers
Duke So that from point to point, now haue you heard
The
All's Well, that Ends Well 241
1375The fundamentall reasons of this warre,
Whose great decision hath much blood let forth
And more thirsts after.
1.Lord Holy seemes the quarrell
Vpon your Graces part: blacke and fearefull
1380On the opposer.
Duke Therefore we meruaile much our Cosin France
Would in so iust a businesse, shut his bosome
Against our borrowing prayers.
FrenchE Good my Lord,
1385The reasons of our state I cannot yeelde,
But like a common and an outward man,
That the great figure of a Counsaile frames,
By selfe vnable motion, therefore dare not
Say what I thinke of it, since I haue found
1390My selfe in my incertaine grounds to faile
As often as I guest.
Duke Be it his pleasure.
Fren.G But I am sure the yonger of our nature,
That surfet on their ease, will day by day
1395Come heere for Physicke.
Duke Welcome shall they bee:
And all the honors that can flye from vs,
Shall on them settle: you know your places well,
When better fall, for your auailes they fell,
1400To morrow to'th the field. Flourish