We lost a jewel of her, and our esteem
Was made much poorer by it; but your son,
As mad in folly, lack’d the sense to know
Her estimation home.
We lost a jewel of her, and our esteem Was made much poorer by it; but your son, As mad in folly, lack’d the sense to know Her estimation home.
we lost a jewel of her, and our esteem was made much poorer by it; but your son, as mad in folly, lack’d the sense to know her estimation home.
We lost a jewel of her, and our esteem Was made much...
’Tis past, my liege,
And I beseech your majesty to make it
Natural rebellion, done i’ the blaze of youth,
When oil and fire, too strong for reason’s force,
O’erbears it and burns on.
’is past, my liege, And I beseech your majesty to make it Natural rebellion, done i’ the blaze of youth, When oil and fire, too strong for reason’s force, O’erbears it and burns on.
’t's past, my liege, and i beseech your majesty to make it natural rebellion, done i’ the blaze of youth, when oil and fire, too strong for reason’s force, o’erbears it and burns on.
’is past, my liege, And I beseech your majesty to make it...
My honour’d lady,
I have forgiven and forgotten all,
Though my revenges were high bent upon him,
And watch’d the time to shoot.
My honour’d lady, I have forgiven and forgotten all, Though my revenges were high bent upon him, And watch’d the time to shoot.
my honour’d lady, i 've forgiven and forgotten all, though my revenges were high bent upon him, and watch’d the time to shoot.
My honour’d lady, I have forgiven and forgotten all, Though my revenges...
This I must say,—
But first, I beg my pardon,—the young lord
Did to his majesty, his mother, and his lady,
Offence of mighty note; but to himself
The greatest wrong of all. He lost a wife
Whose beauty did astonish the survey
Of richest eyes; whose words all ears took captive;
Whose dear perfection hearts that scorn’d to serve
Humbly call’d mistress.
This I must say,— But first, I beg my pardon,—the young lord Did to his majesty, his mother, and his lady, Offence of mighty note; but to himself The greatest wrong of all. He lost a wife Whose beauty did astonish the survey Of richest eyes; whose words all ears took captive; Whose dear perfection hearts that scorn’d to serve Humbly call’d mistress.
th's i must say,— but first, i beg my pardon,—the young lord did to h's majesty, h's mother, and h's lady, offence of mighty note; but to himself the greatest wrong of all. he lost a wife whose beauty did astonish the survey of richest eyes; whose words all ears took captive; whose dear perfection hearts that scorn’d to serve humbly call’d mistress.
This I must say,— But first, I beg my pardon,—the young lord...
Praising what is lost
Makes the remembrance dear. Well, call him hither;
We are reconcil’d, and the first view shall kill
All repetition. Let him not ask our pardon;
The nature of his great offence is dead,
And deeper than oblivion do we bury
Th’ incensing relics of it. Let him approach
A stranger, no offender; and inform him
So ’tis our will he should.
Praising what is lost Makes the remembrance dear. Well, call him here; We are reconcil’d, and the first view shall kill All repetition. Let him not ask our pardon; The nature of his great offence is dead, And deeper than oblivion do we bury Th’ incensing relics of it. Let him approach A stranger, no offender; and inform him So ’is our will he should.
praising what 's lost makes the remembrance dear. well, call him here; we 're reconcil’d, and the first view shall kill all repetition. let him not ask our pardon; the nature of h's great offence 's dead, and deeper than oblivion do we bury th’ incensing relics of it. let him approach a stranger, no offender; and inform him so ’t's our will he should.
Praising what is lost Makes the remembrance dear. Well, call him here;...
I shall, my liege.
I shall, my liege.
i shall, my liege.
I shall, my liege.
What says he to your daughter? Have you spoke?
What says he to your daughter? Have you spoke?
what says he to your daughter? 've you spoke?
What says he to your daughter? Have you spoke?
All that he is hath reference to your highness.
All that he is has reference to your highness.
all that he 's has reference to your highness.
All that he is has reference to your highness.
Then shall we have a match. I have letters sent me
That sets him high in fame.
Then shall we have a match. I have letters sent me That sets him high in fame.
then shall we 've a match. i 've letters sent me that sets him high in fame.
Then shall we have a match. I have letters sent me That...
He looks well on ’t.
He looks well on ’t.
he looks well on ’t.
He looks well on ’t.
I am not a day of season,
For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail
In me at once. But to the brightest beams
Distracted clouds give way; so stand thou forth;
The time is fair again.
I am not a day of season, For you may see a sunshine and a hail In me at once. But to the brightest beams Distracted clouds give way; so stand you forth; The time is fair again.
i am not a day of season, for you may see a sunshine and a hail in me at once. but to the brightest beams distracted clouds give way; so stand you forth; the time 's fair again.
I am not a day of season, For you may see a...
My high-repented blames
Dear sovereign, pardon to me.
My high-repented blames Dear sovereign, pardon to me.
my high-repented blames dear sovereign, pardon to me.
My high-repented blames Dear sovereign, pardon to me.
All is whole.
Not one word more of the consumed time.
Let’s take the instant by the forward top;
For we are old, and on our quick’st decrees
Th’inaudible and noiseless foot of time
Steals ere we can effect them. You remember
The daughter of this lord?
