ACT IV.
[Scene I.] Without the Florentine camp.
[Enter] Second French Lord, with five or six other Soldiers in ambush.
[Sec. Lord.] He can come no other way but by this
hedge-corner. When you sally upon him, speak what terrible
language you will: though you understand it not
yourselves, no matter; for we must not seem to understand
him, unless some one [among] us whom we must produce
for an interpreter.
First Sold. Good [captain], let me be the interpreter.
Sec. Lord. Art not acquainted with him? knows he not
thy voice?
First Sold. No, sir, I warrant you.
Sec. Lord. But what linsey-woolsey hast thou to speak
to us again?
First Sold. E'en such as you speak to me.
Sec. Lord. He must think us some band of strangers i'
the [adversary's] entertainment. Now he hath a smack of
all neighbouring languages; therefore we must every one be
a man of his own fancy, not to know what we speak one to
another; so we seem to know, is to [know straight] our purpose:
[choughs'] language, gabble enough, and good enough.
As for you, interpreter, you must seem very politic. But
couch, ho! here he comes, to beguile two hours in a sleep,
and then to return and swear the lies he forges.
Enter Parolles.
Par. Ten [o']clock: within these three hours 'twill be
time enough to go home. What shall I say I have done?
It must be a very plausive invention that carries it: they
begin to smoke me; and disgraces have of late knocked too
often at my door. I find my tongue is too foolhardy; but
my heart hath the fear of Mars before it and of his creatures,
not daring the reports of [my] tongue.
30
Sec. Lord. This is the first truth that e'er thine own
tongue was guilty of.
Par. What the devil should move me to undertake the
recovery of this drum, being not ignorant of the impossibility,
and knowing I had no such purpose? I must give
myself some hurts, and say I got them in exploit: yet
slight ones will not carry it; they will say, 'Came you off
with so little?' and great ones I dare not give. Wherefore,
what's the instance? Tongue, I must put you into a butter-woman's
mouth, and buy [myself] another of [Bajazet's]
[mule], if you prattle me into these perils.
Sec. Lord. Is it possible he should know what he is,
and be that he is?
Par. I would the cutting of my garments would serve
the turn, or the breaking of my Spanish sword.
45
Sec. Lord. We cannot afford you so.
Par. Or the baring of my beard; and to say it was in
stratagem.
Sec. Lord. 'Twould not do.
Par. Or to drown my clothes, and say I was stripped.
50
Sec. Lord. Hardly serve.
Par. Though I swore I leaped from the window of the
citadel—
Sec. Lord. How deep?
Par. Thirty fathom.
55
Sec. Lord. Three great oaths would scarce make that
be believed.
Par. I would I had any drum of the [enemy's]: I would
swear I recovered it.
Sec. Lord. You shall hear one anon.
60
Par. A drum now of the [enemy's,—] [Alarum within.
Sec. Lord. Throca movousus, cargo, cargo, cargo.
All. Cargo, cargo, cargo, villianda par [corbo, cargo].
Par. O, ransom, ransom! do not hide mine eyes.
[[They] seize and blindfold him.
First Sold. [Boskos thromuldo boskos].
65
Par. I know you are the [Muskos'] regiment;
And I shall lose my life for want of language:
If there be here German, or Dane, low Dutch,
Italian, [or] French, let him speak to me; I'll
Discover that which shall [undo the] Florentine.
70
First Sold. [Boskos] vauvado: I understand thee, and
can speak thy tongue. Kerelybonto, sir, betake thee to
thy faith, for seventeen poniards are at thy bosom.
75
First Sold. O, pray, pray, pray! Manka [revania] dulche.
Sec. Lord. [Oscorbidulchos] volivorco.
First Sold. The general is content to spare thee yet;
And, hoodwink'd as thou art, will lead thee on
To gather from thee: haply thou mayst inform
Something to save thy life.
80
Par. O, let me live!
And all the secrets of our camp I'll show,
Their force, their purposes; nay, I'll speak that
Which you will wonder at.
First Sold. But wilt thou faithfully?
Par. If I do not, damn me.
85
First Sold. Acordo linta.
Come on; thou art granted space.
[[Exit,] with Parolles guarded. [A short alarum within].
Sec. Lord. Go, tell the Count Rousillon, and my brother,
[We have] caught the woodcock, and will keep him muffled
Till we do hear from them.
Sec. Sold. Captain, I will.
90
Sec. Lord. [A'] will betray us all unto ourselves:
Sec. Sold. So I will, sir.
Sec. Lord. Till then I'll keep him dark and safely lock'd. [Exeunt.
LINENOTES:
[Scene I. Without....] Capell. Continues in Florence. Pope. Part of the French camp in Florence. Theobald.
[Enter Second French Lord....] Edd. Enter one of the Frenchmen.... Ff. Enter First Lord.... Capell. Enter French Envoy.... Collier. [See note (vi).]
[ Sec. Lord.] 1. Lord. E. Ff.
[5] [among] amongst Rowe.
[7] [captain] F3 F4. captaine F1. captaive F2.
[15] [adversary's] Johnson, adversaries Ff. adversaries' Warburton.
[18] [know straight] shew straight Hanmer. go straight to Collier (Collier MS.).
[19] [choughs'] chough's F3 F4. choughs F1 F2.
[23] [o'] Johnson, a Ff.
