All's Well That Ends Well
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter the King with diuers yong Lords, taking leaue Enter the King with divers young Lords taking leavedivers (adj.)

old form: diuers
different, various, several		AW II.i.1.1
for the Florentine warre: Count, Rosse, and Parrolles. for the Florentine war; Bertram and Parolles; AW II.i.1.2
Florish Cornets.attendants. Flourish of cornets AW II.i.1.3
King. KING 
Farewell yong Lords, these warlike principlesFarewell, young lords; these warlike principles AW II.i.1
Doe not throw from you, and you my Lords farewell:Do not throw from you; and you, my lords, farewell. AW II.i.2
Share the aduice betwixt you, if both gaine, allShare the advice betwixt you; if both gain all, AW II.i.3
The guift doth stretch it selfe as 'tis receiu'd,The gift doth stretch itself as 'tis received, AW II.i.4
And is enough for both.And is enough for both. AW II.i.5.1
Lord. G.FIRST LORD 
'Tis our hope sir,'Tis our hope, sir, AW II.i.5.2
After well entred souldiers, to returneAfter well-entered soldiers, to returnwell-entered (adj.)

old form: well entred
well-trained, duly initiated		AW II.i.6
And finde your grace in health.And find your grace in health. AW II.i.7
King.KING 
No, no, it cannot be; and yet my heartNo, no, it cannot be; and yet my heart AW II.i.8
Will not confesse he owes the malladyWill not confess he owes the maladyowe (v.)
own, possess, have		AW II.i.9
That doth my life besiege: farwell yong Lords,That doth my life besiege. Farewell, young lords. AW II.i.10
Whether I liue or die, be you the sonnesWhether I live or die, be you the sons AW II.i.11
Of worthy French men: let higher ItalyOf worthy Frenchmen. Let higher Italy – higher (adj.)
[unclear meaning] upper, northern		AW II.i.12
(Those bated that inherit but the fallThose bated that inherit but the fallbate (v.)
except, omit, leave out of consideration		AW II.i.13
Of the last Monarchy) see that you comeOf the last monarchy – see that you come AW II.i.14
Not to wooe honour, but to wed it, whenNot to woo honour, but to wed it. When AW II.i.15
The brauest questant shrinkes: finde what you seeke,The bravest questant shrinks, find what you seek,questant (n.)
seeker, searcher, someone engaged in a quest		AW II.i.16
That fame may cry you loud: I say farewell.That fame may cry you loud. I say farewell.cry (v.)
speak loudly, shout out, proclaim		AW II.i.17
L. G. SECOND LORD 
Health at your bidding serue your Maiesty.Health at your bidding serve your majesty! AW II.i.18
King. KING 
Those girles of Italy, take heed of them,Those girls of Italy, take heed of them: AW II.i.19
They say our French, lacke language to denyThey say our French lack language to deny AW II.i.20
If they demand: beware of being CaptiuesIf they demand. Beware of being captives AW II.i.21
Before you serue.Before you serve. AW II.i.22.1
Bo.BOTH LORDS 
Our hearts receiue your warnings.Our hearts receive your warnings. AW II.i.22.2
King.KING 
Farewell, come hether to me.Farewell. (To some attendants) Come hither to me. AW II.i.23
He withdraws AW II.i.24
1. Lo. G,FIRST LORD 
Oh my sweet Lord yt you wil stay behind vs.O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us! AW II.i.24
Parr. PAROLLES 
'Tis not his fault the spark.'Tis not his fault, the spark.spark (n.)
young blade, man about town, dude		AW II.i.25.1
2. Lo. E.SECOND LORD 
Oh 'tis braue warres.O, 'tis brave wars!brave (adj.)

old form: braue
fine, excellent, splendid, impressive		AW II.i.25.2
Parr.PAROLLES 
Most admirable, I haue seene those warres.Most admirable! I have seen those wars. AW II.i.26
Rossill.BERTRAM 
I am commanded here, and kept a coyle with,I am commanded here, and kept a coil withcoil (n.)

old form: coyle
turmoil, disturbance, fuss		AW II.i.27
Too young, and the next yeere, and 'tis too early.‘ Too young,’ and ‘ The next year,’ and ‘ 'Tis too early.’ AW II.i.28
Parr.PAROLLES 
And thy minde stand too't boy, / Steale away brauely.An thy mind stand to't, boy, steal away bravely.stand to it (v.)

old form: too
be steadfast, stand firm, make a stand		AW II.i.29
and, an (conj.)
if, whether
bravely (adv.)

old form: brauely
in fine clothes, splendidly dressed
Rossill.BERTRAM 
I shal stay here the for-horse to a smocke,I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock,smock (n.)

old form: smocke
woman's undergarment, shift, slip, chemise		AW II.i.30
forehorse, fore-horse (n.)

old form: for-horse
foremost horse, leader [in a team of horses]
Creeking my shooes on the plaine Masonry,Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry,masonry (n.)
stonework, floor		AW II.i.31
plain (adj.)

old form: plaine
[bowls] level, flat, even, smooth
creak (v.)

old form: Creeking
make something creak, squeak
Till honour be bought vp, and no sword worneTill honour be bought up, and no sword worn AW II.i.32
But one to dance with: by heauen, Ile steale away.But one to dance with. By heaven, I'll steal away! AW II.i.33
1. Lo. G.FIRST LORD 
There's honour in the theft.There's honour in the theft. AW II.i.34.1
Parr.PAROLLES 
Commit it Count.Commit it, Count. AW II.i.34.2
2. Lo. E.SECOND LORD 
I am your accessary, and so farewell.I am your accessory; and so farewell.accessory, accessary (n.)
assistant, helper, collaborator		AW II.i.35
Ros.BERTRAM 
I grow to you, & our parting is a tortur'dI grow to you, and our parting is a tortured AW II.i.36
body.body. AW II.i.37
1. Lo. G.FIRST LORD 
Farewell Captaine.Farewell, captain. AW II.i.38
2. Lo. E.SECOND LORD 
Sweet Mounsier Parolles.Sweet Monsieur Parolles! AW II.i.39
Parr.PAROLLES 
Noble Heroes; my sword and yours are kinne,Noble heroes, my sword and yours are kin. AW II.i.40
good sparkes and lustrous, a word good mettals. YouGood sparks and lustrous, a word, good metals. Youspark (n.)

old form: sparkes
young blade, man about town, dude		AW II.i.41
shall finde in the Regiment of the Spinij, one Captaineshall find in the regiment of the Spinii one Captain AW II.i.42
Spurio his sicatrice, with an Embleme of warre heere on his Spurio, with his cicatrice, an emblem of war, here on hiscicatrice (n.)

old form: sicatrice
scar, scar-like mark		AW II.i.43
sinister cheeke; it was this very sword entrench'd it: saysinister cheek; it was this very sword entrenched it. Sayentrench, intrench (v.)

old form: entrench'd
gash, make a deep cut in		AW II.i.44
sinister (adj.)
left
to him I liue, and obserue his reports for me.to him I live, and observe his reports for me. AW II.i.45
Lo. G. FIRST LORD 
We shall noble Captaine.We shall, noble captain. AW II.i.46
Exeunt the Lords AW II.i.46
Parr. PAROLLES 
Mars doate on you for his nouices,Mars dote on you for his novices! (To Bertram)novice (n.)
recruit, rookie, greenhorn		AW II.i.47
Mars (n.)
Roman god of war
dote on / upon (v.)
love dearly, give tender care
what will ye doe?What will ye do? AW II.i.48
Ross.BERTRAM 
Stay the King.Stay: the King. AW II.i.49
Parr.PAROLLES 
Vse a more spacious ceremonie to the NobleUse a more spacious ceremony to the noble AW II.i.50
Lords, you haue restrain'd your selfe within the List of toolords; you have restrained yourself within the list of toolist (n.)
boundary, limit, confines		AW II.i.51
cold an adieu: be more expressiue to them; for theycold an adieu. Be more expressive to them, for they AW II.i.52
weare themselues in the cap of the time, there do musterwear themselves in the cap of the time; there do mustermuster (v.)
display, illustrate, exhibit		AW II.i.53
true gate; eat, speake, and moue vnder the influence oftrue gait, eat, speak, and move, under the influence ofgait (n.)

