Listen to Act 4. LibriVox volunteers recorded “Act IV” as one track, so it runs past this scene and includes stage directions this page leaves out. LibriVox catalog.
HELENA
That you may well perceive I have not wrong’d you One of the greatest in the Christian world Shall be my surety; fore whose throne needful, I can perfect mine intents, to kneel. Time was I did him a desired office, Dear almost as his life; which gratitude Through flinty Tartar’s bosom would peep forth, And answer thanks. I duly am inform’d His grace is at Marseilles; to which place We have convenient convoy. You must know I am supposed dead. The army breaking, My husband hies him home, where, heaven aiding, And by the leave of my good lord the king, We’ll be before our welcome.
WIDOW
Gentle madam, You never had a servant to whose trust Your business was more welcome.
HELENA
Nor you, mistress, Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labour To recompense your love. Doubt not but heaven brought me up to be your daughter’s dower, As it fated her to be my motive And helper to a husband. But, O strange men! That can such sweet use make of what they hate, When saucy trusting of the cozen’d thoughts Defiles the pitchy night; so lust play With what it loathes, for that which is away. But more of this hereafter. You, Diana, Under my poor instructions yet must suffer Something in my behalf.
DIANA
Let death and honesty Go with your impositions, I am yours Upon your will to suffer.
HELENA
Yet, I pray you; But with the word the time will bring on summer, When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns, And be as sweet as sharp. We must away; Our waggon is prepar’d, and time revives us. All’s well that ends well; still the fine’s the crown. Whate’er the course, the end is the renown.