All is whole. Not one word more of the consumed time. Let’s take the instant by the forward top; For we are old, and on our quick’st decrees Th’inaudible and noiseless foot of time Steals before we can effect them. You remember The daughter of this lord?
all 's whole. not one word more of the consumed time. let’s take the instant by the forward top; for we 're old, and on our quick’st decrees th’inaudible and noiseless foot of time steals before we can effect them. you remember the daughter of th's lord?
All is whole. Not one word more of the consumed time. Let’s...
Admiringly, my liege. At first
I stuck my choice upon her, ere my heart
Durst make too bold herald of my tongue:
Where the impression of mine eye infixing,
Contempt his scornful perspective did lend me,
Which warp’d the line of every other favour,
Scorn’d a fair colour, or express’d it stolen,
Extended or contracted all proportions
To a most hideous object. Thence it came
That she whom all men prais’d, and whom myself,
Since I have lost, have lov’d, was in mine eye
The dust that did offend it.
Admiringly, my liege. At first I stuck my choice upon her, before my heart Durst make too bold herald of my tongue: Where the impression of mine eye infixing, Contempt his scornful perspective did lend me, Which warp’d the line of every other favour, Scorn’d a fair colour, or express’d it stolen, Extended or contracted all proportions To a most hideous object. from there it came That she whom all men prais’d, and whom myself, Since I have lost, have lov’d, was in mine eye The dust that did offend it.
admiringly, my liege. at first i stuck my choice upon her, before my heart durst make too bold herald of my tongue: where the impression of mine eye infixing, contempt h's scornful perspective did lend me, which warp’d the line of every other favour, scorn’d a fair colour, or express’d it stolen, extended or contracted all proportions to a most hideous object. from there it came that she whom all men prais’d, and whom myself, since i 've lost, 've lov’d, was in mine eye the dust that did offend it.
Admiringly, my liege. At first I stuck my choice upon her, before...
Well excus’d:
That thou didst love her, strikes some scores away
From the great compt: but love that comes too late,
Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried,
To the great sender turns a sour offence,
Crying, That’s good that’s gone. Our rash faults
Make trivial price of serious things we have,
Not knowing them until we know their grave.
Oft our displeasures, to ourselves unjust,
Destroy our friends, and after weep their dust:
Our own love waking cries to see what’s done,
While shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon.
Be this sweet Helen’s knell, and now forget her.
Send forth your amorous token for fair Maudlin.
The main consents are had, and here we’ll stay
To see our widower’s second marriage-day.
Well excus’d: That you did love her, strikes some scores away From the great compt: but love that comes too late, Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried, To the great sender turns a sour offence, Crying, That’s good that’s gone. Our rash faults Make trivial price of serious things we have, Not knowing them until we know their grave. Oft our displeasures, to ourselves unjust, Destroy our friends, and after weep their dust: Our own love waking cries to see what’s done, While shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon. Be this sweet Helen’s knell, and now forget her. Send forth your amorous token for fair Maudlin. The main consents are had, and here we’ll stay To see our widower’s second marriage-day.
well excus’d: that you did love her, strikes some scores away from the great compt: but love that comes too late, like a remorseful pardon slowly carried, to the great sender turns a sour offence, crying, that’s good that’s gone. our rash faults make trivial price of serious things we have, not knowing them until we know their grave. oft our displeasures, to ourselves unjust, destroy our friends, and after weep their dust: our own love waking cries to see what’s done, while shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon. be th's sweet helen’s knell, and now forget her. send forth your amorous token for fair maudlin. the main consents 're had, and here we’ll stay to see our widower’s second marriage-day.
Well excus’d: That you did love her, strikes some scores away From...
Which better than the first, O dear heaven, bless!
Or, ere they meet, in me, O nature, cesse!
Which better than the first, O dear heaven, bless! Or, before they meet, in me, O nature, cesse!
which better than the first, o dear heaven, bless! or, before they meet, in me, o nature, cesse!
Which better than the first, O dear heaven, bless! Or, before they...
Come on, my son, in whom my house’s name
Must be digested; give a favour from you,
To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter,
That she may quickly come.
Come on, my son, in whom my house’s name Must be digested; give a favour from you, To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter, That she may quickly come.
come on, my son, in whom my house’s name must be digested; give a favour from you, to sparkle in the spirits of my daughter, that she may quickly come.
Come on, my son, in whom my house’s name Must be digested;...
Hers it was not.
Hers it was not.
hers it was not.
Hers it was not.
Now, pray you, let me see it; for mine eye,
While I was speaking, oft was fasten’d to it.
This ring was mine; and when I gave it Helen
I bade her, if her fortunes ever stood
Necessitied to help, that by this token
I would relieve her. Had you that craft to ’reave her
Of what should stead her most?
Now, pray you, let me see it; for mine eye, While I was speaking, oft was fasten’d to it. This ring was mine; and when I gave it Helen I bade her, if her fortunes ever stood Necessitied to help, that by this token I would relieve her. Had you that craft to ’reave her Of what should stead her most?
now, pray you, let me see it; for mine eye, while i was speaking, oft was fasten’d to it. th's ring was mine; and when i gave it helen i bade her, if her fortunes ever stood necessitied to help, that by th's token i would relieve her. had you that craft to ’reave her of what should stead her most?
Now, pray you, let me see it; for mine eye, While I...
My gracious sovereign,
Howe’er it pleases you to take it so,
The ring was never hers.
