The Two Gentlemen of Verona

 
 Actus primus, Scena prima.
 
 Valentine: Protheus, and Speed.
 
   Valentine. Cease to perswade, my louing Protheus;
 Home-keeping youth, haue euer homely wits,
 Wer't not affection chaines thy tender dayes
 To the sweet glaunces of thy honour'd Loue,
 I rather would entreat thy company,
 To see the wonders of the world abroad,
 Then (liuing dully sluggardiz'd at home)
 Weare out thy youth with shapelesse idlenesse.
 But since thou lou'st; loue still, and thriue therein,
 Euen as I would, when I to loue begin
 
    Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine adew,
 Thinke on thy Protheus, when thou (hap'ly) seest
 Some rare note-worthy obiect in thy trauaile.
 Wish me partaker in thy happinesse,
 When thou do'st meet good hap; and in thy danger,
 (If euer danger doe enuiron thee)
 Commend thy grieuance to my holy prayers,
 For I will be thy beades-man, Valentine
 
    Val. And on a loue-booke pray for my successe?
 
   Pro. Vpon some booke I loue, I'le pray for thee
 
    Val. That's on some shallow Storie of deepe loue,
 How yong Leander crost the Hellespont
 
    Pro. That's a deepe Storie, of a deeper loue,
 For he was more then ouer-shooes in loue
 
    Val. 'Tis true; for you are ouer-bootes in loue,
 And yet you neuer swom the Hellespont
 
    Pro. Ouer the Bootes? nay giue me not the Boots
 
    Val. No, I will not; for it boots thee not
 
    Pro. What?
 
   Val. To be in loue; where scorne is bought with grones:
 Coy looks, with hart-sore sighes: one fading moments mirth,
 With twenty watchfull, weary, tedious nights;
 If hap'ly won, perhaps a haplesse gaine;
 If lost, why then a grieuous labour won;
 How euer: but a folly bought with wit,
 Or else a wit, by folly vanquished
 
    Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me foole
 
    Val. So, by your circumstance, I feare you'll proue
 
    Pro. 'Tis Loue you cauill at, I am not Loue
 
    Val. Loue is your master, for he masters you;
 And he that is so yoked by a foole,
 Me thinkes should not be chronicled for wise
 
    Pro. Yet Writers say; as in the sweetest Bud,
 The eating Canker dwels; so eating Loue
 Inhabits in the finest wits of all
 
    Val. And Writers say; as the most forward Bud
 Is eaten by the Canker ere it blow,
 Euen so by Loue, the yong, and tender wit
 Is turn'd to folly, blasting in the Bud,
 Loosing his verdure, euen in the prime,
 And all the faire effects of future hopes.
 But wherefore waste I time to counsaile thee
 That art a votary to fond desire?
 Once more adieu: my Father at the Road
 Expects my comming, there to see me ship'd
 
    Pro. And thither will I bring thee Valentine
 
    Val. Sweet Protheus, no: Now let vs take our leaue:
 To Millaine let me heare from thee by Letters
 Of thy successe in loue; and what newes else
 Betideth here in absence of thy Friend:
 And I likewise will visite thee with mine
 
    Pro. All happinesse bechance to thee in Millaine
 
    Val. As much to you at home: and so farewell.
 
 Enter
 
    Pro. He after Honour hunts, I after Loue;
 He leaues his friends, to dignifie them more;
 I loue my selfe, my friends, and all for loue:
 Thou Iulia, thou hast metamorphis'd me:
 Made me neglect my Studies, loose my time;
 Warre with good counsaile; set the world at nought;
 Made Wit with musing, weake; hart sick with thought
 
    Sp. Sir Protheus: 'saue you: saw you my Master?
 
   Pro. But now he parted hence to embarque for Millain
 
    Sp. Twenty to one then, he is ship'd already,
 And I haue plaid the Sheepe in loosing him
 
    Pro. Indeede a Sheepe doth very often stray,
 And if the Shepheard be awhile away
 
    Sp. You conclude that my Master is a Shepheard then,
 and I Sheepe?
 
   Pro. I doe
 
    Sp. Why then my hornes are his hornes, whether I
 wake or sleepe
 
    Pro. A silly answere, and fitting well a Sheepe
 
    Sp. This proues me still a Sheepe
 
    Pro. True: and thy Master a Shepheard
 
    Sp. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance
 
    Pro. It shall goe hard but ile proue it by another
 
    Sp. The Shepheard seekes the Sheepe, and not the
 Sheepe the Shepheard; but I seeke my Master, and my
 Master seekes not me: therefore I am no Sheepe
 
    Pro. The Sheepe for fodder follow the Shepheard,
 the Shepheard for foode followes not the Sheepe: thou
 for wages followest thy Master, thy Master for wages
 followes not thee: therefore thou art a Sheepe
 
    Sp. Such another proofe will make me cry baa
 
    Pro. But do'st thou heare: gau'st thou my Letter
 to Iulia?
 
   Sp. I Sir: I (a lost-Mutton) gaue your Letter to her
 (a lac'd-Mutton) and she (a lac'd-Mutton) gaue mee (a
 lost-Mutton) nothing for my labour
 
    Pro. Here's too small a Pasture for such store of
 Muttons
 
    Sp. If the ground be ouer-charg'd, you were best
 sticke her
 
    Pro. Nay, in that you are astray: 'twere best pound
 you
 
    Sp. Nay Sir, lesse then a pound shall serue me for carrying
 your Letter
 
    Pro. You mistake; I meane the pound, a Pinfold
 
    Sp. From a pound to a pin? fold it ouer and ouer,
 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your louer
 
   Pro. But what said she?
 
   Sp. I
 
    Pro. Nod-I, why that's noddy
 
    Sp. You mistooke Sir: I say she did nod;
 And you aske me if she did nod, and I say I
 
    Pro. And that set together is noddy
 
    Sp. Now you haue taken the paines to set it together,
 take it for your paines
 
    Pro. No, no, you shall haue it for bearing the letter
 
    Sp. Well, I perceiue I must be faine to beare with you
 
    Pro. Why Sir, how doe you beare with me?
 
   Sp. Marry Sir, the letter very orderly,
 Hauing nothing but the word noddy for my paines
 
    Pro. Beshrew me, but you haue a quicke wit
 
    Sp. And yet it cannot ouer-take your slow purse
 
    Pro. Come, come, open the matter in briefe; what
 said she
 
    Sp. Open your purse, that the money, and the matter
 may be both at once deliuered
 
    Pro. Well Sir: here is for your paines: what said she?
 
   Sp. Truely Sir, I thinke you'll hardly win her
 
    Pro. Why? could'st thou perceiue so much from her?
 
   Sp. Sir, I could perceiue nothing at all from her;
 No, not so much as a ducket for deliuering your letter:
 And being so hard to me, that brought your minde;
 I feare she'll proue as hard to you in telling your minde.
 Giue her no token but stones, for she's as hard as steele
 
    Pro. What said she, nothing?
 
   Sp. No, not so much as take this for thy pains:
 To testifie your bounty, I thank you, you haue cestern'd me;
 In requital whereof, henceforth, carry your letters your
 selfe; And so Sir, I'le commend you to my Master
 
    Pro. Go, go, be gone, to saue your Ship from wrack,
 Which cannot perish hauing thee aboarde,
 Being destin'd to a drier death on shore:
 I must goe send some better Messenger,
 I feare my Iulia would not daigne my lines,
 Receiuing them from such a worthlesse post.
 
 Enter.
 
 
 Scoena Secunda.
 
 Enter Iulia and Lucetta.
 
   Iul. But say Lucetta (now we are alone)
 Would'st thou then counsaile me to fall in loue?
 
   Luc. I Madam, so you stumble not vnheedfully
 
    Iul. Of all the faire resort of Gentlemen,
 That euery day with par'le encounter me,
 In thy opinion which is worthiest loue?
 
   Lu. Please you repeat their names, ile shew my minde,
 According to my shallow simple skill
 
    Iu. What thinkst thou of the faire sir Eglamoure?
   Lu. As of a Knight, well-spoken, neat, and fine;
 But were I you, he neuer should be mine
 
    Iu. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio?
   Lu. Well of his wealth; but of himselfe, so, so
 
    Iu. What think'st thou of the gentle Protheus?
   Lu. Lord, Lord: to see what folly raignes in vs
 
    Iu. How now? what meanes this passion at his name?
   Lu. Pardon deare Madam, 'tis a passing shame,
 That I (vnworthy body as I am)
 Should censure thus on louely Gentlemen
 
    Iu. Why not on Protheus, as of all the rest?
   Lu. Then thus: of many good, I thinke him best
 
    Iul. Your reason?
   Lu. I haue no other but a womans reason:
 I thinke him so, because I thinke him so
 
    Iul. And would'st thou haue me cast my loue on him?
   Lu. I: if you thought your loue not cast away
 
    Iul. Why he, of all the rest, hath neuer mou'd me
 
    Lu. Yet he, of all the rest, I thinke best loues ye
 
    Iul. His little speaking, shewes his loue but small
 
    Lu. Fire that's closest kept, burnes most of all
 
    Iul. They doe not loue, that doe not shew their loue
 
    Lu. Oh, they loue least, that let men know their loue
 
    Iul. I would I knew his minde
 
    Lu. Peruse this paper Madam
 
    Iul. To Iulia: say, from whom?
   Lu. That the Contents will shew
 
    Iul. Say, say: who gaue it thee?
   Lu. Sir Valentines page: & sent I think from Protheus;
 He would haue giuen it you, but I being in the way,
 Did in your name receiue it: pardon the fault I pray
 
    Iul. 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 returne no more into my sight
 
    Lu. To plead for loue, deserues more fee, then hate
 
    Iul. Will ye be gon?
   Lu. That you may ruminate.
 
 Enter.
 
   Iul. And yet I would I had ore-look'd the Letter;
 It were a shame to call her backe againe,
 And pray her to a fault, for which I chid her.
 What 'foole is she, that knowes I am a Maid,
 And would not force the letter to my view?
 Since Maides, in modesty, say no, to that,
 Which they would haue the profferer construe, I.
 Fie, fie: how way-ward is this foolish loue;
 That (like a testie Babe) will scratch the Nurse,
 And presently, all humbled kisse the Rod?
 How churlishly, I chid Lucetta hence,
 When willingly, I would haue had her here?
 How angerly I taught my brow to frowne,
 When inward ioy enforc'd my heart to smile?
 My pennance is, to call Lucetta backe
 And aske remission, for my folly past.
 What hoe: Lucetta
 
    Lu. What would your Ladiship?
   Iul. Is't neere dinner time?
   Lu. I would it were,
 That you might kill your stomacke on your meat,
 And not vpon your Maid
 
    Iu. What is't that you
 Tooke vp so gingerly?
   Lu. Nothing
 
    Iu. Why didst thou stoope then?
   Lu. To take a paper vp, that I let fall
 
    Iul. And is that paper nothing?
   Lu. Nothing concerning me
 
    Iul. Then let it lye, for those that it concernes
 
    Lu. Madam, it will not lye where it concernes,
 Vnlesse it haue a false Interpreter
 
    Iul. Some loue of yours, hath writ to you in Rime
 
    Lu. That I might sing it (Madam) to a tune:
 Giue me a Note, your Ladiship can set
   Iul. As little by such toyes, as may be possible:
 Best sing it to the tune of Light O, Loue
 
    Lu. It is too heauy for so light a tune
 
    Iu. Heauy? belike it hath some burden then?
   Lu. I: and melodious were it, would you sing it,
   Iu. And why not you?
   Lu. I cannot reach so high
 
    Iu. Let's see your Song:
 How now Minion?
   Lu. Keepe tune there still; so you will sing it out:
 And yet me thinkes I do not like this tune
 
    Iu. You doe not?
   Lu. No (Madam) tis too sharpe
 
    Iu. You (Minion) are too saucie
 
    Lu. Nay, now you are too flat;
 And marre the concord, with too harsh a descant:
 There wanteth but a Meane to fill your Song
 
    Iu. The meane is dround with you vnruly base
 
    Lu. Indeede I bid the base for Protheus
 
    Iu. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me;
 Here is a coile with protestation:
 Goe, get you gone: and let the papers lye:
 You would be fingring them, to anger me
 
    Lu. She makes it stra[n]ge, but she would be best pleas'd
 To be so angred with another Letter
 
    Iu. Nay, would I were so angred with the same:
 Oh hatefull hands, to teare such louing words;
 Iniurious Waspes, to feede on such sweet hony,
 And kill the Bees that yeelde it, with your stings;
 Ile kisse each seuerall paper, for amends:
 Looke, here is writ, kinde Iulia: vnkinde Iulia,
 As in reuenge of thy ingratitude,
 I throw thy name against the bruzing-stones,
 Trampling contemptuously on thy disdaine.
 And here is writ, Loue wounded Protheus.
 Poore wounded name: my bosome, as a bed,
 Shall lodge thee till thy wound be throughly heal'd;
 And thus I search it with a soueraigne kisse.
 But twice, or thrice, was Protheus written downe:
 Be calme (good winde) blow not a word away,
 Till I haue found each letter, in the Letter,
 Except mine own name: That, some whirle-winde beare
 Vnto a ragged, fearefull, hanging Rocke,
 And throw it thence into the raging Sea.
 Loe, here in one line is his name twice writ:
 Poore forlorne Protheus, passionate Protheus:
 To the sweet Iulia: that ile teare away:
 And yet I will not, sith so prettily
 He couples it, to his complaining Names;
 Thus will I fold them, one vpon another;
 Now kisse, embrace, contend, doe what you will
 
    Lu. Madam: dinner is ready: and your father staies
 
    Iu. Well, let vs goe
 
    Lu. What, shall these papers lye, like Tel-tales here?
   Iu. If you respect them; best to take them vp
 
    Lu. Nay, I was taken vp, for laying them downe.
 Yet here they shall not lye, for catching cold
 
    Iu. I see you haue a months minde to them
 
    Lu. I (Madam) you may say what sights you see;
 I see things too, although you iudge I winke
 
    Iu. Come, come, wilt please you goe.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scoena Tertia.
 
