ACT III SCENE IV

All’s Well That Ends Well

ACT III SCENE IV	Rousillon. The COUNT’S palace.
[Enter COUNTESS and Steward]
COUNTESS	Alas! and would you take the letter of her?
	Might you not know she would do as she has done,
	By sending me a letter? Read it again.
Steward	[Reads]
	I am Saint Jaques’ pilgrim, thither gone:	5
	Ambitious love hath so in me offended,
	That barefoot plod I the cold ground upon,
	With sainted vow my faults to have amended.
	Write, write, that from the bloody course of war
	My dearest master, your dear son, may hie:	10
	Bless him at home in peace, whilst I from far
	His name with zealous fervor sanctify:
	His taken labours bid him me forgive;
	I, his despiteful Juno, sent him forth
	From courtly friends, with camping foes to live,	15
	Where death and danger dogs the heels of worth:
	He is too good and fair for death and me:
	Whom I myself embrace, to set him free.
COUNTESS	Ah, what sharp stings are in her mildest words!
	Rinaldo, you did never lack advice so much,	20
	As letting her pass so: had I spoke with her,
	I could have well diverted her intents,
	Which thus she hath prevented.
Steward	Pardon me, madam:
	If I had given you this at over-night,	25
	She might have been o’erta’en; and yet she writes,
	Pursuit would be but vain.
COUNTESS	What angel shall
	Bless this unworthy husband? he cannot thrive,
	Unless her prayers, whom heaven delights to hear	30
	And loves to grant, reprieve him from the wrath
	Of greatest justice. Write, write, Rinaldo,
	To this unworthy husband of his wife;
	Let every word weigh heavy of her worth
	That he does weigh too light: my greatest grief.	35
	Though little he do feel it, set down sharply.
	Dispatch the most convenient messenger:
	When haply he shall hear that she is gone,
	He will return; and hope I may that she,
	Hearing so much, will speed her foot again,	40
	Led hither by pure love: which of them both
	Is dearest to me. I have no skill in sense
	To make distinction: provide this messenger:
	My heart is heavy and mine age is weak;
	Grief would have tears, and sorrow bids me speak.	45
[Exeunt]

Next: All’s Well That Ends Well, Act 3, Scene 5