My gracious sovereign, Howe’er it pleases you to take it so, The ring was never hers.
my gracious sovereign, howe’er it pleases you to take it so, the ring was never hers.
My gracious sovereign, Howe’er it pleases you to take it so, The...
Son, on my life,
I have seen her wear it; and she reckon’d it
At her life’s rate.
Son, on my life, I have seen her wear it; and she reckon’d it At her life’s rate.
son, on my life, i 've seen her wear it; and she reckon’d it at her life’s rate.
Son, on my life, I have seen her wear it; and she...
I am sure I saw her wear it.
I am sure I saw her wear it.
i am sure i saw her wear it.
I am sure I saw her wear it.
You are deceiv’d, my lord; she never saw it.
In Florence was it from a casement thrown me,
Wrapp’d in a paper, which contain’d the name
Of her that threw it. Noble she was, and thought
I stood engag’d; but when I had subscrib’d
To mine own fortune, and inform’d her fully
I could not answer in that course of honour
As she had made the overture, she ceas’d,
In heavy satisfaction, and would never
Receive the ring again.
You are deceiv’d, my lord; she never saw it. In Florence was it from a casement thrown me, Wrapp’d in a paper, which contain’d the name Of her that threw it. Noble she was, and thought I stood engag’d; but when I had subscrib’d To mine own fortune, and inform’d her fully I could not answer in that course of honour As she had made the overture, she ceas’d, In heavy satisfaction, and would never Receive the ring again.
you 're deceiv’d, my lord; she never saw it. in florence was it from a casement thrown me, wrapp’d in a paper, which contain’d the name of her that threw it. noble she was, and thought i stood engag’d; but when i had subscrib’d to mine own fortune, and inform’d her fully i could not answer in that course of honour as she had made the overture, she ceas’d, in heavy satisfaction, and would never receive the ring again.
You are deceiv’d, my lord; she never saw it. In Florence was...
Plutus himself,
That knows the tinct and multiplying medicine,
Hath not in nature’s mystery more science
Than I have in this ring. ’Twas mine, ’twas Helen’s,
Whoever gave it you. Then if you know
That you are well acquainted with yourself,
Confess ’twas hers, and by what rough enforcement
You got it from her. She call’d the saints to surety
That she would never put it from her finger
Unless she gave it to yourself in bed,
Where you have never come, or sent it us
Upon her great disaster.
Plutus himself, That knows the tinct and multiplying medicine, has not in nature’s mystery more science Than I have in this ring. ’Twas mine, ’twas Helen’s, Whoever gave it you. Then if you know That you are well acquainted with yourself, Confess ’twas hers, and by what rough enforcement You got it from her. She call’d the saints to surety That she would never put it from her finger Unless she gave it to yourself in bed, Where you have never come, or sent it us Upon her great disaster.
plutus himself, that knows the tinct and multiplying medicine, has not in nature’s mystery more science than i 've in th's ring. ’twas mine, ’twas helen’s, whoever gave it you. then if you know that you 're well acquainted with yourself, confess ’twas hers, and by what rough enforcement you got it from her. she call’d the saints to surety that she would never put it from her finger unless she gave it to yourself in bed, where you 've never come, or sent it us upon her great disaster.
Plutus himself, That knows the tinct and multiplying medicine, has not in...
She never saw it.
She never saw it.
she never saw it.
She never saw it.
The final scene is a masterclass in watching a man lie and be caught lying. Bertram's stories about the ring multiply: first 'it was never hers'; then 'she never had it'; then 'it was thrown to me from a Florence window'; then finally 'I confess the ring was hers.' Each correction is forced by a new witness or a new contradiction. What's remarkable is that Shakespeare doesn't give Bertram a theatrical breakdown or a speech of deep repentance. He just stops. His final commitment — 'I'll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly' — is technically conditional and quantitatively underwhelming given what he put Helena through. Scholars have argued for five hundred years about whether the ending is a happy one. The argument starts here, with these words.
Thou speak’st it falsely, as I love mine honour,
And mak’st conjectural fears to come into me
Which I would fain shut out. If it should prove
That thou art so inhuman,—’twill not prove so:
And yet I know not, thou didst hate her deadly.
And she is dead; which nothing but to close
Her eyes myself, could win me to believe
More than to see this ring. Take him away.
you speak’st it falsely, as I love mine honour, And mak’st conjectural fears to come into me Which I would fain shut out. If it should prove That you are so inhuman,—’twill not prove so: And yet I know not, you did hate her deadly. And she is dead; which nothing but to close Her eyes myself, could win me to believe More than to see this ring. Take him away.
you speak’st it falsely, as i love mine honour, and mak’st conjectural fears to come into me which i would fain shut out. if it should prove that you 're so inhuman,—’twill not prove so: and yet i know not, you did hate her deadly. and she 's dead; which nothing but to close her eyes myself, could win me to believe more than to see th's ring. take him away.
you speak’st it falsely, as I love mine honour, And mak’st conjectural...
If you shall prove
This ring was ever hers, you shall as easy
Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence,
Where she yet never was.
If you shall prove This ring was ever hers, you shall as easy Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence, Where she yet never was.
if you shall prove th's ring was ever hers, you shall as easy prove that i husbanded her bed in florence, where she yet never was.
If you shall prove This ring was ever hers, you shall as...
I am wrapp’d in dismal thinkings.