 
 Enter Antonio and Panthino. Protheus.
 
   Ant. Tell me Panthino, what sad talke was that,
 Wherewith my brother held you in the Cloyster?
   Pan. 'Twas of his Nephew Protheus, your Sonne
 
    Ant. Why? what of him?
   Pan. He wondred that your Lordship
 Would suffer him, to spend his youth at home,
 While other men, of slender reputation
 Put forth their Sonnes, to seeke preferment out.
 Some to the warres, to try their fortune there;
 Some, to discouer Islands farre away:
 Some, to the studious Vniuersities;
 For any, or for all these exercises,
 He said, that Protheus, your sonne, was meet;
 And did request me, to importune you
 To let him spend his time no more at home;
 Which would be great impeachment to his age,
 In hauing knowne no trauaile in his youth
 
    Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that
 Whereon, this month I haue bin hamering.
 I haue consider'd well, his losse of time,
 And how he cannot be a perfect man,
 Not being tryed, and tutord in the world:
 Experience is by industry atchieu'd,
 And perfected by the swift course of time:
 Then tell me, whether were I best to send him?
   Pan. I thinke your Lordship is not ignorant
 How his companion, youthfull Valentine,
 Attends the Emperour in his royall Court
 
    Ant. I know it well
 
    Pan. 'Twere good, I thinke, your Lordship sent him
 (thither,
 There shall he practise Tilts, and Turnaments;
 Heare sweet discourse, conuerse with Noble-men,
 And be in eye of euery Exercise
 Worthy his youth, and noblenesse of birth
 
    Ant. I like thy counsaile: well hast thou aduis'd:
 And that thou maist perceiue how well I like it,
 The execution of it shall make knowne;
 Euen with the speediest expedition,
 I will dispatch him to the Emperors Court
 
    Pan. To morrow, may it please you, Don Alphonso,
 With other Gentlemen of good esteeme
 Are iournying, to salute the Emperor,
 And to commend their seruice to his will
 
    Ant. Good company: with them shall Protheus go:
 And in good time: now will we breake with him
 
    Pro. Sweet Loue, sweet lines, sweet life,
 Here is her hand, the agent of her heart;
 Here is her oath for loue, her honors paune;
 O that our Fathers would applaud our loues
 To seale our happinesse with their consents
 
    Pro. Oh heauenly Iulia
 
    Ant. How now? What Letter are you reading there?
   Pro. May't please your Lordship, 'tis a word or two
 Of commendations sent from Valentine;
 Deliuer'd by a friend, that came from him
 
    Ant. Lend me the Letter: Let me see what newes
 
    Pro. There is no newes (my Lord) but that he writes
 How happily he liues, how well-belou'd,
 And daily graced by the Emperor;
 Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune
 
    Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish?
   Pro. As one relying on your Lordships will,
 And not depending on his friendly wish
 
    Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish:
 Muse not that I thus sodainly proceed;
 For what I will, I will, and there an end:
 I am resolu'd, that thou shalt spend some time
 With Valentinus, in the Emperors Court:
 What maintenance he from his friends receiues,
 Like exhibition thou shalt haue from me,
 To morrow be in readinesse, to goe,
 Excuse it not: for I am peremptory
 
    Pro. My Lord I cannot be so soone prouided,
 Please you deliberate a day or two
 
    Ant. Look what thou want'st shalbe sent after thee:
 No more of stay: to morrow thou must goe;
 Come on Panthino; you shall be imployd,
 To hasten on his Expedition
 
    Pro. Thus haue I shund the fire, for feare of burning,
 And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd.
 I fear'd to shew my Father Iulias Letter,
 Least he should take exceptions to my loue,
 And with the vantage of mine owne excuse
 Hath he excepted most against my loue.
 Oh, how this spring of loue resembleth
 The vncertaine glory of an Aprill day,
 Which now shewes all the beauty of the Sun,
 And by and by a clowd takes all away
 
    Pan. Sir Protheus, your Fathers call's for you,
 He is in hast, therefore I pray you go
 
    Pro. Why this it is: my heart accords thereto,
 And yet a thousand times it answer's no.
 
 Exeunt. Finis.
 
 
 Actus secundus: Scoena Prima.
 
 Enter Valentine, Speed, Siluia
 
    Speed. Sir, your Gloue
 
    Valen. Not mine: my Gloues are on
 
    Sp. Why then this may be yours: for this is but one
 
    Val. Ha? Let me see: I, giue it me, it's mine:
 Sweet Ornament, that deckes a thing diuine,
 Ah Siluia, Siluia
 
    Speed. Madam Siluia: Madam Siluia
 
    Val. How now Sirha?
   Speed. Shee is not within hearing Sir
 
    Val. Why sir, who bad you call her?
   Speed. Your worship sir, or else I mistooke
 
    Val. Well: you'll still be too forward
 
    Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being too slow
 
    Val. Goe to, sir, tell me: do you know Madam Siluia?
   Speed. Shee that your worship loues?
   Val. Why, how know you that I am in loue?
   Speed. Marry by these speciall markes: first, you haue
 learn'd (like Sir Protheus) to wreath your Armes like a
 Male-content: to rellish a Loue-song, like a Robin-redbreast:
 to walke alone like one that had the pestilence:
 to sigh, like a Schoole-boy that had lost his A.B.C. to
 weep like a yong wench that had buried her Grandam:
 to fast, like one that takes diet: to watch, like one that
 feares robbing: to speake puling, like a beggar at Hallow-Masse:
 You were wont, when you laughed, to crow
 like a cocke; when you walk'd, to walke like one of the
 Lions: when you fasted, it was presently after dinner:
 when you look'd sadly, it was for want of money: And
 now you are Metamorphis'd with a Mistris, that when I
 looke on you, I can hardly thinke you my Master
 
    Val. Are all these things perceiu'd in me?
   Speed. They are all perceiu'd without ye
 
    Val. Without me? they cannot
 
    Speed. Without you? nay, that's certaine: for without
 you were so simple, none else would: but you are
 so without these follies, that these follies are within you,
 and shine through you like the water in an Vrinall: that
 not an eye that sees you, but is a Physician to comment
 on your Malady
 
    Val. But tell me: do'st thou know my Lady Siluia?
   Speed. Shee that you gaze on so, as she sits at supper?
   Val. Hast thou obseru'd that? euen she I meane
 
    Speed. Why sir, I know her not
 
    Val. Do'st thou know her by my gazing on her, and
 yet know'st her not?
   Speed. Is she not hard-fauour'd, sir?
   Val. Not so faire (boy) as well fauour'd
 
    Speed. Sir, I know that well enough
 
    Val. What dost thou know?
   Speed. That shee is not so faire, as (of you) well-fauourd?
   Val. I meane that her beauty is exquisite,
 But her fauour infinite
 
    Speed. That's because the one is painted, and the other
 out of all count
 
    Val. How painted? and how out of count?
   Speed. Marry sir, so painted to make her faire, that no
 man counts of her beauty
 
    Val. How esteem'st thou me? I account of her beauty
 
    Speed. You neuer saw her since she was deform'd
 
    Val. How long hath she beene deform'd?
   Speed. Euer since you lou'd her
 
    Val. I haue lou'd her euer since I saw her,
 And still I see her beautifull
 
    Speed. If you loue her, you cannot see her
 
    Val. Why?
   Speed. Because Loue is blinde: O that you had mine
 eyes, or your owne eyes had the lights they were wont
 to haue, when you chidde at Sir Protheus, for going vngarter'd
 
    Val. What should I see then?
   Speed. Your owne present folly, and her passing deformitie:
 for hee beeing in loue, could not see to garter
 his hose; and you, beeing in loue, cannot see to put on
 your hose
 
    Val. Belike (boy) then you are in loue, for last morning
 You could not see to wipe my shooes
 
    Speed. True sir: I was in loue with my bed, I thanke
 you, you swing'd me for my loue, which makes mee 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 enioyn'd me,
 To write some lines to one she loues
 
    Speed. And haue you?
   Val. I haue
 
    Speed. Are they not lamely writt?
   Val. No (Boy) but as well as I can do them:
 Peace, here she comes
 
    Speed. Oh excellent motion; oh exceeding Puppet:
 Now will he interpret to her
 
    Val. Madam & Mistres, a thousand good-morrows
 
    Speed. Oh, 'giue ye-good-ev'n: heer's a million of
 manners
 
    Sil. Sir Valentine, and seruant, to you two thousand
 
    Speed. He should giue her interest: & she giues it him
 
    Val. As you inioynd me; I haue writ your Letter
 Vnto the secret, nameles friend of yours:
 Which I was much vnwilling to proceed in,
 But for my duty to your Ladiship
 
    Sil. I thanke you (gentle Seruant) 'tis very Clerklydone
 
    Val. Now trust me (Madam) it came hardly-off:
 For being ignorant to whom it goes,
 I writ at randome, very doubtfully
 
    Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains?
   Val. No (Madam) so it steed you, I will write
 (Please you command) a thousand times as much:
 And yet -
   Sil. A pretty period: well: I ghesse the sequell;
 And yet I will not name it: and yet I care not.
 And yet, take this againe: and yet I thanke you:
 Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more
 
    Speed. And yet you will: and yet, another yet
 
    Val. What meanes your Ladiship?
 Doe you not like it?
   Sil. Yes, yes: the lines are very queintly writ,
 But (since vnwillingly) take them againe.
 Nay, take them
 
    Val. Madam, they are for you
 
    Silu. I, I: you writ them Sir, at my request,
 But I will none of them: they are for you:
 I would haue had them writ more mouingly:
   Val. Please you, Ile write your Ladiship another
 
    Sil. And when it's writ: for my sake read it ouer,
 And if it please you, so: if not: why so:
   Val. If it please me, (Madam?) what then?
   Sil. Why if it please you, take it for your labour;
 And so good-morrow Seruant.
 
 Exit. Sil.
 
   Speed. Oh Iest vnseene: inscrutible: inuisible,
 As a nose on a mans face, or a Wethercocke on a steeple:
 My Master sues to her: and she hath taught her Sutor,
 He being her Pupill, to become her Tutor.
 Oh excellent deuise, was there euer heard a better?
 That my master being scribe,
 To himselfe should write the Letter?
   Val. How now Sir?
 What are you reasoning with your selfe?
   Speed. Nay: I was riming: 'tis you y haue the reason
 
    Val. To doe what?
   Speed. To be a Spokes-man from Madam Siluia
 
    Val. To whom?
   Speed. To your selfe: why, she woes you by a figure
 
    Val. What figure?
   Speed. By a Letter, I should say
 
    Val. Why she hath not writ to me?
   Speed. What need she,
 When shee hath made you write to your selfe?
 Why, doe you not perceiue the iest?
   Val. No, beleeue me
 
    Speed. No beleeuing you indeed sir:
 But did you perceiue her earnest?
   Val. She gaue me none, except an angry word
 
    Speed. Why she hath giuen you a Letter
 
    Val. That's the Letter I writ to her friend
 
    Speed. And y letter hath she deliuer'd, & there an end
 
    Val. I would it were no worse
 
    Speed. Ile warrant you, 'tis as well:
 For often haue you writ to her: and she in modesty,
 Or else for want of idle time, could not againe reply,
 Or fearing els some messe[n]ger, y might her mind discouer
 Her self hath taught her Loue himself, to write vnto her louer.
 All this I speak in print, for in print I found it.
 Why muse you sir, 'tis dinner time
 
    Val. I haue dyn'd
 
    Speed. I, but hearken sir: though the Cameleon Loue
 can feed on the ayre, I am one that am nourish'd by my
 victuals; and would faine haue meate: oh bee not like
 your Mistresse, be moued, be moued.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scoena secunda.
 
 Enter Protheus, Iulia, Panthion.
 
   Pro. Haue patience, gentle Iulia:
   Iul. I must where is no remedy
 
    Pro. When possibly I can, I will returne
 
    Iul. If you turne not: you will return the sooner:
 Keepe this remembrance for thy Iulia's sake
 
    Pro. Why then wee'll make exchange;
 Here, take you this
 
    Iul. And seale the bargaine with a holy kisse
 
    Pro. Here is my hand, for my true constancie:
 And when that howre ore-slips me in the day,
 Wherein I sigh not (Iulia) for thy sake,
 The next ensuing howre, some foule mischance
 Torment me for my Loues forgetfulnesse:
 My father staies my comming: answere not:
 The tide is now; nay, not thy tide of teares,
 That tide will stay me longer then I should,
 Iulia, farewell: what, gon without a word?
 I, so true loue should doe: it cannot speake,
 For truth hath better deeds, then words to grace it
 
    Panth. Sir Protheus: you are staid for
 
    Pro. Goe: I come, I come:
 Alas, this parting strikes poore Louers dumbe.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scoena Tertia.
 
