Part 14

[22] _fell_] _fall_ Hanmer (Thirlby conj.)

[23] _to_] _to 'th_ F1.

[Exeunt.] om. Ff.

## SCENE II. _Rousillon. The_ COUNT'S _Palace._

_Enter_ COUNTESS _and_ CLOWN.

_Count._ It hath happened all as I would have had it, save that he comes not along with her.

_Clo._ By my troth, I take my young lord to be a very melancholy man.

_Count._ By what observance, I pray you? 5

_Clo._ Why, he will look upon his boot and sing; mend the ruff and sing; ask questions and sing; pick his teeth and sing. I know a man that had this trick of melancholy sold a goodly manor for a song.

_Count._ Let me see what he writes, and when he means 10 to come. [_Opening a letter._

_Clo._ I have no mind to Isbel since I was at court: our old ling and our Isbels o' the country are nothing like your old ling and your Isbels o' the court: the brains of my Cupid's knocked out, and I begin to love, as an old 15 man loves money, with no stomach.

_Count._ What have we here?

_Clo._ E'en that you have there. [_Exit._

_Count._ [_reads_] have sent you a daughter-in-law: she hath recovered the king, and undone me. I have wedded her, not bedded 20 her; and sworn to make the 'not' eternal. You shall hear I am run away: know it before the report come. If there be breadth enough in the world, I will hold a long distance. My duty to you.

Your unfortunate son, BERTRAM. 25 This is not well, rash and unbridled boy, To fly the favours of so good a king; To pluck his indignation on thy head By the misprising of a maid too virtuous For the contempt of empire. 30

_Re-enter_ CLOWN.

_Clo._ O madam, yonder is heavy news within between two soldiers and my young lady!

_Count._ What is the matter?

_Clo._ Nay, there is some comfort in the news, some comfort; your son will not be killed so soon as I thought 35 he would.

_Count._ Why should he be killed?

_Clo._ So say I, madam, if he run away, as I hear he does: the danger is in standing to't; that's the loss of men, though it be the getting of children. Here they come will tell you 40 more: for my part, I only hear your son was run away. [_Exit._

_Enter_ HELENA _and two_ Gentlemen.

_First Gent._ Save you, good madam.

_Hel._ Madam, my lord is gone, for ever gone.

_Sec. Gent._ Do not say so.

_Count._ Think upon patience. Pray you, gentlemen, 45 I have felt so many quirks of joy and grief, That the first face of neither, on the start, Can woman me unto't: where is my son, I pray you?

_Sec. Gent._ Madam, he's gone to serve the duke of Florence: We met him thitherward; for thence we came, 50 And, after some dispatch in hand at court, Thither we bend again.

_Hel._ Look on his letter, madam; here's my passport. [_reads_] When thou canst get the ring upon my finger which never shall come off, and show me a child begotten of thy body that 55 I am father to, then call me husband: but in such a 'then' I write a 'never.'

This is a dreadful sentence.

_Count._ Brought you this letter, gentlemen?

_First Gent._ Ay, madam; And for the contents' sake are sorry for our pains. 60

_Count._ I prithee, lady, have a better cheer; If thou engrossest all the griefs are thine, Thou robb'st me of a moiety: he was my son; But I do wash his name out of my blood, And thou art all my child. Towards Florence is he? 65

_Sec. Gent._ Ay, madam.

_Count._ And to be a soldier?

_Sec. Gent._ Such is his noble purpose; and, believe 't, The Duke will lay upon him all the honour That good convenience claims.

_Count._ Return you thither?

_First Gent._ Ay, madam, with the swiftest wing of speed. 70

_Hel._ [_reads_] Till I have no wife, I have nothing in France. 'Tis bitter.

_Count._ Find you that there?

_Hel._ Ay, madam.

_First Gent._ 'Tis but the boldness of his hand, haply, which his heart was not consenting to. 75

_Count._ Nothing in France, until he have no wife! There's nothing here that is too good for him But only she; and she deserves a lord That twenty such rude boys might tend upon And call her hourly mistress. Who was with him? 80

_First Gent._ A servant only, and a gentleman Which I have sometime known.

