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The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Actus primusScena prima.

Valentine: Protheusand Speed.

Valentine. Cease to perswademy louing Protheus;
Home-keeping youthhaue euer homely wits
Wer't not affection chaines thy tender dayes
To the sweet glaunces of thy honour'd Loue
I rather would entreat thy company
To see the wonders of the world abroad
Then (liuing dully sluggardiz'd at home)
Weare out thy youth with shapelesse idlenesse.
But since thou lou'st; loue stilland thriue therein
Euen as I wouldwhen I to loue begin

Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine adew
Thinke on thy Protheuswhen thou (hap'ly) seest
Some rare note-worthy obiect in thy trauaile.
Wish me partaker in thy happinesse
When thou do'st meet good hap; and in thy danger
(If euer danger doe enuiron thee)
Commend thy grieuance to my holy prayers
For I will be thy beades-manValentine

Val. And on a loue-booke pray for my successe?

Pro. Vpon some booke I loueI'le pray for thee

Val. That's on some shallow Storie of deepe loue
How yong Leander crost the Hellespont

Pro. That's a deepe Storieof a deeper loue
For he was more then ouer-shooes in loue

Val. 'Tis true; for you are ouer-bootes in loue
And yet you neuer swom the Hellespont

Pro. Ouer the Bootes? nay giue me not the Boots

Val. NoI will not; for it boots thee not

Pro. What?

Val. To be in loue; where scorne is bought with grones:
Coy lookswith hart-sore sighes: one fading moments mirth
With twenty watchfullwearytedious nights;
If hap'ly wonperhaps a haplesse gaine;
If lostwhy then a grieuous labour won;
How euer: but a folly bought with wit
Or else a witby folly vanquished

Pro. Soby your circumstanceyou call me foole

Val. Soby your circumstanceI feare you'll proue

Pro. 'Tis Loue you cauill atI am not Loue


Val. Loue is your masterfor he masters you;
And he that is so yoked by a foole
Me thinkes should not be chronicled for wise

Pro. Yet Writers say; as in the sweetest Bud
The eating Canker dwels; so eating Loue
Inhabits in the finest wits of all

Val. And Writers say; as the most forward Bud
Is eaten by the Canker ere it blow
Euen so by Louethe yongand tender wit
Is turn'd to follyblasting in the Bud
Loosing his verdureeuen in the prime
And all the faire effects of future hopes.
But wherefore waste I time to counsaile thee
That art a votary to fond desire?
Once more adieu: my Father at the Road
Expects my commingthere to see me ship'd

Pro. And thither will I bring thee Valentine

Val. Sweet Protheusno: Now let vs take our leaue:
To Millaine let me heare from thee by Letters
Of thy successe in loue; and what newes else
Betideth here in absence of thy Friend:
And I likewise will visite thee with mine

Pro. All happinesse bechance to thee in Millaine

Val. As much to you at home: and so farewell.

Enter

Pro. He after Honour huntsI after Loue;
He leaues his friendsto dignifie them more;
I loue my selfemy friendsand all for loue:
Thou Iuliathou hast metamorphis'd me:
Made me neglect my Studiesloose my time;
Warre with good counsaile; set the world at nought;
Made Wit with musingweake; hart sick with thought

Sp. Sir Protheus: 'saue you: saw you my Master?

Pro. But now he parted hence to embarque for Millain

Sp. Twenty to one thenhe is ship'd already
And I haue plaid the Sheepe in loosing him

Pro. Indeede a Sheepe doth very often stray
And if the Shepheard be awhile away

Sp. You conclude that my Master is a Shepheard then
and I Sheepe?

Pro. I doe

Sp. Why then my hornes are his horneswhether I
wake or sleepe

Pro. A silly answereand fitting well a Sheepe

Sp. This proues me still a Sheepe


Pro. True: and thy Master a Shepheard

Sp. Naythat I can deny by a circumstance

Pro. It shall goe hard but ile proue it by another

Sp. The Shepheard seekes the Sheepeand not the
Sheepe the Shepheard; but I seeke my Masterand my
Master seekes not me: therefore I am no Sheepe

Pro. The Sheepe for fodder follow the Shepheard
the Shepheard for foode followes not the Sheepe: thou
for wages followest thy Masterthy Master for wages
followes not thee: therefore thou art a Sheepe

Sp. Such another proofe will make me cry baa

Pro. But do'st thou heare: gau'st thou my Letter
to Iulia?

Sp. I Sir: I (a lost-Mutton) gaue your Letter to her
(a lac'd-Mutton) and she (a lac'd-Mutton) gaue mee (a
lost-Mutton) nothing for my labour

Pro. Here's too small a Pasture for such store of
Muttons

Sp. If the ground be ouer-charg'dyou were best
sticke her

Pro. Nayin that you are astray: 'twere best pound
you

Sp. Nay Sirlesse then a pound shall serue me for carrying
your Letter

Pro. You mistake; I meane the pounda Pinfold

Sp. From a pound to a pin? fold it ouer and ouer
'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your louer

Pro. But what said she?

Sp. I

Pro. Nod-Iwhy that's noddy

Sp. You mistooke Sir: I say she did nod;
And you aske me if she did nodand I say I

Pro. And that set together is noddy

Sp. Now you haue taken the paines to set it together
take it for your paines

Pro. Nonoyou shall haue it for bearing the letter

Sp. WellI perceiue I must be faine to beare with you

Pro. Why Sirhow doe you beare with me?

Sp. Marry Sirthe letter very orderly
Hauing nothing but the word noddy for my paines


Pro. Beshrew mebut you haue a quicke wit

Sp. And yet it cannot ouer-take your slow purse

Pro. Comecomeopen the matter in briefe; what
said she

Sp. Open your pursethat the moneyand the matter
may be both at once deliuered

Pro. Well Sir: here is for your paines: what said she?

Sp. Truely SirI thinke you'll hardly win her

Pro. Why? could'st thou perceiue so much from her?

Sp. SirI could perceiue nothing at all from her;
Nonot so much as a ducket for deliuering your letter:
And being so hard to methat brought your minde;
I feare she'll proue as hard to you in telling your minde.
Giue her no token but stonesfor she's as hard as steele

Pro. What said shenothing?

Sp. Nonot so much as take this for thy pains:
To testifie your bountyI thank youyou haue cestern'd me;
In requital whereofhenceforthcarry your letters your
selfe; And so SirI'le commend you to my Master

Pro. Gogobe goneto saue your Ship from wrack
Which cannot perish hauing thee aboarde
Being destin'd to a drier death on shore:
I must goe send some better Messenger
I feare my Iulia would not daigne my lines
Receiuing them from such a worthlesse post.

Enter.

Scoena Secunda.

Enter Iulia and Lucetta.

Iul. But say Lucetta (now we are alone)
Would'st thou then counsaile me to fall in loue?

Luc. I Madamso you stumble not vnheedfully

Iul. Of all the faire resort of Gentlemen
That euery day with par'le encounter me
In thy opinion which is worthiest loue?

Lu. Please you repeat their namesile shew my minde
According to my shallow simple skill

Iu. What thinkst thou of the faire sir Eglamoure?
Lu. As of a Knightwell-spokenneatand fine;
But were I youhe neuer should be mine

Iu. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio?
Lu. Well of his wealth; but of himselfesoso


Iu. What think'st thou of the gentle Protheus?
Lu. LordLord: to see what folly raignes in vs



Iu. How now? what meanes this passion at his name?

Lu. Pardon deare Madam'tis a passing shame
That I (vnworthy body as I am)
Should censure thus on louely Gentlemen

Iu. Why not on Protheusas of all the rest?
Lu. Then thus: of many goodI thinke him best


Iul. Your reason?
Lu. I haue no other but a womans reason:
I thinke him sobecause I thinke him so

Iul. And would'st thou haue me cast my loue on him?
Lu. I: if you thought your loue not cast away

Iul. Why heof all the resthath neuer mou'd me

Lu. Yet heof all the restI thinke best loues ye

Iul. His little speakingshewes his loue but small

Lu. Fire that's closest keptburnes most of all

Iul. They doe not louethat doe not shew their loue

Lu. Ohthey loue leastthat let men know their loue

Iul. I would I knew his minde

Lu. Peruse this paper Madam

Iul. To Iulia: sayfrom whom?
Lu. That the Contents will shew


Iul. Saysay: who gaue it thee?

Lu. Sir Valentines page: & sent I think from Protheus;
He would haue giuen it youbut I being in the way
Did in your name receiue it: pardon the fault I pray

Iul. Now (by my modesty) a goodly Broker:
Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines?
To whisperand 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 returne no more into my sight

Lu. To plead for louedeserues more feethen hate

Iul. Will ye be gon?
Lu. That you may ruminate.


Enter.

Iul. And yet I would I had ore-look'd the Letter;
It were a shame to call her backe againe
And pray her to a faultfor which I chid her.
What 'foole is shethat knowes I am a Maid
And would not force the letter to my view?
Since Maidesin modestysay noto that
Which they would haue the profferer construeI.
Fiefie: how way-ward is this foolish loue;


That (like a testie Babe) will scratch the Nurse
And presentlyall humbled kisse the Rod?
How churlishlyI chid Lucetta hence
When willinglyI would haue had her here?
How angerly I taught my brow to frowne
When inward ioy enforc'd my heart to smile?
My pennance isto call Lucetta backe
And aske remissionfor my folly past.
What hoe: Lucetta


Lu. What would your Ladiship?
Iul. Is't neere dinner time?
Lu. I would it were


That you might kill your stomacke on your meat
And not vpon your Maid

Iu. What is't that you
Tooke vp so gingerly?
Lu. Nothing

Iu. Why didst thou stoope then?
Lu. To take a paper vpthat I let fall


Iul. And is that paper nothing?
Lu. Nothing concerning me


Iul. Then let it lyefor those that it concernes

Lu. Madamit will not lye where it concernes
Vnlesse it haue a false Interpreter

Iul. Some loue of yourshath writ to you in Rime

Lu. That I might sing it (Madam) to a tune:
Giue me a Noteyour Ladiship can set
Iul. As little by such toyesas may be possible:
Best sing it to the tune of Light OLoue

Lu. It is too heauy for so light a tune

Iu. Heauy? belike it hath some burden then?
Lu. I: and melodious were itwould you sing it
Iu. And why not you?
Lu. I cannot reach so high


Iu. Let's see your Song:
How now Minion?
Lu. Keepe tune there still; so you will sing it out:
And yet me thinkes I do not like this tune

Iu. You doe not?
Lu. No (Madam) tis too sharpe


Iu. You (Minion) are too saucie

Lu. Naynow you are too flat;
And marre the concordwith too harsh a descant:
There wanteth but a Meane to fill your Song

Iu. The meane is dround with you vnruly base

Lu. Indeede I bid the base for Protheus

Iu. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me;


Here is a coile with protestation:
Goeget you gone: and let the papers lye:
You would be fingring themto anger me


Lu. She makes it stra[n]gebut she would be best pleas'd
To be so angred with another Letter

Iu. Naywould I were so angred with the same:
Oh hatefull handsto teare such louing words;
Iniurious Waspesto feede on such sweet hony
And kill the Bees that yeelde itwith your stings;
Ile kisse each seuerall paperfor amends:
Lookehere is writkinde Iulia: vnkinde Iulia
As in reuenge of thy ingratitude
I throw thy name against the bruzing-stones
Trampling contemptuously on thy disdaine.
And here is writLoue wounded Protheus.
Poore wounded name: my bosomeas a bed
Shall lodge thee till thy wound be throughly heal'd;
And thus I search it with a soueraigne kisse.
But twiceor thricewas Protheus written downe:
Be calme (good winde) blow not a word away
Till I haue found each letterin the Letter
Except mine own name: Thatsome whirle-winde beare
Vnto a raggedfearefullhanging Rocke
And throw it thence into the raging Sea.
Loehere in one line is his name twice writ:
Poore forlorne Protheuspassionate Protheus:
To the sweet Iulia: that ile teare away:
And yet I will notsith so prettily
He couples itto his complaining Names;
Thus will I fold themone vpon another;
Now kisseembracecontenddoe what you will

Lu. Madam: dinner is ready: and your father staies

Iu. Welllet vs goe

Lu. Whatshall these papers lyelike Tel-tales here?
Iu. If you respect them; best to take them vp

Lu. NayI was taken vpfor laying them downe.
Yet here they shall not lyefor catching cold

Iu. I see you haue a months minde to them

Lu. I (Madam) you may say what sights you see;
I see things tooalthough you iudge I winke

Iu. Comecomewilt please you goe.