old form: gate
manner of walking, bearing, movement		AW II.i.54
the most receiu'd starre, and though the deuill leade thethe most received star; and though the devil lead thereceived (adj.)

old form: receiu'd
fashionable, accepted as a norm, generally adopted		AW II.i.55
measure, such are to be followed: after them, and take ameasure, such are to be followed. After them, and take ameasure (n.)
slow stately dance, graceful movement		AW II.i.56
more dilated farewell.more dilated farewell.dilated (adj.)
extended, leisurely, lengthy		AW II.i.57
Ros.BERTRAM 
And I will doe so.And I will do so. AW II.i.58
Parr.PAROLLES 
Worthy fellowes, and like to prooue most sinewie Worthy fellows, and like to prove most sinewysinewy (adj.)

old form: sinewie
muscular, well-developed, brawny		AW II.i.59
like (adv.)
likely, probable / probably
sword-men. sword-men AW II.i.60
Exeunt.Exeunt Bertram and Parolles AW II.i.60
Enter Lafew.Enter Lafew. The King comes forward AW II.i.61
L. Laf. LAFEW  
(kneeling) AW II.i.61
Pardon my Lord for mee and for my tidings.Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings. AW II.i.61
King.KING 
Ile see thee to stand vp.I'll sue thee to stand up.sue (v.)
beg, plead, beseech		AW II.i.62
L. Laf.LAFEW 
Then heres a man stands that has brought his pardon,Then here's a man stands that has brought his pardon. AW II.i.63
I would you had kneel'd my Lord to aske me mercy,I would you had kneeled, my lord, to ask me mercy, AW II.i.64
And that at my bidding you could so stand vp.And that at my bidding you could so stand up. AW II.i.65
King.KING 
I would I had, so I had broke thy pateI would I had, so I had broke thy patepate (n.)
head, skull		AW II.i.66
And askt thee mercy for't.And asked thee mercy for't. AW II.i.67.1
Laf.LAFEW 
Goodfaith a-crosse,Good faith, across!across (adv.)

old form: a-crosse
[of a lance] not straight, obliquely; awry, amiss		AW II.i.67.2
but my good Lord 'tis thus, / Will you be cur'dBut, my good lord 'tis thus: will you be cured AW II.i.68
of your infirmitie?Of your infirmity? AW II.i.69.1
King.KING 
No.No. AW II.i.69.2
Laf.LAFEW 
O will you eatO, will you eat AW II.i.69.3
no grapes my royall foxe? / Yes but you will,No grapes, my royal fox? Yes, but you willwill (v.), past form would
desire, wish, want		AW II.i.70
my noble grapes, and if / My royall foxeMy noble grapes, and if my royal fox AW II.i.71
could reach them: I haue seen a medicineCould reach them. I have seen a medicinemedicine (n.)
physician, doctor		AW II.i.72
That's able to breath life into a stone,That's able to breathe life into a stone, AW II.i.73
Quicken a rocke, and make you dance CanariQuicken a rock, and make you dance canaryquicken (v.)
revive, rejuvenate, give life [to]		AW II.i.74
canary, canaries (n.)

