PERSONS REPRESENTED. DUKE OF MILAN, Father to Silvia. PROTEUS, } Gentlemen of Verona. ANTONIO, Father to Proteus. ACT I. SCENE I.-An open place in Verona. Enter CEASE to persuade, my loving Proteus; Pro. Wilt thou begone? Sweet Valentine, adieu! Think on thy Proteus, when thou, haply, seest Wish me partaker in thy happiness, And he that is so yoked by a fool, Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all. Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud Is eaten by the canker ere it blow, Even so by love the young and tender wit Is turn'd to folly; blasting in the bud, Losing his verdure even in the prime, And all the fair effects of future hopes. But wherefore waste I time to council thee,, That art a votary to fond desire? Once more adieu: my father at the road Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd. Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine. Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our leave. To Milan, let me hear from thee by letters, Of thy success in love, and what news else And I likewise will visit thee with mine. When thou dost meet good hap; and, in thy Betideth here in absence of thy friend; danger, If ever danger do environ thee, Val. And on a love-book pray for my success. How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont. Val. "Tis true; for you are over boots in love, And yet you never swam the Hellespont. Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the Coy looks, with heart-sore sighs; one fading mo- If lost, why then a grievous labour won; Pro. So by your circumstance, you call me fool. 1 Milton has the same play upon words in his Comus. "It is for homely features to keep home, They had their name thence." 2 The expression shapeless idleness is admirably expressive, as implying that idleness prevents the giv ing form or character to the manners. 3 The allusion is to Marlow's poem of Hero and Leander, which was entered on the Stationers' books 1593. though not published till 1598. It was proba. bly circulated in manuscript in the interim, as was the custom at that period. The poem seems to have made an impression on Shakspeare, who appears to have recently perused it, for he again alludes to it in the third act. And in As You Like It he has quoted a line from it. Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in Milan! Val. As much to you at home! and so, farewell! [Exit VALENTINE. P10. He after honour hunts, I after love. He leaves his friends, to dignify them more; I leave myself, my friends, and all for love. Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me; Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, War with good counsel, set the world at nought; Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought. Speed. Why then, my horns are his horns, whe ther I wake or sleep. Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. 4 A proverbial expression, now disused, signifying, 'Don't make a laughing-stock of me. The French have a phrase Bailler foin en corne: which Cotgrave interprets, 'to give one the boots; to sell him a bargain. Perhaps deduced from a humorous punishment at harvest home feasts in Warwickshire. 5 Circumstance is usea equivocally. It here means conduct; in the preceding line, circumstantial de duction. 6 The construction of this passage, is, "Let me hear from thee by letters to Milan," i. e, addressed to Milan. 7 In Warwickshire, and some other counties, a sheep is pronounced a ship. Without this explanation the jest, such as it is, might escape the reader Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by another. Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks not me: therefore I am no sheep. Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep; thou for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore thou art a sheep. Speed. Such another proof will make me cry baa. SCENE II. The same. Garden of Julia's house. to Julia ? Speed. Ay, sir; I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton; and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour. Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a store of muttons. Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her. Pro. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best pound you. Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter. Pro. You mistake; I mean the pound, a pinfold. Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and Speed. Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear with you. Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? Speed. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly; having nothing but the word, noddy, for my pains. Pro. Beshrew me, but you hav a quick wit. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse. Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief: What said she? Speed. Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once delivered. Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains: What said she? Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her. Pro. Why? Could'st thou perceive so much from her? Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter: And being so hard to me that brought your mind, I fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling your mind. Give her no token but stones, for she's as hard as steel. Pro. What, said she nothing? Speed. No, not so much as take this for thy pains. To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testern'd3 me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master. 