Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by another. Ju tlıy opinion, which is worthiest love? Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio ? Luc. Lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in us! Speed. Ay, sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to Jul. How now! what means this passion at his name? her, a laced mutton ; and she, a laced mutton, gave Luc. Pardon, dear madam! 'tis a passing shame, me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour. That I, unworthy body as I am, Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a store of Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen. muttons, Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest ? Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were best Luc. Then thus, of many good I think him best. stick her. Jul. Your reasou ? Pro. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best pound Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason ; you. I think him so, because I think him so. Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for Jul. And wouldst thou have me cast my love on him? carrying your letter. Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away. Pro. Yon mistake; I mean the pound, a pinfold. Jul. Why, he of all the rest hath never mov'd me. Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over, Luc. Yet he of all the rest, I think, best loves ye. "Tisthreefold too little for carrying a letter to your Jul. His little speaking shews his love but small. lover. Luc. Fire that is closest kept burns most of all. Luc. O, they love least, that let men know their love. Pro. Nud, I ? why, that's noddy. Jul. I would, I know his mind. Speed. You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you Luc. Peruse this paper, madam! ask me, if she did nod: and I say, I. Jul. To Julia, - Say, from whom? Pro. And that set together, is-noddy. Luc. That the contents will shew. Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it toge- Jul. Say, say; who gave it thee? ther, take it for your pains ! Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from Pru. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter. Proteus : Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear with He would have given it you, but I, being in the way, you. Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I pray! Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker! Speed. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly; having Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines? nothing but the word, noddy, for my pains. To whisper and conspire against my youth? Pro, Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. Now, trust me, 'uis an office of great worth, Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse. And you an officer fit for the place. Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief! What There, take the paper, see it be return'd; said she ? Or else return no more into my sight! Speed. Open your purse, that the money, and the Luc. To plead for love, deserves more fce than hate. matter, may be both at once delivered. Jul. Will you be gone? Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains ! What said she? Luc. That you may ruminate. Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her? Jul. And yet, I would, I had o'erlook'd the letter. Pro. Why? Could'st thou perceive so much from her? It were a shame to call her back again, Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter: What fool is she, that knows I am a maid, And being so hard to me that brought your mind, I fear, And would not force the letter to my view? she'll prove as hard to you in telling her mind. Give Since maids, in modesty, say No, to that her no token but stones! for she's as hard as steel, Which they would have the profferer construe, Ay. Pro. What, said she nothivg? fie, fie! how wayward is this foolish love, Speed. No, not so much as--take this for thy pains ! That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse, To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testern’d And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod! me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence, yourself ! and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master. When willingly I would have had her here! Pro. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck; Howangerly I taught my brow to frown, When inward joy enforced my heart to smile! Being destined to a drier death on shore: My penance is, to call Lucetta back, I must go send some better messenger; And ask remission for my folly past : I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines, What ho! Lucetta! Receiving them from such a worthless post. (Exeunt. Re-enter LUCETTA. Luc. What would your ladyship? Luc. I would it were; That you might kill your stomach on your meat, And not upon your maid. So gingerly? Luc. Nothing TExit. 3 * Jul. Why didst thou stoop, then ?. SCENE III. The same. A room in Antonio's Luc. To take a paper up, that I let fall. house. Jul. And is that paper nothing? Enter Antonio and PanthiNO. Luc. Nothing concerning me, Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that, Jul. Then let it lie for those, that it concerns ! Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister? Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns, Pant. 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son. Unless it have a false interpreter, Ant. Why, what of hin? While other men, of slender reputation, Some, to the wars, to try their fortune there; Sonie, to discover islands far away; Jul. Heavy? belike, it hath some burden then. Some, to the studious universities. Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you sing it. For any, or for all these exercises, Jul. And why not you? He said, that Proteus, your son, was meet; And did request me, to importune you, In having known no travel in his youth. Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that, uc. No, madam, it is too sharp. Whereon this month I have been hammering. Jul. You, minion, are too saucy. I have considered well his loss of time, And how he cannot be a perfect man, Experience is by industry atchiev'd, Then, tell me, whether were I best to send him? Attends the emperor in his royal court. You would be fingering them, to anger me. Ant. I know it well. Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be best Pant. "Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him pleas'a thither: To be so anger'd with another letter. [Exit. There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same! Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen, O hateful hands, to tear such loving words ! And be in eye of every exercise, Injurious wasps, to feed on such sweet honey, Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth. And kill the bees, that yield it, with your stings! Ant. Mike thy counsel; well hast thou advis'd: I'll kiss each several paper for amends. And, that thou may'st perceive how well I like it, And here is writ — kind Julia; - unkind Julia ! The execution of it shall make kuowa; As in revenge of thy ingratitude, Even with the speediest execution I throw thy name against the bruising stones, I will dispatch him to the emperor's court. Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain. Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don Alphonso, Look, here is writ-love-wounded Proteus : With other gentlemen of good esteem, Poor wounded name! my bosom, as a bed, Are journeying to salute the emperor, Shall lodgethee, will thy wound be throughly heal'd; And to commend their service to his will. And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss. Ant. Good company! with them shall Proteus go : But twice, or thrice, was Proteus written down? And, in good time, - now will we break with him. Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away, Enter PROTEUS Till I have found each letter in the letter, Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines ! sweet life! Except mine own name; that some whirlwind bear Here is her hand, the agent of her heart; Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock, Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn: And throw it thence into the raging sea! 0, that our fathers would applaud our loves, Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ, To seal our happiness with their conseuts! Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus, O heavenly Julia! To the sweet Julia; that I'll tear away; Ant. How now? what letter are you reading there? And yet I will not, sith so prettily Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two He couples it to his complaining names; Of commendation sent from Valentine, Thus will I fold them one upon another; Deliver'd by a friend that came from him. Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will. Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what news! Re-enter LUCETTA. Pro. There is no news, my lord; but that he writes And daily graced by the emperor; And not depending on his friendly wish. Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish: For what I will, I will, and there an end. With Valentinus in the emperor's court; What maintenance le from his friends receives, 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. Excuse it not, for I am peremptory. Speed. Why, sir, I know her not. Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided; Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and Please you, deliberate a day or two! yet knowest her not? Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after Speed. Is she not hard-favoured, sir? thee. Val. Not so fair, boy, as well favoured. Nomore of stay! to-morrow thon must go. Speed. Sir, I know that well enough. Tal. What dost thou know? Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear of burning; voured. vourinfinite. Lest he should take exceptions to my love; Speed. That's because the one is painted, and the And with the vantage of mine own excuse other ont of all count. Hath he excepted most against my love. Val. How painted? and how out of count? 0, how this spring of love resembleth Speed. Marry, sir, so painted to make her fair, that The uncertain glory of an April day ; no man counts of her beauty. Which now shews all the beauty of the sun, Val. How esteemest thou me? I account of her beauty. Speed. You never saw her since she was deformed. Val. How long hath she been deformed? Speed. Ever since you lov'd her. He is in haste; therefore, I pray yon, go! Val. I have lov'd her ever since I saw her; and still I Pro. Why this it is! my heart accords thereto; see her beautiful. And yet a thousand times it answers no. (Exeunt. Speed. If you love her, you cannot see her. Val. Why? Speed. Because love is blind. O, that you had mine eyes:or your own had the lights they were wont to have, SCENEI. — Milan. An apartment in the Duke's when you chid at sir Proteas, for going ungartered! palace. l'al. What should I see then ? Enter VALENTINE and SPEED. Speed. Your own present folly, and her passing deSpeed. Sir, your glove. formity: for he, being in love, could not see to garter Val. Not mine; my gloves are on. his hose; and you, being in love, cannot see to put on Speed. Why then this may be yours, for this is but your hose. Val, Belike, boy, then you are in love ; for last mor- Speed. True, sir, I was in love with my bed : I thank you, you swinged me for my love, which makes me the Speed. Madam Silvia ! madam Silvia! bolder to chide you for yours. Val. How now, sirrah? Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her. Speed. I would you were set; so your allection would Val. Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to Val. Well, you'll still be too forward. one she loves. Speed. Are they not lamely writ? V al. No, boy, but as well as I can do them : - Peace, ! Speed. Marry, by these special marks: First, you have here she comes. learned, like sir Proteus, to wreath your arms like a Enter Suvia. male-content; to relish a lovesong, like a Robin-red- Speed. O excellent motion! O exceeding pappet! now breast; to walk alone,like one that hath the pestilence; will he interpret to her. Aside. to sigh, like a school-boy that had lost his A, B, C; Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand good-morrows. to weep, like a young wench that had buried her gran- Speed. O, 'give you good even! here's a million of dam; to fast, like one that takes diet; to watch, like manners. (Aside. one that fears robbing; to speak puling, like a beggar Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thousand. at Hallowmas. You were wont, when you laughed, to Speed. He should give her interest; aud she gives it crow like a cock; when you walked, to walk like one him. (Aside. of the lions; when you fasted, it was presently after Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter dinner; when you looked sadly, it was for want of mo- Unto the secret nameless friend of yours; ney; and now you are metamorphos'd with a mistress, Which I was much unwilling to proceedin, that, when I look on you, I can hardly think you my But for my duty to your ladyship, Sil. I thank you, gentle servant: 'tis very clerkly done. Val. Are all these things perceived in me? Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off; Speed. They are all perceived without you. Tor, being ignorant to whom it goes, Val. Without me? they caunot. I writ at random, very doubtfully. Speed. Without you; nay, that's certain, for, Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains ? without you were so simple, none else would ; but you Val. No, madam; so it stead you, I will write, are so without these follies, that these follies are Please you command, a thousand times as much: within you, and shine through you like the water in an And yet, urinal; that not an eye, that sees you , bat is a physi- sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel; cian to comment on your malady. And yet I will not name it :- and yet I care not ; — one. cease. master. reason. father; no, this left shoe And yet take this again;--- and yet I thank you ; Pro. Ilere is my hand for my true constancy; And when that hour o'er-slips me in the day, My father stays my coming; answer not; The tide is now: nay, not the tide of tears; Val. Madanı, they are for you. That tide will stay me longer than I should ; Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, sir, at my request; (Exit Julia, But I will none of them; they are for you: Julia, farewell. What! gone without a word? I would have had them writ more movingly. Ay, so true love should do: it cannot speak; Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship another. For truth hath better deeds, than words, to grace it. Sil. And, when it's writ, for my sake read it over: Enter PANTHINO. And, if it please you, so; if not, why, so. Pant. Sir Proteus, you are staid for. Val. If it please me, madam! what then? Pro. Go; I come, I come : Sil. Why, if it please you, take it for your labour; Alas! this parting strikes poor lovers dumb. (Exeunt And so good-morrow, servant ! (Exit Silvia. Speed. O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible, SCENEIII, The same. A street. As a nose on a mau's face, or a weathercock on a Enter Launce, leading a dog. steeple! Laun. Nay, 'twill be this hour ere) have done weepMy master sues to her; and she hath taught her suitor, ing; all the kind of the Launces have this very fault : He being her pupil, to become her tutor. I have received my proportion, like the prodigious son, O excellent device! was there ever heard a better? und am going with Sir Proteus to the Imperial's court. That my master, being sçribe, to himself should write I think, Crab my dog bethe sourest-natured dog that the letter? lives : my mother weeping, my father wailing, my sisVal. How now, sir? what are you reasoning with ter crying, our maid howling, our cat wringing her yourself? hands, and all our house in a great perplexity, yet did Speed. Nay, I was rhyming; 'tis you that have the not this cruel-hearted cur shed one tear: he is a stone, a very pebble-stone, and has no more pity in him than Val. To do what? a dog : a Jew would have wept to have seen our parting; Speed. To be a spokesman from madam Silvia. why, my grandam having no eyes, look you, wept herVal. To whom? self blind at my parting. Nay, I'll show you the marSpeed. To yourself: why, she wooes you by a figure. ner of it: This shoe is my Val. What figure? is my father; no, no, this left shoe is my mother; Speed. By a letter, I should say. nay, that cannot be so neither ; – yes, it is so, it is so; Val. Why, she hath not writ to me? it hath the worser sole: This shoe, with the hole in it, Speed. Whut need she, when she hath made you write is my mother, and this my father; a vengeance on't to yourself? Why, do you not perceive tho jest? there'tis: now, sir, this staff is my sister; for, look Ďal. No, believe me. you, she is as white as a lily, and as small as a wand: Speed. No believing you indeed, sir; but did you this hat is Nan, our maid ; I am the dog:- no, the dog perceive her earnest? is himself, and I am the dog :-0, the dog is Val. She gave me none, except an angry word. I am myself; ay, so, so. Now come I to my