Laun. Fie on thee, jolt-head; thou can'st not read. Speed. Thou liest, I can. Laun. I will try thee. Speed. Come fool, come: try me in thy paper. Laun. Ay, that she can. Speed. Item, She brews good ale. Laun. And thereof comes the proverb,-Blessing of your heart, you brew good ale. Speed. Item; She can sew. Laun. That's as much as to say, Can she so? Speed. Here follow her vices. Laun. Close at the heels of her virtues. Speed. Item, She doth talk in her sleep. Laun. It's no matter for that, so she sleep not in her talk. Speed. Item, She is slow in words. Laun. O villain, that set this down among her vices! To be slow in words, is a woman's only virtue: I pray thee, out with't; and place it for her chief virtue. Speed. Item, She is proud. Laun. Out with that too; it was Eve's legacy, and cannot be ta'en from her. Speed. Item, She hath no teeth. Laun. I care not for that neither, because I love crusts. Speed. Item, She is curst. Laun. Well; the best is, she hath no teeth to bite. Speed. Item, She will often praise her liquor. Laun. If her liquor be good, she shall: if she will not, I will; for good things should be praised. Speed. Item, She is too liberal.2 Laun. Of her tongue she cannot; for that's writ 1 St. Nicholas presided over young scholars. down she is slow of: of her she shall not; purse that I'll keep shut. What's next? Speed. She has more faults than hairs, for Laun. That's monstrous: O, that that were out! Speed. And more wealth than faults. Laun. Why, that word makes the faults gracious: Well, I'll have her: and if it be a match, as nothing is impossible, Speed. What then? Laun. Why, then I will tell thee,—that thy master stays for thee at the north gate. Speed. For me? Laun. For thee? ay; who art thou? he hath staid for a better man than thee. Speed. And must I go to him? Laun. Thou must run to him, for thou hast staid so long, that going will scarce serve the turn. Speed. Why didst not tell me sooner? plague of your love-letters! [Exit. Laun. Now will he be swinged for reading my letter: An unmannerly slave, that will thrust himself into secrets!—I'll after, to rejoice in the boy's correction. [Exit. SCENE II. The same. A Room in the Duke's paláce. Enter DUKE and THURIO; PROTEUS behind. Duke. Sir Thurio, fear not, but that she will love you, Now Valentine is banish'd from her sight. Thu. Since his exíle she hath despis'd me most, Forsworn my company, and rail'd at me, That I am desperate of obtaining her. Duke. This weak impress of love is as a figure Duke. My daughter takes his going grievously. Pro. Longer than I prove loyal to your grace, Let me not live to look upon your grace. Duke. Thou know'st, how willingly I would effect The match between Sir Thurio and my daughter. Pro. I do, my lord. Duke. And also, I think, thou art not ignorant How she opposes her against my will. Pro. She did, my lord, when Valentine was here. Therefore it must, with circumstance, be spoken Duke. Then you must undertake to slander him. Pro. And that, my lord, I shall be loth to do: 'Tis an ill office for a gentleman; Especially, against his very friend. Duke. Where your good word cannot advantage him, 4 Cut. Your slander never can endamage him; Being entreated to it by your friend. Pro. You have prevail'd, my lord: if I can do it, Lest it should ravel, and be good to none, Duke. And, Proteus, we dare trust you in this kind; mind. Because we know, on Valentine's report, For Orpheus' lute was strung with poet's sinews; s Birdlime. Whose golden touch could soften steel and stones, Visit by night your lady's chamber-window Duke. This discipline shows thou hast been in love. Thu. And thy advice this night I'll put in practice: Therefore, sweet Proteus, my direction-giver, To sort' some gentlemen well skill'd in musick: Duke. About it, gentlemen. Pro. We'll wait upon your grace till after supper: And afterward determine our proceedings. Duke. Even now about it; I will pardon you. ACT THE FOURTH. [Exeunt. SCENE I. A Forest, near Mantua. Enter certain OUT-LAWS. 1 Out. Fellows, stand fast; I see a passenger. 2 Out. If there be ten, shrink not, but down with 'em. 6 Mournful elegy. 7 Choose out. |