SCENE I.-An open place in Verona.

Enter VALENTINE and PROteus. Val. Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus; Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits: Wer'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 sluggardiz'd at home, Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness. But, since thou lov'st, love still, and thrive therein,

Even as I would, when I to love begin.

Pro. 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
If ever danger do environ thee, [danger,
Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers,
For I will be thy beadsman, Valentine.

Val. And on a love-book pray for my success.
Pro. Upon some book I love, I'll pray for thee.
Val. That's on some shallow story of deep
love,

How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont.
Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love;
For he was more than over shoes in love.
Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love;
And yet you never swam the Hellespont.
Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the
boots.*

Val. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not.
Pro. What?

Val. To be

In love, where scorn is bought with groans;

coy looks,

* A humorous punishment at harvest-home feasts, &c.

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.

Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool.

Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear, you'H

prove.

Pro. "Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love.

Val. Love is your master, for he masters you: And he that is so yoked by a fool, Methinks should not be chronicled for wise.

Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all.

Val. And writers say, As the most forward Is eaten by the canker ere it blow, Even so by love the young and tender wit [bud 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.

Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine. Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our

leave.

At 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 I likewise will visit thee with mine.
Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in
Milan!

Val. As much to you at home! and so, farewell. [Exit VALENTINE. Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love: He leaves his friends, to dignify them more; I leave myself, my friends, and all for love.

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.

Pro. 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.

Pro. But dost thou hear? gav'st 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.

Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a store of muttons.

Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you

were best stick her.

having nothing but the word, noddy, for my pains.

Pro. Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.

Pro. 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. Pro. Well, Sir, here is for your pains: What said she?

Speed. Truly, Sir, I think you'll hardly win

her.

Pro. Why? Could'st 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 proves hard to you in telling her mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's as hard as steel.

Pro. What, said she nothing?

Speed. No, not so much as-take this for thy pains. To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testern'd me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, Sir, I'll commend you to my master.

Pro, Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck;

Which cannot perish, having thee aboard,
Being destined to a drier death on shore:-
I must go send some better messenger;
I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines,
Receiving them from such a worthless post.
[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-The same. Garden of JULIA's house.

Enter JULIA and LUCETTA.

Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love? Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Luc. Ay, madam; so you stumble not unheedfully.

Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, That every day with parlet encounter me, In thy opinion, which is worthiest love?

Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll show my mind

According to my shallow simple skill.

Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Egla

mour?

Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat and

fine;

But, were I you, he never should be mine.
Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio?
Luc. Well of his wealth; but of himself, so, so.
Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus?
Luc. Lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in
us!

Jul. How now! what means this passion at his name?

Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing That I, unworthy body as I am, [shame, Should censures thus on lovely gentlemen.

Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? Luc. Then thus,-of many good I think him best.

Jul. Your reason?

Jul. Why, he of all the rest hath never mov'd

me.

Luc. Yet he of all the rest, I think, best loves ye.

Jul. His little speaking shows his love but small.

Luc. Fire, that is closest kept, burns most of all.

Jul. They do not love, that do not show their love.

Luc. O, they love least, that let men know their love.

Jul. I would, I knew his mind.
Luc. Peruse this paper, madam.
Jul. To Julia,-Say, from whom!
Luc. That the contents will show.
Jul. Say, say; who gave it thee?
Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think,
from Proteus:

[way, He would have given it you, but I, being in the Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I pray.

Jul. 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. There, take the paper, see it be return'd; Or else return no more into my sight. Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.

Jul. Will you be gone?

Luc. That you may ruminate.

[Exit.

Jul. And yet, I would I had o'erlook'd the letter.

It were a shame to call her back again,
And pray her to a fault for which I chid her,
What 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 [4y.
Which they would have the profferer construe,
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 angrily I taught my brow to frown,
When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile!
My penance is, to call Lucetta back,
And ask remission for my folly past:-
What ho! Lucetta!

Luc. Nothing;

Jul. Why did'st thou stoop then?

Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall.
Jul. And is that paper nothing?

Luc. Nothing concerning me.

Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns. Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it conUnless it have a false interpreter.

[cerns, Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme.

Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune: Give me a note: your ladyship can set.

Jul. As little by such toys as may be possiBest sing it to the tune of Light o' love. [ble: Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune.

Jul. Heavy? belike, it hath some burden then.

Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you sing it.

Ju. And why not you?
Luc. I cannot reach so high.

Jul. Let's see your song:-How now, mins ion ?

Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out:

And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune.
Jul. You do not?

Luc. No, madam; it is too sharp.
Jul. You, minion, are too saucy.
Luc. Nay, now you are too flat,

And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:*
There wanteth but a meant to fill your song.
Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly
base.

Luc. Indeed, I bid the baset for Proteus. Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble Here is a coils with protestation!- [me.

[Tears the letter. Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie: You would be fingering them, to anger me. Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be best pleas'd [Exit.

To be so anger'd with another letter.
Jul. 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.
And 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,
Look, 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 whirl-
wind 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

Thus will I fold them one upon another;
He couples it to his complaining names:
Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.
Re-enter LUCETTA.

Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your father stays.

Jul. Weil, let us go.

Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell

see things too, although you judge I wink. Jul. Come, come, will't please you go?

[Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same. A room in. ANTONIO'S House.

Enter ANTONIO and PANTHINO.

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

Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister?
Pan. Twas of his nephew Proteus, your
Ant. Why, what of him?
[son.

Pan. He wonder'd, that your lordship
Would suffer him to spend his youth at home:
While other men, of slender reputation,t
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 impórtune you,
To let him spend his time no more at home,
Which would be great impeachment; to his
In having known no travel in his youth. [age,
Ant. Nor need'st thou much impórtune 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 try'd and tutor'd in the world:
Experience is by industry achiev'd.

