Imatges de pàgina
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And deal in her command without her power:
These three have robb'd me; and this demi-devil
(For he's a baftard one) had plotted with them
To take my life: two of thefe fellows, you
Muft know, and own; this thing of darkness, I
Acknowledge mine.

Cal. I fhall be pinch'd to death.

Alon. Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler? Seb. He's drunk now: Where had he wine? Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe: Where thould Find this grand liquor that hath gilded them?-[they How cam'ft thou in this pickle?

Trin. I have been in fuch a pickle fince I faw you last, that, I fear me, will never out of my bones: I fhall not fear fly-blowing.

Seb. Why, how now, Stephano?

Ste. O, touch me not; I am not Stephano, but a Pro. You'd be king of the ifle, firrah? [cramp'. Ste. I fhould have been a fore one then. Abon. This is a strange thing as e'er I look'd on. [Pointing to Caliban. Pro. He is as difproportion'd in his manners, As in his shape:-Go, firrah, to my cell; Take with you your companions; as you look To have my pardon, trim it handfomely.

Cal. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wife hereafter, And feek for grace: What a thrice-double afs Was I, to take this drunkard for a god,

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Pro. Sir, I invite your highnefs, and your train,
To my poor cell; where you shall take your reft
For this one night; which (part of it) I'll wafte
With fuch difcourfe, as, I not doubt, fhall make it
Go quick away; the story of my life,
And the particular accidents, gone by,
Since I came to this ifle: And in the morn,
I'll bring you to your ship, and fo to Naples,
Where I have hope to see the nuptials
Of these our dear beloved folemniz'd;
And thence retire me to my Milan, where
Every third thought shall be my grave.
Alon. I long

To hear the ftory of your life, which must
Take the ear ftrangely.

Pro. I'll deliver all;

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That is, I am all over a cramp. Profpero had ordered Ariel to fhorten up their finews with aged tramps. Touch me not alludes to the forenefs occafioned by them. In the next line, the fpeaker confirms this meaning by a quibble on the word fore.

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SCENE, fometimes in Verona; fometimes in Milan; and on the frontiers of Mantua.

Val.

SCENE I.

ACTI.

An open place in Verona.
Enter Valentine and Protheus.

CEA

EASE to perfuade, my loving Protheus;
Home-keeping youth have ever homely
Wer't not, affection chains thy tender days [wits:
To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love,
I rather would entreat thy company,
To fee the wonders of the world abroad,
Than, living dully fluggardiz'd at home,
Wear out thy youth with fhapeless idleness.
But, fince thou lov'ft, love ftill, and thrive therein,
Even as I would, when I to love begin.

!

[ger,

Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu
Think on thy Protheus, when thou, haply, feeft
Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel:
With me partaker in thy happiness,
When thou doft meet good hap; and, in thy dan
If ever danger do environ thee,
Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers,
For I will be thy bead's-man, Valentine.

Val. And on a love-book pray for my fuccefs.

Pro. Upon fome book I love, I'll pray for thee.
Val. That's on fome shallow ftory of deep love,
How young Leander crofs'd the Hellefpont.

Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love;
For he was more than over fhoes in love.
Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love,
And yet you never fwom the Hellefpont.

Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots1.
Val. No, I will not; for it boots thee not.
Pro. What?

Val. To be in love, where fcorn is bought with

groans;

Coy looks, with heart-fore fighs; one fading ma-
ment's mirth,

With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights:
If haply won, perhaps, a hapless gain;
If loft, why then a grievous labour won;
However, but a folly bought with wit,
Or elfe a wit by folly vanquished.

Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fooll
Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear, you'll
Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at; I am not love. [prove.

1 Theobald pronounces this to be a proverbial expreffion, though now disused, fignifying, Don't make a laughing-ftock of me; don't play upon me. Mr. Steevens, however, is of opinion, that it might take its origin from a fport the country people in Warwickshire ufe at their harvett-home, where one fits as judge to try misdemeanors committed in harveft, and the punishment for the men is to be laid on a bench, and flapp'd on the breech with a pair of boots. This they call giving them the boots. He alfo adds, that the boots were an ancient engine of torture. Val

C 4

Val. Love is your mafter, for he masters you; Pro. But doft thou hear? gav'ft thou my letter And he that is fo yoked by a fool,

Methinks fhould not be chronicled for wife.