Exeunt.

Scoena Tertia.

Enter Antonio and Panthino. Protheus.

Ant. Tell me Panthinowhat sad talke was that
Wherewith my brother held you in the Cloyster?
Pan. 'Twas of his Nephew Protheusyour Sonne

Ant. Why? what of him?


Pan. He wondred that your Lordship
Would suffer himto spend his youth at home
While other menof slender reputation
Put forth their Sonnesto seeke preferment out.
Some to the warresto try their fortune there;
Someto discouer Islands farre away:
Someto the studious Vniuersities;
For anyor for all these exercises
He saidthat Protheusyour sonnewas meet;
And did request meto importune you
To let him spend his time no more at home;
Which would be great impeachment to his age
In hauing knowne no trauaile in his youth

Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that
Whereonthis month I haue bin hamering.
I haue consider'd wellhis losse of time
And how he cannot be a perfect man
Not being tryedand tutord in the world:
Experience is by industry atchieu'd
And perfected by the swift course of time:
Then tell mewhether were I best to send him?

Pan. I thinke your Lordship is not ignorant
How his companionyouthfull Valentine
Attends the Emperour in his royall Court

Ant. I know it well

Pan. 'Twere goodI thinkeyour Lordship sent him
(thither
There shall he practise Tiltsand Turnaments;
Heare sweet discourseconuerse with Noble-men
And be in eye of euery Exercise
Worthy his youthand noblenesse of birth

Ant. I like thy counsaile: well hast thou aduis'd:
And that thou maist perceiue how well I like it
The execution of it shall make knowne;
Euen with the speediest expedition
I will dispatch him to the Emperors Court

Pan. To morrowmay it please youDon Alphonso
With other Gentlemen of good esteeme
Are iournyingto salute the Emperor
And to commend their seruice to his will

Ant. Good company: with them shall Protheus go:
And in good time: now will we breake with him

Pro. Sweet Louesweet linessweet life
Here is her handthe agent of her heart;
Here is her oath for loueher honors paune;
O that our Fathers would applaud our loues
To seale our happinesse with their consents

Pro. Oh heauenly Iulia

Ant. How now? What Letter are you reading there?

Pro. May't please your Lordship'tis a word or two
Of commendations sent from Valentine;
Deliuer'd by a friendthat came from him

Ant. Lend me the Letter: Let me see what newes


Pro. There is no newes (my Lord) but that he writes
How happily he liueshow well-belou'd
And daily graced by the Emperor;
Wishing me with himpartner of his fortune

Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish?
Pro. As one relying on your Lordships will
And not depending on his friendly wish

Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish:
Muse not that I thus sodainly proceed;
For what I willI willand there an end:
I am resolu'dthat thou shalt spend some time
With Valentinusin the Emperors Court:
What maintenance he from his friends receiues
Like exhibition thou shalt haue from me
To morrow be in readinesseto goe
Excuse it not: for I am peremptory

Pro. My Lord I cannot be so soone prouided
Please you deliberate a day or two

Ant. Look what thou want'st shalbe sent after thee:
No more of stay: to morrow thou must goe;
Come on Panthino; you shall be imployd
To hasten on his Expedition

Pro. Thus haue I shund the firefor feare of burning
And drench'd me in the seawhere I am drown'd.
I fear'd to shew my Father Iulias Letter
Least he should take exceptions to my loue
And with the vantage of mine owne excuse
Hath he excepted most against my loue.
Ohhow this spring of loue resembleth
The vncertaine glory of an Aprill day
Which now shewes all the beauty of the Sun
And by and by a clowd takes all away

Pan. Sir Protheusyour Fathers call's for you
He is in hasttherefore I pray you go

Pro. Why this it is: my heart accords thereto
And yet a thousand times it answer's no.

Exeunt. Finis.

Actus secundus: Scoena Prima.

Enter ValentineSpeedSiluia

Speed. Siryour Gloue

Valen. Not mine: my Gloues are on

Sp. Why then this may be yours: for this is but one

Val. Ha? Let me see: Igiue it meit's mine:
Sweet Ornamentthat deckes a thing diuine
Ah SiluiaSiluia

Speed. Madam Siluia: Madam Siluia

Val. How now Sirha?


Speed. Shee is not within hearing Sir

Val. Why sirwho bad you call her?
Speed. Your worship siror else I mistooke


Val. Well: you'll still be too forward

Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being too slow

Val. Goe tosirtell me: do you know Madam Siluia?
Speed. Shee that your worship loues?
Val. Whyhow know you that I am in loue?
Speed. Marry by these speciall markes: firstyou haue


learn'd (like Sir Protheus) to wreath your Armes like a
Male-content: to rellish a Loue-songlike a Robin-redbreast:
to walke alone like one that had the pestilence:
to sighlike a Schoole-boy that had lost his A.B.C. to
weep like a yong wench that had buried her Grandam:
to fastlike one that takes diet: to watchlike one that
feares robbing: to speake pulinglike a beggar at Hallow-Masse:
You were wontwhen you laughedto crow
like a cocke; when you walk'dto walke like one of the
Lions: when you fastedit was presently after dinner:
when you look'd sadlyit was for want of money: And
now you are Metamorphis'd with a Mistristhat when I
looke on youI can hardly thinke you my Master

Val. Are all these things perceiu'd in me?
Speed. They are all perceiu'd without ye


Val. Without me? they cannot

Speed. Without you? naythat's certaine: for without
you were so simplenone else would: but you are
so without these folliesthat these follies are within you
and shine through you like the water in an Vrinall: that
not an eye that sees youbut is a Physician to comment
on your Malady

Val. But tell me: do'st thou know my Lady Siluia?
Speed. Shee that you gaze on soas she sits at supper?
Val. Hast thou obseru'd that? euen she I meane


Speed. Why sirI know her not

Val. Do'st thou know her by my gazing on herand

yet know'st her not?
Speed. Is she not hard-fauour'dsir?
Val. Not so faire (boy) as well fauour'd

Speed. SirI know that well enough

Val. What dost thou know?
Speed. That shee is not so faireas (of you) well-fauourd?
Val. I meane that her beauty is exquisite

But her fauour infinite

Speed. That's because the one is paintedand the other
out of all count

Val. How painted? and how out of count?
Speed. Marry sirso painted to make her fairethat no
man counts of her beauty


Val. How esteem'st thou me? I account of her beauty

Speed. You neuer saw her since she was deform'd

Val. How long hath she beene deform'd?
Speed. Euer since you lou'd her


Val. I haue lou'd her euer since I saw her
And still I see her beautifull

Speed. If you loue heryou cannot see her

Val. Why?

Speed. Because Loue is blinde: O that you had mine
eyesor your owne eyes had the lights they were wont
to hauewhen you chidde at Sir Protheusfor going vngarter'd

Val. What should I see then?

Speed. Your owne present follyand her passing deformitie:
for hee beeing in louecould not see to garter
his hose; and youbeeing in louecannot see to put on
your hose

Val. Belike (boy) then you are in louefor last morning
You could not see to wipe my shooes

Speed. True sir: I was in loue with my bedI thanke
youyou swing'd me for my louewhich makes mee the
bolder to chide youfor yours

Val. In conclusionI stand affected to her

Speed. I would you were setso your affection would
cease

Val. Last night she enioyn'd me
To write some lines to one she loues

Speed. And haue you?
Val. I haue


Speed. Are they not lamely writt?
Val. No (Boy) but as well as I can do them:
Peacehere she comes

Speed. Oh excellent motion; oh exceeding Puppet:
Now will he interpret to her

Val. Madam & Mistresa thousand good-morrows

Speed. Oh'giue ye-good-ev'n: heer's a million of
manners

Sil. Sir Valentineand seruantto you two thousand

Speed. He should giue her interest: & she giues it him

Val. As you inioynd me; I haue writ your Letter
Vnto the secretnameles friend of yours:
Which I was much vnwilling to proceed in
But for my duty to your Ladiship

Sil. I thanke you (gentle Seruant) 'tis very Clerklydone


Val. Now trust me (Madam) it came hardly-off:
For being ignorant to whom it goes
I writ at randomevery doubtfully

Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains?

Val. No (Madam) so it steed youI will write
(Please you command) a thousand times as much:
And yet


Sil. A pretty period: well: I ghesse the sequell;
And yet I will not name it: and yet I care not.
And yettake this againe: and yet I thanke you:
Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more

Speed. And yet you will: and yetanother yet

Val. What meanes your Ladiship?
Doe you not like it?

Sil. Yesyes: the lines are very queintly writ
But (since vnwillingly) take them againe.
Naytake them

Val. Madamthey are for you

Silu. II: you writ them Sirat my request
But I will none of them: they are for you:
I would haue had them writ more mouingly:

Val. Please youIle write your Ladiship another

Sil. And when it's writ: for my sake read it ouer

And if it please youso: if not: why so:
Val. If it please me(Madam?) what then?
Sil. Why if it please youtake it for your labour;

And so good-morrow Seruant.

Exit. Sil.

Speed. Oh Iest vnseene: inscrutible: inuisible
As a nose on a mans faceor a Wethercocke on a steeple:
My Master sues to her: and she hath taught her Sutor
He being her Pupillto become her Tutor.
Oh excellent deuisewas there euer heard a better?
That my master being scribe
To himselfe should write the Letter?

Val. How now Sir?
What are you reasoning with your selfe?
Speed. Nay: I was riming: 'tis you y haue the reason

Val. To doe what?
Speed. To be a Spokes-man from Madam Siluia


Val. To whom?
Speed. To your selfe: whyshe woes you by a figure

Val. What figure?
Speed. By a LetterI should say


Val. Why she hath not writ to me?

Speed. What need she
When shee hath made you write to your selfe?
Whydoe you not perceiue the iest?

Val. Nobeleeue me

Speed. No beleeuing you indeed sir:
But did you perceiue her earnest?


Val. She gaue me noneexcept an angry word

Speed. Why she hath giuen you a Letter

Val. That's the Letter I writ to her friend

Speed. And y letter hath she deliuer'd& there an end

Val. I would it were no worse

Speed. Ile warrant you'tis as well:
For often haue you writ to her: and she in modesty
Or else for want of idle timecould not againe reply
Or fearing els some messe[n]gery might her mind discouer
Her self hath taught her Loue himselfto write vnto her louer.
All this I speak in printfor in print I found it.
Why muse you sir'tis dinner time

Val. I haue dyn'd

Speed. Ibut hearken sir: though the Cameleon Loue
can feed on the ayreI am one that am nourish'd by my
victuals; and would faine haue meate: oh bee not like
your Mistressebe mouedbe moued.

Exeunt.

Scoena secunda.

Enter ProtheusIuliaPanthion.

Pro. Haue patiencegentle Iulia:
Iul. I must where is no remedy


Pro. When possibly I canI will returne

Iul. If you turne not: you will return the sooner:
Keepe this remembrance for thy Iulia's sake

Pro. Why then wee'll make exchange;
Heretake you this

Iul. And seale the bargaine with a holy kisse

Pro. Here is my handfor my true constancie:
And when that howre ore-slips me in the day
Wherein I sigh not (Iulia) for thy sake
The next ensuing howresome foule mischance
Torment me for my Loues forgetfulnesse:
My father staies my comming: answere not:
The tide is now; naynot thy tide of teares
That tide will stay me longer then I should
Iuliafarewell: whatgon without a word?
Iso true loue should doe: it cannot speake
For truth hath better deedsthen words to grace it

Panth. Sir Protheus: you are staid for

Pro. Goe: I comeI come:
Alasthis parting strikes poore Louers dumbe.

