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Enter BERTRAM COUNT ROSSILLION and the French
Lords, as at first.
Enter BERTRAM COUNT ROSSILLION and the French
Lords, as at first.
FIRST LORD  
Nay, good my lord, put him to ’t. Let him
have his way
FIRST LORD  
Nay, good my lord, put him to ’t. Let him
have his way
SECOND LORD  
If your Lordship find him not a hilding,
hold me no more in your respect.
SECOND LORD  
If your Lordship find him not a hilding,
hold me no more in your respect.
FIRST LORD  
5
On my life, my lord, a bubble.
FIRST LORD  
On my life, my lord, a bubble.
BERTRAM  
Do you think I am so far deceived in him?
BERTRAM  
Do you think I am so far deceived in him?
FIRST 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,
10
an infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise-breaker,
the owner of no one good quality worthy
your Lordship’s entertainment.
FIRST 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 good quality worthy
your Lordship’s entertainment.
SECOND LORD  
It were fit you knew him, lest, reposing
too far in his virtue, which he hath not, he might
15
at some great and trusty business in a main danger
   fail you.
SECOND 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.
BERTRAM  
I would I knew in what particular action to
try him.
BERTRAM  
I would I knew in what particular action to
try him.
SECOND LORD  
None better than to let him fetch off his
20
drum, which you hear him so confidently undertake
to do.
SECOND LORD  
None better than to let him fetch off his
drum, which you hear him so confidently undertake
to do.
FIRST 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
25
hoodwink him so, that he shall suppose no other
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
30
compulsion of base fear, offer to betray you and
deliver all the intelligence in his power against
you, and that with the divine forfeit of his soul
upon oath, never trust my judgment in anything.
FIRST 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, that he shall suppose no other
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
deliver all the intelligence in his power against
you, and that with the divine forfeit of his soul
upon oath, never trust my judgment in anything.
SECOND LORD  
O, for the love of laughter, let him fetch
35
his drum. He says he has a stratagem for ’t. When
your 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.
40
Here he comes.
SECOND LORD  
O, for the love of laughter, let him fetch
his drum. He says he has a stratagem for ’t. When
your 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.
Enter PAROLLES.
FIRST LORD, aside to BERTRAM
O, for the love of laughter,
hinder not the honor of his design. Let him
fetch off his drum in any hand.
FIRST LORD, aside to BERTRAM
O, for the love of laughter,
hinder not the honor of his design. Let him
fetch off his drum in any hand.
BERTRAM, to PAROLLES
How now, monsieur? This
45
drum sticks sorely in your disposition.
BERTRAM, to PAROLLES
How now, monsieur? This
drum sticks sorely in your disposition.
SECOND LORD  
A pox on ’t! Let it go. ’Tis but a drum.
SECOND LORD  
A pox on ’t! Let it go. ’Tis but a drum.
PAROLLES  
But a drum! Is ’t but a drum? A drum so
lost! There was excellent command, to charge in
with our horse upon our own wings and to rend
50
our own soldiers!
PAROLLES  
But a drum! Is ’t but a drum? A drum so
lost! There was excellent command, to charge in
with our horse upon our own wings and to rend
our own soldiers!
SECOND LORD  
That was not to be blamed in the command
of the service. It was a disaster of war that
Caesar himself could not have prevented if he had
been there to command.
SECOND LORD  
That was not to be blamed in the command
of the service. It was a disaster of war that
Caesar himself could not have prevented if he had
been there to command.
BERTRAM  
55
Well, we cannot greatly condemn our success.
Some dishonor we had in the loss of that
drum, but it is not to be recovered.
BERTRAM  
Well, we cannot greatly condemn our success.
Some dishonor we had in the loss of that
drum, but it is not to be recovered.
PAROLLES  
It might have been recovered.
PAROLLES  
It might have been recovered.
BERTRAM  
It might, but it is not now.
BERTRAM  
It might, but it is not now.
PAROLLES  
60
It is to be recovered. But that the merit of
service is seldom attributed to the true and exact
performer, I would have that drum or another, or
hic jacet.
PAROLLES  
It is to be recovered. But that the merit of
service is seldom attributed to the true and exact
performer, I would have that drum or another, or
hic jacet.
BERTRAM  
Why, if you have a stomach, to ’t, monsieur!
65
If you think your mystery in stratagem can bring
this instrument of honor again into his native
quarter, be magnanimous in the enterprise and go
on. I will grace the attempt for a worthy exploit. If
you speed well in it, the Duke shall both speak of it
70
and extend to you what further becomes his greatness,
even to the utmost syllable of your
worthiness.
BERTRAM  
Why, if you have a stomach, to ’t, monsieur!
