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; I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton; and she, a 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 best stick her. Speed. I. [SPEED nods. Pro. Nod, I! why, that's noddy. Speed. You mistook, sir? I say she did nod: and you ask me, if she did nod; and I say, I. Pro. And that set together is-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 once 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. 1 Cotgrave explains laced mutton, une garce, putain, fille de joye. It was so established a term for a cortezan, that a lane in Clerkenwell, much frequented by loose women, is said to have been thence called Mutton Lane. 2 These words were supplied by Theobald to introfuce what follows. In Speed's answer, the old spelling of the affirmative particle has been retained; otherwise the conceit would be unintelligible. Noddy was a game at cards. 3 Testens, or (as we now commonly call them, testers,) from a head that was upon them, were coined in 1542 Sir H. Spelman gays they were a French coin of the value of 19d., andle does not know but that they Pro. Go, go, begono, to save your ship from wreck; Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, SCENE II. The same. Garden of Julia's house. Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love? Luc. Ay, madam; so you stumble not unheed. fully. Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, That every day with parle encounter me, In thy opinion, which is worthiest love? Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll show my mind According to my shallow simple skill. Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour? Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine; But, were I you, he never should be mine. Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio? Luc. Well of his wealth; but of himself, so, so. Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus? Luc. Lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in us! Jul. How now! what means this passion at his name? Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing shame, That I, unworthy body as I am, Should censures thus on lovely gentlemen. Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? Luc. Then thus,-of many good I think him best. Jul. Your reason? Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason; I think him so, because I think him so. Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my love of him? Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away Jul. I would, I knew his mind. Peruse this paper, madam. That the contents will show. Jul. Say, say; who gave it thee? Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, 1 think, from Proteus : way, He would have given it you, but I, being in the Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, 1 pray. Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!" Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than hate. Jul. Will you be gone? Luc. That you may ruminate. [Exit. Re-enter LUCETTA. Luc. What would your ladyship? Luc. I would it were: That you might kill your stomach3 on your meat, And not upon your maid. 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. Madam, 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: Laic. It is too heavy for so light a tune. Jul. And why not you? Luc. I cannot reach so high. Jul. Let's see your song:-How now, minion? Luc. No, madam; it is too sharp. And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:4 1 Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me. Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie: Injurious wasps! to feed on such sweet honey, I throw thy name against the bruising stones, And throw it thence into the raging sea! To the sweet Julia;-that I'll tear away; And yet I will not, sith' so prettily He couples it to his complaining names: Luc. Madam, Dinner is ready, and your father stays. Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales Jul. If you respect them, best to take them up. I see things too, although you judge I wink. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same. A Room in Antonio' Pant. He wonder'd, that your lordship [Tears the letter. Whereon this month I have been hammering. To be so anger'd with another letter. [Exit. Jul. Nay, would I were as anger'd with the same! O hateful hands, to tear such loving words! 1 First folio, ye. --2 Stomach, for passion or obstinacy. 7 Since. 8" for catching cold," i. e. lest they should catch cold, anciently a common form of expression. See Horne Tooke's explanation of this word in the first volume of "The Diversions of Purley." 3 Set is here used equivocally; in the preceding speech in the sense in which it is used by musicians, and in the present line in a quite different sense. To 9 Month's mind, a longing, probably from "the set by in old language signifies, to make account of, to longing of women, which takes place (or commences, estimate. See the first Book of Samuel, xviii. 30. at least) in the first month of pregnancy." This is the Descant signified formerly what we now call vari-ingenious conjecture of John Croft, Esq. of York. The ations. It has been well defined to be musical para- commentators have endeavoured to refer this passage to phrase. The mean is the tenor in music. the month's minds, or periodical celebrations in memory of dead persons, usual in times of popery ;-but the phrase in this place can have no relation to them. 10 i. c. grave or serious. 