Exeunt.


Scoena Tertia.

Enter LauncePanthion.

Launce. Nay'twill bee this howre ere I haue done

weeping: all the kinde of the Launceshaue this very

fault: I haue receiu'd my proportionlike the prodigious

Sonneand am going with Sir Protheus to the Imperialls

Court: I thinke Crab my dogbe the sowrest natured

dogge that liues: My Mother weeping: my Father

wayling: my Sister crying: our Maid howling: our

Catte wringing her handsand all our house in a great

perplexitieyet did not this cruell-hearted Curre shedde

one teare: he is a stonea very pibble stoneand has no

more pitty in him then a dogge: a Iew would haue wept

to haue seene our parting: why my Grandam hauing

no eyeslooke youwept her selfe blinde at my parting:

nayIle shew you the manner of it. This shooe is my father:

nothis left shooe is my father; nonothis left

shooe is my mother: naythat cannot bee so neyther:

yes; it is soit is so: it hath the worser sole: this shooe

with the hole in itis my mother: and this my father:

a veng'ance on'tthere 'tis: Now sirthis staffe is my sister:

forlooke youshe is as white as a lillyand as

small as a wand: this hat is Nan our maid: I am the

dogge: nothe dogge is himselfeand I am the dogge:

ohthe dogge is meand I am my selfe: I; soso: now

come I to my Father; Fatheryour blessing: now

should not the shooe speake a word for weeping:

now should I kisse my Father; wellhee weepes on:

Now come I to my Mother: Oh that she could speake

nowlike a would-woman: wellI kisse her: why

there 'tis; heere's my mothers breath vp and downe:

Now come I to my sister; marke the moane she makes:

now the dogge all this while sheds not a teare: nor

speakes a word: but see how I lay the dust with my

teares

Panth. Launceawayaway: a Boord: thy Master is

ship'dand thou art to post after with oares; what's the

matter? why weep'st thou man? away asseyou'l loose

the Tideif you tarry any longer

Laun. It is no matter if the tide were lostfor it is the
vnkindest Tidethat euer any man tide

Panth. What's the vnkindest tide?
Lau. Whyhe that's tide hereCrab my dog


Pant. Tutman: I meane thou'lt loose the floodand

in loosing the floodloose thy voyageand in loosing thy

voyageloose thy Masterand in loosing thy Master

loose thy seruiceand in loosing thy seruice: - why

dost thou stop my mouth?
Laun. For feare thou shouldst loose thy tongue

Panth. Where should I loose my tongue?
Laun. In thy Tale


Panth. In thy Taile

Laun. Loose the Tideand the voyageand the Master
and the Seruiceand the tide: why manif the Riuer


were drieI am able to fill it with my teares: if the winde
were downeI could driue the boate with my sighes

Panth. Come: come away manI was sent to call
thee

Lau. Sir: call me what thou dar'st

Pant. Wilt thou goe?
Laun. WellI will goe.


Exeunt.

Scena Quarta.

Enter ValentineSiluiaThurioSpeedDukeProtheus.
Sil. Seruant

Val. Mistris
Spee. MasterSir Thurio frownes on you


Val. I Boyit's for loue
Spee. Not of you


Val. Of my Mistresse then
Spee. 'Twere good you knockt him


Sil. Seruantyou are sad
Val. IndeedMadamI seeme so


Thu. Seeme you that you are not?
Val. Hap'ly I doe


Thu. So doe Counterfeyts

Val. So doe you

Thu. What seeme I that I am not?
Val. Wise


Thu. What instance of the contrary?
Val. Your folly


Thu. And how quoat you my folly?
Val. I quoat it in your Ierkin


Thu. My Ierkin is a doublet
Val. Well thenIle double your folly


Thu. How?
Sil. WhatangrySir Thuriodo you change colour?
Val. Giue him leaueMadamhe is a kind of Camelion


Thu. That hath more minde to feed on your bloud
then liue in your ayre

Val. You haue said Sir


Thu. I Sirand done too for this time

Val. I know it wel siryou alwaies end ere you begin

Sil. A fine volly of wordsgentleme[n]& quickly shot off
Val. 'Tis indeedMadamwe thank the giuer

Sil. Who is that Seruant?

Val. Your selfe (sweet Lady) for you gaue the fire
Sir Thurio borrows his wit from your Ladiships lookes
And spends what he borrowes kindly in your company

Thu. Sirif you spend word for word with meI shall
make your wit bankrupt

Val. I know it well sir: you haue an Exchequer of words
And I thinkeno other treasure to giue your followers:
For it appeares by their bare Liueries
That they liue by your bare words

Sil. No moregentlemenno more:
Here comes my father

Duk. Nowdaughter Siluiayou are hard beset.
Sir Valentineyour father is in good health
What say you to a Letter from your friends
Of much good newes?

Val. My LordI will be thankfull
To any happy messenger from thence

Duk. Know ye Don Antonioyour Countriman?

Val. Imy good LordI know the Gentleman
To be of worthand worthy estimation
And not without desert so well reputed

Duk. Hath he not a Sonne?
Val. Imy good Lorda Sonthat well deserues
The honorand regard of such a father

Duk. You know him well?

Val. I knew him as my selfe: for from our Infancie
We haue conuerstand spent our howres together
And though my selfe haue beene an idle Trewant
Omitting the sweet benefit of time
To cloath mine age with Angel-like perfection:
Yet hath Sir Protheus (for that's his name)
Made vseand faire aduantage of his daies:
His yeares but yongbut his experience old:
His head vn-mellowedbut his Iudgement ripe;
And in a word (for far behinde his worth
Comes all the praises that I now bestow.)
He is compleat in featureand in minde
With all good graceto grace a Gentleman

Duk. Beshrew me sirbut if he make this good
He is as worthy for an Empresse loue
As meet to be an Emperors Councellor:
WellSir: this Gentleman is come to me
With Commendation from great Potentates
And heere he meanes to spend his time a while
I thinke 'tis no vn-welcome newes to you

Val. Should I haue wish'd a thingit had beene he


Duk. Welcome him then according to his worth:
SiluiaI speake to youand you Sir Thurio
For ValentineI need not cite him to it
I will send him hither to you presently

Val. This is the Gentleman I told your Ladiship
Had come along with mebut that his Mistresse
Did hold his eyeslockt in her Christall lookes

Sil. Be-like that now she hath enfranchis'd them
Vpon some other pawne for fealty

Val. Nay sureI thinke she holds them prisoners stil

Sil. Nay then he should be blindand being blind
How could he see his way to seeke out you?
Val. Why LadyLoue hath twenty paire of eyes

Thur. They say that Loue hath not an eye at all

Val. To see such LouersThurioas your selfe
Vpon a homely obiectLoue can winke

Sil. Haue donehaue done: here comes y gentleman

Val. Welcomedeer Protheus: MistrisI beseech you
Confirme his welcomewith some speciall fauor

Sil. His worth is warrant for his welcome hether
If this be he you oft haue wish'd to heare from

Val. Mistrisit is: sweet Ladyentertaine him
To be my fellow-seruant to your Ladiship

Sil. Too low a Mistres for so high a seruant

Pro. Not sosweet Ladybut too meane a seruant
To haue a looke of such a worthy a Mistresse

Val. Leaue off discourse of disabilitie:
Sweet Ladyentertaine him for your Seruant

Pro. My dutie will I boast ofnothing else

Sil. And dutie neuer yet did want his meed.
Seruantyou are welcome to a worthlesse Mistresse

Pro. Ile die on him that saies so but your selfe

Sil. That you are welcome?
Pro. That you are worthlesse


Thur. Madammy Lord your father wold speak with you

Sil. I wait vpon his pleasure: Come Sir Thurio
Goe with me: once morenew Seruant welcome;
Ile leaue you to confer of home affaires
When you haue donewe looke too heare from you

Pro. Wee'll both attend vpon your Ladiship

Val. Now tell me: how do al from whence you came?
Pro. Your frends are wel& haue the[m] much co[m]mended


Val. And how doe yours?
Pro. I left them all in health


Val. How does your Lady? & how thriues your loue?
Pro. My tales of Loue were wont to weary you
I know you ioy not in a Loue-discourse

Val. I Protheusbut that life is alter'd now
I haue done pennance for contemning Loue
Whose high emperious thoughts haue punish'd me
With bitter fastswith penitentiall grones
With nightly tearesand daily hart-sore sighes
For in reuenge of my contempt of loue
Loue hath chas'd sleepe from my enthralled eyes
And made them watchers of mine owne hearts sorrow.
O gentle ProtheusLoue's a mighty Lord
And hath so humbled meas I confesse
There is no woe to his correction
Nor to his Seruiceno such ioy on earth:
Nowno discourseexcept it be of loue:
Now can I breake my fastdinesupand sleepe
Vpon the very naked name of Loue

Pro. Enough; I read your fortune in your eye:

Was this the Idollthat you worship so?
Val. Euen She; and is she not a heauenly Saint?
Pro. No; But she is an earthly Paragon

Val. Call her diuine

Pro. I will not flatter her

Val. O flatter me: for Loue delights in praises

Pro. When I was sickyou gaue me bitter pils
And I must minister the like to you

Val. Then speake the truth by her; if not diuine
Yet let her be a principalitie
Soueraigne to all the Creatures on the earth

Pro. Except my Mistresse

Val. Sweet: except not any
Except thou wilt except against my Loue

Pro. Haue I not reason to prefer mine owne?

Val. And I will help thee to prefer her to:
Shee shall be dignified with this high honour
To beare my Ladies trainelest the base earth
Should from her vesture chance to steale a kisse
And of so great a fauor growing proud
Disdaine to roote the Sommer-swelling flowre
And make rough winter euerlastingly

Pro. Why Valentinewhat Bragadisme is this?

Val. Pardon me (Protheus) all I can is nothing
To herwhose worthmake other worthies nothing;
Shee is alone

Pro. Then let her alone

Val. Not for the world: why manshe is mine owne


And I as rich in hauing such a Iewell
As twenty Seasif all their sand were pearle
The waterNectarand the Rocks pure gold.
Forgiue methat I doe not dreame on thee
Because thou seest me doate vpon my loue:
My foolish Riuall that her Father likes
(Onely for his possessions are so huge)
Is gone with her alongand I must after
For Loue (thou know'st is full of iealousie.)


Pro. But she loues you?

Val. Iand we are betroathd: nay moreour mariage howre
With all the cunning manner of our flight
Determin'd of: how I must climbe her window
The Ladder made of Cordsand all the means
Plottedand 'greed on for my happinesse.
Good Protheus goe with me to my chamber
In these affaires to aid me with thy counsaile

Pro. Goe on before: I shall enquire you forth:
I must vnto the Roadto dis-embarque
Some necessariesthat I needs must vse
And then Ile presently attend you

Val. Will you make haste?

Enter.

Pro. I will.
Euen as one heateanother heate expels
Or as one naileby strength driues out another.
So the remembrance of my former Loue
Is by a newer obiect quite forgotten
It is mineor Valentines praise?
Her true perfectionor my false transgression?
That makes me reasonlesseto reason thus?
Shee is faire: and so is Iulia that I loue
(That I did louefor now my loue is thaw'd
Which like a waxen Image 'gainst a fire
Beares no impression of the thing it was.)
Me thinkes my zeale to Valentine is cold
And that I loue him not as I was wont:
Obut I loue his Lady too-too much
And that's the reason I loue him so little.
How shall I doate on her with more aduice
That thus without aduice begin to loue her?
'Tis but her picture I haue yet beheld
And that hath dazel'd my reasons light:
But when I looke on her perfections
There is no reasonbut I shall be blinde.
If I can checke my erring loueI will
If notto compasse her Ile vse my skill.

