Jul. Will you be gone? Luc. That you may ruminate. [Erit. 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 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 ask permission for my folly past :What ho! Lucetta! So gingerly? Luc. Nothing. Jul. Why didst thou stoop then? Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall. Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns. Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns, 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.3 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. And why not you? Luc. I cannot reach so high. Jul. Let's see your song:-How now, minion? Luc. No, madam; it is too sharp. And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:4 Injurious wasps! to feed on such sweet honey, I throw thy name against the bruising stones, He couples it to his complaining names: Luc. Madam, Dinner is ready, and your father stays. Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales here? Jul. If you respect them, best to take them up. I see things too, although you judge I wink. [Exeunt. Pant. 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 importune 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. that Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie: To be so anger'd with another letter. [Exit. Jul. Nay, would I were as anger'd with the same! O hateful hands, to tear such loving words! 1 First folio, ye. 2 Stomach, for passion or obstinacy. 7 Since. 8" for catching cold," i. e. lest they should catch cold, anciently a common form of expression. See Horne Tooke's explanation of this word in the first volume of "The Diversions of Purley." 9 Month's mind, a longing, probably from "the longing of women, which takes place (or commences, at least) in the first month of pregnancy." This is the 3 Set is here used equivocally; in the preceding speech in the sense in which it is used by musicians, and in the present line in a quite different sense. Το set by in old language signifies, to make account of, to estimate. See the first Book of Samuel, xviii. 30. 4 Descant signified formerly what we now call vari-ingenious conjecture of John Croft, Esq. of York. The ations. It has been well defined to be musical paraphrase. The mean is the tenor in music. 5 To bid the base means, to run fast, challenging another to pursue at the rustic game called Base, or Prisonbase. The allusion is somewhat obscure, but it appears to mean here, "to challenge to an encounter." i. e. bustle, stir. commentators have endeavoured to refer this passage to the month's minds, or periodical celebrations in memory of dead persons, usual in times of popery ;-but the phrase in this place can have no relation to them. 10 i. e. grave or serions. 11 Impeachment in this passage means reproach or imputation. Pant. I think, your lordship is not ignorant, Pant. Twere good, I think, your lordship sent There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth. Ant. I like thy counsel: well hast thou advised: I will despatch him to the emperor's court. With other gentlemen of good esteem, Ant. Good company; with them shall Proteus go: Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life! Ant. How now? what letter are you reading Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or IWO Of commendations sent from Valentine, Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what news. writes How happily he lives, how well belov'd Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish? I am resolv'd, that thou shalt spend some time Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided; dat. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after thee: No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go.- [Exeunt ANT. and PANT. 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; 1 i. e. break the matter to him. 2 i. e. wonder not. Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you know madam 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, ike 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 Hoilowmas." 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 an urinal; that not an eye, that sees you, but is a physician to comment on your malady. Val. But, tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia? Speed. She that you gaze on so, as she sits at supper? Val. Hast thou observed that? even she I mean. Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and yet know'st her not? Speed. Is she not hard-favour'd, sir? Speed. That she is not so fair, as (of you) wellfavour'd. Val. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but her favour infinite. Speed. That's because the one is painted, and the other out of all count. Val. How painted? and how out of count? Speed. Marry, sir, so painted to make her fair, that no man counts of her beauty. 4 Resemble th is pronounced as if written resembeleth, which makes it a quadrisyllable. 5 On and one were aliciently pronounced alike, and frequently written so. 6 To take diet is to be under a regimen for a disease. 