Previous
Act 2, Scene 2
All's Well That Ends Well Translation Act 2, Scene 3
Enter BERTRAM, LAFEU, and PAROLLES
LAFEU
They say miracles are past; and we have our philosophical persons, to make modern and familiar, things supernatural and causeless. Hence is it that we make trifles of terrors, ensconcing ourselves into seeming knowledge, when we should submit ourselves to an unknown fear.
LAFEU
They say miracles no longer exist, and we have our scientists and philosophers to explain in modern and familiar terms the things that seem supernatural and without cause. So these days we think of terrors as just little trifles, wrapping ourselves in knowledge, when we should be filled with fear of the unknown.
PAROLLES
Why, 'tis the rarest argument of wonder that hathshot out in our latter times.
PAROLLES
Why, it's the strangest story of wonder that has come to pass in modern times.
BERTRAM
And so 'tis.
BERTRAM
And so it is.
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Get instant explanations to your questions about anything we cover.
Powered by LitCharts content and AI.
Learn More
Powered by LitCharts content and AI.
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Learn More
LAFEU
To be relinquish'd of the artists,—
LAFEU
To be given up on by the physicians—
PAROLLES
So I say.
PAROLLES
That's what I've been saying.
LAFEU
Both of Galen and Paracelsus.
LAFEU
Both the schools of ancient and more recent medicine.
PAROLLES
So I say.
PAROLLES
That's what I've been saying.
LAFEU
Of all the learned and authentic fellows,—
LAFEU
Of all the learned and famous doctors—
PAROLLES
Right; so I say.
PAROLLES
Right. That's what I've been saying.
LAFEU
That gave him out incurable,—
LAFEU
That said he was incurable—
PAROLLES
Why, there 'tis; so say I too.
PAROLLES
Why, there it is. I've been saying that too.
LAFEU
Not to be helped,—
LAFEU
Not to be helped—
PAROLLES
Right; as 'twere, a man assured of a—
PAROLLES
Right. As it were, he was a man assured of a—
LAFEU
Uncertain life, and sure death.
LAFEU
An uncertain life and definite death.
PAROLLES
Just, you say well; so would I have said.
PAROLLES
Exactly so. You speak well. I would have said the same.
LAFEU
I may truly say, it is a novelty to the world.
LAFEU
I may truly say, this is a new thing in the world.
PAROLLES
It is, indeed: if you will have it in showing, youshall read it in—what do you call there?
PAROLLES
It is, indeed. We'll hear it narrated, we'll read it in—what do you call it there?
LAFEU
A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor.
LAFEU
[Reading] "A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly man."
PAROLLES
That's it; I would have said the very same.
PAROLLES
That's it. I would have said it exactly the same.
LAFEU
Why, your dolphin is not lustier: 'fore me,I speak in respect—
LAFEU
Why, no dolphin is more sprightly than the king now. Of course, I speak in respect—
PAROLLES
Nay, 'tis strange, 'tis very strange, that is thebrief and the tedious of it; and he's of a mostfacinerious spirit that will not acknowledge it to be the—
PAROLLES
No, it's strange, it's very strange, that is the long and the short of it. And only someone wicked could fail to acknowledge it to be the—
LAFEU
Very hand of heaven.
LAFEU
Very hand of heaven.
PAROLLES
Ay, so I say.
PAROLLES
Yes, so I say.
LAFEU
In a most weak—and debile minister, great power, great transcendence: which should, indeed, give us a further use to be made than alone the recovery of the king, as to be—generally thankful.
LAFEU
In a most weak—and feeble person, great power, great heavenly transcendence. That power should give us comfort, even bound the king's recovery so that we can be—generally thankful.
PAROLLES
I would have said it; you say well. Here comes the king.
PAROLLES
I would have said it just like that. You say it well. Here comes the king.
Enter KING, HELENA, and Attendants. LAFEU and PAROLLES retire
LAFEU
Lustig, as the Dutchman says: I'll like a maid thebetter, whilst I have a tooth in my head: why, he'sable to lead her a coranto.
LAFEU
"Lustig," or frolicsome, as the Dutch say: I'll still like maids as long as I have teeth in my head. Why, the king's strong enough to lead her in a dance.
PAROLLES
Mort du vinaigre! is not this Helen?
PAROLLES
A ridiculous oath! Isn't that Helena?
LAFEU
'Fore God, I think so.
LAFEU
By God, I think it is.