I am wrapp’d in dismal thinkings.
i am wrapp’d in dismal thinkings.
I am wrapp’d in dismal thinkings.
Gracious sovereign,
Whether I have been to blame or no, I know not:
Here’s a petition from a Florentine,
Who hath for four or five removes come short
To tender it herself. I undertook it,
Vanquish’d thereto by the fair grace and speech
Of the poor suppliant, who by this, I know,
Is here attending: her business looks in her
With an importing visage, and she told me
In a sweet verbal brief, it did concern
Your highness with herself.
Gracious sovereign, Whether I have been to blame or no, I know not: Here’s a petition from a Florentine, Who has for four or five removes come short To tender it herself. I undertook it, Vanquish’d thereto by the fair grace and speech Of the poor suppliant, who by this, I know, Is here attending: her business looks in her With an importing visage, and she told me In a sweet verbal brief, it did concern Your highness with herself.
gracious sovereign, whether i 've been to blame or no, i know not: here’s a petition from a florentine, who has for four or five removes come short to tender it herself. i undertook it, vanquish’d thereto by the fair grace and speech of the poor suppliant, who by this, i know, 's here attending: her business looks in her with an importing visage, and she told me in a sweet verbal brief, it did concern your highness with herself.
Gracious sovereign, Whether I have been to blame or no, I know...
dead, I blush to say it, he won me. Now is the Count Rossillon a
widower; his vows are forfeited to me, and my honour’s paid to him. He
stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I follow him to his country
for justice. Grant it me, O king, in you it best lies; otherwise a
seducer flourishes, and a poor maid is undone._
dead, I blush to say it, he won me. Now is the Count Rossillon a widower; his vows are forfeited to me, and my honour’s paid to him. He stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I follow him to his country for justice. Grant it me, O king, in you it best lies; otherwise a seducer flourishes, and a poor maid is undone._
dead, i blush to say it, he won me. now 's the count rossillon a widower; h's vows 're forfeited to me, and my honour’s paid to him. he stole from florence, taking no leave, and i follow him to h's country for justice. grant it me, o king, in you it best lies; otherwise a seducer flourishes, and a poor maid 's undone._
dead, I blush to say it, he won me. Now is the...
I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll for this. I’ll none of
him.
I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll for this. I’ll none of him.
i will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll for this. i’ll none of him.
I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll for...
The heavens have thought well on thee, Lafew,
To bring forth this discovery. Seek these suitors.
Go speedily, and bring again the count.
The heavens have thought well on you, Lafew, To bring forth this discovery. Seek these suitors. Go speedily, and bring again the count.
the heavens 've thought well on you, lafew, to bring forth th's discovery. seek these suitors. go speedily, and bring again the count.
The heavens have thought well on you, Lafew, To bring forth this...
Now, justice on the doers!
Now, justice on the doers!
now, justice on the doers!
Now, justice on the doers!
I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to you,
And that you fly them as you swear them lordship,
Yet you desire to marry. What woman’s that?
I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to you, And that you fly them as you swear them lordship, Yet you desire to marry. What woman’s that?
i wonder, sir, since wives 're monsters to you, and that you fly them as you swear them lordship, yet you desire to marry. what woman’s that?
I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to you, And that you...
I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine,
Derived from the ancient Capilet;
My suit, as I do understand, you know,
And therefore know how far I may be pitied.
I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine, Derived from the ancient Capilet; My suit, as I do understand, you know, And therefore know how far I may be pitied.
i am, my lord, a wretched florentine, derived from the ancient capilet; my suit, as i do understand, you know, and therefore know how far i may be pitied.
I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine, Derived from the ancient Capilet;...
I am her mother, sir, whose age and honour
Both suffer under this complaint we bring,
And both shall cease, without your remedy.
I am her mother, sir, whose age and honour Both suffer under this complaint we bring, And both shall cease, without your remedy.
i am her mother, sir, whose age and honour both suffer under th's complaint we bring, and both shall cease, without your remedy.
I am her mother, sir, whose age and honour Both suffer under...
Come hither, count; do you know these women?
Come here, count; do you know these women?
come here, count; do you know these women?
Come here, count; do you know these women?
My lord, I neither can nor will deny
But that I know them. Do they charge me further?
My lord, I neither can nor will deny But that I know them. Do they charge me further?
my lord, i neither can nor will deny but that i know them. do they charge me further?
My lord, I neither can nor will deny But that I know...
Why do you look so strange upon your wife?
Why do you look so strange upon your wife?
why do you look so strange upon your wife?
Why do you look so strange upon your wife?
She’s none of mine, my lord.
She’s none of mine, my lord.
she’s none of mine, my lord.
She’s none of mine, my lord.
If you shall marry,
You give away this hand, and that is mine,
You give away heaven’s vows, and those are mine,
You give away myself, which is known mine;
For I by vow am so embodied yours
That she which marries you must marry me,
Either both or none.
If you shall marry, You give away this hand, and that is mine, You give away heaven’s vows, and those are mine, You give away myself, which is known mine; For I by vow am so embodied yours That she which marries you must marry me, Either both or none.
if you shall marry, you give away th's hand, and that 's mine, you give away heaven’s vows, and those 're mine, you give away myself, which 's known mine; for i by vow am so embodied yours that she which marries you must marry me, either both or none.
If you shall marry, You give away this hand, and that is...
no husband for her.
no husband for her.
no husband for her.
no husband for her.
