professes not keeping of oaths; in breaking them, he is stronger than Hercules. He will lie, Sir, with such volubility, that you would think truth were a fool: drunkenness is his best virtue; for he will be swine drunk; and in his sleep he does little harm, save to his bed clothes about him; but they know his conditions and lay him in straw, I have but little more to say, Sir', of his honesty he has every thing that an honest man should not have; what an honest man should have, he has nothing.

1 Lord. I begin to love him for this.

Ber. For this description of thine honesty? A pox upon him for me, he is more and more

à cat.

1 Sold. What say you to his expertness in

War?

not, -

Par. Faith, Sir, he has led the drum before the English tragedians, to belie him, I will and more of his soldiership I know not; except, in that country, he had the honour to be the officer at a place there cali'd Mite end, to instruct for the doubling of files: I would do the man what honour I-can, but of this I am not certain.

Lord. He hath out villain'd villainy so far, that the rarity redeems him.

· Ber. A pox on him! he's a cat still.

Sold. His qualities being at this poor price, 1 need not ask you, if gold will corrupt him to

Par. Sir, for a quart d'ecu he will sell the fee simple of his salvation, the inheritance of it; and cut the entail from all remainders, and a perpetual succession for it perpetually.

1 Sold. What's his brother, the other Captain Dumain?

2 Lord. What does he ask him of me?

1 Sold. What's he?

Par. E'en a crow of the same nest; not alto gether so great as the first in goodness,- but greater a great deal in evil. He excels his brother for a coward, yet his brother is reputed one of the best that is: In a retreat he out-runs any lackey; marry, in coming on he has the cramp.

1 Sold. If your life be saved, will you under take to betray the Florentine?

Par. Ay, and the Captain, of his horse, Count Rousillon.

1 Sold. I'll whisper with the General, and know his pleasure.

Far. I'll no more drumming; a plague of all driims! Only to seem to deserve well, and to beguile the supposition of that lascivious young boy the Count, have I run into this danger: Yet, who would have suspected an ambush where L was taken? [Aside.

1 Sold. There is no remedy, Sir, but you must. die the General says, you, that have so traiterously discovered the secrets of your army, and made; such pestiferous reports of men very nobly held, can serve the world for no honest use; therefore you must die. Come, headsman, off with his

head.

Par. O Lord, Sir; let me live, or let me see my death!

1 Sold. That shall you, and take your leave of all your friends. [Unmuffling him. So, look about you; Know you any here?. Ber. Good morrow, noble Captain.

2 Lord. God bless you, Captain Parolles.

Lord. God save you, noble Captain. a Lord. Captain, what greeting will you to my Lord Lafeu? I am for France.

1 Lord. Good Captain, will you give me a copy of the sonnet you writ to Diana in behalf of the Count Rousillon? an I were not a very coward, I'd compel it of you; but fare you well. [Exeunt BERTRAM, Lords, etc. 1 Sold. You are undone, Captain; all but your scarf, that has a knot on't yet.

Par. Who cannot be crush'd with a plot? 1 Sold. If you could find out a country where but women were that had received So much shame, you might begin an impudent nation.' Fare you well, Sir; I am for France too; shall speak of you there.

[Exit. Par. Yet am I thankful: if my heart were

great,

this: Captain I'll be no

more;

But I will eat and drink, and sleep as soft
As Captain shall: simply the thing I am

Shall make me live. Who knows himself a

4

braggart,

Let him fear this; for it will come to pass,
That every braggart shall be found an ass.
Rust, sword! cool, blushes! and, Parolles,)

Hel. That you may well perceive I have not wrong'd you,

On of the greatest in the christian world

Shall be my surety;

fore whose throne, 'tis
needful,

Ere I can perfect mine intents, to kneel;
Time was, I did him a desired office,
Dear almost as his life which gratitude
Through finty tartar's bosom would peep forth,
And answer, thanks: I duly am inform'd,
His grace is at Marseilles; to which place
We have convenient convoy. You must know,

1 am suposed dead: the ariny breaking,

My husband hies him home; where, heaven aiding,

And by the leave of my good lord the King,
We'll be before our welcome.

Wid. Gentle Madam,

You never had a servant, to whose trust
Your business was more welcome.

Hel. Nor you, Mistress,

Ever a friend, whose thoughts more truly labour To recompence your love; doubt not but heaven Hath brought me up to be your daughter's dower, As it hath fated her to be my motive

And helper to a husband. But Q strange men!, That can uch sweet use make of what they hate, When saucy trusting of the cozen'd thoughts Defiles the pitchy might! so lust doth play

With what it loaths, for that which is away:
But more of this hereafter:

You, Diana,

Under my poor instructions yet must suffer
Something in my behalf,

Dia. Let death and honesty

Go with your impositions, I am yours
Upon your will to suffer.

Hel. Yet, I pray you,

But with the word, the time will bring on sum

mer,

When briars shall have leaves as well as thorns,
And be as sweet as sharp. We must away;
Aur waggon is prepar'd, and time revives ns:
Ail's well that ends well: still the fiue's the

crown;

Whate'er the course, the end is the renown.

SCENE V.

Rousillon. A Room in the Countess's Palace.

Enter Countess, LAFEU, and Clown.

Laf. No, no, no, your son was misled with a snipt taffata fellow there; whose villainous saffron ' would have made all the unbaked and doughy youth of a nation in his colour: your daughter. in law had been alive at this hour; sou here at home, more advanced by the King, than by that red tail'd humble-beef speak of.

and your

Count I would, I had not known him! it was the death of the most virtuous gentlewoman, that ever nature had praise for creating': if she had partaken of my flesh, and cost me the dearest