of muttons.

[best stick her. Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were Pro. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best pound you. [for carrying your letter. Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me Pro. You mistake; I mean the pound, a pinfold. Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and [lover. 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your Pro. But what said she? did she nod? Speed. I.

over,

[Speed nods.

Pro. Nod, I; why, that's noddy. Speed. You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you ask me, if she did nod; and I say, I.

Pro. And that set together, is-noddy. Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains. [letter. Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear with you.

Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? Speed. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly; having nothing but the word, noddy, for my pains. Pro. Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse. Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief: what said she?

Speed. Open your purse, that the money, and the matter, may be both at once delivered. [she? Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains: what said Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her. Pro. Why? Could'st thou perceive so much from her?

Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter: and being so hard to me that brought your mind, I fear, she'll prove as hard to you in telling her mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's as hard as steel.

Pro. What, said she nothing?

Speed. No, not so much as-take this for thy pains. To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testern'd me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master. [wreck;

Pro. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, Being destined to a drier death on shore :I must go send some better messenger; I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines, Receiving them from such a worthless post.

Jul.And would'st thou have me cast my love on him?
Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away.
Jul. Why, he of all the rest hath never mov'd me.
Luc. Yet he of all the rest, I think, best loves ye.
Jul. His little speaking shews his love but small.
Luc. Fire, that is closest kept, burns most of all.
Jul. They do not love, that do not show their love.
Luc. O, they love least, that let men know their
Jul. I would, I knew his mind.
[love.
Luc.
Peruse this paper, madamu.
Jul. To Julia,-Say, from whom?
Laic.

That the contents will shew.
Jul. Say, say; who gave it thee?
Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from
Proteus:

He would have given it you, but I, being in the way,
Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I pray.
Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!"
Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines?
To whisper and conspire against my youth?
Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth,
And you an officer fit for the place.
There, take the paper, see it be return'd;
Or else return no more into my sight.
Luc. To plead for love, deserves more fee than
Jul. Will you be gone?
Luc.

[hate.

That you may ruminate. [Erit. Jul. And yet, I would, I had o'erlook'd the letter. It were a shame to call her back again, And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. What fool is she, that knows I am a maid, And would not force the letter to my view! Since maids, in modesty, say No, to that Which they would have the profferer construe, Ay Fie, fie! how wayward is this foolish love, That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse, And presently, all humble, kiss the rod! How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence, When willingly I would have had her here! How angrily I taught my brow to frown, When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile! My penance is, to call Lucetta back, And ask remission for my folly past:What ho! Lucetta!

Re-enter LUCETTA. Laic. What would your ladyship' Jul. Is it near dinner-time? Luc. I would it were: That you might kill your stomach on your meat, And not upon your maid.

[Exeunt.

Jul.

SCENE II.-The same. Garden of Julia's House. Enter JULIA and LUCETTA.

Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Wouldst thou then counsel me to fall in love? Luc. Ay, madam, so you stumble not unheedfully. Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, That every day with parle encounter me, In thy opinion, which is worthiest love? Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll shew According to my shallow simple skill. [my mind Jul. What think'st thou of the fair sir Eglamour? Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine; But, were I you, he never should be mine.

Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio? Luc. Well of his wealth; but of himself, so, so. Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus? Luc. Lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in us! Jul. How now! what means this passion at his name?

Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing shame,
That I, unworthy body as I am,
Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen.

Jul. Why not on Protens, as of all the rest?
Luc. Then thus,of many good I think him
Jul. Your reason?

Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason;
I think him so, because I think him so.

[best.

Nothing.

What is't you took up

Why didst thou stoop, then?

Luc. To take a paper up, that I let fall.
Jul. And is that paper nothing?

Luc.

Nothing concerning me. Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns. Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns, Unless it have a false interpreter.

Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme. Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune: Give me a note: your ladyship can set.

Jul. As little by such toys as may be possible: Best sing it to the tune of Light o' love."

Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune.
Jul. Heavy? belike, it hath some burden then.
Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you
Jul. And why not you?
[sing it.
Luc.
I cannot reach so high.
Jul. Let's see your song:-How now, minion?
Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out.
And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune.
Jul. You do not?

Luc. No, madam, it is too sharp.
Jul. You, minion, are too saucy.
Luc. Nay, now you are too flat,

And mar the concord with too harsh a descant
There wanteth but a mean to fill your song.

Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly base.
Luc. Indeed, I bid the base for Proteus.

Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me.
Here is a coil with protestation!-(Tears the letter.)
Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie:
You would be fingering them, to anger me.

Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be best pleas'd

To be so anger'd with another letter.

[Exit.
Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same!
O hateful bands, to tear such loving words!
Injurious wasps, to feed on such sweet honey,
And kill the bees, that yield it, with your stings!
Ill kiss each several paper for amends.
And, here is writ-kind Julia;-unkind Julia!
As in revenge of thy ingratitude,

I throw thy name against the bruising stones,
Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain.
Look, here is writ-love-wounded Proteus
Poor wounded name! my bosom, as a bed,
Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be throughly heal'd;
And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss.

Bat twice, or thrice, was Proteus written down?
Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away,
Till I have found each letter in the letter,
Except mine own name; that some whirlwind bear
Uto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock,
And throw it thence into the raging sea!

Lo here in one line is his name twice writ,-
Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus,
To the sweet Julia; that I'll tear away;
Asd yet I will not, sith so prettily

H couples it to his complaining names;
Thus will I fold them one upon another;
Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.
Re-enter LUCETTA.

Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your father
Jul. Well, let us go.
[stays.
Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales
here?

Jul. If you respect them, best to take them up. Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down: Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold. Jul. I see you have a month's mind to them. Luc. Ay, madam, you may say what sights you I see things too, although you judge I wink. [see; Jul. Come, come will't please you go? [Exeunt. & III-The same. A Room in Antonio's house.

Enter ANTONIO and PANTHINO.

Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that, Werewith my brother held you in the cloister? Pan. 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son. Ant. Why, what of him?

Pan.

He wonder'd, that your lordship Would suffer him to spend his youth at home; While other men, of slender reputation, Pt forth their sons, to seek preferment out:

Se, to the wars, to try their fortune there;

Ye, to discover islands far away;

For

ae, to the studious universities.

any, or for all these exercises,

He said, that Proteus, your son, was meet;
And did request me, to importune you,
Triet him spend his time no more at home,
Wach would be great impeachment to his age,
Is Larving known no travel in his youth.

Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that, Mereon this month I have been hammering. leave consider'd well his loss of time; Aad how he cannot be a perfect man, tbeing try'd and tutor'd in the world: Experience is by industry atchiev'd,

ad perfected by the swift course of time: hen, tell me, whither were I best to send him? Pan. I think, your lordship is not ignorant, How his companion, youthful Valentine, Adds the emperor in his royal court.

Ant. I know it well. [thither: Pan. "Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen; And be in eye of every exercise,

Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.

Ant. I like thy counsel; well hast thou advis'd
And, that thou may'st perceive how well I like it,
The execution of it shall make known;
Even with the speediest execution

I will despatch him to the emperor's court.
Pan. To morrow, may it please you, Don AI-
With other gentlemen of good esteem, Iphonso,
Are journeying to salute the emperor,
And to commend their service to his will.

Ant. Good company; with them shall Proteus go; And, in good time,-now will we break with him. Enter PROTEUS.

Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines, sweet life!
Here is her hand, the agent of her heart;
Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn:
O, that our fathers would applaud our loves,
To seal our happiness with their consents?
O heavenly Julia!

[there?
Ant. How now? what letter are you reading
Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or
Of commendation sent from Valentine,
Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.

[two

Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what news. Pro. There is no news, my lord; but that he writes How happily he lives, how well-belov'd, And daily graced by the emperor; Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune. Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish? Pro. As one relying on your lordship's will, And not depending on his friendly wish.

Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish : Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed; For what I will, I will, and there an end. I am resolv'd, that thou shalt spend some time With Valentinus in the emperor's court; What maintenance he from his friends receives, Like exhibition thou shalt have from me. To-morrow be in readiness to go: Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.

Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided; Please you, deliberate a day or two. [thee: Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go. Come on, Panthino; you shall be employ'd To hasten on his expedition. [Exeunt Ant. and Pan. Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear of

burning;

And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd:
I fear'd to shew my father Julia's letter,
Lest he should take exceptions to my love
And with the vantage of mine own excuse
Hath he excepted most against my love.
O, how this spring of love resembleth

The uncertain glory of an April day;
Which now shews all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away!
Re-enter PANTHINO.

Pan. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you; He is in haste; therefore, I pray you, go.

Pro. Why, this it is! my heart accords thereto; And yet a thousand times it answers no. [Exeunt

Speed. Madam Silvia! madam Silvia!

Val. How now, sirrah?

Speed. She is not within hearing, sir. Val. Why, sir, who bade you call her? Speed. Your worship, sir; or else I mistook. Val. Well, you'll still be too forward. [slow. Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being too Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you know madam Speed. She that your worship loves? [Silvia? Val. Why, how know you that I am in love? Speed. Marry, by these special marks:-First, you have learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreath your arms like a male-content; to relish a love-song, like a Robin-red-breast; to walk alone, like one that hath the pestilence; to sigh, like a school-boy that had lost his A, B, C; to weep, like a young wench that had buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes diet; to watch, like one that fears robbing; to speak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas. You were wont, when you laughed, to crow like a cock; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions; when you fasted, it was presently after dinner; when you looked sadly, it was for want of money: and now you are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when I look on you, I can hardly think you my_master.

Val. Are all these things perceived in me?
Speed. They are all perceived without you.
Val. Without me? they cannot.

Speed. Without you; nay, that's certain, for, without you were so simple, none else would; but you are so without these follies, that these follies are within you, and shine through you like the water in an urinal; that not an eye, that sees you, but is a physician to comment on your malady.

Val. But tell me, dost thou know my lady Sylvia? Speed. She, that you gaze on so, as she sits at supper?

Val. Hast thou observed that? even she I mean. Speed. Why, sir, I know her not.

Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and yet knowest her not?

Speed. Is she not hard-favoured, sir? Val. Not so fair, boy, as well favoured. Speed. Sir, I know that well enough. Val. What dost thou know? Speed. That she is not so fair, as (of you) well Val. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but her favour infinite.

[favoured.

Speed. That's because the one is painted, and the other out of all count.

Val. How painted? and how out of count? Speed. Marry, sir, so painted to make her fair, that no man counts of her beauty. [beauty. Val. How esteemest thou me? I account of her Speed. You never saw her since she was deformed. Val. How long hath she been deformed? Speed. Ever since you loved her.

Val. I have loved her ever since I saw her; and still I see her beautiful.

Speed. If you love her, you cannot see her.
Val. Why?

Speed. Because love is blind. O, that you had mine eyes; or your own had the lights they were wont to have when you chid at sir Proteus for going ungartered!

Val. What should I see then?

Speed. Your own present folly, and her passing deformity: for he, being in love, could not see to garter his hose; and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose.

Val. Belike, boy, then you are in love; for last morning you could not see to wipe my shoes.

Speed. True, sir, I was in love with my bed: I thank you, you swinged me for my love, which makes me the bolder to chide you for yours.

Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her. Speed. I would you were set; so your affection would cease. [lines to one she loves. Val. Last night she enjoined me to write some

Speed. O excellent motion! O exceeding puppet' now will he interpret to her. (Aside.) [morrows Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand goodSpeed. O, 'give you good even! here's a million of manners. (Aside.) Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thou sand. [it him. (Aside.) Speed. He should give her interest, and she gives Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter, Unto the secret nameless friend of yours; Which 1 was much unwilling to proceed in, But for my duty to your ladyship. Sil. I thank you, gentle servant: 'tis very clerkly Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off For, being ignorant to whom it goes, I writ at random, very doubtfully.