Exeunt.

Scena Quinta.

Enter Speed and Launce.

Speed. Launceby mine honesty welcome to Padua

Laun. Forsweare not thy selfesweet youthfor I am
not welcome. I reckon this alwaiesthat a man is neuer
vndon till hee be hang'dnor neuer welcome to a place


till some certaine shot be paidand the Hostesse say welcome

Speed. Come-on you mad-cap: Ile to the Ale-house
with you presently; wherefor one shot of fiue pence
thou shalt haue fiue thousand welcomes: But sirhahow
did thy Master part with Madam Iulia?

Lau. Marry after they cloas'd in earnestthey parted
very fairely in iest

Spee. But shall she marry him?
Lau. No


Spee. How then? shall he marry her?
Lau. Noneither


Spee. Whatare they broken?
Lau. No; they are both as whole as a fish


Spee. Why thenhow stands the matter with them?
Lau. Marry thuswhen it stands well with himit
stands well with her

Spee. What an asse art thouI vnderstand thee not

Lau. What a blocke art thouthat thou canst not?
My staffe vnderstands me?

Spee. What thou saist?

Lau. Iand what I do too: looke theeIle but leane
and my staffe vnderstands me

Spee. It stands vnder thee indeed

Lau. Whystand-vnder: and vnder-stand is all one

Spee. But tell me truewil't be a match?

Lau. Aske my doggeif he say Iit will: if hee say
noit will: if hee shake his taileand say nothingit
will

Spee. The conclusion is thenthat it will

Lau. Thou shalt neuer get such a secret from mebut
by a parable

Spee. 'Tis well that I get it so: but Launcehow saist
thou that that my master is become a notable Louer?
Lau. I neuer knew him otherwise

Spee. Then how?
Lau. A notable Lubber: as thou reportest him to
bee

Spee. Whythou whorson Assethou mistak'st me
Lau. Why FooleI meant not theeI meant thy
Master

Spee. I tell theemy Master is become a hot Louer

Lau. WhyI tell theeI care notthough hee burne
himselfe in Loue. If thou wilt goe with me to the Alehouse:
if notthou art an Hebrewa Iewand not worth
the name of a Christian

Spee. Why?


Lau. Because thou hast not so much charity in thee as

to goe to the Ale with a Christian: Wilt thou goe?
Spee. At thy seruice.

Exeunt.

Scoena Sexta.

Enter Protheus solus.

Pro. To leaue my Iulia; shall I be forsworne?

To loue faire Siluia; shall I be forsworne?

To wrong my friendI shall be much forsworne.

And ev'n that Powre which gaue me first my oath

Prouokes me to this three-fold periurie.

Loue bad mee sweareand Loue bids me for-sweare;

O sweet-suggesting Loueif thou hast sin'd

Teach me (thy tempted subiect) to excuse it.

At first I did adore a twinkling Starre

But now I worship a celestiall Sunne:

Vn-heedfull vowes may heedfully be broken

And he wants witthat wants resolued will

To learne his witt' exchange the bad for better;

Fiefievnreuerend tongueto call her bad

Whose soueraignty so oft thou hast preferd

With twenty thousand soule-confirming oathes.

I cannot leaue to loue; and yet I doe:

But there I leaue to louewhere I should loue.

Iulia I looseand Valentine I loose

If I keepe themI needs must loose my selfe:

If I loose themthus finde I by their losse

For Valentinemy selfe: for IuliaSiluia.

I to my selfe am deerer then a friend

For Loue is still most precious in it selfe

And Siluia (witnesse heauen that made her faire)

Shewes Iulia but a swarthy Ethiope.

I will forget that Iulia is aliue

Remembring that my Loue to her is dead.

And Valentine Ile hold an Enemie

Ayming at Siluia as a sweeter friend.

I cannot now proue constant to my selfe

Without some treachery vs'd to Valentine.

This night he meaneth with a Corded-ladder

To climbe celestiall Siluia's chamber window

My selfe in counsaile his competitor.

Now presently Ile giue her father notice

Of their disguising and pretended flight:

Who (all inrag'd) will banish Valentine:

For Thurio he intends shall wed his daughter

But Valentine being gonIle quickely crosse

By some slie trickeblunt Thurio's dull proceeding.

Loue lend me wingsto make my purpose swift

As thou hast lent me witto plot this drift.

Enter.

Scoena septima.

Enter Iulia and Lucetta.

Iul. CounsaileLucettagentle girle assist me
And eu'n in kinde loueI doe coniure thee


Who art the Table wherein all my thoughts
Are visibly Character'dand engrau'd
To lesson meand tell me some good meane
How with my honour I may vndertake
A iourney to my louing Protheus

Luc. Alasthe way is wearisome and long

Iul. A true-deuoted Pilgrime is not weary
To measure Kingdomes with his feeble steps
Much lesse shall she that hath Loues wings to flie
And when the flight is made to one so deere
Of such diuine perfection as Sir Protheus

Luc. Better forbearetill Protheus make returne

Iul. Ohknow'st y nothis looks are my soules food?
Pitty the dearth that I haue pined in
By longing for that food so long a time.
Didst thou but know the inly touch of Loue
Thou wouldst as soone goe kindle fire with snow
As seeke to quench the fire of Loue with words

Luc. I doe not seeke to quench your Loues hot fire
But qualifie the fires extreame rage
Lest it should burne aboue the bounds of reason

Iul. The more thou dam'st it vpthe more it burnes:
The Current that with gentle murmure glides
(Thou know'st) being stop'dimpatiently doth rage:
But when his faire course is not hindered
He makes sweet musicke with th' enameld stones
Giuing a gentle kisse to euery sedge
He ouer-taketh in his pilgrimage.
And so by many winding nookes he straies
With willing sport to the wilde Ocean.
Then let me goeand hinder not my course:
Ile be as patient as a gentle streame
And make a pastime of each weary step
Till the last step haue brought me to my Loue
And there Ile restas after much turmoile
A blessed soule doth in Elizium

Luc. But in what habit will you goe along?

Iul. Not like a womanfor I would preuent
The loose encounters of lasciuious men:
Gentle Lucettafit me with such weedes
As may beseeme some well reputed Page

Luc. Why then your Ladiship must cut your haire

Iul. No girleIle knit it vp in silken strings
With twentie od-conceited true-loue knots:
To be fantastiquemay become a youth
Of greater time then I shall shew to be

Luc. What fashion (Madam) shall I make your breeches?

Iul. That fits as wellas tell me (good my Lord)
What compasse will you weare your Farthingale?
Why eu'n what fashion thou best likes (Lucetta.)

Luc. You must needs haue the[m] with a cod-peece Ma[dam]
Iul. Outout(Lucetta) that wilbe illfauourd

Luc. A round hose (Madam) now's not worth a pin


Vnlesse you haue a cod-peece to stick pins on

Iul. Lucettaas thou lou'st me let me haue
What thou think'st meetand is most mannerly.
But tell me (wench) how will the world repute me
For vndertaking so vnstaid a iourney?
I feare me it will make me scandaliz'd

Luc. If you thinke sothen stay at homeand go not

Iul. Naythat I will not

Luc. Then neuer dreame on Infamybut go:
If Protheus like your iourneywhen you come
No matter who's displeas'dwhen you are gone:
I feare me he will scarce be pleas'd with all

Iul. That is the least (Lucetta) of my feare:
A thousand oathesan Ocean of his teares
And instances of infinite of Loue
Warrant me welcome to my Protheus

Luc. All these are seruants to deceitfull men

Iul. Base menthat vse them to so base effect;
But truer starres did gouerne Protheus birth
His words are bondshis oathes are oracles
His loue sincerehis thoughts immaculate
His tearespure messengerssent from his heart
His heartas far from fraudas heauen from earth

Luc. Pray heau'n he proue so when you come to him

Iul. Nowas thou lou'st medo him not that wrong
To beare a hard opinion of his truth:
Onely deserue my loueby louing him
And presently goe with me to my chamber
To take a note of what I stand in need of
To furnish me vpon my longing iourney:
All that is mine I leaue at thy dispose
My goodsmy Landsmy reputation
Onelyin lieu thereofdispatch me hence:
Come; answere not: but to it presently
I am impatient of my tarriance.

Exeunt.

Actus TertiusScena Prima.

Enter DukeThurioProtheusValentineLaunceSpeed.

Duke. Sir Thuriogiue vs leaue (I pray) a while
We haue some secrets to confer about.
Now tell me Protheuswhat's your will with me?

Pro. My gracious Lordthat which I wold discouer
The Law of friendship bids me to conceale
But when I call to minde your gracious fauours
Done to me (vndeseruing as I am)
My dutie pricks me on to vtter that
Which elseno worldly good should draw from me:
Know (worthy Prince) Sir Valentine my friend
This night intends to steale away your daughter:
My selfe am one made priuy to the plot.


I know you haue determin'd to bestow her
On Thuriowhom your gentle daughter hates
And should she thus be stolne away from you
It would be much vexation to your age.
Thus (for my duties sake) I rather chose
To crosse my friend in his intended drift
Then (by concealing it) heap on your head
A pack of sorroweswhich would presse you downe
(Being vnpreuented) to your timelesse graue

Duke. ProtheusI thank thee for thine honest care
Which to requitecommand me while I liue.
This loue of theirsmy selfe haue often seene
Haply when they haue iudg'd me fast asleepe
And oftentimes haue purpos'd to forbid
Sir Valentine her companieand my Court.
But fearing lest my iealous ayme might erre
And so (vnworthily) disgrace the man
(A rashnesse that I euer yet haue shun'd)
I gaue him gentle lookesthereby to finde
That which thy selfe hast now disclos'd to me.
And that thou maist perceiue my feare of this
Knowing that tender youth is soone suggested
I nightly lodge her in an vpper Towre
The key whereofmy selfe haue euer kept:
And thence she cannot be conuay'd away

Pro. Know (noble Lord) they haue deuis'd a meane
How he her chamber-window will ascend
And with a Corded-ladder fetch her downe:
For whichthe youthfull Louer now is gone
And this way comes he with it presently.
Where (if it please you) you may intercept him.
But (good my Lord) doe it so cunningly
That my discouery be not aimed at:
Forloue of younot hate vnto my friend
Hath made me publisher of this pretence

Duke. Vpon mine Honorhe shall neuer know
That I had any light from thee of this

Pro. Adiewmy LordSir Valentine is comming

Duk. Sir Valentinewhether away so fast?

Val. Please it your Gracethere is a Messenger
That stayes to beare my Letters to my friends
And I am going to deliuer them

Duk. Be they of much import?
Val. The tenure of them doth but signifie
My healthand happy being at your Court

Duk. Nay then no matter: stay with me a while
I am to breake with thee of some affaires
That touch me neere: wherein thou must be secret.
'Tis not vnknown to theethat I haue sought
To match my friend Sir Thurioto my daughter

Val. I know it well (my Lord) and sure the Match
Were rich and honourable: besidesthe gentleman
Is full of VertueBountyWorthand Qualities
Beseeming such a Wifeas your faire daughter:
Cannot your Grace win her to fancie him?

Duk. Notrust meShe is peeuishsullenfroward


Prowddisobedientstubbornelacking duty
Neither regarding that she is my childe
Nor fearing meas if I were her father:
And may I say to theethis pride of hers
(Vpon aduice) hath drawne my loue from her
And where I thought the remnant of mine age
Should haue beene cherish'd by her child-like dutie
I now am full resolu'd to take a wife
And turne her outto who will take her in:
Then let her beauty be her wedding dowre:
For meand my possessions she esteemes not


Val. What would your Grace haue me to do in this?

