Internet Shakespeare Editions

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Not Peer Reviewed

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

Actus Quintus
Enter Hellen, Widdow, and Diana, with
two Attendants
2595Hel But this exceeding posting day and night,
Must wear your spirits low, we cannot helpe it:
But since you haue made the daies and nights as one,
To weare your gentle limbes in my affayres,
Be bold you do so grow in my requitall,
2600As nothing can vnroote you. In happie time,
Enter a gentle Astringer
This man may helpe me to his Maiesties eare,
If he would spend his power. God saue you sir.
Gent And you.
2605Hel Sir, I haue seene you in the Court of France.
Gent I haue beene sometimes there.
Hel I do presume sir, that you are not falne
From the report that goes vpon your goodnesse,
And therefore goaded with most sharpe occasions,
2610Which lay nice manners by, I put you to
The vse of your owne vertues, for the which
I shall continue thankefull.
Gent What's your will?
Hel That it will please you
2615To giue this poore petition to the King,
And ayde me with that store of power you haue
To come into his presence.
Gen The Kings not heere.
Hel Not heere sir?
2620Gen Not indeed,
He hence remou'd last night, and with more hast
Then is his vse.
Wid Lord how we loose our paines.
Hel All's well that ends well yet,
2625Though time seeme so aduerse, and meanes vnfit:
I do beseech you, whither is he gone?
Gent Marrie as I take it to Rossillion
Whither I am going.
Hel I do beseech you sir,
2630Since you are like to see the King before me,
Commend the paper to his gracious hand,
Which I presume shall render you no blame,
But rather make you thanke your paines for it,
I will come after you with what good speede
2635Our meanes will make vs meanes.
Gent This Ile do for you.
Hel And you shall finde your selfe to be well thankt
what e're falles more. We must to horse againe, Go, go,
prouide.