Count. What angel shall Bless this unworthy husband? he cannot thrive, Grief would have tears, and sorrow bids me speak. [Exeunt. SCENE V. Without the Walls of Florence. A tucket afar off. Enter an old Widow of Florence, DIANA, VIOLENTA, MARIANA, and other Citizens. Wid. Nay, come; for if they do approach the city, we shall lose all the sight. Dia. They say, the French count has done most honourable service. Wid. It is reported that he has taken their greatest commander; and that with his own hand he slew the duke's brother. We have lost our labour; they are gone a contrary way: hark! you may know by their trumpets. 2 That he does weigh too light:] To weigh here means to value or esteem. Mar. 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. Wid. I have told my neighbour, how you have been solicited by a gentleman his companion. 3 Mar. 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. Dia. You shall not need to fear me. Enter HELENA, in the dress of a Pilgrim. Wid. I hope so. Look, here comes a pilgrim: I know she will lie at my house: thither they send one another; I'll question her. — God save you, pilgrim! Whither are you bound? Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you? 3 4 Wid. Ay, marry, is it.- Hark you! [A march afar off. those suggestions-] Suggestions are temptations." · are not the things they go under:] They are not the things for which their names would make them pass. 5 · palmers-] Pilgrims that visited holy places; so called from a staff, or bough of palm they were wont to carry, especially such as had visited the holy places at Jerusalem. They come this way:- If you will tarry, holy pilgrim, I will conduct you where you will be lodg'd; Hel. Is it yourself? Wid. If you shall please so, pilgrim. Hel. I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure. Wid. You came, I think, from France? I did so. Hel. Hel. Dia. Whatsoe'er he is, He's bravely taken here. He stole from France, Hel. Ay, surely, mere the truth7; I know his lady. Dia. There is a gentleman, that serves the count, Reports but coarsely of her. Hel. Dia. Monsieur Parolles. What's his name? O, I believe with him, In argument of praise, or to the worth Of the great count himself, she is too mean I have not heard examin'd. 8 Dia. Alas, poor lady! 'Tis a hard bondage, to become the wife Of a detesting lord. 6 for the king, &c.] For, in the present instance, signifies be cause. mere the truth;] The exact, the entire truth. 7 8 - examin'd.] That is, questioned, doubted. Wid. A right good creature+: wheresoe'er she is, Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do her A shrewd turn, if she pleas'd. Hel. May be, the amorous count solicits her In the unlawful purpose. Wid. How do you mean? 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 Enter with drum and colours, a party of the Florentine army, BERTRAM, and PAROLLES. Mar. The gods forbid else! That with the plume: 'tis a most gallant fellow; Hel. I like him well. Dia. 'Tis pity, he is not honest: Yond's that same knave, That leads him to these places; were I his lady, I'd poison that vile rascal. Hel. Which is he? Dia. That jack-an-apes with scarfs: Why is he melancholy? Hel. Perchance he's hurt i'the battle. Par. Lose our drum! well. + "I write good creature." Malone. 9 -brokes-] To broke is to deal with panders. A broker, in our author's time, meant a bawd or pimp. |