The Two Gentlemen of Verona

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Act V

Scene I Milan. An abbey.

[Enter EGLAMOUR]
EGLAMOUR The sun begins to gild the western sky;
And now it is about the very hour
That Silvia, at Friar Patrick's cell, should meet me.
She will not fail, for lovers break not hours,
Unless it be to come before their time;
So much they spur their expedition.
See where she comes.
[Enter SILVIA]
Lady, a happy evening!
SILVIA Amen, amen! Go on, good Eglamour,
Out at the postern by the abbey-wall:
I fear I am attended by some spies.
EGLAMOUR Fear not: the forest is not three leagues off;
If we recover that, we are sure enough.
[Exeunt]

Scene II The same. The DUKE's palace.

[Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA]
THURIO Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit?
PROTEUS O, sir, I find her milder than she was;
And yet she takes exceptions at your person.
THURIO What, that my leg is too long?
PROTEUS No; that it is too little.
THURIO I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder.
JULIA [Aside] But love will not be spurr'd to what
it loathes.
THURIO What says she to my face?
PROTEUS She says it is a fair one.
THURIO Nay then, the wanton lies; my face is black.
PROTEUS But pearls are fair; and the old saying is,
Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes.
JULIA [Aside] 'Tis true; such pearls as put out
ladies' eyes;
For I had rather wink than look on them.
THURIO How likes she my discourse?
PROTEUS Ill, when you talk of war.
THURIO But well, when I discourse of love and peace?
JULIA [Aside] But better, indeed, when you hold your peace.
THURIO What says she to my valour?
PROTEUS O, sir, she makes no doubt of that.
JULIA [Aside] She needs not, when she knows it cowardice.
THURIO What says she to my birth?
PROTEUS That you are well derived.
JULIA [Aside] True; from a gentleman to a fool.
THURIO Considers she my possessions?
PROTEUS O, ay; and pities them.
THURIO Wherefore?
JULIA [Aside] That such an ass should owe them.
PROTEUS That they are out by lease.
JULIA Here comes the duke.
[Enter DUKE]
DUKE How now, Sir Proteus! how now, Thurio!
Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late?
THURIO Not I.
PROTEUS Nor I.
DUKE Saw you my daughter?
PROTEUS Neither.
DUKE Why then,
She's fled unto that peasant Valentine;
And Eglamour is in her company.
'Tis true; for Friar Laurence met them both,
As he in penance wander'd through the forest;
Him he knew well, and guess'd that it was she,
But, being mask'd, he was not sure of it;
Besides, she did intend confession
At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not;
These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence.
Therefore, I pray you, stand not to discourse,
But mount you presently and meet with me
Upon the rising of the mountain-foot
That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fled:
Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me.
[Exit]
THURIO Why, this it is to be a peevish girl,
That flies her fortune when it follows her.
I'll after, more to be revenged on Eglamour
Than for the love of reckless Silvia.
[Exit]
PROTEUS And I will follow, more for Silvia's love
Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her.
[Exit]
JULIA And I will follow, more to cross that love
Than hate for Silvia that is gone for love.
[Exit]

Scene III The frontiers of Mantua. The forest.

[Enter Outlaws with SILVIA]
First Outlaw Come, come,
Be patient; we must bring you to our captain.
SILVIA A thousand more mischances than this one
Have learn'd me how to brook this patiently.
Second Outlaw Come, bring her away.
First Outlaw Where is the gentleman that was with her?
Third Outlaw Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us,
But Moyses and Valerius follow him.
Go thou with her to the west end of the wood;
There is our captain: we'll follow him that's fled;
The thicket is beset; he cannot 'scape.
First Outlaw Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave:
Fear not; he bears an honourable mind,
And will not use a woman lawlessly.
SILVIA O Valentine, this I endure for thee!
[Exeunt]

Scene IV Another part of the forest.

