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I must go fend some better messenger;

I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines,
Receiving them from such a worthless poft.

[hate.

Luc. To plead for love deferves more fee than

Or else return no more into my fight.

Jul. Will ye be gone?

[Excunt feverally.

Luc. That you may ruminate.

[Exit.

SCENE

5

II.

Changes to Julia's chamber.
Enter Julia and Lucetta.

Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone,
Would'ft thou then counsel me to fall in love?
Luc. Ay, madam; so you stumble not unheed-10
Jal. Of all the fair refort of gentlemen, [fully.
That every day with parle encounter me,

In thy opinion which is worthiest love?

Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll shew

my mind

According to my shallow simple skill.

Jal. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour?
Lac. As of a knight well spoken, neat and fine;

But, were I you, he never should be mine.

Jul. And yet, I would I had o'erlook'd the letter.
It were a shame, to call her back again,
And pray her to a fault for which I chid her.
What fool is she, that knows I am a maid,
And would not force the letter to my view?
Since maids, in modesty, say No, to that
Which they would have the profferer construe, As.
Fie, fie! how wayward is this foolish love,
That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse,
And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod !
15 How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence,
When willingly I would have had her here!
How angerly I taught my brow to frown,
When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile!
My penance is, to call Lucetta back,

Jul. What think'ft thou of the rich Mercatio? 20 And ask remiffion for my folly paft:

Lac. Well, of his wealth; but of himself, so, so.

Jal. What think'st thou of the gentle Protheus?
Lac. Lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in us!

Jalia. How now? what means this passion at
his name?

Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing shame, That I, unworthy body as I am,

Should cenfure1 thus on lovely gentlemen.

Jul. Why not on Protheus, as of all the rest?

What ho! Lucetta!

Re-enter Lucetta.

Luc. What would your ladyship?

Jul. Is it near dinner-time ?

25 Luc. I would, it were;

That you might kill your stomach on your meat,

And not upon your maid.

Jul. What is 't that you

Took up so gingerly?

Luc. Then thus, of many good, I think him best. 30 Luc. Nothing.

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Jul. Why didst thou stoop then?

Luc. To take a paper up, that I let fall.

Jul. And is that paper nothing?

Luc. Nothing concerning me.

35 Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns. Luc. Madam, it will not lye where it concerns, Unless it have a false interpreter.

Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhime.

Luc. That I might fing it, madam, to a tune :

Jul. As little by such toys as may be possible:

Jul. His little speaking shews his love but small.
Lac. Fire, that is closest kept, burns most of all. 40 Give me a note; your ladyship can set.

!

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Best fing it to the tune of Lights' love.

Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune.

Jul. Heavy? belike, it hath some burden then. 45 Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you fing it.

Jul. And why not you?
Luc. I cannot reach so high.
Jul. Let's fee your song:-How now, minion?
Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will fing it out s

50 And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune.
Jul. You do not ?

Luc. No, madam, it is too sharp.
Jul. You, minion, are too saucy.

Luc. Nay, now you are too flat,

55 And mar the concord with too harsh a defcant4:
There wanteth but a means to fill your fong.
Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly base.
Luc. Indeed, I bid the base for Protheus.

• To cenfure means, in this place, to pass sentence. 2 A broker was used for matchmaker, sometimes for procuress. 3 Stomach was used for passion or obftinacy. 4 Defcant is a term in music. 5 The mean is the tenor in music. 6 The speaker here turns the allusion (which her mistress emplayed) from the base in music to a country exercise, Bid the base: in which some pursue, and others are made prifoners.

Juh Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me.

Here is a coil with protestation!

[Tears it. Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie:

You would be fingering them, to anger me.

Put forth their sons to seek preferment out :
Some to the wars, to try their fortune there;
Some, to difcover islands far away;
Some, to the studious universities.

Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be 5 For any, or for all these exercises,

best pleas'd

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Oh hateful hands, to tear such loving words!
Injurious wasps, to feed on such sweet honey,
And kill the bees that yield it, with your stings!
I'll kiss each feveral paper for amends.
Look, here is writ-kind Julia;-unkind Julia!
As in revenge of thy ingratitude,

I throw thy name against the bruising stones,
Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain.
Look, here is writ-love-wounded Protheus:-
Poor wounded name! my bosom, as a bed, [heal'd;

He said, that Protheus, your fon, was meet;
And did request me to importune you,
To let him spend his time no more at home,
Which would be great impeachment 3 to his age,

10 In having known no travel in his youth.

[that

Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to
Whereon this month I have been hammering.
I have confider'd well his loss of time;
And how he cannot be a perfect man,
15 Not being try'd, and tutor'd in the world:
Experience is by industry atchiev'd,
And perfected by the swift course of time:
Then, tell me, whither were I best to send him?
Pant. I think, your lordship is not ignorant,

Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be thoroughly 20 How his companion, youthful Valentine,

And thus I search it with a fovereign kiss.

But twice, or thrice, was Protheus written down:

Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away,

Till I have found each letter in the letter, [bear

Attends the emperor in his royal court.
Ant. I know it well.

[him thither: Pant. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent There shall he practise tilts and tournaments,

And be in eye of every exercise,

Worthy his youth, and nobleness of birth.

Except mine own name; that some whirlwind 25 Hear fweet discourse, converse with noblemen;

Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock,

And throw it thence into the raging sea!

Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ,

Puor forlorn Protheus, paffionate Protheus,

To the frweet Julia;-that I'll tear away;

And yet I will not, fith so prettily

He couples it to his complaining names;
Thus will I fold them one upon another;

Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.

Re-enter Lucetta.

Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your father
Jul. Well, let us go.
[stays.

Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales

here?

Ant. I like thy counsel; well haft thou advis'd:
And, that thou may'st perceive how well I like it,

30 The execution of it shall make known;
Even with the speediest expedition

I will dispatch him to the emperor's court. [phonfo,
Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don Al-

With other gentlemen of good esteem,

35 Are journeying to falute the emperor,

Jul. If thou respect them, best to take them up. 40
Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them

down:

Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold.

Jul. I fee, you have a month's mind to them1.

And to commend their service to his will.

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Ant. Good company; with them shall Protheus And, in good time 4,-now will we break with him.

Enter Protheus.

Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life!
Here is her hand, the agent of her heart;
Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn :
Oh! that our fathers would applaud our loves,
To feal our happiness with their confents!

Luc. Ay, madam, you may say what fights you 45 Oh heavenly Julia !

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* A month's mind was an anniversary in times of popery; or, as Mr. Ray calls it, a less folemnity directed by the will of the deceased. There was alfo a year's mind, and a weck's mind. See Proverbial Pbrafes. 2 Sad is the fame as grave or ferious. 3 Impeachment is bindrance. 4 The old expreffion

when fomething happened which fuited the thing in hand, fimilar to the French à propos.

For

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Speed. Why then this may be yours; for this is 30 you are so without these follies, that these follies

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Speed. She that your worship loves?

Val. Why, how know you that I am in love? 45 Speed. That the is not so fair, as (of you) well

Speed. Marry, by these special marks: First,

you have learn'd, like fir Protheus, to wreath your

arms like a male-content; to relish a love-fong,

Like a Robin-red-breast; to walk alone, like one

favour'd.

Val. I mean, that her beauty is exquifite, but her favour infinite.

Speed. That's because the one is painted, and

that had the peftilence; to figh, like a school-boy 50 the other out of all count.

that had lost his A. B. C; to weep, like a young

Val. How painted? and how out of count?

Speed. Marry, fir, so painted, to make her fair, that no man counts of her beauty.

Val. How esteem'ft thou me? I account of her

wench that had buried her grandam; to fast, like
one that takes diet 2; to watch, like one that fears
robbing; to speak puling, like a beggar at Hal-
lowmas 3. You were wont, when you laugh'd, to 55 beauty.
crow like a cock; when you walk'd, to walk like
one of the lions; when you fasted, it was pre-
fently after dinner; when you look'd sadly, it was
for want of money: and now you are metamor-

Speed. You never faw her fince she was deform'd.

