No Fear Shakespeare: All's Well That Ends Well: Act 4 Scene 3

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All's Well That Ends Well

William Shakespeare

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Original Text

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter the two French LORDS and some two or three SOLDIERS.	Enter the two French LORDS and some two or three SOLDIERS.
FIRST LORD You have not given him his mother’s letter?	FIRST LORD You have not given him his mother’s letter?
SECOND LORD I have delivered it an hour since. There is something in ’t that stings his nature, for on the 5 reading it he changed almost into another man.	SECOND LORD I have delivered it an hour since. There is something in ’t that stings his nature, for on the reading it he changed almost into another man.
FIRST LORD He has much worthy blame laid upon him for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady.	FIRST LORD He has much worthy blame laid upon him for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady.
SECOND LORD Especially he hath incurred the everlasting displeasure of the King, who had even tuned 10 his bounty to sing happiness to him. I will tell you a thing, but you shall let it dwell darkly with you.	SECOND LORD Especially he hath incurred the everlasting displeasure of the King, who had even tuned his bounty to sing happiness to him. I will tell you a thing, but you shall let it dwell darkly with you.
FIRST LORD When you have spoken it, ’tis dead, and I am the grave of it.	FIRST LORD When you have spoken it, ’tis dead, and I am the grave of it.
SECOND LORD He hath perverted a young gentlewoman 15 here in Florence of a most chaste renown, and this night he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honor. He hath given her his monumental ring and thinks himself made in the unchaste composition.	SECOND LORD He hath perverted a young gentlewoman here in Florence of a most chaste renown, and this night he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honor. He hath given her his monumental ring and thinks himself made in the unchaste composition.
FIRST LORD Now God delay our rebellion! As we are 20 ourselves, what things are we!	FIRST LORD Now God delay our rebellion! As we are ourselves, what things are we!
SECOND LORD Merely our own traitors. And, as in the common course of all treasons we still see them reveal themselves till they attain to their abhorred ends, so he that in this action contrives against his 25 own nobility, in his proper stream o’erflows himself.	SECOND LORD Merely our own traitors. And, as in the common course of all treasons we still see them reveal themselves till they attain to their abhorred ends, so he that in this action contrives against his own nobility, in his proper stream o’erflows himself.
FIRST LORD Is it not meant damnable in us to be trumpeters of our unlawful intents? We shall not, then, have his company tonight?	FIRST LORD Is it not meant damnable in us to be trumpeters of our unlawful intents? We shall not, then, have his company tonight?
SECOND LORD 30 Not till after midnight, for he is dieted to his hour.	SECOND LORD Not till after midnight, for he is dieted to his hour.
FIRST LORD That approaches apace. I would gladly have him see his company anatomized, that he might take a measure of his own judgments 35 wherein so curiously he had set this counterfeit.	FIRST LORD That approaches apace. I would gladly have him see his company anatomized, that he might take a measure of his own judgments wherein so curiously he had set this counterfeit.
SECOND LORD We will not meddle with him till he come, for his presence must be the whip of the other.	SECOND LORD We will not meddle with him till he come, for his presence must be the whip of the other.
FIRST LORD In the meantime, what hear you of these 40 wars?	FIRST LORD In the meantime, what hear you of these wars?
SECOND LORD I hear there is an overture of peace.	SECOND LORD I hear there is an overture of peace.
FIRST LORD Nay, I assure you, a peace concluded.	FIRST LORD Nay, I assure you, a peace concluded.
SECOND LORD What will Count Rossillion do then? Will he travel higher or return again into France?	SECOND LORD What will Count Rossillion do then? Will he travel higher or return again into France?
FIRST LORD 45 I perceive by this demand you are not altogether of his counsel.	FIRST LORD I perceive by this demand you are not altogether of his counsel.
SECOND LORD Let it be forbid, sir! So should I be a great deal of his act.	SECOND LORD Let it be forbid, sir! So should I be a great deal of his act.
