_Enter the two French_ Lords _and some two or three_ Soldiers.
_First Lord._ You have not given him his mother's letter?
_Sec. Lord._ I have delivered it an hour since: there is
something in't that stings his nature; for on the reading it
he changed almost into another man.
_First Lord._ He has much worthy blame laid upon him 5
for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady.
_Sec. Lord._ Especially he hath incurred the everlasting
displeasure of the king, who had even tuned his bounty to
sing happiness to him. I will tell you a thing, but you
shall let it dwell darkly with you. 10
_First Lord._ When you have spoken it, 'tis dead, and I
am the grave of it.
_Sec. Lord._ He hath perverted a young gentlewoman
here in Florence, of a most chaste renown; and this night
he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honour: he hath given 15
her his monumental ring, and thinks himself made in the
unchaste composition.
_First Lord._ Now, God delay our rebellion! as we are
ourselves, what things are we!
_Sec. Lord._ Merely our own traitors. And as in the 20
common course of all treasons, we still see them reveal
themselves, till they attain to their abhorred ends, so he
that in this action contrives against his own nobility, in his
proper stream o'erflows himself.
_First Lord._ Is it not meant damnable in us, to be 25
trumpeters of our unlawful intents? We shall not then
have his company to-night?
_Sec. Lord._ Not till after midnight; for he is dieted to
his hour.
_First Lord._ That approaches apace: I would gladly 30
have him see his company anatomized, that he might take
a measure of his own judgements, wherein so curiously
he had set this counterfeit.
_Sec. Lord._ We will not meddle with him till he come;
for his presence must be the whip of the other. 35
_First Lord._ In the mean time, what hear you of these
wars?
_Sec. Lord._ I hear there is an overture of peace.
_First Lord._ Nay, I assure you, a peace concluded.
_Sec. Lord._ What will Count Rousillon do then? will 40
he travel higher, or return again into France?
_First Lord._ I perceive, by this demand, you are not
altogether of his council.
_Sec. Lord._ Let it be forbid, sir; so should I be a great
deal of his act. 45
_First Lord._ Sir, his wife some two months since fled
from his house: her pretence is a pilgrimage to Saint Jaques
le Grand; which holy undertaking with most austere sanctimony
she accomplished; and, there residing, the tenderness
of her nature became as a prey to her grief; in fine, made a 50
groan of her last breath, and now she sings in heaven.
_Sec. Lord._ How is this justified?
_First Lord._ The stronger part of it by her own letters,
which makes her story true, even to the point of her death:
her death itself, which could not be her office to say is come, 55
was faithfully confirmed by the rector of the place.
_Sec. Lord._ Hath the count all this intelligence?
_First Lord._ Ay, and the particular confirmations, point
from point, to the full arming of the verity.
_Sec. Lord._ I am heartily sorry that he'll be glad of this. 60
_First Lord._ How mightily sometimes we make us comforts
of our losses!
_Sec. Lord._ And how mightily some other times we
drown our gain in tears! The great dignity that his valour
hath here acquired for him shall at home be encountered 65
with a shame as ample.
_First Lord._ The web of our life is of a mingled yarn,
good and ill together: our virtues would be proud, if our
faults whipped them not; and our crimes would despair, if
they were not cherished by our virtues. 70
_Enter a_ Messenger.
How now! where's your master?
_Serv._ He met the Duke in the street, sir, of whom he
hath taken a solemn leave: his lordship will next morning
for France. The Duke hath offered him letters of commendations
to the king. 75
_Sec. Lord._ They shall be no more than needful there,
if they were more than they can commend.
_First Lord._ They cannot be too sweet for the king's
tartness. Here's his lordship now.
_Enter_ BERTRAM.
How now, my lord! is't not after midnight? 80
_Ber._ I have to-night dispatched sixteen businesses, a
month's length a-piece, by an abstract of success: I have
congied with the Duke, done my adieu with his nearest;
buried a wife, mourned for her; writ to my lady mother I
am returning; entertained my convoy; and between these 85
main parcels of dispatch effected many nicer needs: the
last was the greatest, but that I have not ended yet.
