Two Gentlemen of Verona

Two friends, Valentino and Proteus, move temporarily from Verona to Milan for their studies and their development towards adulthood. Valentino has barely arrived in Milan as he falls in love with Silvia, the daughter of the local duke. Proteus dwells still in Verona, where he has sworn eternal fidelity to his beloved Julia. But when Proteus also arrives in Milan, his heart also melts for Silvia. What is he to do: be unfaithful to Julia, win Silvia for himself and rob his best friend Valentino of his love? Commonly agreed to be Shakespeare's first comedy, and probably his first play.Verona. An open place.[Enter VALENTINE and PROTEUS]VALENTINECease 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 sluggardized at home, Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness. But since thou lovest, love still and thrive therein, Even as I would when I to love begin.PROTEUSWilt 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 danger, If ever danger do environ thee, Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers, For I will be thy beadsman, Valentine.VALENTINEAnd on a love-book pray for my success?PROTEUSUpon some book I love I'll pray for thee.VALENTINEThat's on some shallow story of deep love: How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont.PROTEUSThat's a deep story of a deeper love: For he was more than over shoes in love.VALENTINE'Tis true; for you are over boots in love, And yet you never swum the Hellespont.PROTEUSOver the boots? nay, give me not the boots.VALENTINENo, I will not, for it boots thee not.PROTEUSWhat?VALENTINETo be in love, where scorn is bought with groans; 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.