_Count._ Parolles, was it not?

_First Gent._ Ay, my good lady, he.

_Count._ A very tainted fellow, and full of wickedness. My son corrupts a well-derived nature 85 With his inducement.

_First Gent._ Indeed, good lady, The fellow has a deal of that too much, Which holds him much to have.

_Count._ Y' are welcome, gentlemen. I will entreat you, when you see my son, 90 To tell him that his sword can never win The honour that he loses: more I'll entreat you Written to bear along.

_Sec. Gent._ We serve you, madam, In that and all your worthiest affairs.

_Count._ Not so, but as we change our courtesies. 95 Will you draw near? [_Exeunt Countess and Gentlemen._

_Hel._ 'Till I have no wife, I have nothing in France.' Nothing in France, until he has no wife! Thou shalt have none, Rousillon, none in France; Then hast thou all again. Poor lord! is 't I 100 That chase thee from thy country and expose Those tender limbs of thine to the event Of the none-sparing war? and is it I That drive thee from the sportive court, where thou Wast shot at with fair eyes, to be the mark 105 Of smoky muskets? O you leaden messengers, That ride upon the violent speed of fire, Fly with false aim; move the still-peering air, That sings with piercing; do not touch my lord. Whoever shoots at him, I set him there; 110 Whoever charges on his forward breast, I am the caitiff that do hold him to 't; And, though I kill him not, I am the cause His death was so effected: better 'twere I met the ravin lion when he roar'd 115 With sharp constraint of hunger; better 'twere That all the miseries which nature owes Were mine at once. No, come thou home, Rousillon, Whence honour but of danger wins a scar, As oft it loses all: I will be gone; 120 My being here it is that holds thee hence: Shall I stay here to do't? no, no, although The air of paradise did fan the house, And angels officed all: I will be gone, That pitiful rumour may report my flight, 125 To consolate thine ear. Come, night; end, day! For with the dark, poor thief, I'll steal away. [_Exit._

LINENOTES:

[7] _the ruff_] _his ruff_ Rowe. _the ruffle_ Whalley conj.

[8] _know_] _knew_ Rowe.

[9] _sold_] F3 F4. _hold_ F1 F2.

_sold ... manor for_] _holds ... manner for_ Harness conj. _hold ... manor by_ Collier conj.

[11] [Reads the letter. Theobald.

[13] _ling_] F2 F3 F4. _lings_ F1.

[14] _old ling_] _youngling_ S. Walker conj.

_brains_] _brain_ Pope.

[18] _E'en_] Theobald. _In_ Ff.

[19] Count. [reads] A letter. Ff.

[30] _contempt_] F1 F2 F3. _content_ F4.

[41] _hear_] _heard_ Hanmer.

[42] SCENE III. Pope.

First Gent.] 1 Gen. Rowe. French E. Ff. See note (VI).

[44] Sec. Gent.] 2 Gen. Rowe. French G. F1 F3 F4. Fren. G. F2. See note (VI).

[45] _patience. Pray you,_] _patience, pray you_ F1 F2. _patience; pray you_ F3. _patience: pray you_ F4. _patience, 'pray you:_ Hanmer.

[46] _I have_] _I've_ Pope.

[48] _I pray you_] om. Theobald.

[50] _for_] _from_ Rowe.

[53] _his_] _this_ Rowe.

[54] [reads.] Capell.

[54, 55] _upon my ... off_] _from my ... off_ Hanmer. _upon thy ... off mine_ Johnson conj. (withdrawn).

[59] First Gent.] 1 G. F1 F2 F3. 1 Gen. F4.

[59, 60] _Ay, madam ... pains_] Arranged as in Capell; printed as prose in Ff.

[62] _are_] _as_ Rowe.

[71] [reads] Reading. Rowe.

[72] _bitter_] F1. _better_ F2 F3 F4.

[73] _Ay_] _Yes_ Rowe.

[74] _haply_] F1. _happily_ F2 F3 F4.

