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SCENE 1. WINDSOR. Before PAGE's House. Enter Justice SHALLOW, SLENDER, and Sir HUGH EVANS.

Shal. SIR Hugh, persuade me not; I will make a

Star-chamber matter of it: if he were twenty Sir John Falstaffs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow, esquire. Slen. In the county of Gloster, justice of peace, and

coram.

Shal. Ay, cousin Slender, and cust-alorum.

Slen. Ay, and ratolorum too; and a gentleman born, master parson; who writes himself armigero; in any bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation, armigero.

Shal. Ay, that we do; and have done any time these three hundred years.

Slen. All his successors, gone before him, have done't; and all his ancestors, that come after him, may: they may give the dozen white luces in their coat.

Shal. It is an old coat.

characters, diversified with boundless invention, and preserved with profound skill in nature, extensive knowledge of opinions, and accurate observation of life. In a single drama are here exhibited princes, courtiers, and sailors, all speaking in their real characters. There is the agency of airy spirits, and of an earthly goblin; the operations of magic, the tumults of a storm, the adventures of a desert island, the native effusion of untaught affection, the punishment of guilt, and the final happiness of the pair for whom our passions and reason are equally interested.

JOHNSON.

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DRAMATIS PERSONE.

Duke of Milan, Father to Silvia.
Valentine, Gentlemen of Verona.

Proteus,

Antonio, Father to Proteus.

Thurio, a foolish Rival to Valentine.
Eglamour, Agent for Silvia in her Escape.
Speed, a clownish Servant to Valentine.
Launce, Servant to Proteus.

Panthino, Servant to Antonio.

Host, where Julia lodges in Milan.
Out-laws.

Julia, a Lady of Verona, beloved by Proteus.
Silvia, the Duke's Daughter, beloved by Valentine.
Lucetta, Waiting-Woman to Julia.

Servants, Musicians.

SCENE, sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan; and on the Frontiers of Mantua.

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SCENE I. An open Place in VERONA.
Enter VALENTINE and PROTEUS.

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

Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu! Think on thy Proteus, when thou, haply, seest Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel: Wish me partaker in thy happiness,

When thou dost meet good hap; and, in thy danger, If ever danger do environ thee,

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