The Two Gentlemen of Verona

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

DUKE OF MILAN Father to Silvia. (DUKE:)
VALENTINE

PROTEUS |
| the two Gentlemen.
|
ANTONIO Father to Proteus.
THURIO a foolish rival to Valentine.
EGLAMOUR Agent for Silvia in her escape.
HOST where Julia lodges. (Host:)
OUTLAWS with Valentine.
(First Outlaw:)
(Second Outlaw:)
(Third Outlaw:)
SPEED a clownish servant to Valentine.
LAUNCE the like to Proteus.
PANTHINO Servant to Antonio.
JULIA beloved of Proteus.
SILVIA beloved of Valentine.
LUCETTA waiting-woman to Julia.
Servants, Musicians.

Scene Verona; Milan; the frontiers of Mantua.

Act I

Scene I Verona. An open place.

[Enter VALENTINE and PROTEUS]
VALENTINE Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus:
Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits.
Were't not affection chains thy tender days
To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love,
I rather would entreat thy company
To see the wonders of the world abroad,
Than, living dully sluggardized at home,
Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness.
But since thou lovest, love still and thrive therein,
Even as I would when I to love begin.
PROTEUS Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu!
Think on thy Proteus, when thou haply seest
Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel:
Wish me partaker in thy happiness
When thou dost meet good hap; and in thy danger,
If ever danger do environ thee,
Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers,
For I will be thy beadsman, Valentine.
VALENTINE And on a love-book pray for my success?
PROTEUS Upon some book I love I'll pray for thee.
VALENTINE That's on some shallow story of deep love:
How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont.
PROTEUS That's a deep story of a deeper love:
For he was more than over shoes in love.
VALENTINE 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love,
And yet you never swum the Hellespont.
PROTEUS Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots.
VALENTINE No, I will not, for it boots thee not.
PROTEUS What?
VALENTINE To be in love, where scorn is bought with groans;
Coy looks with heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth
With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights:
If haply won, perhaps a hapless gain;
If lost, why then a grievous labour won;
However, but a folly bought with wit,
Or else a wit by folly vanquished.
PROTEUS So, by your circumstance, you call me fool.
VALENTINE So, by your circumstance, I fear you'll prove.
PROTEUS 'Tis love you cavil at: I am not Love.
VALENTINE Love is your master, for he masters you:
And he that is so yoked by a fool,
Methinks, should not be chronicled for wise.
PROTEUS Yet writers say, as in the sweetest bud
The eating canker dwells, so eating love
Inhabits in the finest wits of all.
VALENTINE And writers say, as the most forward bud
Is eaten by the canker ere it blow,
Even so by love the young and tender wit
Is turn'd to folly, blasting in the bud,
Losing his verdure even in the prime
And all the fair effects of future hopes.
But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee,
That art a votary to fond desire?
Once more adieu! my father at the road
Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd.
PROTEUS And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.
VALENTINE Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our leave.
To Milan let me hear from thee by letters
Of thy success in love, and what news else
Betideth here in absence of thy friend;
And likewise will visit thee with mine.
PROTEUS All happiness bechance to thee in Milan!
VALENTINE As much to you at home! and so, farewell.
[Exit]
PROTEUS He after honour hunts, I after love:
He leaves his friends to dignify them more,
I leave myself, my friends and all, for love.
Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphosed me,