Duk. There is a Lady in Verona heere
Whom I affect: but she is niceand coy
And naught esteemes my aged eloquence.
Now therefore would I haue thee to my Tutor
(For long agone I haue forgot to court
Besides the fashion of the time is chang'd)
Howand which way I may bestow my selfe
To be regarded in her sun-bright eye

Val. Win her with giftsif she respect not words
Dumbe Iewels often in their silent kinde
More then quicke wordsdoe moue a womans minde

Duk. But she did scorne a present that I sent her

Val. A woman somtime scorns what best co[n]tents her.
Send her another: neuer giue her ore
For scorne at firstmakes after-loue the more.
If she doe frowne'tis not in hate of you
But rather to beget more loue in you.
If she doe chide'tis not to haue you gone
For whythe fooles are madif left alone.
Take no repulsewhat euer she doth say
Forget you gonshe doth not meane away.
Flatterand praisecommendextoll their graces:
Though nere so blackesay they haue Angells faces
That man that hath a tongueI say is no man
If with his tongue he cannot win a woman

Duk. But she I meaneis promis'd by her friends
Vnto a youthfull Gentleman of worth
And kept seuerely from resort of men
That no man hath accesse by day to her

Val. Why then I would resort to her by night

Duk. Ibut the doores be locktand keyes kept safe
That no man hath recourse to her by night

Val. What letts but one may enter at her window?

Duk. Her chamber is aloftfar from the ground
And built so sheluingthat one cannot climbe it
Without apparant hazard of his life

Val. Why then a Ladder quaintly made of Cords
To cast vpwith a paire of anchoring hookes
Would serue to scale another Hero's towre
So bold Leander would aduenture it

Duk. Now as thou art a Gentleman of blood
Aduise mewhere I may haue such a Ladder


Val. When would you vse it? pray sirtell me that

Duk. This very night; for Loue is like a childe
That longs for euery thing that he can come by

Val. By seauen a clockile get you such a Ladder

Duk But harke thee: I will goe to her alone
How shall I best conuey the Ladder thither?
Val. It will be light (my Lord) that you may beare it
Vnder a cloakethat is of any length

Duk. A cloake as long as thine will serue the turne?
Val. I my good Lord

Duk. Then let me see thy cloake
Ile get me one of such another length

Val. Why any cloake will serue the turn (my Lord)

Duk. How shall I fashion me to weare a cloake?

I pray thee let me feele thy cloake vpon me.

What Letter is this same? what's here? to Siluia?

And heere an Engine fit for my proceeding

Ile be so bold to breake the seale for once.

My thoughts do harbour with my Siluia nightly

And slaues they are to methat send them flying.

Ohcould their Master comeand goe as lightly

Himselfe would lodge where (senceles) they are lying.

My Herald Thoughtsin thy pure bosome rest-them

While I (their King) that thither them importune

Doe curse the gracethat with such grace hath blest them

Because my selfe doe want my seruants fortune.

I curse my selfefor they are sent by me

That they should harbour where their Lord should be.

What's here? Siluiathis night I will enfranchise thee.

'Tis so: and heere's the Ladder for the purpose.

Why Phaeton (for thou art Merops sonne)

Wilt thou aspire to guide the heauenly Car?

And with thy daring folly burne the world?

Wilt thou reach starsbecause they shine on thee?

Goe base Intruderouer-weening Slaue

Bestow thy fawning smiles on equall mates

And thinke my patience(more then thy desert)

Is priuiledge for thy departure hence.

Thanke me for thismore then for all the fauors

Which (all too-much) I haue bestowed on thee.

But if thou linger in my Territories

Longer then swiftest expedition

Will giue thee time to leaue our royall Court

By heauenmy wrath shall farre exceed the loue

I euer bore my daughteror thy selfe.

Be goneI will not heare thy vaine excuse

But as thou lou'st thy lifemake speed from hence

Val. And why not deathrather then liuing torment?

To dieis to be banisht from my selfe

And Siluia is my selfe: banish'd from her

Is selfe from selfe. A deadly banishment:

What lightis lightif Siluia be not seene?

What ioy is ioyif Siluia be not by?

Vnlesse it be to thinke that she is by

And feed vpon the shadow of perfection.

Except I be by Siluia in the night

There is no musicke in the Nightingale.


Vnlesse I looke on Siluia in the day
There is no day for me to looke vpon.
Shee is my essenceand I leaue to be;
If I be not by her faire influence
Foster'dillumin'dcherish'dkept aliue.
I flie not deathto flie his deadly doome
Tarry I heereI but attend on death
But flie I henceI flie away from life


Pro. Run (boy) runrunand seeke him out

Lau. So-houghSoa houghPro.
What seest thou?
Lau. Him we goe to finde


There's not a haire on's headbut 'tis a Valentine

Pro. Valentine?
Val. No


Pro. Who then? his Spirit?
Val. Neither
Pro. What then?
Val. Nothing


Lau. Can nothing speake? Mastershall I strike?
Pro. Who wouldst thou strike?
Lau. Nothing


Pro. Villaineforbeare

Lau. Why SirIle strike nothing: I pray you

Pro. SirhaI say forbeare: friend Valentinea word

Val. My eares are stopt& cannot hear good newes
So much of bad already hath possest them

Pro. Then in dumbe silence will I bury mine
For they are harshvn-tuneableand bad

Val. Is Siluia dead?
Pro. NoValentine


Val. No Valentine indeedfor sacred Siluia
Hath she forsworne me?
Pro. NoValentine

Val. No Valentineif Siluia haue forsworne me.
What is your newes?
Lau. Sirthere is a proclamationy you are vanished

Pro. That thou art banish'd: oh that's the newes
From hencefrom Siluiaand from me thy friend

Val. OhI haue fed vpon this woe already
And now excesse of it will make me surfet.
Doth Siluia know that I am banish'd?

Pro. II: and she hath offered to the doome
(Which vn-reuerst stands in effectuall force)
A Sea of melting pearlewhich some call teares;
Those at her fathers churlish feete she tenderd
With them vpon her kneesher humble selfe
Wringing her handswhose whitenes so became them
As if but now they waxed pale for woe:


But neither bended kneespure hands held vp
Sad sighesdeepe gronesnor siluer-shedding teares
Could penetrate her vncompassionate Sire;
But Valentineif he be tanemust die.
Besidesher intercession chaf'd him so
When she for thy repeale was suppliant
That to close prison he commanded her
With many bitter threats of biding there


Val. No more: vnles the next word that thou speak'st
Haue some malignant power vpon my life:
If so: I pray thee breath it in mine eare
As ending Antheme of my endlesse dolor

Pro. Cease to lament for that thou canst not helpe
And study helpe for that which thou lament'st
Time is the Nurseand breeder of all good;
Hereif thou staythou canst not see thy loue:
Besidesthy staying will abridge thy life:
Hope is a louers staffewalke hence with that
And manage itagainst despairing thoughts:
Thy letters may be herethough thou art hence
Whichbeing writ to meshall be deliuer'd
Euen in the milke-white bosome of thy Loue.
The time now serues not to expostulate
ComeIle conuey thee through the City-gate.
And ere I part with theeconfer at large
Of all that may concerne thy Loue-affaires:
As thou lou'st Siluia (though not for thy selfe)
Regard thy dangerand along with me

Val. I pray thee Launceand if thou seest my Boy
Bid him make hasteand meet me at the North-gate

Pro. Goe sirhafinde him out: Come Valentine

Val. Oh my deere Siluia; haplesse Valentine

Launce. I am but a foolelooke youand yet I haue
the wit to thinke my Master is a kinde of a knaue: but
that's all oneif he be but one knaue: He liues not now
that knowes me to be in loueyet I am in louebut a
Teeme of horse shall not plucke that from me: nor who
'tis I loue: and yet 'tis a woman; but what womanI
will not tell my selfe: and yet 'tis a Milke-maid: yet 'tis
not a maid: for shee hath had Gossips: yet 'tis a maid
for she is her Masters maidand serues for wages. Shee
hath more qualities then a Water-Spaniellwhich is
much in a bare Christian: Heere is the Catelog of her
Condition. Inprimis. Shee can fetch and carry: why
a horse can doe no more; naya horse cannot fetchbut
onely carrytherefore is shee better then a Iade. Item.
She can milkelooke youa sweet vertue in a maid with
cleane hands

Speed. How now Signior Launce? what newes with

your Mastership?
La. With my Mastership? whyit is at Sea:
Sp. Wellyour old vice still: mistake the word: what

newes then in your paper?
La. The black'st newes that euer thou heard'st

Sp. Why man? how blacke?
La. Whyas blacke as Inke



Sp. Let me read them?
La. Fie on thee Iolt-headthou canst not read


Sp. Thou lyest: I can

La. I will try thee: tell me this: who begot thee?
Sp. Marrythe son of my Grand-father


La. Oh illiterate loyterer; it was the sonne of thy
Grand-mother: this proues that thou canst not read

Sp. Come foolecome: try me in thy paper

La. There: and S[aint]. Nicholas be thy speed

Sp. Inprimis she can milke

La. I that she can

Sp. Itemshe brewes good Ale

La. And thereof comes the prouerbe: (Blessing of
your heartyou brew good Ale.)
Sp. Itemshe can sowe

La. That's as much as to say (Can she so?)
Sp. Item she can knit


La. What neede a man care for a stock with a wench
When she can knit him a stocke?
Sp. Itemshe can wash and scoure

La. A speciall vertue: for then shee neede not be
wash'dand scowr'd

Sp. Itemshe can spin

La. Then may I set the world on wheeleswhen she
can spin for her liuing

Sp. Itemshe hath many namelesse vertues

La. That's as much as to say Bastard-vertues: that
indeede know not their fathers; and therefore haue no
names

Sp. Here follow her vices

La. Close at the heeles of her vertues

Sp. Itemshee is not to be fasting in respect of her
breath

La. Well: that fault may be mended with a breakfast:
read on

Sp. Itemshe hath a sweet mouth

La. That makes amends for her soure breath

Sp. Itemshe doth talke in her sleepe

La. It's no matter for that; so shee sleepe not in her


talke

Sp. Itemshe is slow in words

La. Oh villainethat set this downe among her vices;
To be slow in wordsis a womans onely vertue:
I pray thee out with'tand place it for her chiefe vertue

Sp. Itemshe is proud

La. Out with that too:
It was Eues legacieand cannot be t'ane from her

Sp. Itemshe hath no teeth

La. I care not for that neither: because I loue crusts

Sp. Itemshe is curst

La. Well: the best isshe hath no teeth to bite

Sp. Itemshe will often praise her liquor

La. If her liquor be goodshe shall: if she will not
I will; for good things should be praised

Sp. Itemshe is too liberall

La. Of her tongue she cannot; for that's writ downe
she is slow of: of her purseshee shall notfor that ile
keepe shut: Nowof another thing shee mayand that
cannot I helpe. Wellproceede

Sp. Itemshee hath more haire then witand more
faults then hairesand more wealth then faults

La. Stop there: Ile haue her: she was mineand not
minetwice or thrice in that last Article: rehearse that
once more

Sp. Itemshe hath more haire then wit

La. More haire then wit: it may be ile proue it: The
couer of the salthides the saltand therefore it is more
then the salt; the haire that couers the witis more
then the wit; for the greater hides the lesse: What's
next?

Sp. And more faults then haires

La. That's monstrous: oh that that were out

Sp. And more wealth then faults

La. Why that word makes the faults gracious:
Wellile haue her: and if it be a matchas nothing is
impossible

Sp. What then?
La. Why thenwill I tell theethat thy Master staies
for thee at the North gate

Sp. For me?
La. For thee? Iwho art thou? he hath staid for a better
man then thee


Sp. And must I goe to him?
La. Thou must run to him; for thou hast staid so long
that going will scarce serue the turne

Sp. Why didst not tell me sooner? 'pox of your loue
Letters

La. Now will he be swing'd for reading my Letter;
An vnmannerly slauethat will thrust himselfe into secrets:
Ile afterto reioyce in the boyes correctio[n].

Exeunt.

Scena Secunda.

Enter DukeThurioProtheus.