[Enter VALENTINE]
VALENTINE How use doth breed a habit in a man!
This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods,
I better brook than flourishing peopled towns:
Here can I sit alone, unseen of any,
And to the nightingale's complaining notes
Tune my distresses and record my woes.
O thou that dost inhabit in my breast,
Leave not the mansion so long tenantless,
Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall
And leave no memory of what it was!
Repair me with thy presence, Silvia;
Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain!
What halloing and what stir is this to-day?
These are my mates, that make their wills their law,
Have some unhappy passenger in chase.
They love me well; yet I have much to do
To keep them from uncivil outrages.
Withdraw thee, Valentine: who's this comes here?
[Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA]
PROTEUS Madam, this service I have done for you,
Though you respect not aught your servant doth,
To hazard life and rescue you from him
That would have forced your honour and your love;
Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look;
A smaller boon than this I cannot beg
And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give.
VALENTINE [Aside] How like a dream is this I see and hear!
Love, lend me patience to forbear awhile.
SILVIA O miserable, unhappy that I am!
PROTEUS Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came;
But by my coming I have made you happy.
SILVIA By thy approach thou makest me most unhappy.
JULIA [Aside] And me, when he approacheth to your presence.
SILVIA Had I been seized by a hungry lion,
I would have been a breakfast to the beast,
Rather than have false Proteus rescue me.
O, Heaven be judge how I love Valentine,
Whose life's as tender to me as my soul!
And full as much, for more there cannot be,
I do detest false perjured Proteus.
Therefore be gone; solicit me no more.
PROTEUS What dangerous action, stood it next to death,
Would I not undergo for one calm look!
O, 'tis the curse in love, and still approved,
When women cannot love where they're beloved!
SILVIA When Proteus cannot love where he's beloved.
Read over Julia's heart, thy first best love,
For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith
Into a thousand oaths; and all those oaths
Descended into perjury, to love me.
Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou'dst two;
And that's far worse than none; better have none
Than plural faith which is too much by one:
Thou counterfeit to thy true friend!
PROTEUS In love
Who respects friend?
SILVIA All men but Proteus.
PROTEUS Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words
Can no way change you to a milder form,
I'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end,
And love you 'gainst the nature of love,--force ye.
SILVIA O heaven!
PROTEUS I'll force thee yield to my desire.
VALENTINE Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch,
Thou friend of an ill fashion!
PROTEUS Valentine!
VALENTINE Thou common friend, that's without faith or love,
For such is a friend now; treacherous man!
Thou hast beguiled my hopes; nought but mine eye
Could have persuaded me: now I dare not say
I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me.
Who should be trusted, when one's own right hand
Is perjured to the bosom? Proteus,
I am sorry I must never trust thee more,
But count the world a stranger for thy sake.
The private wound is deepest: O time most accurst,
'Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst!
PROTEUS My shame and guilt confounds me.
Forgive me, Valentine: if hearty sorrow
Be a sufficient ransom for offence,
I tender 't here; I do as truly suffer
As e'er I did commit.
VALENTINE Then I am paid;
And once again I do receive thee honest.
Who by repentance is not satisfied
Is nor of heaven nor earth, for these are pleased.
By penitence the Eternal's wrath's appeased:
And, that my love may appear plain and free,
All that was mine in Silvia I give thee.
JULIA O me unhappy!
[Swoons]
PROTEUS Look to the boy.
VALENTINE Why, boy! why, wag! how now! what's the matter?
Look up; speak.
JULIA O good sir, my master charged me to deliver a ring
to Madam Silvia, which, out of my neglect, was never done.
PROTEUS Where is that ring, boy?
JULIA Here 'tis; this is it.
PROTEUS How! let me see:
Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia.
JULIA O, cry you mercy, sir, I have mistook:
This is the ring you sent to Silvia.
PROTEUS But how camest thou by this ring? At my depart
I gave this unto Julia.
JULIA And Julia herself did give it me;
And Julia herself hath brought it hither.
PROTEUS How! Julia!
JULIA Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths,
And entertain'd 'em deeply in her heart.
How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root!
O Proteus, let this habit make thee blush!
Be thou ashamed that I have took upon me
Such an immodest raiment, if shame live
In a disguise of love:
It is the lesser blot, modesty finds,
Women to change their shapes than men their minds.
PROTEUS Than men their minds! 'tis true.
O heaven! were man
But constant, he were perfect. That one error
Fills him with faults; makes him run through all the sins:
Inconstancy falls off ere it begins.
What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy
More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye?
VALENTINE Come, come, a hand from either:
Let me be blest to make this happy close;
'Twere pity two such friends should be long foes.
PROTEUS Bear witness, Heaven, I have my wish for ever.
JULIA And I mine.
[Enter Outlaws, with DUKE and THURIO]
Outlaws A prize, a prize, a prize!
VALENTINE Forbear, forbear, I say! it is my lord the duke.
Your grace is welcome to a man disgraced,
Banished Valentine.
DUKE Sir Valentine!
THURIO Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine.
VALENTINE Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death;
Come not within the measure of my wrath;
Do not name Silvia thine; if once again,
Verona shall not hold thee. Here she stands;
Take but possession of her with a touch:
I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.
THURIO Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I;
I hold him but a fool that will endanger
His body for a girl that loves him not:
I claim her not, and therefore she is thine.
DUKE The more degenerate and base art thou,
To make such means for her as thou hast done
And leave her on such slight conditions.
Now, by the honour of my ancestry,
I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine,
And think thee worthy of an empress' love:
Know then, I here forget all former griefs,
Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again,
Plead a new state in thy unrivall'd merit,
To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine,
Thou art a gentleman and well derived;
Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserved her.
VALENTINE I thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy.
I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake,
To grant one boom that I shall ask of you.
DUKE I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be.
VALENTINE These banish'd men that I have kept withal
Are men endued with worthy qualities:
Forgive them what they have committed here
And let them be recall'd from their exile:
They are reformed, civil, full of good
And fit for great employment, worthy lord.
DUKE Thou hast prevail'd; I pardon them and thee:
Dispose of them as thou know'st their deserts.
Come, let us go: we will include all jars
With triumphs, mirth and rare solemnity.
VALENTINE And, as we walk along, I dare be bold
With our discourse to make your grace to smile.
What think you of this page, my lord?
DUKE I think the boy hath grace in him; he blushes.
VALENTINE I warrant you, my lord, more grace than boy.
DUKE What mean you by that saying?
VALENTINE Please you, I'll tell you as we pass along,
That you will wonder what hath fortuned.
Come, Proteus; 'tis your penance but to hear
The story of your loves discovered:
That done, our day of marriage shall be yours;
One feast, one house, one mutual happiness.
[Exeunt]

