Thu. I thank you for your own. Now, gentlemen, Let's tune, and to it lustily a while. 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. Jul. But shall I hear him speak? Host. Ay, that you shall. Jul. That will be music. Jul. Is he among these? Host. Ay but peace, let's hear 'em. : Song. Who is Silvia? what is she, That all our swains commend her? Holy, fair, and wise is she; [Music plays. The heavens such grace did lend her, That she might admired be. Is she kind, as she is fair? For beauty lives with kindness: To help him of his blindness; Then to Silvia let us sing, Host. How now! are you sadder than you were before? How do you, man? the music likes you not. Jul. You mistake: the musician likes me not. Host. Why, my pretty youth? Jul. He plays false, father. Host. How out of tune on the strings? Jul. Not so; but yet so false that he grieves my very heart-strings. Host. You have a quick ear. Jul. Ay, I would I were deaf! it makes me have a slow heart. Host. I perceive, you delight not in music. Host. Hark! what fine change is in the music! Host. You would have them always play but one thing? Jul. I would always have one play but one thing. But, host, doth this Sir Proteus, that we talk on, often resort unto this gentlewoman? Host. I tell you what Launce, his man, told me, he lov'd her out of all nick.2 Jul. Where is Launce? Host. Gone to seek his dog; which, to-morrow, by his master's command, he must carry for a present to his lady. Jul. Peace! stand aside the company parts. : 2 That is, beyond all reckoning. Accounts were formerly kept by cutting nicks or notches in a tally-stick. Thus in an old play, "A Woman Never Vexed," an innkeeper says: "I have carried the tallies at my girdle seven years together; for I did ever love to deal honestly in the nick." It is but few years since these tallies were used in the English Exchequer; being laid aside, no doubt, because the accounts grew to be out of all nick. H. Pro. Sir Thurio, fear not you: I will so plead, That you shall say my cunning drift excels. Thu. Where meet we? Pro. At saint Gregory's well.3 Thu. Farewell. [Exeunt THU. and Musicians. SILVIA appears above, at her window. Pro. Madam, good even to your ladyship. Sil. I thank you for your music, gentlemen. Who is that, that spake ? Pro. One, lady, if you knew his pure heart's truth, You would quickly learn to know him by his voice. Sil. Sir Proteus, as I take it. Pro. Sir Proteus, gentle lady, and your servant. Sil. What is your will? Pro. That I may compass yours. Sil. You have your wish: my will is even this, That hast deceiv'd so many with thy vows? 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. 3 This was probably one of the "holy wells" to which popular belief attributed supernatural virtues, and which were visited something as our fashionable watering-places are, but with how different feelings! The place of St. Winifred's well in Flintshire is called Holywell; but of course the ancient virtue has all been enlightened out of its waters. H. Jul. [Aside.] "Twere false, if I should speak it; For, I am sure, she is not buried. 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 Pro. I likewise hear that Valentine is dead. Pro. Sweet lady, let me rake it from the earth. Sil. Go to thy lady's grave, and call hers thence; Or, at the least, in hers sepulchre thine. Jul. [Aside.] He heard not that. Pro. Madam, if your heart be so obdurate, Vouchsafe me yet your picture for my love, The picture that is hanging in your chamber; To that I'll speak, to that I'll sigh and weep For, since the substance of your perfect self Is else devoted, I am but a shadow; And to your shadow will I make true love. Jul. [Aside.] If 'twere a substance, you would, sure, deceive it, And make it but a shadow, as I am. Sil. I am very loth to be your idol, sir; But, since your falsehood shall become you well To worship shadows, and adore false shapes, Send to me in the morning and I'll send it : And so, good rest. Pro. As wretches have o'ernight, That wait for execution in the morn. [Exeunt PROTEUS; and SILVIA, from above. Jul. Host, will you go? Host. By my halidom,* I was fast asleep. 4 Several interpretations have been given of this word; but the one offered by Nares seems the most probable. He says it is Jul. Pray you, where lies Sir Proteus? 'tis almost day. Trust me, I think Jul. Not so; but it hath been the longest night That e'er I watch'd, and the most heaviest." [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. Enter EGLAMOUR. Egl. This is the hour that madam Silvia Entreated me to call and know her mind: There's some great matter she'd employ me in. Madam, madam! SILVIA appears above, at her window. Sil. Who calls? Egl. Your servant, and your friend ; One that attends your ladyship's command. Sil. Sir Eglamour, a thousand times good morrow. Egl. As many, worthy lady, to yourself. According to your ladyship's impose,1 I am thus early come, to know what service Sil. O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman, 2 composed of holy and dom, like kingdom; thus meaning the same as faith. Another interpretation makes it refer to the Holy Dame, that is, the Virgin Mother. A third derives it from the Saxon halig, sacred, and dome, a house. H. 5 The double superlative was often used in Shakespeare's time. It occurs frequently in the Liturgy of the "Reformed Catholic Church." H. 1 Impose is injunction, command; a task set at college in consequence of a fault is still an imposition. 2 That is, pitiful. |