Speed. The conclusion is then, that it will. Laun. Thou shalt never get such a secret from me, but by a parable. Speed. "Tis well that I get it so. But, Launce, how say'st thou, that my master is become a notable lover? Laun. I never knew him otherwise. Speed. Than how? Laun. A notable lubber, as thou reportest him to be. Speed. Why, thou whorson ass, thou mistakest me. Laun. Why, fool, I meant not thee; I meant thy master. Speed. I tell thee, my master is become a hot lover. Laun. Why, I tell thee, I care not though he burn himself in love. If thou wilt go with me to the alehouse, so; if not, thou art an Hebrew, a Jew, and not worth the name of a Christian. Speed. Why? Laun. Because thou hast not so much charity in thee, as to go to the ale with a Christian: Wilt thou go? Speed. At thy service. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. The same. An Apartment in the Palace. Enter PROTEUS. Pro. To leave my Julia, shall I be forsworn; To love fair Silvia, shall I be forsworn; To wrong my friend, I shall be much forsworn; my oath, Love bade me swear, and love bids me forswear : O sweet-suggesting love, if thou hast sinn'd, 8 Teach me, thy tempted subject, to excuse it. ; Unheedful vows may heedfully be broken But there I leave to love, where I should love. If I keep them, I needs must lose myself; I will forget that Julia is alive, Aiming at Silvia as a sweeter friend. I cannot now prove constant to myself, To climb celestial Silvia's chamber-window; SCENE VII. Verona. A Room in Julia's House. Enter JULIA and LUCETTA. [Exit. Jul. Counsel, Lucetta; gentle girl, assist me! And, even in kind love, I do conjure thee,Who art the table wherein all my thoughts Are visibly charácter'd and engrav'd,— To lesson me; and tell me some good mean, How, with my honour, I may undertake A journey to my loving Proteus. Luc. Alas! the way is wearisome and long. Luc. Better forbear, till Proteus make return. soul's Pity the dearth that I have pined in, By longing for that food so long a time. Didst thou but know the inly touch of love, Luc. I do not seek to quench your love's hot fire; But qualify the fire's extreme rage, Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason. Jul. The more thou dam'st' it up, the more it burns ; The current, that with gentle murmur glides, He makes sweet musick with the enamel'd stones, He overtaketh in his pilgrimage; And so by many winding nooks he strays, Luc. But in what habit will you go along? As may beseem some well-reputed page. Luc. Why then your ladyship must cut your hair. Jul. No, girl; I'll knit it up in silken strings, With twenty odd-conceited true-love knots: Of greater time than I shall show to be. Luc. What fashion, madam, shall I make your breeches ? Jul. That fits as well, as" tell me, good my lord, "What compass will you wear your farthingale?" Why, even that fashion thou best lik'st, Lucetta. Luc. You must needs have them with a codpiece, madam. Jul. Out, out, Lucetta! that will be ill-favour'd. Luc. A round hose, madam, now's not worth a pin, Unless you have a cod-piece to stick pins on. Jul. Lucetta, as thou lov'st me, let me have What thou think'st meet, and is most mannerly: But tell me, wench, how will the world repute me, For undertaking so unstaid a journey? I fear me, it will make me scandaliz’d. Luc. If you think so, then stay at home, and go not. Luc. Then never dream on infamy, but go. Jul. That is the least, Lucetta, of my fear: Luc. All these are servants to deceitful men. But truer stars did govern Proteus' birth: |