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  • Title: Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folio 1, 1623)

    • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folio 1, 1623)

    THE Two Gentlemen of Verona.
    1 Actus primus, Scena prima.
    Valentine: Protheus, and Speed.
    Valentine.
    CEease to perswade, my louing Protheus;
    5Home-keeping youth, haue euer homely wits,
    Wer't not affection chaines thy tender dayes
    To the sweet glaunces of thy honour'd Loue,
    I rather would entreat thy company,
    To see the wonders of the world abroad,
    10Then (liuing dully sluggardiz'd at home)
    Weare out thy youth with shapelesse idlenesse.
    But since thou lou'st; loue still, and thriue therein,
    Euen as I would, when I to loue begin.
    Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine adew,
    15Thinke on thy Protheus, when thou (hap'ly) seest
    Some rare note-worthy obiect in thy trauaile.
    Wish me partaker in thy happinesse,
    When thou do'st meet good hap; and in thy danger,
    (If euer danger doe enuiron thee)
    20Commend thy grieuance to my holy prayers,
    For I will be thy beades-man, Valentine.
    Val. And on a loue-booke pray for my successe?
    Pro. Vpon some booke I loue, I'le pray for thee.
    Val. That's on some shallow Storie of deepe loue,
    25How yong Leander crost the Hellespont.
    Pro. That's a deepe Storie, of a deeper loue,
    For he was more then ouer-shooes in loue.
    Val. 'Tis true; for you are ouer-bootes in loue,
    And yet you neuer swom the Hellespont.
    30Pro. Ouer the Bootes? nay giue me not the Boots.
    Val. No, I will not; for it boots thee not.
    Pro. What?
    Val. To be in loue; where scorne is bought with(grones:
    Coy looks, with hart-sore sighes: one fading moments (mirth,
    35With twenty watchfull, weary, tedious nights;
    If hap'ly won, perhaps a haplesse gaine;
    If lost, why then a grieuous labour won;
    How euer: but a folly bought with wit,
    Or else a wit, by folly vanquished.
    40Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me foole.
    Val. So, by your circumstance, I feare you'll proue.
    Pro. 'Tis Loue you cauill at, I am not Loue.
    Val. Loue is your master, for he masters you;
    And he that is so yoked by a foole,
    45Me thinkes should not be chronicled for wise.
    Pro. Yet Writers say; as in the sweetest Bud,
    The eating Canker dwels; so eating Loue
    Inhabits in the finest wits of all.
    Val. And Writers say; as the most forward Bud
    50Is eaten by the Canker ere it blow,
    Euen so by Loue, the yong, and tender wit
    Is turn'd to folly, blasting in the Bud,
    Loosing his verdure, euen in the prime,
    And all the faire effects of future hopes.
    55But wherefore waste I time to counsaile thee
    That art a votary to fond desire?
    Once more adieu: my Father at the Road
    Expects my comming, there to see me ship'd.
    Pro. And thither will I bring thee Valentine.
    60 Val. Sweet Protheus, no: Now let vs take our leaue:
    To Millaine let me heare from thee by Letters
    Of thy successe in loue; and what newes else
    Betideth here in absence of thy Friend:
    And I likewise will visite thee with mine.
    65Pro. All happinesse bechance to thee in Millaine.
    Val. As much to you at home: and so farewell. Exit.
    Pro. He after Honour hunts, I after Loue;
    He leaues his friends, to dignifie them more;
    I loue my selfe, my friends, and all for loue:
    70Thou Iulia, thou hast metamorphis'd me:
    Made me neglect my Studies, loose my time;
    Warre with good counsaile; set the world at nought;
    Made Wit with musing, weake; hart sick with thought.
    Sp. Sir Protheus: 'saue you: saw you my Master?
    75 Pro. But now he parted hence to embarque for Millain.
    Sp. Twenty to one then, he is ship'd already,
    And I haue plaid the Sheepe in loosing him.
    Pro. Indeede a Sheepe doth very often stray,
    And if the Shepheard be awhile away.
    80 Sp. You conclude that my Master is a Shepheard then,
    and I Sheepe?
    Pro. I doe.
    Sp. Why then my hornes are his hornes, whether I
    wake or sleepe.
    85Pro. A silly answere, and fitting well a Sheepe.
    Sp. This proues me still a Sheepe.
    Pro. True: and thy Master a Shepheard.
    Sp. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance.
    Pro. It shall goe hard but ile proue it by another.
    90 Sp. The Shepheard seekes the Sheepe, and not the
    Sheepe the Shepheard; but I seeke my Master, and my
    Master seekes not me: therefore I am no Sheepe.
    Pro. The Sheepe for fodder follow the Shepheard,
    the Shepheard for foode followes not the Sheepe: thou
    95for wages followest thy Master, thy Master for wages
    followes not thee: therefore thou art a Sheepe.
    Sp. Such another proofe will make me cry baâ.
    Pro. But do'st thou heare: gau'st thou my Letter
    to Iulia?
    The two Gentlemen of Verona. 21
    100 Sp. I Sir: I (a lost-Mutton) gaue your Letter to her
    (a lac'd-Mutton) and she (a lac'd-Mutton) gaue mee (a
    lost-Mutton) nothing for my labour.
    Pro. Here's too small a Pasture for such store of
    Muttons.
    105 Sp. If the ground be ouer-charg'd, you were best
    sticke her.
    Pro. Nay, in that you are astray: 'twere best pound
    you.
    Sp. Nay Sir, lesse then a pound shall serue me for car-
    110rying your Letter.
    Pro. You mistake; I meane the pound, a Pinfold.
    Sp. From a pound to a pin? fold it ouer and ouer,
    'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your louer
    Pro. But what said she?
    115Sp.I.
    Pro. Nod-I, why that's noddy.
    Sp. You mistooke Sir: I say she did nod;
    And you aske me if she did nod, and I say I.
    Pro. And that set together is noddy.
    120 Sp. Now you haue taken the paines to set it toge-
    ther, take it for your paines.
    Pro. No, no, you shall haue it for bearing the letter.
    Sp. Well, I perceiue I must be faine to beare with you.
    Pro. Why Sir, how doe you beare with me?
    125Sp. Marry Sir, the letter very orderly,
    Hauing nothing but the word noddy for my paines.
    Pro. Beshrew me, but you haue a quicke wit.
    Sp. And yet it cannot ouer-take your slow purse.
    Pro. Come, come, open the matter in briefe; what
    130said she.
    Sp. Open your purse, that the money, and the matter
    may be both at once deliuered.
    Pro. Well Sir: here is for your paines: what said she?
    Sp. Truely Sir, I thinke you'll hardly win her.
    135 Pro. Why? could'st thou perceiue so much from her?
    Sp. Sir, I could perceiue nothing at all from her;
    No, not so much as a ducket for deliuering your letter:
    And being so hard to me, that brought your minde;
    I feare she'll proue as hard to you in telling your minde.
    140Giue her no token but stones, for she's as hard as steele.
    Pro. What said she, nothing?
    Sp. No, not so much as take this for thy pains:
    To testifie your bounty, I thank you, you haue cestern'd (me;
    In requital whereof, henceforth, carry your letters your
    145selfe; And so Sir, I'le commend you to my Master.
    Pro. Go, go, be gone, to saue your Ship from wrack,
    Which cannot perish hauing thee aboarde,
    Being destin'd to a drier death on shore:
    I must goe send some better Messenger,
    150I feare my Iulia would not daigne my lines,
    Receiuing them from such a worthlesse post. Exit.
    Scoena Secunda.
    Enter Iulia and Lucetta.
    Iul. But say Lucetta (now we are alone)
    155Would'st thou then counsaile me to fall in loue?
    Luc. I Madam, so you stumble not vnheedfully.
    Iul. Of all the faire resort of Gentlemen,
    That euery day with par'le encounter me,
    In thy opinion which is worthiest loue?
    160 Lu. Please you repeat their names, ile shew my minde,
    According to my shallow simple skill.
    Iu. What thinkst thou of the faire sir Eglamoure?
    Lu. As of a Knight, well-spoken, neat, and fine;
    But were I you, he neuer should be mine.
    165Iu. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio?
    Lu. Well of his wealth; but of himselfe, so, so.
    Iu. What think'st thou of the gentle Protheus?
    Lu. Lord, Lord: to see what folly raignes in vs.
    Iu. How now? what meanes this passion at his name?
    170Lu. Pardon deare Madam, 'tis a passing shame,
    That I (vnworthy body as I am)
    Should censure thus on louely Gentlemen.
    Iu. Why not on Protheus, as of all the rest?
    Lu. Then thus: of many good, I thinke him best.
    175Iul. Your reason?
    Lu. I haue no other but a womans reason:
    I thinke him so, because I thinke him so.
    Iul. And would'st thou haue me cast my loue on him?
    Lu. I: if you thought your loue not cast away.
    180Iul. Why he, of all the rest, hath neuer mou'd me.
    Lu. Yet he, of all the rest, I thinke best loues ye.
    Iul. His little speaking, shewes his loue but small.
    Lu. Fire that's closest kept, burnes most of all.
    Iul. They doe not loue, that doe not shew their loue.
    185Lu. Oh, they loue least, that let men know their loue.
    Iul. I would I knew his minde.
    Lu. Peruse this paper Madam.
    Iul. To Iulia: say, from whom?
    Lu. That the Contents will shew.
    190Iul. Say, say: who gaue it thee?
    Lu. Sir Valentines page: & sent I think from Protheus;
    He would haue giuen it you, but I being in the way,
    Did in your name receiue it: pardon the fault I pray.
    Iul. Now (by my modesty) a goodly Broker:
    195Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines?
    To whisper, and conspire against my youth?
    Now trust me, 'tis an office of great worth,
    And you an officer fit for the place:
    There: take the paper: see it be return'd,
    200Or else returne no more into my sight.
    Lu. To plead for loue, deserues more fee, then hate.
    Iul. Will ye be gon?
    Lu. That you may ruminate. Exit.
    Iul. And yet I would I had ore-look'd the Letter>;
    205It were a shame to call her backe again,
    And pray her to a fault, for which I chid her.
    What 'foole is she, that knowes I am a Maid,
    And would not force the letter to my view?
    Since Maides, in modesty, say no, to that,
    210Which they would haue the profferer construe, I.
    Fie, fie: how way-ward is this foolish loue;
    That (like a testie Babe) will scratch the Nurse,
    And presently, all humbled kisse the Rod?
    How churlishly, I chid Lucetta hence,
    215When willingly, I would haue had her here?
    How angerly I taught my brow to frowne,
    When inward ioy enforc'd my heart to smile?
    My pennance is, to call Lucetta backe
    And aske remission, for my folly past.
    220What hoe: Lucetta.
    Lu. What would your Ladiship?
    Iul. Is't neere dinner time?
    Lu. I would it were,
    That you might kill your stomacke on your meat,
    And
    22 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
    225And not vpon your Maid.
    Iu. What is't that you
    Tooke vp so gingerly?
    Lu. Nothing.
    Iu. Why didst thou stoope then?
    230Lu. To take a paper vp, that I let fall.
    Iul. And is that paper nothing?
    Lu. Nothing concerning me.
    Iul. Then let it lye, for those that it concernes.
    Lu. Madam, it will not lye where it concernes,
    235Vnlesse it haue a false Interpreter.
    Iul. Some loue of yours, hath writ to you in Rime.
    Lu. That I might sing it (Madam) to a tune:
    Giue me a Note, your Ladiship can set
    Iul. As little by such toyes, as may be possible:
    240Best sing it to the tune of Light O, Loue.
    Lu. It is too heauy for so light a tune.
    Iu. Heauy? belike it hath some burden then?
    Lu. I: and melodious were it, would you sing it,
    Iu. And why not you?
    245Lu. I cannot reach so high.
    Iu. Let's see your Song:
    How now Minion?
    Lu. Keepe tune there still; so you will sing it out:
    And yet me thinkes I do not like this tune.
    250Iu. You doe not?
    Lu. No (Madam) tis too sharpe.
    Iu. You (Minion) are too saucie.
    Lu. Nay, now you are too flat;
    And marre the concord, with too harsh a descant:
    255There wanteth but a Meane to fill your Song.
    Iu. The meane is dround with you vnruly base.
    Lu. Indeede I bid the base for Protheus.
    Iu. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me;
    Here is a coile with protestation:
    260Goe, get you gone: and let the papers lye:
    You would be fingring them, to anger me.
    Lu. She makes it strāge, but she would be best pleas'd
    To be so angred with another Letter.
    Iu. Nay, would I were so angred with the same:
    265Oh hatefull hands, to teare such louing words;
    Iniurious Waspes, to feede on such sweet hony,
    And kill the Bees that yeelde it, with your stings;
    Ile kisse each seuerall paper, for amends:
    Looke, here is writ, kinde Iulia: vnkinde Iulia,
    270As in reuenge of thy ingratitude,
    I throw thy name against the bruzing-stones,
    Trampling contemptuously on thy disdaine.
    And here is writ, Loue wounded Protheus.
    Poore wounded name: my bosome, as a bed,
    275Shall lodge thee till thy wound be throughly heal'd;
    And thus I search it with a soueraigne kisse.
    But twice, or thrice, was Protheus written downe:
    Be calme (good winde) blow not a word away,
    Till I haue found each letter, in the Letter,
    280Except mine own name: That, some whirle-winde beare
    Vnto a ragged, fearefull, hanging Rocke,
    And throw it thence into the raging Sea.