Made me neglect my studies, lose my time,
War with good counsel, set the world at nought;
Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought.
[Enter SPEED]
SPEED Sir Proteus, save you! Saw you my master?
PROTEUS But now he parted hence, to embark for Milan.
SPEED Twenty to one then he is shipp'd already,
And I have play'd the sheep in losing him.
PROTEUS Indeed, a sheep doth very often stray,
An if the shepherd be a while away.
SPEED You conclude that my master is a shepherd, then,
and I a sheep?
PROTEUS I do.
SPEED Why then, my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep.
PROTEUS A silly answer and fitting well a sheep.
SPEED This proves me still a sheep.
PROTEUS True; and thy master a shepherd.
SPEED Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance.
PROTEUS It shall go hard but I'll prove it by another.
SPEED The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the
shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks
not me: therefore I am no sheep.
PROTEUS The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd; the
shepherd for food follows not the sheep: thou for
wages followest thy master; thy master for wages
follows not thee: therefore thou art a sheep.
SPEED Such another proof will make me cry 'baa.'
PROTEUS But, dost thou hear? gavest thou my letter to Julia?
SPEED Ay sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her,
a laced mutton, and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a
lost mutton, nothing for my labour.
PROTEUS Here's too small a pasture for such store of muttons.
SPEED If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her.
PROTEUS Nay: in that you are astray, 'twere best pound you.
SPEED Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for
carrying your letter.
PROTEUS You mistake; I mean the pound,--a pinfold.
SPEED From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over,
'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to
your lover.
PROTEUS But what said she?
SPEED [First nodding] Ay.
PROTEUS Nod--Ay--why, that's noddy.
SPEED You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you ask
me if she did nod; and I say, 'Ay.'
PROTEUS And that set together is noddy.
SPEED Now you have taken the pains to set it together,
take it for your pains.
PROTEUS No, no; you shall have it for bearing the letter.
SPEED Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear with you.
PROTEUS Why sir, how do you bear with me?
SPEED Marry, sir, the letter, very orderly; having nothing
but the word 'noddy' for my pains.
PROTEUS Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit.
SPEED And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.
PROTEUS Come come, open the matter in brief: what said she?
SPEED Open your purse, that the money and the matter may
be both at once delivered.
PROTEUS Well, sir, here is for your pains. What said she?
SPEED Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her.
PROTEUS Why, couldst thou perceive so much from her?
SPEED Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no,
not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter:
and being so hard to me that brought your mind, I
fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling your
mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's as
hard as steel.
PROTEUS What said she? nothing?
SPEED No, not so much as 'Take this for thy pains.' To
testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testerned
me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your
letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master.
PROTEUS Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck,
Which cannot perish having thee aboard,
Being destined to a drier death on shore.
[Exit SPEED]
I must go send some better messenger:
I fear my Julia would not deign my lines,
Receiving them from such a worthless post.
[Exit]

