Laun. More hair than wit, it may be; I'll prove it: the cover of the falt hides the falt, and therefore it is more than the falt; the hair, that covers the wit, is more than the wit; for the greater hides the lefs. What's next? Speed. And more faults than hairs. Laun. That's monftrous: oh, that that were out! Speed. And more wealth than faults. Laun. Why, that word makes the faults gracious: well, I'll have her; and if it be a match, as nothing is impoffible Speed. What then? Laun. Why then will I tell thee, that thy master stays for thee at the north-gate. Speed. For me? Laun. For thee? ay; who art thou? he hath ftaid for a better man than thee. Speed. And muft I go to him? Laun. Thou must run to him, for thou haft ftaid fo long, that going will scarce ferve the turn. Speed. Why didft not tell me fooner? pox on your love-letters! Laun. Now will he be fwing'd for reading my letter: an unmannerly flave, that will thruft himself into fecrets. I'll after, to rejoice in the boy's correction. [Exeunt. SCENE V. Enter Duke and Thurio. Duke. Sir Thurio, fear not, but that he will love you. Now Valentine is banish'd from her fight. Thu. Since his exile fhe hath despis'd me moft, Duke. This weak imprefs of love is as a figure Trenched Trenched in ice, which with an hour's heat Enter Protheus. How now, Sir Protheus? Is your countryman, Duke. My daughter takes his going heavily. Pro. Longer than I prove loyal to your Grace, Duke. Thou know'ft, how willingly I would effect The match between Sir Thurio and my daughter. Pro. I do, my lord. Duke. And alfo, I do think, thou art not ignorant How the opposes her against my will. Pro. She did, my lord, when Valentine was here. Therefore it muft, with circumstance, be spoken Duke. Then you must undertake to flander him. Pro. And that, my lord, I fhall be loth to do ; 'Tis an ill office for a gentleman; Efpecially, against his very friend, Duke. Duke. Where your good word cannot advantage him, Your flander never can endamage him; Pro. You have prevail'd, my lord: if I can do it, But fay, this weed her love from Valentine, It follows not, that fhe will love Sir Thurio. Thu. Therefore as you unwind her love from him, Left it should ravel, and be good to none, You must provide to bottom it on me : Which must be done, by praifing me as much As you in worth difpraise Sir Valentine. Duke. And, Protheus, we dare truft you in this kind, And cannot foon revolt and change your mind. Duke. Much is the force of heav'n-bred poefie. Pro. "Say, that upon the altar of her beauty "You facrifice your tears, your fighs, your heart: 6 But fay, this weed her love from Valentine, Si huic non dat, te illam uxorem ducere. Ter Andr. « Write, "Write, 'till your ink be dry; and with your tears "Moift it again; and frame fome feeling line, "That may discover fuch integrity: "7 For Orpheus' lute was ftrung with poet's finews; Vifit by night your lady's chamber window Duke. This difcipline fhews, thou hast been in love. To fort fome gentlemen well skill'd in musick; To give the onset to thy good advice. Duke. About it, gentlemen. Pro. We'll wait upon your Grace, 'till after supper; And afterwards determine our proceedings. Duke. Ev'n now about it. I will pardon you. [Exeunt. 7 For Orpheus' lute was frung with poet's finews.] This fhews Shakespear's knowledge of antiquity. He here affigns Orpheus his true character of legiflator. For under that of a poet only, or lover, the quality given to his lute is unintelligible. But, confidered as a lawgiver, the thought is noble, and the imag'ry exquifitely beautiful. For by his lute is to be understood his fyftem of laws: and by the poet's finews, the power of numbers, which Orpheus actually employed in thofe laws to make them received by a fierce and barbarous people. ACT ACT IV. SCENE I. A Foreft, leading towards Mantua. Enter certain Out-laws. I OUT-LAW. ELLOWS, ftand faft: I fee a paffenger. FELL 2 Out. If there be ten, fhrink not, but down with 'em. Enter Valentine and Speed. 3 Out. Stand, Sir, and throw us what you have about you; if not, we'll make you, Sir, and rifle you. Speed. Sir, we are undone; thefe are the villains, that all the travellers do fear fo much. Val. My friends, I Out. That's not fo, Sir; we are your enemies. 2 Out. Peace; we'll hear him. 3 Out. Ay, by my beard, will we; for he is a proper man. Val. Then know, that I have little wealth to lofe A man I am, crofs'd with adversity; My riches are these poor habiliments, Val. To Verona. 1 Out. Whence came you? Val. From Milan. 3 Out. Have you long fojourn'd there? Val. Some fixteen months; and longer might have ftaid, If crooked fortune had not thwarted me. -1 Out. What, were you banish'd thence? |