_Sec. Lord._ If the business be of any difficulty, and this
morning your departure hence, it requires haste of your
lordship. 90
_Ber._ I mean, the business is not ended, as fearing to
hear of it hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue between
the fool and the soldier? Come, bring forth this
counterfeit module, has deceived me, like a double-meaning
prophesier. 95
_Sec. Lord._ Bring him forth: he has sat i' the stocks all
night, poor gallant knave.
_Ber._ No matter; his heels have deserved it, in usurping
his spurs so long. How does he carry himself?
_Sec. Lord._ I have told your lordship already, the stocks 100
carry him. But to answer you as you would be understood;
he weeps like a wench that had shed her milk: he
hath confessed himself to Morgan, whom he supposes to be
a friar, from the time of his remembrance to this very instant
disaster of his setting i' the stocks: and what think 105
you he hath confessed?
_Ber._ Nothing of me, has a'?
_Sec. Lord._ His confession is taken, and it shall be read
to his face: if your lordship be in't, as I believe you are,
you must have the patience to hear it. 110
_Enter_ PAROLLES _guarded, and_ First Soldier.
_Ber._ A plague upon him! muffled! he can say nothing
of me: hush, hush!
_First Lord._ Hoodman comes! Portotartarosa.
_First Sold._ He calls for the tortures: what will you
say without 'em? 115
_Par._ I will confess what I know without constraint: if
ye pinch me like a pasty, I can say no more.
_First Sold._ Bosko chimurcho.
_First Lord._ Boblibindo chicurmurco.
_First Sold._ You are a merciful general. Our general 120
bids you answer to what I shall ask you out of a note.
_Par._ And truly, as I hope to live.
_First Sold._ [_reads_] First demand of him how many horse the
Duke is strong. What say you to that?
_Par._ Five or six thousand; but very weak and unserviceable: 125
the troops are all scattered, and the commanders
very poor rogues, upon my reputation and credit and as I
hope to live.
_First Sold._ Shall I set down your answer so?
_Par._ Do: I'll take the sacrament on 't, how and which 130
way you will.
_Ber._ All's one to him. What a past-saving slave is this!
_First Lord._ You're deceived, my lord: this is Monsieur
Parolles, the gallant militarist,--that was his own phrase,--
that had the whole theoric of war in the knot of his scarf, 135
and the practice in the chape of his dagger.
_Sec. Lord._ I will never trust a man again for keeping
his sword clean, nor believe he can have every thing in
him by wearing his apparel neatly.
_First Sold._ Well, that's set down. 140
_Par._ Five or six thousand horse, I said,--I will say
true,--or thereabouts, set down, for I'll speak truth.
_First Lord._ He's very near the truth in this.
_Ber._ But I con him no thanks for't, in the nature he
delivers it. 145
_Par._ Poor rogues, I pray you, say.
_First Sold._ Well, that's set down.
_Par._ I humbly thank you, sir: a truth's a truth, the
rogues are marvellous poor.
_First Sold._ [_reads_] Demand of him, of what strength they
are 150
a-foot. What say you to that?
_Par._ By my troth, sir, if I were to live this present hour,
I will tell true. Let me see: Spurio, a hundred and fifty;
Sebastian, so many; Corambus, so many; Jaques, so many;
Guiltian, Cosmo, Lodowick, and Gratii, two hundred and 155
fifty each; mine own company, Chitopher, Vaumond, Bentii,
two hundred and fifty each: so that the muster-file, rotten
and sound, upon my life, amounts not to fifteen thousand
poll; half of the which dare not shake the snow from off
their cassocks, lest they shake themselves to pieces. 160
_Ber._ What shall be done to him?