old form: Canari
lively Spanish dance
With sprightly fire and motion, whose simple touchWith sprightly fire and motion; whose simple touchsimple (adj.)
basic, minimal, small		AW II.i.75
Is powerfull to arayse King Pippen, nayIs powerful to araise King Pippen, nay,Pepin, Pippen (n.)
king of the Franks in 8th-c		AW II.i.76
araise (v.)

old form: arayse
raise from the dead, awake from the grave
To giue great Charlemaine a pen in's handTo give great Charlemain a pen in's handCharlemain (n.)
[pron: 'shahluhmayn] Charlemagne, king of the Franks in 768–814; great patron of learning		AW II.i.77
And write to her a loue-line.And write to her a love-line. AW II.i.78.1
King.KING 
What her is this?What ‘ her ’ is this? AW II.i.78.2
Laf.LAFEW 
Why doctor she: my Lord, there's one arriu'd,Why, Doctor She! My lord, there's one arrived, AW II.i.79
If you will see her: now by my faith and honour,If you will see her. Now by my faith and honour, AW II.i.80
If seriously I may conuay my thoughtsIf seriously I may convey my thoughts AW II.i.81
In this my light deliuerance, I haue spokeIn this my light deliverance, I have spokelight (adj.)
facile, frivolous, of no consequence		AW II.i.82
deliverance (n.)

old form: deliuerance
delivery, utterance, reporting
With one, that in her sexe, her yeeres, profession,With one that in her sex, her years, profession,profession (n.)
avowal of skilled knowledge, declaration of ability to carry out a task		AW II.i.83
Wisedome and constancy, hath amaz'd mee moreWisdom, and constancy hath amazed me more AW II.i.84
Then I dare blame my weakenesse: will you see her?Than I dare blame my weakness. Will you see her, AW II.i.85
For that is her demand, and know her businesse?For that is her demand, and know her business? AW II.i.86
That done, laugh well at me.That done, laugh well at me. AW II.i.87.1
King.KING 
Now good Lafew,Now, good Lafew, AW II.i.87.2
Bring in the admiration, that we with theeBring in the admiration, that we with theeadmiration (n.)
object of wonder, marvel, phenomenon		AW II.i.88
May spend our wonder too, or take off thineMay spend our wonder too, or take off thinetake off (v.)
reduce, diminish, lessen		AW II.i.89
By wondring how thou tookst it.By wondering how thou tookest it.take (v.)

old form: tookst
suppose, conceive, come to believe		AW II.i.90.1
Laf.LAFEW 
Nay, Ile fit you,Nay, I'll fit you,fit (v.)
supply [with what is fit], satisfy		AW II.i.90.2
And not be all day neither.And not be all day neither. AW II.i.91
He goes to the door AW II.i.92
King.KING 
Thus he his speciall nothing euer prologues.Thus he his special nothing ever prologues. AW II.i.92
Laf.LAFEW 
Nay, come your waies.Nay, come your ways.ways, come thy / your

old form: waies
come along		AW II.i.93.1
Enter Hellen.Enter Helena AW II.i.93
King.KING 
This haste hath wings indeed.This haste hath wings indeed. AW II.i.93.2
Laf.LAFEW 
Nay, come your waies,Nay, come your ways. AW II.i.94
This is his Maiestie, say your minde to him,This is his majesty: say your mind to him. AW II.i.95
A Traitor you doe looke like, but such traitorsA traitor you do look like, but such traitors AW II.i.96
His Maiesty seldome feares, I am Cresseds Vncle,His majesty seldom fears. I am Cressid's uncleCressid, Cressida
fickle daughter of Calchas, a priest of Troy; beloved by Troilus, a Trojan prince, she deserted him for Diomed; character in Troilus and Cressida		AW II.i.97
That dare leaue two together, far you well. That dare leave two together. Fare you well.fare (v.)