Scene II The same. Garden of JULIA's house.

[Enter JULlA and LUCETTA]
JULIA But say, Lucetta, now we are alone,
Wouldst thou then counsel me to fall in love?
LUCETTA Ay, madam, so you stumble not unheedfully.
JULIA Of all the fair resort of gentlemen
That every day with parle encounter me,
In thy opinion which is worthiest love?
LUCETTA Please you repeat their names, I'll show my mind
According to my shallow simple skill.
JULIA What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour?
LUCETTA As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine;
But, were I you, he never should be mine.
JULIA What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio?
LUCETTA Well of his wealth; but of himself, so so.
JULIA What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus?
LUCETTA Lord, Lord! to see what folly reigns in us!
JULIA How now! what means this passion at his name?
LUCETTA Pardon, dear madam: 'tis a passing shame
That I, unworthy body as I am,
Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen.
JULIA Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest?
LUCETTA Then thus: of many good I think him best.
JULIA Your reason?
LUCETTA I have no other, but a woman's reason;
I think him so because I think him so.
JULIA And wouldst thou have me cast my love on him?
LUCETTA Ay, if you thought your love not cast away.
JULIA Why he, of all the rest, hath never moved me.
LUCETTA Yet he, of all the rest, I think, best loves ye.
JULIA His little speaking shows his love but small.
LUCETTA Fire that's closest kept burns most of all.
JULIA They do not love that do not show their love.
LUCETTA O, they love least that let men know their love.
JULIA I would I knew his mind.
LUCETTA Peruse this paper, madam.
JULIA 'To Julia.' Say, from whom?
LUCETTA That the contents will show.
JULIA Say, say, who gave it thee?
LUCETTA Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from Proteus.
He would have given it you; but I, being in the way,
Did in your name receive it: pardon the
fault I pray.
JULIA Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!
Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines?
To whisper and conspire against my youth?
Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth
And you an officer fit for the place.
Or else return no more into my sight.
LUCETTA To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.
JULIA Will ye be gone?
LUCETTA That you may ruminate.
[Exit]
JULIA And yet I would I had o'erlooked the letter:
It were a shame to call her back again
And pray her to a fault for which I chid her.
What a fool is she, that knows I am a maid,
And would not force the letter to my view!
Since maids, in modesty, say 'no' to that
Which they would have the profferer construe 'ay.'
Fie, fie, how wayward is this foolish love
That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse
And presently all humbled kiss the rod!
How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence,
When willingly I would have had her here!
How angerly I taught my brow to frown,
When inward joy enforced my heart to smile!
My penance is to call Lucetta back
And ask remission for my folly past.
What ho! Lucetta!
[Re-enter LUCETTA]
LUCETTA What would your ladyship?
JULIA Is't near dinner-time?
LUCETTA I would it were,
That you might kill your stomach on your meat
And not upon your maid.
JULIA What is't that you took up so gingerly?
LUCETTA Nothing.
JULIA Why didst thou stoop, then?
LUCETTA To take a paper up that I let fall.
JULIA And is that paper nothing?
LUCETTA Nothing concerning me.
JULIA Then let it lie for those that it concerns.
LUCETTA Madam, it will not lie where it concerns
Unless it have a false interpeter.
JULIA Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme.
LUCETTA That I might sing it, madam, to a tune.
Give me a note: your ladyship can set.
JULIA As little by such toys as may be possible.
Best sing it to the tune of 'Light o' love.'
LUCETTA It is too heavy for so light a tune.
JULIA Heavy! belike it hath some burden then?
LUCETTA Ay, and melodious were it, would you sing it.
JULIA And why not you?
LUCETTA I cannot reach so high.
JULIA Let's see your song. How now, minion!
LUCETTA Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out:
And yet methinks I do not like this tune.
JULIA You do not?
LUCETTA No, madam; it is too sharp.
JULIA You, minion, are too saucy.
LUCETTA Nay, now you are too flat
And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:
There wanteth but a mean to fill your song.
JULIA The mean is drown'd with your unruly bass.
LUCETTA Indeed, I bid the base for Proteus.
JULIA This babble shall not henceforth trouble me.
Here is a coil with protestation!
[Tears the letter]
Go get you gone, and let the papers lie:
You would be fingering them, to anger me.
LUCETTA She makes it strange; but she would be best pleased
To be so anger'd with another letter.
[Exit]
JULIA Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same!
O hateful hands, to tear such loving words!
Injurious wasps, to feed on such sweet honey
And kill the bees that yield it with your stings!
I'll kiss each several paper for amends.
Look, here is writ 'kind Julia.' Unkind Julia!
As in revenge of thy ingratitude,
I throw thy name against the bruising stones,
Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain.
And here is writ 'love-wounded Proteus.'
Poor wounded name! my bosom as a bed
Shall lodge thee till thy wound be thoroughly heal'd;
And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss.
But twice or thrice was 'Proteus' written down.
Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away
Till I have found each letter in the letter,
Except mine own name: that some whirlwind bear
Unto a ragged fearful-hanging rock
And throw it thence into the raging sea!
Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ,
'Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus,
To the sweet Julia:' that I'll tear away.
And yet I will not, sith so prettily
He couples it to his complaining names.
Thus will I fold them one on another:
Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.
[Re-enter LUCETTA]
LUCETTA Madam,
Dinner is ready, and your father stays.
JULIA Well, let us go.
LUCETTA What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales here?
JULIA If you respect them, best to take them up.
LUCETTA Nay, I was taken up for laying them down:
Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold.
JULIA I see you have a month's mind to them.
LUCETTA Ay, madam, you may say what sights you see;
I see things too, although you judge I wink.
JULIA Come, come; will't please you go?
[Exeunt]

Scene III The same. ANTONIO's house.