Vat. How long hath the been deform'd?
Speed. Ever since you lov'd her.

3 That is,

That is, allowance. 2 To take diet was the phrafe for being under a regimen. about the feast of All-Saints, when the poor people in Staffordshire, and probably in Warwickshire, go from parish to parish a fouling as they call it; i. e. begging and puling (or finging small) for foul-cakes, or any good thing to make them merry. This custom seems a remnant of Popish superftition to pray for departed fouls, particularly those of friends

Val.

Val. I have lov'd her, ever since I saw her; and

till I see her beautiful.

Speed. If you love her, you cannot see her.

Val. Why?

But since unwillingly, take them again;

Nay, take them.

Val. Madam, they are for you.

Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, fir, at my request;

Speed. Because love is blind. O, that you had 5 But I will none of them; they are for you:

mine eyes; or your own eyes had the lights they

were wont to have, when you chid at fir Protheus

for going ungarter'd!

Val. What should I see then?

I would have had them writ more movingly.

Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship another.

Sil. And, when it's writ, for my fake read it

over:

Speed. Your own present folly, and her paffing 10 And, if it please you, fo; if not, why, fo.

deformity for he, being in love, could not fee to garter his hose; and you, being in love, cannot fee to put on your hose.

Val. Belike, boy, then you are in love; for last morning you could not see to wipe my shoes.

Speed. True, fir; I was in love with my bed: I thank you, you swing'd me for my love, which makes me the bolder to chide you for yours.

Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her.

Val. If it please me, madam? what then?

Sil. Why, if it please you, take it for your labour;

[Exit.

And fo good-morrow, servant. 15 Speed. O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible, As a nose on a man's face, or a weathercock on [suitor, My master sues to her; and she hath taught her He being her pupal, to become her tutor.

a steeple!

Speed. I would you were set, so your affection 20 O excellent device! was there ever heard a better? would ceafe.

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Oh, exceeding 30 Speed. To yourself; why, she wooes you by a

puppet! now will he interpret to her.

Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand good

morrows.

Speed. Oh! 'give ye good even! here's a million of manners.

Sil. Sir Valentine and fervant, to you two thousand.

Speed. He should give her interest; and she gives it him.

Val. What figure?

Speed. By a letter, I should fay.
Val. Why, she hath not writ to me?

Speed. What need she, when the made you 35 write to yourself? Why, do you not perceive the jeft?

Val. No, believe me.

Speed. No believing you indeed, fir: But did you perceive her earnest?

Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter 4c Val. She gave me none, except an angry word.

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Sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel;
And yet I will not name it:-and yet I care not; - 55 Val. I have din'd.
And yet take this again; and yet I thank you;
Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more.

Speed. And yet you will; and yet another yet. [Afide Val. What means your ladyship? do you not like it?

Sil. Yes, yes! the lines are very quaintly writ:

Speed. Ay, but hearken, fir: though the cameleon love can feed on the air, I am one that arm nourish'd by my victuals, and would fain have meat: Oh be not like your mistress; be moved, 60 be moved,

[Exeunt.

si.c.

Motion, in Shakspeare's time, signified puppet, or a puppet-fhero. 2 This was the language of ladies so their lovers in Shakspeare's time. 3 That is, like a scholar. + That is, difcourfing, talking, there's the conclusion of the matter. • In print means with exactness.

SCENE

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Enter Protbeus and Julia.

Pre. Have patience, gentle Julia.

Jul. I must, where is no remedy.

Pre. When possibly I can, I will return.
Jul. If you turn not, you will return the fooner:

Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's fake.

Pro. Why then we'll make exchange; here, take you this.

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Pan. Lance, away, away, aboard; thy master [Giving a ring. 10 is shipp'd, and thou art to poft after with oars. What's the matter? why weep'st thou, man? Away, afs; you will lose the tide, if you tarry any longer. Laun. It is no matter if the tide were loft; for it is the unkindest ty'd that ever any man ty'd. 15 Pan. What's the unkindest tide?

