Host. I perceive you delight not in music. Jul. Not a whit, when it jars so. Host. Hark, what fine change is in the music! Host. You would have them play always but one thing? Jul. I would always have one play but one thing. But, host, doth this Sir Proteus, that we talk on, often resort unto this gentlewoman? Host. I tell you what Launce, his man, told me, he loved her out of all nick. Jul. Where is Launce? Host. Gone to seek his dog; which, to-morrow, by his master's command, he must carry for a present to his lady. Jul. Peace! stand aside! the company parts. Pro. At Saint Gregory's well. Thu. Farewell. [Exeunt THURIO and Musicians. SILVIA appears above, at her window. Pro. One, lady, if you knew his pure heart's truth, Pro. Sir Proteus, gentle lady, and your servant. Pro. That I may compass yours. Sil. You have your wish; my will is even this,- That hast deceived so many with thy vows? Pro. I grant, sweet love, that I did love a lady; But she is dead. Jul. He heard not that. [Aside. Pro. Madam, if your heart be so obdúrate, Sil. I am very loath to be your idol, Sir; Pro. As wretches have o'er night, [Exeunt PROTEUS; and SILVIA from above. Jul. Host, will you go? Host. By my halidom, I was fast asleep. Jul. Pray you, where lies Sir Proteus? Host. Marry, at my house: trust me, I think, 'tis almost day. Jul. Not so; but it hath been the longest night That e'er I watch'd, and the most heaviest. SCENE III.-The same. Enter EGLAMOUR. [Exeunt. Egl. This is the hour that Madam Silvia Entreated me to call, and know her mind; There's some great matter she'd employ me in.Madam, Madam! SILVIA appears above, at her window, Sa. Who calls? Egl. Your servant, and your friend; I am thus early come, to know what service S. O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman, Egl. Madam, I pity much your grievances; I give consent to go along with you; As much I wish all good befortune you. Sil. This evening coming. Egl. Where shall I meet you? Sil. At friar Patrick's cell, Where I intend holy confession. Egl. I will not fail your ladyship: Good-morrow, gentle lady. Sil. Good-morrow, kind Sir Eglamour. SCENE IV.-The same. Enter LAUNCE, with his dog. [Exeunt. Laun. When a man's servant shall play the cur with him, look you, it goes hard; one that I brought up of a puppy; one that I saved from drowning, when three or four of his blind brothers and sisters went to it! I have taught him-even as one would say precisely, Thus I would teach a dog. I was sent to deliver him, as a present to mistress Silvia, from my master; and I came no sooner into the dining-chamber, but he steps me to her trencher, and steals her capon's leg. O, 'tis a foul thing, when a cur cannot keep himself in all companies! I would have, as one should say, one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed, to be, as it were, a dog at all things. If I had not had more wit than he, to take a fault upon me that he did, I think verily he had been hanged for 't; sure as I live, he had suffered for't: you shall judge. He thrusts me himself into the company of three or four gentleman-like dogs, under the duke's table: he had not been there (bless the mark !) a pissing while, but all the chamber smelt him. "Out with the dog," says one; "What cur is that?" says another; "Whip him out," says the third; "Hang him up," says the duke. I, having been acquainted with the smell before, knew it was Crab; and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs: "Friend," quoth I, "you mean to whip the dog?" Ay, marry, do I," quoth he. "You do him the more wrong," quoth I; 'twas I did the thing you wot of." makes me no more ado, but whips me out of the chamber. How many masters would do this for their servant? Nay, I'll be sworn, I have sat in the stocks for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had been executed: I have stood on the pillory for geese he hath killed, otherwise he had suffered for't: thou think'st not of this now!-Nay, I remember the trick you served me, when I took my leave of Madam Silvia; did not I bid thee still mark me, and do as I do? When didst thou see me heave up my leg, and make water against a gentlewoman's farthingale? didst thou ever see me do such a trick? Enter PROTEUS and JULIA. Pro. Sebastian is thy name? I like thee well, He And will employ thee in some service presently. Jul. In what you please;-I will do what I can. Pro. I hope thou wilt.-How now, you whoreson peasant? [TO LAUNCE. Where have you been these two days loitering? Laun. Marry, Sir, I carried mistress Silvia the dog you bade me. Pro. And what says she to my little jewel? Laun. Marry, she says, your dog was a cur; and tells you, currish thanks is good enough for such a pre sent. Pro. But she received my dog? Laun. No, indeed, she did not; here have I brought him back again. Pro. What, didst thou offer her this from me? Laun. Ay, Sir; the other squirrel was stolen from me by the hangman's boy in the market-place: and then I offered her mine own; who is a dog as big as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater. Pro. Go, get thee hence, and find my dog again, [Exit LAUNCE. Sebastian, I have entertain'd thee, She loved me well, deliver'd it to me. Jul. It seems you loved her not, to leave her token: She's dead, belike? Pro. Not so; I think she lives. Jul. Alas! Pro. Why dost thou cry, alas? Jul. I cannot choose but pity her. Pro. Wherefore shouldst thou pity her? Jul. Because, methinks, that she loved you as well As you do love your lady Silvia: She dreams on him, that has forgot her love; Pro. Well, give her that ring, and there withal [Exit PROTEUS. This ring I gave him, when he parted from me, To plead for that, which I would not obtain; To praise his faith, which I would have dispraised. I am my master's true confirmed love; But cannot be true servant to my master, Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you, be my mean Sil. What would you with her, if that I be she? Jul. From my master, Sir Proteus, Madam. Jul. Ay, Madam. Sil. Ursula, bring my picture there. [Picture brought. Go, give your master this: tell him from me, One Julia, that his changing thoughts forget, Jul. Madam, please you peruse this letter.