Outside the Walls of Florence.
 A tucket afar off.
 Enter an old WIDOW of Florence, her daughter DIANA,
 VIOLENTA, MARIANA, with other CITIZENS.

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

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

Widow	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.

Mariana	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.

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

Mariana	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 the things they go 
	under. Many a maid hath been seduced by them; and the 
	misery is, example, that so terrible shows in the wrack of 
	maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession, but 
	that they are limed with the twigs that threatens 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.

Diana	You shall not need to fear me.

                   Enter HELENA, dressed as a pilgrim.

Widow	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?

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

Widow	At the Saint Francis here beside the port.

Helena	Is this the way?

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

Helena						Is it yourself?

Widow	If you shall please so, pilgrim.

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

Widow	You came, I think, from France?

Helena								I did so.

Widow	Here you shall see a countryman of yours
	That has done worthy service.

Helena									His name, I pray you.

Diana	The Count Rousillon. Know you such a one?

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

Diana						Whatsome'er he is,
	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?

Helena	Ay, surely, mere the truth; I know his lady.

Diana	There is a gentleman that serves the count
	Reports but coarsely of her.

Helena								What's his name?

Diana	Monsieur Parolles.

Helena						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 reservd honesty, and that
	I have not heard examined.

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

Widow	I warrant, good creature, wheresoe'er she is,
	Her heart weighs sadly. This young maid might do her
	A shrewd turn if she pleased.

Helena								How do you mean?
	Maybe the amorous count solicits her
	In the unlawful purpose?

Widow							He does indeed,
	And brokes with all that can in such a suit
	Corrupt the tender honour of a maid.
	But she is armed for him, and keeps her guard
	In honestest defence.

Mariana							The gods forbid else!

                            DRUM and COLOURS.
               Enter BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and the whole ARMY.

Widow	So, now they come.
	That is Antonio, the duke's eldest son;
	That, Escalus.

Helena					Which is the Frenchman?

Diana										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 handsome gentleman?

Helena	I like him well.

Diana	'Tis pity he is not honest. Yond's that same knave
	That leads him to these places. Were I his lady
	I would poison that vile rascal.

Helena									Which is he?

Diana	That jackanapes with scarfs. Why is he melancholy?

Helena	Perchance he's hurt i'th' battle.

Parolles	Lose our drum! Well!

Mariana	He's shrewdly vexed at something. Look, he has spied us.
										[PAROLLES bows to the Ladies.
Widow	Marry, hang you!

Mariana	And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier!
							  [Exeunt BERTRAM, PAROLLES and ARMY.

Widow	The troop is past. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you
	Where you shall host. Of enjoined penitents
	There's four or five, to Great Saint Jaques bound,
	Already at my house.

Helena							I humbly thank you.
	Please it this matron and this gentle maid
	To eat with us tonight; the charge and thanking
	Shall be for me, and, to requite you further,
	I will bestow some precepts of this virgin,
	Worthy the note.

Widow &
Mariana					We'll take your offer kindly.
												[Exeunt.
