That leads tow'rds Mantua, whither they are fled. Pro. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love, Out. SCENE changes to the Foreft. Enter Silvia and Out-laws. [Exeunt OME, come, be patient; we must bring you to our Captain. C% Sil. A thoufand more mischances, than this one, Have learn'd me how to brook this patiently. 2 Out. Come, bring her away. 1 Out. Where is the gentleman, that was with her? 3 Out. Being nimble footed, he hath out-run us; But Moyfes and Valerius follow him. Go thou with her to th' weft-end of the wood, 1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave, Fear not; he bears an honourable mind, And will not ufe a woman lawlessly. Sil. O Valentine! this I endure for thee. [Exeunt. Val. SCENE, the Outlaw's Cave in the Foreft. Enter Valentine. TOW ufe doth breed a habit in a man! Ho This fhadowy defart, 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 diftreffes, and record my woes. O thou, that doft inhabit in my breast, 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? Enter Protheus, Silvia, and Julia. Pro. Madam, this fervice have I done for you. [Afide. Sil. By thy approach thou mak'ft me most unhappy. Sil. Had I been feized by a hungry lion, Therefore be gone, folicit me no more. [Afide. Pro. What dang'rous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo for one calm look? Oh, 'tis the curfe in love, and ftill approv'd, When When women cannot love, where they're belov'd. For whose dear fake thou then didft rend thy faith Thou haft no faith left now, unless thou'dft two, Pro. In love, Who refpects friend? Sil. All men but Protheus. Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words And love you'gainst the nature of love; force ye. Pro. I'll force thee yield to my defire. Val. Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch, Thou friend of an ill fashion! Pro. Valentine! Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or love; For fuch is a friend now: thou treach'rous man! Thou haft beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye Could have perfuaded me. Now I dare not fay, I have one friend alive; thou wouldst difprove me. Who should be trufted now, when the right hand Is perjur'd to the bofom? Protheus, I'm forry, I must never trust thee more, But count the world a stranger for thy fake. The private wound is deepeft. Oh time, moft accurft! Be a fufficient ransom for offence, I tender't here; I do as truly fuffer, Val. Then I am paid: And once again I do receive thee honef Who by repentance is not fatisfy'd, Is nor of heav'n, nor earth; for thefe are pleas'd; Pro. Look to the boy. [Swoons Val. Why, boy! how now? what's the matter? look up; fpeak. Jul. O good Sir, my mafter charg'd 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. Pro. How let me fee: This is the ring I gave to Julia. Jul. Oh, cry you mercy, Sir, I have mistook`; This is the ring you fent to Silvia. I Pro. How cam't thou by this ring at my depart, Jul. And Julia herself did give it me. And Julia herself hath brought it hither. ful. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, It is the leffer blot, modesty finds, Women to change their fhapes, than men their minds. Pro. Than men their minds? 'tis true; oh heav'n! were man But conftant, he were perfect; that one error Fills him with faults; makes him run through all fins : What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy Let Let me be bleft to make this happy close; Enter Out-laws, with Duke and Thurio. Out. A prize, a prize, a prize! Val. Forbear, forbear, it is my Lord the Duke. Your Grace is welcome to a man difgrac'd, The banish'd Valentine? Duke. Sir Valentine? Thu. Yonder is Silvia: and Silvia's mine. Val. Thurio, give back; or elfe embrace thy death: Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou, And think thee worthy of an emprefs' love: (17) Verona fhall not hold thee.] Thus all the editions, but, whether, thro' the miftake of the firft Editors, or the Poet's own carelessness, this reading is abfurdly faulty. For the threat here is to Thurio, who is a Milanefe; and has no concerns, as it appears, with Verona. Befides, the fcene is betwixt the confines of Milan, and Mantua, to which Silvia follows Valentine, having heard that he had retreated thither. And, upon these circumftances, I ventur'd to adjust the text, as I imagine, the Poet muft have intended: i. e. Milan, thy country, shall never see thee again: thou shalt never live to go back thither, To |