[81, 82] _A servant ... known_] Printed as prose in Ff; as verse first in Pope.

[82] _sometime_] F1 F2. _sometimes_ F3. _sometimes_ F4. _sometime_ Pope (ed. 2).

_was it_] Ff. _was't_ Pope.

[84-86] _A very ... inducement_] Printed as prose by Hanmer.

[84] _very_] om. S. Walker conj.

_and_] om. Pope.

[86] _Indeed_] _Why, indeed_ Capell.

[86-94] _Indeed ... affairs_] Printed as prose in Ff; as verse first in Capell.

[87] _that too_] Rowe. _that, too_ Ff.

[88] _holds him much to have_] _soils him much to have_ Theobald conj. _'hoves him not much to have_ Hanmer. _'hoves him much to leave_ Collier (Collier MS.), _fouls him much to have_ Singer conj.

[95] _courtesies_] Rowe (ed. 2). _courtesies_, Ff.

[96] [Exeunt C. and G.] Rowe. [Exit. Ff.

[97] SCENE IV. Pope.

[107] _violent_] _volant_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[108] _move the still peering_] F1. _move the still-piercing_ F2 F3 F4 (_still piercing_ F4). _pierce the still-moving_ Hanmer (Warburton). _move the still-piecing_ Steevens (Anon. conj.). _rove the still-piecing_ Tyrwhitt conj. _move the still-pierced_ Nares conj. _mow the still-pacing_ Jackson conj. _wound the still-piecing_ Collier (Collier MS.). _move the still 'pearing_ Grant White conj. (withdrawn), _move the still-closing_ Bailey conj.

[109] _sings_] F1. _stings_ F2 F3 F4.

[112] _to't_] _to it_ Theobald.

[115] _ravin_] Capell. _ravine_ F1 F2 F3. _raving_ F4. _rav'ning_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[124] _angels_] _angles_ F1.

[126] _consolate_] _consolats_ F2.

## SCENE III. _Florence. Before the_ DUKE'S _palace_.

_Flourish. Enter the_ DUKE _of Florence_, BERTRAM, PAROLLES, Soldiers, Drum, _and_ Trumpets.

_Duke._ The general of our horse thou art; and we, Great in our hope, lay our best love and credence Upon thy promising fortune.

_Ber._ Sir, it is A charge too heavy for my strength; but yet We'll strive to bear it for your worthy sake 5 To the extreme edge of hazard.

_Duke._ Then go thou forth; And fortune play upon thy prosperous helm, As thy auspicious mistress!

_Ber._ This very day, Great Mars, I put myself into thy file: Make me but like my thoughts, and I shall prove 10 A lover of thy drum, hater of love. [_Exit._

LINENOTES:

## SCENE III.] SCENE V. Pope.

Before ... palace.] Capell. Scene changes to the Duke's court in Florence. Theobald.

PAROLLES] om. Capell.

[3] _Sir, it is_] See note (XIII.)

[4] _but yet_] F1. _but_ F2 F3 F4.

[6] _the_] _th'_ Ff.

_thou_] om. Pope.

## SCENE IV. _Rousillon. The_ COUNT'S _palace_.

_Enter_ COUNTESS _and_ STEWARD.

_Count._ Alas! and would you take the letter of her? Might you not know she would do as she has done, By sending me a letter? Read it again.

_Stew._ [_Reads_] I am Saint Jaques' pilgrim, thither gone: Ambitious love hath so in me offended, 5 That bare-foot plod I the cold ground upon, With sainted vow my faults to have amended. Write, write, that from the bloody course of war My dearest master, your dear son, may hie: Bless him at home in peace, whilst I from far 10 His name with zealous fervour sanctify: His taken labours bid him me forgive; I, his despiteful Juno, sent him forth From courtly friends with camping foes to live, Where death and danger dogs the heels of worth: 15 He is too good and fair for death and me; Whom I myself embrace to set him free.

_Count._ Ah, what sharp stings are in her mildest words! Rinaldo, you did never lack advice so much, As letting her pass so: had I spoke with her, 20 I could have well diverted her intents, Which thus she hath prevented.

