Page 894 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

PAROLLES

Pray you, sir, deliver me this paper. [15]

CLOWN
Foh! Prithee stand away. A paper from Fortune’s close-stool, to give to a
nobleman! Look, here he comes himself.

Enter Lafew.
Here is a pur of Fortune’s, sir, or of Fortune’s cat, but not a musk-cat, that has

fallen into the unclean fishpond [20] of her displeasure and, as he says, is
muddied withal. Pray you, sir, use the carp as you may, for he looks like a
poor, decayed, ingenious, foolish, rascally knave. I do pity his distress in my

similes of comfort, and leave him to your lordship. [25]
Exit.

PAROLLES
My lord, I am a man whom Fortune hath cruelly scratched.

LAFEW
And what would you have me to do? ’Tis too late to pare her nails now.
Wherein have you played the knave with Fortune that she should scratch you,
who of herself [30] is a good lady and would not have knaves thrive long

under her? There’s a cardecue for you. Let the justices make you and Fortune
friends; I am for other business.

PAROLLES
I beseech your honour to hear me one single word. [35]

LAFEW
You beg a single penny more. Come, you shall ha’t, save your word.

PAROLLES
My name, my good lord, is Parolles.

LAFEW

You beg more than ‘word’ then. Cox my passion! Give me your hand. How
does your drum? [40]