Egl. The sun begins to gild the western sky; That Silvia, at Patrick's cell, should meet me. Enter SILVIA. See, where she comes: Lady, a happy evening! Sil. Amen, amen! go on, good Eglamour! 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. An Apartment in the Duke's Palace. Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA. Thu. Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit? Pro. O, sir, I find her milder than she was; And yet she takes exceptions at your person. Thu. What, that my leg is too long? Pro. No; that it is too little. Thu. I'll wear a boot to make it somewhat rounder. Pro. But love will not be spurr'd to what it loaths. 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. Thu. How likes she my discourse? Thu. But well, when I discourse of love, and peace? Jul. But better, indeed, when you hold your peace. Thu. What says she to my valour? Pro. O, sir, she makes no doubt of that. [Aside. Jul. She needs not, when she knows it cowardice. Thu. What says she to my birth? Pro. That you are well derived. [Aside. Jul. True; from a gentleman to a fool. [Aside. Thu. Considers she my possessions? Pro. O, ay, and pities them. Thu. Wherefore? Jul. That such an ass should owe them. [Aside. Pro. That they are out by lease. Jul. Here comes the duke. Enter DUKE. Duke. How now, sir Proteus? how now, Which of you saw sir Eglamour of late? Thu. Not I. Thurio? ; 'Tis true; for friar Laurence met them both, At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not: That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fled : That flies her fortune when it follows her: [Exit. Pro. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love, Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her. [Exit. Jul. And I will follow, more to cross that love, Than hate for Silvia, that is gone for love. SCENE III. Frontiers of Mantua. The Forest. Enter SILVIA and Out-laws. Out. Come, come; [Exit. Be patient, we must bring you to our captain. 1 Out. Where is the gentleman that was with her? 3 Out. Being nimble footed, he hath out-run 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; The thicket is beset, he cannot 'scape. 3 Careless. 1 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! [Exeunt. 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, These are my mates, that make their wills their law, To keep them from uncivil outrages. Withdraw thee, Valentine: who is this comes here? [Steps aside. Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA. Pro. Madam, this service I have done for you, (Though you respect not aught your servant doth,) To hazard life, and rescue you from him That would have forc'd your honour and your love. Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look; 4 Sing. A smaller boon than this I cannot beg, And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give. Jul. And me, when he approacheth to your pre sence. [Aside. Sil. Had I been seized by a hungry lion, I would have been a breakfast to the beast, Rather than have false Proteus rescue me. O, heaven be judge how I love Valentine, Whose life's as tender to me as my soul; And full as much, (for more there cannot be,) I do detest false perjur'd Proteus: Therefore be gone, solicit me no more. Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo for one calm look? Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou hadst two, Pro. Who respects friends? 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, Felt, experienced. |