_Stew._ Pardon me, madam: If I had given you this at over-night, She might have been o'erta'en; and yet she writes, Pursuit would be but vain.

_Count._ What angel shall 25 Bless this unworthy husband? he cannot thrive, Unless her prayers, whom heaven delights to hear And loves to grant, reprieve him from the wrath Of greatest justice. Write, write, Rinaldo, To this unworthy husband of his wife; 30 Let every word weigh heavy of her worth That he does weigh too light: my greatest grief, Though little he do feel it, set down sharply. Dispatch the most convenient messenger: When haply he shall hear that she is gone, 35 He will return; and hope I may that she, Hearing so much, will speed her foot again. Led hither by pure love: which of them both Is dearest to me, I have no skill in sense To make distinction: provide this messenger: 40 My heart is heavy and mine age is weak; Grief would have tears, and sorrow bids me speak. [_Exeunt._

LINENOTES:

## SCENE IV..] SCENE VI. Pope.

[4] Stew. [Reads] Collier. Letter Ff. Ste. Capell.

_Saint_] S. F1 F2 F3. _St._ F4.

[7] _have_] _hane_ F1.

[10] _Bless_] _'Bless_ Capell conj. MS.

_peace, whilst_] F3 F4. _peace. Whilst_ F1 F2.

[12] _His taken_] _Herculean_ Rann conj.

[15] _dogs_] _dog_ Rowe.

[18] Count.] Cou. Capell. om. Ff.

[19] _Rinaldo_] _Rynaldo_ F1 F3 F4. _Rynardo_ F2.

_did never lack_] _ne'er lack'd_ Hanmer.

[22] _me_] om. Pope.

[26] _cannot_] _can't_ S. Walker conj.

[27] _whom_] _which_ Hanmer.

[29] _Write, write_] F1 F3 F4. _Write and write_ F2. _Write, oh, write_ Hanmer.

[33] _he do_] _do he_ Rowe (ed. 2). _does he_ Hanmer.

[39] _I have_] _I've_ Pope.

_skill in sense_] _skill or sense_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[42] _and_] _but_ Hanmer.

## SCENE V. _Florence. Without the walls. A tucket afar off._

_Enter an old_ Widow _of Florence_, DIANA, VIOLENTA, and MARIANA, _with other_ Citizens.

_Wid._ Nay, come; for if they do approach the city, we shall lose all the sight.

_Dia._ They say the French count has done most honourable service.

_Wid._ It is reported that he has taken their greatest 5 commander; and that with his own hand he slew the Duke's brother. [_Tucket._] We have lost our labour; they are gone a contrary way: hark! you may know by their trumpets.

_Mar._ Come, let's return again, and suffice ourselves with the report of it. Well, Diana, take heed of this French 10 earl: the honour of a maid is her name; and no legacy is so rich as honesty.

_Wid._ I have told my neighbour how you have been solicited by a gentleman his companion.

_Mar._ I know that knave; hang him! one Parolles: a 15 filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young earl. Beware of them, Diana; their promises, enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of lust, are not the things they go under: many a maid hath been seduced by them; and the misery is, example, that so terrible shows in the wreck 20 of maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession, but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten them. I hope I need not to advise you further; but I hope your own grace will keep you where you are, though there were no further danger known but the modesty which is so lost. 25

_Dia._ You shall not need to fear me.

_Wid._ I hope so.

_Enter_ HELENA, _disguised like a Pilgrim._

Look, here comes a pilgrim: I know she will lie at my house; thither they send one another: I'll question her. God save you, pilgrim! whither are you bound? 30

_Hel._ To Saint Jaques le Grand. Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?

_Wid._ At the Saint Francis here beside the port.

_Hel._ Is this the way?

_Wid._ Ay, marry, is't. [_A march afar._] Hark you! they come this way. 35 If you will tarry, holy pilgrim, But till the troops come by, I will conduct you where you shall be lodged; The rather, for I think I know your hostess As ample as myself.

_Hel._ Is it yourself? 40

_Wid._ If you shall please so, pilgrim.