[29] [my] my own Mason conj. mine own Rann.
[39] [myself] om. Steevens.
[Bajazet's] Baiazeths F1. Bajazeths F2 F3 F4.
[40] [mule] F1 F2. Mules F3 F4. mute Hanmer (Warburton).
[57] [enemy's] Malone. enemies Ff. enemies' Capell.
[60] [enemy's,—] Edd. enemy's! Malone. enemies! Theobald. enemies. Ff.
[62] [cargo, cargo] cargo Hanmer.
[63] [They ... him.] Rowe. om. Ff.
[64] [Boskos ... boskos] F1. Baskos ... baskos F2 F3 F4.
[65] [Muskos'] Capell. Muskos Ff.
[68] [or] om. Capell.
[68, 69] [Arranged as in Capell.] Ile ... Florentine (in one line) Ff. I will ... undo The.... Malone.
[70-74] [Boskos ... pray!] Printed as verse by Capell.
[73, 74] [Par. O!] First Sold. O, pray] Par. Oh, oh! 1. S. Pray. Capell.
[74] [revania] F1. revanta F2. revancha F3 F4.
[76] [Oscorbidulchos] F1. Osceorbidulchos F2 F3 F4.
[86] [Exit....] Capell. Exit. Ff.
[A short alarum within.] Ff. om. Capell.
[88] [We have] We've Pope.
[90] [A'] A Ff. He Rowe.
[91] [Inform on that] Inform 'em that Rowe. Inform 'em too of that Capell.
Scene II. Florence. The Widow's house.
[Enter Bertram] and Diana.
Ber. They told me that your name was Fontibell.
Dia. No, my good lord, Diana.
Ber. [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,
You 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.
Dia. She then was honest.
Ber. So should you be.
Dia. No:
My mother did but duty; such, my lord,
As you owe to your wife.
Ber. No more [o'] that;
I prithee, do not [strive against my vows]:
I was compell'd to her; but I love thee
By love's own sweet constraint, and will for ever
Do thee all rights of service.
Dia. 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.
20
Ber. How have I sworn!
[Dia. 'Tis not] the many oaths that [makes] the truth,
But the plain single vow that is vow'd 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],
I 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 unseal'd,
At least in my opinion.
Ber. 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,
But give thyself unto my sick [desires],
Who then recover: say thou art mine, and ever
My love as it begins shall so persever.
Dia. I see that men make [rope's] in such a scarre
That we'll forsake ourselves. Give me that ring.
40
Ber. I'll lend it thee, my dear; but have no power
To give it from me.
Dia. Will you not, my lord?
Ber. It is an honour 'longing to our house,
Bequeathed down from many ancestors;
Which [were] the greatest obloquy i' the world
In me to lose.
45
Dia. Mine honour's such a ring:
My chastity's the jewel of our house,
Bequeathed down from many ancestors;
Which were the greatest obloquy i' the world
In me to lose: thus your own proper wisdom
Brings in the champion Honour on my part,
Against your vain assault.
Ber. Here, take my ring:
My house, mine honour, yea, my life, be thine,
[And I'll] be bid by thee.
Dia. When midnight comes, knock at my chamber-window:
I'll order take my mother shall not hear.
Now will I charge you in the band of truth,
When you have conquer'd 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 deliver'd:
And 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].
Ber. A heaven on earth [I have] won by wooing thee. [Exit.
Dia. 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
Have 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
To cozen him that would unjustly win. [Exit.
LINENOTES:
[Enter Bertram] and the Maid called Diana. Ff.
[2] [Titled goddess] Titl'd, goddess Capell.
[8] [stern] F3 F4. sterne F1 F2. stone Collier (Collier MS.).
[13] [o'] Rowe. a' Ff.
[14] [strive ... vows:] drive against my vows: Johnson conj. shrive—against my voice Id. conj.
[19] [barely] basely Rowe (ed. 2).
[21-31] [Dia. 'Tis not ... opinion] Dia. 'Tis not ... witness. Ber. Then ... ill? Dia. This ... opinion Staunton conj.
[21] [makes] F1. make F2 F3 F4.
[23, 24] [What ... me,] But ... by? Jackson conj. (inverting the lines).
[What ... witness: then, pray] Bert. What ... witness. Diana. Then, pray Johnson conj.
[23-29] [What ... against him] Erased in Collier MS.
[23] [swear not by,] swear, not 'bides, Warburton.
[24] [pray you] pray Pope.
[25] [Jove's] Joves F3 F4. Ioues F1 F2. love's Grant White (Johnson conj.). God's Edd. conj. [See note (xv)].
[attributes] F1. attribute F2 F3 F4.
[28] [by] to Johnson conj.
[whom] when Singer.
[28, 29] [whom I ... him] and to protest I love Whom I will work against Becket conj.
[32] [holy-cruel] Theobald. holy cruel Ff.
love] my love Staunton conj.
[35, 36] [desires, Who then recover] Rowe (ed. 2). desires, Who then recovers Ff. desires, Which then recover Pope. desire, Who then recovers Capell.
