but is a physician to comment on your malady. But for my duty to your ladyship. Val. But, tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia? Sil. I thank you, gentle servant: 'tis very clerklys Speed. She, that you gaze on so, as she sits at done. supper? Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off'; Val. Hast thou observ'd that? even she I mean. | For, being ignorant to whom it goes, Speed. Why, sir, I know her not. I writ at random, very doubtfully. Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much and yet know'st her not? pains? Speed. Is she not hard-favour'd, sir? Val. No, madam; so it stead you, I will write, Val. Not so fair, boy, as well favoured. Please you command, a thousand times as much : Speed. Sir, I know that well enough. And yet, Val. What dost thou know? Sil . A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel ; Speed. That she is not so fair, as (of you) well |And yet I will not name it :-and yet I care not;favoured. And yet take this again ;-and yet I thank you; Val. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more. her favour infinite. Speed. And yet you will; and yet another yet. Speed. That's because the one is painted, and (Aside. the other out of all count. Val. What means your ladyship? do you not Val. How painted? and how out of count? like it? Speed. Marry, sir, so painted, to make her fair, Sil. Yes, yes; the lines are very quaintly writ: that no man counts of her beauty. But since unwillingly, take them again; Val. How esteemest thou me? I account of her Nay, take them. beauty. Val. Madam, they are for you. Speed. You never saw her since she was de- Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, sir, at my request : formed. But I will none of them; they are for you: Val. How long hath she been deformed? I would have had them writ more movingly. Speed. Ever since you loved her. Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship another. Val. I have loved her ever since I saw her, and Sil. And, when it's writ, for my sake read it over : still I see her beautiful. And, if it please you, so; if not, why, so. Speed. If you love her, you cannot see her. Val. If it please me, madam! what then? Val. Why? Sil. Why, if it please you, take it for your labour; Speed. Because love is blind. O, that you had | And so good-morrow, servant. (Erit Silvia mine eyes; or your own had the lights they were Speed. O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible, wont to have, when you chid at Sir Proteus for go-|| As a nose op a man's face, or a weathercock on a ing ungartered! steeple! Val. What should I see then? My master sues to her; and she hath taught her Speed. Your own present folly, and her passing suitor, deformity; for he, being in love, could not see to He being her pupil, to become her tutor. garter his hose ; and you, being in love, cannot see O excellent device was there ever heard a better? to put on your hose. That my master, being scribe, to himself should Val. Belike, boy, then you are in love; for last write the letter? morning you could not see to wipe my shoes. Val. How now, sir? what are you reasoning Speed. True, sir; I was in love with my bed: I with yourself? thank you, you swinged! me for my love, which Speed. Nay, I was rhyming; 'tis you that have makes me the bolder to chide you for yours. the reason. Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her. Val. To do what? Speed. I would you were set; so, your affection Speed. To be a spokesman from madam Silvia. would cease. Val. To whom? Val. Last night she enjoined me to write some Speed. To yourself: why, she wooes you by a lines to one she loves. figure. Speed. And have you? Val, What figure? Val. I have. Speed. By a letter, I should say. Speed. Are they not lamely writ? Val. Why, she hath not writ to me. Pal. No, boy, but as well as I can do them :- Speed. What need she, when she bath made you Peace, here she comes. write to yourself? Why, do you not perceive the jest? Enter Silvia. Val. No, believe me. Speed. O excellent motion!? O exceeding pup Speed. No believing you indeed, sir: but did pet! now will be interpret to her. you perceive her earnest? Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand good Val. She gave me none, except an angry word. Speed. Why, she hath given you a letter. Speed. O, 'give you good even! here's a million Val. That's the letter I writ to her friend. of manners. [ Aside. Speed. And that letter hath she delivered, and Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thou there an end.4 sand. Val. I would, it were no worse. Speed. He should give her interest; and she Speed. I'll warrant you, 'tis as well gives it him. Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter, || For often you have writ to her; and she, in Unto the secret nameless friend of yours; modesty, Whicb I was much unwilling to proceed in, Or else for want of idle time, could not again reply, (4) There's the conclusion. morrowS. (Exit Julia. || my sighs. Or fearing else some messenger, thot might her || so. Now come I to my father ; Father, your blessmind discover, ing; now should not the shoe speak a word for Herself hath laught her love himself to write weeping ; now should I kiss my father; well, he unto her lover. weeps on :-now come to my mother, (ó, that she could speak now!) like a wood2 woman ;-well, I All this I speak in print; for in print I found it. kiss her;-why there 'tis ; here's my mother's breath Why muse you, sir? 'tis dinner-time. up and down : now come I to my sister; mark the Val. I have dined, Speed. Ay, but hearken, sir : though the came moan she makes: now the dog all this while sheds leon, Love, can feed on the air, I am one that am not a tear, nor speaks a word ; but see how I lay the dust with my tears. nourished by my victuals, and would fain have meat: 0, be not like your mistress; be moved, be Enter Panthino. moved. (Excunt. Pan. Launce, away, away, aboard; thy master SCENE II.–Verona. A room in Julia's house. || What's the matter? why weepest thou, man? Away, is shipped, and thou art to post after with oars. Enter Proteus and Julia. ass; you will lose the tide, if you tarry any longer. Pro. Have patience, gentle Julia. Laun. It is no matter if the ty'd were lost; for it Jul. I must, where is no remedy. is the unkindest ty'd that ever any man ty'd. Pro. When possibly I can, I will return. Pan. What's the unkindest tide? Jul. If you turn not, you will return the sooner: Laun. Why, he that's ty'd here; Crab, my dog. Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's sake. Pan. Tut, man, I mean thou'lt lose the food; [Giving a ring. and, in losing the flood, lose thy voyage ; and, in Pro. Why then we'll make exchange ; here, || losing thy voyage, lose thy master; and, in losing take you this. thy master, lose thy service; and, in losing thy serJul. And seal the bargain with a holy kiss. vice,-Why dost thou stop my mouth? Pro. Here is my hand for my true constancy ; Laun. For fear thou should'st lose thy tongue. And when that hour o'er-slips me in the day, Pan. Where should I lose my tongue ? Wherein I sigh not, Julia, for thy sake, Laun. In thy tale. The next ensuing hour some foul mischance Pan. In thy tail ? Torment me for my love's forgetfulness ! Laun. Lose the tide, and the voyage, and the master, and the service? The tide !-why, man, if My father stays my coming; answer not; The tide is now: nay, not the tide of tears; the river were dry, I am able to fill it with my tears ; That tide will stay me longer than I should; if the wind were down, I could drive the boat with Julia, farewell.-What! gone without a word ? Pan. Come, come away, man; I was sent to ; call thee. Ay, so true love should do : it cannot speak ; For truth hath better deeds, than words, to grace it. Laun. Sir, call me what thou darest. Pan. Wilt thou go? [Exeunt. Pan. Sir Proteus, you are staid for. SCENE IV.-Milan. An apartment in the Pro. Go; I come, I come: Duke's palace. Enter Valentine, Silvia, ThuAlas! this parting strikes poor lovers dumb. rio, and Speed (Exeunt. Sil. Servant Val. Mistress? Speed. Master, Sir Thurio frowns on you. Val. Ay, boy, it's for love. Laun. Nay, 'twill be this hour ere I have done Speed. Not of you. weeping ; all the kind of the Launces have this Val. Of my mistress then. very fault: I have received my proportion, like the Speed. 