    Loe, here in one line is his name twice writ:
    Poore forlorne Protheus, passionate Protheus:
    285To the sweet Iulia: that ile teare away:
    And yet I will not, sith so prettily
    He couples it, to his complaining Names;
    Thus will I fold them, one vpon another;
    Now kisse, embrace, contend, doe what you will.
    290 Lu. Madam: dinner is ready: and your father staies.
    Iu. Well, let vs goe.
    Lu. What, shall these papers lye, like Tel-tales here?
    Iu. If you respect them; best to take them vp.
    Lu. Nay, I was taken vp, for laying them downe.
    295Yet here they shall not lye, for catching cold.
    Iu. I see you haue a months minde to them.
    Lu. I (Madam) you may say what sights you see;
    I see things too, although you iudge I winke.
    Iu. Come, come, wilt please you goe. Exeunt.
    300 Scoena Tertia.
    Enter Antonio and Panthino. Protheus.
    Ant. Tell me Panthino, what sad talke was that,
    Wherewith my brother held you in the Cloyster?
    Pan. 'Twas of his Nephew Protheus, your Sonne.
    305Ant. Why? what of him?
    Pan. He wondred that your Lordship
    Would suffer him, to spend his youth at home,
    While other men, of slender reputation
    Put forth their Sonnes, to seeke preferment out.
    310Some to the warres, to try their fortune there;
    Some, to discouer Islands farre away:
    Some, to the studious Vniuersities;
    For any, or for all these exercises,
    He said, that Protheus, your sonne, was meet;
    315And did request me, to importune you
    To let him spend his time no more at home;
    Which would be great impeachment to his age,
    In hauing knowne no trauaile in his youth.
    Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that
    320Whereon, this month I haue bin hamering.
    I haue consider'd well, his losse of time,
    And how he cannot be a perfect man,
    Not being tryed, and tutord in the world:
    Experience is by industry atchieu'd,
    325And perfected by the swift course of time:
    Then tell me, whether were I best to send him?
    Pan. I thinke your Lordship is not ignorant
    How his companion, youthfull Valentine,
    Attends the Emperour in his royall Court.
    330Ant. I know it well.
    Pan. 'Twere good, I thinke, your Lordship sent him(thither,
    There shall he practise Tilts, and Turnaments;
    Heare sweet discourse, conuerse with Noble-men,
    And be in eye of euery Exercise
    335Worthy his youth, and noblenesse of birth.
    Ant. I like thy counsaile: well hast thou aduis'd:
    And that thou maist perceiue how well I like it,
    The execution of it shall make knowne;
    Euen with the speediest expedition,
    340I will dispatch him to the Emperors Court.
    Pan. To morrow, may it please you, Don Alphonso,
    With other Gentlemen of good esteeme
    Are iournying, to salute the Emperor,
    And to commend their seruice to his will.
    345 Ant. Good company: with them shall Protheus go:
    And in good time: now will we breake with him.
    Pro. Sweet Loue, sweet lines, sweet life,
    Here is her hand, the agent of her heart;
    Here is her oath for loue, her honors paune;
    O
    The two Gentlemen of Verona. 23
    350O that our Fathers would applaud our loues
    To seale our happinesse with their consents.
    Pro. Oh heauenly Iulia.
    Ant. How now? What Letter are you reading there?
    Pro. May't please your Lordship, 'tis a word or two
    355Of commendations sent from Valentine;
    Deliuer'd by a friend, that came from him.
    Ant. Lend me the Letter: Let me see what newes.
    Pro. There is no newes (my Lord) but that he writes
    How happily he liues, how well-belou'd,
    360And daily graced by the Emperor;
    Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune.
    Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish?
    Pro. As one relying on your Lordships will,
    And not depending on his friendly wish.
    365Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish:
    Muse not that I thus sodainly proceed;
    For what I will, I will, and there an end:
    I am resolu'd, that thou shalt spend some time
    With Valentinus, in the Emperors Court:
    370What maintenance he from his friends receiues,
    Like exhibition thou shalt haue from me,
    To morrow be in readinesse, to goe,
    Excuse it not: for I am peremptory.
    Pro. My Lord I cannot be so soone prouided,
    375Please you deliberate a day or two.
    Ant. Look what thou want'st shal be sent after thee:
    No more of stay: to morrow thou must goe;
    Come on Panthmo; you shall be imployd,
    To hasten on his Expedition.
    380 Pro. Thus haue I shund the fire, for feare of burning,
    And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd.
    I fear'd to shew my Father IuliasLetter,
    Least he should take exceptions to my loue,
    And with the vantage of mine owne excuse
    385Hath he excepted most against my loue.
    Oh, how this spring of loue resembleth
    The vncertaine glory of an Aprill day,
    Which now shewes all the beauty of the Sun,
    And by and by a clowd takes all away.
    390Pan. Sir Protheus, your Fathers call's for you,
    He is in hast, therefore I pray you go.
    Pro. Why this it is: my heart accords thereto,
    And yet a thousand times it answer's no.
    Exeunt. Finis.
    395 Actus secundus: Scoena Prima.
    Enter Valentine, Speed, Siluia.
    Speed. Sir, your Gloue.
    Valen. Not mine: my Gloues are on.
    Sp. Why then this may be yours: for this is but one.
    400Val. Ha? Let me see: I, giue it me, it's mine:
    Sweet Ornament, that deckes a thing diuine,
    Ah Siluia, Siluia.
    Speed. Madam Siluia: Madam Siluia.
    Val. How now Sirha?
    405Speed. Shee is not within hearing Sir.
    Val. Why sir, who bad you call her?
    Speed. Your worship sir, or else I mistooke.
    Val. Well: you'll still be too forward.
    Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being too slow.
    410Val. Goe to, sir, tell me: do you know Madam Siluia?
    Speed. Shee that your worship loues?
    Val. Why, how know you that I am in loue?
    Speed. Marry by these speciall markes: first, you haue
    learn'd (like Sir Protheus) to wreath your Armes like a
    415Male-content: to rellish a Loue-song, like a Robin-red-
    breast: to walke alone like one that had the pestilence:
    to sigh, like a Schoole-boy that had lost his A.B.C. to
    weep like a yong wench that had buried her Grandam:
    to fast, like one that takes diet: to watch, like one that
    420feares robbing: to speake puling, like a beggar at Hal-
    low-Masse: You were wont, when you laughed, to crow
    like a cocke; when you walk'd, to walke like one of the
    Lions: when you fasted, it was presently after dinner:
    when you look'd sadly, it was for want of money: And
    425now you are Metamorphis'd with a Mistris, that when I
    looke on you, I can hardly thinke you my Master.
    Val. Are all these things perceiu'd in me?
    Speed. They are all perceiu'd without ye.
    Val. Without me? they cannot.
    430 Speed. Without you? nay, that's certaine: for with-
    out 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 Vrinall: that
    not an eye that sees you, but is a Physician to comment
    435on your Malady.
    Val. But tell me: do'st thou know my Lady Siluia?
    Speed. Shee that you gaze on so, as she sits at supper?
    Val. Hast thou obseru'd that? euen she I meane.
    Speed. Why sir, I know her not.
    440 Val. Do'st thou know her by my gazing on her, and
    yet know'st her not?
    Speed. Is she not hard-fauour'd, sir?
    Val. Not so faire (boy) as well fauour'd.
    Speed. Sir, I know that well enough.
    445Val. What dost thou know?
    Speed. That shee is not so faire, as (of you) well-fa-
    uourd?
    Val. I meane that her beauty is exquisite,
    But her fauour infinite.
    450 Speed. That's because the one is painted, and the o-
    ther out of all count.
    Val. How painted? and how out of count?
    Speed. Marry sir, so painted to make her faire, that no
    man counts of her beauty.
    455 Val. How esteem'st thou me? I account of her beauty.
    Speed. You neuer saw her since she was deform'd.
    Val. How long hath she beene deform'd?
    Speed. Euer since you lou'd her.
    Val. I haue lou'd her euer since I saw her,
    460And still I see her beautifull.
    Speed. If you loue her, you cannot see her.
    Val. Why?
    Speed. Because Loue is blinde: O that you had mine
    eyes, or your owne eyes had the lights they were wont
    465to haue, when you chidde at Sir Protheus, for going vn-
    garter'd.
    Val. What should I see then?
    Speed. Your owne present folly, and her passing de-
    formitie: for hee beeing in loue, could not see to garter
    470his hose; and you, beeing in loue, cannot see to put on
    your hose.
    Val. Belike (boy) then you are in loue, for last mor-(ning
    You could not see to wipe my shooes.
    Speed. True sir: I was in loue with my bed, I thanke
    475you, you swing'd me for my loue, which makes mee the
    bolder
    24 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
    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.
    480Val. Last night she enioyn'd me,
    To write some lines to one she loues.
    Speed. And haue you?
    Val. I haue.
    Speed. Are they not lamely writt?
    485Val. No (Boy) but as well as I can do them:
    Peace, here she comes.
    Speed. Oh excellent motion; oh exceeding Puppet:
    Now will he interpret to her.
    Val. Madam & Mistres, a thousand good-morrows.
    490Speed. Oh, 'giue ye-good-ev'n: heer's a million of
    manners.
    Sil. Sir Valentine, and seruant, to you two thousand.
    Speed. He should giue her interest: & she giues it him.
    Val. As you inioynd me; I haue writ your Letter
    495Vnto the secret, nameles friend of yours:
    Which I was much vnwilling to proceed in,
    But for my duty to your Ladiship.
    Sil. I thanke you (gentle Seruant) 'tis very Clerkly-(done.
    Val. Now trust me (Madam) it came hardly-off:
    500For being ignorant to whom it goes,
    I writ at randome, very doubtfully.
    Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains?
    Val. No (Madam) so it steed you, I will write
    (Please you command) a thousand times as much:
    505And yet ---
    Sil. A pretty period: well: I ghesse the sequell;
    And yet I will not name it: and yet I care not.
    And yet, take this againe: and yet I thanke you:
    Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more.
    510Speed. And yet you will: and yet, another yet.
    Val. What meanes your Ladiship?
    Doe you not like it?
    Sil. Yes, yes: the lines are very queintly writ,
    But (since vnwillingly) take them againe.
    515Nay, take them.
    Val. Madam, they are for you.
    Silu. I, I: you writ them Sir, at my request,
    But I will none of them: they are for you:
    I would haue had them writ more mouingly:
    520Val. Please you, Ile write your Ladiship another.
    Sil. And when it's writ: for my sake read it ouer,
    And if it please you, so: if not: why so:
    Val. If it please me, (Madam?) what then?
    Sil. Why if it please you, take it for your labour;
    525And so good-morrow Seruant. Exit. Sil.
    Speed. Oh Iest vnseene: inscrutible: inuisible,
    As a nose on a mans face, or a Wethercocke on a steeple:
    My Master sues to her: and she hath taught her Sutor,
    He being her Pupill, to become her Tutor.
    530Oh excellent deuise, was there euer heard a better?
    That my master being scribe,
    To himselfe should write the Letter?
    Val. How now Sir?
    What are you reasoning with your selfe?
    535 Speed. Nay: I was riming: 'tis you yt haue the reason.
    Val. To doe what?
    Speed. To be a Spokes-man from Madam Siluia.
    Val. To whom?
    Speed. To your selfe: why, she woes you by a figure.
    540Val. What figure?
    Speed. By a Letter, I should say.
    Val. Why she hath not writ to me?
    Speed. What need she,
    When shee hath made you write to your selfe?
    545Why, doe you not perceiue the iest?
    Val. No, beleeue me.
    Speed. No beleeuing you indeed sir:
    But did you perceiue her earnest?
    Val. She gaue me none, except an angry word.
    550Speed. Why she hath giuen you a Letter.
    Val. That's the Letter I writ to her friend.
    Speed. And yt letter hath she deliuer'd, & there an end.
    Val. I would it were no worse.
    Speed. Ile warrant you, 'tis as well:
    555For often haue you writ to her: and she in modesty,
    Or else for want of idle time, could not againe reply,
    Or fearing els some messēger, yt might her mind discouer
    Her self hath taught her Loue himself, to write vnto her(louer.
    All this I speak in print, for in print I found it.
    560Why muse you sir, 'tis dinner time.
    Val. I haue dyn'd.
    Speed. I, but hearken sir: though the Cameleon Loue
    can feed on the ayre, I am one that am nourish'd by my
    victuals; and would faine haue meate: oh bee not like
    565your Mistresse, be moued, be moued. Exeunt.
    Scoena secunda.
    Enter Protheus, Iulia, Panthion.
    Pro. Haue patience, gentle Iulia:
    Iul. I must where is no remedy.
    570Pro. When possibly I can, I will returne.
    Iul. If you turne not: you will return the sooner:
    Keepe this remembrance for thy Iulia's sake.
    Pro. Why then wee'll make exchange;
    Here, take you this.
    575Iul. And seale the bargaine with a holy kisse.
    Pro. Here is my hand, for my true constancie:
    And when that howre ore-slips me in the day,
    Wherein I sigh not (Iulia) for thy sake,
    The next ensuing howre, some foule mischance
    580Torment me for my Loues forgetfulnesse:
    My father staies my comming: answere not:
    The tide is now; nay, not thy tide of teares,
    That tide will stay me longer then I should,
    Iulia, farewell: what, gon without a word?
    585I, so true loue should doe: it cannot speake,
    For truth hath better deeds, then words to grace it.