7 The feast of All-hallows, or All Saints, at which time the poor in Staffordshire go from parish to parish a souling, as they call it; i. e. begging and puling, (or singing small, as Bailey's Dictionary explains puling,) for soul cakes, and singing what they call the souler's song. These terms point out the condition of this benevo 3 Erhibition is allowance of money; it is still used lence, which was, that the beggars should pray for the in the Universities for a stipend. souls of the giver's departed friends. Val. How esteem'st thou me? I account of her beauty. Sil. And, when it's writ, for my sake read it over: Speed. You never saw her since she was de- And, if it please you, so; if not, why, so. formed. Val. How long hath she been deform'd? Val. I have loved her ever since I saw her; and still I see her beautiful. Speed. If you love her, you cannot see her, Speed. Because love is blind. O, that you had mine eyes; or your own eyes had the lights they were wont to have, when you chid at Sir Proteus for going ungartered!! Val. What should I see then? Speed. Your own present folly, and her passing deformity for he, being in love, could not see to garter his hose; and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose. Val. Belike, boy, then you are in love; for last morning you could not see to wipe my shoes. Speed. True, sir; I was in love with my bed: I thank you, you swinged me for my love, which makes me the bolder to chide you for yours. Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her. Speed. I would you were set, so, your affection would cease. Val. Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves. Val. If it please me, madam! what then? Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, sir, at my request; But I will none of them; they are for you: I would have had them writ more movingly. Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship another. 1 Going ungartered is enumerated by Rosalind as one of the undoubted marks of love. Then your hose should be ungartered, your bonnet unbanded," &c. As You Like It, iii. 2. My master sues to her; and she hath taught her He being her pupil, to become her tutor. Val. How now, sir? what are you reasoning with yourself? Speed. Nay, I was rhyming; 'tis you that have the reason. Val. To do what? Speed. To be a spokesman from madam Silvia. Speed. To yourself: why, she woos you by a figure. Val. What figure? Speed. By a letter, I should say. Val. Why, she hath not writ to me? Speed. What need she, when she hath made you write to yourself? Why, do you not perceive the jest? Val. No, believe me. Speed. No believing you indeed, sir: But did you perceive her earnest? Val. She gave me none, except an angry word. Val. I would, it were no worse. Speed. I'll warrant you, 'tis as well: For often have you writ to her; and she, in modesty, Herself hath taught her love himself to write unto her lover. [Giving a ring. Pro. Why then we'll make exchange; here, take Jul. And seal the bargain with a holy kiss. the horizon in the west. It is a miserable quibble hardly worth explanation. 3 Motion signified, in Shakspeare's time, a puppet. shor Speed means to say, what a fine puppet-show shall we have now? Here is the principal puppet to whom my master will be the interpreter. The show 2 Set, for seated, in opposition to stand in the prece-man was then frequently called the interpreter. ding line. It appears, however, to be used metaphorical- 4 i. e. like a scholar. ly in the sense applied to the sun when it sinks below 5 There's the conclusion. 6 i. e. with exactness. Julia, farewell.-What! gone without a word! For truth hath better deeds than words to grace it. Pant. Sir Proteus, you are staid for. Alas! this parting strikes poor lovers dumb. SCENE III.-The same. [Exeunt. A Street. Enter LAUNCE, leading a Dog. Laun. Nay, 'twill be this hour ere I have done weeping; all the kind' of the Launces have this very fault; I have received my proportion, like the prodigious son, and am going with Sir Proteus to the Imperial's court. I think, Crab my dog be the sourest-natured dog that lives: my mother weeping, my father wailing, my sister crying, our maid howling, our cat wringing her hands, and all our house in a great perplexity, yet did not this cruel-hearted cur shed one tear: he is a stone, a very pebble stone, and has no more pity in him than a dog: a Jew would have wept to have seen our parting; why, my grandam having no eyes, look you, wept herself blind at my parting. Nay, I'll show you the manner of it: This shoe is my father:-no, this left shoe is my father;-no, no, this left shoe is my mother;-nay, that cannot be so neither ;-yes, it is so, it is so; it hath the worser sole; This shoe, with the hole in it, is my mother; and this my father: A vengeance on't! there 'us: now, sir, this staff is my sister; for, look you, she is as white as a lily, and as small as a wand: this hat is Nan, our maid; I am the dog :-no, the dog is himself, and I am the dog;-oh, the dog is me, and I am myself: Ay, so, so. Now come I to my father; Futur, your blessing; now should not the shoe speak a word for weeping; now should I kiss my father; well he weeps on:-now come I to my mother, (0, that she could speak now!) like a wood woman;-well, I kiss her;-why there 'tis; here's my mother's breath up and down: now come I to my sister; mark the moan she makes: now the dog all this while sheds not a tear, nor speaks a word; but see how I lay the dust with my tears. Enter PANTHINO. Pan. Launce, away, away, aboard; thy master is shipped, and thou art to post after with oars. What's the matter? why weepest thou, man? Away, ass; you will lose the tide, if you tarry any longer. Laun. It is no matter if the ty'd were lost; for it is the unkindest ty'd that ever any man ty'd. Pan. What's the unkindest tide? Laun. Why, he that's ty'd here; Crab, my dog. Pan. Tut, man, I mean thou'lt lose the flood; and, in losing the flood, lose thy voyage; and, in losing thy voyag, lose thy master; and, in losing thy master, lose thy service; and in losing thy service,-Why dost thou stop my mouth? Laun. For fear thou should'st lose thy tongue. Pan. In thy tail? Pan. Come, come away, man; I was sent to call thee. Laun. Sir, call me what thou darest. Laun. Well, I will go. