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Flourish. Enter KING, COUNTESS, LAFEW, the two French
LORDS, with ATTENDANTS.
Flourish. Enter KING, COUNTESS, LAFEW, the two French
LORDS, with ATTENDANTS.
KING  
We lost a jewel of her, and our esteem
Was made much poorer by it. But your son,
As mad in folly, lacked the sense to know
Her estimation home.
KING  
We lost a jewel of her, and our esteem
Was made much poorer by it. But your son,
As mad in folly, lacked the sense to know
Her estimation home.
COUNTESS  
5
’Tis past, my liege,
And I beseech your Majesty to make it
Natural rebellion done i’ th’ blade of youth,
When oil and fire, too strong for reason’s force,
O’erbears it and burns on.
COUNTESS  
’Tis past, my liege,
And I beseech your Majesty to make it
Natural rebellion done i’ th’ blade of youth,
When oil and fire, too strong for reason’s force,
O’erbears it and burns on.
KING  
10
My honored lady,
I have forgiven and forgotten all,
Though my revenges were high bent upon him
And watched the time to shoot.
KING  
My honored lady,
I have forgiven and forgotten all,
Though my revenges were high bent upon him
And watched the time to shoot.
LAFEW  
This I must say—
15
But first I beg my pardon: the young lord
Did to his Majesty, his mother, and his lady
Offense of mighty note, but to himself
The greatest wrong of all. He lost a wife
Whose beauty did astonish the survey
20
Of richest eyes, whose words all ears took captive,
Whose dear perfection hearts that scorned to serve
Humbly called mistress.
LAFEW  
This I must say—
But first I beg my pardon: the young lord
Did to his Majesty, his mother, and his lady
Offense of mighty note, but to himself
The greatest wrong of all. He lost a wife
Whose beauty did astonish the survey
Of richest eyes, whose words all ears took captive,
Whose dear perfection hearts that scorned to serve
Humbly called mistress.
KING  
Praising what is lost
Makes the remembrance dear. Well, call him hither.
25
We are reconciled, and the first view shall kill
All repetition. Let him not ask our pardon.
The nature of his great offense is dead,
And deeper than oblivion we do bury
Th’ incensing relics of it. Let him approach
30
A stranger, no offender, and inform him
So ’tis our will he should.
KING  
Praising what is lost
Makes the remembrance dear. Well, call him hither.
We are reconciled, and the first view shall kill
All repetition. Let him not ask our pardon.
The nature of his great offense is dead,
And deeper than oblivion we do bury
Th’ incensing relics of it. Let him approach
A stranger, no offender, and inform him
So ’tis our will he should.
GENTLEMAN  
I shall, my liege.
GENTLEMAN  
I shall, my liege.
GENTLEMAN exits.
GENTLEMAN exits.
KING  
What says he to your daughter? Have you spoke?
KING  
What says he to your daughter? Have you spoke?
LAFEW  
All that he is hath reference to your Highness.
LAFEW  
All that he is hath reference to your Highness.
KING  
35
Then shall we have a match. I have letters sent me
That sets him high in fame.
KING  
Then shall we have a match. I have letters sent me
That sets him high in fame.
Enter COUNT BERTRAM.
Enter COUNT BERTRAM.
LAFEW  
He looks well on ’t.
LAFEW  
He looks well on ’t.
KING  
I am not a day of season,
For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail
40
In me at once. But to the brightest beams
Distracted clouds give way. So stand thou forth.
The time is fair again.
KING  
I am not a day of season,
For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail
In me at once. But to the brightest beams
Distracted clouds give way. So stand thou forth.
The time is fair again.
BERTRAM  
My high-repented blames,
Dear sovereign, pardon to me.
BERTRAM  
My high-repented blames,
Dear sovereign, pardon to me.
KING  
45
All is whole.
Not one word more of the consumèd time.
Let’s take the instant by the forward top,
For we are old, and on our quick’st decrees
Th’ inaudible and noiseless foot of time
50
Steals ere we can effect them. You remember
The daughter of this lord?
KING  
All is whole.
Not one word more of the consumèd time.
Let’s take the instant by the forward top,
For we are old, and on our quick’st decrees
Th’ inaudible and noiseless foot of time
Steals ere we can effect them. You remember
The daughter of this lord?
BERTRAM  
Admiringly, my liege. At first
I stuck my choice upon her, ere my heart
Durst make too bold a herald of my tongue;
55
Where the impression of mine eye infixing,
Contempt his scornful perspective did lend me,
Which warped the line of every other favor,
Scorned a fair color or expressed it stol’n,
Extended or contracted all proportions
60
To a most hideous object. Thence it came
That she whom all men praised and whom myself,
Since I have lost, have loved, was in mine eye
The dust that did offend it.
BERTRAM  
Admiringly, my liege. At first
I stuck my choice upon her, ere my heart
Durst make too bold a herald of my tongue;
Where the impression of mine eye infixing,
Contempt his scornful perspective did lend me,
Which warped the line of every other favor,
Scorned a fair color or expressed it stol’n,
Extended or contracted all proportions
To a most hideous object. Thence it came
That she whom all men praised and whom myself,
Since I have lost, have loved, was in mine eye
The dust that did offend it.
KING  
Well excused.
65
That thou didst love her strikes some scores away
From the great compt. But love that comes too late,
Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried,
To the great sender turns a sour offense,
Crying “That’s good that’s gone!” Our rash faults
70
Make trivial price of serious things we have,
Not knowing them until we know their grave.
Oft our displeasures, to ourselves unjust,
Destroy our friends and after weep their dust.
Our own love, waking, cries to see what’s done,
75
While shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon.
Be this sweet Helen’s knell, and now forget her.
Send forth your amorous token for fair Maudlin.
The main consents are had, and here we’ll stay
To see our widower’s second marriage day.
KING  
Well excused.
That thou didst love her strikes some scores away
From the great compt. But love that comes too late,
Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried,
To the great sender turns a sour offense,
Crying “That’s good that’s gone!” Our rash faults
Make trivial price of serious things we have,
Not knowing them until we know their grave.
Oft our displeasures, to ourselves unjust,
Destroy our friends and after weep their dust.
Our own love, waking, cries to see what’s done,
While shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon.
Be this sweet Helen’s knell, and now forget her.
Send forth your amorous token for fair Maudlin.
The main consents are had, and here we’ll stay
To see our widower’s second marriage day.
COUNTESS  
80
Which better than the first, O dear heaven, bless,
Or, ere they meet, in me, O nature, cesse!
COUNTESS  
Which better than the first, O dear heaven, bless,
Or, ere they meet, in me, O nature, cesse!
LAFEW  
Come on, my son, in whom my house’s name
Must be digested, give a favor from you
To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter,
85
That she may quickly come.
LAFEW  
Come on, my son, in whom my house’s name
Must be digested, give a favor from you
To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter,
That she may quickly come.
BERTRAM gives him a ring.
BERTRAM gives him a ring.
By my old beard
And ev’ry hair that’s on ’t, Helen that’s dead
Was a sweet creature. Such a ring as this,
The last that e’er I took her leave at court,
90
I saw upon her finger.
By my old beard
And ev’ry hair that’s on ’t, Helen that’s dead
Was a sweet creature. Such a ring as this,
The last that e’er I took her leave at court,
I saw upon her finger.
BERTRAM  
Hers it was not.
BERTRAM  
Hers it was not.
KING  
Now, pray you, let me see it, for mine eye,
While I was speaking, oft was fastened to ’t.
KING  
Now, pray you, let me see it, for mine eye,
While I was speaking, oft was fastened to ’t.
LAFEW passes the ring to the KING.
LAFEW passes the ring to the KING.
