Sil. Amen, amen! go on, good Eglamour! Out at the postern by the abbey-wall; Egl. Fear not: the forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that, we are surel enough. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. An apartment in the Duke's palace. Enter Thurio, Proteus, and Julia. Thu. Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit? Pro. O, sir, I find her milder than she was; And yet she takes exceptions at your person. Thu. What, that my leg is too long? Pro. No; that it is too little. Thu. I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder. Pro. But love will not be spurr'd to what it loaths. Thu. What says she to my face? Thu. Nay, then the wanton lies; my face is black. Pro. But pearls are fair; and the old saying is, Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes. Jul. 'Tis true; such pearls as put out ladies' eyes; For I had rather wink than look on them. [Aside. Thu. But well, when I discourse of love, and peace? Jul. But better, indeed, when you hold your [Aside. peace. Thu. What says she to my valour? ice. (1) Safe. [Aside. Thu. What says she to my birth? Pro. That you are well deriv'd. Jul. True; from a gentleman to a fool. [Aside. Thu. Considers she my possessions? Pro. O, ay; and pities them. Thu. Wherefore? Jul. That such an ass should owe1 them. Pro. That they are out by lease. Jul. Here comes the duke. Enter Duke. [Aside. Duke. How now, Sir Proteus? how now, Thurio? Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late? Duke. Why, then she's fled unto that peasant Valentine; And Eglamour is in her company. Besides, she did intend confession At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not: These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence. Therefore, I pray you, stand not to discourse, But mount you presently; and meet with me Upon the rising of the mountain-foot That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fled: Thu. Why, this it is to be a peevish2 girl, [Exit. (1) Own. (2) Foolish. (3) Careless. 7. Pro. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love, Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her. [Exit. Jul. And I will follow, more to cross that love, Than hate for Silvia, that is gone for love. [Exit. SCENE III, Frontiers of Mantua. Out. Come, come; The Be patient, we must bring you to our captain. 1 Out. Where is the gentleman that was with her? 3 Out. Being nimble-footed, he hath out-run us, But Moyses, and Valerius, follow him. Go thou with her to the west end of the wood, There is our captain: we'll follow him that's fled; The thicket is beset, he cannot scape. 1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave: Fear not; he bears an honourable mind, Sil. O Valentine, this I endure for thee! [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Another part of the Forest. Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man! (1) Sing. 1 And leave no memory of what it was! Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain!- These are my mates, that make their wills their law, Have some unhappy passenger in chace: They love me well; yet I have much to do, Withdraw thee, Valentine; who's this comes here? Enter Proteus, Silvia, and Julia. Pro. Madam, this service I have done for you love. Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look; Val. How like a dream is this I see and hear! happy. Sil. Had I been seized by a hungry lion, (1) Reward. Therefore be gone, solicit me no more. Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo for one calm look? Sil. When Proteus cannot love where he's belov'd. Read over Julia's heart, thy first best love, For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith Into a thousand oaths; and all those oaths Descended into perjury, to love me. Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou hadst two, And that's far worse than none; better have none Than plural faith, which is too much by one: Thou counterfeit to thy true friend! Pro. In love, All men but Proteus. Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form, I'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end; And love you 'gainst the nature of love, force you. Sil. O heaven! Pro. I'll force thee yield to my desire. Val. Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch; Thou friend of an ill fashion! Pro. Valentine! Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or love; (For such is a friend now,) treacherous man! Thou hast beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye Could have persuaded me: Now I dare not say. I have one friend alive; thou would'st disprove me. Who should be trusted now, when one's right hand Is perjur'd to the bosom? Proteus, (1) Felt, experienced. |