Or sent to Naples: Let me not, Since I have my dukedom got, And pardon'd the deceiver, dwell In this bare island, by your spell; But release me from my bands, With the help of your good hands. Gentle breath of yours my sails Must fill, or else my project fails, Which was to please: now I want Spirits to enforce, art to enchant; And my ending is despair, Unless I be reliev'd by prayer; Which pierces so, that it assaults Mercy itself, and frees all faults. As you from crimes would pardon'd be, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. PERSONS REPRESENTED. DUKE OF MILAN, Father to Silvia. VALENTINE, Gentlemen of Verona. PROTEUS, ANTONIO, Father to Proteus. THURIO, a foolish Rival to Valentine. EGLAMOUR, Agent for Silvia in her escape. SPEED, a clownish servant to Valentine. Outlaws LAUNCE, servant to Protens. SCENE. Sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan; and on the frontiers of Mantua. ACT 1. SCENE 1. An open Place in Verona. Val. Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus; Even as I would. when 1 to love begin. Think on thy Proteus, when thou, haply, seest If ever danger do environ thee, Val And on a love-book pray for my success. Val. No, I will not, for it boots thee not. What? Val. To be in love, where scorn is bought with groans; 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 time to counsel thee, That art a votary to fond desire ? Once more adieu: my father at the road To Milan, let me hear from thee by letters, Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love. Enter Speed. Speed. Sir Proteus, save you: Saw you my Pro. But now he parted hence, to embark for Speed. Twenty to one then, he is shipped al- And I have play'd the sheep, in losing him. Coy looks with heart-sore sighs; one fading mo-An if the shepherd be a while away. ment's mirth, With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights: Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool. Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear, you'll prove. Pro. Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love. Val. Love is your master, for he masters you: And he that is so yoked by a fool, Methinks should not be chronicled for wise. Pro. Yet writers say; As in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Speed. You conclude that my master is a shepherd then, and I a sheep? Pro. I do. Speed. Why then, my horns are his horns whether I wake or sleep. Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Speed. This proves me still a sheep. Pro. True; and thy master a shepherd. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. 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. Pro. But dost thou hear? gav'st thou my letter to Julia ? Speed Ay, sir; 1, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a lace mutton; and she, & 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 est stick her. Pro. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best ound 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 over, 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover. Pro. But what said she? did she nod? Speed. 1. [Speed nods. Pro. Nod, I why, that's noddy. Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains. Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter. 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 have 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 o.ice 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'd me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master. Pro. Go, go, begone, to save your ship from Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, Exeunt. House. Enter Julia and Lucetta. Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, 'Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, That every day with parle encounter me, According to my shallow simple skill. Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine; his name? Luc. Yet he of all the rest, I think, best loves ye. Luc. Fire, that's closest kept, burns most of all. Jul. I would, I knew his mind. That the contents will show. He would have given it you, but 1, being in the Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I pray. Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker I Jul. 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, Fie, fie, how wayward is this foolish love, Re-enter Lucetta. Jul. Is it near dinner time? That you might kill your stomach on your meat, 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. Luc. Nothing concerning me. Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns. Luc. Madain, 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. 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: O hateful hands, to tear such loying words! I throw thy name against the bruising stones, And thus 1 search it with a sovereign kiss. Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock, He couples it to his complaining names: Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales here ? Jul. If you respect them, best to take them up. Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down: Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold. Jul. I see you have a month's mind to them. Luc. Ay, madam, you may say what sights you see; I see things too, although you judge I wink. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. A Room in Antonio's House. Enter Antonio and Panthino. Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was tha 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; While other men, of slender reputation, Put forth their sons to seek preferment out: Some, to the wars, to try their fortune there; Some, to discover islands far away; Some, to the studious universities. For any, or for all these exercises, He said, that Proteus, your son was meet; And did request me, to importune you, To let him spend his time no more at home, Which would be great impeachment to his age, In having known no travel in his youth. Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that Whereon this month I have been hammering. Pant. "Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither: There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Ant. I like thy counsel: well hast thou advised I will despatch him to the emperor's court. Pant. To-morrow, may i' please you, Don AL phonso, With other gentlemen of good esteem, And, in good time,-now will we break with him.' Enter Proteus. Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life! Here is her hand, the agent of her heart: Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn: O, that our fathers would applaud our loves, To sear our happiness with their consents! O heavenly Julia! Ant. How now? what letter are you reading there? Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two Of commendations sent from Valentine, How happily he lives, how well belov'd Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after thee; No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go.Come on, Panthino; you shall be employed To hasten on his expedition. [Exeunt Ant. and Pant. Pro. Thus have 1 shunn'd the fire for fear of burning; And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd: The uncertain glory of an April day; Val. Ha! let me see: ay, give it me,it's mine :- Speed. Madam Silvia! madam Silvia! Speed. She is not within hearing, sir. Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being too slow. Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you know madam Silvia ? Speed. She that your worship loves? I look on you, I can hardly think you my master. Val. Are all these things perceived in me 7 Speed. They are all perceived without you. Val. Without me? They cannot. 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 yon, 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. Speed. Why, sir, I know her not. Val. Dost theu 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) well-favour'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. Val. How esteem'st thou me? I account of her beauty. Speed. You never saw her since she was deformed. Val. How long hath she been deform'd? Vel. 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. 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. And have you? Val. I have. Speed. Are they not lamely writ? Val. No, boy, but as well as I can do them :Peace, here she comes. Enter Silvia. Val. 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 lovesong, like a robin-red-breast; to walk alone, like one that had the pestilence; to sigh, like a schoolboy 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 beg gar at Hollowmas. You were wont, when you Jangh'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 Unto the secret nameless friend of yours; sadly, it was for want of money; and now you Which I was much unwilling to proceed in, are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when But for my duty to your ladyship. Speed. O excellent motion! O exceeding puppet! now will he interpret to her. Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand goodmorrows. Speed. O, 'give you good even! here's a million of manners. [Aside. Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thousand. Speed. He should give her interest; and she gives it him. Val As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter, Sil. I thank you, gentle servant: 'tis very Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off: Si. Perchance you think too much of so much Val. No, madam, so it stead you, I will write, Please you command, a thousand times as much: And yet, Sit. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel: And yet I will not name it:-and yet I tare 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. Val. What means your ladyship? do you not like it? Sil. Yes, yes; the lines are very quaintly But since unwillingly, take them again; Nay, take them. Val. Madam, they are for you. meat; O, be not like your mistress; be moved, Pro. Have atience, gentle Julia. Pro. Why then we'll make exchange; here, Jul. And seal the bargain with a holy kiss. Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, sir, at my request; ther. Sil. And, when it's writ, for my sake read it over: And, if it please you, so; if not, why, so. Vul. If it please me, madam! what then? My master sues to her; and she hath taught her He being her pupil, to become her tutor. That my master, being scribe, to himself should 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. To be a spokesman from madam Silvia. Speed. To yourself; why, she woos you by a figure. Val. What figure? Speed. By a letter, I should say. My father stays my coming: answer not: Julia, farewell.-What! gone without a word! Pant. Sir Proteus, you are staid for. Enter Launce, leading a Dog. Val. Why, she hath not writ to me? Speed. What need she, when she hath made you write to yourself? Why, do you not perceive the jest? Val. No, believe me. Speed. No believing you indeed, sir: But did you perceive her earnest? Val. She gave me none, except in angry word. Val would, it were no worse. Or else for want of idle time, could not again Or fearing else some messenger, that might her mind discover, Herself hath taught her love himself to write unto her lover. I oars. Enter Panthino. Pan. Launce, away, away, aboard; thy master is shipped, and thou art to post after with What's the matter? why weepest thou, All this I speak in print; for in print I found it.-man? Away, ass; you will lose the tide, if you Why muse you, sir? 'tis dinner-time. tarry any longer. Val. I have dined. Speed. Ay, but hearken, sir; though the chameleon Love can feed on the air, I am one that am nourished by my victuals, and would fain have Laun. It's no matter if the ty'd were lost; for |