'Twere good, you knocked him. prodigious son, and am going with Sir Proteus to Sil. Servant, you are sad. 3 the Imperial's court. I think, Crab my dog be the Val. Indeed, madam, I seem so. sourest-natured dog that lives : my mother weeping, Thu. Seem you that you are not? my father wailing, my sister crying, our maid howl- Val. Haply, I do. ing, our cat wringing her hands, and all our house Thu. So do counterfeits. in a great perplexity, yet did not this cruel-hearted Val. So do you. cur shed one tear : he is a stone, a very pebble- Thu. What seem I, that I am not? stone, and has no more pity in him than a dog: a Val. Wise. Jew would have wept to have seen our parting ; Thu. What instance of the contrary? why, my grandam having no eyes, look you, wept Val. Your folly. herself blind at my parting. Nay, I'll show you Thu. And how quotes you my folly? the manner of it: This shoe is my father ;-no, this Val. I quote it in your jerkin. left shoe is my father ;-no, no, this left shoe is my Thu. My jerkin is a doublet. mother; nay, that cannot be so neither;-yes, it is Val. Well, then, I'll double your folly. so, it is so ; it hath the worser sole : this shoe, with Thu. How? the hole in it, is my mother, and this my father : a Sil. What, angry, sir Thurio? do you change vengeance on't! there 'tis : now, sir, this staff is my colour ? sister; for, look you, she is as white as a lily, and as Val. Give him leave, madam; he is a kind of small as a wand: this hat is Nan, our maid; I amcameleon. the dog :-no, the dog is himself, and I am the Thu. That hath more mind to feed on your blood, dog.-Ö, the dog is me, and I am myself; ay, so, than live in your air. (1) Kindred. (2) Crazy, distracted. (3) Serious. (4) Perhaps. (5) Observe. ers still seech you, my father. Val. You have said, sir. Sil. Belike, that now she hath enfranchis'd Thu. Ay, sir, and done too, for this time. them Val. I know it well, sir ; you always end ere youUpon some other pawn for fealty. begin. Val. Nay, sure, I think, she holds them prisonSil. A fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quickly shot off. Sil. Nay, then he should be blind; and, being Val. 'Tis indeed, madam; we thank the blind, giver. How could he see his way to seek out you? Sul. Who is that, servant ? Val. Why, lady, love hath twenty pair of eyes. Val. Yourself, sweet lady; for you gave the fire : Thu. They say, that love hath not an eye at all. Sir Thurio borrows his wit from your ladyship's Val. To see such lovers, Thurio, as yourself; looks, and spends what he borrows, kindly in your Upon a homely object love can wink. company Thu. Sir, if you spend word for word with me, Enter Proteus. Sil. Have done, have done ; here comes the of words, and, I think, no other treasure to give gentleman. your followers; for it appears by their bare liveries, Val. Welcome, dear Proteus !—Mistress, I be. that they live by your bare words. Sil. No more, gentlemen, no more ; here comes Confirm his welcome with some special favour. Sil. His worth is warrant for his welcome hither, If this be he you oft have wish'd to hear from. Enter Duke. Val. Mistress, it is: sweet lady, entertain him To be my fellow-servant to your ladyship. Duke. Now, daughter Silvia, you are hard beset. Sil. Too low a mistress for so high a servant. Sir Valentine, your father's in good health: Pro. Not so, sweet lady; but too mean a servant What say you to a letter from your friends To have a look of such a worthy mistress. Of much good news? Val. Leave off discourse of disability Val. My lord, I will be thankful Sweet lady, entertain him for your servant, To any happy messenger from thence. Pro. My duty will I boast of, nothing else. Duke. Know you Don Antonio, your country- Sil. And duty never yet did want his meed; man? Servant, you are welcome to a worthless inistress. Val. Ay, my good lord, I know the gentleman Pro. I'll die on him that says so, but yourself. To be of worth, and worthy estimation, Sil. That you are welcome? And not without desert so well reputed. Pro. No; that you are worthless. Duke. Hath he not a son ? Val. Ay, my good lord; a son, that well de Enter Servant. The