All's Well That Ends Well: Act 3, Scene 1

comedy

Florence. The DUKE's palace.

Scene Summary

In Florence, two French lords arrive to join the Italian wars on the Florentine side — the French king has declined to take sides officially but permits individuals to volunteer.

Flourish. Enter the DUKE of Florence attended; the two Frenchmen, with a troop of soldiers.

DUKE

So that from point to point now have you heard

The fundamental reasons of this war,

Whose great decision hath much blood let forth

And more thirsts after.

First Lord

Holy seems the quarrel

Upon your grace's part; black and fearful

On the opposer.

DUKE

Therefore we marvel much our cousin France

Would in so just a business shut his bosom

Against our borrowing prayers.

Second Lord

Good my lord,

The reasons of our state I cannot yield,

But like a common and an outward man,

That the great figure of a council frames

By self-unable motion: therefore dare not

Say what I think of it, since I have found

Myself in my incertain grounds to fail

As often as I guess'd.

DUKE

Be it his pleasure.

First Lord

But I am sure the younger of our nature,

That surfeit on their ease, will day by day

Come here for physic.

DUKE

Welcome shall they be;

And all the honours that can fly from us

Shall on them settle. You know your places well;

When better fall, for your avails they fell:

To-morrow to the field.

Flourish. Exeunt