_First Lord._ Nothing, but let him have thanks. Demand
of him my condition, and what credit I have with the Duke.
_First Sold._ Well, that's set down. [_Reads_] You shall demand
of him, whether one Captain Dumain be i' the camp, a Frenchman; 165
what his reputation is with the Duke; what his valour, honesty,
and expertness in wars; or whether he thinks it were not possible,
with well-weighing sums of gold, to corrupt him to a revolt.
What say you to this? what do you know of it?
_Par._ I beseech you, let me answer to the particular of 170
the inter'gatories: demand them singly.
_First Sold._ Do you know this Captain Dumain?
_Par._ I know him: a' was a botcher's 'prentice in Paris,
from whence he was whipped for getting the shrieve's fool
with child,--a dumb innocent, that could not say him nay. 175
_Ber._ Nay, by your leave, hold your hands; though I
know his brains are forfeit to the next tile that falls.
_First Sold._ Well, is this captain in the Duke of Florence's
camp?
_Par._ Upon my knowledge, he is, and lousy. 180
_First Lord._ Nay, look not so upon me; we shall hear
of your lordship anon.
_First Sold._ What is his reputation with the Duke?
_Par._ The Duke knows him for no other but a poor
officer of mine; and writ to me this other day to turn him 185
out o' the band: I think I have his letter in my pocket.
_First Sold._ Marry, we'll search.
_Par._ In good sadness, I do not know; either it is there,
or it is upon a file with the Duke's other letters in my tent.
_First Sold._ Here 'tis; here's a paper: shall I read it to 190
you?
_Par._ I do not know if it be it or no.
_Ber._ Our interpreter does it well.
_First Lord._ Excellently.
_First Sold._ [reads] Dian, the count's a fool, and full of gold,-- 195
_Par._ That is not the Duke's letter, sir; that is an advertisement
to a proper maid in Florence, one Diana, to
take heed of the allurement of one Count Rousillon, a
foolish idle boy, but for all that very ruttish: I pray you,
sir, put it up again. 200
_First Sold._ Nay, I'll read it first, by your favour.
_Par._ My meaning in't, I protest, was very honest in
the behalf of the maid; for I knew the young count to be
a dangerous and lascivious boy, who is a whale to virginity
and devours up all the fry it finds. 205
_Ber._ Damnable both-sides rogue!
_First Sold._ [_reads_] When he swears oaths, bid him drop gold,
and take it;
After he scores, he never pays the score:
Half won is match well made; match, and well make it;
He ne'er pays after-debts, take it before; 210
And say a soldier, Dian, told thee this,
Men are to mell with, boys are not to kiss:
For count of this, the count's a fool, I know it,
Who pays before, but not when he does owe it.
Thine, as he vowed to thee in thine ear, 215
PAROLLES.
_Ber._ He shall be whipped through the army with this
rhyme in's forehead.
_Sec. Lord._ This is your devoted friend, sir, the manifold
linguist and the armipotent soldier. 220
_Ber._ I could endure any thing before but a cat, and
now he's a cat to me.
_First Sold._ I perceive, sir, by the general's looks, we
shall be fain to hang you.
_Par._ My life, sir, in any case: not that I am afraid to 225
die; but that, my offences being many, I would repent out
the remainder of nature: let me live, sir, in a dungeon, i' the
stocks, or any where, so I may live.
_First Sold._ We'll see what may be done, so you confess
freely; therefore, once more to this Captain Dumain: 230
you have answered to his reputation with the Duke and to
his valour: what is his honesty?
_Par._ He will steal, sir, an egg out of a cloister: for
rapes and ravishments he parallels Nessus: he professes
not keeping of oaths; in breaking 'em he is stronger than 235
Hercules: he will lie, sir, with such volubility, that you
would think truth were a fool: drunkenness is his best virtue,
for he will be swine-drunk; and in his sleep he does
little harm, save to his bed-clothes about him; but they
know his conditions and lay him in straw. I have but 240
little more to say, sir, of his honesty: he has every thing
that an honest man should not have; what an honest man
should have, he has nothing.