[Enter ANTONIO and PANTHINO]
ANTONIO Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that
Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister?
PANTHINO 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son.
ANTONIO Why, what of him?
PANTHINO He wonder'd that your lordship
Would suffer him to spend his youth at home,
While other men, of slender reputation,
Put forth their sons to seek preferment out:
Some to the wars, to try their fortune there;
Some to discover islands far away;
Some to the studious universities.
For any or for all these exercises,
He said that Proteus your son was meet,
And did request me to importune you
To let him spend his time no more at home,
Which would be great impeachment to his age,
In having known no travel in his youth.
ANTONIO Nor need'st thou much importune me to that
Whereon this month I have been hammering.
I have consider'd well his loss of time
And how he cannot be a perfect man,
Not being tried and tutor'd in the world:
Experience is by industry achieved
And perfected by the swift course of time.
Then tell me, whither were I best to send him?
PANTHINO I think your lordship is not ignorant
How his companion, youthful Valentine,
Attends the emperor in his royal court.
ANTONIO I know it well.
PANTHINO 'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither:
There shall he practise tilts and tournaments,
Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen.
And be in eye of every exercise
Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.
ANTONIO I like thy counsel; well hast thou advised:
And that thou mayst perceive how well I like it,
The execution of it shall make known.
Even with the speediest expedition
I will dispatch him to the emperor's court.
PANTHINO To-morrow, may it please you, Don Alphonso,
With other gentlemen of good esteem,
Are journeying to salute the emperor
And to commend their service to his will.
ANTONIO Good company; with them shall Proteus go:
And, in good time! now will we break with him.
[Enter PROTEUS]
PROTEUS Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life!
Here is her hand, the agent of her heart;
Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn.
O, that our fathers would applaud our loves,
To seal our happiness with their consents!
O heavenly Julia!
ANTONIO How now! what letter are you reading there?
PROTEUS May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two
Of commendations sent from Valentine,
Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.
ANTONIO Lend me the letter; let me see what news.
PROTEUS There is no news, my lord, but that he writes
How happily he lives, how well beloved
And daily graced by the emperor;
Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune.
ANTONIO And how stand you affected to his wish?
PROTEUS As one relying on your lordship's will
And not depending on his friendly wish.
ANTONIO My will is something sorted with his wish.
Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed;
For what I will, I will, and there an end.
I am resolved that thou shalt spend some time
With Valentinus in the emperor's court:
What maintenance he from his friends receives,
Like exhibition thou shalt have from me.
To-morrow be in readiness to go:
Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.
PROTEUS My lord, I cannot be so soon provided:
Please you, deliberate a day or two.
ANTONIO Look, what thou want'st shall be sent after thee:
No more of stay! to-morrow thou must go.
Come on, Panthino: you shall be employ'd
To hasten on his expedition.
[Exeunt ANTONIO and PANTHINO]
PROTEUS Thus have I shunn'd the fire for fear of burning,
And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd.
I fear'd to show my father Julia's letter,
Lest he should take exceptions to my love;
And with the vantage of mine own excuse
Hath he excepted most against my love.
O, how this spring of love resembleth
The uncertain glory of an April day,
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away!
[Re-enter PANTHINO]
PANTHINO Sir Proteus, your father calls for you:
He is in haste; therefore, I pray you to go.
PROTEUS Why, this it is: my heart accords thereto,
And yet a thousand times it answers 'no.'
[Exeunt]

Next Act

DUKE OF MILAN	Father to Silvia. (DUKE:)
VALENTINE PROTEUS	\| \| the two Gentlemen. \|
ANTONIO	Father to Proteus.
THURIO	a foolish rival to Valentine.
EGLAMOUR	Agent for Silvia in her escape.
HOST	where Julia lodges. (Host:)
OUTLAWS	with Valentine. (First Outlaw:) (Second Outlaw:) (Third Outlaw:)
SPEED	a clownish servant to Valentine.
LAUNCE	the like to Proteus.
PANTHINO	Servant to Antonio.
JULIA	beloved of Proteus.
SILVIA	beloved of Valentine.
LUCETTA	waiting-woman to Julia.
	Servants, Musicians.