	[Enter EGLAMOUR]
EGLAMOUR	The sun begins to gild the western sky; And now it is about the very hour That Silvia, at Friar Patrick's cell, should meet me. She will not fail, for lovers break not hours, Unless it be to come before their time; So much they spur their expedition. See where she comes.
	[Enter SILVIA]
	Lady, a happy evening!
SILVIA	Amen, amen! Go on, good Eglamour, Out at the postern by the abbey-wall: I fear I am attended by some spies.
EGLAMOUR	Fear not: the forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that, we are sure enough.
	[Exeunt]

	[Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA]
THURIO	Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit?
PROTEUS	O, sir, I find her milder than she was; And yet she takes exceptions at your person.
THURIO	What, that my leg is too long?
PROTEUS	No; that it is too little.
THURIO	I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder.
JULIA	[Aside] But love will not be spurr'd to what it loathes.
THURIO	What says she to my face?
PROTEUS	She says it is a fair one.
THURIO	Nay then, the wanton lies; my face is black.
PROTEUS	But pearls are fair; and the old saying is, Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes.
JULIA	[Aside] 'Tis true; such pearls as put out ladies' eyes; For I had rather wink than look on them.
THURIO	How likes she my discourse?
PROTEUS	Ill, when you talk of war.
THURIO	But well, when I discourse of love and peace?
JULIA	[Aside] But better, indeed, when you hold your peace.
THURIO	What says she to my valour?
PROTEUS	O, sir, she makes no doubt of that.
JULIA	[Aside] She needs not, when she knows it cowardice.
THURIO	What says she to my birth?
PROTEUS	That you are well derived.
JULIA	[Aside] True; from a gentleman to a fool.
THURIO	Considers she my possessions?
PROTEUS	O, ay; and pities them.
THURIO	Wherefore?
JULIA	[Aside] That such an ass should owe them.
PROTEUS	That they are out by lease.
JULIA	Here comes the duke.
	[Enter DUKE]
DUKE	How now, Sir Proteus! how now, Thurio! Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late?
THURIO	Not I.
PROTEUS	Nor I.
DUKE	Saw you my daughter?
PROTEUS	Neither.
DUKE	Why then, She's fled unto that peasant Valentine; And Eglamour is in her company. 'Tis true; for Friar Laurence met them both, As he in penance wander'd through the forest; Him he knew well, and guess'd that it was she, But, being mask'd, he was not sure of it; Besides, she did intend confession At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not; These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence. Therefore, I pray you, stand not to discourse, But mount you presently and meet with me Upon the rising of the mountain-foot That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fled: Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me.
	[Exit]
THURIO	Why, this it is to be a peevish girl, That flies her fortune when it follows her. I'll after, more to be revenged on Eglamour Than for the love of reckless Silvia.
	[Exit]
PROTEUS	And I will follow, more for Silvia's love Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her.
	[Exit]
JULIA	And I will follow, more to cross that love Than hate for Silvia that is gone for love.
	[Exit]

