TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. ACT I. LOVE COMMENDED AND CENSUred. YET writers say, As in the sweetest bud, And writers say, As the most forward bud LOVE FROWARD AND DISSEMBLING. Maids, in modesty, say No, to that Which they would have the profferer construe, Aye. That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse, ADVANTAGE OF TRAVELLING. He cannot be a perfect man, Not being try'd and tutor'd in the world: LOVE COMPARED TO AN APRIL DAY. O, how this spring of love resembleth ACT II. HUMOROUS DESCRIPTION OF A MAN IN LOVE. Marry, by these special marks: First, you have learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreathe your arms like a malecontent; to relish a love-song, like a robin redbreast; to walk alone, like one that had the pe tilence; to sigh, like a school-boy, that had lost hi A, B, C; to weep, like a young wench that had bu ried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes diet;* to watch, like one that fears robbing; to speak pr ling, like a beggar at Hallowmas.† You were won when you laughed, to crow like a cock; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions; when you fast ed, it was presently after dinner; when you looked sadly, it was for the want of money; and now you are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when I look on you, I can hardly think you my master. AN ACCOMPLISHED YOUNG GENTLEMAN. His years but young, but his experience old; CONTEMPT OF LOVE PUNISHED. I have done penance for contemning love; Whose high imperious thoughts have punished me With bitter fasts, with penitential groans, With nightly tears, and daily heart-sore sighs; For, in revenge of my contempt of love, Love hath chas'd sleep from my enthralled eyes, And made them watchers of mine own heart's sor row. O, gentle Proteus, love's a mighty lord; Nor, to his service, no such joy on earth! Now can I break my fast, dine, sup, and sleep, Upon the very naked name of love. LOVE COMPARED TO A WAXEN IMAGE. For now my love is thaw'd; Which, like a waxen image 'gainst a fire, * Under † Allhallowmas LOVE INCREASED BY ATTEMPTS TO SUPPRESS IT. Didst thou but know the inly touch of love, Thou would'st as soon go kindle fire with snow, As seek to quench the fire of love with words. Luc. I do not seek to quench your love's hot fire; But qualify the fire's extreme rage, Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason. The current that with gentle murmur glides, He makes sweet music with the enamel'd stones, He overtaketh in his pilgrimage; And so by many winding nooks he strays, A FAITHFUL AND CONSTANT LOVER. His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles; ACT II. PRESENTS PREVAIL WITH WOMEN. Win her with gifts, if she respect not words; Dumb jewels often, in their silent kind, More than quick words do move a woman's mind. A LOVER'S BANISHMENT. And why not death, rather than living torment? To die, is to be banish'd from myself: And Silvia is myself: banished from her, BEAUTY PETITIONING IN VAIN. Ay, ay; and she hath offer'd to the doom, (Which, unreserv'd, stands in effectual force,) A sea of melting pearl, which some call tears: Those at her father's churlish feet she tender'd; With them, upon her knees, her humble self; Wringing her hands, whose whiteness so became them, As if but now they waxed pale for wo: But neither bended knees, pure hands held up, HOPE. Hope is a lover's staff; walk hence with that. And manage it against despairing thoughts. LOVE COMPARED TO A FIGURE ON ICE. This weak impress of love is as a figure Trenched in ice; which with an hour's heat Dissolves to water, and doth lose his form. THREE THINGS IN MAN DISLIKED BY FEMALES. The best way is to slander Valentine With falsehood, cowardice, and poor descent; THE POWER OF POETRY WITH FEMALES. Say, that upon the altar of her beauty * Cut. Write till your ink be dry. and with your tears Moist it again; and frame some feeling line; That may discover such integrity: : For Orpheus' lute was strung with poet's sinews, ACT IV. THE POWER OF ACTION. At that time I made her weep a-good,* ACT V. A LOVER IN SOLITUDE. How use doth breed a habit in a man! This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods, I better brook than flourishing peopled towns. Here can I sit alone, unseen of any, And to the nightingale's complaining notes, Tune my distresses, and recordt my woes, O thou that dost inhabit in my breast, Leave not the mansion so long tenantless; Lest growing ruinous, the building fall, And leave no memory of what it was! Repair me with thy presence, Silvia; Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain! LOVE UNRETURNED. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo for one calm look? |