If you think your mystery in stratagem can bring
this instrument of honor again into his native
quarter, be magnanimous in the enterprise and go
on. I will grace the attempt for a worthy exploit. If
you speed well in it, the Duke shall both speak of it
and extend to you what further becomes his greatness,
even to the utmost syllable of your
worthiness.
PAROLLES  
By the hand of a soldier, I will undertake it.
PAROLLES  
By the hand of a soldier, I will undertake it.
BERTRAM
But you must not now slumber in it.
BERTRAM
But you must not now slumber in it.
PAROLLES
75
I’ll about it this evening, and I will presently
pen down my dilemmas, encourage myself in my
certainty, put myself into my mortal preparation;
and by midnight look to hear further from me.
PAROLLES
I’ll about it this evening, and I will presently
pen down my dilemmas, encourage myself in my
certainty, put myself into my mortal preparation;
and by midnight look to hear further from me.
BERTRAM
May I be bold to acquaint his Grace you are
80
gone about it?
BERTRAM
May I be bold to acquaint his Grace you are
gone about it?
PAROLLES
I know not what the success will be, my
   lord, but the attempt I vow.
PAROLLES
I know not what the success will be, my
   lord, but the attempt I vow.
BERTRAM
I know thou ’rt valiant, and to the possibility
of thy soldiership will subscribe for thee. Farewell.
BERTRAM
I know thou ’rt valiant, and to the possibility
of thy soldiership will subscribe for thee. Farewell.
He exits.
He exits.
PAROLLES
85
I love not many words.
PAROLLES
I love not many words.
FIRST LORD
No more than a fish loves water. Is not this
a strange fellow, my lord, that so confidently seems
to undertake this business which he knows is not
to be done, damns himself to do, and dares better
90
be damned than to do ’t?
FIRST LORD
No more than a fish loves water. Is not this
a strange fellow, my lord, that so confidently seems
to undertake this business which he knows is not
to be done, damns himself to do, and dares better
be damned than to do ’t?
SECOND LORD
You do not know him, my lord, as we do.
Certain it is that he will steal himself into a man’s
favor and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries,
but when you find him out, you have him
95
ever after.
SECOND LORD
You do not know him, my lord, as we do.
Certain it is that he will steal himself into a man’s
favor and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries,
but when you find him out, you have him
ever after.
BERTRAM
Why, do you think he will make no deed at
all of this that so seriously he does address himself
unto?
BERTRAM
Why, do you think he will make no deed at
all of this that so seriously he does address himself
unto?
FIRST LORD
None in the world, but return with an
100
invention and clap upon you two or three probable
lies. But we have almost embossed him. You shall
see his fall tonight; for indeed he is not for your
Lordship’s respect.
FIRST LORD
None in the world, but return with an
invention and clap upon you two or three probable
lies. But we have almost embossed him. You shall
see his fall tonight; for indeed he is not for your
Lordship’s respect.
SECOND LORD
We’ll make you some sport with the fox
105
ere we case him. He was first smoked by the old
Lord Lafew. When his disguise and he is parted,
tell me what a sprat you shall find him, which you
shall see this very night.
SECOND LORD
We’ll make you some sport with the fox
ere we case him. He was first smoked by the old
Lord Lafew. When his disguise and he is parted,
tell me what a sprat you shall find him, which you
shall see this very night.
FIRST LORD
I must go look my twigs. He shall be
110
caught.
FIRST LORD
I must go look my twigs. He shall be
caught.
BERTRAM
Your brother he shall go along with me.
BERTRAM
Your brother he shall go along with me.
FIRST LORD
As ’t please your Lordship. I’ll leave you.
FIRST LORD
As ’t please your Lordship. I’ll leave you.
He exits.
He exits.
BERTRAM  
Now will I lead you to the house and show you
The lass I spoke of.
BERTRAM  
Now will I lead you to the house and show you
The lass I spoke of.
SECOND LORD
115
But you say she’s honest.
SECOND LORD
But you say she’s honest.
BERTRAM
That’s all the fault. I spoke with her but once
And found her wondrous cold. But I sent to her,
By this same coxcomb that we have i’ th’ wind,
Tokens and letters, which she did re-send.
120
And this is all I have done. She’s a fair creature.
Will you go see her?
BERTRAM
That’s all the fault. I spoke with her but once
And found her wondrous cold. But I sent to her,
By this same coxcomb that we have i’ th’ wind,
Tokens and letters, which she did re-send.
And this is all I have done. She’s a fair creature.
Will you go see her?
SECOND LORD
With all my heart, my lord.
SECOND LORD
With all my heart, my lord.
They exit.
They exit.

