| [Enter LAFEU and BERTRAM] | |
| LAFEU | But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier. |
| BERTRAM | Yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof. |
| LAFEU | You have it from his own deliverance. |
| BERTRAM | And by other warranted testimony. |
| LAFEU | Then my dial goes not true: I took this lark for a bunting. |
| BERTRAM | I do assure you, my lord, he is very great in knowledge and accordingly valiant. |
| LAFEU | I 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. |
| [Enter PAROLLES] | |
| PAROLLES | [To BERTRAM] These things shall be done, sir. |
| LAFEU | Pray you, sir, who's his tailor? |
| PAROLLES | Sir? |
| LAFEU | O, I know him well, I, sir; he, sir, 's a good workman, a very good tailor. |
| BERTRAM | [Aside to PAROLLES] Is she gone to the king? |
| PAROLLES | She is. |
| BERTRAM | Will she away to-night? |
| PAROLLES | As you'll have her. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| BERTRAM | Is there any unkindness between my lord and you, monsieur? |
| PAROLLES | I know not how I have deserved to run into my lord's displeasure. |
| LAFEU | You 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. |
| BERTRAM | It may be you have mistaken him, my lord. |
| 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 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] | |
| PAROLLES | An idle lord. I swear. |
| BERTRAM | I think so. |
| PAROLLES | Why, do you not know him? |
| BERTRAM | Yes, I do know him well, and common speech Gives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog. |
| [Enter HELENA] | |
| HELENA | I 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. |
| 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. 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. |
|
| HELENA | Sir, I can nothing say, But that I am your most obedient servant. |
| BERTRAM | Come, come, no more of that. |
| 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. |
| BERTRAM | Let that go: My haste is very great: farewell; hie home. |
| HELENA | Pray, sir, your pardon. |
| BERTRAM | Well, what would you say? |
| 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. |
| BERTRAM | What would you have? |
| 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. |
| BERTRAM | I pray you, stay not, but in haste to horse. |
| HELENA | I shall not break your bidding, good my lord. |
| 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. |
|
| PAROLLES | Bravely, coragio! |
| [Exeunt] |