Wid.

Nay, come; for if they do approach the city, we shall lose all the sight.

Dia. ^note

They say the French count has done most honourable service.

Wid.

It is reported that he has taken ^note their greatest ^note commander; and that with his own hand he slew the Duke's brother. [Tucket. ^note] We have lost our labour; they are gone a contrary way: hark! you may know by their trumpets.

Mar.

Come, let's return again, and suffice ourselves with the report of it. Well, Diana, take heed of this French earl: the honour of a maid is her name; and no legacy is so rich as honesty.

Wid.

I have told my neighbour how you have been solicited by a gentleman his companion. ^note

Mar.

I know that knave; hang him! one Parolles: a filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young earl. Beware of them, Diana; their promises, enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of lust, are not ^note the things they go under: many a maid hath been seduced by them; and the misery is, example ^note, that so terrible shows in the wreck of maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession, but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten ^note them. I hope I need not to advise you further; but I hope your own grace will keep you where you are, though there were no further danger known ^note but the modesty ^note which is so lost.

Dia.

You shall not need to fear me.

Wid.

I hope so.

Look, here comes a pilgrim: I know she will lie at my house; thither they send one another: I'll question her. God save you, pilgrim! whither are you bound?

Hel.
To Saint Jaques le ^note Grand.
Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?

Wid.
At the Saint Francis here ^note beside the port.

Hel.
Is this the way?

Wid.
Ay, marry, is't ^note. [A march afar. ^note] Hark you! they come this way.
If you will tarry, holy ^note pilgrim,
But till the ^note troops come by, ^note
I will conduct you where you shall be lodged;
The rather, for I think I know your hostess
As ample ^note as myself.

Hel.
Is it yourself?

Wid.
If you shall please so, pilgrim ^note.

Hel.
I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.

Wid.
You came, I think, from France?

Hel.
I did ^note 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.
Whatsome'er he is ^note,
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 ^note truth: I know his lady.

Dia.
There is a gentleman that serves the count
Reports but coarsely ^note of her.

Hel.
What's his name?

Dia.
Monsieur Parolles.

Hel.
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 examined.

Dia.
Alas ^note, poor lady!
'Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
Of a detesting lord.

Wid.
I write good creature, ^note wheresoe'er she is,
Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do her
A shrewd turn, if she pleased.

Hel.
How do you mean?
May be the amorous count solicits her
In the unlawful purpose.

Wid.
He does indeed;
And brokes ^note 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. ^note

Mar.
The gods forbid else!

Wid.
So, now they come: Drum and Colours. Enter Bertram ^note, Parolles, and the whole army.
That is Antonio, the Duke's eldest son;
That, Escalus.

Hel.
Which is the Frenchman?

Dia.
He;
That with the plume: 'tis a most gallant fellow.
I would he loved his wife: if he were honester
He were much goodlier: is't not a ^note handsome gentleman?

Hel.
I like him well.

Dia.
'Tis pity he is ^note not honest: yond's that same knave
That leads him to these places ^note: were I his lady,
I would ^note poison that vile rascal.

Hel.
Which is he?

Dia.

That jack-an-apes with scarfs: why is he melancholy?

Hel.

Perchance he's hurt i' the battle.

Par.

Lose our drum! well ^{note note}.

Mar.

He's shrewdly vexed at something: look, he has spied us.

Wid.

Marry, hang you!

Mar.

And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier!

Wid.
The troop is past. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you ^note
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 of ^note this virgin
Worthy the note.

Both.
We'll take your offer kindly. [Exeunt. ^note

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