That no man hath recourse to her by night. Duke. Her chamber is aloft, far from the ground; Val. Why then, a ladder, quaintly made To cast up with a pair of anchoring hooks, Val. And why not death, rather than living To die, is to be banish'd from myself, Duke. Now, as thou art a gentleman of blood, that. Duke. This very night; for love is like a child, That longs for every thing that he can come by. Val. By seven o'clock I'll get you such a ladder. Duke. But, hark thee; I will go to her alone; How shall I best convey the ladder thither? Val. It will be light, my lord, that you may bear it My thoughts do harbour with my Silvia nightly; My herald thoughts in thy pure bosom rest them, Because myself do want my servants' fortune: That they should harbour where their lord should be. What's here? Silvia, this night I will enfranchise thee : 'Tis so: and here's the ladder for the purpose.— Thank me for this, more than for all the favours, Will give thee time to leave our royal court, I ever bore my daughter, or thyself. I So much of bad already hath possess'd them. Pro. No, Valentine. Val. No Valentine, indeed, for sacred Silvia!Hath she forsworn me? news; From hence, from Silvia, and from me thy friend. Pro. Ay, ay; and she hath offer'd to the doom As if but now they waxed pale for wo But, as thou lov'st thy life, make speed from But neither bended knees, pure hands held up, bence. (1) Hinders. [Exit Duke. Sad sighs, deep groans, nor silver-shedding tears Could penetrate her uncompassionate sire; Besides, her intercession chaf'd him so, Val. No more; unless the next word that thou Have some malignant power upon my life: Pro. Cease to lament for that thou canst not And study help for that which thou lament'st. Here if thou stay, thou canst not see thy love; Val. I pray thee, Launce, an if thou seest my Bid him make haste, and meet me at the north gate. grandmother: this proves, that thou canst not read. Speed. Come, fool, come: try me in thy paper. Laun. There; and Saint Nicholas be thy speed! Speed. Item, She brews good ale. Laun. And thereof comes the proverb,-Bless- Laun. That's as much as to say, Can she so? Laun. What need a man care for a stock with Speed. Item, She can spin. Laun. Then may I set the world on wheels when she can spin for her living. Speed. Item, She hath many nameless virtues. Laun. That's as much as to say, bastard virtues ; that, indeed, know not their fathers, and therefore have no names. Speed. Here follow her vices. Laun. Close at the heels of her virtues. Speed. Item, She is not to be kissed fasting, in respect of her breath. Laun. Well, that fault may be mended with a breakfast: read on. Speed. Item, She hath a sweet mouth. Laun. It's no matter for that, so she sleep not in her talk. Speed. Item, She is slow in words. Speed. Item, She is proud. Laun. Out with that too; it was Eve's legacy, and cannot be ta'en from her. [Exeunt Valentine and Proteus. Laun. I am but a fool, look you; and yet I have the wit to think, my master is a kind of knave: but that's all one, if he be but one knave. He Laun. O villain, that set this down among her lives not now, that knows me to be in love: yet I vices! To be slow in words, is a woman's only am in love; but a team of horse shall not pluck virtue: I pray thee, out with't; and place it for that from me; nor who 'tis I love, and yet 'tis a her chief virtue. woman: but that woman, I will not tell myself; and yet 'tis a milk-maid: yet 'tis not a maid, for she hath had gossips: yet 'tis a maid, for she is her master's maid, and serves for wages. She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel,-which is much in a bare Christian. Here is the cat-log [pulling out a paper] of her conditions. Imprimis, She can fetch and carry. Why, a horse can do no more; nay, a horse cannot fetch, but only car-bite. ry; therefore, is she better than a jade. Item, She can milk; look you, a sweet virtue in a maid with clean hands. Enter Speed.. Speed. How now, Signior Launce? what news with your mastership? Laun. With my master's ship? why, it is at sea. Speed. Well, your old vice still; mistake the word: what news then in your paper? Laun. The blackest news that ever thou neard'st. Speed. Why, man, how black? Laun. Why, as black as ink. Speed. Let me read them. Speed. Item, She hath no teeth. Laun. I care not for that neither, because I love crusts. Speed. Item, She is curst. Laun. Well; the best is, she hath no teeth to Speed. Item, She will often praise her liquo". Laun. If her liquor be good, she shall: if she will not, I will; for good things should be praised. Speed. Item, She is too liberal.3 Laun. Of her tongue she cannot; for that's writ down she is slow of: of her purse she shall not; for