_First Lord._ I begin to love him for this.
_Ber._ For this description of thine honesty? A pox 245
upon him for me, he's more and more a cat.
_First Sold._ What say you to his expertness in war?
_Par._ Faith, sir, has led the drum before the English
tragedians; to belie him, I will not, and more of his soldiership
I know not; except, in that country he had the 250
honour to be the officer at a place there called Mile-end,
to instruct for the doubling of files: I would do the man
what honour I can, but of this I am not certain.
_First Lord._ He hath out-villained villany so far, that
the rarity redeems him. 255
_Ber._ A pox on him, he's a cat still.
_First Sold._ His qualities being at this poor price, I
need not to ask you if gold will corrupt him to revolt.
_Par._ Sir, for a quart d'écu he will sell the fee-simple of
his salvation, the inheritance of it; and cut the entail from 260
all remainders, and a perpetual succession for it perpetually.
_First Sold._ What's his brother, the other Captain Dumain?
_Sec. Lord._ Why does he ask him of me?
_First Sold._ What's he? 265
_Par._ E'en a crow o' the same nest; not altogether so
great as the first in goodness, but greater a great deal in
evil: he excels his brother for a coward, yet his brother is
reputed one of the best that is: in a retreat he outruns any
lackey; many, in coming on he has the cramp. 270
_First Sold._ If your life be saved, will you undertake to
betray the Florentine?
_Par._ Ay, and the captain of his horse, Count Rousillon.
_First Sold._ I'll whisper with the general, and know his
pleasure. 275
_Par._ [_Aside_] I'll no more drumming; a plague of all
drums! Only to seem to deserve well, and to beguile the
supposition of that lascivious young boy the count, have I
run into this danger. Yet who would have suspected an
ambush where I was taken? 280
_First Sold._ There is no remedy, sir, but you must die:
the general says, you that have so traitorously discovered the
secrets of your army and made such pestiferous reports of
men very nobly held, can serve the world for no honest use;
therefore you must die. Come, headsman, off with his head. 285
_Par._ O Lord, sir, let me live, or let me see my death!
_First Sold._ That shall you, and take your leave of all
your friends. [_Unblinding him._
So, look about you: know you any here?
_Ber._ Good morrow, noble captain. 290
_Sec. Lord._ God bless you, Captain Parolles.
_First Lord._ God save you, noble captain.
_Sec. Lord._ Captain, what greeting will you to my Lord
Lafeu? I am for France.
_First Lord._ Good captain, will you give me a copy of 295
the sonnet you writ to Diana in behalf of the Count Rousillon?
an I were not a very coward, I'ld compel it of you:
but fare you well. [_Exeunt Bertram and Lords._
_First Sold._ You are undone, captain, all but your
scarf; that has a knot on't yet. 300
_Par._ Who cannot be crushed with a plot?
_First Sold._ If you could find out a country where but
women were that had received so much shame, you might
begin an impudent nation. Fare ye well, sir; I am for
France too: we shall speak of you there. 305
[_Exit, with Soldiers._
_Par._ Yet am I thankful: if my heart were great,
'Twould burst at this. Captain I'll be no more;
But I will eat and drink, and sleep as soft
As captain shall: simply the thing I am
Shall make me live. Who knows himself a braggart, 310
Let him fear this, for it will come to pass
That every braggart shall be found an ass.
Rust, sword! cool, blushes! and, Parolles, live
Safest in shame! being fool'd, by foolery thrive!
There's place and means for every man alive. 315
I'll after them. [_Exit_
LINENOTES:
[1] First Lord.] 1 Ld. Rowe. Cap. G. Ff (and throughout the scene).
[2] Sec. Lord.] 2 Ld. Rowe. Cap. E. Ff (and throughout the scene).
[16] _made_] _paid_ Staunton conj.