[38] [rope's ... scarre] F1 F2. ropes ... scarre F3. ropes ... scar F4. hopes ... affairs Rowe. hopes ... scene Malone. mopes in ... scar or japes of ... scathe Becket conj. hopes ... scare Henley conj. hopes ... cause Mitford conj. hopes ... war Singer (ed. 1). hopes ... scarre Singer (Knight conj.). slopes ... scarre Collier conj. ropes ... staire Id. conj. hopes ... case Dyce. hopes ... snare Staunton. hopes ... suit Collier (Collier MS.). may cope's ... sorte Williams conj.
[44] [were] 'twere Collier (Collier MS.).
[53] [And I'll] An I Collier conj.
[65] [done] none Collier MS.
[66] [I have] F1 F2. I've F3 F4.
[71] [had] hath Capell conj. has Grant White.
[73] [Frenchmen] men Hanmer.
[74] [Marry] Marry 'em Theobald (Warburton).
[74] [I] F1 F2. I'le F3 F4. I'd Theobald (Warburton).
Lords] Captains Ff.
Scene III. The Florentine camp.
Enter the two French Lords and some two or three Soldiers.
[First Lord.] You have not given him his mother's letter?
[Sec. Lord.] I have delivered it an hour since: there is
something in't that stings his nature; for on the reading it
he changed almost into another man.
5
First Lord. He has much worthy blame laid upon him
for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady.
Sec. Lord. Especially he hath incurred the everlasting
displeasure of the king, who had even tuned his bounty to
sing happiness to him. I will tell you a thing, but you
shall let it dwell darkly with you.
First Lord. When you have spoken it, 'tis dead, and I
am the grave of it.
Sec. Lord. He hath perverted a young gentlewoman
here in Florence, of a most chaste renown; and this night
he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honour: he hath given
her his monumental ring, and thinks himself [made] in the
unchaste composition.
First Lord. Now, God [delay] our rebellion! as we are
ourselves, what things are we!
20
Sec. Lord. Merely our own traitors. And as in the
common course of all treasons, we still see them reveal
themselves, [till] they attain to their abhorred ends, so he
that in this action contrives against his own [nobility], in his
proper stream o'erflows himself.
25
First Lord. Is it not [meant] damnable in us, to be
[trumpeters] of our unlawful intents? We shall not then
have his company to-night?
Sec. Lord. Not till after midnight; for he is dieted to
his hour.
30
First Lord. That approaches [apace]: I would gladly
have him see his [company anatomized], that he might take
a measure of his own [judgements], wherein so curiously
he had set [this] counterfeit.
Sec. Lord. We will not meddle with him till he come;
for his presence must be the whip of the other.
First Lord. In the mean time, what hear you of [these]
wars?
Sec. Lord. I hear there is an overture of peace.
First Lord. Nay, I assure you, a peace [concluded].
40
Sec. Lord. What will Count Rousillon do then? will
he travel higher, or return again into France?
First Lord. I perceive, by this demand, you are not
altogether of his council.
Sec. Lord. Let it be forbid, sir; so should I be a great
deal of his act.
First Lord. Sir, his wife some two months since fled
from his house: her pretence [is] a pilgrimage to Saint Jaques
le Grand; which holy undertaking with [most] austere sanctimony
she accomplished; and, there residing, [the] tenderness
of her nature became [as] a prey to her grief; in fine, made a
groan of her last breath, and now she sings in heaven.
Sec. Lord. How is this justified?
First Lord. The [stronger] part of it by her own letters,
which [makes] her story true, even to the point of her death:
her death [itself], which could not be her office to say is come,
[was] faithfully confirmed by the rector of the place.
Sec. Lord. Hath the count all this intelligence?
First Lord. Ay, and the particular confirmations, [point]
from point, to the full arming of the verity.
60
Sec. Lord. I am heartily sorry that he'll be glad of this.
First Lord. How mightily sometimes we make us comforts
of our losses!
Sec. Lord. And how mightily some other times we
drown our [gain] in tears! The great dignity that his valour
hath here acquired for him shall at home be encountered
with a shame as ample.
First Lord. The web of our life is of a mingled yarn,
good and ill together: our virtues would be proud, if our
faults whipped them not; and our crimes would despair, if
they were not cherished by our virtues.
Enter a [Messenger].
How now! where's your master?
Serv. He met the Duke in the street, sir, of whom he
hath taken a solemn leave: his lordship will next morning
for France. The Duke hath offered him letters of [commendations]
to the king.
Sec. Lord. They shall be no more than needful there,
if they were more than they can commend.
[First Lord.] They cannot be too sweet for the king's
tartness. Here's his lordship now.
80
How now, my lord! is't not after midnight?
Ber. I have to-night dispatched sixteen businesses, a
month's length a-piece, by an abstract of success: I have
[congied] with the Duke, done my adieu with his nearest;
buried a wife, mourned for her; writ to my lady mother I
am returning; entertained my convoy; and between these
main parcels of dispatch [effected] many nicer needs: the
last was the greatest, but that I have not ended yet.
Sec. Lord. If the business be of any difficulty, and this
morning your departure hence, it requires haste of your
lordship.
Ber. I mean, the business is not ended, as fearing to
hear of it hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue between
the fool and the soldier? Come, bring forth this
counterfeit [module, has] deceived me, like a double-meaning
prophesier.
Sec. Lord. Bring him [forth]: he has sat i' the stocks all
night, poor gallant knave.
Ber. No matter; his heels have deserved it, in usurping
his spurs so long. How does he carry himself?