My lord, this is a fond and desperate creature
Whom sometime I have laugh’d with. Let your highness
Lay a more noble thought upon mine honour
Than for to think that I would sink it here.
My lord, this is a fond and desperate creature Whom sometime I have laugh’d with. Let your highness Lay a more noble thought upon mine honour Than for to think that I would sink it here.
my lord, th's 's a fond and desperate creature whom sometime i 've laugh’d with. let your highness lay a more noble thought upon mine honour than for to think that i would sink it here.
My lord, this is a fond and desperate creature Whom sometime I...
Sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to friend
Till your deeds gain them; fairer prove your honour
Than in my thought it lies!
Sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to friend Till your deeds gain them; fairer prove your honour Than in my thought it lies!
sir, for my thoughts, you 've them ill to friend till your deeds gain them; fairer prove your honour than in my thought it lies!
Sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to friend Till your...
Good my lord,
Ask him upon his oath, if he does think
He had not my virginity.
Good my lord, Ask him upon his oath, if he does think He had not my virginity.
good my lord, ask him upon h's oath, if he does think he had not my virginity.
Good my lord, Ask him upon his oath, if he does think...
Diana's exchange with the King about the ring's origin — 'it was not given to me, nor did I buy it; it was not lent; I did not find it; I never gave it to him' — is the play's most intricate verbal puzzle. Every statement is true on the terms of the bed-trick: the ring wasn't given to Diana (Helena received it from the King), it wasn't bought (Helena was given it as a life-saving token), it wasn't lent, she didn't find it, and Diana never gave it to Bertram (Helena gave it from her own finger). The King calls her an 'easy glove.' She is the opposite: she is constructed out of absolute precision. The riddle exists to hold the scene in suspense until Helena can walk in with the resolution. It is also a portrait of what women in this play have to do to be believed: speak the truth in the only form the powerful will accept.
What say’st thou to her?
What say’st you to her?
what say’st you to her?
What say’st you to her?
She’s impudent, my lord,
And was a common gamester to the camp.
She’s impudent, my lord, And was a common gamester to the camp.
she’s impudent, my lord, and was a common gamester to the camp.
She’s impudent, my lord, And was a common gamester to the camp.
He does me wrong, my lord; if I were so
He might have bought me at a common price.
Do not believe him. O, behold this ring,
Whose high respect and rich validity
Did lack a parallel; yet for all that
He gave it to a commoner o’ the camp,
If I be one.
He does me wrong, my lord; if I were so He might have bought me at a common price. Do not believe him. O, behold this ring, Whose high respect and rich validity Did lack a parallel; yet for all that He gave it to a commoner o’ the camp, If I be one.
he does me wrong, my lord; if i were so he might 've bought me at a common price. do not believe him. o, behold th's ring, whose high respect and rich validity did lack a parallel; yet for all that he gave it to a commoner o’ the camp, if i be one.
He does me wrong, my lord; if I were so He might...
He blushes, and ’tis it.
Of six preceding ancestors, that gem
Conferr’d by testament to th’ sequent issue,
Hath it been owed and worn. This is his wife;
That ring’s a thousand proofs.
He blushes, and ’is it. Of six preceding ancestors, that gem Conferr’d by testament to th’ sequent issue, has it been owed and worn. This is his wife; That ring’s a thousand proofs.
he blushes, and ’t's it. of six preceding ancestors, that gem conferr’d by testament to th’ sequent issue, has it been owed and worn. th's 's h's wife; that ring’s a thousand proofs.
He blushes, and ’is it. Of six preceding ancestors, that gem Conferr’d...
Methought you said
You saw one here in court could witness it.
Methought you said You saw one here in court could witness it.
methought you said you saw one here in court could witness it.
Methought you said You saw one here in court could witness it.
I did, my lord, but loath am to produce
So bad an instrument; his name’s Parolles.
I did, my lord, but loath am to produce So bad an instrument; his name’s Parolles.
i did, my lord, but loath am to produce so bad an instrument; h's name’s parolles.
I did, my lord, but loath am to produce So bad an...
I saw the man today, if man he be.
I saw the man today, if man he be.
i saw the man today, if man he be.
I saw the man today, if man he be.
Find him, and bring him hither.
Find him, and bring him here.
find him, and bring him here.
Find him, and bring him here.
What of him?
He’s quoted for a most perfidious slave,
With all the spots o’ the world tax’d and debauch’d:
Whose nature sickens but to speak a truth.
Am I or that or this for what he’ll utter,
That will speak anything?
What of him? He’s quoted for a most perfidious slave, With all the spots o’ the world tax’d and debauch’d: Whose nature sickens but to speak a truth. Am I or that or this for what he’ll utter, That will speak anything?
what of him? he’s quoted for a most perfidious slave, with all the spots o’ the world tax’d and debauch’d: whose nature sickens but to speak a truth. am i or that or th's for what he’ll utter, that will speak anything?
What of him? He’s quoted for a most perfidious slave, With all...
She hath that ring of yours.
She has that ring of yours.
she has that ring of yours.
She has that ring of yours.
I think she has. Certain it is I lik’d her
And boarded her i’ the wanton way of youth.
She knew her distance, and did angle for me,
Madding my eagerness with her restraint,
As all impediments in fancy’s course
Are motives of more fancy; and in fine,
Her infinite cunning with her modern grace,
Subdu’d me to her rate; she got the ring,
And I had that which any inferior might
At market-price have bought.