And perfected by the swift course of time :
Then, tell me, whether were I best to send him?
Pan. I think, your lordship is not ignorant,
How his companion, youthful Valentine,
Attends the emperor in his royal court.
Ant. I know it well.

Pan. Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither:

There shall he practise tilts and tournaments,
Hear sweet discourse, converse with noble-
And be in eye of every exercise,
[men;
Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.
Ant. I like thy counsel; well hast thou ad-
vis'd:
[it,

And, that thou may'st perceive how well I like
The execution of it shall make known;
Even with the speediest execution

I will despatch him to the emperor's court.
Pant. 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.
Ant. Good company; with them shall Pro-
teus go:

[him.

And, in good time,-now will we break with

Pro. There is no news, my lord; but that he writes How happily he lives, how well belov'd, And daily graced by the emperor; Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune. Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish?

Pro. As one relying on your lordship's will, And not depending on his friendly wish.

Ant. 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 resolv'd, that thou shalt spend some time
With Valentinus in the emperor's court;
What maintenance he from his friends receives,
Like exhibitiont thou shalt have from me.
To-morrow be in readiness to go:
Excuse it not, for I'm peremptory.

Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided; Please you, deliberate a day or two.

Ant. 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 ANT. and PAN. Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear of burning; [drown'd: And drench'd me in the sea, where I am 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!

mine :

Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine!
Ah Silvia! Silvia!

Speed. Madam Silvia! madam Silvia!
Val. How now, sirrah?

Speed. She is not within hearing, Sir.
Val. Why, Sir, who bade you call her?
Speed. Your worship, Sir; or else I mistook.
Val. Well, you'll still be too forward.
Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being
too slow.

Val. Go to, Sir; tell me, do you know madam Silvia?

Speed. She that your worship loves?

Val. Why, how know you that I am in love? Speed. Marry, by these special marks: First, you have learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreath your arms like a male-content; to relish a love

song, like a robin-red-breast; to walk alone, like one that had the pestilence; to sigh, like a school-boy that had lost his A. B, C ; to weep, like a young wench that hath buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes diet; to watch, like one that fears robbing; to speak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas. You were wont, when you laugh'd, to crow like a cock; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions; when you fasted, it was presently after dinner; when you looked sadly, it was for want of money: and now you are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when I look on you, I can hardly think you my master.

Val. Are all these things perceived in me? Speed. They are all perceived without you. Val. Without me? They cannot. Speed. Without you? nay, that's certain, for, without you were so simple, none else would but you are so without these follies, that these follies are within you, and shine through you like the water in an urinal; that not an eye, that sees you, but is a physician to comment on your malady.

Val. But, tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia ?

Speed. She, that you gaze on so, as she sits

at supper?

Val. Hast thou observed that? even she I

mean.

Speed. Why, Sir, I know her not.

Val. Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves. Speed. And have you? Val. I have.

Speed. Are they not lamely writ? Val. No, boy, but as well as I can do them :Peace, here she comes.

Enter SILVIA.

Speed. O excellent motion!" O exceeding. puppet! now will he interpret to her. Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand good

morrows.

Speed. O, 'give you good even! Here's a million of manners. [Aside. Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thousand.

Speed. He should give her interest; and she gives it him.

Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your Unto the secret nameless friend of yours; letter, Which I was much unwilling to proceed in, But for my duty to your ladyship.

Sil. I thank you, gentle servant: 'tis very clerkly done.

For, being ignorant to whom it goes,
Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly

[off; Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains?

I writ at random, very doubtfully.

her, and yet know'st her not?

Speed. Is she not hard favoured, Sir?
Val. Not so fair, boy, as well favoured.
Speed. Sir, I know that well enough.
Val. What dost thou know?

Speed. That she is not so fair, as (of you)

well favoured.

Val. How long hath she been deformed?
Speed. Ever since you loved her.

Val. I have loved her ever since I saw her; and still I see her beautiful.

Speed. If you love her, you cannot see her. Vul. Why?

Speed. Because love is blind. O, that you had mine eyes; or your own had the lights they were wont to have, when you chid at Sir Proteus for going ungartered!

Val. What should I see then?

Speed. Your own present folly, and her passing deformity: for he, being in love, could not see to garter his hose; and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose.

Val. Belike, boy, then you are in love; for last morning you could not see to wipe my

shoes.

Speed. True, Sir; I was in love with my bed: I thank you, you swinged‡ me for my love, which makes me the bolder to chide you for yours.

Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her. Speed. I would you were set; so, your affection would cease.

* Under a regimen. +Allhallowmas. + Whipped.

Val. No, madam; so it stead you, I will write, And yet,

[much: Sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel; And yet I will not name it :-and yet I care

not;

Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more. And yet take this again ;-and yet I thank you; Speed. And yet you will; and yet another

yet.

[Aside. Val. What means your ladyship? do you not like it?

Sil. Yes, yes; the lines are very quaintly writ: But since unwillingly, take them again; Nay, take them.

Val. Madam, they are for you.

Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, Sir, at my reBut I will none of them; they are for you: quest: I would have had them writ more movingly. Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship

another.

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

And, if it please you, so; if not, why, so.
Vul. If it please me, madam! what then?
Sil. Why, if it please you, take it for your
And so good-morrow, servant. [Exit SILVIA.
labour;
Speed. O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible.
As a nose on a man's face, or a weathercock on
My master sues to her; and she hath taught her
a steeple!
[suitor,
He being her pupil, to become her tutor.
O excellent device! was there ever heard a
That my master, being scribe, to himself should

better?