Page images
PDF
EPUB

The SON G.

Now until the break of day,
Through this houfe each Fairy fray.
To the best bride-bed will we,
Which by us fhall bleffed be:
And the iffue, there create,
Ever fhall be fortunate ;
So fhall all the couples three
Ever true in loving be:
And the blots of nature's hand
Shall not in their iffue ftand;
Never mole, hair-lip, nor fcar,
Nor mark prodigious, fuch as are
Defpifed in nativity,

Shall upon their children be.
With this field-dew confecrate,
Every Fairy take his gate,
And each feveral chamber blefs,
Through this palace, with fweet peace.
Ever fhall it fafely rest,

And the owner of it bleft.

Trip away, make no ftay;

Meet me all by break of day.

Puck. If we fhadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended;
That you have but flumbred here,
While these vifions did appear.
And this weak and idle theam
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend;
If you pardon, we will mend.
And as I am honest Puck,

If we have unearned luck

Now to 'fcape the ferpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long:
Elfe the Puck a liar call:

So, good night unto you all.

Give me your hands, if we be friends;
And Robin fhall restore amends.

[Exeunt omne

[blocks in formation]

Dramatis Perfonæ.

DUKE of Milan, Father to Silvia.

Valentine,
Protheus,

}

the two Gentlemen.

Anthonio, Father to Protheus.

Thurio, a foolish Rival to Valentine.
Eglamore, Agent for Silvia in her Efcape.
Hoft, where Julia lodges in Milan.

Out-laws.

Speed, a clownish Servant to Valentine.
Launce, the like to Protheus..

Panthion, Servant to Anthonio.

Julia, a Lady of Verona, beloved of Protheus. Silvia, the Duke of Milan's Daughter, beloved of Valentine.

Lucetta, Waiting-woman to Julia.

Servants, Muficians.

The SCENE, fometimes in Verona; fometimes in Milan; and on the Frontiers of Mantua.

THE

THE

TWO GENTLEMEN

C

O F

VERON A.

A C T I. SCENE I.

An open Place in Verona.

Enter Valentine and Protheus.

VALENTIN

ALENTINE.

EASE to perfuade, my loving Protheus; Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits; Wer't not, affection chains thy tender days To the fweet glances of thy honour'd love, I rather would intreat thy company, To fee the wonders of the world abroad; Than (living dully fluggardiz'd at home) Wear out thy youth with fhapeless idleness. But fince thou lov'ft, love ftill, and thrive therein; Ev'n as I would, when I to love begin.

Pro. Wilt thou be gone? fweet Valentine, adieu; Think on thy Protheus, when thou, haply, feest Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel: Wish me partaker in thy happinefs,

When thou doft meet good hap; and in thy danger, If ever danger do environ thee,

H 3

Commend

Commend thy Grievance to my holy prayer;
For I will be thy bead's-man, Valentine.

Val. And on a love-book pray for my fuccefs. Pro. Upon fome book I love, I'll pray for thee. Val. That's on fome fhallow ftory of deep love, How young Leander crofs'd the Hellefpont.

Pro. That's a deep ftory of a deeper love; For he was more than over fhoes in love. Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love, And yet you never fwom the Hellefpont.

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 fcorn is bought with groans;

Coy looks, with heart-fore fighs; one fading moment's mirth,

With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights.
If haply won, perhaps, an hapless gain:
If loft, why then a grievous labour won;
However, but a folly bought with wit;
Or elfe a wit by folly vanquished.

Pro. So, by your circumftance, you call me fool.
Val. So, by your circumftance, I fear, you'llprove.
Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at; I am not love.
Val. Love is your mafter; for he mafters you.
And he that is fo yoaked by a fool,

Methinks, fhould not be chronicled for wife.
Pro. Yet writers fay, as in the sweetest bud
The eating canker dwells; fo eating love
Inhabits in the fineft, wits of all.

Val. And writers fay, as the most forward bud
Is eaten by the canker, ere it blow;

Even fo by love the young and tender wit
Is turn'd to folly, blasting in the bud ;
Lofing his verdure even in the prime,
And all the fair effects of future hopes.
But wherefore wafte I time to counsel thee,

That

« PreviousContinue »