I think she has. Certain it is I lik’d her And boarded her i’ the wanton way of youth. She knew her distance, and did angle for me, Madding my eagerness with her restraint, As all impediments in fancy’s course Are motives of more fancy; and in fine, Her infinite cunning with her modern grace, Subdu’d me to her rate; she got the ring, And I had that which any inferior might At market-price have bought.
i think she has. certain it 's i lik’d her and boarded her i’ the wanton way of youth. she knew her distance, and did angle for me, madding my eagerness with her restraint, as all impediments in fancy’s course 're motives of more fancy; and in fine, her infinite cunning with her modern grace, subdu’d me to her rate; she got the ring, and i had that which any inferior might at market-price 've bought.
I think she has. Certain it is I lik’d her And boarded...
I must be patient.
You that have turn’d off a first so noble wife
May justly diet me. I pray you yet,—
Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband—
Send for your ring, I will return it home,
And give me mine again.
I must be patient. You that have turn’d off a first so noble wife May justly diet me. I pray you yet,— Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband— Send for your ring, I will return it home, And give me mine again.
i must be patient. you that 've turn’d off a first so noble wife may justly diet me. i pray you yet,— since you lack virtue, i will lose a husband— send for your ring, i will return it home, and give me mine again.
I must be patient. You that have turn’d off a first so...
I have it not.
I have it not.
i 've it not.
I have it not.
What ring was yours, I pray you?
What ring was yours, I pray you?
what ring was yours, i pray you?
What ring was yours, I pray you?
Sir, much like
The same upon your finger.
Sir, much like The same upon your finger.
sir, much like the same upon your finger.
Sir, much like The same upon your finger.
Know you this ring? This ring was his of late.
Know you this ring? This ring was his of late.
know you th's ring? th's ring was h's of late.
Know you this ring? This ring was his of late.
And this was it I gave him, being abed.
And this was it I gave him, being abed.
and th's was it i gave him, being abed.
And this was it I gave him, being abed.
The story then goes false you threw it him
Out of a casement.
The story then goes false you threw it him Out of a casement.
the story then goes false you threw it him out of a casement.
The story then goes false you threw it him Out of a...
I have spoke the truth.
I have spoke the truth.
i 've spoke the truth.
I have spoke the truth.
My lord, I do confess the ring was hers.
My lord, I do confess the ring was hers.
my lord, i do confess the ring was hers.
My lord, I do confess the ring was hers.
You boggle shrewdly; every feather starts you.
Is this the man you speak of?
You boggle shrewdly; every feather starts you. Is this the man you speak of?
you boggle shrewdly; every feather starts you. 's th's the man you speak of?
You boggle shrewdly; every feather starts you. Is this the man you...
Ay, my lord.
Ay, my lord.
ay, my lord.
Ay, my lord.
Tell me, sirrah, but tell me true I charge you,
Not fearing the displeasure of your master,
Which on your just proceeding, I’ll keep off,—
By him and by this woman here what know you?
Tell me, sir, but tell me true I charge you, Not fearing the displeasure of your master, Which on your just proceeding, I’ll keep off,— By him and by this woman here what know you?
tell me, sir, but tell me true i charge you, not fearing the displeasure of your master, which on your just proceeding, i’ll keep off,— by him and by th's woman here what know you?
Tell me, sir, but tell me true I charge you, Not fearing...
So please your majesty, my master hath been an honourable gentleman.
Tricks he hath had in him, which gentlemen have.
So please your majesty, my master has been an honourable gentleman. Tricks he has had in him, which gentlemen have.
so please your majesty, my master has been an honourable gentleman. tricks he has had in him, which gentlemen have.
So please your majesty, my master has been an honourable gentleman. Tricks...
Come, come, to the purpose. Did he love this woman?
Come, come, to the purpose. Did he love this woman?
come, come, to the purpose. did he love th's woman?
Come, come, to the purpose. Did he love this woman?
Faith, sir, he did love her; but how?
Faith, sir, he did love her; but how?
faith, sir, he did love her; but how?
Faith, sir, he did love her; but how?
How, I pray you?
How, I pray you?
how, i pray you?
How, I pray you?
He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a woman.
He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a woman.
he did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a woman.
He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a woman.
How is that?
How is that?
how 's that?
How is that?
He lov’d her, sir, and lov’d her not.
He lov’d her, sir, and lov’d her not.
he lov’d her, sir, and lov’d her not.
He lov’d her, sir, and lov’d her not.
As thou art a knave and no knave.
What an equivocal companion is this!
As you are a knave and no knave. What an equivocal companion is this!
as you 're a knave and no knave. what an equivocal companion 's this!
As you are a knave and no knave. What an equivocal companion...
I am a poor man, and at your majesty’s command.
I am a poor man, and at your majesty’s command.
i am a poor man, and at your majesty’s command.
I am a poor man, and at your majesty’s command.
Helena's entrance in 5-3-142 is one of the most carefully prepared theatrical moments in Shakespeare's comedies. Diana's riddle, the King's growing fury, Bertram's collapsing stories — everything builds pressure for a resolution that can only come from outside the room. And then the Widow enters with Helena. The King asks if his eyes are deceiving him. Helena says she is 'but the shadow of a wife, the name, and not the thing.' What Shakespeare does not give us: a speech of triumph, a declaration of vindication, an aria of love finally earned. What he gives us instead: a woman with a ring and a letter, asking her husband a question. 'Will you be mine now you are doubly won?' The understatement is radical and deliberate. Helena has learned, over five acts, that dramatic claims earn nothing. Evidence does.
