sinews;

For Orpheus' lute was strung with poets'
[stones,
Whose golden touch could soften steel and
Make tigers tame, and huge leviathans
Forsake unsounded deeps to dance on sands.
After your dire lamenting elegies,
Visit by night your lady's chamber-window
With some sweet concert: to their instruments
Tune a deploring dump: the night's dead
silence
[grievance.
Will well become such sweet complaining
This, or else nothing, will inherit her.
Dake. This discipline shows thou hast been
in love.
[practice:

Thu. And thy advice this night I'll put in
Therefore, sweet Proteus, my direction-giver,
Let us into the city presently,

To sort some gentlemen well skill'd in music.
I have a sonnet that will serve the turn

To give the onset to thy good advice.

Duke. About it, gentlemen.

[rehearse :

2 Out. For what offence?
Val. For that which now torments me to
I kill'd a man, whose death I much repent ;
But yet I slew him manfully, in fight,
Without false vantage or base treachery. [so.
1 Out. Why, ne'er repent it, if it were done
But were you banish'd for so small a fault?
Val. I was, and held me glad of such a
2 Out. Have you the tongues? doom.
Val. My youthful travel therein made me
Or else I often had been miserable. [happy,
3 Out. By the bare scalp of Robin Hood's
fat friar,

This fellow were a king for our wild faction!
1 Out. We'll have him :-sirs, a word.
Speed.
Master, be one of them;
It is an honourable kind of thievery.
Val. Peace, villain!

[take to? 2 Out. Tell us this have you anything to Val. Nothing, but my fortune. [gentlemen, 3 Out. Know then, that some of us are

Pro. We'll wait upon your grace till after Such as the fury of ungovern'd youth

Thrust from the company of awful men :
Myself was from Verona banished
For practising to steal away a lady,
An heir, and near allied unto the duke.

2 Out. And I from Mantua, for a gentleman,
Who, in my mood, I stabb'd unto 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 lawless lives:
And, partly, seeing you are beautify'd
With goodly shape; and by your own report
A linguist, and a man of such perfection,
As we do in our quality much want,-

man,

2 Out. Indeed, because you are banish'd Therefore, above the rest, we parley to you. Are you content to be our general? To make a virtue of necessity, And live, as we do, in this wilderness?

3 Out. What say'st thou? wilt thou be of
our consort?

Say ay, and be the captain of us all :
We'll do thee homage, and be ruled by thee,
Love thee as our commander and our king.
I Out. But if thou scorn our courtesy, thou
diest.
[have offer'd.

2 Out. Thou shalt not live to brag what we Val. I take your offer, and will live with you; Provided that you do no outrages

On silly women, or poor passengers. [tices.

3 Out. No; we detest such vile, base pracCome, go with us; we'll bring thee to our

cave,

And show thee all the treasure we have got ;
Which, with ourselves, all rest at thy dispose.
[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Milan.

The Court of the Palace. Enter Proteus.

Pro. Already have I been false to Valentine, And now I must be as unjust to Thurio. Under the colour of commending him,

I have access my own love to prefer:
But Silvia is too fair, too true, too holy,
To be corrupted with my worthless gifts.
When I protest true loyalty to her,

She twits me with my falsehood to my friend;
When to her beauty I commend my vows,
She bids me think how I have been forsworn,
In breaking faith with Julia whom I lov'd:
And, notwithstanding all her sudden quips,
The least whereof would quell a lover's hope,
Yet, spaniel-like, the more she spurns my love,
The more it grows, and fawneth on her still.
But here comes Thurio: now must we to her
window,

And give some evening music to her ear.

Enter Thurio and Musicians.

Thu. How now, Sir Proteus! are you crept
that love
before us?
Pro. Ay, gentle Thurio; for, you know,
Will creep in service where it cannot go.
Thu. Ay; but I hope, sir, that you love
not here.

Pro. Sir, but I do; or else I would be hence.
Thu. Whom? Silvia?

Pro.
Ay, Silvia,-for your sake.
Thu. I thank you for your own.-Now,
gentlemen,

Let's tune, and to it lustily awhile.
Enter, at a distance, Host, and Julia in
boy's clothes.

Host. Now, my young guest; methinks
you're allycholly: I pray you, why is it?
Jul. Marry, mine host, because I cannot be

merry.

Host. Come, we'll have you merry: I'll bring you where you shall hear music, and see the gentleman that you asked for.

ful. But shall I hear him speak?
Host. Ay, that you shall.
Jul. That will be music.

Host. Hark, hark!

Jul. Is he among these?

[Music plays.

Host. Ay; but peace! let's hear 'em.

SONG.

