Pro. O, sir, I find her milder than she was; Thu. I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat Pro. But love will not be spurr'd to what it Thu. What says she to my face? Thu. Nay, then the wanton lies; my face is Pro. But pearls are fair; and the old saying is, Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes. Jul. 'Tis true; such pearls as put out ladies' eyes; For I had rather wink than look on them. [Aside. Pro. Ill, when you talk of war. Thu. But well, when I discourse of love, and peace? Jul. But better, indeed, when you hold your peace, Thu. What says she to my valour? ice. Thu. What says she to my birth? Be patient, we must bring you to our captain. 1 Out. Where is the gentleman that was with 3 Out. Being nimble-footed, he hath out-run us, But Moyses, and Valerius, follow him. Go thou with her to the west end of the wood, 1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave: Fear not; he bears an honourable mind, [Exeunt, SCENE IV. Another part of the Forest. Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man Pro. O, sir, she makes no doubt of that. Pro. That you are well deriv'd. Jul. True; from a gentleman to a fool. Thu. Wherefore? Jul. That such an ass should owe1 them. [Aside. What halloing, and what stir, is this to-day? Valentine; And Eglamour is in her company. 'Tis true; for friar Laurence met them both, At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not: [Exit. Pro. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love, SCENE III.-Frontiers of Mantua. [Exit. The These are my mates, that make their wills their law, Have some unhappy passenger in chace: Enter Proteus, Silvia, and Julia. (Though you respect not aught your servant doth,) Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look; And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give. Pro. Unhappy, were you, madam, ere I came ; O, 'tis the curse in love, and still approv'd,' Pro. How! Julia! Jul. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, Sil. When Proteus cannot love where he's Ard entertain'd them deeply in her heart: belov'd. Read over Julia's heart, thy first best love, How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root !3 For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy Be thou asham'd, that I have took upon me eye Could have persuaded me: Now I dare not say I am sorry, I must never trust thee more, Val. Then I am paid; Is nor of heaven, nor earth; for these are pleas'd; Jul. O me, unhappy! Pro. Look to the boy. [Faints. Val. Why, boy! why, wag! how now? what is the matter? Look up; speak. Such an immodest raiment; if shame live It is the lesser blot, modesty finds, Women to change their shapes, than men their minds. Pro. Than men their minds? 'tis true: 0 But constant, he were perfect: that one error sins: Inconstancy falls off, ere it begins: Val. Come, come, a hand from either: ever. Jul. And I have mine. Enter Out-laws, with Duke and Thurio. death; Sir Valentine! Come not within the measure of my wrath: I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, O good sir, my master charg'd me Thou art a gentleman, and well deriv'd; Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserv'd her. 1 With triumphs, mirth, and rare solemnity. Duke. I think the boy hath grace in him; he blushes. Val. I warrant you, my lord; more grace than boy. Duke. What mean you by that saying? Val. Please you, I'll tell you as we pass along, That you will wonder what hath fortun'd.Come, Proteus; 'tis your penance, but to hear The story of your loves discovered: That done, our day of marriage shall be yours; One feast, one house, one mutual happiness. [Exeunt. In this play there is a strange mixture of know ledge and ignorance, of care and negligence. The versification is often excellent, the allusions are learned and just; but the author conveys his heroes by sea from one inland town to another in the same country: he places the emperor at Milan, and sends his young men to attend him, but never mentions him more; he makes Proteus, after an interview with Silvia, say he has only seen her picture: and, if we may credit the old copies, he has, by mistaking places, left his scenery inextricable. The reason of all this confusion seems to be, that he took his story from a novel which he sometimes followed and sometimes forsook; sometimes remembered, and sometimes forgot. That this play is rightly attributed to Shakspeare, I have little doubt. If it be taken from him, to whom shall it be given? This question may be asked of all the disputed plays, except Titus Andronicus; and it will be found more credible, that Shakspeare might sometimes sink below his highest flights, than that any other should rise up to his lowest. JOHNSON. |