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter BERTRAM COUNT ROSSILLION and the French
Lords, as at first.
Enter BERTRAM COUNT ROSSILLION and the French
Lords, as at first.
FIRST LORD  
Nay, good my lord, put him to ’t. Let him
have his way
FIRST LORD  
Nay, good my lord, put him to ’t. Let him
have his way
SECOND LORD  
If your Lordship find him not a hilding,
hold me no more in your respect.
SECOND LORD  
If your Lordship find him not a hilding,
hold me no more in your respect.
FIRST LORD  
5
On my life, my lord, a bubble.
FIRST LORD  
On my life, my lord, a bubble.
BERTRAM  
Do you think I am so far deceived in him?
BERTRAM  
Do you think I am so far deceived in him?
FIRST 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,
10
an infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise-breaker,
the owner of no one good quality worthy
your Lordship’s entertainment.
FIRST 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 good quality worthy
your Lordship’s entertainment.
SECOND LORD  
It were fit you knew him, lest, reposing
too far in his virtue, which he hath not, he might
15
at some great and trusty business in a main danger
   fail you.
SECOND 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.
BERTRAM  
I would I knew in what particular action to
try him.
BERTRAM  
I would I knew in what particular action to
try him.
SECOND LORD  
None better than to let him fetch off his
20
drum, which you hear him so confidently undertake
to do.
SECOND LORD  
None better than to let him fetch off his
drum, which you hear him so confidently undertake
to do.
FIRST 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
25
hoodwink him so, that he shall suppose no other
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
30
compulsion of base fear, offer to betray you and
deliver all the intelligence in his power against
you, and that with the divine forfeit of his soul
upon oath, never trust my judgment in anything.
FIRST 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, that he shall suppose no other
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
deliver all the intelligence in his power against
you, and that with the divine forfeit of his soul
upon oath, never trust my judgment in anything.
SECOND LORD  
O, for the love of laughter, let him fetch
35
his drum. He says he has a stratagem for ’t. When
your 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.
40
Here he comes.
SECOND LORD  
O, for the love of laughter, let him fetch
his drum. He says he has a stratagem for ’t. When
your 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.
Enter PAROLLES.
FIRST LORD, aside to BERTRAM
O, for the love of laughter,
hinder not the honor of his design. Let him
fetch off his drum in any hand.
FIRST LORD, aside to BERTRAM
O, for the love of laughter,
hinder not the honor of his design. Let him
fetch off his drum in any hand.
BERTRAM, to PAROLLES
How now, monsieur? This
45
drum sticks sorely in your disposition.
BERTRAM, to PAROLLES
How now, monsieur? This
drum sticks sorely in your disposition.
SECOND LORD  
A pox on ’t! Let it go. ’Tis but a drum.
SECOND LORD  
A pox on ’t! Let it go. ’Tis but a drum.
PAROLLES  
But a drum! Is ’t but a drum? A drum so
lost! There was excellent command, to charge in
with our horse upon our own wings and to rend
50
our own soldiers!
PAROLLES  
But a drum! Is ’t but a drum? A drum so
lost! There was excellent command, to charge in
with our horse upon our own wings and to rend
our own soldiers!
SECOND LORD  
That was not to be blamed in the command
of the service. It was a disaster of war that
Caesar himself could not have prevented if he had
been there to command.
SECOND LORD  
That was not to be blamed in the command
of the service. It was a disaster of war that
Caesar himself could not have prevented if he had
been there to command.
BERTRAM  
55
Well, we cannot greatly condemn our success.
Some dishonor we had in the loss of that
drum, but it is not to be recovered.
BERTRAM  
Well, we cannot greatly condemn our success.
Some dishonor we had in the loss of that
drum, but it is not to be recovered.
PAROLLES  
It might have been recovered.
PAROLLES  
It might have been recovered.
BERTRAM  
It might, but it is not now.
BERTRAM  
It might, but it is not now.
PAROLLES  
60
It is to be recovered. But that the merit of
service is seldom attributed to the true and exact
performer, I would have that drum or another, or
hic jacet.
PAROLLES  
It is to be recovered. But that the merit of
service is seldom attributed to the true and exact
performer, I would have that drum or another, or
hic jacet.
BERTRAM  
Why, if you have a stomach, to ’t, monsieur!
65
If you think your mystery in stratagem can bring
this instrument of honor again into his native
quarter, be magnanimous in the enterprise and go
on. I will grace the attempt for a worthy exploit. If
you speed well in it, the Duke shall both speak of it
70
and extend to you what further becomes his greatness,
even to the utmost syllable of your
worthiness.
BERTRAM  
Why, if you have a stomach, to ’t, monsieur!
