ACT II. SCENE 5.
Paris. The KING'S palace
Enter LAFEU and BERTRAM
| LAFEU. | But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier.
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| BERTRAM. | Yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof.
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| LAFEU. | You have it from his own deliverance.
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| BERTRAM. | And by other warranted testimony.
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| LAFEU. | Then my dial goes not true; I took this lark for a bunting.
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| BERTRAM. | I do assure you, my lord, he is very great in knowledge,
and accordingly valiant.
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| LAFEU. | I have then sinn'd against his experience and transgress'd
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
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Enter PAROLLES
| PAROLLES. | [To BERTRAM] These things shall be done, sir.
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| LAFEU. | Pray you, sir, who's his tailor?
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| PAROLLES. | Sir!
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| LAFEU. | O, I know him well. Ay, sir; he, sir, 's a good workman, a
very good tailor.
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| BERTRAM. | [Aside to PAROLLES] Is she gone to the King?
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| PAROLLES. | She is.
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| BERTRAM. | Will she away to-night?
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| PAROLLES. | As you'll have her.
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| BERTRAM. | I 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.
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| LAFEU. | A 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.
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| BERTRAM. | Is there any unkindness between my lord and you, monsieur?
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| PAROLLES. | I know not how I have deserved to run into my lord's
displeasure.
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| LAFEU. | You have made shift to run into 't, boots and spurs and all,
like him that leapt into the custard; and out of it you'll run
again, rather than suffer question for your residence.
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| BERTRAM. | It may be you have mistaken him, my lord.
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| LAFEU. | And 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
kernal 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
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Exit
| PAROLLES. | An idle lord, I swear.
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| BERTRAM. | I think so.
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| PAROLLES. | Why, do you not know him?
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| BERTRAM. | Yes, I do know him well; and common speech
Gives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog.
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Enter HELENA
| HELENA. | I have, sir, as I was commanded from you,
Spoke with the King, and have procur'd his leave
For present parting; only he desires
Some private speech with you.
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| BERTRAM. | I 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. Prepar'd I was not
For such a business; therefore am I found
So much unsettled. This drives me to entreat you
That presently you take your 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.
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[Giving a letter]
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'Twill be two days ere I shall see you; so
I leave you to your wisdom.
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| HELENA. | Sir, I can nothing say
But that I am your most obedient servant.
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| BERTRAM. | Come, come, no more of that.
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| HELENA. | And ever shall
With true observance seek to eke out that
Wherein toward me my homely stars have fail'd
To equal my great fortune.
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| BERTRAM. | Let that go.
My haste is very great. Farewell; hie home.
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| HELENA. | Pray, sir, your pardon.
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| BERTRAM. | Well, what would you say?
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| HELENA. | I 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.
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| BERTRAM. | What would you have?
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| HELENA. | Something; 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.
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| BERTRAM. | I pray you, stay not, but in haste to horse.
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| HELENA. | I shall not break your bidding, good my lord.
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| BERTRAM. | Where 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.
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| PAROLLES. | Bravely, coragio! Exeunt
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Next
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ACT II. SCENE 5.