ARKCODEX
Act III, Scene 5
1Florence. Without the walls. A tucket afar off.
2Enter an old Widow of Florence, Diana, Violenta, and Mariana, with other Citizens.
3WidowNay, come; for if they do approach the city, we shall lose all the sight.
4DianaThey say the French count has done most honourable service.
5WidowIt is reported that he has taken their greatest commander; and that with his own hand he slew the duke’s brother. Tucket. We have lost our labour; they are gone a contrary way: hark! you may know by their trumpets.
6MarianaCome, let’s return again, and suffice ourselves with the report of it. Well, Diana, take heed of this French earl: the honour of a maid is her name; and no legacy is so rich as honesty.
7WidowI have told my neighbour how you have been solicited by a gentleman his companion.
8MarianaI know that knave; hang him! one Parolles: a filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young earl. Beware of them, Diana; their promises, enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of lust, are not the things they go under: many a maid hath been seduced by them; and the misery is, example, that so terrible shows in the wreck of maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession, but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten them. I hope I need not to advise you further; but I hope your own grace will keep you where you are, though there were no further danger known but the modesty which is so lost.
9DianaYou shall not need to fear me.
10WidowI hope so.
11Enter Helena, disguised like a Pilgrim.
12Look, here comes a pilgrim: I know she will lie at my house; thither they send one another: I’ll question her. God save you, pilgrim! whither are you bound?
13HelenaTo Saint Jaques le Grand.
Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?
14WidowAt the Saint Francis here beside the port.
15HelenaIs this the way?
16WidowAy, marry, is’t. A march afar. Hark you! they come this way.
If you will tarry, holy pilgrim,
But till the troops come by,
I will conduct you where you shall be lodged;
The rather, for I think I know your hostess
As ample as myself.
17HelenaIs it yourself?
18WidowIf you shall please so, pilgrim.
19HelenaI thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.
20WidowYou came, I think, from France?
21HelenaI did so.
22WidowHere you shall see a countryman of yours
That has done worthy service.
23HelenaHis name, I pray you.
24DianaThe Count Rousillon: know you such a one?
25HelenaBut by the ear, that hears most nobly of him:
His face I know not.
26DianaWhatsome’er he is,
He’s bravely taken here. He stole from France,
As ’tis reported, for the king had married him
Against his liking: think you it is so?
27HelenaAy, surely, mere the truth: I know his lady.
28DianaThere is a gentleman that serves the count
Reports but coarsely of her.
29HelenaWhat’s his name?
30DianaMonsieur Parolles.
31HelenaO, I believe with him,
In argument of praise, or to the worth
Of the great count himself, she is too mean
To have her name repeated: all her deserving
Is a reserved honesty, and that
I have not heard examined.
32DianaAlas, poor lady!
’Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
Of a detesting lord.
33WidowI warrant, good creature, wheresoe’er she is,
Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do her
A shrewd turn, if she pleased.
34HelenaHow do you mean?
May be the amorous count solicits her
In the unlawful purpose.
35WidowHe does indeed;
And brokes with all that can in such a suit
Corrupt the tender honour of a maid:
But she is arm’d for him and keeps her guard
In honestest defence.
36MarianaThe gods forbid else!
37WidowSo, now they come:
38Drum and Colours.
39Enter Bertram, Parolles, and the whole army.
40That is Antonio, the duke’s eldest son;
That, Escalus.
41HelenaWhich is the Frenchman?
42DianaHe;
That with the plume: ’tis a most gallant fellow.
I would he loved his wife: if he were honester
He were much goodlier: is’t not a handsome gentleman?
43HelenaI like him well.
44Diana’Tis pity he is not honest: yond’s that same knave
That leads him to these places: were I his lady,
I would Poison that vile rascal.
45HelenaWhich is he?
46DianaThat jack-an-apes with scarfs: why is he melancholy?
47HelenaPerchance he’s hurt i’ the battle.
48ParollesLose our drum! well.
49MarianaHe’s shrewdly vexed at something: look, he has spied us.
50WidowMarry, hang you!
51MarianaAnd your courtesy, for a ring-carrier! Exeunt Bertram, Parolles, and army.
52WidowThe troop is past. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you
Where you shall host: of enjoin’d penitents
There’s four or five, to great Saint Jaques bound,
Already at my house.
53HelenaI humbly thank you:
Please it this matron and this gentle maid
To eat with us to-night, the charge and thanking
Shall be for me; and, to requite you further,
I will bestow some precepts of this virgin
Worthy the note.
54BothWe’ll take your offer kindly. Exeunt.