Imatges de pàgina
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me home, I'll make sport with thee: Let thy courtesies alone, they are scurvy ones.

King. Let us from point to point this story
know,

To make the even truth in pleasure flow :—
If thou be'st yet a fresh uncropped flower,

Choose thou thy husband, and I'll pay thy [To DIANA.

dower;

For I can guess, that, by thy honest aid, Thou kept'st a wife herself, thyself a maid: of that, and all the progress, more and less, Resolvedly more leisure shall express : All let seems well; and, if it end so meet, The bitter past, more welcome is the sweet. [Flourish.

Advancing.

691

All is well ended, if this suit be won,
The king's a beggar, now the play is done :

That you express content; which we will pay,

Ours be your patience then, and yours our With strife to please you, day exceeding day:

parts;

Your gentle hands lend us, and take our hearts.

[Exeunt.

• 1. e. Hear us without interruption, and take our parts, support and defend us.

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THE opinions of commentators are divided upon this play. Hanmer supposes that some particular speeches ura Shakspeare's: Upton, that he had no hand in its production: Theobald considers it one of his worst pieces : Pope decides that the style is more natural and unaffected than our poet's usually was: and Johnson decisres that both in the serious and ludicrous scenes, the language and sentiments are Shakspeare's; and that few of his plays have more lines or passages, which, singly considered, are eminently beautiful. One thing, however, appears certain---that this drama was one of his earliest efforts; that it was not very favourably received; and that, being seldom exhibited, it escaped the corruptions and interpolations, to which his mar populer performances were subjected. The incidents of the play have not been assigned to any defiesta source; though it is not improbable that The Arcadia, and the common romances so much in vogue at that period, might have suggested some of them. Dr. Johnson says, that it evinces “a strange mixture of knowledge and ignorance, of care and negligence ;" and that "the versification is often excellent-the allusions, learned and just."

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SCENE-sometimes in Verona, sometimes in Milan, and on the Frontiers of Mantua.

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prove.

Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love. Val. Love is your master, for he masters you : And be that is so yoked by a fool,

Methinks should not be chronicled for wise.

Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all.

Val. Yet writers say, As the most forward bud

Is eaten by the cauker ere it blow,

Even so by love the young and tender wit
Is turn'd to folly, blasting in the bud,
Losing his verdure even in the prime,
And all the fair effects of future hopes.
But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee,
That art a votary to fond desire ?
Once more adieu: my father at the road
Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd.
Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valen-
tine.

Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our leave.

of Milan, let us hear from thee by letters,
At thy success in love, and what news else
Betideth here in absence of thy friend:
And I likewise will visit thee with mine.
Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in
Milan !

Val. As much to you at home! and so farewell. [Exit VALENTINE. Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love: He leaves his friends, to dignify them more; 1 leave myself, my friends, and all for love. Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me; Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, War with good counsel, set the world nought!

at

Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought.

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stance.

Pro. But dost thou hear? gav'st thou my letter to Julia ?

Speed. Ay, Sir: 1, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton; and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour.

Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a store of muttons.

Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her.

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

Speed. Nay, Sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter.

Pro. You mistake; I mean the pound, a pinfold.

Speed. From a pounď tó a pin ? fold it over and over,"

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

Pro. But what said she? did she nod ?

Speed. I.

[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.

Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter.

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 deliver'd.

Pro. Well, Sir, here is for your pains: What said she?

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 ine 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.

Pro. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from

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Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by SCENE II.-The same.

another.

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house.

[Exeunt.

Garden of JULIA'S

Enter JULIA and LUCETTA.

Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love? Luc. Ay, madain; so you stumble not unheedfully.

A term for a girl of pleasure: Mutton-lane, in Clerkenwell, is so called from being frequented by such persons. A game at cards. Given inc a sixpence.

Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, That every day with parle encounter me, In thy opinion, which is worthiest love?

