Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. All's Well That Ends Well (1623 First Folio Edition)
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Act III
1371: Actus Tertius.
1372: [ Flourish. Enter the Duke of Florence, the two Frenchmen,
with a troope of Souldiers]
1374:
Duke.
So that from point to point, now haue you heard
1375: The fundamentall reasons of this warre,
1376: Whose great decision hath much blood let forth
1377: And more thirsts after.
1378:
1.Lord.
Holy seemes the quarrell
1379: Vpon your Graces part: blacke and fearefull
1380: On the opposer.
1381:
Duke.
Therefore we meruaile much our Cosin France
1382: Would in so iust a businesse, shut his bosome
1383: Against our borrowing prayers.
1384:
French E.
Good my Lord,
1385: The reasons of our state I cannot yeelde,
1386: But like a common and an outward man,
1387: That the great figure of a Counsaile frames,
1388: By selfe vnable motion, therefore dare not
1389: Say what I thinke of it, since I haue found
1390: My selfe in my incertaine grounds to faile
1391: As often as I guest.
1392:
Duke.
Be it his pleasure.
1393:
Fren.G.
But I am sure the yonger of our nature,
1394: That surfet on their ease, will day by day
1395: Come heere for Physicke.
1396:
Duke.
Welcome shall they bee:
1397: And all the honors that can flye from vs,
1398: Shall on them settle: you know your places well,
1399: When better fall, for your auailes they fell,
1400: To morrow to'th the field. [ Flourish.]
1401: [ Enter Countesse and Clowne.]
1402:
Count.
It hath happen'd all, as I would haue had it, saue
1403: that he comes not along with her.
1404:
Clo.
By my troth I take my young Lord to be a ve-rie
1405: melancholly man.
1406:
Count.
By what obseruance I pray you.
1407:
Clo.
Why he will looke vppon his boote, and sing:
1408: mend the Ruffe and sing, aske questions and sing, picke
1409: his teeth, and sing: I know a man that had this tricke of
1410: melancholy hold a goodly Mannor for a song.
1411:
Lad.
Let me see what he writes, and when he meanes
1412: to come.
1413:
Clow.
I haue no minde to Isbell since I was at Court.
1414: Our old Lings, and our Isbels a'th Country, are nothing
1415: like your old Ling and your Isbels a'th Court: the brains
1416: of my Cupid's knock'd out, and I beginne to loue, as an
1417: old man loues money, with no stomacke.
1418:
Lad.
What haue we heere?
1419:
Clo
In that you haue there. [ Exit]
1420: [ A Letter.]
1421: I haue sent you a daughter-in-Law, shee hath recouered the
1422: King, and vndone me: I haue wedded her, not bedded her,
1423: and sworne to make the not eternall. You shall heare I am
1424: runne away, know it before the report come. If there bee
1425: bredth enough in the world, I will hold a long distance. My
1426: duty to you. Your vnfortunate sonne,
1427: Bertram.
1428: This is not well rash and vnbridled boy,
1429: To flye the fauours of so good a King,
1430: To plucke his indignation on thy head,
1431: By the misprising of a Maide too vertuous
1432: For the contempt of Empire.
1433: [ Enter Clowne.]
1434:
Clow.
O Madam, yonder is heauie newes within be-tweene
1435: two souldiers, and my yong Ladie.
1436:
La.
What is the matter.
1437:
Clo.
Nay there is some comfort in the newes, some
1438: comfort, your sonne will not be kild so soone as I thoght
1439: he would.
1440:
La.
Why should he be kill'd?
1441:
Clo.
So say I Madame, if he runne away, as I heare he
1442: does, the danger is in standing too't, that's the losse of
1443: men, though it be the getting of children. Heere they
1444: come will tell you more. For my part I onely heare your
1445: sonne was run away.
1446: [ Enter Hellen and two Gentlemen.]
1447:
French E.
Saue you good Madam.
1448:
Hel.
Madam, my Lord is gone, for euer gone.
1449:
French G.
Do not say so.
1450:
La.
Thinke vpon patience, pray you Gentlemen,
1451: I haue felt so many quirkes of ioy and greefe,
1452: That the first face of neither on the start
1453: Can woman me vntoo't. Where is my sonne I pray you?
1454:
Fren.G.
Madam he's gone to serue the Duke of Flo-rence,
1455: _
1456: We met him thitherward, for thence we came:
1457: And after some dispatch in hand at Court,
1458: Thither we bend againe.
1459:
Hel.
Looke on his Letter Madam, here's my Pasport.
