Internet Shakespeare Editions

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Not Peer Reviewed

All's Well That Ends Well (Modern)

[4.2]
Enter Bertram and the maid called Diana.
Bertram
They told me that your name was Fontybell.
2020Diana
No, my good lord, Diana.
Bertram
Titled goddess,
And worth it with addition. But, fair soul,
In your fine frame hath love no quality?
If the quick fire of youth light not your mind,
2025You are no maiden but a monument.
When you are dead you should be such a one
As you are now, for you are cold and stern,
And now you should be as your mother was
When your sweet self was got.
She then was honest.
Bertram
So should you be.
Diana
No.
My mother did but duty; such, my lord,
As you owe to your wife.
2035Bertram
No more o'that!
I prithee do not strive against my vows;
I was compelled to her, but I love thee
By love's own sweet constraint, and will forever
Do thee all rights of service.
2040Diana
Ay, so you serve us
Till we serve you; but when you have our roses,
You barely leave our thorns to prick ourselves,
And mock us with our bareness.
Bertram
How have I sworn?
'Tis not the many oaths that makes the truth,
But the plain single vow that is vowed true.
What is not holy, that we swear not by,
But take the high'st to witness? Then pray you tell me,
If I should swear by Jove's great attributes
2050I loved you dearly, would you believe my oaths
When I did love you ill? This has no holding,
To swear by him whom I protest to love
That I will work against him. Therefore your oaths
Are words and poor conditions but unsealed,
2055At least in my opinion.
Bertram
Change it, change it!
Be not so holy cruel. Love is holy,
And my integrity ne'er knew the crafts
That you do charge men with. Stand no more off,
2060But give thyself unto my sick desires,
Who then recovers. Say thou art mine, and ever
My love as it begins shall so persever.
I see that men make ropes in such a scar
That we'll forsake ourselves. Give me that ring.
2065Bertram
I'll lend it thee, my dear, but have no power
To give it from me.
Diana
Will you not, my Lord?
Bertram
It is an honor 'longing to our house,
Bequeathed down from many ancestors,
2070Which were the greatest obloquy i'th'world
In me to lose.
Diana
Mine honor's such a ring.
My chastity's the jewel of our house,
Bequeathed down from many ancestors,
2075Which were the greatest obloquy i'th'world,
In me to lose. Thus your own proper wisdom
Brings in the champion honor on my part,
Against your vain assault.
Bertram
Here, take my ring!
2080My house, mine honor, yea, my life be thine,
And I'll be bid by thee.
When midnight comes, knock at my chamber window;
I'll order take my mother shall not hear.
2085Now will I charge you in the band of truth:
When you have conquered my yet maiden bed,
Remain there but an hour, nor speak to me.
My reasons are most strong, and you shall know them
When back again this ring shall be delivered.
2090And on your finger in the night, I'll put
Another ring, that what in time proceeds
May token to the future our past deeds.
Adieu till then, then fail not; you have won
A wife of me, though there my hope be done.
2095Bertram
A heaven on earth I have won by wooing thee.
[Exit.]
For which live long to thank both heaven and me.
You may so in the end.
My mother told me just how he would woo,
As if she sat in's heart. She says all men
2100Have the like oaths. He had sworn to marry me
When his wife's dead; therefore I'll lie with him
When I am buried. Since Frenchmen are so braid,
Marry that will, I live and die a maid.
Only in this disguise, I think't no sin,
2105To cozen him that would unjustly win.
Exit.