100
[Sec. Lord.] I have told your lordship already, the stocks
carry him. But to answer you as you would be understood;
he weeps like a wench that had shed her milk: he
hath confessed himself to Morgan, whom he supposes to be
a friar, from the time of his remembrance to this very instant
disaster of his setting [i' the] stocks: and what think
you he hath confessed?
Ber. Nothing of me, [has a']?
Sec. Lord. His confession is taken, and it shall be read
to his face: if your lordship be in't, as I believe you are,
you must have the patience to [hear] it.
[Enter] Parolles guarded, and First Soldier.
[Ber.] A plague upon him! muffled! he can say nothing
First Lord. [Hoodman] comes! Portotartarosa.
[First Sold.] He calls for the tortures: what will you
say without 'em?
Par. [I will] confess what I know without constraint: if
ye pinch me like a pasty, I can say no more.
First Sold. Bosko chimurcho.
First Lord. Boblibindo chicurmurco.
120
First Sold. You are a merciful general. Our general
bids you answer to what I shall ask you out of a note.
Par. And truly, as I hope to live.
First Sold. [reads] First demand of him how many horse the
Duke is strong. What say you to that?
125
Par. Five or six thousand; but very weak and unserviceable:
the troops are all scattered, and the commanders
very poor rogues, upon my reputation and credit and as I
hope to live.
First Sold. Shall I set down your answer so?
130
Par. Do: I'll take the sacrament on 't, how and which
way you will.
[Ber.] [All's one to him]. What a past-saving slave is this!
First Lord. [You're] deceived, my lord: this is Monsieur
Parolles, the gallant militarist,—that was his own phrase,—
that had the whole [theoric] of war in the knot of his scarf,
and the practice in the chape of his dagger.
Sec. Lord. I will never trust a man again for keeping
his sword clean, nor believe he can have every thing in
him by wearing his apparel neatly.
140
First Sold. Well, that's set down.
Par. Five or six thousand horse, I said,—I will say
true,—or thereabouts, set down, for I'll speak truth.
First Lord. He's very near the truth in this.
Ber. But I con him no thanks for't, in the nature he
delivers it.
Par. Poor rogues, I pray you, say.
First Sold. Well, that's set down.
Par. I humbly thank you, sir: a truth's a truth, the
rogues are marvellous poor.
150
First Sold. [reads] Demand of him, of what strength they are
a-foot. What say you to that?
Par. By my troth, sir, if I were to [live this] present hour,
I will tell true. Let me see: Spurio, a hundred and fifty;
Sebastian, so many; Corambus, so many; Jaques, so many;
[Guiltian], Cosmo, Lodowick, and Gratii, two hundred and
[fifty] each; mine own company, Chitopher, Vaumond, Bentii,
two hundred [and fifty] each: so that the muster-file, rotten
and sound, upon my life, amounts not to fifteen thousand
poll; half of the which dare not shake the snow from off
their cassocks, lest they shake themselves to pieces.
Ber. What shall be done to him?
First Lord. Nothing, but let him have thanks. Demand
of him my [condition], and what credit I have with the Duke.
First Sold. Well, that's set down. [Reads] You shall demand
of him, whether one Captain Dumain be [i' the] camp, a Frenchman;
what his reputation is with the Duke; what his valour, honesty,
and expertness in [wars]; or whether he thinks it were not possible,
with well-weighing sums of gold, to corrupt him to a revolt.
What say you to this? what do you know of it?
170
Par. I beseech you, let me answer to the [particular] of
the [inter'gatories]: demand them singly.
First Sold. Do you know this Captain Dumain?
Par. I know him: [a'] was a botcher's 'prentice in Paris,
from whence he was whipped for getting the [shrieve's] fool
with child,—a dumb innocent, that could not say him [nay.]
Ber. Nay, by your leave, hold your hands; though I
know his brains are forfeit to the next tile that falls.
First Sold. Well, is this captain in the Duke of Florence's
camp?
180
Par. Upon my knowledge, he is, and lousy.
First Lord. Nay, look not so upon me; we shall hear
of [your lordship] anon.
First Sold. What is his reputation with the Duke?
Par. The Duke knows him for no other but a poor
officer of mine; and writ to me [this] other day to turn him
out [o' the] band: I think I have his letter in my pocket.
First Sold. Marry, we'll search.
Par. In good sadness, I do not know; either it is there,
or it is upon with the Duke's other letters in my tent.
190
First Sold. Here 'tis; here's a paper: shall I read it to
you?
Par. I do not know if it be it or no.
Ber. Our interpreter does it well.
First Lord. Excellently.
195
First Sold. [reads] Dian, the count's a fool, and full of [gold],—
Par. That is not the Duke's letter, sir; that is an advertisement
to a proper maid in Florence, one Diana, to
take heed of the allurement of one Count Rousillon, a
foolish idle boy, but for all that very ruttish: I pray you,
sir, put it up again.
First Sold. Nay, I'll read it first, by your favour.
Par. My meaning in't, I protest, was very honest in
the behalf of the maid; for I knew the young count to be
a dangerous and lascivious boy, who is a whale to virginity
and devours up all the fry it finds.
Ber. Damnable both-sides rogue!
[First Sold.] [reads] When he swears oaths, bid him drop gold, and take it;
After he scores, he never pays the score:
Half won is match [well made;] match, and well make it;
He ne'er pays after-debts, take it before;
And say a soldier, Dian, told thee this,
Men are to mell with, boys are [not] to kiss:
For count of this, the [count's] a fool, I know it,
Who pays before, but not [when] he does owe it.