1460: When thou canst get the Ring vpon my finger, which neuer
1461: shall come off, and shew mee a childe begotten of thy bodie,
1462: that I am father too, then call me husband: but in such a ( then)
1463: I write a Neuer.
1464: This is a dreadfull sentence.
1465:
La.
Brought you this Letter Gentlemen?
1466:
1.G.
I Madam, and for the Contents sake are sorrie
1467: for our paines.
1468:
Old La.
I prethee Ladie haue a better cheere,
1469: If thou engrossest, all the greefes are thine,
1470: Thou robst me of a moity: He was my sonne,
1471: But I do wash his name out of my blood,
1472: And thou art all my childe. Towards Florence is he?
1473:
Fren.G.
I Madam.
1474:
La.
And to be a souldier.
1475:
Fren.G.
Such is his noble purpose, and beleeu't
1476: The Duke will lay vpon him all the honor
1477: That good conuenience claimes.
1478:
La.
Returne you thither.
1479:
Fren.E.
I Madam, with the swiftest wing of speed.
1480:
Hel.
Till I haue no wife, I haue nothing in France,
1481: 'Tis bitter.
1482:
La.
Finde you that there?
1483:
Hel.
I Madame.
1484:
Fren.E.
'Tis but the boldnesse of his hand haply, which
1485: his heart was not consenting too.
1486:
Lad.
Nothing in France, vntill he haue no wife:
1487: There's nothing heere that is too good for him
1488: But onely she, and she deserues a Lord
1489: That twenty such rude boyes might tend vpon,
1490: And call her hourely Mistris. Who was with him?
1491:
Fren.E.
A seruant onely, and a Gentleman: which I
1492: haue sometime knowne.
1493:
La.
Parolles was it not?
1494:
Fren.E.
I my good Ladie, hee.
1495:
La.
A verie tainted fellow, and full of wickednesse,
1496: My sonne corrupts a well deriued nature
1497: With his inducement.
1498:
Fren.E.
Indeed good Ladie the fellow has a deale of
1499: that, too much, which holds him much to haue.
1500:
La.
Y'are welcome Gentlemen, I will intreate you
1501: when you see my sonne, to tell him that his sword can
1502: neuer winne the honor that he looses: more Ile intreate
1503: you written to beare along.
1504:
Fren.G.
We serue you Madam in that and all your
1505: worthiest affaires.
1506:
La.
Not so, but as we change our courtesies,
1507: Will you draw neere? [ Exit.]
1508:
Hel.
Till I haue no wife I haue nothing in France.
1509: Nothing in France vntill he has no wife:
1510: Thou shalt haue none Rossillion, none in France,
1511: Then hast thou all againe: poore Lord, is't I
1512: That chase thee from thy Countrie, and expose
1513: Those tender limbes of thine, to the euent
1514: Of the none-sparing warre? And is it I,
1515: That driue thee from the sportiue Court, where thou
1516: Was't shot at with faire eyes, to be the marke
1517: Of smoakie Muskets? O you leaden messengers,
1518: That ride vpon the violent speede of fire,
1519: Fly with false ayme, moue the still-peering aire
1520: That sings with piercing, do not touch my Lord:
1521: Who euer shoots at him, I set him there.
1522: Who euer charges on his forward brest
1523: I am the Caitiffe that do hold him too't,
1524: And though I kill him not, I am the cause
1525: His death was so effected: Better 'twere
1526: I met the rauine Lyon when he roar'd
1527: With sharpe constraint of hunger: better 'twere,
1528: That all the miseries which nature owes
1529: Were mine at once. No come thou home Rossillion,
1530: Whence honor but of danger winnes a scarre,
1531: As oft it looses all. I will be gone:
1532: My being heere it is, that holds thee hence,
1533: Shall I stay heere to doo't? No, no, although
1534: The ayre of Paradise did fan the house,
1535: And Angels offic'd all: I will be gone,
1536: That pittifull rumour may report my flight
1537: To consolate thine eare. Come night, end day,
1538: For with the darke (poore theefe) Ile steale away. [ Exit.]
1539: [ Flourish. Enter the Duke of Florence, Rossillion,
drum and trumpets, soldiers, Parrolles]
1541:
Duke.
The Generall of our horse thou art, and we
1542: Great in our hope, lay our best loue and credence
1543: Vpon thy promising fortune.
1544:
Ber.
Sir it is
1545: A charge too heauy for my strength, but yet
1546: Wee'l striue to beare it for your worthy sake,
1547: To th' extreme edge of hazard.
