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It is your pleasure to command me in.

Sil. O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman,
(Think not i flatter, for, I swear, I do not)
Valiant, wife, remorseful, well accomplish'd.
Thou art not ignorant, what dear good will
I bear unto the banish'd Valentine;

Nor how my father would enforce me marry
Vain Thurio, whom my very foul abhors.
Thyself haft lov'd; and I have heard thee say,
No grief did ever come so near thy heart,
As when thy lady and thy true love dy'd,
2 Upon whose grave thou vow'dst pure chastity.
Sir Eglamour, I would to Valentine,
To Mantua, where, I hear, he makes abode;
And, for the ways are dangerous to pass,
I do defire thy worthy company,
Upon whose faith and honour I repose.
Urge not my father's anger, Eglamour,
But think upon my grief, a lady's grief;
And on the justice of my flying hence,
To keep me from a most unholy match, [plagues.
Which heaven, and fortune, still reward with
I do defire thee, even from a heart

As full of forrows, as the fea of fands,
To bear me company, and go with me:
If not, to hide what I have faid to thee,
That I may venture to depart alone.

Egl. Madam, I pity much your 3 grievances;
Which since 1 know they virtuously are plac'd,
I give consent to go along with you;
4 Recking as little what betideth me,
As much I wish all good befortune you.
When will you go?

Sil. This evening coming.

Egl. Where shall I meet you?
Sil. At friar Patrick's cell,

Where I intend holy confeffion.

Egl. I will not fail your ladyship:

Good-morrow, gentle lady.

thrusts me himself into the company of three or four gentlemen-like dogs under the duke's table: he had not been there (bless the mark) a pissing while, but all the chamber smelt him. Out with

5 the dog, fays one; What cur is that? says another; Whip bim out, says the third; Hang bim up, fays the duke: I, having been acquainted with the smell before, knew it was Crab; and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs 7: Friend, quoth I, you

I mean to whip the dog? Ay, marry, do I, quoth he. You do bim the more wrong, quoth I; 'twas I did the thing you wot of. He makes no more ado, but whips me out of the chamber. How many maf☐ ☐ters would do this for their servant? nay, I'll be 15fworn I have sat in the stocks for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had been executed: I have stood on the pillory for geese he hath kill'd, otherwife he had fuffer'd for 't: thou think'st not of this now !-Nay, I remember the trick you serv'd 20 me, when I took my leave of madam Silvia; did not I bid thee still mark me, and do as I do? When did'st thou see me heave up my leg, and make water against a gentlewoman's farthingale? didst thou ever fee me do such a trick?

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Sil. Good-morrow, kind fir Eglamour. [Exeunt. 4c brought him back again.

Enter Launce with bis dog.

When a man's fervant shall play the cur with him, look you, it goes hard one that I brought up of a puppy; one that I fav'd from drowning, when three or four of his blind brothers and fifters 45 as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater.

Pro. What, didst thou offer her this from me? Laun. Ay, fir; the other squirrel was stol'n from me by the hangman's boy in the market-place: and then I offer'd her mine own; who is a dog as big

went to it! I have taught him even as one would
say precisely, Thus I would teach a dog. I was
sent to deliver him, as a present to mistress Silvia,
from my master; and I came no fooner into the
dining chamber, but he steps me to her trencher, 50
and fteals her capon's leg. O, 'tis a foul thing,
when a cur cannot keeps himself in all compa-
nies! I would have, as one should say, one that
takes upon him to be a dog indeed, to be, as it

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were, a dog at all things. If I had not had more 55 But, chiefly, for thy face, and thy behaviour;

wit than he, to take a fault upon me that he did, I think verily he had been hang'd for 't; fure as I live, he had fuffer'd for 't: you shall judge. He

Which (if my augury deceive me not)
Witness good bringing up, fortune, and truth:
Therefore know thou, for this I entertain thee.

Remorseful is pitiful. 2 It was common in former ages for widowers and widows to make vows of chaftity in honour of their deceased wives or husbands. 3 Sorrows. 4 To reck is to care for. 5 That is, restrain himself. 6 A proverbial expreffion of those times. 7 This appears to have been part of the office of an usher of the table. 8 That is, in the end, at the conclusion of every business he undertakes.

Go

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I will not look upon your master's lines:
I know, they are stuff'd with protestations,
And full of new-found oaths; which he will break,

As eafily as I do tear this paper.