[18] _delay_] _allay_ Hanmer.
[22] _till_] _ere_ Hanmer. _when_ Mason conj.
[23, 24] _nobility, ... stream_] Theobald. _nobility ... stream,_ Ff.
[25] _meant_] Ff. _most_ Hanmer. _meantime_ Heath conj. _mean and_
Mason conj. _maint_ Nicholson conj. _mere_ Anon. conj.
[26] _trumpeters_] _the trumpeters_ Rowe.
[30] _apace_] _agace_ F3.
[31] _company_] _companion_ Hanmer.
_anatomized_] _anatomiz'd_ Rowe. _anathomiz'd_ Ff.
[32] _judgements_] Ff. _judgement_ Pope.
_wherein so curiously_] _where so incuriously_ Badham conj.
_curiously_] F1 F2. _seriously_ F3 F4.
[33] _this_] F1 F2. _his_ F3 F4.
[36] _these_] F1. _those_ F2 F3 F4.
[39] _concluded_] _is concluded_ Rowe (ed. 1).
[47] _is_] om. Capell.
[48] _most_] _a most_ Rowe (ed. 2).
[49] _the_] _through the_ Capell.
[50] _as_] om. Long MS.
[53] _stronger_] _stranger_ Collier (Collier MS.).
[54] _makes_] Ff. _make_ Malone.
[55] _itself_] _is selfe_ F2. See note (XVI).
[56] _was_] _and_ Collier (Collier MS.).
[58, 59] _point from point_] Ff. _from point to point_
Hanmer. _point for point_ Capell.
[64] _gain_] _gains_ Edd. conj.
[70] Messenger] Ff. Servant Rowe (ed. 2).
[74, 75] _commendations_] _commendation_ Rowe (ed. 2).
[78] SCENE IV. Pope.
First Lord.] Ber. F1 F2. Cap. G. F3 F4.
[79] Enter B.] Enter Count Rossillion Ff (after line 77).
[83] _congied_] Ff. _conge'd_ Capell.
[86] _effected_] F3 F4. _affected_ F1 F2.
[94] _module_] Ff. _medal_ Hanmer (Warburton). _model_ Collier.
_module, has_] F2. _module has_ F1. _module; 'has_ F3 F4. _module;
h'as_ Rowe (ed. 2).
[96] _forth_] _forth_ [Exeunt Soldiers.] Capell.
_he has_] _h'as_ F1 F2. _ha's_ F3 F4.
_i'the_] _i'th_ Ff. _in the_ Rowe.
[100] Sec. Lord.] 2 L. Capell. Cap. E. F1 F2. Cap. G. F3 F4. 1 Ld.
Rowe.
[105] _i'the_] _i'th_ Ff.
[107] _has a'_] _ha's a_ F1 F2 F3. _has a_ F4. _has he_ Rowe (ed. 2).
[110] _hear_] _bear_ Anon conj.
[Enter...] Enter Parolles with his Interpreter. Ff.
[111] SCENE V. Pope.
[112] _hush, hush!_] _hush_ F2.
[112, 113 _hush, hush!_ First Lord. _Hoodman_] 1 Lord. _Hush! hoodman_
Hanmer. 1 L. _Hush, hush! hoodman_ S. Walker conj.
[113] _Hoodman_] _Headsman_ Grey conj.
[114] First Sold.] Int. Ff (and throughout the scene).
[116, 117] _I will ... more_] Printed as two lines in Ff, ending
_...constraint, ...more._
[132] Ber. _All's one to him. What_] Capell. _All's one to him._ Ber.
_What_ Ff. _All's one to me._ Ber. _What_ Rowe. 1 Lord, or 2. Lord,
_All's ... him_ Ber. _What_ Ritson conj. _All's one to me._ Ber.
_All's one to him! what_ Anon. conj.
[132-139, 143-145, 161-163, 176, 177, 181, 182, 193, 194, 206,
217-222, 244-246, 254-256, 264] are marked as 'Asides' by Capell.