 Enter Launce, Panthion.
 
   Launce. Nay, 'twill bee this howre ere I haue done
 weeping: all the kinde of the Launces, haue this very
 fault: I haue receiu'd my proportion, like the prodigious
 Sonne, and am going with Sir Protheus to the Imperialls
 Court: I thinke Crab my dog, be the sowrest natured
 dogge that liues: My Mother weeping: my Father
 wayling: my Sister crying: our Maid howling: our
 Catte wringing her hands, and all our house in a great
 perplexitie, yet did not this cruell-hearted Curre shedde
 one teare: he is a stone, a very pibble stone, and has no
 more pitty in him then a dogge: a Iew would haue wept
 to haue seene our parting: why my Grandam hauing
 no eyes, looke you, wept her selfe blinde at my parting:
 nay, Ile shew you the manner of it. This shooe is my father:
 no, this left shooe is my father; no, no, this left
 shooe is my mother: nay, that cannot bee so neyther:
 yes; it is so, it is so: it hath the worser sole: this shooe
 with the hole in it, is my mother: and this my father:
 a veng'ance on't, there 'tis: Now sir, this staffe is my sister:
 for, looke you, she is as white as a lilly, and as
 small as a wand: this hat is Nan our maid: I am the
 dogge: no, the dogge is himselfe, and I am the dogge:
 oh, the dogge is me, and I am my selfe: I; so, so: now
 come I to my Father; Father, your blessing: now
 should not the shooe speake a word for weeping:
 now should I kisse my Father; well, hee weepes on:
 Now come I to my Mother: Oh that she could speake
 now, like a would-woman: well, I kisse her: why
 there 'tis; heere's my mothers breath vp and downe:
 Now come I to my sister; marke the moane she makes:
 now the dogge all this while sheds not a teare: nor
 speakes a word: but see how I lay the dust with my
 teares
 
    Panth. Launce, away, away: a Boord: thy Master is
 ship'd, and thou art to post after with oares; what's the
 matter? why weep'st thou man? away asse, you'l loose
 the Tide, if you tarry any longer
 
    Laun. It is no matter if the tide were lost, for it is the
 vnkindest Tide, that euer any man tide
 
    Panth. What's the vnkindest tide?
   Lau. Why, he that's tide here, Crab my dog
 
    Pant. Tut, man: I meane thou'lt loose the flood, and
 in loosing the flood, loose thy voyage, and in loosing thy
 voyage, loose thy Master, and in loosing thy Master,
 loose thy seruice, and in loosing thy seruice: - why
 dost thou stop my mouth?
   Laun. For feare thou shouldst loose thy tongue
 
    Panth. Where should I loose my tongue?
   Laun. In thy Tale
 
    Panth. In thy Taile
 
    Laun. Loose the Tide, and the voyage, and the Master,
 and the Seruice, and the tide: why man, if the Riuer
 were drie, I am able to fill it with my teares: if the winde
 were downe, I could driue the boate with my sighes
 
    Panth. Come: come away man, I was sent to call
 thee
 
    Lau. Sir: call me what thou dar'st
 
    Pant. Wilt thou goe?
   Laun. Well, I will goe.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scena Quarta.
 
 Enter Valentine, Siluia, Thurio, Speed, Duke, Protheus.
 
   Sil. Seruant
 
    Val. Mistris
 
    Spee. Master, Sir Thurio frownes on you
 
    Val. I Boy, it's for loue
 
    Spee. Not of you
 
    Val. Of my Mistresse then
 
    Spee. 'Twere good you knockt him
 
    Sil. Seruant, you are sad
 
    Val. Indeed, Madam, I seeme so
 
    Thu. Seeme you that you are not?
   Val. Hap'ly I doe
 
    Thu. So doe Counterfeyts
 
    Val. So doe you
 
    Thu. What seeme I that I am not?
   Val. Wise
 
    Thu. What instance of the contrary?
   Val. Your folly
 
    Thu. And how quoat you my folly?
   Val. I quoat it in your Ierkin
 
    Thu. My Ierkin is a doublet
 
    Val. Well then, Ile double your folly
 
    Thu. How?
   Sil. What, angry, Sir Thurio, do you change colour?
   Val. Giue him leaue, Madam, he is a kind of Camelion
 
    Thu. That hath more minde to feed on your bloud,
 then liue in your ayre
 
    Val. You haue said Sir
 
    Thu. I Sir, and done too for this time
 
    Val. I know it wel sir, you alwaies end ere you begin
 
    Sil. A fine volly of words, gentleme[n], & quickly shot off
   Val. 'Tis indeed, Madam, we thank the giuer
 
    Sil. Who is that Seruant?
   Val. Your selfe (sweet Lady) for you gaue the fire,
 Sir Thurio borrows his wit from your Ladiships lookes,
 And spends what he borrowes kindly in your company
 
    Thu. Sir, if you spend word for word with me, I shall
 make your wit bankrupt
 
    Val. I know it well sir: you haue an Exchequer of words,
 And I thinke, no other treasure to giue your followers:
 For it appeares by their bare Liueries
 That they liue by your bare words
 
    Sil. No more, gentlemen, no more:
 Here comes my father
 
    Duk. Now, daughter Siluia, you are hard beset.
 Sir Valentine, your father is in good health,
 What say you to a Letter from your friends
 Of much good newes?
   Val. My Lord, I will be thankfull,
 To any happy messenger from thence
 
    Duk. Know ye Don Antonio, your Countriman?
   Val. I, my good Lord, I know the Gentleman
 To be of worth, and worthy estimation,
 And not without desert so well reputed
 
    Duk. Hath he not a Sonne?
   Val. I, my good Lord, a Son, that well deserues
 The honor, and regard of such a father
 
    Duk. You know him well?
   Val. I knew him as my selfe: for from our Infancie
 We haue conuerst, and spent our howres together,
 And though my selfe haue beene an idle Trewant,
 Omitting the sweet benefit of time
 To cloath mine age with Angel-like perfection:
 Yet hath Sir Protheus (for that's his name)
 Made vse, and faire aduantage of his daies:
 His yeares but yong, but his experience old:
 His head vn-mellowed, but his Iudgement ripe;
 And in a word (for far behinde his worth
 Comes all the praises that I now bestow.)
 He is compleat in feature, and in minde,
 With all good grace, to grace a Gentleman
 
    Duk. Beshrew me sir, but if he make this good
 He is as worthy for an Empresse loue,
 As meet to be an Emperors Councellor:
 Well, Sir: this Gentleman is come to me
 With Commendation from great Potentates,
 And heere he meanes to spend his time a while,
 I thinke 'tis no vn-welcome newes to you
 
    Val. Should I haue wish'd a thing, it had beene he
 
    Duk. Welcome him then according to his worth:
 Siluia, I speake to you, and you Sir Thurio,
 For Valentine, I need not cite him to it,
 I will send him hither to you presently
 
    Val. This is the Gentleman I told your Ladiship
 Had come along with me, but that his Mistresse
 Did hold his eyes, lockt in her Christall lookes
 
    Sil. Be-like that now she hath enfranchis'd them
 Vpon some other pawne for fealty
 
    Val. Nay sure, I thinke she holds them prisoners stil
 
    Sil. Nay then he should be blind, and being blind
 How could he see his way to seeke out you?
   Val. Why Lady, Loue hath twenty paire of eyes
 
    Thur. They say that Loue hath not an eye at all
 
    Val. To see such Louers, Thurio, as your selfe,
 Vpon a homely obiect, Loue can winke
 
    Sil. Haue done, haue done: here comes y gentleman
 
    Val. Welcome, deer Protheus: Mistris, I beseech you
 Confirme his welcome, with some speciall fauor
 
    Sil. His worth is warrant for his welcome hether,
 If this be he you oft haue wish'd to heare from
 
    Val. Mistris, it is: sweet Lady, entertaine him
 To be my fellow-seruant to your Ladiship
 
    Sil. Too low a Mistres for so high a seruant
 
    Pro. Not so, sweet Lady, but too meane a seruant
 To haue a looke of such a worthy a Mistresse
 
    Val. Leaue off discourse of disabilitie:
 Sweet Lady, entertaine him for your Seruant
 
    Pro. My dutie will I boast of, nothing else
 
    Sil. And dutie neuer yet did want his meed.
 Seruant, you are welcome to a worthlesse Mistresse
 
    Pro. Ile die on him that saies so but your selfe
 
    Sil. That you are welcome?
   Pro. That you are worthlesse
 
    Thur. Madam, my Lord your father wold speak with you
 
    Sil. I wait vpon his pleasure: Come Sir Thurio,
 Goe with me: once more, new Seruant welcome;
 Ile leaue you to confer of home affaires,
 When you haue done, we looke too heare from you
 
    Pro. Wee'll both attend vpon your Ladiship
 
    Val. Now tell me: how do al from whence you came?
   Pro. Your frends are wel, & haue the[m] much co[m]mended
 
    Val. And how doe yours?
   Pro. I left them all in health
 
    Val. How does your Lady? & how thriues your loue?
   Pro. My tales of Loue were wont to weary you,
 I know you ioy not in a Loue-discourse
 
    Val. I Protheus, but that life is alter'd now,
 I haue done pennance for contemning Loue,
 Whose high emperious thoughts haue punish'd me
 With bitter fasts, with penitentiall grones,
 With nightly teares, and daily hart-sore sighes,
 For in reuenge of my contempt of loue,
 Loue hath chas'd sleepe from my enthralled eyes,
 And made them watchers of mine owne hearts sorrow.
 O gentle Protheus, Loue's a mighty Lord,
 And hath so humbled me, as I confesse
 There is no woe to his correction,
 Nor to his Seruice, no such ioy on earth:
 Now, no discourse, except it be of loue:
 Now can I breake my fast, dine, sup, and sleepe,
 Vpon the very naked name of Loue
 
    Pro. Enough; I read your fortune in your eye:
 Was this the Idoll, that you worship so?
   Val. Euen She; and is she not a heauenly Saint?
   Pro. No; But she is an earthly Paragon
 
    Val. Call her diuine
 
    Pro. I will not flatter her
 
    Val. O flatter me: for Loue delights in praises
 
    Pro. When I was sick, you gaue me bitter pils,
 And I must minister the like to you
 
    Val. Then speake the truth by her; if not diuine,
 Yet let her be a principalitie,
 Soueraigne to all the Creatures on the earth
 
    Pro. Except my Mistresse
 
    Val. Sweet: except not any,
 Except thou wilt except against my Loue
 
    Pro. Haue I not reason to prefer mine owne?
   Val. And I will help thee to prefer her to:
 Shee shall be dignified with this high honour,
 To beare my Ladies traine, lest the base earth
 Should from her vesture chance to steale a kisse,
 And of so great a fauor growing proud,
 Disdaine to roote the Sommer-swelling flowre,
 And make rough winter euerlastingly
 
    Pro. Why Valentine, what Bragadisme is this?
   Val. Pardon me (Protheus) all I can is nothing,
 To her, whose worth, make other worthies nothing;
 Shee is alone
 
    Pro. Then let her alone
 
    Val. Not for the world: why man, she is mine owne,
 And I as rich in hauing such a Iewell
 As twenty Seas, if all their sand were pearle,
 The water, Nectar, and the Rocks pure gold.
 Forgiue me, that I doe not dreame on thee,
 Because thou seest me doate vpon my loue:
 My foolish Riuall that her Father likes
 (Onely for his possessions are so huge)
 Is gone with her along, and I must after,
 For Loue (thou know'st is full of iealousie.)
   Pro. But she loues you?
   Val. I, and we are betroathd: nay more, our mariage howre,
 With all the cunning manner of our flight
 Determin'd of: how I must climbe her window,
 The Ladder made of Cords, and all the means
 Plotted, and 'greed on for my happinesse.
 Good Protheus goe with me to my chamber,
 In these affaires to aid me with thy counsaile
 
    Pro. Goe on before: I shall enquire you forth:
 I must vnto the Road, to dis-embarque
 Some necessaries, that I needs must vse,
 And then Ile presently attend you
 
    Val. Will you make haste?
 
 Enter.
 
   Pro. I will.
 Euen as one heate, another heate expels,
 Or as one naile, by strength driues out another.
 So the remembrance of my former Loue
 Is by a newer obiect quite forgotten,
 It is mine, or Valentines praise?
 Her true perfection, or my false transgression?
 That makes me reasonlesse, to reason thus?
 Shee is faire: and so is Iulia that I loue,
 (That I did loue, for now my loue is thaw'd,
 Which like a waxen Image 'gainst a fire
 Beares no impression of the thing it was.)
 Me thinkes my zeale to Valentine is cold,
 And that I loue him not as I was wont:
 O, but I loue his Lady too-too much,
 And that's the reason I loue him so little.
 How shall I doate on her with more aduice,
 That thus without aduice begin to loue her?
 'Tis but her picture I haue yet beheld,
 And that hath dazel'd my reasons light:
 But when I looke on her perfections,
 There is no reason, but I shall be blinde.
 If I can checke my erring loue, I will,
 If not, to compasse her Ile vse my skill.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scena Quinta.
 
