For Orpheus' lute was strung with poets' To sort some gentlemen well skill'd in music. Duke. About it, gentlemen. [rehearse : 2 Out. For what offence? Val. For that which now torments me to I kill'd a man, whose death I much repent ; But yet I slew him manfully, in fight, Without false vantage or base treachery. [so. 1 Out. Why, ne'er repent it, if it were done But were you banish'd for so small a fault? Val. I was, and held me glad of such a 2 Out. Have you the tongues? [doom. Val. My youthful travel therein made me Or else I often had been miserable. [happy, 3 Out. By the bare scalp of Robin Hood's fat friar, This fellow were a king for our wild faction! : [take to? 2 Out. Tell us this have you anything to Val. Nothing, but my fortune. [gentlemen, 3 Out. Know then, that some of us are Pro. We'll wait upon your grace till after Such as the fury of ungovern'd youth Thrust from the company of awful men : 2 Out. And I from Mantua, for a gentleman, Who, in my mood, I stabb'd unto the heart. 1 Out. And I, for such like petty crimes as these. But to the purpose; for we cite our faults, man, 2 Out. Indeed, because you are a banish'd Therefore, above the rest, we parley to you. Are you content to be our general? To make a virtue of necessity, And live, as we do, in this wilderness? 3 Out. What say'st thou? wilt thou be of our consort ? Say ay, and be the captain of us all : We'll do thee homage, and be ruled by thee, Love thee as our commander and our king. I Out. But if thou scorn our courtesy, thou diest. [have offer'd. 2 Out. Thou shalt not live to brag what we Val. I take your offer, and will live with you; Provided that you do no outrages On silly women, or poor passengers. [tices. 3 Out. No; we detest such vile, base pracCome, go with us; we'll bring thee to our I have access my own love to prefer: She twits me with my falsehood to my friend; And give some evening music to her ear. Thu. How now, Sir Proteus! are you crept before us? [that love Pro. Ay, gentle Thurio; for, you know, Will creep in service where it cannot go. Thu. Ay; but I hope, sir, that you love not here. Pro. Sir, but I do; or else I would be hence. Let's tune, and to it lustily awhile. Enter, at a distance, Host, and Julia in Host. Now, my young guest; methinks you're allycholly: I pray you, why is it? Jul. Marry, mine host, because I cannot be Who is Silvia? what is she? That all our swains commend her: The heaven such grace did lend her, For beauty lives with kindness: To help him of his blindness: That Silvia is excelling: Host. How now! are you sadder than you were before? How do you, man? the music likes you not. Jul. You mistake; the musician likes me Host. Why, my pretty youth? Jul. He plays false, father. [not. Host. How? out of tune on the strings? Jul. Not so; but yet so false, that he grieves my very heart-strings. Host. You have a quick ear. ful. Ay; I would I were deaf! it makes me have a slow heart. Host. I perceive you delight not in music. Jul. Not a whit,-when it jars so. Host. Hark, what fine change is in the music! Jul. Ay, that change is the spite. Host. You would have them always play but one thing? [thing. Jul. I would always have one play but one But, Host, doth this Sir Proteus, that we talk Often resort unto this gentlewoman? [on, Host. I will tell you what Launce, his man, told me,-he lov'd her out of all nick. Jul. Where is Launce? Host. Gone to seek his dog; which, tomorrow, by his master's command, he must carry for a present to his lady. Jul. Peace! stand aside: the company parts. [plead, Pro. Sir Thurio, fear not you: I will so That you shall say my cunning drift excels. Thu. Where meet we? Pro. At Saint Gregory's well. Thu. Farewell. [Exeunt Thurio and Musicians. Enter Silvia above, at her window. Pro. Madam, good even to your ladyship. Sil. I thank you for your music, gentlemen. Who is that that spake? [truth, Pro. One, lady, if you knew his pure heart's You would quickly learn to know him by his Sil. Sir Proteus, as I take it. [voice. Pro. Sir Proteus, gentle lady, and your servSil. What is your will? [ant. Pro. That I may compass yours. [this,- That hast deceiv'd so many with thy vows? Jul. [Aside.] Twere false, if I should For, I am sure, she is not buried. [speak it; Sil. Say, that she be; yet Valentine, thy friend, Survives, to whom thyself art witness I am betroth'd: and art thou not asham'd ́ Pro. I likewise hear, that Valentine is dead. To Mantua, where, I hear, he makes abode; Sil. And so, suppose, am I ; for in his grave, And, for the ways are dangerous to pass, Assure thyself my love is buried. [earth. I do desire thy worthy company, Pro. Sweet lady, let me rake it from the Upon whose faith and honour I repose. Sil. Go to thy lady's grave, and call hers Urge not my father's anger, Eglamour, thence; But think upon my grief,- -a lady's grief,— And on the justice of my flying hence, To keep me from a most unholy match, Which heaven and fortune still reward with I do desire thee, even from a heart [plagues. As full of sorrows as the sea of sands, To bear me company, and go with me: If not, to hide what I have said to thee, That I may venture to depart alone. Or, at the least, in hers sepulchre thine. And make it but a shadow, as I am. Sil. I am very loth to be your idol, sir; To worship shadows, and adore false shapes, [Exeunt Proteus, and Silvia, above. Jul. Host, will you go? SCENE III.-The Same. Enter Eglamour. [Exeunt. Egl. Madam, I pity much your grievances; At friar Patrick's cell, SCENE IV.