_Hel._ I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.

_Wid._ You came, I think, from France?

_Hel._ I did so.

_Wid._ Here you shall see a countryman of yours That has done worthy service.

_Hel._ His name, I pray you. 45

_Dia._ The Count Rousillon: know you such a one?

_Hel._ But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him: His face I know not.

_Dia._ Whatsome'er he is, He's bravely taken here. He stole from France, As 'tis reported, for the king had married him 50 Against his liking: think you it is so?

_Hel._ Ay, surely, mere the truth: I know his lady.

_Dia._ There is a gentleman that serves the count Reports but coarsely of her.

_Hel._ What's his name?

_Dia._ Monsieur Parolles.

_Hel._ O, I believe with him, 55 In argument of praise, or to the worth Of the great count himself, she is too mean To have her name repeated: all her deserving Is a reserved honesty, and that I have not heard examined.

_Dia._ Alas, poor lady! 60 'Tis a hard bondage to become the wife Of a detesting lord.

_Wid._ I write good creature, wheresoe'er she is, Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do her A shrewd turn, if she pleased.

_Hel._ How do you mean? 65 May be the amorous count solicits her In the unlawful purpose.

_Wid._ He does indeed; And brokes with all that can in such a suit Corrupt the tender honour of a maid: But she is arm'd for him, and keeps her guard 70 In honestest defence.

_Mar._ The gods forbid else!

_Wid._ So, now they come:

_Drum and Colours._

_Enter_ BERTRAM, PAROLLES, _and the whole army._

That is Antonio, the Duke's eldest son; That, Escalus.

_Hel._ Which is the Frenchman?

_Dia._ He; That with the plume: 'tis a most gallant fellow. 75 I would he loved his wife: if he were honester He were much goodlier: is't not a handsome gentleman?

_Hel._ I like him well.

_Dia._ 'Tis pity he is not honest: yond's that same knave That leads him to these places: were I his lady, 80 I would poison that vile rascal.

_Hel._ Which is he?

_Dia._ That jack-an-apes with scarfs: why is he melancholy?

_Hel._ Perchance he's hurt i' the battle.

_Par._ Lose our drum! well.

_Mat._ He's shrewdly vexed at something: look, he has spied us. 85

_Wid._ Marry, hang you!

_Mar._ And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier! [_Exeunt Bertram, Parolles, and army._

_Wid._ The troop is past. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you Where you shall host: of enjoin'd penitents 90 There's four or five, to great Saint Jaques bound, Already at my house.

_Hel._ I humbly thank you: Please it this matron and this gentle maid To eat with us to-night, the charge and thanking Shall be for me; and, to requite you further, 95 I will bestow some precepts of this virgin Worthy the note.

_Both._ We'll take your offer kindly. [_Exeunt._

LINENOTES:

## SCENE V.] SCENE VII. Pope.

Without the walls.] Capell. A public place in Florence. Theobald.

A tucket...] Transferred to line 7 by Dyce.

DIANA] her daughter. Ff.

VIOLENTA] om. Capell.

[1-14] As seventeen lines, ending _come ... city ... sight... done ... service ... reported ... commander ... slew ... labour ... hark ... trumpets ... again ... of it ... earl ... name ... rich ... honesty ... neighbour ... gentleman ... companion_ in Ff. First as prose by Pope.

[3] Dia.] Violenta. Edd. conj.

[5] _taken_] _ta'en_ Rowe.

_greatest_] _great'st_ Ff.

[7] [Tucket.] Capell.

[18] _not_] _but_ Hanmer. om. Warburton.

[20] _is, example_] Rowe (ed. 2). _is example_ Ff.

[22] _threaten_] Pope, _threatens_ Ff.

[25] _known_] _found_ Hanmer (Warburton).

_the modesty_] _of the modesty_ Long MS.

[27] Enter...] Rowe. Enter Hellen. Ff.

[31] _le_] F3 F4. _la_ F1 F2.

[33] _here_] om. Theobald.

[34-37] Arranged as in Ff; as prose in Pope; as three lines, ending _Hark you!... pilgrim ... by_ in Capell.

