It is your pleasure to command me in. Sií. O Églamour, thou art a gentleman, Nor how my father would enforce me marry Egl. Madam, I pity much your 'grievances: Which since I know they virtuously are plac'd, I give consent to go along with you; As much I wish all good befortune you. When will you go? Sil. This evening coming. Egl. Where shall I meet you? Sil. At friar Patrick's cell, Where I intend holy confession. Egl. I will not fail your ladyship: Good-morrow, gentle lady. thrusts me himself into the company of three or our gentlemen-like dogs under the duke's table: he had not been there (bless the mark) a pissing while, but all the chamber smelt him. Outwith 5 the dog, says one; What cur is that? says another; Whip him out, says the third; Hanghim up, says the duke: I, having been acquainted with the smell before, knew it was Crab; and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs': Friend, quoth I, you 10 mean to whip the dog? Ay, marry, do I, quoth he. You do him the more wrong, quoth I; 'twas I did the thing you wot of. He makes no more ado, but whips me out of the chamber. How many masters would do this for their servant? nay, I'll be 15 sworn I have sat in the stocks for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had been executed; I have stood on the pillory for geese he hath kill'd, otherwise he had suffer'd for 't: thou think'st not of this now!-Nay, I remember the trick you serv'd 20me, when I took my leave of madam Silvia; did not I bid thee still mark me, and do as I do? When did'st thou see me heave up my leg, and make water against a gentlewoman's farthingale? didst thou ever see me do such a trick? 25 30 35 Sil. Good-morrow, kind sir Eglamour. [Exeunt. 40 When a man's servant shall play the cur with Enter Protheus and Julia. Pro. Sebastian is thy name? I like thee well, And will employ thee in some service presently. Jul. In what you please ;---I'll do, sir,what I can, Pro. I hope, thou wilt.-How now, you whoreson peasant, [To Launce. Where have you been these two days loitering? Laun. Marry, sir, I carry'd mistress Silvia the dog you bade me. Pro. And what says she to my little jewel? Laun. Marry, she says, your dog was a cur; and tells you, currish thanks is good enough for such a present. Pro. But she received my dog? Laun. No, indeed, she did not: here I have brought him back again. Pro. What, didst thou offer her this from me? Laun. Ay, sir; the other squirrel was stoln from me by the hangman's boy in the market-place: and then I offer'd her mine own; who is a dog as big as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater. Pro. Go, get thee hence, and find my dog again, Or ne'er return again into my sight. Away, I say: Stay'st thou to vex me here? A slave, that, still an end, turns me to shame. [Exit Launce Sebastian, I have entertained thee, Partly, that I have need of such a youth, That can with some discretion do my business, For 'tis no trusting to you foolish lowt; But, chiefly, for thy face, and thy behaviour; Which, if my augury deceive me not, Witness good bringing up, fortune, and truth: Therefore know thou, for this I entertain thee. 1 Remorseful is pitiful. ? It was common in former ages for widowers and widows to make vows of chastity in honour of their deceased wives or husbands. 'Sorrows. 4 To reck is to care for. That is, restrain himself. A proverbial expression of those times. This appears to have been part of the office of an usher of the table, That is, in the end, at the conclusion of every business he undertakes. 5 I will not look upon your master's lines: I know, they are stuff'd with protestations, Jul. Madam, he sends your ladyship this ring. 15 Pro. Well, give her that ring, and therewithal [Exit Protheus. Jul. How many women would do such a message: That with his very heart despiseth me? This ring I gave him, when he parted from me, To plead for that, which I would not obtain; To carry that which I would have refus'd; Sil. What say'st thou? Jul. I thank you, madam, that you tender her: Jul. Almost as well as I do know myself: [sorrow. Jul. I think she doth; and that's her cause of Sil. Is she not passing fair? Jul. She hath been fairer, madam, than she is; But since she did neglect her looking-glass, Jul. About my stature: for at Pentecost, To praise his faith, which I would have disprais'd. 35 And I was trimm'd in madam Julia's gown; I am my master's true confirmed love : But cannot be true servant to my master, Yet will I woo for him; but yet so coldly, Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you, be my mean Jul. From my master, sir Protheus, madam. Sil. Ursula, bring my picture there. [Picture brought. Sil. I pray thee, let me look on that again. 40 45 Which served me as fit, by all men's judgment, Sil. She is beholden to thee, gentle youth:- I weep myself, to think upon thy words. 50Here, youth, there is my purse; I give thee this 55A virtuous gentlewoman, mild and beautiful. That is, in good carnest. Unless An apartment in the Duke's palace. Thu. What says she to my face? 35 Jul. She needs not, when she knows it cow ardice. Thu. What says she to my birth? Pro. That you are well deriv'd. [Aside. Jul. True; from a gentleman to a fool. [Aside. Pro. O, ay; and pities them. Thu. Wherefore? Jul. That such an ass should owe them. [Aside. Jul. Here comes the duke. Enter Duke. Duke. How now, sir Protheus? how now, Thurio? Which of you saw sir Eglamour of late? Thu. Not I. Pro. Nor I. Duke. Saw you my daughter? Pro. Neither. [Valentine; Duke. Why, then she's fled unto that peasant Tis true; for friar Laurence inet them both, At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not : Thu. Nay, then the wanton lies; my face is black. Pro. Ill, when you talk of war. [peace Thu. What says she to my valour? [Exit Duke. Thu. Why, this it is to be a peevish girl, Pro. