Page 880 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

BERTRAM

Our interpreter does it well.

FIRST LORD
Excellently.

FIRST SOLDIER
(reading)
Dian, the Count’s a fool, and full of gold.

PAROLLES
That is not the Duke’s letter, sir; that is an advertisement to a proper maid in

Florence, one Diana, [205] to take heed of the allurement of one Count
Rossillion, a foolish idle boy, but for all that very ruttish. I pray you, sir, put it
up again.

FIRST SOLDIER
Nay, I’ll read it first by your favour.

PAROLLES
My meaning in’t, I protest, was very honest in [210] the behalf of the maid;

for I knew the young Count to be a dangerous and lascivious boy, who is a
whale to virginity, and devours up all the fry it finds.

BERTRAM
Damnable both-sides rogue!

FIRST SOLDIER
(reading)
When he swears oaths, bid him drop gold, and take it; [215]

After he scores he never pays the score.
Half-won is match well made; match, and well make it.
He ne’er pays after-debts, take it before.
And say a soldier, Dian, told thee this:

Men are to mell with, boys are not to kiss; [220]
For count of this, the Count’s a fool, I know it,
Who pays before, but not when he does owe it.