5 To bid the base means, to run fast, challenging another to pursue at the rustic game called Base, or Prisonbase. The allusion is somewhat obscure, but it appears to mean here, "to challenge to an encounter." i. e. bustle, stir. 11 Impeachment in this passage means reproach or imputation. Pant. I think, your lordship is not ignorant, How his companion, youthful Valentine, Attends the emperor in his royal court. Ant. I know it well. Pant. "Twere good, I think, your lordship sent There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth. Ant. I like thy counsel: well hast thou advised: I will despatch him to the emperor's court. With other gentlemen of good esteem, Ant. Good company; with them shall Proteus go: Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life! Ant. How now? what letter are you reading Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two Of commendations sent from Valentine, Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what news. writes How happily he lives, how well belov'd Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish? Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish; Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided; Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after thee: No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go.- [Exeunt ANT. and PANT. Pro. Thus have I 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; Pant. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you; 1 i. e. break the matter to him. 2 i. e. wonder not. ACT II. Speed. Sir, your glove. Val. Not mine; my gloves are on. Speed. Why then this may be yours, for this is but one." Val. Ha! let me mine: see: ay, give it me, it's Ah Silvia! Silvia ! Speed. Madam Silvia! madam Silvia! Speed. She is not within hearing, sir. slow. Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you know madam Speed. She that your worship loves? Val. Why, how know you that I am in love? Val. Are all these things perceived in me? 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 you, 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. Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and yet know'st her not? Speed. Is she not hard-favour'd, sir? Val. Not so fair, boy, as well favour'd. Speed. That she is not so fair, as (of you) wellfavour'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. 4 Resembleth is pronounced as if written resembeleth, which makes it a quadrisyllable. 5 On and one were anciently pronounced alike, and frequently written so. 6 To take diet is to be under a regimen for a disease. 7 The feast of All-hallows, or All Saints, at which time the poor in Staffordshire go from parish to parish singing small, as Bailey's Dictionary explains puling,) a souling, as they call it; i. e. begging and puling, (or for soul cakes, and singing what they call the souler's song. These terms point out the condition of this benevo souls of the giver's departed friends 8 Exhibition is allowance of money; it is still used lence, which was, that the beggars should pray for the pin the Universities for a stipend. 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? Speed. Ever since you loved her. Val. I have loved her ever since I saw her; and still I see her beautiful. Speed. 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!1 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? Speed. No believing you indeed, sir: But did Val. No, boy, but as well as I can do them:- you perceive her earnest ? Peace, here she comes. Speed. He should give her interest; and she gives it him. Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your Unto the secret nameless friend of yours; Which I was much unwilling to proceed in, But for my duty to your ladyship. letter, Sil. I thank you, gentle servant: 'tis very clerkly done. Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off; For, being ignorant to whom it goes, I writ at random, very doubtfully. Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains? Val. No, madam, so it stead you, I will write, Please you command, a thousand times as much : And yet, Sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel; And yet I will not name it:-and yet I care 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 writ: But since unwillingly, take them again; Nay, take them. Val. Madam, they are for you. Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, sir, at my request; But I will none of them; they are for you: I would have had them writ more movingly. Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship another. 1 Going ungartered is enumerated by Rosalind as one of the undoubted marks of love. Then your hose should be ungartered, your bonnet unbanded," &c. As You Like It, iii. 2. Val. She gave me none, except an angry wor there an end. Val. I would, it were no worse. For often have you writ to her; and she, in modesty, Herself hath taught her love himself to write unto her lover. Why muse you, sir? 