	[Enter Outlaws with SILVIA]
First Outlaw	Come, come, Be patient; we must bring you to our captain.
SILVIA	A thousand more mischances than this one Have learn'd me how to brook this patiently.
Second Outlaw	Come, bring her away.
First Outlaw	Where is the gentleman that was with her?
Third Outlaw	Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us, But Moyses and Valerius follow him. Go thou with her to the west end of the wood; There is our captain: we'll follow him that's fled; The thicket is beset; he cannot 'scape.
First Outlaw	Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave: Fear not; he bears an honourable mind, And will not use a woman lawlessly.
SILVIA	O Valentine, this I endure for thee!
	[Exeunt]

	[Enter VALENTINE]
VALENTINE	How use doth breed a habit in a man! This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods, I better brook than flourishing peopled towns: Here can I sit alone, unseen of any, And to the nightingale's complaining notes Tune my distresses and record my woes. O thou that dost inhabit in my breast, Leave not the mansion so long tenantless, Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall And leave no memory of what it was! Repair me with thy presence, Silvia; Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain! What halloing and what stir is this to-day? These are my mates, that make their wills their law, Have some unhappy passenger in chase. They love me well; yet I have much to do To keep them from uncivil outrages. Withdraw thee, Valentine: who's this comes here?
	[Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA]
PROTEUS	Madam, this service I have done for you, Though you respect not aught your servant doth, To hazard life and rescue you from him That would have forced your honour and your love; Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look; A smaller boon than this I cannot beg And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give.
VALENTINE	[Aside] How like a dream is this I see and hear! Love, lend me patience to forbear awhile.
SILVIA	O miserable, unhappy that I am!
PROTEUS	Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came; But by my coming I have made you happy.
SILVIA	By thy approach thou makest me most unhappy.
JULIA	[Aside] And me, when he approacheth to your presence.
SILVIA	Had I been seized by a hungry lion, I would have been a breakfast to the beast, Rather than have false Proteus rescue me. O, Heaven be judge how I love Valentine, Whose life's as tender to me as my soul! And full as much, for more there cannot be, I do detest false perjured Proteus. Therefore be gone; solicit me no more.
PROTEUS	What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo for one calm look! O, 'tis the curse in love, and still approved, When women cannot love where they're beloved!
SILVIA	When Proteus cannot love where he's beloved. Read over Julia's heart, thy first best love, For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith Into a thousand oaths; and all those oaths Descended into perjury, to love me. Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou'dst two; And that's far worse than none; better have none Than plural faith which is too much by one: Thou counterfeit to thy true friend!
PROTEUS	In love Who respects friend?
SILVIA	All men but Proteus.
PROTEUS	Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form, I'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end, And love you 'gainst the nature of love,--force ye.
SILVIA	O heaven!
PROTEUS	I'll force thee yield to my desire.
VALENTINE	Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch, Thou friend of an ill fashion!
PROTEUS	Valentine!
VALENTINE	Thou common friend, that's without faith or love, For such is a friend now; treacherous man! Thou hast beguiled my hopes; nought but mine eye Could have persuaded me: now I dare not say I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me. Who should be trusted, when one's own right hand Is perjured to the bosom? Proteus, I am sorry I must never trust thee more, But count the world a stranger for thy sake. The private wound is deepest: O time most accurst, 'Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst!
PROTEUS	My shame and guilt confounds me. Forgive me, Valentine: if hearty sorrow Be a sufficient ransom for offence, I tender 't here; I do as truly suffer As e'er I did commit.