old form: far
get on, manage, do, cope		AW II.i.98
fare ... well (int.)
goodbye [to an individual]
Exit.Exit AW II.i.98.1
King KING 
Now faire one, do's your busines follow vs?Now, fair one, does your business follow us?follow (v.)
aim at, relate to, pertain to		AW II.i.99
Hel.HELENA 
I my good Lord,Ay, my good lord. AW II.i.100
Gerard de Narbon was my father,Gerard de Narbon was my father, AW II.i.101
In what he did professe, well found.In what he did profess, well found.profess (v.)

old form: professe
make profession of, do as an occupation		AW II.i.102.1
well-found (adj.)

old form: well found
of proven merit, of established reputation, commendable
King.KING 
I knew him.I knew him. AW II.i.102.2
Hel.HELENA 
The rather will I spare my praises towards him,The rather will I spare my praises towards him; AW II.i.103
Knowing him is enough: on's bed of death,Knowing him is enough. On's bed of death AW II.i.104
Many receits he gaue me, chieflie one,Many receipts he gave me; chiefly one,receipt (n.)

old form: receits
recipe, formula, prescription		AW II.i.105
Which as the dearest issue of his practiceWhich, as the dearest issue of his practice,issue (n.)
yield, product, result		AW II.i.106
issue (n.)
outcome, result, consequence(s)
And of his olde experience, th'onlie darling,And of his old experience th' only darling, AW II.i.107
He bad me store vp, as a triple eye,He bade me store up as a triple eye,triple (adj.)
third		AW II.i.108
bid (v.), past form bade

old form: bad
command, order, enjoin, tell
Safer then mine owne two: more deare I haue so,Safer than mine own two, more dear; I have so, AW II.i.109
And hearing your high Maiestie is touchtAnd hearing your high majesty is touchedtouch (v.)

old form: toucht
threaten, endanger, imperil		AW II.i.110
With that malignant cause, wherein the honourWith that malignant cause wherein the honourcause (n.)
disease, illness, sickness		AW II.i.111
Of my deare fathers gift, stands cheefe in power,Of my dear father's gift stands chief in power,stand (v.)
be, appear		AW II.i.112
I come to tender it, and my appliance,I come to tender it and my appliance,tender (v.)
offer, give, present		AW II.i.113
appliance (n.)
remedy, cure, treatment
With all bound humblenesse.With all bound humbleness.bound (adj.)
ready, prepared		AW II.i.114.1
King.KING 
We thanke you maiden,We thank you, maiden, AW II.i.114.2
But may not be so credulous of cure,But may not be so credulous of cure,credulous (adj.)
over-ready to believe, naively trusting		AW II.i.115
When our most learned Doctors leaue vs, andWhen our most learned doctors leave us, and AW II.i.116
The congregated Colledge haue concluded,The congregated college have concluded AW II.i.117
That labouring Art can neuer ransome natureThat labouring art can never ransom naturenature (n.)
natural order, ungoverned state, way of the world [often personified]		AW II.i.118
labouring (adj.)
aspiring, striving, showing endeavour
art (n.)
knowledge, learning, scholarship, science
From her inaydible estate: I say we must notFrom her inaidible estate. I say we must notinaidible (adj.)

old form: inaydible
unable to be assisted, incapable of being helped		AW II.i.119
So staine our iudgement, or corrupt our hope,So stain our judgement or corrupt our hope,stain (v.)

old form: staine
corrupt, spoil, taint		AW II.i.120
To prostitute our past-cure malladieTo prostitute our past-cure malady AW II.i.121
To empericks, or to disseuer soTo empirics, or to dissever soempiric (n.)

old form: empericks
medical quack, untrained practitioner		AW II.i.122
dissever (v.)

old form: disseuer
divide, split up, separate
Our great selfe and our credit, to esteemeOur great self and our credit, to esteemcredit (n.)
reputation, name, standing, honour		AW II.i.123
A sencelesse helpe, when helpe past sence we deeme.A senseless help, when help past sense we deem.senseless (adj.)