This ring was mine, and when I gave it Helen,
95
I bade her if her fortunes ever stood
Necessitied to help, that by this token
I would relieve her. To BERTRAM. Had you that craft to
reave her
Of what should stead her most?
This ring was mine, and when I gave it Helen,
I bade her if her fortunes ever stood
Necessitied to help, that by this token
I would relieve her. To BERTRAM. Had you that craft to
reave her
Of what should stead her most?
BERTRAM  
100
My gracious
sovereign,
Howe’er it pleases you to take it so,
The ring was never hers.
BERTRAM  
My gracious
sovereign,
Howe’er it pleases you to take it so,
The ring was never hers.
COUNTESS  
Son, on my life,
105
I have seen her wear it, and she reckoned it
At her life’s rate.
COUNTESS  
Son, on my life,
I have seen her wear it, and she reckoned it
At her life’s rate.
LAFEW  
I am sure I saw her wear it.
LAFEW  
I am sure I saw her wear it.
BERTRAM  
You are deceived, my lord. She never saw it.
In Florence was it from a casement thrown me,
110
Wrapped in a paper which contained the name
Of her that threw it. Noble she was, and thought
I stood ungaged, but when I had subscribed
To mine own fortune and informed her fully
I could not answer in that course of honor
115
As she had made the overture, she ceased
In heavy satisfaction and would never
Receive the ring again.
BERTRAM  
You are deceived, my lord. She never saw it.
In Florence was it from a casement thrown me,
Wrapped in a paper which contained the name
Of her that threw it. Noble she was, and thought
I stood ungaged, but when I had subscribed
To mine own fortune and informed her fully
I could not answer in that course of honor
As she had made the overture, she ceased
In heavy satisfaction and would never
Receive the ring again.
KING  
Plutus himself,
That knows the tinct and multiplying med’cine,
120
Hath not in nature’s mystery more science
Than I have in this ring. ’Twas mine, ’twas Helen’s,
Whoever gave it you. Then if you know
That you are well acquainted with yourself,
Confess ’twas hers and by what rough enforcement
125
You got it from her. She called the saints to surety
That she would never put it from her finger
Unless she gave it to yourself in bed,
Where you have never come, or sent it us
Upon her great disaster.
KING  
Plutus himself,
That knows the tinct and multiplying med’cine,
Hath not in nature’s mystery more science
Than I have in this ring. ’Twas mine, ’twas Helen’s,
Whoever gave it you. Then if you know
That you are well acquainted with yourself,
Confess ’twas hers and by what rough enforcement
You got it from her. She called the saints to surety
That she would never put it from her finger
Unless she gave it to yourself in bed,
Where you have never come, or sent it us
Upon her great disaster.
BERTRAM  
130
She never saw it.
BERTRAM  
She never saw it.
KING  
Thou speak’st it falsely, as I love mine honor,
And mak’st conjectural fears to come into me
Which I would fain shut out. If it should prove
That thou art so inhuman—’twill not prove so,
135
And yet I know not. Thou didst hate her deadly,
And she is dead, which nothing but to close
Her eyes myself could win me to believe
More than to see this ring.—Take him away.
My forepast proofs, howe’er the matter fall,
140
Shall tax my fears of little vanity,
Having vainly feared too little. Away with him.
We’ll sift this matter further.
KING  
Thou speak’st it falsely, as I love mine honor,
And mak’st conjectural fears to come into me
Which I would fain shut out. If it should prove
That thou art so inhuman—’twill not prove so,
And yet I know not. Thou didst hate her deadly,
And she is dead, which nothing but to close
Her eyes myself could win me to believe
More than to see this ring.—Take him away.
My forepast proofs, howe’er the matter fall,
Shall tax my fears of little vanity,
Having vainly feared too little. Away with him.
We’ll sift this matter further.
BERTRAM  
If you shall prove
This ring was ever hers, you shall as easy
145
Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence,
Where yet she never was.
BERTRAM  
If you shall prove
This ring was ever hers, you shall as easy
Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence,
Where yet she never was.
BERTRAM exits, under guard.
BERTRAM exits, under guard.
KING  
I am wrapped in dismal thinkings.
KING  
I am wrapped in dismal thinkings.
Enter a GENTLEMAN.
Enter a GENTLEMAN.
GENTLEMAN  
Gracious sovereign,
Whether I have been to blame or no, I know not.
GENTLEMAN  
Gracious sovereign,
Whether I have been to blame or no, I know not.
He gives the KING a paper.
He gives the KING a paper.
150
Here’s a petition from a Florentine
Who hath for four or five removes come short
To tender it herself. I undertook it,
Vanquished thereto by the fair grace and speech
Of the poor suppliant, who, by this, I know
155
Is here attending. Her business looks in her
With an importing visage, and she told me,
In a sweet verbal brief, it did concern
Your Highness with herself.
Here’s a petition from a Florentine
Who hath for four or five removes come short
To tender it herself. I undertook it,
Vanquished thereto by the fair grace and speech
Of the poor suppliant, who, by this, I know
Is here attending. Her business looks in her
With an importing visage, and she told me,
In a sweet verbal brief, it did concern
Your Highness with herself.
KING  
(reads) Upon his many protestations to marry me
160
when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, he won
me. Now is the Count Rossillion a widower, his
vows are forfeited to me and my honor’s paid to him.
He stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I follow
him to his country for justice. Grant it me, O king.
165
In you it best lies. Otherwise a seducer flourishes,
and a poor maid is undone.
Diana Capilet.
KING  
(reads) Upon his many protestations to marry me
when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, he won
me. Now is the Count Rossillion a widower, his
vows are forfeited to me and my honor’s paid to him.
He stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I follow
him to his country for justice. Grant it me, O king.
In you it best lies. Otherwise a seducer flourishes,
and a poor maid is undone.
Diana Capilet.
LAFEW  
I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll for
this. I’ll none of him.
LAFEW  
I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll for
this. I’ll none of him.
KING  
170
The heavens have thought well on thee, Lafew,
To bring forth this discov’ry.—Seek these suitors.
Go speedily, and bring again the Count.
KING  
The heavens have thought well on thee, Lafew,
To bring forth this discov’ry.—Seek these suitors.
Go speedily, and bring again the Count.
GENTLEMAN and ATTENDANTS exit.
GENTLEMAN and ATTENDANTS exit.
I am afeard the life of Helen, lady,
Was foully snatched.
I am afeard the life of Helen, lady,
Was foully snatched.
COUNTESS  
175
Now justice on the doers!
COUNTESS  
Now justice on the doers!
Enter BERTRAM under guard.
Enter BERTRAM under guard.
KING  
I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to you
And that you fly them as you swear them lordship,
Yet you desire to marry.
KING  
I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to you
And that you fly them as you swear them lordship,
Yet you desire to marry.
Enter WIDOW and DIANA.
Enter WIDOW and DIANA.
What woman’s that?
What woman’s that?
DIANA  
180
I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine,
Derivèd from the ancient Capilet.
My suit, as I do understand, you know
And therefore know how far I may be pitied.
DIANA  
I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine,
Derivèd from the ancient Capilet.
My suit, as I do understand, you know
And therefore know how far I may be pitied.
WIDOW  
I am her mother, sir, whose age and honor
185
Both suffer under this complaint we bring,
And both shall cease without your remedy.
WIDOW  
I am her mother, sir, whose age and honor
Both suffer under this complaint we bring,
And both shall cease without your remedy.
KING  
Come hither, count. Do you know these women?
KING  
Come hither, count. Do you know these women?
BERTRAM  
My lord, I neither can nor will deny
But that I know them. Do they charge me further?
BERTRAM  
My lord, I neither can nor will deny
But that I know them. Do they charge me further?
DIANA  
190
Why do you look so strange upon your wife?
DIANA  
Why do you look so strange upon your wife?
