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- Edition: All's Well That Ends Well
All's Well That Ends Well (Modern)
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2106[4.3]
You have not given him his mother's letter?
I have delivered it an hour since. There is 2110something in't that stings his nature, for on the reading it 2111he changed almost into another man.
He has much worthy blame laid upon him 2113for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady.
Especially he hath incurred the everlasting 2115displeasure of the king, who had even tuned his bounty 2116to sing happiness to him. I will tell you a thing, but 2117you shall let it dwell darkly with you.
When you have spoken it, 'tis dead, and I am 2119the grave of it.
He hath perverted a young gentlewoman 2121here in Florence, of a most chaste renown, and this night 2122he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honor. He hath 2123given her his monumental ring, and thinks himself 2124made in the unchaste composition.
Now God delay our rebellion! As we are 2126ourselves, what things are we?
Merely our own traitors. And, as in the 2128common course of all treasons, we still see them reveal 2129themselves till they attain to their abhorred ends, so 2130he that in this action contrives against his own 2131nobility, in his proper stream o'erflows himself.
Is it not meant damnable in us to be 2133trumpeters of our unlawful intents? We shall not then have 2134his company tonight?
Not till after midnight, for he is dieted to 2136his hour.
That approaches apace. I would gladly have 2138him see his company anatomized, that he might take 2139a measure of his own judgments, wherein so curiously 2140he had set this counterfeit.
We will not meddle with him till he come, 2142for his presence must be the whip of the other.
In the meantime, what hear you of these 2144wars?
I hear there is an overture of peace.
Nay, I assure you a peace concluded.
What will Count Roussillon do then? Will 2148he travel higher, or return again into France?
I perceive by this demand, you are not 2150altogether of his counsel.
Let it be forbid, sir. So should I be a great 2152deal of his act.
Sir, his wife some two months since fled 2154from his house. Her pretence is a pilgrimage to Saint 2155Jaques le Grand, which holy undertaking, with most 2156austere sanctimony, she accomplished; and there residing, 2157the tenderness of her nature became as a prey to her 2158grief; in fine, made a groan of her last breath, and now 2159she sings in heaven.
How is this justified?
The stronger part of it by her own letters, 2162which makes her story true, even to the point of her 2163death. Her death itself, which could not be her office 2164to say is come, was faithfully confirmed by the rector 2165of the place.
Hath the count all this intelligence?
Ay, and the particular confirmations, 2168point from point, to the full arming of the verity.
I am heartily sorry that he'll be glad of 2170this.
How mightily sometimes we make us 2172comforts of our losses.
And how mightily some other times we 2174drown our gain in tears. The great dignity that his 2175valor hath here acquired for him shall at home be 2176encountered with a shame as ample.
The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, 2178good and ill together. Our virtues would be proud if 2179our faults whipped them not, and our crimes would 2180despair if they were not cherished by our virtues.
2183Messenger
He met the duke in the street sir, of whom he 2184hath taken a solemn leave. His lordship will next 2185morning for France. The duke hath offered him 2186letters of commendations to the king.
They shall be no more than needful there, 2188if they were more than they can commend.
They cannot be too sweet for the king's 2191tartness. Here's his lordship now. --How now, my lord, 2192is't not after midnight?
I have tonight dispatched sixteen businesses, a 2194month's length apiece. By an abstract of success: I 2195have congied with the duke, done my adieu with his 2196nearest, buried a wife, mourned for her, writ to my 2197lady mother I am returning, entertained my convoy, and, 2198between these main parcels of dispatch, affected 2199many nicer needs. The last was the greatest, but that I have 2200not ended yet.
If the business be of any difficulty, and this 2202morning your departure hence, it requires haste of your 2203lordship.
I mean the business is not ended, as fearing 2205to hear of it hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue 2206between the fool and the soldier? Come, bring 2207forth this counterfeit module; he's deceived me like a 2208double-meaning prophesier.
[To soldiers] Bring him forth.
4.3.34.1[Exeunt some soldiers.]
No matter: his heels have deserved it in 2212usurping his spurs so long. How does he carry himself?
I have told your lordship already: the 2214stocks carry him. But to answer you as you would be 2215understood, he weeps like a wench that had shed her 2216milk. He hath confessed himself to Morgan, whom he 2217supposes to be a friar, from the time of his remembrance 2218to this very instant disaster of his setting i'th'stocks. 2219And what think you he hath confessed?
Nothing of me, has'a?
His confession is taken, and it shall be read 2222to his face; if your lordship be in't, as I believe you 2223are, you must have the patience to hear it.
[Aside] A plague upon him! Muffled! He can say nothing 2226of me. -- Hush, hush!
[Aside to the others] Hoodman comes. [Aloud] Portotartarossa.
4.3.4122281 Soldier as "Interpreter"[To Paroles] He calls for the tortures. What will you say 2229without 'em?
I will confess what I know without constraint. 2231If ye pinch me like a pasty, I can say no more.
