EPILOGUE.

Which pierces so that it assaults

Mercy itself, and frees all faults.
Spoken by Prospero.

As you from crimes would pardon'd be,

Let your indulgence set me free.
NOW my charms are all o'erthrown,
And what strength I have's mine own;
Which is most faint : now, 'tis true,
I must be here confin'd by you,

It is observed of The Tempest, that its plan is reOr sent to Naples : Let me not,

gular; this the author of The Revisal thinks, what Since I have my dukedom got,

I think too, an accidental effect of the story, not inAnd pardon'd the deceiver, dwell

tended or regarded by our author. But, whatever In this bare island, by your spell ;

might be Shakspeare's intention in forming or adopt

ing the plot, he has made it instrumental to the proBut release me from my bands,

duction of many characters, diversified with boundWith the help of your good hands.? less invention, and preserved with profound skill in Gentle breath of yours my sails

nature, extensive knowledge of opinions, and accuMust fill, or else my project

fails,

rate observation of life. In a single drama are here

exhibited princes, courtiers, and sailors, all speakWhich was to please : nou I want

ing in their real characters. There is the agency of Spirits to enforce, art to enchant;

airy spirits, and of an earthly goblin; the operaAnd my ending is despair,

tions of magic, the tumults of a storm, the advenUnless I be reliev'd by prayer ;

tures of a desert island, the native effusion of untaught affection, the punishment of guilt, and the

final happiness of the pair for whom our passions ) Applause: noise was supposed to dissolve aand reason are equally interested. spell.

JOHNSON.

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA.

PERSONS REPRESENTED. Duke of Milan, father to Silvia.

(Out-laws. Valentine Proleusne, gentlemen of Verona.

Julia, a lady of Verona, beloved by Proleus. Antonio, father to Proteus.

Silvia, the duke's daughter, beloved by Valentine. Thurio, a foolish rival to Valentine.

Lucetta, waiting-woman to Julia.
Eglamour, agent for Silvia in her escape.
Speed, a clownish servant to Valentine.

Servants, musicians.
Launce, servant to Proteus.
Panthino, servant to Antonio.

Scene, Sometimes in Verona ; sometimes in Milan: Host, where Julia lodges in Milan.

and on the frontiers of Mantua.

ACT I.

If lost, why then a grievous labour won;
However, but a folly bought with wit,

Or else a wit by folly vanquished.
SCENE I.-An open place in Verona. Enter

Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool. Valentine and Proteus.

Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear, you'll

prove. Valentine.

Pro. "Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love. CEASE to persuade, my loving Proteus ;

Val. Love is your master, for he masters you:

And he that is so yoked by a fool,
Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits :

Methinks should not be chronicled for wise.
Wer't not, affection chains thy tender days
To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love,

Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud I rather would entreat thy company,

The eating canker dwells, so eating love To see the wonders of the world abroad,

Inhabits in the finest wits of all. Than living dully sluggardiz'd at home,

Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness.

Is eaten by the canker ere it blow,
But, since thou lov'st, love still, and thrive therein, Even so bý love the young and tender wit
Even as I would, when I to love begin.

Is turn'd to folly ; blasting in the bud, Pro. 'Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, Losing his verdure even in the prime, adieu !

And all the fair effects of future hopes. Think on thy Proteus, when thou, baply, seest

But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee, Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel :

That art a votary to fond desire ? Wish me partaker in thy happiness,

Once more adieu : my father at the road When thou dost meet good hap; and, in thy dan- ||Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd.

Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine. ger, If ever danger do environ thee,

Val. Sweet Proteus, no ; now let us take our Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers,

leave. For I will be thy beads-man, Valentine.

At Milan, let me hear from thee by letters, Val. And on a love-book pray for my success.

Of thy success in love, and what news else Pro. Upon some book I love, I'll pray for thee. Betideth here in absence of thy friend; Val. That's on some shallow story of deep love,||And I likewise will visit thee with mine. How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont.

Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in Milan! Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love.

Val. As much to you at home! and so, farewell! For he was more than over shoes in love.

(Exit Valentine. Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love,

Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love : And yet you never swam the Hellespont.

