And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod ! How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence, What ho! Lucetta! Luc. Re-enter LUCETTA. What would your ladyship? Jul. Is it near dinner-time? I would it were ; That you might kill your stomach on your meat, And not upon your maid. Jul. What is 't that you took up so gingerly? Jul. Why didst thou stoop, then? Luc. That I let fall. Jul. To take a paper up. And is that paper nothing? Luc. Nothing concerning me. Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns. Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme. Give me a note: your ladyship can set. Jul. As little by such toys as may be possible. Jul. Heavy! belike it hath some burden, then? Luc. Jul. Let's see your song. How now, minion! I cannot reach so high. [Taking the letter.] Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out: And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune. Jul. You do not? Luc. No, Madam; it is too sharp. Jul. You, minion, are too saucy. Luc. Nay, now you are too flat, And mar the concord with too harsh a descant: Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me. Go, get you gone, and let the papers lie: You would be fingering them, to anger me. [Tears the letter. Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be best pleas'd To be so anger'd with another letter. Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same! O hateful hands, to tear such loving words! Look, here is writ—"kind Julia : "—unkind Julia ! I throw thy name against the bruising stones, Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be throughly heal'd ; But twice or thrice was "Proteus" written down:- Except mine own name: that some whirlwind bear And throw it thence into the raging sea!— Luc. Madam, Re-enter LUCEtta. Dinner is ready, and your father stays. E [Exit. Jul. Well, let us go. Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales here? Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down ; Jul. I see you have a month's mind to them. Luc. Ay, Madam, you may say what sights you see; [Exeunt. SCENE III. VERONA. A Room in ANTONIO'S House. Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that, Pant. Put forth their sons to seek preferment out: Some to the studious universities. For any, or for all these exercises, He said that Proteus your son was meet; To let him spend his time no more at home, In having known no travel in his youth. Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that Whereon this month I have been hammering. I have consider'd well his loss of time, And how he cannot be a perfect man, And perfected by the swift course of time. Then, tell me, whither were I best to send him? Attends the emperor in his royal court. Ant. I know it well. Pant. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither: There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen, And be in eye of every exercise Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth. Ant. I like thy counsel; well hast thou advis'd: And, that thou mayst perceive how well I like it, The execution of it shall make known. Even with the speediest expedition I will despatch him to the emperor's court. Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don Alphonso, With other gentlemen of good esteem, Are journeying to salute the emperor, And to commend their service to his will. Ant. Good company; with them shall Proteus go: And,-in good time :-now will we break with him. Enter PROTEUS. Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life! Ant. How now! what letter are you reading there? Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or twe Of commendations sent from Valentine, Deliver'd by a friend that came from him. Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what news. Pro. There is no news, my lord; but that he writes How happily he lives, how well belov'd, And daily graced by the emperor ; Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune. Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish? Pro. As one relying on your lordship's will, And not depending on his friendly wish. Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish. Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed; For what I will I will, and there an end. I am resolv'd that thou shalt spend some time With Valentinus in the emperor's court: What maintenance he from his friends receives, Excuse it not, for I am peremptory. Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided: Please you, deliberate a day or two. Ant. Look, what thou want'st shall be sent after thee: No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go.- [Exeunt ANTONIO and PANTHINO. Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire for fear of burning, And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd. I fear'd to show my father Julia's letter, Lest he should take exceptions to my love; The uncertain glory of an April day; Re-enter PANTHINO. Pant. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you: He is in haste; therefore, I pray you, go. Pro. Why, this it is: my heart accords thereto, And yet a thousand times it answers, No. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I.-MILAN. A Room in the DUKE'S Palace. Enter VALENTINE and SPEED. Speed. Sir, your glove. Val. Not mine; my gloves are on. Speed. Why then this may be yours, for this is but one. Val. Ha! let me see: ay, give it me, it's mine.— Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine! Ah Silvia, Silvia ! Speed. [Calling.] Madam Silvia! Madam Silvia ! Speed. She is not within hearing, Sir. Val. Why, Sir, who bade you call her? Speed. Your worship, Sir; or else I mistook. Val. Well, you'll still be too forward. Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being too slow. Speed. She that your worship loves? know Madam Silvia ? Val. Why, how know you that I am in love? |