BERTRAM  
She’s none of mine, my lord.
BERTRAM  
She’s none of mine, my lord.
DIANA  
If you shall marry,
You give away this hand, and that is mine;
You give away heaven’s vows, and those are mine;
195
You give away myself, which is known mine,
For I by vow am so embodied yours
That she which marries you must marry me,
Either both or none.
DIANA  
If you shall marry,
You give away this hand, and that is mine;
You give away heaven’s vows, and those are mine;
You give away myself, which is known mine,
For I by vow am so embodied yours
That she which marries you must marry me,
Either both or none.
LAFEW
to BERTRAM Your reputation comes too short
200
for my daughter. You are no husband for her.
LAFEW
to BERTRAM Your reputation comes too short
for my daughter. You are no husband for her.
BERTRAM
to the KING My lord, this is a fond and desp’rate creature
Whom sometime I have laughed with. Let your
Highness
Lay a more noble thought upon mine honor
205
Than for to think that I would sink it here.
BERTRAM
to the KING My lord, this is a fond and desp’rate creature
Whom sometime I have laughed with. Let your
Highness
Lay a more noble thought upon mine honor
Than for to think that I would sink it here.
KING  
Sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to friend
Till your deeds gain them. Fairer prove your honor
Than in my thought it lies.
KING  
Sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to friend
Till your deeds gain them. Fairer prove your honor
Than in my thought it lies.
DIANA  
Good my lord,
210
Ask him upon his oath if he does think
He had not my virginity.
DIANA  
Good my lord,
Ask him upon his oath if he does think
He had not my virginity.
KING  
What sayst thou to her?
KING  
What sayst thou to her?
BERTRAM
She’s impudent, my lord,
And was a common gamester to the camp.
BERTRAM
She’s impudent, my lord,
And was a common gamester to the camp.
DIANA  
215
He does me wrong, my lord. If I were so,
He might have bought me at a common price.
Do not believe him. O, behold this ring,
Whose high respect and rich validity
Did lack a parallel. Yet for all that
220
He gave it to a commoner o’ th’ camp,
If I be one.
DIANA  
He does me wrong, my lord. If I were so,
He might have bought me at a common price.
Do not believe him. O, behold this ring,
Whose high respect and rich validity
Did lack a parallel. Yet for all that
He gave it to a commoner o’ th’ camp,
If I be one.
COUNTESS  
He blushes, and ’tis hit.
Of six preceding ancestors that gem,
Conferred by testament to th’ sequent issue,
225
Hath it been owed and worn. This is his wife.
That ring’s a thousand proofs.
COUNTESS  
He blushes, and ’tis hit.
Of six preceding ancestors that gem,
Conferred by testament to th’ sequent issue,
Hath it been owed and worn. This is his wife.
That ring’s a thousand proofs.
KING  
to DIANA Methought you said
You saw one here in court could witness it.
KING  
to DIANA Methought you said
You saw one here in court could witness it.
DIANA  
I did, my lord, but loath am to produce
230
So bad an instrument. His name’s Parolles.
DIANA  
I did, my lord, but loath am to produce
So bad an instrument. His name’s Parolles.
LAFEW  
I saw the man today, if man he be.
LAFEW  
I saw the man today, if man he be.
KING  
Find him, and bring him hither.
KING  
Find him, and bring him hither.
ATTENDANT exits.
ATTENDANT exits.
BERTRAM  
What of him?
He’s quoted for a most perfidious slave,
235
With all the spots o’ th’ world taxed and debauched,
Whose nature sickens but to speak a truth.
Am I or that or this for what he’ll utter,
That will speak anything?
BERTRAM  
What of him?
He’s quoted for a most perfidious slave,
With all the spots o’ th’ world taxed and debauched,
Whose nature sickens but to speak a truth.
Am I or that or this for what he’ll utter,
That will speak anything?
KING  
She hath that ring of yours.
KING  
She hath that ring of yours.
BERTRAM  
240
I think she has. Certain it is I liked her
And boarded her i’ th’ wanton way of youth.
She knew her distance and did angle for me,
Madding my eagerness with her restraint,
As all impediments in fancy’s course
245
Are motives of more fancy; and in fine
Her infinite cunning with her modern grace
Subdued me to her rate. She got the ring,
And I had that which any inferior might
At market price have bought.
BERTRAM  
I think she has. Certain it is I liked her
And boarded her i’ th’ wanton way of youth.
She knew her distance and did angle for me,
Madding my eagerness with her restraint,
As all impediments in fancy’s course
Are motives of more fancy; and in fine
Her infinite cunning with her modern grace
Subdued me to her rate. She got the ring,
And I had that which any inferior might
At market price have bought.
DIANA  
250
I must be patient.
You that have turned off a first so noble wife
May justly diet me. I pray you yet—
Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband—
Send for your ring. I will return it home,
255
And give me mine again.
DIANA  
I must be patient.
You that have turned off a first so noble wife
May justly diet me. I pray you yet—
Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband—
Send for your ring. I will return it home,
And give me mine again.
BERTRAM  
I have it not.
BERTRAM  
I have it not.
KING  
to DIANA What ring was yours, I pray you?
KING  
to DIANA What ring was yours, I pray you?
DIANA  
Sir, much like the same upon your finger.
DIANA  
Sir, much like the same upon your finger.
KING  
Know you this ring? This ring was his of late.
KING  
Know you this ring? This ring was his of late.
DIANA  
260
And this was it I gave him, being abed.
DIANA  
And this was it I gave him, being abed.
KING  
The story, then, goes false you threw it him
Out of a casement?
KING  
The story, then, goes false you threw it him
Out of a casement?
DIANA  
I have spoke the truth.
DIANA  
I have spoke the truth.
Enter PAROLLES.
Enter PAROLLES.
BERTRAM  
My lord, I do confess the ring was hers.
BERTRAM  
My lord, I do confess the ring was hers.
KING  
265
You boggle shrewdly. Every feather starts you.—
Is this the man you speak of?
KING  
You boggle shrewdly. Every feather starts you.—
Is this the man you speak of?
DIANA  
Ay, my lord.
DIANA  
Ay, my lord.
KING  
Tell me, sirrah—but tell me true, I charge you,
Not fearing the displeasure of your master,
270
Which, on your just proceeding, I’ll keep off—
By him and by this woman here what know you?
KING  
Tell me, sirrah—but tell me true, I charge you,
Not fearing the displeasure of your master,
Which, on your just proceeding, I’ll keep off—
By him and by this woman here what know you?
PAROLLES  
So please your Majesty, my master hath
been an honorable gentleman. Tricks he hath had
in him which gentlemen have.
PAROLLES  
So please your Majesty, my master hath
been an honorable gentleman. Tricks he hath had
in him which gentlemen have.
KING  
275
Come, come, to th’ purpose. Did he love this
woman?
KING  
Come, come, to th’ purpose. Did he love this
woman?
PAROLLES  
Faith, sir, he did love her, but how?
PAROLLES  
Faith, sir, he did love her, but how?
KING  
How, I pray you?
KING  
How, I pray you?
PAROLLES  
He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a
280
woman.
PAROLLES  
He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a
woman.
KING  
How is that?
KING  
How is that?
PAROLLES  
He loved her, sir, and loved her not.
PAROLLES  
He loved her, sir, and loved her not.
KING  
As thou art a knave and no knave. What an
equivocal companion is this!
KING  
As thou art a knave and no knave. What an
equivocal companion is this!
PAROLLES  
285
I am a poor man, and at your Majesty’s
command.
PAROLLES  
I am a poor man, and at your Majesty’s
command.
LAFEW  
He’s a good drum, my lord, but a naughty
orator.
LAFEW  
He’s a good drum, my lord, but a naughty
orator.
DIANA  
Do you know he promised me marriage?
