Though ne'er so black, say they have angels' faces.
That man that hath a tongue, I say, is no man,
If with his tongue he cannot win a woman.
Duke. But, she I mean is promis'd by her friends
Unto a youthful gentleman of worth;
And kept severely from resort of men,
That no man hath access by day to her.

Val. Why then I would resort to her by night.
Duke. Ay, but the doors be lock'd, and keys kept
That no man hath recourse to her by night. [safe,
Val. What lets, but one may enter at her window?
Duke. Her chamber is aloft, far from the ground;
And built so shelving, that one cannot climb it
Without apparent hazard of his life.

Val. Why then, a ladder, quaintly made of cords,
To cast up with a pair of anchoring hooks,
Would serve to scale another Hero's tower,
So bold Leander would adventure it.
Duke. Now, as thou art a gentleman of blood,
Advise me where I may have such a ladder. [that.
Val. When would you use it? pray, sir, tell me
Duke. This very night; for love is like a child,
That longs for every thing that he can come by.
Val. By seven o'clock I'll get you such a ladder.
Duke. But, hark thee; I will go to her alone;
How shall I best convey the ladder thither?

Val. It will be light, my lord, that you may bear it
Under a cloak, that is of any length.
Duke. A cloak as long as thine will serve the turn!
Val. Ay, my good lord,
Duke.

[Reads.

Then let me see thy cloak:
I'll get me one of such another length.
Val. Why, any cloak will serve the turn, my lord.
Duke. How shall I fashion me to wear a cloak?-
I pray thee, let me feel thy cloak upon me.--
What letter is this same? What's here?-To Silvia?
And here an engine fit for my proceeding!
I'll be so bold to break the seal for once.
My thoughts do harbour with my Silvia nightly;
And slaves they are to me, that send them flying:
0, could their master come and go as lightly, [ing.
Himself would lodge, where senseless they are ly-
My herald thoughts in thy pure bosom rest them;
While I, their king, that thither them importune,
Do curse the grace that with such grace hath
bless'd them,

Because myself do want my servants' fortune:
I curse myself, for they are sent by me, [be.
That they should harbour where their lord should
What's here?

Silvia, this night I will enfranchise thee.

Tis so; and here 's the ladder for the purpose.
Why Phaeton, (for thou art Merops' son,)
Wilt thou aspire to guide the heavenly car,
And with thy daring folly burn the world?
Wilt thou reach stars, because they shine on thee?
Go, base intruder! over-weening slave!
Destow thy fawning smiles on equal mates;
And think my patience, more than thy desert,
Is privilege for thy departure hence:

Thank me for this, more than for all the favours,
Which, all too much, I have bestow'd on thee.
But if thou linger in my territories,

Langer than swiftest expedition

Will give thee time to leave our royal court,
By heaven, my wrath shall far exceed the love
lever bore my daughter, or thyself.

Be gone, I will not hear thy vain excuse,
But, as thou lov'st thy life, make speed from hence.
[Exit Duke.
Val. And why not death, rather than living torment?
To die, is to be banish'd from myself;
And Silvia is myself: banish'd from her,
Is self from self: a deadly banishment!
What light is light, if Silvia be not seen?
What joy is joy, if Silvia be not by?
Unless it be to think that she is by,
And feed upon the shadow of perfection.
Except I be by Silvia in the night,
There is no music in the nightingale;
Unless I look on Silvia in the day,
There is no day for me to look upon:
She is my essence; and I leave to be,
If I be not by her fair influence

Pro. Villain, forbear.

Laun. Why, sir, I'll strike nothing: I pray you,-
Pro. Sirrah, I say, forbear: Friend Valentine, a
word.
[news,

Val. My ears are stopp'd, and cannot hear good
So much of bad already hath possess'd them.
Pro. Then in dumb silence will I bury mine,
For they are harsh, untuneable, and bad.
Val. Is Silvia dead?
Pro. No, Valentine.

Val. No Valentine, indeed, for sacred Silvia !-
Hath she forsworn me?
Pro. No, Valentine.

Val. No Valentine, if Silvia have forsworn me!-
What is your news?

Laun. Sir, there's a proclamation that you are
vanish'd.