 Enter Speed and Launce.
 
   Speed. Launce, by mine honesty welcome to Padua
 
    Laun. Forsweare not thy selfe, sweet youth, for I am
 not welcome. I reckon this alwaies, that a man is neuer
 vndon till hee be hang'd, nor neuer welcome to a place,
 till some certaine shot be paid, and the Hostesse say welcome
 
    Speed. Come-on you mad-cap: Ile to the Ale-house
 with you presently; where, for one shot of fiue pence,
 thou shalt haue fiue thousand welcomes: But sirha, how
 did thy Master part with Madam Iulia?
   Lau. Marry after they cloas'd in earnest, they parted
 very fairely in iest
 
    Spee. But shall she marry him?
   Lau. No
 
    Spee. How then? shall he marry her?
   Lau. No, neither
 
    Spee. What, are they broken?
   Lau. No; they are both as whole as a fish
 
    Spee. Why then, how stands the matter with them?
   Lau. Marry thus, when it stands well with him, it
 stands well with her
 
    Spee. What an asse art thou, I vnderstand thee not
 
    Lau. What a blocke art thou, that thou canst not?
 My staffe vnderstands me?
   Spee. What thou saist?
   Lau. I, and what I do too: looke thee, Ile but leane,
 and my staffe vnderstands me
 
    Spee. It stands vnder thee indeed
 
    Lau. Why, stand-vnder: and vnder-stand is all one
 
    Spee. But tell me true, wil't be a match?
   Lau. Aske my dogge, if he say I, it will: if hee say
 no, it will: if hee shake his taile, and say nothing, it
 will
 
    Spee. The conclusion is then, that it will
 
    Lau. Thou shalt neuer get such a secret from me, but
 by a parable
 
    Spee. 'Tis well that I get it so: but Launce, how saist
 thou that that my master is become a notable Louer?
   Lau. I neuer knew him otherwise
 
    Spee. Then how?
   Lau. A notable Lubber: as thou reportest him to
 bee
 
    Spee. Why, thou whorson Asse, thou mistak'st me,
   Lau. Why Foole, I meant not thee, I meant thy
 Master
 
    Spee. I tell thee, my Master is become a hot Louer
 
    Lau. Why, I tell thee, I care not, though hee burne
 himselfe in Loue. If thou wilt goe with me to the Alehouse:
 if not, thou art an Hebrew, a Iew, and not worth
 the name of a Christian
 
    Spee. Why?
   Lau. Because thou hast not so much charity in thee as
 to goe to the Ale with a Christian: Wilt thou goe?
   Spee. At thy seruice.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scoena Sexta.
 
 Enter Protheus solus.
 
   Pro. To leaue my Iulia; shall I be forsworne?
 To loue faire Siluia; shall I be forsworne?
 To wrong my friend, I shall be much forsworne.
 And ev'n that Powre which gaue me first my oath
 Prouokes me to this three-fold periurie.
 Loue bad mee sweare, and Loue bids me for-sweare;
 O sweet-suggesting Loue, if thou hast sin'd,
 Teach me (thy tempted subiect) to excuse it.
 At first I did adore a twinkling Starre,
 But now I worship a celestiall Sunne:
 Vn-heedfull vowes may heedfully be broken,
 And he wants wit, that wants resolued will,
 To learne his wit, t' exchange the bad for better;
 Fie, fie, vnreuerend tongue, to call her bad,
 Whose soueraignty so oft thou hast preferd,
 With twenty thousand soule-confirming oathes.
 I cannot leaue to loue; and yet I doe:
 But there I leaue to loue, where I should loue.
 Iulia I loose, and Valentine I loose,
 If I keepe them, I needs must loose my selfe:
 If I loose them, thus finde I by their losse,
 For Valentine, my selfe: for Iulia, Siluia.
 I to my selfe am deerer then a friend,
 For Loue is still most precious in it selfe,
 And Siluia (witnesse heauen that made her faire)
 Shewes Iulia but a swarthy Ethiope.
 I will forget that Iulia is aliue,
 Remembring that my Loue to her is dead.
 And Valentine Ile hold an Enemie,
 Ayming at Siluia as a sweeter friend.
 I cannot now proue constant to my selfe,
 Without some treachery vs'd to Valentine.
 This night he meaneth with a Corded-ladder
 To climbe celestiall Siluia's chamber window,
 My selfe in counsaile his competitor.
 Now presently Ile giue her father notice
 Of their disguising and pretended flight:
 Who (all inrag'd) will banish Valentine:
 For Thurio he intends shall wed his daughter,
 But Valentine being gon, Ile quickely crosse
 By some slie tricke, blunt Thurio's dull proceeding.
 Loue lend me wings, to make my purpose swift
 As thou hast lent me wit, to plot this drift.
 
 Enter.
 
 
 Scoena septima.
 
 Enter Iulia and Lucetta.
 
   Iul. Counsaile, Lucetta, gentle girle assist me,
 And eu'n in kinde loue, I doe coniure thee,
 Who art the Table wherein all my thoughts
 Are visibly Character'd, and engrau'd,
 To lesson me, and tell me some good meane
 How with my honour I may vndertake
 A iourney to my louing Protheus
 
    Luc. Alas, the way is wearisome and long
 
    Iul. A true-deuoted Pilgrime is not weary
 To measure Kingdomes with his feeble steps,
 Much lesse shall she that hath Loues wings to flie,
 And when the flight is made to one so deere,
 Of such diuine perfection as Sir Protheus
 
    Luc. Better forbeare, till Protheus make returne
 
    Iul. Oh, know'st y not, his looks are my soules food?
 Pitty the dearth that I haue pined in,
 By longing for that food so long a time.
 Didst thou but know the inly touch of Loue,
 Thou wouldst as soone goe kindle fire with snow
 As seeke to quench the fire of Loue with words
 
    Luc. I doe not seeke to quench your Loues hot fire,
 But qualifie the fires extreame rage,
 Lest it should burne aboue the bounds of reason
 
    Iul. The more thou dam'st it vp, the more it burnes:
 The Current that with gentle murmure glides
 (Thou know'st) being stop'd, impatiently doth rage:
 But when his faire course is not hindered,
 He makes sweet musicke with th' enameld stones,
 Giuing a gentle kisse to euery sedge
 He ouer-taketh in his pilgrimage.
 And so by many winding nookes he straies
 With willing sport to the wilde Ocean.
 Then let me goe, and hinder not my course:
 Ile be as patient as a gentle streame,
 And make a pastime of each weary step,
 Till the last step haue brought me to my Loue,
 And there Ile rest, as after much turmoile
 A blessed soule doth in Elizium
 
    Luc. But in what habit will you goe along?
   Iul. Not like a woman, for I would preuent
 The loose encounters of lasciuious men:
 Gentle Lucetta, fit me with such weedes
 As may beseeme some well reputed Page
 
    Luc. Why then your Ladiship must cut your haire
 
    Iul. No girle, Ile knit it vp in silken strings,
 With twentie od-conceited true-loue knots:
 To be fantastique, may become a youth
 Of greater time then I shall shew to be
 
    Luc. What fashion (Madam) shall I make your breeches?
   Iul. That fits as well, as tell me (good my Lord)
 What compasse will you weare your Farthingale?
 Why eu'n what fashion thou best likes (Lucetta.)
   Luc. You must needs haue the[m] with a cod-peece Ma[dam]
   Iul. Out, out, (Lucetta) that wilbe illfauourd
 
    Luc. A round hose (Madam) now's not worth a pin
 Vnlesse you haue a cod-peece to stick pins on
 
    Iul. Lucetta, as thou lou'st me let me haue
 What thou think'st meet, and is most mannerly.
 But tell me (wench) how will the world repute me
 For vndertaking so vnstaid a iourney?
 I feare me it will make me scandaliz'd
 
    Luc. If you thinke so, then stay at home, and go not
 
    Iul. Nay, that I will not
 
    Luc. Then neuer dreame on Infamy, but go:
 If Protheus like your iourney, when you come,
 No matter who's displeas'd, when you are gone:
 I feare me he will scarce be pleas'd with all
 
    Iul. That is the least (Lucetta) of my feare:
 A thousand oathes, an Ocean of his teares,
 And instances of infinite of Loue,
 Warrant me welcome to my Protheus
 
    Luc. All these are seruants to deceitfull men
 
    Iul. Base men, that vse them to so base effect;
 But truer starres did gouerne Protheus birth,
 His words are bonds, his oathes are oracles,
 His loue sincere, his thoughts immaculate,
 His teares, pure messengers, sent from his heart,
 His heart, as far from fraud, as heauen from earth
 
    Luc. Pray heau'n he proue so when you come to him
 
    Iul. Now, as thou lou'st me, do him not that wrong,
 To beare a hard opinion of his truth:
 Onely deserue my loue, by louing him,
 And presently goe with me to my chamber
 To take a note of what I stand in need of,
 To furnish me vpon my longing iourney:
 All that is mine I leaue at thy dispose,
 My goods, my Lands, my reputation,
 Onely, in lieu thereof, dispatch me hence:
 Come; answere not: but to it presently,
 I am impatient of my tarriance.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Actus Tertius, Scena Prima.
 
 Enter Duke, Thurio, Protheus, Valentine, Launce, Speed.
 
   Duke. Sir Thurio, giue vs leaue (I pray) a while,
 We haue some secrets to confer about.
 Now tell me Protheus, what's your will with me?
   Pro. My gracious Lord, that which I wold discouer,
 The Law of friendship bids me to conceale,
 But when I call to minde your gracious fauours
 Done to me (vndeseruing as I am)
 My dutie pricks me on to vtter that
 Which else, no worldly good should draw from me:
 Know (worthy Prince) Sir Valentine my friend
 This night intends to steale away your daughter:
 My selfe am one made priuy to the plot.
 I know you haue determin'd to bestow her
 On Thurio, whom your gentle daughter hates,
 And should she thus be stolne away from you,
 It would be much vexation to your age.
 Thus (for my duties sake) I rather chose
 To crosse my friend in his intended drift,
 Then (by concealing it) heap on your head
 A pack of sorrowes, which would presse you downe
 (Being vnpreuented) to your timelesse graue
 
    Duke. Protheus, I thank thee for thine honest care,
 Which to requite, command me while I liue.
 This loue of theirs, my selfe haue often seene,
 Haply when they haue iudg'd me fast asleepe,
 And oftentimes haue purpos'd to forbid
 Sir Valentine her companie, and my Court.
 But fearing lest my iealous ayme might erre,
 And so (vnworthily) disgrace the man
 (A rashnesse that I euer yet haue shun'd)
 I gaue him gentle lookes, thereby to finde
 That which thy selfe hast now disclos'd to me.
 And that thou maist perceiue my feare of this,
 Knowing that tender youth is soone suggested,
 I nightly lodge her in an vpper Towre,
 The key whereof, my selfe haue euer kept:
 And thence she cannot be conuay'd away
 
    Pro. Know (noble Lord) they haue deuis'd a meane
 How he her chamber-window will ascend,
 And with a Corded-ladder fetch her downe:
 For which, the youthfull Louer now is gone,
 And this way comes he with it presently.
 Where (if it please you) you may intercept him.
 But (good my Lord) doe it so cunningly
 That my discouery be not aimed at:
 For, loue of you, not hate vnto my friend,
 Hath made me publisher of this pretence
 
    Duke. Vpon mine Honor, he shall neuer know
 That I had any light from thee of this
 
    Pro. Adiew, my Lord, Sir Valentine is comming
 
    Duk. Sir Valentine, whether away so fast?
   Val. Please it your Grace, there is a Messenger
 That stayes to beare my Letters to my friends,
 And I am going to deliuer them
 
    Duk. Be they of much import?
   Val. The tenure of them doth but signifie
 My health, and happy being at your Court
 
    Duk. Nay then no matter: stay with me a while,
 I am to breake with thee of some affaires
 That touch me neere: wherein thou must be secret.
 'Tis not vnknown to thee, that I haue sought
 To match my friend Sir Thurio, to my daughter
 
    Val. I know it well (my Lord) and sure the Match
 Were rich and honourable: besides, the gentleman
 Is full of Vertue, Bounty, Worth, and Qualities
 Beseeming such a Wife, as your faire daughter:
 Cannot your Grace win her to fancie him?
   Duk. No, trust me, She is peeuish, sullen, froward,
 Prowd, disobedient, stubborne, lacking duty,
 Neither regarding that she is my childe,
 Nor fearing me, as if I were her father:
 And may I say to thee, this pride of hers
 (Vpon aduice) hath drawne my loue from her,
 And where I thought the remnant of mine age
 Should haue beene cherish'd by her child-like dutie,
 I now am full resolu'd to take a wife,
 And turne her out, to who will take her in:
 Then let her beauty be her wedding dowre:
 For me, and my possessions she esteemes not
 
