that, indeed, know not their fathers, and therefore have no names. Speed. Here follow her vices. Laun. Clofe at the heel of her virtues. Speed. Item, the is not to be kifs'd fafting, in respect of her breath. Laun. Well, that fault may be mended with a breakfaft: read on. . Speed. Item, the hath a fweet mouth. Laun. That makes amends for her four breath. Speed. Item, the doth talk in her fleep. Laun. It's no matter for that, fo the fleep not in her talk. Speed. Item, fhe is flow in words. Laun. O villain! that fet down among her vices! to be flow in words is a woman's only virtue; I pray thee out with't, and place it for her chief virtue. Speed. Item, fhe is proud. Laun. Out with that too: it was Eve's legacy, and cannot be ta'en from her. Speed. Item, the hath no teeth. Laun. I care not for that neither, because I love crufts. Speed. Item, fhe is curst. Laun. Well; the beft is, fhe hath no teeth to bite. Speed. Item, the will often praise her liquor. Laun. If her liquor be good, the fhall; if the will not, I will; for good things thould be praised. Speed. Item, the is too liberal. Laun. Of her tongue the cannot; for that's writ down, fhe is flow of; of her purfe the fhall not, for that I'll keep fhut; now of another thing the may, and that cannot I help. Well, proceed. Speed. Item, the hath more hairs than wit, and more faults than hairs, and more wealth than faults. Laun. Stop here; I'll have her; fhe was mine, and not mine, twice or thrice in that article. Rehearse that once more. Speed. Item, fae hath more hair than wit. Laun. More hair than wit, it may be; I'llprove it: the cover of the falt hides the falt, and therefore it is more than the falt; the hair, that covers the wit, is more than the wit; for the greater hides the lefs. What's next? Speed. And more faults than hairs. Laun. That's monftrous: oh, that that were out! Laun. Why, that word makes the faults gracious: well, I'll have her; and if it be a match, as nothing is impoffible Speed. What then? Laun. Why then will I tell thee, that thy master ftays for thee at the north-gate. Speed. For me? Laun. For thee? ay, who art thou? he hath ftaid for a better man than thee. Speed. And muft I go to him? Laun. Thou must run to him, for thou haft ftaid fo long, that going will scarce ferve the turn. Speed. Why didst not tell me sooner? pox on your love-letters! Laun. Now will he be fwinged for reading my letter: an unmannerly flave,. that will thrust himfelf into fecrets--I'll after, to rejoice in the boy's correction. [Exeunt. Enter DUKE and THURIO. Duke. Sir Thurio, fear not but that she will love Now Valentine is banished from her fight. [you Thu. Since his exile fhe hath defpifed me moft, Forfworn my company, and railed at me, That I am defperate of obtaining her. Duke. This weak imprefs of love is as a figure How now, Sir Protheus? Is your countryman, Duke. My daughter takes his going heavily.. Pro. A little time, my Lord, will kill that grief, Duke. So I believe; but Thurio thinks not so. Protheus, the good conceit I hold of thee, (For thou haft fhown fome fign of good defert) Makes me the better to confer with thee. Pro. Longer than I prove loyal to your Grace, Let me not live to look upon your Grace. Duke. Thou knowest how willingly I would effect The match between Sir Thurio and my daughter. Pro. I do, my Lord. Duke. And also, I do think, thou art not ignorant How the oppofes her against my will. Pro. She did, my Lord, when Valentine was here. Therefore it must with circumstance be spoken Duke. Then you must undertake to flander him. 'Tis an ill office for a gentleman, Efpecially against his very friend. Duke. Where your good word cannot advantage Your flander never can endamage him; Therefore the office is indifferent, Being intreated to it by your friend. [him, Pro. You have prevailed, my Lord: if I can do it, By ought that I can fpeak in his difpraise, She fhall not long continue love to him. But fay this weed her love from Valentine, (13) It follows not that fhe will love Sir Thurio. Thu. Therefore as you unwind her love from him, Left it fhould ravel, and be good to none, You must provide to bottom it on me: Which must be done, by praifing me as much As you in worth difpraise Sir Valentine. Duke. And, Protheus, we dare trust you in this Because we know, on Valentine's report, You are already love's firm votary; [kind, And cannot foon revolt and change your mind. And, for your friend's fake, will be glad of you; (13) But fay this weed her love- This caft of reafoning very near refembles that of Davus in the Andria of Terence, A 2 Sc. 2. -Ridiculum caput ! Quafi neceffe fit, fi huic non dat, te illam uxorem ducere. Duke. Much is the force of heaven-bred poefy. For Orpheus' lute was ftrung with poets finews; Vifit by night your Lady's chamber-window Duke. This difcipline fhews, thou hast been in love. Thu. And thy advice this night I'll put in practice; Therefore, fweet Protheus, my direction-giver, Let us into the city prefently, To fort fome gentlemen well fkilled in mufic; Duke. About it, Gentlemen. Pro. We'll wait upon your Grace, 'till after fupper; And afterwards determine our proceedings. Duke. Even now about it. I will pardon you. [Exeunt. |