ARKCODEX
Act V, Scene 2
1Rousillon. Before the Count’s palace.
2Enter Clown, and Parolles, following.
3ParollesGood 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.
4ClownTruly, 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.
5ParollesNay, you need not to stop your nose, sir; I spake but by a metaphor.
6ClownIndeed, sir, if your metaphor stink, I will stop my nose; or against any man’s metaphor. Prithee, get thee further.
7ParollesPray you, sir, deliver me this paper.
8ClownFoh! prithee, stand away: a paper from fortune’s close-stool to give to a nobleman! Look, here he comes himself.
9Enter Lafeu.
10Here is a purr of fortune’s, sir, or of fortune’s cat—but not a musk-cat—that has fallen into the unclean fishpond of her displeasure, and, as he says, is muddied withal: pray you, sir, use the carp as you may; for he looks like a poor, decayed, ingenious, foolish, rascally knave. I do pity his distress in my similes of comfort and leave him to your lordship. Exit.
11ParollesMy lord, I am a man whom fortune hath cruelly scratched.
12LafeuAnd what would you have me to do? ’Tis too late to pare her nails now. Wherein have you played the knave with fortune, that she should scratch you, who of herself is a good lady and would not have knaves thrive long under her? There’s a quart d’écu for you: let the justices make you and fortune friends: I am for other business.
13ParollesI beseech your honour to hear me one single word.
14LafeuYou beg a single penny more: come, you shall ha’t; save your word.
15ParollesMy name, my good lord, is Parolles.
16LafeuYou beg more than “word,” then. Cox my passion! give me your hand. How does your drum?
17ParollesO my good lord, you were the first that found me!
18LafeuWas I, in sooth? and I was the first that lost thee.
19ParollesIt lies in you, my lord, to bring me in some grace, for you did bring me out.
20LafeuOut upon thee, knave! dost thou put upon me at once both the office of God and the devil? One brings thee in grace and the other brings thee out. Trumpets sound. The king’s coming; I know by his trumpets. Sirrah, inquire further after me; I had talk of you last night: though you are a fool and a knave, you shall eat; go to, follow.
21ParollesI praise God for you. Exeunt.