Who is Silvia? what is she?

That all our swains commend her:
Holy, fair, and wise is she;

The heaven such grace did lend her,
That she might admired be.

Is she kind, as she is fair?

For beauty lives with kindness:
Love doth to her eyes repair,
To help him of his blindness;
And, being help'd, inhabits there.

Then to Silvia let us sing,

That Silvia is excelling:
She excels each mortal thing
Upon the dull earth dwelling:
To her let us garlands bring.

Host. How now! are you sadder than you were before? How do you, man? the music likes you not.

Jul. You mistake; the musician likes me
Host. Why, my pretty youth ?

Jul. He plays false, father.

[not.

Host. How? out of tune on the strings Jul. Not so; but yet so false, that he grieves my very heart-strings.

Host. You have a quick ear.

ful. Ay; I would I were deaf! it makes me have a slow heart.

Host. I perceive you delight not in music.
Jul. Not a whit,-when it jars so.

Host. Hark, what fine change is in the music!

Jul. Ay, that change is the spite. Host. You would have them always play but one thing?

[thing. Jul. I would always have one play but one But, Host, doth this Sir Proteus, that we talk [on, Often resort unto this gentlewoman? Host. I will tell you what Launce, his man, told me,-he lov'd her out of all nick. Jul. Where is Launce?

Host. Gone to seek his dog; which, tomorrow, by his master's command, he must carry for a present to his lady.

Jul. Peace! stand aside: the company
[plead,
parts.
Pro. Sir Thurio, fear not you: I will so
That you shall say my cunning drift excels.
Thu. Where meet we?
Pro. At Saint Gregory's well.
Thu. Farewell.

[Exeunt Thurio and Musicians.
Enter Silvia above, at her window.
Pro. Madam, good even to your ladyship.
Sil. I thank you for your music, gentlemen.
Who is that that spake?

pure

truth, knew his heart's Pro. One, lady, if you You would quickly learn to know him by his [voice. Sil. Sir Proteus, as I take it. Pro. Sir Proteus, gentle lady, and your servSil. What is your will?

[ant.

Pro. That I may compass yours. [this,
Sil. You have your wish: my will is even
That presently you hie you home to bed.
Thou subtle, perjur'd, false, disloyal man!
Think'st thou I am so shallow, so conceitless,
To be seduced by thy flattery,

That hast deceiv'd so many with thy vows?
Return, return, and make thy love amends.
For me, by this pale queen of night I swear,
I am so far from granting thy request,
That I despise thee for thy wrongful suit;
And by and by intend to chide myself,
Even for this time I spend in talking to thee.
Pro. I grant, sweet love, that I did love a
[lady;
But she is dead.

Jul. [Aside.] Twere false, if I should [speak it; For, I am sure, she is not buried.

Sil. Say, that she be; yet Valentine, thy friend,

Survives, to whom thyself art witness

I am betroth'd; and art thou not asham'd
To wrong him with thy importunacy?

Sil. And so, suppose, am I ; for in his grave, Assure thyself my love is buried.

[earth. Pro. Sweet lady, let me rake it from the Sil. Go to thy lady's grave, and call hers thence;

Pro. I likewise hear, that Valentine is dead. To Mantua, where, I hear, he makes abode;
And, for the ways are dangerous to pass,
I do desire thy worthy company,
Upon whose faith and honour I repose.
Urge not my father's anger, Eglamour,
But think upon my grief,—a lady's grief,-
And on the justice of my flying hence,
To keep me from a most unholy match,
Which heaven and fortune still reward with
I do desire thee, even from a heart [plagues.
As full of sorrows as the sea of sands,
To bear me company, and go with me:
If not, to hide what I have said to thee,
That I may venture to depart alone.

Or, at the least, in hers sepulchre thine.
Jul. [Aside.] He heard not that.
Pro. Madam, if your heart be so obdurate,
Vouchsafe me yet your picture for my love,
The picture that is hanging in your chamber:
To that I'll speak, to that I'll sigh and weep;
For, since the substance of your perfect self
Is else devoted, I am but a shadow,

And to your shadow will I make true love.
Jul. [Aside.] If 'twere a substance, you
would, sure, deceive it.

And make it but a shadow, as I am.

Sil. I am very loth to be your idol, sir;
But, since your falsehood shall become you

well

To worship shadows, and adore false shapes,
Send to me in the morning, and I'll send it :
And so, good rest.

Pra.
As wretches have o'er night,
That wait for execution in the morn.

[Exeunt Proteus, and Silvia, above.
Jul. Host, will you go?
Host. By my halidom, I was fast asleep.
Jul. Pray you, where lies Sir Proteus?
Host. Marry, at my house. Trust me,
think 'tis almost day.