1548:
Duke.
Then go thou forth,
1549: And fortune play vpon thy prosperous helme
1550: As thy auspicious mistris.
1551:
Ber.
This very day
1552: Great Mars I put my selfe into thy file,
1553: Make me but like my thoughts, and I shall proue
1554: A louer of thy drumme, hater of loue. [ Exeunt omnes]
1555: [ Enter Countesse & Steward.]
1556:
La.
Alas! and would you take the letter of her:
1557: Might you not know she would do, as she has done,
1558: By sending me a Letter. Reade it agen.
1559: [ Letter.]
1560: I am S[aint]. Iaques Pilgrim, thither gone:
1561: Ambitious loue hath so in me offended,
1562: That bare-foot plod I the cold ground vpon
1563: With sainted vow my faults to haue amended
1564: Write, write, that from the bloodie course of warre,
1565: My deerest Master your deare sonne, may hie,
1566: Blesse him at home in peace. Whilst I from farre,
1567: His name with zealous feruour sanctifie:
1568: His taken labours bid him me forgiue:
1569: I his despightfull Iuno sent him forth,
1570: From Courtly friends, with Camping foes to liue,
1571: Where death and danger dogges the heeles of worth.
1572: He is too good and faire for death, and mee,
1573: Whom I my selfe embrace, to set him free.
1574: Ah what sharpe stings are in her mildest words?
1575: Rynaldo, you did neuer lacke aduice so much,
1576: As letting her passe so: had I spoke with her,
1577: I could haue well diuerted her intents,
1578: Which thus she hath preuented.
1579:
Ste.
Pardon me Madam,
1580: If I had giuen you this at ouer-night,
1581: She might haue beene ore-tane: and yet she writes
1582: Pursuite would be but vaine.
1583:
La.
What Angell shall
1584: Blesse this vnworthy husband, he cannot thriue,
1585: Vnlesse her prayers, whom heauen delights to heare
1586: And loues to grant, repreeue him from the wrath
1587: Of greatest Iustice. Write, write Rynaldo,
1588: To this vnworthy husband of his wife,
1589: Let euerie word waigh heauie of her worth,
1590: That he does waigh too light: my greatest greefe,
1591: Though little he do feele it, set downe sharpely.
1592: Dispatch the most conuenient messenger,
1593: When haply he shall heare that she is gone,
1594: He will returne, and hope I may that shee
1595: Hearing so much, will speede her foote againe,
1596: Led hither by pure loue: which of them both
1597: Is deerest to me, I haue no skill in sence
1598: To make distinction: prouide this Messenger:
1599: My heart is heauie, and mine age is weake,
1600: Greefe would haue teares, and sorrow bids me speake.
1601: [ Exeunt]
1602: [ A Tucket afarre off.]
1603: [ Enter old Widdow of Florence, her daughter Violenta
and Mariana, with other
Citizens]
1606:
Widdow.
Nay come,
1607: For if they do approach the Citty,
1608: We shall loose all the sight.
1609:
Diana.
They say, the French Count has done
1610: Most honourable seruice.
1611:
Wid.
It is reported,
1612: That he has taken their great'st Commander,
1613: And that with his owne hand he slew
1614: The Dukes brother: we haue lost our labour,
1615: They are gone a contrarie way: harke,
1616: you may know by their Trumpets.
1617:
Maria.
Come lets returne againe,
1618: And suffice our selues with the report of it.
1619: Well Diana, take heed of this French Earle,
1620: The honor of a Maide is her name,
1621: And no Legacie is so rich
1622: As honestie.
1623:
Widdow.
I haue told my neighbour
1624: How you haue beene solicited by a Gentleman
1625: His Companion.
1626:
Maria.
I know that knaue, hang him, one Parolles,
1627: a filthy Officer he is in those suggestions for the young
1628: Earle, beware of them Diana; their promises, entise-ments,
1629: oathes, tokens, and all these engines of lust, are
1630: not the things they go vnder: many a maide hath beene
1631: seduced by them, and the miserie is example, that so
1632: terrible shewes in the wracke of maiden-hood, cannot
1633: for all that disswade succession, but that they are limed
1634: with the twigges that threatens them. I hope I neede
1635: not to aduise you further, but I hope your owne grace
1636: will keepe you where you are, though there were no
1637: further danger knowne, but the modestie which is so
1638: lost.
1639:
Dia.
You shall not neede to feare me.
1640: [ Enter Hellen.]
1641:
Wid.