KING
Go, call before me all the lords in court. Sit, my preserver, by thy patient's side; And with this healthful hand, whose banish'd sense Thou hast repeal'd, a second time receive The confirmation of my promised gift, Which but attends thy naming.
KING
Go, call all the lords in the court before me. Sit, my savior, by your patient's side, and with this healthy hand, whose death sentence you've revoked, hear me confirm a second time the gift I've promised you. I only wait for you to name it.
Enter three or four Lords
KING
Fair maid, send forth thine eye : this youthful parcel Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing, O'er whom both sovereign power and father's voice I have to use: thy frank election make; Thou hast power to choose, and they none to forsake.
KING
Fair maid, look around the room. This youthful group of noble bachelors stand ready to be given away by me. I have both the king's power and the voice of a father over them. Choose who you want. You have the power to choose and they have no power to refuse.
HELENA
To each of you one fair and virtuous mistressFall, when Love please! marry, to each, but one!
HELENA
I hope all of you will find a fair and virtuous mistress when Love pleases to bestow her upon you! Yes, just one to each of you!
LAFEU
I'ld give bay Curtal and his furniture,My mouth no more were broken than these boys',And writ as little beard.
LAFEU
I'd give my horse Curtal and all his accoutrements if my mouth were as young as these boys' are, and covered with as little beard as they have.
KING
Peruse them well:Not one of those but had a noble father.
KING
Look over them well. All of them had a noble father.
HELENA
Gentlemen,Heaven hath through me restored the king to health.
HELENA
Gentlemen, through me, heaven has restored the king to health.
ALL
We understand it, and thank heaven for you.
ALL
We understand that, and we thank heaven for you.
HELENA
I am a simple maid, and therein wealthiest, That I protest I simply am a maid. Please it your majesty, I have done already: The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me, 'We blush that thou shouldst choose; but, be refused, Let the white death sit on thy cheek for ever; We'll ne'er come there again.'
HELENA
I am a simple maid and I am most valuable in my simple maidenhood. So please your majesty, I have finished already. The blushes in my cheeks whisper this to me: "We blush that you should have the power to choose, but if you are refused, let the white paleness of death sit on your cheek forever. We'll never come to your cheek again."
KING
Make choice; and, see,Who shuns thy love shuns all his love in me.
KING
Make your choice. You'll see that he who rejects your love rejects all my love for him too.
HELENA
Now, Dian, from thy altar do I fly,And to imperial Love, that god most high,Do my sighs stream. Sir, will you hear my suit?
HELENA
Now, chaste Diana, I fly from your altar, and turn with my sighs to powerful Love, that most mighty of gods.
[To FIRST LORD] Sir, will you hear my wishes?
FIRST LORD
And grant it.
FIRST LORD
And grant them.
HELENA
Thanks, sir; all the rest is mute.
HELENA
Thanks, sir. I have nothing else to say.
LAFEU
I had rather be in this choice than throw ames-acefor my life.
LAFEU
I would want to be one of her choices here even if it meant I would lose at dice for the rest of my life.
HELENA
The honour, sir, that flames in your fair eyes, Before I speak, too threateningly replies: Love make your fortunes twenty times above Her that so wishes and her humble love!
HELENA
[To SECOND LORD] Before I speak, the honor, sir, that I see in your fair eyes, seems to reply threateningly: I hope that love will make your fortunes twenty times greater than my own humble love can offer!
SECOND LORD
No better, if you please.
SECOND LORD
No better, if you please.
HELENA
My wish receive,Which great Love grant! and so, I take my leave.
HELENA
Well, receive my wish, anyway, which I hope Love will grant you! And so, I take my leave of you.
LAFEU
Do all they deny her? An they were sons of mine,I'd have them whipped; or I would send them to theTurk, to make eunuchs of.
LAFEU
Do they all deny her? If they were sons of mine, I'd have them whipped, or else I'd send them Turkey to be made into eunuchs.
HELENA
Be not afraid that I your hand should take; I'll never do you wrong for your own sake: Blessing upon your vows! and in your bed Find fairer fortune, if you ever wed!
HELENA
[To another Lord] Don't be afraid that I should take your hand. I'll never wrong you in that way. May your marriage vows be blessed and may you find fairer fortune than me in your bed if you ever get married!
LAFEU
These boys are boys of ice, they'll none have her:sure, they are bastards to the English; the Frenchne'er got 'em.
LAFEU
These boys are made of ice. None of them will have her. They must be English bastards. They can't have French parentage.
