Thu. What says she to my face? Pro. She says it is a fair one. Thu. Nay then, the wanton lies; my face is black. Pro. But pearls are fair; and the old saying is, Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes. 10 Jul. [Aside) "Tis true; such pearls as put out ladies' eyes. For I had rather wink than look on them. Thu. How likes she my discourse? Pro. Ill, when you talk of war. Thu. But well, when I discourse of love and peace? Jul. [Aside] But better, indeed, when you hold your peace. Thu. What says she to my valour? Pro. O, sir, she makes no doubt of that. 20 Jul. [Aside] She needs not, when she knows it cowardice. Thu. What says she to my birth? Pro. That you are well derived. Jul. [Aside] True; from a gentleman to a fool. Pro. O, ay; and pities them. Thu. Wherefore? Jul. [Aside] That such an ass should owe them. Jul. Here comes the duke. Enter DUKE. Duke. How now, Sir. Proteus! how now, Thurio! Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late? Thu. Not I. She's fled unto that peasant Valentine; And Eglamour is in her company. Neither. "Tis true; for Friar Laurence met them both, At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not; 30 40 But mount you presently and meet with me Upon the rising of the mountain-foot That leads toward Mantua, whither they are fled Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me. [Exit. Thu. Why, this it is to be a peevish girl, That flies her fortune when it follows her. Pro. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love SCENE III. First Out. 50 [Exit. [Exit [Exit Come, come, Be patient; we must bring you to our captain. Sec. Out. Come, bring her away. First Out. Where is the gentleman that was with her? Third Out. Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us, But Moyses and Valerius follow him. Go thou with her to the west end of the wood; There is our Captain: we'll follow him that's fled; 10 First Out. Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave : Fear not; he bears an honourable mind, And will not use a woman lawlessly. Sil. O Valentine, this I endure for thee ! SCENE IV. Another part of the forest. Enter VALENTINE. Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man ! And to the nightingale's complaining notes Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain ! [Exeunt. These are my mates, that make their wills their law, They love me well; yet I have much to do To keep them from uncivil outrages. 10 Withdraw thee, Valentine: who's this comes here? Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA. Pro. Madam, this service I have done for you, That would have forced your honour and your love; A smaller boon than this I cannot beg And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give. Val. [Aside] How like a dream is this I see and hear ! Love, lend me patience to forbear awhile. Sil. O miserable, unhappy that I am! Pro. Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came ; But by my coming I have made you happy. Sil. By thy approach thou makest me most unhappy. 20 30 Jul. [Aside] And me, when he approacheth to your pres ence. Sil. Had I been seized by a hungry lion, Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, O, 'tis the curse in love, and still approved, When women cannot love where they're beloved! Sil. When Proteus cannot love where he's beloved. Read over Julia's heart, thy first best love. For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou'dst two; Pro. Who respects friend? Sil. In love All men but Proteus. Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form, I'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end, And love you 'gainst the nature of love,--force ye. 40 Pro. Pro. Valentine! Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or love, I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me. I am sorry I must never trust thee more, The private wound is deepest: O time most accurst, I tender 't here; I do as truly suffer Then I am paid; Val. Is nor of heaven nor earth, for these are pleased. And, that my love may appear plain and free, All that was mine in Silvia I give thee. Jul. O me unhappy? Pro. Look to the boy. 60 70 Val. Why boy! why wag! how now! what's the matter? Look up; speak. Jul. O good sir, my master charged me to deliver a ring to Madam Silvia, which, out of my neglect, was never done. Pro. Where is that ring, boy? Jul. Pro. How let me see: Here 'tis; this is it. Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia. Jul. O, cry you mercy, sir, I have mistook : This is the ring you sent to Silvia. Pro. But how camest thou by this ring? At my depart I gave this unto Julia. Jul. And Julia herself did give it me; And Julia herself hath brought it hither. Pro. How! Julia! 90 100 Jul. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, And entertain'd 'em deeply in her heart. How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root ! O Proteus, let this habit make thee blush! It is the lesser blot, modesty finds, Women to change their shapes than men their minds. man But constant, he were perfect. That one error were 110 Fills him with faults; makes him run through all the sins: Inconstancy falls off ere it begins. What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye? Val. Come, come, a hand from either: Let me be blest to make this happy close ; "Twere pity two such friends should be long foes. Pro. Bear witness, Heaven, I have my wish for ever. Enter Outlaws, with DUKE and THURIO. Outlaws. A prize, a prize, a prize! Val. Forbear, forbear, I say! it is my lord the duke. Your grace is welcome to a man disgraced, Banished Valentine. Thu. Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine. Val. Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death; + Milano shall not hold thee. Here she stands : I dare thee but to breathe upon my love. I hold him but a fool that will endanger His body for a girl that loves him not: 120 130 Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou, And think thee worthy of an empress' love: 140 |