    Panth. Sir Protheus: you are staid for.
    Pro. Goe: I come, I come:
    Alas, this parting strikes poore Louers dumbe.
    590 Exeunt.
    Scoena Tertia.
    Enter Launce, Panthion.
    Launce. Nay, 'twill bee this howre ere I haue done
    weeping: all the kinde of the Launces, haue this very
    595fault: I haue receiu'd my proportion, like the prodigious
    sonne,
    The two Gentlemen of Verona. 25
    Sonne, and am going with Sir Protheus to the Imperialls
    Court: I thinke Crab mydog, be the sowrest natured
    dogge that liues: My Mother weeping: my Father
    wayling: my Sister crying: our Maid howling: our
    600Catte wringing her hands, and all our house in a great
    perplexitie, yet did not this cruell-hearted Curre shedde
    one teare: he is a stone, a very pibble stone, and has no
    more pitty in him then a dogge: a Iew would haue wept
    to haue seene our parting: why my Grandam hauing
    605no eyes, looke you, wept her selfe blinde at my parting:
    nay, Ile shew you the manner of it. This shooe is my fa-
    ther: no, this left shooe is my father; no, no, this left
    shooe is my mother: nay, that cannot bee so neyther:
    yes; it is so, it is so: it hath the worser sole: this shooe
    610with the hole in it, is my mother: and this my father:
    a veng'ance on't, there 'tis: Now sir, this staffe is my si-
    ster: for, looke you, she is as white as a lilly, and as
    small as a wand: this hat is Nan our maid: I am the
    dogge: no, the dogge is himselfe, and I am the dogge:
    615oh, the dogge is me, and I am my selfe: I; so, so: now
    come I to my Father; Father, your blessing: now
    should not the shooe speake a word for weeping:
    now should I kisse my Father; well, hee weepes on:
    Now come I to my Mother: Oh that she could speake
    620now, like a would-woman: well, I kisse her: why
    there 'tis; heere's my mothers breath vp and downe:
    Now come I to my sister; marke the moane she makes:
    now the dogge all this while sheds not a teare: nor
    speakes a word: but see how I lay the dust with my
    625teares.
    Panth. Launce, away, away: a Boord: thy Master is
    ship'd, and thou art to post after with oares; what's the
    matter? why weep'st thou man? away asse, you'l loose
    the Tide, if you tarry any longer.
    630 Laun. It is no matter if the tide were lost, for it is the
    vnkindest Tide, that euer any man tide.
    Panth. What's the vnkindest tide?
    Lau. Why, he that's tide here, Crab my dog.
    Pant. Tut, man: I meane thou'lt loose the flood, and
    635in loosing the flood, loose thy voyage, and in loosing thy
    voyage, loose thy Master, and in loosing thy Master,
    loose thy seruice, and in loosing thy seruice: --- why
    dost thou stop my mouth?
    Laun. For feare thou shouldst loose thy tongue.
    640Panth. Where should I loose my tongue?
    Laun. In thy Tale.
    Panth. In thy Taile.
    Laun. Loose the Tide, and the voyage, and the Ma-
    ster, and the Seruice, and the tide: why man, if the Riuer
    645were drie, I am able to fill it with my teares: if the winde
    were downe, I could driue the boate with my sighes.
    Panth. Come: come away man, I was sent to call
    thee.
    Lau. Sir: call me what thou dar'st.
    650Pant. Wilt thou goe?
    Laun. Well, I will goe.
    Exeunt.
    Scena Quarta.
    Enter Valentine, Siluia, Thurio, Speed, Duke, Protheus.
    655Sil. Seruant.
    Val. Mistris.
    Spee. Master, Sir Thurio frownes on you.
    Val. I Boy, it's for loue.
    Spee. Not of you.
    660Val. Of my Mistresse then.
    Spee. 'Twere good you knockt him.
    Sil. Seruant, you are sad.
    Val. Indeed, Madam, I seeme so.
    Thu. Seeme you that you are not?
    665Val. Hap'ly I doe.
    Thu. So doe Counterfeyts.
    Val. So doe you.
    Thu. What seeme I that I am not?
    Val. Wise.
    670Thu. What instance of the contrary?
    Val. Your folly.
    Thu. And how quoat you my folly?
    Val. I quoat it in your Ierkin.
    Thu. My Ierkin is a doublet.
    675Val. Well then, Ile double your folly.
    Thu. How?
    Sil. What, angry, Sir Thurio, do you change colour?
    Val. Giue him leaue, Madam, he is a kind of Camelion.
    Thu. That hath more minde to feed on your bloud,
    680then liue in your ayre.
    Val. You haue said Sir.
    Thu. I Sir, and done too for this time.
    Val. I know it wel sir, you alwaies end ere you begin.
    Sil. A fine volly of words, gentlemē, & quickly shot off
    685Val. 'Tis indeed, Madam, we thank the giuer.
    Sil. Who is that Seruant?
    Val. Your selfe (sweet Lady) for you gaue the fire,
    Sir Thurio borrows his wit from your Ladiships lookes,
    And spends what he borrowes kindly in your company.
    690Thu. Sir, if you spend word for word with me, I shall
    make your wit bankrupt.
    Val. I know it well sir: you haue an Exchequer of (words,
    And I thinke, no other treasure to giue your followers:
    For it appeares by their bare Liueries
    695That they liue by your bare words.
    Sil. No more, gentlemen, no more:
    Here comes my father.
    Duk. Now, daughter Siluia, you are hard beset.
    Sir Valentine, your father is in good health,
    700What say you to a Letter from your friends
    Of much good newes?
    Val. My Lord, I will be thankfull,
    To any happy messenger from thence.
    Duk. Know ye Don Antonio, your Countriman?
    705Val. I, my good Lord, I know the Gentleman
    To be of worth, and worthy estimation,
    And not without desert so well reputed.
    Duk. Hath he not a Sonne?
    Val. I, my good Lord, a Son, that well deserues
    710The honor, and regard of such a father.
    Duk. You know him well?
    Val. I knew him as my selfe: for from our Infancie
    We haue conuerst, and spent our howres together,
    And though my selfe haue beene an idle Trewant,
    715Omitting the sweet benefit of time
    To cloath mine age with Angel-like perfection:
    Yet hath Sir Protheus (for that's his name)
    Made vse, and faire aduantage of his daies:
    His yeares but yong, but his experience old:
    720His head vn-mellowed, but his Iudgement ripe;
    And in a word (for far behinde his worth
    Comes all the praises that I now bestow.)
    C He
    26 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
    He is compleat in feature, and in minde,
    With all good grace, to grace a Gentleman.
    725Duk. Beshrew me sir, but if he make this good
    He is as worthy for an Empresse loue,
    As meet to be an Emperors Councellor:
    Well, Sir: this Gentleman is come to me
    With Commendation from great Potentates,
    730And heere he meanes to spend his time a while,
    I thinke 'tis no vn-welcome newes to you.
    Val. Should I haue wish'd a thing, it had beene he.
    Duk. Welcome him then according to his worth:
    Siluia, I speake to you, and you Sir Thurio,
    735For Valentine, I need not cite him to it,
    I will send him hither to you presently.
    Val. This is the Gentleman I told your Ladiship
    Had come along with me, but that his Mistresse
    Did hold his eyes, lockt in her Christall lookes.
    740Sil. Be-like that now she hath enfranchis'd them
    Vpon some other pawne for fealty.
    Val. Nay sure, I thinke she holds them prisoners stil.
    Sil. Nay then he should be blind, and being blind
    How could he see his way to seeke out you?
    745Val. Why Lady, Loue hath twenty paire of eyes.
    Thur. They say that Loue hath not an eye at all.
    Val. To see such Louers, Thurio, as your selfe,
    Vpon a homely obiect, Loue can winke.
    Sil. Haue done, haue done: here comes ye gentleman.
    750Val. Welcome, deer Protheus: Mistris, I beseech you
    Confirme his welcome, with some speciall fauor.
    Sil. His worth is warrant for his welcome hether,
    If this be he you oft haue wish'd to heare from.
    Val. Mistris, it is: sweet Lady, entertaine him
    755To be my fellow-seruant to your Ladiship.
    Sil. Too low a Mistres for so high a seruant.
    Pro. Not so, sweet Lady, but too meane a seruant
    To haue a looke of such a worthy a Mistresse.
    Val. Leaue off discourse of disabilitie:
    760Sweet Lady, entertaine him for your Seruant.
    Pro. My dutie will I boast of, nothing else.
    Sil. And dutie neuer yet did want his meed.
    Seruant, you are welcome to a worthlesse Mistresse.
    Pro. Ile die on him that saies so but your selfe.
    765Sil. That you are welcome?
    Pro. That you are worthlesse.
    Thur. Madam, my Lord your father wold speak with (you.
    Sil. I wait vpon his pleasure: Come Sir Thurio,
    Goe with me: once more, new Seruant welcome;
    770Ile leaue you to confer of home affaires,
    When you haue done, we looke too heare from you.
    Pro. Wee'll both attend vpon your Ladiship.
    Val. Now tell me: how do al from whence you came?
    Pro. Your frends are wel, & haue thē much cōmended.
    775Val. And how doe yours?
    Pro. I left them all in health.
    Val. How does your Lady? & how thriues your loue?
    Pro. My tales of Loue were wont to weary you,
    I know you ioy not in a Loue-discourse.
    780Val. I Protheus, but that life is alter'd now,
    I haue done pennance for contemning Loue,
    Whose high emperious thoughts haue punish'd me
    With bitter fasts, with penitentiall grones,
    With nightly teares, and daily hart-sore sighes,
    785For in reuenge of my contempt of loue,
    Loue hath chas'd sleepe from my enthralled eyes,
    And made them watchers of mine owne hearts sorrow.
    O gentle Protheus, Loue's a mighty Lord,
    And hath so humbled me, as I confesse
    790There is no woe to his correction,
    Nor to his Seruice, no such ioy on earth:
    Now, no discourse, except it be of loue:
    Now can I breake my fast, dine, sup, and sleepe,
    Vpon the very naked name of Loue.
    795Pro. Enough; I read your fortune in your eye:
    Was this the Idoll, that you worship so?
    Val. Euen She; and is she not a heauenly Saint?
    Pro. No; But she is an earthly Paragon.
    Val. Call her diuine.
    800Pro. I will not flatter her.
    Val. O flatter me: for Loue delights in praises.
    Pro. When I was sick, you gaue me bitter pils,
    And I must minister the like to you.
    Val. Then speake the truth by her; if not diuine,
    805Yet let her be a principalitie,
    Soueraigne to all the Creatures on the earth.
    Pro. Except my Mistresse.
    Val. Sweet: except not any,
    Except thou wilt except against my Loue.
    810Pro. Haue I not reason to prefer mine owne?
    Val. And I will help thee to prefer her to:
    Shee shall be dignified with this high honour,
    To beare my Ladies traine, lest the base earth
    Should from her vesture chance to steale a kisse,
    815And of so great a fauor growing proud,
    Disdaine to roote the Sommer-swelling flowre,
    And make rough winter euerlastingly.
    Pro. Why Valentine, what Bragadisme is this?
    Val. Pardon me (Protheus) all I can is nothing,
    820To her, whose worth, make other worthies nothing;
    Shee is alone.
    Pro. Then let her alone.
    Val. Not for the world: why man, she is mine owne,
    And I as rich in hauing such a Iewell
    825As twenty Seas, if all their sand were pearle,
    The water, Nectar, and the Rocks pure gold.
    Forgiue me, that I doe not dreame on thee,
    Because thou seest me doate vpon my loue:
    My foolish Riuall that her Father likes
    830(Onely for his possessions are so huge)
    Is gone with her along, and I must after,
    For Loue (thou know'st is full of iealousie.)
    Pro. But she loues you?
    Val. I, and we are betroathd: nay more, our mariage (howre,
    835With all the cunning manner of our flight
    Determin'd of: how I must climbe her window,
    The Ladder made of Cords, and all the means
    Plotted, and 'greed on for my happinesse.
    Good Protheus goe with me to my chamber,
    840In these affaires to aid me with thy counsaile.
    Pro. Goe on before: I shall enquire you forth:
    I must vnto the Road, to dis-embarque
    Some necessaries, that I needs must vse,
    And then Ile presently attend you.
    845Val. Will you make haste? Exit.
    Pro. I will.
    Euen as one heate, another heate expels,
    Or as one naile, by strength driues out another.
    So the remembrance of my former Loue
    850Is by a newer obiect quite forgotten,
    It is mine, or Valentines praise?
    Her true perfection, or my false transgression?
    That makes me reasonlesse, to reason thus?
    Shee is faire: and so is Iulia that I loue,
    (That
    The two Gentlemen of Verona. 27
    855(That I did loue, for now my loue is thaw'd,
    Which like a waxen Image 'gainst a fire
    Beares no impression of the thing it was.)
    Me thinkes my zeale to Valentine is cold,
    And that I loue him not as I was wont:
    860O, but I loue his Lady too-too much,
    And that's the reason I loue him so little.
    How shall I doate on her with more aduice,
    That thus without aduice begin to loue her?
    'Tis but her picture I haue yet beheld,
    865And that hath dazel'd my reasons light:
    But when I looke on her perfections,
    There is no reason, but I shall be blinde.
    If I can checke my erring loue, I will,
    If not, to compasse her Ile vse my skill.
    870 Exeunt.
    Scena Quinta.
    Enter Speed and Launce.