honour and regard of such a father. Ser. Madam, my lord your father would speak Duke. You know him well? Val. I knew him as myself; for from our in- Sil. I'll wait upon his pleasure. (Exit Servant. fancy Come, Sir Thurio, We have convers'd, and spent our hours together : Go with me :-Once more, new servant, welcome : And though myself have been an idle truant, I'll leave you to confer of home-affairs; Omitting the sweet benefit of time, When you have done, we look to hear from you. To clothe mine age with angel-like perfection; Pro. We'll both attend upon your ladyship. Yet hath Sir Proteus, for that's his name, (Exeunt Silvia, Thurio, and Speed. Made use and fair advantage of his days : Val. Now, tell me, how do all from whence you His years but young, but his experience old; came? His head unmellow'd, but his judgment ripe; Pro. Your friends are well, and have them much And, in a word (for far behind his worth commended. Come all the praises that I now bestow,) Val. And how do yours? He is complete in feature, and in mind, Pro. I left them all in health. With all good grace to grace a gentleman. Val. How does your lady ? and how thrives your Duke. Beshrewl me, sir, but, if he make this love? good, Pro. My tales of love were wont to weary you; He is as worthy for an empress' love, I know, you joy not in a love-discourse. As meet to be an emperor's counsellor. Val. Ay, Proteus, but that life is alter'd now: Well, sir ; this gentleman is come to me, I have done penance for contemning love ; With commendation from great potentates ; Whose high imperious thoughts have punish'd me And here he means to spend his time awhile : With bitter fasts, with penitential groans, I think, 'tis no unwelcome news to you. With nightly tears, and daily heart-sore sighs; Val. Should I have wish'd a thing, it had been For, in revenge of my contempt of love, he. Love hath chas'd sleep from my enthralled eyes, Duke. Welcome him then according to his|| And made them watchers of mine own heart's sco Silvia, I speak to you; and you, Sir Thurio :- 0, gentle Proteus, love's a mighty lord; For Valentine, I need not cite2 him to it: And hath so humbled me, as, I confess, I'll send him hither to you presently. (Exit Duke. There is no wo to his correction, Val. This is the gentleman, I told your ladyship, Nor, to his service, no such joy on earth! Had come along with me, but that his mistress Now, no discourse, except it be of love; Did hold his eyes lock'd in her crystal looks. Now can I break my fast, dine, sup, and sleep, Upon the very naked name of love. (1) III betide. (2) Incite. Pro. Enough ; I read your fortune in your eye : È serves with you. worth ; row. can, Was this the idol that you worship so? | 'Tis but her picture I have yet beheld, Val. Even she ; and is she not a heavenly saint ? || And that hath dazzled my reason's light; There is no reason but I shall be blind. I will not flatter her. If I can check my erring love, I will ; pills; SCENE V.-The same. A street. Enter Speed and Launce. Val. Then speak the truth by her; not divine, Yet let her be a principality, Speed. Launce! by mine honesty, welcome to Sovereign to all the creatures on the earth. Milan. Pro. Except my mistress. Laun. Forswear not thyself, sweet youth; for I Val. Sweet, except not any ; || am not welcome. I reckon this always-that a man Except thou wilt except against my love. is never undone, till he be hanged ; nor never wel Pro. Have I not reason to prefer mine own? come to a place, till some certain shot be paid, and Val. And I will help thee to prefer her too: the hostess say, welcome. She shall be dignified with this high honour,- Speed. Come on, you mad-cap, I'll to the aleTo bear my lady's train : lest the base earth house with you presently; where for one shot of Should from her vesture chance to steal a kiss, five pence, thou shalt have five thousand welcomes. And, of so great a favour growing proud, But, sirrah, how did thy master part with madam Disdain to root the summer-swelling flower, Julia. And make rough winter everlasting. Laun. Marry, after they closed in earnest, they Pro. Why, Valentine, what braggardism is this? || parted very fairly