DIANA  
Do you know he promised me marriage?
PAROLLES  
290
Faith, I know more than I’ll speak.
PAROLLES  
Faith, I know more than I’ll speak.
KING  
But wilt thou not speak all thou know’st?
KING  
But wilt thou not speak all thou know’st?
PAROLLES  
Yes, so please your Majesty. I did go
between them, as I said; but more than that he
loved her, for indeed he was mad for her, and
295
talked of Satan and of limbo and of furies and I
know not what. Yet I was in that credit with them
at that time, that I knew of their going to bed and
of other motions, as promising her marriage, and
things which would derive me ill will to speak of.
300
Therefore I will not speak what I know.
PAROLLES  
Yes, so please your Majesty. I did go
between them, as I said; but more than that he
loved her, for indeed he was mad for her, and
talked of Satan and of limbo and of furies and I
know not what. Yet I was in that credit with them
at that time, that I knew of their going to bed and
of other motions, as promising her marriage, and
things which would derive me ill will to speak of.
Therefore I will not speak what I know.
KING  
Thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst
say they are married. But thou art too fine in thy
evidence. Therefore stand aside.
KING  
Thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst
say they are married. But thou art too fine in thy
evidence. Therefore stand aside.
To DIANA.
To DIANA.
This ring you say was yours?
This ring you say was yours?
DIANA  
305
Ay, my good lord.
DIANA  
Ay, my good lord.
KING  
Where did you buy it? Or who gave it you?
KING  
Where did you buy it? Or who gave it you?
DIANA  
It was not given me, nor I did not buy it.
DIANA  
It was not given me, nor I did not buy it.
KING  
Who lent it you?
KING  
Who lent it you?
DIANA  
It was not lent me neither.
DIANA  
It was not lent me neither.
KING  
310
Where did you find it then?
KING  
Where did you find it then?
DIANA  
I found it not.
DIANA  
I found it not.
KING  
If it were yours by none of all these ways,
How could you give it him?
KING  
If it were yours by none of all these ways,
How could you give it him?
DIANA  
I never gave it him.
DIANA  
I never gave it him.
LAFEW  
315
This woman’s an easy glove, my lord; she goes
off and on at pleasure.
LAFEW  
This woman’s an easy glove, my lord; she goes
off and on at pleasure.
KING  
This ring was mine. I gave it his first wife.
KING  
This ring was mine. I gave it his first wife.
DIANA  
It might be yours or hers for aught I know.
DIANA  
It might be yours or hers for aught I know.
KING  
to ATTENDANTS Take her away. I do not like her now.
320
To prison with her, and away with him.—
Unless thou tell’st me where thou hadst this ring,
Thou diest within this hour.
KING  
to ATTENDANTS Take her away. I do not like her now.
To prison with her, and away with him.—
Unless thou tell’st me where thou hadst this ring,
Thou diest within this hour.
DIANA  
I’ll never tell you.
DIANA  
I’ll never tell you.
KING  
Take her away.
KING  
Take her away.
DIANA  
325
I’ll put in bail, my liege.
DIANA  
I’ll put in bail, my liege.
KING  
I think thee now some common customer.
KING  
I think thee now some common customer.
DIANA  
to BERTRAM By Jove, if ever I knew man, ’twas you.
DIANA  
to BERTRAM By Jove, if ever I knew man, ’twas you.
KING  
Wherefore hast thou accused him all this while?
KING  
Wherefore hast thou accused him all this while?
DIANA  
Because he’s guilty and he is not guilty.
330
He knows I am no maid, and he’ll swear to ’t.
I’ll swear I am a maid, and he knows not.
Great king, I am no strumpet. By my life,
I am either maid or else this old man’s wife.
DIANA  
Because he’s guilty and he is not guilty.
He knows I am no maid, and he’ll swear to ’t.
I’ll swear I am a maid, and he knows not.
Great king, I am no strumpet. By my life,
I am either maid or else this old man’s wife.
KING  
She does abuse our ears. To prison with her.
KING  
She does abuse our ears. To prison with her.
DIANA  
335
Good mother, fetch my bail.
DIANA  
Good mother, fetch my bail.
WIDOW exits.
WIDOW exits.
DIANA  
Stay,                                 
royal sir.
The jeweler that owes the ring is sent for,
And he shall surety me. But for this lord
Who hath abused me as he knows himself,
340
Though yet he never harmed me, here I quit him.
He knows himself my bed he hath defiled,
And at that time he got his wife with child.
Dead though she be, she feels her young one kick.
So there’s my riddle: one that’s dead is quick.
345
And now behold the meaning.
DIANA  
Stay,                                 
royal sir.
The jeweler that owes the ring is sent for,
And he shall surety me. But for this lord
Who hath abused me as he knows himself,
Though yet he never harmed me, here I quit him.
He knows himself my bed he hath defiled,
And at that time he got his wife with child.
Dead though she be, she feels her young one kick.
So there’s my riddle: one that’s dead is quick.
And now behold the meaning.
Enter HELEN and WIDOW.
Enter HELEN and WIDOW.
KING  
Is there no exorcist
Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes?
Is ’t real that I see?
KING  
Is there no exorcist
Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes?
Is ’t real that I see?
HELEN  
No, my good lord,
350
’Tis but the shadow of a wife you see,
The name and not the thing.
HELEN  
No, my good lord,
’Tis but the shadow of a wife you see,
The name and not the thing.
BERTRAM  
Both, both. O, pardon!
BERTRAM  
Both, both. O, pardon!
HELEN  
O, my good lord, when I was like this maid,
I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring,
355
And, look you, here’s your letter. She takes out a
paper. This it says:
When from my finger you can get this ring
And are by me with child, etc. This is done.
Will you be mine now you are doubly won?
HELEN  
O, my good lord, when I was like this maid,
I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring,
And, look you, here’s your letter. She takes out a
paper. This it says:
When from my finger you can get this ring
And are by me with child, etc. This is done.
Will you be mine now you are doubly won?
BERTRAM  
360
If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly,
I’ll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly.
BERTRAM  
If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly,
I’ll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly.
HELEN  
If it appear not plain and prove untrue,
Deadly divorce step between me and you.—
O my dear mother, do I see you living?
HELEN  
If it appear not plain and prove untrue,
Deadly divorce step between me and you.—
O my dear mother, do I see you living?
LAFEW  
365*
Mine eyes smell onions. I shall weep anon.—
To PAROLLES. Good Tom Drum, lend me a handkercher.
So, I thank thee. Wait on me home.
I’ll make sport with thee. Let thy courtesies alone.
They are scurvy ones.
LAFEW  
365*
Mine eyes smell onions. I shall weep anon.—
To PAROLLES. Good Tom Drum, lend me a handkercher.
So, I thank thee. Wait on me home.
I’ll make sport with thee. Let thy courtesies alone.
They are scurvy ones.
KING  
370
Let us from point to point this story know,
To make the even truth in pleasure flow.
To DIANA. If thou be’st yet a fresh uncroppèd flower,
Choose thou thy husband, and I’ll pay thy dower.
For I can guess that by thy honest aid
375
Thou kept’st a wife herself, thyself a maid.
Of that and all the progress more and less,
Resolvedly more leisure shall express.
All yet seems well, and if it end so meet,
The bitter past, more welcome is the sweet.
KING  
Let us from point to point this story know,
To make the even truth in pleasure flow.
To DIANA. If thou be’st yet a fresh uncroppèd flower,
Choose thou thy husband, and I’ll pay thy dower.
For I can guess that by thy honest aid
Thou kept’st a wife herself, thyself a maid.
Of that and all the progress more and less,
Resolvedly more leisure shall express.
All yet seems well, and if it end so meet,
The bitter past, more welcome is the sweet.
Flourish.
Flourish.