    Speed. Launce, by mine honesty welcome to Padua.
    Laun. Forsweare not thy selfe, sweet youth, for I am
    875not welcome. I reckon this alwaies, that a man is neuer
    vndon till hee be hang'd, nor neuer welcome to a place,
    till some certaine shot be paid, and the Hostesse say wel-
    come.
    Speed. Come-on you mad-cap: Ile to the Ale-house
    880with you presently; where, for one shot of fiue pence,
    thou shalt haue fiue thousand welcomes: But sirha, how
    did thy Master part with Madam Iulia?
    Lau. Marry after they cloas'd in earnest, they parted
    very fairely in iest.
    885Spee. But shall she marry him?
    Lau. No.
    Spee. How then? shall he marry her?
    Lau. No, neither.
    Spee. What, are they broken?
    890Lau. No; they are both as whole as a fish.
    Spee. Why then, how stands the matter with them?
    Lau. Marry thus, when it stands well with him, it
    stands well with her.
    Spee. What an asse art thou, I vnderstand thee not.
    895Lau. What a blocke art thou, that thou canst not?
    My staffe vnderstands me?
    Spee. What thou saist?
    Lau. I, and what I do too: looke thee, Ile but leane,
    and my staffe vnderstands me.
    900Spee. It stands vnder thee indeed.
    Lau. Why, stand-vnder: and vnder-stand is all one.
    Spee. But tell me true, wil't be a match?
    Lau. Aske my dogge, if he say I, it will: if hee say
    no, it will: if hee shake his taile, and say nothing, it
    905will.
    Spee. The conclusion is then, that it will.
    Lau. Thou shalt neuer get such a secret from me, but
    by a parable.
    Spee. 'Tis well that I get it so: but Launce, how saist
    910thou that that my mastre is become a notable Louer?
    Lau. I neuer knew him otherwise.
    Spee. Then how?
    Lau. A notable Lubber: as thou reportest him to
    bee.
    915Spee. Why, thou whorson Asse, thou mistak'st me,
    Lau. Why Foole, I meant not thee, I meant thy
    Master.
    Spee. I tell thee, my Master is become a hot Louer.
    Lau. Why, I tell thee, I care not, though hee burne
    920himselfe in Loue. If thou wilt goe with me to the Ale-
    house: if not, thou art an Hebrew, a Iew, and not worth
    the name of a Christian.
    Spee. Why?
    Lau. Because thou hast not so much charity in thee as
    925to goe to the Ale with a Christian: Wilt thou goe?
    Spee. At thy seruice.
    Exeunt.
    Scoena Sexta.
    Enter Protheus solus.
    930Pro. To leaue my Iulia; shall I be forsworne?
    To loue faire Siluia; shall I be forsworne?
    To wrong my friend, I shall be much forsworne.
    And ev'n that Powre which gaue me first my oath
    Prouokes me to this three-fold periurie.
    935Loue bad mee sweare, and Loue bids me for-sweare;
    O sweet-suggesting Loue, if thou hast sin'd,
    Teach me (thy tempted subiect) to excuse it.
    At first I did adore a twinkling Starre,
    But now I worship a celestiall Sunne:
    940Vn-heedfull vowes may heedfully be broken,
    And he wants wit, that wants resolued will,
    To learne his wit, t'exchange the bad for better;
    Fie, fie, vnreuerend tongue, to call her bad,
    Whose soueraignty so oft thou hast preferd,
    945With twenty thousand soule-confirming oathes.
    I cannot leaue to loue; and yet I doe:
    But there I leaue to loue, where I should loue.
    Iulia I loose, and Valentine I loose,
    If I keepe them, I needs must loose my selfe:
    950If I loose them, thus finde I by their losse,
    For Valentine, my selfe: for Iulia, Siluia.
    I to my selfe am deerer then a friend,
    For Loue is still most precious in it selfe,
    And Siluia (witnesse heauen that made her faire)
    955Shewes Iulia but a swarthy Ethiope.
    I will forget that Iulia is aliue,
    Remembring that my Loue to her is dead.
    And Valentine Ile hold an Enemie,
    Ayming at Siluia as a sweeter friend.
    960I cannot now proue constant to my selfe,
    Without some treachery vs'd to Valentine.
    This night he meaneth with a Corded-ladder
    To climbe celestiall Siluia's chamber window,
    My selfe in counsaile his competitor.
    965Now presently Ile giue her father notice
    Of their disguising and pretended flight:
    Who (all inrag'd) will banish Valentine:
    For Thurio he intends shall wed his daughter,
    But Valentine being gon, Ile quickely crosse
    970By some slie tricke, blunt Thurio's dull proceeding.
    Loue lend me wings, to make my purpose swift
    As thou hast lent me wit, to plot this drift.
    Exit.
    C2 Scoena
    28 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
    Scoena septima.
    975 Enter Iulia and Lucetta.
    Iul. Counsaile, Lucetta, gentle girle assist me,
    And eu'n in kinde loue, I doe coniure thee,
    Who art the Table wherein all my thoughts
    Are visibly Character'd, and engrau'd,
    980To lesson me, and tell me some good meane
    How with my honour I may vndertake
    A iourney to my louing Protheus.
    Luc. Alas, the way is wearisome and long.
    Iul. A true-deuoted Pilgrime is not weary
    985To measure Kingdomes with his feeble steps,
    Much lesse shall she that hath Loues wings to flie,
    And when the flight is made to one so deere,
    Of such diuine perfection as Sir Protheus.
    Luc. Better forbeare, till Protheus make returne.
    990 Iul. Oh, know'st yu not, his looks are my soules food?
    Pitty the dearth that I haue pined in,
    By longing for that food so long a time.
    Didst thou but know the inly touch of Loue,
    Thou wouldst as soone goe kindle fire with snow
    995As seeke to quench the fire of Loue with words.
    Luc. I doe not seeke to quench your Loues hot fire,
    But qualifie the fires extreame rage,
    Lest it should burne aboue the bounds of reason.
    Iul. The more thou dam'st it vp, the more it burnes:
    1000The Current that with gentle murmure glides
    (Thou know'st) being stop'd, impatiently doth rage:
    But when his faire course is not hindered,
    He makes sweet musicke with th' enameld stones,
    Giuing a gentle kisse to euery sedge
    1005He ouer-taketh in his pilgrimage.
    And so by many winding nookes he straies
    With willing sport to the wilde Ocean.
    Then let me goe, and hinder not my course:
    Ile be as patient as a gentle streame,
    1010And make a pastime of each weary step,
    Till the last step haue brought me to my Loue,
    And there Ile rest, as after much turmoile
    A blessed soule doth in Elizium.
    Luc. But in what habit will you goe along?
    1015Iul. Not like a woman, for I would preuent
    The loose encounters of lasciuious men:
    Gentle Lucetta, fit me with such weedes
    As may beseeme some well reputed Page.
    Luc. Why then your Ladiship must cut your haire.
    1020Iul. No girle, Ile knit it vp in silken strings,
    With twentie od-conceited true-loue knots:
    To be fantastique, may become a youth
    Of greater time then I shall shew to be.
    Luc. What fashion (Madam) shall I make your bree-(ches?
    1025Iul. That fits as well, as tell me (good my Lord)
    What compasse will you weare your Farthingale?
    Why eu'n what fashion thou best likes (Lucetta.)
    Luc. You must needs haue thē with a cod-peece (Ma-(dam)
    Iul. Out, out, (Lucetta) that wilbe illfauourd.
    1030 Luc. A round hose (Madam) now's not worth a pin
    Vnlesse you haue a cod-peece to stick pins on.
    Iul. Lucetta, as thou lou'st me let me haue
    What thou think'st meet, and is most mannerly.
    But tell me (wench) how will the world repute me
    1035For vndertaking so vnstaid a iourney?
    I feare me it will make me scandaliz'd.
    Luc. If you thinke so, then stay at home, and go not.
    Iul. Nay, that I will not.
    Luc. Then neuer dreame on Infamy, but go:
    1040If Protheus like your iourney, when you come,
    No matter who's displeas'd, when you are gone:
    I feare me he will scarce be pleas'd with all.
    Iul. That is the least (Lucetta) of my feare:
    A thousand oathes, an Ocean of his teares,
    1045And instances of infinite of Loue,
    Warrant me welcome to my Protheus.
    Luc. All these are seruants to deceitfull men.
    Iul. Base men, that vse them to so base effect;
    But truer starres did gouerne Protheus birth,
    1050His words are bonds, his oathes are oracles,
    His loue sincere, his thoughts immaculate,
    His teares, pure messengers, sent from his heart,
    His heart, as far from fraud, as heauen from earth.
    Luc. Pray heau'n he proue so when you come to him.
    1055Iul. Now, as thou lou'st me, do him not that wrong,
    To beare a hard opinion of his truth:
    Onely deserue my loue, by louing him,
    And presently goe with me to my chamber
    To take a note of what I stand in need of,
    1060To furnish me vpon my longing iourney:
    All that is mine I leaue at thy dispose,
    My goods, my Lands, my reputation,
    Onely, in lieu thereof, dispatch me hence:
    Come; answere not: but to it presently,
    1065I am impatient of my tarriance.
    Exeunt.
    Actus Tertius, Scena Prima.
    Enter Duke, Thurio, Protheus, Valentine,
    Launce, Speed.
    1070Duke. Sir Thurio, giue vs leaue (I pray) a while,
    We haue some secrets to confer about.
    Now tell me Protheus, what's your will with me?
    Pro. My gracious Lord, that which I wold discouer,
    The Law of friendship bids me to conceale,
    1075But when I call to minde your gracious fauours
    Done to me (vndeseruing as I am)
    My dutie pricks me on to vtter that
    Which else, no worldly good should draw from me:
    Know (worthy Prince) Sir Valentine my friend
    1080This night intends to steale away your daughter:
    My selfe am one made priuy to the plot.
    I know you haue determin'd to bestow her
    On Thurio, whom your gentle daughter hates,
    And should she thus be stolne away from you,
    1085It would be much vexation to your age.
    Thus (for my duties sake) I rather chose
    To crosse my friend in his intended drift,
    Then (by concealing it) heap on your head
    A pack of sorrowes, which would presse you downe
    1090(Being vnpreuented) to your timelesse graue.
    Duke. Protheus, I thank thee for thine honest care,
    Which to requite, command me while I liue.
    This loue of theirs, my selfe haue often seene,
    Haply when they haue iudg'd me fast asleepe,
    1095And oftentimes haue purpos'd to forbid
    Sir
    The two Gentlemen of Verona. 29
    Sir Valentine her companie, and my Court.
    But fearing lest my iealous ayme might erre,
    And so (vnworthily) disgrace the man
    (A rashnesse that I euer yet haue shun'd)
    1100I gaue him gentle lookes, thereby to finde
    That which thy selfe hast now disclos'd to me.
    And that thou maist perceiue my feare of this,
    Knowing that tender youth is soone suggested,
    I nightly lodge her in an vpper Towre,
    1105The key whereof, my selfe haue euer kept:
    And thence she cannot be conuay'd away.
    Pro. Know (noble Lord) they haue deuis'd a meane
    How he her chamber-window will ascend,
    And with a Corded-ladder fetch her downe:
    1110For which, the youthfull Louer now is gone,
    And this way comes he with it presently.
    Where (if it please you) you may intercept him.
    But (good my Lord) doe it so cunningly
    That my discouery be not aimed at:
    1115For, loue of you, not hate vnto my friend,
    Hath made me publisher of this pretence.
    Duke. Vpon mine Honor, he shall neuer know
    That I had any light from thee of this.
    Pro. Adiew, my Lord, Sir Valentine is comming.
    1120Duk. Sir Valentine, whether away so fast?
    Val. Please it your Grace, there is a Messenger
    That stayes to beare my Letters to my friends,
    And I am going to deliuer them.
    Duk. Be they of much import?
    1125Val. The tenure of them doth but signifie
    My health, and happy being at your Court.
    Duk. Nay then no matter: stay with me a while,
    I am to breake with thee of some affaires
    That touch me neere: wherein thou must be secret.
    1130'Tis not vnknown to thee, that I haue sought
    To match my friend Sir Thurio, to my daughter.
    Val. I know it well (my Lord) and sure the Match
    Were rich and honourable: besides, the gentleman
    Is full of Vertue, Bounty, Worth, and Qualities
    1135Beseeming such a Wife, as your faire daughter:
    Cannot your Grace win her to fancie him?
    Duk. No, trust me, She is peeuish, sullen, froward,
    Prowd, disobedient, stubborne, lacking duty,
    Neither regarding that she is my childe,
    1140Nor fearing me, as if I were her father:
    And may I say to thee, this pride of hers
    (Vpon aduice) hath drawne my loue from her,
    And where I thought the remnant of mine age
    Should haue beene cherish'd by her child-like dutie,
    1145I now am full resolu'd to take a wife,
    And turne her out, to who will take her in:
    Then let her beauty be her wedding dowre:
    For me, and my possessions she esteemes not.
    Val. What would your Grace haue me to do in this?
    1150Duk. There is a Lady in Verona heere
    Whom I affect: but she is nice, and coy,
    And naught esteemes my aged eloquence.
    Now therefore would I haue thee to my Tutor
    (For long agone I haue forgot to court,
    1155Besides the fashion of the time is chang'd)
    How, and which way I may bestow my selfe
    To be regarded in her sun-bright eye.
