The Bodleian First Folio

Reference: X3v - Comedies, p. 246

Left Column

All's Well that Ends Well L.E. Go tell the Count Rossillion and my brother, We haue caught the woodcocke, and will keepe him (mufled, Till we do heare from them. Sol.

Captaine I will.

L.E.

[1940]

A will betray vs all vnto our selues,

Informe on that.

Sol.

So I will sir.

L.E.

Till then Ile keepe him darke and safely lockt.

Exit

[Act 4, Scene 2] Enter Bertram, and the Maide called Diana. Ber.

They told me that your name was Fontybell.

Dia.

[1945]

No my good Lord, Diana.

Ber. Titled Goddesse, And worth it with addition: but faire soule, In your fine frame hath loue no qualitie? If the quicke fire of youth light not your minde,

[1950]

You are no Maiden but a monument When you are dead you should be such a one As you are now: for you are cold and sterne, And now you should be as your mother was When your sweet selfe was got. Dia.

[1955]

She then was honest.

Ber.

So should you be.

Dia. No: My mother did but dutie, such (my Lord) As you owe to your wife. Ber.

[1960]

No more a'that: I prethee do not striue against my vowes: I was compell'd to her, but I loue thee By loues owne sweet constraint, and will for euer Do thee all rights of seruice. Dia.

[1965]

I so you serue vs Till we serue you: But when you haue our Roses, You barely leaue our thornes to pricke our selues, And mocke vs with our barenesse. Ber.

How haue I sworne.

Dia.

[1970]

Tis not the many oathes that makes the truth, But the plaine single vow, that is vow'd true: What is not holie, that we sweare not by, But take the high'st to witnesse: then pray you tell me, If I should sweare by Ioues great attributes,

[1975]

I lou'd you deerely, would you beleeue my oathes, When I did loue you ill? This ha's no holding To sweare by him whom I protest to loue That I will worke against him. Therefore your oaths Are words and poore conditions, but vnseal'd

[1980]

At lest in my opinion. Ber. Change it, change it: Be not so holy cruell: Loue is holie, And my integritie ne're knew the crafts That you do charge men with: Stand no more off,

[1985]

But giue thy selfe vnto my sicke desires, Who then recouers. Say thou art mine, and euer My loue as it beginnes, shall so perseuer. Dia. I see that men make rope's in such a scarre, That wee'l forsake our selues. Giue me that Ring. Ber.

[1990]

Ile lend it thee my deere; but haue no power To giue it from me. Dia.

Will you not my Lord?

Ber. It is an honour longing to our house, Bequeathed downe from manie Ancestors,

[1995]

Which were the greatest obloquie i'th world, In me to loose. Dian. Mine Honors such a Ring, My chastities the Iewell of our house,

Image

[full image]

Right Column

Bequeathed downe from many Ancestors,

[2000]

Which were the greatest obloquie i'th world, In mee to loose. Thus your owne proper wisedome Brings in the Champion honor on my part, Against your vaine assault. Ber. Heere, take my Ring,

[2005]

My house, mine honor, yea my life be thine, And Ile be bid by thee. Dia. When midnight comes, knocke at my cham ber window: Ile order take, my mother shall not heare. Now will I charge you in the band of truth,

[2010]

When you haue conquer'd my yet maiden‑bed, Remaine there but an houre, nor speake to mee: My reasons are most strong, and you shall know them, When backe againe this Ring shall be deliuer'd: And on your finger in the night, Ile put

[2015]

Another Ring, that what in time proceeds, May token to the future, our past deeds. Adieu till then, then faile not: you haue wonne A wife of me, though there my hope be done. Ber.

A heauen on earth I haue won by wooing thee.

Di.

[2020]

For which, liue long to thank both heauen & me, You may so in the end. My mother told me iust how he would woo, As if she sate in's heart. She sayes, all men Haue the like oathes: He had sworne to marrie me When his wife's dead: therfore Ile lye with him

[2025]

When I am buried. Since Frenchmen are so braide, Marry that will, I liue and die a Maid: Onely in this disguise, I think't no sinne, To cosen him that would vniustly winne. Exit

[Act 4, Scene 3] Enter the two French Captaines, and some two or three Souldiours. Cap. G.

You haue not giuen him his mothers letter.

Cap.E.

[2030]

I haue deliu'red it an houre since, there is som

thing in't that stings his nature: for on the reading it,

he chang'd almost into another man.

Cap. G.

He has much worthy blame laid vpon him,

for shaking off so good a wife, and so sweet a Lady.

Cap. E.

[2035]

Especially, hee hath incurred the euerlasting

displeasure of the King, who had euen tun'd his bounty

to sing happinesse to him. I will tell you a thing, but

you shall let it dwell darkly with you.

Cap. G.

When you haue spoken it 'tis dead, and I am

[2040]

the graue of it.

Cap. E.

Hee hath peruerted a young Gentlewoman

heere in Florence, of a most chaste renown, & this night

he fleshes his will in the spoyle of her honour: hee hath

giuen her his monumentall Ring, and thinkes himself

[2045]

made in the vnchaste composition.