Pro. That thou art banish'd. O, that's the news;
From hence, from Silvia, and from me thy friend.
And now excess of it will make me surfeit.
Val. O, I have fed upon this woe already,
Doth Silvia know that I am banished?

(Which, unrevers'd, stands in effectual force,)
Pro. Ay, ay; and she hath offer'd to the doom,
A sea of melting pearl, which some call tears:
Those at her father's churlish feet she tender'd;
With them, upon her knees, her humble self;
Wringing her hands, whose whiteness so became
As if but now they waxed pale for woc :
[them,
But neither bended knees, pure hands held up,
Sad sighs, deep groans, nor silver-shedding tears,
Could penetrate her uncompassionate sire;
But Valentine, if he be ta'en, must die.
Besides, her intercession chafd him so,
When she for thy repeal was suppliant,
That to close prison he commanded her,
With many bitter threats of 'biding there. [speak'st
Val. No more; unless the next word that thou
Have some malignant power upon my life:
If so, I pray thee, breathe it in mine ear,
As ending anthem of my endless dolour."

Pro. Cease to lament for that thou canst not help,
And study help for that which thou lament'st.
Time is the nurse and breeder of all good.
Here if thou stay, thou canst not see thy love;
Besides, thy staying will abridge thy life.
|Hope is a lover's staff; walk hence with that,
And manage it against despairing thoughts.
Thy letters may be here, though thou art hence
Which, being writ to me, shall be deliver'd
Even in the milk-white bosom of thy love.
The time now serves not to expostulate:
Come, I'll convey thee through the city gate;
And, ere I part with thee, confer at large
Of all that may concern thy love-affairs:
As thou lov'st Silvia, though not for thyself,
Regard thy danger, and along with me.

Val. I pray thee, Launce, and if thou seest my boy,
Bid him make haste, and meet me at the north-gate.
Pro. Go, sirrah, find him out. Come, Valentine.
Val. O my dear Silvia, hapless Valentine !

[Exeunt Valentine and Proteus. Laun. I am but a fool, look you; and yet I have the wit to think my master is a kind of a knave: but that's all one, if he be but one knave. lie lives not

now that knows me to be in love: yet I am in love; but a team of horse shall not pluck that from me; nor who 't is I love, and yet 't is a woman: but what woman, I will not tell myself; and yet 't is a milkmaid; yet 't is not a maid, for she hath had gossips: yet 't is a maid, for she is her master's maid, and serves for wages. She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel, which is much in a bare-christian. Here is the cate-log [Pulling out a paper] of her conditions. Imprimis, She can fetch and carry. Why, a horse can do no more: nay, a horse cannot fetch, but only carry; therefore is she better than a jade. Item, She can milk; look you, a sweet virtue in a maid with clean hands.

Enter Speed.

Speed. How now, signior Launce? what news with your mastership?

Laun. With my master's ship? why it is at sea.
Speed. Well, your old vice still; mistake the word:
What news then in your paper?

Laun. The blackest news that ever thou heard'st.
Speed. Why, man, how black?
Laun. Why, as black as ink.
Speed. Let me read them.

Laun. Fye on thee, jolt-head; thou canst not read.
Speed. Thou liest, I can.

Laun. I will try thee: tell me this: Who begot thee?

Speed. Marry, the son of my grandfather. Laun. O illiterate loiterer! it was the son of thy grandmother: this proves, that thou canst not

read.

Speed. Come, fool, come: try me in thy paper.
Laun. There; and St. Nicholas be thy speed!
Speed. Imprimis, She can milk.

Laun. Ay, that she can.

Speed. Item, She brews good ale.

Laun. And thereof comes the proverb,-Blessing of your heart, you brew good ale.

Speed. Item, She can sew.

Laun. That's as much as to say, can she so?
Speed. Item, She can knit.

Laun. What need a man care for a stock with a
wench, when she can knit him a stock.
Speed. Item, She can wash and scour.

that I'll keep shut: now of another thing she may;
and that cannot I help? Well, proceed.
Speed. Item, She hath more hair than wit, and
more faults than hairs, and more wealth than
faults.
Laun. Stop there; I'll have her: she was mine,
and not mine, twice or thrice in that last article:
Rehearse that once more.
Speed. Item, She hath more hair than wit,
Laun. More hair than wit,-it may be; I'll prove
it; The cover of the salt hides the salt, and there-
fore it is more than the salt; the hair that covers
the wit, is more than the wit; for the greater hides
the less. What's next?

