Act 3, Scene 5

Original Text

SCENE V. Without the walls of Florence. Enter an old Widow of Florence, Diana, Violenta, Mariana and other Citizens.

Modern English

SCENE V. Outside the walls of Florence. The Widow of Florence enters with Diana, Violenta, Mariana, and other townswomen.

Original Text

WIDOW. Nay, come; for if they do approach the city, we shall lose all the sight. DIANA. They say the French count has done most honourable service.

Modern English

WIDOW. Come on, hurry — if the soldiers are heading into the city, we'll miss the whole procession. DIANA. People are saying the French count has done extraordinary service.

Original Text

WIDOW. It is reported that he has taken their great'st commander, and that with his own hand he slew the duke's brother. [_A tucket afar off._] We have lost our labour; they are gone a contrary way. Hark! you may know by their trumpets.

Modern English

WIDOW. Word is he captured their top commander himself, and killed the duke's own brother with his bare hands. [_Trumpets sound in the distance._] We've wasted our time — they've gone another way. Listen, you can tell by their trumpets.

Original Text

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.

Modern English

MARIANA. Come, let's go back, and make do with what we've heard secondhand. Now Diana, watch yourself with this French count — a girl's reputation is everything she has, and there's no inheritance richer than her honor.

Original Text

WIDOW. I have told my neighbour how you have been solicited by a gentleman his companion.

Modern English

WIDOW. I've already told our neighbor how one of his companions has been making advances to you.

Original Text

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.

Modern English

MARIANA. I know that scoundrel — to hell with him. That's Parolles — a filthy go-between working on the young count's behalf. Watch yourself, Diana. Their promises, their flattery, their vows, their little gifts — none of it means what they pretend. Many a girl has been ruined by exactly these things. The sad truth is that even the wreckage of other girls' reputations can't seem to warn the next one off; they still get caught in the very snares they were shown. I shouldn't need to say more — I trust your own good sense will keep you safe, even if the only danger were the loss of modesty itself.

Original Text

DIANA. You shall not need to fear me.

Modern English

DIANA. You have nothing to fear on my account.

Original Text

Enter Helena in the dress of a pilgrim. WIDOW. 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 bound?

Modern English

Helena enters, dressed as a pilgrim. WIDOW. Good. Look — here comes a pilgrim. I know she'll be staying at my house; they all send each other my way. I'll go speak to her. God bless you, pilgrim! Where are you headed?

Original Text

HELENA. To Saint Jaques le Grand. Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you? WIDOW. At the Saint Francis here, beside the port. HELENA. Is this the way?

Modern English

HELENA. To the shrine of Saint Jacques le Grand. Can you tell me where pilgrims lodge around here? WIDOW. At Saint Francis, just by the gate. HELENA. Is this the road there?

Original Text

[_A march afar._] WIDOW. Ay, marry, is't. 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 lodg'd; The rather for I think I know your hostess As ample as myself.

Modern English

[_Drums and marching sounds in the distance._] WIDOW. Yes, right this way. Listen — the troops are coming through here. If you'll wait just a moment, holy pilgrim, Until the soldiers have passed, I'll take you to your lodgings myself — And I think I know your hostess As well as I know myself.

Original Text

HELENA. Is it yourself? WIDOW. If you shall please so, pilgrim. HELENA. I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.

Modern English

HELENA. Are you my hostess? WIDOW. If that suits you, pilgrim. HELENA. Thank you — I'll wait as long as you need.

Original Text

WIDOW. You came, I think, from France? HELENA. I did so. WIDOW. Here you shall see a countryman of yours That has done worthy service.

Modern English

WIDOW. You've come from France, I take it? HELENA. I have. WIDOW. Then you'll get to see a countryman of yours Who has done himself great honor here.

Original Text

HELENA. His name, I pray you. DIANA. The Count Rossillon. Know you such a one? HELENA. But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him; His face I know not.

Modern English

HELENA. What is his name? DIANA. The Count Rossillon. Do you know him? HELENA. Only by reputation — which is glowing. I've never seen his face.

Original Text

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? HELENA. Ay, surely, mere the truth; I know his lady.

Modern English

DIANA. Whatever else you might think of him, He's won great respect here. He ran away from France, They say, because the king forced him into a marriage He never wanted. Does that sound right to you? HELENA. Yes, that's the plain truth of it. I know his wife.

