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Act 3, Scene 4
All's Well That Ends Well Translation Act 3, Scene 5
Enter an old Widow of Florence, DIANA, VIOLENTA, and MARIANA, with other Citizens
WIDOW
Nay, come; for if they do approach the city, weshall lose all the sight.
WIDOW
No, come, because if they do come towards the city, we won't be able to see them.
DIANA
They say the French count has done most honourable service.
DIANA
They say the French count has served very honorably.
WIDOW
It is reported that he has taken their greatestcommander; and that with his own hand he slew theduke's brother.
WIDOW
It's been reported that he has captured their greatest commander and that he slew the duke's brother himself.
Tucket
WIDOW
We have lost our labour; they are gone a contraryway: hark! you may know by their trumpets.
WIDOW
We've missed our chance. They've gone a different way. Listen! You can hear where they are from their trumpets.
MARIANA
Come, let's return again, and suffice ourselves with the report of it. Well, Diana, take heed of this French earl: the honour of a maid is her name; and no legacy is so rich as honesty.
MARIANA
Come, let's return again, and be satisfied just hearing a report of it. Well, Diana, beware this French earl. A virgin's honor is like her name and no legacy is as rich as honesty.
WIDOW
I have told my neighbour how you have been solicitedby a gentleman his companion.
WIDOW
[To DIANA] I told my neighbor how you've been propositioned by the gentleman who's the earl's companion.
MARIANA
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 seduced by them; and the misery is, example, that so terrible shows in the wreck of maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession, but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten 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.
MARIANA
I know that scoundrel. Hang him! His name's Parolles. What a filthy officer to urge the young earl to behave so immorally. Beware of them, Diana. Their promises, gifts, oaths, tokens, and all these things driven by lust, are not what they seem. Many an innocent young lady has been seduced by them. What's terrible about it is that, as horrible as these stories of lost chastity might be, they can't dissuade other women from falling prey in the same way because so many women give into seductive men as easily as birds fall into traps. I hope I won't need to give you further advice but that your own grace will keep you pure even if the worst that could happen is that you'd lose your modest reputation.
DIANA
You shall not need to fear me.
DIANA
You don't need to worry about me being fooled.
WIDOW
I hope so.
WIDOW
I hope not.
Enter HELENA, disguised like a Pilgrim
WIDOW
Look, here comes a pilgrim: I know she will lie atmy house; thither they send one another: I'llquestion her. God save you, pilgrim! whither are you bound?
WIDOW
Look, here comes a pilgrim. I'm sure she'll want to sleep at my house. They are always sending each other here. I'll question her. God save you, pilgrim! Where are you heading?
HELENA
To Saint Jaques le Grand.Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?
HELENA
To Saint Jaques le Grand. Where do the pilgrims stay, could you tell me, please?
WIDOW
At the Saint Francis here beside the port.
WIDOW
At the inn with the sign of Saint Francis here near the port.
HELENA
Is this the way?
HELENA
Is this the way?
WIDOW
Ay, marry, is't.
WIDOW
Yes, it certainly is.
A march afar
WIDOW
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 lodged; The rather, for I think I know your hostess As ample as myself.
WIDOW
Listen up! They're coming this way. If you will wait around, holy pilgrim, just until the troops have walked by, I'll bring you to where you'll stay. I'm suited for this job since I think I know your hostess there as well as I know myself.
HELENA
Is it yourself?
HELENA
Is it yourself?
WIDOW
If you shall please so, pilgrim.
WIDOW
If that's all right with you, pilgrim.
HELENA
I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.
HELENA
I thank you, and I'll wait until it's a good time for you.
WIDOW
You came, I think, from France?
WIDOW
You came, I think, from France?
HELENA
I did so.
HELENA
I did.
WIDOW
Here you shall see a countryman of yoursThat has done worthy service.
WIDOW
Here you're about to see a countryman of yours that has served worthily.
HELENA
His name, I pray you.
HELENA
His name, tell me.
DIANA
The Count Rousillon: know you such a one?
DIANA
The Count Rousillon. Do you know him?
HELENA
But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him:His face I know not.
HELENA
Just by word-of-mouth. One hears noble things about him. I don't know what he looks like.