Speed. And more faults than hairs,-
Laun. That's monstrous: O, that that were out!
Speed. And more wealth than faults.
Laun. Why, that word makes the faults gracious:
Well, I'll have her: And if it be a match, as no-
thing is impossible,-

Speed. What then?

Laun. Why, then will I tell thee,-that thy master
stays for thee at the north gate.
Speed. For me?

Laun. For thee? ay: who art thou? he hath
staid for a better man than thee.
Speed. And must I go to him?

Laun. Thou must run to him, for thou hast staid
so long, that going will scarce serve the turn.
Speed. Why didst not tell me sooner? 'pox of your
love-letters.
(Exit.

Laun. Now will he be swinged for reading my
letter: An unmannerly slave, that will thrust him-
self into secrets!-I'll after, to rejoice in the boy's
correction.
[Exit.

SCENE II.-Milan. A Room in the Duke's Palace.
Enter Duke and Thurio; Proteus behind.
Duke. Sir Thurio, fear not but that she will love
Now Valentine is banish'd from her sight.
[you,
Thu. Since his exile she hath despis'd me most,
Forsworn my company, and rail'd at me,
That I am desperate of obtaining her.
Duke. This weak impress of love is as a figure
Trenched in ice; which with an hour's heat
Dissolves to water, and doth lose his form.

Laun. A special virtue; for then she need not be A little time will melt her frozen thoughts,
washed and scoured.

Speed. She can spin.

Laun. Then I may set the world on wheels, when she can spin for her living.

Speed. Item, She hath many nameless virtues. Laun. That's as much as to say, bastard virtues; that, indeed, know not their fathers, and therefore have no names.

Speed. Here follow her vices.

Laun. Close at the heels of her virtues. Speed. Item, She is not to be kissed fasting, in respect of her breath.

Laun. Well, that fault may be mended, with a
breakfast: Read on.

Speed. Item, She hath a sweet mouth.
Laun. That makes amends for her sour breath.
Speed. Item, She doth talk in her sleep.
Laun. It's no matter for that, so she sleep not in
her talk.

Speed. Item, She is slow in words.
Laun. O villain, that set this down among her
vices! To be slow in words is a woman's only virtue:
I pray thee, out with 't; and place it for her chief

virtue.

Speed. Item, She is proua.

And worthless Valentine shall be forgot.-
How now, sir Proteus? Is your countryman,
According to our proclamation, gone?
Pro. Gone, my good lord.

Duke. My daughter takes his going grievously.
Pro. A little time, my lord, will kill that grief.
Duke. So I believe; but Thurio thinks not so.-
Proteus, the good conceit I hold of thee,
(For thou hast shown some sign of good desert,)
Makes me the better to confer with thee.
Pro. Longer than I prove loyal to your grace,
Let me not live to look upon your grace.
Duke. Thou know'st, how willingly I would effect
The match between sir Thurio and my daughter.
Pro. I do, my lord.

Duke. And also, I think, thou art not ignorant
How she opposes her against my will.
Pro. She did, my lord, when Valentine was here.
Duke. Ay, and
What might we do, versely she persevers so.
to make the girl forget
The love of Valentine, and love sir Thurio?
Pro. The best way is, to slander Valentine
With falsehood, cowardice, and poor descent;
Three things that women highly hold in hate.
Duke. Ay, but she 'll think, that it is spoke in
[hate.

Laun. Out with that too; it was Eve's legacy, Pro. Ay, if his enemy deliver it:
and cannot be ta'en from her.

Speed. Item, She hath no teeth.

Therefore it must, with circumstance, be spoken
By one whom she esteemeth as his friend.

Laun. I care not for that neither, because I love Duke. Then you must undertake to slander him.

crusts.

Speed. Item, She is curst.

Laun. Well; the best is, she hath no teeth to bite.
Speed. She will often praise her liquor.
Laun. If her liquor be good, she shall: if she will
not, I will; for good things should be praised.
Speed. Item, She is too liberal.

