TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA.

:

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

Der er Milas, father to Silvia.

Host, where Julia lodges in Milan.

Out-laws.
Powerstes } Gentlemen of Verona.
PROTEES,
AstosIo, father to Proteus.

Julia, a lady of Verona, beloved by Proteus.
Ispalo, a foolish rival to Valentine.

Silvia, the duke's daughter, beloved by Valentine. EslAXIL, agent for Silvia, in her escape.

LUCETTA, waiting-woman to Julia.
Srzs, clownish serrant to Valentine.
Larse, artant to Proteus.

Servants, musicians.
PASTHISO, servant to Antonio.

SCENE, - Sometimes in VERONA; sometimes in Milan; and on the frontiers of MANTUA.

ACT I.

SCENE I.
- An open silnice in Verona. With heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth,

With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights :
Bater Vara --> PROTEUS.

If haply won, perhaps, a hapless gain; vel. Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus ; If lost, why then a grievous labour won ; Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits ; However, but a folly bought with wit, Wer't not affection chains thy tender days

Or else a wit by folly vanquished. To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love,

Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool. I rather would entreat thy company,

Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear, you'll To see the wonders of the world abroad,

prove. Than living dully sluggardiz'd at home,

Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at ; I am not love. Vez out thy youth with shapeless idleness.

Val. Love is your master, for he masters you: Bu, since thou lov'st, love still, and thrive therein, And he that is so yoked by a fool, Eren as I would, when I to love begin.

Methinks should not be chronicled for wise. Pre. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu ! Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud Think on try Proteus, when thou, haply, seest The eating canker dwells, so eating love Sme rare note-worthy object in thy travel : Inhabits in the finest wits of all. Wish mě partaker in thy happiness,

Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud
Then tbou dost meet good hap: and, in thy danger, Is eaten by the canker ere it blow,
Ierer danger do environ thee,

Even so by love the young and tender wit
Corrmend thy grievance to my holy prayers, Is turn'd to folly ; blasting in the bud,
For I will be thy bead's-man, Valentine.

Losing his verdure even in the prime,
Fal

. And on a love-book pray for my success. And all the fair effects of future hopes. Pro

. Upon some book I love, I'll pray for thee. But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee,
Fol. That's on some shallow story of deep love, That art a votary to fond desire ?
How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont. Once more adieu : my father at the road

Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love; Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd.
For le was more than over shoes in love.

Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine. Pel

. Tis true; for you are over boots in love, Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our leave. And yet you never swam the Hellespont.

At Milan, let me hear from thee by letters,
ProOver the boots ? nay, give me not the boots. Of thy success in love, and what news else
Tel
. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not.

Betideth here in absence of thy friend;
What? And I likewise will visit thee with mine.

To be Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in Milan! I love, where scora is bought with groans ; coy

Val. As much to you at home! and so, farewell.

[Erit VALENTINE.

looks,

Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love :

Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief He leaves his friends to dignify them more ;

What said she ? I leave myself, my friends, and all for love.

Speed. Open your purse, that the money, and the Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me ; matter, may be both at once delivered. Made me neglect my studies, lose my time,

Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains: What said War with good counsel, set the world at nought; she? Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought. Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her. Enter SPEED.

Pro. Why ? Could'st thou perceive so much from

her? Speed. Sir Proteus, save you: Saw you my master? Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from Pro. But now he parted hence, to embark for her ; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your Milan.

letter : And being so hard to me that brought your Speed. Twenty to one then he is shipp'd already ; mind, I fear, she'll prove as hard to you in telling And I have play'd the sheep, in losing him.

her mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's Pro. Indeed a sheep doth very often stray, as hard as steel. An if the shepherd be awhile away.

Pro. What, said she nothing? Speed. You conclude that my master is a shep- Speed. No, not so much as - take this for thy herd then, and I a sheep ?

pains. To testify your bounty, I thank you, you Pro. I do.

have testern'd me; in requital whereof, henceforth Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether carry your letters yourself : and so, sir, I'll comI wake or sleep.

mend you to my master Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Pro. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from Speed. This proves me still a sheep.

wreck; Pro. True ; and thy master a shepherd.

Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. Being destined to a drier death on shore : Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by another. I must go send some better messenger ;

Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines, sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my Receiving them from such a worthless post. master seeks not me: therefore, I am no sheep.

[Ereunt. Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep; thou SCENE II. — The same. Garden of Julia's House. for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore, thou art a sheep.

Enter Julia and LUCETTA.
Speed. Such another proof will make me cry baa. Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone,

Pro. But dost thou hear ? gav’st thou my letter to Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love ?
Julia ?

Luc. Ay, madam ; so you stumble not unheedfully. Speed. Ay, sir ; I, a lost mutton, gave your letter Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, to her, a laced mutton; and she, à laced mutton, That every day with parle encounter me, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour! In thy opinion, which is worthiest love?

Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a store Lúc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll shew of muttons.

Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were According to my shallow simple skill. best stick her.

Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour ? Pru. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine ; pound you.

But, were I you, he never should be mine. Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio ? for carrying your letter.

Luc. Well, of his wealth ; but of himself, so, sò, Pro. You mistake ; I mean the pound, a pinfold. Ju. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus ? Speed. From a pound to a pin 7 fold it over and Luc. Lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in us! over,

Jul. How now! what means this passion at his 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your

name? lover,

Luc. Pardon, dear madam ; 'tis a passing shame, Pro. But what said she ? did she nod ?

That I, unworthy body as I am,
(SPEED nods. Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen.

Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest?
Pro. Nod, I; why, that's noddy.

Luc. Then thus, of many good I think hini Speed. You mistook, sir ; I say, she did nod : and

best. you ask me, if she did nod; and I say, I.

Jul. Your reason ? Pro. And that set together, is — noddy.

Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason; Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it I think him so, because I think him so. together, take it for your pains.

Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my love on Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the

him? letter.

Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away: Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear Jul. Why, he of all the rest hath never mov'd me.

Luc. Yet he of all the rest, I think, best loves yes Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? Jul. Ilis little speaking shows his love but small

. Speed. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly ; having Luc. Fire, that is closest kept, burns most of all. nothing but tho word, noddy, for my pains.

Jul. They do not love, that do not show their love. Pro. Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. Luc. O, they love least, that let men know their Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slow putse.

love.

my mind

Speed. I.

with you.

Hd I would, i knew his mind.

Jul. You, minion, are too saucy. Lac.

Peruse this paper, madam. Luc. Nay, now you are too flat, To Julia; - Šay, from whom?

And mar the concord with too harsh a descant : That the contents will shew. There wanteth but a mean to fill your song. Jud. Say, say; who gave it thee?

Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly base. Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, Luc. Indeed, I bid the base for Proteus. from Proteus :

Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me. He would have given it you, but I, being in the way, Here is a coil with protestation !-(Tears the letter. Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault

, I pray. Go, get you gone ; and let the papers lie : 1. Now, by my modesty, • goodly brokeri You would be fingering them, to anger me. Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines? Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be To whisper and conspire against my youth ?

best pleas'd Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth, To be so anger'd with another letter. (Eril. And you an officer fit for the place. ຂ

Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same! There, take the paper, see it be returu'd;

O hateful hands, to tear such loving words ! Or else return no more into my sight.

Injurious wasps! to feed on such sweet honev, L«. To plead for love deserves more fée than And kill the bees, that yield it, with your stings ! bate.

I'll kiss each several paper for amends. Jul. Will you be gone?

And, here is writ-kind Julia ; - unkind Julia ! L.

That you may ruminate. (Erit. As in revenge of thy ingratitude,
Ju. And yet, I would, I had o'erlook'd the letter. I throw thy name against the bruising stones,
It Feré a shame to call her back again,

Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain.
And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. Look, here is writ — love-wounded Proteus :-
What fo is she, that knows I am a maid,

Poor wounded name! my bosom, as a bed, And would not force the letter to my view ? Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be throughly heal'd; Since maids, in modesty, say No, to that

And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss. Which they would have the profferer construe, Ay. But twice, or thrice, was Proteus written down : Fie, fie ! how wayward is this foolish love,

Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away, That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse, Till I have found each letter in the letter, And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod !

Except mine own name; that some whirlwind beu How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence,

Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock,
When willingly I would have had her here! And throw it thence into the raging sea !
How angrily I taught my brow to frown,

Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ, —
When inward joy enfore'd my heart to smile ! Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus,
My penance is, to call Lucetta back,

To the sweet Julia ; that I'll tear away ;
And ask remission for my folly past :-

And yet I will not, sith so prettily What ho! Lucetta ?

He couples it to his complaining names ;

Thus will I fold them one upon another;
Re-enter LUCETTA.

Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will Luc.

What would your ladyship’ Jul Is it near dinner time?

Re-enter LUCETTA. Luc.

I would it were ;

Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your father That you might kill your stomach on your meat,

stays. And not upon your inaid.

Jul. Well, let us go. Jd.

What is't you took up Luć. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales So gingerly?

here? Luc. Nothing.

Jul. If you respect them, best to take them up. Why didst thou stoop then ? Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down : Lće. To take a paper up that I let fall.

Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold. Jul . And is that paper nothing ?

Jul. I see you have a month's mind to them. Luc.

Nothing concerning me. Luc. Ay, madam, you may say what sights you Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns.

see ; Lue. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns, I see things too, although you judge I wink. Unless it have a false interpreter.