that I'll keep shut: now, of another thing she may, and that I cannot help. Well, proceed. more faults than hairs, and more wealth' than Speed. Item, She hath more hair than wit, and faults. Laun. Stop there; I'll have her: she was mine, and not mine, twice or thrice in that last article: rehearse that once more. Speed. Item, She hath more hair than wit,Laun. More hair than wit,-it may be; I'll prove it: the cover of the salt hides the salt, and Laun. Fie on thee, jolt-head; thou canst not therefore it is more than the salt; the hair that read. covers the wit, is more than the wit; for the greater Speed. And more faults than hairs,- (3) Licentious in language. cious: well, I'll have her: and if it be a match, as By aught that I can speak in his dispraise, Speed. What then? Laun. Why, then I will tell thee,-that thy It follows not that she will love sir Thurio. master stays for thee at the north gate. Speed. For me? Thu. Therefore, as you unwind her love from him, Laun. For thee? ay; wno art thou? he hath Lest it should ravel, and be good to none, staid for a better man than thee. You must provide to bottom it on me: Which must be done, by praising me as much As you in worth dispraise sir Valentine. Speed. And must I go to him? Laun. Thou must run to him, for thou hast staid so long, that going will scarce serve the turn. Speed. Why didst not tell me sooner? 'pox of your love-letters! Duke. And, Proteus, we dare trust you in this kind; SCENE II The same. A room in the Duke's palace. Enter Duke and Thurio; Proteus be [Exit. Because we know, on Valentine's report, Laun. Now will he be swinged for reading my You are already love's firm votary, letter: an unmannerly slave, that will thrust him- And cannot soon revolt and change your mind. seif into secrets!-I'll after, to rejoice in the boy's Upon this warrant shall you have access, correction. [Exit. Where you with Silvia may confer at large; For she is lumpish, heavy, melancholy, Where you may temper her, by your persuasion, And, for your friend's sake, will be glad of you; To hate young Valentine, and love my friend. Pro. As much as I can do, I will effect:But you, sir Thurio, are not sharp enough; Duke. Sir Thurio, fear not, but that she will love You must lay lime, to tangle her desires, hind. you, Now Valentine is banish'd from her sight. Thu. Since his exile she hath despis'd me most, Duke. This weak impress of love is as a figure 3 : By wailful sonnets, whose composed rhymes Duke. Ay, much the force of heaven-bred poesy. For Orpheus' lute was strung with poet's sinews; Visit by night your lady's chamber-window Duke. My daughter takes his going grievously. Pro. Longer than I prove loyal to your grace, Duke. Thou know'st, how willingly I would effect The match between sir Thurio and my daughter. Pro. do, my lord. Duke. And also, I think, thou art not ignorant Pro. She did, my lord, when Valentine was here. Pro. The best way is to slander Valentine Pro. Ay, if his enemy deliver it: Therefore it must, with circumstance, be spoken Duke. Then you must undertake to slander him. SCENE Especially, against his very friend. Duke. Where your good word cannot advantage him, Your slander never can endamage him; Being entreated to it by your friend. Pro. You have prevail'd, my lord: if I can do it, (3) Bird-lime. '1) Graceful. (2) Cut. ACT IV. I-A forest, near Mantua. [Exeunt. Enter 1 Out. Fellows, stand fast: I see a passenger. 2 Out. If there be ten, shrink not, but down with 'em. Enter Valentine and Speed. 3 Out. Stand, sir, and throw us that you have about you; (4) Mournful elegy. (5) Choose out. If not, we'll make you sit, and rifle you. Speed. Sir, we are undone ! these are the villains That all the travellers do fear so much. Val. My friends, Love thee as our commander, and our king. 1 Out. But if thou scorn our courtesy, thou diest. 2 Out. Thou shalt not live to brag what we are offer'd. 1 Out. That's not so, sir; we are your enemies. Val. I take your offer, and will live with you; 2 Out. Peace; we'll hear him. 3 Out. Ay, by my beard, will we; For he's a proper' man. Provided that you do no outrages On silly women, or poor passengers. 3 Out. No, we detest such vile base practices. Val. Then know, that I have little wealth to lose; Come, go with us, we'll bring thee to our crews, A man I am, cross'd with adversity: My riches are these poor habiliments, Of which if you should here disfurnish me, You take the sum and substance that I have. 2 Out. Whither travel you? Val. To Verona. 1 Out. Whence came you? Val. From Milan. 