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 not. Jul. Nay, that I will not. Luc. Then never dream on infamy, but go. Jul. That is the least, Lucetta, of my fear: Warrant me welcome to my Proteus. Luc. All these are servants to deceitful men. Jul. Base men, that use them to so base effect! But truer stars did govern Proteus' birth: Ilis words are bonds, his oaths are oracles; His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate; 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 come to him. A 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; [Exeunt, ACT III. SCENE I. Milan. An Anti-room in the Duke's Palace. Enter DUKE, THURIO, and PROTEUS. Duke. Sir Thurio, give us leave, I pray, awhile; We have some secrets to confer about. 1 [Exit THURIO. Now, tell me, Proteus, what's your will with me? Pro. My gracious Lord, that which I would discover, The law of friendship bids me to conceal : My duty pricks me on to utter that Which else po worldly good should draw from me. I know, you have determin'd to bestow her Duke. Proteus, I thank thee for thine honest care; Which to requite, command me while I live. This love of theirs myself have often seen, Pro. Know, noble Lord, they have devis'd a mean How he her chamber-window will ascend, For love of you, not hate unto my friend, Duke. Upon mine honour, he shall never know That I had any light from thee of this. Pro. Adieu, my Lord; Sir Valentine is coming. [Exit. Enter VALENTINE. Duke. Sir Valentine, whither away so fast? Val. Please it your Grace, there is a messenger That stays to bear my letters to my friends, And I am going to deliver them. Duke. Be they of much import? Val. The tenor of them doth but signify My health, and happy being at your court. Duke. Nay, then no matter; stay with me a while; I am to break with thee of some affairs, That touch me near, wherein thou must be secret. "Tis not unknown to thee, that I have sought To match my friend, Sir Thurio, to my daughter. Val. I know it well, my Lord, and, sure, the } match Were rich and honourable; besides, the gentleman Is full of virtue, bounty, worth, and qualities Beseeming such a wife as your fair daughter: Cannot your Grace win' her to fancy him? Duke. No, trust me; she is peevish, sullen, Proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty; I now am full resolv❜d to take a wife, And turn her out to who will take her in: Duke. There is a lady, Sir, in Milan, here, And nought esteems my aged eloquence: Now, therefore, would I have thee to my tutor, (For long agone I have forgot to court; Besides, the fashion of the time is chang'd;) How, and which way, I may bestow myself, Val. Win her with gifts, if she respect not Dumb jewels often, in their silent kind, More than quick words, do move a woman's mind. Duke. But she did scorn a present that I sent her. Val. A woman sometime iscorns what best contents her: Send her another; never give her o'er; For scorn at first makes after love the more. For, get you gone, she doth not mean, away: That man that hath a tongue, I say, is no man, Unto a youthful gentleman of worth; Val Why then I would resort to her by night. Duke. Ay, but the doors be lock'd, and keys kept safe, That no man hath recourse to her by night. Val. What lets, but one may enter at her window? Duke Her chamber is aloft, far from the ground; And built so shelving, that one cannot climb it Without apparent hazard of his life. |