(A rashness that I ever yet have shunned,) Pro. Know, noble lord, they have devised a mean How he her chamber-window will ascend, And with a corded ladder fetch her down; For which the youthful lover now is gone, And this way comes he with it presently; Where, if it please you, you may intercept him. But, good my lord, do it so cunningly, That my discovery be not aimed at; For love of you, not hate unto my friend, Hath made me publisher of this pretence.2 Duke. Upon mine honor, he shall never know That I had any light from thee of this. Pro. Adieu, my lord; Sir Valentine is coming. Enter VALENtine. [Exit. Duke. Sir Valentine, whither away so fast? Duke. Be they of much import? Val. The tenor of them doth but signify My health, and happy being at your court. Duke. Nay, then no matter; stay with me a while; I am to break with thee of some affairs, That touch me near, wherein thou must be secret. Is full of virtue, bounty, worth, and qualities Duke. No, trust me; she is peevish, sullen, froward, And turn her out to who will take her in : Val. What would your grace have me to do in this? Val. Win her with gifts, if she respect not words; Dumb jewels often, in their silent kind, More than quick words, do move a woman's mind. Duke. But she did scorn a present that I sent her. Val. A woman sometimes scorns what best contents her: Send her another; never give her o'er; For scorn at first makes after-love the more. 1 For whereas, often used by old writers. Flatter, and praise, commend, extol their graces; Duke. But she I mean, is promised 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 locked, and keys kept safe, That no man hath recourse to her by night. 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. Val. When would you use it? pray, sir, tell me that. 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. 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. I pray thee, let me feel thy cloak upon me.— 1 i. e. hinders. And here an engine fit for my proceeding? [Reads. My thoughts do harbor with my Silvia nightly; Himself would lodge where senseless they are lying. Because myself do want my servants' fortune: That they should harbor where their lord should be. Silvia, this night I will enfranchise thee! 'Tis so; and here's the ladder for the purpose.- Thank me for this, more than for all the favors Longer than swiftest expedition Will give thee time to leave our royal court, 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 tor ment? To die, is to be banished from myself; And Silvia is myself: banished from her, What light is light, if Silvia be not seen? Enter PROTEUS and LAUNce. Pro. Run, boy, run, run, and seek him out. Laun. So-ho! so-ho! Pro. What seest thou? 2 Laun. Him we go to find! there's not a hair on's Laun. Can nothing speak? master, shall I strike? Pro. Whom would'st thou strike? Laun. Nothing. Pro. Villain, forbear. Laun. Why, sir, I'll strike nothing: I pray youPro. Sirrah, I say, forbear: Friend Valentine, a word. Val. My ears are stopped, and cannot hear good news, So much of bad already hath possessed them. 1 i. e. by flying, or in flying; a Gallicism. 2 Launce is still quibbling: he is running down the hare he started when he first entered. |