HELENA
You are too young, too happy, and too good,To make yourself a son out of my blood.
HELENA
[To the FOURTH LORD] You are too young, too happy, and too good, to father a son from my blood.
FOURTH LORD
Fair one, I think not so.
FOURTH LORD
Fair one, I don't think that.
LAFEU
There's one grape yet; I am sure thy father drunkwine: but if thou be'st not an ass, I am a youthof fourteen; I have known thee already.
LAFEU
There's one man left yet. I am sure your father drank wine, but if you're not an ass, then I'm a youth of fourteen. I know you to be an ass already.
HELENA
[To BERTRAM] I dare not say I take you; but I giveMe and my service, ever whilst I live,Into your guiding power. This is the man.
HELENA
[To BERTRAM] I dare not say that I take you. But I give myself and my service, as long as I live, into your guiding power.
[To the KING] This is the man.
KING
Why, then, young Bertram, take her; she's thy wife.
KING
Why, then, young Bertram, take her, she's your wife.
BERTRAM
My wife, my liege! I shall beseech your highness,In such a business give me leave to useThe help of mine own eyes.
BERTRAM
My wife, my lord! I will plead with your highness that in such a business I can use my own eyes to make my choice.
KING
Know'st thou not, Bertram,What she has done for me?
KING
Don't you know what she's done for me, Bertram?
BERTRAM
Yes, my good lord;But never hope to know why I should marry her.
BERTRAM
Yes, my good lord, but I don't have a clue why I should marry her.
KING
Thou know'st she has raised me from my sickly bed.
KING
You know that she has raised me from my sickbed.
BERTRAM
But follows it, my lord, to bring me down Must answer for your raising? I know her well: She had her breeding at my father's charge. A poor physician's daughter my wife! Disdain Rather corrupt me ever!
BERTRAM
But does it make sense, my lord, that I must be brought down because you've been raised up? I know her well. She was brought up in my father's court. A poor physician's daughter as my wife! I'd rather be hated forever!
KING
'Tis only title thou disdain'st in her, the which I can build up. Strange is it that our bloods, Of colour, weight, and heat, pour'd all together, Would quite confound distinction , yet stand off In differences so mighty. If she be All that is virtuous, save what thou dislikest, A poor physician's daughter, thou dislikest Of virtue for the name: but do not so: From lowest place when virtuous things proceed, The place is dignified by the doer's deed: Where great additions swell's, and virtue none, It is a dropsied honour. Good alone Is good without a name. Vileness is so: The property by what it is should go, Not by the title. She is young, wise, fair; In these to nature she's immediate heir, And these breed honour: that is honour's scorn, Which challenges itself as honour's born And is not like the sire: honours thrive, When rather from our acts we them derive Than our foregoers: the mere word's a slave Debauched on every tomb, on every grave A lying trophy, and as oft is dumb Where dust and damn'd oblivion is the tomb Of honour'd bones indeed. What should be said? If thou canst like this creature as a maid, I can create the rest: virtue and she Is her own dower; honour and wealth from me.
KING
It's only her title that you hate in her, and that I can improve. How strange it is that our blood, its color and weight and heat, when you pour all our blood together, all looks the same but we still put so much stock in social differences. If she is totally virtuous, and you only dislike her because she's a poor physician's daughter, you dislike someone virtuous only because she lacks a title. Don't do that. When low-born people do virtuous things, their status is raised up by their virtuous deed. When a high-born person has no virtue, it's a swollen, fake honor. Goodness is goodness with or without a title. Vileness is the same. It's the deeds that matter, not the title. She is young, wise, and beautiful. She's the legitimate heir of nature in all of that and those qualities make her honorable. Honor mocks people who claim to be honorable by birth but don't behave like it. Honors matter most when they come from our acts, not from our ancestors. The mere word "honor" is a slave we carve into every tomb, a memorial on every grave. In every case, it's a silent legacy because dust and eternal nothingness are all that's inside a tomb of so-called "honored" bones. What else can be said? If you can like this creature just as she is, I can provide the rest. She herself and her virtue is what she brings. I can supply honor and wealth.
BERTRAM
I cannot love her, nor will strive to do't.
BERTRAM
I cannot love her and I won't try to.
KING
Thou wrong'st thyself, if thou shouldst strive to choose.
KING
You wrong yourself if you should try to get out of this.
HELENA
That you are well restored, my lord, I'm glad:Let the rest go.
