Shakespeare Portal

Act 5, Scene 1

Marseilles. A street.

  1. [Enter HELENA, Widow, and DIANA, with two Attendants.]
  2. Helena
  3. 2304 But this exceeding posting day and night
  4. 2305 Must wear your spirits low: we cannot help it.
  5. 2306 But since you have made the days and nights as one,
  6. 2307 To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs,
  7. 2308 Be bold you do so grow in my requital
  8. 2309 As nothing can unroot you. In happy time;—
  9. [Enter a GENTLEMAN.]
  10. Helena
  11. 2310 This man may help me to his majesty's ear,
  12. 2311 If he would spend his power.—God save you, sir.
  13. Gentleman (Astringer)
  14. 2312 And you.
  15. Helena
  16. 2313 Sir, I have seen you in the court of France.
  17. Gentleman (Astringer)
  18. 2314 I have been sometimes there.
  19. Helena
  20. 2315 I do presume, sir, that you are not fallen
  21. 2316 From the report that goes upon your goodness;
  22. 2317 And therefore, goaded with most sharp occasions,
  23. 2318 Which lay nice manners by, I put you to
  24. 2319 The use of your own virtues, for the which
  25. 2320 I shall continue thankful.
  26. Gentleman (Astringer)
  27. 2321 What's your will?
  28. Helena
  29. 2322 That it will please you
  30. 2323 To give this poor petition to the king;
  31. 2324 And aid me with that store of power you have
  32. 2325 To come into his presence.
  33. Gentleman (Astringer)
  34. 2326 The king's not here.
  35. Helena
  36. 2327 Not here, sir?
  37. Gentleman (Astringer)
  38. 2328 Not indeed.
  39. 2329 He hence remov'd last night, and with more haste
  40. 2330 Than is his use.
  41. The Widow
  42. 2331 Lord, how we lose our pains!
  43. Helena
  44. 2332 All's well that ends well yet,
  45. 2333 Though time seem so adverse and means unfit.
  46. 2334 I do beseech you, whither is he gone?
  47. Gentleman (Astringer)
  48. 2335 Marry, as I take it, to Rousillon;
  49. 2336 Whither I am going.
  50. Helena
  51. 2337 I do beseech you, sir,
  52. 2338 Since you are like to see the king before me,
  53. 2339 Commend the paper to his gracious hand;
  54. 2340 Which I presume shall render you no blame,
  55. 2341 But rather make you thank your pains for it:
  56. 2342 I will come after you with what good speed
  57. 2343 Our means will make us means.
  58. Gentleman (Astringer)
  59. 2344 This I'll do for you.
  60. Helena
  61. 2345 And you shall find yourself to be well thank'd,
  62. 2346 Whate'er falls more.—We must to horse again;—
  63. 2347 Go, go, provide.
  64. [Exeunt.]