Read All's Well That Ends Well for Free Online Page A

a messagefor her son, to say that he can never win “The honour that he loses” by his sword. She asks them to take a letter from her. Alone, Helen repeats Bertram’s words and is shocked that her presence has driven him away to war, where he may be hurt or killed. Fearful for his safety, she decides that she must leave France that night.
ACT 3 SCENE 3
    The Duke of Florence promotes Bertram to “general of our horse.” Bertram says it is too great an honor but he’ll try to live up to it. The Duke wishes him well and he says he will follow Mars, love war and hate love.
ACT 3 SCENE 4
    The Countess questions why Reynaldo took the letter from Helen, since he must have known what she would do. She asks him to read it again. In her letter Helen says she has decided to tread the pilgrim way of Saint Jaques to repent her sin of “Ambitious love” and begs the Countess to write that her own departure has brought Bertram back safe from the war. She asks the Countess to beg Bertram’s forgiveness. He is too good to die and she would prefer her own death to set him free. The Countess says Reynaldo should have brought her the letter last night so that Helen could be persuaded against this course of action, but he replies that Helen has written that pursuit would be in vain. The Countess does not believe her son—“this unworthy husband”—can thrive except through Helen’s prayers. She asks Reynaldo to write to Bertram telling him of Helen’s worth and her departure, in the hope that he may return and Helen may also out of “pure love.” She cannot say which of the two she loves best and is overcome with sorrow.
ACT 3 SCENE 5
    Lines 1–80: The Widow and her daughter, Diana, are discussing the French count’s valor in the war. Mariana warns her against him and the Widow explains how she has been “solicited” by his friend. Marianasays she knows who Diana means, “One Parolles,” a “filthy officer,” and again warns Diana to beware of them. Diana reassures her that she has no need to worry on her account. Helen enters, disguised as a pilgrim, asking where the “palmers” (pilgrims) lodge, and the Widow confirms it’s at her house. They guess she’s from France and tell her that one of her countrymen has fought valiantly in the war and name the Count of Rossillion. Helen says she knows him by name only. They report that he left France because he had been married against his will and ask Helen if she knows anything about it. Helen says she knows the lady and Diana says that Parolles speaks “but coarsely of her.” Helen says the lady is chaste and honest and the women pity her. The Widow says her daughter could do the lady a “shrewd” (malicious) turn if she chose and Helen guesses that he has tried to seduce Diana. The Widow says her daughter is able to defend herself against his advances.
    Lines 81–112: Bertram, Parolles, and the whole army pass across the stage. As they parade by, the Widow points out who is who and Diana points to Bertram. She asks Helen whether he is not “a handsome gentleman” and Helen replies, “I like him well.” They point out Parolles—“That jackanapes with scarves”—who is muttering about “Los[ing] our drum!” When they have passed by the Widow says she will show Helen where she is to lodge. Helen thanks her and invites mother and daughter to eat with her, at her expense, and she will give Diana some advice. They agree and go off together.
ACT 3 SCENE 6
    The two French lords are trying to convince Bertram that he is deceived about Parolles, who is nothing but a coward and a liar. Bertram wonders how it can be proved and the French lords hatch a plot for him to go and recover his drum. They meanwhile will capture and blindfold him, pretending to be the enemy, and they are convinced that if Bertram is present at his interrogation,