Du. Sir Thuriofeare notbut that she will loue you
Now Valentine is banish'd from her sight

Th. Since his exile she hath despis'd me most
Forsworne my companyand rail'd at me
That I am desperate of obtaining her

Du. This weake impresse of Loueis as a figure
Trenched in icewhich with an houres heate
Dissolues to waterand doth loose his forme.
A little time will melt her frozen thoughts
And worthlesse Valentine shall be forgot.
How now sir Protheusis your countriman
(According to our Proclamation) gon?

Pro. Gonmy good Lord

Du. My daughter takes his going grieuously?
Pro. A little time (my Lord) will kill that griefe


Du. So I beleeue: but Thurio thinkes not so:
Protheusthe good conceit I hold of thee
(For thou hast showne some signe of good desert)
Makes me the better to confer with thee

Pro. Longer then I proue loyall to your Grace
Let me not liueto looke vpon your Grace

Du. Thou know'st how willinglyI would effect
The match betweene sir Thurioand my daughter?
Pro. I doe my Lord

Du. And alsoI thinkethou art not ignorant
How she opposes her against my will?
Pro. She did my Lordwhen Valentine was here

Du. Iand peruerslyshe perseuers so:
What might we doe to make the girle forget
The loue of Valentineand loue sir Thurio?

Pro. The best way isto slander Valentine
With falsehoodcowardizeand poore discent:
Three thingsthat women highly hold in hate

Du. Ibut she'll thinkethat it is spoke in hate

Pro. Iif his enemy deliuer it.


Therefore it must with circumstance be spoken
By onewhom she esteemeth as his friend

Du. Then you must vndertake to slander him

Pro. And that (my Lord) I shall be loath to doe:
'Tis an ill office for a Gentleman
Especially against his very friend

Du. Where your good word cannot aduantage him
Your slander neuer can endamage him;
Therefore the office is indifferent
Being intreated to it by your friend

Pro. You haue preuail'd (my Lord) if I can doe it
By ought that I can speake in his dispraise
She shall not long continue loue to him:
But say this weede her loue from Valentine
It followes not that she will loue sir Thurio

Th. Thereforeas you vnwinde her loue from him;
Least it should rauelland be good to none
You must prouide to bottome it on me:
Which must be doneby praising me as much
As youin worth dispraisesir Valentine

Du. And Protheuswe dare trust you in this kinde
Because we know (on Valentines report)
You are already loues firme votary
And cannot soone reuoltand change your minde.
Vpon this warrantshall you haue accesse
Where youwith Siluiamay conferre at large.
For she is lumpishheauymellancholly
And (for your friends sake) will be glad of you;
Where you may temper herby your perswasion
To hate yong Valentineand loue my friend

Pro. As much as I can doeI will effect:
But you sir Thurioare not sharpe enough:
You must lay Limeto tangle her desires
By walefull Sonnetswhose composed Rimes
Should be full fraught with seruiceable vowes

Du. Imuch is the force of heauen-bred Poesie

Pro. Say that vpon the altar of her beauty
You sacrifice your tearesyour sighesyour heart:
Write till your inke be dry: and with your teares
Moist it againe: and frame some feeling line
That may discouer such integrity:
For Orpheus Lutewas strung with Poets sinewes
Whose golden touch could soften steele and stones;
Make Tygers tameand huge Leuiathans
Forsake vnsounded deepesto dance on Sands.
After your dire-lamenting Elegies
Visit by night your Ladies chamber-window
With some sweet Consort; To their Instruments
Tune a deploring dumpe: the nights dead silence
Will well become such sweet complaining grieuance:
Thisor else nothingwill inherit her

Du. This disciplineshowes thou hast bin in loue

Th. And thy aduicethis nightile put in practise:


Thereforesweet Protheusmy direction-giuer
Let vs into the City presently
To sort some Gentlemenwell skil'd in Musicke.
I haue a Sonnetthat will serue the turne
To giue the on-set to thy good aduise

Du. About it Gentlemen

Pro. We'll wait vpon your Gracetill after Supper
And afterward determine our proceedings

Du. Euen now about itI will pardon you.

Exeunt.

Actus Quartus. Scoena Prima.

Enter ValentineSpeedand certaine Out-lawes.

1.Outl. Fellowesstand fast: I see a passenger

2.Out. If there be tenshrinke notbut down with 'em

3.Out. Stand sirand throw vs that you haue about 'ye.
If not: we'll make you sitand rifle you

Sp. Sir we are vndone; these are the Villaines
That all the Trauailers doe feare so much

Val. My friends

1.Out. That's not sosir: we are your enemies

2.Out. Peace: we'll heare him

3.Out. I by my beard will we: for he is a proper man

Val. Then know that I haue little wealth to loose;
A man I amcross'd with aduersitie:
My richesare these poore habiliments
Of whichif you should here disfurnish me
You take the sum and substance that I haue

2.Out. Whether trauell you?
Val. To Verona


1.Out. Whence came you?
Val. From Millaine


3.Out. Haue you long soiourn'd there?
Val. Some sixteene monethsand longer might haue staid
If crooked fortune had not thwarted me

1.Out. Whatwere you banish'd thence?
Val. I was


2.Out. For what offence?

Val. For that which now torments me to rehearse;
I kil'd a manwhose death I much repent
But yet I slew him manfullyin fight
Without false vantageor base treachery

1.Out. Why nere repent itif it were done so;


But were you banisht for so small a fault?
Val. I wasand held me glad of such a doome

2.Out. Haue you the Tongues?
Val. My youthfull trauailetherein made me happy
Or else I often had beene often miserable

3.Out. By the bare scalpe of Robin Hoods fat Fryer
This fellow were a Kingfor our wilde faction

1.Out. We'll haue him: Sirsa word

Sp. Masterbe one of them:
It's an honourable kinde of theeuery

Val. Peace villaine

2.Out. Tell vs this: haue you any thing to take to?
Val. Nothing but my fortune


3.Out. Know thenthat some of vs are Gentlemen
Such as the fury of vngouern'd youth
Thrust from the company of awfull men.
My selfe was from Verona banished
For practising to steale away a Lady
And heire and Neecealide vnto the Duke

2.Out. And I from Mantuafor a Gentleman
Whoin my moodeI stab'd vnto the heart

1.Out. And Ifor such like petty crimes as these.
But to the purpose: for we cite our faults
That they may hold excus'd our lawlesse liues;
And partly seeing you are beautifide
With goodly shape; and by your owne report
A Linguistand a man of such perfection
As we doe in our quality much want

2.Out. Indeede because you are a banish'd man
Thereforeaboue the restwe parley to you:
Are you content to be our Generall?
To make a vertue of necessity
And liue as we doe in this wildernesse?

3.Out. What saist thou? wilt thou be of our consort?
Say Iand be the captaine of vs all:
We'll doe thee homageand be rul'd by thee
Loue theeas our Commanderand our King

1.Out. But if thou scorne our curtesiethou dyest

2.Out. Thou shalt not liueto brag what we haue offer'd

Val. I take your offerand will liue with you
Prouided that you do no outrages
On silly womenor poore passengers

3.Out. Nowe detest such vile base practises.
Comegoe with vswe'll bring thee to our Crewes
And show thee all the Treasure we haue got;
Whichwith our seluesall rest at thy dispose.

Exeunt.


Scoena Secunda.

Enter ProtheusThurioIuliaHostMusitianSiluia.

Pro. Already haue I bin false to Valentine
And now I must be as vniust to Thurio
Vnder the colour of commending him
I haue accesse my owne loue to prefer.
But Siluia is too fairetoo truetoo holy
To be corrupted with my worthlesse guifts;
When I protest true loyalty to her
She twits me with my falsehood to my friend;
When to her beauty I commend my vowes
She bids me thinke how I haue bin forsworne
In breaking faith with Iuliawhom I lou'd;
And notwithstanding all her sodaine quips
The least whereof would quell a louers hope:
Yet (Spaniel-like) the more she spurnes my loue
The more it growesand fawneth on her still;
But here comes Thurio; now must we to her window
And giue some euening Musique to her eare

Th. How nowsir Protheusare you crept before vs?
Pro. I gentle Thuriofor you know that loue
Will creepe in seruicewhere it cannot goe

Th. Ibut I hopeSirthat you loue not here

Pro. Sirbut I doe: or else I would be hence

Th. WhoSiluia?
Pro. ISiluiafor your sake


Th. I thanke you for your owne: Now Gentlemen
Let's tune: and too it lustily a while

Ho. Nowmy yong guest; me thinks your' allycholly;
I pray you why is it?
Iu. Marry (mine Host) because I cannot be merry

Ho. Comewe'll haue you merry: ile bring you where
you shall heare Musiqueand see the Gentleman that
you ask'd for

Iu. But shall I heare him speake

Ho. I that you shall

Iu. That will be Musique

Ho. Harkeharke

Iu. Is he among these?
Ho. I: but peacelet's heare'm


Song. Who is Siluia? what is she?
That all our Swaines commend her?
Holyfaireand wise is she
The heauen such grace did lend her
that she might admired be.
Is she kinde as she is faire?
For beauty liues with kindnesse:
Loue doth to her eyes repaire
To helpe him of his blindnesse:


And being help'dinhabits there.
Then to Siluialet vs sing
That Siluia is excelling;
She excels each mortall thing
Vpon the dull earth dwelling.
To her let vs Garlands bring


Ho. How now? are you sadder then you were before;
How doe youman? the Musicke likes you not

Iu. You mistake: the Musitian likes me not

Ho. Whymy pretty youth?
Iu. He plaies false (father.)
Ho. Howout of tune on the strings


Iu. Not so: but yet
So false that he grieues my very heart-strings

Ho. You haue a quicke eare

Iu. II would I were deafe: it makes me haue a slow heart

Ho. I perceiue you delight not in Musique

Iu. Not a whitwhen it iars so

Ho. Harkewhat fine change is in the Musique

Iu. I: that change is the spight

Ho. You would haue them alwaies play but one thing

Iu. I would alwaies haue one play but one thing.
But Hostdoth this Sir Protheusthat we talke on
Often resort vnto this Gentlewoman?

Ho. I tell you what Launce his man told me
He lou'd her out of all nicke

Iu. Where is Launce?

Ho. Gone to seeke his dogwhich to morrowby his
Masters commandhee must carry for a present to his
Lady

Iu. Peacestand asidethe company parts

Pro. Sir Thuriofeare not youI will so pleade
That you shall saymy cunning drift excels

Th. Where meete we?
Pro. At Saint Gregories well


Th. Farewell

Pro. Madam: good eu'n to your Ladiship

Sil. I thanke you for your Musique (Gentlemen)
Who is that that spake?
Pro. One (Lady) if you knew his pure hearts truth
You would quickly learne to know him by his voice

Sil. Sir Protheusas I take it

Pro. Sir Protheus (gentle Lady) and your Seruant


Sil. What's your will?
Pro. That I may compasse yours


Sil. You haue your wish: my will is euen this
That presently you hie you home to bed:
Thou subtileperiur'dfalsedisloyall man:
Think'st thou I am so shallowso conceitlesse
To be seduced by thy flattery
That has't deceiu'd so many with thy vowes?
Returnereturneand make thy loue amends:
For me (by this pale queene of night I sweare)
I am so farre from granting thy request
That I despise theefor thy wrongfull suite;
And by and by intend to chide my selfe
Euen for this time I spend in talking to thee

Pro. I grant (sweet loue) that I did loue a Lady
But she is dead

Iu. 'Twere falseif I should speake it;
For I am sure she is not buried

Sil. Say that she be: yet Valentine thy friend
Suruiues; to whom (thy selfe art witnesse)
I am betroth'd; and art thou not asham'd
To wrong himwith thy importunacy?

