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All’s Well That Ends Well: Act III, Scene 4

All’s Well That Ends Well
Act III, Scene 4

Roussillon . The Count’s palace .

  1. Enter Countess and Steward Rinaldo .

Countess

1 - 3
  1. Alas ! And would you take the letter of her ?
  2. Might you not know she would do as she has done
  3. By sending me a letter ? Read it again .

Rinaldo

4 - 18
  1. Reads letter .
  2. I am Saint Jaques’ pilgrim , thither gone .
  3. Ambitious love hath so in me offended
  4. That barefoot plod I the cold ground upon
  5. With sainted vow my faults to have amended .
  6. Write , write , that from the bloody course of war
  7. My dearest master , your dear son , may hie .
  8. Bless him at home in peace , whilst I from far
  9. His name with zealous fervor sanctify .
  10. His taken labors bid him me forgive ;
  11. I , his despiteful Juno , sent him forth
  12. From courtly friends , with camping foes to live ,
  13. Where death and danger dogs the heels of worth .
  14. He is too good and fair for death and me ,
  15. Whom I myself embrace to set him free .”

Countess

19 - 23
  1. Ah , what sharp stings are in her mildest words !
  2. Rinaldo , you did never lack advice so much
  3. As letting her pass so . Had I spoke with her ,
  4. I could have well diverted her intents ,
  5. Which thus she hath prevented .

Rinaldo

24 - 27
  1.                                Pardon me , madam ,
  2. If I had given you this at overnight ,
  3. She might have been o’erta’en ; and yet she writes ,
  4. Pursuit would be but vain .

Countess

28 - 45
  1.                            What angel shall
  2. Bless this unworthy husband ? He cannot thrive ,
  3. Unless her prayers , whom heaven delights to hear
  4. And loves to grant , reprieve him from the wrath
  5. Of greatest justice . Write , write , Rinaldo ,
  6. To this unworthy husband of his wife .
  7. Let every word weigh heavy of her worth ,
  8. That he does weigh too light . My greatest grief ,
  9. Though little he do feel it , set down sharply .
  10. Dispatch the most convenient messenger .
  11. When haply he shall hear that she is gone ,
  12. He will return , and hope I may that she ,
  13. Hearing so much , will speed her foot again ,
  14. Led hither by pure love . Which of them both
  15. Is dearest to me , I have no skill in sense
  16. To make distinction . Provide this messenger .
  17. My heart is heavy , and mine age is weak ;
  18. Grief would have tears , and sorrow bids me speak .
  1. Exeunt .
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