The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare, Adapted for Family Reading

host-in which Felismena hears her false lover's serenade, and her statement, in the course of her story, that some officious person persuaded her lover's father that he should be sent to Court because "it was not meete that a yoong gentleman, and of so noble a house as he was, should spende his youth idly at home, where nothing could be learned but examples of vice, whereof the verie same idlenes (he said) was the onely mistresse,"-these trivial points of likeness to Julia's adventures, and to the opinions uttered by Valentine, Act I., Sc. 1, and Panthino, Act I., Sc. 3, in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, tell more of imitation on Shakespeare's part, than the similarity of any of the more important incidents in play and novel.

The Diana was first translated into English by B. Yonge, and was not published until 1598, before which, as we have seen, The Two Gentlemen of Verona had obtained an established reputation. But it should be remarked that, in his preface, Yonge informs us that the translation had lain by him "finished, Horace's ten, and six years more"; and it is possible that Shakespeare, if he did not read Spanish, might have become acquainted with the story in its English dress during these sixteen years. In any case, his debt was so small that we need not be solicitous about acknowledging it for him. The likeness is of the same nature, and almost as insignificant as that which some have found between the play and an episode in Sidney's Arcadia; to wit, that in both the hero becomes the leader of a band of outlaws;-the outlaws in the Arcadia being revolted Helots!

The comparatively timid style and unskilful structure of The Two Gentlemen of Verona show that it was the work of Shakespeare's earliest years as a dramatic writer. Malone attributes it to 1591. This is Malone's judgment on probabilities; but when we consider that in 1598, at which time Shakespeare was only thirtyfour years old, he was the author of sixteen successful plays (the thirteen enumerated by Meres, with Pericles and the Second and Third Parts of Henry VI.,) of Venus and Adonis and the Rape of Lucrece, besides many of his Sonnets, and that he was an actor and had become a prominent theatrical manager and proprietor, may we not, with reason, place the production of his first three or four plays, of which this is undoubtedly one, earlier than 1591,-his twentyseventh year? It is worthy of notice, that no evidence has come down to us of the performance of The Two Gentlemen of Verona in the lifetime of the author.

The period of the action of this comedy is indeterminable, except from Panthino's remark that Valentine, who is at Milan, "attends the Emperor in his royal court," which, as Mr. Knight has suggested, points to a time when Charles V. was undisputed master in that city and before the dukedom passed into the imperial family;that is, between the year 1529, when Francis I. signed the treaty of Cambray, by which he resigned all pretensions beyond the Alps, and 1535, when Sforza, the last of the Dukes of Milan, died. The costume of the play is then, of course, the court dress of Northern Italy at that period.

Two Gentlemen of Verona.

SCENE: sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan, and in a Forest near it.

Act First.

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.
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 sluggardiz'd at home,
Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness.
But since thou lov'dst, love still, and thrive
therein,

Even as I would, when I to love begin.

Pro. Wilt thou begone? 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, [danger, When thou dost meet good hap; and in thy (If ever danger do environ thee,)

Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers,
For I will be thy beads-man, 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 will not, for it boots thee not.
Pro.
What? [groans;
Val. To be in love, where scorn is bought with
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.
Pro. So, by your circumstance you call me

[fool.

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

[bud

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 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.

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 I likewise will visit thee with mine.
Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in Milan.
Val. As much to you at home; and so, fare-
well.

[Exit.

Speed. Why then, my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep.

Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Speed. This proves me still a sheep. Pro. True, and thy master a shepherd. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. Pro. 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. 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.' [letter to Julia?

Pro. But, dost thou hear? gav'st thou my Speed. Ay, sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her; and she gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour.

Pro. Nay, in that you are astray: 'twere best pound you. [me for carrying your letter. Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve Pro. You mistake: I mean the pound, a pinfold. Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over, [your lover. 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to

Pro. But what said she? Speed. [Nods.] Ay.

Pro. 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. Pro. And that set together, is-noddy. Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains.

Pro. No, no; you shall have it for bearing the letter.

Speed. Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear with you.

Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? Speed. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly; 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? 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.

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 destin'd 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. The Garden of JULIA's House. Enter JULIA and LUCETTA.

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

Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen,
That every day with parle 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. [mour?
Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Egla-
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 shame,
That I, unworthy body as I am,
Should censure 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?

I cannot reach so high.

Luc. Jul. Let's see your song.-How now, minion! Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will sing it And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune. [out: Jul. You do not?

Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason: I think him so, because I think him so. [on him? Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my love Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away. 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's closest kept burns most of all.
Jul. They do not love, that do not show their
love.
[love.
Luc. O! they love least, that let men know their
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. [hate. Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than Jul. Will you be gone? Luc.

That you may ruminate. [Exit. Jul. 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' 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 ['Ay.' 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 angerly 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!

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 concerns, Unless it have a false interpreter.

[rhyme. Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune. Give me a note: your ladyship can set. [ble: Jul. -As little by such toys as may be possiBest sing it to the tune of Light o' love.'

Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune.
Jul. Heavy? belike, it hath some burthen then.
Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you
Jul. And why not you?
[sing it.

Luc. No, madam; 'tis 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 mean to fill your song. Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly Luc. Indeed I bid the base for Proteus. [base. Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me. [letter. Here is a coil with protestation!-[Tears the Go, get you gone, and let the papers lie: You would be fing'ring 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. [Julia!
Look, here is writ-kind Julia;"-unkind
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, [heal'd;
Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be thoroughly
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
Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock, [bear
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 upon another;
Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.
Enter LUCETTA.

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.

[that
Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to
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 achiev'd,
And perfected by the swift course of time.
Then, tell me, whither were I best to send him?
Pant. I think, your lordship is not ignorant
How his companion, youthful Valentine,
Attends the Emperor in his royal court.

Ant. I know it well.

Pant. "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.

Ant. I like thy counsel: well hast thou advis'd; And, that thou may'st 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.
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. [go:-
Ant. Good company: with them shall Proteus
Enter PROTEUS.

And, in good time,-now will we break with him.
Pro. 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!

[there? Ant. How now! what letter are you reading Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two

Of commendations sent from Valentine,
Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.

Ant. Lend me the letter: let me see what news.
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 exhibition thou shalt have from me.
To-morrow be in readiness to go:
Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.

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

[thee:

Ant. Look, what thou want'st shall be sent after 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 PANT. Pro. 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.
Enter PANTHINO.

Pant. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you: He is in haste; therefore, I pray you, go.

Pro. Why, this it is: my heart accords thereto. And yet a thousand times it answers, no. [Exeunt.

Act Second. SCENE I.

Milan. A Room in the DUKE's Palace.

Enter VALENTINE and SPEED.

Speed. SIR, your glove.
Val.
Not mine; my gloves are on.
Speed. Why then this may be yours, for this
is but one.
[mine.
Val. Ha! let me see: ay, give it me, it's
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 learn'd, like Sir Proteus, to wreathe your arms, like a mal-content; to relish a lovesong, like a robin-redbreast; to walk alone, like one that had the pestilence; to sigh, like a schoolboy that had lost his ABC; to weep, like a girl that had 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 walk'd, to walk like one of the lions; when you fasted, it was presently after dinner; when you look'd sadly, it was for want of money; and now you are metamorphos'd with a mistress, that, when I look on you, I can hardly think you my master.

Val. Are all these things perceiv'd in me?
Speed. They are all perceiv'd without ye.
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.

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 observ'd that? even she I mean. Speed. Why, sir, I know her not.

Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and yet know'st her not?

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

Speed. That she is not so fair, as (of you) well favour'd. [her favour infinite. Val. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but Speed. That's because the one is painted, and the other out of all count.

Val. How painted? and how out of count? Speed. Marry, sir, so painted to make her fair, that no man 'counts of her beauty. [beauty. Val. How esteem'st thou me? I account of her Speed. You never saw her since she was deform'd.

Val. How long hath she been deform'd?
Speed. Ever since you lov'd her.

Val. I have lov'd her ever since I saw her, and still I see her beautiful.

