[Aside. Jul. "Tis true; such pearls as put out ladies' eyes; For I had rather wink than look on them. Thu. How likes she my discourse? Pro. Ill, when you talk of war. Thu. But well, when I discourse of love and peace? Jul. But better indeed, when you hold your peace. [Aside. Thu. What says she to my valor? Pra. O, sir, she makes no doubt of that. Jul. She needs not, when she knows it cowardice. [Aside. Thu. What says she to my birth? Pro. That you are well derived. Jul. True, from a gentleman to a fool. [Aside. Thu. Considers she my possessions? Pro. O, ay; and pities them. Thu. Wherefore? Jul. That such an ass should owe them. [Aside. Duke. How now, Sir Proteus? how now, Thurio? Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late? Thu. Not I. Pro. Nor I. Duke. Why, then she's fled unto that peasant Valentine; And Eglamour is in her company. 'Tis true; for friar Laurence met them both, As he in penance wandered through the forest; Him he knew well, and guessed that it was she: At Patrick's cell this even: and there she was not: That leads towords Mantua, whither they are fled: Despatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me. [Exit. That flies her fortune when it follows her: I'll after; more to be revenged on Eglamour, [Exit. Pro. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love, Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her. [Exit. Jul. And I will follow more to cross that love, Than hate for Silvia, that is gone for love. [Exit. SCENE III. Frontiers of Mantua. The Forest. Enter SILVIA and Outlaws. Out. Come, come; Be patient, we must bring you to our captain. 1 Out. Where is the gentleman that was with her? 3 Out. Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us, But Moyses and Valerius follow him. Go thou with her to the west end of the wood; 1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave: SCENE IV Another Part of the Forest. Enter VALENTINE. Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man! And, to the nightingale's complaining notes, [Exeunt. Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain! - These are my mates, that make their wills their law, They love me well; yet I have much to do To keep them from uncivil outrages. Withdraw thee, Valentine; who's this comes here? [Steps aside. Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA. Pro. Madam, this service I have done for you, Though you respect not aught your servant doth,) o hazard life, and rescue you from him That would have forced your honour and your love. And less than this, I'm sure, you cannot give. Sil. O miserable, unhappy that I am! Sil. Had I been seized by a hungry lion, [Aside. Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergone for one calm look! O, 'tis the curse in love, snd still approved, When women cannot love where they're beloved. Sil. When Proteus cannot love where he's beloved. Read over Julia's heart, thy first, best love, For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou hadst two, Pro. Who respects friend? Sil. In love, All men but Proteus. Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form, I'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end; And love you 'gainst the nature of love, force you. Pro. Pro. Valentine! Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or love, I am sorry I must never trust thee more, I tender it here; I do as truly suffer, Val. Then I am paid; And once again I do receive thee honest: Who by repentance is not satisfied, Is nor of heaven nor earth; for these are pleased; By penitence th' Eternal's wrath's appeased: And, that my love may appear plain and free, Jul. O me, unhappy! Pro. Look to the boy. [Faints. Val. Why, boy! why, wag! how now? what is the matter? Look up; speak. Jul. O good sir, my master charged me to deliver a ring to madam Silvia; which, out of my neglect, was never done. Pro. Where is that ring, boy? Jul. Here 'tis: this is it. [Gives a ring. Pro. How! let me see why, this is the ring I gave to Julia. Jul. 0, cry you mercy, sir; I have mistook: this is the ring you sent to Silvia. [Shows another ring. I Pro. But, how cam'st thou by this ring? at my depart, 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 entertained them deeply in her heart: How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root! It is the lesser blot modesty finds, Women to change their shapes, than men their minds. Pro. Than men their minds? 't is true: O heaven! were man But constant, he were perfect: that one error Fills him with faults; makes him run through all the sins; What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy Let me be blest to make this happy close? Enter Outlaws, with DUKE and THURIO. Out. A prize, a prize, a prize! Val. Forbear, forbear, I say; it is my lord the duke. Your grace is welcome to a man disgraced, Banished Valentine. Thu. Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine. Val. Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death; Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou, I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, And think thee worthy of an empress' love. |