    Val. Win her with gifts, if she respect not words,
    Dumbe Iewels often in their silent kinde
    1160More then quicke words, doe moue a womans minde.
    Duk. But she did scorne a present that I sent her,
    Val. A woman somtime scorns what best cōtents her.
    Send her another: neuer giue her ore,
    For scorne at first, makes after-loue the more.
    1165If she doe frowne, 'tis not in hate of you,
    But rather to beget more loue in you.
    If she doe chide, 'tis not to haue you gone,
    For why, the fooles are mad, if left alone.
    Take no repulse, what euer she doth say,
    1170For, get you gon, she doth not meane away.
    Flatter, and praise, commend, extoll their graces:
    Though nere so blacke, say they haue Angells faces,
    That man that hath a tongue, I say is no man,
    If with his tongue he cannot win a woman.
    1175Duk. But she I meane, is promis'd by her friends
    Vnto a youthfull Gentleman of worth,
    And kept seuerely from resort of men,
    That no man hath accesse by day to her.
    Val. Why then I would resort to her by night.
    1180 Duk. I, but the doores be lockt, and keyes kept safe,
    That no man hath recourse to her by night.
    Val. What letts but one may enter at her window?
    Duk. Her chamber is aloft, far from the ground,
    And built so sheluing, that one cannot climbe it
    1185Without apparant hazard of his life.
    Val. Why then a Ladder quaintly made of Cords
    To cast vp, with a paire of anchoring hookes,
    Would serue to scale another Hero's towre,
    So bold Leander would aduenture it.
    1190Duk. Now as thou art a Gentleman of blood
    Aduise me, where I may haue such a Ladder.
    Val. When would you vse it? pray sir, tell me that.
    Duk. This very night; for Loue is like a childe
    That longs for euery thing that he can come by.
    1195Val. By seauen a clock, ile get you such a Ladder.
    Duk But harke thee: I will goe to her alone,
    How shall I best conuey the Ladder thither?
    Val. It will be light (my Lord) that you may beare it
    Vnder a cloake, that is of any length.
    1200Duk. A cloake as long as thine will serue the turne?
    Val. I my good Lord.
    Duk. Then let me see thy cloake,
    Ile get me one of such another length.
    Val. Why any cloake will serue the turn (my Lord)
    1205Duk. How shall I fashion me to weare a cloake?
    I pray thee let me feele thy cloake vpon me.
    What Letter is this same? what's here? to Siluia?
    And heere an Engine fit for my proceeding,
    Ile be so bold to breake the seale for once.
    1210
    My thoughts do harbour with my Siluia nightly,
    And slaues they are to me, that send them flying.
    Oh, could their Master come, and goe as lightly,
    Himselfe would lodge where (senceles) they are lying.
    My Herald Thoughts, in thy pure bosome rest-them,
    1215While I (their King) that thither them importune
    Doe curse the grace, that with such grace hath blest them,
    Because my selfe doe want my seruants fortune.
    I curse my selfe, for they are sent by me,
    That they should harbour where their Lord should be.
    1220What's here? Siluia, this night I will enfranchise thee.
    'Tis so: and heere's the Ladder for the purpose.
    Why Phaeton (for thou art Merops sonne)
    Wilt thou aspire to guide the heauenly Car?
    And with thy daring folly burne the world?
    1225Wilt thou reach stas, because they shine on thee?
    C3 Goe
    30 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
    Goe base Intruder, ouer-weening Slaue,
    Bestow thy fawning smiles on equall mates,
    And thinke my patience, (more then thy desert)
    Is priuiledge for thy departure hence.
    1230Thanke me for this, more then for all the fauors
    Which (all too-much) I haue bestowed on thee.
    But if thou linger in my Territories
    Longer then swiftest expedition
    Will giue thee time to leaue our royall Court,
    1235By heauen, my wrath shall farre exceed the loue
    I euer bore my daughter, or thy selfe.
    Be gone, I will not heare thy vaine excuse,
    But as thou lou'st thy life, make speed from hence.
    Val. And why not death, rather then liuing torment?
    1240To die, is to be banisht from my selfe,
    And Siluia is my selfe: banish'd from her
    Is selfe from selfe. A deadly banishment:
    What light, is light, if Siluia be not seene?
    What ioy is ioy, if Siluia be not by?
    1245Vnlesse it be to thinke that she is by
    And feed vpon the shadow of perfection.
    Except I be by Siluia in the night,
    There is no musicke in the Nightingale.
    Vnlesse I looke on Siluia in the day,
    1250There is no day for me to looke vpon.
    Shee is my essence, and I leaue to be;
    If I be not by her faire influence
    Foster'd, illumin'd, cherish'd, kept aliue.
    I flie not death, to flie his deadly doome,
    1255Tarry I heere, I but attend on death,
    But flie I hence, I flie away from life.
    Pro. Run (boy) run, run, and seeke him out.
    Lau. So-hough, Soa hough---
    Pro. What seest thou?
    1260Lau. Him we goe to finde,
    There's not a haire on's head, but t'is a Valentine.
    Pro. Valentine?
    Val. No.
    Pro. Who then? his Spirit?
    1265Val. Neither,
    Pro. What then?
    Val. Nothing.
    Lau. Can nothing speake? Master, shall I strike?
    Pro. Who wouldst thou strike?
    1270Lau. Nothing.
    Pro. Villaine, forbeare.
    Lau. Why Sir, Ile strike nothing: I pray you.
    Pro. Sirha, I say forbeare: friend Valentine, a word.
    Val. My eares are stopt, & cannot hear good newes,
    1275So much of bad already hath possest them.
    Pro. Then in dumbe silence will I bury mine,
    For they are harsh, vn-tuneable, and bad.
    Val. Is Siluia dead?
    Pro. No, Valentine.
    1280Val. No Valentine indeed, for sacred Siluia,
    Hath she forsworne me?
    Pro. No, Valentine.
    Val. No Valentine, if Siluia haue forsworne me.
    What is your newes?
    1285 Lau. Sir, there is a proclamation, yt you are vanished.
    Pro. That thou art banish'd: oh that's the newes,
    From hence, from Siluia, and from me thy friend.
    Val. Oh, I haue fed vpon this woe already,
    And now excesse of it will make me surfet.
    1290Doth Siluia know that I am banish'd?
    Pro. I, I: and she hath offered to the doome
    (Which vn-reuerst stands in effectuall force)
    A Sea of melting pearle, which some call teares;
    Those at her fathers churlish feete she tenderd,
    1295With them vpon her knees, her humble selfe,
    Wringing her hands, whose whitenes so became them,
    As if but now they waxed pale for woe:
    But neither bended knees, pure hands held vp,
    Sad sighes, deepe grones, nor siluer-shedding teares
    1300Could penetrate her vncompassionate Sire;
    But Valentine, if he be tane, must die.
    Besides, her intercession chaf'd him so,
    When she for thy repeale was suppliant,
    That to close prison he commanded her,
    1305With many bitter threats of biding there.
    Val. No more: vnles the next word that thou speak'st
    Haue some malignant power vpon my life:
    If so: I pray thee breath it in mine eare,
    As ending Antheme of my endlesse dolor.
    1310Pro. Cease to lament for that thou canst not helpe,
    And study helpe for that which thou lament'st,
    Time is the Nurse, and breeder of all good;
    Here, if thou stay, thou canst not see thy loue:
    Besides, thy staying will abridge thy life:
    1315Hope is a louers staffe, walke hence with that
    And manage it, against despairing thoughts:
    Thy letters may be here, though thou art hence,
    Which, being writ to me, shall be deliuer'd
    Euen in the milke-white bosome of thy Loue.
    1320The time now serues not to expostulate,
    Come, Ile conuey thee through the City-gate.
    And ere I part with thee, confer at large
    Of all that may concerne thy Loue-affaires:
    As thou lou'st Siluia (though not for thy selfe)
    1325Regard thy danger, and along with me.
    Val. I pray thee Launce, and if thou seest my Boy
    Bid him make haste, and meet me at the North-gate.
    Pro. Goe sirha, finde him out: Come Valentine.
    Val. Oh my deere Siluia; haplesse Valentine.
    1330 Launce. I am but a foole, looke you, and yet I haue
    the wit to thinke my Master is a kinde of a knaue: but
    that's all one, if he be but one knaue: He liues not now
    that knowes me to be in loue, yet I am in loue, but a
    Teeme of horse shall not plucke that from me: nor who
    1335'tis I loue: and yet 'tis a woman; but what woman, I
    will not tell my selfe: and yet 'tis a Milke-maid: yet 'tis
    not a maid: for shee hath had Gossips: yet 'tis a maid,
    for she is her Masters maid, and serues for wages. Shee
    hath more qualities then a Water-Spaniell, which is
    1340much in a bare Christian: Heere is the Cate-log of her
    Condition. Inprimis. Shee can fetch and carry: why
    a horse can doe no more; nay, a horse cannot fetch, but
    onely carry, therefore is shee better then a Iade. Item.
    She can milke, looke you, a sweet vertue in a maid with
    1345cleane hands.
    Speed. How now Signior Launce? what newes with
    your Mastership?
    La. With my Mastership? why, it is at Sea:
    Sp. Well, your old vice still: mistake the word: what
    1350newes then in your paper?
    La. The black'st newes that euer thou heard'st.
    Sp. Why man? how blacke?
    La. Why, as blacke as Inke.
    Sp. Let me read them?
    1355La. Fie on thee Iolt-head, thou canst not read.
    Sp. Thou lyest: I can.
    La. I will try thee: tell me this: who begot thee?
    Sp. Marry,
    The two Gentlemen of Verona. 31
    Sp. Marry, the son of my Grand-father.
    La. Oh illiterate loyterer; it was the sonne of thy
    1360Grand-mother: this proues that thou canst not read.
    Sp. Come foole, come: try me in thy paper.
    La. There: and S. Nicholas be thy speed.
    Sp. Inprimis she can milke.
    La. I that she can.
    1365Sp. Item, she brewes good Ale.
    La. And thereof comes the prouerbe: (Blessing of
    your heart, you brew good Ale.)
    Sp. Item, she can sowe.
    La. That's as much as to say (Can she so?)
    1370Sp. Item she can knit.
    La. What neede a man care for a stock with a wench,
    When she can knit him a stocke?
    Sp. Item, she can wash and scoure.
    La. A speciall vertue: for then shee neede not be
    1375wash'd, and scowr'd.
    Sp. Item, she can spin.
    La. Then may I set the world on wheeles, when she
    can spin for her liuing.
    Sp. Item, she hath many namelesse vertues.
    1380 La. That's as much as to say Bastard-vertues: that
    indeede know not their fathers; and therefore haue no
    names.
    Sp. Here follow her vices.
    La. Close at the heeles of her vertues.
    1385 Sp. Item, shee is not to be fasting in respect of her
    breath.
    La. Well: that fault may be mended with a break-
    fast: read on.
    Sp. Item, she hath a sweet mouth.
    1390La. That makes amends for her soure breath.
    Sp. Item, she doth talke in her sleepe.
    La. It's no matter for that; so shee sleepe not in her
    talke.
    Sp. Item, she is slow in words.
    1395 La. Oh villaine, that set this downe among her vices;
    To be slow in words, is a womans onely vertue:
    I pray thee out with't, and place it for her chiefe vertue.
    Sp. Item, she is proud.
    La. Out with that too:
    1400It was Eues legacie, and cannot be t'ane from her.
    Sp. Item, she hath no teeth.
    La. I care not for that neither: because I loue crusts.
    Sp. Item, she is curst.
    La. Well: the best is, she hath no teeth to bite.
    1405Sp. Item, she will often praise her liquor.
    La. If her liquor be good, she shall: if she will not,
    I will; for good things should be praised.
    Sp. Item, she is too liberall.
    La. Of her tongue she cannot; for that's writ downe
    1410she is slow of: of her purse, shee shall not, for that ile
    keepe shut: Now, of another thing shee may, and that
    cannot I helpe. Well, proceede.
    Sp. Item, shee hath more haire then wit, and more
    faults then haires, and more wealth then faults.
    1415 La. Stop there: Ile haue her: she was mine, and not
    mine, twice or thrice in that last Article: rehearse that
    once more.
    Sp. Item, she hath more haire then wit.
    La. More haire then wit: it may be ile proue it: The
    1420couer of the salt, hides the salt, and therefore it is more
    then the salt; the haire that couers the wit, is more
    then the wit; for the greater hides the lesse: What's
    next?
    Sp. And more faults then haires.
    1425La. That's monstrous: oh that that were out.
    Sp. And more wealth then faults.
    La. Why that word makes the faults gracious:
    Well, ile haue her: and if it be a match, as nothing is
    impossible.
    1430Sp. What then?
    La. Why then, will I tell thee, that thy Master staies
    for thee at the North gate.
    Sp. For me?
    La. For thee? I, who art thou? he hath staid for a bet-
    1435ter man then thee.
    Sp. And must I goe to him?
    La. Thou must run to him; for thou hast staid so long,
    that going will scarce serue the turne.
    Sp. Why didst not tell me sooner? 'pox of your loue
    1440Letters.
    La. Now will he be swing'd for reading my Letter;
    An vnmannerly slaue, that will thrust himselfe into se-
    crets: Ile after, to reioyce in the boyes correctiō. Exeunt.
    Scena Secunda.
    1445 Enter Duke, Thurio, Protheus.
    Du. Sir Thurio, feare not, but that she will loue you
    Now Valentine is banish'd from her sight.