When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile!
My penance is, to call Lucetta back,
And ask remission for my folly past:-

Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll What ho! Lucetta! show my mind

According to my shallow simple skill.

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

80.

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 Proteus, as of all the rest? Luc. Then thus,-of many good I think him best.

Jul. Your reason?

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

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 shows 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. Oh! they love least, that let men know their love.

Jul. I would I knew his mind.
Luc. Peruse this paper, madam.
Jul. To Julia,-Say, from whom!
Luc. That the contents will show.
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 hate.

Jul. Will you be gone?

Luc. That you may ruminate.

[Exit.

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 humbled, kiss the rod!
How churlishly 1 chid Lucetta bence,
When willingiy I would have had her here!
How angrily I taught my brow to frown,
t Pass sentence.

• Talk

Re-enter LUCETTA.

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

That you might kill your stomach meat,

And not upon your maid.
Jul. What is't you took up
So gingerly?

Luc. Nothing.

on your

Jul. Why did'st thou stoop then?
Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall.
Jul. Aud is that paper nothing?
Luc. Nothing concerning me.

Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concommsLuc. Madam, it will not lie where a comcerns,

Unless it have a false interpreter.

Jul. Some love of your's 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 pos-
sible :

Best sing it to the tune of Light o' tore.
Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune.
Jul. Heavy? belike it bain some burden
then.

Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you sing it.

Jul. And why not you?
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. Yon, minion, are too saucy.
Luc. Nay, now you are too flat,

And mar the concord with too harsh a des cant :

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 Proteas
Jul. This babble shall not henceforth treable

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

To be so anger'd with another letter. Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same!

O hateful hands, to tear such loving words!
Injurious wasps to feed on such sweet honey,
And kill the bees, that yield it, with your
stings!

I'll kiss each several paper for amends.
And here is writ-kind Julia,—unkind Julia !
As in revenge of thy ingratitude,

1 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 thoroughly

heal'd;

And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss. But twice, or thrice, was Proteus written down?

Passion or obstruary. + The teuer in music

: A matchmaker. I

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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

Unto 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;
And yet I will not, sith so prettily
He couples it to his complaining names:
Thus will I fold them one upon another;
Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.

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Even with the speediest execution (*?,
I will despatch him to the emperor's court.
Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don
Alphonso,

With other gentleinen of good esteem,
Are journeying to salute the emperor,
And to commend their service to his will.
Ant. Good company; with them shall Pro.
teus 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;

Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your fa- Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn:

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Lue. 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 see;

1 see things too, although you judge I wink. Jul. Come, come, wil't please you go?

[Exeunt. SCENE III-The same.-A Room in ANTONIO'S House.

Enter ANTONIO and PANTHINO. Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that,

Wherewith 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, Put forth their sons to seek preferment out: Some, to the wars, to try their fortune there; Some to discover islands far away; Some to the studious universities. For any, or for all these exercises, He said, that Proteus, your son, was meet; And did request me, to impórtune you, To let him spend his time no more at home, Which would be great impeachment to his

age,

In having known no travel in his youth.
Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me
to that

Whereon this month I have been hammering.
I have consider'd well bis loss of time;
And how he cannot be a perfect man,
Not being try'd and tator'd in the world:
Experience is by industry achiev'd.

And perfected by the swift course of time: Then, tell me, whether were I best to send bim ?

Pan. I think your lordship is not ignorant, How his companion, youthful Valentine, Attends the emperor in his royal court. Ant. I know it well.

Pan. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship
sent him thither:

There shall be practise tilts and tournaments,
Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen;
And be in eye of every exercise,
Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.

Aat. 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 ;

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Ant. How now what letter are you reading there ?

Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word

or two

Of commendation sent from Valentine,
Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.

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 thas suddenly proceed;
For what I will, I wil, 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'm peremptory.

Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided ;'
Please you, deliberate a day or two.
Ant. Look what thou want'st, shall be sent
after thee:

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

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