Launce. Marry, sir, I carried mistress Silvia the dog you bade me. Proteus. 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. Proteus. But she received my dog? Launce. No, indeed, she did not: here have I brought him back again. Proteus. What, didst thou offer her this from me? Launce. Ay, sir; the other squirrel was stolen from me by the hangman's boys in the market-place: and then I offered her mine own; who is a dog as big as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater. Proteus. Go, get thee hence, and find my dog again, Or ne'er return again into my sight. Away, I say: Stay'st thou to vex me here? 9 A slave, that, still an end, turns me to shame. Sebastian, I have entertained thee, [Exit LAUNCE. Partly, that I have need of such a youth, Witness good bringing up, fortune, and truth: She loved me well, deliver'd it to me. Julia. It seems you loved her not, to leave her token: She's dead, belike. Proteus. Julia. Alas! Not so; I think, she lives. Proteus. Why dost thou cry, alas? Julia. I cannot choose but pity her. Proteus. Wherefore should'st thou pity her? Julia. Because, methinks, that she lov'd you as well 9 In the end. She dreams on him, that has forgot her love; You dote on her, that cares not for your love. "Tis pity, love should be so contrary; And thinking on it makes me cry, alas! Proteus. Well, give her that ring, and therewithal This letter;-That's her chamber.-Tell my lady I claim the promise for her heavenly picture. Your message done, hie home unto my chamber, Where thou shalt find me sad and solitary. [Exit PROTEUS. This ring I gave him, when he parted from me, To plead for that which I would not obtain; To praise his faith, which I would have disprais'd. But cannot be true servant to my master, Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you, be my mean Julia. From my master, sir Proteus, madam. Julia. Ay, madam. Silvia. Ursula, bring my picture there. [Picture brought. Silvia. I pray thee, let me look on that again. I will not look upon your master's lines: And full of new-found oaths; which he will break Julia. Madam, he sends your ladyship this ring. For I have heard him say a thousand times, Though his false finger hath profan'd the ring, Silvia. What say'st thou? Julia. I thank you, madam, that you tender her: Poor gentlewoman! my master wrongs her much. Silvia. Dost thou know her? Julia. Almost as well as I do know myself. To think upon her woes, I do protest, That I have wept an hundred several times. Silvia. Belike, she thinks that Proteus hath forsook her. Julia. I think she doth, and that's her cause of sorrow. Silvia. Is she not passing fair? Julia. She hath been fairer, madam, than she is: 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, Silvia. How tall was she? Julia. About my stature: for at Pentecost,1 Silvia. She is beholden to thee, gentle youth!- I weep myself to think upon thy words. Here, youth, there is my purse; I give thee this her. A virtuous gentlewoman, mild, and beautiful. Here is her picture: Let me see; I think, 1 Whitsuntide. 3 Head-dress. If that be all the difference in his love, Her eyes are grey as glass; and so are mine: If this fond love were not a blinded god? My substance should be statue in thy stead. I should have scratch'd out your unseeing eyes, [Exit. ACT V. SCENE I.-The same. An Abbey. Enter EGLAMOUR. Eglamour. The sun begins to gild the western sky; And now, it is about the very hour That Silvia, at Patrick's cell, should meet me. She will not fail; for lovers break not hours, Enter SILVIA. See, where she comes: Lady, a happy evening! Out at the postern by the abbey wall; I fear, I am attended by some spies. Eglamour. Fear not: the forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that, we are sure enough. Exeunt. |