ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

comedy in five acts by William Shakespeare, produced about 160203 and published in the First Folio of 1623 from the author's fair papers or a transcript of them. The principal source of the plot is a tale in Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron. The play concerns the efforts of Helena, daughter of a renowned physician, to make Bertram, the count of Rossillion, her husband. When Bertram is summoned by the gravely ill king of France, Helena follows and administers a cure that had been provided by her father. In return, the king invites her to select a husband, her choice being the evasive Bertram. He concedes to the royal imperative but promptly flees to Tuscany with his no-good friend Parolles. By letter Bertram informs Helena that he may not be considered her husband until she has taken the ring from his finger and conceived a child by him. Disguised as a pilgrim, Helena follows Bertram to Florence only to discover that he has been courting the daughter of her hostess. Helena spreads a rumour of her own death and has a rendezvous with Bertram in the daughter's stead. In exchange for his ring, she gives him one that the king has given her. When Bertram returns to Rossillion, where the king is visiting the countess, the royal guest recognizes the ring and suspects foul play. Helena then appears to explain her machinations and claim her rightful spouse.