I hope so: looke here comes a pilgrim, I know
1642: she will lye at my house, thither they send one another,
1643: Ile question her. God saue you pilgrim, whether are
1644: bound?
1645:
Hel.
To S[aint]. Iaques la grand.
1646: Where do the Palmers lodge, I do beseech you?
1647:
Wid.
At the S[aint]. Francis heere beside the Port.
1648:
Hel
Is this the way? [ A march afarre.]
1649:
Wid.
I marrie ist. Harke you, they come this way:
1650: If you will tarrie holy Pilgrime
1651: But till the troopes come by,
1652: I will conduct you where you shall be lodg'd,
1653: The rather for I thinke I know your hostesse
1654: As ample as my selfe.
1655:
Hel.
Is it your selfe?
1656:
Wid.
If you shall please so Pilgrime.
1657:
Hel.
I thanke you, and will stay vpon your leisure.
1658:
Wid.
You came I thinke from France?
1659:
Hel.
I did so.
1660:
Wid.
Heere you shall see a Countriman of yours
1661: That has done worthy seruice.
1662:
Hel.
His name I pray you?
1663:
Dia.
The Count Rossillion: know you such a one?
1664:
Hel.
But by the eare that heares most nobly of him:
1665: His face I know not.
1666:
Dia.
What somere he is
1667: He's brauely taken heere. He stole from France
1668: As 'tis reported: for the King had married him
1669: Against his liking. Thinke you it is so?
1670:
Hel.
I surely meere the truth, I know his Lady.
1671:
Dia.
There is a Gentleman that serues the Count,
1672: Reports but coursely of her.
1673:
Hel.
What's his name?
1674:
Dia.
Monsieur Parrolles.
1675:
Hel.
Oh I beleeue with him,
1676: In argument of praise, or to the worth
1677: Of the great Count himselfe, she is too meane
1678: To haue her name repeated, all her deseruing
1679: Is a reserued honestie, and that
1680: I haue not heard examin'd.
1681:
Dian.
Alas poore Ladie,
1682: 'Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
1683: Of a detesting Lord.
1684:
Wid.
I write good creature, wheresoere she is,
1685: Her hart waighes sadly: this yong maid might do her
1686: A shrewd turne if she pleas'd.
1687:
Hel.
How do you meane?
1688: May be the amorous Count solicites her
1689: In the vnlawfull purpose.
1690:
Wid.
He does indeede,
1691: And brokes with all that can in such a suite
1692: Corrupt the tender honour of a Maide:
1693: But she is arm'd for him, and keepes her guard
1694: In honestest defence.
1695: [ Drumme and Colours.
Enter Count Rossillion, Parrolles, and the whole Armie]
1697:
Mar.
The goddes forbid else.
1698:
Wid.
So, now they come:
1699: That is Anthonio the Dukes eldest sonne,
1700: That Escalus.
1701:
Hel.
Which is the Frenchman?
1702:
Dia.
Hee,
1703: That with the plume, 'tis a most gallant fellow,
1704: I would he lou'd his wife: if he were honester
1705: He were much goodlier. Is't not a handsom Gentleman
1706:
Hel.
I like him well.
1707:
Di.
'Tis pitty he is not honest: yonds that same knaue
1708: That leades him to these places: were I his Ladie,
1709: I would poison that vile Rascall.
1710:
Hel.
Which is he?
1711:
Dia.
That Iacke-an-apes with scarfes. Why is hee
1712: melancholly?
1713:
Hel.
Perchance he's hurt i'th battaile.
1714:
Par.
Loose our drum? Well.
1715:
Mar.
He's shrewdly vext at something. Looke he
1716: has spyed vs.
1717:
Wid.
Marrie hang you.
1718:
Mar
And your curtesie, for a ring-carrier. [ Exit.]
1719:
Wid.
The troope is past: Come pilgrim, I wil bring
1720: you, Where you shall host: Of inioyn'd penitents
1721: There's foure or fiue, to great S[aint]. Iaques bound,
1722: Alreadie at my house.
1723:
Hel.
I humbly thanke you:
1724: Please it this Matron, and this gentle Maide
1725: To eate with vs to night, the charge and thanking
1726: Shall be for me, and to requite you further,
1727: I will bestow some precepts of this Virgin,
1728: Worthy the note.
1729:
Both
Wee'l take your offer kindly. [Exeunt.]
1730: [ Enter Count Rossillion and the Frenchmen,
as at first]
1732:
Cap.E.