Cap. G.

Now God delay our rebellion as we are our

selues, what things are we.

Cap. E.

Meerely our owne traitours. And as in the

common course of all treasons, we still see them reueale

[2050]

themselues, till they attaine to their abhorr'd ends: so

he that in this action contriues against his owne Nobi

lity in his proper streame, ore‑flowes himselfe.

Cap.G.

Is it not meant damnable in vs, to be Trum

peters of our vnlawfull intents? We shall not then haue

[2055]

his company to night?

Cap. E.

Not till after midnight: for hee is dieted to

his houre.

Cap. G.

That approaches apace: I would gladly haue

him see his company anathomiz'd, that hee might take a

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[Act 4, Scene 2] Enter Bertram, and the Maide called Diana. Ber.

They told me that your name was Fontybell.

Dia.

[1945]

No my good Lord, Diana.

Ber. Titled Goddesse, And worth it with addition: but faire soule, In your fine frame hath loue no qualitie? If the quicke fire of youth light not your minde,

[1950]

You are no Maiden but a monument When you are dead you should be such a one As you are now: for you are cold and sterne, And now you should be as your mother was When your sweet selfe was got. Dia.

[1955]

She then was honest.

Ber.

So should you be.

Dia. No: My mother did but dutie, such (my Lord) As you owe to your wife. Ber.

[1960]

No more a'that: I prethee do not striue against my vowes: I was compell'd to her, but I loue thee By loues owne sweet constraint, and will for euer Do thee all rights of seruice. Dia.

[1965]

I so you serue vs Till we serue you: But when you haue our Roses, You barely leaue our thornes to pricke our selues, And mocke vs with our barenesse. Ber.

How haue I sworne.

Dia.

[1970]

Tis not the many oathes that makes the truth, But the plaine single vow, that is vow'd true: What is not holie, that we sweare not by, But take the high'st to witnesse: then pray you tell me, If I should sweare by Ioues great attributes,

[1975]

I lou'd you deerely, would you beleeue my oathes, When I did loue you ill? This ha's no holding To sweare by him whom I protest to loue That I will worke against him. Therefore your oaths Are words and poore conditions, but vnseal'd

[1980]

At lest in my opinion. Ber. Change it, change it: Be not so holy cruell: Loue is holie, And my integritie ne're knew the crafts That you do charge men with: Stand no more off,

[1985]

But giue thy selfe vnto my sicke desires, Who then recouers. Say thou art mine, and euer My loue as it beginnes, shall so perseuer. Dia. I see that men make rope's in such a scarre, That wee'l forsake our selues. Giue me that Ring. Ber.

[1990]

Ile lend it thee my deere; but haue no power To giue it from me. Dia.

Will you not my Lord?

Ber. It is an honour longing to our house, Bequeathed downe from manie Ancestors,

[1995]

Which were the greatest obloquie i'th world, In me to loose. Dian. Mine Honors such a Ring, My chastities the Iewell of our house, Bequeathed downe from many Ancestors,

[2000]

Which were the greatest obloquie i'th world, In mee to loose. Thus your owne proper wisedome Brings in the Champion honor on my part, Against your vaine assault. Ber. Heere, take my Ring,

[2005]

My house, mine honor, yea my life be thine, And Ile be bid by thee. Dia. When midnight comes, knocke at my cham ber window: Ile order take, my mother shall not heare. Now will I charge you in the band of truth,

[2010]

When you haue conquer'd my yet maiden‑bed, Remaine there but an houre, nor speake to mee: My reasons are most strong, and you shall know them, When backe againe this Ring shall be deliuer'd: And on your finger in the night, Ile put

[2015]

Another Ring, that what in time proceeds, May token to the future, our past deeds. Adieu till then, then faile not: you haue wonne A wife of me, though there my hope be done. Ber.

A heauen on earth I haue won by wooing thee.

Di.

[2020]

For which, liue long to thank both heauen & me, You may so in the end. My mother told me iust how he would woo, As if she sate in's heart. She sayes, all men Haue the like oathes: He had sworne to marrie me When his wife's dead: therfore Ile lye with him

[2025]

When I am buried. Since Frenchmen are so braide, Marry that will, I liue and die a Maid: Onely in this disguise, I think't no sinne, To cosen him that would vniustly winne. Exit