Original Text

Modern Text
Flourish. Enter KING, COUNTESS, LAFEW, the two French
LORDS, with ATTENDANTS.
Flourish. Enter KING, COUNTESS, LAFEW, the two French
LORDS, with ATTENDANTS.
KING  
We lost a jewel of her, and our esteem
Was made much poorer by it. But your son,
As mad in folly, lacked the sense to know
Her estimation home.
KING  
We lost a jewel of her, and our esteem
Was made much poorer by it. But your son,
As mad in folly, lacked the sense to know
Her estimation home.
COUNTESS  
5
’Tis past, my liege,
And I beseech your Majesty to make it
Natural rebellion done i’ th’ blade of youth,
When oil and fire, too strong for reason’s force,
O’erbears it and burns on.
COUNTESS  
’Tis past, my liege,
And I beseech your Majesty to make it
Natural rebellion done i’ th’ blade of youth,
When oil and fire, too strong for reason’s force,
O’erbears it and burns on.
KING  
10
My honored lady,
I have forgiven and forgotten all,
Though my revenges were high bent upon him
And watched the time to shoot.
KING  
My honored lady,
I have forgiven and forgotten all,
Though my revenges were high bent upon him
And watched the time to shoot.
LAFEW  
This I must say—
15
But first I beg my pardon: the young lord
Did to his Majesty, his mother, and his lady
Offense of mighty note, but to himself
The greatest wrong of all. He lost a wife
Whose beauty did astonish the survey
20
Of richest eyes, whose words all ears took captive,
Whose dear perfection hearts that scorned to serve
Humbly called mistress.
LAFEW  
This I must say—
But first I beg my pardon: the young lord
Did to his Majesty, his mother, and his lady
Offense of mighty note, but to himself
The greatest wrong of all. He lost a wife
Whose beauty did astonish the survey
Of richest eyes, whose words all ears took captive,
Whose dear perfection hearts that scorned to serve
Humbly called mistress.
KING  
Praising what is lost
Makes the remembrance dear. Well, call him hither.
25
We are reconciled, and the first view shall kill
All repetition. Let him not ask our pardon.
The nature of his great offense is dead,
And deeper than oblivion we do bury
Th’ incensing relics of it. Let him approach
30
A stranger, no offender, and inform him
So ’tis our will he should.
KING  
Praising what is lost
Makes the remembrance dear. Well, call him hither.
We are reconciled, and the first view shall kill
All repetition. Let him not ask our pardon.
The nature of his great offense is dead,
And deeper than oblivion we do bury
Th’ incensing relics of it. Let him approach
A stranger, no offender, and inform him
So ’tis our will he should.
GENTLEMAN  
I shall, my liege.
GENTLEMAN  
I shall, my liege.
GENTLEMAN exits.
GENTLEMAN exits.
KING  
What says he to your daughter? Have you spoke?
KING  
What says he to your daughter? Have you spoke?
LAFEW  
All that he is hath reference to your Highness.
LAFEW  
All that he is hath reference to your Highness.
KING  
35
Then shall we have a match. I have letters sent me
That sets him high in fame.
KING  
Then shall we have a match. I have letters sent me
That sets him high in fame.
Enter COUNT BERTRAM.
Enter COUNT BERTRAM.
LAFEW  
He looks well on ’t.
LAFEW  
He looks well on ’t.
KING  
I am not a day of season,
For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail
40
In me at once. But to the brightest beams
Distracted clouds give way. So stand thou forth.
The time is fair again.
KING  
I am not a day of season,
For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail
In me at once. But to the brightest beams
Distracted clouds give way. So stand thou forth.
The time is fair again.
BERTRAM  
My high-repented blames,
Dear sovereign, pardon to me.
BERTRAM  
My high-repented blames,
Dear sovereign, pardon to me.
KING  
45
All is whole.
Not one word more of the consumèd time.
Let’s take the instant by the forward top,
For we are old, and on our quick’st decrees
Th’ inaudible and noiseless foot of time
50
Steals ere we can effect them. You remember
The daughter of this lord?
KING  
All is whole.
Not one word more of the consumèd time.
Let’s take the instant by the forward top,
For we are old, and on our quick’st decrees
Th’ inaudible and noiseless foot of time
Steals ere we can effect them. You remember
The daughter of this lord?
BERTRAM  
Admiringly, my liege. At first
I stuck my choice upon her, ere my heart
Durst make too bold a herald of my tongue;
55
Where the impression of mine eye infixing,
Contempt his scornful perspective did lend me,
Which warped the line of every other favor,
Scorned a fair color or expressed it stol’n,
Extended or contracted all proportions
60
To a most hideous object. Thence it came
That she whom all men praised and whom myself,
Since I have lost, have loved, was in mine eye
The dust that did offend it.
BERTRAM  
Admiringly, my liege. At first
I stuck my choice upon her, ere my heart
Durst make too bold a herald of my tongue;
Where the impression of mine eye infixing,
Contempt his scornful perspective did lend me,
Which warped the line of every other favor,
Scorned a fair color or expressed it stol’n,
Extended or contracted all proportions
To a most hideous object. Thence it came
That she whom all men praised and whom myself,
Since I have lost, have loved, was in mine eye
The dust that did offend it.
KING  
Well excused.
65
That thou didst love her strikes some scores away
From the great compt. But love that comes too late,
Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried,
To the great sender turns a sour offense,
Crying “That’s good that’s gone!” Our rash faults
70
Make trivial price of serious things we have,
Not knowing them until we know their grave.
Oft our displeasures, to ourselves unjust,
Destroy our friends and after weep their dust.
Our own love, waking, cries to see what’s done,
75
While shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon.
Be this sweet Helen’s knell, and now forget her.
Send forth your amorous token for fair Maudlin.
The main consents are had, and here we’ll stay
To see our widower’s second marriage day.
KING  
Well excused.
That thou didst love her strikes some scores away
From the great compt. But love that comes too late,
Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried,
To the great sender turns a sour offense,
Crying “That’s good that’s gone!” Our rash faults
Make trivial price of serious things we have,
Not knowing them until we know their grave.
Oft our displeasures, to ourselves unjust,
Destroy our friends and after weep their dust.
Our own love, waking, cries to see what’s done,
While shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon.
Be this sweet Helen’s knell, and now forget her.
Send forth your amorous token for fair Maudlin.
The main consents are had, and here we’ll stay
To see our widower’s second marriage day.
COUNTESS  
80
Which better than the first, O dear heaven, bless,
Or, ere they meet, in me, O nature, cesse!
COUNTESS  
Which better than the first, O dear heaven, bless,
Or, ere they meet, in me, O nature, cesse!
LAFEW  
Come on, my son, in whom my house’s name
Must be digested, give a favor from you
To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter,
85
That she may quickly come.
LAFEW  
Come on, my son, in whom my house’s name
Must be digested, give a favor from you
To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter,
That she may quickly come.
BERTRAM gives him a ring.
BERTRAM gives him a ring.
By my old beard
And ev’ry hair that’s on ’t, Helen that’s dead
Was a sweet creature. Such a ring as this,
The last that e’er I took her leave at court,
90
I saw upon her finger.
By my old beard
And ev’ry hair that’s on ’t, Helen that’s dead
Was a sweet creature. Such a ring as this,
The last that e’er I took her leave at court,
I saw upon her finger.
BERTRAM  
Hers it was not.
BERTRAM  
Hers it was not.
KING  
Now, pray you, let me see it, for mine eye,
While I was speaking, oft was fastened to ’t.
KING  
Now, pray you, let me see it, for mine eye,
While I was speaking, oft was fastened to ’t.
LAFEW passes the ring to the KING.
LAFEW passes the ring to the KING.