He’s a good drum, my lord, but a naughty orator.
He’s a good drum, my lord, but a naughty orator.
he’s a good drum, my lord, but a naughty orator.
He’s a good drum, my lord, but a naughty orator.
Do you know he promised me marriage?
Do you know he promised me marriage?
do you know he promised me marriage?
Do you know he promised me marriage?
Faith, I know more than I’ll speak.
Faith, I know more than I’ll speak.
faith, i know more than i’ll speak.
Faith, I know more than I’ll speak.
But wilt thou not speak all thou know’st?
But will you not speak all you know’st?
but will you not speak all you know’st?
But will you not speak all you know’st?
Yes, so please your majesty. I did go between them as I said; but more
than that, he loved her, for indeed he was mad for her, and talked of
Satan, and of Limbo, and of furies, and I know not what: yet I was in
that credit with them at that time that I knew of their going to bed;
and of other motions, as promising her marriage, and things which would
derive me ill will to speak of; therefore I will not speak what I know.
Yes, so please your majesty. I did go between them as I said; but more than that, he loved her, for indeed he was mad for her, and talked of Satan, and of Limbo, and of furies, and I know not what: yet I was in that credit with them at that time that I knew of their going to bed; and of other motions, as promising her marriage, and things which would derive me ill will to speak of; therefore I will not speak what I know.
yes, so please your majesty. i did go between them as i said; but more than that, he loved her, for indeed he was mad for her, and talked of satan, and of limbo, and of furies, and i know not what: yet i was in that credit with them at that time that i knew of their going to bed; and of other motions, as promising her marriage, and things which would derive me ill will to speak of; therefore i will not speak what i know.
Yes, so please your majesty. I did go between them as I...
Thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst say they are married;
but thou art too fine in thy evidence; therefore stand aside. This
ring, you say, was yours?
you hast spoken all already, unless you can say they are married; but you are too fine in your evidence; therefore stand aside. This ring, you say, was yours?
you hast spoken all already, unless you can say they 're married; but you 're too fine in your evidence; therefore stand aside. th's ring, you say, was yours?
you hast spoken all already, unless you can say they are married;...
Ay, my good lord.
Ay, my good lord.
ay, my good lord.
Ay, my good lord.
Where did you buy it? Or who gave it you?
Where did you buy it? Or who gave it you?
where did you buy it? or who gave it you?
Where did you buy it? Or who gave it you?
It was not given me, nor I did not buy it.
It was not given me, nor I did not buy it.
it was not given me, nor i did not buy it.
It was not given me, nor I did not buy it.
Who lent it you?
Who lent it you?
who lent it you?
Who lent it you?
It was not lent me neither.
It was not lent me neither.
it was not lent me neither.
It was not lent me neither.
Where did you find it then?
Where did you find it then?
where did you find it then?
Where did you find it then?
I found it not.
I found it not.
i found it not.
I found it not.
If it were yours by none of all these ways,
How could you give it him?
If it were yours by none of all these ways, How could you give it him?
if it were yours by none of all these ways, how could you give it him?
If it were yours by none of all these ways, How could...
I never gave it him.
I never gave it him.
i never gave it him.
I never gave it him.
This woman’s an easy glove, my lord; she goes off and on at pleasure.
This woman’s an easy glove, my lord; she goes off and on at pleasure.
th's woman’s an easy glove, my lord; she goes off and on at pleasure.
This woman’s an easy glove, my lord; she goes off and on...
This ring was mine, I gave it his first wife.
This ring was mine, I gave it his first wife.
th's ring was mine, i gave it h's first wife.
This ring was mine, I gave it his first wife.
It might be yours or hers for ought I know.
It might be yours or hers for ought I know.
it might be yours or hers for ought i know.
It might be yours or hers for ought I know.
Take her away, I do not like her now.
To prison with her. And away with him.
Unless thou tell’st me where thou hadst this ring,
Thou diest within this hour.
Take her away, I do not like her now. To prison with her. And away with him. Unless you tell’st me where you hadst this ring, you diest within this hour.
take her away, i do not like her now. to prison with her. and away with him. unless you tell’st me where you hadst th's ring, you diest within th's hour.
Take her away, I do not like her now. To prison with...
I’ll never tell you.
I’ll never tell you.
i’ll never tell you.
I’ll never tell you.
Take her away.
Take her away.
take her away.
Take her away.
I’ll put in bail, my liege.
I’ll put in bail, my liege.
i’ll put in bail, my liege.
I’ll put in bail, my liege.
I think thee now some common customer.
I think you now some common customer.
i think you now some common customer.
I think you now some common customer.
By Jove, if ever I knew man, ’twas you.
By Jove, if ever I knew man, ’twas you.
by jove, if ever i knew man, ’twas you.
By Jove, if ever I knew man, ’twas you.
Wherefore hast thou accus’d him all this while?
Wherefore hast you accus’d him all this while?
wherefore hast you accus’d him all th's while?
Wherefore hast you accus’d him all this while?
Because he’s guilty, and he is not guilty.