Download the digital text of the play

                                
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   <head type="supplied">[Act 4, Scene 2]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Bertram, and the Maide called
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   <sp who="#F-aww-ber">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ber.</speaker>
      <p n="1944">They told me that your name was<hi rend="italic">Fontybell</hi>.</p>
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   <sp who="#F-aww-dia">
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      <speaker rend="italic">Ber.</speaker>
      <l n="1946">Titled Goddesse,</l>
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      <speaker rend="italic">Ber.</speaker>
      <p n="1956">So should you be.</p>
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   <sp who="#F-aww-dia">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dia.</speaker>
      <l n="1957">No:</l>
      <l n="1958">My mother did but dutie, such (my Lord)</l>
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   <sp who="#F-aww-ber">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ber.</speaker>
      <l n="1960">No more a'that:</l>
      <l n="1961">I prethee do not striue against my vowes:</l>
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      <speaker rend="italic">Dia.</speaker>
      <l n="1965">I so you serue vs</l>
      <l n="1966">Till we serue you: But when you haue our Roses,</l>
      <l n="1967">You barely leaue our thornes to pricke our selues,</l>
      <l n="1968">And mocke vs with our barenesse.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-aww-ber">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ber.</speaker>
      <p n="1969">How haue I sworne.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-aww-dia">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dia.</speaker>
      <l n="1970">Tis not the many oathes that makes the truth,</l>
      <l n="1971">But the plaine single vow, that is vow'd true:</l>
      <l n="1972">What is not holie, that we sweare not by,</l>
      <l n="1973">But take the high'st to witnesse: then pray you tell me,</l>
      <l n="1974">If I should sweare by Ioues great attributes,</l>
      <l n="1975">I lou'd you deerely, would you beleeue my oathes,</l>
      <l n="1976">When I did loue you ill? This ha's no holding</l>
      <l n="1977">To sweare by him whom I protest to loue</l>
      <l n="1978">That I will worke against him. Therefore your oaths</l>
      <l n="1979">Are words and poore conditions, but vnseal'd</l>
      <l n="1980">At lest in my opinion.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-aww-ber">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ber.</speaker>
      <l n="1981">Change it, change it:</l>
      <l n="1982">Be not so holy cruell: Loue is holie,</l>
      <l n="1983">And my integritie ne're knew the crafts</l>
      <l n="1984">That you do charge men with: Stand no more off,</l>
      <l n="1985">But giue thy selfe vnto my sicke desires,</l>
      <l n="1986">Who then recouers. Say thou art mine, and euer</l>
      <l n="1987">My loue as it beginnes, shall so perseuer.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-aww-dia">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dia.</speaker>
      <l n="1988">I see that men make rope's in such a scarre,</l>
      <l n="1989">That wee'l forsake our selues. Giue me that Ring.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-aww-ber">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ber.</speaker>
      <l n="1990">Ile lend it thee my deere; but haue no power</l>
      <l n="1991">To giue it from me.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-aww-dia">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dia.</speaker>
      <p n="1992">Will you not my Lord?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-aww-ber">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ber.</speaker>
      <l n="1993">It is an honour longing to our house,</l>
      <l n="1994">Bequeathed downe from manie Ancestors,</l>
      <l n="1995">Which were the greatest obloquie i'th world,</l>
      <l n="1996">In me to loose.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-aww-dia">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dian.</speaker>
      <l n="1997">Mine Honors such a Ring,</l>
      <l n="1998">My chastities the Iewell of our house,</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="1999">Bequeathed downe from many Ancestors,</l>
      <l n="2000">Which were the greatest obloquie i'th world,</l>
      <l n="2001">In mee to loose. Thus your owne proper wisedome</l>
      <l n="2002">Brings in the Champion honor on my part,</l>
      <l n="2003">Against your vaine assault.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-aww-ber">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ber.</speaker>
      <l n="2004">Heere, take my Ring,</l>
      <l n="2005">My house, mine honor, yea my life be thine,</l>
      <l n="2006">And Ile be bid by thee.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-aww-dia">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dia.</speaker>
      <l n="2007">When midnight comes, knocke at my cham
      <lb/>ber window:</l>
      <l n="2008">Ile order take, my mother shall not heare.</l>
      <l n="2009">Now will I charge you in the band of truth,</l>
      <l n="2010">When you haue conquer'd my yet maiden‑bed,</l>
      <l n="2011">Remaine there but an houre, nor speake to mee:</l>
      <l n="2012">My reasons are most strong, and you shall know them,</l>
      <l n="2013">When backe againe this Ring shall be deliuer'd:</l>
      <l n="2014">And on your finger in the night, Ile put</l>
      <l n="2015">Another Ring, that what in time proceeds,</l>
      <l n="2016">May token to the future, our past deeds.</l>
      <l n="2017">Adieu till then, then faile not: you haue wonne</l>
      <l n="2018">A wife of me, though there my hope be done.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-aww-ber">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ber.</speaker>
      <p n="2019">A heauen on earth I haue won by wooing thee.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-aww-dia">
      <speaker rend="italic">Di.</speaker>
      <l n="2020">For which, liue long to thank both heauen &amp; me,
      <lb/>You may so in the end.</l>
      <l n="2021">My mother told me iust how he would woo,</l>
      <l n="2022">As if she sate in's heart. She sayes, all men</l>
      <l n="2023">Haue the like oathes: He had sworne to marrie me</l>
      <l n="2024">When his wife's dead: therfore Ile lye with him</l>
      <l n="2025">When I am buried. Since Frenchmen are so braide,</l>
      <l n="2026">Marry that will, I liue and die a Maid:</l>
      <l n="2027">Onely in this disguise, I think't no sinne,</l>
      <l n="2028">To cosen him that would vniustly winne.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit</stage>
</div>

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The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.

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Reference: X3v - Comedies, p. 246