But there I leave to love, where I should love. If I keep them, I needs must lose myself; I will forget that Julia is alive, [Exit, SCENE VII.-Verona. A Room in JULIA's House, Enter JULIA and LUCETTA. Jul. Counsel, Lucetta; gentle girl, assist me! And, even in kind love, I do conjure thee,- Luc. Alas! the way is wearisome and long. Luc. Better forbear, till Proteus make return. Jul. O, know'st thou not, his looks are my soul's food? Pity the dearth that I have pined in, By longing for that food so long a time. Luc. I do not seek to quench your love's hot fire; But qualify the fire's extreme rage, Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason. Jul. The more thou dam'st it up, the more it burns; He makes sweet musick with the enamel'd stones, He overtaketh in his pilgrimage; Then let me go, and hinder not my course: And make a pastime of each weary step, Till the last step have brought me to my love; Luc. But in what habit will you go along? As may beseem some well-reputed page. Luc. Why then your ladyship must cut your hair, Jul. No, girl; I'll knit it up in silken strings, With twenty odd-conceited true-love knots: To be fantastic may become a youth Of greater time than I shall show to be. Luc. What fashion, madam, shall I make your breeches? Jul. That fits as well, as-" tell me, good my lord, "What compass will you wear your farthingale?" Why, even that fashion thou best lik'st, Lucetta. Luc. You must needs have them with a cod-piece, madam. Jul. Out, out, Lucetta! that will be ill-favour'd. Luc. A round hose, madam, now's not worth a pin, Unless you have a cod-piece to stick pins on. Jul. Lucetta, as thou lov'st me, let me have What thou think'st meet, and is most mannerly: But tell me, wench, how will the world repute me, For undertaking so unstaid a journey? I fear me, it will make me scandaliz'd. Luc. If you think so, then stay at home, and go not. Jul. Nay, that I will not. Luc. Then never dream on infamy, but go. Jul. That is the least, Lucetta, of my fear: Warrant me welcome to my Proteus. Luc. All these are servants to deceitful men. Jul. Base men, that use them to so base effect! But truer stars did govern Proteus' birth: His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles; His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate; His tears, pure messengers sent from his heart; His heart as far from fraud, as heaven from earth. Luc. Pray heaven, he prove so, when you come to him! Jul. Now, as thou lov'st me, do him not that wrong, To bear a hard opinion of his truth: Only deserve my love, by loving him; [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.-Milan. An Anti-room in the Duke's Palace. Enter DUKE, THURIO, and PROTEUS. Duke. Sir Thurio, give us leave, I pray, awhile; We have some secrets to confer about.—— [Exit THURIO. Now, tell me, Proteus, what's your will with me? Pro. My gracious lord, that, which I would discover, The law of friendship bids me to conceal : But, when I call to mind your gracious favours My duty pricks me on to utter that, Which else no worldly good should draw from me. Duke. Proteus, I thank thee for thine honest care; Which to requite, command me while I live. |