Val. Ay, my good lord, I know the gentleman To be of worth, and worthy estimation, And not without defert fo well reputed. Duke. Hath he not a fon? Val. Ay, my good lord; a fon, that well deferves The honour and regard of such a father. Duke. You know him well? Val. I knew him, as myself; for from our infancy To clothe mine age with angel-like perfection; As meet to be an emperor's counsellor. Val. Should I have wifh'd a thing, it had been he. [Exit Doke. Val. This is the gentleman, I told your ladyship, Had come along with me, but that his mistress Sil. Belike, that now the hath enfranchis'd them pawn for fealty. Val. Nay, fure, I think, fhe holds them prifoners ftill. Sil. Nay, then he should be blind; and, being blind, How could he fee his way to feek out you? Val. Why, lady, love hath twenty pair of eyes. Thu. They say, that love hath not an eye at all. Val. To fee fuch lovers, Thurio, as yourself; Upon a homely object love can wink. Enter PROTEUS. Sil. Have done, have done; here comes the gentleman. Val. Welcome, dear Proteus!—Mistress, I beseech you, Confirm his welcome with some special favour. Sil. His worth is warrant for his welcome hither, Sil. Too low a mittress for so bigh a servant. Val. Leave off difcourfe of difability : Sweet lady, entertain him for your servant. Pro. No; that you are worthless, Enter Enter Servant. Ser. Madam, my lord your father would speak with you. Sil. I'll wait upon his pleasure. [Exit Servant. Come, Sir Thurio, Go with ine-Once more, new fervant, welcome : When you have done, we look to hear from you. [Exeunt SILVIA, THURIO, and SPEED. Val. Now, tell me, how do all from whence you came? Pro. Your friends are well, and have them much commended. Val. And how do yours? Pro. I left them all in health. Val. How does your lady? and how thrives your love? Pro. My tales of love were wont to weary you; I know, you joy not in a love-discourse. Val. Ay, Proteus, but that life is alter'd now: And made them watchers of mine own heart's forrow. O, gentle Proteus, love's a mighty lord; And hath fo humbled me, as, I confefs, Nor, to his fervice, no fuch joy on earth! Now can I break my fast, dine, sup, and sleep, Pro. Pro. Enough; I read your fortune in your eye: Val. Even fhe; and is the not a heavenly faint? Val. Call her divine. Pro. I will not flatter her. Val. O, flatter me; for love delights in praises. Pro. When I was fick, you gave me bitter pills; And I must minifter the like to you. Val. Then speak the truth by her; if not divine, Yet let her be a principality, Sovereign to all the creatures on the earth. Pro. Except my mistress. Val. Sweet, except not any; Except thou wilt except against my love. Pro. Have I not reason to prefer mine own? Val. And I will help thee to prefer her too: She fhall be dignified with this high honour,To bear my lady's train; left the base earth Should from her vesture chance to steal a kiss, And, of fo great a favour growing proud, Difdain to root the fummer-fwelling flower, And make rough winter everlastingly. Pro. Why, Valentine, what braggardifm is this? Val. Pardon me, Proteus: all I can, is nothing To her, whose worth makes other worthies nothing; She is alone. Pro. Then let her alone. Val. Not for the world: why, man, she is mine own ; And I as rich in having such a jewel, As twenty feas, if all their fand were pearl, My My foolish rival, that her father likes, Is gone with her along; and I must after, Val. Ay, and we are betroth'd; Nay, more, our marriage hour, With all the cunning manner of our flight, Some neceffaries that I needs must use; And then I'll presently attend you. Pro. I will. Even as one heat another heat expels, Or as one nail by ftrength drives out another, [Exit VAL. How |