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In thy opinion, which is worthiest love?
Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll shew my
mind,

According to my shallow simple skill.

Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by another.
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 ari no sheep.
Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, the Jul. What think'st thou of the fair sir Eglamour?
shepherd for food follows not the sheep;thou for wages_Luc. As of a kuight well-spoken, neat and fine;
followest thy master, thy master for wages follows
not thee therefore, thou art a sheep.

Speed. Such another proof will make me cry baa.
Pro. But dost thou hear? gav'st 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 a 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.

Pro. You mistake; I mean the pound, a pinfold.
Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over,
'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your
lover.
[Speed nods.

Pro. But what said she? did she nod?
Speed. I.

Pro. Nod, I? why, that's noddy.

But, were I you, he never should be mine.
Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio?
Luc. Well of his wealth; but of himself, so, so.
Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus?
Luc. Lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in us!
Jul. How now! what means this passion at his name?
Luc. Pardon, dear madam! 'tis a passing shame,
That I, unworthy body as I am,

Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen.
Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest?
Luc. Then thus, of many good I think him best.

Jul. Your reason?

Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason;
I think him so, because I think him so.
Jul. And wouldst thou have me cast my love on him?
Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away.
Jul. Why, he of all the rest hath never mov'd me.
Luc. Yet he of all the rest, I think, best loves ye.
Jul. His little speaking shews his love but small.
Luc. Fire that is closest kept burns most of all.
Jul. They do not love, that do not show their love.
Luc. O, they love least, that let men know their love.
Jul. I would, I know his mind.

Speed. You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you Luc. Peruse this paper, madam!

ask me, if she did nod: and I say, I.
Pro. And that set together, is-noddy.

Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains!

Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter.
Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear with

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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?
Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her?
Pro. Why? Could'st 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 testern'd
me; inrequital 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 destined to a drier death on shore: -
I must go send some better messenger;
I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines,
Receiving them from such a worthless post. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. The same. Garden of Julia's house.
Enter JULIA and LUCETTA.

Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone,
Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love?

Luc. Ay, madam, so you stumble not unheedfully.
Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen,

That every day with parle encounter me,

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Jul. To Julia, Say, from whom?
Luc. That the contents will shew.
Jul. Say, say; who gave it thee?

Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from

Proteus:

He would have given it you, but I, being in the way,
Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I 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 than hate.
Jul. Will you be gene?

[Exit.

Luc. That you may ruminate.
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 enforced my heart to smile!
My penance is, to call Lucetta back,
And ask remission for my folly past:
What ho! Lucetta!

Re-enter LUCETTA.
Luc. What would your ladyship?
Jul. Is it near dinner-time?

Luc. I would it were;

That you might kill your stomach on your meat,
And not upon your maid.

Jul. What is't you took up

So gingerly?

Luc. Nothing.

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Luc. Korg Mãe there stil, so you will sing it out: And yet, mesninas, I do not like this tone.

Jul. You do not?

Luc. No, madam, it is too sharp

Jul. You, mision, are too sancy.
Luc. Nay, now you are too fat,

And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:
Inere vantein bat a mean to fill your tong.
Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly base.
Luc. Indeed, I bid the base for Proteas.
Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me.
Here is a coil with prote tation. Tears the letter.
Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie!
You would be fingering them, to anger me.
Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be best
pleas d

To be so anger'd with another letter.

[Exit.

Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with 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! fil kiss each several paper for amends.

And here is writ-kind Julia; - unkind Julia!
As in revenge of thy ingratitude,

I throw thy name against the bruising stones,
Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain.
Look, here is writ-love-wounded Proteus: —
Poor wounded name! my bosom, as a bed,

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Shall lodge thee, will thy wound be throughly heal'd;
And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss.
Buttwice, 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 bear
Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock,
And throw it 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.

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Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your father stays.
Jul. Well, let us go!

He salt, that Proteas, wear co, was meet;
And diú request me, to importune yOR

To let him spend his time no more at home,

Which would be great impeachment to his age,

Luc. What, shall these papers lie like telltales here?
Jul. If
If you respect them, best to take them up.
Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down:
Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold.
Jul. I see you have a month's mind to them.
Lue. Ay, madam, you may say what sights you see;
I see things too, although you judge I wink.
Jul. Come, come, will't please you go?

[Exeunt.

In having known no travel in his youth.

Ant. Nor used'st thou much importane me to that, Whereon this month I have been hammering.

I have considered well his loss of time,
And how he cannot be a perfect man,
Not being try'd and tutor d in the world:
Experience is by industry atchiev'd

And perfected by the swift course of time:
Then, tell me, whether were I best to send him?
Pant. I think, your lordship is not ignorant,
How his companion, youthial Valentine,
Attends the emperor in his royal court.
Ant. I know it well.

Pant. Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither:

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

I will dispatch 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: And, in good time, now will we break with him. 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!