in jest. Val. Pardon me, Proteus : 1 is nothing Speed. But shall she marry him? Speed. How then ? shall he marry her? Pro. Then let her alone. Laun. No, neither. Val. Not for the world: why, man, she is mine Speed. What, are they broken? own; Laun. No, they are both as whole as a fish. And I as rich in having such a jewel, Speed. Why then, how stands the matter with As twenty seas, if all their sand were pearl, them? The water nectar, and the rocks pure gold. Laun. Marry, thus; when it stands well with Forgive me, that I do not dream on thee, him, it stands well with her. Because thou seest me dote upon my love. Speed. What an ass art thou! I understand thee My foolish rival, that her father likes, Only for his possessions are so huge, Laun. What a block art thou, that thou canst Is gone with her along; and I must after, not! My staff understands me. For love, thou know'st, is full of jealousy. Speed. What thou say'st ? Pro. But she loves you? Laun. Ay, and what I do too: look thee, I'll Val Ay, and we are betroth'd ; || but lean, and my staff understands me. Nay, more, our marriage hour, Speed. It stands under thee, indeed. With all the cunning manner of our flight, Laun. Why, stand under and understand is all Determin'd of : how I must climb her window; The ladder made of cords; and all the means Speed. But tell me true, will't be a match ? Plotted ; and 'greed on, for my happiness. Laun. Ask my dog : if he say, ay, it will; if he Good Proteus, go with me to my chamber, In these affairs to aid me with thy counsel. say, no, it will; if he shake his tail, and say no thing, it will. Pro. Go on before ; I shall inquire you forth : Speed. The conclusion is then, that it will. I must unto the road, to disembark Laun. Thou shalt never get such a secret from Some necessaries that I needs must use ; me, but by a parable. And then I'll presently attend you. Speed. 'Tis well that I get it so. But, Launce, Vah Will you make haste? how say'st thou, that my master is become a notaPro. I will. [Erit Val.ble lover? Even as one heat another heat expels, Laun. I never knew him otherwise. Or as one nail by strength drives out another, Speed. Than how ? So the remembrance of my former love Laun. A notable lubber, as thou reportest him Is by a newer object quite forgotten. Is it mine eye, or Valentinus' praise, Speed. Why, thou whoreson ass, thou mistakest Mer true perfection, or my false transgression, That makes me, reasonless, to reason thus ? She's fair ; and so is Julia, that I love ; Laun. Why, fool, I meant not thee; I meant thy master. That I did love, for now my love is thaw'd ; . Which, like a waxen image 'gainst a fire, Speed. I tell thee, my master is become a hot lover. Bears no impression of the thing it was. Laun. Why, I tell thee, I care not though he Methinks, my zeal to Valentine is cold; burn himself in love. If thou wilt go with me to the And that I love him not, as I was wont : 0! but I love his lady too, too much; ale-house, so; if not, thou art a Hebrew, a Jew, and not worth the name of a Christian. And that's the reason I love him so little. How shall I dote on her with more advice,! Speed. Why? Laun. Because thou hast not so much charity in That thus without advice begin to love her! thee, as to go to the ale-house with a Christian : Wilt thou go? (1) On further knowledge. Speed. At thy service. not. one. to be. me. a (Exeunt, Luc. I do not seek to quench your love's hot fire; SCENE V1.- The same. An apartment in the But qualify the fire's extreme rage, palace. Enter Proteus. Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason. Pro. To leave my Julia, shall I be forsworn; Jul. The more thou dam’stit up, the more it burns; To love fair Silvia, shall I be forsworn; To wrong my friend, I shall be much forsworn; The current, that with gentle murmur glides, And even that power, which gave me first my oath, Thou know'st, being stopp'd, impatiently doth Provokes me to this threefold perjury. rage; Love bade me swear, and love bids me forswear :He makes sweet music with the enameli'd stones, But, when his fair course is not hindered, Giving a gentle kiss to every sedge He overtaketh in his pilgrimage ; And so by many winding nooks he strays, With willing sport, to the wild ocean. Then let me go, and hinder not my course : I'll be as patient as a gentle stream, Till the last step have brought me to my love; Whose sovereignty so oft thou hast preferr'd And there I'll rest, as, after much turmoil, A blessed soul doth in Elysium. Luc. But in what habit will you go along? But there I leave to love, where I should love. Jul. Not like a woman; for I would prevent Julia I lose, and Valentine I lose; The loose encounters of lascivious men: Gentle Lucetta, fit me with such weeds As may beseem some well-reputed page. I to myself am dearer than a friend ; Luc. Why then your ladyship must cut your hair. For love is still more precious in itself; And Silvia, witness heaven, that made her fair! Jul. No, girl; I'll knit it up in silken strings, Shows Julia but a swarthy Ethiope. With twenty odd-conceited true-love knots : To be fantastic may become a youth Of greater time than I shall show to be. Luc. What fashion, madam, shall I make your breeches? Aiming at Silvia as a sweeter friend. Jul. That fits as well, as— tell me, good my I cannot now prove constant to myself, lord, Without some treachery used to Valentine :This night he meaneth with a corded ladder What compass will you wear your farthingale ?" Why, even that fashion thou best lik’st, Lucetta. To club celestial Silvia's chamber-window; Luc. You must needs have them with a cod. Myself in counsel, his competitor :2 piece, madam. Now presently I'll give her father notice Of their disguising, and pretended3 night; Jul. Out, out, Lucetta! that will be ill-favour'd. Luc. A round hose, madam, now's not worth a Who, all enrag'd, will banish Valentine ; For Thurio, he intends, shall wed his daughter : pin, But, Valentine being gone, I'll quickly cross, Unless you have a cod-piece to stick pins on. By some sly trick, blunt Thurio's dull proceeding. What thou think'st meet, and is most mannerly: Jul. Lucetta, as thou lov'st me, let me have Love, lend me wings to make my purpose swift, As thou hast lent me wit to plot this drift! (Exit. For undertaking so unstaid a journey? But tell me, wench, how will the world repute me, SCENE VII.-Verona. A room in Julia's I fear me, it will make me scandaliz’d. house. Enter Julia and Lucetta. Luc. If you think so, then stay at home, and go Jul. Counsel, Lucetta ; gentle girl, assist me! Jul. Nay, that I will not. And, even in kind love, I do conjure thee, Luc. Then never dream on infamy, but go. Who art the table wherein all my thoughts If Proteus like your journey, when you come, Are visibly character'd and engrav'd, No matter who's displeas'd, when you are gone: To lesson me: and tell me some good mean, I fear me, he will scarce be pleas'd withal. How, with my honour, I may undertake Jul. That is the least, Lucetta, of my fear: A journey to my loving Proteus. A thousand oaths, an ocean of his tears, Luc. Alas! the way is wearisome and long. And instances as infinite of love, Jul. A true-devoted pilgrim is not weary Warrant me welcome to my Proteus. To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps; Luc. All these are servants to deceitful men. Much less shall she, that hath love's wings to fly; Jul. Base men, that use them to so base effect! And when the flight is made to one so dear, But truer stars did govern Proteus' birth ; Of such divine perfection, as Sir Proteus. His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles; Luc. Better forbear, till Proteus make return. His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate ; Jul. O, know'st thou not, his looks are my soul's His tears, pure messengers sent from his heart; food? His heart as far from fraud, as heaven from earth. Pity the dearth that I have pined in, Luc. Pray heaven, he prove so, when you come By longing for that food so long a time. to him! Didst thou but know the inly touch of love, Jul. Now, as thou lov'st me, do him not that Thou would'st as soon go kindle fire with snow, wrong, As seek to quench the fire of love with words. To bear a hard opinion of his truth : (1) Tempting. (2) Confederate. (3) Intended. (4) Closest. not. (5) Trouble. |