All’s Well That Ends Well
Act III, Scene 5
Without the walls of Florence .
Helena disguised as a pilgrim
The "cockle hat" adorned with a scallop shell was traditionally worn by pilgrims to the shrine of St. James of Compostella in Galicia, Spain.
John William Wright, circa 1875
- A tucket afar off . Enter old Widow of Florence , her
- daughter , Diana , Violenta , and Mariana , with other Citizens .
Widow
1 - 2- Nay , come , for if they do approach the city , we shall lose
- all the sight .
Diana
3- They say the French count has done most honorable service .
Widow
4 - 7- It is reported that he has taken their great’st commander ,
- and that with his own hand he slew the Duke’s brother .
- Tucket . We have lost our labor , they are gone a contrary
- way . Hark ! You may know by their trumpets .
Mariana
8 - 11- Come , let’s return again and suffice ourselves with the
- report of it . Well , Diana , take heed of this French earl .
- The honor of a maid is her name , and no legacy is so rich as
- honesty .
Widow
12 - 13- I have told my neighbor how you have been solicited by a
- gentleman his companion .
Mariana
14- I know that knave , hang him ! One Parolles , a filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young earl . Beware of them , Diana ; their promises , enticements , oaths , tokens , and all these engines of lust , are not the things they go under . Many a maid hath been seduc’d by them , and the misery is , example , that so terrible shows in the wrack of maidenhood , cannot for all that dissuade succession , but that they are lim’d with the twigs that threatens them . I hope I need not to advise you further , but I hope your own grace will keep you where you are , though there were no further danger known but the modesty which is so lost .
Diana
15- You shall not need to fear me .
- Enter Helen habited like a pilgrim .
Widow
16- I hope so . Look here comes a pilgrim . I know she will lie at my house ; thither they send one another . I’ll question her . God save you , pilgrim , whither are bound ?
Helena
17 - 18- To Saint Jaques le Grand .
- Where do the palmers lodge , I do beseech you ?
Widow
19- At the Saint Francis here beside the port .
Helena
20- Is this the way ?
- A march afar .
Widow
21 - 26- Ay , marry , is’t . Hark you , they come this way .
- If you will tarry , holy pilgrim ,
- But till the troops come by ,
- I will conduct you where you shall be lodg’d ,
- The rather for I think I know your hostess
- As ample as myself .
Helena
27- Is it yourself ?
Widow
28- If you shall please so , pilgrim .
Helena
29- I thank you , and will stay upon your leisure .
Widow
30- You came I think from France ?
Helena
31- I did so .
Widow
32 - 33- Here you shall see a countryman of yours
- That has done worthy service .
Helena
34- His name , I pray you ?
Diana
35- The Count Roussillon . Know you such a one ?
Helena
36 - 37- But by the ear , that hears most nobly of him .
- His face I know not .
Diana
38 - 41- Whatsome’er he is ,
- He’s bravely taken here . He stole from France ,
- As ’tis reported , for the King had married him
- Against his liking . Think you it is so ?
Helena
42- Ay , surely , mere the truth , I know his lady .
Diana
43 - 44- There is a gentleman that serves the Count
- Reports but coarsely of her .
Helena
45- What’s his name ?
Diana
46- Monsieur Parolles .
Helena
47 - 52- O , I believe with him .
- In argument of praise , or to the worth
- Of the great Count himself , she is too mean
- To have her name repeated . All her deserving
- Is a reserved honesty , and that
- I have not heard examin’d .
Byam Shaw, 1901
Diana
53 - 55- Alas , poor lady ,
- ’Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
- Of a detesting lord .
Widow
56 - 58- I warr’nt , good creature , wheresoe’er she is ,
- Her heart weighs sadly . This young maid might do her
- A shrewd turn , if she pleas’d .
Helena
59 - 61- How do you mean ?
- May be the amorous Count solicits her
- In the unlawful purpose .
Widow
62 - 66- He does indeed ,
- And brokes with all that can in such a suit
- Corrupt the tender honor of a maid .
- But she is arm’d for him , and keeps her guard
- In honestest defense .
- Drum and Colors . Enter ( Bertram ) Count Roussillon , Parolles ,
- and the whole army .
Mariana
67- The gods forbid else !
Widow
68 - 70- So , now they come .
- That is Antonio , the Duke’s eldest son ,
- That , Escalus .
Helena
71- Which is the Frenchman ?
Diana
72 - 75- He ,
- That with the plume ; ’tis a most gallant fellow .
- I would he lov’d his wife . If he were honester
- He were much goodlier . Is’t not a handsome gentleman ?
Helena
76- I like him well .
Diana
77 - 79- ’Tis pity he is not honest . Yond’s that same knave
- That leads him to these places . Were I his lady ,
- I would poison that vile rascal .
Helena
80- Which is he ?
Diana
81- That jack - an - apes with scarfs . Why is he melancholy ?
Helena
82- Perchance he’s hurt i’ th’ battle .
Parolles
83- Lose our drum ! Well .
Mariana
84- He’s shrewdly vex’d at something . Look , he has spied us .
Widow
85- Marry , hang you !
Mariana
86- And your courtesy , for a ring - carrier !
- Exeunt Bertram , Parolles , and army .
Widow
87 - 90- The troop is past . Come , pilgrim , I will bring you
- Where you shall host . Of enjoin’d penitents
- There’s four or five , to great Saint Jaques bound ,
- Already at my house .
Helena
91 - 96- I humbly thank you .
- Please it this matron and this gentle maid
- To eat with us tonight , the charge and thanking
- Shall be for me , and to requite you further ,
- I will bestow some precepts of this virgin
- Worthy the note .
Both Mariana and Widow
97- We’ll take your offer kindly .
- Exeunt .
That with the plume; ’tis a most gallant fellow.
Artuš Scheiner, circa 1900