This ring was mine, and when I gave it Helen,
95
I bade her if her fortunes ever stood
Necessitied to help, that by this token
I would relieve her. To BERTRAM. Had you that craft to
reave her
Of what should stead her most?
This ring was mine, and when I gave it Helen,
I bade her if her fortunes ever stood
Necessitied to help, that by this token
I would relieve her. To BERTRAM. Had you that craft to
reave her
Of what should stead her most?
BERTRAM  
100
My gracious
sovereign,
Howe’er it pleases you to take it so,
The ring was never hers.
BERTRAM  
My gracious
sovereign,
Howe’er it pleases you to take it so,
The ring was never hers.
COUNTESS  
Son, on my life,
105
I have seen her wear it, and she reckoned it
At her life’s rate.
COUNTESS  
Son, on my life,
I have seen her wear it, and she reckoned it
At her life’s rate.
LAFEW  
I am sure I saw her wear it.
LAFEW  
I am sure I saw her wear it.
BERTRAM  
You are deceived, my lord. She never saw it.
In Florence was it from a casement thrown me,
110
Wrapped in a paper which contained the name
Of her that threw it. Noble she was, and thought
I stood ungaged, but when I had subscribed
To mine own fortune and informed her fully
I could not answer in that course of honor
115
As she had made the overture, she ceased
In heavy satisfaction and would never
Receive the ring again.
BERTRAM  
You are deceived, my lord. She never saw it.
In Florence was it from a casement thrown me,
Wrapped in a paper which contained the name
Of her that threw it. Noble she was, and thought
I stood ungaged, but when I had subscribed
To mine own fortune and informed her fully
I could not answer in that course of honor
As she had made the overture, she ceased
In heavy satisfaction and would never
Receive the ring again.
KING  
Plutus himself,
That knows the tinct and multiplying med’cine,
120
Hath not in nature’s mystery more science
Than I have in this ring. ’Twas mine, ’twas Helen’s,
Whoever gave it you. Then if you know
That you are well acquainted with yourself,
Confess ’twas hers and by what rough enforcement
125
You got it from her. She called the saints to surety
That she would never put it from her finger
Unless she gave it to yourself in bed,
Where you have never come, or sent it us
Upon her great disaster.
KING  
Plutus himself,
That knows the tinct and multiplying med’cine,
Hath not in nature’s mystery more science
Than I have in this ring. ’Twas mine, ’twas Helen’s,
Whoever gave it you. Then if you know
That you are well acquainted with yourself,
Confess ’twas hers and by what rough enforcement
You got it from her. She called the saints to surety
That she would never put it from her finger
Unless she gave it to yourself in bed,
Where you have never come, or sent it us
Upon her great disaster.
BERTRAM  
130
She never saw it.
BERTRAM  
She never saw it.
KING  
Thou speak’st it falsely, as I love mine honor,
And mak’st conjectural fears to come into me
Which I would fain shut out. If it should prove
That thou art so inhuman—’twill not prove so,
135
And yet I know not. Thou didst hate her deadly,
And she is dead, which nothing but to close
Her eyes myself could win me to believe
More than to see this ring.—Take him away.
My forepast proofs, howe’er the matter fall,
140
Shall tax my fears of little vanity,
Having vainly feared too little. Away with him.
We’ll sift this matter further.
KING  
Thou speak’st it falsely, as I love mine honor,
And mak’st conjectural fears to come into me
Which I would fain shut out. If it should prove
That thou art so inhuman—’twill not prove so,
And yet I know not. Thou didst hate her deadly,
And she is dead, which nothing but to close
Her eyes myself could win me to believe
More than to see this ring.—Take him away.
My forepast proofs, howe’er the matter fall,
Shall tax my fears of little vanity,
Having vainly feared too little. Away with him.
We’ll sift this matter further.
BERTRAM  
If you shall prove
This ring was ever hers, you shall as easy
145
Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence,
Where yet she never was.
BERTRAM  
If you shall prove
This ring was ever hers, you shall as easy
Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence,
Where yet she never was.
BERTRAM exits, under guard.
BERTRAM exits, under guard.
KING  
I am wrapped in dismal thinkings.
KING  
I am wrapped in dismal thinkings.
Enter a GENTLEMAN.
Enter a GENTLEMAN.
GENTLEMAN  
Gracious sovereign,
Whether I have been to blame or no, I know not.
GENTLEMAN  
Gracious sovereign,
Whether I have been to blame or no, I know not.
He gives the KING a paper.
He gives the KING a paper.
150
Here’s a petition from a Florentine
Who hath for four or five removes come short
To tender it herself. I undertook it,
Vanquished thereto by the fair grace and speech
Of the poor suppliant, who, by this, I know
155
Is here attending. Her business looks in her
With an importing visage, and she told me,
In a sweet verbal brief, it did concern
Your Highness with herself.
Here’s a petition from a Florentine
Who hath for four or five removes come short
To tender it herself. I undertook it,
Vanquished thereto by the fair grace and speech
Of the poor suppliant, who, by this, I know
Is here attending. Her business looks in her
With an importing visage, and she told me,
In a sweet verbal brief, it did concern
Your Highness with herself.
KING  
(reads) Upon his many protestations to marry me
160
when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, he won
me. Now is the Count Rossillion a widower, his
vows are forfeited to me and my honor’s paid to him.
He stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I follow
him to his country for justice. Grant it me, O king.
165
In you it best lies. Otherwise a seducer flourishes,
and a poor maid is undone.
Diana Capilet.
KING  
(reads) Upon his many protestations to marry me
when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, he won
me. Now is the Count Rossillion a widower, his
vows are forfeited to me and my honor’s paid to him.
He stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I follow
him to his country for justice. Grant it me, O king.
In you it best lies. Otherwise a seducer flourishes,
and a poor maid is undone.
Diana Capilet.
LAFEW  
I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll for
this. I’ll none of him.
LAFEW  
I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll for
this. I’ll none of him.
KING  
170
The heavens have thought well on thee, Lafew,
To bring forth this discov’ry.—Seek these suitors.
Go speedily, and bring again the Count.
KING  
The heavens have thought well on thee, Lafew,
To bring forth this discov’ry.—Seek these suitors.
Go speedily, and bring again the Count.
GENTLEMAN and ATTENDANTS exit.
GENTLEMAN and ATTENDANTS exit.
I am afeard the life of Helen, lady,
Was foully snatched.
I am afeard the life of Helen, lady,
Was foully snatched.
COUNTESS  
175
Now justice on the doers!
COUNTESS  
Now justice on the doers!
Enter BERTRAM under guard.
Enter BERTRAM under guard.
KING  
I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to you
And that you fly them as you swear them lordship,
Yet you desire to marry.
KING  
I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to you
And that you fly them as you swear them lordship,
Yet you desire to marry.
Enter WIDOW and DIANA.
Enter WIDOW and DIANA.
What woman’s that?
What woman’s that?
DIANA  
180
I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine,
Derivèd from the ancient Capilet.
My suit, as I do understand, you know
And therefore know how far I may be pitied.
DIANA  
I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine,
Derivèd from the ancient Capilet.
My suit, as I do understand, you know
And therefore know how far I may be pitied.
WIDOW  
I am her mother, sir, whose age and honor
185
Both suffer under this complaint we bring,
And both shall cease without your remedy.
WIDOW  
I am her mother, sir, whose age and honor
Both suffer under this complaint we bring,
And both shall cease without your remedy.
KING  
Come hither, count. Do you know these women?
KING  
Come hither, count. Do you know these women?
BERTRAM  
My lord, I neither can nor will deny
But that I know them. Do they charge me further?
BERTRAM  
My lord, I neither can nor will deny
But that I know them. Do they charge me further?
DIANA  
190
Why do you look so strange upon your wife?
DIANA  
Why do you look so strange upon your wife?
