Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

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

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    Not Peer Reviewed

    All's Well That Ends Well (Modern)

    [3.5]
    A tucket afar off
    Enter Old Widow of Florence, her daughter [Diana], Violenta, and Mariana, with other 1605citizens.
    Widow
    Nay, come, for if they do approach the city, we shall lose all the sight.
    Diana
    They say the French count has done 1610most honorable service.
    Widow
    It is reported that he has taken their greatest commander, and that with his own hand he slew the Duke's brother.
    [Another tucket.]
    We have lost our 1615labor;they are gone a contrary way. Hark, you may know by their trumpets.
    Mariana
    Come, let's return again, and suffice ourselves with the report of it. -- Well, Diana, take heed of this French earl: 1620the honor of a maid is her name, and no legacy is so rich as honesty.
    Widow
    I have told my neighbor how you have been solicited by a gentleman, 1625his companion.
    Mariana
    I know that knave, hang him, one Paroles! A filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young earl. Beware of them, Diana. Their promises, enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of lust are 1630not the things they go under. Many a maid hath been seduced by them, and the misery is example that so terrible shows in the wreck of maidenhood cannot, for all that, dissuade succession, but that they are limed with the twigs that threatens them. I hope I need 1635not to advise you further, but I hope your own grace will keep you where you are, though there were no further danger known but the modesty which is so lost.
    Diana
    You shall not need to fear me.
    1640Enter Helen [as a pilgrim].
    Widow
    I hope so. Look, here comes a pilgrim. I know she will lie at my house; thither they send one another. I'll question her. -- God save you, pilgrim. Whither are you bound?
    1645Helen
    To St. Jaques le Grand.
    Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?
    At the St. Francis here beside the port.
    Is this the way?
    Widow
    Ay, marry, is't.
    A march afar
    Hark you, they come this way. 1650If you will tarry,
    Holy pilgrim, but till the troops come by,
    I will conduct you where you shall be lodged,
    The rather for I think I know your hostess
    As ample as myself.
    1655Helen
    Is it yourself?
    If you shall please so, pilgrim.
    I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.
    You came, I think, from France?
    Helen
    I did so.
    Here you shall see a countryman of yours
    That has done worthy service.
    Helen
    His name, I pray you?
    The Count Roussillon. Know you such a one?
    But by the ear that hears most nobly of him.
    1665His face I know not.
    Diana
    Whatsome'er he is,
    He's bravely taken here. He stole from France,
    As 'tis reported, for the King had married him
    Against his liking. Think you it is so?
    Ay, surely, mere the truth. I know his lady.
    There is a gentleman that serves the count
    Reports but coarsely of her.
    Helen
    What's his name?
    Monsieur Paroles.
    1675Helen
    Oh, I believe with him.
    In argument of praise, or to the worth
    Of the great count himself, she is too mean
    To have her name repeated. All her deserving
    Is a reservèd honesty, and that
    1680I have not heard examined.
    Diana
    Alas, poor lady!
    'Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
    Of a detesting lord.
    I write good creature; wheresoe'er she is,
    1685Her heart weighs sadly. This young maid might do her
    A shrewd turn, if she pleased.
    Helen
    How do you mean?
    Maybe the amorous count solicits her
    In the unlawful purpose?
    1690Widow
    He does, indeed,
    And brokes with all that can in such a suit
    Corrupt the tender honor of a maid:
    But she is armed for him and keeps her guard
    In honestest defence.
    1695Drum and colors. Enter [Bertram,] Count Roussillon, Paroles, and the whole army.
    Mariana
    The gods forbid else.
    So, now they come:
    That is Antonio, the duke's eldest son;
    1700That, Escalus.
    Helen
    Which is the Frenchman?
    Diana
    He,
    That with the plume: 'tis a most gallant fellow.
    I would he loved his wife. If he were honester,
    1705He were much goodlier. Is 't not a handsome gentleman?
    I like him well.
    'Tis pity he is not honest. Yond's that same knave
    That leads him to these places. Were I his lady,
    I would poison that vile rascal.
    1710Helen
    Which is he?
    That jackanapes with scarfs. Why is he melancholy?
    Perchance he's hurt i'th' battle.
    Paroles
    Lose our drum? Well.
    1715Mariana
    He's shrewdly vexed at something. Look, he has spied us.
    Marry, hang you!
    Mariana
    And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier.
    [Exeunt Bertram, Paroles, and army.]
    The troop is past. Come, pilgrim, I will bring 1720you
    Where you shall host. Of enjoined penitents
    There's four or five, to great St Jaques bound,
    Already at my house.
    Helen
    I humbly thank you.
    Please it this matron and this gentle maid
    1725To eat with us tonight, the charge and thanking
    Shall be for me, and to requite you further,
    I will bestow some precepts of this virgin
    Worthy the note.
    Diana and Mariana
    We'll take your offer kindly.
    Exeunt.