    Th. Since his exile she hath despis'd me most,
    Forsworne my company, and rail'd at me,
    1450That I am desperate of obtaining her.
    Du. This weake impresse of Loue, is as a figure
    Trenched in ice, which with an houres heate
    Dissolues to water, and doth loose his forme.
    A little time will melt her frozen thoughts,
    1455And worthlesse Valentine shall be forgot.
    How now sir Protheus, is your countriman
    (According to our Proclamation) gon?
    Pro. Gon, my good Lord.
    Du. My daughter takes his going grieuously?
    1460Pro. A little time (my Lord) will kill that griefe.
    Du. So I beleeue: but Thurio thinkes not so:
    Protheus, the good conceit I hold of thee,
    (For thou hast showne some signe of good desert)
    Makes me the better to confer with thee.
    1465Pro. Longer then I proue loyall to your Grace,
    Let me not liue, to looke vpon your Grace.
    Du. Thou know'st how willingly, I would effect
    The match betweene sir Thurio, and my daughter?
    Pro. I doe my Lord.
    1470Du. And also, I thinke, thou art not ignorant
    How she opposes her against my will?
    Pro. She did my Lord, when Valentine was here.
    Du. I, and peruersly, she perseuers so:
    What might we doe to make the girle forget
    1475The loue of Valentine, and loue sir Thurio?
    Pro. The best way is, to slander Valentine,
    With falsehood, cowardize, and poore discent:
    Three things, that women highly hold in hate.
    Du. I, but she'll thinke, that it is spoke in hate.
    1480Pro. I, if his enemy deliuer it.
    Therefore it must with circumstance be spoken
    By one, whom she esteemeth as his friend.
    Du. Then you must vndertake to slander him.
    Pro.
    32 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
    Pro. And that (my Lord) I shall be loath to doe:
    1485'Tis an ill office for a Gentleman,
    Especially against his very friend.
    Du. Where your good word cannot aduantage him,
    Your slander neuer can endamage him;
    Therefore the office is indifferent,
    1490Being intreated to it by your friend.
    Pro. You haue preuail'd (my Lord) if I can doe it
    By ought that I can speake in his dispraise,
    She shall not long continue loue to him:
    But say this weede her loue from Valentine,
    1495It followes not that she will loue sir Thurio.
    Th. Therefore, as you vnwinde her loue from him;
    Least it should rauell, and be good to none,
    You must prouide to bottome it on me:
    Which must be done, by praising me as much
    1500As you, in worth dispraise, sir Valentine.
    Du. And Protheus, we dare trust you in this kinde,
    Because we know (on Valentines report)
    You are already loues firme votary,
    And cannot soone reuolt, and change your minde.
    1505Vpon this warrant, shall you haue accesse,
    Where you, with Siluia, may conferre at large.
    For she is lumpish, heauy, mellancholly,
    And (for your friends sake) will be glad of you;
    Where you may temper her, by your perswasion,
    1510To hate yong Valentine, and loue my friend.
    Pro. As much as I can doe, I will effect:
    But you sir Thurio, are not sharpe enough:
    You must lay Lime, to tangle her desires
    By walefull Sonnets, whose composed Rimes
    1515Should be full fraught with seruiceable vowes.
    Du. I, much is the force of heauen-bred Poesie.
    Pro. Say that vpon the altar of her beauty
    You sacrifice your teares, your sighes, your heart:
    Write till your inke be dry: and with your teares
    1520Moist it againe: and frame some feeling line,
    That may discouer such integrity:
    For Orpheus Lute, was strung with Poets sinewes,
    Whose golden touch could soften steele and stones;
    Make Tygers tame, and huge Leuiathans
    1525Forsake vnsounded deepes, to dance on Sands.
    After your dire-lamenting Elegies,
    Visit by night your Ladies chamber-window
    With some sweet Consort; To their Instruments
    Tune a deploring dumpe: the nights dead silence
    1530Will well become such sweet complaining grieuance:
    This, or else nothing, will inherit her.
    Du. This discipline, showes thou hast bin in loue.
    Th. And thy aduice, this night, ile put in practise:
    Therefore, sweet Protheus, my direction-giuer,
    1535Let vs into the City presently
    To sort some Gentlemen, well skil'd in Musicke.
    I haue a Sonnet, that will serue the turne
    To giue the on-set to thy good aduise.
    Du. About it Gentlemen.
    1540Pro. We'll wait vpon your Grace, till after Supper,
    And afterward determine our proceedings.
    Du. Euen now about it, I will pardon you. Exeunt.
    Actus Quartus. Scoena Prima.
    Enter Valentine, Speed, and certaine Out-lawes.
    15451. Out-l. Fellowes, stand fast: I see a passenger.
    2. Out. If there be ten, shrinke not, but down with 'em.
    3. Out. Stand sir, and throw vs that you haue about 'ye.
    If not: we'll make you sit, and rifle you.
    Sp. Sir we are vndone; these are the Villaines
    1550That all the Trauailers doe feare so much.
    Val. My friends.
    1. Out. That's not so, sir: we are your enemies.
    2. Out. Peace: we'll heare him.
    3. Out. I by my beard will we: for he is a proper man.
    1555Val. Then know that I haue little wealth to loose;
    A man I am, cross'd with aduersitie:
    My riches, are these poore habiliments,
    Of which, if you should here disfurnish me,
    You take the sum and substance that I haue.
    15602. Out. Whether trauell you?
    Val. To Verona.
    1. Out. Whence came you?
    Val. From Millaine.
    3. Out. Haue you long soiourn'd there?
    1565 Val. Some sixteene moneths, and longer might haue (staid,
    If crooked fortune had not thwarted me.
    1. Out. What, were you banish'd thence?
    Val. I was.
    2. Out. For what offence?
    1570Val. For that which now torments me to rehearse;
    I kil'd a man, whose death I much repent,
    But yet I slew him manfully, in fight,
    Without false vantage, or base treachery.
    1. Out. Why nere repent it, if it were done so;
    1575But were you banisht for so small a fault?
    Val. I was, and held me glad of such a doome.
    2. Out. Haue you the Tongues?
    Val. My youthfull trauaile, therein made me happy,
    Or else I often had beene often miserable.
    15803. Out. By the bare scalpe of Robin Hoods fat Fryer,
    This fellow were a King, for our wilde faction.
    1. Out. We'll haue him: Sirs, a word.
    Sp. Master, be one of them:
    It's an honourable kinde of theeuery.
    1585Val. Peace villaine.
    2. Out. Tell vs this: haue you any thing to take to?
    Val. Nothing but my fortune.
    3. Out. Know then, that some of vs are Gentlemen,
    Such as the fury of vngouern'd youth
    1590Thrust from the company of awfull men.
    My selfe was from Verona banished,
    For practising to steale away a Lady,
    And heire and Neece, alide vnto the Duke.
    2. Out. And I from Mantua, for a Gentleman,
    1595Who, in my moode, I stab'd vnto the heart.
    1. Out. And I, for such like petty crimes as these.
    But to the purpose: for we cite our faults,
    That they may hold excus'd our lawlesse liues;
    And partly seeing you are beautifide
    1600With goodly shape; and by your owne report,
    A Linguist, and a man of such perfection,
    As we doe in our quality much want.
    2. Out. Indeede because you are a banish'd man,
    Therefore, aboue the rest, we parley to you:
    1605Are you content to be our Generall?
    To make a vertue of necessity,
    And liue as we doe in this wildernesse?
    3. Out. What saist thou? wilt thou be of our consort?
    Say I, and be the captaine of vs all:
    1610We'll doe thee homage, and be rul'd by thee,
    Loue thee, as our Commander, and our King.
    1. Out.
    The two Gentlemen of Verona. 33
    1. Out. But if thou scorne our curtesie, thou dyest.
    2. Out. Thou shalt not liue, to brag what we haue of-
    Val. I take your offer, and will liue with you, (fer'd.
    1615Prouided that you do no outrages
    On silly women, or poore passengers.
    3. Out. No, we detest such vile base practises.
    Come, goe with vs, we'll bring thee to our Crewes,
    And show thee all the Treasure we haue got;
    1620Which, with our selues, all rest at thy dispose. Exeunt.
    Scoena Secunda.
    Enter Protheus, Thurio, Iulia, Host, Musitian, Siluia.
    Pro. Already haue I bin false to Valentine,
    And now I must be as vniust to Thurio,
    1625Vnder the colour of commending him,
    I haue accesse my owne loue to prefer.
    But Siluia is too faire, too true, too holy,
    To be corrupted with my worthlesse guifts;
    When I protest true loyalty to her,
    1630She twits me with my falsehood to my friend;
    When to her beauty I commend my vowes,
    She bids me thinke how I haue bin forsworne
    In breaking faith with Iulia, whom I lou'd;
    And notwithstanding all her sodaine quips,
    1635The least whereof would quell a louers hope:
    Yet (Spaniel-like) the more she spurnes my loue,
    The more it growes, and fawneth on her still;
    But here comes Thurio; now must we to her window,
    And giue some euening Musique to her eare.
    1640Th. How now, sir Protheus, are you crept before vs?
    Pro. I gentle Thurio, for you know that loue
    Will creepe in seruice, where it cannot goe.
    Th. I, but I hope, Sir, that you loue not here.
    Pro. Sir, but I doe: or else I would be hence.
    1645Th. Who, Siluia?
    Pro. I, Siluia, for your sake.
    Th. I thanke you for your owne: Now Gentlemen
    Let's tune: and too it lustily a while.
    Ho. Now, my yong guest; me thinks your' allycholly;
    1650I pray you why is it?
    Iu. Marry (mine Host) because I cannot be merry.
    Ho. Come, we'll haue you merry: ile bring you where
    you shall heare Musique, and see the Gentleman that
    you ask'd for.
    1655Iu. But shall I heare him speake.
    Ho. I that you shall.
    Iu. That will be Musique.
    Ho. Harke, harke.
    Iu. Is he among these?
    1660Ho. I: but peace, let's heare'm.
    Song.
    Who is Siluia? what is she?
    That all our Swaines commend her?
    Holy, faire, and wise is she,
    The heauen such grace did lend her,
    1665 that she might admired be.
    Is she kinde as she is faire?
    For beauty liues with kindnesse:
    Loue doth to her eyes repaire,
    To helpe him of his blindnesse:
    1670 And being help'd, inhabits there.
    Then to Siluia, let vs sing,
    That Siluia is excelling;
    She excels each mortall thing
    Vpon the dull earth dwelling.
    1675 To her let vs Garlands bring.
    Ho. How now? are you sadder then you were before;
    How doe you, man? the Musicke likes you not.
    Iu. You mistake: the Musitian likes me not.
    Ho. Why, my pretty youth?
    1680Iu. He plaies false (father.)
    Ho. How, out of tune on the strings.
    Iu. Not so: but yet
    So false that he grieues my very heart-strings.
    Ho. You haue a quicke eare.
    1685 Iu. I, I would I were deafe: it makes me haue a slow (heart.
    Ho. I perceiue you delight not in Musique.
    Iu. Not a whit, when it iars so.
    Ho. Harke, what fine change is in the Musique.
    Iu. I: that change is the spight.
    1690 Ho. You would haue them alwaies play but one thing.
    Iu. I would alwaies haue one play but one thing.
    But Host, doth this Sir Protheus, that we talke on,
    Often resort vnto this Gentlewoman?
    Ho. I tell you what Launce his man told me,
    1695He lou'd her out of all nicke.
    Iu. Where is Launce?
    Ho. Gone to seeke his dog, which to morrow, by his
    Masters command, hee must carry for a present to his
    Lady.
    1700Iu. Peace, stand aside, the company parts.
    Pro. Sir Thurio, feare not you, I will so pleade,
    That you shall say, my cunning drift excels.
    Th. Where meete we?
    Pro. At Saint Gregories well.
    1705Th. Farewell.
    Pro. Madam: good eu'n to your Ladiship.
    Sil. I thanke you for your Musique (Gentlemen)
    Who is that that spake?
    Pro. One (Lady) if you knew his pure hearts truth,
    1710You would quickly learne to know him by his voice.
    Sil. Sir Protheus, as I take it.
    Pro. Sir Protheus (gentle Lady) and your Seruant.
    Sil. What's your will?
    Pro. That I may compasse yours.
    1715Sil. You haue your wish: my will is euen this,
    That presently you hie you home to bed:
    Thou subtile, periur'd, false, disloyall man:
    Think'st thou I am so shallow, so conceitlesse,
    To be seduced by thy flattery,
    1720That has't deceiu'd so many with thy vowes?
    Returne, returne and make thy loue amends:
    For me (by this pale queene of night I sweare)
    I am so farre from granting thy request,
    That I despise thee, for thy wrongfull suite;
    1725And by and by intend to chide my selfe,
    Euen for this time I spend in talking to thee.
    Pro. I grant (sweet loue) that I did loue a Lady,
    But she is dead.
    Iu. 'Twere false, if I should speake it;
    1730For I am sure she is not buried.
    Sil. Say that she be: yet Valentine thy friend
    Suruiues; to whom (thy selfe art witnesse)
    I am betroth'd; and art thou not asham'd
    To wrong him, with thy importunacy?
    Pro.
    34 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
    1735Pro. I likewise heare that Valentine is dead.
    Sil. And so suppose am I; for in her graue
    Assure thy selfe, my loue is buried.
    Pro. Sweet Lady, let me rake it from the earth.
