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,

Dia. You shall not need to fear me.

Enter HELENA, in the dress of a Pilgrim.

Wid. 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.—

God save you, pilgrim! Whither are you bound?
Hel. To Saint Jaques le grand.

Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you ?
Wid. At the Saint Francis here, beside the port.
Hel. Is this the way?
Wid.

Ay, marry, is it.-Hark you!

[A march afar off.

They come this way :-If you will tarry, holy pil

grim,

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.

Wid. If you shall please so, pilgrim.

Hel. I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.

Wid. You came, I think, from France?

Hel.

I did so.

Wid. Here you shall see a countryman of yours,

That has done worthy service.

Hel.

His name, I pray you. Dia. The count Rousillon: Know you such a one? Hel. But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him:

His face I know not.

Dia.

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 ?

Hel. Ay, surely, mere the truth; I know his lady.
Dia. There is a gentleman, that serves the count,

What's his name?

Reports but coarsely of her.

Hel.

Dia. Monsieur Parolles.
Hel.

O, I believe with him,

In argument of praise, or to the worth

Of the great count himself, she is too mean

To have her name repeated; all her deserving

Is a reserved honesty, and that

I have not heard examin'd.

Dia.

Alas, poor lady!

'Tis a hard bondage, to become the wife

Of a detesting lord.

Wid. A right good creature: wheresoe'er she is,

Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do

her

A shrewd turn, if she pleas'd.
Hel,

How do you mean?

May be, the amorous count solicits her

In the unlawful purpose.
Wid.

He does, indeed;
And brokes 42 with all that can in such a suit
Corrupt the tender honour of a maid:

But she is arm'd for him, and keeps her guard
In honestest defence.

Enter with drum and colours, a party of the Florentine

Mar.

army, BERTRAM, and PAROLLES.

The gods forbid else!

Wid. So, now they come :

That is Antonio, the duke's eldest son;

That, Escalus.

Hel.

Dia.

Which is the Frenchman ?

He;

That with the plume: 'tis a most gallant fellow;

I would, he lov'd his wife; if he were honester,

:

He were much goodlier:-Is't not a handsome gen

tleman ?

Hel. I like him well.

Dia. 'Tis pity, he is not honest: Yond's that same

knave,

That leads him to these places; were I his lady,

I'd poison that vile rascal.

Hel.

Which is he?

Dia. That jack-an-apes with scarfs: Why is he

melancholy ?

Hel. Perchance he's hurt i'the battle.