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. Thu. Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit? Pro. No; that it is too little. Thu. I'll wear a boot to make it somewhat rounder. Pro. She says, it is a fair one. Thu. Nay, then the wanton lies; my face is black. Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes. Jul. "Tis true; such pearls as put out ladies' eyes; For I had rather wink than look on them. [Aside. Pro. Ill, when you talk of war. Thu. But well, when I discourse of love, and peace. Jul. But better, indeed, when you hold your peace. [Aside. Thu. What says she to my valour? Pro. O, Sir, she makes no doubt of that. Jul. She needs not, when she knows it cowardice. [Aside. Thu. What says she to my birth? Pro. That you are well derived. Jul. True; from a gentleman to a fool. [Aside. Thu. Considers she my possessions ? Pro. O, ay; and pities them. [Aside. Thu. Wherefore? Jul. That such an ass should owe them. Pro. That they are out by lease. Jul. Here comes the duke. Enter DUKE. Duke. How now, Sir Proteus? how now, Thurio? Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late? Pro. Neither. Duke. Why, then she's fled unto that peasant Valentine; And Eglamour is in her company. 'Tis true; for friar Laurence met them both, As he in penance wander'd through the forest: Him he knew well, and guess'd that it was she; At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not: That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fled: [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. [Exit. SCENE III.-Frontiers of Mantua. The Forest. 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 outrun us; But Moyses, and Valerius, follow him. Go thou with her to the west end of the wood, 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! SCENE IV-Another part of the Forest. Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man! Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain !— * Foolish. + Careless. + Sing. [Exeunt. What halloing, and what stir, is this to-day? These are my mates, that make their wills their law, They love me well; yet I have much to do, To keep them from uncivil outrages. Withdraw thee, Valentine; who's this comes here? [Steps aside Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JUlia. Pro. Madam, this service I have done for you That would have forced your honour and your love. Pro. Unhappy, were you, madam, ere 1 came; But, by my coming, I have made you happy. Sil. By thy approach thou mak'st me most unhappy. [Aside. Jul. And me, when he approacheth to your presence. [Aside. I would have been a breakfast to the beast, Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, O, 'tis the curse in love, and still approved,t When women cannot love where they're beloved. Sil. When Proteus cannot love where he's beloved. For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou hadst two, Pro. In love, Who respects friend! Sil. All men but Proteus. Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form, I'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end; And love you 'gainst the nature of love, force you. *Reward. † Felt, experienced. Pro. I'll force thee yield to my desire. Val. Ruffian let go that rude uncivil touch; Thou friend of an ill fashion! Pro. Valentine! Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or love; (For such is a friend now), treacherous man! Thou hast beguiled my hopes; nought but mine eye I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me. I am sorry, I must never trust thee more, The private wound is deepest: O time, most curst! Be a sufficient ransom for offence, I tender it here; I do as truly suffer, As e'er I did commit. Val. Then I am paid; And once again I do receive thee honest: Who by repentance is not satisfied, Is nor of heaven, nor earth; for these are pleased; By penitence the Eternal's wrath's appeased:- Jul. O me, unhappy! Pro. Look to the boy. [Faints. Val. Why, boy! why wag! how now? what is the matter? Look up; speak; good Sir, my master charged me To deliver a ring to madam Silvia; Which out of my neglect was never done. Pro. Where is that ring, boy? Jul. Here 'tis: this is it. Pro. How! let me see: Why this is the ring I gave to Julia. Jul. O, cry your mercy, Sir, I have mistook; This is the ring you sent to Sílvia. Gives a ring. [Shows another ring. Pro. But how cam'st thou by this ring? at my depart, I gave this unto Julia. Jul. And Julia herself did give it me; And Julia herself hath brought it hither. Pro. How! Julia! Jul. Behold her that gave aim* to all thy oaths, And entertain'd them deeply in her heart: * Direction. † An allusion to cleaving the pin in archery. In a disguise of love: It is the lesser blot modesty finds, Women to change their shapes, than men their minds. Pro. Than men their minds! 'tis true: O heaven! were man But constant, he were perfect: that one error Fills him with faults; makes him run through all sins: Inconstancy falls off, ere it begins: What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy "Twere pity two such friends should be long foes. Enter OUTLAWS, with DUKE and THURIO. Out. A prize, a prize, a prize! Val. Forbear, I say; it is my lord the duke. Your grace is welcome to a man disgraced, Banish'd Valentine. Duke. Sir Valentine! Thu. Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine. Val. Thurio give back, or else embrace thy death; I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, And think thee worthy of an empress' love. Val. I thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake, To grant one boon that I shall ask of you. Duke. I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be. Val. These banish'd men, that I have kept withal, Are men endued with worthy qualities; Forgive them what they have committed here, *Length of my sword. Interest. |