BERTRAM  
She’s none of mine, my lord.
BERTRAM  
She’s none of mine, my lord.
DIANA  
If you shall marry,
You give away this hand, and that is mine;
You give away heaven’s vows, and those are mine;
195
You give away myself, which is known mine,
For I by vow am so embodied yours
That she which marries you must marry me,
Either both or none.
DIANA  
If you shall marry,
You give away this hand, and that is mine;
You give away heaven’s vows, and those are mine;
You give away myself, which is known mine,
For I by vow am so embodied yours
That she which marries you must marry me,
Either both or none.
LAFEW
to BERTRAM Your reputation comes too short
200
for my daughter. You are no husband for her.
LAFEW
to BERTRAM Your reputation comes too short
for my daughter. You are no husband for her.
BERTRAM
to the KING My lord, this is a fond and desp’rate creature
Whom sometime I have laughed with. Let your
Highness
Lay a more noble thought upon mine honor
205
Than for to think that I would sink it here.
BERTRAM
to the KING My lord, this is a fond and desp’rate creature
Whom sometime I have laughed with. Let your
Highness
Lay a more noble thought upon mine honor
Than for to think that I would sink it here.
KING  
Sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to friend
Till your deeds gain them. Fairer prove your honor
Than in my thought it lies.
KING  
Sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to friend
Till your deeds gain them. Fairer prove your honor
Than in my thought it lies.
DIANA  
Good my lord,
210
Ask him upon his oath if he does think
He had not my virginity.
DIANA  
Good my lord,
Ask him upon his oath if he does think
He had not my virginity.
KING  
What sayst thou to her?
KING  
What sayst thou to her?
BERTRAM
She’s impudent, my lord,
And was a common gamester to the camp.
BERTRAM
She’s impudent, my lord,
And was a common gamester to the camp.
DIANA  
215
He does me wrong, my lord. If I were so,
He might have bought me at a common price.
Do not believe him. O, behold this ring,
Whose high respect and rich validity
Did lack a parallel. Yet for all that
220
He gave it to a commoner o’ th’ camp,
If I be one.
DIANA  
He does me wrong, my lord. If I were so,
He might have bought me at a common price.
Do not believe him. O, behold this ring,
Whose high respect and rich validity
Did lack a parallel. Yet for all that
He gave it to a commoner o’ th’ camp,
If I be one.
COUNTESS  
He blushes, and ’tis hit.
Of six preceding ancestors that gem,
Conferred by testament to th’ sequent issue,
225
Hath it been owed and worn. This is his wife.
That ring’s a thousand proofs.
COUNTESS  
He blushes, and ’tis hit.
Of six preceding ancestors that gem,
Conferred by testament to th’ sequent issue,
Hath it been owed and worn. This is his wife.
That ring’s a thousand proofs.
KING  
to DIANA Methought you said
You saw one here in court could witness it.
KING  
to DIANA Methought you said
You saw one here in court could witness it.
DIANA  
I did, my lord, but loath am to produce
230
So bad an instrument. His name’s Parolles.
DIANA  
I did, my lord, but loath am to produce
So bad an instrument. His name’s Parolles.
LAFEW  
I saw the man today, if man he be.
LAFEW  
I saw the man today, if man he be.
KING  
Find him, and bring him hither.
KING  
Find him, and bring him hither.
ATTENDANT exits.
ATTENDANT exits.
BERTRAM  
What of him?
He’s quoted for a most perfidious slave,
235
With all the spots o’ th’ world taxed and debauched,
Whose nature sickens but to speak a truth.
Am I or that or this for what he’ll utter,
That will speak anything?
BERTRAM  
What of him?
He’s quoted for a most perfidious slave,
With all the spots o’ th’ world taxed and debauched,
Whose nature sickens but to speak a truth.
Am I or that or this for what he’ll utter,
That will speak anything?
KING  
She hath that ring of yours.
KING  
She hath that ring of yours.
BERTRAM  
240
I think she has. Certain it is I liked her
And boarded her i’ th’ wanton way of youth.
She knew her distance and did angle for me,
Madding my eagerness with her restraint,
As all impediments in fancy’s course
245
Are motives of more fancy; and in fine
Her infinite cunning with her modern grace
Subdued me to her rate. She got the ring,
And I had that which any inferior might
At market price have bought.
BERTRAM  
I think she has. Certain it is I liked her
And boarded her i’ th’ wanton way of youth.
She knew her distance and did angle for me,
Madding my eagerness with her restraint,
As all impediments in fancy’s course
Are motives of more fancy; and in fine
Her infinite cunning with her modern grace
Subdued me to her rate. She got the ring,
And I had that which any inferior might
At market price have bought.
DIANA  
250
I must be patient.
You that have turned off a first so noble wife
May justly diet me. I pray you yet—
Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband—
Send for your ring. I will return it home,
255
And give me mine again.
DIANA  
I must be patient.
You that have turned off a first so noble wife
May justly diet me. I pray you yet—
Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband—
Send for your ring. I will return it home,
And give me mine again.
BERTRAM  
I have it not.
BERTRAM  
I have it not.
KING  
to DIANA What ring was yours, I pray you?
KING  
to DIANA What ring was yours, I pray you?
DIANA  
Sir, much like the same upon your finger.
DIANA  
Sir, much like the same upon your finger.
KING  
Know you this ring? This ring was his of late.
KING  
Know you this ring? This ring was his of late.
DIANA  
260
And this was it I gave him, being abed.
DIANA  
And this was it I gave him, being abed.
KING  
The story, then, goes false you threw it him
Out of a casement?
KING  
The story, then, goes false you threw it him
Out of a casement?
DIANA  
I have spoke the truth.
DIANA  
I have spoke the truth.
Enter PAROLLES.
Enter PAROLLES.
BERTRAM  
My lord, I do confess the ring was hers.
BERTRAM  
My lord, I do confess the ring was hers.
KING  
265
You boggle shrewdly. Every feather starts you.—
Is this the man you speak of?
KING  
You boggle shrewdly. Every feather starts you.—
Is this the man you speak of?
DIANA  
Ay, my lord.
DIANA  
Ay, my lord.
KING  
Tell me, sirrah—but tell me true, I charge you,
Not fearing the displeasure of your master,
270
Which, on your just proceeding, I’ll keep off—
By him and by this woman here what know you?
KING  
Tell me, sirrah—but tell me true, I charge you,
Not fearing the displeasure of your master,
Which, on your just proceeding, I’ll keep off—
By him and by this woman here what know you?
PAROLLES  
So please your Majesty, my master hath
been an honorable gentleman. Tricks he hath had
in him which gentlemen have.
PAROLLES  
So please your Majesty, my master hath
been an honorable gentleman. Tricks he hath had
in him which gentlemen have.
KING  
275
Come, come, to th’ purpose. Did he love this
woman?
KING  
Come, come, to th’ purpose. Did he love this
woman?
PAROLLES  
Faith, sir, he did love her, but how?
PAROLLES  
Faith, sir, he did love her, but how?
KING  
How, I pray you?
KING  
How, I pray you?
PAROLLES  
He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a
280
woman.
PAROLLES  
He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a
woman.
KING  
How is that?
KING  
How is that?
PAROLLES  
He loved her, sir, and loved her not.
PAROLLES  
He loved her, sir, and loved her not.
KING  
As thou art a knave and no knave. What an
equivocal companion is this!
KING  
As thou art a knave and no knave. What an
equivocal companion is this!
PAROLLES  
285
I am a poor man, and at your Majesty’s
command.
PAROLLES  
I am a poor man, and at your Majesty’s
command.
LAFEW  
He’s a good drum, my lord, but a naughty
orator.
LAFEW  
He’s a good drum, my lord, but a naughty
orator.
DIANA  
Do you know he promised me marriage?