    Val. What would your Grace haue me to do in this?
   Duk. There is a Lady in Verona heere
 Whom I affect: but she is nice, and coy,
 And naught esteemes my aged eloquence.
 Now therefore would I haue thee to my Tutor
 (For long agone I haue forgot to court,
 Besides the fashion of the time is chang'd)
 How, and which way I may bestow my selfe
 To be regarded in her sun-bright eye
 
    Val. Win her with gifts, if she respect not words,
 Dumbe Iewels often in their silent kinde
 More then quicke words, doe moue a womans minde
 
    Duk. But she did scorne a present that I sent her,
   Val. A woman somtime scorns what best co[n]tents her.
 Send her another: neuer giue her ore,
 For scorne at first, makes after-loue the more.
 If she doe frowne, 'tis not in hate of you,
 But rather to beget more loue in you.
 If she doe chide, 'tis not to haue you gone,
 For why, the fooles are mad, if left alone.
 Take no repulse, what euer she doth say,
 For, get you gon, she doth not meane away.
 Flatter, and praise, commend, extoll their graces:
 Though nere so blacke, say they haue Angells faces,
 That man that hath a tongue, I say is no man,
 If with his tongue he cannot win a woman
 
    Duk. But she I meane, is promis'd by her friends
 Vnto a youthfull Gentleman of worth,
 And kept seuerely from resort of men,
 That no man hath accesse by day to her
 
    Val. Why then I would resort to her by night
 
    Duk. I, but the doores be lockt, and keyes kept safe,
 That no man hath recourse to her by night
 
    Val. What letts but one may enter at her window?
   Duk. Her chamber is aloft, far from the ground,
 And built so sheluing, that one cannot climbe it
 Without apparant hazard of his life
 
    Val. Why then a Ladder quaintly made of Cords
 To cast vp, with a paire of anchoring hookes,
 Would serue to scale another Hero's towre,
 So bold Leander would aduenture it
 
    Duk. Now as thou art a Gentleman of blood
 Aduise me, where I may haue such a Ladder
 
    Val. When would you vse it? pray sir, tell me that
 
    Duk. This very night; for Loue is like a childe
 That longs for euery thing that he can come by
 
    Val. By seauen a clock, ile get you such a Ladder
 
    Duk But harke thee: I will goe to her alone,
 How shall I best conuey the Ladder thither?
   Val. It will be light (my Lord) that you may beare it
 Vnder a cloake, that is of any length
 
    Duk. A cloake as long as thine will serue the turne?
   Val. I my good Lord
 
    Duk. Then let me see thy cloake,
 Ile get me one of such another length
 
    Val. Why any cloake will serue the turn (my Lord)
   Duk. How shall I fashion me to weare a cloake?
 I pray thee let me feele thy cloake vpon me.
 What Letter is this same? what's here? to Siluia?
 And heere an Engine fit for my proceeding,
 Ile be so bold to breake the seale for once.
 My thoughts do harbour with my Siluia nightly,
 And slaues they are to me, that send them flying.
 Oh, could their Master come, and goe as lightly,
 Himselfe would lodge where (senceles) they are lying.
 My Herald Thoughts, in thy pure bosome rest-them,
 While I (their King) that thither them importune
 Doe curse the grace, that with such grace hath blest them,
 Because my selfe doe want my seruants fortune.
 I curse my selfe, for they are sent by me,
 That they should harbour where their Lord should be.
 What's here? Siluia, this night I will enfranchise thee.
 'Tis so: and heere's the Ladder for the purpose.
 Why Phaeton (for thou art Merops sonne)
 Wilt thou aspire to guide the heauenly Car?
 And with thy daring folly burne the world?
 Wilt thou reach stars, because they shine on thee?
 Goe base Intruder, ouer-weening Slaue,
 Bestow thy fawning smiles on equall mates,
 And thinke my patience, (more then thy desert)
 Is priuiledge for thy departure hence.
 Thanke me for this, more then for all the fauors
 Which (all too-much) I haue bestowed on thee.
 But if thou linger in my Territories
 Longer then swiftest expedition
 Will giue thee time to leaue our royall Court,
 By heauen, my wrath shall farre exceed the loue
 I euer bore my daughter, or thy selfe.
 Be gone, I will not heare thy vaine excuse,
 But as thou lou'st thy life, make speed from hence
 
    Val. And why not death, rather then liuing torment?
 To die, is to be banisht from my selfe,
 And Siluia is my selfe: banish'd from her
 Is selfe from selfe. A deadly banishment:
 What light, is light, if Siluia be not seene?
 What ioy is ioy, if Siluia be not by?
 Vnlesse it be to thinke that she is by
 And feed vpon the shadow of perfection.
 Except I be by Siluia in the night,
 There is no musicke in the Nightingale.
 Vnlesse I looke on Siluia in the day,
 There is no day for me to looke vpon.
 Shee is my essence, and I leaue to be;
 If I be not by her faire influence
 Foster'd, illumin'd, cherish'd, kept aliue.
 I flie not death, to flie his deadly doome,
 Tarry I heere, I but attend on death,
 But flie I hence, I flie away from life
 
    Pro. Run (boy) run, run, and seeke him out
 
    Lau. So-hough, Soa hough-
   Pro. What seest thou?
   Lau. Him we goe to finde,
 There's not a haire on's head, but 'tis a Valentine
 
    Pro. Valentine?
   Val. No
 
    Pro. Who then? his Spirit?
   Val. Neither,
   Pro. What then?
   Val. Nothing
 
    Lau. Can nothing speake? Master, shall I strike?
   Pro. Who wouldst thou strike?
   Lau. Nothing
 
    Pro. Villaine, forbeare
 
    Lau. Why Sir, Ile strike nothing: I pray you
 
    Pro. Sirha, I say forbeare: friend Valentine, a word
 
    Val. My eares are stopt, & cannot hear good newes,
 So much of bad already hath possest them
 
    Pro. Then in dumbe silence will I bury mine,
 For they are harsh, vn-tuneable, and bad
 
    Val. Is Siluia dead?
   Pro. No, Valentine
 
    Val. No Valentine indeed, for sacred Siluia,
 Hath she forsworne me?
   Pro. No, Valentine
 
    Val. No Valentine, if Siluia haue forsworne me.
 What is your newes?
   Lau. Sir, there is a proclamation, y you are vanished
 
    Pro. That thou art banish'd: oh that's the newes,
 From hence, from Siluia, and from me thy friend
 
    Val. Oh, I haue fed vpon this woe already,
 And now excesse of it will make me surfet.
 Doth Siluia know that I am banish'd?
   Pro. I, I: and she hath offered to the doome
 (Which vn-reuerst stands in effectuall force)
 A Sea of melting pearle, which some call teares;
 Those at her fathers churlish feete she tenderd,
 With them vpon her knees, her humble selfe,
 Wringing her hands, whose whitenes so became them,
 As if but now they waxed pale for woe:
 But neither bended knees, pure hands held vp,
 Sad sighes, deepe grones, nor siluer-shedding teares
 Could penetrate her vncompassionate Sire;
 But Valentine, if he be tane, must die.
 Besides, her intercession chaf'd him so,
 When she for thy repeale was suppliant,
 That to close prison he commanded her,
 With many bitter threats of biding there
 
    Val. No more: vnles the next word that thou speak'st
 Haue some malignant power vpon my life:
 If so: I pray thee breath it in mine eare,
 As ending Antheme of my endlesse dolor
 
    Pro. Cease to lament for that thou canst not helpe,
 And study helpe for that which thou lament'st,
 Time is the Nurse, and breeder of all good;
 Here, if thou stay, thou canst not see thy loue:
 Besides, thy staying will abridge thy life:
 Hope is a louers staffe, walke hence with that
 And manage it, against despairing thoughts:
 Thy letters may be here, though thou art hence,
 Which, being writ to me, shall be deliuer'd
 Euen in the milke-white bosome of thy Loue.
 The time now serues not to expostulate,
 Come, Ile conuey thee through the City-gate.
 And ere I part with thee, confer at large
 Of all that may concerne thy Loue-affaires:
 As thou lou'st Siluia (though not for thy selfe)
 Regard thy danger, and along with me
 
    Val. I pray thee Launce, and if thou seest my Boy
 Bid him make haste, and meet me at the North-gate
 
    Pro. Goe sirha, finde him out: Come Valentine
 
    Val. Oh my deere Siluia; haplesse Valentine
 
    Launce. I am but a foole, looke you, and yet I haue
 the wit to thinke my Master is a kinde of a knaue: but
 that's all one, if he be but one knaue: He liues not now
 that knowes me to be in loue, yet I am in loue, but a
 Teeme of horse shall not plucke that from me: nor who
 'tis I loue: and yet 'tis a woman; but what woman, I
 will not tell my selfe: and yet 'tis a Milke-maid: yet 'tis
 not a maid: for shee hath had Gossips: yet 'tis a maid,
 for she is her Masters maid, and serues for wages. Shee
 hath more qualities then a Water-Spaniell, which is
 much in a bare Christian: Heere is the Catelog of her
 Condition. Inprimis. Shee can fetch and carry: why
 a horse can doe no more; nay, a horse cannot fetch, but
 onely carry, therefore is shee better then a Iade. Item.
 She can milke, looke you, a sweet vertue in a maid with
 cleane hands
 
    Speed. How now Signior Launce? what newes with
 your Mastership?
   La. With my Mastership? why, it is at Sea:
   Sp. Well, your old vice still: mistake the word: what
 newes then in your paper?
   La. The black'st newes that euer thou heard'st
 
    Sp. Why man? how blacke?
   La. Why, as blacke as Inke
 
    Sp. Let me read them?
   La. Fie on thee Iolt-head, thou canst not read
 
    Sp. Thou lyest: I can
 
    La. I will try thee: tell me this: who begot thee?
   Sp. Marry, the son of my Grand-father
 
    La. Oh illiterate loyterer; it was the sonne of thy
 Grand-mother: this proues that thou canst not read
 
    Sp. Come foole, come: try me in thy paper
 
    La. There: and S[aint]. Nicholas be thy speed
 
    Sp. Inprimis she can milke
 
    La. I that she can
 
    Sp. Item, she brewes good Ale
 
    La. And thereof comes the prouerbe: (Blessing of
 your heart, you brew good Ale.)
   Sp. Item, she can sowe
 
    La. That's as much as to say (Can she so?)
   Sp. Item she can knit
 
    La. What neede a man care for a stock with a wench,
 When she can knit him a stocke?
   Sp. Item, she can wash and scoure
 
    La. A speciall vertue: for then shee neede not be
 wash'd, and scowr'd
 
    Sp. Item, she can spin
 
    La. Then may I set the world on wheeles, when she
 can spin for her liuing
 
    Sp. Item, she hath many namelesse vertues
 
    La. That's as much as to say Bastard-vertues: that
 indeede know not their fathers; and therefore haue no
 names
 
    Sp. Here follow her vices
 
    La. Close at the heeles of her vertues
 
    Sp. Item, shee is not to be fasting in respect of her
 breath
 
    La. Well: that fault may be mended with a breakfast:
 read on
 
    Sp. Item, she hath a sweet mouth
 
    La. That makes amends for her soure breath
 
    Sp. Item, she doth talke in her sleepe
 
    La. It's no matter for that; so shee sleepe not in her
 talke
 
    Sp. Item, she is slow in words
 
    La. Oh villaine, that set this downe among her vices;
 To be slow in words, is a womans onely vertue:
 I pray thee out with't, and place it for her chiefe vertue
 
    Sp. Item, she is proud
 
    La. Out with that too:
 It was Eues legacie, and cannot be t'ane from her
 
    Sp. Item, she hath no teeth
 
    La. I care not for that neither: because I loue crusts
 
    Sp. Item, she is curst
 
    La. Well: the best is, she hath no teeth to bite
 
    Sp. Item, she will often praise her liquor
 
    La. If her liquor be good, she shall: if she will not,
 I will; for good things should be praised
 
    Sp. Item, she is too liberall
 
    La. Of her tongue she cannot; for that's writ downe
 she is slow of: of her purse, shee shall not, for that ile
 keepe shut: Now, of another thing shee may, and that
 cannot I helpe. Well, proceede
 
    Sp. Item, shee hath more haire then wit, and more
 faults then haires, and more wealth then faults
 
    La. Stop there: Ile haue her: she was mine, and not
 mine, twice or thrice in that last Article: rehearse that
 once more
 
    Sp. Item, she hath more haire then wit
 
    La. More haire then wit: it may be ile proue it: The
 couer of the salt, hides the salt, and therefore it is more
 then the salt; the haire that couers the wit, is more
 then the wit; for the greater hides the lesse: What's
 next?
   Sp. And more faults then haires
 
    La. That's monstrous: oh that that were out
 
    Sp. And more wealth then faults
 
    La. Why that word makes the faults gracious:
 Well, ile haue her: and if it be a match, as nothing is
 impossible
 
    Sp. What then?
   La. Why then, will I tell thee, that thy Master staies
 for thee at the North gate
 
    Sp. For me?
   La. For thee? I, who art thou? he hath staid for a better
 man then thee
 
    Sp. And must I goe to him?
   La. Thou must run to him; for thou hast staid so long,
 that going will scarce serue the turne
 
    Sp. Why didst not tell me sooner? 'pox of your loue
 Letters
 
    La. Now will he be swing'd for reading my Letter;
 An vnmannerly slaue, that will thrust himselfe into secrets:
 Ile after, to reioyce in the boyes correctio[n].
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scena Secunda.
 
