ARKCODEX
Act II, Scene 5
1Paris. The King’s palace.
2Enter Lafeu and Bertram.
3LafeuBut I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier.
4BertramYes, my lord, and of very valiant approof.
5LafeuYou have it from his own deliverance.
6BertramAnd by other warranted testimony.
7LafeuThen my dial goes not true: I took this lark for a bunting.
8BertramI do assure you, my lord, he is very great in knowledge and accordingly valiant.
9LafeuI have then sinned against his experience and transgressed against his valour; and my state that way is dangerous, since I cannot yet find in my heart to repent. Here he comes: I pray you, make us friends; I will pursue the amity.
10Enter Parolles.
11ParollesTo Bertram. These things shall be done, sir.
12LafeuPray you, sir, who’s his tailor?
13ParollesSir?
14LafeuO, I know him well, I, sir; he, sir, ’s a good workman, a very good tailor.
15BertramAside to Parolles. Is she gone to the king?
16ParollesShe is.
17BertramWill she away to-night?
18ParollesAs you’ll have her.
19BertramI have writ my letters, casketed my treasure,
Given order for our horses; and to-night,
When I should take possession of the bride,
End ere I do begin.
20LafeuA good traveller is something at the latter end of a dinner; but one that lies three thirds and uses a known truth to pass a thousand nothings with, should be once heard and thrice beaten. God save you, captain.
21BertramIs there any unkindness between my lord and you, monsieur?
22ParollesI know not how I have deserved to run into my lord’s displeasure.
23LafeuYou have made shift to run into’t, boots and spurs and all, like him that leaped into the custard; and out of it you’ll run again, rather than suffer question for your residence.
24BertramIt may be you have mistaken him, my lord.
25LafeuAnd shall do so ever, though I took him at ’s prayers. Fare you well, my lord; and believe this of me, there can be no kernel in this light nut; the soul of this man is his clothes. Trust him not in matter of heavy consequence; I have kept of them tame, and know their natures. Farewell, monsieur: I have spoken better of you than you have or will to deserve at my hand; but we must do good against evil. Exit.
26ParollesAn idle lord. I swear.
27BertramI think so.
28ParollesWhy, do you not know him?
29BertramYes, I do know him well, and common speech
Gives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog.
30Enter Helena.
31HelenaI have, sir, as I was commanded from you,
Spoke with the king and have procured his leave
For present parting; only he desires
Some private speech with you.
32BertramI shall obey his will.
You must not marvel, Helen, at my course,
Which holds not colour with the time, nor does
The ministration and required office
On my particular. Prepared I was not
For such a business; therefore am I found
So much unsettled: this drives me to entreat you
That presently you take our way for home;
And rather muse than ask why I entreat you,
For my respects are better than they seem
And my appointments have in them a need
Greater than shows itself at the first view
To you that know them not. This to my mother: Giving a letter.
’Twill be two days ere I shall see you, so
I leave you to your wisdom.
33HelenaSir, I can nothing say,
But that I am your most obedient servant.
34BertramCome, come, no more of that.
35HelenaAnd ever shall
With true observance seek to eke out that
Wherein toward me my homely stars have fail’d
To equal my great fortune.
36BertramLet that go:
My haste is very great: farewell; hie home.
37HelenaPray, sir, your pardon.
38BertramWell, what would you say?
39HelenaI am not worthy of the wealth I owe,
Nor dare I say ’tis mine, and yet it is;
But, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal
What law does vouch mine own.
40BertramWhat would you have?
41HelenaSomething; and scarce so much: nothing, indeed.
I would not tell you what I would, my lord:
Faith yes;
Strangers and foes do sunder, and not kiss.
42BertramI pray you, stay not, but in haste to horse.
43HelenaI shall not break your bidding, good my lord.
44BertramWhere are my other men, monsieur? Farewell. Exit Helena.
Go thou toward home; where I will never come
Whilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum.
Away, and for our flight.
45ParollesBravely, coragio! Exeunt.