Thou friend of an ill fashion! Pro. Valentine! Val. Thou common friend, that 's without faith or love; (For such is a friend now) treacherous man! Thou hast beguiled my hopes; naught but mine eye Could have persuaded 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 perjured to the bosom? Proteus, I am sorry I must never trust thee more, But count the world a stranger for thy sake. The private wound is deepest. O time most accursed! 'Mongst all foes, that a friend should be the worst! Pro. My shame and guilt confounds me.Forgive me, Valentine: if hearty sorrow Be a sufficient ransom for offence, I tender it here: I do as truly suffer, As e'er I did commit. And once again I do receive thee honest :— Is nor of heaven nor earth; for these are pleased; All that was mine in Silvia, I give thee. Jul. O me unhappy! Pro. Look to the boy. [faints. Val. Why, boy! why, wag! how now? what's 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? Pro. How! let me see gave to Julia! this is it. [gives a ring. why this is the ring I Jul. O, cry your mercy, sir, I have mistook; this is the ring you sent to Silvia. [shows another ring. Pro. But how camest 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. Jul. Behold her that gave aim 1 to all thy oaths, And entertain❜d 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. 1 Direction. 2 Cleft the root of her heart. Here an allusion is made to cleaving the pin in archery. If it be any shame to wear a disguise for the purposes of love. |