the duke. I, having been acquainted with the smell before, knew it was Crab; and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs: Friend, quoth I, you mean to whip the dog? Ay, marry, do I, quoth he. You do him the more wrong, quoth I; 'twas I did the thing you wot of. He makes me no more ado, but whips me out of the chamber. How many masters would do this for their servant? Nay, I'll be sworn, I have sat in the stocks for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had been executed: I have stood on the pillory for geese he hath killed, otherwise he had suffered for't: thou think'st not of this now!-Nay, I remember the trick you served me, when I took my leave of madam Silvia: did not I bid thee still mark me, and do as I do? When didst thou see me heave up my leg, and make water against a gentlewoman's farthingale? didst thou ever see me do such a trick? Enter PROTEUS and JULIA. Pro. Sebastian is thy name? I like thee well, And will employ thee in some service presently. Jul. In what you please; -I will do what I can. Pro. I hope thou wilt. How now, you whoreson pea sant! [To LAUNCE. Where have you been these two days loitering? Laun. Marry, sir, I carried mistress Silvia the dog you bade me. Pro. And what says she to my little jewel? Pro. Laun. No, indeed, did she not: here have I brought him back again. Pro. What, didst thou offer her this from me? Laun. Ay, sir; the other squirrel was stolen from me by the hangman's boys in the market-place: and then I offered her mine own; who is a dog as big as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater. Pro. Go, get thee hence, and find my dog again, That [Exit LAUNCE For 'tis no trusting to yon foolish lout; Can with some discretion do my business, 1 Witness good bringing up, fortune, and truth: She loved me well, delivered it to me. Jul. It seems you loved her not, to leave her token: She's dead, belike. Pro. Not so; I think she lives. Jul. Alas! Pro. Why dost thou cry, alas? Jul. I cannot choose but pity her. Pro. Wherefore should'st thou pity her? Jul. Because, methinks that she loved you as well As you do love your lady Silvia: She dreams on him that has forgot her love; Pro. Well, give her that ring, and therewithal [Exit PROTEUS. This ring I gave him, when he parted from me, To plead for that, which I would not obtain; To carry that which I would have refused; To praise his faith which I would have dispraised; But cannot be true servant to my master, As, heaven it knows, I would not have him speed. Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you be my mean Sil. What would you with her, if that I be she? Jul. From my master, Sir Proteus, madam. Sil. Ursula, bring my picture there. [Picture brought. Sil. I pray thee let me look on that again. I will not look upon your master's lines: Jul. Madam, he sends your ladyship this ring. Though his false finger hath profaned the ring, Jul. She thanks you. Sil. What say'st thou? Jul. I thank you, madam, that you tender her: Poor gentlewoman! my master wrongs her much. Sil. Dost thou know her? Jul. Almost as well as I do know myself: To think upon her woes, I do protest, That I have wept a hundred several times. Sil. Belike, she thinks that Proteus hath forsook her. Jul. I think she doth, and that's her cause of sorrow. Sil. Is she not passing fair? Jul. She hath been fairer, madam, than she is: When she did think my master loved her well, And pinched the lily-tincture of her face, Jul. About my stature: for, at Pentecost, Sil. She is beholden to thee, gentle youth! I weep myself, to think upon thy words. Here, youth, there is my purse; I give thee this [Exit SILVIA. Jul. And she shall thank you for't, if e'er you know her.A virtuous gentlewoman, mild, and beautiful. I hope my master's suit will be but cold, Her eyes are gray as glass; and so are mine: If this fond love were not a blinded god? Thou shalt be worshipped, kissed, loved, and adored: My substance should be statue in thy stead. I should have scratched out your unseeing eyes, [Exit. Egl. The sun begins to gild the western sky; That Silvia, at friar Patrick's cell, should meet me. So much they spur their expedition. Enter SILVIA. See where she comes; Lady, a happy evening! Out at the postern by the abbey wall; I fear I am attended by some spies. Egl. Fear not: the forest is not three leagues off: If we recover that, we are sure enough. SCENE II. The same. [Exeunt. A Room in the Duke's Palace. Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA. Thu. Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit? Pro. No: that it is too little. Thue. I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder. Pro. But love will not be spurred to what it loathes. Thu. What says she to my face? Pro. She says it is a fair one. Thu. Nay, then the wanton lies; my face is black. Pro. But pearls are fair; and the old saying is, Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes. L |