JulCome, come, wilt please you go? (Ereunt. Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme. Luc. That I might sing it, madam, tò a tune : SCENE III. - The same.

& room in Antonio's Give me a note : your ladyship can set.

House.
Jal. As little by such toys as may be possible :
Best sing it to the tune of Light o' love.

Enter Antonio and PANTAINO.
Lae. It is too heavy for so light á tuné.

Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that, hol

. Heavy? beliké, it hath some burden theñ. Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister ? Luc Ay; and melodious weré it, would you Pan. 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son.

Ant. Why, what of him? ht. And why not you?

Pan.

He wonder'd, that your lordship Luc.

I cannot reach so high, Would suffer him to spend his youth at home; J. Let's see your song;

Ilow now, minion? While other men, of slender reputation, Lue

. Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out: Put forth their sons to seek preferment out: And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune. Some, to the wars, to try thieir fortune there; Jal. You do not?

Some, to discover islands far away; Lu. No, madam; it is too sharp,

Some, to the studious universitics.

sing it.

For any, or for all these exercises,

Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or He said, that Proteus, your son, was meet :

two And did request me, to impóriune you,

Of commendation sent from Valentine, To let him spend his time no more at home, Deliver'd by a friend that came from him. Which would be great impeachment to his age, Ant. Lend me the letter ; let me see what news. In having known no travel in his youth.

Pro. There is no news, my lord; but that he writes Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that How happily he lives, how well-belov’d, Whereon this month I have been hammering. And daily graced by the emperor ; I have consider'd well his loss of time;

Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune. And how he cannot be a perfect man,

Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish ? Not being try'd, and tutor'd in the world :

Pro. As one relying on your lordship's will, Experience is by industry atchiev'd,

And not depending on his friendly wish. And perfected by the swift course of time :

Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish: Then, tell me, whither were I best to send him? Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed ;

Pan. I think, your lordship is not ignorant, For what I will, I will, and there an end. How his companion, youthful Valentine,

I am resolv'd, that thou shalt spend some time Attends the emperor in his royal court.

With Valentinus in the emperor's court ; Ant. I know it well.

What maintenance he from his friends receives, Pan. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent Like exhibition shalt thou have from me. him thither :

To-morrow be in readiness to go: There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Excuse it not, for I am peremptory. Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen; Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided ; And be in eye of every exercise,

Please you, deliberate a day or two. Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.

Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after Ant. I like thy counsel ; well hast thou advis'd :

thee : And, that thou may'st perceive how well I like it, No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go. The execution of it shall make known;

Come on, Panthino; you shall be employ'd Even with the speediest execution

To hasten on his expedition. I will dispatch him to the emperor's court.

(Exeunt Ant. and Pax. Pan. To-morrow, may it please you, Ion Al- Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear of phonso,

burning; With other gentlemen of good esteem,

And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd: Are journeying to salute the emperor,

I fear'd to shew my father Julia's letter, And to commend their service to his will.

Lest he should take exceptions to my love ;
Ant. Good company; with them shall Proteus go: And with the vantage of mine own cxcuse
And, in good time, - now will we break with him. Hath he excepted most against my love.

O, how this spring of love resembleth
Enter PROTEUS.

The uncertain glory of an April day ;
Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines ! sweet life ! Which now shews all the beauty of the sun,
Here is her hand, the agent of her heart;

And by and by a cloud takes all away! Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn : 0, that our fathers would applaud our loves,

Re-enter Pant INO. To seal our happiness with their consents!

Pan. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you ; O heavenly Julia !

He is in haste, therefore, I pray you, go. Ant. How now? what letter are you reading Pro. Why, this it is ! my heart accords thereto; there?

And yet a thousand times it answers, no. (Ereunt.

ACT II.

SCENE I. - Milan. An Apartment in the Duke's Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you know madam
Palace.

Silvia ?
Enter VALENTINE and SPEED.

Speed. She that your worship loves?

Val. Why, how know you that I am in love? Speed. Sir, your glove.

Speed. Marry, by these special marks: First, Val. Not mine ; my gloves are on.

you have learned, like sir Proteus, to wreath your Speed. Why then this may be yours, for this is arms like a male-content ; to relish a love-song, like but one.

a Robin-red-breast ; to walk alone, like one that Val. Ha ! let me see: ay, give it me, it's mine : - had the pestilence; to sigh, like a school-boy that Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine !

had lost his A. B. C; to weep, like a young wench Ah Silvia! Silvia !

that had buried her grandam ; to fast, like one that Speed. Madam Silvia ! madam Silvia !

takes diet; to watch, like one that fears robbing ; Val. How now, sirrah ?

to speak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas. You Speed. She is not within hearing, sir.

were wont, when you laughed, to crow like a cock; Val. Why, sir, who bade you call her?

when you walked, to walk like one of the lions ; Speed. Your worship, sir; or else I mistook. when you fasted, it was presently after dinner ; Val. Well, you'll still be too forward.

when you looked sadly, it was for want of money : Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being too and now you are metamorphosed with a mistress,

And yet,

ssst, when I look on you, I can hardly think you Speed. O, 'give you good even ! here's a million my naster.

of manners.