1 Cotgrave explains laced mutton, une garce, putain, fille de joye. It was so established a term for a cortezan, that a lane in Clerkenwell, much frequented by loose women, is said to have been thence called Mutton Lane. 2 These words were supplied by Theobald to introluce what follows. In Speed's answer, the old spelling of the affirmative particle has been retained; otherwise the conceit would be unintelligible. Noddy was a game at cards. 3 Testens, or (as we now commonly call them, tests,) from a head that was upon them, were coined in 642. Sir H. Spelman says they were a French coin of the value of 18d.; and he does not know but that they Enter JULIA and LUCETTA. Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love? Luc. Ay, madam; so you stumble not unheed fully. Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, That every day with parle encounter me, In thy opinion, which is worthiest love? Lic. Please you, repeat their names, I'll show my mind According to my shallow simple skill. Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour? Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine; But, were I you, he never should be mine. Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio? Luc. Well of his wealth; but of himself, so, so. Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus ? Luc. Lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in us! Jul. How now! what means this passion at his name? Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing shame, That I, unworthy body as I am, Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen. Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? Luc. Then thus, of many good I think him best. Jul. Your reason? Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason, I think him so, because I think him so. Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my love or him? Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away Jul. Why, he of all the rest hath never mov'd me. Luc. Yet he of all the rest, I think, best loves ye. Jul. His little speaking shows his love but small. Luc. Fire, that's closest kept, burns most of all. Jul. They do not love that do not show their love. Luc. O, they love least, that let men know their love. way, pray. He would have given it you, but I, being in the Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee tnan hate. In my just censure? in my true opinion?" 6 Fire is here pronounced as a dissyllable. 7 A matchmaker. It was sometimes used for a tro curess. 1 Ju. Will you' be gone? Luc. That you may ruminate. (Erit. Jul. And yet, I would I had o'erlook'd the letter. it were a shame to call her back again, And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. What fool is she, that knows I am a maid, And would not force the letter to my view! Since maids, in modesty, say No, to that Which they would have the profferer construe, Ay. Fie, fie, how wayward is this foolish love, That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse, And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod ! How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence, When willingly I would have had her here! How angerly I taught my brow to frown, When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile! My penance is, to call Lucetta back, And ask permission for my folly past :What ho! Lucetta! Re-enter LUCETTA. Luc. What would your ladyship? Jul. Is it near dinner time? Luc. I would it were: That you might kill your stomach on your meat, And not upon your maid. Jul. What is't you took up So gingerly? Luc. Nothing. Jul. Why didst thou stoop then? Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall. Jul. And is that paper nothing? Luc. Nothing concerning me. Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns. Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns, Unless it have a false interpreter. Jul. Some love of your's hath writ to you in rhyme. Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune: Give me a note: your ladyship can set.3 Jul. As little by such toys as may be possible: Best sing it to the tune of Light o' love. Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune. Jul. Heavy? belike it hath some burden then. Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you sing it. Jul. And why not you? Luc. I cannot reach so high. Jul. Let's see your song:-How now, minion? Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out: And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune. Jul. You do not? Luc. No, madam; it is too sharp. Jul. You, minion, are too saucy. Luc. Nay, now you are too flat, And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:4 There wanteth but a mean to fill your song. Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly base. Luc. Indeed, I bid the bases for Proteus. Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me. Here is a coil with protestation! Injurious wasps! to feed on such sweet honey, I throw thy name against the bruising stones, SCENE III. The same. A Room in Antonio' House. Enter ANTONIO and PANTHINC. Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad1o talk was that, Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister? Pant. 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son. Ant. Why, what of him? Pant. He wonder'd, that your lordship Would suffer him to spend his youth at home; He said, that Proteus, your son, was meet; Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that [Tears the letter. Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie: You would be fingering then, to anger me. Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be best pleas'd To be so anger'd with another letter. [Exit. Jul. Nay, would I were as anger'd with the same! O hateful hands, to tear such loving words! Whereon this month I have been hammering. 1 First folio, ye. 2 Stomach, for passion or obstinacy. 3 Set is here used equivocally; in the preceding speech in the sense in which it is used by musicians, and in the present line in a quite different sense. To set by in old language signifies, to make account of, to estimate. See the first Book of Samuel, xviii. 30. 4 Descant signified formerly what we now call variations. It has been well defined to be musical para phrase The mean is the tenor in music. 5 To bid the base means, to run fast, challenging another to pursue at the rustic game called Base, or Prisonbase. The allusion is somewhat obscure, but it appears to mean here, "to challenge to an encounter." 6 i. e. bustle, stir. 7 Since. 8" for catching cold," i. e. lest they should catch cold, anciently a common form of expression. Ste Horne Tooke's explanation of this word in the first volume of "The Diversions of Purley." 9 Month's mind, a longing, probably from "the longing of women, which takes place (or commences, at least) in the first month of pregnancy." This is the ingenious conjecture of John Croft, Esq. of York. The commentators have endeavoured to refer this passage to the month's minds, or periodical celebrations in memory of dead persons, usual in times of popery; but the phrase in this place can have no relation to them. 10 i. e. grave or serious. 11 Impeachment in this passage means reproach or imputation. Milan. A Room in the Duke's Pa Ant. I know it well. lace. Enter VALENTINE and SPEED. Pant. "Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither: There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth. Ant. I like thy counsel: well hast thou advised: I will despatch him to the emperor's court. Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don Al phonso, With other gentlemen of good esteem, Ant. Good company; with them shall Proteus go: writes How happily he lives, how well belov'd And not depending on his friendly wish. Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish; Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided; Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after thee: No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go.- [Exeunt ANT. and PANT. Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear of The uncertain glory of an April day; Re-enter PAΝΤΗΙΝΟ. Pant. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you; He is in haste, therefore, I pray you go. Pro. Why, this it is! my heart accords thereto; And yet a thousand times it answers, no. [Exeunt. 1 i. e. break the matter to him. 2 i. e. wonder not. Val. Ha! let me see: ay, give it me, it's mine : Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine! Speed. Madam Silvia! madam Silvia! Speed. She is not within hearing, sir. Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you know madam Silvia? Speed. She that your worship loves? Vat. Why, how know you that I am in love? Speed. Marry, by these special marks: First, you have learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreath your arms like a male-content: to relish a love-song, like a robin-red-breast; to walk alone, like one that had the pestilence; to sigh, like a school-boy that had lost his A, B, C; to weep, like a young wench that had buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes diet; to watch, like one that fears robbing; to speak puling, like a beggar at Hollowmas." You were wont, when you laugh'd, to crow like a cock; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions; when you fasted, it was presently after dinner; when you looked sadly, it was for want of money: and now you are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when I look on you, I can hardly think you my master. Val. Are all these things perceived in me ? Speed. Without you! nay, that's certain, for, without you were so simple, none else would: but you are so without these follies, that these follies are within you, and shine through you like the water in an urinal; that not an eye, that sees you, but is a physician to comment on your malady. Val. But, tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia? Speed. She that you gaze on so, as she sits at supper? Val. Hast thou observed that? even she I mean. Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and yet know'st her not? Speed. Is she not hard-favour'd, sir? Speed. That she is not so fair, as (of you) wellfavour'd. Val. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but her favour infinite. Speed. That's because the one is painted, and the other out of all count. Val. How painted? and how out of count? Speed. Marry, sir, so painted to make her fair, that no man counts of her beauty. 4 Resembleth is pronounced as if written resembeleth, which makes it a quadrisyllable. 5 On and one were anciently pronounced alike, and frequently written so. 6 To take diet is to be under a regimen for a disease. 