Nay good my Lord put him too't: let him
1733: haue his way.
1734:
Cap.G.
If your Lordshippe finde him not a Hilding,
1735: hold me no more in your respect.
1736:
Cap.E.
On my life my Lord, a bubble.
1737:
Ber.
Do you thinke I am so farre
1738: Deceiued in him.
1739:
Cap.E.
Beleeue it my Lord, in mine owne direct
1740: knowledge, without any malice, but to speake of him
1741: as my kinsman, hee's a most notable Coward, an infi-nite
1742: and endlesse Lyar, an hourely promise-breaker, the
1743: owner of no one good qualitie, worthy your Lordships
1744: entertainment.
1745:
Cap.G.
It were fit you knew him, least reposing too
1746: farre in his vertue which he hath not, he might at some
1747: great and trustie businesse, in a maine daunger, fayle
1748: you.
1749:
Ber.
I would I knew in what particular action to try
1750: him.
1751:
Cap.G.
None better then to let him fetch off his
1752: drumme, which you heare him so confidently vnder-take
1753: to do.
1754:
C.E.
I with a troop of Florentines wil sodainly sur-prize
1755: him; such I will haue whom I am sure he knowes
1756: not from the enemie: wee will binde and hoodwinke
1757: him so, that he shall suppose no other but that he is car-ried
1758: into the Leager of the aduersaries, when we bring
1759: him to our owne tents: be but your Lordship present
1760: at his examination, if he do not for the promise of his
1761: life, and in the highest compulsion of base feare, offer to
1762: betray you, and deliuer all the intelligence in his power
1763: against you, and that with the diuine forfeite of his
1764: soule vpon oath, neuer trust my iudgement in anie
1765: thing.
1766:
Cap.G.
O for the loue of laughter, let him fetch his
1767: drumme, he sayes he has a stratagem for't: when your
1768: Lordship sees the bottome of this successe in't, and to
1769: what mettle this counterfeyt lump of ours will be mel-ted
1770: if you giue him not Iohn drummes entertainement,
1771: your inclining cannot be remoued. Heere he comes.
1772: [ Enter Parrolles.]
1773:
Cap.E.
O for the loue of laughter hinder not the ho-nor
1774: of his designe, let him fetch off his drumme in any
1775: hand.
1776:
Ber.
How now Monsieur? This drumme sticks sore-ly
1777: in your disposition.
1778:
Cap.G.
A pox on't, let it go, 'tis but a drumme.
1779:
Par.
But a drumme: Ist but a drumme? A drum so
1780: lost. There was excellent command, to charge in with
1781: our horse vpon our owne wings, and to rend our owne
1782: souldiers.
1783:
Cap.G.
That was not to be blam'd in the command
1784: of the seruice: it was a disaster of warre that Caesar him
1785: selfe could not haue preuented, if he had beene there to
1786: command.
1787:
Ber.
Well, wee cannot greatly condemne our suc-cesse:
1788: some dishonor wee had in the losse of that drum,
1789: but it is not to be recouered.
1790:
Par.
It might haue beene recouered.
1791:
Ber.
It might, but it is not now.
1792:
Par.
It is to be recouered, but that the merit of ser-uice
1793: is sildome attributed to the true and exact perfor-mer,
1794: I would haue that drumme or another, or hic ia-cet.
1795: _
1796:
Ber.
Why if you haue a stomacke, too't Monsieur: if
1797: you thinke your mysterie in stratagem, can bring this
1798: instrument of honour againe into his natiue quarter, be
1799: magnanimious in the enterprize and go on, I wil grace
1800: the attempt for a worthy exploit: if you speede well in
1801: it, the Duke shall both speake of it, and extend to you
1802: what further becomes his greatnesse, euen to the vtmost
1803: syllable of your worthinesse.
1804:
Par.
By the hand of a souldier I will vndertake it.
1805:
Ber.
But you must not now slumber in it.
1806:
Par.
Ile about it this euening, and I will presently
1807: pen downe my dilemma's, encourage my selfe in my
1808: certaintie, put my selfe into my mortall preparation:
1809: and by midnight looke to heare further from me.
1810:
Ber.
May I bee bold to acquaint his grace you are
1811: gone about it.
1812:
Par.
I know not what the successe wil be my Lord,
1813: but the attempt I vow.
1814:
Ber.
I know th'art valiant,
1815: And to the possibility of thy souldiership,
1816: Will subscribe for thee: Farewell.
1817:
Par
I loue not many words. [ Exit]
1818:
Cap.E.
