We have convers'd, and spent our hours together: To clothe mine age with angel-like perfection;" 380 Duke. Beshrew me, sir, but, if he make this good, He is as worthy for an empress' love, As meet to be an emperor's counsellor. 340 Val. Should I have wish'd a thing, it had been he. Duke. Welcome him then according to his worth; Silvia, I speak to you; and you, Sir Thurio:For Valentine, I need not 'cite him to it: I'll send him hither to you presently. [Exit Duke. Val. This is the gentleman, I told your ladyship, Had come along with me, but that his mistress: Did hold his eyes lock'd in her crystal looks. Sil. Belike, that now she hath enfranchis'd them.. Upon some other pawn for fealty. D. 350 Val. Val. Nay, sure, I think, she holds them prisoners still. Sil. Nay, then he should be blind; and, being blind, How could he see his way to seek out you? Val. Why, lady, love hath twenty pair of eyes. Thu. They say, that love hath not an eye at all. Val. To see such lovers, Thurio, as yourself; Upon a homely object love can wink. Enter PROTHEUS. Sil. Have done, have done; here comes the gentleman. Val. Welcome, dear Protheus! - Mistress, I be seech you, Confirm his welcome with some special favour. 360 Sil. Too low a mistress for so high a servant. Pro. Not so, sweet lady; but too mean a servant To have a look of such a worthy mistress. Val. Leave off discourse of disability :- 370 Pro. Ser. Madam, my lord your father would speak with you. Sil. I'll wait upon his pleasure. [Exit Serv.] Come, Go with me:-Once more, new servant, welcome: [Exeunt SILVIA, and THURIO. Val. Now, tell me, how do all from whence you came ? Pro. Your friends are well, and have them much commended. Val. And how do your's? Pro. I left them all in health. Val. How does your lady and how thrives your love? Pro. My tales of love were wont to weary you ; I know, you joy not in a love-discourse. 399 Val. Ay, Protheus, but that life is alter'd now : I have done penance for contemning love; Whose high imperious thoughts have punish'd me With bitter fasts, with penitential groans, With nightly tears, and daily heart-sore sighs; For, in revenge of my contempt of love, Love hath chac'd sleep from my enthralled eyes, And made them watchers of mine own heart's sorrow. O, gentle Protheus, love's a mighty lord; 401 Pro. Enough; I read your fortune in your eye : Was this the idol that you worship so? 409 Val. Even she; and is she not a heavenly saint ? Pro, No; but she is an earthly paragon. Val. Call her divine. Pro. I will not flatter her... Val. O flatter me! for love delights in praise. Pro. When I was sick, you gave me bitter pills; And I must minister the like to you. Val. Then speak the truth by her; if not divine, Yet let her be a principality, -Sovereign to all the creatures on the earth, Pro. Except my mistress. Val. Sweet, except not any; 430 Except thou wilt except against my love. Pro. Have I not reason to prefer mine own? Val. And I will help thee to prefer her too : She shall be dignified with this high honour— To bear my lady's train; lest the base earth Should from her vesture chance to steal a kiss, And, of so great a favour growing proud, Disdain to root the summer-swelling flower, And make rough winter everlastingly. 430 Pro. Pro. Why, Valentine, what braggardism is this? Val. Pardon me, Protheus: all I can, is nothing To her, whose worth makes other worthies nothing; She is alone. : Pro. Then let her alone. Val. Not for the world: why, man, she is mine own; And I as rich in having such a jewel, 44 Val. Ay, and we are betroth'd; nay, more, our marriage hour, With all the cunning manner of our flight, I must unto the road, to disembark Some necessaries that I needs must use; And then I'll presently attend you. Val. Will you make haste? 450 Pro. |