SCENE VII. Verona. A Room in Julia's House. Enter JULIA and LUCETTA. Jul. Counsel, Lucetta; gentle girl, assist me! Luc. Alas! the way is wearisome and long. Luc. Better forbear, till Proteus make return. Jul. O, know'st thou not, his looks are my soul's food? Pity the dearth that I have pined in, But qualify the fire's extreme rage, Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason. Jul. The more thou dam'st it up, the more it burns ; The current, that with gentle murmur glides, He makes sweet music with the enamel'd stones, He overtaketh in his pilgrimage; And so by many winding nooks he strays, Luc. But in what habit will you go along? Luc. Why then your ladyship must cut your hair. Of greater time than I shall show to be. But tell me, wench, how will the world repute me, For undertaking so unstaid a journey? I fear me, it will make me scandaliz'd. Luc. If you think so, then stay at home, and go not. Jul. Nay, that I will not. Luc. Then never dream on infamy, but go. If Proteus like your journey, when you come, No matter who's displeas'd, when you are gone: I fear me, he will scarce be pleas'd withal. Jul. That is the least, Lucetta, of my fear : A thousand oaths, an ocean of his tears, And instances as infinite of love, Warrant me welcome to my Proteus. Luc. All these are servants to deceitful men. But truer stars did govern Proteus' birth : 4 Trouble. His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate; Jul. Now, as thou lov'st me, do him not that wrong, 5 To bear a hard opinion of his truth: [Exeunt. ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I. Milan. An Anti-room in the Duke's Palace. Enter DUKE, THURIO, and PROTEUS. Duke. Sir Thurio, give us leave, I pray, awhile; We have some secrets to confer about. [Exit THURIO. Now, tell me, Proteus, what's your will with me? Pro. My gracious lord, that which I would dis cover, 5 Longed for. The law of friendship bids me to conceal : My duty pricks me on to utter that Which else no worldly good should draw from me. I know, you have determin'd to bestow her Duke. Proteus, I thank thee for thine honest care; Which to requite, command me while I live. Pro. Know, noble lord, they have devis'd a mean 6 Guess. Tempted. For which the youthful lover now is gone, Duke. Upon mine honour, he shall never know That I had any light from thee of this. Pro. Adieu, my lord; sir Valentine is coming. Enter VALENTINE. [Exit. Duke. Sir Valentine, whither away so fast? Val. Please it your grace there is a messenger That stays to bear my letters to my friends, And I am going to deliver them. Duke. Be they of much import? Val. The tenor of them doth but signify My health and happy being at your court. Duke. Nay, then no matter; stay with me awhile; I am to break with thee of some affairs, That touch me near, wherein thou must be secret. 'Tis not unknown to thee, that I have sought To match my friend, sir Thurio, to my daughter. Val. I know it well, my lord; and, sure, the match Were rich and honourable; besides, the gentleman Is full of virtue, bounty, worth, and qualities Beseeming such a wife as your fair daughter: Cannot your grace win her to fancy him? Duke. No, trust me; she is peevish, sullen, fro- Proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty; 6 Guessed. 7 Design. VOL. I. L |