That Silvia, at Patrick's cell, should meet me. Enter SILVIA. See, where she comes: Lady, a happy evening. Egl. Fear not: the foreft is not three leagues off; SCENE II. [Exeunt, The fame. An Apartment in the Duke's Palace. Thu. Sir Proteus, what fays Silvia to my fuit? Thu. I'll wear a boot, to make it fomewhat rounder. Pro. She fays, it is a fair one. Thu. Nay, then the wanton lies; my face is black. Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes.6 Jul. 'Tis true, fuch pearls as put out ladies' eyes; For I had rather wink than look on them. [Afide. Thu. How likes fhe my difcourfe? : Pro. Ill, when you talk of war. Thu. But well, when I difcourfe of love and peace. Jul. But better, indeed, when you hold your peace. Thu, What fays fhe to my valour? 3 Sure is fafe, out of danger. JOHNSON. "A black man is a jewel in a fair woman's eye," is one of Ray's proverbial fentences. MALONE. [Afide. Pro. for Pro. O, fir, fhe makes no doubt of that. Jul. She needs not, when she knows it cowardice. [Afide. Thu. What fays fhe to my birth? Pro. That you are well deriv'd. Jul. True; from a gentleman to a fool. [Afille Thu. Confiders fhe my poffeffions? Pro. O, ay; and pities them. Thu. Wherefore? Jul. That fuch an afs fhould owe them. [Afide. Pro. That they are out by leafe." Jul. Here comes the duke. Enter DUKE. Duke. How now, fir Proteus? how now, Thurio? Which of you faw fir Eglamour of late ? Thu. Not I. Pro. Nor I. Duke. Saw you my daughter? Neither. Pro. Duke. Why, then she's fled unto that peasant Valentine; 'Tis true; for friar Laurence met them both, At Patrick's cell this even; and there fhe was not That leads toward Mantua, whither they are fled: Dispatch, 7 I fuppofe he means, because Thurio's folly has let them on disadvan tageous terms. STEEVENS. She pities fir Thurio's poffeffions, because they are let to others, and are not in his own dear hands. This appears to me to be the meaning of it. M. MASON. "By Thurio's poffeffions, he himself understands his lands and estate. But Proteus chooses to take the word in a figurative fenfe, as fignifying his mental endowments: and when he fays they are out by leafe, he means they are no longer enjoyed by their mafter (who is a fool,) but are leafed out to another." STEEVENS. Difpatch, fweet gentlemen, and follow me. [Exit. [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. [Exity SCENE III. Frontiers of Mantua. The Foreft Enter SILVIA, and Out-laws. Out. Come, come; 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 Moyfes, and Valerius, follow him. Go thou with her to the weft end of the wood, 1 Out. Come, I muft bring you to our captain's caves Fear not; he bears an honourable mind, And will not use a woman lawlessly. Sil. O Valentine, this I endure for thee! SCENE IV. Another part of the Foreft. Enter VALENTINE. Val. How ufe doth breed a habit in a man! [Exeunt, Pevif, in ancient language, fignifies foolish. STEEVENS. And, And, to the nightingale's complaining notes, Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain!— They love me well; yet I have much to do, Withdraw thee, Valentine; who's this comes here? love. [fteps afide. Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULLA. Pro. Madam, this fervice I have done for you, Though you refpect not ought your fervant doth,) To hazard life, and refcue you from him. That wou'd have forc'd your honour and your Vouchsafe me, for my meed, 4 but one fair look; A fmaller boon than this I cannot beg, And less than this, I am fure, you cannot give. Val. How like a dream is this I fee and hear! Love, lend me patience to forbear a while. Sil. Omiferable, unhappy that I am! Pro. Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came ; But, by my coming, I have made you happy. [Afide Sil. By thy approach thou mak'ft me most unhappy. ful. And me, when he approacheth to your prefence. [Afide. Sil. Had I been feized by a hungry lion, I would have been a breakfast to the beast, Rather than have falfe Proteus rescue me. 2 To record anciently fignified to fing; and Sir John Hawkins informs me, that it is a term ftill used by bird-fanciers, to exprefs the first effays of a bird in finging. STEEVENS. 3 It is hardly poffible to point out four lines, in any of the plays of Shakspeare, more remarkable for cafe and elegance. STEEVENS, Amy meed,] i. e. reward. STEEVENS. O, heaven be judge, how I love Valentine, Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, O, 'tis the curfe in love, and still approv'd,s When women cannot love where they're belov'd. Sil. When Proteus cannot love where he's belov'd. For whofe dear fake thou did❜ft then rend thy faith Thou haft no faith left now, unless thou had'ft two, In love, All men but Proteus. Pro. Nay, if the gentle fpirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form, I'll woo you like a foldier, at arms' end; And love you 'gainst the nature of love, force you. Sil. O heaven! Pro. I'll force thee yield to my defire. Val. Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch ; Thou friend of an ill fashion! Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or love; (For fuch is a friend now,) treacherous man! Thou haft beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye Could have perfuaded me: Now I dare not fay I have one friend alive; thou would'ft difprove me. Who fhould be trufted now, when one's right hand Is perjur'd to the bofom? Proteus, 5 Approv'd is felt, experienced. MALONE. I That's is perhaps here used, not for zubo is, but for id eft, that is to fay. MALONE. |