Laun. Of her tongue she cannot; for that 's writ
down she is slow of of her purse she shall not; for

Pro. And that, my lord, I shall be loth to do:
'T is an ill office for a gentleman;
Especially, against his very friend.
Duke. Where your good word cannot advantage
Your slander never can endamage him; [hiin,
Therefore the office is indifferent,
Being entreated to it by your friend.
Pro. You have prevail'd, my lord: if I can do it,
By aught that I can speak in his dispraise,

Val. For that which now torments me to rehearǝc:
I kill'd a man, whose death I much repent;
But yet I slew him manfully in fight,

Thx. Therefore, as you unwind her love from him, Without false vantage, or base treachery.

Enter Host, at a distance; and Julia in boy's clothes.

Host. Now, my young guest! methinks you 're allycholly; I pray you, why is it?

Jul. Marry, mine host, because I cannot be merry. Host. Come, we'll have you merry: I'll bring you where you shall hear music, and see the gentleman that you ask'd for.

Ful. But shall I hear him speak?
Host. Ay, that you shall.
Ful. That will be music.
Host. Hark! hark!

Ful. Is he among these?

Host. Ay: but peace, let's hear 'em.

That I despise thee for thy wrongful suit;
And by and by intend to chide myself,
Even for this time I spend in talking to thee.
Pro. I grant, sweet love, that I did love a lady;
But she is dead.

Ful. 'T were false, if I should speak it;
For I am sure she is not buried.
[Aside.
Sil. Say that she be; yet Valentine, thy friend,
Survives; to whom, thyself art witness,

I am betroth'd: And art thou not asham'd

[Music plays. To wrong him with thy importunacy?
Pro. I likewise hear that Valentine is dead.
Sil. And so suppose am I; for in his grave
Assure thyself my love is buried.

But, since your falsehood shall become you well
To worship shadows, and adore false shapes,

Host. How now? are you sadder than you were Send to me in the morning, and I 'll send it:

That I may venture to depart alone.

Egi. Madam, I pity much your grievances;

Which since I know they virtuously are plac'd,
I give consent to go along with you;
Recking as little what betideth me

As much I wish all good befortune you.
When will you go?

Sil. This evening coming.
Egl. Where shall I meet you?

Sil. At friar Patrick's cell,

Where I intend holy confession.

Egl. I will not fail your ladyship: Good-morrow, gentle lady.

SIZ. Good-morrow, kind sir Eglamour.

SCENE IV.-The same.

[Exeunt.

a

Partly, that I have need of such a youth,
That can with some discretion do my business,
For 't is no trusting to yon foolish lowt;
But, chiefly, for thy face and thy behaviour;
Which (if my augury deceive me not)
Witness good bringing up, fortune, and truth:
Therefore know thee, for this I entertain thee.
Go presently, and take this ring with thee,
Deliver it to madam Silvia:

She lov'd me well, deliver'd it to me.

Ful. It seems you lov'd her not to leave her teken:
She 's dead, befike.

Pro. Not so; I think she lives.
Ful. Alas!

Pro. Why dost thou cry, alas!

Ful. I cannot choose but pity her.

Pro. Wherefore should'st thou pity her?

Ful. Because, methinks, that she lov'd you as well
As you do love your lady Silvia:
She dreams on him that has forgot her love,
You dote on her that cares not for your love.
'Tis pity, love should be so contrary;
And thinking on it makes me cry, alas!
Pro. Well, give her that ring, and therewithal
This letter;-that 's her chamber.-Tell my lady,
I claim the promise for her heavenly picture.
Your message done, hie home unto my chamber,
Where thou shalt find me sad and solitary.
[Exit Proteus.
Ful. How many women would do such a message?
Alas, poor Proteus! thou hast entertain'd
A fox, to be the shepherd of thy lambs:
Alas, poor fool! why do I pity him
That with his very heart despiseth me?
Because he loves her, he despiseth me;
Because I love him, I must pity him.
This ring I gave him, when he parted from me,
To bind him to remember my good will:
And now am I (unhappy messenger)
To plead for that, which I would not obtain;
To carry that which I would have refus'd;
To praise his faith, which I would have disprais'd,
I am my master's true confirmed love;
But cannot be true servant to my master,
Unless I prove false traitor to myself.
Yet I will woo for him; but yet so coldly,
As, Heaven it knows, I would not have him speed.
Enter Silvia, attended.

