And, even in kind love, I do conjure thee
Who art the table wherein all my thoughts
Are visibly character'd and engravid-
To lesson me; and tell me some good mean,
How, with my honour, I may undertake

590 A journey to my loving Protheus.

Luc. Alas! the way is wearisome and long.

Jul. A true-devoted pilgrim is not weary
To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps;
Much less shall she, that hath love's wings to fly;
And when the flight is made to one so dear,
Of such divine perfection, as Sir Protheus.

Luc. Better forbear, till Protheus make return.
Jul. Oh, know'st thou not, his looks are my soul's

food ?
Pity the dearth that I have pined in,

600 By longing for that food so long a time. 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. Jul. The more thou damm'st it up, the more it

burns : The current, that with gentle murmur glides,

609 Thou know'st, being stopp'd, impatiently doth rage ; But, when his fair course is not hindered, He makes sweet musick with the enamel'd stones, Giving a gentle kiss to every sedge

Не

He overtaketh in his pilgrimage ;
And so by many winding noeks he strays,
With willing sport, to the wild ocean.
Then let me go, and hinder not my course :
I'll be as patient as a gentle stream,
And make a pastime of each weary step,
Till the last step have brought me to my love; 620
And there I'll rest, as, after much turmoil,
A blessed soul doth in Elysium.

Lục. But in what habit will you go along?

Jul. Not like a woman ; for I would prevent
The loose encounters of lascivious men:
Gentle Lucetta, fit me with such weeds
As may beseem some well-reputed page.
Luc. Why then your ladyship must cut your

hair. Jul. No, girl; I'll knit it up in silken strings, With twenty odd-conceited true-love knots }

630
To be fantastic, may become a youth
Of greater time than I shall shew to be.
Luc. What fashion, madam, shall I make your.

breeches?
Jul. That fits as well, as

“ tell me, good my lord, « What compass will you wear your farthingale.?". Why, even that fashion thou best lik’st, Lucetta. : Luc. You must needs have them with a cod-piece,

madam.. Jul. Out, out, Lucetta! that will be ill-favour'd. Luc. A round hose, madam, now's not worth a pin,

Unless

Unless you have a cod-piece to stick pins on.

640 Jul. Lucetta, as thou lov'st me, let me have What thou think'st meet, and is most mannerly: But tell me, wench, how will the world repute me, For undertaking so unstaid a journey? I fear me, it will make me scandaliz'd. Luc. If you think so, then stay at home, and go

pot. .Jul. Nay, that I will not.

Luc. Then never dream on infamy, but go.
If Protheus like your journey, when you come,
No matter who's displeas'd, when you are gone : 650
I fear me, he will scarce be pleas'd withal.

Jul. That is the least, Lucetta, of my fear :
A thousand oaths, an ocean of his tears,
And instances as infinite of love,
Warrant me welcome to my Protheus.

Luc. All these are servants to deceitful men.

Jul. Base men, that use them to so base effect! But truer stars did govern Protheus' birth : His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles ; His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate ; 660 His tears, pure messengers sent from his heart; His heart as far from fraud, as heaven from earth. Luc. "Pray heaven, he prove so, when you coine

to him ! Jul. Now, as thou lov'st me, do him not that

wrong, To bear a hard opinion of his truth: Only deserve my love, by loving him;

And

And presently go with me to my chamber,
To take a note of what I stand in need of,
To furnish me upon my longing journey.
All that is mine I leave at thy dispose,
My goods, my lands, my reputation ;
Only, in lieu thereof, dispatch me hence.
Come, answer not, but to it presently ;
I am impatient of my tarriance.

670

[Exeunt.

ACT III. SCENE I.

The Duke's Palace in Milan. Enter Duke, THURIO,

and PROTHEUS.

Duke.

SIR Thurio, give us leave, I pray, a while;
We have some secrets to confer about..

[Exit THURIO. Now, tell me, Protheus, what's your will with me? Pro. My gracious lord, that which I would dis.

cover, The law of friendship bids me to conceal : But, when I call to mind your gracious favours Done to me, undeserving as I am, My duty pricks me on to utter that Which else no worldly good should draw from me. Know, worthy prince, Sir Valentine, my friend, 10 This night intends to steal away your daughter;

Myself

Myself am one made privy to the plot.
I know, you have determin'd to bestow her
On Thurio, whom your gentle daughter hates ;
And should she thus be stolen away from you,
It would be much vexation to your age.
Thus, for my duty's sake, I rather chose
To cross my friend in his intended drift,
Than, by concealing it, heap on your head
A pack of sorrows, which would press you down, 20
Being unprevented, to your timeless grave.
Duke. Protheus, I thank thee for thine honest

care ;
Which to requite, command me while I live.
This love of theirs myself have often seen,
Haply, when they have judg'd me fast asleep;
And oftentimes have purpos'd to forbid
Sir Valentine her company, and my court :
But, fearing lest my jealous aim might err,
And so, unworthily, disgrace the man
(A rashness that I ever yet have shunn'd), 30

him gentle looks; thereby to find
That which thyself hast now disclos'd to me.
And, that thou may’st perceive my fear of this,
Knowing that tender youth is soon suggested,
I nightly lodge her in an upper tower,
The key whereof myself have ever kept;
And thence she cannot be convey'd away.

Pro. Know, noble lord, they have devis’d a mean
How he her chamber-window will ascend,
And with a corded ladder fetch her down ; 40
Eij

For

I gave