-The Same. Egl. This is the hour that Madam Silvia Enter Silvia above, at her window. Your servant, and your friend; Sil. Sir Eglamour, a thousand times good-had more wit than he, to take a fault upon morrow. Egl. As many, worthy lady, to yourself. Sil. O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman,- : me that he did, I think verily he had been hanged for't: sure as I live, he had suffer'd for't you shall judge. He thrusts me himself into the company of three or four gentleman-like dogs under the duke's table: he had not been there (bless the mark) a pissing while, but all the chamber smelt him. "Out with the dog!" says one; "What cur that? says another; "Whip him out," says the third; "Hang him up," says the duke. I, having been acquainted with the smell before, knew it was Crab; and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs: "Friend," quoth I, "you mean to whip the dog?" Ay, marry, do I," quoth he. "You do him the more wrong," quoth I; "'twas I did the thing you wot of. He makes me no more ado, but whips me out of the chamber. Pro. Well, give her that ring; and therewithal [lady Tell my Where thou shalt find me sad and solitary. How many masters would do this for his servant? Nay, I'll be sworn, I have sat in the stocks for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had This letter:-that's her chamber. been executed: I have stood on the pillory I claim the promise for her heavenly picture. for geese he hath killed, otherwise he had Your message done, hie home unto my suffer'd for't: thou thinkest not of this now! chamber, -Nay, I remember the trick you served me, when I took my leave of Madam Silvia: did not I bid thee still mark me, and do as I do? When didst thou see me heave up my leg, and make water against a gentlewoman's farthingale? Didst thou ever see me do such a trick? Enter Proteus and Julia. [Exit. Jul. How many women would do such a message? Alas, poor Proteus! thou hast entertain'd A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs. Alas, poor fool! why do I pity him, Pro. Sebastian is thy name? I like thee well,That with his very heart despiseth me? And will employ thee in some service presently. Jul. In what you please: I will do what I can. Pro. I hope thou wilt. [To Launce.] How now, you whoreson peasant ! Where have you been these two days loitering? Launce. Marry, sir, I carried mistress Silvia the dog you bade me. Pro. And what says she to my little jewel? Launce. Marry, she says, your dog was a cur; and tells you, currish thanks is good enough for such a present. Pro. But she received my dog? Pro. Go, get thee hence, and find my dog She lov'd me well deliver'd it to me. Pro. Jul. Alas! Not so I think, she lives. Pro. Why dost thou cry, alas? [as well She dreams on him, that has forgot her love; Because he loves her, he despiseth me; I am my master's true confirmed love, [her. Mine shall not do his Julia so much wrong. Jal. I think she doth ; and that's her cause of sorrow. Sil. Is she not passing fair? [she is. Jul. She hath been fairer, madam, than When she did think my master lov'd her well, She, in my judgment, was as fair as you; But since she did neglect her looking-glass, And threw her sun-expelling mask away, The air hath starv'd the roses in her cheeks, And pinch'd the lily-tincture of her face, That now she is become as black as I. Sil. How tall was she? Jul. About my stature: for, at Pentecost, When all our pageants of delight were play'd, Our youth got me to play the woman's part, And I was trimm'd in Madam Julia's gown; Which served me as fit, by all men's judgments, As if the garment had been made for me: Therefore, I know she is about my height. And at that time I made her weep a-good; For I did play a lamentable part: Madam, 'twas Ariadne, passioning For Theseus' perjury, and unjust flight; Which I so lively acted with my tears, That my poor mistress, moved therewithal, Wept bitterly; and would I might be dead, If I in thought felt not her very sorrow! Sil. She is beholden to thee, gentle youth.Alas, poor lady! desolate and left!I weep myself, to think upon thy words. Here, youth; there is my purse: I give thee this [lov'st her. For thy sweet mistress' sake, because thou Farewell. Jui. And she shall thank you for't, if e'er you know her. [Exit Silvia, with Attendants. A virtuous gentlewoman, mild and beautiful. I hope my master's suit will be but cold, Since she respects my mistress' love so much. Alas, how love can trifle with itself! Here is her picture: let me see; I think, If I had such a tire, this face of mine Were full as lovely as is this of hers; And yet the painter flatter'd her a little, Unless I flatter with myself too much. Her hair is auburn, mine is perfect yellow : If that be all the difference in his love, I'll get me such a colour'd periwig. Her eyes are gray as glass; and so are mine : Ay, but her forehead's low, and mine's as high. What should it be, that he respects in her, But I can make respective in myself, And, were there sense in his idolatry, ACT V. SCENE I.-Milan. An Abbey. Enter Eglamour. [me. Egl. The sun begins to gild the western sky; And now it is about the very hour, That Silvia at Friar Patrick's cell should meet She will not fail: for lovers break not hours, Unless it be to come before their time; So much they spur their expedition. See, where she comes!-[Enter Silvia.] Lady, a happy evening! [off; Sil. Amen, amen! go on, good Eglamour, Out at the postern by the abbey-wall: I fear I am attended by some spies. Egl. Fear not: the forest is not three leagues If we recover that, we are sure enough. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Milan. The Duke's Palace. Pro. O, sir, I find her milder than she was; Thu. What says she to my face? Thu. Nay then, the wanton lies; my face is black. [is, Pro. But pearls are fair; and the old saying Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes. Jul. [Aside. T is true, such pearls as put out ladies' eyes; For I had rather wink than look on them. Thu. What says she to my valour? Thu. What says she to my birth? |