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, 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, And less than this, I'm sure, you cannot give. Val. How like a dream is this I see and hear! Love, lend me patience to forbear a while. [Aside. Sil. O miserable, unhappy that I am! 1 To record anciently signified to sing. Sil. By thy approach thou mak'st me most unhappy. Jul. And me, when he approacheth to your pres ence. Sil. Had I been seized by a hungry lion, [Aside. Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo for one calm look! O, 'tis the curse in love, and still approved,' 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, 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. Sil. O heaven! Pro. I'll force thee yield to my desire. 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, 1 Approved is confirmed by proof. (For such is a friend now,) treacherous man! I have one friend alive; thou would'st disprove me. 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 accurst! Be a sufficient ransom for offence, I tender it here; I do as truly suffer, As e'er I did commit. Val. Then I am paid; And once again I do receive thee honest:- Is nor of heaven, nor earth; for these are pleased; And, that my love may appear plain and free, 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. O, cry you mercy, sir; I have mistook; this is the ring you sent to Silvia. [Shows another ring. Pro. But, how cam'st 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. Pro. How! Julia! 1 Jul. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, It is the lesser blot modesty finds, Women to change their shapes, than men their minds. Pro. Than men their minds? 'tis true: O heaven! were man But constant, he were perfect: that one error Fills him with faults; makes him run through all the sins; Inconstancy falls off, ere it begins: What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy Let me be blest to make this happy close? 'Twere pity two such friends should be long foes. Pro. Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish forever. Jul. And I mine. 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. Duke. Sir Valentine! Thu. Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine. Val. Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death; Come not within the measure of my wrath : Do not name Silvia thine: if once again, Verona shall not hold thee. Here she stands ; 1 i. e. of her heart: the allusion to archery is continued, and to cleaving the pin in shooting at the butts. I hold him but a fool, that will endanger I claim her not, and therefore she is thine. Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou, I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, And think thee worthy of an empress' love. I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake, To grant one boon that I shall ask of you. Duke. I grant it for thine own, whate'er it be. Val. These banished men, that I have kept withal, Are men endued with worthy qualities; Forgive them what they have committed here, And let them be recalled from their exíle : They are reformed, civil, full of good, And fit for great employment, worthy lord. Duke. Thou hast prevailed; I pardon them, and thee: Dispose of them, as thou know'st their deserts. Duke. I think the boy hath grace in him; he blushes. Val. I warrant you, my lord; more grace than boy. 1 Include is here used for conclude. 2 Triumphs are pageants. |