Pro. Yet writers fay, As in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, fo eating love Inhabits in the fineft wits of all.

to Julia?

Speed. Ay, fir: I a lot mutton', gave your letter to her, a lac'd mutton; and fhe, a lac'd mutton2, gave me, aloft mutton, nothing for my labour. Pro. Here's too fmall a pafture for fuch a ftore of

Val. And writers fay, As the most forward bud muttons. Is eaten by the canker ere it blow,

Even fo by love the young and tender wit

Is turn'd to folly; blafting in the bud,

Lofing his verdure even in the prime,
And all the fair effects of future hopes.

But wherefore waîte "I time to counsel thee,
That art a votary to fond defire ?

Once more adieu: my father at the road
Expects my coming, there to fee me shipp'd.
Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.
Val. Sweet Protheus, no; now let us take our
At Milan, let me hear from thee by letters, [leave.
Of thy fuccefs in love, and what news elfe
Betideth here in abfence of thy friend;
And I likewife will vifit thee with mine.

Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in Milan!
Val. As much to you at home! and fo farewell!

[Exit.

Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love:
He leaves his friends, to dignify them more;
I leave myfelf, my friends, and all for love.
Thou, Julia, thou haft metamorphos'd me;
Made me neglect my ftudies, lofe my time,
War with good counfel, fet the world at nought;
Made wit with mufing weak, heart fick with
thought.

Enter Speed.

Speed. Sir Protheus, fave you: Saw you my master? Pro. But now he parted hence to embark for Milan. Speed. Twenty to onethen, he is shipp'd already; And I have play'd the fheep in lofing him.

Pro. Indeed, a fheep doth very often tray, And if the thepherd be awhile away.

Speed. You conclude, that my mafter is a thepherd then, and I a sheep?

Pro. I do.

Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether I wake or fleep.

Pro. A filly anfwer, and fitting well a fheep. si: Speed. This proves me still a fheep.

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Speed. If the ground be over-charg'd, you were beft ftick her.

Pro. Nay, in that you are a stray; 'twere best pound you.

Speed. Nay, fir, lefs than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter.

Prc. You miftake; I mean the pound, a pinfold.
Speed. From a pound to a pin? Fold it over and

over,

'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover.

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Pro. But what faid fhe did the nod. [Speed nods.
Speed. I

P. Nod, I? why, that's noddy 3.
Speed. You miftook, fir; I (aid she did nod:
and you ask me, if the did nod; and I faid, I.
Pro, And that fet together, is--noddy.

Speed. Now you have taken the pains to fet it together, take it for your pains.

Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter. Speed. Well, I perceive, I muft be fain to bear with you.

Pro. Why, fir, how do you bear with me? Speed. Merry, fir, the letter very orderly; hav ing nothing but the word noddy for my pains.

Pro. Bethrew me, but you have a quick wit. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your flow purfe. Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief: What faid the ?

Speed. Open your purfe; that the money, and the matter, may be both at once deliver d.

Pro. Well, fir, here is for your pains: What faid the ?

Speed. Truly, fir, I think you'll hardly win her. Pro. Why? could it thou perceive fo much from her?

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

Pro. True; and thy mafter a fhepherd. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumftance. Pro. It fhall go hard, but I'll prove it by another. Speed. The thepherd--feeks the theep, and not the theep the shepherd; but I feck my matter, and my mafter feeks not me: therefore I am no fheep. Pro. The sheep for fodder follows the thepherd, the shepherd for the food follows not the theep; commend you to my maiter. thout for wages followeft thy matter, thy mafter for wages follows not thee: therefore thou art a theep. Speed. Such another proot will make me cry baa.

Pro. What, foid the nothing?

Speed. No, not fo much as-take this for thy pains. To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have teftern'd 4 me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and fo, fir, 111

Pro Go, go, be gone, to fave your ship from Which cannot perith, having thee aboard, [wreck; Being deftin'd to a drier death on shore :

Speed calls himself a loft mutton, because he had loft his mafter, and becaufe Protheus had been proving him a fheep. 2 Cotgrave, in his English-French Dictionary, explains lae'd mutton by a girl of pleasure. A lac'd mutton was fo established a name for a courtezan, that a street in Clerkenwell, which was much frequented by women of the town, was formerly call'd Mutton-lane. 3 Noddy was a game at cards. 4 That is, you have gratified me with a tefer, tefern, or teften, that is, with fixpence.