FIRST LORD Sir, his wife some two months since fled 50 from his house. Her pretense is a pilgrimage to Saint Jaques le Grand, which holy undertaking with most austere sanctimony she accomplished. And, there residing, the tenderness of her nature became as a prey to her grief; in fine, made a groan 55 of her last breath, and now she sings in heaven.	FIRST LORD Sir, his wife some two months since fled from his house. Her pretense is a pilgrimage to Saint Jaques le Grand, which holy undertaking with most austere sanctimony she accomplished. And, there residing, the tenderness of her nature became as a prey to her grief; in fine, made a groan of her last breath, and now she sings in heaven.
SECOND LORD How is this justified?	SECOND LORD How is this justified?
FIRST LORD The stronger part of it by her own letters, which makes her story true even to the point of her death. Her death itself, which could not be her office to say is come, was faithfully confirmed by 60 the rector of the place.	FIRST LORD The stronger part of it by her own letters, which makes her story true even to the point of her death. Her death itself, which could not be her office to say is come, was faithfully confirmed by the rector of the place.
SECOND LORD Hath the Count all this intelligence?	SECOND LORD Hath the Count all this intelligence?
FIRST LORD Ay, and the particular confirmations, point from point, to the full arming of the verity.	FIRST LORD Ay, and the particular confirmations, point from point, to the full arming of the verity.
SECOND LORD 65 I am heartily sorry that he’ll be glad of this.	SECOND LORD I am heartily sorry that he’ll be glad of this.
FIRST LORD How mightily sometimes we make us comforts of our losses.	FIRST LORD How mightily sometimes we make us comforts of our losses.
SECOND LORD And how mightily some other times we 70 drown our gain in tears. The great dignity that his valor hath here acquired for him shall at home be encountered with a shame as ample.	SECOND LORD And how mightily some other times we drown our gain in tears. The great dignity that his valor hath here acquired for him shall at home be encountered with a shame as ample.
FIRST LORD The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together. Our virtues would be proud 75i f our faults whipped them not, and our crimes would despair if they were not cherished by our virtues. Enter a SERVANT. How now? Where’s your master?	FIRST LORD The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together. Our virtues would be proud 75i f our faults whipped them not, and our crimes would despair if they were not cherished by our virtues. Enter a SERVANT. How now? Where’s your master?
SERVANT He met the Duke in the street, sir, of whom 80 he hath taken a solemn leave. His Lordship will next morning for France. The Duke hath offered him letters of commendations to the King.	SERVANT He met the Duke in the street, sir, of whom he hath taken a solemn leave. His Lordship will next morning for France. The Duke hath offered him letters of commendations to the King.
SECOND LORD They shall be no more than needful there, if they were more than they can commend. 85 They cannot be too sweet for the King’s tartness. Enter BERTRAM COUNT ROSSILLION. Here’s his Lordship now.—How now, my lord? Is ’t not after midnight?	SECOND LORD They shall be no more than needful there, if they were more than they can commend. They cannot be too sweet for the King’s tartness. Enter BERTRAM COUNT ROSSILLION. Here’s his Lordship now.—How now, my lord? Is ’t not after midnight?
BERTRAM I have tonight dispatched sixteen businesses, a month’s length apiece. By an abstract of 90 success: I have congeed with the Duke, done my adieu with his nearest, buried a wife, mourned for her, writ to my lady mother I am returning, entertained my convoy, and between these main parcels of dispatch effected many nicer needs. The last 95 was the greatest, but that I have not ended yet.	BERTRAM I have tonight dispatched sixteen businesses, a month’s length apiece. By an abstract of success: I have congeed with the Duke, done my adieu with his nearest, buried a wife, mourned for her, writ to my lady mother I am returning, entertained my convoy, and between these main parcels of dispatch effected many nicer needs. The last was the greatest, but that I have not ended yet.