He leaves his friends, to dignify them more; Pro. Over the boots ? nay, give me not the leave myself, my friends, and all for love. boots. 1

Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me Val. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not.

Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, Pro.

What?

War with good counsel, set the world at nought ; Val.

To bell Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with In love, where scorn is bought with groans; coy

thought. looks, With heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth, With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights : If haply won, perhaps, a hapless gain ;

Speed. Sir Proteus, save you : saw you may

master? (1) A humorous punishment at harvest-home Pro. But now he parted hence, to embark for feasts, &c.

Milan.

Enter Speed.

my mind

a

Speed. Twenty to one then, he is shipp'd already; I) Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from And I have play'd the sheep, in losing him. her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering

Pro. Indeed a sheep doth very often stray, your letter : and being so hard to me that brought An if the shepherd be awhile away.

your mind, I fear, she'll prove as hard to you in Speed. You conclude that my master is a shep-| telling her mind. Give her no token but stones; herd then, and I a sheep?

for she's as hard as steel. Pro. I do.

Pro. What, said she nothing? Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether Speed. No, not so much as-take this for thy I wake or sleep.

pains. To testify your bounty, I thank you, you Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. have testern’dt me; in requital whereof, henceSpeed. This proves me still a sheep.

forth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, 171 Pro. True ; and thy master a shepherd. commend you to my master. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. Pro. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from Pro. It shall gohard, but I'll prove it by another. wreck;

Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not || Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, Being destin'd to a drier death on shore :and my master seeks not me: therefore, I am no I must go send some better messenger; sheep.

I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines, Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, || Receiving them from such a worthless post. the shepherd for food follows not the sheep, thou

[Exeunt. for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore, thou art a sheep. || SCENE II.—The same. Garden of Julia's

Speed. Such another proof will make me cry house. Enter Julia and Lucetta. baa.

Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Pro. But dost thou hear? gav'st thou my letter Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love? to Julia ?

Luc. Ay, madam ; so you stumble not unheedSpeed. Ay, sir : I, a lost mutton, gave your let

fully. ter to her, a laced mutton ;' and she, a laced mut

Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, ton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour. That every day with parles encounter me,

Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a storeIn thy opinion, which is worthiest love?
of muttons.
Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were

Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll show best stick her.

According io my shallow simple skill. Pro. Nay, in that you are astray ; 'twere best Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour? pound you.

Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine; Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve But, were I you, he never should be mine. me for carrying your leiter.

Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio? Pro. You mistake; I mean the pound, a pin- Luc. Well of his wealth ; but of himself, so, 90. fold.

Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Protens ? Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and

Luc. Lord, lord ! to see what folly reigns in us!

Jul. How now! what means this passion at his 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your

name? lover.

Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing Pro. But what said she? did she nod ?

shame,

[Speed nods. | That I, unworthy body as I am, Speed. I.

Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen. Pro. Nod, I? why, that's noddy.?

Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest ? Speed. You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod :

Luc. Then thus,- of many good I think him and you ask me, if she did nod; and I say, I.

best. Pro. And that set together, iznoddy.

Jul. Your reason? Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason ; together, take it for your pains.

I think him so, because I think him so. Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my love letter.

on him? Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be sain to bear

Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away.

Jul. Why, he of all the rest hath never mov'd me. Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me?

Luc. Yei he of all the rest, I think, best loves ye. Speed. Morry, sir, the letter very orderly; having

Jul. His little speaking shows his love but small. nothing but the word, noddy, for my pains.

Luc. Fire, that is closest kept, burns most of all. Pro. Beshrew3 me, but you have a quick wit.

Jul. They do not love, that do not show their love. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slow

Luc. O, they love least, that let men know their purse.

love. Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief :

Jul. I would, I knew his mind. what said she?

Luc.

Peruse this paper, madam. Speed. Open your purse, that the money, and

Jul. To Julia,-Say, from whom? the matter, may be both at once delivered."

Luc.

That the contents will show. Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains : what said

Jul. Say, say; who gave it thee? sbe?

Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her.

from Proteus : Pro. Why? could'st thou perceive so much He would have given it you, but I, being in the way, from her?