3 Out. Have you long sojourn'd there? And show thee all the treasure we have got; [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Milan. Court of the palace. En- Pro. Already have I been false to Valentine, Val. Some sixteen months; and longer might have access my own love to prefer; have staid, If crooked fortune had not thwarted me. 1 Out. What, were you banish'd thence? Val. I was. 2 Out. For what offence? Val. For that which now torments me to rehearse: 1 Out. Why ne'er repent it, if it were done so: But were you banish'd for so small a fault? Val. I was, and held me glad of such a doom. 1 Out. Have you the tongues ?? I But Silvia is too fair, too true, too holy, Val. My youthful travel therein made me happy; And give some evening music to her ear. Or else I often had been miserable. 3 Out. By the bare scalp of Robin Hood's fat friar, This fellow were a king for our wild faction. 1 Out. We'll have him: sirs, a word. Speed. Master, be one of them; It is an honourable kind of thievery. Val. Peace, villain! Out. Tell us this: have you any thing to take to? Val. Nothing, but my fortune. 3 Out. Know then, that some of us are gentle men, Such as the fury of ungovern'd youth Thrust from the company of awful' men: 2 Out. And I from Mantua, for a gentleman, But to the purpose-(for we cite our faults, As we do in our quality much want; 2 Out. Indeed, because you are a banish'd man, To make a virtue of necessity, Out. What say'st thou? wilt thou be of our say, ay, and be the captain of us all : Enter Thurio, and musicians. Thu. How now, sir Proteus ? are you crept before us? Pro. Ay, gentle Thurio; for, you know, that love Will creep in service where it cannot go. Thu. Ay, but, I hope, sir, that you love not here. Pro. Ay, Silvia-for your sake. Thu. I thank you for your own. Now, gentle men, Let's tune, and to it lustily awhile. Enter Host, at a distance; and Julia in boy's clothes. Host. Now, my young guest! methinks you're allyeholly; I pray you, why is it? Jul. Marry, mine host, because I cannot be merry. Host. Come, we'll have you merry: I'll bring you where you shall hear music, and see the gentleman that you ask'd for. Jul. But shall I hear him speak? Host. Ay, that you shall. Jul. That will be music. Host. Hark! hark! [Music plays Host. Ay: but peace, let's hear 'em. SONG. Who is Silvia? What is she, That all our swains commend her? The heavens such grace did lend her, (5) Passionate reproaches. Is she kind, as she is fair? For beauty lives with kindness: To help him of his blindness; Then to Silvia let us sing, Host. How now? are you sadder than you were How do you, man? the music likes you not. Jl. You mistake; the musician likes me not. Jul. He plays false, father. Host. How? out of tune on the strings? And by and by intend to chide myself, Jul. 'Twere false, if I should speak it. For, I am sure, she is not buried. [Aside. Sil. Say, that she be; yet Valentine, thy friend, Survives; to whom, thyself art witness, I am betroth'd: And art thou not asham'd Pro. I likewise hear, that Valentine is dead. Pro. Sweet lady, let me rake it from the earth. [Aside. Pro. Madam, if your heart be so obdúrate, Vouchsafe me yet your picture for my love, Jul. Not so; but yet so false that he grieves my The picture that is hanging in your chamber; very heart-strings. Host. You have a quick ear. Jul. Ay, I would I were deaf! it makes me have a slow heart. Host. I perceive, you delight not in music. Host. You would have them always play but one thing? Jul. I would always have one play but one But, host, doth this sir Proteus, that we talk on, Host. I tell you what Launce, his man, told me, he loved her out of all nick.' Jul. Where is Launce? Host. Gone to seek his dog; which, to-morrow, by his master's command, he must carry for a present to his lady. Jul. Peace! stand aside! the company parts. Pro. At saint Gregory's well. [Exeunt Thurio and Musicians. Silvia appears above, at her window. Pro. Madam, good even to your ladyship. Sil. I thank you for your music, gentlemen: Who is that, that spake? Pro. One, lady, if you knew his pure heart's You'd quickly learn to know him by his voice. Pro. Sir Proteus, gentle lady, and your servant. Pro. That I may compass yours. To that I'll speak, to that I'll sigh and weep; And make it but a shadow, as I am. Aside. Sil. I am very loth to be your idol, sir; Pro. As wretches have o'er-night, That wait for execution in the morn. [Exeunt Proteus; and Silvia, from above. Jul. Host, will you go? 2 Host. By my halidom, I was fast asleep. Jul. Not so; but it hath been the longest night [Exeunt. Egl. As many, worthy lady, to yourself. Sil. You have your wish; my will is even this,It is your pleasure to command me in. Thou subtle, perjur'd, false, disloyal man! That hast deceiv'd so many with thy vows? (1) Beyond all reckoning. Sil. O Églamour, thou art a gentleman (3) Injunction, command. (4) Pitiful. |