Ant. How now? what letter are you reading there?
Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two
Of commendation sent from Valeutine,
Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.
Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what news!
Pro. There is no news, my lord; but that he writes
How happily he lives, how well beloved,
And daily graced by the emperor;
Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune
Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish?
Pro. As one relying on your lordship's will,
And not depending on his friendly wish.
Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish:
Muse not, that I thus suddenly proceed;
For what I will, I will, and there an end.
I am resolv'd, that thou shalt spend some time
With Valentinus in the emperor's court;

What maintenance he from his friends receives, Like exhibition thou shalt have from me.

To-morrow be in readiness to go:

Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.

Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided;

Please you, deliberate a day or two!

Val. But tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia?
Speed. She, that you gaze on so, as she sits at supper?
Val. Hast thou observed that? even she I mean.
Speed. Why, sir, I know her not.

Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and yet knowest her not?

Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after Speed. Is she not hard-favoured, sir?

thee.

No more of stay! to-morrow thou must go.
Come on, Panthino; you shall be employ'd

To hasten on his expedition. [Exeunt Ant. and Pant.
Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear of burning;
And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd:
I fear'd to shew 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.
0, how this spring of love resembleth
The uncertain glory of an April day;
Which now shews all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away!

Re-enter PANTHINO.

o!

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.

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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 wreath your arms like a male- content; to relish a lovesong, like a Robin-redbreast; to walk alone, like one that hath 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 metamorphos'd with a 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 you. Val. Without me? they cannot. 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 an urinal; that not an eye, that sees you, but is a physician to comment on your malady.

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 lov'd her.

Val. I have lov'd 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 had the lights they were wont to have, when you chid at sir Proteus, for going ungartered! J'al. 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 for you yours.

Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her.
Speed. I would you were set; so your affection would

cease.

Val. Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves.

Speed. And have you?
Val. I have.

Speed. Are they not lamely writ?

Val. No, boy, but as well as I can do them :- Peace, here she comes.

Enter SILVIA.

Speed. O excellent motion! O exceeding puppet! now will he interpret to her. [Aside.

Val. Madam and mistress, a thousandgood-morrows. Speed. O, 'give you good even! here's a million of manners. [Aside. Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thousand. Speed. He should give her interest; and she gives it him. [Aside. Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter 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 off;
For, being ignorant to whom it goes,

I writ at random, very doubtfully.
Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains?
Val. No, madam; so it stead you, I will write,
Please you command, a thousand times as much:
And yet,-
Sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel;
And yet I will not name it :- and yet I care not;

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And yet take this again; - and yet I thank you;
Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more.

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

Val. Madam, they are for you.

Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, sir, at my request;
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 another.
Sil. And, when it's writ, for my sake read it over :
And, if it please you, so; if not, why, so.
Val. If it please me, madam! what then?

Sil. Why, if it please you, take it for your labour;
And so good-morrow, servant!
[Exit Silvia.
Speed. O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible,

As a nose ou a man's face, or a weathercock on a steeple!

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SCENEIII. The same. A street. Enter LAUNCE, leading a dog.

Laun. Nay, 'twill be this hour ere I have done weepMy master sues to her; and she hath taught her suitor,ing; all the kind of the Launces have this very fault: He being her pupil, to become her tutor.

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I have received my proportion, like the prodigious son, and am going with Sir Proteus to the Imperial's court. I think, Crab my dog be the sourest-natured dog that lives: : my mother weeping, my father wailing, my sister crying, our maid howling, our cat wringing her hands, and all our house in a great perplexity, yet did not this cruel-hearted cur shed one tear: he is a stone, a very pebble-stone, and has no more pity in him than a dog: a Jew would have wept to have seen our parting; why, my grandam having no eyes, look you, wept herself blind at my parting. Nay, I'll show you the manner of it: This shoe is my father;

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no, the dog T and

me,

no, this left shoe is my father; no, no, this left shoe is mother;my nay, that cannot be so neither; it is it is so; - yes, so, it hath the worser sole: This shoe, with the hole in it, is my mother, and this my father; a vengeance on't! there 'tis: now, sir, this staff is my sister; for, look you, she is as white as a lily, and as small as a wand: this hat is Nan, our maid; I am the dog :is himself, and I am the dog : — 0, the dog is I am myself; ay, so, so. Now come I to my father; Father, your blessing! Now should not the shoe speak a word for weeping; now should I kiss my father; well, could speak now!) like a wood woman;· well, I kiss her; why, there 'tis ; here's my mother's breath up and down: now come I to my sister; mark the moan she makes: now, the dog all this while sheds not a tear, nor speaks a word; but see how I lay the dust with my tears. Enter PANTHING.

Speed. And that letter hath she deliver'd, and there he weeps on :-now come I to my mother, (0, that she

an end.

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Pant. Launce, away, away, aboard! thy master is shipped, and thou art to post after with oars. What's the matter? why weep'st thou, man? Away, ass! you will lose the tide, if you tarry any longer.

Laun. It is no matter, if the ty'd were lost; for it is the unkindest ty'd, that ever any man ty❜d. Pant. What's the unkindest tide?

Laun. Why, he that's ty'd here; Crab, my dog. Pant. Tut, man, I mean thou'lt lose the flood; and, in losing the flood, lose thy voyage; and, in losing thy voyage, lose thy master; and, in losing thy master, lose thy service; and, in losing thy service, - Why dost thou stop my mouth?