	[Enter VALENTINE and PROTEUS]
VALENTINE	Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus: Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits. Were't not affection chains thy tender days To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love, I rather would entreat thy company To see the wonders of the world abroad, Than, living dully sluggardized at home, Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness. But since thou lovest, love still and thrive therein, Even as I would when I to love begin.
PROTEUS	Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu! Think on thy Proteus, when thou haply seest Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel: Wish me partaker in thy happiness When thou dost meet good hap; and in thy danger, If ever danger do environ thee, Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers, For I will be thy beadsman, Valentine.
VALENTINE	And on a love-book pray for my success?
PROTEUS	Upon some book I love I'll pray for thee.
VALENTINE	That's on some shallow story of deep love: How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont.
PROTEUS	That's a deep story of a deeper love: For he was more than over shoes in love.
VALENTINE	'Tis true; for you are over boots in love, And yet you never swum the Hellespont.
PROTEUS	Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots.
VALENTINE	No, I will not, for it boots thee not.
PROTEUS	What?
VALENTINE	To be in love, where scorn is bought with groans; Coy looks with heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights: If haply won, perhaps a hapless gain; If lost, why then a grievous labour won; However, but a folly bought with wit, Or else a wit by folly vanquished.
PROTEUS	So, by your circumstance, you call me fool.
VALENTINE	So, by your circumstance, I fear you'll prove.
PROTEUS	'Tis love you cavil at: I am not Love.
VALENTINE	Love is your master, for he masters you: And he that is so yoked by a fool, Methinks, should not be chronicled for wise.
PROTEUS	Yet writers say, as in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all.
VALENTINE	And writers say, as the most forward bud Is eaten by the canker ere it blow, Even so by love the young and tender wit Is turn'd to folly, blasting in the bud, Losing his verdure even in the prime And all the fair effects of future hopes. But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee, That art a votary to fond desire? Once more adieu! my father at the road Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd.
PROTEUS	And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.
VALENTINE	Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our leave. To Milan let me hear from thee by letters Of thy success in love, and what news else Betideth here in absence of thy friend; And likewise will visit thee with mine.
PROTEUS	All happiness bechance to thee in Milan!
VALENTINE	As much to you at home! and so, farewell.
	[Exit]
PROTEUS	He after honour hunts, I after love: He leaves his friends to dignify them more, I leave myself, my friends and all, for love. Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphosed me, Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, War with good counsel, set the world at nought; Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought.
	[Enter SPEED]
SPEED	Sir Proteus, save you! Saw you my master?
PROTEUS	But now he parted hence, to embark for Milan.
SPEED	Twenty to one then he is shipp'd already, And I have play'd the sheep in losing him.
PROTEUS	Indeed, a sheep doth very often stray, An if the shepherd be a while away.
SPEED	You conclude that my master is a shepherd, then, and I a sheep?
PROTEUS	I do.
SPEED	Why then, my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep.
PROTEUS	A silly answer and fitting well a sheep.
SPEED	This proves me still a sheep.
PROTEUS	True; and thy master a shepherd.
SPEED	Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance.
PROTEUS	It shall go hard but I'll prove it by another.
SPEED	The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks not me: therefore I am no sheep.
PROTEUS	The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd; the shepherd for food follows not the sheep: thou for wages followest thy master; thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore thou art a sheep.
SPEED	Such another proof will make me cry 'baa.'
PROTEUS	But, dost thou hear? gavest thou my letter to Julia?
SPEED	Ay sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton, and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour.
PROTEUS	Here's too small a pasture for such store of muttons.
SPEED	If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her.
PROTEUS	Nay: in that you are astray, 'twere best pound you.
SPEED	Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter.
PROTEUS	You mistake; I mean the pound,--a pinfold.
SPEED	From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over, 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover.
PROTEUS	But what said she?
SPEED	[First nodding] Ay.
PROTEUS	Nod--Ay--why, that's noddy.
SPEED	You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you ask me if she did nod; and I say, 'Ay.'
PROTEUS	And that set together is noddy.
SPEED	Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains.
PROTEUS	No, no; you shall have it for bearing the letter.
SPEED	Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear with you.
PROTEUS	Why sir, how do you bear with me?
SPEED	Marry, sir, the letter, very orderly; having nothing but the word 'noddy' for my pains.
PROTEUS	Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit.
SPEED	And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.
PROTEUS	Come come, open the matter in brief: what said she?
SPEED	Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once delivered.
PROTEUS	Well, sir, here is for your pains. What said she?
SPEED	Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her.
PROTEUS	Why, couldst thou perceive so much from her?
SPEED	Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter: and being so hard to me that brought your mind, I fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling your mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's as hard as steel.
PROTEUS	What said she? nothing?
SPEED	No, not so much as 'Take this for thy pains.' To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testerned me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master.
PROTEUS	Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck, Which cannot perish having thee aboard, Being destined to a drier death on shore.
	[Exit SPEED]
	I must go send some better messenger: I fear my Julia would not deign my lines, Receiving them from such a worthless post.
	[Exit]