old form: sencelesse
lacking in sense, stupid, foolish		AW II.i.124
Hell.HELENA 
My dutie then shall pay me for my paines:My duty then shall pay me for my pains.duty (n.)

old form: dutie
reverence, due respect, proper attitude		AW II.i.125
I will no more enforce mine office on you,I will no more enforce mine office on you,office (n.)
task, service, duty, responsibility		AW II.i.126
Humbly intreating from your royall thoughts,Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts AW II.i.127
A modest one to beare me backe againe.A modest one to bear me back a again.modest (adj.)
moderate, reasonable, mild, limited		AW II.i.128
King.KING 
I cannot giue thee lesse to be cal'd gratefull:I cannot give thee less, to be called grateful. AW II.i.129
Thou thoughtst to helpe me, and such thankes I giue,Thou thoughtest to help me, and such thanks I give AW II.i.130
As one neere death to those that wish him liue:As one near death to those that wish him live. AW II.i.131
But what at full I know, thou knowst no part,But what at full I know, thou knowest no part; AW II.i.132
I knowing all my perill, thou no Art.I knowing all my peril, thou no art. AW II.i.133
Hell.HELENA 
What I can doe, can doe no hurt to try,What I can do can do no hurt to try, AW II.i.134
Since you set vp your rest 'gainst remedie:Since you set up your rest 'gainst remedy.set up one's rest (n.)

old form: vp
[in primero] venture one's final stake, stake all		AW II.i.135
He that of greatest workes is finisher,He that of greatest works is finisher AW II.i.136
Oft does them by the weakest minister:Oft does them by the weakest minister.oft (adv.)
often		AW II.i.137
So holy Writ, in babes hath iudgement showne,So holy writ in babes hath judgement shown,writ (n.)
[archaism] gospel, holy scripture		AW II.i.138
When Iudges haue bin babes; great flouds haue flowneWhen judges have been babes; great floods have flown AW II.i.139
From simple sources: and great Seas haue driedFrom simple sources; and great seas have dried AW II.i.140
When Miracles haue by the great'st beene denied.When miracles have by the greatest been denied. AW II.i.141
Oft expectation failes, and most oft thereOft expectation fails, and most oft thereoft (adv.)
often		AW II.i.142
Where most it promises: and oft it hits,Where most it promises, and oft it hits AW II.i.143
Where hope is coldest, and despaire most shifts.Where hope is coldest and despair most fits. AW II.i.144
King.KING 
I must not heare thee, fare thee wel kind maide,I must not hear thee. Fare thee well, kind maid.fare (v.)
get on, manage, do, cope		AW II.i.145
fare ... well (int.)
goodbye [to an individual]
Thy paines not vs'd, must by thy selfe be paid,Thy pains, not used, must by thyself be paid; AW II.i.146
Proffers not tooke, reape thanks for their reward.Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward.proffer (n.)
offer, proposal, proposition		AW II.i.147
Hel.HELENA 
Inspired Merit so by breath is bard,Inspired merit so by breath is barred.merit (n.)
good works [yielding reward from God]		AW II.i.148
inspired (adj.)
coming from God, of divine origin
breath (n.)
utterance, speech, voice
It is not so with him that all things knowesIt is not so with Him that all things knows AW II.i.149
As 'tis with vs, that square our guesse by showes:As 'tis with us that square our guess by shows;show (n.)

old form: showes
appearance, exhibition, display		AW II.i.150
square (v.)
base, form, shape
guess (n.)

old form: guesse
conjecture, opinion, view
But most it is presumption in vs, whenBut most it is presumption in us when AW II.i.151
The help of heauen we count the act of men.The help of heaven we count the act of men. AW II.i.152
Deare sir, to my endeauors giue consent,Dear sir, to my endeavours give consent. AW II.i.153
Of heauen, not me, make an experiment.Of heaven, not me, make an experiment. AW II.i.154
I am not an Impostrue, that proclaimeI am not an impostor, that proclaim AW II.i.155
My selfe against the leuill of mine aime,Myself against the level of mine aim,level (n.)

