That art a votary to fond defire ? Once more, adieu: my father at the road [Exit. Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love; IR Enter Speed. faw you my mafter? Speed. STR. Protheus, fave y parted hence, t'imbark Pro. now for Milan. Speed. Twenty to one then he is fhipp'd already, Speed. You conclude that my master is a shepherd then, and I a sheep? Pro. I do. Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether Pro. A filly anfwer, and fitting well a sheep. Pro. True; and thy mafter a fhepherd. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. H 4 Pro.. 1 Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by another. Speed. The fhepherd feeks the sheep, and not the fheep the fhepherd; but I seek my mafter, and my mafter feeks not me; therefore I am no fheep. Pro. The fheep for fodder follows the fhepherd, the fhepherd for the food follows not the fheep; thou for wages followeft thy mafter, thy mafter for wages follows not thee; therefore thou art a fheep. Speed. Such another proof will make me cry Baâ. Pro. But doft thou hear? gaveft thou my letter to Julia? Speed. Ay, Sir, I, a loft mutton, gave your letter to her, a lac'd mutton, and fhe, a lac'd mutton, gave me, a loft mutton, nothing for my labour Pro. Here's too small a pafture for fuch ftore of muttons, Speed. If the ground be over-charg'd, you were beft ftick her. Pro. Nay, in that you are a ftray, 'twere beft pound you. Speed. Nay, Sir, lefs than a pound fhall serve me for carrying your letter. Pro. You mistake: I mean the pound, a pin-fold. Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over, 'tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover. Pro. But what faid fhe: did fhe nod? [Speed nods. Speed. I. Pro. Nod-I? why, that's noddy. Speed. You mistook, Sir: I said, fhe did nod: And you afk me, if she did nod; and I said, I. Pro. And that fet together, is noddy. Speed. Now you have taken the pains to fet it together, take it for your pains. Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter. Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear with you. Pro. Why, Sir, how do you bear with me? Speed. Speed. Marry, Sir, the letter very orderly; Having nothing but the word noddy for my pains. Pro. Befhrew me, but you have a quick wit. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your flow purse. Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief: what faid fhe? Speed. Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once deliver'd. Pro. Well, Sir, here is for your pains; what said she? Speed. Truly, Sir, I think you'll hardly win her. Pro. Why? could'ft thou perceive fo much from her? Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; No, not fo much as a ducket for delivering your letter. And being fo hard to me that brought your mind, I fear, fhe'll prove as hard to you in telling her mind. Give her no token but ftones; for fhe's as hard as fteel. Pro. What, faid fhe nothing? Speed. No, not fo much as--take this for thy pains: To teftify your bounty, I thank you, you have teftern'd me: In requital whereof, henceforth carry your letter [Exeunt feverally.. Changes to Julia's Chamber. Enter Julia and Lucetta.. Jul. Bald' thou then counfel me to fall in UT fay, Lucetta, now we are alone, love? H 5 Luc. Luc. Ay, madam, so you stumble not unheedfully. Jul. Of all the fair refort of gentlemen, That ev'ry day with parle encounter me, In thy opinion which is worthieft love?, Luc. Please you, repeat their names; I'll fhew mind, According to my fhallow fimple skill. my Jul. What think ft thou of the fair Sir Eglamour? Luc. As of a Knight well spoken, neat and fine; But were I you, he never fhould be mine. Jul. What think'ft thou of the rich Mercatio? Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing shame, That I, unworthy body as I am, Should cenfure thus on lovely gentlemen. Jul. Why not on Protheus, as of all the reft? Jul. Your reafon? Luc. I have no other but a woman's reafon; I think him fo, because I think him fo. Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my love on him? Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not caft away. [love. Luc. Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and fent, I think, from Protheus. He would have giv'n it you, but I, being in the way, Luc. To plead for love deferves more fee than hate. Luc. That you may ruminate. [Exit. Jul. And yet I would, I had o'er-look'd the letter. It were a fhame to call her back again, And afk remiffion for my folly paft. What ho! Lucetta! Re-enter Lucetta. Luc. What would your ladyship? Jul. Is't near dinner-time ? Luc. I would it were; That you might kill your ftomach on your meat, And not upon your maid. H 6 Jul. |