The works of William Shakspeare, life, glossary &c. repr. from the early eds. and compared with recent commentators

Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe: where Where I have hope to see the nuptial

should they

Find this grand liquor that hath gilded them? How cam'st thou in this pickle ?

Trin. I have been in such a pickle, since I saw you last, that, I fear me, will never out of my bones I shall not fear fly-blowing.

Seb. Why, how now, Stephano!

Ste. O! touch me not; I am not Stephano, but a cramp.

Pro. You'd be king of the isle, sirrah? Ste. I should have been a sore one, then. Alon. This is a strange thing as e'er I look'd on. [Pointing to Caliban. Pro. He is as disproportion'd in his manners, As in his shape.-Go, sirrah, to my cell; Take with you your companions: as you look To have my pardon, trim it handsomely.

Cal. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter,

And seek for grace. What a thrice-double ass
Was I, to take this drunkard for a god,
And worship this dull fool!

Pro.

Go to; away!

Alon. Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it. Seb. Or stole it, rather.

[Exeunt Cal., Ste., and Trin. Pro. Sir, I invite your highness, and your train,

To my poor cell where you shall take your rest
For this one night; which (part of it) I'll waste
With such discourse, as, I not doubt, shall
Go quick away; the story of my life, [make it
And the particular accidents gone by,
Since I came to this isle and in the morn
I'll bring you to your ship, and so to Naples,

EPILOGUE. Spoken by Prospero.
Now my charms are all o'erthrown,
And what strength I have's mine own;
Which is most faint: now, 'tis true,
I must be here confin'd by you,
Or sent to Naples. Let me not,
Since I have my dukedom got,
And pardon'd the deceiver, dwell
In this bare island, by your spell;
But release me from my bands,
With the help of your good hands.
Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails,
Which was to please. Now I want
Spirits to enforce, art to enchant ;
And my ending is despair,

Unless I be reliev'd by prayer;
Which pierces so, that it assaults
Mercy itself, and frees all faults.

As you from crimes would pardon'd be.
Let your indulgence set me free.

SCENE,-Sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan, and on the frontiers of Mantua.

ACT I.

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
If ever danger do environ thee, [danger,
Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers,
For I will be thy bead's-man, Valentine.
Val. And on a love-book pray for my suc-
[thee.

cess.

Pro. Upon some book I love, I'll pray for Val. That's on some shallow story of deep love,

How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont. Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love; For he was more than over shoes in love.

Val. "Tis true; for you are over boots love,

And yet you never swam the Hellespont. Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots.

Val. No, I will not, for it boots thee not. Pro. What? Val. To be in love, where scorn is bought with groans; [moment's mirth, Coy looks, with heart-sore sighs; one fading With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights: If haply won, perhaps, a hapless gain; If lost, why then a grievous labour won: However, but a folly bought with wit, Or else a wit by folly vanquished. [fool. Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear you'll

Val. And writers say, As the most forward
Is eaten by the canker ere it blow,
Even so by love the young and tender wit
Is turn'd to folly; blasting in the bud,
Losing his verdure even in the prime,
And all the fair effects of future hopes.
But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee,
That art a votary to fond desire?
Once more adieu! my father at the road
Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd.
Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.
Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take
our leave.

To Milan let me hear from thee by letters,
Of thy success in love, and what news else
Betideth here in absence of thy friend;
And I likewise will visit thee with mine.
Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in

Milan !

Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love : He leaves his friends to dignify them more; I leave myself, my friends, and all for love. Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me; Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, War with good counsel, set the world at nought; [thought.

Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with Enter Speed.

Speed. Sir Proteus, save you! Saw you my master? [for Milan. Pro. But now he parted hence, to embark Speed. Twenty to one, then, he is shipp'd

already,

And I have play'd the sheep, in losing him. Pro. Indeed a sheep doth very often stray, An if the shepherd be awhile away.

Speed. You conclude, that my master is a shepherd, then, and I a sheep? Pro. I do. Speed. Why then, my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep.

Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Speed. This proves me still a sheep. Pro. True; and thy master a shepherd. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. [another.

Pro. It shall go hard but I'll prove it by Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks not me: therefore, I am no sheep.

Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep; thou for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore thou art a sheep. ["Baa." Speed. Such another proof will make me cry Pro. But, dost thou hear? gavest thou my letter to Julia?

Speed. Ay, sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton; and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour !

Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such store of muttons.

Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her.

Pro. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best pound you.

Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter. [pinfold. Pro. You mistake: I mean the pound, a Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over [your lover. 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to Pro. But what said she? [Speed nods.] Did she nod?

and over,

Pro. No, no; you shall have it for bearing the letter.

Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear with you.

Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? Speed. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly; having nothing but the word "noddy" for my pains.

Pro. Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.

Pro. Come, come; open the matter in brief: what said she?

Speed. Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once delivered. Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains. What said she?

[her.

Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win Pro. Why, couldst thou perceive so much from her?

Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter: and being so hard to me that brought your mind, I fear, she'll prove as hard to you in telling her mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's as hard as steel. Pro. What! said she nothing?

Speed. No, not so much as-"take this for thy pains." To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testerned me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master.

Pro. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship
from wreck;

Which cannot perish, having thee aboard,
Being destin'd to a drier death on shore.--

[Exit Speed.

SCENE II.-Verona. Garden of Julia's
House. Enter Julia and Lucetta.
Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone,
Wouldst thou, then, counsel me to fall in love?
Luc. Ay, madam; so you stumble not un-
heedfully.

Ful. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen,
That every day with parle encounter me,
In thy opinion which is worthiest love?

Luc. Please you, repeat their names, show my mind

I'll

Jul. How now! what means this passion at his name?

Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing That I, unworthy body as I am, [shame, Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen.

Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? Luc. Then thus,-of many good I think Jul. Your reason? [him best. Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason; I think him so, because I think him so. Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my [away. Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast Jul. Why, he, of all the rest, hath never mov'd me. [loves ye. Luc. Yet he, of all the rest, I think, best Jul. His little speaking shows his love but small.

love on him?

[all.

Luc. Fire that is closest kept, burns most of
Jul. They do not love, that do not show
their love.
[their love.
Luc. O, they love least, that let men know
Jul. I would I knew his mind.
Luc.

Peruse this paper, madam. [Gives a letter. "To Julia."-Say from whom?

Ful.
Luc.
That the contents will show.
Jul. Say, say, who gave it thee?
Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think,

from Proteus.

[way, He would have given it you; but I, being in the Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I pray.

Jul. 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 return no more into my sight.

Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee
Jul. Will you be gone? [than hate,
Luc. That you may ruminate. [Exit.
Jul. And yet, I would I had o'erlook'd the

letter.

It were a shame to call her back again,
And pray her to a fault for which I chid her.
What fool is she, that knows I am a maid,
And would not force the letter to my view!
Since maids, in modesty, say "No," to that
Which they would have the profferer construe,
"Ay."

Fie, fie, how wayward is this foolish love, According to my shallow simple skill. That like a testy babe will scratch the nurse, Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eg- And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod ! lamour ? [fine; How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence, Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat, and When willingly I would have had her here! But, were I you, he never should be mine. How angerly I taught my brow to frown, Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mer-When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile! My penance is, to call Lucetta back, Luc. Well of his wealth; but of himself, so And ask remission for my folly past.— Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Pro- What ho! Lucetta! teus? [us! Luc. Lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in

catio?

[so.

Luc.

Re-enter Lucetta.

What would your ladyship?

Give me a note: your ladyship can set.

Jal. As little by such toys as may be possible;

Best sing it to the tune of "Light o' Love." Lac. It is too heavy for so light a tune. Jul. Heavy! belike it hath some burden, then?

Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you ful. And why not you? [sing it. Luc. I cannot reach so high. Jul. Let's see your song. [Taking the letter.] How now, minion!

Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will sing

it out:

And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune.
Jul. You do not?
Luc.

No, madam; it is too sharp.
Jul. You, minion, are too saucy.
Luc.
Nay, now you are too flat,
And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:
There wanteth but a mean to fill your song.
Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly
base.

Luc. Indeed, I bid the base for Proteus. Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me.

Here is a coil with protestation !

[Tears the letter. Go, get you gone, and let the papers lie: You would be fingering them, to anger me. Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be best pleas'd

To be so anger'd with another letter. [Exit. Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with

the same!

O hateful hands, to tear such loving words! Injurious wasps, to feed on such sweet honey, And kill the bees, that yield it, with your stings!

Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be throughly heal'd;

And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss.
But twice or thrice was "Proteus
down:-

written

Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away,
Till I have found each letter in the letter,
Except mine own name : that some whirlwind
Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock, [bear
And throw in thence into the raging sea!
Lo! here in one line is his name twice writ,-
"Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus,
To the sweet Julia:"-that I'll tear away;
And yet I will not, sith so prettily
He couples it to his complaining names:
Thus will I fold them one upon another:
Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.

Re-enter Lucetta.

Jul. If you respect them, best to take them Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down;

Yet here they shall not lie for catching cold. Jul. I see you have a month's mind to them. Luc. Ay, madam, you may say what sights

[son.