[done.

[pains!

Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much Val. No, madam; so it stead you, I will write, Please you command, a thousand times as much: And yet,

Sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel: And yet I will not name it :-and yet I care not,And yet take this again :—and yet I thank you; Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more.

Speed. And yet you will; and yet another yet. (Aside.)

[like it' Val. What means your ladyship? do you not Sil. Yes, yes; the lines are very quaintly writ But since unwillingly, take them again; Nay, take them.

Val. Madam, they are for you.

Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, sir, at my request; But I will none of them; they are for you: I would have had them writ more movingly.

Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship another. Sil. And when it's writ, for my sake read it over: And if it please you, so; if not, why, so.

Val. If it please me, madam! what then? Sil. Why, if it please you, take it for your labour. And so good-morrow, servant. [Exit Silva Speed. O jest uuseen, inscrutable, invisible, As a nose on a man's face, or a weathercock on a steeple ! [suitor,

My master sues to her; and she hath taught her
He being her pupil, to become her tutor.
O excellent device! was there ever heard a better
That my master, being scribe, to himself should
write the letter?

Val. How now, sir? what, are you reasoning

yourself?

Speed. Nay, I was rhyming; 'tis you that he

the reason.

Val. To do what?

Speed. To be a spokesman from madam Silvis,
Val. To whom?

Speed. To yourself: why, she wooes you
Val. What figure?

Speed. By a letter, I should say.
Val. Why, she hath not writ to me?
Speed. What needs she, when she hath made
write to yourself? Why, do you not perceive the je
Val. No, believe me

Speed. No believing you indeed, sir; but did perceive her earnest?

Val. She gave me none, except an angry word Speed. Why, she hath given you a letter. Val. That's the letter I writ to her friend. Speed. And that letter hath she deliver'd, and there an end.

Val. I would, it were no worse. Speed. I'll warrant you, 'tis as well: For often you have writ to her; and she, in modesty Or else for want of idle time, could not again reply

Or fearing else some messenger, that might her mind discover,

Herself hath taught her love himself to write unto her lover.

All this I speak in print, for in print I found it.-Why muse you, sir? 'tis dinner time.

Val. I have dined.

Speed. Ay, but hearken, sir; thongh the cameleon Love can feed on the air, I am one that am nourished by my victuals, and would fain have meat; O, be not like your mistress; be moved, be moved. [Exeunt. SCENE II-Verona. A Room in Julia's House. Enter PROTEUS and JULIA.

Pro. Have patience, gentle Julia.
Jul. I must, where is no remedy.
Pro. When possibly I can, I will return.

Jul. If you turn not, you will return the sooner: Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's sake.

(Giving a ring.) Pro. Why then we'll make exchange; here, take you this.

Jul. And seal the bargain with a holy kiss.

Pro. Here is my hand for my true constancy;
And when that hour o'er-slips me in the day,
Wherein I sigh not, Julia, for thy sake,
The next ensuing hour some foul mischance
Torment me for my love's forgetfulness!
My father stays my coming; answer not;
The tide is now: nay, not the tide of tears;
That tide will stay me longer than I should;

[Exit Julia.
Jalia, farewell.-What! gone without a word?
Ay, so true love should do: it cannot speak;
For truth hath better deeds, than words, to grace it.
Enter PANTHINO.

Pan. Sir Proteus, you are staid for.

Pro. Go; I come, I come :

Alas! this parting strikes poor lovers dumb.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The same. A Street.

