Thu. That hath more mind to feed on your blood, an live in your air. Val. You have said, sir. Thu. Ay, sir, and done too, for this time. Val. I know it well, sir; you always end ere you egin. Sil. A fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quickly hot off. Val. "Tis indeed, madam; we thank the giver. Sil. Who is that, servant? Val. Yourself, sweet lady; for you gave the fire: sir Thurio.borrows his wit from your ladyship's looks, and spends what he borrows, kindly in your company. Thu. Sir, if you spend word for word with shall make your wit bankrupt. me, I Val. I know it well, sir: you have an exchequer of words, and, I think, no other treasure to give your followers; for it appears by their bare liveries, that they live by your bare words. Sil. No more, gentlemen, no more; here comes my father. Enter Duke. Duke. Now, daughter Silvia, you are hard beset.Sir, Valentine, your father's in good health: What say you to a letter from your friends Of much good news? Val. My lord, I will be thankful To any happy messenger from thence. Duke. Know you Don Antonio, your countryman To be of worth, and worthy estimation, Val. Ay, my good lord; a son, that well deserves The honour and regard of such a father. Duke. You know him well? Val. I knew him, as myself; for from our infancy We have convers'd, and spent our hours together = To clothe mine age with angel-like perfection; years but young, but his experience old; As meet to be an emperor's counsellor. Val. Should I have wish'd a thing, it had been he. [Exit Duke. Val. This is the gentleman, I told your ladyship, Had come along with me, but that his mistress Did hold his eyes lock'd in her crystal looks. Sil. Belike, that now she hath enfranchis'd them Upon some other pawn for fealty. Val. Nay, sure, I think, she holds them prisoners still. Sil. Nay, then he should be blind; and, being blind, How could he see his way to seek out you? Val. Why lady, love hath twenty pair of eyes. Thu. They say, that love hath not an eye at all, Val. To see such lovers, Thurio, as yourself; Upon a homely object love can wink. Enter Proteus. Sil. Have done, have done; here comes the gentle man. Val. Welcome, dear Proteus!-Mistress, I beseech you, Confirm his welcome with some special favour. Sil. His worth is warrant for his welcome hither, Sil. Too low a mistress for so high a servant. Pro. No; that you are worthless. Enter Servant. Serv. Madam, my lord your father would speak with you. Sil. I'll wait upon his pleasure. [Exit Serv.] Come, sir Thurio, Go with me:Once more, new servant, welcome: When you have done, we look to hear from you. [Exeunt Sil. Thur. and Speed. Val. Now, tell me, how do all from whence you came ? Pro. Your friends are well, and have them much commended. Val. And how do yours? Pro. I left them all in health. Val. How does your lady? and how thrives your love? Pro. My tales of love were wont to weary you; Val. Ay, Proteus, but that life is alter'd now: Love hath chas'd sleep from my enthralled eyes, O, gentle Proteus, love's a mighty lord; And hath so humbled me, as, I confess, Now, no discourse, except it be of love; Now can I break my fast, dine, sup, and sleep, Upon the very naked name of love. Pro. Enough; I read your fortune in your eye: Was this the idol that you worship so? Val. Even she; and is she not a heavenly saint? Fal. Call her divine. Pro. I will not flatter her. Val. O, flatter me; for love delights in praises. Pro. When I was sick, you gave me bitter pills And I must minister the like to you. Val. Then speak the truth by her; if not divine, Yet let her be a principality, Sovereign to all the creatures on the earth. Pro. Except my mistress. Val. Sweet, except not any Except thou wilt except against my love. Pro. Have I not reason to prefer mine own? She shall be dignified with this high honour,- Pro. Why, Valentine, what braggardism is this? Val. Pardon me, Proteus: all I can, is nothing To her, whose worth makes other worthies nothing; She is alone. Pro. Then let her alone. Val. Not for the world: why, man; she is mine own; And I as rich in having such a jewel, As twenty seas, if all their sand were pearl, Is gone with her along; and I must after, Val. Ay, and we are betroth'd; Nay, more, our marriage-hour, With all the cunning manner of our flight, Some necessaries that I needs must use; And then I'll presently attend you. Val. Will you make haste? Pro. I will. Even as one heat another heat expels, [Exit Val. |