Jul. And feal the bargain with a holy kiss.
Pro. Here is my hand for my true conftancy;
And when that hour o'erslips me in the day,
Wherein I figh not, Julia, for thy fake,
The next enfuing hour some foul mischance
Torment me for my love's forgetfulness !
My father stays my coming; answer not;
The tide is now: nay, not thy tide of tears;
That tide will stay me longer than I should:
[Exit Julia.

Julia, farewell-What! gone without a word?
Ay, so true love should do it cannot speak;
For truth hath better deeds, than words, to grace it.
Enter Pantbino.

Pas. Sir Protheus, you are staid for.

Prs. Go; I come, I come :ï

Alas! this parting strikes poor lovers dumb. [Exeunt.

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Laun. Why, he that's ty'd here; Crab, my dog. Pan. Tut, man, I mean thou'lt lose the flood; and, in losing the flood, lose thy voyage; and, in lofing thy voyage, lose thy master; and, in lofing 20 thy master, lose thy service; and, in losing thy fer. vice, Why dost thou stop my mouth?

25

Laun. For fear thou should'st lose thy tongue.
Pan. Where should I lose my tongue?
Laun. In thy tale.

Pan. In thy tail?

Laun. Lose the tide, and the voyage, and the master, and the service, and the tide? Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with my tears; if the wind were down, I could drive the 30 boat with my fighs.

Pan. Come, come away, man; I was sent to call thee.

Laun. Sir, call me what thou dar'st.
Pan. Wilt thou go?

SCENE IV.
MILAN.

An apartment in the duke's palace.

[Exeum.

Lens. Nay, 'twill be this hour ere I have done
weeping: all the kind of the Launces have this very 35 Laan. Well, I will go.
fault: I have receiv'd my proportion, like the pro-
digious fon, and am going with fir Protheus to the
imperial's court. I think, Crab my dog be the
fourest natur'd dog that lives: my mother weeping,
my father wailing, my fifter crying, our maid 40
howling, our cat wringing her hands, and all our
house in a great perplexity, yet did not this cruel-
hearted cur shed one tear: he is a stone, a very
pebble-stone, and has no more pity in him than a
dog: a Jew would have wept to have seen our part-45
ing: why, my grandam having no eyes, look you,
wept herself blind at my parting. Nay, I'll show
you the manner of it: This shoe is my father ;-
no, this left shoe is my father;-no, no, this left
shoe is my mother;-nay, that cannot be so nei-50
ther;-yes, it is so, it is so; it hath the worser sole:
This shoe with the hole in it, is my mother, and
this my father; A vengeance on't! there 'tis: now,
fir, this staff is my fister; for, look you, she is as
white as a lilly, and as small as a wand: this hat is 55
Nan, our maid; I am the dog:-no, the dog is
himfelf, and I am the dog, oh, the dog is me,
and I am myself; ay, fo, so. Now come I to my
father; Fatber, your bleffing; now should not the

Enter Valentine, Silvia, Thurio, and Speed.
Sil. Servant,
Val. Mistress ?

Speed. Master, fir Thurio frowns on you.
Val. Ay, boy, it's for love.
Speed. Not of you.

Val. Of my mistress then.
Speed. 'Twere good you knock'd him.
Sil. Servant, you are fad.

Val. Indeed, madam, I seem so.
Thu. Seem you that you are not ?
Val. Haply, I do.

Thu. So do counterfeits.
Val. So do you.

Thu. What feem I, that I am not?
Val. Wife.

Thu. What instance of the contrary?
Val. Your folly.

Thu. And how quote you my folly?
Val. I quote it in your jerkin.

: shoe speak a word for weeping; now should I kiss 60 Thu. My jerkin is a doublet.

my father; well, he weeps on : now come I to

Val. Well, then, I'll double your folly.

* That is crazy, frantic with grief; or distracted, from any other cause. The word is very frequently used in Chaucer; and sometimes writ qwood, sometimes wode. Wood, or crazy women, were anciently supposed to be able to tell fortunes. 2 To quote is to obferves

Thu.

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