 Enter Duke, Thurio, Protheus.
 
   Du. Sir Thurio, feare not, but that she will loue you
 Now Valentine is banish'd from her sight
 
    Th. Since his exile she hath despis'd me most,
 Forsworne my company, and rail'd at me,
 That I am desperate of obtaining her
 
    Du. This weake impresse of Loue, is as a figure
 Trenched in ice, which with an houres heate
 Dissolues to water, and doth loose his forme.
 A little time will melt her frozen thoughts,
 And worthlesse Valentine shall be forgot.
 How now sir Protheus, is your countriman
 (According to our Proclamation) gon?
   Pro. Gon, my good Lord
 
    Du. My daughter takes his going grieuously?
   Pro. A little time (my Lord) will kill that griefe
 
    Du. So I beleeue: but Thurio thinkes not so:
 Protheus, the good conceit I hold of thee,
 (For thou hast showne some signe of good desert)
 Makes me the better to confer with thee
 
    Pro. Longer then I proue loyall to your Grace,
 Let me not liue, to looke vpon your Grace
 
    Du. Thou know'st how willingly, I would effect
 The match betweene sir Thurio, and my daughter?
   Pro. I doe my Lord
 
    Du. And also, I thinke, thou art not ignorant
 How she opposes her against my will?
   Pro. She did my Lord, when Valentine was here
 
    Du. I, and peruersly, she perseuers so:
 What might we doe to make the girle forget
 The loue of Valentine, and loue sir Thurio?
   Pro. The best way is, to slander Valentine,
 With falsehood, cowardize, and poore discent:
 Three things, that women highly hold in hate
 
    Du. I, but she'll thinke, that it is spoke in hate
 
    Pro. I, if his enemy deliuer it.
 Therefore it must with circumstance be spoken
 By one, whom she esteemeth as his friend
 
    Du. Then you must vndertake to slander him
 
    Pro. And that (my Lord) I shall be loath to doe:
 'Tis an ill office for a Gentleman,
 Especially against his very friend
 
    Du. Where your good word cannot aduantage him,
 Your slander neuer can endamage him;
 Therefore the office is indifferent,
 Being intreated to it by your friend
 
    Pro. You haue preuail'd (my Lord) if I can doe it
 By ought that I can speake in his dispraise,
 She shall not long continue loue to him:
 But say this weede her loue from Valentine,
 It followes not that she will loue sir Thurio
 
    Th. Therefore, as you vnwinde her loue from him;
 Least it should rauell, and be good to none,
 You must prouide to bottome it on me:
 Which must be done, by praising me as much
 As you, in worth dispraise, sir Valentine
 
    Du. And Protheus, we dare trust you in this kinde,
 Because we know (on Valentines report)
 You are already loues firme votary,
 And cannot soone reuolt, and change your minde.
 Vpon this warrant, shall you haue accesse,
 Where you, with Siluia, may conferre at large.
 For she is lumpish, heauy, mellancholly,
 And (for your friends sake) will be glad of you;
 Where you may temper her, by your perswasion,
 To hate yong Valentine, and loue my friend
 
    Pro. As much as I can doe, I will effect:
 But you sir Thurio, are not sharpe enough:
 You must lay Lime, to tangle her desires
 By walefull Sonnets, whose composed Rimes
 Should be full fraught with seruiceable vowes
 
    Du. I, much is the force of heauen-bred Poesie
 
    Pro. Say that vpon the altar of her beauty
 You sacrifice your teares, your sighes, your heart:
 Write till your inke be dry: and with your teares
 Moist it againe: and frame some feeling line,
 That may discouer such integrity:
 For Orpheus Lute, was strung with Poets sinewes,
 Whose golden touch could soften steele and stones;
 Make Tygers tame, and huge Leuiathans
 Forsake vnsounded deepes, to dance on Sands.
 After your dire-lamenting Elegies,
 Visit by night your Ladies chamber-window
 With some sweet Consort; To their Instruments
 Tune a deploring dumpe: the nights dead silence
 Will well become such sweet complaining grieuance:
 This, or else nothing, will inherit her
 
    Du. This discipline, showes thou hast bin in loue
 
    Th. And thy aduice, this night, ile put in practise:
 Therefore, sweet Protheus, my direction-giuer,
 Let vs into the City presently
 To sort some Gentlemen, well skil'd in Musicke.
 I haue a Sonnet, that will serue the turne
 To giue the on-set to thy good aduise
 
    Du. About it Gentlemen
 
    Pro. We'll wait vpon your Grace, till after Supper,
 And afterward determine our proceedings
 
    Du. Euen now about it, I will pardon you.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Actus Quartus. Scoena Prima.
 
 Enter Valentine, Speed, and certaine Out-lawes.
 
   1.Outl. Fellowes, stand fast: I see a passenger
 
    2.Out. If there be ten, shrinke not, but down with 'em
 
    3.Out. Stand sir, and throw vs that you haue about 'ye.
 If not: we'll make you sit, and rifle you
 
    Sp. Sir we are vndone; these are the Villaines
 That all the Trauailers doe feare so much
 
    Val. My friends
 
    1.Out. That's not so, sir: we are your enemies
 
    2.Out. Peace: we'll heare him
 
    3.Out. I by my beard will we: for he is a proper man
 
    Val. Then know that I haue little wealth to loose;
 A man I am, cross'd with aduersitie:
 My riches, are these poore habiliments,
 Of which, if you should here disfurnish me,
 You take the sum and substance that I haue
 
    2.Out. Whether trauell you?
   Val. To Verona
 
    1.Out. Whence came you?
   Val. From Millaine
 
    3.Out. Haue you long soiourn'd there?
   Val. Some sixteene moneths, and longer might haue 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;
 I kil'd a man, whose death I much repent,
 But yet I slew him manfully, in fight,
 Without false vantage, or base treachery
 
    1.Out. Why nere repent it, if it were done so;
 But were you banisht for so small a fault?
   Val. I was, and held me glad of such a doome
 
    2.Out. Haue you the Tongues?
   Val. My youthfull trauaile, therein made me happy,
 Or else I often had beene often miserable
 
    3.Out. By the bare scalpe of Robin Hoods fat Fryer,
 This fellow were a King, for our wilde faction
 
    1.Out. We'll haue him: Sirs, a word
 
    Sp. Master, be one of them:
 It's an honourable kinde of theeuery
 
    Val. Peace villaine
 
    2.Out. Tell vs this: haue you any thing to take to?
   Val. Nothing but my fortune
 
    3.Out. Know then, that some of vs are Gentlemen,
 Such as the fury of vngouern'd youth
 Thrust from the company of awfull men.
 My selfe was from Verona banished,
 For practising to steale away a Lady,
 And heire and Neece, alide vnto the Duke
 
    2.Out. And I from Mantua, for a Gentleman,
 Who, in my moode, I stab'd vnto the heart
 
    1.Out. And I, for such like petty crimes as these.
 But to the purpose: for we cite our faults,
 That they may hold excus'd our lawlesse liues;
 And partly seeing you are beautifide
 With goodly shape; and by your owne report,
 A Linguist, and a man of such perfection,
 As we doe in our quality much want
 
    2.Out. Indeede because you are a banish'd man,
 Therefore, aboue the rest, we parley to you:
 Are you content to be our Generall?
 To make a vertue of necessity,
 And liue as we doe in this wildernesse?
   3.Out. What saist thou? wilt thou be of our consort?
 Say I, and be the captaine of vs all:
 We'll doe thee homage, and be rul'd by thee,
 Loue thee, as our Commander, and our King
 
    1.Out. But if thou scorne our curtesie, thou dyest
 
    2.Out. Thou shalt not liue, to brag what we haue offer'd
 
    Val. I take your offer, and will liue with you,
 Prouided that you do no outrages
 On silly women, or poore passengers
 
    3.Out. No, we detest such vile base practises.
 Come, goe with vs, we'll bring thee to our Crewes,
 And show thee all the Treasure we haue got;
 Which, with our selues, all rest at thy dispose.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scoena Secunda.
 
 Enter Protheus, Thurio, Iulia, Host, Musitian, Siluia.
 
   Pro. Already haue I bin false to Valentine,
 And now I must be as vniust to Thurio,
 Vnder the colour of commending him,
 I haue accesse my owne loue to prefer.
 But Siluia is too faire, too true, too holy,
 To be corrupted with my worthlesse guifts;
 When I protest true loyalty to her,
 She twits me with my falsehood to my friend;
 When to her beauty I commend my vowes,
 She bids me thinke how I haue bin forsworne
 In breaking faith with Iulia, whom I lou'd;
 And notwithstanding all her sodaine quips,
 The least whereof would quell a louers hope:
 Yet (Spaniel-like) the more she spurnes my loue,
 The more it growes, and fawneth on her still;
 But here comes Thurio; now must we to her window,
 And giue some euening Musique to her eare
 
    Th. How now, sir Protheus, are you crept before vs?
   Pro. I gentle Thurio, for you know that loue
 Will creepe in seruice, where it cannot goe
 
    Th. I, but I hope, Sir, that you loue not here
 
    Pro. Sir, but I doe: or else I would be hence
 
    Th. Who, Siluia?
   Pro. I, Siluia, for your sake
 
    Th. I thanke you for your owne: Now Gentlemen
 Let's tune: and too it lustily a while
 
    Ho. Now, my yong guest; me thinks your' allycholly;
 I pray you why is it?
   Iu. Marry (mine Host) because I cannot be merry
 
    Ho. Come, we'll haue you merry: ile bring you where
 you shall heare Musique, and see the Gentleman that
 you ask'd for
 
    Iu. But shall I heare him speake
 
    Ho. I that you shall
 
    Iu. That will be Musique
 
    Ho. Harke, harke
 
    Iu. Is he among these?
   Ho. I: but peace, let's heare'm
 
    Song. Who is Siluia? what is she?
 That all our Swaines commend her?
 Holy, faire, and wise is she,
 The heauen such grace did lend her,
 that she might admired be.
 Is she kinde as she is faire?
 For beauty liues with kindnesse:
 Loue doth to her eyes repaire,
 To helpe him of his blindnesse:
 And being help'd, inhabits there.
 Then to Siluia, let vs sing,
 That Siluia is excelling;
 She excels each mortall thing
 Vpon the dull earth dwelling.
 To her let vs Garlands bring
 
    Ho. How now? are you sadder then you were before;
 How doe you, man? the Musicke likes you not
 
    Iu. You mistake: the Musitian likes me not
 
    Ho. Why, my pretty youth?
   Iu. He plaies false (father.)
   Ho. How, out of tune on the strings
 
    Iu. Not so: but yet
 So false that he grieues my very heart-strings
 
    Ho. You haue a quicke eare
 
    Iu. I, I would I were deafe: it makes me haue a slow heart
 
    Ho. I perceiue you delight not in Musique
 
    Iu. Not a whit, when it iars so
 
    Ho. Harke, what fine change is in the Musique
 
    Iu. I: that change is the spight
 
    Ho. You would haue them alwaies play but one thing
 
    Iu. I would alwaies haue one play but one thing.
 But Host, doth this Sir Protheus, that we talke on,
 Often resort vnto this Gentlewoman?
   Ho. I tell you what Launce his man told me,
 He lou'd her out of all nicke
 
    Iu. Where is Launce?
   Ho. Gone to seeke his dog, which to morrow, by his
 Masters command, hee must carry for a present to his
 Lady
 
    Iu. Peace, stand aside, the company parts
 
    Pro. Sir Thurio, feare not you, I will so pleade,
 That you shall say, my cunning drift excels
 
    Th. Where meete we?
   Pro. At Saint Gregories well
 
    Th. Farewell
 
    Pro. Madam: good eu'n to your Ladiship
 
    Sil. I thanke you for your Musique (Gentlemen)
 Who is that that spake?
   Pro. One (Lady) if you knew his pure hearts truth,
 You would quickly learne to know him by his voice
 
    Sil. Sir Protheus, as I take it
 
    Pro. Sir Protheus (gentle Lady) and your Seruant
 
    Sil. What's your will?
   Pro. That I may compasse yours
 
    Sil. You haue your wish: my will is euen this,
 That presently you hie you home to bed:
 Thou subtile, periur'd, false, disloyall man:
 Think'st thou I am so shallow, so conceitlesse,
 To be seduced by thy flattery,
 That has't deceiu'd so many with thy vowes?
 Returne, returne, and make thy loue amends:
 For me (by this pale queene of night I sweare)
 I am so farre from granting thy request,
 That I despise thee, for thy wrongfull suite;
 And by and by intend to chide my selfe,
 Euen for this time I spend in talking to thee
 
    Pro. I grant (sweet loue) that I did loue a Lady,
 But she is dead
 
    Iu. 'Twere false, if I should speake it;
 For I am sure she is not buried
 
    Sil. Say that she be: yet Valentine thy friend
 Suruiues; to whom (thy selfe art witnesse)
 I am betroth'd; and art thou not asham'd
 To wrong him, with thy importunacy?
   Pro. I likewise heare that Valentine is dead
 
    Sil. And so suppose am I; for in her graue
 Assure thy selfe, my loue is buried
 
    Pro. Sweet Lady, let me rake it from the earth
 
    Sil. Goe to thy Ladies graue and call hers thence,
 Or at the least, in hers, sepulcher thine
 
    Iul. He heard not that
 
    Pro. Madam: if your heart be so obdurate:
 Vouchsafe me yet your Picture for my loue,
 The Picture that is hanging in your chamber:
 To that ile speake, to that ile sigh and weepe:
 For since the substance of your perfect selfe
 Is else deuoted, I am but a shadow;
 And to your shadow, will I make true loue
 
    Iul. If 'twere a substance you would sure deceiue it,
 And make it but a shadow, as I am
 
    Sil. I am very loath to be your Idoll Sir;
 But, since your falsehood shall become you well
 To worship shadowes, and adore false shapes,
 Send to me in the morning, and ile send it:
 And so, good rest
 
    Pro. As wretches haue ore-night
 That wait for execution in the morne
 
    Iul. Host, will you goe?
   Ho. By my hallidome, I was fast asleepe
 
    Iul. Pray you, where lies Sir Protheus?
   Ho. Marry, at my house:
 Trust me, I thinke 'tis almost day
 
    Iul. Not so: but it hath bin the longest night
 That ere I watch'd, and the most heauiest.
 