[night Jul. Not so; but it hath been the longest That e'er I watched, and the most heaviest.

SCENE III.-The Same.
Enter Eglamour.

[Exeunt.

Egl. Madam, I pity much your grievances;
Which since I know they virtuously are plac'd,
I give consent to go along with you;
Recking as little what betideth me,
As much I wish all good befortune you.
When will you go?
Sil.
This evening coming.
Egl. Where shall I meet you?
Sil.

At friar Patrick's cell,
Where I intend holy confession. [morrow,
Egl. I will not fail your ladyship. Good
Gentle lady.
Sil.

Good-morrow, kind Sir Eglamour. [Exeunt Eglamour, and Silvia, above.

SCENE IV.-The Same.

Enter Launce with his dog.

Launce. When a man's servant shall play the cur with him, look you, it goes hard: one that I brought up of a puppy; one that I saved from drowning, when three or four of his blind brothers and sisters went to it. I have taught him, even as one would say precisely, Thus I would teach a dog. I was sent to deliver him as a present to mistress Silvia from my master; and I came no sooner into the diningchamber, but he steps me to her trencher, and [in.-steals her capon's leg. O,'tis a foul thing. when a cur cannot 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

Egl. This is the hour that Madam Silvia
Entreated me to call, and know her mind :
There's some great matter she'd employ me
Madam, madam !

Enter Silvia above, at her window."
Sil. Who calls?
Egl.

Your servant, and your friend;
One that attends your ladyship's command.

Sil. Sir Eglamour, a thousand times good-had more wit than he, to take a fault upon

morrow.

Egl. As many, worthy lady, to yourself.
According to your ladyship's impose,
I am thus early come, to know what service
It is your pleasure to command me in.

Sil. O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman,-
Think not I flatter, for I swear I do not,-
Valiant, wise, remorseful, well accomplish'd.
Thou art not ignorant what dear good will
I bear unto the banish'd Valentine;
Nor how my father would enforce me marry
Vain Thurio, whom my very soul abhorr'd.
Thyself hast lov'd; and I have heard thee say,
No grief did ever come so near thy heart,
As when thy lady and thy true love died,
Upon whose grave thou vow'dst pure chastity.
Sir Eglamour, I would to Valentine,

me that he did, I think verily he had been hanged for't: sure as I live, he had suffer'd for't you shall judge. He thrusts me himself into the company of three or four gentleman-like 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 dogs: "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.

Pro. Well, give her that ring; and therewithal

Where thou shalt find me sad and solitary.

[Exit.

Jul. How many women would do such a message?

How many masters would do this for his servant? Nay, I'll be sworn, I have sat in the stocks [lady for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had This letter:-that's her chamber. - Tell my been executed: I have stood on the pillory I claim the promise for her heavenly picture. for geese he hath killed, otherwise he had Your message done, hie home unto my suffer'd for't thou thinkest not of this now! chamber, -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 farthin-Alas, poor Proteus! thou hast entertain'd gale? Didst thou ever see me do such a trick? A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs. Enter Proteus and Julia. Alas, poor fool! why do I pity him, Pro. Sebastian is thy name? I like thee well,That with his very heart despiseth me? And will employ thee in some service presently. Because he loves her, he despiseth me; Jul. In what you please: I will do what I Because I love him, I must pity him. This ring I gave him when he parted from me, To bind him to remember my good will: And now am I (unhappy messenger!) To plead for that which I would not obtain; To carry that which I would have refus'd; To praise his faith which I would have disprais'd.

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.

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.
[me?
Pro. What! didst thou offer her this from
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
Or ne'er return again into my sight. [again,
Away, I say! Stay'st thou to vex me here?
A slave that still an end turns me to shame.
[Exit Launce.
Sebastian, I have entertained thee,
Partly, that I have need of such a youth,
That can with some discretion do my business,
For 'tis no trusting to yond foolish lout;
But chiefly for thy face and thy behaviour,
Which (if my augury deceive me not)
Witness good bringing up, fortune, and truth:
Therefore, know thou, for this I entertain thee.
Go presently, and take this ring with thee;
Deliver it to Madam Silvia :

She lov'd me well deliver'd it to me.
Jul. It seems, you lov'd not her, to leave her
She's dead, belike?
[token.

Pro.

Ful. Alas!

Not so I think, she lives.

Pro. Why dost thou cry, alas?
Jul. I cannot choose but pity her.
Pro. Wherefore shouldst thou pity her?
Jul. Because, methinks, that she lov'd you
As you do love your lady Silvia. (as well

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!