DIANA
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?
DIANA
Whatever else he is, he's been a brave soldier. He fled from France, as it's reported, because the king had made him marry a bride he didn't like. Do you think that's true?
HELENA
Ay, surely, mere the truth: I know his lady.
HELENA
Yes, surely, it's absolutely the truth. I know his wife.
DIANA
There is a gentleman that serves the countReports but coarsely of her.
DIANA
There is a gentleman who serves the count who only reports rude things about her.
HELENA
What's his name?
HELENA
What's his name?
DIANA
Monsieur Parolles.
DIANA
Mister Parolles.
HELENA
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 examined.
HELENA
Oh, I agree with him, in terms of praise, or in terms of the worth of the great count himself, she is too lowly to have her name repeated. All that she has of value is her honesty, and I don't know if even that has been examined.
DIANA
Alas, poor lady!'Tis a hard bondage to become the wifeOf a detesting lord.
DIANA
Alas, poor lady! It's a hard bondage to become the wife of a lord who detests you.
WIDOW
I warrant, good creature, wheresoe'er she is,Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do herA shrewd turn, if she pleased.
WIDOW
I assume, good creature, wherever she may be, her heart is heavy. This young maid here might do her a great wrong if she wanted to.
HELENA
How do you mean?May be the amorous count solicits herIn the unlawful purpose.
HELENA
What do you mean? Maybe the loving count is trying to seduce her?
WIDOW
He does indeed; And brokes with all that can in such a suit Corrupt the tender honour of a maid: But she is arm'd for him and keeps her guard In honestest defence.
WIDOW
He is indeed. And he comes with full force on this mission to corrupt the tender honor of a virgin. But she is prepared for him and keeps her guard up in honest defense.
MARIANA
The gods forbid else!
MARIANA
The gods forbid she do otherwise!
WIDOW
So, now they come:
WIDOW
So, now they come.
Drum and Colours
Enter BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and the whole army
WIDOW
That is Antonio, the duke's eldest son;That, Escalus.
WIDOW
That is Antonio, the duke's eldest son. That one's Escalus.
HELENA
Which is the Frenchman?
HELENA
Which one is the Frenchman?
DIANA
He; That with the plume: 'tis a most gallant fellow. I would he loved his wife: if he were honester He were much goodlier: is't not a handsome gentleman?
DIANA
Him. That one with the plume. He's a very well-dressed fellow. I wish he loved his wife. If he were more honest, he would be much more appealing; but still, is he not a handsome man?
HELENA
I like him well.
HELENA
I like his looks.
DIANA
'Tis pity he is not honest: yond's that same knaveThat leads him to these places: were I his lady,I would Poison that vile rascal.
DIANA
It's a pity he's not honest. There's the same rogue that takes him to these places. If I were his wife, I would poison that vile rascal.
HELENA
Which is he?
HELENA
Which one's he?
DIANA
That jack-an-apes with scarfs: why is he melancholy?
DIANA
That silly looking man in the scarves. Why is he melancholy?
HELENA
Perchance he's hurt i' the battle.
HELENA
Maybe he got hurt in the battle.
PAROLLES
Lose our drum! well.
PAROLLES
Lose our drum! Well.
MARIANA
He's shrewdly vexed at something: look, he has spied us.
MARIANA
He's clearly upset about something. Look, he's seen us.
WIDOW
Marry, hang you!
WIDOW
Well, hang him!
MARIANA
And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier!
MARIANA
And his manners, the dirty deceiver!
Exeunt BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and army
WIDOW
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.
WIDOW
The troop's gone past. Come, pilgrim, I'll bring you to where you will stay. There's already four or five pilgrims bound for Saint Jaques staying at my house.
HELENA
I humbly thank you: Please it this matron and this gentle maid To eat with us to-night, the charge and thanking Shall be for me; and, to requite you further, I will bestow some precepts of this virgin Worthy the note.
HELENA
I thank you humbly. I hope this woman and this gentle maid will eat with us tonight. I'll gladly pay for the meal, and, to pay you further, I'll share some advice with this virgin that will be worth hearing.
BOTH
We'll take your offer kindly.
BOTH
We'll take your offer gratefully.
Exeunt
