Previous
Act 4, Scene 5
All's Well That Ends Well Translation Act 5, Scene 1
Enter HELENA, Widow, and DIANA, with two Attendants
HELENA
But this exceeding posting day and night Must wear your spirits low; we cannot help it: But since you have made the days and nights as one, To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs, Be bold you do so grow in my requital As nothing can unroot you. In happy time;
HELENA
But walking constantly day and night must be tiring you out. We can't help it. Since we've been treating the days and nights like they're all the same, and you've been wearing out your gentle bodies just for my sake, rest assured that I am more and more in your debt and nothing will ever undo that. Oh, good timing!
Enter a Gentleman
HELENA
This man may help me to his majesty's ear,If he would spend his power. God save you, sir.
HELENA
This man might help me to reach the king if he's willing to lend a hand. God bless you, sir.
GENTLEMAN
And you.
GENTLEMAN
And you.
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
HELENA
Sir, I have seen you in the court of France.
HELENA
Sir, I have seen you at the French court.
GENTLEMAN
I have been sometimes there.
GENTLEMAN
I have been there sometimes.
HELENA
I do presume, sir, that you are not fallen From the report that goes upon your goodness; An therefore, goaded with most sharp occasions, Which lay nice manners by, I put you to The use of your own virtues, for the which I shall continue thankful.
HELENA
I assume, sir, that you're still maintaining your good reputation. If that's true, since I'm in a difficult situation that forces me to forget my manners, I'll ask you to act in your typical virtuous way, for which I'd be forever grateful.
GENTLEMAN
What's your will?
GENTLEMAN
How can I help?
HELENA
That it will please you To give this poor petition to the king, And aid me with that store of power you have To come into his presence.
HELENA
If you could please give this little letter to the king, and help me with whatever power you have to visit him in person.
GENTLEMAN
The king's not here.
GENTLEMAN
The king's not here.
HELENA
Not here, sir!
HELENA
Not here, sir?
GENTLEMAN
Not, indeed:He hence removed last night and with more hasteThan is his use.
GENTLEMAN
Indeed not. He just left last night and more quickly than he usually does.
WIDOW
Lord, how we lose our pains!
WIDOW
Lord, we've been exhausting ourselves for nothing!
HELENA
All's well that ends well yet,Though time seem so adverse and means unfit.I do beseech you, whither is he gone?
HELENA
All's well that ends well still, even though our timing and methods seem to fail us.
[To the Gentleman] I beg you, where's the king gone?
GENTLEMAN
Marry, as I take it, to Rousillon;Whither I am going.
GENTLEMAN
Well, as far as I know, to Roussillon. I'm going there too.
HELENA
I do beseech you, sir, Since you are like to see the king before me, Commend the paper to his gracious hand, Which I presume shall render you no blame But rather make you thank your pains for it. I will come after you with what good speed Our means will make us means.
HELENA
I beg you, sir, since you'll probably see the king before I do, bring this paper to his kind hand. I'm pretty sure that doing so won't get you in trouble but will make you glad you did it. I'll come after you as fast as we're able.
GENTLEMAN
This I'll do for you.
GENTLEMAN
I'll do this for you.
HELENA
And you shall find yourself to be well thank'd,Whate'er falls more. We must to horse again.Go, go, provide.
HELENA
And you'll find yourself to be well thanked, whatever else happens. We must ride our horses again.
[To the Attendant] Go, go, get the horses.
Exeunt
