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- Edition: Two Gentlemen of Verona
Two Gentlemen of Verona (Modern)
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But say, Lucetta, now we are alone,
Ay, Madam, so you stumble not unheedfully.
Of all the fair resort of gentlemen
Please you repeat their names, I'll show my mind
What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour?
As of a knight, well-spoken, neat, and fine;
What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio?
Well of his wealth; but of himself, so-so.
What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus?
Lord, Lord, to see what folly reigns in us.
How now? What means this passion at his name?
Pardon, dear madam, 'tis a passing shame
Why not on Proteus as of all the rest?
Then thus: of many good, I think him best.
Your reason?
I have no other but a woman's reason:
And would'st thou have me cast my love on him?
Ay, if you thought your love not cast away.
Why he, of all the rest, hath never moved me.
Yet he, of all the rest, I think best loves ye.
His little speaking shows his love but small.
Fire that's closest kept burns most of all.
They do not love that do not show their love.
Oh, they love least that let men know their love.
I would I knew his mind.
Peruse this paper, madam.
1.2.37[Gives her a letter.]
"To Julia." Say, from whom?
That the contents will show.
Say, say, who gave it thee?
Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from Proteus.
Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker.
To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.
Will ye be gone?
That you may ruminate.
1.2.55Exit [Lucetta].
And yet I would I had o'er looked the letter.
1.2.73[Enter Lucetta.]
1.2.74[She drops the letter.]
What would your ladyship?
Is't near dinner time?
I would it were,
1.2.80[Picks up letter.]
What is't that you
Nothing.
Why didst thou stoop then?
To take a paper up that I let fall.
And is that paper nothing?
Nothing concerning me.
Then let it lie for those that it concerns.
Madam, it will not lie where it concerns,
Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme.
That I might sing it, madam, to a tune.
As little by such toys as may be possible.
It is too heavy for so light a tune.
Heavy? Belike it hath some burden then?
Ay, and melodious were it, would you sing it.
And why not you?
I cannot reach so high.
Let's see your song.
1.2.102[Takes the letter.]
Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out.
You do not?
No, madam, 'tis too sharp.
You, minion, are too saucy.
Nay, now you are too flat,
The mean is drowned with your unruly base.
Indeed, I bid the base for Proteus.
This babble shall not henceforth trouble me;
1.2.116[Tears and throws down or drops the letter.]
1.2.120 [Aside] She makes it strange, but she would be best pleased
1.2.122 [Exit Lucetta.]
Nay, would I were so angered with the same.
1.2.149 [Enter Lucetta.]
Madam, dinner is ready, and your father stays.
Well, let us go.
What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales here?
If you respect them, best to take them up.
Nay, I was taken up for laying them down.
I see you have a month's mind to them.
Ay, Madam, you may say what sights you see;
Come, come, wilt please you go?
1.2.161Exeunt.