 Scoena Tertia.
 
 Enter Eglamore, Siluia.
 
   Eg. This is the houre that Madam Siluia
 Entreated me to call, and know her minde:
 Ther's some great matter she'ld employ me in.
 Madam, Madam
 
    Sil. Who cals?
   Eg. Your seruant, and your friend;
 One that attends your Ladiships command
 
    Sil. Sir Eglamore, a thousand times good morrow
 
    Eg. As many (worthy Lady) to your selfe:
 According to your Ladiships impose,
 I am thus early come, to know what seruice
 It is your pleasure to command me in
 
    Sil. Oh Eglamoure, thou art a Gentleman:
 Thinke not I flatter (for I sweare I doe not)
 Valiant, wise, remorse-full, well accomplish'd.
 Thou art not ignorant what deere good will
 I beare vnto the banish'd Valentine:
 Nor how my father would enforce me marry
 Vaine Thurio (whom my very soule abhor'd.)
 Thy selfe hast lou'd, and I haue heard thee say
 No griefe did euer come so neere thy heart,
 As when thy Lady, and thy true-loue dide,
 Vpon whose Graue thou vow'dst pure chastitie:
 Sir Eglamoure: I would to Valentine
 To Mantua, where I heare, he makes aboad;
 And for the waies are dangerous to passe,
 I doe desire thy worthy company,
 Vpon whose faith and honor, I repose.
 Vrge not my fathers anger (Eglamoure)
 But thinke vpon my griefe (a Ladies griefe)
 And on the iustice of my flying hence,
 To keepe me from a most vnholy match,
 Which heauen and fortune still rewards with plagues.
 I doe desire thee, euen from a heart
 As full of sorrowes, as the Sea of sands,
 To beare me company, and goe with me:
 If not, to hide what I haue said to thee,
 That I may venture to depart alone
 
    Egl. Madam, I pitty much your grieuances,
 Which, since I know they vertuously are plac'd,
 I giue consent to goe along with you,
 Wreaking as little what betideth me,
 As much, I wish all good befortune you.
 When will you goe?
   Sil. This euening comming
 
    Eg. Where shall I meete you?
   Sil. At Frier Patrickes Cell,
 Where I intend holy Confession
 
    Eg. I will not faile your Ladiship:
 Good morrow (gentle Lady.)
   Sil. Good morrow, kinde Sir Eglamoure.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scena Quarta.
 
 Enter Launce, Protheus, Iulia, Siluia.
 
   Lau. When a mans seruant shall play the Curre with
 him (looke you) it goes hard: one that I brought vp of
 a puppy: one that I sau'd from drowning, when three or
 foure of his blinde brothers and sisters went to it: I haue
 taught him (euen as one would say precisely, thus I
 would teach a dog) I was sent to deliuer him, as a present
 to Mistris Siluia, from my Master; and I came no
 sooner into the dyning-chamber, but he steps me to her
 Trencher, and steales her Capons-leg: O, 'tis a foule
 thing, when a Cur cannot keepe himselfe in all companies:
 I would haue (as one should say) one that takes vpon
 him to be a dog indeede, to be, as it were, a dog at all
 things. If I had not had more wit then he, to take a fault
 vpon me that he did, I thinke verily hee had bin hang'd
 for't: sure as I liue he had suffer'd for't: you shall iudge:
 Hee thrusts me himselfe into the company of three or
 foure gentleman-like-dogs, vnder the Dukes table: hee
 had not bin there (blesse the marke) a pissing while, but
 all the chamber smelt him: out with the dog (saies one)
 what cur is that (saies another) whip him out (saies the
 third) hang him vp (saies the Duke.) I hauing bin acquainted
 with the smell before, knew it was Crab; and
 goes me to the fellow that whips the dogges: friend
 (quoth I) you meane to whip the dog: I marry doe I
 (quoth he) you doe him the more wrong (quoth I) 'twas
 I did the thing you wot of: he makes me no more adoe,
 but whips me out of the chamber: how many Masters
 would doe this for his Seruant? nay, ile be sworne I haue
 sat in the stockes, for puddings he hath stolne, otherwise
 he had bin executed: I haue stood on the Pillorie for
 Geese he hath kil'd, otherwise he had sufferd for't: thou
 think'st not of this now: nay, I remember the tricke you
 seru'd me, when I tooke my leaue of Madam Siluia: did
 not I bid thee still marke me, and doe as I do; when did'st
 thou see me heaue vp my leg, and make water against a
 Gentlewomans farthingale? did'st thou euer see me doe
 such a tricke?
   Pro. Sebastian is thy name: I like thee well,
 And will imploy thee in some seruice presently
 
    Iu. In what you please, ile doe what I can
 
    Pro. I hope thou wilt.
 How now you whorson pezant,
 Where haue you bin these two dayes loytering?
   La. Marry Sir, I carried Mistris Siluia the dogge you
 bad me
 
    Pro. And what saies she to my little Iewell?
   La. Marry she saies your dog was a cur, and tels you
 currish thanks is good enough for such a present
 
    Pro. But she receiu'd my dog?
   La. No indeede did she not:
 Here haue I brought him backe againe
 
    Pro. What, didst thou offer her this from me?
   La. I Sir, the other Squirrill was stolne from me
 By the Hangmans boyes in the market place,
 And then I offer'd her mine owne, who is a dog
 As big as ten of yours, & therefore the guift the greater
 
    Pro. Goe, get thee hence, and finde my dog againe,
 Or nere returne againe into my sight.
 Away, I say: stayest thou to vexe me here;
 A Slaue, that still an end, turnes me to shame:
 Sebastian, I haue entertained thee,
 Partly that I haue neede of such a youth,
 That can with some discretion doe my businesse:
 For 'tis no trusting to yond foolish Lowt;
 But chiefely, for thy face, and thy behauiour,
 Which (if my Augury deceiue me not)
 Witnesse good bringing vp, fortune, and truth:
 Therefore know thee, for this I entertaine thee.
 Go presently, and take this Ring with thee,
 Deliuer it to Madam Siluia;
 She lou'd me well, deliuer'd it to me
 
    Iul. It seemes you lou'd not her, not leaue her token:
 She is dead belike?
   Pro. Not so: I thinke she liues
 
    Iul. Alas
 
    Pro. Why do'st thou cry alas?
   Iul. I cannot choose but pitty her
 
    Pro. Wherefore should'st thou pitty her?
   Iul. Because, me thinkes that she lou'd you as well
 As you doe loue your Lady Siluia:
 She dreames on him, that has forgot her loue,
 You doate on her, that cares not for your loue.
 'Tis pitty Loue, should be so contrary:
 And thinking on it, makes me cry alas
 
    Pro. Well: giue her that Ring, and therewithall
 This Letter: that's her chamber: Tell my Lady,
 I claime the promise for her heauenly Picture:
 Your message done, hye home vnto my chamber,
 Where thou shalt finde me sad, and solitarie
 
    Iul. How many women would doe such a message?
 Alas poore Protheus, thou hast entertain'd
 A Foxe, to be the Shepheard of thy Lambs;
 Alas, poore foole, why doe I pitty him
 That with his very heart despiseth me?
 Because he loues her, he despiseth me,
 Because I loue him, I must pitty him.
 This Ring I gaue him, when he parted from me,
 To binde him to remember my good will:
 And now am I (vnhappy Messenger)
 To plead for that, which I would not obtaine;
 To carry that, which I would haue refus'd;
 To praise his faith, which I would haue disprais'd.
 I am my Masters true confirmed Loue,
 But cannot be true seruant to my Master,
 Vnlesse I proue false traitor to my selfe.
 Yet will I woe for him, but yet so coldly,
 As (heauen it knowes) I would not haue him speed.
 Gentlewoman, good day: I pray you be my meane
 To bring me where to speake with Madam Siluia
 
    Sil. What would you with her, if that I be she?
   Iul. If you be she, I doe intreat your patience
 To heare me speake the message I am sent on
 
    Sil. From whom?
   Iul. From my Master, Sir Protheus, Madam
 
    Sil. Oh: he sends you for a Picture?
   Iul. I, Madam
 
    Sil. Vrsula, bring my Picture there,
 Goe, giue your Master this: tell him from me,
 One Iulia, that his changing thoughts forget
 Would better fit his Chamber, then this Shadow
 
    Iul. Madam, please you peruse this Letter;
 Pardon me (Madam) I haue vnaduis'd
 Deliuer'd you a paper that I should not;
 This is the Letter to your Ladiship
 
    Sil. I pray thee let me looke on that againe
 
    Iul. It may not be: good Madam pardon me
 
    Sil. There, hold:
 I will not looke vpon your Masters lines:
 I know they are stuft with protestations,
 And full of new-found oathes, which he will breake
 As easily, as I doe teare his paper
 
    Iul. Madam, he sends your Ladiship this Ring
 
    Sil. The more shame for him, that he sends it me;
 For I haue heard him say a thousand times,
 His Iulia gaue it him, at his departure:
 Though his false finger haue prophan'd the Ring,
 Mine shall not doe his Iulia so much wrong
 
    Iul. She thankes you
 
    Sil. What sai'st thou?
   Iul. I thanke you Madam, that you tender her:
 Poore Gentlewoman, my Master wrongs her much
 
    Sil. Do'st thou know her?
   Iul. Almost as well as I doe know my selfe.
 To thinke vpon her woes, I doe protest
 That I haue wept a hundred seuerall times
 
    Sil. Belike she thinks that Protheus hath forsook her?
   Iul. I thinke she doth: and that's her cause of sorrow
 
    Sil. Is she not passing faire?
   Iul. She hath bin fairer (Madam) then she is,
 When she did thinke my Master lou'd her well;
 She, in my iudgement, was as faire as you.
 But since she did neglect her looking-glasse,
 And threw her Sun-expelling Masque away,
 The ayre hath staru'd the roses in her cheekes,
 And pinch'd the lilly-tincture of her face,
 That now she is become as blacke as I
 
    Sil. How tall was she?
   Iul. About my stature: for at Pentecost,
 When all our Pageants of delight were plaid,
 Our youth got me to play the womans part,
 And I was trim'd in Madam Iulias gowne,
 Which serued me as fit, by all mens iudgements,
 As if the garment had bin made for me:
 Therefore I know she is about my height,
 And at that time I made her weepe a good,
 For I did play a lamentable part.
 (Madam) 'twas Ariadne, passioning
 For Thesus periury, and vniust flight;
 Which I so liuely acted with my teares:
 That my poore Mistris moued therewithall,
 Wept bitterly: and would I might be dead,
 If I in thought felt not her very sorrow
 
    Sil. She is beholding to thee (gentle youth)
 Alas (poore Lady) desolate, and left;
 I weepe my selfe to thinke vpon thy words:
 Here youth: there is my purse; I giue thee this
 For thy sweet Mistris sake, because thou lou'st her. Farewell
 
    Iul. And she shall thanke you for't, if ere you know her.
 A vertuous gentlewoman, milde, and beautifull.
 I hope my Masters suit will be but cold,
 Since she respects my Mistris loue so much.
 Alas, how loue can trifle with it selfe:
 Here is her Picture: let me see, I thinke
 If I had such a Tyre, this face of mine
 Were full as louely, as is this of hers;
 And yet the Painter flatter'd her a little,
 Vnlesse I flatter with my selfe too much.
 Her haire is Aburne, mine is perfect Yellow;
 If that be all the difference in his loue,
 Ile get me such a coulour'd Perrywig:
 Her eyes are grey as glasse, and so are mine.
 I, but her fore-head's low, and mine's as high:
 What should it be that he respects in her,
 But I can make respectiue in my selfe?
 If this fond Loue, were not a blinded god.
 Come shadow, come, and take this shadow vp,
 For 'tis thy riuall: O thou sencelesse forme,
 Thou shalt be worship'd, kiss'd, lou'd, and ador'd;
 And were there sence in his Idolatry,
 My substance should be statue in thy stead.
 Ile vse thee kindly, for thy Mistris sake
 That vs'd me so: or else by Ioue, I vow,
 I should haue scratch'd out your vnseeing eyes,
 To make my Master out of loue with thee.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Actus Quintus. Scoena Prima.
 
