All’s Well That Ends Well

than there. Lafeu What prince is that? Clown The black prince, sir; alias, the prince of darkness; alias, the devil. Lafeu Hold thee, there’s my purse: I give thee not this to suggest thee from thy master thou talkest of; serve him still. Clown 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. Lafeu 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. Clown If I put any tricks upon ’em, sir, they shall be jades’ tricks; which are their own right by the law of nature. Exit. Lafeu A shrewd knave and an unhappy. Countess 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. Lafeu 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? Countess With very much content, my lord; and I wish it happily effected. Lafeu 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. Countess 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. Lafeu Madam, I was thinking with what manners I might safely be admitted. Countess You need but plead your honourable privilege. Lafeu Lady, of that I have made a bold charter; but I thank my God it holds yet. Re-enter Clown. Clown 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. Lafeu A scar nobly got, or a noble scar, is a good livery of honour; so belike is that. Clown But it is your carbonadoed face. Lafeu Let us go see your son, I pray you: I long to talk with the young noble soldier. Clown 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.

Act V

Scene I

Marseilles. A street.

	Enter Helena, Widow, and Diana, with two Attendants.
Helena	But this exceeding posting day and night Must wear your spirits low; we cannot help it But since you have made the days and nights as one, To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs, Be bold you do so grow in my requital As nothing can unroot you. In happy time;
	Enter a Gentleman.
	This man may help me to his majesty’s ear, If he would spend his power. God save you, sir.
Gentleman	And you.
Helena	Sir, I have seen you in the court of France.
Gentleman	I have been sometimes there.
Helena	I do presume, sir, that you are not fallen From the report that goes upon your goodness; An therefore, goaded with most sharp occasions, Which lay nice manners by, I put you to The use of your own virtues, for the which I shall continue thankful.
Gentleman	What’s your will?
Helena	That it will please you To give this poor petition to the king, And aid me with that store of power you have To come into his presence.
Gentleman	The king’s not here.
Helena	Not here, sir!
Gentleman	Not, indeed: He hence removed last night and with more haste Than is his use.
Widow	Lord, how we lose our pains!
Helena	All’s well that ends well yet, Though time seem so adverse and means unfit. I do beseech you, whither is he gone?
Gentleman	Marry, as I take it, to Rousillon; Whither I am going.
Helena	I do beseech you, sir, Since you are like to see the king before me, Commend the paper to his gracious hand, Which I presume shall render you no blame But rather make you thank your pains for it. I will come after you with what good speed Our means will make us means.
Gentleman	This I’ll do for you.
Helena	And you shall find yourself to be well thank’d, Whate’er falls more. We must to horse again. Go, go, provide. Exeunt.

Scene II

Rousillon. Before the Count’s palace.

	Enter Clown, and Parolles, following.
Parolles	Good Monsieur Lavache, give my Lord Lafeu this letter: I have ere now, sir, been better known to you, when I have held familiarity with fresher clothes; but I am now, sir, muddied in fortune’s mood, and smell somewhat strong of her strong displeasure.
Clown	Truly, fortune’s displeasure is but sluttish, if it smell so strongly as thou speakest of: I will henceforth eat no fish of fortune’s buttering. Prithee, allow the wind.
Parolles	Nay, you need not to stop your nose, sir; I spake but by a metaphor.
Clown	Indeed, sir, if your metaphor