SECOND LORD If the business be of any difficulty, and this morning your departure hence, it requires haste of your Lordship.	SECOND LORD If the business be of any difficulty, and this morning your departure hence, it requires haste of your Lordship.
BERTRAM I mean the business is not ended as fearing 100 to hear of it hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue between the Fool and the Soldier? Come, bring forth this counterfeit module; has deceived me like a double-meaning prophesier.	BERTRAM I mean the business is not ended as fearing to hear of it hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue between the Fool and the Soldier? Come, bring forth this counterfeit module; has deceived me like a double-meaning prophesier.
SECOND LORD Bring him forth. Has sat i’ th’ stocks 105 all night, poor gallant knave.	SECOND LORD Bring him forth. Has sat i’ th’ stocks all night, poor gallant knave.
SOLDIERS exit.	SOLDIERS exit.
BERTRAM No matter. His heels have deserved it in usurping his spurs so long. How does he carry Himself?	BERTRAM No matter. His heels have deserved it in usurping his spurs so long. How does he carry Himself?
SECOND LORD I have told your Lordship already: the 110 stocks carry him. But to answer you as you would be understood: he weeps like a wench that had shed her milk. He hath confessed himself to Morgan, whom he supposes to be a friar, from the time of his remembrance to this very instant disaster of 115 his setting i’ th’ stocks. And what think you he hath confessed?	SECOND LORD I have told your Lordship already: the stocks carry him. But to answer you as you would be understood: he weeps like a wench that had shed her milk. He hath confessed himself to Morgan, whom he supposes to be a friar, from the time of his remembrance to this very instant disaster of his setting i’ th’ stocks. And what think you he hath confessed?
BERTRAM Nothing of me, has he?	BERTRAM Nothing of me, has he?
SECOND LORD His confession is taken, and it shall be read to his face. If your Lordship be in ’t, as I 120 believe you are, you must have the patience to hear it.	SECOND LORD His confession is taken, and it shall be read to his face. If your Lordship be in ’t, as I believe you are, you must have the patience to hear it.

Original Text	Modern Text
Enter the two French LORDS and some two or three SOLDIERS.	Enter the two French LORDS and some two or three SOLDIERS.
FIRST LORD You have not given him his mother’s letter?	FIRST LORD You have not given him his mother’s letter?
SECOND LORD I have delivered it an hour since. There is something in ’t that stings his nature, for on the 5 reading it he changed almost into another man.	SECOND LORD I have delivered it an hour since. There is something in ’t that stings his nature, for on the reading it he changed almost into another man.
FIRST LORD He has much worthy blame laid upon him for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady.	FIRST LORD He has much worthy blame laid upon him for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady.
SECOND LORD Especially he hath incurred the everlasting displeasure of the King, who had even tuned 10 his bounty to sing happiness to him. I will tell you a thing, but you shall let it dwell darkly with you.	SECOND LORD Especially he hath incurred the everlasting displeasure of the King, who had even tuned his bounty to sing happiness to him. I will tell you a thing, but you shall let it dwell darkly with you.
FIRST LORD When you have spoken it, ’tis dead, and I am the grave of it.	FIRST LORD When you have spoken it, ’tis dead, and I am the grave of it.
SECOND LORD He hath perverted a young gentlewoman 15 here in Florence of a most chaste renown, and this night he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honor. He hath given her his monumental ring and thinks himself made in the unchaste composition.	SECOND LORD He hath perverted a young gentlewoman here in Florence of a most chaste renown, and this night he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honor. He hath given her his monumental ring and thinks himself made in the unchaste composition.
FIRST LORD Now God delay our rebellion! As we are 20 ourselves, what things are we!	FIRST LORD Now God delay our rebellion! As we are ourselves, what things are we!
