Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Melissa Walter
Not Peer Reviewed

Two Gentlemen of Verona (Modern)

Enter Proteus, Julia.
Proteus
Have patience, gentle Julia.
Julia
I must where is no remedy.
570Proteus
When possibly I can, I will return.
Julia
If you turn not, you will return the sooner.
Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's sake.
[Gives a ring to Proteus.]
Proteus
Why then we'll make exchange;
Here, take you this.
[Gives a ring to Julia.]
575Julia
And seal the bargain with a holy kiss.
[They kiss.]
Proteus
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
580Torment 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 then I should.
Julia, farewell. [Exit Julia]
What, gone without a word?
585Ay, so true love should do. It cannot speak,
For truth hath better deeds than words to grace it.
[Enter Pantino.]
Pantino
Sir Proteus, you are stayed for.
Proteus
Go, I come, I come.
Alas, this parting strikes poor lovers dumb.
590Exeunt.