The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Уильям Шекспир

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СКАЧАТЬ As letting her pass so; had I spoke with her,

       I could have well diverted her intents,

       Which thus she hath prevented.

       STEWARD.

       Pardon me, madam:

       If I had given you this at over-night,

       She might have been o’er ta’en; and yet she writes,

       Pursuit would be but vain.

       COUNTESS.

       What angel shall

       Bless this unworthy husband? he cannot thrive,

       Unless her prayers, whom heaven delights to hear

       And loves to grant, reprieve him from the wrath

       Of greatest justice.—Write, write, Rinaldo,

       To this unworthy husband of his wife:

       Let every word weigh heavy of her worth,

       That he does weigh too light: my greatest grief,

       Though little he do feel it, set down sharply.

       Dispatch the most convenient messenger:—

       When, haply, he shall hear that she is gone

       He will return; and hope I may that she,

       Hearing so much, will speed her foot again,

       Led hither by pure love: which of them both

       Is dearest to me I have no skill in sense

       To make distinction:—provide this messenger:—

       My heart is heavy, and mine age is weak;

       Grief would have tears, and sorrow bids me speak.

       [Exeunt.]

      SCENE 5. Without the walls of Florence.

       [Enter an old Widow of Florence, DIANA, VIOLENTA, MARIANA, and 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.

       [A tucket afar off.]

       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 wreck of maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession, but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten 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.

       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.—

       [Enter HELENA in the dress of a pilgrim.]

       God save you, pilgrim! Whither are 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. Hark you! They come this way.

       [A march afar off.]

       If you will tarry, holy pilgrim,

       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 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.

       Whatsoe’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.

       СКАЧАТЬ