DIANA  
Do you know he promised me marriage?
PAROLLES  
290
Faith, I know more than I’ll speak.
PAROLLES  
Faith, I know more than I’ll speak.
KING  
But wilt thou not speak all thou know’st?
KING  
But wilt thou not speak all thou know’st?
PAROLLES  
Yes, so please your Majesty. I did go
between them, as I said; but more than that he
loved her, for indeed he was mad for her, and
295
talked of Satan and of limbo and of furies and I
know not what. Yet I was in that credit with them
at that time, that I knew of their going to bed and
of other motions, as promising her marriage, and
things which would derive me ill will to speak of.
300
Therefore I will not speak what I know.
PAROLLES  
Yes, so please your Majesty. I did go
between them, as I said; but more than that he
loved her, for indeed he was mad for her, and
talked of Satan and of limbo and of furies and I
know not what. Yet I was in that credit with them
at that time, that I knew of their going to bed and
of other motions, as promising her marriage, and
things which would derive me ill will to speak of.
Therefore I will not speak what I know.
KING  
Thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst
say they are married. But thou art too fine in thy
evidence. Therefore stand aside.
KING  
Thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst
say they are married. But thou art too fine in thy
evidence. Therefore stand aside.
To DIANA.
To DIANA.
This ring you say was yours?
This ring you say was yours?
DIANA  
305
Ay, my good lord.
DIANA  
Ay, my good lord.
KING  
Where did you buy it? Or who gave it you?
KING  
Where did you buy it? Or who gave it you?
DIANA  
It was not given me, nor I did not buy it.
DIANA  
It was not given me, nor I did not buy it.
KING  
Who lent it you?
KING  
Who lent it you?
DIANA  
It was not lent me neither.
DIANA  
It was not lent me neither.
KING  
310
Where did you find it then?
KING  
Where did you find it then?
DIANA  
I found it not.
DIANA  
I found it not.
KING  
If it were yours by none of all these ways,
How could you give it him?
KING  
If it were yours by none of all these ways,
How could you give it him?
DIANA  
I never gave it him.
DIANA  
I never gave it him.
LAFEW  
315
This woman’s an easy glove, my lord; she goes
off and on at pleasure.
LAFEW  
This woman’s an easy glove, my lord; she goes
off and on at pleasure.
KING  
This ring was mine. I gave it his first wife.
KING  
This ring was mine. I gave it his first wife.
DIANA  
It might be yours or hers for aught I know.
DIANA  
It might be yours or hers for aught I know.
KING  
to ATTENDANTS Take her away. I do not like her now.
320
To prison with her, and away with him.—
Unless thou tell’st me where thou hadst this ring,
Thou diest within this hour.
KING  
to ATTENDANTS Take her away. I do not like her now.
To prison with her, and away with him.—
Unless thou tell’st me where thou hadst this ring,
Thou diest within this hour.
DIANA  
I’ll never tell you.
DIANA  
I’ll never tell you.
KING  
Take her away.
KING  
Take her away.
DIANA  
325
I’ll put in bail, my liege.
DIANA  
I’ll put in bail, my liege.
KING  
I think thee now some common customer.
KING  
I think thee now some common customer.
DIANA  
to BERTRAM By Jove, if ever I knew man, ’twas you.
DIANA  
to BERTRAM By Jove, if ever I knew man, ’twas you.
KING  
Wherefore hast thou accused him all this while?
KING  
Wherefore hast thou accused him all this while?
DIANA  
Because he’s guilty and he is not guilty.
330
He knows I am no maid, and he’ll swear to ’t.
I’ll swear I am a maid, and he knows not.
Great king, I am no strumpet. By my life,
I am either maid or else this old man’s wife.
DIANA  
Because he’s guilty and he is not guilty.
He knows I am no maid, and he’ll swear to ’t.
I’ll swear I am a maid, and he knows not.
Great king, I am no strumpet. By my life,
I am either maid or else this old man’s wife.
KING  
She does abuse our ears. To prison with her.
KING  
She does abuse our ears. To prison with her.
DIANA  
335
Good mother, fetch my bail.
DIANA  
Good mother, fetch my bail.
WIDOW exits.
WIDOW exits.
DIANA  
Stay,                                 
royal sir.
The jeweler that owes the ring is sent for,
And he shall surety me. But for this lord
Who hath abused me as he knows himself,
340
Though yet he never harmed me, here I quit him.
He knows himself my bed he hath defiled,
And at that time he got his wife with child.
Dead though she be, she feels her young one kick.
So there’s my riddle: one that’s dead is quick.
345
And now behold the meaning.
DIANA  
Stay,                                 
royal sir.
The jeweler that owes the ring is sent for,
And he shall surety me. But for this lord
Who hath abused me as he knows himself,
Though yet he never harmed me, here I quit him.
He knows himself my bed he hath defiled,
And at that time he got his wife with child.
Dead though she be, she feels her young one kick.
So there’s my riddle: one that’s dead is quick.
And now behold the meaning.
Enter HELEN and WIDOW.
Enter HELEN and WIDOW.
KING  
Is there no exorcist
Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes?
Is ’t real that I see?
KING  
Is there no exorcist
Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes?
Is ’t real that I see?
HELEN  
No, my good lord,
350
’Tis but the shadow of a wife you see,
The name and not the thing.
HELEN  
No, my good lord,
’Tis but the shadow of a wife you see,
The name and not the thing.
BERTRAM  
Both, both. O, pardon!
BERTRAM  
Both, both. O, pardon!
HELEN  
O, my good lord, when I was like this maid,
I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring,
355
And, look you, here’s your letter. She takes out a
paper. This it says:
When from my finger you can get this ring
And are by me with child, etc. This is done.
Will you be mine now you are doubly won?
HELEN  
O, my good lord, when I was like this maid,
I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring,
And, look you, here’s your letter. She takes out a
paper. This it says:
When from my finger you can get this ring
And are by me with child, etc. This is done.
Will you be mine now you are doubly won?
BERTRAM  
360
If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly,
I’ll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly.
BERTRAM  
If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly,
I’ll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly.
HELEN  
If it appear not plain and prove untrue,
Deadly divorce step between me and you.—
O my dear mother, do I see you living?
HELEN  
If it appear not plain and prove untrue,
Deadly divorce step between me and you.—
O my dear mother, do I see you living?
LAFEW  
365*
Mine eyes smell onions. I shall weep anon.—
To PAROLLES. Good Tom Drum, lend me a handkercher.
So, I thank thee. Wait on me home.
I’ll make sport with thee. Let thy courtesies alone.
They are scurvy ones.
LAFEW  
365*
Mine eyes smell onions. I shall weep anon.—
To PAROLLES. Good Tom Drum, lend me a handkercher.
So, I thank thee. Wait on me home.
I’ll make sport with thee. Let thy courtesies alone.
They are scurvy ones.
KING  
370
Let us from point to point this story know,
To make the even truth in pleasure flow.
To DIANA. If thou be’st yet a fresh uncroppèd flower,
Choose thou thy husband, and I’ll pay thy dower.
For I can guess that by thy honest aid
375
Thou kept’st a wife herself, thyself a maid.
Of that and all the progress more and less,
Resolvedly more leisure shall express.
All yet seems well, and if it end so meet,
The bitter past, more welcome is the sweet.
KING  
Let us from point to point this story know,
To make the even truth in pleasure flow.
To DIANA. If thou be’st yet a fresh uncroppèd flower,
Choose thou thy husband, and I’ll pay thy dower.
For I can guess that by thy honest aid
Thou kept’st a wife herself, thyself a maid.
Of that and all the progress more and less,
Resolvedly more leisure shall express.
All yet seems well, and if it end so meet,
The bitter past, more welcome is the sweet.
Flourish.
Flourish.
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