With twenty odd-conceited true-love knots : Of greater time than I shall show to be. Luc. What fashion, madam, shall I make your breeches ? Jul. That fits as well, as-Tell me, good my lord, What compass will you wear your farthingale?'1 Why, even what fashion thou best likest, Lucetta. Luc. You must needs have them with a cod-piece, madam. Jul. Out, out, Lucetta! that will be ill-favor'd. Luc. A round hose, madam, now's not worth a pin, Unless you have a cod-piece to stick pins on. Jul. Lucetta, as thou lovest me, let me have What thou think'st meet, and is most mannerly : But tell me, wench, how will the world repute me, For undertaking so unstaid a journey? I fear me, it will make me scandalized. Luc. If you think so, then stay at home, and go not. Jul. Nay, that I will not. Luc. Then never dream on infamy, but go. If Proteus like your journey, when you come, No matter who's displeased, when you are gone : I fear me, he will scarce be pleased withal. Jul. That is the least, Lucetta, of my fear: Hoop, which was formerly an appendage to female apparel. A thousand oaths, an ocean of his tears, Luc. All these are servants to deceitful men. Jul. Base men, that use them to so base effect! But truer stars did govern Proteus' birth: His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles; His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate; His tears, pure messengers sent from his heart; His heart as far from fraud, as heaven from earth. Luc. Pray Heaven, he prove so, when you come to him! Jul. Now, as thou lovest me, do him not that wrong, To bear a hard opinion of his truth : Only deserve my love, by loving him; [Exeunt. SHAK. 1 Longed-for. ACT III. SCENE I. Milan. An ante-room in the Duke's palace. Enter DUKE, THURIO, and Proteus. Duke. Sir Thurio, give us leave, I pray, awhile; We have some secrets to confer about. [Exit Thurio. Now, tell me, Proteus, what's your will with me? Pro. My gracious lord, that which I would dis cover, The law of friendship bids me to conceal : My duty pricks me on to utter that Which else no worldly good should draw from me. Duke. Proteus, I thank thee for thine honest care; Which to requite, command me while I live. Pro. Know, noble lord, they have devised a mean How he her chamber-window will ascend, And with a corded ladder fetch her down ; That my discovery be not aimed 3 at; 1 Guess. 2 Tempted. 3 Guessed. 4 Design. 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? Val. Please it your grace, there is a messenger That stays to bear my letters to my friends, And I am going to deliver them. 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 awhile; I am to break with thee of some affairs, That touch me near, wherein thou must be secret. "Tis not unknown to thee, that I have sought To match my friend, sir Thurio, to my daughter. Val. I know it well, my lord; and, sure, the match Were rich and honorable; besides, the gentleman Is full of virtue, bounty, worth, and qualities' Beseeming such a wife as your fair daughter. Cannot your grace win her to fancy him? Duke. No, trust me; she is peevish, sullen, froward, Proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty; Neither regarding that she is my child, |