No more then a fish loues water. Is not this
1819: a strange fellow my Lord, that so confidently seemes to
1820: vndertake this businesse, which he knowes is not to be
1821: done, damnes himselfe to do, & dares better be damnd
1822: then to doo't.
1823:
Cap.G.
You do not know him my Lord as we doe,
1824: certaine it is that he will steale himselfe into a mans fa-uour,
1825: and for a weeke escape a great deale of discoue-ries,
1826: but when you finde him out, you haue him euer af-ter.
1827: _
1828:
Ber.
Why do you thinke he will make no deede at
1829: all of this that so seriouslie hee dooes addresse himselfe
1830: vnto?
1831:
Cap.E.
None in the world, but returne with an in-uention,
1832: and clap vpon you two or three probable lies:
1833: but we haue almost imbost him, you shall see his fall to
1834: night; for indeede he is not for your Lordshippes re-spect.
1835: _
1836:
Cap.G.
Weele make you some sport with the Foxe
1837: ere we case him. He was first smoak'd by the old Lord
1838: Lafew, when his disguise and he is parted, tell me what
1839: a sprat you shall finde him, which you shall see this ve-rie
1840: night.
1841:
Cap.E.
I must go looke my twigges,
1842: He shall be caught.
1843:
Ber.
Your brother he shall go along with me.
1844:
Cap.G.
As't please your Lordship, Ile leaue you.
1845:
Ber.
Now wil I lead you to the house, and shew you
1846: The Lasse I spoke of.
1847:
Cap.E.
But you say she's honest.
1848:
Ber.
That's all the fault: I spoke with hir but once,
1849: And found her wondrous cold, but I sent to her
1850: By this same Coxcombe that we haue i'th winde
1851: Tokens and Letters, which she did resend,
1852: And this is all I haue done: She's a faire creature,
1853: Will you go see her?
1854:
Cap.E
With all my heart my Lord. [ Exeunt]
1855: [ Enter Hellen, and Widdow.]
1856:
Hel.
If you misdoubt me that I am not shee,
1857: I know not how I shall assure you further,
1858: But I shall loose the grounds I worke vpon.
1859:
Wid.
Though my estate be falne, I was well borne,
1860: Nothing acquainted with these businesses,
1861: And would not put my reputation now
1862: In any staining act.
1863:
Hel.
Nor would I wish you.
1864: First giue me trust, the Count he is my husband,
1865: And what to your sworne counsaile I haue spoken,
1866: Is so from word to word: and then you cannot
1867: By the good ayde that I of you shall borrow,
1868: Erre in bestowing it.
1869:
Wid.
I should beleeue you,
1870: For you haue shew'd me that which well approues
1871: Y'are great in fortune.
1872:
Hel.
Take this purse of Gold,
1873: And let me buy your friendly helpe thus farre,
1874: Which I will ouer-pay, and pay againe
1875: When I haue found it. The Count he woes your
1876: daughter,
1877: Layes downe his wanton siedge before her beautie,
1878: Resolue to carrie her: let her in fine consent
1879: As wee'l direct her how 'tis best to beare it:
1880: Now his important blood will naught denie,
1881: That shee'l demand: a ring the Countie weares,
1882: That downward hath succeeded in his house
1883: From sonne to sonne, some foure or fiue discents,
1884: Since the first father wore it. This Ring he holds
1885: In most rich choice: yet in his idle fire,
1886: To buy his will, it would not seeme too deere,
1887: How ere repented after.
1888:
Wid.
Now I see the bottome of your purpose.
1889:
Hel.
You see it lawfull then, it is no more,
1890: But that your daughter ere she seemes as wonne,
1891: Desires this Ring; appoints him an encounter;
1892: In fine, deliuers me to fill the time,
1893: Her selfe most chastly absent: after
1894: To marry her, Ile adde three thousand Crownes
1895: To what is past already.
1896:
Wid.
I haue yeelded:
1897: Instruct my daughter how she shall perseuer,
1898: That time and place with this deceite so lawfull
1899: May proue coherent. Euery night he comes
1900: With Musickes of all sorts, and songs compos'd
1901: To her vnworthinesse: It nothing steeds vs
1902: To chide him from our eeues, for he persists
1903: As if his life lay on't.
1904:
Hel.
Why then to night
1905: Let vs assay our plot, which if it speed,
1906: Is wicked meaning in a lawfull deede;
1907: And lawfull meaning in a lawfull act,
1908: Where both not sinne, and yet a sinfull fact.
1909: But let's about it.