[35] _is't_] _is it_ Capell.

A march afar.] Ff. Tucket. Capell.

[36] _holy_] om. Capell.

[37] _the_] _the the_ F2.

[40] _ample_] _amply_ Capell conj.

[40, 41] _Is it ... pilgrim_] As one line in Capell.

[43] _I did_] _True, I did_ Hanmer.

[48] _Whatsome'er he is_] _What somere he is_ F1 F3 F4. _What somere his is_ F2. _Whatsoe'er he is_ Rowe.

[52] _mere the_] _the meer_ Hanmer. _meerlye_ Warburton.

[54] _coarsely_] Johnson. _coursely_ Ff.

[60] _Alas_] _Ah_ Pope.

[63] _I write good creature,_] F1. _I right good creature,_ F2 F3 F4. _Ah! right good creature!_ Rowe. _Ah! right; good creature!_ Theobald. _Ay, right:--Good creature!_ Capell. _A right good creature:_ Steevens (Malone conj.). _I weet, good creature,_ Steevens conj. _I write, good creature,_ Grant White.

[68] _brokes_] _brooks_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[71] SCENE VIII. Pope.

[72] Enter Bertram...] Enter Count Rossillion... Ff (after _defence_, line 71).

[77] _is't not a_] _but is it not A_ Hanmer.

[79] _he is_] _he's_ Hanmer.

[80] _places_] _paces_ Theobald. _pranks_ Heath conj. _passes_ Lettsom conj.

[81] _I would_] _I'd_ Pope.

[82-84] _That ... well_] S. Walker reads as three lines, ending _melancholy ... drum ... Well._

[84] _well_] om. Hanmer.

[87] [Parolles bows to them. Capell.

[88] Exeunt....] Exit. Ff.

[89] _bring you_] Rowe (ed. 2). _bring you,_ (_you_ in next line) F1. _bring You,_ F2 F3 F4.

[96] _of_] F1. _on_ F2 F3 F4.

## SCENE VI. _Camp before Florence._

_Enter_ BERTRAM _and the two French_ Lords.

_Sec. Lord._ Nay, good my lord, put him to't; let him have his way.

_First Lord._ If your lordship find him not a hilding, hold me no more in your respect.

_Sec. Lord._ On my life, my lord, a bubble. 5

_Ber._ Do you think I am so far deceived in him?

_Sec. Lord._ Believe it, my lord, in mine own direct knowledge, without any malice, but to speak of him as my kinsman, he's a most notable coward, an infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise-breaker, the owner of no one 10 good quality worthy your lordship's entertainment.

_First Lord._ It were fit you knew him; lest, reposing too far in his virtue, which he hath not, he might at some great and trusty business in a main danger fail you.

_Ber._ I would I knew in what particular action to try him. 15

_First Lord._ None better than to let him fetch off his drum, which you hear him so confidently undertake to do.

_Sec. Lord._ I, with a troop of Florentines, will suddenly surprise him; such I will have, whom I am sure he knows not from the enemy: we will bind and hoodwink him so, 20 that he shall suppose no other but that he is carried into the leaguer of the adversaries, when we bring him to our own tents. Be but your lordship present at his examination: if he do not, for the promise of his life and in the highest compulsion of base fear, offer to betray you and 25 deliver all the intelligence in his power against you, and that with the divine forfeit of his soul upon oath, never trust my judgement in any thing.

_First Lord._ O, for the love of laughter, let him fetch his drum; he says he has a stratagem for't: when your 30 lordship sees the bottom of his success in't, and to what metal this counterfeit lump of ore will be melted, if you give him not John Drum's entertainment, your inclining cannot be removed. Here he comes.

_Enter_ PAROLLES.

_Sec. Lord._ [_Aside to Ber._] O, for the love of laughter, 35 hinder not the honour of his design: let him fetch off his drum in any hand.

_Ber._ How now, monsieur! this drum sticks sorely in your disposition.

_First Lord._ A pox on't, let it go; 'tis but a drum. 40