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 angrily

I taught my brow to frown,
When inward joy enforc'd 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

your

stomachl on your meat, And not upon your maid. Jul.

What is't you
So gingerly?

Luc. Nothing.
Jul.

Why did'st thou stoop then?
Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall.
Jul. And is that paper nothing ?
Luc.

Nothing concerning me.
Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns.

Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns, Unless it have a false interpreter.

Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme.

Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune: Give me a note : your ladyship can set

Jul. As little by such toys as may be possible Best sing it to the tune of Light o' love.

Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune.
Jul. Heavy? belike it hath some burden then.
Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you sing

it.

you might kill

took up

(1) Passion or obstinacy.

Jul. And why not you?
Luc.

I cannot reach so high. Jul. Let's see your song :—How now, minion ?

Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out: And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune.

Jul. You do not?
Luc. No, madam; it is too sharp.
Jul. You, minion, are too saucy.

Luc. Nay, now you are too flat,
And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:1
There wanteth but a mean? to fill your song.

Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly base. Luc. Indeed, I bid the base3 for Proteus.

Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me. Here is a coil4 with protestation

[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 ! I'll 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, Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be thoroughly

heal'd; And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss. But twice, or thrice, was Proteus written down? Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away,

(1) A term in music. (2) The tenor in music. (3) A challenge.

(4) Bustle, stir.

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, sithi 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. Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your father

stays. Jul. Well, let us go. Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales

here? Jul. 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. Luc. 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. SCENE III.-The same. A room in Antonio's

house. Enter Antonio and Panthino. Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad2 talk was that, Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister?

Pan. 'Twas of his nephew Pioteus, your son.
Ant. Why, what of him?
Pan.

He wonder'd, that your lordship Would suffer him to spend his youth at home; While other men, of slender reputation 3

(1) Since. (2) Serious. (3) Little consequence.

Put forth their sons to seek preferment out:
Some, to the wars, to try their fortune there;
Some, to discover islands far away ;
Some, to the studious universities.
For any, or for all these exercises,
He said, that Proteus, your son, was meet;
And did request me, to importune you,
To let him spend his time no more at home,
Which would be great impeachment to his age,
In having known no travel in his youth.
Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to

that
Whereon this month I have been hammering.
I have consider'd well his loss of time;
And how he cannot be a perfect man,
Not being try'd and tutord in the world :
Experience is by industry achiev'd,
And perfected by the swift course of time :
Then, tell

me, whither were I best to send him?
Pant. I think, your lordship is not ignorant,
How his companion, youthful 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 despatch him to the emperor's court. Pant. Tomorrow, may it please you, Don Al

phonso, With other gentlemen of good esteem, Are journeying to salute the emperor,

(1) Reproach. VOL. I.

E

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.?

a

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 Valentine, 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 belov’d,
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 exbibition3 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;

(T) Break the matter to him.
(3) Allowance.

(2) Wonder