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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.

Hel.

Is it yourself?

Wid. If you shall please so, pilgrim.

Hel. I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure. Wid. You came, I think, from France?

Hel. I did so. Wid. Here you shall see a countryman of yours, That has done worthy service.

Hel. His name, I pray you. Dia. The count Rousillon; Know you such a one? Hel. But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him: His face I know not.

Dia.

Whatso'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?

"Hel. Ay, surely, mere the truth'; I know his lady. Dia. There is a gentleman, that serves the count, Reports but coarsely of her.

Hel.

Dia. Monsieur Parolles.
Hel.

What's his name?

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."

Dia.

Alas, poor lady!

'Tis a hard bondage, to become the wife

Of a detesting lord.

6

because.

7

8

for the king, &c.] For, in the present instance, signifies

mere the truth ;] The exact, the entire truth.

examin'd.] That is, questioned, doubted.

Wid. A right good creature+: wheresoe'er she is, Her heart weighs sadly this young maid might do her A shrewd turn, if she pleas'd.

Hel.

How do

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May be, the amorous count solicits her

In the unlawful purpose.

Wid.

He does, indeed;

And brokes 9 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.

Enter with drum and colours, a party of the Florentine army, BERTRAM, and PAROLLES.

Mar. The gods forbid else!

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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?

Hel. I like him well.

Dia. 'Tis pity, he is not honest: Yond's that same

knave,

That leads him to these places; were I his lady,

I'd poison that vile rascal.

Hel.

Which is he?

Dia. That jack-an-apes with scarfs: Why is he me

lancholy?

9

Hel. Perchance he's hurt i'the battle.

Par. Lose our drum! well.

"I write good creature." MALONE.

·brokes] To broke is to deal with panders. A broker, in

our author's time, meant a bawd or pimp.

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THAT WITH THE PLUME TIS A MOST GALLANT FELLOW
Act IIL.Sc.5.

London Published by FC&J. Rivington, and Partners. Feb 1823.

Mar. He's shrewdly vexed at something: Look, he

has spied us.

Wid. Marry, hang you!

Mar. And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier!

[Exeunt BERTRAM, PAROLLES, Officers, and Soldiers.

Wid. 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.

Hel.

I humbly thank you:

Please it this matron, and this gentle maid,
To eat with us to-night, the charge, and thanking,
Shall be for me; and, to requite you further,

I will bestow some precepts on this virgin,

Worthy the note.

Both.

We'll take your offer kindly.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.

Camp before Florence.

Enter BERTRAM, and the two French Lords.

1 Lord. Nay, good my lord, put him to't; let him have his way.

2 Lord. If your lordship find him not a hilding ', hold me no more in your respect.

1 Lord. On my life, my lord, a bubble.

Ber. Do you think, I am so far deceived in him?

1 Lord. Believe it, my lord, in mine own direct knowledge, without any malice, but to speak of him as my kinsman, he's a most notable coward, an infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise-breaker, the owner of no one good quality worthy your lordship's entertain

ment.

1 — a hilding.] A hilding is a paltry, cowardly fellow.

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