Page 797 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

COUNTESS

Sirrah, tell my gentlewoman I would speak [65] with her − Helen, I mean.

CLOWN
Was this fair face the cause, quoth she,
Why the Grecians sackèd Troy?
Fond done, done fond,

Was this King Priam’s joy? [70]
With that she sighèd as she stood,
With that she sighèd as she stood,
And gave this sentence then:

Among nine bad if one be good,
Among nine bad if one be good, [75]
There’s yet one good in ten.

COUNTESS
What, one good in ten? You corrupt the song, sirrah.

CLOWN
One good woman in ten, madam, which is a purifying o’th’song. Would God

would serve the world [80] so all the year! We’d find no fault with the tithe-
woman if I were the parson. One in ten, quoth’a! An we might have a good
woman born but one every blazing star or at an earthquake, ’twould mend
the lottery well; a man may draw his heart out ere ’a pluck one. [85]

COUNTESS
You’ll be gone, sir knave, and do as I command you!

CLOWN

That man should be at woman’s command, and yet no hurt done! Though
honesty be no puritan, yet it will do no hurt. It will wear the surplice of
humility over [90] the black gown of a big heart. I am going, forsooth. The
business is for Helen to come hither.

Exit.

COUNTESS
Well, now.