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Act 2, Scene 4
All's Well That Ends Well Translation Act 2, Scene 5
Enter LAFEU and BERTRAM
LAFEU
But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier.
LAFEU
But I hope your lordship doesn't think that he's a soldier.
BERTRAM
Yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof.
BERTRAM
Yes, my lord, and with very brave proof of it.
LAFEU
You have it from his own deliverance.
LAFEU
You've heard that from him.
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BERTRAM
And by other warranted testimony.
BERTRAM
And by other believable testimony.
LAFEU
Then my dial goes not true: I took this lark for a bunting.
LAFEU
Then my estimation of him was wrong. I took him to be a fraud.
BERTRAM
I do assure you, my lord, he is very great inknowledge and accordingly valiant.
BERTRAM
I do assure you, my lord, he has a lot of knowledge and is very brave.
LAFEU
I have then sinned against his experience and transgressed against his valour; and my state that way is dangerous, since I cannot yet find in my heart to repent. Here he comes: I pray you, make us friends; I will pursue the amity.
LAFEU
Well, then I've been unfair to his experience and misjudged his bravery. Yet I might be in danger of damnation since I can't yet find it in my heart to repent. Here he comes. I hope that you'll make us friends. I'll pursue our reconciliation.
Enter PAROLLES
PAROLLES
[To BERTRAM] These things shall be done, sir.
PAROLLES
[To BERTRAM] These things will be done, sir.
LAFEU
Pray you, sir, who's his tailor?
LAFEU
[To PAROLLES] Pray you, sir, who's his tailor?
PAROLLES
Sir?
PAROLLES
Sir?
LAFEU
O, I know him well, I, sir; he, sir, 's a goodworkman, a very good tailor.
LAFEU
Oh, I know him well, yes, sir. He, sir, he's a good workman, a very good tailor.
BERTRAM
[Aside to PAROLLES] Is she gone to the king?
BERTRAM
[So only PAROLLES can hear] Has she gone to the king?
PAROLLES
She is.
PAROLLES
She has.
BERTRAM
Will she away to-night?
BERTRAM
Will she leave court tonight?
PAROLLES
As you'll have her.
PAROLLES
As you bid her.
BERTRAM
I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure, Given order for our horses; and to-night, When I should take possession of the bride, End ere I do begin.
BERTRAM
I have written my letters, packed up my treasure, called for our horses, and tonight, when I should be consummating my marriage, I'll end that act before it begins.
LAFEU
A good traveller is something at the latter end of a dinner; but one that lies three thirds and uses a known truth to pass a thousand nothings with, should be once heard and thrice beaten. God save you, captain.
LAFEU
[To himself] A man who's well travelled is a nice thing to have at the end of a dinner to tell stories, but a man who lies three out of three times and tells one truth to convince you of a thousand lies should be heard once and then beaten three times.
[So only PAROLLES can hear] God protect you, captain.
BERTRAM
Is there any unkindness between my lord and you, monsieur?
BERTRAM
Is there a feud between you and this lord, monsieur?
PAROLLES
I know not how I have deserved to run into my lord'sdispleasure.
PAROLLES
I don't know what I've done to earn his displeasure.
LAFEU
You have made shift to run into 't, boots and spurs and all, like him that leaped into the custard; and out of it you'll run again, rather than suffer question for your residence.
LAFEU
You have managed to run directly into my displeasure, boots and spurs and all, like a jester who jumped into the custard, and you'll flee again rather than stick around to defend yourself.
BERTRAM
It may be you have mistaken him, my lord.
BERTRAM
It might be that you're mistaken about him, my lord.
LAFEU
And shall do so ever, though I took him at 's prayers. Fare you well, my lord; and believe this of me, there can be no kernel in this light nut; the soul of this man is his clothes. Trust him not in matter of heavy consequence; I have kept of them tame, and know their natures. Farewell, monsieur: I have spoken better of you than you have or will to deserve at my hand; but we must do good against evil.
