26 EPILOGUE. Spoken by Prospero. NOW my charms are all o'erthrown, Which pierces so, that it assaults As you from crimes would pardon doe, It is observed of The Tempest, that its plan is our passions and reasons are equally interested. JOHNSON (Applause: noise was supposed to dissolve a guilt, and the final happiness of the pair for whom spell. Valentine. Out-laws. Julia, a lady of Verona, beloved by Proteus. Servants, musicians. Scene, Sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan ; and on the frontiers of Mantua. If lost, why then a grievous labour won; Enter Or else a wit by folly vanquished. CEASE Think on thy . teus, when thou, haply, seest ger, If ever danger do environ thee, Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool. prove. Pro. Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love. Val. Love is your master, for he masters you: And he that is so yoked by a fool, Methinks should not be chronicled for wise. Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud Val. And on a love-book pray for my success. Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love. Val. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not. Pro. Val. What? In love, where scorn is bought with groans; coy With heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth, (1) A humorous punishment at harvest-home feasts, &c. Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine. At Milan, let me hear from thee by letters, Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love: Speed. Twenty to one then, he is shipp'd already; Speed. You conclude that my master is a shepherd then, and I a sheep? Pro. I do. Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. 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. Pro. Go, go, begone, to save your ship from wreck; Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, Being destin'd to a drier death on shore:and my master seeks not me: therefore, I am no I must go send some better messenger; sheep. fear, my Julia would not deign my lines, Receiving them from such a worthless post. Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep; thou for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore, thou art a sheep. Speed. Such another proof will make me cry baa. Pro. But dost thou hear? gav'st thou my letter to Julia? Speed. Ay, sir: I, 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 pound to 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? 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 maxter in brief: what said she? Speed. Open your purse, that the money, and she? from her? (1) A term for a courtezan. (2) A game at cards. (3) Ill betide. I [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. Garden of Julia's Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love That every day with parles encounter me, Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll show According to my shallow simple skill. Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour? Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio? Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing I Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? Jul. Your reason? Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason, think him so, because I think him so. Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my love Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away. Jul. I would, I knew his mind. He would have given it you, but I, being in the way Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker I' There, take the paper, see it be return'd; 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 Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than O hateful hands, to tear such loving words! hate. Jul. Will you be gone? That you may ruminate. Jul. Nothing. What is't you took up Why didst thou stoop, then? Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme. 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. Jul And why not you? I cannot reach so high. Luc. No, madam; it is too sharp. Luc. Nay, now you are too flat, And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:" (1) A matchmaker. (2) Passion or obstinacy. Injurious wasps! to feed on such sweet honey, I throw thy name against the bruising stones, And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss. Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your father Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales Jul. If you respect them, best to take them up. 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 (5) A challenge. (6) Bustle, stir. (7) Since. Which would be great impeachment' to his age, that Whereon this month I have been hammering. Pant. Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither: 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. Come on, Panthino; you shall be employ'd [Exeunt Ant. and Pan. Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear burning; And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown' The uncertain glory of an April day; Pant. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you, ACT II. [Exeunt. Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don Al- SCENE I-Milan. An apartment in the Duke's phonso, With other gentlemen of good esteem, 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! 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, 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, 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! will, I will, and there an end. I am resolv'd. that thou shalt spend some time With Valentinus in the cinperor'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. Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after palace. Enter Valentine and Speed. Speed. Sir, your glove. Val. Not mine; my gloves are on. Speed. Why then this may be yours, for this is but one. Val. Ha! let me see: ay, give it me, it's mine- Speed. Madam Silvia! madam Silvia! Speed. She is not within hearing, sir. Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being toc slow. Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you know inadam Speed. She that your worship loves? 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 had 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 laugh'd, to crow like a ccck; 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. 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 a urinal; that not an eye, that sees you |