He knows I am no maid, and he’ll swear to’t:
I’ll swear I am a maid, and he knows not.
Great King, I am no strumpet, by my life;
I am either maid, or else this old man’s wife.
Because he’s guilty, and he is not guilty. He knows I am no maid, and he’ll swear to’t: I’ll swear I am a maid, and he knows not. Great King, I am no strumpet, by my life; I am either maid, or else this old man’s wife.
because he’s guilty, and he 's not guilty. he knows i am no maid, and he’ll swear to’t: i’ll swear i am a maid, and he knows not. great king, i am no strumpet, by my life; i am either maid, or else th's old man’s wife.
Because he’s guilty, and he is not guilty. He knows I am...
She does abuse our ears; to prison with her.
She does abuse our ears; to prison with her.
she does abuse our ears; to prison with her.
She does abuse our ears; to prison with her.
Good mother, fetch my bail. Stay, royal sir;
Good mother, fetch my bail. Stay, royal sir;
good mother, fetch my bail. stay, royal sir;
Good mother, fetch my bail. Stay, royal sir;
All's Well That Ends Well is classified as a comedy, and its final scene ends with couples reconciled, the King proposing Diana's dowry, Lafew weeping discreetly, Parolles in attendance. The formula is complete. But Shakespeare's comedies are not all equally comfortable, and All's Well is the least comfortable of all. Bertram's final vow is conditional. He has just called Diana a prostitute, invented three stories about how the ring came to him, and shown no visible grief over his wife's supposed death. Helena calls herself 'the shadow of a wife, the name, and not the thing' — she wins the marriage but frames herself as an absence. The epilogue asks the audience to applaud, calling the King 'a beggar now the play is done.' The play knows it hasn't fully resolved what it started. 'All's well that ends well' is the title and the thesis and the question Shakespeare spends five acts interrogating without quite answering.
Is there no exorcist
Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes?
Is’t real that I see?
Is there no exorcist Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes? Is’t real that I see?
's there no exorcist beguiles the truer office of mine eyes? is’t real that i see?
Is there no exorcist Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes? Is’t...
No, my good lord;
’Tis but the shadow of a wife you see,
The name, and not the thing.
No, my good lord; ’is but the shadow of a wife you see, The name, and not the thing.
no, my good lord; ’t's but the shadow of a wife you see, the name, and not the thing.
No, my good lord; ’is but the shadow of a wife you...
Both, both. O, pardon!
Both, both. O, pardon!
both, both. o, pardon!
Both, both. O, pardon!
O, my good lord, when I was like this maid;
I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring,
And, look you, here’s your letter. This it says,
‘When from my finger you can get this ring,
And is by me with child, &c.’ This is done;
Will you be mine now you are doubly won?
O, my good lord, when I was like this maid; I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring, And, look you, here’s your letter. This it says, ‘When from my finger you can get this ring, And is by me with child, &c.’ This is done; Will you be mine now you are doubly won?
o, my good lord, when i was like th's maid; i found you wondrous kind. there 's your ring, and, look you, here’s your letter. th's it says, ‘when from my finger you can get th's ring, and 's by me with child, &c.’ th's 's done; will you be mine now you 're doubly won?
O, my good lord, when I was like this maid; I found...
If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly,
I’ll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly.
If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly, I’ll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly.
if she, my liege, can make me know th's clearly, i’ll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly.
If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly, I’ll love...
If it appear not plain, and prove untrue,
Deadly divorce step between me and you!
O my dear mother, do I see you living?
If it appear not plain, and prove untrue, Deadly divorce step between me and you! O my dear mother, do I see you living?
if it appear not plain, and prove untrue, deadly divorce step between me and you! o my dear mother, do i see you living?
If it appear not plain, and prove untrue, Deadly divorce step between...
Mine eyes smell onions; I shall weep anon.
Mine eyes smell onions; I shall weep soon.
mine eyes smell onions; i shall weep soon.
Mine eyes smell onions; I shall weep soon.
Let us from point to point this story know,
To make the even truth in pleasure flow.
Let us from point to point this story know, To make the even truth in pleasure flow.
let us from point to point th's story know, to make the even truth in pleasure flow.
Let us from point to point this story know, To make the...
The Reckoning
The final scene of All's Well is one of Shakespeare's most technically audacious finales — a slow-burn thriller wrapped inside a comedy resolution. Bertram lies, then half-lies, then contradicts himself. Diana plays a riddle game that infuriates the King. The rings change hands so many times the audience can barely track them, which is precisely the point. And then Helena enters — supposedly dead — carrying the proof. The room has been constructed perfectly for maximum impact: everyone is present, everyone has a stake, and the truth arrives not like a verdict but like an apparition. Whether the ending is a happy one depends entirely on what you think of Bertram's final two lines.
If this happened today…
The company board meeting where a disgraced executive is being reinstated, a proposed marriage merger is being blessed, and suddenly a woman walks in with receipts from a transaction everyone said never happened. The executive's story keeps changing. A mysterious witness refuses to explain herself. The evidence multiplies until the executive's most damning possession — his grandfather's watch — turns up on someone's wrist. Then the woman everyone thought had died in a car accident comes through the door, holding the emails and the prenup and proving the whole thing. The CEO has to decide right then whether to commit to the person he's been avoiding for two years. The board is watching. He says, 'If she can prove it, I'll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly.' The board is not satisfied.