VALENTINE	Then I am paid; And once again I do receive thee honest. Who by repentance is not satisfied Is nor of heaven nor earth, for these are pleased. By penitence the Eternal's wrath's appeased: And, that my love may appear plain and free, All that was mine in Silvia I give thee.
JULIA	O me unhappy!
	[Swoons]
PROTEUS	Look to the boy.
VALENTINE	Why, boy! why, wag! how now! what's the matter? Look up; speak.
JULIA	O good sir, my master charged me to deliver a ring to Madam Silvia, which, out of my neglect, was never done.
PROTEUS	Where is that ring, boy?
JULIA	Here 'tis; this is it.
PROTEUS	How! let me see: Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia.
JULIA	O, cry you mercy, sir, I have mistook: This is the ring you sent to Silvia.
PROTEUS	But how camest thou by this ring? At my depart I gave this unto Julia.
JULIA	And Julia herself did give it me; And Julia herself hath brought it hither.
PROTEUS	How! Julia!
JULIA	Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, And entertain'd 'em deeply in her heart. How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root! O Proteus, let this habit make thee blush! Be thou ashamed that I have took upon me Such an immodest raiment, if shame live In a disguise of love: It is the lesser blot, modesty finds, Women to change their shapes than men their minds.
PROTEUS	Than men their minds! 'tis true. O heaven! were man But constant, he were perfect. That one error Fills him with faults; makes him run through all the sins: Inconstancy falls off ere it begins. What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye?
VALENTINE	Come, come, a hand from either: Let me be blest to make this happy close; 'Twere pity two such friends should be long foes.
PROTEUS	Bear witness, Heaven, I have my wish for ever.
JULIA	And I mine.
	[Enter Outlaws, with DUKE and THURIO]
Outlaws	A prize, a prize, a prize!
VALENTINE	Forbear, forbear, I say! it is my lord the duke. Your grace is welcome to a man disgraced, Banished Valentine.
DUKE	Sir Valentine!
THURIO	Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine.
VALENTINE	Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death; Come not within the measure of my wrath; Do not name Silvia thine; if once again, Verona shall not hold thee. Here she stands; Take but possession of her with a touch: I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.
THURIO	Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I; I hold him but a fool that will endanger His body for a girl that loves him not: I claim her not, and therefore she is thine.
DUKE	The more degenerate and base art thou, To make such means for her as thou hast done And leave her on such slight conditions. Now, by the honour of my ancestry, I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, And think thee worthy of an empress' love: Know then, I here forget all former griefs, Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again, Plead a new state in thy unrivall'd merit, To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine, Thou art a gentleman and well derived; Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserved her.
VALENTINE	I thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy. I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake, To grant one boom that I shall ask of you.
DUKE	I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be.
VALENTINE	These banish'd men that I have kept withal Are men endued with worthy qualities: Forgive them what they have committed here And let them be recall'd from their exile: They are reformed, civil, full of good And fit for great employment, worthy lord.
DUKE	Thou hast prevail'd; I pardon them and thee: Dispose of them as thou know'st their deserts. Come, let us go: we will include all jars With triumphs, mirth and rare solemnity.
VALENTINE	And, as we walk along, I dare be bold With our discourse to make your grace to smile. What think you of this page, my lord?
DUKE	I think the boy hath grace in him; he blushes.
VALENTINE	I warrant you, my lord, more grace than boy.
DUKE	What mean you by that saying?
VALENTINE	Please you, I'll tell you as we pass along, That you will wonder what hath fortuned. Come, Proteus; 'tis your penance but to hear The story of your loves discovered: That done, our day of marriage shall be yours; One feast, one house, one mutual happiness.
	[Exeunt]