Or sent to Naples: Let me not, Since I have my dukedom got, Aud pardon'd the deceiver, dwell In this bure island, by your spell; But release me from my bands, With the help of your good hands. Gentle breath of yours my sails Must fill, or else my project fails, Which was to please: now I want As you from crimes would pardon'd be, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. PERSONS REPRESENTED. DUKE OF MILAN, Father to Silvia. VALENTINE, PROTEUS, Gentlemen of Verona. ANTONIO, Father to Proteus. Ontlaws LAUNCE, servant to Protens. SCENE. Sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan; and on the frontiera of Mantua. ACT-I. SCENE 1. An open Place in Verona. Val. Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus; Even as I would, when I to love begin. Think on thy Proteus, when thou, haply, seest If ever danger do environ thee, Val. And on a love-book pray for my success. Val. No, will not, for it boots thee not. What 7 Val. To be in love, where scorn is bought with groans Coy looks with heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth, With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights: Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me. fool. Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear, you'll prove.. Pro. Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love. Val. Love is your master, for he masters you: And he that is so yoked by a fool, Methinks should not be chronicled for wise. Pro. Yet writers say; As in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all. Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud Is eaten by the canker ere it blow, Even so by Love the young and tender wit Is turn'd to folly; blasting in the bud, Losing his verdure even in the prime, And all the fair effects of future hopes But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee, That art a votary to fond desire ? Ouce more adieu: my father at the road Expecta my coming, there to see me shipp❜d. Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine. Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take oRI leave. To Milan, let me hear from thee by letters, Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love. Enter Speed. Speed. Sir Proteus, save you: Saw you my master? Pro. But now he parted hence, to embark for Milan. Speed. Twenty-to one then, he is shipped already; And I have play'd the sheep, in losing hin. Speed. Why then, my horns are his horns whether I wake or sleep. Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Speed. This proves me still a sheep. Pro. True; and thy master a shepherd. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. Pro. It shall go hard,but t'il prove it by another. Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but I seek ny master, and my master seeks not me: therefore I am no sheep. Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep; thou for wages followest thy master, thy master for That every day with parle encounter me, wages follows not thee: therefore thou art a In thy opinion, which is worthiest love? sheep. Luc. Please yon, repeat their names, I'll show my mind Speed. Such another proof will make me cry ban. Pro. But dost thou lear? gav'st thou my letter to Julia 7 Speed Ay, sir; I, a last mutton, gave your letter to her, ace! mutton; and she, & lacedi mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my, labour. Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a store of muttons Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were est stick her. Pro. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best ound you. Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter. Pro. You mistake; I mean the pound, a pinfold. Speed. From a pound to a pin 7 fold it over and over, Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover. Pro. But what said she? did she nod? Speed. 1. Speed nods. Pro. Nod, I why, that's noddy. Speed. You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you ask me, if she did nod; and I say, 1. Pro. And that set together is-noddy. Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set It together, take it for your pains. Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter. Speed. Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear with you. Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? Speed. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly; having nothing but the word, noddy, for my pains. Pro. Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. Sp el. And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse. Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief: What said she? Speed Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once delivered. Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains: What said she? Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her. Pro. Why? Could'st thou perceive so much from her? Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a duent for delivering your letter: And being so hard to me that bronght your mind, I fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling your mind. Give her no token but stones, for she's as hard as steel. Pro. What, said she nothing? Speed. No, not so much as-take this for thy pains. To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testern' me; in requital whereof, hence forth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master. Pro Go, go, begone, to save your ship from wreck : Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. Garden of Julia's House. Enter Julia and Lucetta. Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love? Luc. Ay, madam; so you stumble not unheedfully. Jul Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, According to my shallow simple skill. Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamoor? Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine ¡ But, were you, he never should be mine. Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio? Luc. Well of his wealth; but of himself, 80, 80. Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus? Luc. 1ord, lord! to ser, what folly reigns in ns L Jul. How now! what means this passion at his name? Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing shaine, That 1, worthy body as I am, Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? Luc. Then thus,of many good I think him best. Jul. Your reason? Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason; I think him so, because I think him so. Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my love on him? Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away. Jul. Why, he of all the rest hath never mov'd me. Luc. Yet he of all the rest, I think, best loves ye. Jul. His little speaking shows his love but smali. Lue. Fire, that's closest kept, burns most of all. Jul. I wonld, I knew his mind. He would have given it you, but 1, being in the way, Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I pray. Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker! Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines? To whisper and conspire against my youth 7 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; Or else return no more into my sight. Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than hate. Jul. Will yon be gone 7 Luc. That you may ruminate. [Erit. Jul. And yet, I would, I had o'erlook'd the letter. it were a shame to call her back again, Fie, fie, how wayward is this foolish love, Re-enter Lucetta. Jul. Is it near dinner time 2 Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales here ? That you might kill your stomach on your meat, Jul. Jul. What is't you took up So gingerly? Luc.. Nothing. Jul. Why didst thou stoop then? Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall. Luc. Nothing concerning me. Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns. Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns, Unless it have a false interpreter. Jul. Some love of your's hath writ to you in Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune; Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune. Jul. And why not you ? Luc. I cannot reach so high. Jul. Let's see your song:-How now, minion? me. Here is a coil with protestation ! Tears the letter. [Exit. O hateful hands, to tear such loving words! 1 throw thy name against the bruising stones, And thus search it with a sovereign kiss. Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock, He couples it to his complaining names: Luc. Madam, you respect them, best to take them up. Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down: Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold. Bee; I see things too, although you judge I wink. Exeunt. Enter Antonio and Panthino. Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was tha Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister Pant. 'Twas of his nephew, Proteus, your son Ant. Why, what of him? Pant. He wonder'd, that your lordship Whereon this month I have been hammering, Pant. "Twere good, I think, your lordship sent There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Ant. like thy counsel: well hast thou advised: I will despatch him to the emperor's court: With other gentlemen of good esteem, Pro, Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life! Ant. How now ? what letter are you reading Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or Of commendations sent from Valentine, Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what news. How happily he lives, how well beloy'd Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go.- And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd: Lest he should take exceptions to my love; The uncertain glory of an April day; Speed. Sir, your glove. Val. Not mine; my gloves are on. Val. Ha! let me see: ay, give it me, it's mine:- Speed. Madam Silvia! madam Silvia! Speed. She is not within hearing, sir. slow. Val Go to, sir; tell me, do you know madam 11 look on you, I can hardly think you my master. Speed. Withont you! nay, that's certain, for, without you were so simple, none else would: but you are so without these follies, that these follies are within you, and shine unough you like thewater in an urinal; that not an eye, that sees you, but is a physician to comment on your malady. Val. But, sell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia ? Speed. She that you gaze on so, as she sits at supper 7 Val Hast thon observed that ? even she I mean. Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her and yet know'st her not 7 Speed. Is she not hard-favour'd, sir? Speed. That she is not so fair, as (of you). Val. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but her favour infinite. Speed. That's because the one is painted, and the other out of all count. Val. How painted ? and how out of count? Speed. Marry, sir, so painted to make her fair, that no man counts of her beauty. Val. How esteem'st thou me 7 account of her beauty. Speed. You never saw her since she was de- Val. How long hath she been deform'd ? Val I have loved her ever since I saw her; and still I see her beautiful. Speed. If you love her, you cannot see her. Speed. Because love is blind. O, that you had mine eyes; or your own eyes had the lights they were wont to have, when you chid at Sir Proteus for going ungartered. Val. What should I see then 7 Speed. Your own present folly, and her passing deformity: for he, being in love, could not see to garter his hose; and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose. Val Belike, boy, then you are in love; for last morning you could not see to wipe my shoes Speed. True, sir; I was in love with my bed: thank you, you swinged me for my love, which makes me the bolder to chicle yon for yours. Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her. Speed. I would you were set, so, your affection would cease. Val. Last night she enjoined me to write some Speed. Are they not lamely writ? Enter Silvia. Speed. She that your worship loves? Val. Why, how know you that I am in love Speed. Marry, by these special marks: First, you have learned, like Sir Protens, to wreath your arms like a male-content: to relish a loveBong, like a robin-red-breast; to walk alone, like one that had the pestilence; to sigh, like a schoolboy that had lost his A B C to weep, like a young wench that had buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes diet; to watch, like one that fears robbing; to speak paling, like a beggar ut Hollowmas. You were wont, when you laugh'd, to crow like a cock; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions; when you fasted. it was presently after dinner; when you looked Unto the secret nameless friend of yours; sadly, it was for want of money; and now you Which I was much unwilling to proceed in, are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when But for my duty to your ladyship. Speed. O excellent motion! O exceeding puppet! now will he interpret to her. Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand goodmorrows. Speed. O, 'give you good event here's a million of manners. [Aside Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thousand. Speed. He should give her interest; and she gives it him. Val As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter, Sil. I thank you, gentle servant: 'tis very Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off: Sil Perchance you think too much of so much Val. No, madam, so it stead you, I will write, Sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel: Sil Yes, yes; the lines are very quaintly Val. Madam, they are for you. meat; O, be not like your mistress; be moved, Pro. Have atience, gentle Julia. Jul. And seal the bargain with a holy kiss. Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, sir, at my request; Sil. And, when it's writ, for my sake read it over: And, if it please you, so; if not, why, so. Val. If it please me, madam! what then? My master sues to her; and she hath taught her He being her pupil, to become her tutor. That my master, being scribe, to himself should Val. How now, sir? what are you reasoning with yourself? Speed. Nay, I was rhyming; 'tis you that have My father stays my coming: answer not: Pant. Sir Proteus, you are staid for. Enter Launce, leading a Dug. Laun. Nay, 'twill be this hour ere I have done weeping; all the kind of the Launces have this very fault; I have received my proportion, like the prodigions son, and am going with sir Proteus to the Imperial's court. I think, Crab my dog be the sourest-natured dog that lives; my mother weeping, my father wailing, my sister crying, our maid howling, our cat wringing her hands, and all our house iu a great perplexity, yet did not this cruel-hearted cur shed one tear: he is a stone, a very pebble stone, and has no more pity in him than a dog: a Jew would have wept to have seen our parting; why, my grandam having no eyes, look you, wept herself blind at my parting. Nay, I'll show you the maimer of it: This shoe is my father:no, this left shoe is my father;-no, no, this left shoe is my mother;-nay, that cannot be so neither yes, it is so, it is so; it hath the worser sole; This shoe, with the hole in it, is my mother; and this my Speed What need she, when she hath made father: A vengeance on't! there 'tis: now, sir,. you write to yourself? Why, do you not per-this staff is my sister; for look you, she is as ceia the jest? the reason. Val. To do what? Speed. To be a spokesman from madam Silvia. Speed. To yourself; why, she woos you by a figure. Val. What figure ? Speed. By a letter, I should say. Val. Why, she hath not writ to me? Val. No, believe me. Speed. No believing you indeed, sir: But did you perceive her earnest? Val. She gave me none, except in angry word. Val. I would, it were no worse. Or else for want of idle time, could not again Or fearing else some messenger, that might her mind discover, Herself haih taught her love himself to write All this I speak in print; for in print I found white as a lily, and as small as a wand: this hat is Nan, our maid; I am the dog:-no, the dog is himself, and I am the dog-oh, the dog is me, and I am myself: Ay, so, so. Now come I to my father Father, your blessing; now should not the shoe speak a word for weeping: now should I kiss my father; well, he weeps on—–— now come I to my mother, (Ú that she could speak now!) like a wood woman;-well, I kiss her-why, there 'tis: here's my mother's breath up and down: now come to my sister; mark the moan she makes: now the dog all this while sheds not a tear, nor speaks a word, zut see how lay the dust with my tears. Enter Panthino. Pan. Launce, away, away, aboard; thy mas ter is shipped, and thou art to post after with ours. What's the matter 7 why weepest thou," it.-man? Away, ass; you will fose the tide, if you tarry any longer. Speed. Ay, but hearken, sir; though the chameleon Love can feed on the air, I am one that am nourished by my victuals, and would fain have Laun. It's no matter if the ty'd were lost; for |