215
Thine, as he vowed to thee in thine ear,
Parolles.
Ber. He shall be whipped through the army with this
rhyme [in's] forehead.
Sec. Lord. This is your devoted friend, sir, the manifold
linguist and the armipotent soldier.
Ber. I could endure any thing before but a cat, and
[now] he's a cat to me.
First Sold. I perceive, sir, by [the] general's looks, we
shall be fain to hang you.
225
Par. My life, sir, in any case: not that I am afraid to
die; but that, my offences being many, I would repent out
the remainder of nature: let me live, sir, in a dungeon, [i' the]
stocks, [or] any where, so I may live.
First Sold. We'll see what may be done, so you confess
freely; therefore, once more to this Captain Dumain:
you have answered to his reputation with the Duke and to
his valour: what is his honesty?
Par. He will steal, sir, [an egg] out of a cloister: for
rapes and ravishments he parallels Nessus: he professes
not keeping of oaths; [in breaking 'em] he is stronger than
Hercules: he will lie, sir, with such volubility, that you
would think truth were a fool: drunkenness is his best virtue,
for he will be swine-drunk; and in his sleep he does
little harm, save to his bed-clothes about him; but they
know his conditions and lay him in straw. I have but
little more to say, sir, of his honesty: he has every thing
that an honest man should not have; what an honest man
should have, he has nothing.
First Lord. I begin to love him for this.
245
Ber. For this description of thine honesty? A pox
upon him for me, [he's] more and more a cat.
First Sold. What say you to his expertness in war?
Par. Faith, sir, [has] led the drum before the English
tragedians; to belie him, I will not, and more of his soldiership
I know not; except, in that country he had the
honour to be the officer at a place there called Mile-end,
to instruct for the doubling of files: I would do the man
what honour I can, but of this I am not certain.
First Lord. He hath [out-villained] villany so far, that
the rarity redeems him.
Ber. A pox on him, he's a cat still.
First Sold. His qualities being at this poor price, I
need not to ask you if gold will corrupt him to revolt.
Par. Sir, for a [quart d'écu] he will sell the fee-simple of
his salvation, the inheritance of it; and cut the entail from
all remainders, and a perpetual succession [for it] perpetually.
First Sold. What's his brother, the other Captain Dumain?
Sec. Lord. Why does he ask him of me?
265
First Sold. What's he?
Par. E'en a crow [o' the] same nest; not altogether so
great as the first in goodness, but greater a great deal in
evil: he excels his brother for a coward, yet his brother is
reputed one of the best that is: in a retreat he outruns any
lackey; many, in coming on he [has] the cramp.
First Sold. If your life be saved, will you undertake to
betray the Florentine?
Par. Ay, and the captain of his horse, Count Rousillon.
First Sold. I'll whisper with the general, and know his
pleasure.
Par. [[Aside]] I'll no more drumming; a plague of all
drums! Only to seem to deserve well, and to beguile the
supposition of that lascivious young boy the count, have I
run into [this danger]. Yet who would have suspected an
ambush where I was taken?
First Sold. There is no remedy, sir, but you must die:
the general says, you that have so traitorously discovered the
secrets of your army and made such pestiferous reports of
men very nobly held, can serve the world for no honest use;
therefore you must die. Come, headsman, off with his head.
Par. O Lord, sir, let me live, or let me see my death!
First Sold. That shall you, and take your leave of all
your friends. [[Unblinding him.]
So, look about you: know you any here?
290
Ber. Good morrow, noble captain.
[Sec. Lord.] God bless you, Captain Parolles.
First Lord. God save you, noble captain.
Sec. Lord. Captain, what greeting will you to my Lord
Lafeu? I am for France.
First Lord. Good captain, will you give me a copy of
[the sonnet] you writ to Diana in behalf of the Count Rousillon?
[an] I were not a very coward, I'ld compel it of you:
but fare you well. [[Exeunt Bertram and Lords].
First Sold. You are undone, captain, all but your
scarf; that has a knot on't yet.
Par. Who cannot be crushed with a plot?
First Sold. If you could find out a country where but
women were that had received so much shame, you might
begin an impudent nation. Fare ye well, sir; I am for
France too: we shall speak of you there. [[Exit], with Soldiers.
Par. [Yet am I] thankful: if my heart were great,
'Twould burst at this. Captain I'll be no more;
But I will eat and drink, and sleep as soft
As captain shall: simply the thing I am
Shall make me live. Who knows himself a braggart,
Let him fear this, for it will come to pass
That every braggart shall be found [an ass].
Rust, sword! cool, blushes! and, Parolles, live
Safest in shame! being fool'd, by foolery thrive!
There's place and means for every man alive.
I'll after them. [Exit
LINENOTES:
[1] [First Lord.] 1 Ld. Rowe. Cap. G. Ff (and throughout the scene).
[2] [Sec. Lord.] 2 Ld. Rowe. Cap. E. Ff (and throughout the scene).
[16] [made] paid Staunton conj.
[18] [delay] allay Hanmer.
[22] [till] ere Hanmer. when Mason conj.
[23, 24] [nobility, ... stream] Theobald. nobility ... stream, Ff.
