Launce. More hair than wit, it may be: I'll prove it. The cover of the salt hides the salt,21 and therefore 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, Launce. That's monstrous: O, that that were out! Speed.—and more wealth than faults. Launce. Why, that word makes the faults gracious. Well, I'll have her and if it be a match, as nothing is impossible,— Speed. What then? Launce. Why, then will I tell thee, — that thy master stays for thee at the North-gate. Speed. For me! Launce. For thee! ay; who art thou? he hath stay'd for a better man than thee. Speed. And must I go to him? Launce. Thou must run to him, for thou hast stay'd so long, that going will scarce serve the turn. Speed. Why didst not tell me sooner? pox of your loveletters! [Exit. Launce. Now will he be swinged for reading my letter, an unmannerly slave, that will thrust himself into secrets! I'll after, to rejoice in the boy's correction. [Exit. The Same. A Room in the DUKE's Palace. Enter DUKE and THURIO. Duke. Sir Thurio, fear not but that she will love you, Now Valentine is banish'd from her sight. Thu. Since his exile she hath despised me most, Forsworn my company, and rail'd at me, 21 The saltcellar was formerly a large piece of plate, with a cover to keep the salt clean. There was but one on the table, and that near the head; above it, the seats of honour. That I am desperate of obtaining her. Duke. This weak impress of love is as a figure Enter PROTEUS. How now, Sir Proteus! Is your countryman, Duke. My daughter takes his going grievously. 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 Pro. She did, my lord, when Valentine was here. What might we do to make the girl forget Pro. The best way is to slander Valentine Duke. Ay, but she'll think that it is spoke in hate. 1 Hour is here a dissylable. See page 135, note 3.- Trenched is cut or carved. Pro. Ay, if his enemy deliver it : Duke. Then you must undertake to slander him. Especially against his very 3 friend. Duke. Where your good word cannot advantage him, Your slander never can endamage him: Therefore the office is indifferent, Being entreated to it by your friend. Pro. You have prevail'd, my lord: if I can do it Thu. Therefore, as you unwind her love from him, Which must be done by praising me as much As you in worth dispraise Sir Valentine. Duke. And, Proteus, we dare trust you in this kind, Because we know, on Valentine's report, You are already Love's firm votary, And cannot soon revolt and change your mind. Upon this warrant shall you have access Where you with Silvia may confer at large; For she is lumpish, heavy, melancholy, And, for your friend's sake, will be glad of you; 2 Circumstance for circumstantial detail; that is, instances or facts alleged in proof. 3 Very in the Latin sense of verus; true. So one of Massinger's plays is entitled A Very Woman. 4 Bottom is the old housewife's term for that on which a ball of yarn or thread is wound. When you may temper her, by your persuasion, Pro. As much as I can do, I will effect: Much is the force of Heaven-bred poesy. Pro. Say, that upon the altar of her beauty For Orpheus' lute was strung with poets' sinews; Forsake unsounded deeps to dance on sands. Visit by night your lady's chamber-window Duke. This discipline shows thou hast been in love. 5 Lime, or bird-lime, was originally a sticky substance, spread where birds were apt to light, so as to hold them by the feet; but the word came to be used for any sort of snare. 6 Such sincerity as is shown by impassioned writing. Integrity in its original sense, the sense of entireness or wholeheartedness. 7 Consort, according to Bullokar and Phillips, meant "a set or company of musicians." 8 Dump is an old term for a mournful elegy. 9 To inherit was sometimes used for to get possession of, without any idea of inheritance. So Milton, in his Comus, has " disinherit Chaos"; meaning simply to dispossess it. Thu. And thy advice this night I'll put in practice. To sort 10 some gentlemen well skill'd in music : I have a sonnet that will serve the turn To give the onset to thy good advice. Duke. About it, gentlemen. Pro. We'll wait upon your Grace till after supper, And afterward determine our proceedings. Duke. Even now about it; I will pardon you.11 [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I. - A Forest near Milan. Enter certain Outlaws. I Out. Fellows, stand fast; I see a passenger. Enter VALENTINE and SPEED. 3 Out. Stand, sir, and throw us that you have about ye: If not, we'll make you sit, and rifle you. Speed. O, sir, we are undone ! these are the villains That all the travellers do fear so much. 2 Out. Peace! we'll hear him. 3 Out. Ay, by my beard, will we ; For he's a proper 1 man. 10 To sort was much used for to choose or select. 11 Will excuse you; release you from attending me. 1 Proper was used for handsome, well-proportioned. Valentine is a man of fine presence. |