Speed. Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once delivered.

126

Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains. What said she? Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her. Pro. Why, couldst thou perceive so much from her? Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter: and being so hard to me that brought your mind, I fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling your mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's as hard as steel.

Pro. What said she? nothing?

132

Speed. No, not so much as 'Take this for thy pains.' To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testerned me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master.

[Exit Speed.

Pro. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck, Which cannot perish having thee aboard, Being destined to a drier death on shore. I must go send some better messenger : I fear my Julia would not deign my lines, Receiving them from such a worthless post.

141

SCENE II. The same. Garden of JULIA's house.

Enter JULIA and LUCETTA.

Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone,

Wouldst thou, then, counsel me to fall in love?

Luc. Ay, madam; so you stumble not unheedfully.

Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen

That every day with parle encounter me,

In thy opinion which is worthiest love?

5

Luc. Please you repeat their names, I'll show my mind

According to my shallow simple skill.

Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour? Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine; 10 But, were I you, he never should be mine.

Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio? Luc. Well of his wealth; but of himself, so so. Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus? Luc. Lord, Lord! to see what folly reigns in us! 15 Jul. How now! what means this passion at his name? Luc. Pardon, dear madam: 'tis a passing shame That I, unworthy body as I am,

Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen.

Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest?
Luc. Then thus, of many good I think him best.

20

Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason;

I think him so, because I think him so.

Jul. And wouldst thou have me cast my love on him? 25 Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away.

Jul. Why, he, of all the rest, hath never moved me.
Luc. Yet he, of all the rest, I think, best loves ye.
Jul. His little speaking shows his love but small.
Luc. Fire that's closest kept burns most of all.
Jul. They do not love that do not show their love.
Luc. O, they love least that let men know their love.
Jul. I would I knew his mind.

30

Luc. Peruse this paper, madam.
Jul. 'To Julia.'-Say, from whom?
Luc. That the contents will show.

Jul. Say, say, who gave it thee?

35

Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from Pro

teus.

He would have given it you; but I, being in the way, Did in your name receive it: pardon the fault, I pray. 40 Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!

Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines?
To whisper and conspire against my youth?
Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth,
And you an officer fit for the place.
There, take the paper: see it be return'd;

45

Or else return no more into my sight.

Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.

28 loves] lov'd Keightley.

30 Fire] Ff. The fire Pope.

that's] that is Johnson.

34 [Gives a letter. Collier MS. [Giving letter. Collier, ed. 2 (after

a

Capell).

39 being in the way] being by Pope.
40 pardon the fault, I pray] pardon
me Pope.

46 [Gives it back. Collier MS. [Giving
back the letter. Collier, ed. 2 (after
Capell).

Jul. Will ye be gone?
Імс.

That you may ruminate. [Exit.

Jul. And yet I would I had o'erlook'd the letter:

It were a shame to call her back again,
And pray her to a fault for which I chid her.
What fool is she, that knows I am a maid,
And would not force the letter to my view!
Since maids, in modesty, say 'no' to that

Which they would have the profferer construe 'ay.'
Fie, fie, how wayward is this foolish love,
That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse,

50

55

And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod!
How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence,
When willingly I would have had her here!
How angerly I taught my brow to frown,
When inward joy enforced my heart to smile!
My penance is, to call Lucetta back,
And ask remission for my folly past.
What, ho! Lucetta!

60

65

That you might kill your stomach on your meat,
And not upon your maid.

Jul. What is't that you took up so gingerly?

70

Luc. Nothing.

Jul. Why didst thou stoop, then?
Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall.

Jul. And is that paper nothing?

Luc. Nothing concerning me.

75

Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns.

Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns,

Unless it have a false interpreter.

Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme.

Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune.

Give me a note: your ladyship can set.

Jul. As little by such toys as may be possible.

Best sing it to the tune of 'Light o' love.'

Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune.

80

85

Jul. Heavy! belike it hath some burden, then?
Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you sing it.

Jul. And why not you?

Luc.

I cannot reach so high.

Jul. Let's see your song. How now, minion !
Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out:

And yet methinks I do not like this tune.

90

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 :

There wanteth but a mean to fill your song.

Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly bass.

95