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

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

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 swing'd 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.

Val. Last night she enjoin'd me to write some lines to one she loves.

Speed. And have you?

Val. I have.

Speed. Are they not lamely writ?

But I will none of them: they are for you.
I would have had them writ more movingly.
Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship
another.
[over;
Sil. And, when it's writ, for my sake read it
And, if it please you, so; if not, why, so.
Val. If it please me, madam! what then?
Sil. Why, if it please you, take it for your labour:
And so good-morrow, servant.
[Exit.
Speed. O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible,
As a nose on a man's face, or a weathercock on a
steeple !
[suitor,
My master sues to her, and she hath taught her
He being her pupil, to become her tutor.
O excellent device! was there ever heard a better,
That my master, being scribe, to himself should
write the letter?

Val. How now, sir! what, are you reasoning
with yourself?
[the reason.
Speed. Nay, I was rhyming: 'tis you that have
Val. To do what?

Speed. To be a spokesman from Madam Silvia.
Val. To whom?

Speed. To yourself.

Val. What figure?

[figure.

Why, she woos you by a

Speed. By a letter, I should say.
Val. Why, she hath not writ to me?
Speed. What need she, when she hath made
you write to yourself? Why, do you not perceive
Val. No, believe me.
[the jest?
Speed. No believing you, indeed, sir: but did
you perceive her earnest ?

Val. She gave me none, except an angry word.
Speed. Why, she hath given you a letter.
Val. That's the letter I writ to her friend.
Speed. And that letter hath she deliver'd, and
Val. I would it were no worse! [there an end.
Speed. I'll warrant you, 'tis as well: [desty,
"For often have you writ to her, and she, in mo-

Val. No, boy, but as well as I can do them.- Or else for want of idle time, could not again reply; Peace! here she comes.

Enter SILVIA.

Speed. O excellent motion! O exceeding puppet!

morrows.

Now will he interpret to her. [SPEED stands aside.
Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand good
[of manners.
Speed. O! 'give ye good ev'n: here's a million
Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two
thousand.
[gives it him.
Speed. He should give her interest, and she
Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter
Unto the secret nameless friend of yours;
Which I was much unwilling to proceed in,
But for my duty to your ladyship. [clerkly done.
Sil. I thank you, gentle servant. 'Tis very
Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off;
For, being ignorant to whom it goes,
I writ at random, very doubtfully.

[pains?

Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much Val. No, madam: so it stead you, I will write, Please you command, a thousand times as much. And yet

Sil. A pretty period. Well, I guess the sequel:
And yet I will not name it ;-and yet I care not;-
And yet take this again;-and yet I thank you,
Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more.
Speed. And yet you will; and yet another yet.
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.

Or fearing else some messenger, that might her mind discover,

Herself hath taught her love himself to write unto
her lover."—

All this I speak in print, for in print I found it.—
Why muse you, sir? 'tis dinner time.

Val. I have din'd.

Speed. Ay, but hearken, sir: though the
cameleon Love can feed on the air, I am one that
am nourish'd by my victuals, and would fain have
meat. O, be not like your mistress! be moved,
be moved.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.-Verona. A Room in Julia's House.

Enter PROTEUS and JULIA.
Pro. Have patience, gentle Julia.
Jul. I must, where is no remedy.
Pro. When possibly I can, I will return.
Jul. If you turn not, you will return the sooner.
Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's sake.
[Giving a Ring.

Pro. Why then, we'll make exchange: here,
take you this.

Jul. And seal the bargain with a holy kiss.
Pro. Here is my hand for my true constancy;
And when that hour o'er-slips me in the day,
Wherein I sigh not, Julia, for thy sake,
The next ensuing hour some foul mischance
Torment me for my love's forgetfulness.
My father stays my coming; answer not;
The tide is now;-nay, not thy tide of tears;
That tide will stay ine longer than I should.
[Exit JULIA.
Julia, farewell.-What! gone without a word?
Ay, so true love should do: it cannot speak; [it.

Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, sir, at my request, For truth hath better deeds, than words, to grace

« Înapoi Continuă »

Cărți