	[Enter JULlA and LUCETTA]
JULIA	But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Wouldst thou then counsel me to fall in love?
LUCETTA	Ay, madam, so you stumble not unheedfully.
JULIA	Of all the fair resort of gentlemen That every day with parle encounter me, In thy opinion which is worthiest love?
LUCETTA	Please you repeat their names, I'll show my mind According to my shallow simple skill.
JULIA	What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour?
LUCETTA	As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine; But, were I you, he never should be mine.
JULIA	What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio?
LUCETTA	Well of his wealth; but of himself, so so.
JULIA	What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus?
LUCETTA	Lord, Lord! to see what folly reigns in us!
JULIA	How now! what means this passion at his name?
LUCETTA	Pardon, dear madam: 'tis a passing shame That I, unworthy body as I am, Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen.
JULIA	Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest?
LUCETTA	Then thus: of many good I think him best.
JULIA	Your reason?
LUCETTA	I have no other, but a woman's reason; I think him so because I think him so.
JULIA	And wouldst thou have me cast my love on him?
LUCETTA	Ay, if you thought your love not cast away.
JULIA	Why he, of all the rest, hath never moved me.
LUCETTA	Yet he, of all the rest, I think, best loves ye.
JULIA	His little speaking shows his love but small.
LUCETTA	Fire that's closest kept burns most of all.
JULIA	They do not love that do not show their love.
LUCETTA	O, they love least that let men know their love.
JULIA	I would I knew his mind.
LUCETTA	Peruse this paper, madam.
JULIA	'To Julia.' Say, from whom?
LUCETTA	That the contents will show.
JULIA	Say, say, who gave it thee?
LUCETTA	Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from Proteus. He would have given it you; but I, being in the way, Did in your name receive it: pardon the fault I pray.
JULIA	Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker! Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines? To whisper and conspire against my youth? Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth And you an officer fit for the place. Or else return no more into my sight.
LUCETTA	To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.
JULIA	Will ye be gone?
LUCETTA	That you may ruminate.
	[Exit]
JULIA	And yet I would I had o'erlooked the letter: It were a shame to call her back again And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. What a fool is she, that knows I am a maid, And would not force the letter to my view! Since maids, in modesty, say 'no' to that Which they would have the profferer construe 'ay.' Fie, fie, how wayward is this foolish love That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse And presently all humbled kiss the rod! How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence, When willingly I would have had her here! How angerly I taught my brow to frown, When inward joy enforced my heart to smile! My penance is to call Lucetta back And ask remission for my folly past. What ho! Lucetta!
	[Re-enter LUCETTA]
LUCETTA	What would your ladyship?
JULIA	Is't near dinner-time?
LUCETTA	I would it were, That you might kill your stomach on your meat And not upon your maid.
JULIA	What is't that you took up so gingerly?
LUCETTA	Nothing.
JULIA	Why didst thou stoop, then?
LUCETTA	To take a paper up that I let fall.
JULIA	And is that paper nothing?
LUCETTA	Nothing concerning me.
JULIA	Then let it lie for those that it concerns.
LUCETTA	Madam, it will not lie where it concerns Unless it have a false interpeter.
JULIA	Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme.
LUCETTA	That I might sing it, madam, to a tune. Give me a note: your ladyship can set.
JULIA	As little by such toys as may be possible. Best sing it to the tune of 'Light o' love.'
LUCETTA	It is too heavy for so light a tune.
JULIA	Heavy! belike it hath some burden then?
LUCETTA	Ay, and melodious were it, would you sing it.
JULIA	And why not you?
LUCETTA	I cannot reach so high.
JULIA	Let's see your song. How now, minion!
LUCETTA	Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out: And yet methinks I do not like this tune.
JULIA	You do not?
LUCETTA	No, madam; it is too sharp.
JULIA	You, minion, are too saucy.
LUCETTA	Nay, now you are too flat And mar the concord with too harsh a descant: There wanteth but a mean to fill your song.
JULIA	The mean is drown'd with your unruly bass.
LUCETTA	Indeed, I bid the base for Proteus.
JULIA	This babble shall not henceforth trouble me. Here is a coil with protestation!
	[Tears the letter]
	Go get you gone, and let the papers lie: You would be fingering them, to anger me.
LUCETTA	She makes it strange; but she would be best pleased To be so anger'd with another letter.
	[Exit]
JULIA	Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same! O hateful hands, to tear such loving words! Injurious wasps, to feed on such sweet honey And kill the bees that yield it with your stings! I'll kiss each several paper for amends. Look, here is writ 'kind Julia.' Unkind Julia! As in revenge of thy ingratitude, I throw thy name against the bruising stones, Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain. And here is writ 'love-wounded Proteus.' Poor wounded name! my bosom as a bed Shall lodge thee till thy wound be thoroughly heal'd; And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss. But twice or thrice was 'Proteus' written down. Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away Till I have found each letter in the letter, Except mine own name: that some whirlwind bear Unto a ragged fearful-hanging rock And throw it thence into the raging sea! Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ, 'Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus, To the sweet Julia:' that I'll tear away. And yet I will not, sith so prettily He couples it to his complaining names. Thus will I fold them one on another: Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.
	[Re-enter LUCETTA]
LUCETTA	Madam, Dinner is ready, and your father stays.
JULIA	Well, let us go.
LUCETTA	What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales here?
JULIA	If you respect them, best to take them up.
LUCETTA	Nay, I was taken up for laying them down: Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold.
JULIA	I see you have a month's mind to them.
LUCETTA	Ay, madam, you may say what sights you see; I see things too, although you judge I wink.
JULIA	Come, come; will't please you go?
	[Exeunt]

