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AMOR, LANOK

EN FOUNDATIONS

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prove.

Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love. Val. Love is your master, for he masters you: And be that is so yoked by a fool, Methinks should not be chronicled for wise.

Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all.

Val. Yet writers say, As the most forward bud

Is eaten by the canker ere it blow,

Even so by love the young and tender wit
Is turn'd to folly, blasting in the bud,
Losing his verdure even in the prime,
And all the fair effects of future hopes.
But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee,
That art a votary to fond desire?

Once more adieu: my father at the road
Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd.
Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valen-
tine.

Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our

leave.

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Pro. But dost thou hear? gav'st thou my letter to Julia ?

Speed. Ay, Sir: 1, 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 lover.

Pro. But what said she? did she nod ?

Speed. I.

[SPEED nods.

Pro. Nod, I why, that's noddy. † Speed. You mistook, Sir; I say she did nod: and you ask me, if she did nod, and I say, 1. Pro. And that set together, is-noddy. Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains.

Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the 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

Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief; What said she?

Val. As much to you at home! and so farc-purse.
well.
[Exit VALENTINE.
Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love :
He leaves his friends, to dignify them more;
I leave myself, my friends, and all for love.
Thou, Julia, thou bast metamorphos'd me;
Made me neglect my studies, lose my time,
War with good counsel, set the world

nought!

at

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stance.

Speed. Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once deliver'd.

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?

Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delithat brought your mind, I fear, she'll prove as vering your letter: And being so hard to ne token but stones; for she's as hard as steel. hard to you in telling her mind. Give her no

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. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from

wreck :

Being destined to a drier death on shore :-
Which cannot perish, having thee aboard,
I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines,
I must go send some better messenger;
Receiving them from such a worthless post.

Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by SCENE II.-The same.

another.

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house.

[Exeunt.

Garden of JULIA

Enter JULIA and LUCETTA. would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love? Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Luc. Ay, madam; so you stumble not unheedfully.

A term for a girl of pleasure: Mutton-lane, in such persons. Clerkenwell, is so called from being frequented by A game at cards. 1 Given me a sixpence.

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ine.

Luc. Yet he of all the rest, I think, best loves ye.

Jul. His little speaking shows his love but small.

Luc. Fire, that is closest kept, burns most of all.

Jul. They do not love, that do not show their love.

Luc. Oh! they love least, that let men know their love.

Jul. I would I knew his mind.
Luc. Peruse this paper, madam.
Jul. To Julia,-Say, from whom!
Luc. That the contents will show.
Jul. Say, say; who gave it thee?

Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think,

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Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker! Dare you presume to barbour wanton lines? To whisper and conspire against my youth? Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth, And you an officer fit for the place. There, take the paper, see it be return'd; Or else return no more into my sight.

Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.

Jul. Will you be gone?

Luc. That you may ruminate.

[Exit.

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 bence,
When willingly I would have had her here !
How angrily I taught my brow to frown,

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Re-enter LUCETTA.

Luc. What would your ladyship?

Jul. Is it near dinner-time?
Luc. I would it were;

That you might kill your stomach on your meat,

And not upon your maid.
Jul. What is't you took up

So

gingerly?

Luc. Nothing.

Jul. Why did'st thou stoop then?
Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall.
Jul. And is that paper nothing?

Luc. Nothing concerning me.

Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns. Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it coucerns,

Unless it have a false interpreter.

Jul. