you have learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreathe your arms, like a male-content; to 20 relish a love-song, like a robin-redbreast; 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 laughed, to crow like a cock; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions; when 30 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. They are all perceived without ye. Val. Without me? they cannot. Speed. Without you? nay, that's certain, for without you were so simple, none else 40 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 27. "Hallowmas." 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; that is, begging and puling, (or singing small, as Bailey's Dictionary explains puling,) for soul-cakes, and singing what they call their souler's song. These terms point out the condition of this benevolence, which was, that the beggars should pray for the souls of the giver's departed friends.—H. N. H. 40. "none else would"; i. e. "no one else would perceive them."I. G. not an eye that sees you but is a physician Val. But tell me, dost thou know my lady Sil- Speed. She that you gaze on so as she sits at supper? Val. Hast thou observed that? even she, I 50 mean. Speed. Why, sir, I know her not. Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, Speed. Is she not hard-favored, sir? Speed. That she is not so fair as, of you, well Val. I mean that her beauty is exquisite, but her favor 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. Val. How esteemest thou me? I account of her beauty. 60 Speed. You never saw her since she was de- 70 formed. Val. How long hath she been deformed? Speed. Ever since you loved her. 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. Val. Why? 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 80 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, 90 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. Speed. And have you? Val. I have. Speed. Are they not lamely writ? Val. No, boy, but as well as I can do them. Peace! here she comes. 100 86. "to put on your hose"; various suggestions have been made for the emendation of these words:-"to beyond your nose," "to put spectacles on your nose," "to put on your shoes," "to button your hose." It is not certain that a rhyming couplet was intended. Probably "unable to see to put on one's hose" was a proverbial expression meaning "unable to tell which leg to put into one's hose first," i. e. "not to have one's wits about one."-I. G. Speed. [Aside] O excellent motion! O exceeding puppet! Now will he interpret to her. Enter Silvia. Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand good morrows. Speed. [Aside] O, give ye good even! here's a million of manners. Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thousand. Speed. [Aside] He should give her interest, and she gives it him. Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter Unto the secret nameless friend of yours; Which I was much unwilling to proceed in, But for my duty to your ladyship. 110 Sil. I thank you, gentle servant: 'tis very clerkly done. Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off; For, being ignorant to whom it goes, I writ at random, very doubtfully. 120 Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains? Val. No, madam; so it stead you, I will write, Please you command, a thousand times as much; And yet― Sil. A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel; 103. A "motion" signified, in Shakespeare's time, a puppet-show. Speed means, what a fine puppet show shall we have now! Here is the principal puppet to whom my master will be the interpreter. The showman was then frequently called the interpreter.-H. N. H. And yet I will not name it;-and yet I care not; And yet take this again:-and yet I thank you; Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more. Speed. [Aside] And yet you will; and yet another 'yet.' Val. What means your ladyship? do you not like it? Sil. Yes, yes: the lines are very quaintly writ; Val. Madam, they are for you. Sil. Aye, aye: you writ them, sir, at my request; But I will none of them; they are for you; 130 140 I would have had them writ more movingly. Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship another. Sil. And when it 's writ, for my sake read it over, And if it please you, so; if not, why, so. Val. If it please me, madam, what then? Sil. Why, if it please you, take it for your labor: And so, good morrow, servant. Speed. O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible, [Exit. As a nose on a man's face, or a weathercock on a steeple! My master sues to her; and she hath taught her suitor, He being her pupil, to become her tutor. O excellent device! was there ever heard a bet ter, |