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All's Well That Ends Well, Act 5, Scene 1

William Shakespeare
Every note, for your class

The story so far

Earlier in the play

Helena, believed dead, has taken Diana’s place in bed with Bertram after Diana obtains his ring. She travels with Diana and the Widow to seek the king at Marseilles.

In the last scene: Act 4, Scene 5

Lafew announces the king’s support for marrying his daughter to Bertram; the Countess approves. The king is expected from Marseilles tomorrow. The Clown reports Bertram’s arrival, and they go to meet him.

SCENE I. Marseilles. A street.

Enter Helena, Widow and Diana with two Attendants.
HELENA
But this exceeding posting day and nightMust wear your spirits low. We cannot help it.But since you have made the days and nights as one,To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs,Be bold you do so grow in my requitalAs nothing can unroot you. In happy time;—
Enter a Gentleman.
HELENA
This man may help me to his majesty’s ear,If he would spend his power. God save you, sir.
GENTLEMAN
And you.
HELENA
Sir, I have seen you in the court of France.
GENTLEMAN
I have been sometimes there.
HELENA
I do presume, sir, that you are not fallenFrom the report that goes upon your goodness;And therefore, goaded with most sharp occasions,Which lay nice manners by, I put you toThe use of your own virtues, for the whichI shall continue thankful.
GENTLEMAN
What’s your will?
HELENA
That it will please youTo give this poor petition to the king,And aid me with that store of power you haveTo come into his presence.
GENTLEMAN
The king’s not here.
HELENA
Not here, sir?
GENTLEMAN
Not indeed.He hence remov’d last night, and with more hasteThan is his use.
WIDOW
Lord, how we lose our pains!
HELENA
All’s well that ends well yet,Though time seem so adverse and means unfit.I do beseech you, whither is he gone?
GENTLEMAN
Marry, as I take it, to Rossillon;Whither I am going.
HELENA
I do beseech you, sir,Since you are like to see the king before me,Commend the paper to his gracious hand,Which I presume shall render you no blame,But rather make you thank your pains for it.I will come after you with what good speedOur means will make us means.
GENTLEMAN
This I’ll do for you.
HELENA
And you shall find yourself to be well thank’d,Whate’er falls more. We must to horse again.Go, go, provide.
Exeunt.

Characters

Speaking

  • 9 speeches
  • Gentleman7 speeches
  • Widow1 speech

Mentioned

All the characters ›

Themes

All the themes ›

Questions on this scene

  • Reading

    What does Helena ask the Gentleman to give the king?

Locations

  • MarseillesScene

    Helena, Diana and the Widow arrive here seeking the King, only to learn that he has left for Roussillon. Helena entrusts a gentleman with a petition for him.

    Set here · 3 quotes in this scene

Also mentioned

  • Roussillon2 quotes in this scene · characters travel here or from here
  • Paris2 quotes in this scene