LAFEU
And I'll continue to be mistaken about him forever, then, even if I stumbled upon him praying. Farewell, my lord. Believe this from me. There can be no kernel at the core of this lightweight nut. This man's soul is in his clothes. Don't trust him with important matters. I have kept tame animals and I know to beware of them. Farewell, monsieur. I have spoken better of you than you have or ever will deserve from me, but we must try to do good even in the presence of evil.
Exit
PAROLLES
An idle lord. I swear.
PAROLLES
He's a foolish lord, I swear.
BERTRAM
I think so.
BERTRAM
I think so.
PAROLLES
Why, do you not know him?
PAROLLES
Why, do you not know him?
BERTRAM
Yes, I do know him well, and common speechGives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog.
BERTRAM
Yes, I do know him well, and most people say he's very worthy. Here comes my clog.
Enter HELENA
HELENA
I have, sir, as I was commanded from you, Spoke with the king and have procured his leave For present parting; only he desires Some private speech with you.
HELENA
Sir, as you commanded me to do, I have spoken with the king and have gotten permission to leave immediately. He just wants to speak to you in private.
BERTRAM
I shall obey his will. You must not marvel, Helen, at my course, Which holds not colour with the time, nor does The ministration and required office On my particular. Prepared I was not For such a business; therefore am I found So much unsettled: this drives me to entreat you That presently you take our way for home; And rather muse than ask why I entreat you, For my respects are better than they seem And my appointments have in them a need Greater than shows itself at the first view To you that know them not. This to my mother:
BERTRAM
I will obey his request. You mustn't be confused, Helena, at my behavior, which isn't normal for such a marriage day. I know I'm not doing the things expected of me as a husband. I wasn't prepared for such an event and it's unsettled me. This makes me ask you to go home ahead of me. You can think for yourself, rather than ask, why I request this of you. My reasons are better than they seem. These actions are more necessary than they seem at first sight because you don't know my reasons. Bring this to my mother.
Giving a letter
BERTRAM
'Twill be two days ere I shall see you, soI leave you to your wisdom.
BERTRAM
It will be two days before I will see you, so I'll leave you to your thoughts.
HELENA
Sir, I can nothing say,But that I am your most obedient servant.
HELENA
Sir, I can't say anything except that I am your most obedient servant.
BERTRAM
Come, come, no more of that.
BERTRAM
Come, come, no more of that.
HELENA
And ever shall With true observance seek to eke out that Wherein toward me my homely stars have fail'd To equal my great fortune.
HELENA
And I shall forever with truth and honesty aim to be worthy of this great fortune which my plain upbringing did not deserve.
BERTRAM
Let that go:My haste is very great: farewell; hie home.
BERTRAM
Forget that. I'm in a big hurry. Farewell. Go home.
HELENA
Pray, sir, your pardon.
HELENA
Please, sir, your pardon.
BERTRAM
Well, what would you say?
BERTRAM
Well, what would you say?
HELENA
I am not worthy of the wealth I owe, Nor dare I say 'tis mine, and yet it is; But, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal What law does vouch mine own.
HELENA
I am unworthy of the wealth I've received and I don't dare say it belongs to me, and yet it is. But, like a shy thief, I would still like to steal what the law says is mine.
BERTRAM
What would you have?
BERTRAM
What is it that you want?
HELENA
Something; and scarce so much: nothing, indeed. I would not tell you what I would, my lord: Faith yes; Strangers and foes do sunder, and not kiss.
HELENA
Something. And hardly that much. Nothing, indeed. I can't tell you what I want, my lord. Well, yes. Only strangers and foes part ways without a kiss.
BERTRAM
I pray you, stay not, but in haste to horse.
BERTRAM
I plead with you, don't stay here, but hurry to your horse.
HELENA
I shall not break your bidding, good my lord.
HELENA
I won't fail to do what you command, my good lord.
BERTRAM
Where are my other men, monsieur? Farewell.
BERTRAM
Where are my other men, monsieur? Farewell.
Exit HELENA
BERTRAM
Go thou toward home; where I will never comeWhilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum.Away, and for our flight.
BERTRAM
Yes, go towards home where I will never come while I can still use my sword or hear the drums of war. Let's get away, and prepare to flee.
PAROLLES
Bravely, coragio!
PAROLLES
Bravely, courage!
Exeunt
