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- Edition: All's Well That Ends Well
All's Well That Ends Well (Modern)
- Introduction
- Texts of this edition
- Facsimiles
[4.5]
No, no, no, your son was misled with a 2483snipped-taffeta fellow there, whose villainous saffron would have 2484made all the unbaked and doughy youth of a nation in his 2485color. Your daughter-in-law had been alive at this 2486hour, and your son here at home, more advanced 2487by the king than by that red-tailed humble-bee I speak 2488of.
I would I had not known him; it was the death 2490of the most virtuous gentlewoman that ever nature 2491had praise for creating. If she had partaken of my flesh 2492and cost me the dearest groans of a mother, I could 2493not have owed her a more rooted love.
'Twas a good lady, 'twas a good lady. We 2495may pick a thousand salads ere we light on such 2496another herb.
Indeed, sir, she was the sweet marjoram of the 2498salad, or rather the herb of grace.
They are not herbs, you knave, they are 2500nose-herbs.
I am no great Nebuchadnezzar, sir: I have 2502not much skill in grace.
Whether dost thou profess thyself -- a knave 2504or a fool?
A fool, sir, at a woman's service, and a knave at a 2506man's.
Your distinction?
I would cozen the man of his wife, and do his 2509service.
So you were a knave at his service indeed.
And I would give his wife my bauble, sir, to do 2512her service.
I will subscribe for thee: thou art both knave 2514and fool.
At your service.
No, no, no.
Why, sir, if I cannot serve you, I can serve as 2518great a prince as you are.
Who's that? A Frenchman?
Faith, sir, a has an English [mane or mien], but his 2521phys'nomy is more hotter in France than there.
What prince is that?
The black prince, sir, alias the prince of 2524darkness, alias the devil.
Hold thee, there's my purse. I give thee not this 2526to suggest thee from thy master thou talk'st of; serve 2527him still.
I am a woodland fellow, sir, that always loved 2529a great fire, and the master I speak of ever keeps a good 2530fire. But sure he is the prince of the world; let his 2531nobility remain in's court. I am for the house with the 2532narrow gate, which I take to be too little for pomp to 2533enter. Some that humble themselves may, but the 2534many will be too chill and tender, and they'll be for the 2535flowery way that leads to the broad gate and the great 2536fire.
Go thy ways; I begin to be a weary of thee, 2538and I tell thee so before because I would not fall out 2539with thee. Go thy ways; let my horses be well looked 2540too, without any tricks.
If I put any tricks upon 'em, sir, they shall be 2542jades' tricks, which are their own right by the law of 2543nature.
4.5.24.1Exit.
A shrewd knave, and an unhappy.
So a is. My lord that's gone made himself 2546much sport out of him. By his authority he remains 2547here, which he thinks is a patent for his sauciness, 2548and indeed he has no pace, but runs where he will.
I like him well; 'tis not amiss. And I was about 2550to tell you, since I heard of the good lady's death, and 2551that my lord your son was upon his return home, I 2552moved the king my master to speak in the behalf of 2553my daughter, which in the minority of them both, his 2554majesty out of a self-gracious remembrance did first 2555propose. His highness hath promised me to do it, and 2556to stop up the displeasure he hath conceived against 2557your son there is no fitter matter. How does your 2558ladyship like it?
With very much content, my lord, and I wish 2560it happily effected.
His highness comes post from Marseille, of as 2562able body as when he numbered thirty. A will be here 2563to morrow, or I am deceived by him that in such 2564intelligence hath seldom failed.
It rejoices me that I hope I shall see him ere I 2566die. I have letters that my son will be here tonight; 2567I shall beseech your lordship to remain with me till 2568they meet together.
Madam, I was thinking with what manners I 2570might safely be admitted.
You need but plead your honorable 2572privilege.
Lady, of that I have made a bold charter, but 2574I thank my God it holds yet.
O madam, yonder's my lord your son with 2577a patch of velvet on's face. Whether there be a scar 2578under't or no, the velvet knows, but 'tis a goodly patch 2579of velvet; his left cheek is a cheek of two pile and a 2580half, but his right cheek is worn bare.
But it is your carbonadoed face.