[133] _You're_] _Y'are_ Ff.
[135] _theoric_] _theory_ Rowe.
[152] _live_] _die_ S. Walker conj. _leave_ Staunton conj. _shrive_
Anon. conj.
_this_] _but this_ Hanmer. See note (XIV).
[155] _Guiltian_] _Julian_ S. Walker conj.
[155, 156] _and fifty_] Rowe (ed. 2). _fifty_ F1 F2. om. F3 F4.
[157] _and fifty_] Rowe (ed. 2). _fifty_ Ff.
[163] _condition_] F1. _conditions_ F2 F3 F4.
[165] _i'the_] i'th F1 F3 F4. _it'h_ F2.
[167] _wars_] F1 F2 F3. _war_ F4.
[170] _particular_] _particulars_ Capell.
[171] _inter'gatories_] _interrogatories_ F4. _interrogatory_ Capell.
[173] _a'_] _a_ Ff. _he_ Rowe.
[174] _shrieve's_] _sheriff's_ Hanmer.
[175] [Dumain lifts up his hand in anger. Johnson.
[182] _your lordship_] Pope. _your Lord_ Ff. _you Lord_ Rowe (ed. 1).
[185] _this_] F1 F2. _the_ F3 F4.
[186] _o' the_] _a' th_ Ff.
[189] _a file_] _the file_ Theobald.
[195] After this line Johnson supposes one to be lost.
_gold_] _golden store_ or _golden ore_ Steevens conj. _gold, I speak
it_ Jackson conj. (reading lines 208-210 in this order 209, 210,
208).
[207] First Sold. [reads] Int. Let. Ff. Inter. reads the letter.
Rowe.
[209] _well made_] _ill made_ Capell conj. _half made_ Jackson conj.
_match, and well_] _match well and_ Hanmer. _watch, and well_ Johnson
conj. (who would read the lines 207-210 in the following order, 209,
207, 208, 210).
_and well_] _an' we'll_ Steevens conj.
[212] _not_] _but_ Pope (ed. 2. Theobald).
[213] _count's_] _count_ F2.
[214] _when_] _where_ Collier (Collier MS.).
[218] _in's_] _in his_ Rowe.
[222] _now_] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.
[223] _the_] F3 F4. _your_ F1 F2. _our_ Capell.
[227] _i' the_] _i' th_ Ff.
[228] _or_] F1 F2. om. F3 F4.
[233] _an egg_] _an Ag._ (i.e. _Agnes_) Becket conj.
[235] _in breaking_] F1. _breaking_ F2 F3 F4.
_'em_] _em_ F1 F2 F3. _them_ F4.
[246] _he's_] _he is_ Pope.
[248] _has_] _ha's_ Ff. _h'as_ Rowe.
[254] _out-villained_] _out-villanied_ S. Walker conj.
[259] _quart d'écu_] Pope. _cardceue_ F1. _cardecue_ F2 F3 F4.
[261] _for it_] _in it_ Hanmer.
[266] _o' the_] _a' th_ F1 F2 F4, _at'h_ F3.
[270] _has_] _ha's_ F1.
[276] [Aside] Rowe (ed. 2).
[279] _this danger_] _danger_ Rowe.
[288] [Unblinding him.] Rowe (ed. 1). [Unbinding him. Rowe (ed. 2).
[Unmuffling him. Steevens.
[291, 293] Sec. Lord.] Lo. E. F1.
[296] _the sonnet_] F1 F2. _the same sonnet_ F3 F4. _that same sonnet_
Rowe.
[297] _an_] _and_ Ff. _if_ Pope.
[298] [Exeunt B. and Lords.] Exeunt. Ff.
[305] [Exit...] Exit. Ff.
[306] SCENE VI. Pope.
_am I_] _I am_ Hanmer.
[312] After this S. Walker conjectures that a line has been omitted.