HELENA
I'm just glad you're recovered, my lord. Let the rest go.
KING
My honour's at the stake; which to defeat, I must produce my power. Here, take her hand, Proud scornful boy, unworthy this good gift; That dost in vile misprision shackle up My love and her desert; that canst not dream, We, poising us in her defective scale, Shall weigh thee to the beam; that wilt not know, It is in us to plant thine honour where We please to have it grow. Cheque thy contempt: Obey our will, which travails in thy good: Believe not thy disdain, but presently Do thine own fortunes that obedient right Which both thy duty owes and our power claims; Or I will throw thee from my care for ever Into the staggers and the careless lapse Of youth and ignorance; both my revenge and hate Loosing upon thee, in the name of justice, Without all terms of pity. Speak; thine answer.
KING
My honor's at risk. To eliminate that risk, I must wield my power. Here, take her hand, you proud, scornful boy, you're unworthy of this good gift. In your vile hate you throw away my love and her worthiness. You can't imagine how, when I add my weight to hers on the scale how little you will be valued. You pretend not to know that it's in my power to decide how much honor you have. Stop your contempt. Obey my will which is all for your own good. Don't listen to your hate, but just do yourself the obedient favor of doing what duty and my power commands of you. If not, I'll throw you out of my protection forever into the confusion and careless idiocy of your youth and ignorance. I'll apply both my hate and revenge upon you, in the name of justice, with no pity. Speak. Give me your answer.
BERTRAM
Pardon, my gracious lord; for I submit My fancy to your eyes: when I consider What great creation and what dole of honour Flies where you bid it, I find that she, which late Was in my nobler thoughts most base, is now The praised of the king; who, so ennobled, Is as 'twere born so.
BERTRAM
Pardon me, my gracious lord. I will give in and allow you to choose for me. When I think about what greatness you create and how much honor you bestow wherever you want, I realize that she, who I used to think of as low-class, is now praised by the king. Being made so noble by you, it's as if she were born noble.
KING
Take her by the hand, And tell her she is thine: to whom I promise A counterpoise, if not to thy estate A balance more replete.
KING
Take her by the hand, and tell her that she is yours. I promise her a compensation that may not equal your estate but will make you equals nonetheless.
BERTRAM
I take her hand.
BERTRAM
I take her hand.
KING
Good fortune and the favour of the king Smile upon this contract; whose ceremony Shall seem expedient on the now-born brief, And be perform'd to-night: the solemn feast Shall more attend upon the coming space, Expecting absent friends. As thou lovest her, Thy love's to me religious; else, does err.
KING
Good fortune and a king's favor will smile upon this union. The ceremony will happen quickly and will be performed tonight. The celebratory feast will come later since there are friends who will be absent. As long as you love her, your love is holy to me. If you don't love her, I view your love for me with anger.
Exeunt all but LAFEU and PAROLLES
LAFEU
[Advancing] Do you hear, monsieur? a word with you.
LAFEU
[Coming forward] Did you hear that, monsieur? I'd like to have a word with you.
PAROLLES
Your pleasure, sir?
PAROLLES
What do you want, sir?
LAFEU
Your lord and master did well to make hisrecantation.
LAFEU
Your lord and master made the right choice to take back what he'd said.
PAROLLES
Recantation! My lord! my master!
PAROLLES
Take it back! My lord! My master!
LAFEU
Ay; is it not a language I speak?
LAFEU
Yes. Do you not understand the words I'm saying?
PAROLLES
A most harsh one, and not to be understood withoutbloody succeeding. My master!
PAROLLES
They're harsh ones, and they're not to be understood without a bloody fight. My master!
LAFEU
Are you companion to the Count Rousillon?
LAFEU
Are you companion to the Count Rousillon?
PAROLLES
To any count, to all counts, to what is man.
PAROLLES
To any counts, to all counts, to all mankind.
LAFEU
To what is count's man: count's master is ofanother style.
LAFEU
You're a count's servant. A count's master is another thing altogether.
PAROLLES
You are too old, sir; let it satisfy you, you are too old.
PAROLLES
You are too old, sir. Be happy with that, you are too old.
LAFEU
I must tell thee, sirrah, I write man; to whichtitle age cannot bring thee.
LAFEU
I must tell you, sir, I call myself a man. Your young age can't bring you that title.
PAROLLES
What I dare too well do, I dare not do.
PAROLLES
I'd love to fight you, but I dare not.