Laun. For fear, thou should'st lose thy tongue.
Pant. Where should I lose my tongue?

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Laun. Sir, call me what thou darest. Pant Wilt thou go?

Laun. Well, I will go.

SCENE IV. - Milan. An apartment in the Duke's palace.

Enter VALENTINE, SILVIA, THURIO, and SPEED. Sil. Servant

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Made use and fair advantage of his days;
His years but young, but his experience old;

[Exeunt. His head unmellow'd, but his judgment ripe;
And, in a word, (for far behind his worth
Come all the praises that I now bestow,)
He is complete in feature, and in mind,
With all good grace to grace a gentleman.
Duke. Beshrew me, sir, but if he make this good,
He is as worthy for an empress' love,
As meet to be an emperor's counsellor.
Well, sir; this gentleman is come to me,
With commendation from great potentates;

Sil. What, angry, Sir Thurio? do you change colour? Val. Give him leave, madam; he is a kind of cameleon.

Thu. That hath more mind to feed on your blood, than live in your air.

Val. You have said, sir.

Thu. Ay, sir, and done too, for this time.

Val. I know it well, sir; you always end ere you begin.
Sil. A fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quickly
shot off'!

Val. 'Tis indeed, madam; we thank the giver.
Sil. Who is that, servant?

Val. Yourself, sweet lady; for you gave the fire: Sir
Thurio borrows his wit from your ladyship's looks,
and spends what he borrows, kindly in your company.
Thu. Sir, if you spend word for word with me, I shall
make your wit bankrupt.

Val. I know it well, sir: you have an exchequer of words, and, I think, no other treasure to give your followers; for it appears by their bare liveries, that they live by your bare words.

Sil. No more, gentlemen, no more! here comes my father.

Enter DUKE.

Duke. Now, daughter Silvia, you are hard beset.
Sir Valentine, your father's in good health:
What say you to a letter from your friends
Of much good news?

Val. My lord, I will be thankful

To any happy messenger from thence.

Duke. Know you Don Antonio, your countryman?
Val. Ay, my good lord, I know the gentleman
To be of worth, and worthy estimation,
And not without desert so well reputed.
Duke. Hath he not a son?

Fal. Ay, my good lord; a son, that well deserves
The honour and regard of such a father.
Duke. You know him well?

Val. I knew him, as myself; for from our infancy
We have convers'd, and spent our hours together:
And though myself have been an idle truant,
Omitting the sweet benefit of time,

To clothe mine age with angel-like perfection:
Yet hath Sir Proteus, for that's his name,

And here he means to spend his time a-while:

I think, 'tis no unwelcome news to you.

Val. Should I have wish'd a thing, it had been he. Duke. Welcome him then according to his worth! Silvia, I speak to you, and you, sir Thurio : For Valentine, I need not 'cite him to it: I'll send him hither to you presently.

[Exit Duke. Val. This is the gentleman, I told your ladyship, Had come along with me, but that his mistress Did hold his eyes lock'd in her crystal looks.

Sil. Belike, that now she hath enfranchis'd them Upon some other pawn for fealty.

Val. Nay, sure, I think, she holds them prisoners still.

Sil. Nay, then he should be blind; and, being blind, How conld he see his way to seek out you?

Val. Why, lady, love hath twenty pair of eyes.
Thu. They say, that love hath not an eye at all.
Val. To see such lovers, Thurio, as yourself;'
Upon a homely object love can wink.
Enter PROTEUS.

Sil. Have done, have done! here comes the gentle

man.

Val. Welcome, dear Proteus !— Mistress, I beseech you,

Confirm his welcome with some special favour!
Sil. His worth is warrant for his welcome hither,.
If this be he, you oft have wish'd to hear from.
Val. Mistress, it is: sweet lady, entertain him
To be my fellow-servant to your ladyship!
Sil. Too low a mistress for so high a servant.
Pro. Not so, sweet lady; but too mean a servant,
To have a look of such a worthy mistress.
Val. Leave off discourse of disability!-
Sweet lady, entertain him for your servant!
Pro. My duty will I boast of, nothing else.
Sil. And duty never yet did want his meed;
Servant, you are welcome to a worthless mistress.
Pro. I'll die on him that says so, but yourself.
Sil. That you are welcome?

Pro. No; that you are worthless.
Enter Servant.

Serv. Madam, my lord your father would speak with you.

Sil. I'll wait upon his pleasure. [Exit Servant. Come, sir Thurio,

Go with me!

Once more, new servant, welcome! I'll leave you to confer of home affairs;

When you have done, we look to hear from you.
Pro. We'll both attend upon your ladyship.

[Exeunt Silvia, Thurio, and Speed. Val. Now, tell me, how do all from whence you came?

Pro. Your friends are well, and have them much commended.

Val. And how do yours?

Pro. I left them all in health.

Val. How does your lady? and how thrives your love?

Pro. My tales of love were wont to weary you;

know, you joy not in a love-discourse.

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