 Enter Eglamoure, Siluia.
 
   Egl. The Sun begins to guild the westerne skie,
 And now it is about the very houre
 That Siluia, at Fryer Patricks Cell should meet me,
 She will not faile; for Louers breake not houres,
 Vnlesse it be to come before their time,
 So much they spur their expedition.
 See where she comes: Lady a happy euening
 
    Sil. Amen, Amen: goe on (good Eglamoure)
 Out at the Posterne by the Abbey wall;
 I feare I am attended by some Spies
 
    Egl. Feare not: the Forrest is not three leagues off,
 If we recouer that, we are sure enough.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scoena Secunda.
 
 Enter Thurio, Protheus, Iulia, Duke.
 
   Th. Sir Protheus, what saies Siluia to my suit?
   Pro. Oh Sir, I finde her milder then she was,
 And yet she takes exceptions at your person
 
    Thu. What? that my leg is too long?
   Pro. No, that it is too little
 
    Thu. Ile weare a Boote, to make it somewhat rounder
 
    Pro. But loue will not be spurd to what it loathes
 
    Thu. What saies she to my face?
   Pro. She saies it is a faire one
 
    Thu. Nay then the wanton lyes: my face is blacke
 
    Pro. But Pearles are faire; and the old saying is,
 Blacke men are Pearles, in beauteous Ladies eyes
 
    Thu. 'Tis true, such Pearles as put out Ladies eyes,
 For I had rather winke, then looke on them
 
    Thu. How likes she my discourse?
   Pro. Ill, when you talke of war
 
    Thu. But well, when I discourse of loue and peace
 
    Iul. But better indeede, when you hold you peace
 
    Thu. What sayes she to my valour?
   Pro. Oh Sir, she makes no doubt of that
 
    Iul. She needes not, when she knowes it cowardize
 
    Thu. What saies she to my birth?
   Pro. That you are well deriu'd
 
    Iul. True: from a Gentleman, to a foole
 
    Thu. Considers she my Possessions?
   Pro. Oh, I: and pitties them
 
    Thu. Wherefore?
   Iul. That such an Asse should owe them
 
    Pro. That they are out by Lease
 
    Iul. Here comes the Duke
 
    Du. How now sir Protheus; how now Thurio?
 Which of you saw Eglamoure of late?
   Thu. Not I
 
    Pro. Nor I
 
    Du. Saw you my daughter?
   Pro. Neither
 
    Du. Why then
 She's fled vnto that pezant, Valentine;
 And Eglamoure is in her Company:
 'Tis true: for Frier Laurence met them both
 As he, in pennance wander'd through the Forrest:
 Him he knew well: and guesd that it was she,
 But being mask'd, he was not sure of it.
 Besides she did intend Confession
 At Patricks Cell this euen, and there she was not.
 These likelihoods confirme her flight from hence;
 Therefore I pray you stand, not to discourse,
 But mount you presently, and meete with me
 Vpon the rising of the Mountaine foote
 That leads toward Mantua, whether they are fled:
 Dispatch (sweet Gentlemen) and follow me
 
    Thu. Why this it is, to be a peeuish Girle,
 That flies her fortune when it followes her:
 Ile after; more to be reueng'd on Eglamoure,
 Then for the loue of reck-lesse Siluia
 
    Pro. And I will follow, more for Siluias loue
 Then hate of Eglamoure that goes with her
 
    Iul. And I will follow, more to crosse that loue
 Then hate for Siluia, that is gone for loue.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scena Tertia.
 
 
 Siluia, Outlawes.
 
   1.Out. Come, come be patient:
 We must bring you to our Captaine
 
    Sil. A thousand more mischances then this one
 Haue learn'd me how to brooke this patiently
 
    2 Out. Come, bring her away
 
    1 Out. Where is the Gentleman that was with her?
   3 Out. Being nimble footed, he hath out-run vs.
 But Moyses and Valerius follow him:
 Goe thou with her to the West end of the wood,
 There is our Captaine: Wee'll follow him that's fled,
 The Thicket is beset, he cannot scape
 
    1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our Captains caue.
 Feare not: he beares an honourable minde,
 And will not vse a woman lawlesly
 
    Sil. O Valentine: this I endure for thee.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Scoena Quarta.
 
 Enter Valentine, Protheus, Siluia, Iulia, Duke, Thurio, Outlawes.
 
   Val. How vse doth breed a habit in a man?
 This shadowy desart, vnfrequented woods
 I better brooke then flourishing peopled Townes:
 Here can I sit alone, vn-seene of any,
 And to the Nightingales complaining Notes
 Tune my distresses, and record my woes.
 O thou that dost inhabit in my brest,
 Leaue not the Mansion so long Tenant-lesse,
 Lest growing ruinous, the building fall,
 And leaue no memory of what it was,
 Repaire me, with thy presence, Siluia:
 Thou gentle Nimph, cherish thy forlorne swaine.
 What hallowing, and what stir is this to day?
 These are my mates, that make their wills their Law,
 Haue some vnhappy passenger in chace;
 They loue me well: yet I haue much to doe
 To keepe them from vnciuill outrages.
 Withdraw thee Valentine: who's this comes heere?
   Pro. Madam, this seruice I haue done for you
 (Though you respect not aught your seruant doth)
 To hazard life, and reskew you from him,
 That would haue forc'd your honour, and your loue,
 Vouchsafe me for my meed, but one faire looke:
 (A smaller boone then this I cannot beg,
 And lesse then this, I am sure you cannot giue.)
   Val. How like a dreame is this? I see, and heare:
 Loue, lend me patience to forbeare a while
 
    Sil. O miserable, vnhappy that I am
 
    Pro. Vnhappy were you (Madam) ere I came:
 But by my comming, I haue made you happy
 
    Sil. By thy approach thou mak'st me most vnhappy
 
    Iul. And me, when he approcheth to your presence
 
    Sil. Had I beene ceazed by a hungry Lion,
 I would haue beene a breakfast to the Beast,
 Rather then haue false Protheus reskue me:
 Oh heauen be iudge how I loue Valentine,
 Whose life's as tender to me as my soule,
 And full as much (for more there cannot be)
 I doe detest false periur'd Protheus:
 Therefore be gone, sollicit me no more
 
    Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death
 Would I not vndergoe, for one calme looke:
 Oh 'tis the curse in Loue, and still approu'd
 When women cannot loue, where they're belou'd
 
    Sil. When Protheus cannot loue, where he's belou'd:
 Read ouer Iulia's heart, (thy first best Loue)
 For whose deare sake, thou didst then rend thy faith
 Into a thousand oathes; and all those oathes,
 Descended into periury, to loue me,
 Thou hast no faith left now, vnlesse thou'dst two,
 And that's farre worse then none: better haue none
 Then plurall faith, which is too much by one:
 Thou Counterfeyt, to thy true friend
 
    Pro. In Loue,
 Who respects friend?
   Sil. All men but Protheus
 
    Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of mouing words
 Can no way change you to a milder forme;
 Ile wooe you like a Souldier, at armes end,
 And loue you 'gainst the nature of Loue: force ye
 
    Sil. Oh heauen
 
    Pro. Ile force thee yeeld to my desire
 
    Val. Ruffian: let goe that rude vnciuill touch,
 Thou friend of an ill fashion
 
    Pro. Valentine
 
    Val. Thou co[m]mon friend, that's without faith or loue,
 For such is a friend now: treacherous man,
 Thou hast beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye
 Could haue perswaded me: now I dare not say
 I haue one friend aliue; thou wouldst disproue me:
 Who should be trusted, when ones right hand
 Is periured to the bosome? Protheus
 I am sorry I must neuer trust thee more,
 But count the world a stranger for thy sake:
 The priuate wound is deepest: oh time, most accurst.
 'Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst?
   Pro. My shame and guilt confounds me:
 Forgiue me Valentine: if hearty sorrow
 Be a sufficient Ransome for offence,
 I tender't heere: I doe as truely suffer,
 As ere I did commit
 
    Val. Then I am paid:
 And once againe, I doe receiue thee honest;
 Who by Repentance is not satisfied,
 Is nor of heauen, nor earth; for these are pleas'd:
 By Penitence th' Eternalls wrath's appeas'd:
 And that my loue may appeare plaine and free,
 All that was mine, in Siluia, I giue thee
 
    Iul. Oh me vnhappy
 
    Pro. Looke to the Boy
 
    Val. Why, Boy?
 Why wag: how now? what's the matter? look vp: speak
 
    Iul. O good sir, my master charg'd me to deliuer a ring
 to Madam Siluia: w (out of my neglect) was neuer done
 
    Pro. Where is that ring? boy?
   Iul. Heere 'tis: this is it
 
    Pro. How? let me see.
 Why this is the ring I gaue to Iulia
 
    Iul. Oh, cry you mercy sir, I haue mistooke:
 This is the ring you sent to Siluia
 
    Pro. But how cam'st thou by this ring? at my depart
 I gaue this vnto Iulia
 
    Iul. And Iulia her selfe did giue it me,
 And Iulia her selfe hath brought it hither
 
    Pro. How? Iulia?
   Iul. Behold her, that gaue ayme to all thy oathes,
 And entertain'd 'em deepely in her heart.
 How oft hast thou with periury cleft the roote?
 Oh Protheus, let this habit make thee blush.
 Be thou asham'd that I haue tooke vpon me,
 Such an immodest rayment; if shame liue
 In a disguise of loue?
 It is the lesser blot modesty findes,
 Women to change their shapes, then men their minds
 
    Pro. Then men their minds? tis true: oh heuen, were man
 But Constant, he were perfect; that one error
 Fils him with faults: makes him run through all th' sins;
 Inconstancy falls-off, ere it begins:
 What is in Siluia's face, but I may spie
 More fresh in Iulia's, with a constant eye?
   Val. Come, come: a hand from either:
 Let me be blest to make this happy close:
 'Twere pitty two such friends should be long foes
 
    Pro. Beare witnes (heauen) I haue my wish for euer
 
    Iul. And I mine
 
    Outl. A prize: a prize: a prize
 
    Val. Forbeare, forbeare I say: It is my Lord the Duke.
 Your Grace is welcome to a man disgrac'd,
 Banished Valentine
 
    Duke. Sir Valentine?
   Thu. Yonder is Siluia: and Siluia's mine
 
    Val. Thurio giue backe; or else embrace thy death:
 Come not within the measure of my wrath:
 Doe not name Siluia thine: if once againe,
 Verona shall not hold thee: heere she stands,
 Take but possession of her, with a Touch:
 I dare thee, but to breath vpon my Loue
 
    Thur. Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I:
 I hold him but a foole that will endanger
 His Body, for a Girle that loues him not:
 I claime her not, and therefore she is thine
 
    Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou
 To make such meanes for her, as thou hast done,
 And leaue her on such slight conditions.
 Now, by the honor of my Ancestry,
 I doe applaud thy spirit, Valentine,
 And thinke thee worthy of an Empresse loue:
 Know then, I heere forget all former greefes,
 Cancell all grudge, repeale thee home againe,
 Plead a new state in thy vn-riual'd merit,
 To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine,
 Thou art a Gentleman, and well deriu'd,
 Take thou thy Siluia, for thou hast deseru'd her
 
    Val. I thank your Grace, y gift hath made me happy:
 I now beseech you (for your daughters sake)
 To grant one Boone that I shall aske of you
 
    Duke. I grant it (for thine owne) what ere it be
 
    Val. These banish'd men, that I haue kept withall,
 Are men endu'd with worthy qualities:
 Forgiue them what they haue committed here,
 And let them be recall'd from their Exile:
 They are reformed, ciuill, full of good,
 And fit for great employment (worthy Lord.)
   Duke. Thou hast preuaild, I pardon them and thee:
 Dispose of them, as thou knowst their deserts.
 Come, let vs goe, we will include all iarres,
 With Triumphes, Mirth, and rare solemnity
 
    Val. And as we walke along, I dare be bold
 With our discourse, to make your Grace to smile.
 What thinke you of this Page (my Lord?)
   Duke. I think the Boy hath grace in him, he blushes
 
    Val. I warrant you (my Lord) more grace, then Boy
 
    Duke. What meane you by that saying?
   Val. Please you, Ile tell you, as we passe along,
 That you will wonder what hath fortuned:
 Come Protheus, 'tis your pennance, but to heare
 The story of your Loues discouered.
 That done, our day of marriage shall be yours,
 One Feast, one house, one mutuall happinesse.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 The names of all the Actors.
 
  Duke: Father to Siluia.
  Valentine.
  Protheus. the two Gentlemen.
  Anthonio: father to Protheus.
  Thurio: a foolish riuall to Valentine.
  Eglamoure: Agent for Siluia in her escape.
  Host: where Iulia lodges.
  Outlawes with Valentine.
  Speed: a clownish seruant to Valentine.
  Launce: the like to Protheus.
  Panthion: seruant to Antonio.
  Iulia: beloued of Protheus.
  Siluia: beloued of Valentine.
  Lucetta: waighting-woman to Iulia.
 
 FINIS. THE Two Gentlemen of Verona.