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SCENE.-Sometimes in Verona, sometimes in Milan, and on the frontiers of Mantua.

ACT I.

SCENE I.- Verona: an open Place.
Enter VALENTINE and PROTEUS.

Val. Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus:
Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits.
Were't not affection chains thy tender days
To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love,
I rather would entreat thy company
To see the wonders of the world abroad,
Than, living dully sluggardiz'd at home,
Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness.
But since thou lov'st, love still and thrive therein,
Even as I would when I to love begin.

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Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu!

Think on thy Proteus, when thou haply seest Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel: Wish me partaker in thy happiness

When thou dost meet good hap; and in thy

danger,

If ever danger do environ thee,
Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers,
For I will be thy beadsman, Valentine.

Val. And on a love-book pray for my success?
Pro. Upon some book I love I'll pray for thee.
Val. That's on some shallow story of deep love,
How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont.
Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love,
For he was more than over shoes in love.

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Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love,

And yet you never swum the Hellespont.
Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots.
Val. No, I will not, for it boots thee not.
Pro.

What?

Val. To be in love, where scorn is bought with

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Even so by love the young and tender wit
Is turn'd to folly; blasting in the bud,
Losing his verdure even in the prime,
And all the fair effects of future hopes.
But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee
That art a votary to fond desire ?
Once more adieu! My father at the road
Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd.
Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.
Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our
leave.

To Milan let me hear from thee by letters
Of thy success in love, and what news else
Betideth here in absence of thy friend;
And I likewise will visit thee with mine.
Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in Milan!
Val. As much to you at home! and so, farewell.

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Exit.

Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love: He leaves his friends to dignify them more ; I leave myself, my friends and all, for love. Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me ; Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, War with good counsel, set the world at nought, Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought.

Enter SPEED.

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However, but a folly bought with wit,

Or else a wit by folly vanquished,

Pro. But now he parted hence to embark for Milan.

Speed. Sir Proteus, save you! Saw you my

Speed. Twenty to one then he is shipp'dalready,
And I have play'd the sheep in losing him.
Pro. Indeed, a sheep doth very often stray,
An if the shepherd be a while away.

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Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering

Speed. You conclude that my master is a your letter. And being so hard to me that shepherd then and I a sheep?

Pro. I do.

Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep.

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brought your mind, I fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling your mind. Give her no token but stones, for she's as hard as steel.

Pro. What! said she nothing?

Pro. A silly answer and fitting well a sheep. Speed. This proves me still a sheep. Pro. True, and thy master a shepherd. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. Pro. It shall go hard but I'll prove it by another. Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks not me: therefore I am no Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, sheep. 89 Being destin'd to a drier death on shore.

Speed. No, not so much as 'Take this for thy pains.' To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testerned me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself. And so, sir, I'll commend you to my master. Pro. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck,

Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep; thou for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore thou art a sheep. Speed. Such another proof will make me cry 'baa.'

Pro. But dost thou hear? gavest thou my letter to Julia?

Speed. Ay, sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton; and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour.

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Exit SPEED.

I must go send some better messenger:
I fear my Julia would not deign my lines,
Receiving them from such a worthless post.

SCENE II.- The Same.

JULIA'S Garden.

Enter JULIA and LUCETTA.

Exit.

Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone,
Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love?
Luc. Ay, madam, so you stumble not unheed-
fully.

Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen
That every day with parle encounter me,
In thy opinion which is worthiest love?

Luc. Please you repeat their names, I'll show
my mind

According to my shallow simple skill.
Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir
Eglamour?

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Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine
But, were I you, he never should be mine.
Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio?
Luc. Well of his wealth; but of himself, so so.
Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus?
Luc. Lord, Lord! to see what folly reigns in us!
Jul. How now! what means this passion at
his name?

Luc. Pardon, dear madam: 'tis a passing shame

That I, unworthy body as I am,
Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen.
Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest?
Luc. Then thus, of many good I think him
best.

Jul. Your reason?

Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason:

Speed. Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear I think him so because I think him so. with you.

Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? Speed. Marry, sir, the letter, very orderly; having nothing but the word 'noddy' for my pains. Pro. Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.

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Pro. Come, come; open the matter in brief: what said she?

Speed. Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once delivered.

Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains. What said she?

Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her,

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Jul. To Julia.' Say, from whom? Luc.

That the contents will show.

Jul. Say, say, who gave it thee?

Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from Proteus.

He would have given it you, but I, being in the way,

Did in your name receive it: pardon the fault, I pray.

Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!
Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines ?
To whisper and conspire against my youth?
Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth
And you an officer fit for the place.

There, take the paper: see it be return'd;
Or else return no more into my sight.

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Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.

Jul. Will ye be gone? Luc.

That you may ruminate. Exit. Jul. And yet I would I had o'erlook'd the letter. It were a shame to call her back again And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. 50 What fool is she, that knows I am a maid, And would not force the letter to my view! Since maids, in modesty, say 'No' to that Which they would have the profferer construe 'Ay.' Fie, fie! how wayward is this foolish love That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse And presently all humbled kiss the rod. How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence, When willingly I would have had her here: How angerly I taught my brow to frown, When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile. My penance is, to call Lucetta back And ask remission for my folly past.

What ho! Lucetta!

Luc.

Re-enter LUCETTA.

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O hateful hands, to tear such loving words !
Injurious wasps, to feed on such sweet honey
And kill the bees that yield it with your stings!
I'll kiss each several paper for amends.
Look, here is writ 'kind Julia.' Unkind Julia!
As in revenge of thy ingratitude,

I throw thy name against the bruising stones,
Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain.
And here is writ 'love-wounded Proteus.'
Poor wounded name! my bosom as a bed
Shall lodge thee till thy wound be throughly

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heal'd;

GO

And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss.
But twice or thrice was 'Proteus' written down:
Be calım, good wind, blow not a word away
Till I have found each letter in the letter,
Except mine own name; that some whirlwind bear

What would your ladyship?

Jul. Is it near dinner-time? Luc.

I would it were;

That you might kill your stomach on your meat And not upon your maid.

Jul. What is 't that you took up so gingerly? Luc. Nothing.

Jul. Why didst thou stoop then?

Unto a ragged, fearful-hanging rock,
And throw it thence into the raging sea!
Lo! here in one line is his name twice writ,
'Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus,
To the sweet Julia': that I'll tear away;
And yet I will not, sith so prettily
He couples it to his complaining names.
Thus will I fold them one upon another:
Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.

Luc. Madam,

Re-enter LUCETTA.

Dinner is ready, and your father stays,

Jul. Well, let us go.

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Luc.

To take a paper up

That I let fall.

Jul.

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Luc. Nothing concerning me.

Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns.

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Jul. If you respect them, best to take them up. Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down; Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold. Jul. I see you have a month's mind to them.

Jul. Somelove of yours hath writ to you in rime. Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune:

Luc. Ay, madam, you may say what sights

you see;

Give me a note: your ladyship can set.

Jul. As little by such toys as may be possible :

I see things too, although you judge I wink. Jul. Come, come; will 't please you go?

Best sing it to the tune of 'Light o' love.'

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Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune.

Jul. Heavy! belike it hath some burthen then? SCENE III. - The Same. A Room in ANTONIO'S

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Pant. "Twere good, I think, your lordship sent
him thither.

There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, 30
Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen,
And be in eye of every exercise

Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.

Ant. I like thy counsel; well hast thou advis'd: And that thou may'st perceive how well I like it The execution of it shall make known.

Even with the speediest expedition

I will dispatch him to the emperor's court.

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And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd.
I fear'd to show my father Julia's letter,
Lest he should take exceptions to my love;
And with the vantage of mine own excuse
Hath he excepted most against my love.
O! how this spring of love resembleth

The uncertain glory of an April day,
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away.

