Paris. A Room in the the King's Palace.
 Enter LAFEU and BERTRAM.

Lafeu	But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier.

Bertram	Yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof.

Lafeu	You have it from his own deliverance.

Bertram	And by other warranted testimony.

Lafeu	Then my dial goes not true; I took this lark for a bunting.

Bertram	I do assure you, my lord, he is very great in knowledge, 
	and accordingly valiant.

Lafeu	I have then sinned against his experience and transgressed 
	against his valour; and my state that way is dangerous, 
	since I cannot yet find in my heart to repent. Here he 
	comes. I pray you make us friends; I will pursue the amity.

                             Enter PAROLLES.

Parolles	[To BERTRAM.] These things shall be done, sir.

Lafeu	Pray you, sir, who's his tailor?

Parolles	Sir!

Lafeu	O, I know him well! Ay, 'Sir'; he. Sir's a good workman, a 
	very good tailor.

Bertram	[Aside to PAROLLES.] Is she gone to the king?

Parolles	She is.

Bertram	Will she away tonight?

Parolles	As you'll have her.

Bertram	I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure,
	Given order for our horses; and tonight,
	When I should take possession of the bride,
	End ere I do begin.

Lafeu	[Aside.] A good traveller is something at the latter end of 
	a dinner; but one that lies three thirds and uses a known 
	truth to pass a thousand nothings with, should be once 
	heard and thrice beaten.
	[To PAROLLES.] God save you, captain!

Bertram	Is there any unkindness between my lord and you, monsieur?

Parolles	I know not how I have deserved to run into my lord's 
	displeasure.

Lafeu	You have made shift to run into't, boots and spurs and all, 
	like him that leaped into the custard; and out of it you'll 
	run again, rather than suffer question for your residence.

Bertram	It may be you have mistaken him, my lord.

Lafeu	And shall do so ever, though I took him at's prayers. Fare 
	you well, my lord, and believe this of me: there can be no 
	kernel in this light nut. The soul of this man is his 
	clothes. Trust him not in matter of heavy consequence; I 
	have kept of them tame, and know their natures. Farewell, 
	monsieur; I have spoken better of you than you have or will 
	to deserve at my hand; but we must do good against evil.
												[Exit.

Parolles	An idle lord, I swear.

Bertram	I think not so.

Parolles	Why, do you not know him?

Bertram	Yes, I do know him well; and common speech
	Gives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog.

                              Enter HELENA.

Helena	I have, sir, as I was commanded from you,
	Spoke with the king, and have procured his leave
	For present parting; only, he desires
	Some private speech with you.

Bertram								I shall obey his will.
	You must not marvel, Helen, at my course,
	Which holds not colour with the time, nor does
	The ministration and requird office
	On my particular. Prepared I was not
	For such a business, therefore am I found
	So much unsettled. This drives me to entreat you
	That presently you take your way for home,
	And rather muse than ask why I entreat you,
	For my respects are better than they seem,
	And my appointments have in them a need
	Greater than shows itself at the first view
	To you that know them not. This to my mother.
												[Giving a letter.
	'Twill be two days ere I shall see you, so
	I leave you to your wisdom.

Helena								Sir, I can nothing say
	But that I am your most obedient servant.

Bertram	Come, come; no more of that.

Helena									And ever shall
	With true observance seek to eke out that
	Wherein toward me my homely stars have failed
	To equal my great fortune.

Bertram								Let that go.
	My haste is very great. Farewell. Hie home.

Helena	Pray sir, your pardon.

Bertram							Well, what would you say?

Helena	I am not worthy of the wealth I owe,
	Nor dare I say 'tis mine, and yet it is;
	But, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal
	What law does vouch mine own.

Bertram								What would you have?

Helena	Something, and scarce so much; nothing, indeed.
	I would not tell you what I would, my lord.
	Faith, yes:
	Strangers and foes do sunder and not kiss.

Bertram	I pray you, stay not, but in haste to horse.

Helena	I shall not break your bidding, good my lord.
	Where are my other men? Monsieur, farewell.
												[Exit.
Bertram	Go thou toward home, where I will never come
	Whilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum.
	Away! And for our flight.

Parolles	Bravely. Coraggio!
												[Exeunt.
