TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. PERSONS REPRESENTED. Out-laws. Julia, a lady of Verona, beloved by Proteus. Silvia, the duke's daughter, beloved by Valentine, Thurio, a foolish rival lo Valentine. Lucetta, waiting-wonian to Julia. Servants, musicians. Scene, Sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan; licst, where Julia lodges in Milan. and on the frontiers of Mantua. ACT I. If lost, why then a grievous labour won; However, but a folly bought with wit, SCENE I. An open place in Verona. Enter Or else a wit by folly vanquished. Valentine and Proteus. Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool. Val. So, by your circumstance, I sear, you'll Valentine. prove. CEASE to persuade, my loving Proteus; Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love. Val. Love is your master, for he masters you: Home-keeping youth have ever homcly wits: And he that is so yoked by a fool, Wer't not, aticction chains thy tender days Methinks should not be chronicled for wise. To the sweet giances of thy honour'd love, Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud I rather would entreat thy company, The eating canker dwells, so eating love To see the won lers of the world abroad, Inhabits in the finest wits of all. Than living dully sluggardiz'd at home, Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness. Is eaten by the canker ere it blow, But, since thou lov'st, love still, and thrive therein, Even so by love the young and tender wit Even as I would, when I to love begin. Is turn’d to folly; blasting in the bud, Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, Losing his verdure even in the prime, adieu ! And all the fair effects of future hopes. Once more adieu: my father at the road When thou dost meet good hap; and, in thy dan- Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd. ger, Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine. If ever danger do environ thee, Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers, leave. Val. And on a love-book pray for my success. Of thy success in love, and what news else Val. That's on some shallow story of deep love, And I likewise will visit thee with mine. Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love. Val. As much to you at home! and so, farewell! For he was more than over shoes in love. (Exit Valentine. Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love, Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love : And yet you never swam the Hellespont. He leaves his friends, to dignify them more ; Pro. Over the boots ? nay, give me not the I leave myself, my friends, and all for love. boots. Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me; . Val. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not. Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, Pro. What? War with good counsel, set the world at nought; Val. To be Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with In love, where scorn is bought with groans; coy thought. looks, Enter Speed. Speed. Sir Proteus, save you: saw you my master? (1) A humorous punishment at harvest-home Pro. But now he parted hence, to embark for seasts, &c. Milan. my mind Speed. Twenty to one then, he is shipp'd already;], Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from And I have play'd the sheep, in losing him. her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering Pro. Indeed a sheep doth very often stray, your letter : and being so hard to me that brought An if the shepherd be awhile away. your mind, I fear, she'll prove as hard to you in Speed. You conclude that my master is a shep-telling her mind. Give her no token but stones; herd then, and I a sheep? for she's as hard as steel. Pro. I do. Pro. What, said she nothing ? Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether Speed. No, not so much as-take this for thy I wake or sleep. pains. To testify your bounty, I thank you, you Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. have testern'd' me; in requital whereol, hence. Speed. This proves me still a sheep. forth carry your letters yourself; and so, sir, I'll Pro. True; and thy master a shepherd. commend you to my master. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. Pro. Go, go, begone, to save your ship from Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by another. wreck; Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, the skeep the shepherd; but I scek my master, Being destin'd to a drier death on shore :and my master seeks not me: therefore, I am no I must go send some better messenger; sheep. I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines, Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, Receiving them from such a worthless post. the shepherd for food follows not the sheep, thou [Exeunt. for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore, thou art a sheep. SCENE II.-The same. Garden of Julia's Speed. Such another proof will make me cry house. Enter Julia and Lucetta. baa. Pro. But dost thou hear? gav'st thou my letter Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, to Julia ? Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love Speed. Ay, sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your let Luc. Ay, madam; so you stumble not unheedter to her, a laced mutton ;' and she, a laced mut fully. Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, ton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour. Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a store That every day with parle encounter me, of muttons. In thy opinion, which is worthiest love? Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll show best stick her. Pro. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best According to my shallow simple skill. pound you. Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour? Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine; me for carrying your letter. But, were I you, he never should be mine. Pro. You mistake; I mean the pound, a pin- Luc. Well of his wealth ; but of himsell, so, so. Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio ? fold. Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus ? Luc. Lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in us! 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your Jul. How now! what means this passion at his lover. name? Pro. But what said she ? did she nod ? Luc. Pardon, dear madam ; 'tis a passing (Speed nods. shame, Speed. I. That I, unworthy body as I am, Pro. Nod, I? why, that's noddy. Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen. Speed. You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest ? and you ask me, if she did nod, and I say, I. Luc. Then thus, of many good I think him best. Pro. And that set together, is-noddy. Jul. Your reason? Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains. Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason ; Pro. No, no, you shall bave it for bearing the I think him so, because I think him so. letter. Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my love on him? Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away. Jul. Why, he of all the rest hath never mov'd me. Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? Speed. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly; having Jul. His little speaking shows his love but small. Luc. Yet he of all the rest, I think, best loves yc. nothing but the word, noddy, for my pains. Pro. Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. Luc. Fire, that is closest kept, burns most of all. Jul. They do not love, that do not show their love. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slow Luc. O, they love least, that let men know their purse. love. Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief : what said she 1 Jul. I would, I knew his mind. Luc. Speed. Open your purse, that the money, and Peruse this paper, madam. the matter, may be both at once delivered. Ju. To Julia,-Say, from whom ? That the contents will show. Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains; what said she? Jul. Say, say; who gave it thee ? Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her. from Proteus : Pro. Why ? could’st thou perceive so much He would have given it you, but I, being in the way, from her ? A term for a courtezan. (2) A game at cards. [4) Given me a sixpenco. (5) Talk (6) Pass sentence. over, 2 with you. Did in your name receive it ; pardon the fault, 1. Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me. pray. Here is a coils with protestation !Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker !! (Tears the letter. Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines ? Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie: To whisper and conspire against my youth? You would be fingering them, to anger me. Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth, Luc. She makes it strange ; but she would be And you an officer fit for the place. best pleas'd There, take the paper, see it be return'd ; To be so anger'd with another letter. (Ezil. Or else return no more into my sight. Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same! Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than o hateful hands, to tear such loving words ! hate. Injurious wasps ! to feed on such sweet honey, Jul. Will you be gone? And kill the bees that yield it, with your stings! Luc. That you may ruminate. I'll kiss each several paper for amends. [Exit. And here is writ-kind Julia ;-unkind Julia ! Jul. And yet, I would I had o'erlook'd the letter. As in revenge of thy ingratitude, It were a shame to call her back again, I throw thy name against the bruising stones, And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain. Whai fool is she, that knows I am a maid, Look, here is writ-love-wounded Proteus :And would not force the letter to my view ? Poor wounded name! my bosom, as a bed, Since maids, in modesty, say No, to that Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be thoroughly Which they would have the profferer construe, hy. heal'd; Fie, fie! how wayward is this foolish love, And thus 1 search it with a sovereign kiss. That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse, But twice, or thrice, was Proteus written down ? And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod ! Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence, Till I have found each letter in the letter, When willingly I would have had her here ! Except mine own name; that some whirlwind bear How angrily I taught my brow to frown, Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock, When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile ! And throw it thence into the raging sea! My penance is, to call Lucetia back, Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ, And ask remission for my folly past: Poor forlorn Prolcus, passionate Proteus, What ho! Lucetta! To the sweet Julia :—that I'll tear away; And yet I will not, sith' so prettily He couples it to his complaining names : Thus will I fold them one upon another; Luc. What would your ladyship? Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will. Re-enter Lucetta. Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your father Jul. What is't you took up stays. Jul. Well, let us go Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales Jul. Why didst thou stoop, then? here? Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall. Jul. If you respect them, best to take them up. Jul. And is that paper nothing ? Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down : Luc. Nothing concerning me. Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold. Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme. I see things too, although you judge I wink. (Exeunt. Jud. As little by such toys as may be possible: Best sing it to the tune of Light o'love. SCENE III.-The same. A room in Antonio's Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune, house. Enter Antonio and Panthino. Jul. Heavy ? belike it hath some burden then. Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that, Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister ? Jul. And why not you ? Pan. 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son. Luc. I cannot reach so high. Ant. Why, what of him ? Jul. Let's see your song :-How now, minion ? Pan. He wonder'd, that your lordship Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out: Would suffer him to spend his youth at home; And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune. While other men, of slender reputation,' Jul. You do not? Put forth their sons to seek preserment out: Luc. No, madam; it is too sharp. Some, to the wars, to try their fortune there; Jul. You, minion, are too saucy. Some, to discover islands far away; Luc. Nay, now you are too flat, Some, to the studious universities. And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:' For any, or for all these exercises, There wanteth but a mean to fill your song. He said, that Protcus, your son, was meet; Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly base. And did request me, to importune you, Luc. Indeed, I bid the bases for Proteus. To let him spend his time no more at home, (1) A matchmaker. (2) Passion or obstinacy. (5) A challenge. (6) Bustle, stir. (7) Since. A term in music, (4) Thę tenor in music, 8) Serious, °(9) Little consequence see; sing it. Which would be great impeachment to his age, Come on, Panthino; you shall be employ'd To hasten on his expedition. (Exeunt Ant, and Pant, that Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear of Whereon this month I have been hammering. burning ; I have consider'd well his loss of time; And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd: And how he cannot be a perfect man, I fear'd to show my father Julia's letter, Not being try'd and tutor'd in the world : Lest should take exceptions to my love; Experience is by industry achiev'd, And with the vantage of mine own excuse Pant. I think, your lordship is not ignorant, The uncertain glory of an April day; Which now shows all the beauty of the sun, And by and by a cloud takes all away! Anl. I know it well. Re-enter Panthino. Pant, 'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither: Pant. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you; There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, He is in laste, therefore, I pray you, go. Hear sweet discourse, converse with nobleinen; Pro. Why, this it is ! my heart accords thereto; And be in eye of every exercise, And yet a thousand times it answers, no. Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth. (Ereuni. Ant. I like thy counsel ; well hast thou advis'd: And, that thou inay'st perceive how well I like it, The execution of it shall make known; Even with the speediest execution ACT II. I will despatch him to the emperor's court. Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don Al- SCENE I.-Milan. Ar apartment in the Duke's phonso, palace. Enter Valentine and Speeu. With other gentlemen of good esteem, Are journeying to salute the emperor, Speed. Sir, your glove. And to commend their service to his will. Val. Not mine; my gloves are on. Ant. Good company: with them shall Proteus go: Speed. Why then this may be yours, for this is And, in good time,-now will we break with him. but one, Val. Ha ! let me see : ay, give it me, it's mine:Enter Proteus. Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine ! Ah Silvia ! Silvia ! Val. How now, sirrah! Val. Well, you'll still be too forward. Ant. How now? what letter are you reading Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being toc there? slow. Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you know madam two Silvia ? Or commendation sent from Valentine, Speed. She that your worship loves? Deliver'd by a friend that came from him. Val. Why, how know you that I am in love? Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what news. Speed. Marry, by these special marks: Pirst, you Pro. There is no news, my lord; but that he have learned, like Sir Proteus, lo wreath your arms writes like a male-content; to relish a love-song, like a How happily he lives, how well belov'd, robin-red-breast; to walk alone, like one that had And daily graced by the emperor the pestilence; to sigh, like a school-boy that had Wishing me with him, partner of his fortunc. lost his A. B. C. ; to weep, like a young wench that Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish? had buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes Pro. As one relying on your lordship’s will, diet ;to watch, like one that fears robbing; 10 And not depending on his friendly wish. speak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas.6" You Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish: were wont, when you laugh’d, to crow like a cock; Muse' not that I thus suddenly proceed; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions; For what I will, I will, and there an end. when you fasted, it was presently after dinner; I am resolv'd, that thou shalt spend some time when you looked sadly, it was for want of money: With Valentinus in the einperor's court; and now you are metamorphosed with a mistrcés, What maintenance he from his friends receives, that, when I look on you, I can hardly think you Like exhibition thou shalt have from me. my master. To-morrow be in readiness to go: Val. Are all these things perceived in me? Excuse it not, for I am peremptory. Speed. They are all perceived without you. Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided ; Val. Without me? They cannot. Please you, deliberate a day or two. Speed. Without you ? nay, that's certain, for, Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent aster without you were so simple, none else would: but thee: you are so without these follies, that these follies No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go. are within you, and shine through you like the water in a urinal ; that not an eye, that sees you, Reproach. (2) Break the matter to him, Wonder. (4) Allowance. (5) Under a regimen, (6) Allhallowmas, And yet, — but is a physician to comment on your malady. But for my duty to your ladyship. Val. But tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia ? Sil. I thank you, gentle servant : 'tis very clerkly. Speed. She, that you gaze on so, as she sits at done. supper ? Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off ; Val. Hast thou observ'd that ? even she I mean. For, being ignorant to whom it goes, Speed. Why, sir, I know her not. I writ at random, very doubtfully. Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much and yet know'st her not? pains ? Speed. Is she not hard-favour'd, sir ? Val. No, madam ; so it stead you, I will write, Val. Not so fair, boy, as well favoured. Please you command, a thousand times as much : Speed. Sir, I know that well enough. Val. What dost thou know? Sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel ; Speed. That she is not so fair, as (of you) well And yet I will not name it :-and yet I care not ;favoured. And yet take this again ;--and yet I thank you ; Val. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more. her favour infinite. Speed. And yet you will; and yet another yet. Speed. That's because the one is painted, and Aside. the other out of all count. Val. What means your ladyship? do you not Val. How painted ? and how out of count? like it? Speed. Marry, sir, so painted, to make her fair, Sil. Yes, yes; the lines are very quaintly writ: that no man counts of her beauty. But since unwillingly, take them again ; Val. How esteemest thou me? I account of her Nay, take them. beauty. Val. Madam, they are for you. Speed. You never saw her since she was de- Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, sir, at my request : formed. But I will none of them; they are for you: Val. How long hath she been deformed? I would have had them writ more movingly. Speed. Ever since you loved her. Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship another. Val. I have loved her ever since I saw her, and Sil. And, when it's writ, for my sake read it over : still I see her beautiful. And, if it please you, so; if not, why, so. Speed. If you love her, you cannot see her. Val. If it please me, madam! what then? Val. Why? Sil. Why, if it please you, take it for your labour : Speed. Because love is blind. O, that you had And so good morrow, servant. Exit Silvia. mine eyes; or your own had the lights they were Speed. O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible, wont to have, when you chid at Sir Proteus for As a nose on a man's face, or a weathercock on a going ungartered! steeple! Val. What should I see then ? My master sues to her; and she hath taught her Speed. Your own present folly, and her passing suitor, deformity: for he, being in love, could not see to He being her pupil , to become her tutor. garter hís hose ; and you, being in love, cannot see o excellent device! was there ever heard a better? to put on your hose. That my master, being scribe, to him self should Val. Belike, boy, then you are in love ; for last write the letter ? morning you could not see to wipe my shoes. Val. How now, sir ? what are you reasoning Speed. True, sir; I was in love with my bed: I with yourself? thank you, you swinged' me for my love, which Speed. Nay, I was rhyming ; 'tis you that have makes me the bolder to chide you for yours. the reason. Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her. Val. To do what? Speed. I would you were set ; so, your affection Speed. To be a spokesman from madam Silvia.' would cease. Val. To whom? Val. Last night she enjoined me to write some Speed. To yourself: why, she wooes you by a lines to one she loves. figure. Speed. And have you ? Val. What figure ? Val. I have. Speed. By a letter, I should say. Speed. Are they not lamely writ ? Val. Why, she hath not writ to me. Val. No, boy, but as well as I can do them :- Speed. What need she, when she hath made you Peace, here she comes. write to yourself? Why, do you not perceive the jest? Enter Silvia. Val. No, believe me. Speed. O excellent motion ! O exceeding pup-you perceive her earnest? Speed. No believing you indeed, sir; but did pet! now will he interpret to her. Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand good Speed. Why, she hath given you a letter, Val. She gave me none, except an angry word. Val. That's the letter 1 writ to her friend Speed. 0, 'give you good even! here's a million Speed. And that letter hath she delivered, and of manners. (Aside. there an end. Sil. Şir Valentine and servant, to you two thou- Val. I would, it were no worse. sand. Speed. He should give her interest; and she Speed. I'll warrant you, 'tis as well: gives it him. Val. As you enjoind me, I have writ your letter, For often you have writ to her; and she, in Unto the secret nameless friend of yours; modesty, Which I was much unwilling to proceed in, Or else for want of idle time, could not again reply, (1) Whipped. (2) A puppet-show. * Like & scholar, (4) There's the conclusion í morrows. |