If you think your mystery in stratagem can bring
this instrument of honor again into his native
quarter, be magnanimous in the enterprise and go
on. I will grace the attempt for a worthy exploit. If
you speed well in it, the Duke shall both speak of it
and extend to you what further becomes his greatness,
even to the utmost syllable of your
worthiness.
PAROLLES  
By the hand of a soldier, I will undertake it.
PAROLLES  
By the hand of a soldier, I will undertake it.
BERTRAM
But you must not now slumber in it.
BERTRAM
But you must not now slumber in it.
PAROLLES
75
I’ll about it this evening, and I will presently
pen down my dilemmas, encourage myself in my
certainty, put myself into my mortal preparation;
and by midnight look to hear further from me.
PAROLLES
I’ll about it this evening, and I will presently
pen down my dilemmas, encourage myself in my
certainty, put myself into my mortal preparation;
and by midnight look to hear further from me.
BERTRAM
May I be bold to acquaint his Grace you are
80
gone about it?
BERTRAM
May I be bold to acquaint his Grace you are
gone about it?
PAROLLES
I know not what the success will be, my
   lord, but the attempt I vow.
PAROLLES
I know not what the success will be, my
   lord, but the attempt I vow.
BERTRAM
I know thou ’rt valiant, and to the possibility
of thy soldiership will subscribe for thee. Farewell.
BERTRAM
I know thou ’rt valiant, and to the possibility
of thy soldiership will subscribe for thee. Farewell.
He exits.
He exits.
PAROLLES
85
I love not many words.
PAROLLES
I love not many words.
FIRST LORD
No more than a fish loves water. Is not this
a strange fellow, my lord, that so confidently seems
to undertake this business which he knows is not
to be done, damns himself to do, and dares better
90
be damned than to do ’t?
FIRST LORD
No more than a fish loves water. Is not this
a strange fellow, my lord, that so confidently seems
to undertake this business which he knows is not
to be done, damns himself to do, and dares better
be damned than to do ’t?
SECOND LORD
You do not know him, my lord, as we do.
Certain it is that he will steal himself into a man’s
favor and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries,
but when you find him out, you have him
95
ever after.
SECOND LORD
You do not know him, my lord, as we do.
Certain it is that he will steal himself into a man’s
favor and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries,
but when you find him out, you have him
ever after.
BERTRAM
Why, do you think he will make no deed at
all of this that so seriously he does address himself
unto?
BERTRAM
Why, do you think he will make no deed at
all of this that so seriously he does address himself
unto?
FIRST LORD
None in the world, but return with an
100
invention and clap upon you two or three probable
lies. But we have almost embossed him. You shall
see his fall tonight; for indeed he is not for your
Lordship’s respect.
FIRST LORD
None in the world, but return with an
invention and clap upon you two or three probable
lies. But we have almost embossed him. You shall
see his fall tonight; for indeed he is not for your
Lordship’s respect.
SECOND LORD
We’ll make you some sport with the fox
105
ere we case him. He was first smoked by the old
Lord Lafew. When his disguise and he is parted,
tell me what a sprat you shall find him, which you
shall see this very night.
SECOND LORD
We’ll make you some sport with the fox
ere we case him. He was first smoked by the old
Lord Lafew. When his disguise and he is parted,
tell me what a sprat you shall find him, which you
shall see this very night.
FIRST LORD
I must go look my twigs. He shall be
110
caught.
FIRST LORD
I must go look my twigs. He shall be
caught.
BERTRAM
Your brother he shall go along with me.
BERTRAM
Your brother he shall go along with me.
FIRST LORD
As ’t please your Lordship. I’ll leave you.
FIRST LORD
As ’t please your Lordship. I’ll leave you.
He exits.
He exits.
BERTRAM  
Now will I lead you to the house and show you
The lass I spoke of.
BERTRAM  
Now will I lead you to the house and show you
The lass I spoke of.
SECOND LORD
115
But you say she’s honest.
SECOND LORD
But you say she’s honest.
BERTRAM
That’s all the fault. I spoke with her but once
And found her wondrous cold. But I sent to her,
By this same coxcomb that we have i’ th’ wind,
Tokens and letters, which she did re-send.
120
And this is all I have done. She’s a fair creature.
Will you go see her?
BERTRAM
That’s all the fault. I spoke with her but once
And found her wondrous cold. But I sent to her,
By this same coxcomb that we have i’ th’ wind,
Tokens and letters, which she did re-send.
And this is all I have done. She’s a fair creature.
Will you go see her?
SECOND LORD
With all my heart, my lord.
SECOND LORD
With all my heart, my lord.
They exit.
They exit.
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