Pro. I likewise heare that Valentine is dead

Sil. And so suppose am I; for in her graue
Assure thy selfemy loue is buried

Pro. Sweet Ladylet me rake it from the earth

Sil. Goe to thy Ladies graue and call hers thence
Or at the leastin herssepulcher thine

Iul. He heard not that

Pro. Madam: if your heart be so obdurate:
Vouchsafe me yet your Picture for my loue
The Picture that is hanging in your chamber:
To that ile speaketo that ile sigh and weepe:
For since the substance of your perfect selfe
Is else deuotedI am but a shadow;
And to your shadowwill I make true loue

Iul. If 'twere a substance you would sure deceiue it
And make it but a shadowas I am

Sil. I am very loath to be your Idoll Sir;
Butsince your falsehood shall become you well
To worship shadowesand adore false shapes
Send to me in the morningand ile send it:
And sogood rest

Pro. As wretches haue ore-night
That wait for execution in the morne

Iul. Hostwill you goe?
Ho. By my hallidomeI was fast asleepe


Iul. Pray youwhere lies Sir Protheus?
Ho. Marryat my house:



Trust meI thinke 'tis almost day

Iul. Not so: but it hath bin the longest night
That ere I watch'dand the most heauiest.

Scoena Tertia.

Enter EglamoreSiluia.

Eg. This is the houre that Madam Siluia
Entreated me to calland know her minde:
Ther's some great matter she'ld employ me in.
MadamMadam

Sil. Who cals?
Eg. Your seruantand your friend;
One that attends your Ladiships command

Sil. Sir Eglamorea thousand times good morrow

Eg. As many (worthy Lady) to your selfe:
According to your Ladiships impose
I am thus early cometo know what seruice
It is your pleasure to command me in

Sil. Oh Eglamourethou art a Gentleman:
Thinke not I flatter (for I sweare I doe not)
Valiantwiseremorse-fullwell accomplish'd.
Thou art not ignorant what deere good will
I beare vnto the banish'd Valentine:
Nor how my father would enforce me marry
Vaine Thurio (whom my very soule abhor'd.)
Thy selfe hast lou'dand I haue heard thee say
No griefe did euer come so neere thy heart
As when thy Ladyand thy true-loue dide
Vpon whose Graue thou vow'dst pure chastitie:
Sir Eglamoure: I would to Valentine
To Mantuawhere I hearehe makes aboad;
And for the waies are dangerous to passe
I doe desire thy worthy company
Vpon whose faith and honorI repose.
Vrge not my fathers anger (Eglamoure)
But thinke vpon my griefe (a Ladies griefe)
And on the iustice of my flying hence
To keepe me from a most vnholy match
Which heauen and fortune still rewards with plagues.
I doe desire theeeuen from a heart
As full of sorrowesas the Sea of sands
To beare me companyand goe with me:
If notto hide what I haue said to thee
That I may venture to depart alone

Egl. MadamI pitty much your grieuances
Whichsince I know they vertuously are plac'd
I giue consent to goe along with you
Wreaking as little what betideth me
As muchI wish all good befortune you.
When will you goe?

Sil. This euening comming

Eg. Where shall I meete you?
Sil. At Frier Patrickes Cell
Where I intend holy Confession


Eg. I will not faile your Ladiship:
Good morrow (gentle Lady.)
Sil. Good morrowkinde Sir Eglamoure.

Exeunt.

Scena Quarta.

Enter LaunceProtheusIuliaSiluia.

Lau. When a mans seruant shall play the Curre with
him (looke you) it goes hard: one that I brought vp of
a puppy: one that I sau'd from drowningwhen three or
foure of his blinde brothers and sisters went to it: I haue
taught him (euen as one would say preciselythus I
would teach a dog) I was sent to deliuer himas a present
to Mistris Siluiafrom my Master; and I came no
sooner into the dyning-chamberbut he steps me to her
Trencherand steales her Capons-leg: O'tis a foule
thingwhen a Cur cannot keepe himselfe in all companies:
I would haue (as one should say) one that takes vpon
him to be a dog indeedeto beas it werea dog at all
things. If I had not had more wit then heto take a fault
vpon me that he didI thinke verily hee had bin hang'd
for't: sure as I liue he had suffer'd for't: you shall iudge:
Hee thrusts me himselfe into the company of three or
foure gentleman-like-dogsvnder the Dukes table: hee
had not bin there (blesse the marke) a pissing whilebut
all the chamber smelt him: out with the dog (saies one)
what cur is that (saies another) whip him out (saies the
third) hang him vp (saies the Duke.) I hauing bin acquainted
with the smell beforeknew it was Crab; and
goes me to the fellow that whips the dogges: friend
(quoth I) you meane to whip the dog: I marry doe I
(quoth he) you doe him the more wrong (quoth I) 'twas
I did the thing you wot of: he makes me no more adoe
but whips me out of the chamber: how many Masters
would doe this for his Seruant? nayile be sworne I haue
sat in the stockesfor puddings he hath stolneotherwise
he had bin executed: I haue stood on the Pillorie for
Geese he hath kil'dotherwise he had sufferd for't: thou
think'st not of this now: nayI remember the tricke you
seru'd mewhen I tooke my leaue of Madam Siluia: did
not I bid thee still marke meand doe as I do; when did'st
thou see me heaue vp my legand make water against a
Gentlewomans farthingale? did'st thou euer see me doe
such a tricke?

Pro. Sebastian is thy name: I like thee well
And will imploy thee in some seruice presently

Iu. In what you pleaseile doe what I can

Pro. I hope thou wilt.
How now you whorson pezant
Where haue you bin these two dayes loytering?

La. Marry SirI carried Mistris Siluia the dogge you
bad me

Pro. And what saies she to my little Iewell?
La. Marry she saies your dog was a curand tels you
currish thanks is good enough for such a present

Pro. But she receiu'd my dog?


La. No indeede did she not:
Here haue I brought him backe againe

Pro. Whatdidst thou offer her this from me?

La. I Sirthe other Squirrill was stolne from me
By the Hangmans boyes in the market place
And then I offer'd her mine ownewho is a dog
As big as ten of yours& therefore the guift the greater

Pro. Goeget thee henceand finde my dog againe
Or nere returne againe into my sight.
AwayI say: stayest thou to vexe me here;
A Slauethat still an endturnes me to shame:
SebastianI haue entertained thee
Partly that I haue neede of such a youth
That can with some discretion doe my businesse:
For 'tis no trusting to yond foolish Lowt;
But chiefelyfor thy faceand thy behauiour
Which (if my Augury deceiue me not)
Witnesse good bringing vpfortuneand truth:
Therefore know theefor this I entertaine thee.
Go presentlyand take this Ring with thee
Deliuer it to Madam Siluia;
She lou'd me welldeliuer'd it to me

Iul. It seemes you lou'd not hernot leaue her token:
She is dead belike?
Pro. Not so: I thinke she liues

Iul. Alas

Pro. Why do'st thou cry alas?
Iul. I cannot choose but pitty her


Pro. Wherefore should'st thou pitty her?

Iul. Becauseme thinkes that she lou'd you as well
As you doe loue your Lady Siluia:
She dreames on himthat has forgot her loue
You doate on herthat cares not for your loue.
'Tis pitty Loueshould be so contrary:
And thinking on itmakes me cry alas

Pro. Well: giue her that Ringand therewithall
This Letter: that's her chamber: Tell my Lady
I claime the promise for her heauenly Picture:
Your message donehye home vnto my chamber
Where thou shalt finde me sadand solitarie

Iul. How many women would doe such a message?
Alas poore Protheusthou hast entertain'd
A Foxeto be the Shepheard of thy Lambs;
Alaspoore foolewhy doe I pitty him
That with his very heart despiseth me?
Because he loues herhe despiseth me
Because I loue himI must pitty him.
This Ring I gaue himwhen he parted from me
To binde him to remember my good will:
And now am I (vnhappy Messenger)
To plead for thatwhich I would not obtaine;
To carry thatwhich I would haue refus'd;
To praise his faithwhich I would haue disprais'd.
I am my Masters true confirmed Loue
But cannot be true seruant to my Master
Vnlesse I proue false traitor to my selfe.


Yet will I woe for himbut yet so coldly
As (heauen it knowes) I would not haue him speed.
Gentlewomangood day: I pray you be my meane
To bring me where to speake with Madam Siluia


Sil. What would you with herif that I be she?
Iul. If you be sheI doe intreat your patience
To heare me speake the message I am sent on

Sil. From whom?
Iul. From my MasterSir ProtheusMadam


Sil. Oh: he sends you for a Picture?
Iul. IMadam


Sil. Vrsulabring my Picture there
Goegiue your Master this: tell him from me
One Iuliathat his changing thoughts forget
Would better fit his Chamberthen this Shadow

Iul. Madamplease you peruse this Letter;
Pardon me (Madam) I haue vnaduis'd
Deliuer'd you a paper that I should not;
This is the Letter to your Ladiship

Sil. I pray thee let me looke on that againe

Iul. It may not be: good Madam pardon me

Sil. Therehold:
I will not looke vpon your Masters lines:
I know they are stuft with protestations
And full of new-found oatheswhich he will breake
As easilyas I doe teare his paper

Iul. Madamhe sends your Ladiship this Ring

Sil. The more shame for himthat he sends it me;
For I haue heard him say a thousand times
His Iulia gaue it himat his departure:
Though his false finger haue prophan'd the Ring
Mine shall not doe his Iulia so much wrong

Iul. She thankes you

Sil. What sai'st thou?
Iul. I thanke you Madamthat you tender her:
Poore Gentlewomanmy Master wrongs her much

Sil. Do'st thou know her?

Iul. Almost as well as I doe know my selfe.
To thinke vpon her woesI doe protest
That I haue wept a hundred seuerall times

Sil. Belike she thinks that Protheus hath forsook her?
Iul. I thinke she doth: and that's her cause of sorrow

Sil. Is she not passing faire?

Iul. She hath bin fairer (Madam) then she is
When she did thinke my Master lou'd her well;
Shein my iudgementwas as faire as you.
But since she did neglect her looking-glasse
And threw her Sun-expelling Masque away
The ayre hath staru'd the roses in her cheekes


And pinch'd the lilly-tincture of her face
That now she is become as blacke as I

Sil. How tall was she?

Iul. About my stature: for at Pentecost

When all our Pageants of delight were plaid

Our youth got me to play the womans part

And I was trim'd in Madam Iulias gowne

Which serued me as fitby all mens iudgements

As if the garment had bin made for me:

Therefore I know she is about my height

And at that time I made her weepe a good

For I did play a lamentable part.

(Madam) 'twas Ariadnepassioning

For Thesus periuryand vniust flight;

Which I so liuely acted with my teares:

That my poore Mistris moued therewithall

Wept bitterly: and would I might be dead

If I in thought felt not her very sorrow

Sil. She is beholding to thee (gentle youth)

Alas (poore Lady) desolateand left;

I weepe my selfe to thinke vpon thy words:

Here youth: there is my purse; I giue thee this

For thy sweet Mistris sakebecause thou lou'st her. Farewell

Iul. And she shall thanke you for'tif ere you know her.

A vertuous gentlewomanmildeand beautifull.

I hope my Masters suit will be but cold

Since she respects my Mistris loue so much.

Alashow loue can trifle with it selfe:

Here is her Picture: let me seeI thinke

If I had such a Tyrethis face of mine

Were full as louelyas is this of hers;

And yet the Painter flatter'd her a little

Vnlesse I flatter with my selfe too much.

Her haire is Aburnemine is perfect Yellow;

If that be all the difference in his loue

Ile get me such a coulour'd Perrywig:

Her eyes are grey as glasseand so are mine.

Ibut her fore-head's lowand mine's as high:

What should it be that he respects in her

But I can make respectiue in my selfe?

If this fond Louewere not a blinded god.

Come shadowcomeand take this shadow vp

For 'tis thy riuall: O thou sencelesse forme

Thou shalt be worship'dkiss'dlou'dand ador'd;

And were there sence in his Idolatry

My substance should be statue in thy stead.

Ile vse thee kindlyfor thy Mistris sake

That vs'd me so: or else by IoueI vow

I should haue scratch'd out your vnseeing eyes

To make my Master out of loue with thee.