SECOND LORD Merely our own traitors. And, as in the common course of all treasons we still see them reveal themselves till they attain to their abhorred ends, so he that in this action contrives against his 25 own nobility, in his proper stream o’erflows himself.	SECOND LORD Merely our own traitors. And, as in the common course of all treasons we still see them reveal themselves till they attain to their abhorred ends, so he that in this action contrives against his own nobility, in his proper stream o’erflows himself.
FIRST LORD Is it not meant damnable in us to be trumpeters of our unlawful intents? We shall not, then, have his company tonight?	FIRST LORD Is it not meant damnable in us to be trumpeters of our unlawful intents? We shall not, then, have his company tonight?
SECOND LORD 30 Not till after midnight, for he is dieted to his hour.	SECOND LORD Not till after midnight, for he is dieted to his hour.
FIRST LORD That approaches apace. I would gladly have him see his company anatomized, that he might take a measure of his own judgments 35 wherein so curiously he had set this counterfeit.	FIRST LORD That approaches apace. I would gladly have him see his company anatomized, that he might take a measure of his own judgments wherein so curiously he had set this counterfeit.
SECOND LORD We will not meddle with him till he come, for his presence must be the whip of the other.	SECOND LORD We will not meddle with him till he come, for his presence must be the whip of the other.
FIRST LORD In the meantime, what hear you of these 40 wars?	FIRST LORD In the meantime, what hear you of these wars?
SECOND LORD I hear there is an overture of peace.	SECOND LORD I hear there is an overture of peace.
FIRST LORD Nay, I assure you, a peace concluded.	FIRST LORD Nay, I assure you, a peace concluded.
SECOND LORD What will Count Rossillion do then? Will he travel higher or return again into France?	SECOND LORD What will Count Rossillion do then? Will he travel higher or return again into France?
FIRST LORD 45 I perceive by this demand you are not altogether of his counsel.	FIRST LORD I perceive by this demand you are not altogether of his counsel.
SECOND LORD Let it be forbid, sir! So should I be a great deal of his act.	SECOND LORD Let it be forbid, sir! So should I be a great deal of his act.
FIRST LORD Sir, his wife some two months since fled 50 from his house. Her pretense is a pilgrimage to Saint Jaques le Grand, which holy undertaking with most austere sanctimony she accomplished. And, there residing, the tenderness of her nature became as a prey to her grief; in fine, made a groan 55 of her last breath, and now she sings in heaven.	FIRST LORD Sir, his wife some two months since fled from his house. Her pretense is a pilgrimage to Saint Jaques le Grand, which holy undertaking with most austere sanctimony she accomplished. And, there residing, the tenderness of her nature became as a prey to her grief; in fine, made a groan of her last breath, and now she sings in heaven.
SECOND LORD How is this justified?	SECOND LORD How is this justified?
FIRST LORD The stronger part of it by her own letters, which makes her story true even to the point of her death. Her death itself, which could not be her office to say is come, was faithfully confirmed by 60 the rector of the place.	FIRST LORD The stronger part of it by her own letters, which makes her story true even to the point of her death. Her death itself, which could not be her office to say is come, was faithfully confirmed by the rector of the place.
SECOND LORD Hath the Count all this intelligence?	SECOND LORD Hath the Count all this intelligence?
FIRST LORD Ay, and the particular confirmations, point from point, to the full arming of the verity.	FIRST LORD Ay, and the particular confirmations, point from point, to the full arming of the verity.
SECOND LORD 65 I am heartily sorry that he’ll be glad of this.	SECOND LORD I am heartily sorry that he’ll be glad of this.
FIRST LORD How mightily sometimes we make us comforts of our losses.	FIRST LORD How mightily sometimes we make us comforts of our losses.
SECOND LORD And how mightily some other times we 70 drown our gain in tears. The great dignity that his valor hath here acquired for him shall at home be encountered with a shame as ample.	SECOND LORD And how mightily some other times we drown our gain in tears. The great dignity that his valor hath here acquired for him shall at home be encountered with a shame as ample.