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love, 2 [Exeunt. A high forehead was in Shakspeare's time It should be remembered, that false hair was worn by the ladies, long before wigs were in fashion. These false coverings, however, were call'd periwigs. accounted a feature eminently beautiful. That is, respectful, or respectable. Sure means safe. 5 Own them, 4 SCENE Rather than have false Protheus rescue me, Oh, heaven be judge, how I love Valentine, Whose life's as tender to me as my soul; And full as much (for more there cannot be) 5 do detest false perjur'd Protheus: Therefore begone, solicit me no more. 1 Out. Where is the gentleman that was with 3 Out. Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us; 10 But Moyses, and Valerius, follow him. Go thou with her to the west end of the wood, There is our captain: we'll follow him that's fled; The thicket is beset, he cannot 'scape. 1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave: Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man! This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods, I better brook than flourishing peopled towns: Here can I sit alone, unseen of any, And, to the nightingale's complaining notes, Tune my distresses, and record my woes. O thou that dost inhabit in my breast, Leave not the mansion so long tenantless; Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall, And leave no memory of what it was! Repair me with thy presence, Silvia; Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain!What hallooing, and what stir is this to-day? These are my mates, that make their wills their Have some unhappy passenger in chace: [law, They love me well; yet I have much to do, To keep them from uncivil outrages. Withdraw thee, Valentine; who's this comes [Val. steps aside. Enter Protheus, Silvia, and Julia. [here: 15 20 [death, Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to Would I not undergo for one calm look? Oh, 'tis the curse in love, and still approv'd, When women cannot love, where they're belov'd. Sil. When Protheus cannot love, where he'sbelov'd. Read over Julia's heart, thy first best love, For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith Into a thousand oaths; and all those oaths [two, Descended into perjury, to love me. Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou hadst Than plural faith, which is too much by one: Pro. In love Who respects friend? Sil. All men but Protheus. Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form, 25 I'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end; And love you'gainst the nature of love, force you. Sil. O heaven! Pro. I'll force thee yield to my desire. Val. Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch; 30 Thou friend of an ill fashion! Pro. Valentine! [or love; Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith (For such is a friend now) treacherous man! Thou hast beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye 35 Could have persuaded me: Now I dare not say, I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me. Who should be trusted, when one's own right hand Is perjur'd to the bosom? Protheus, 40 I am sorry, I must never trust thee more, I tender it here; I do as truly suffer, Val. Then I am paid; Pro. Madam, this service I have done for you, 45 Be a sufficient ransom for offence, And once again I do receive thee honest: Pro. Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came: 55 presence. To record anciently signified to sing. press the first essays of a bird in singing. Is nor of heaven, nor earth; for these are pleas'd; [Faints, [the matter? Val. Why, boy! why, wag! how now? what is Look up; speak. Jul. O good sir, my master charged me 60 To deliver a ring to madam Silvia; Which, out of my neglect, was never done. Record is also a term still used by bird-fanciers, to ex- Pro. Jul. Oh, cry your mercy, sir, I have mistook: 5 Jul. And Julia herself did give it me; [depart, Jul. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, I hold him but a fool, that will endanger Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou, And think thee worthy of an empress' love. It is the lesser blot, modesty finds, [minds. Pro. Bear witness, heaven, I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake, Duke. I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be. Are men endu'd with worthy qualities; Duke. Thou hast prevail'd: I pardon thein and "Twere pity two such friends should long be foes. 30 Dispose of them, as thou know'st their deserts. I have my wish for ever. Jul. And I mine. Enter Outlaws, with Duke and Thurio. Out. A prize, a prize, a prize! [duke. 35 Val. Forbear, forbear, I say; it is my lord the Your grace is welcome to a man disgrac'd, Banished Valentine. Duke. Sir Valentine! Thu. Yonderis Silvia; and Silvia's mine. [death; 40 Come, let us go; we will include all jars Duke.. I think the boy hath grace in him; he blushes. That done, our day of marriage shall be yours; 1 That is, the reach of my anger. To include is to shut up, to conclude. MERRY |