(1) A term for a courtezan. (2) A game at cards. (4) Given me a sixpence. (3) MI betide.

(6) Pass sentence.

over,

with you.

(5) Talk

Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, Ill Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me. pray:

Here is a coilo with protestation ! Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker !!

(Tears the letter. Dare you presume to barbour wanton lines? Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie: To whisper and conspire against my youth? You would be fingering them, to anger me. Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth,

Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be And you an officer fit for the place.

best pleas'd There, take the paper, see it be return'd; To be so anger'd with another letter. [Exit. Or else return no more into my sight.

Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same! Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than O hateful hands, to tear such loving words ! hate.

Injurious wasps! to feed on such sweet honey, Jul. Will you be gone?

And kill the bees that yield it, with your stings ! Luc. That you may ruminate. I'll kiss each several

paper

for amends.

(Erit. And here is writ-kind Julia ; --unkind Julia ! Jul. And yet, I would I had o'erlook'd the letter. || As in revenge of thy ingratitude, It were a shame to call her back again,

I throw thy name against the bruising stones, And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain. What fool is she, that knows I am a maid, Look, here is writ--love-wounded Proteus :And would not force the letter to my view? Poor wounded name! my bosom, as a bed, Since maids, in modesty, say No, to that Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be thoroughly Which they would have the profferer construe, Ay.

heal'd; Fie, fie! how wayward is this foolish love, And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss. That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nrrse, But twice, or thrice, was Proteus written down? And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod!

Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away, How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence,

Till I have found each letter in the letter, When willingly I would have had her here ! Except mine own name; that some whirlwind bear How angrily I taught my brow to frown,

Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock, When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile! And throw it thence into the raging sea! My penance is, to call Lucettă back,

Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ,And ask remission for my folly past :

Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus, What ho! Lucetta!

To the sweet Julia ;- that I'll tear away ;

And yet I will not, sithi so prettily
Re-enter Lucetta.

He couples it to his complaining names :
Luc.

What would your ladyship? | Thus will I fold them one upon another; Jul. Is it near dinner-time?

Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will. Luc.

I would it were; That you might kill your stomach2 on your meat,

Re-enter Lucetta. And not upon your maid.

Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your father Jul. What is't you took up

stays. So gingerly?

Jul. Well, let us go. Luc. Nothing.

Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales Jul. Why did'st thou stoop then?

here? Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall.

Jul. If you respect them, best to take them up. Jul. And is that paper nothing?

Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down : Luc. Nothing concerning me.

Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold. Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns.

Jul. I see, you have a month's mind to them. Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns, Luc. Ay, madam, you may say what sights you Unless it have a false interpreter.

Jul. Some love of yours bath writ to you in rhyme. || I see things too, although you judge I wink.

Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune : Jul. Come, come, will’t please you go? Give me a note : your ladyship can set

(Exeunt. Jul. As little by such toys as may be possible : Best sing it to the tune of light o' love.

SCENE III.--The same. A room in Antonio's Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune.

house. Enter Antonio and Panthino. Jul. Heavy? belike it hath some burden then. Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you sing Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that, it.

Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister? Jul. And why not you?

Pan. 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son. Luc.

I cannot reach so high. Ant. Why, what of him? Jul. Let's see your song :-How now, minion ? Pan.

He wonder'd, that your lordship Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out: Would suffer him to spend his youth at home; And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune. While other men, of slender reputation, Jul. You do not?

Put forth their sons to seek preferment out: Lac. No, madam; it is too sharp.

Some, to the wars, to try their fortune there ; Jul. You, minion, are too saucy.

Some, to discover islands far away ;
Luc. Nay, now you are too flat,

Some, to the studious universities.
And mar the concord with too harsh a descant :3 For any, or for all these exercises,
There wanteth but a meant to fill your song. He said, that Proteus, your son, was meet ;
Jul. The mean is drown'd with

your unruly base. And did request me, to importune you, Luc. Indeed, I bid the bases for Proteus. To let him spend his time no more at home, (1) A matchmaker. (2) Passion or obstinacy:

(5) A challenge. (6) Bustle, stir. (7) Since. (3) A term in music. (4) The tenor in music. (8) Serious. °(9) Little consequence.

see ;

Which would be great impeachment to his age, Come on, Panthino; you shall be employ'd
In having known no travel in his youth.