FIRST LORD The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together. Our virtues would be proud 75i f our faults whipped them not, and our crimes would despair if they were not cherished by our virtues. Enter a SERVANT. How now? Where’s your master?	FIRST LORD The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together. Our virtues would be proud 75i f our faults whipped them not, and our crimes would despair if they were not cherished by our virtues. Enter a SERVANT. How now? Where’s your master?
SERVANT He met the Duke in the street, sir, of whom 80 he hath taken a solemn leave. His Lordship will next morning for France. The Duke hath offered him letters of commendations to the King.	SERVANT He met the Duke in the street, sir, of whom he hath taken a solemn leave. His Lordship will next morning for France. The Duke hath offered him letters of commendations to the King.
SECOND LORD They shall be no more than needful there, if they were more than they can commend. 85 They cannot be too sweet for the King’s tartness. Enter BERTRAM COUNT ROSSILLION. Here’s his Lordship now.—How now, my lord? Is ’t not after midnight?	SECOND LORD They shall be no more than needful there, if they were more than they can commend. They cannot be too sweet for the King’s tartness. Enter BERTRAM COUNT ROSSILLION. Here’s his Lordship now.—How now, my lord? Is ’t not after midnight?
BERTRAM I have tonight dispatched sixteen businesses, a month’s length apiece. By an abstract of 90 success: I have congeed with the Duke, done my adieu with his nearest, buried a wife, mourned for her, writ to my lady mother I am returning, entertained my convoy, and between these main parcels of dispatch effected many nicer needs. The last 95 was the greatest, but that I have not ended yet.	BERTRAM I have tonight dispatched sixteen businesses, a month’s length apiece. By an abstract of success: I have congeed with the Duke, done my adieu with his nearest, buried a wife, mourned for her, writ to my lady mother I am returning, entertained my convoy, and between these main parcels of dispatch effected many nicer needs. The last was the greatest, but that I have not ended yet.
SECOND LORD If the business be of any difficulty, and this morning your departure hence, it requires haste of your Lordship.	SECOND LORD If the business be of any difficulty, and this morning your departure hence, it requires haste of your Lordship.
BERTRAM I mean the business is not ended as fearing 100 to hear of it hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue between the Fool and the Soldier? Come, bring forth this counterfeit module; has deceived me like a double-meaning prophesier.	BERTRAM I mean the business is not ended as fearing to hear of it hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue between the Fool and the Soldier? Come, bring forth this counterfeit module; has deceived me like a double-meaning prophesier.
SECOND LORD Bring him forth. Has sat i’ th’ stocks 105 all night, poor gallant knave.	SECOND LORD Bring him forth. Has sat i’ th’ stocks all night, poor gallant knave.
SOLDIERS exit.	SOLDIERS exit.
BERTRAM No matter. His heels have deserved it in usurping his spurs so long. How does he carry Himself?	BERTRAM No matter. His heels have deserved it in usurping his spurs so long. How does he carry Himself?
SECOND LORD I have told your Lordship already: the 110 stocks carry him. But to answer you as you would be understood: he weeps like a wench that had shed her milk. He hath confessed himself to Morgan, whom he supposes to be a friar, from the time of his remembrance to this very instant disaster of 115 his setting i’ th’ stocks. And what think you he hath confessed?	SECOND LORD I have told your Lordship already: the stocks carry him. But to answer you as you would be understood: he weeps like a wench that had shed her milk. He hath confessed himself to Morgan, whom he supposes to be a friar, from the time of his remembrance to this very instant disaster of his setting i’ th’ stocks. And what think you he hath confessed?
BERTRAM Nothing of me, has he?	BERTRAM Nothing of me, has he?
SECOND LORD His confession is taken, and it shall be read to his face. If your Lordship be in ’t, as I 120 believe you are, you must have the patience to hear it.	SECOND LORD His confession is taken, and it shall be read to his face. If your Lordship be in ’t, as I believe you are, you must have the patience to hear it.