EPILOGUE. Spoken by Prospero. NOW my charms are all o'erthrown, Which pierces so, that it assmuts As you from crimes would pardon d be, It is observed of The Tempest, that its plan is regular; this the author of The Revisal thinks, what I think too, an accidental effect of the story, not intended or regarded by our author. But, whatever might be Shakspeare's intention in forming or adopting the plot, he has made it instrumental to the production of many characters, diversi. fied with boundless invention, and preserved with profound skill in nature, extensive knowledge of opinions, and accurate observation of life. In a single drama are here exhibited princes, courtiers, anu sailors, all speaking in their real characters. There is the agency of airy spirits, and of an earthly gob. lin; the operations of magic, the tumults of a storm, the adventures of a desert island, the native effusion of untaught affection, the punishment of (1) Applause: noise was supposed to dissolve a guilt, and the final happiness of the pair for whom our passions and reasons are equally interested. spell. JOHNSON 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; However, but a folly bought with wit, Enter Or else a wit by folly vanquished. CEASE to persuade, my loving Proteus; Think on thy . teus, when thou, haply, seest When thou dost mee good hap; and, in thy danger, If ever danger do environ thee, Val. And on a love-book pray for my success. Pro. Upon some book I love, I'll pray for thee. Val. That's on some shallow story of deep love, How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont. Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love. For he was more than over shoes in love. Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love, And yet you never swam the Hellespont. Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots.' Val. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not. Pro. Val. What? To be In love, where scorn is bought with groans; coy looks, With heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth, (1) A humorous punishment at harvest-home feasts, &c. Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool. Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear, you'll 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 The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all. Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud Once more adieu: my father at the road Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine. Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our leave. At Milan, let me hear from thee by letters, 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; I 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 at nought; Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought. Speed. Twenty to one then, he is shipp'd already; And I have play'd the sheep, in losing him. Pro. Indeed a sheep doth very often stray, An if the shepherd be awhile away. Speed. You conclude that my master is a sheperd then, and I a sheep? Pro. I do. Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether 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, hence forth carry your letters yourself; and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master. Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Speed. This proves me still a sheep. Pro. True; and thy master a shepherd. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by another. 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. I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines, Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, Receiving them from such a worthless post. 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. Go, go, begone, to save your ship from wreck; 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 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 the matter, may be both at once delivered. 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? (3) term for a courtezan. (2) A game at cards. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. Garden of Julia's house. Enter Julia and Lucetta. Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love That every day with parle 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 That I, unworthy body as I am, Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen. I Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? best. 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 (4) Given me a sixpence. Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I pray. Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!' 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. Jal. Heavy? belike it hath some burden then. Luc 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. SCENE III.-The same. A room in Antonio's Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that, He wonder'd, that your lordship (5) A challenge. (6) Bustle, stir. (7) Since. Which would be great impeachment' to his age, Whereon this month I have been hammering. Ant. I know it well. 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 of burning; And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd 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 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: I am resolv'd. that thou shalt spend some time Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after thee: No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go. (1) Reproach. (2) Break the matter to him. (3) Wonder. 74) Allowance. 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 Silvia ? Speed. She that your worship loves? 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 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, five 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 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. 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 |