	[Enter ANTONIO and PANTHINO]
ANTONIO	Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister?
PANTHINO	'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son.
ANTONIO	Why, what of him?
PANTHINO	He wonder'd that your lordship Would suffer him to spend his youth at home, While other men, of slender reputation, Put forth their sons to seek preferment out: Some to the wars, to try their fortune there; Some to discover islands far away; Some to the studious universities. For any or for all these exercises, He said that Proteus your son was meet, And did request me to importune you To let him spend his time no more at home, Which would be great impeachment to his age, In having known no travel in his youth.
ANTONIO	Nor need'st thou much importune me to that Whereon this month I have been hammering. I have consider'd well his loss of time And how he cannot be a perfect man, Not being tried and tutor'd in the world: Experience is by industry achieved And perfected by the swift course of time. Then tell me, whither were I best to send him?
PANTHINO	I think your lordship is not ignorant How his companion, youthful Valentine, Attends the emperor in his royal court.
ANTONIO	I know it well.
PANTHINO	'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither: There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen. And be in eye of every exercise Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.
ANTONIO	I like thy counsel; well hast thou advised: And that thou mayst perceive how well I like it, The execution of it shall make known. Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch him to the emperor's court.
PANTHINO	To-morrow, may it please you, Don Alphonso, With other gentlemen of good esteem, Are journeying to salute the emperor And to commend their service to his will.
ANTONIO	Good company; with them shall Proteus go: And, in good time! now will we break with him.
	[Enter PROTEUS]
PROTEUS	Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life! Here is her hand, the agent of her heart; Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn. O, that our fathers would applaud our loves, To seal our happiness with their consents! O heavenly Julia!
ANTONIO	How now! what letter are you reading there?
PROTEUS	May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two Of commendations sent from Valentine, Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.
ANTONIO	Lend me the letter; let me see what news.
PROTEUS	There is no news, my lord, but that he writes How happily he lives, how well beloved And daily graced by the emperor; Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune.
ANTONIO	And how stand you affected to his wish?
PROTEUS	As one relying on your lordship's will And not depending on his friendly wish.
ANTONIO	My will is something sorted with his wish. Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed; For what I will, I will, and there an end. I am resolved that thou shalt spend some time With Valentinus in the emperor's court: What maintenance he from his friends receives, Like exhibition thou shalt have from me. To-morrow be in readiness to go: Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.
PROTEUS	My lord, I cannot be so soon provided: Please you, deliberate a day or two.
ANTONIO	Look, what thou want'st shall be sent after thee: No more of stay! to-morrow thou must go. Come on, Panthino: you shall be employ'd To hasten on his expedition.
	[Exeunt ANTONIO and PANTHINO]
PROTEUS	Thus have I shunn'd the fire for fear of burning, And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd. I fear'd to show my father Julia's letter, Lest he should take exceptions to my love; And with the vantage of mine own excuse Hath he excepted most against my love. O, how this spring of love resembleth The uncertain glory of an April day, Which now shows all the beauty of the sun, And by and by a cloud takes all away!
	[Re-enter PANTHINO]
PANTHINO	Sir Proteus, your father calls for you: He is in haste; therefore, I pray you to go.
PROTEUS	Why, this it is: my heart accords thereto, And yet a thousand times it answers 'no.'
	[Exeunt]