Re-enter PANTHINO.

Pant. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you:
He is in haste; therefore, I pray you,

go.

Pro. Why, this it is my heart accords thereto,
And yet a thousand times it answers,
'no.'
Excunt. 91

ACT II.

Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don SCENE I. - Milan. A Room in the DUKE'S Palace.

Alphonso

With other gentlemen of good esteem
Are journeying to salute the emperor

And to commend their service to his will.

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Ant. Good company; with them shall Proteus

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Enter VALENTINE and SPEED.

Speed. Sir, your glove.
Val.

Not mine; my gloves are on. Speed. Why, then this may be yours, for this is but one.

Val. Ha! let me see: ay, give it me, it's mine;

Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine!
Ah Silvia! Silvia!

Speed. Madam Silvia! Madam Silvia!
Val. How now, sirrah?

Speed. She is not within hearing, sir.
Val. Why, sir, who bade you call her?
Speed. Your worship, sir; or else I mistook. 10
Val. Well, you'll still be too forward.

Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being
too slow.

Val. Go to, sir. Tell me, do you know Madam

Silvia?

Speed. She that your worship loves?

Val. Why, how know you that I am in love? Speed. Marry, by these special marks. First, you have learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreathe your arms, like a malecontent; to relish a love. song, like a robin-redbreast; to walk alone, like one that had the pestilence; to sigh, like a school-boy that had lost his ABC; to weep, like a young wench that had buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes diet; to watch, like one that fears robbing; to speak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas. You were wont, when you laughed, to crow like a cock; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions; when you fasted, it was presently after dinner; when you

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Val. But, tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia? Speed. She that you gaze on so as she sits at supper

Val. Hast thou observed that? even she I mean. Speed. Why, sir, I know her not.

Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on

her, and yet knowest her not?

Speed. Is she not hard-favoured, sir?
Val. Not so fair, boy, as well-favoured.
Speed. Sir, I know that well enough.

Val. What dost thou know?

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Val. How esteemest thou me? I account of her beauty.

Speed. You never saw her since she was deformed.

Val. How long hath she been deformed?
Speed. Ever since you loved her.

Val. I have loved her ever since I saw her, and still I see her beautiful.

Speed. If you love her you cannot see her. 70 Val. Why?

Speed. Because Love is blind. O! that you had mine eyes; or your own eyes had the lights they were wont to have when you chid at Sir Proteus for going ungartered.

Val. What should I see then?

Speed. Your own present folly and her passing deformity; for he, being in love, could not see to garter his hose; and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose.

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Val. Belike, boy, then you are in love; for last morning you could not see to wipe my shoes. Speed. True, sir; I was in love with my bed. I thank you, you swinged me for my love, which makes me the bolder to chide you for yours.

Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her. Speed. I would you were set, so your affection would cease.

Val. Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves.

Speed. And have you ?
Val. I have.

Speed. Are they not lamely writ?

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Val. No, boy, but as well as I can do them. Peace! here she comes.

Speed. Aside. O excellent motion! O exceeding puppet! Now will he interpret to her.

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Speed. Aside. He should give her interest, and she gives it him.

Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter Unto the secret nameless friend of yours ; Which I was much unwilling to proceed in But for my duty to your ladyship.

Sil. I thank you, gentle servant. 'Tis very clerkly done.

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Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off;

For being ignorant to whom it goes
I writ at random, very doubtfully.

Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains?

Val. No, madam: so it stead you, I will write, Please you command, a thousand times as much. And yet

Sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel; And yet I will not name it; and yet I care not; And yet take this again; and yet I thank you, Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more. Speed. Aside. And yet you will; and yet another yet.

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Val. What means your ladyship? do you not like it?

Sil. Yes, yes: the lines are very quaintly writ, But since unwillingly, take them again. Nay, take them.

Val. Madam, they are for you.

Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, sir, at my request, But I will none of them; they are for you. I would have had them writ more movingly.

Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship another.

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