They come this way: - If you will tarry, holy pilgrim, I will conduct you where you shall be lodg'd; 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, "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. 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 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 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! 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. THAT WITH THE PLUME TIS A MOST GALLANT FELLOW 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, Hel. I humbly thank you: Please it this matron, and this gentle maid, 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. |