Original Text

DIANA. There is a gentleman that serves the count Reports but coarsely of her. HELENA. What's his name? DIANA. Monsieur Parolles.

Modern English

DIANA. There's a man in his company who speaks Very unkindly of her. HELENA. What's his name? DIANA. Monsieur Parolles.

Original Text

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 examin'd.

Modern English

HELENA. Oh, coming from him that's no surprise — When it comes to praising anyone, or acknowledging The count's own worth, she's too beneath his notice To be worth mentioning. All she has to her credit Is her quiet virtue, and even that, I've never heard him trouble himself to attack.

Original Text

DIANA. Alas, poor lady! 'Tis a hard bondage to become the wife Of a detesting lord. WIDOW. Ay, right; good creature, wheresoe'er she is, Her heart weighs sadly. This young maid might do her A shrewd turn, if she pleas'd.

Modern English

DIANA. Poor woman. What a cruel bondage — to be the wife Of a husband who despises you. WIDOW. Quite right. Wherever she is, the poor thing, Her heart must be heavy. This young girl here Could do her quite a turn, if she were willing.

Original Text

HELENA. How do you mean? Maybe the amorous count solicits her In the unlawful purpose. 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.

Modern English

HELENA. What do you mean? Is the count pursuing her With dishonorable intentions? WIDOW. He is — and he uses every go-between he can find To try and wear down a young woman's virtue. But she's holding firm against him, Defending herself with perfect honesty.

Original Text

Enter, with a drum and colours, a party of the Florentine army, Bertram and Parolles. MARIANA. The gods forbid else! WIDOW. So, now they come. That is Antonio, the Duke's eldest son; That Escalus.

Modern English

A party of the Florentine army enters with drums and banners, Bertram and Parolles among them. MARIANA. Thank God for that! WIDOW. Here they come now. That's Antonio, the Duke's eldest son, And that's Escalus.

Original Text

HELENA. Which is the Frenchman? DIANA. He; That with the plume; 'tis a most gallant fellow. I would he lov'd his wife; if he were honester He were much goodlier. Is't not a handsome gentleman? HELENA. I like him well.

Modern English

HELENA. Which one is the Frenchman? DIANA. Him — The one with the plume. A fine-looking man. I wish he loved his wife; if he had better character He'd be even better-looking. Isn't he handsome? HELENA. He is.

Original Text

DIANA. 'Tis pity he is not honest. Yond's that same knave That leads him to these places. Were I his lady I would poison that vile rascal. HELENA. Which is he? DIANA. That jack-an-apes with scarfs. Why is he melancholy? HELENA. Perchance he's hurt i' the battle.

Modern English

DIANA. It's a shame he has no integrity. And that wretch over there — he's the one who leads him astray. If I were his wife I'd poison that vile creature. HELENA. Which one? DIANA. That overdressed fool dripping in scarves. Why does he look so miserable? HELENA. Maybe he took a wound in the battle.

Original Text

PAROLLES. Lose our drum! Well. MARIANA. He's shrewdly vex'd at something. Look, he has spied us. WIDOW. Marry, hang you! MARIANA. And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier! [_Exeunt Bertram, Parolles, Officers and Soldiers._]

Modern English

PAROLLES. Lost our drum! Wonderful. MARIANA. He's furious about something. Look — he's spotted us. WIDOW. Good riddance to you! MARIANA. And the same to your manners, you errand-boy for lust! [_Exeunt Bertram, Parolles, Officers and Soldiers._]

Original Text

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. HELENA. I humbly thank you. Please it this matron and this gentle maid To eat with us tonight; the charge and thanking Shall be for me; and, to requite you further, I will bestow some precepts of this virgin, Worthy the note. BOTH. We'll take your offer kindly. [_Exeunt._]

Modern English

WIDOW. The troops are gone. Come, pilgrim, I'll take you Where you can stay the night. There are already four or five Penitents at my house, bound for Saint Jacques, Just like yourself. HELENA. I'm most grateful. Would you and this young lady do me the honor Of dining with us tonight? I'll cover all the expenses — And in return, I'd like to share some counsel With this young woman that may well be worth her while. BOTH. We'll gladly accept your offer. [_They exit._]

All's Well That Ends Well

Act 3, Scene 5

Act 3, Scene 5