PERSONS REPRESENTED. Duke of Milan, father to Silvia. Valentine, Proteus, Gentlemen of Verona. Antonio, father to Proteus. Thurio, a foolish rival to Valentine. Panthino, servant to Antonio. Host, where Julia lodges in Milan. Julia, a lady of Verona, beloved by Proteus. Servants, musicians. Scene, Sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan; and on the frontiers of Mantua. TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. ACT I. SCENE I-An open place in Verona. Enter Valentine. CEASE to persuade, my loving Proteus; Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, Think on thy Proteus, when thou, haply, seest When thou dost meet good hap; and, in thy dan ger, If ever danger do environ thee, Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers, For I will be thy beads-man, Valentine. Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love, And yet you never swam the Hellespont. Pro. Över the boots? nay, give me not the boots.1 Val. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not. Pro. What? To be In love, where scorn is bought with groans; coy looks, With heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth, If lost, why then a grievous labour won; Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool. prove. Pro. "Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love. Val. Love is your master, for he masters you: And he that is so yoked by a fool, Methinks should not be chronicled for wise. Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud Is eaten by the canker ere it blow, Even so by love the young and tender wit (1) A humorous punishment at harvest-home feasts, &c. |