    Sil. Goe to thy Ladies graue and call hers thence,
    1740Or at the least, in hers, sepulcher thine.
    Iul. He heard not that.
    Pro. Madam: if your heart be so obdurate:
    Vouchsafe me yet your Picture for my loue,
    The Picture that is hanging in your chamber:
    1745To that ile speake, to that ile sigh and weepe:
    For since the substance of your perfect selfe
    Is else deuoted, I am but a shadow;
    And to your shadow, will I make true loue.
    Iul. If 'twere a substance you would sure deceiue it,
    1750And make it but a shadow, as I am.
    Sil. I am very loath to be your Idoll Sir;
    But, since your falsehood shall become you well
    To worship shadowes, and adore false shapes,
    Send to me in the morning, and ile send it:
    1755And so, good rest.
    Pro. As wretches haue ore-night
    That wait for execution in the morne.
    Iul. Host, will you goe?
    Ho. By my hallidome, I was fast asleepe.
    1760Iul. Pray you, where lies Sir Protheus?
    Ho. Marry, at my house:
    Trust me, I thinke 'tis almost day.
    Iul. Not so: but it hath bin the longest night
    That ere I watch'd, and the most heauiest.
    1765 Scoena Tertia.
    Enter Eglamore, Siluia.
    Eg. This is the houre that Madam Siluia
    Entreated me to call, and know her minde:
    Ther's some great matter she'ld employ me in.
    1770Madam, Madam.
    Sil. Who cals?
    Eg. Your seruant, and your friend;
    One that attends your Ladiships command.
    Sil. Sir Eglamore, a thousand times good morrow.
    1775Eg. As many (worthy Lady) to your selfe:
    According to your Ladiships impose,
    I am thus early come, to know what seruice
    It is your pleasure to command me in.
    Sil. Oh Eglamoure, thou art a Gentleman:
    1780Thinke not I flatter (for I sweare I doe not)
    Valiant, wise, remorse-full, well accomplish'd.
    Thou art not ignorant what deere good will
    I beare vnto the banish'd Valentine:
    Nor how my father would enforce me marry
    1785Vaine Thurio (whom my very soule abhor'd.)
    Thy selfe hast lou'd, and I haue heard thee say
    No griefe did euer come so neere thy heart,
    As when thy Lady, and thy true-loue dide,
    Vpon whose Graue thou vow'dst pure chastitie:
    1790Sir Eglamoure: I would to Valentine
    To Mantua, where I heare, he makes aboad;
    And for the waies are dangerous to passe,
    I doe desire thy worthy company,
    Vpon whose faith and honor, I repose.
    1795Vrge not my fathers anger (Eglamoure)
    But thinke vpon my griefe (a Ladies griefe)
    And on the iustice of my flying hence,
    To keepe me from a most vnholy match,
    Which heauen and fortune still rewards with plagues.
    1800I doe desire thee, euen from a heart
    As full of sorrowes, as the Sea of sands,
    To beare me company, and goe with me:
    If not, to hide what I haue said to thee,
    That I may venture to depart alone.
    1805Egl. Madam, I pitty much your grieuances,
    Which, since I know they vertuously are plac'd,
    I giue consent to goe along with you,
    Wreaking as little what betideth me,
    As much, I wish all good befortune you.
    1810When will you goe?
    Sil. This euening comming.
    Eg. Where shall I meete you?
    Sil. At Frier Patrickes Cell,
    Where I intend holy Confession.
    1815Eg. I will not faile your Ladiship:
    Good morrow (gentle Lady.)
    Sil. Good morrow, kinde Sir Eglamoure. Exeunt.
    Scena Quarta.
    Enter Launce, Protheus, Iulia, Siluia.
    1820 Lau. When a mans seruant shall play the Curre with
    him (looke you) it goes hard: one that I brought vp of
    a puppy: one that I sau'd from drowning, when three or
    foure of his blinde brothers and sisters went to it: I haue
    taught him (euen as one would say precisely, thus I
    1825would teach a dog) I was sent to deliuer him, as a pre-
    sent to Mistris Siluia, from my Master; and I came no
    sooner into the dyning-chamber, but he steps me to her
    Trencher, and steales her Capons-leg: O, 'tis a foule
    thing, when a Cur cannot keepe himselfe in all compa-
    1830nies: I would haue (as one should say) one that takes vp-
    on him to be a dog indeede, to be, as it were, a dog at all
    things. If I had not had more wit then he, to take a fault
    vpon me that he did, I thinke verily hee had bin hang'd
    for't: sure as I liue he had suffer'd for't: you shall iudge:
    1835Hee thrusts me himselfe into the company of three or
    foure gentleman-like-dogs, vnder the Dukes table: hee
    had not bin there (blesse the marke) a pissing while, but
    all the chamber smelt him: out with the dog (saies one)
    what cur is that (saies another) whip him out (saies the
    1840third) hang him vp (saies the Duke.) I hauing bin ac-
    quainted with the smell before, knew it was Crab; and
    goes me to the fellow that whips the dogges: friend
    (quoth I) you meane to whip the dog: I marry doe I
    (quoth he) you doe him the more wrong (quoth I) 'twas
    1845I did the thing you wot of: he makes me no more adoe,
    but whips me out of the chamber: how many Masters
    would doe this for his Seruant? nay, ile be sworne I haue
    sat in the stockes, for puddings he hath stolne, otherwise
    he had bin executed: I haue stood on the Pillorie for
    1850Geese he hath kil'd, otherwise he had sufferd for't: thou
    think'st not of this now: nay, I remember the tricke you
    seru'd me, when I tooke my leaue of Madam Siluia: did
    not
    The two Gentlemen of Verona. 35
    not I bid thee still marke me, and doe as I do; when did'st
    thou see me heaue vp my leg, and make water against a
    1855Gentlewomans farthingale? did'st thou euer see me doe
    such a tricke?
    Pro. Sebastian is thy name: I like thee well,
    And will imploy thee in some seruice presently.
    Iu. In what you please, ile doe what I can.
    1860Pro. I hope thou wilt.
    How now you whor-son pezant,
    Where haue you bin these two dayes loytering?
    La. Marry Sir, I carried Mistris Siluia the dogge you
    bad me.
    1865Pro. And what saies she to my little Iewell?
    La. Marry she saies your dog was a cur, and tels you
    currish thanks is good enough for such a present.
    Pro. But she receiu'd my dog?
    La. No indeede did she not:
    1870Here haue I brought him backe againe.
    Pro. What, didst thou offer her this from me?
    La. I Sir, the other Squirrill was stolne from me
    By the Hangmans boyes in the market place,
    And then I offer'd her mine owne, who is a dog
    1875As big as ten of yours, & therefore the guift the greater.
    Pro. Goe, get thee hence, and finde my dog againe,
    Or nere returne againe into my sight.
    Away, I say: stayest thou to vexe me here;
    A Slaue, that still an end, turnes me to shame:
    1880Sebastian, I haue entertained thee,
    Partly that I haue neede of such a youth,
    That can with some discretion doe my businesse:
    For 'tis no trusting to yond foolish Lowt;
    But chiefely, for thy face, and thy behauiour,
    1885Which (if my Augury deceiue me not)
    Witnesse good bringing vp, fortune, and truth:
    Therefore know thee, for this I entertaine thee.
    Go presently, and take this Ring with thee,
    Deliuer it to Madam Siluia;
    1890She lou'd me well, deliuer'd it to me.
    Iul. It seemes you lou'd not her, not leaue her token:
    She is dead belike?
    Pro. Not so: I thinke she liues.
    Iul. Alas.
    1895Pro. Why do'st thou cry alas?
    Iul. I cannot choose but pitty her.
    Pro. Wherefore should'st thou pitty her?
    Iul. Because, me thinkes that she lou'd you as well
    As you doe loue your Lady Siluia:
    1900She dreames on him, that has forgot her loue,
    You doate on her, that cares not for your loue.
    'Tis pitty Loue, should be so contrary:
    And thinking on it, makes me cry alas.
    Pro. Well: giue her that Ring, and therewithall
    1905This Letter: that's her chamber: Tell my Lady,
    I claime the promise for her heauenly Picture:
    Your message done, hye home vnto my chamber,
    Where thou shalt finde me sad, and solitarie.
    Iul. How many women would doe such a message?
    1910Alas poore Protheus, thou hast entertain'd
    A Foxe, to be the Shepheard of thy Lambs;
    Alas, poore foole, why doe I pitty him
    That with his very heart despiseth me?
    Because he loues her, he despiseth me,
    1915Because I loue him, I must pitty him.
    This Ring I gaue him, when he parted from me,
    To binde him to remember my good will:
    And now am I (vnhappy Messenger)
    To plead for that, which I would not obtaine;
    1920To carry that, which I would haue refus'd;
    To praise his faith, which I would haue disprais'd.
    I am my Masters true confirmed Loue,
    But cannot be true seruant to my Master,
    Vnlesse I proue false traitor to my selfe.
    1925Yet will I woe for him, but yet so coldly,
    As (heauen it knowes) I would not haue him speed.
    Gentlewoman, good day: I pray you be my meane
    To bring me where to speake with Madam Siluia.
    Sil. What would you with her, if that I be she?
    1930Iul. If you be she, I doe intreat your patience
    To heare me speake the message I am sent on.
    Sil. From whom?
    Iul. From my Master, Sir Protheus, Madam.
    Sil. Oh: he sends you for a Picture?
    1935Iul. I, Madam.
    Sil. Vrsula, bring my Picture there,
    Goe, giue your Master this: tell him from me,
    One Iulia, that his changing thoughts forget
    Would better fit his Chamber, then this Shadow.
    1940Iul. Madam, please you peruse this Letter;
    Pardon me (Madam) I haue vnaduis'd
    Deliuer'd you a paper that I should not;
    This is the Letter to your Ladiship.
    Sil. I pray thee let me looke on that againe.
    1945Iul. It may not be: good Madam pardon me.
    Sil. There, hold:
    I will not looke vpon your Masters lines:
    I know they are stuft with protestations,
    And full of new-found oathes, which he will breake
    1950As easily as I doe teare his paper.
    Iul. Madam, he sends your Ladiship this Ring.
    Sil. The more shame for him, that he sends it me;
    For I haue heard him say a thousand times,
    His Iulia gaue it him, at his departure:
    1955Though his false finger haue prophan'd the Ring,
    Mine shall not doe his Iulia so much wrong.
    Iul. She thankes you.
    Sil. What sai'st thou?
    Iul. I thanke you Madam, that you tender her:
    1960Poore Gentlewoman, my Master wrongs her much.
    Sil. Do'st thou know her?
    Iul. Almost as well as I doe know my selfe.
    To thinke vpon her woes, I doe protest
    That I haue wept a hundred seuerall times.
    1965 Sil. Belike she thinks that Protheus hath forsook her?
    Iul. I thinke she doth: and that's her cause of sorrow.
    Sil. Is she not passing faire?
    Iul. She hath bin fairer (Madam) then she is,
    When she did thinke my Master lou'd her well;
    1970She, in my iudgement, was as faire as you.
    But since she did neglect her looking-glasse,
    And threw her Sun-expelling Masque away,
    The ayre hath staru'd the roses in her cheekes,
    And pinch'd the lilly-tincture of her face,
    1975That now she is become as blacke as I.
    Sil. How tall was she?
    Iul. About my stature: for at Pentecost,
    When all our Pageants of delight were plaid,
    Our youth got me to play the womans part,
    1980And I was trim'd in Madam Iulias gowne,
    Which serued me as fit, by all mens iudgements,
    As if the garment had bin made for me:
    Therefore I know she is about my height,
    And at that time I made her weepe a good,
    For
    36 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
    1985For I did play a lamentable part.
    (Madam) 'twas Ariadne, passioning
    For Thesus periury, and vniust flight;
    Which I so liuely acted with my teares:
    That my poore Mistris moued therewithall,
    1990Wept bitterly: and would I might be dead,
    If I in thought felt not her very sorrow.
    Sil. She is beholding to thee (gentle youth)
    Alas (poore Lady) desolate, and left;
    I weepe my selfe to thinke vpon thy words:
    1995Here youth: there is my purse; I giue thee this
    For thy sweet Mistris sake, because thou lou'st her. Fare-(well.
    Iul. And she shall thanke you for't, if ere you know (her.
    A vertuous gentlewoman, milde, and beautifull.
    I hope my Masters suit will be but cold,
    2000Since she respects my Mistris loue so much.
    Alas, how loue can trifle with it selfe:
    Here is her Picture: let me see, I thinke
    If I had such a Tyre, this face of mine
    Were full as louely, as is this of hers;
    2005And yet the Painter flatter'd her a little,
    Vnlesse I flatter with my selfe too much.
    Her haire is Aburne, mine is perfect Yellow;
    If that be all the difference in his loue,
    Ile get me such a coulour'd Perrywig:
    2010Her eyes are grey as glasse, and so are mine.:
    I, but her fore-head's low, and mine's as high:
    What should it be that he respects in her,
    But I can make respectiue in my selfe?
    If this fond Loue, were not a blinded god.
    2015Come shadow, come, and take this shadow vp,
    For 'tis thy riuall: O thou sencelesse forme,
    Thou shalt be worship'd, kiss'd, lou'd, and ador'd;
    And were there sence in his Idolatry,
    My substance should be statue in thy stead.
    2020Ile vse thee kindly, for thy Mistris sake
    That vs'd me so: or else by Ioue, I vow,
    I should haue scratch'd out your vnseeing eyes,
    To make my Master out of loue with thee. Exeunt.