[25] [meant] Ff. most Hanmer. meantime Heath conj. mean and Mason conj. maint Nicholson conj. mere Anon. conj.
[26] [trumpeters] the trumpeters Rowe.
[30] [apace] agace F3.
[31] [company] companion Hanmer.
anatomized] anatomiz'd Rowe. anathomiz'd Ff.
[32] [judgements] Ff. judgement Pope.
wherein so curiously] where so incuriously Badham conj.
curiously] F1 F2. seriously F3 F4.
[33] [this] F1 F2. his F3 F4.
[36] [these] F1. those F2 F3 F4.
[39] [concluded] is concluded Rowe (ed. 1).
[47] [is] om. Capell.
[48] [most] a most Rowe (ed. 2).
[49] [the] through the Capell
[50] [as] om. Long MS.
[53] [stronger] stranger Collier (Collier MS.).
[54] [makes] Ff. make Malone.
[55] [itself] is selfe F2. [See note (xvi)].
[56] [was] and Collier (Collier MS.).
[58, 59] [point from point] Ff. from point to point Hanmer. point for point Capell.
[64] [gain] gains Edd. conj.
[70] [Messenger] Ff. Servant Rowe (ed. 2).
[74, 75] [commendations] commendation Rowe (ed. 2).
[78] [Scene iv.] Pope.
First Lord.] Ber. F1 F2. Cap. G. F3 F4.
[79] [Enter B.] Enter Count Rossillion Ff (after line 77).
[83] [congied] Ff. conge'd Capell.
[86] [effected] F3 F4. affected F1 F2.
[94] [module] Ff. medal Hanmer (Warburton). model Collier.
module, has] F2. module has F1. module; 'has F3 F4. module; h'as Rowe (ed. 2).
[96] [forth] forth [Exeunt Soldiers.] Capell.
he has] h'as F1 F2. ha's F3 F4.
i'the] i'th Ff. in the Rowe.
[100] [Sec. Lord.] 2 L. Capell. Cap. E. F1 F2. Cap. G. F3 F4. 1 Ld. Rowe.
[105] [i'the] i'th Ff.
[107] [has a'] ha's a F1 F2 F3. has a F4. has he Rowe (ed. 2).
[110] [hear] bear Anon conj.
[Enter...] Enter Parolles with his Interpreter. Ff.
[111] [Scene v.] Pope.
[112] [hush, hush!] hush F2.
[112, 113 [hush, hush!] First Lord. Hoodman] 1 Lord. Hush! hoodman Hanmer. 1 L. Hush, hush! hoodman S. Walker conj.
[113] [Hoodman] Headsman Grey conj.
[114] [First Sold.] Int. Ff (and throughout the scene).
[116, 117] [I will ... more] Printed as two lines in Ff, ending ...constraint, ...more.
[132] [Ber. All's one to him. What] Capell. All's one to him. Ber. What Ff. All's one to me. Ber. What Rowe. 1 Lord, or 2. Lord, All's ... him Ber. What Ritson conj. All's one to me. Ber. All's one to him! what Anon. conj.
[132-139] [143-145], 161-163, 176, 177, 181, 182, 193, 194, 206, 217-222, 244-246, 254-256, 264: are marked as 'Asides' by Capell.
[133] [You're] Y'are Ff.
[135] [theoric] theory Rowe.
[152] [live] die S. Walker conj. leave Staunton conj. shrive Anon. conj.
this] but this Hanmer. [See note (xiv)].
[155] [Guiltian] Julian S. Walker conj.
[155, 156] [and fifty] Rowe (ed. 2). fifty F1 F2. om. F3 F4.
[157] [and fifty] Rowe (ed. 2). fifty Ff.
[163] [condition] F1. conditions F2 F3 F4.
[165] [i'the] i'th F1 F3 F4. it'h F2.
[167] [wars] F1 F2 F3. war F4.
[170] [particular] particulars Capell.
[171] [inter'gatories] interrogatories F4. interrogatory Capell.
[173] [a'] a Ff. he Rowe.
[174] [shrieve's] sheriff's Hanmer.
[175] [Dumain lifts] up his hand in anger. Johnson.
[182] [your lordship] Pope. your Lord Ff. you Lord Rowe (ed. 1).
[185] [this] F1 F2. the F3 F4.
[186] [o' the] a' th Ff.
[189] [a file] the file Theobald.
[195] [After this line] Johnson supposes one to be lost.
gold] golden store or golden ore Steevens conj. gold, I speak it Jackson conj. (reading lines 208-210 in this order 209, 210, 208).
[207] [First Sold.] [reads] Int. Let. Ff. Inter. reads the letter. Rowe.
[209] [well made] ill made Capell conj. half made Jackson conj.
match, and well] match well and Hanmer. watch, and well Johnson conj. (who would read the lines 207-210 in the following order, 209, 207, 208, 210).
and well] an' we'll Steevens conj.
[212] [not] but Pope (ed. 2. Theobald).
[213] [count's] count F2.
[214] [when] where Collier (Collier MS.).
[218] [in's] in his Rowe.
[222] [now] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.
[223] [the] F3 F4. your F1 F2. our Capell.
[227] [i' the] i' th Ff.
[228] [or] F1 F2. om. F3 F4.
[233] [an egg] an Ag. (i.e. Agnes) Becket conj.