Boblibindo chicurmurco.
22341 Soldier as "Interpreter"You are a merciful general. -- Our general 2235bids you answer to what I shall ask you out of a note.
2236Paroles
And truly, as I hope to live.
22371 Soldier as "Interpreter"[Pretends to read] "First, demand of him how many horse the duke 2238is strong." What say you to that?
Five or six thousand, but very weak and 2240unserviceable: the troops are all scattered, and the 2241commanders very poor rogues, upon my reputation and 2242credit, and as I hope to live.
2243 1 Soldier as "Interpreter"Shall I set down your answer so?
Do; I'll take the sacrament on't, how and which 2245way you will.
[Aside to the Lords] All's one to him. What a past-saving slave is this!
[Aside to Bertram and 2 Lord] You're deceived, my lord, this is Monsieur 2248Paroles, the gallant militarist -- that was his own phrase -- 2249that had the whole theoric of war in the knot of his 2250scarf, and the practice in the chape of his dagger.
[Aside to Bertram and 1 Lord] I will never trust a man again for keeping 2252his sword clean, nor believe he can have everything 2253in him by wearing his apparel neatly.
22541 Soldier as "Interpreter"Well, that's set down.
'Five or six thousand horse,' I said -- I will say true -- 2256'or thereabouts,' set down, for I'll speak truth.
[Aside to Bertram and 2 Lord] He's very near the truth in this.
[Aside to the Lords] But I con him no thanks for't, in the nature he 2259delivers it.
"Poor rogues," I pray you say.
22611 Soldier as "Interpreter"Well, that's set down.
I humbly thank you, sir. A truth's a truth: the 2263rogues are marvelous poor.
22641 Soldier as "Interpreter"[Pretends to read] "Demand of him of what strength they are 2265afoot." What say you to that?
By my troth, sir, if I were to live this present 2267hour, I will tell true. Let me see: Spurio, a hundred and 2268fifty; Sebastian, so many; Corambus, so many; Jaques, so 2269many; Guiltian, Cosmo, Lodowick and Gratii, two 2270hundred fifty each; mine own company, Chitopher, 2271Vaumond, Bentii, two hundred fifty each. So that the muster 2272file, rotten and sound, upon my life, amounts not to 2273fifteen thousand poll, half of the which dare not shake 2274the snow from off their cassocks least they shake 2275themselves to pieces.
What shall be done to him?
Nothing but let him have thanks. -- [To 1 Soldier] Demand 2278of him my condition, and what credit I have with the 2279duke.
Well, that's set down. [Pretends to read] 'You shall demand of 2281him whether one Captain Dumaine be i'th'camp, a 2282Frenchman, what his reputation is with the duke, what 2283his valor, honesty, and expertness in wars, or 2284whether he thinks it were not possible with well-weighing 2285sums of gold to corrupt him to a revolt.' What say you 2286to this? What do you know of it?
I beseech you let me answer to the particular of 2288the inter'gatories. Demand them singly.
22891 Soldier as "Interpreter"
Do you know this Captain Dumaine?
I know him; a was a botcher's prentice in Paris, 2291from whence he was whipped for getting the sheriff's fool 2292with child, a dumb innocent that could not say him 2293nay.
4.3.68.1[1 Lord moves to strike Paroles]
[Aside to 1 Lord] Nay, by your leave, hold your hands, though I 2295know his brains are forfeit to the next tile that falls.
22961 Soldier as "Interpreter"
Well, is this captain in the Duke of Florence's 2297camp?
Upon my knowledge he is, and lousy.
[To Bertram] Nay, look not so upon me. We shall hear of 2300your lordship anon.
23011 Soldier as "Interpreter"
What is his reputation with the duke?
The duke knows him for no other but a poor 2303officer of mine, and writ to me this other day to turn 2304him out o'th'band. I think I have his letter in my 2305pocket.
23061 Soldier as "Interpreter"
Marry, we'll search.
In good sadness, I do not know; either it is there 2308or it is upon a file with the duke's other letters in my 2309tent.
23101 Soldier as "Interpreter"
Here 'tis, here's a paper. Shall I read it to you?
I do not know if it be it or no.
[Aside to the Lords] Our interpreter does it well.
[Aside to Bertram] Excellently.
23141 Soldier as "Interpreter"
[Reads] Dian, the count's a fool, and full of gold.
That is not the duke's letter, sir; that is an 2316advertisement to a proper maid in Florence, one Diana, to 2317take heed of the allurement of one Count Roussillon, a 2318foolish idle boy, but for all that very ruttish. I pray you, 2319sir, put it up again.
23201 Soldier as "Interpreter"
Nay, I'll read it first, by your favor.
