All's Well That Ends Well: Act 3, Scene 5

comedy

Florence. Without the walls. A tucket afar off.

Scene Summary

Helena, travelling near Florence on her supposed pilgrimage, stops at a widow's house. The widow Capilet and her daughter Diana are there, along with some neighbours. Helena learns that Diana is being aggressively pursued by a young French soldier — Bertram. She does not yet reveal who she is but listens carefully.

Enter an old Widow of Florence, DIANA, VIOLENTA, and MARIANA, with other Citizens

Widow

Nay, come; for if they do approach the city, we

shall lose all the sight.

DIANA

They say the French count has done most honourable service.

Widow

It is reported that he has taken their greatest

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.

MARIANA

Come, let's return again, and suffice ourselves with

the report of it. Well, Diana, take heed of this

French earl: the honour of a maid is her name; and

no legacy is so rich as honesty.

Widow

I have told my neighbour how you have been solicited

by a gentleman his companion.

MARIANA

I know that knave; hang him! one Parolles: a

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 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.

DIANA

You shall not need to fear me.

Widow

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?

HELENA

To Saint Jaques le Grand.

Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?

Widow

At the Saint Francis here beside the port.

HELENA

Is this the way?

Widow

Ay, marry, is't.

A march afar

Hark you! they come this way.

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.

HELENA

Is it yourself?

Widow

If you shall please so, pilgrim.

HELENA

I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.

Widow

You came, I think, from France?

HELENA

I did so.

Widow

Here you shall see a countryman of yours

That has done worthy service.

HELENA

His name, I pray you.

DIANA

The Count Rousillon: know you such a one?

HELENA

But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him:

His face I know not.

DIANA

Whatsome'er he is,

He's bravely taken here. He stole from France,

As 'tis reported, for the king had married him

Against his liking: think you it is so?

HELENA

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

DIANA

There is a gentleman that serves the count

Reports but coarsely of her.

HELENA

What's his name?

DIANA

Monsieur Parolles.

HELENA

O, I believe with him,

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.

DIANA

Alas, poor lady!

'Tis a hard bondage to become the wife

Of a detesting lord.

Widow

I warrant, good creature, wheresoe'er she is,

Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do her

A shrewd turn, if she pleased.

HELENA

How do you mean?

May be the amorous count solicits her

In the unlawful purpose.

Widow

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

In honestest defence.

MARIANA

The gods forbid else!

Widow

So, now they come:

Drum and Colours

Enter BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and the whole army

That is Antonio, the duke's eldest son;

That, Escalus.

HELENA

Which is the Frenchman?

DIANA

He;

That with the plume: 'tis a most gallant fellow.

I would he loved his wife: if he were honester

He were much goodlier: is't not a handsome gentleman?

HELENA

I like him well.

DIANA

'Tis pity he is not honest: yond's that same knave

That leads him to these places: were I his lady,

I would Poison that vile rascal.

HELENA

Which is he?

DIANA

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

HELENA

Perchance he's hurt i' the battle.

PAROLLES

Lose our drum! well.

MARIANA

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

Widow

Marry, hang you!

MARIANA

And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier!

Exeunt BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and army

Widow

The troop is past. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you

Where you shall host: of enjoin'd penitents

There's four or five, to great Saint Jaques bound,

Already at my house.

HELENA

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,

I will bestow some precepts of this virgin

Worthy the note.

BOTH

We'll take your offer kindly.

Exeunt