PERSONS REPRESENTED. DUKE OF MILAN, Father to Silvia. PROTEUS, ANTONIO, Father to Proteus. THURIO, a foolish rival to Valentine. LAUNCE, Servant to Proteus. PANTHINO, Servant to Antonio. Host, where Julia lodges in Milan. Out-laws. JULIA, a Lady of Verona, beloved by Proteus. SILVIA, the Duke's Daughter, beloved by Valentine. LUCETTA, Waiting-woman to Julia. Servants, Musicians. SCENE, sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan; and on the Frontiers of Mantua. THE TWO GENTLEMEN ОР VERONA. ACT I. SCENE I.-An open Place in Verona. Val. Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus ; But, since thou lov'st, love still, and thrive therein Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu! Think on thy Proteus, when thou, haply, seest Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel; Wish me partaker in thy happiness, When thou dost meet good hap; and, in thy danger, Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers, Val. And on a love-book pray for my success. Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots, Val. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not. Pro. What? Val. 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'; 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 Once more adieu: my father at the road Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine. Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our leave. At Milan, let me hear from thee by letters, Of thy success in love, and what news else Betideth here in absence of thy friend; And I likewise will visit thee with mine. Pro. All happiness beehanee to thee in Milan! Val. As much to you at home! and so farewell! [Exit Valentine. Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love; He leaves his friends, to dignify them more; I leave myself, my friends, and all for love. Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphosed me; Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, • A humourous punishment at harvest-home feasts, &c. War with good counsel, set the world at nought; Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought. Enter SPEED. Speed. Sir Proteus, save you; Saw you my mas ter? Pro. But now he parted hence to embark for Milan. Speed. Twenty to one then, he is shipp'd already; And I have play'd the sheep, in losing him. Pro. Indeed a sheep doth very often stray, And if the shepherd be awhile away. Speed. You conclude that my master is a shepherd then, and I a sheep? Pro. I do, Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep. Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Pro. True; and thy master a shepherd. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. 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 am no sheep. Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep; thou for wages 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? gavest thou my letter to Julia? Speed. Ay, Sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your let ter 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're 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, A term for a courtezan. |