The thicket is beset, he cannot 'scape. 1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave: Fear not; he bears an honourable mind, And will not use a woman lawlessly. Sil. O Valentine, this I endure for thee. SCENE IV. Another part of the Forest. entine. [Exeunt. Enter Val Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man! And, to the nightingale's complaining notes, Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain !- These are my mates, that make their wills their law, Have some unhappy passenger in chace : They love me well; yet I have much to do, To keep them from uncivil outrages. Withdraw thee, Valentine; who's this comes here? [Steps aside. Enter Proteus, Silvia, and Julia. Pro. Madam, this service I have done for you, That would have fore'd your honour and your love. And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give. Val. How like a dream is this I see and hear! Love, lend me patience to forbear a while. [4side Sil. O miserable, unhappy that I am! Pro. Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came ; But, by my coming, I have made you happy. Sil. By thy approach thou mak'st me most unhappy. Jul. And me, when he approacheth to your presence. [Aside. Sil. Had I been seized by a hungry lion, Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo, for one calm look? O, 'tis the curse in love, and still approv'd, When women cannot love where they're belov'd! Sil. When Proteus cannot love, where he's belov'd. •Read over Julia's heart, thy first best love, For whose dear sake thou didst then read thy faith Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou hadst two, Pro. Who respects friends? Sil In love, All men but Proteus. Pro. 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 you. Pro. I'll force thee yield to my desire. M Thou friend of an ill fashion! Pro. Valentine! Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or love; (For such is a friend now,) treacherous man! "Thou hast beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye 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 curst! 'Mongst all foes, that a friend should be the worst! Pro. My shame and guilt confounds me.Forgive me, Valentine if hearty sorrow Be a sufficient ransom for offence, I tender it here; I do as truly suffer, Val. Then I am paid; And once again I do receive thee honest:- Is nor of heaven, nor earth; for these are pleas'd; Jul. O me unhappy! Pro. Look to the boy. [Faints. Val. Why, boy! why, wag! how now? what is the matter? Look up; speak. Jul. O good sir, my master charg'd me To deliver a ring to madam Silvia; Which, out of my neglect, was never done. Jul. Here 'tis: this is it. [Gives a ring. Pro. How! let me see: Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia. Jul. O, ery your mercy, sir, I have mistook ; This is the ring you sent to Silvia. [Shows another ring. Pro. But, how eam'st thou by this ring? at my de -part, I gave this unto Julia. Jul. And Julia herself did give it me; And Julia herself hath brought it hither. Jul. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths,. It is the lesser blog, modesty finds, Women to change their shapes, than men their minds. Pro. 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 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 ? Val. Come, come, a hand from either: Let me be blest to make this happy close; "Twere pity two such friends should be long foes. Pro. Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish forever. Jul. And I have mine. Enter Out-laws, with Duke and Thurio. Out. Thu. Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine." Val. Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death; Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou, I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, And think thee worthy of an empress' love. Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserv'd her. Val. I thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy. I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake, To grant one boon that I shall ask of you. Duke. I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be. Val. 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 recalled 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; |