LAFEU
I did think thee, for two ordinaries, to be a pretty wise fellow; thou didst make tolerable vent of thy travel; it might pass: yet the scarfs and the bannerets about thee did manifoldly dissuade me from believing thee a vessel of too great a burthen. I have now found thee; when I lose thee again, I care not: yet art thou good for nothing but taking up; and that thou't scarce worth.
LAFEU
For about two meals, I thought you were a pretty wise fellow. You spoke well about your travels. It might be the case, but the scarfs and the doodads you wore completely convinced me that you couldn't be a man of much substance. I have now found you out. If I lose you, I won't care. You're good for nothing but being attacked and you're hardly worth that much.
PAROLLES
Hadst thou not the privilege of antiquity upon thee,—
PAROLLES
If you didn't have the privilege of being ancient—
LAFEU
Do not plunge thyself too far in anger, lest thou hasten thy trial; which if—Lord have mercy on thee for a hen! So, my good window of lattice, fare thee well: thy casement I need not open, for I look through thee. Give me thy hand.
LAFEU
Don't go too far in anger or you might speed up the time of your trial; which if—Lord have mercy on you, chicken! So, my good see-through window, farewell: I don't need to open you up because I can see through you. Give me your hand.
PAROLLES
My lord, you give me most egregious indignity.
PAROLLES
My lord, you do me most remarkably wrong.
LAFEU
Ay, with all my heart; and thou art worthy of it.
LAFEU
Yes, with all my heart, and you are worthy of it.
PAROLLES
I have not, my lord, deserved it.
PAROLLES
I have not, my lord, deserved it.
LAFEU
Yes, good faith, every dram of it; and I will notbate thee a scruple.
LAFEU
Yes, good faith, every piece of it, and I won't give you back a hair.
PAROLLES
Well, I shall be wiser.
PAROLLES
Well, I will be wiser.
LAFEU
Even as soon as thou canst, for thou hast to pull at a smack o' the contrary. If ever thou be'st bound in thy scarf and beaten, thou shalt find what it is to be proud of thy bondage. I have a desire to hold my acquaintance with thee, or rather my knowledge, that I may say in the default, he is a man I know.
LAFEU
Do that as soon as you can, for you'll have to be the total opposite of what you are now. If you ever find yourself tied up in your scarf and beaten, you'll find out what it means to be proud of your bondage. I would love to keep up my acquaintance with you, or rather my knowledge of you, so that I can say when you get tied up and beaten, he is a man I know.
PAROLLES
My lord, you do me most insupportable vexation.
PAROLLES
My lord, you irritate me enormously.
LAFEU
I would it were hell-pains for thy sake, and my poordoing eternal: for doing I am past: as I will bythee, in what motion age will give me leave.
LAFEU
I wish you felt pains from hell for your sake, and my poor attempts to irritate you forever. For doing this, I'm done, and I'll now pass by you with whatever speed my great age will allow me.
Exit
PAROLLES
Well, thou hast a son shall take this disgrace off me; scurvy, old, filthy, scurvy lord! Well, I must be patient; there is no fettering of authority. I'll beat him, by my life, if I can meet him with any convenience, an he were double and double a lord. I'll have no more pity of his age than I would of —I'll beat him, an if I could but meet him again.
PAROLLES
Well, you have a son who will pay for this disgraceful talk. Worthless, old, filthy, worthless lord! Well, I must be patient. There is no violence I can take against authority. I'll beat him, on my life, if I can run into him in a convenient way, if he were twice and twice again as great a lord. I won't have any more sympathy for his age than I would have—I'll beat him if only I could just meet him again.
Re-enter LAFEU
LAFEU
Sirrah, your lord and master's married; there's newsfor you: you have a new mistress.
LAFEU
Sir, your lord and master is married. There's news for you. You have a new mistress.
PAROLLES
I most unfeignedly beseech your lordship to makesome reservation of your wrongs: he is my goodlord: whom I serve above is my master.
PAROLLES
I most seriously beg your lordship to plead pardon for your wrongs. He is my good lord. Only he that I serve above is my master.
LAFEU
Who? God?
LAFEU
Who? God?
PAROLLES
Ay, sir.
PAROLLES
Yes, sir.
LAFEU
The devil it is that's thy master. Why dost thou garter up thy arms o' this fashion? dost make hose of sleeves? do other servants so? Thou wert best set thy lower part where thy nose stands. By mine honour, if I were but two hours younger, I'ld beat thee: methinks, thou art a general offence, and every man should beat thee: I think thou wast created for men to breathe themselves upon thee.