Enter Antonio and Panthino. Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that, Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister? Pant. 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your Ant. Why, what of him? Pant. He wonder'd that your lordship Would suffer him to spend his youth at home; While other men, of slender reputation, Put forth their sons to seek preferment out: Some to the wars, to try their fortune there; Some to discover islands far away ; Some to the studious universities. For any, or for all these exercises, He said that Proteus your son 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 having known no travel in his youth.

Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that

I'll kiss each several paper for amends. Whereon this month I have been hammering.
Look, here is writ--"kind Julia."-Unkind I have consider'd well his loss of time,
As in revenge of thy ingratitude, [Julia! And how he cannot be a perfect man,
I throw thy name against the bruising stones,
Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain.
And, here is writ-love-wounded Proteus:"
Poor wounded name! my bosom, as a bed,

Not being tried and tutor'd in the world :
Experience is by industry achiev'd,
And perfected by the swift course of time.
Then, tell me, whither were I best to send him?

Pant. I think your lordship is not ignorant
How his companion, youthful Valentine,
Attends the emperor in his royal court.
Ant. I know it well. [sent him thither:
Pant. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship
There shall he practise tilts and tournaments,
Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen,
And be in eye of every exercise

Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.
Ant. I like thy counsel; well hast thou
advised:

And, that thou may'st perceive how well I like
The execution of it shall make known;
Even with the speediest expedition

[it,

I will despatch him to the emperor's court.
Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don
Alphonso,

With other gentlemen of good esteem,
Are journeying to salute the emperor,
And to commend their service to his will.
Ant. Good company; with them shall
Proteus go:

[him. And, in good time :-now will we break with Enter Proteus.

Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life!
Here is her hand, the agent of her heart;
Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn.
O, that our fathers would applaud our loves,
To seal our happiness with their consents!
O heavenly Julia!

Ant. How now! what letter are you reading
there?

Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a

word or two

news.

Of commendations sent from Valentine,
Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.
Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what
[he writes
Pro. There is no news, my lord; but that
How happily he lives, how well belov'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 lordship's will,
And not depending on his friendly wish.

Ant. My will is something sorted with his
wish.

Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed;
For what I will, I will, and there an end.
I am resolv'd that thou shalt spend some time
With Valentinus in the emperor's court:
What maintenance he from his friends receives,
Like exhibition thou shalt have from me.
To-morrow be in readiness to go:
Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.
Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided:
Please you, deliberate a day or two.

Ant. Look, what thou want'st shall be sent

after thee:

No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go.-
Come on, Panthino: you shall be employ'd
To hasten on this expedition.

[Exeunt Antonio and Panthino.

Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear
of burning,
[drown'd.
And drench'd me in the sea, where I am
I fear'd to show my father Julia's letter,
Lest he should take exceptions to my love;
And, with the vantage of mine own excuse,
Hath he excepted most against my love.
O, how this spring of love resembleth

The uncertain glory of an April day;
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away!
Re-enter Panthino.

Pant. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you:
He is in haste; therefore, I pray you, go.
Pro. Why, this it is: my heart accords
thereto;

And yet a thousand times it answers, No.
[Exeunt.

ACT II.

SCENE I.-Milan. A Room in the Duke's
Palace. Enter Valentine and Speed.
Speed. Sir, your glove.

Val.
Not mine; my gloves are on.
Speed. Why then this may be yours, for this
[mine.-
is but one.
Val. Ha! let me see: ay, give it me, it's
Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine!
Ah, Silvia, Silvia !

[Silvia ! Speed. [Calling.] Madam Silvia! Madam Val. How now, sirrah!

Speed. She is not within hearing, sir.
Val. Why, sir, who bade you call her?
Speed. Your worship, sir; or else I mistook.
Val. Well, you'll still be too forward.
Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being
too slow.

Val. Go to, sir. Tell me, do you know
Madam Silvia?

Speed. She that your worship loves?

Val. Why, how know you that I am in love?
Speed. Marry, by these special marks: first,
you have learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreathe
your arms, like a malcontent; to relish a
love-song, like a robin-red-breast; to walk
alone, like one that had the pestilence; to
sigh, like a school-boy that had lost his
ABC; to weep, like a young wench that
had buried her grandam; to fast, like one
that takes diet; to watch, like one that fears
robbing; to speak puling, like a beggar at
You were wont, when you
Hallowmas.
laughed, to crow like a cock; when you
walked, to walk like one of the lions; when
you fasted, it was presently after dinner; when
you looked sadly, it was for want of money :
and now you are metamorphosed with a
mistress, that, when I look on you, I can
hardly think you my master.

Val. Are all these things perceived in me?
Speed. They are all perceived without ye.
Val. Without me? they cannot.

Speed. Without you? nay, that's certain;

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The works of William Shakspeare, life, glossary &c. repr. from the ..., Part 73