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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    1855[3.7]
    Enter Helen, and Widow.
    Helen
    If you misdoubt me that I am not she,
    I know not how I shall assure you further,
    But I shall lose the grounds I work upon.
    Widow
    Though my estate be fallen, I was well born,
    1860Nothing acquainted with these businesses,
    And would not put my reputation now
    In any staining act.
    Helen
    Nor would I wish you.
    First give me trust: the count he is my husband,
    1865And what to your sworn counsel I have spoken
    Is so from word to word; and then you cannot,
    By the good aid that I of you shall borrow,
    Err in bestowing it.
    Widow
    I should believe you,
    1870For you have showed me that which well approves
    You're great in fortune.
    Helen
    Take this purse of gold,
    And let me buy your friendly help thus far,
    Which I will over-pay and pay again
    1875When I have found it. The count he woos your daughter,
    Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty,
    Resolves to carry her. Let her in fine consent
    As we'll direct her how 'tis best to bear it.
    1880Now his important blood will naught deny
    That she'll demand: a ring the county wears,
    That downward hath succeeded in his house
    From son to son some four or five descents
    Since the first father wore it. This ring he holds
    1885In most rich choice. Yet in his idle fire
    To buy his will, it would not seem too dear,
    Howe'er repented after.
    Now I see the bottom of your purpose.
    You see it lawful then. It is no more
    1890But that your daughter, ere she seems as won,
    Desires this ring; appoints him an encounter;
    In fine, delivers me to fill the time,
    Herself most chastely absent. After,
    To marry her, I'll add three thousand crowns
    1895To what is passed already.
    Widow
    I have yielded.
    Instruct my daughter how she shall persever
    That time and place with this deceit so lawful
    May prove coherent. Every night he comes
    1900With musics of all sorts and songs composed
    To her unworthiness: it nothing steads us
    To chide him from our eaves, for he persists
    As if his life lay on 't.
    Helen
    Why then, to night
    1905Let us assay our plot, which, if it speed,
    Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed;
    And lawful meaning in a lawful act,
    Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact.
    But let's about it.
    [Exeunt.]