7 The feast of All-hallows, or All Saints, at which time the poor in Staffordshire go from parish to parish a souling, as they call it; i. e. begging and puling, (or singing small, as Bailey's Dictionary explains puling,) for soul cakes, and singing what they call the souler's song. These terms point out the condition of this benevo souls of the giver's departed friends 3 Exhibition is allowance of money; it is still used lence, which was, that the beggars should pray for the In the Universities for a stipend. Val. How esteem'st thou me? I account of her Sil. And, when it's writ, for my sake read it beauty. Speed. You never saw her since she was deformed. Val. How long hath she been deform'd? Speed. Ever since you loved her. Val. I have loved her ever since I saw her; and still I see her beautiful. Speed. If you love her, you cannot see her. Speed. Because love is blind. O, that you had mine eyes; or your own eyes had the lights they were wont to have, when you chid at Sir Proteus for going ungartered!1 Val. What should I see then? Speed. Your own present folly, and her passing deformity: for he, being in love, could not see to garter his hose; and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose. Val. Belike, boy, then you are in love; for last morning you could not see to wipe my shoes. Speed. True, sir; I was in love with my bed: I thank you, you swinged me for my love, which makes me the bolder to chide you for yours. Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her. Speed. I would you were set, so, your affection would cease. Val. Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves. Speed. Are they not lamely writ? over: And, if it please you, so; if not, why, so. Val. If it please me, madam! what then? Sil. Why if it please you, take it for your labour, And so good-morrow, servant. [Exit SILVIA. Speed. O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible, As a nose on a man's face, or a weathercock on a steeple! My master sues to her; and she hath taught her suitor, He being her pupil, to become her tutor. Val. How now, sir? what are you reasoning with yourself? Speed. Nay, I was rhyming; 'tis you that have the reason. Val. To do what? Speed. No believing you indeed, sir: But did Val. No, boy, but as well as I can do them:- you perceive her earnest? Peace, here she comes. Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter, Unto the secret nameless friend of yours; Which I was much unwilling to proceed in, But for my duty to your ladyship. Val. She gave me none, except an angry won there an end. Val. I would, it were no worse. Speed. I'll warrant you, 'tis as well: For often have you writ to her; and she, in modesty Or else for want of idle time, could not again reply; Or fearing else some messenger, that might her mind discover, Herself hath taught her love himself to write unto her All this I speak in print; for in print I found it.sir? 'tis dinner-time. lover. Why muse you, Val. I have dined. Speed. Ay, but hearken, sir: though the came leon Love can feed on the I am one that am Sil. I thank you, gentle servant: 'tis very nourished by my victuals, and would fain have clerkly done. Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off; For, being ignorant to whom it goes, I writ at random, very doubtfully. Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains? Val. No, madam, so it stead you, I will write, Please you command, a thousand times as much : And yet, Sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel; And yet I will not name it:-and yet I care not; And yet take this again;-and yet I thank you; Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more. Speed. And yet you will; and yet another yet, [Aside. like it? Val. What means your ladyship? do you not Sil. Yes, yes; the lines are very quaintly writ: But since unwillingly, take them again; Nay, take them. Val. Madam, they are for you. Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, sir, at my request; But I will none of them; they are for you: I would have had them writ more movingly. Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship another. Going ungartered is enumerated by Rosalind as one of the undoubted marks of love. Then your hose should be ungartered, your bonnet unbanded," &c. As You Like It, iii. 2. meat: O, be not like your mistress; be moved, be moved. [Exeunt. SCENE II. Verona. A Room in Julia's House. Enter PROTEUS and JULIA. Pro. Have patience, gentle Julia. Jul. I must, where is no remedy. Pro. When possibly I can, I will return. Jul. If you turn not, you will return the sooner. Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's sake. [Giving a ring. Pro. Why then we'll make exchange; here, take you this. Jul. And seal the bargain with a holy kiss. Pro. Here is my hand for my true constancy; And when that hour o'er-slips me in the day, Wherein I sigh not, Julia, for thy sake, The next ensuing hour some foul mischance Torment me for my love's forgetfulness ! My father stays my coming: answer not The tide is now: nay, not thy tide of tears, That tide will stay me longer than I should; [Erit JULIA. the horizon in the west. It is a miserable quibble hardly worth explanation. 3 Motion signified, in Shakspeare's time, a puppet show Speed means to say, what a fine puppet-show shall we have now? Here is the principal puppet to whom my master will be the interpreter. The showman was then frequently called the interpreter. 2 Set, for seated, in opposition to stand in the prece ding line. It appears, however, to be used metaphorical. ly in the sense applied to the sun when it sinks below 4 i. e. like a scholar. 5 There's the conclusion. 6 i. e. with exactness |