26 EPILOGUE. Spoken by Prospero. NOW my charms are all o'erthrown, Which pierces so, that it assaults 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, diversified 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, and sailors, all speaking in their real characters. There is the agency of airy spirits, and of an earthly goblin; 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 spell. Tour passions and reasons are equally interested. Valentine. Oul-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 to persuade, my loving Proteus; Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, Think on thy Proteus, 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. Methinks should not be chronicled for wise. 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. Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the 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. leave. 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; 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. 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 Speed. You conclude that my master is a shep-telling her mind. Give her no token but stones; herd then, and I a sheep? Pro. I do. Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep. 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. 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. Go, go, begone, to save your ship from Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by another. 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 secks 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 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 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? (1) A term for a courtezan. (2) A game at cards. (3) Ill betide. I I [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. Garden of Julia's house. Enter Julia and Lucetta. Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, That every day with parle encounter me, Laic. Please you, repeat their names, I'll 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, so. 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 censures thus on lovely gentlemen. 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 on him? 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, (5) Talk. (4) Given me a sixpence, (6) Pass sentence. Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker 11 There, take the paper, see it be return'd; Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me. 20 Here is a coil with protestation ! Why didst thou stoop, then? Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme. Jud. As little by such toys as may be possible: Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune. Luc. Lue. No, madam; it is too sharp. And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:3 (1) A matchmaker, (2) Passion or obstinacy, I see things too, although you judge I wink. SCENE III.-The same. A room in Antonio's Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that, Would suffer him to spend his youth at home; (5) A chailenge. (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. 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, Ant. Good company: with them shall Proteus go: And, in good time,-now will we break with hiin. Enter Proteus. Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life! Here is her hand, the agent of her heart; Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn: O, that our fathers would applaud our loves, To seal our happiness with their consents! O heavenly Julia! 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 I will, I will, 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 am peremptory. Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided; Please you, deliberate a day or two. B 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. (5) Wonder, (4) 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. Val. Why, sir, who bade you call her? Speed. Your worship, sir; or else I mistook. Val. Well, you'll still be too forward. Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being toc slow. Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you know madam 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, like one that takes diet; to watch, like one that fears robbing; to speak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas. 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? You 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 |