To basten on his expedition.
Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to

(Exeunt Ant. and Pant. that

Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear of Whereon this month I have been hammering.

burning; I have consider'd well his loss of time;

And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd: And how he cannot be a perfect man,

I fear'd to show my father Julia's letter, Not being try'd and tutor'd in the world : Lest he should take exceptions to my love; Experience is by industry achiev'd,

And with the vantage of mine own excuse And perfected by the swift course of time : Hath he excepted most against my love. Then, tell me, whither were I best to send him? O, how this spring of love resembleth

Pant. I think, your lord bip is not ignorant, The uncertain glory of an April day ; How his companion, youthful Valentine, Which now shows all the beauty of the sun, Attends the emperor in his royal court.

And by and by a cloud takes all away!
Ant. I know it well.
Pant. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent

Re-enter Panthino.
him thither:
There shall be practise tilts and tournaments,

Pant. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you;

He is in haste, therefore, I pray you, go.
Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen;
And be in eye of every exercise,

Pro. Why, this it is! my heart accords thereto; Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.

And yet a thousand times it answers, no. Ant. I like thy counsel; well hast thou advis'd :

[Exeunt. And, that thou may'st perceive how well I like it, The execution of it shall make known; Even with the speediest execution

ACT II. I will despatch him to the emperor's court. Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don Al-SCENE I.–Milan. An apartment in the phonso,

Duke's palace. Enter Valentine and Speed. With other gentlemen of good esteem,

Speed. Sir, your glove. Are journeying to salute the emperor,

Val. Not mine; my gloves are on. And to commend their service to his will.

Speed. Why then this may be yours, for this is Ant. Good company; with them shall Proteus go : | but one. And, in good time,--now will we break with him.2

Val. Ha ! let me see: ay, give it me, it's mine :

Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine!
Enter Proteus.

Ab Silvia ! Silvia !
Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines ! sweet life! Speed. Madam Silvia! madam Silvia !
Here is her hand, the agent of her heart;

Val. How now, sirrah !
Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn : Speed. She is not within hearing, sir.
0, that our fathers would applaud our loves, Val. Why, sir, who bade you call her?
To seal our happiness with their consents !

Specd. Your worship, sir; or else I mistook. O heavenly Julia!

Val. Well, you'll still be too forward. Ant. How now? what letter are you reading Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being too there?

slow. Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you know madam

Silvia? Of commendation sent from Valentine,

Speed. She that your worship loves? Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.

Val. Why, how know you that I am in love? Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what news. Speed. Marry, by these special marks : First, you Pro. There is no news, my lord; but that he have learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreath your arms writes

like a male-content; to relish a love-song, like a How happily he lives, how well belov'd, robin-red-breast; to walk alone, like one that had the And daily graced by the emperor;

pestilence; to sigh, like a school-boy that had lost Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune. his A. B. C.; to weep, like a young wench that had

Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish? | buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes

Pro. As one relying on your lordship’s will, diet ;5 to watch, like one that fears robbing; to And not depending on his friendly wish. speak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas. You

Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish: were wont, when you laugh’d, to crow like a cock; Muse3 not that I thus suddenly proceed; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions; For what I will, I will, and there an end. when you fasted, it was presently after dinner; when I am resolv'd, that thou shalt spend some time you looked sadly, it was for want of money : and With Valentinus in the emperor's court; now you are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, What maintenance he from his friends receives, when I look on you, I can hardly think you my Like exhibitions thou shalt have from me.

master. To-morrow be in readiness to go:

Val. Are all these things perceived in me? Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.

Spced. They are all perceived without you. Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided; Val. thout me? They cannot. Please you, deliberate a day or two.

Speed. Without you? nay, that's certain, for, Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after without you were so simple, none else would: but thee :

you are so without these follies, that these follies No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go.-- are within you, and shine through you like the

water in a urinal; that not an eye, that sees you, (1) Reproach. (2) Break the matter to him. (3) Wonder. (4) Allowance.

(5) Inder a regimen. (6) Allhallowmas.

two

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