SCENE III.-Frontiers of Mantua. The Forest. Enter SILVIA, and Out-laws. Out. Come, come; Be patient, we must bring you to our captain. 1 Out. Where is the gentleman that was with her? 3 Out. Being nimble-footed, he hath out-run us, But Moyses, and Valerius, follow him, Go thou with her to the west end of the wood, 1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave: Fear not; he bears an honourable mind, And will not use a woman lawlessly. Sil. O Valentine, this I endure for thee. [Exeunt. Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man! And, to the nightingale's complaining notes, O thou, that dost inhabit in my breast, Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain !- These are my mates, that make their wills their law, They love me well; yet I have much to do, Withdraw thee, Valentine; who's this comes here? [Steps aside. Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA. Pro. Madam, this service I have done for you, And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give. Sil. O miserable, unhappy that I am! [Aside. Sil. By thy approach thou makʼst me most unhappy. Jul. And me, when he approacheth to your presence. [Aside. Sil. Had I been seized by a hungry lion, I would have been a breakfast to the beast, Rather than have false Proteus rescue me. O, heaven be judge, how I love Valentine, Therefore be gone, solicit me no more. Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo for one calm look ? O, 'tis the curse in love, and still approv'd, When women cannot love where they're belov❜d. Sil. When Proteus cannot love where he's belov'd. Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou hadst two, Pro. In love, Who respects friend? Sil. All men but Proteus. Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form, I'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end; And love you 'gainst the nature of love, force you. Pro. I'll force thee yield to my desire. Val. Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch; Thou friend of an ill fashion! Pro. Valentine! Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or love; (For such is a friend now,) treacherous man! I am sorry, I must never trust thee more, The private wound is deepest: O time, most curst! Be a sufficient ransom for offence, I tender it here; I do as truly suffer, Val. Then I am paid; And once again I do receive thee honest: Who by repentance is not satisfied, Is nor of heaven, nor earth; for these are pleas'd; Jul. O me, unhappy! Pro. Look to the boy. [Faints. Val. Why, boy! why, wag! how now? what is the matter? Look up; speak. Jul. O good sir, my master charg'd me To deliver a ring to madam Silvia; Which, out of my neglect, was never done. Pro. Where is that ring, boy? Jul. Here 'tis this is it. [Gives the ring, Pro. How let me see: Why this is the ring I gave to Julia. Jul. O, cry you mercy, sir, I have mistook; This is the ring you sent to Silvia. I [Shows another ring. Pro. But, how cam'st thou by this ring? at my de part, gave this unto Julia. Jul. And Julia herself did give it me; And Julia herself hath brought it hither. Pro. How! Julia! Jul. Behold her, that gave aim to all thy oaths, O Proteus, let this habit make thee blush! It is the lesser blot, modesty finds, Women to change their shapes, than men their minds. Pro. Than men their minds ! 'tis true: O heaven! were man But constant, he were perfect: that one error Fills him with faults; makes him run through all sins : What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy Let me be blest to make this happy close; Pro. Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish for ever. |