Previous Next
 

Continue reading with a SparkNotes PLUS trial

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter HELEN, the WIDOW, and DIANA.
Enter HELEN, the WIDOW, and DIANA.
HELEN  
That you may well perceive I have not wronged you,
One of the greatest in the Christian world
Shall be my surety, ’fore whose throne ’tis needful,
Ere I can perfect mine intents, to kneel.
5
Time was, I did him a desirèd office
Dear almost as his life, which gratitude
Through flinty Tartar’s bosom would peep forth
And answer thanks. I duly am informed
His Grace is at Marseilles, to which place
10
We have convenient convoy. You must know
I am supposèd dead. The army breaking,
My husband hies him home, where, heaven aiding
And by the leave of my good lord the King,
We’ll be before our welcome.
HELEN  
That you may well perceive I have not wronged you,
One of the greatest in the Christian world
Shall be my surety, ’fore whose throne ’tis needful,
Ere I can perfect mine intents, to kneel.
Time was, I did him a desirèd office
Dear almost as his life, which gratitude
Through flinty Tartar’s bosom would peep forth
And answer thanks. I duly am informed
His Grace is at Marseilles, to which place
We have convenient convoy. You must know
I am supposèd dead. The army breaking,
My husband hies him home, where, heaven aiding
And by the leave of my good lord the King,
We’ll be before our welcome.
WIDOW  
15
Gentle madam,
You never had a servant to whose trust
Your business was more welcome.
WIDOW  
Gentle madam,
You never had a servant to whose trust
Your business was more welcome.
HELEN
Nor you, mistress,
Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labor
20
To recompense your love. Doubt not but heaven
Hath brought me up to be your daughter’s dower,
As it hath fated her to be my motive
And helper to a husband. But O, strange men,
That can such sweet use make of what they hate
25
When saucy trusting of the cozened thoughts
Defiles the pitchy night! So lust doth play
With what it loathes for that which is away.
But more of this hereafter.—You, Diana,
Under my poor instructions yet must suffer
30
Something in my behalf.
HELEN
Nor you, mistress,
Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labor
To recompense your love. Doubt not but heaven
Hath brought me up to be your daughter’s dower,
As it hath fated her to be my motive
And helper to a husband. But O, strange men,
That can such sweet use make of what they hate
When saucy trusting of the cozened thoughts
Defiles the pitchy night! So lust doth play
With what it loathes for that which is away.
But more of this hereafter.—You, Diana,
Under my poor instructions yet must suffer
Something in my behalf.
DIANA  
Let death and honesty
Go with your impositions, I am yours
Upon your will to suffer.
DIANA  
Let death and honesty
Go with your impositions, I am yours
Upon your will to suffer.
HELEN  
Yet, I pray you—
35
But with the word “The time will bring on summer,”
When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns
And be as sweet as sharp. We must away.
Our wagon is prepared, and time revives us.
All’s well that ends well. Still the fine’s the crown.
40
Whate’er the course, the end is the renown.
HELEN  
Yet, I pray you—
But with the word “The time will bring on summer,”
When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns
And be as sweet as sharp. We must away.
Our wagon is prepared, and time revives us.
All’s well that ends well. Still the fine’s the crown.
Whate’er the course, the end is the renown.
They exit.
They exit.

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter HELEN, the WIDOW, and DIANA.
Enter HELEN, the WIDOW, and DIANA.
HELEN  
That you may well perceive I have not wronged you,
One of the greatest in the Christian world
Shall be my surety, ’fore whose throne ’tis needful,
Ere I can perfect mine intents, to kneel.
5
Time was, I did him a desirèd office
Dear almost as his life, which gratitude
Through flinty Tartar’s bosom would peep forth
And answer thanks. I duly am informed
His Grace is at Marseilles, to which place
10
We have convenient convoy. You must know
I am supposèd dead. The army breaking,
My husband hies him home, where, heaven aiding
And by the leave of my good lord the King,
We’ll be before our welcome.
HELEN  
That you may well perceive I have not wronged you,
One of the greatest in the Christian world
Shall be my surety, ’fore whose throne ’tis needful,
Ere I can perfect mine intents, to kneel.
Time was, I did him a desirèd office
Dear almost as his life, which gratitude
Through flinty Tartar’s bosom would peep forth
And answer thanks. I duly am informed
His Grace is at Marseilles, to which place
We have convenient convoy. You must know
I am supposèd dead. The army breaking,
My husband hies him home, where, heaven aiding
And by the leave of my good lord the King,
We’ll be before our welcome.
WIDOW  
15
Gentle madam,
You never had a servant to whose trust
Your business was more welcome.
WIDOW  
Gentle madam,
You never had a servant to whose trust
Your business was more welcome.
HELEN
Nor you, mistress,
Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labor
20
To recompense your love. Doubt not but heaven
Hath brought me up to be your daughter’s dower,
As it hath fated her to be my motive
And helper to a husband. But O, strange men,
That can such sweet use make of what they hate
25
When saucy trusting of the cozened thoughts
Defiles the pitchy night! So lust doth play
With what it loathes for that which is away.
But more of this hereafter.—You, Diana,
Under my poor instructions yet must suffer
30
Something in my behalf.
HELEN
Nor you, mistress,
Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labor
To recompense your love. Doubt not but heaven
Hath brought me up to be your daughter’s dower,
As it hath fated her to be my motive
And helper to a husband. But O, strange men,
That can such sweet use make of what they hate
When saucy trusting of the cozened thoughts
Defiles the pitchy night! So lust doth play
With what it loathes for that which is away.
But more of this hereafter.—You, Diana,
Under my poor instructions yet must suffer
Something in my behalf.
DIANA  
Let death and honesty
Go with your impositions, I am yours
Upon your will to suffer.
DIANA  
Let death and honesty
Go with your impositions, I am yours
Upon your will to suffer.
HELEN  
Yet, I pray you—
35
But with the word “The time will bring on summer,”
When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns
And be as sweet as sharp. We must away.
Our wagon is prepared, and time revives us.
All’s well that ends well. Still the fine’s the crown.
40
Whate’er the course, the end is the renown.
HELEN  
Yet, I pray you—
But with the word “The time will bring on summer,”
When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns
And be as sweet as sharp. We must away.
Our wagon is prepared, and time revives us.
All’s well that ends well. Still the fine’s the crown.
Whate’er the course, the end is the renown.
They exit.
They exit.
Previous page Act 4, Scene 3 Next page Act 4, Scene 5

Popular pages: All's Well That Ends Well

Take a Study Break