5 Jul. Madam, he sends your ladyship this ring.
Sil. The more shame for him, that he sends it me;

For, I have heard him fay a thousand times,
His Julia gave it him at his departure:
Though his false finger hath profan'd the ring,

10 Mine shall not do his Julia so much wrong.
Jul. She thanks you.

Jul. Because, methinks, that she lov'd you as well

As you do love your lady Silvia;

She dreams on him, that has forgot her love:

You doat on her, that cares not for your love.

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And, thinking on it, makes me cry, alas!

Pro. Well, give her that ring, and therewithal
This letter; that's her chamber. Tell my lady,
I claim the promise for her heavenly picture.
Your message done, he home unto my chamber, 20
Where thou shalt find me fad and folitary.

[Exit Protheus.

Sil. What say'st thou ?

Jul. I thank you, madam, that you tender her:
Poor gentlewoman! my mafter wrongs her much.
Sil. Doft thou know her?

Jul. Almost as well as I do know myself:
To think upon her woes, I do protest,
That I have wept an hundred several times.

fook her.

Sil. Belike, the thinks that Protheus hath for-
[forrow.
Jul. I think she doth; and that's her cause of
Sil. Is the not passing fair ?

Jul. She hath been fairer, madam, than she is:
When the did think my master lov'd her well,

25 She, in my judgment, was as fair as you;
But fince she did neglect her looking-glass,
And threw her fun-expelling mark away,
The air hath stary'd the roses in her cheeks,
And pinch'd the lily-tincture of her face,

Jul. How many women would do such a message? Alas, poor Protheus! thou hast entertain'd

A fox, to be the shepherd of thy lambs:

Alas, poor fool! why do I pity him

That with his very heart despiseth me?

Because he loves her, he despiseth me;

Because I love him, I must pity him.

This ring 1 gave him, when he parted from me, 30 That now she is become as black as I.

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To praise his faith, which I would have difprais'd. 35 And I was trimm'd in madam Julia's gown;

I am my master's true confirmed love;

But cannot be true fervant to my master,

Unless I prove false traitor to myself.

Yet will I woo for him; but yet so coldly,

Which ferved me as fit, by all men's judgment,
As if the garment had been made for me:
Therefore, I know she is about my height.
And, at that time, I made her weep a-good,

As, heaven it knows, I would not have him speed. 40 For I did play a lamentable part:

Enter Silvia.

Madam, 'twas Ariadne, passioning

Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you, be my mean

To bring me where to speak with madam Silvia.

For Theseus' perjury, and unjust flight;
Which I so lively acted with my tears,
That my poor mistress, moved therewithal,

Sil. What would you with her, if that I be she?
Jul. If you be she, I do entreat your patience 45 Wept bitterly; and would I might be dead,

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L

Sil. She is beholden to thee, gentle youth :-
Alas, poor lady! desolate and left!-
I weep myself, to think upon thy words.

50 Here, youth, there is my purse; I give thee this
For thy sweet mistress' fake, because thou lov'st her.
Farewell.
[Exit Silvia.

Jul. And she shall thank you for't, if e'er you
know her.

Would better fit his chamber, than this shadow. 55 A virtuous gentlewoman, mild and beautiful.

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Unless I flatter with myself too much.
Her hair is auburn, mine is perfect yellow :
If that be all the difference in his love,
I'll get me such a colour'd periwig 1.

Her eyes are grey as glass: and so are mine;
Ay, but her forehead's low; and mine's as high.
What should it be, that he respects in her,
But I can make respective 3 in myself,

If this fond love were not a blinded god?

Come shadow, come, and take this shadow up,
For 'tis thy rival. O thou senseless form,
Thou shalt be worshipp'd, kiss'd, lov'd, and ador'd;
And, were there sense in his idolatry,

5 My substance should be statue in thy ftead.
I'll use thee kindly for thy mistress' fake,
That us'd me so; or else, by Jove I vow,
I should have scratch'd out your unseeing eyes,
To make my master out of love with thee. [Exit.

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An apartment in the Duke's palace.

Enter Thurio, Protbeus, and Julia.

Thu. Sir Protheus, what says Silvia to my suit?
Pro. Oh, fir, I find her milder than she was;

And yet she takes exceptions at your person.

Thu. What, that my leg is too long?
Pro. No; that it is too little.
Thu. I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat
[rounder.
Pro. But love will not be spurr'd to what it

loaths.

Thu. What says she to my face?
Pro. She fays, it is a fair one,

20

Jul. She needs not, when she knows it cow

ardice.

Thu. What says she to my birth?

Pro. That you are well deriv'd.

[Afide

Jul. True; from a gentleman to a fool. [Afide.

Thu. Confiders she my possessions ?

Pro. O, ay; and pities them.

Thu. Wherefore?