father; Speed. Why, she hath given you a letter. Father, your blessing! Now should not the shoe speak * Val. That's the letter I writ to her friend. a word for weeping ; now should I kiss my father; well , Speed. And that letter hath she deliver'd, and there he weeps on :-now come I to my mother, (0, that she could speak now !) like a wood woman; — well, I kissed Val. I would, it were no worse. her; — why, there'tis; here's my mother's breath up Speed. I'll warrant you, 'tis as well : and down : now come I to my sister; mark the moan she For often you have writ to her; and she, in modesty, makes: now, the dog all this while sheds not a tear, nor Orelse for want of idle time, could not again reply ; speaks a word; but see how I lay the dust with my tears. Or fearing else some messenger, that might her mind Enter Panthixe. discover, Pant. Eannce, away, away, aboard! thy master is Herself hath taught her love himself to write unto her shipped, and thou art to post after with oars. What's lover. the matter? why weep'st thou, man? Away, ass ! you All this I speak in print; for in print I found it. will lose the tide, if you tarry any longer, Why muse you, sir? 'tis dinner time. Laun. It is no matter, if the tyd were lost; for it is Val. I have dined. the unkindest ty'd, that ever any man ty’d. Speed. Ay, but hearken, sir; though the cameleon Pant. What's the unkindest tide? Love can fced on the air, I am one that am nourished Laun. Why, he that's ty'd here; Crab, my dog. by my victuals, and would fain have meat. O, be not Pant. Tut, man, I mean thou'lt lose the flood; and, like your mistress; be moved, be moved ! [Exeunt. in losing the flood, lose thy voyage; and, in losing thy yoyage, lose thy master; and, in losing thy master, SCENE II. - Verona. A room in Julia's house. lose thy service; and, in losing thy service, — Why Enter PROTEUS and Julia. dost thou stop my mouth? Pro. Have patience, gentle Julia ! Laun. For fear, thou should'st lose thy tongue. Jul. I must, where is no remedy. Pant. Where should I lose my tongue? Pro. When possibly I can, I will return. Laun. In thy tale. Jul. If you turu not, you will return the sooner: Pant. In thy tail ? Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's sake. Laun. Lose thotide, and the voyage, and the master, {Giving a ring. and the service? The tide! - Why, man, if the river Pro. Why then we'll make exchange ; here, take you were dry, I am able to fill it with my tears'; if the wind this! were down, I could drive the boat with my sighs. Jul. And seal the bargain with a holy kiss. Pant. Come, come away, man. I was sent to call theo. me, and an end. the day, It speal; r. Val. So do you. rethis feryat he prodigieren : Imperial's ostre wailing, are cat wrizgia; bis erplexity, fetti ar: he is a steel e pity in hiu thu seen our partie ok you, wept be Jow you theat uo, this letesh man. as my mother;-, it is so, it is& th the holen onstancy; Made use and fair advantage of his days; His years but young, but his experience old; (Exeunt. His head unmellow'd, but his judgment ripe; schance And, in a word, (for far behind his worth ness! SCENE IV. – Milan. An apartment in the Duke's Come all the praises that I now bestow,) not; palace. Heis complete in feature, and in mind, tears; Enter Valentine, Silvia, Taurio, and Speed. With all good grace to grace a gentleman. Duke. Beshrew me, sir, but if he makethis good, He is as worthy for an empress' love, As meet to be an emperor's counsellor. Well, sir; this gentleman is come to me, With commendation from great potentates; And here he means to spend his timea-while: I think, 'tis no unwelcome news to you. Val. Should I have wish'd athing, it had been he. Duke. Welcome him then according to his worth! Silvia, I speak to you, and you, sir Thurio : For Valentine, I need not'cite him to it: I'll send him hither to you presently. (Exit Duke. have done to Val. This is the gentleman, I told your ladyship, Had come along with me, but that his mistress Did hold his eyes lock'd in her crystal looks. Sil. Belike, that now she hath enfranchis'd them Upon some other pawn for fealty. Val. Nay, sure, I think, she holds them prisoners still. Sil. Nay, then he should be blind; and, being blind, How conld he see his way to seek out you? Val. Why, lady, love hath twenty pair of eyes. Upon a homely object love can wink. Enter PROTEUS. Sil. Have done, have done! here comes the gentle- Val. Welcome, dear Proteus !- Mistress, I beseech Sil. His worth is warrant for his welcome hither, . Val. Mistress, it is: sweet lady, entertain him Val. Leave off discourse of disability!- Servant, you are welcome to a worthless mistress. Sil, That you are welcome? Pro. No; that you are worthless, Enter Servant. Serv. Madam, my lord your father would speak with you. Ofmuch good news? Sil. I'll wait upon his pleasure. (Exit Servant. Come, sir Thurio, Go with me! - Once more, new servant, welcome! Pro. We'll both attend upon your ladyship. {Exeunt Silvia, Thurio, and Speed. Duke. Hath he notason? Val. Now, tell me, how do all from whence you Val.Ay, my good lord; a sou, that well deserves came? The honour aud regard of such a father. Pro, Your friends are well, and have them much commended. Val. How does your lady? and how thrives your love? To clothe mineage with angel-like perfection: Pro. My tales of love were wont to weary you; Yet hath Sir Proteus, for that's his name, I know, you joy not in a love-discourse. Vengeance small isa rand : -1, the dog dog is me, ad I to my fatke t the shoe pat ay fathers cr, (0, that she ; — well . The her's breathe k the monkey s not a tear, with mytears thy masters Oars. What's kay, ass! Fit ust; for it is my dog fiood; and in losing to thy master, ice, - WHY ngue. the master, if the river if the wind ghs. callthes |