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Jul. And yet, I would I had o'erlook'd the letter. It were a fhame, to call her back again, And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. What fool is the, that knows I am a maid,. And would not force the letter to my view? unheed-Since maids, in modesty, fay No, to that [fully.

Jul. But fay, Lucetta, now we are alone, Would't thou then counfel me to fall in love? Luc. Ay, madam; fo you ftumble not Jul. Of all the fair refort of gentlemen, That every day with parle encounter me, In thy opinion which is worthiest love?

Which they would have the profferer conftrue, Aya
Fie, fie! how wayward is this foolish love,
That, like a tefty babe, will feratch the nurse,

Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll fhew And presently, all humbled, kifs the rod !
my mind

According to my fhallow fimple skill.

Jul. What think it thou of the fair Sir Eglamour? Luc. As of a knight well fpoken, neat and fine; But, were I you, he never fhould be mine.

Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio? Lac. Well, of his wealth; but of himself, fo, fo. Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Protheus? Luc. Lord, lord! to fee what folly reigns in us! Jul. How now? what means this pattion at his

name?

Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a paffing fhame, That I, unworthy body as I am,

Should cenfure thus on lovely gentlemen.

Jul. Why not on Protheus, as of all the rest? Luc. Then thus,-of many good, I think him beft. Jal. Your reafon ?

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

Jal. And would't thou have me caft my love on him?

Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not caft away.
Jul. Why, he of all the reft hath never mov'd me.
Luc. Yet he of all the reft, I think, beft loves ye.
Jul. His little fpeaking fhews his love but fmall.
Luc. Fire, that is clofeft kept, burns moft of all.
Jul. They do not love, that do not shew their love.
Luc. Oh, they love leaft, that let men know
their love.

Jul. I would I knew his mind.
Luc. Perufe this paper, madam.
Jul. To Julia,-Say from whom?
Luc. That the contents will fhew.
Jul. Say, fay; who gave it thee?

Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and fent, I think,
from Protheus:

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 modefty, a goodly broker 2 !
Dare you prefume to harbour wanton lines?
To whifper and confpire against my youth?
Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth,
And you an officer fit for the place.
There, take the paper, fee it be return'd;

5 The mean is the tenor in mufic.

How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence,
When willingly I would have had her here!
How angerly I taught my brow to frown,
When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile!
My penance is, to call Lucetta back,
And atk remiffion for my folly past :—
What ho! Lucetta !

Re-enter Lucetta.
Luc. What would your ladyship?
Jul. Is it near dinner-time?
Luc. I would, it were;

That you might kill your 3 ftomach on your meat,
And not upon your maid.

ful. What is 't that you Took up fo gingerly?

Luc. Nothing.

Jul. Why didit thou stoop then? Luc. To take a paper up, that I let fail. 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 lye where it concerns, Unless it have a falfe interpreter.

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

Jul. As little by fuch toys as may be possible: Beft fing it to the tune of Light & love.

Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune.
Jul. Heavy? belike, it hath fome burden then.
Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you fing
ful. And why not you?.

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2 A broker was used for matchmaker, some

1 To cenfure means, in this place, to pass sentence. times for procuress. 3 Stomach was used for paffion or cbstinacy. 4 Defiant is a term in music. The fpeaker here turns the allufion (which her miftrels employed, from the bafe in mufic to a country exercife, Bid the bafe; in which fome purfue, and others are made prifoners.

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Jul. This babble fhall not henceforth trouble me. Put forth their fons to seek preferment out

Here is a coil with proteftation !

[Tears it. Some to the wars, to try their fortune there;
Some, to discover iflands far away;
Some, to the ftudious univerfities.
For any, or for all these exercises,

T

Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie:
You would be fingering them, to anger me.
Luc. She makes it ftrange; but the would be
beft pleas'd

To be fo anger'd with another letter.

[Exit.

Jul Nay, would I were fo anger'd with the
fame !