25 Jul. That such an ass should owe them. [Afide Pro. That they are out by leafe.

30

Jul. Here comes the duke.

Enter Duke.

Duke. How now, fir Protheus? how now.

Thurio?

Which of you faw fir Eglamour of late?

Thu. Not I.

Pro. Nor I.

Duke. Saw you my daughter?

35 Pro. Neither.

[Valentine

Duke. Why, then she's fled unto that peasant

And Eglamour is in her company.

"Tis true; for friar Laurence met them both,
As he in penance wander'd through the foreft:

40 Him he knew well, and guess'd that it was she 3
But, being mask'd, he was not sure of it:
Befides, she did intend confeffion

At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not
These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence.

45 Therefore, I pray you, stand not to discourse,
But mount you presently; and meet with me
Upon the rifing of the mountain-foot
Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me.
That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fled s

Thu. Nay, then the wanton lies; my face is black.
Pro. But pearls are fair; and the old saying is,
" Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes." 50
Jul. 'Tis true, such pearls as put out ladies' eyes;
For I had rather wink, than look on them. [Afide.
Thu. How likes she my discourse?

Pro. Ill, when you talk of war.

[peace?

[Exit Duke

Thu. Why, this it is to be a peevish girl,
That flies her fortune when it follows her:
I'll after; more to be reveng'd on Eglamour,
Than for the love of reckless Silvia.

Thu. But well, when I discourse of love, and 55 Pro. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love,

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Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her.

Jul. And I will follow, more to cross that love, Than hate for Silvia, that is gone for love.

It should be remembered, that false hair was worn These false coverings, however, were call'd periwigs. accounted a feature eminently beautiful. 3 That is, 3 Own them.

[Exeunt.

by the ladies, long before wigs were in fashion. respectful or respectable., & Sure means safe 2 A high forehead was in Shakspeare's time

SCEN

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Be patient, we must bring you to our captain.
Sil. A thousand more mischances, than this one,
Have learn'd me how to brook this patiently.

2 Out. Come, bring her away.

[her?

1 Out. Where is the gentleman that was with 3 Out. Being nimble-footed, he hath out-run us; But Moyfes, and Valerius, follow him.

Go thou with her to the west end of the wood,
There is our captain: we'll follow him that's fled;

The thicket is beset, he cannot 'scape.

Rather than have false Protheus rescue me. Oh, heaven be judge, how I love Valentine, Whose life's as tender to me as my foul; And full as much (for more there cannot be) 5 I do detest false perjur'd Protheus :

Therefore be gone, folicit me no more.

Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death,
Would I not undergo for one calm look?
Oh, 'tis the curse in love, and still approv'd,
10 When women cannot love, where they're belov'd.
Sil. When Protheus cannot love, where he's belov'd.
Read over Julia's heart, thy first best love,

For whose dear fake thou didst then rend thy faith
Into a thousand oaths and all those oaths

1 Ost. Come, I must bring you to our captain's 15 Defcended into perjury, to love me.

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Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man!

) This shadowy defert, unfrequented woods,

I better brook than flourishing peopled towns:
Here can I fit alone, unseen of any,
And, to the nightingale's complaining notes,
Tune my distresses, and record my woes.
O thou that dost inhabit in my breaft,
Leave not the mansion so long tenantless;
Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall,
And leave no memory of what it was!
Repair me with thy prefence, Silvia;
Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain!
What hallooing, and what stir is this to-day?
These are my mates, that make their wills their law,
Have some unhappy passenger in chace :
They love me well; yet I have much to do,
To keep them from uncivil outrages.
Withdraw thee, Valentine; who's this comes here? ?
[Val. Steps afide.

Enter Protbeus, Silvia and Julia.

Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou hadst two,
And that's far worse than none; better have none
Than plural faith, which is too much by one:
Thou counterfeit to thy true friend!

20 Pro. In love,

Who respects friend?

Sil. All men but Protheus.

Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words

Can no way change you to a milder form,

25 I'll woo you like a foldier, at arms end;

And love you 'gainst the nature of love, force you.
Sil. Oh heaven!

Pro. I'll force thee yield to my defire.
Val. Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch;

30 Thou friend of an ill fashion!

Pro. Valentine!