    Actus Quintus. Scoena Prima.
    2025 Enter Eglamoure, Siluia.
    Egl. The Sun begins to guild the westerne skie,
    And now it is about the very houre
    That Siluia, at Fryer Patricks Cell should meet me,
    She will not faile; for Louers breake not houres,
    2030Vnlesse it be to come before their time,
    So much they spur their expedition.
    See where she comes: Lady a happy euening.
    Sil. Amen, Amen: goe on (good Eglamoure)
    Out at the Posterne by the Abbey wall;
    2035I feare I am attended by some Spies.
    Egl. Feare not: the Forrest is not three leagues off,
    If we recouer that, we are sure enough. Exeunt.
    Scoena Secunda.
    Enter Thurio, Protheus, Iulia, Duke.
    2040Th. Sir Protheus, what saies Siluia to my suit?
    Pro. Oh Sir, I finde her milder then she was,
    And yet she takes exceptions at your person.
    Thu. What? that my leg is too long?
    Pro. No, that it is too little.
    2045 Thu. Ile weare a Boote, to make it somewhat roun-(der.
    Pro. But loue will not be spurd to what it loathes.
    Thu. What saies she to my face?
    Pro. She saies it is a faire one.
    Thu. Nay then the wanton lyes: my face is blacke.
    2050Pro. But Pearles are faire; and the old saying is,
    Blacke men are Pearles, in beauteous Ladies eyes.
    Thu. 'Tis true, such Pearles as put out Ladies eyes,
    For I had rather winke, then looke on them.
    Thu. How likes she my discourse?
    2055Pro. Ill, when you talke of war.
    Thu. But well, when I discourse of loue and peace.
    Iul. But better indeede, when you hold you peace.
    Thu. What sayes she to my valour?
    Pro. Oh Sir, she makes no doubt of that.
    2060 Iul. She needes not, when she knowes it cowardize.
    Thu. What saies she to my birth?
    Pro. That you are well deriu'd.
    Iul. True: from a Gentleman, to a foole.
    Thu. Considers she my Possessions?
    2065Pro. Oh, I: and pitties them.
    Thu. Wherefore?
    Iul. That such an Asse should owe them.
    Pro. That they are out by Lease.
    Iul. Here comes the Duke.
    2070Du. How now sir Protheus; how now Thurio?
    Which of you saw Eglamoure of late?
    Thu. Not I.
    Pro. Nor I.
    Du. Saw you my daughter?
    2075Pro. Neither.
    Du. Why then
    She's fled vnto that pezant, Valentine;
    And Eglamoure is in her Company:
    'Tis true: for Frier Laurence met them both
    2080As he, in pennance wander'd through the Forrest:
    Him he knew well: and guesd that it was she,
    But being mask'd, he was not sure of it.
    Besides she did intend Confession
    At Patricks Cell this euen, and there she was not.
    2085These likelihoods confirme her flight from hence;
    Therefore I pray you stand, not to discourse,
    But mount you presently, and meete with me
    Vpon the rising of the Mountaine foote
    That leads toward Mantua, whether they are fled:
    2090Dispatch (sweet Gentlemen) and follow me.
    Thu. Why this it is, to be a peeuish Girle,
    That flies her fortune when it followes her:
    Ile after; more to be reueng'd on Eglamoure,
    Then for the loue of reck-lesse Siluia.
    2095Pro. And I will follow, more for Siluas loue
    Then hate of Eglamoure that goes with her.
    Iul. And I will follow, more to crosse that loue
    Then hate for Siluia, that is gone for loue. Exeunt.
    Scena Tertia.
    2100 Siluia, Out-lawes.
    1. Out. Come, come be patient:
    We
    The Merry Wiues of Windsor. 37
    We must bring you to our Captaine.
    Sil. A thousand more mischances then this one
    Haue learn'd me how to brooke this patiently.
    21052 Out. Come, bring her away.
    1 Out. Where is the Gentleman that was with her?
    3 Out. Being nimble footed, he hath out-run vs.
    But Moyses and Valerius follow him:
    Goe thou with her to the West end of the wood,
    2110There is our Captaine: Wee'll follow him that's fled,
    The Thicket is beset, he cannot scape.
    1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our Captains caue.
    Feare not: he beares an honourable minde,
    And will not vse a woman lawlesly.
    2115Sil. O Valentine: this I endure for thee.
    Exeunt.
    Scoena Quarta.
    Enter Valentine, Protheus, Siluia, Iulia, Duke, Thurio,
    Out-lawes.
    2120Val. How vse doth breed a habit in a man?
    This shadowy desart, vnfrequented woods
    I better brooke then flourishing peopled Townes:
    Here can I sit alone, vn-seene of any,
    And to the Nightingales complaining Notes
    2125Tune my distrestes, and record my woes.
    O thou that dost inhabit in my brest,
    Leaue not the Mansion so long Tenant-lesse,
    Lest growing ruinous, the building fall,
    And leaue no memory of what it was,
    2130Repaire me, with thy presence, Siluia:
    Thou gentle Nimph, cherish thy for-lorne swaine.
    What hallowing, and what stir is this to day?
    These are my mates, that make their wills their Law,
    Haue some vnhappy passenger in chace;
    2135They loue me well: yet I haue much to doe
    To keepe them from vnciuill outrages.
    Withdraw thee Valentine: who's this comes heere?
    Pro. Madam, this seruice I haue done for you
    (Though you respect not aught your seruant doth)
    2140To hazard life, and reskew you from him,
    That would haue forc'd your honour, and your loue,
    Vouchsafe me for my meed, but one faire looke:
    (A smaller boone then this I cannot beg,
    And lesse then this, I am sure you cannot giue.)
    2145Val. How like a dreame is this? I see, and heare:
    Loue, lend me patience to forbeare a while.
    Sil. O miserable, vnhappy that I am.
    Pro. Vnhappy were you (Madam) ere I came:
    But by my comming, I haue made you happy.
    2150 Sil. By thy approach thou mak'st me most vnhappy.
    Iul. And me, when he approcheth to your presence.
    Sil. Had I beene ceazed by a hungry Lion,
    I would haue beene a break-fast to the Beast,
    Rather then haue false Protheus reskue me:
    2155Oh heauen be iudge how I loue Valentine,
    Whose life's as tender to me as my soule,
    And full as much (for more there cannot be)
    I doe detest false periur'd Protheus:
    Therefore be gone, sollicit me no more.
    2160 Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death
    Would I not vndergoe, for one calme looke:
    Oh 'tis the curse in Loue, and still approu'd
    When women cannot loue, where they're belou'd.
    Sil. When Protheus cannot loue, where he's belou'd:
    2165Read ouer Iulia's heart, (thy first best Loue)
    For whose deare sake, thou didst then rend thy faith
    Into a thousand oathes; and all those oathes,
    Descended into periury, to loue me,
    Thou hast no faith left now, vnlesse thou'dst two,
    2170And that's farre worse then none: better haue none
    Then plurall faith, which is too much by one:
    Thou Counterfeyt, to thy true friend.
    Pro. In Loue,
    Who respects friend?
    2175Sil. All men but Protheus.
    Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of mouing words
    Can no way change you to a milder forme;
    Ile wooe you like a Souldier, at armes end,
    And loue you 'gainst the nature of Loue: force ye.
    2180Sil. Oh heauen.
    Pro. Ile force thee yeeld to my desire.
    Val. Ruffian: let goe that rude vnciuill touch,
    Thou friend of an ill fashion.
    Pro. Valentine.
    2185 Val. Thou cōmon friend, that's without faith or loue,
    For such is a friend now: treacherous man,
    Thou hast beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye
    Could haue perswaded me: now I dare not say
    I haue one friend aliue; thou wouldst disproue me:
    2190Who should be trusted, when ones right hand
    Is periured to the bosome? Protheus
    I am sorry I must neuer trust thee more,
    But count the world a stranger for thy sake:
    The priuate wound is deepest: oh time, most accurst:
    2195'Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst?
    Pro. My shame and guilt confounds me:
    Forgiue me Valentine: if hearty sorrow
    Be a sufficient Ransome for offence,
    I tender't heere: I doe as truely suffer,
    2200As ere I did commit.
    Val. Then I am paid:
    And once againe, I doe receiue thee honest;
    Who by Repentance is not satisfied,
    Is nor of heauen, nor earth; for these are pleas'd:
    2205By Penitence th' Eternalls wrath's appeas'd:
    And that my loue may appeare plaine and free,
    All that was mine, in Siluia, I giue thee.
    Iul. Oh me vnhappy.
    Pro. Looke to the Boy.
    2210Val. Why, Boy?
    Why wag: how now? what's the matter? look vp: speak.
    Iul. O good sir, my master charg'd me to deliuer a ring
    to Madam Siluia: wc (out of my neglect) was neuer done.
    Pro. Where is that ring? boy?
    2215Iul. Heere 'tis: this is it.
    Pro. How? let me see.
    Why this is the ring I gaue to Iulia.
    Iul. Oh, cry you mercy sir, I haue mistooke:
    This is the ring you sent to Siluia.
    2220 Pro. But how cam'st thou by this ring? at my depart
    I gaue this vnto Iulia.
    Iul. And Iulia her selfe did giue it me,
    And Iulia her selfe hath brought it hither.
    Pro. How? Iulia?
    2225Iul. Behold her, that gaue ayme to all thy oathes,
    And entertain'd 'em deepely in her heart.
    How oft hast thou with periury cleft the roote?
    Oh Protheus, let this habit make thee blush.
    D Be
    38 The Merry Wiues of Windsor.
    Be thou asham'd that I haue tooke vpon me,
    2230Such an immodest rayment; if shame liue
    In a disguise of loue?
    It is the lesser blot modesty findes,
    Women to change their shapes, then men their minds.
    Pro. Then men their minds? tis true: oh heuen, were man
    2235But Constant, he were perfect; that one error
    Fils him with faults: makes him run through all th' sins;
    Inconstancy falls-off, ere it begins:
    What is in Siluia's face, but I may spie
    More fresh in Iulia's, with a constant eye?
    2240Val. Come, come: a hand from either:
    Let me be blest to make this happy close:
    'Twere pitty two such friends should be long foes.
    Pro. Beare witnes (heauen) I haue my wish for euer.
    Iul. And I mine.
    2245Out-l. A prize: a prize: a prize.
    Val. Forbeare, forbeare I say: It is my Lord the Duke.
    Your Grace is welcome to a man disgrac'd,
    Banished Valentine.
    Duke. Sir Valentine?
    2250Thu. Yonder is Siluia: and Siluia's mine.
    Val. Thurio giue backe; or else embrace thy death:
    Come not within the measure of my wrath:
    Doe not name Siluia thine: if once againe,
    Verona shall not hold thee: heere she stands,
    2255Take but possession of her, with a Touch:
    I dare thee, but to breath vpon my Loue.
    Thur. Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I:
    I hold him but a foole that will endanger
    His Body, for a Girle that loues him not:
    2260I claime her not, and therefore she is thine.
    Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou
    To make such meanes for her, as thou hast done,
    And leaue her on such slight conditions.
    Now, by the honor of my Ancestry,
    2265I doe applaud thy spirit, Valentine,
    And thinke thee worthy of an Empresse loue:
    Know then, I heere forget all former greefes,
    Cancell all grudge, repeale thee home againe,
    Plead a new state in thy vn-riual'd merit,
    2270To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine,
    Thou art a Gentleman, and well deriu'd,
    Take thou thy Siluia, for thou hast deseru'd her.
    Val. I thank your Grace, ye gift hath made me happy:
    I now beseech you (for your daughters sake)
    2275To grant one Boone that I shall aske of you.
    Duke. I grant it (for thine owne) what ere it be.
    Val. These banish'd men, that I haue kept withall,
    Are men endu'd with worthy qualities:
    Forgiue them what they haue committed here,
    2280And let them be recall'd from their Exile:
    They are reformed, ciuill, full of good,
    And fit for great employment (worthy Lord.)
    Duke. Thou hast preuaild, I pardon them and thee:
    Dispose of them, as thou knowst their deserts.
    2285Come, let vs goe, we will include all iarres,
    With Triumphes, Mirth, and rare solemnity.
    Val. And as we walke along, I dare be bold
    With our discourse, to make your Grace to smile.
    What thinke you of this Page (my Lord?)
    2290 Duke. I think the Boy hath grace in him, he blushes.
    Val. I warrant you (my Lord) more grace, then Boy.
    Duke. What meane you by that saying?
    Val. Please you, Ile tell you, as we passe along,
    That you will wonder what hath fortuned:
    2295Come Protheus, 'tis your pennance, but to heare
    The story of your Loues discouered.
    That done, our day of marriage shall be yours,
    One Feast, one house, one mutuall happinesse. Exeunt.
    The names of all the Actors.
    2300Duke: Father to Siluia.
    Valentine.}
    Protheus. } the two Gentlemen.
    Anthonio: father to Protheus.
    Thurio: a foolish riuall to Valentine.
    2305Eglamoure: Agent for Siluia in her escape.
    Host: where Iulia lodges.
    Out-lawes with Valentine.
    Speed: a clownish seruant to Valentine.
    Launce: the like to Protheus.
    2310Panthion: seruant to Antonio.
    Iulia: beloued of Protheus.
    Siluia: beloued of Valentine.
    Lucetta: waighting-woman to Iulia.
    FINIS.
    THE
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