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- Edition: Two Gentlemen of Verona
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The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu.
And on a love-book pray for my success?
Upon some book I love, I'll pray for thee.
That's on some shallow story of deep love,
That's a deep story of a deeper love,
'Tis true, for you are over-boots in love,
Over the boots? Nay, give me not the boots.
No, I will not, for it boots thee not.
What?
To be in love, where scorn is bought with groans;
So, by your circumstance, you call me fool.
So, by your circumstance, I fear you'll prove.
'Tis Love you cavil at. I am not Love.
Love is your master, for he masters you;
Yet writers say, as in the sweetest bud
And writers say, as the most forward bud
And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.
Sweet Proteus, no. Now let us take our leave.
All happiness bechance to thee in Milan.
As much to you at home, and so farewell.
1.1.68 Exit [Valentine].
He after honor hunts, I after love:
1.1.76 [Enter Speed.]
Sir Proteus, 'save you. Saw you my master?
But now he parted hence to embark for Milan.
Twenty to one, then, he is shipped already,
Indeed a sheep doth very often stray
You conclude that my master is a shepherd, then, 81and I a sheep?
I do.
Why then my horns are his horns, whether I 84wake or sleep.
A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep.
This proves me still a sheep.
True, and thy master a shepherd.
Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance.
It shall go hard but I'll prove it by another.
The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the 91sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my 92master seeks not me. Therefore I am no sheep.
The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, 94the shepherd for food follows not the sheep; thou 95for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages 96follows not thee. Therefore thou art a sheep.
Such another proof will make me cry "baa."
But dost thou hear? Gav'st thou my letter 99to Julia?
Ay, Sir. I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, 101a laced mutton, and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a 102lost mutton, nothing for my labor.
Here's too small a pasture for such store of 104muttons.
If the ground be overcharged, you were best 106stick her.
Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best pound 108you.
Nay Sir, less than a pound shall serve me for car110rying your letter.
You mistake; I mean the pound, a pinfold.
From a pound to a pin? Fold it over and over, 113'tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover.
But what said she?
1.1.104[Nods.] Ay.
Nod-ay, why that's "noddy."
You mistook, Sir. I say she did nod; 118and you ask me if she did nod, and I say Ay.
And that set together is "noddy."
Now you have taken the pains to set it toge121ther, take it for your pains.
No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter.
Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear with you.
Why Sir, how do you bear with me?
Marry Sir, the letter very orderly, 126having nothing but the word noddy for my pains.
Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit.
And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.
Come, come, open the matter in brief; what 130said she?
Open your purse, that the money and the matter 132may be both at once delivered.
Well, sir, here is for your pains. [Gives a coin to Proteus.] What said she?
[Considers coin.] Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her.
Why? Could'st thou perceive so much from her?
1.1.121Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her;
What said she, nothing?
1.1.128No, not so much as take this for thy pains. 143To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testerned me; 144in requital whereof, henceforth, carry your letters your145self. And so, sir, I'll commend you to my master.
1.1.129 [Exit Speed.]
Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wrack,
1.1.136 Exit.