[235] [in breaking] F1. breaking F2 F3 F4.
'em] em F1 F2 F3. them F4.
[246] [he's] he is Pope.
[248] [has] ha's Ff. h'as Rowe.
[254] [out-villained] out-villanied S. Walker conj.
[259] [quart d'écu] Pope. cardceue F1. cardecue F2 F3 F4.
[261] [for it] in it Hanmer.
[266] [o' the] a' th F1 F2 F4, at'h F3.
[270] [has] ha's F1.
[276] [Aside] Rowe (ed. 2).
[279] [this danger] danger Rowe.
[288] [Unblinding him.] Rowe (ed. 1). [Unbinding him. Rowe (ed. 2). [Unmuffling him. Steevens.
[291, 293] [Sec. Lord.] Lo. E. F1.
[296] [the sonnet] F1 F2. the same sonnet F3 F4. that same sonnet Rowe.
[297] [an] and Ff. if Pope.
[298] [Exeunt B. and Lords.] Exeunt. Ff.
[305] [Exit...] Exit. Ff.
[306] [Scene vi.] Pope.
am I] I am Hanmer.
[312] [After this] S. Walker conjectures that a line has been omitted.
[Scene IV.] Florence. The Widow's house.
Enter Helena, Widow, and Diana.
Hel. That you may well perceive I have not wrong'd you,
One of the greatest in the Christian world
Shall be my surety; ['fore] whose throne 'tis needful,
Ere I can perfect mine intents, to kneel:
Time was, I did him a desired office,
Dear almost as his life; [which] gratitude
Through flinty Tartar's bosom would peep forth,
And answer, thanks: I duly am inform'd
His Grace [is at Marseilles;] to which place
We have convenient convoy. You must know,
I am supposed dead: the army breaking,
My husband hies him home; where, heaven aiding,
And by the leave of my good lord the king,
We'll be before our welcome.
Wid. Gentle madam,
You never had a servant to whose trust
Your business was more welcome.
Hel. Nor [you], mistress,
Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labour
To recompense your love: doubt not but heaven
Hath brought me up to be your daughter's dower,
As it hath fated her to be my motive
And helper to a husband. But, O strange men!
That can such sweet use make of what they hate,
When [saucy trusting of] the cozen'd thoughts
Defiles the pitchy night: so lust doth play
With what it loathes for that which is away.
But more of this hereafter. You, Diana,
Under my poor instructions yet must suffer
Something in my behalf.
Dia. Let death and honesty
Go with your impositions, I am yours
Upon your will to suffer.
30
Hel. Yet, [I pray you:]
[But] with the word the time will bring on summer,
When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns,
And be as sweet as sharp. We must away;
Our waggon is prepared, and time [revives] us:
All's well that ends well: still [the fine's] the crown;
Whate'er the [course], the end is the renown. [Exeunt.
LINENOTES:
[Scene iv.] Scene vii. Pope.
[3] ['fore] for F1.
[6] [which] for which Hanmer.
[9] [is at] it F2.
Marseilles] Rowe (ed. 2). Marcellæ F1. Marsellis F2 F3. Marselis F4.
[16] [you] F4. your F1 F2 F3.
[23] [saucy trusting of] Ff. fancy trusting in Hanmer. fancy trusting of Warburton.
[30, 31] [I pray you: But with the word]] Ff. I pray you, Bear with the word: Hanmer. I pray you, But with the word: Capell. I pray you,—But with the word, Steevens (Henley conj.). I fray you But with the word: Collier (Blackstone conj.). I play you But with the word: Jackson conj. I pray you: But with the world Collier MS. I pay you But with the word; Grant White. I pay you But with the word, Staunton conj.
[31-33] [But ... away] But—with the word 'The time ... sharp,'—we must away Anon. conj.
[34] [revives] Ff. reviles Hanmer. revyes Warburton. invites Johnson and Heath conj.
[35] [the fine's] Theobald. the fines F1. that fines F2 F3. that finds F4.
[36] [course] curse Rowe (ed. 2).
[Scene V.] Rousillon. The Count's palace.
Enter [Countess], Lafeu, and Clown.
Laf. No, no, no, your son was misled with a snipt-taffeta
fellow there, whose villanous saffron would have
made all the unbaked and doughy youth of a nation in his
colour: your daughter-in-law had been alive at this hour,
and your son here at home, more [advanced] by the king
[than by that] red-tailed humble-bee I speak of.
Count. I would [I had] not known him; it was the death
of the most virtuous gentlewoman that ever nature had
praise for creating. If she had partaken of my flesh, and
cost me the dearest groans of a mother, I could not have
owed her a more rooted love.
Laf. 'Twas a good lady, 'twas a good lady: we may
pick a thousand [salads] ere we light on such another herb.
Clo. Indeed, sir, she was the sweet-marjoram of the
[salad], or rather, the herb of grace.
Laf. They are not [herbs], you knave; they are nose-herbs.
Clo. I am no great Nebuchadnezzar, sir; I have not
much skill in [grass].
20
Laf. Whether dost thou profess thyself, a knave or a fool?
Clo. A fool, sir, at a woman's service, and a knave at a
man's.
Laf. Your distinction?
Clo. I would cozen the man of [his wife] and do his service.
25
Laf. So you were a knave at his service, indeed.