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Milan. A Room in the Duke's Palace. Enter VALENTINE, SILVIA, THURIO, and SPEED. Sil. What, angry, Sir Thurio? do you change colour? Val. Give him leave, madam; he is a kind of cameleon. Thu. That hath more mind to feed on your blood, than live in your air. Val. You have said, sir. Thu. Ay, sir, and done too, for this time. Val. I know it well, sir; you always end ere you begin. Sil. A fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quickly shot off. Val. Tis indeed, madam; we thank the giver. Sir Thurio borrows his wit from your ladyship's company. Thu. Sir, if you spend word for word with me, I shall make your wit bankrupt. Val. I know it well, sir: you have an exchequer of words, and, I think, no other treasure to give your followers; for it appears by their bare liveries, that they live by your bare words. Sil. No more, gentlemen, no more; here comes Duke. Know you Don Antonio, your countryman? Val. Ay, my good lord; a son, that well de serves The honour and regard of such a father. Val. I knew him as myself; for from our infancy 6 5 To quote is to mark, to observe, the old pronunciation was evidently cote from the French original. 6 Feature in the poet's age was often used for form or person in general. Thus Baret: "The feature and facion, or the proportion and figure of the whole body. Conformatio quædam et figura totius oris et corporis." So in Ant. and Cleop. Act. ii. Sc. 5. "Report the feature of Octavian." Thus also Spenser : "Which the fair feature of her limbs did hide." With all good grace to grace a gentleman. Love hath chas'd sleep from my enthralled eyes, Duke. Beshrew' me, sir, but, if he make this And made them watchers of mine own heart's sor good, He is as worthy for an empress' love, Val. Should I have wish'd a thing, it had been he. Duke. Welcome him then according to his worth. Silvia, I speak to you; and you, Sir Thurio:- I'll send him hither to you presently. [Exit DUKE. Sil. Belike, that now she hath enfranchis'd them Upon some other pawn for fealty. Val. Nay, sure, I think, she holds them prisoners still. Sil. Nay, then he should be blind; and, being blind, How could he see his way to seek out you? Val. Why, lady, love hath twenty pair of eyes. Thu. They say, that love hath not an eye at all. Val. To see such lovers, Thurio, as yourself; Upon a homely object love can wink. vant To have a look of such a worthy mistress. Val. Leave off discourse of disability :Sweet lady, entertain him for your servant. Pro. My duty will I boast of, nothing else. Sil. And duty never yet did want his meed; Servant you are welcome to a worthless mistress. Pro. I'll die on him that says so, but yourself. Sil. That you are welcome? Pro. No; that you are worthless. Enter Servant. Ser. Madam, my lord your father would speak with you. Sil. I'll wait upon his pleasure. [Exit Servant. Come, Sir Thurio, Go with me:-Once more, new servant, welcome: I'll leave you to confer of home affairs; When you have done, we look to hear from you. Pro. We'll both attend upon your ladyship. [Erol SILVIA, THUKIO, and SPEED. Val. Now, tell me, how do all from whence you came? Pro. Your friends are well, and have them much commended. Val. And how do yours? Pro. I left them all in health. Val. How does your lady? and how thrives your love? row. O, gentle Proteus, love's a mighty lord; Pro. Enough; I read your fortune in your eye: Was this the idol that you worship so?" Val. Even she; and is she not a heavenly saint? Pro. I will not flatter ner. Val. O, flatter me; for love delights in praises. Pro. When I was sick, you gave me bitter pills; And I must minister the like to you. Val. Then speak the truth by her; if not divine, Yet let her be a principality, Sovereign to all the creatures on the earth. Val. Sweet, except not any, Except thou wilt except against thy love. Pro. Have I not reason to prefer mine own? Pro. Why, Valentine, what braggardism is this? Val. Pardon me, Proteus: all I can, is nothing To her, whose worth makes other worthies nothing; She is alone. Pro. Then let her alone. Val. Not for the world: why, man, she is mine own; And I as rich in having such a jewel, Pro. Go on before; I shall inquire you forth: Val. Will you make haste?" you. [Exit VAL. Even as one heat another heat expels, 4 No toe, no misery that can be compared to the punishment inflicted by love. 5 A principality is an angel of the first order 6 i. e. the haren where the ships lie at archer 7 Alluding to the figures made by witches as representatives of those they meant to destroy or torment. P Macbeth, Act ii. Sc. 3. |