'tis dinner-time. Val. I have dined. Speed. Ay, but hearken, sir: though the camenourished by my victuals, and would fain have leon Love can feed on the air, I am one that am meat: O, be not like your mistress; be moved, be moved. [Exeunt. SCENE II. Verona. A Room in Julia's House. [Giving a ring. Pro. Why then we'll make exchange; here, take you this. Jul. And seal the bargain with a holy kiss. Pro. Here is my hand for my true constancy; And when that hour o'er-slips me in the day, Wherein I sigh not, Julia, for thy sake, The next ensuing hour some foul mischance Torment me for my love's forgetfulness! My father stays my coming: answer not: The tide is now: nay, not thy tide of tears; That tide will stay me longer than I should; [Erit JULIA. the horizon in the west. It is a miserable quibble hardly worth explanation. 3 Motion signified, in Shakspeare's time, a puppetshow Speed means to say, what a fine puppet-show shall we have now? Here is the principal puppet to whom my master will be the interpreter. The show. 2 Set, for seated, in opposition to stand in the prece-man was then frequently called the interpreter. ding line. It appears, however, to be used metaphorical- 4 i. e. like a scholar. ly in the sense applied to the sun when it sinks below There's the conclusion. 61.6. with exactnáme Julia, farewell.-What gone without a word! Pant. Sir Proteus, you are staid for. Alas! this parting strikes poor lovers dumb. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same. A Street. Enter Laun. Nay, 'twill be this hour ere I have done weeping; all the kind' of the Launces have this very fault; I have received my proportion, like the prodigious son, and am going with Sir Proteus to the Imperial's court. I think, Crab my dog be the sourest-natured dog that lives: my mother weeping, my father wailing, my sister crying, our maid howling, our cat wringing her hands, and all our house in a great perplexity, yet did not this cruel-hearted cur shed one tear: he is a stone, a very pebble stone, and has no more pity in him than a dog: a Jew would have wept to have seen our parting; why, my grandam having no eyes, look you, wept herself blind at my parting. Nay, I'll show you the manner of it: This shoe is my father:-no, this left shoe is my father;-no, no, this left shoe is my mother;-nay, that cannot be so neither ;-yes, it is so, it is so; it hath the worser sole; This shoe, with the hole in it, is my mother; and this my father: A vengeance on't! there 'tis: now, sir, this staff is my sister; for, look you, she is as white as a lily, and as small as a wand: this hat is Nan, our maid; I am the dog :-no, the dog is himself, and I am the dog;-oh, the dog is me, and I am myself: Ay, so, so. Now come I to my father; Father, your blessing; now should not the shoe speak a word for weeping; now should I kiss my father; well he weeps on:-now come I to my mother, (0, that she could speak now!) like a wood woman;-well, I kiss her ;-why there 'tis; here's my mother's breath up and down: now come I to my sister; mark the moan she makes: now the dog all this while sheds not a tear, nor speaks a word; but see how I lay the dust with my tears. Enter PANTHINO. Pan. Launce, away, away, aboard; thy master. is shipped, and thou art to post after with oars. What's the matter? why weepest thou, man? Away, ass; you will lose the tide, if you tarry any longer. Laun. It is no matter if the ty'd were lost; for it is the unkindest ty'd that ever any man ty'd. Pan. What's the unkindest tide? Laun. Why, he that's ty'd here; Crab, my dog. Pan. Tut, man, I mean thou'lt lose the flood; and, in losing the flood, lose thy voyage; and, in losing thy voyage, lose thy master; and, in losing thy master, lose thy service; and in losing thy service,-Why dost thou stop my mouth? Laun. For fear thou should'st lose thy tongue. Pan. In thy tail? Laun. Lose the tide, and the voyage, and the master, and the service: And the tide !-Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with my tears; if the wind were down, I could drive the boat with my sighs. Pan. Come, come away, man; I was sent to call thee. Laun. Sir, call me what thou darest. Laun. Well, I will go. [Exeunt. Thu. Ay, sir, and done too, for this time. Val. I know it well, sir; you always end ere you begin. Sil. A fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quickly shot off. Val. "Tis indeed, madam; we thank the giver. Sir Thurio borrows his wit from your ladyship's I shall make your wit bankrupt. Val. I know it well, sir: you have an exchequer of words, and, I think, no other treasure to give your followers; for it appears by their bare liveries, that they live by your bare words. Sil. No more, gentlemen, no more; here comes my father. Enter DUKE. Duke. Now, daughter Silvia, you are hard besot Val. My lord, I will be thankful Duke. Know you Don Antonio, your countryman? Val. Ay, my good lord; a son, that well de serves The honour and regard of such a father. Val. I knew him as myself; for from our infancy 5 To quote is to mark, to observe, the old pronunciation was evidently cote from the French original. 6 Feature in the poet's age was often used for form or person in general. Thus Baret: "The feature and facion, or the proportion and figure of the whole body. Conformatio quædam et figura totius oris et cor poris." So in Ant. and Cleop. Act. ii. Sc. 5. "Report the feature of Octavian." Thus also Spenser: Which the fair feature of her limbs did hide.' |