Exeunt.

Actus Quintus. Scoena Prima.

Enter EglamoureSiluia.

Egl. The Sun begins to guild the westerne skie

And now it is about the very houre

That Siluiaat Fryer Patricks Cell should meet me


She will not faile; for Louers breake not houres
Vnlesse it be to come before their time
So much they spur their expedition.
See where she comes: Lady a happy euening


Sil. AmenAmen: goe on (good Eglamoure)
Out at the Posterne by the Abbey wall;
I feare I am attended by some Spies

Egl. Feare not: the Forrest is not three leagues off
If we recouer thatwe are sure enough.

Exeunt.

Scoena Secunda.

Enter ThurioProtheusIuliaDuke.

Th. Sir Protheuswhat saies Siluia to my suit?
Pro. Oh SirI finde her milder then she was
And yet she takes exceptions at your person

Thu. What? that my leg is too long?
Pro. Nothat it is too little


Thu. Ile weare a Booteto make it somewhat rounder

Pro. But loue will not be spurd to what it loathes

Thu. What saies she to my face?
Pro. She saies it is a faire one


Thu. Nay then the wanton lyes: my face is blacke

Pro. But Pearles are faire; and the old saying is
Blacke men are Pearlesin beauteous Ladies eyes

Thu. 'Tis truesuch Pearles as put out Ladies eyes
For I had rather winkethen looke on them

Thu. How likes she my discourse?
Pro. Illwhen you talke of war


Thu. But wellwhen I discourse of loue and peace

Iul. But better indeedewhen you hold you peace

Thu. What sayes she to my valour?
Pro. Oh Sirshe makes no doubt of that


Iul. She needes notwhen she knowes it cowardize

Thu. What saies she to my birth?
Pro. That you are well deriu'd


Iul. True: from a Gentlemanto a foole

Thu. Considers she my Possessions?
Pro. OhI: and pitties them


Thu. Wherefore?
Iul. That such an Asse should owe them



Pro. That they are out by Lease

Iul. Here comes the Duke

Du. How now sir Protheus; how now Thurio?
Which of you saw Eglamoure of late?
Thu. Not I

Pro. Nor I

Du. Saw you my daughter?
Pro. Neither


Du. Why then
She's fled vnto that pezantValentine;
And Eglamoure is in her Company:
'Tis true: for Frier Laurence met them both
As hein pennance wander'd through the Forrest:
Him he knew well: and guesd that it was she
But being mask'dhe was not sure of it.
Besides she did intend Confession
At Patricks Cell this euenand there she was not.
These likelihoods confirme her flight from hence;
Therefore I pray you standnot to discourse
But mount you presentlyand meete with me
Vpon the rising of the Mountaine foote
That leads toward Mantuawhether they are fled:
Dispatch (sweet Gentlemen) and follow me

Thu. Why this it isto be a peeuish Girle
That flies her fortune when it followes her:
Ile after; more to be reueng'd on Eglamoure
Then for the loue of reck-lesse Siluia

Pro. And I will followmore for Siluias loue
Then hate of Eglamoure that goes with her

Iul. And I will followmore to crosse that loue
Then hate for Siluiathat is gone for loue.

Exeunt.

Scena Tertia.

SiluiaOutlawes.

1.Out. Comecome be patient:
We must bring you to our Captaine

Sil. A thousand more mischances then this one
Haue learn'd me how to brooke this patiently

2 Out. Comebring her away

1 Out. Where is the Gentleman that was with her?

3 Out. Being nimble footedhe hath out-run vs.
But Moyses and Valerius follow him:
Goe thou with her to the West end of the wood
There is our Captaine: Wee'll follow him that's fled
The Thicket is besethe cannot scape

1 Out. ComeI must bring you to our Captains caue.


Feare not: he beares an honourable minde
And will not vse a woman lawlesly

Sil. O Valentine: this I endure for thee.

Exeunt.

Scoena Quarta.

Enter ValentineProtheusSiluiaIuliaDukeThurioOutlawes.

Val. How vse doth breed a habit in a man?
This shadowy desartvnfrequented woods
I better brooke then flourishing peopled Townes:
Here can I sit alonevn-seene of any
And to the Nightingales complaining Notes
Tune my distressesand record my woes.
O thou that dost inhabit in my brest
Leaue not the Mansion so long Tenant-lesse
Lest growing ruinousthe building fall
And leaue no memory of what it was
Repaire mewith thy presenceSiluia:
Thou gentle Nimphcherish thy forlorne swaine.
What hallowingand what stir is this to day?
These are my matesthat make their wills their Law
Haue some vnhappy passenger in chace;
They loue me well: yet I haue much to doe
To keepe them from vnciuill outrages.
Withdraw thee Valentine: who's this comes heere?

Pro. Madamthis seruice I haue done for you
(Though you respect not aught your seruant doth)
To hazard lifeand reskew you from him
That would haue forc'd your honourand your loue
Vouchsafe me for my meedbut one faire looke:
(A smaller boone then this I cannot beg
And lesse then thisI am sure you cannot giue.)

Val. How like a dreame is this? I seeand heare:
Louelend me patience to forbeare a while

Sil. O miserablevnhappy that I am

Pro. Vnhappy were you (Madam) ere I came:
But by my commingI haue made you happy

Sil. By thy approach thou mak'st me most vnhappy

Iul. And mewhen he approcheth to your presence

Sil. Had I beene ceazed by a hungry Lion
I would haue beene a breakfast to the Beast
Rather then haue false Protheus reskue me:
Oh heauen be iudge how I loue Valentine
Whose life's as tender to me as my soule
And full as much (for more there cannot be)
I doe detest false periur'd Protheus:
Therefore be gonesollicit me no more

Pro. What dangerous actionstood it next to death
Would I not vndergoefor one calme looke:
Oh 'tis the curse in Loueand still approu'd
When women cannot louewhere they're belou'd

Sil. When Protheus cannot louewhere he's belou'd:


Read ouer Iulia's heart(thy first best Loue)
For whose deare sakethou didst then rend thy faith
Into a thousand oathes; and all those oathes
Descended into periuryto loue me
Thou hast no faith left nowvnlesse thou'dst two
And that's farre worse then none: better haue none
Then plurall faithwhich is too much by one:
Thou Counterfeytto thy true friend


Pro. In Loue
Who respects friend?
Sil. All men but Protheus

Pro. Nayif the gentle spirit of mouing words
Can no way change you to a milder forme;
Ile wooe you like a Souldierat armes end
And loue you 'gainst the nature of Loue: force ye

Sil. Oh heauen

Pro. Ile force thee yeeld to my desire

Val. Ruffian: let goe that rude vnciuill touch
Thou friend of an ill fashion

Pro. Valentine

Val. Thou co[m]mon friendthat's without faith or loue
For such is a friend now: treacherous man
Thou hast beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye
Could haue perswaded me: now I dare not say
I haue one friend aliue; thou wouldst disproue me:
Who should be trustedwhen ones right hand
Is periured to the bosome? Protheus
I am sorry I must neuer trust thee more
But count the world a stranger for thy sake:
The priuate wound is deepest: oh timemost accurst.
'Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst?

Pro. My shame and guilt confounds me:
Forgiue me Valentine: if hearty sorrow
Be a sufficient Ransome for offence
I tender't heere: I doe as truely suffer
As ere I did commit

Val. Then I am paid:
And once againeI doe receiue thee honest;
Who by Repentance is not satisfied
Is nor of heauennor earth; for these are pleas'd:
By Penitence th' Eternalls wrath's appeas'd:
And that my loue may appeare plaine and free
All that was minein SiluiaI giue thee

Iul. Oh me vnhappy

Pro. Looke to the Boy

Val. WhyBoy?
Why wag: how now? what's the matter? look vp: speak

Iul. O good sirmy master charg'd me to deliuer a ring
to Madam Siluia: w (out of my neglect) was neuer done

Pro. Where is that ring? boy?
Iul. Heere 'tis: this is it



Pro. How? let me see.
Why this is the ring I gaue to Iulia

Iul. Ohcry you mercy sirI haue mistooke:
This is the ring you sent to Siluia

Pro. But how cam'st thou by this ring? at my depart
I gaue this vnto Iulia

Iul. And Iulia her selfe did giue it me
And Iulia her selfe hath brought it hither

Pro. How? Iulia?

Iul. Behold herthat gaue ayme to all thy oathes
And entertain'd 'em deepely in her heart.
How oft hast thou with periury cleft the roote?
Oh Protheuslet this habit make thee blush.
Be thou asham'd that I haue tooke vpon me
Such an immodest rayment; if shame liue
In a disguise of loue?
It is the lesser blot modesty findes
Women to change their shapesthen men their minds

Pro. Then men their minds? tis true: oh heuenwere man
But Constanthe were perfect; that one error
Fils him with faults: makes him run through all th' sins;
Inconstancy falls-offere it begins:
What is in Siluia's facebut I may spie
More fresh in Iulia'swith a constant eye?

Val. Comecome: a hand from either:
Let me be blest to make this happy close:
'Twere pitty two such friends should be long foes

Pro. Beare witnes (heauen) I haue my wish for euer

Iul. And I mine

Outl. A prize: a prize: a prize

Val. Forbeareforbeare I say: It is my Lord the Duke.
Your Grace is welcome to a man disgrac'd
Banished Valentine

Duke. Sir Valentine?
Thu. Yonder is Siluia: and Siluia's mine


Val. Thurio giue backe; or else embrace thy death:
Come not within the measure of my wrath:
Doe not name Siluia thine: if once againe
Verona shall not hold thee: heere she stands
Take but possession of herwith a Touch:
I dare theebut to breath vpon my Loue

Thur. Sir ValentineI care not for herI:
I hold him but a foole that will endanger
His Bodyfor a Girle that loues him not:
I claime her notand therefore she is thine

Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou
To make such meanes for heras thou hast done
And leaue her on such slight conditions.
Nowby the honor of my Ancestry
I doe applaud thy spiritValentine


And thinke thee worthy of an Empresse loue:
Know thenI heere forget all former greefes
Cancell all grudgerepeale thee home againe
Plead a new state in thy vn-riual'd merit
To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine
Thou art a Gentlemanand well deriu'd
Take thou thy Siluiafor thou hast deseru'd her


Val. I thank your Gracey gift hath made me happy:
I now beseech you (for your daughters sake)
To grant one Boone that I shall aske of you

Duke. I grant it (for thine owne) what ere it be

Val. These banish'd menthat I haue kept withall
Are men endu'd with worthy qualities:
Forgiue them what they haue committed here
And let them be recall'd from their Exile:
They are reformedciuillfull of good
And fit for great employment (worthy Lord.)

Duke. Thou hast preuaildI pardon them and thee:
Dispose of themas thou knowst their deserts.
Comelet vs goewe will include all iarres
With TriumphesMirthand rare solemnity

Val. And as we walke alongI dare be bold
With our discourseto make your Grace to smile.
What thinke you of this Page (my Lord?)

Duke. I think the Boy hath grace in himhe blushes

Val. I warrant you (my Lord) more gracethen Boy

Duke. What meane you by that saying?

Val. Please youIle tell youas we passe along
That you will wonder what hath fortuned:
Come Protheus'tis your pennancebut to heare
The story of your Loues discouered.
That doneour day of marriage shall be yours
One Feastone houseone mutuall happinesse.

Exeunt.

The names of all the Actors.

Duke: Father to Siluia.
Valentine.
Protheus. the two Gentlemen.
Anthonio: father to Protheus.
Thurio: a foolish riuall to Valentine.
Eglamoure: Agent for Siluia in her escape.
Host: where Iulia lodges.
Outlawes with Valentine.
Speed: a clownish seruant to Valentine.
Launce: the like to Protheus.
Panthion: seruant to Antonio.


Iulia: beloued of Protheus.
Siluia: beloued of Valentine.
Lucetta: waighting-woman to Iulia.


FINIS. THE Two Gentlemen of Verona.