Oh hateful hands, to tear fuch loving words!
Injurious wafps, to feed on fuch fweet honey,
And kill the bees that yield it, with your ftings!
I'll kiss each feveral paper for amends.
Look, here is writ-kind Julia;-unkind Julia!
As in revenge of thy ingratitude,

I throw thy name against the bruising stones,
Trampling contemptuoufly on thy difdain.
Look, here is writ-love-wounded Protheus :-
Poor wounded name! my bofom, as a bed, [heal'd;
Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be throughly
And thus I fearch it with a fovereign kifs.
But twice, or thrice, was Protheus written down:
Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away,
Till I have found each letter in the letter, [bear
Except mine own name; that fome whirlwind
Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock,
And throw it thence into the raging fea!

Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ,-
Poor forlorn Protheus, paffionate Protheus,
To the fweet Julia;-that I'll tear away;
And yet I will not, fith fo prettily
He couples it to his complaining names;
Thus will I fold them one upon another;
Now kifs, 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, fhall thefe papers lie like tell-tales
here?

Jul. If thou refpect them, best to take them up.
Lac. Nay, I was taken up for laying them

down:

Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold.
Jul. I fee, you have a month's mind to them.
Luc. Ay, madam, you may fay what fights you
fee;

I fce things too, although you judge I wink.
Jul. Come, come, will 't please you go? [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

Anthonio's boufe.

Enter Anthonio and Panthino.

He faid, that Protheus, your fon, was meet;
And did request me, to importune you,
To let him spend his time no more at home,
Which would be great impeachment 3 to his age,
In having known no travel in his youth.

[that

Ant. Nor need'ft thou much importune me to
Whereon this month I have been hammering.
I have confider'd well his lofs of time;
And how he cannot be a perfect man,
Not being try'd, and tutor'd in the world:
Experience is by industry atchiev'd,

And perfected by the swift course of time:
Then, tell me, whither were I best to fend him?
Pant. I think, your lordship is not ignorant,
How his companion, youthful Valentine,
Attends the emperor in his royal court.

Ant. I know it well.
[him thither:
Pant. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship fent
There fhall he practife tilts and tournaments,
Hear fweet difcourfe, converfe with noblemen;
And be in eye of every exercife,

Worthy his youth, and nobleness of birth.

Ant. I like thy counfel; well haft thou advis'd:
And, that thou may'it perceive how well I like it,
The execution of it fhall make known;
Even with the fpeedieft expedition

I will difpatch him to the emperor's court. [phonfo,
Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don Al-
With other gentlemen of good esteem, ̧
Are journeying to falute the emperor,
And to commend their fervice to his will.

[go

Ant. Good company; with them fhall Protheus
And, in good time-now will we break with him.
Enter Protheus.

Pro. Sweet love! fweet lines! fweet life!
Here is her hand, the agent of her heart;
Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn:
Oh! that our fathers would applaud our loves,
To feal our happinefs with their confents!
Oh heavenly Julia!

[there!

Ant. How now? what letter are you reading Pro. May 't please your lordship, 'tis a word or Of commendation fent from Valentine, [two Deliver'd by a friend that came from him. [news. Ant. Lend me the letter; let me fee what Pro. There is no news, my lord; but that he writes

Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what fad 2 talk was How happily he lives, how well belov'd,

that,
Wherewith my brother held you in the cloifter?
Pant. Iwas of his nephew Protheus, your fon.
Ant. Why, what of him?

Pant. He wonder'd, that your lordship
Would fuffer him to spend his youth at home;
While other men, of flender reputation,

And daily grac'd by the emperor;
Wifhing me with him, partner of his fortune.
Ant. And how ftand you affected to his wifh?
Pro. As one relying on your lordship's will,
And not depending on his friendly with.

Ant. My will is fomething forted with his wifh
Mufe not that I thus fuddenly proceed ;

See Pro

1. A month's mind was an anniverfury in times of popcry; or, as Mr. Ray calls it, a lefs folemnity directed by the will of the deceated. There was alfo a year's mind, and a week's mind. verbial Phrafes. 2 Sad is the fame as grave or ferious. 3 Impeachment is hindrance. 4 The old expreffion when fomething happened which fuited the thing in hand, fimilar to the French à propos.

For

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