[love;

Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or
(For fuch is a friend now) treacherous man!
Thou hast beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye

35 Could have perfuaded me: Now I dare not say,
I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me.
Who should be trusted, when one's own right hand
Is perjur'd to the bofom? Protheus,

I am forry, I must never trust thee more,

40 But count the world a stranger for thy fake.
The private wound is deepest: Oh time, most curst!
'Mongst all foes, that a friend should be the worst!
Pro. My shame and guilt confounds me.-
Forgive me, Valentine! if hearty forrow

Pre. Madam, this service have I done for you, 45 Be a sufficient ransom for offence, (Though you respect not aught your servant doth)

To hazard life, and rescue you from him,
That wou'd have forc'd your honour and your love.
Vouchsafe me for my meed 2 but one fair look;
A fmaller boon than this I cannot beg,

And lefs than this, I am fure, you cannot give.
Val. How like a dream is this, I see, and hear!
Love, lend me patience to forbear a while. [Afide.
Sz. O miserable, unhappy that I am!

I tender it here; I do as truly suffer,.
As e'er I did commit.

Val. Then I am paid;

And once again I do receive thee honest:

50 Who by repentance is not fatisfy'd,

Is nor of heaven, nor earth; for these are pleas'd;
By penitence the Eternal's wrath's appeas'd:-
And, that my love may appear plain and free,
All, that was mine in Silvia, I give thee.

Prs. Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came: 55 Jul. Oh me unhappy!

But, by my coming, I have made you happy. [py.

Sil. By thy approach thou mak'ft me most unhap-
Jal. And me, when he approacheth to your
prefence.
[Afide

Sil. Had I been seized by a hungry lion,
I would have been a breakfast to the beast,

Pro. Look to the boy.

[Faints. [the matter?

Val. Why, boy! why wag! how now! what is

Look up; fpeak.

Jul. O good fir, my master charg'd me

60 To deliver a ring to madam Silvia;
Which, out of my neglect, was never done.

• To record anciently fignified to fing. Record is also a term still used by bird-fanciers, to express the first effays of a bird in singing.

That is, reward,

Pra

Pro. Where is that ring, boy?

Jul. Here 'tis: this is it.

Pro. How! let me fee:

Why this is the ring I gave to Julia.

[Gives a ring.

Jul. Oh, cry your mercy, fir, I have mistook : This is the ring you sent to Silvia. [Shews another ring. Pro.But how cam'st thou by this ring? At my depart, I gave this unto Julia.

Jul. And Julia herself did give it me;
And Julia herself hath brought it hither.
Pro. How! Julia?

Jul. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths,
And entertain'd them deeply in her heart:
How oft haft thou with perjury cleft the root?
Oh Protheus, let this habit make thee blush!
Be thou asham'd, that I have took upon me
Such an immodeft rayment; if shame live
In a disguise of love:

It is the leffer blot, modesty finds,

I hold him but a fool, that will endanger
His body for a girl that loves him not:
I claim her not, and therefore she is thine.

Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou,
5 To make such means for her as thou hast done,
And leave her on such flight conditions.-
Now, by the honour of my ancestry,
I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine,
And think thee worthy of an empress' love.
10 Know then, I here forget all former griefs,
Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again.
Plead a new state in thy unrival'd merit,
To which I thus subscribe, Sir Valentine,
Thou art a gentleman, and well deriv'd;

15 Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserv'd her.
Val. I thank your grace; the gift hath made me
happy.

I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake,
To grant one boon that I shall ask of you.

Women to change their shapes, than men their minds. 20 Duke. I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be. Pro. Than men their minds! 'tis true: oh heaven!

were man

But constant, he were perfect: that one error

Fills him with faults; makes him run through all fins:
Inconstancy falls off, ere it begins:

What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy

More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye ?

Val. Come, come, a hand from either

Let me be blest to make this happy close;

Val. These banish'd men, that I have kep
withal,

Are men endu'd with worthy qualities;
Forgive them what they have committed here,

25 And let them be recall'd from their exile:
They are reform'd, civil, full of good,
And fit for great employment, worthy lord.

Duke. Thou haft prevail'd: I pardon them, and

thee;

*Twere pity two such friends should long be foes. 30 Dispose of them, as thou know'st their deserts.

Pro. Bear witness, heaven,

I have my wish for ever.

Come, let us go; we will include 2 all jars
With triumphs, mirth, and rare folemnity.

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Thu. Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine. [death; 40 Val. Please you, I'll tell you as we pass along,
Val. Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy
Come not within the measure of my wrath:
Do not name Silvia thine; if once again,
Milan shall not behold thee. Here she stands,
Take but possession of her with a touch ;-
I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.-
Thu. Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I;

That you will wonder, what hath fortuned.-
Come, Protheus: 'tis your penance, but to hear
The story of your loves discovered :
That done, our day of marriage shall be yours;
45 One feast, one house, one mutual happiness.

• That is, the reach of my anger.

2 To include is to shut up, to conclude.

[Exeunt omnes

MERR

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