not keep himself in all companies! I would have, as one should say, one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed, to be, as it were, a dog at all things. If I had not had more wit than he, to take a fault upon me that he did, I think verily he had been hanged for't; sure as I live, he had suffered for't you shall judge. He thrusts me himself into the company of three or four gentlemanlike dogs, under the duke's table: he had not been there-bless the mark! -a pissing while, but all the chamber smelt him. 'Out with the dog!" says one: "What cur is that?" says another: " Whip him out," says the third: "Hang him up,' says the duke. I, having been acquainted with the smell before, knew it was Crab, and goes me to the fellow that whips the dog: "Friend," quoth I, you mean to whip the dog?" "Ay, marry, do I," quoth he. "You do him the more wrong," quoth I; "twas I did the thing you wot of." He makes me no more ado, but whips me out of the chamber. How many masters would do this for his servant? Nay, I'll be sworn, I have sat in the stocks for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had been executed: I have stood on the pillory for geese he hath killed, otherwise he had suffered for't. Thou thinkest not of this now. Nay, I remember the trick you served me when I took my leave of Madam Silvia: did not I bid thee still mark me and do as I do? when didst thou see me heave up my leg and make water against a gentlewoman's farthingale? didst thou ever see me do such a trick? Enter PROTEUS and JULIA. Pro. Sebastian is thy name? I like thee well. And will employ thee in some service presently. Jul. In what you please; I'll do what I can. Pro. I hope thou wilt. [To Launce] How now, you whoreson peasant! Where have you been these two days loitering? Launce. Marry, sir, I carried Mistress Silvia the dog you bade me. 50 Pro. And what says she to my little jewel? Launce. Marry, she says your dog was a cur, and tells you currish thanks is good enough for such a present. Pro. But she received my dog? Launce. No, indeed, did she not here have I brought him back again. Pro. What, didst thou offer her this from me? Launce. Ay, sir; the other squirrel was stolen from me by the hangman boys in the market-place and then I offered, her mine own, who is a dog as big as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater. Pro Go get thee hence, and find my dog again, Or ne'er return again into my sight. Away, I say! stay'st thou to vex me here? A slave, that still an end tnrns me to shame! [Exit Launce. Witness good bringing up, fortune and truth: She loved me well deliver'd it to me. Jul. It seems you loved not her, to leave her token. She is dead, belike? Pro. Wherefore shouldst thou pity her? Jul. Because methinks that she loved you as well As you do love your lady Silvia : She dreams on him that has forgot her love; You dote on her that cares not for your love. "Tis pity love should be so contrary ; And thinking on it makes me cry alas!" Pro. Well, give her that ring and therewithal This letter. That's her chamber. Tell my lady I claim the promise for her heavenly picture. Your message done, hie home unto my chamber, Where thou shalt find me, sad and solitary. [Exit. Jul. How many women would do such a message? Alas, poor Porteus! thou hast entertain'd Alas, poor fool! why do I pity him Because he loves her, he despiseth me; A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs. That with his very heart despiseth me? Because I love him, I must pity him. 100 This ring I gave him when he parted from me, To plead for that which I would not obtain, To praise his faith which I would have dispraised. Enter SILVIA, attended. Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you, be my mean Jul. From my master, Sir Proteus, madam. Jul. Ay, madam. Sil. Ursula, bring my picture there. Go give your master this: tell him from me, Sil. I pray thee, let me look on that again. Jul. It may not be; good madam, pardon me. Sil. There, hold! I will not look upon your master's lines: I know they are stuff'd with protestations And full of new-found oaths; which he will break As easily as I do tear his paper. Jul. Madam, he sends your ladyship this ring. Sil. The more shame for him that he sends it me; For I have heard him say a thousand times His Julia gave it him at his departure. Though his false finger have profaned the ring, Mine shall not do his Julia so much wrong. Jul. She thanks you. Sil. What say'st thou ? Jul. I thank you, madam, that you tender her. Poor gentlewoman! my master wrongs her much. Sil. Dost thou know her? Jul. Almost as well as I do know myself: To think upon her woes I do protest. 110 120 140 That I have wept a hundred several times. [ACT IV. Sil. Belike she thinks that Proteus hath forsook her. Jul. She hath been fairer, madam, than she is: Sil. How tall was she? Jul. About my stature for at Pentecost, Sil. She is beholding to thee, gentle youth. I weep myself to think upon thy words. Here, youth, there is my purse; I give thee this For thy sweet mistress' sake, 1ecause thon lovest her. Farewell. 150 160 170 180 [Exit Silvia; with attendants. Jul. And she shall thank you for't, if e'er you know her. A virtuous gentlewoman, mild and beautiful! I hope my master's suit will be but cold, Since she respects my mistress' love so much. Here is her picture: let me see; I think, Were full as lovely as this of hers: And yet the painter flatter'd her a little, Her hair is auburn, mine is perfect yellow: 190 Her eyes are grey as glass, and so are mine : If this fond Love were not a blinded god? Thou shalt be worshipp'd, kiss'd, loved and adored! My substance should be statue in thy stead. I should have scratch'd out your unseeing eyes, ACT V. 200 [Exit. Egl. The sun begins to gild the western sky; And now it is about the very hour That Silvia, at Friar Patrick's cell, should meet me. Unless it be to come before their time; So much they spur their expedition. See where she comes. Enter SILVIA. Sil. Amen, amen! Go on, good Eglamour, Lady, a happy evening! 10 Out at the postern by the abbey-wall: I fear I am attended by some spies. Egl. Fear not the forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that, we are sure enough. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. The DUKE's palace. Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA. Thu. Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit? And yet she takes exceptions at your person. Pro. No; that it is too little. Thu. I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder. Jul. [Aside] But love will not be spurr'd to what it loathes. |