My meaning in't, I protest, was very honest in the 2322behalf of the maid, for I knew the young count to be a 2323dangerous and lascivious boy who is a whale to 2324virginity, and devours up all the fry it finds.
[Aside] Damnable both-sides rogue!
23261 Soldier as "Interpreter"
[Reads the letter.] "When he swears oaths, bid him drop gold, and 2327take it;
[Aside] He shall be whipped through the army with this 2338rhyme in's forehead.
[Aside to Bertram] This is your devoted friend, sir, the manifold 2340linguist, and the armipotent soldier.
[Aside] I could endure anything before but a cat, and 2342now he's a cat to me.
23431 Soldier as "Interpreter"
I perceive, sir, by your general's looks, we shall 2344be fain to hang you.
My life, sir, in any case! Not that I am afraid to 2346die, but, that my offences being many, I would repent 2347out the remainder of nature. Let me live, sir, in a 2348dungeon, i'th'stocks, or anywhere, so I may live.
23491 Soldier as "Interpreter"
We'll see what may be done, so you confess 2350freely; therefore, once more to this Captain Dumaine. 2351You have answered to his reputation with the duke, and 2352to his valor. What is his honesty?
He will steal, sir, an egg out of a cloister. For 2354rapes and ravishments, he parallels Nessus. He professes 2355not keeping of oaths -- in breaking 'em he is stronger than 2356Hercules. He will lie, sir, with such volubility, that you 2357would think truth were a fool. Drunkenness is his best 2358virtue, for he will be swine-drunk, and in his sleep he 2359does little harm, save to his bedclothes about him; 2360but they know his conditions, and lay him in straw. I 2361have but little more to say, sir, of his honesty. He has 2362every thing that an honest man should not have; what an 2363honest man should have, he has nothing.
[Aside tp Bertram] I begin to love him for this.
[Aside to 1 Lord] For this description of thine honesty? A pox 2366upon him for me; he's more and more a cat.
23671 Soldier as "Interpreter"
What say you to his expertness in war?
Faith, sir, he's led the drum before the 2369English tragedians. To belie him I will not, and more of his 2370soldiership I know not, except in that country, he had 2371the honor to be the officer at a place there called Mile 2372End, to instruct for the doubling of files. I would do the 2373man what honor I can, but of this I am not certain.
[Aside] He hath out-villained villainy so far that the 2375rarity redeems him.
[Aside] A pox on him; he's a cat still.
23771 Soldier as "Interpreter"
His qualities being at this poor price, I need 2378not to ask you if gold will corrupt him to revolt.
Sir, for a cardecu he will sell the fee-simple of 2380his salvation, the inheritance of it, and cut th'entail from 2381all remainders, and a perpetual succession for it 2382perpetually.
What's his brother, the other Captain Dumaine?
[Aside to 1 Lord] Why does he ask him of me?
23851 Soldier as "Interpreter"
What's he?
E'en a crow a'th'same nest: not altogether so 2387great as the first in goodness, but greater a great deal in 2388evil. He excels his brother for a coward, yet his brother 2389is reputed one of the best that is. In a retreat, he 2390outruns any lackey. Marry, in coming on, he has the 2391cramp.
23921 Soldier as "Interpreter"
If your life be saved, will you undertake to betray 2393the Florentine?
Ay, and the captain of his horse, Count Roussillon.
23951 Soldier as "Interpreter"
I'll whisper with the general and know his 2396pleasure.
I'll no more drumming; a plague of all drums! 2398Only to seem to deserve well, and to beguile the 2399supposition of that lascivious young boy the count, have I run 2400into this danger. Yet who would have suspected an 2401ambush where I was taken?
24021 Soldier as "Interpreter"
There is no remedy, sir, but you must die. The 2403general says you that have so traitorously discovered 2404the secrets of your army, and made such pestiferous 2405reports of men very nobly held, can serve the world for 2406no honest use. Therefore you must die. -- Come 2407headsman, off with his head.
Oh Lord, sir! Let me live, or let me see my death.
That shall you, and take your leave of all your 2410friends.
4.3.121.1[He removes Paroles' blindfold.]
2412Bertram
Good morrow, noble captain.
God bless you, Captain Paroles.
God save you, noble captain.
Captain, what greeting will you to my Lord 2416Lafeu? I am for France.
Good captain, will you give me a copy of 2418the sonnet you writ to Diana in behalf of the Count 2419Roussillon? And I were not a very coward, I'd compel 2420it of you, but fare you well.
4.3.126.1Exeunt [Bertram, 1 Lord, and 2 Lord].
You are undone, captain, all but your scarf 2422that has a knot on't yet.
Who cannot be crushed with a plot?
If you could find out a country where but 2425women were that had received so much shame, you 2426might begin an impudent nation. Fare ye well, sir, I 2427am for France too. We shall speak of you there.
4.3.129.1Exit [with other soldiers].
Yet am I thankful. If my heart were great
4.3.140.1Exit.