Enter Launce, with his dog. When a man's servant shall play the cur with him, look you, it goes hard: one that I brought up of puppy; one that I saved from drowning, when three or four of his blind brothers and sisters went to it! I have taught him even as one would say precisely, Thus I would teach a dog. I was sent to deliver him, as a present to mistress Silvia, from my master; and I came no sooner into the dining-chamber, but he steps me to her trencher, and steals her capon's leg. O, 't is a foul thing when a cur cannot keep himself in all companies! I would have, as one should say, one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed, to be, as it were, a dog at all things. If I had not had more wit than he, to take a fault upon me that he did, I think verily he had been hanged for t; sure as I live he had suffer'd for 't: you shall judge. He thrusts me himself into the company of three or four gentlemen-like dogs, under the duke's table: he had not been there (bless the mark) a pissing while, but all the chamber smelt him. Out with the dog, says one; What cur is that? says another; Whip him out, says the third; Hang him *, says the duke. I, having been acquainted with the smell before, knew it was Crab; and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs : Friend, quoth I, you mean to whip the dog? Ay, marry, do 1, quoth te. You do him the more wrong, quoth I; 'twas I did the thing you wot of. He makes me no more ado, but whips me out of the chamber. How many masters would do this for their servant? Nay, I'll be sworn, I have sat in the stocks for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had been executed: I have stood on the pillory for geese he hath killed, Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you, be my mean Cherwise he had suffer'd for 't: thou think'st not of To bring me where to speak with madam Silvia. this now!-Nay, I remember the trick you served Sil. What would you with her, if that I be she? se, when I took my leave of madam Silvia; did notul. If you be she, I do entreat your patience Ibid thee still mark me, and do as I do? When To hear me speak the message I am sent on. didst thou see me heave up my leg, and make water Sil. From whom? gainst a gentlewoman's farthingale? didst thou ever see me do such a trick?

Enter Proteus and Julia.

Pro. Sebastian is thy name? I like thee well,
And will employ thee in some service presently.
Jul. In what you please.-I'll do what I can.
Pro. I hope thou wilt.-How now, you whoreson
peasant?
[To Launce.
Where have you been these two days loitering?
Laun. Marry, sir, I carried mistress Silvia the dog
ta bade me.

Pro. And what says she to my little jewel?
Laun. Marry, she says, your dog was a cur; and
tells you, currish thanks is good enough for such a
present.

Pro. But she received my dog?

ul. From my master, sir Proteus, madam.
Sil. O-he sends you for a picture?
Ful. Ay, madam.

Sil. Ursula, bring my picture there.

[Picture brought.
Go, give your master this: tell him from me,
One Julia, that his changing thoughts forget,
Would better fit his chamber, than this shadow.
Jul. Madam, please you peruse this letter.-
Pardon me, madam; I have unadvis'd
Delivered you a paper that I should not:
This is the letter to your ladyship.

Sil. I pray thee, let me look on that again.
Jul. It may not be; good madam, pardon me,
Sil. There, hold.

I will not look upon your master's lines: I know they are stuff'd with protestations, Laun. No, indeed, did she not: here have I And full of new-found oaths; which he will break, Irought him back again.

Pro. What, didst thou offer her this from me?
Laun. Ay, sir; the other squirrel was stolen from
ne by the hangman's boys in the market-place: and
then I offered her mine own; who is a dog as big
as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater.
Pro. Go, get thee hence, and find iny dog again,
Or ne'er return again into my sight.

Away, I say: Stay'st thou to vex me here?
A slave, that still an end turns me to shame.
[Exit Launce.

Sebastian, I have entertained thee,

As easily as I do tear his paper.

Ful. Madam, he sends your ladyship this ring.
Sil. The more shame for him that he sends it me;
For, I have heard him say a thousand times,
His Julia gave it him at his departure:
Though his false finger have profan'd the ring,
Mine shall not do his Julia so much wrong.
Ful. She thanks you.

Sil. What say'st thou?

Ful. I thank you, madam, that you tender her: Poor gentlewoman! my master wrongs her much. Sil. Dost thou know her?