old form: leuill
line of fire		AW II.i.156
But know I thinke, and thinke I know most sure,But know I think, and think I know most sure, AW II.i.157
My Art is not past power, nor you past cure.My art is not past power, nor you past cure.past (prep.)
incapable of		AW II.i.158
art (n.)
knowledge, learning, scholarship, science
King.KING 
Art thou so confident? Within what spaceArt thou so confident? Within what spacespace (n.)
space of time, while		AW II.i.159
Hop'st thou my cure?Hopest thou my cure? AW II.i.160.1
Hel.HELENA 
The greatest grace lending grace,The greatest grace lending grace, AW II.i.160.2
Ere twice the horses of the sunne shall bringEre twice the horses of the sun shall bring AW II.i.161
Their fiery torcher his diurnall ring,Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring,ring (n.)
round, circuit, orbit		AW II.i.162
torcher (n.)
light-giver, torch-carrier
diurnal (adj.)

old form: diurnall
daily
coacher (n.)
[Q variant of torcher, unclear meaning] coach, chariot
Ere twice in murke and occidentall dampeEre twice in murk and occidental dampdamp (n.)

old form: dampe
fog, mist, vapour		AW II.i.163
occidental (adj.)

old form: occidentall
western, westerly; sunset
Moist Hesperus hath quench'd her sleepy Lampe:Moist Hesperus hath quenched her sleepy lamp,Hesperus (n.)
the evening star		AW II.i.164
Or foure and twenty times the Pylots glasseOr four-and-twenty times the pilot's glassglass (n.)

old form: glasse
[sand of the] hourglass		AW II.i.165
Hath told the theeuish minutes, how they passe:Hath told the thievish minutes how they pass, AW II.i.166
What is infirme, from your sound parts shall flie,What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly, AW II.i.167
Health shall liue free, and sickenesse freely dye.Health shall live free and sickness freely die. AW II.i.168
King.KING 
Vpon thy certainty and confidence,Upon thy certainty and confidence AW II.i.169
What dar'st thou venter?What darest thou venture? AW II.i.170.1
Hell.HELENA 
Taxe of impudence,Tax of impudence,tax (n.)

old form: Taxe
charge, accusation, censure		AW II.i.170.2
A strumpets boldnesse, a divulged shameA strumpet's boldness, a divulged shame;strumpet (n.)
harlot, prostitute, whore		AW II.i.171
Traduc'd by odious ballads: my maidens nameTraduced by odious ballads my maiden's name;traduce (v.)

old form: Traduc'd
defame, slander, calumniate, dishonour		AW II.i.172
Seard otherwise, ne worse of worst extendedSeared otherwise, ne worse of worst, extendedextended (adj.)
racked, stretched		AW II.i.173
seared (adj.)

old form: Seard
branded, stigmatized, vilified
ne (conj.)
[archaism] nor
With vildest torture, let my life be ended.With vildest torture let my life be ended.vile, vild (adj.)
despicable, disgusting, abhorrent		AW II.i.174
Kin.KING 
Methinks in thee some blessed spirit doth speakMethinks in thee some blessed spirit doth speakmethinks(t), methought(s) (v.)

old form: Methinks
it seems / seemed to me		AW II.i.175
His powerfull sound, within an organ weake:His powerful sound within an organ weak; AW II.i.176
And what impossibility would slayAnd what impossibility would slay AW II.i.177
In common sence, sence saues another way:In common sense, sense saves another way.save (v.)