Enter LAUNCE, leading a dog. Lawn. Nay, 'twill be this hour ere I have done Weeping: all the kind of the Launces have this very fat. I have received my proportion, like the prodons son, and am going with Sir Protens to the Laperial's court. I think, Crab my dog be the rest-natured dog that lives: my mother weeping, By father wailing, my sister crying, our maid howling, arcat wringing her hands, and all our house in a great perplexity, yet did not this cruel-hearted cur ed one tear; he is, a stone, a very pebble-stone, and has no more pity in him than a dog: a Jew would e wept to have seen our parting; why, my grandam aving no eyes, look you, wept herself blind at my Parting, Nay, I'll show you the manner of it: This shoe is my father;-no, this left shoe is my father;Bono, this left shoe is my mother;-nay, that cannot be so neither; yes, it is so, it is so; it hath the Worser sole: this shoe, with the hole in it, is my ther, and this my father; a vengeance on't! there t: Dow, sir, this staff is my sister; for, look you, e is as white as a lily, and as small as a wand: the hat is Nan, our maid; I am the dog-no, the gs himself, and I am the dog,-O, the dog is me, and I am myself; ay, so, so. Now come I to my her; Father, your blessing; now should not the e speak a word for weeping; now should I kiss my father; well, he weeps on:-now come I to my ber, (0, that she could speak now!) like a good man-well, I kiss her;-why, there 'tis; here's By mother's breath up and down; now come I to my 8ter; mark the moan she makes: now, the dog all as while sheds not a tear, nor speaks a word; but see how I lay the dust with my tears.

Enter PANTHINO.

Pan. Launce, away, away, aboard; thy master is epped and thou art to post after with oars. What's

the matter? why weep'st thou, man? Away, ass; you will lose the tide, if you tarry any longer.

Laun. It is no matter if the ty'd were lost; for it is the unkindest ty'd that ever any man ty'd. Pan. What's the unkindest tide?

Laun. Why, he that's ty'd here; Crab, my dog. Pan. Tut, man, I mean thou'lt lose the flood: and, in losing the flood, lose thy voyage; and, in losing thy voyage, lose thy master, and, in losing thy master, lose thy service; and, in losing thy service,-Why dost thou stop my mouth?

Laun. For fear thou should'st lose thy tongue.
Pan. Where should I lose my tongue?
Laun. In thy tale.

Pan. In thy tail?

Laun. Lose the tide, and the voyage, and the master, and the service? The tide !-Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with my tears; if the wind were down, I could drive the boat with my sighs.

[thee. Pan. Come, come away, man; I was sent to call Laun. Sir, call me what thou darest. Pan. Wilt thou go?

Laun. Well, I will go.

[Exeunt,

Speed. Not of you.

Val. Of my mistress then.

Speed. Twere good, you knocked him.

Sil. Servant, you are sad.

Val. Indeed, madam, I seem so.

Thu. Seem you that you are not?
Val. Haply I do.

Thu. So do counterfeits.

Val. So do you.

Thu. What seem I, that I am not?
Val. Wise.

Thu. What instance of the contrary?
Val. Your folly.

Thu. And how quote you my folly?
Val. I quote it in your jerkin.
Thu. My jerkin is a doublet.
Val. Well, then, I'll double your folly.
Thu. How?

[colour? Sil. What, angry, sir Thurio? do you change Val. Give him leave, madam; he is a kind of cameleon.

Thu. That hath more mind to feed on your blood, than live in your air.

Val. You have said, sir.

Thu. Ay, sir, and done too, for this time. Val. I know it well, sir; you always end ere you begin.

Sil. A fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quickly shot off.

Val. Tis indeed, madam; we thank the giver. Sil. Who is that, servant?

Val. Yourself, sweet lady; for you gave the fire sir Thurio borrows his wit from your ladyship's looks, and spends what he borrows, kindly in your company.

Thu. Sir, if you spend word for word with me, I shall make your wit bankrupt.

Val. I know it well, sir; you have an exchequer of words, and, I think, no other treasure to give your followers; for it appears by their bare liveries, that they live by your bare words. [father.

Sil. No more, gentlemen, no more; here comes my