For which the youthful lover now is gone, For love of you, not hate unto my friend, Duke. Upon mine honour, he shall never know That I had any light from thee of this. Pro. Adieu, my lord; Sir Valentine is coming. 50 [Exit PRO. Enter VALENTINE. Duke. Sir Valentine, whither away so fast? Duke. Be they of much import ? Val. The tenor of them doth but signify My health, and happy being at your court. Duke. Nay, then no matter; stay with me a while; I am to break with thee of some affairs, 61 That touch me near, wherein thou must be secret. match › Were rich and honourable; besides, the gentleman Is full of virtue, bounty, worth, and qualities Beseeming such a wife as your fair daughter Cannot Cannot your grace win her to fancy him? Duke. No, trust me; she is peevish, sullen, fro- Proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty; And, may I say to thee, this pride of her's, Whom I affect; but she is nice, and coy, 70 81 Val. Win her with gifts, if she respect not words; Dumb jewels often, in their silent kind, 90 More than quick words, do move a woman's mind. Duke. But she did scorn a present that I sent her. Val. A woman scorns sometimes what best contents her: Send her another; never give her o'er ; 100 For scorn at first makes after-love the more. Duke. But she I mean, is promis'd by her friends "Val. Why then I would resort to her by night. 110 Duke. Ay, but the doors be lock'd, and keys kept safe, That no man hath recourse to her by night. Val. What lets, but one may enter at her window ? Duke. Her chamber is aloft, far from the ground; And built so shelving, that one cannot climb it Without apparent hazard of his life. Val. Why, then a ladder, quaintly made of cords, To cast up, with a pair of anchoring hooks, Would serve to scale another Hero's tower, So bold Leander would adventure it. Duke. Now, as thou art a gentleman of blood, Advise me where I may have such a ladder. 120 Pal. Val. When would you use it? pray, sir, tell me that. Duke. This very night; for love is like a child, That longs for every thing that he can come by. Val. By seven o'clock I'll get you such a ladder. Duke. But hark thee; I will go to her alone; How shall I best convey the ladder thither ? Val. It will be light, my lord, that you may bear it Under a cloak, that is of any length. 130 Duke.. A cloak as long as thine will serve the turn? Val. Ay, my good lord. Duke. Then let me see thy cloak; I'll get me one of such another length. Val. Why, any cloak will serve the turn, my lord. Duke. How shall I fashion me to wear a cloak ?— I pray thee, let me feel thy cloak upon me. [To SILVIA P And here an engine fit for my proceeding! 140 [Duke reads. My thoughts do harbour with my Silvia nightly: Himself would lodge, where senseless they are lying.' While I, their king, that thither them importune, Do curse the grace that with such grace hath bless'd them, Because myself do want my servant's fortune; I curse myself, for they are sent by me, That they should harbour where their lord would be. 150 What's What's here? Silvia, this night will I enfranchise thee? 'Tis and here's the ladder for the purpose.— SO ; Why, Phaeton (for thou art Merops' son), Wilt thou aspire to guide the heavenly car, And with thy daring folly burn the world? Wilt thou reach stars, because they shine on thee? Go, base intruder! over-weening slave! Bestow thy fawning smiles on equal mates; And think, my patience, more than thy desert, Thank me for this, more than for all the favours, Longer than swiftest expedition Will give thee time to leave our royal court, Be gone, I will not hear thy vain excuse, 160 But, as thou lov'st thy life, make speed from hence. [Exit. Val. And why not death, rather than living tor ment? To die, is to be banish'd from myself; 170 There |