old form: saues
keep, preserve, maintain		AW II.i.178
Thy life is deere, for all that life can rateThy life is dear, for all that life can raterate (v.)
reckon, estimate, appraise		AW II.i.179
Worth name of life, in thee hath estimate:Worth name of life in thee hath estimate:estimate (n.)
value, esteem, estimation		AW II.i.180
Youth, beauty, wisedome, courage, allYouth, beauty, wisdom, courage – all AW II.i.181
That happines and prime, can happy call:That happiness and prime can happy call.prime (n.)
early years, prime of life, fullness of youth		AW II.i.182
Thou this to hazard, needs must intimateThou this to hazard needs must intimatehazard (v.)
expose to danger, put at risk		AW II.i.183
Skill infinite, or monstrous desperate,Skill infinite, or monstrous desperate.monstrous (adv.)
exceedingly, wonderfully, extraordinarily		AW II.i.184
desperate (adj.)
disregarding, careless, reckless
Sweet practiser, thy Physicke I will try,Sweet practiser, thy physic I will try,physic (n.)

old form: Physicke
medicine, healing, treatment		AW II.i.185
practiser (n.)
practitioner
That ministers thine owne death if I die.That ministers thine own death if I die. AW II.i.186
Hel.HELENA 
If I breake time, or flinch in propertyIf I break time, or flinch in propertyproperty (n.)
feature, characteristic, particular respect		AW II.i.187
flinch (v.)
fall short, give way, turn aside
break (v.)

old form: breake
fail to keep, default on
Of what I spoke, vnpittied let me die,Of what I spoke, unpitied let me die, AW II.i.188
And well deseru'd: not helping, death's my fee,And well deserved. Not helping, death's my fee;deserved (adj.)

old form: deseru'd
deserving, meritorious, praiseworthy		AW II.i.189
But if I helpe, what doe you promise me.But if I help, what do you promise me? AW II.i.190
Kin.KING 
Make thy demand.Make thy demand. AW II.i.191.1
Hel.HELENA 
But will you make it euen?But will you make it even?even (adj.)

old form: euen
equal, alike, same		AW II.i.191.2
Kin.KING 
I by my Scepter, and my hopes of helpe.Ay, by my sceptre and my hopes of heaven. AW II.i.192
Hel.HELENA 
Then shalt thou giue me with thy kingly handThen shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand AW II.i.193
What husband in thy power I will command:What husband in thy power I will command:power (n.)
control, influence, sway		AW II.i.194
Exempted be from me the arroganceExempted be from me the arrogance AW II.i.195
To choose from forth the royall bloud of France,To choose from forth the royal blood of France AW II.i.196
My low and humble name to propagateMy low and humble name to propagate AW II.i.197
With any branch or image of thy state:With any branch or image of thy state; AW II.i.198
But such a one thy vassall, whom I knowBut such a one, thy vassal, whom I knowvassal (n.)

old form: vassall
servant, slave, subject		AW II.i.199
Is free for me to aske, thee to bestow.Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow. AW II.i.200
Kin KING 
Heere is my hand, the premises obseru'd,Here is my hand; the premises observed, AW II.i.201
Thy will by my performance shall be seru'd:Thy will by my performance shall be served. AW II.i.202
So make the choice of thy owne time, for ISo make the choice of thy own time, for I, AW II.i.203
Thy resolv'd Patient, on thee still relye:Thy resolved patient, on thee still rely.still (adv.)
constantly, always, continually		AW II.i.204
More should I question thee, and more I must,More should I question thee, and more I must, AW II.i.205
Though more to know, could not be more to trust:Though more to know could not be more to trust: AW II.i.206
From whence thou cam'st, how tended on, but restFrom whence thou camest, how tended on – but resttend on / upon (v.)
serve, follow, wait upon, escort		AW II.i.207
Vnquestion'd welcome, and vndoubted blest.Unquestioned welcome, and undoubted blessed. AW II.i.208
Giue me some helpe heere hoa, if thou proceed,Give me some help here, ho! If thou proceed AW II.i.209
As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed.As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed. AW II.i.210
Florish. Exit.Flourish. Exeunt AW II.i.210
 Previous Act II, Scene I Next  
x

Jump directly to