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

cess.

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? Val. To be in love, where scorn is bought with groans; [moment's mirth, Coy looks, with heart-sore sighs; one fading 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. [fool. Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear you'll

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, farewell.

[Exit.

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. Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me ; Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, War with good counsel, set the world at nought; [thought.

Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with Enter Speed.

master?

Speed. Sir Proteus, save you! Saw you my [for Milan. Pro. But now he parted hence, to embark Speed. Twenty to one, then, he is shipp'd already,

And I have play'd the sheep, in losing him. Pro. Indeed a sheep doth very often stray, An if the shepherd be awhile away.

Speed. You conclude, that my master is a shepherd, then, and I a sheep? Pro. I do. 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. [another.

Pro. It shall go hard but I'll prove it by 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. ["Baa." Speed. Such another proof will make me cry Pro. But, dost thou hear? gavest 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 store of muttons.

Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her.

Pro. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best pound you.

Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter. [pinfold. Pro. You mistake: I mean the pound, a Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over [your lover. 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to Pro. But what said she? [Speed nods.] Did she nod?

and over,

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?

[her.

Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win 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 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 testerned 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.--

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 censure thus on lovely gentlemen. Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? Luc. Then thus,-of many good I think Jul. Your reason? [him best. Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason; think him so, because I think him so. Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my love on him? [away. Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast Jul. Why, he, of all the rest, hath never mov'd me. [loves ye. Luc. Yet he, of all the rest, I think, best Jul. His little speaking shows his love but

I

small.

[all. Luc. Fire that is closest kept, burns most of Jul. They do not love, that do not show their love. [their love. Luc. O, they love least, that let men know Jul. I would I knew his mind. Luc. Peruse this paper, madam. [Gives a letter. 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, 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
Jul. Will you be gone? [than hate,
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
Which they would have the profferer construe,
Ay."

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!

Re-enter Lucetta.

What would your ladyship?

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.
Look, here is writ--"kind Julia."-Unkind
As in revenge of thy ingratitude, [Julia!
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,

Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be throughly 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 whirlwind
Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock, [bear
And throw in 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.

Re-enter Lucetta.

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

[son.

Pant. He wonder'd that your lordship Would suffer him to spend his youth at home; While other men, of slender reputation, 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 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.

Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune 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 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. [sent him thither Pant. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship 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 advised:

[it,

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

[him. And,-in good time :-now will we break with Enter Proteus.

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!

Aut. How now! what letter are you reading there?

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.

after thee:

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! Re-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 II.

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! [Silvia ! Ah, Silvia, Silvia ! Speed. [Calling.] Madam Silvia! Madam 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 wreathe your arms, like a malcontent; 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 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 laughed, 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 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 ye.
Val. Without me? they cannot.

a

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 a urinal, that
not an eye that sees you, but is a physician to
comment on your malady.
[Silvia?
Val. But tell me, dost thou know my lady
Speed. She that you gaze on so, as she sits
at supper?
[mean.
Val. Hast thou observed that? even she I
Speed. Why, sir, I know her not.
Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on
her, and yet knowest 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. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but her favour infinite.

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.

Val. How esteemest thou me? I account of her beauty.

Speed. You never saw her since she was deformed.

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. 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 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

Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand good-morrows.

Speed. [Aside.] O, give ye good even! here's a million of manners.

Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thousand.

Speed. [Aside.] He should give her interest, and she gives it him. [letter, Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your Unto the secret nameless friend of yours; 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.

Val. Now, trust me, madam, it came hardly For, being ignorant to whom it goes, [off; I writ at random, very doubtfully.

Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains?

[write,

Val. No, madam; so it stead you, I will Please you command, a thousand times as And yet,[much : not ;

Sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel:

And yet I will not name it ;-and yet I care And yet take this again;-and yet I thank you, Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more. Speed. [Aside.] And yet you will; and yet another yet.

Val. What means your ladyship? do you not like it? [writ: Sil. Yes, yes; the lines are very quaintly But since unwillingly, take them again: Nay, take them. Val.

Madam, they are for you. Sil. Ay, ay, you writ them, sir, at my re

quest;

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