Wid.

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

Dia.

They say, the French count has done most honourable service.

Wid.

It is reported, that he has taken their greatest commander; and that with his own hand he slew the duke's brother. [Tucket.] 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

sollicited by a gentleman his companion.

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, inticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of lust, are not the things they go under14Q0403: many a maid hath been seduc'd by them; and the misery is, example, that so terrible shews 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, but the modesty 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 lye at my house: thither they send one another: I'll question her.—

Hel.
To saint Jaques le grand.
Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?

Wid.
At the saint Francis here beside the port.

Hel.
Is this the way?

Wid.
Ay, marry, is it.—Hark you! [Tucket.
They come this way:—If you will tarry, pilgrim ^note,
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 ^note 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 Rosillion; Know you such a one?

Hel.
But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him;
His face I know not.

Dia.
Whatsoe'er he is ^note,
He's bravely taken here. He stole from France,
As 'tis reported, for the king had marry'd him
Against his liking: Think you, it is so?

Hel.
Ay, surely, meer the truth; I know his lady.

Dia.
There is a gentleman that serves the count,
Reports but coarsely 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 examin'd.

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

Wid.
Ay, right:—Good ^note 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 you mean?
May be, the amorous count sollicits her
In the unlawful purpose.

Wid.
He does, indeed;
And brokes 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.

Mar.
The gods forbid else! Enter, with Drum and Colours, marching, the Florentine Army, Bertram, ^note and Parolles.

Wid.
So, now they come:—
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 lov'd his wife: if he were honester,
He were much goodlier: Is't not a handsome gentleman?

Hel.
I like him well? ^note

Dia.
'Tis pity, he's not honest: Yond's † that same knave,
That leads him to these paces ^note; were I his lady,
I'd 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.

Mar.
He's shrewdly vex'd at something: Look, he has spy'd us.

Wid.
Marry, hang you! [Parolles bows to them.

Mar.
and your courtesy, for a ring-carrier! [Exeunt Army, Ber. ^note Par. &c.

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 ^note virgin,
Worthy the note.

Mar. Dia.
We'll take your offer kindly. [Exeunt.

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