LAFEU
The devil is your master. Why do you dress up your arms in this fashion? Do you make pantaloons of sleeves? Do other servants do so? You'd do best to put your leg where your nose is. I swear, if I were only two hours younger, I'd beat you. I think you are an offense to everyone and every man should beat you. I think you were created for men to practice their beating on you.
PAROLLES
This is hard and undeserved measure, my lord.
PAROLLES
This is harsh and undeserved talk, my lord.
LAFEU
Go to, sir; you were beaten in Italy for picking a kernel out of a pomegranate; you are a vagabond and no true traveller: you are more saucy with lords and honourable personages than the commission of your birth and virtue gives you heraldry. You are not worth another word, else I'ld call you knave. I leave you.
LAFEU
Oh, come on, sir, you were beaten in Italy just for picking a seed out of a pomegranate. You are a vagabond and not a true traveller. You are more rude to lords and honorable people than the quality of your birth and your manners should allow you to be. You are not worth another word. Otherwise, I'd call you a rogue. I leave you now.
Exit
PAROLLES
Good, very good; it is so then: good, very good;let it be concealed awhile.
PAROLLES
Good, very good. It is so then. Good, very good. Let my knowledge of this be kept secret for a while.
Re-enter BERTRAM
BERTRAM
Undone, and forfeited to cares for ever!
BERTRAM
Undone, and sacrificed to woes forever!
PAROLLES
What's the matter, sweet-heart?
PAROLLES
What's the matter, sweet heart?
BERTRAM
Although before the solemn priest I have sworn,I will not bed her.
BERTRAM
Although I've sworn to love in front of the solemn priest, I will not sleep with her.
PAROLLES
What, what, sweet-heart?
PAROLLES
What, what, sweet heart?
BERTRAM
O my Parolles, they have married me!I'll to the Tuscan wars, and never bed her.
BERTRAM
Oh, my Parolles, they have forced me to marry! I'll flee to the Tuscan wars and never sleep with her.
PAROLLES
France is a dog-hole, and it no more meritsThe tread of a man's foot: to the wars!
PAROLLES
France is a hellhole and it no longer deserves a man's foot walking on it. To the wars!
BERTRAM
There's letters from my mother: what the import is,I know not yet.
BERTRAM
There are letters from my mother. What they say, I don't yet know.
PAROLLES
Ay, that would be known. To the wars, my boy, to the wars! He wears his honour in a box unseen, That hugs his kicky-wicky here at home, Spending his manly marrow in her arms, Which should sustain the bound and high curvet Of Mars's fiery steed. To other regions France is a stable; we that dwell in't jades; Therefore, to the war!
PAROLLES
Yes, that should be known. To the wars, my boys, to the wars! A man keep his honor hidden away, when he stays at home with his darling spending his manly energy in her arms, when he should be riding and leaping on Mars's fiery horse in war. In the eyes of other nations, France is like a stable and the people who dwell in it are horses. Therefore, to the war!
BERTRAM
It shall be so: I'll send her to my house, Acquaint my mother with my hate to her, And wherefore I am fled; write to the king That which I durst not speak; his present gift Shall furnish me to those Italian fields, Where noble fellows strike: war is no strife To the dark house and the detested wife.
BERTRAM
We will go. I'll send her to my house, let my mother know how much I hate my wife and why I'm fleeing. I'll write to the king these words I don't dare speak. His recent gift to me will fund my escape to those Italian fields where noble fellows fight. War is nothing compared to the awful home and the detested wife.
PAROLLES
Will this capriccio hold in thee? art sure?
PAROLLES
Will you stick to this commitment? Are you sure?
BERTRAM
Go with me to my chamber, and advise me.I'll send her straight away: to-morrowI'll to the wars, she to her single sorrow.
BERTRAM
Go with me to my chamber and advise me. I'll send her away immediately. Tomorrow, I'll go to war and she'll go live a single life in sorrow.
PAROLLES
Why, these balls bound; there's noise in it. 'Tis hard: A young man married is a man that's marr'd: Therefore away, and leave her bravely; go: The king has done you wrong: but, hush, 'tis so.
PAROLLES
Why, these tennis balls are bouncing now, you can hear it. It's hard indeed: a young man who's married is a man that is damaged goods. Therefore, get away and leave her hastily. Go. The king has wronged you, but don't say that aloud.
Exeunt