[Aside. Tac. Are all these things perceived in me? Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thouSeed. They are all perceived without you. sand. Pd. Without me? they cannot.

Speed. He should give her interest, and she gives Speed. Without you? nay, that's certain, for, it him. without you were so simple, none else would : but Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter, you are so without these follies, that these follies are Unto the secret nameless friend of yours; within you, and shine through you like the water in which I was much unwilling to proceed in, an urinal; that not an eye, that sees you, but is a But for my duty to your ladyship. physician to comment on your malady.

Su. I thank you, gentle servant : 'tis very clerkly Fal. But tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia?

done. Speed. She, that you gaze on so, as she sits at Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off; supper?

For, being ignorant to whom it goes, Pal. Hast thou observed that? even she I mean. I writ at random, very doubtfully. Sreed. Why, sir, I know her not.

Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much id Dost thou know her by my gazing on her,

pains ? and yet knowest her not?

Val. No, madam ; so it stead you, I will write, Speed. Is she not hard favoured, sir?

Please you command, a thousand times as much : Pel. Not so fair, boy, as well favoured. Sreed. Sir, I know that well enough.

sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel ; Pal. What dost thou know?

And yet I will not namo it:- and yet I care not;Sed. That she is not so fair, as (of you) well And yet take this again ; - and yet I thank you ; favoured.

Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more. Fel. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but Speed. And yet you will; and yet another yet. ber firour infinite.

Aside. rast. That's because the one is painted, and the Val. What means your ladyship? do you not der out of all count.

like it? Pol. How painted ? and how out of count? Sil. Yes, yes; the lines are very quaintly writ:

Greed. Marry, sir, so painted, to make her fair, But since unwillingly, take them again ; that no man counts of her beauty.

Nay, take them.
Fal. How esteemest thou me? I account of her Val. Madam, they are for you.
beauty.

Si. Ay, ay, you writ them, sir, at my request ;
Speed. You never saw her since she was deformed. But I will none of them; they are for you :
Fal. How long hath she been deformed ? I would have had them writ more movingly.
Speed. Ever since you loved her.

Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship another. Ve. I have loved her ever since I saw her; and Sil. And when it's writ, for my sake read it over : still I see her beautiful.

And if it please you, so: if not, why, so.
Beed. If you love her, you cannot see her. Val. If it please me, madam! what then ?
Pai. Why?

Si. Why, if it please you, take it for your labour. Speed. Because love is blind. O, that you had And so good morrow, servant. [Erit Silvia. mine eyes; or your own eyes had the lights they Speed. O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible, Fæe sont to have, when you chid at sir Proteus | As a nose on a man's face, or a weathercock on a for going ungartered!

steeple ! l'al. What should I see then?

My master sues to her; and she hath taught her Speed. Your own present folly, and her passing

suitor, defortcity: for he, being in love, could not see to He being her pupil, to become her tutor. garter his hose; and you, being in love, cannot see O excellent device! was there ever heard a better? to put on your hose.

That my master, being scribe, to luimself should Vel. Belike, boy, then you are in love ; for last

write the letter ? Darning you could not see to wipe my shoes. Val. How now, sir ? what are you reasoning

Speed. True, sir; I was in love with my bed : I with yourself? thank you, you swinged me for my love, which Speed. Nay, I was rhyming ; 'tis you that have makes me the bolder to chide you for yours.

the reason. Pd. In conclusion, I stand affected to her.

Val. To do what?
Sued. I would you were set ; so, your affection Speed. To be a spokesman from madam Silvia.

Val. To whom ? Ped. Last night she enjoined me to write some Speed. To yourself. why, she wooes you by a lins to one she loves.

figure. Speed. And have you ?

Val. What figure ? To. I have.

Speed. By a letter, I should say. Speed. Are they not lamely writ?

Val. Why, she hath not writ to me? VEL No, boy, but as well as I can do them;- Speed. What needs she, when she hath made you Pexe, bere she comes.

write to yourself? Why, do you not perceive the jest?

Val. No, believe me.
Enter Silvia.

Speed. No believing you indeed, sir : But did Speel. O excellent motion! O exceeding puppet ! you perceive her earnest? now will he interpret to her.

Val. She gave me none, except an angry word. Pal. Madarn and mistress, a thousand good- Speed. Why, she hath given you a letter.

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

a

would cease.