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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    Enter Hellen, Widdow, and Diana
    2440Hel That you may well perceiue I haue not
    wrong'd you,
    One of the greatest in the Christian world
    Shall be my suretie: for whose throne 'tis needfull
    Ere I can perfect mine intents, to kneele.
    2445Time was, I did him a desired office
    Deere almost as his life, which gratitude
    Through flintie Tartars bosome would peepe forth,
    And answer thankes. I duly am inform'd,
    His grace is at Marcellae to which place
    2450We haue conuenient conuoy: you must know
    I am supposed dead, the Army breaking,
    My husband hies him home, where heauen ayding,
    And by the leaue of my good Lord the King,
    Wee'l be before our welcome.
    2455Wid Gentle Madam,
    You neuer had a seruant to whose trust
    Your busines was more welcome.
    Hel Nor your Mistris
    Euer a friend, whose thoughts more truly labour
    2460To recompence your loue: Doubt not but heauen
    Hath brought me vp to be your daughters dower,
    As it hath fated her to be my motiue
    And helper to a husband. But O strange men,
    That can such sweet vse make of what they hate,
    2465When sawcie trusting of the cosin'd thoughts
    Defiles the pitchy night, so lust doth play
    With what it loathes, for that which is away,
    But more of this heereafter: you Diana
    Vnder my poore instructions yet must suffer
    2470Something in my behalfe.
    Dia Let death and honestie
    Go with your impositions, I am yours
    Vpon your will to suffer.
    Hel Yet I pray you:
    2475But with the word the time will bring on summer,
    When Briars shall haue leaues as well as thornes,
    And be as sweet as sharpe: we must away,
    Our Wagon is prepar'd, and time reuiues vs,
    All's well that ends well, still the fines the Crowne;
    2480What ere the course, the end is the renowne. Exeunt