All's Well That Ends Well

by William Shakespeare

ACT V - Scene II

Rousillon. The inner court of the COUNT'S palace

Enter CLOWN and PAROLLES

Good Monsieur Lavache, give my Lord Lafeu this letter. I
have ere now, sir, been better known to you, when I have held
familiarity with fresher clothes; but I am now, sir, muddied in
Fortune's mood, and smell somewhat strong of her strong
displeasure.

Truly, Fortune's displeasure is but sluttish, if it smell
so strongly as thou speak'st of. I will henceforth eat no fish
of Fortune's butt'ring. Prithee, allow the wind.

Nay, you need not to stop your nose, sir; I spake but by
a metaphor.

Indeed, sir, if your metaphor stink, I will stop my nose; or
against any man's metaphor. Prithee, get thee further.

Pray you, sir, deliver me this paper.

Foh! prithee stand away. A paper from Fortune's close-stool
to give to a nobleman! Look here he comes himself.

Enter LAFEU

Here is a pur of Fortune's, sir, or of Fortune's cat, but not
a musk-cat, that has fall'n into the unclean fishpond of her
displeasure, and, as he says, is muddied withal. Pray you, sir,
use the carp as you may; for he looks like a poor, decayed,
ingenious, foolish, rascally knave. I do pity his distress
in my similes of comfort, and leave him to your lordship.

Exit

My lord, I am a man whom Fortune hath cruelly scratch'd.

And what would you have me to do? 'Tis too late to pare her
nails now. Wherein have you played the knave with Fortune, that
she should scratch you, who of herself is a good lady and would
not have knaves thrive long under her? There's a cardecue for
you. Let the justices make you and Fortune friends; I am for
other business.

I beseech your honour to hear me one single word.

You beg a single penny more; come, you shall ha't; save your
word.

My name, my good lord, is Parolles.

You beg more than word then. Cox my passion! give me your
hand. How does your drum?

O my good lord, you were the first that found me.

Was I, in sooth? And I was the first that lost thee.

It lies in you, my lord, to bring me in some grace, for
you did bring me out.

Out upon thee, knave! Dost thou put upon me at once both the
office of God and the devil? One brings the in grace, and the
other brings thee out. [Trumpets sound] The King's coming; I
know by his trumpets. Sirrah, inquire further after me; I had
talk of you last night. Though you are a fool and a knave, you
shall eat. Go to; follow.

I praise God for you.

Exeunt