To take a note, of what I ftand in need of, A C T III. [Exeunt. SCENE I. The Duke's Palace in Milan. Enter Duke, Thurio, and Protheus, DUKE. IR Thurio, give us leave, I pray, a while; [Exit Thur. Now tell me, Protheus, what's your will with me? Pro. My gracious lord, that which I would difcover, The law of friendship bids me to conceal; But when I call to mind your gracious favours Done to me, undeferving as I am, My duty pricks me on to utter that, Which, elfe, no worldly good fhould draw from me. I know, you have determin'd to bestow her Duke. Duke. Protheus, I thank thee for thine honeft care; Which to requite, command me while I live. This love of theirs myself have often seen. Haply, when they have judg'd me fast asleep; And oftentimes have purpos'd to forbid Sir Valentine her company, and my court: But, fearing left my jealous aim might err, And fo unworthily disgrace the man, (A rashness that I ever yet have fhunn'd;) I gave him gentle looks; thereby to find That which thyself haft now disclos'd to me. And that thou may'ft perceive my fear of this, Knowing that tender youth is foon suggested, I nightly lodge her in an upper tower, The key whereof myfelf have ever kept; And thence fhe cannot be convey'd away. Pro. Know, noble lord, they have devis'd a meam How he her chamber-window will afcend, And with a corded ladder fetch her down; For which the youthful lover now is gone, And this way comes he with it presently: Where, if it please you, you may intercept him. But, good my lord, do it fo cunningly, That my difcov'ry be not aimed at; For love of you, not hate unto my friend, Hath made me publisher of this pretence. Duke. Upon mine honour, he shall never know That I had any light from thee of this. Pro. Adieu, my lord: Sir Valentine is coming. [Exit. Pro. SCENE II. Enter Valentine. Duke. Val. Please it your Grace, there is a mef IR Valentine, whither away fo faft? fenger That That ftays to bear my letters to my friends, Duke. Be they of much import? Val. The tenour of them doth but fignify My health, and happy being at your court. Duke. Nay then, no matter; ftay with me a while; I am to break with thee of some affairs, That touch me near; wherein thou must be secret. 'Tis not unknown to thee, that I have fought To match my friend Sir Thurio to my daughter. Val. I know it well, my lord; and, fure, the match Were rich and honourable; besides, the gentleman Is full of virtue, bounty, worth, and qualities Befeeming fuch a wife as your fair daughter. Cannot your Grace win her to fancy him? Duke. No, truft me; fhe is peevish, fullen, froward, Proud, difobedient, ftubborn, lacking duty; And turn her out to who will take her in: Whom I affect; but she is nice and coy, Sir, in Milan here,] It ought to be thus, instead of in Verona here,---for the Scene apparently is in Milan, as is clear from feveral Paffages in the first A&t, and in the beginning of the first Scene of the fourth A&. A like Miftake has crept into the eighth Scene of A& II. where Speed bids his fellow Servant Launce, welcome to Padua. Mr. Pope. And And nought efteems my aged eloquence: Val. Win her with gifts, if the respects not words; Dumb jewels often in their filent kind, More than quick words, do move a woman's mind. Send her another; never give her o'er ; And kept severely from refort of men, That no man hath access by day to her. Val. Why then I would refort to her by night. Du. Ay, but the doors be lockt, and keys kept fafe, That no man hath recourse to her by night. Val. What lets, but one may enter at her Window? Duke. Her chamber is aloft, far from the ground, And built fo fhelving, that one cannot climb it Without apparent hazard of his life. Val. Why then a ladder quaintly made of cords, To caft up, with a pair of anchoring hooks, Would ferve to fcale another Hero's tower; So So bold Leander would adventure it. Duke Now, as thou art a gentleman of blood, Advife me where I may have fuch a ladder. Val. When would you use it? pray, Sir, tell me that. Duke. This very night; for love is like a child, That longs for ev'ry thing that he can come by. Val. By seven a clock I'll get you fuch a ladder. Duke. But hark thee: I will go to her alone; How fhall I beft convey the ladder thither? Val. It will be light, my lord, that you may bear it Under a cloak that is of any length. Duke. A cloak as long as thine will ferve the turn? Val. Ay, my good lord. Duke, Then let me fee thy cloak; I'll get me one of such another length. Val. Why, any cloak will ferve the turn, my lord. Himfelf would lodge, where fenfeless they are lying: I curfe myself, for they are fent by me, That they fhould harbour, where their lord would be. What's here? Silvia, this night will I enfranchise thee: 'Tis fo, and here's the ladder for the purpose. *Why, Phaeton, for thou art Merops' fon, Why, Phaeton, for thou art Merops' son, Wilt thou affire to guide the heavenly car.] Merops' fon, i. e. a Baf tard, bafe-born. |