Clo. And I would give his wife my [bauble], sir, to do
her service.
Laf. I will subscribe for thee, thou art both knave and
fool.
30
Clo. At your service.
Laf. No, no, no.
Clo. Why, sir, if I cannot serve you, I can serve as
great a prince as you are.
Laf. [Who's] that? a Frenchman?
35
Clo. Faith, sir, [a'] has an English [name]; but his fisnomy
is more [hotter] in France than [there].
Laf. What prince is that?
Clo. The black prince, sir; alias, the prince of darkness;
alias, the devil.
40
Laf. Hold thee, there's my purse: I give thee not this to
[suggest] thee from thy master thou talkest of; serve him still.
Clo. [I am] a woodland fellow, sir, that always loved a
great fire; and the master I speak of ever keeps a good [fire].
But, sure, he is the prince of the world; let [his] nobility remain
in's court. I am for the house with the narrow gate,
which I take to be too little for pomp to enter: some that
humble themselves may; but the many will be too chill
and tender, and they'll be for the flowery way that leads
to the broad gate and the great fire.
50
Laf. Go thy ways, I begin to be aweary of thee; and
I tell thee so before, because I would not fall out with thee.
Go thy ways: let my horses be well looked to, without any
tricks.
Clo. If I put any tricks upon 'em, [sir], they shall be jades'
tricks; which are their own right by the law of nature. [Exit.
Laf. A shrewd knave and an unhappy.
Count. So [he] is. My lord that's gone made himself
much sport out of him: by his authority he remains here,
which he thinks is a patent for his sauciness; and, indeed,
he has no [pace], but [runs] where he will.
Laf. I like him well; 'tis not amiss. And I was about
to tell you, since I heard of the good lady's death and that
my lord your son was upon his return home, I moved the
king my master to speak in the behalf of my daughter;
which, in the minority of them both, his majesty, out of a
self-gracious remembrance, did first propose: his highness
hath promised me to do it: and, to stop up the displeasure
he hath conceived against your son, there is no fitter matter.
How does your ladyship like it?
70
Count. With very much content, my lord; and I wish
it happily effected.
Laf. His highness comes post from [Marseilles], of as
able body as when [he] numbered thirty: he will be here to-morrow,
or I am deceived by him that in such intelligence
hath seldom failed.
Count. [It] rejoices me, [that I hope I] shall see him ere
I die. I have letters that my son will be here to-night: I
shall beseech your lordship to remain with me till they
meet together.
Laf. Madam, I was thinking with what manners I
might safely be admitted.
Count. You need but plead your honourable privilege.
Laf. Lady, of that I have made a bold charter; but I
thank my God it holds yet.
Re-enter Clown.
85
Clo. O madam, yonder's my lord your son with a
patch of velvet on's face: whether there be a scar under't
or no, the velvet knows; but 'tis a goodly patch of velvet:
his left cheek is a cheek of two pile and a half, but his right
cheek is worn bare.
90
[Laf.] [A scar] nobly got, or a noble scar, is a good livery
of honour; so belike is that.
Clo. But it is your [carbonadoed] face.
[Laf.] Let us go see your son, I pray you: I long to
talk with the young noble [soldier].
95
Clo. Faith, there's a dozen of 'em, with delicate fine
hats and most courteous feathers, which bow the head and
nod at every man. [Exeunt.
LINENOTES:
[Scene v.] Scene viii. Pope.
[Countess,] Old Lady, Ff.
[5] [advanced] advantaged Warburton.
[6] [than by that] but for that Hanmer.
[7] [I had] he had Hanmer (Theobald conj.).
[13] [salads] sallets Ff.
[15] [salad] sallet Ff.
[16] [herbs] Ff. sallet-herbs Rowe. pot-herbs Collier MS.
[19] [grass] Rowe. grace Ff.
[24] [his wife] this wife F2.
[26] [bauble] folly Hanmer.
[34] [Who's] F4. Whose F1 F2 F3.
[35] [a'] a Ff. he Rowe (ed. 2).
[name] Rowe. maine F1 F2. main F3. mean F4. mien Anon. conj.
[36] [hotter] honour'd Hanmer (Warburton).
[there] F1 F2. here F3 F4.
[41] [suggest] seduce Rowe (ed. 2).
[42] [I am] I'm Theobald.
[43, 44] [fire But,] sure, he ... world;] fire, but sure he ... world, Ff. fire; but since he ... world, Hanmer. fire. But, for he ... world, Capell.
[44] [his] the Collier MS.
[54] [sir] om. Rowe.
[57] [he] Rowe. a Ff.
[60] [pace] place Hanmer.
[runs] he runs F3 F4.
[72] [Marseilles] Pope. Marcellus F1. Marsellis F2. Marselles F3 F4.
[73] [he] Rowe (ed. 2). a Ff. and Rowe (ed. 1).
[76] [It] Ir F1. I F2.
[that I hope I] that hope that I Warburton.
[90] [Laf.] F1. La. F2 F3 F4. Count Rowe.
[90, 91] [A scar ... that] Printed as three lines in Ff, ending got ... honour ... that.
[92] [carbonadoed] Theobald. carbinado'd Ff.
[93] [Laf.] F1 F3 F4. La. F2 (and frequently in this scene).
[93, 94] [Let us ... soldier] Printed as three lines in Ff, ending see ... talk ... soldier.