— Pardon me, Madam; I have unadvised Sil. I pray thee, let me look on that again. I will not look upon your master's lines: Jul. Madam, he sends your ladyship this ring. Sil. What say'st thou? Jul. I thank you, Madam, that you tender her: Poor gentlewoman! my master wrongs her much. Sil. Dost thou know her? Jul. Almost as well as I do know myself: To think upon her woes, I do protest, That I have wept a hundred several times. Sil. Belike she thinks that Proteus hath forsook her. Jul. She hath been fairer, Madam, than she is: S. How tall was she? Jul. About my stature: for, at Pentecost. Sil. She is beholden to thee, gentle youth!- I weep myself, to think upon thy words. Jul. And she shall thank you for't, if e'er you know I should have scratch'd out your unseeing eyes, To make my master out of love with thee. [Exit That Silvia, at Patrick's cell, should meet me. Enter SILVIA. See, where she comes!-Lady, a happy evening! I fear, I am attended by some spies. Egl. Fear not the forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that, we are sure enough. SCENE II.-The same. [Exeunt. An Apartment in the DUKE'S Palace. Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA. Thu. Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit? Pro. O. Sir, I find her milder than she was; And yet she takes exceptions at your person. Thu. What, that my leg is too long? Pro. No; that it is too little. Thu. I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder. Pro. But love will not be spurr'd to what it loathes. Thu. What says she to my face? Pro. She says, it's a fair one. Thu. Nay, then the wanton lies; my face is black. Pro. But pearls are fair; and the old saying is, Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes. Jul. 'Tis true, such pearls as put out ladies' eyes. For I had rather wink than look on them. Thu. How likes she my discourse? Pro. Ill, when you talk of war. [Aside. Thu. But well, when I discourse of love and peace? Jul. But better, indeed, when you hold your peace. [Aside. And Eglamour is in her company. 'Tis true; for friar Laurence met them both, At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not: That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fled. SCENE IV. Another part of the Forest. Enter VALENTINE. Val. 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 record 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; [Exeunt. Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain!- Sil. Had I been seized by a hungry lion, Therefore be gone, solicit me no more. [Aside. Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo for one calm look? O, 'tis the curse in love, and still approved, Sit. When Proteus cannot love where he's beloved. Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou hadst two, Pro. In love, Who respects friend! Sit. All men but Protens. Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form, I'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end; And love you 'gainst the nature of love-force you. Sil. O heaven! [Exit. Thu. Why, this it is to be a peevish girl, That flies her fortune when it follows her: I'll after; more to be revenged on Eglamour, Than for the love of reckless Silvia. [Exit. Pro. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love Than hate of Eglamour, that goes with her. Jul. And I will follow, more to cross that love Than hate for Silvia, that is gone for love. Pro. I'll force thee yield to my desire. SCENE III.--Frontiers of MANTUA. The Forest. Enter SILVIA and Outlaws. Out. Come, come; Be patient, we must bring you to our captain. 1 Out. Where is the gentleman that was with her? 3 Out. Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us; But Moyses, and Valerius, follow him. Go thou with her to the west end of the wood; I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me. I am sorry I must never trust thee more, Jul. O, cry your mercy, Sir, I have mistook; This is the ring you sent to Silvia. [Shews another ring. Pro. But how cam'st thou by this ring? at my depart, I gave this unto Julia. Jul. And Julia herself did give it me; Jul. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, It is the lesser blot modesty finds, Women to change their shapes, than men their minds. Pro. Than men their minds! 'tis true: O heaven! were man But constant, he were perfect: that one error What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy More fresh in Julia's, with a constant eye? Val. Come, come, a hand from either: Let me be blest to make this happy close; Pro. Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish for ever. Enter Outlaws, with DUKE and THURIO. Out. A prize, a prize, a prize! Val. Forbear, I say; it is my lord the duke Your grace is welcome to a man disgraced, Banish'd Valentine. Duke. Sir Valentine! Thu. Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine. Do not name Silvia thine; if once again, I claim her not, and therefore she is thine. I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserved her. Val. I thank your grace; the gift hath made me I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake, To grant one boon that I shall ask of you. [happy. Duke. I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be. Val. These banish'd men, that I have kept withal, Are men endued with worthy qualities; Forgive them what they have committed here, They are reform'd, civil, full of good, And fit for great employment, worthy lord. Duke. Thou hast prevail'd: I pardon them and thee; Dispose of them, as thou know'st their deserts. Come, let us go; we will include all jars With triumphs, mirth, and rare solemnity. Val. And, as we walk along, I dare be bold With our discourse to make your grace to smile: What think you of this page, my lord? Duke. I think the boy hath grace in him; he blushes. That done, our day of marriage shall be yours; [Exeunt. Eva. Yes, py'r-lady; if he has a quarter of your coat, there is but three skirts for yourself, in my simple conjectures but that is all one. If Sir John Falstaff have committed disparagements unto you, I am of the church, and will be glad to do my benevolence, to make atonements and compromises between you. Shal. The Council shall hear it; it is a riot. Eva. It is not meet the Council hear a riot; there is no fear of Got in a riot: the Council, look you, shall desire to hear the fear of Got, and not to hear a riot; take your vizaments in that. Shal. Ha! o' my life, if I were young again, the Sword should end it. Era. It is petter that friends is the sword, and end it: and there is also another device in my prain, which, peradventure, prings goot discretions with it. There is Anne Page, which is daughter to master George Page, which is pretty virginity. Sien. Mistress Anne Page? She has brown hair, and speaks small like a woman. Eva. It is that fery verson for all the 'orld, as just as you will desire; and seven hundred pounds of monies, and gold, and silver, is her grandsire, upon his death'sbed, (Got deliver to a joyful resurrections!) give, when she is able to overtake seventeen years old: it were a goot motion, if we leave our pribbles and prabbles, and desire a marriage between master Abraham and mistress Anne Page. Shal. Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound? Eva. Ay, and her father is make her a petter penny. Shal. I know the young gentlewoman; she has good gifts. Eva. Seven hundred pounds, and possibilities, is good gifts. Shal. Well, let us see honest master Page. Is Falstaff there? Eva. Shall I tell you a lle? I do despise a liar, as I do despise one that is false; or, as I despise one that is not true. The knight, Sir John, is there; and, I beseech you, be ruled by your well-willers. I will peat the door [knocks] for master Page. What, hoa! Got pless your house here! Enter PAGE. Page. Who's there? Era. Here is Got's plessing, and your friend, and justice Shallow and here young master Slender; that, peradventures, shall tell you another tale, if matters grow to your likings. Page. I am glad to see your worships well: I thank you for my venison, master Shallow. Shal. Master Page, I am glad to see you: much good do it your good heart! I wished your venison better; it was ill kill'd.-How doth good mistress Page?-and 1 love you always with my heart, la; with my heart. Page. Sir, I thank you. Shal. Sir, I thank you; by yea and no, I do. Page. I am glad to see you, good master Slender. Slen. How does your fallow greyhound, Sir? I heard say, he was out-run on Cotsale. Page. It could not be judged, Sir. Slen. You'll not confess, you'll not confess. Shal. That he will not;-tis your fault, 'tis your fault-Tis a good dog. Page. A cur, Sir. Shal. Sir, he's a good dog, and a fair dog; can there be more said? he is good, and fair.-Is Sir John Falstaff here? Page. Sir, he is within; and I would I could do a good office between you. Era. It is spoke as a Christians ought to speak. Shal. He hath wrong'd me, master Page. Page. Sir, he doth in some sort confess it. Shal. If it be confess'd, it is not redress'd; is not that so, master Page? He hath wrong'd me; indeed, he hathat a word, he hath ;-believe me;-Robert Shallow, esquire, saith, he is wrong'd. Page. Here comes Sir John. Enter Sir JOHN FALSTAFF, BARDOLPHI, NYм, and PISTOL. Fal. Now, master Shallow; you'll complain of me to the king? Shal. Knight, you have beaten my men, killed my deer, and broke open my lodge. Fal. But not kiss'd your keeper's daughter? Fal. I will answer it straight;-I have done all this. -That is now answer'd. Shal. The Council shall know this. Fal. 'Twere better for you, if it were known in counsel: you'll be laugh'd at. Eva. Pauca verba, Sir John, good worts. Fal. Good worts! good cabbage.-Slender, I broke your head: what matter have you against me? Slen. Marry, Sir, I have matter in my head against you; and against your coney-catching rascals, Bardolph, Nym, and Pistol. They carried me to the tavern, and made me drunk, and afterwards picked my pocket. Bard. You Banbury cheese! Slen. Ay, it is no matter. Pist. How now, Mephostophilus? Nym. Slice, I say! pauca, pauca; slice! that's my humour. Slen. Where's Simple, my man?-can you tell, cousin? Eva. Peace: I pray you! Now let us understand: |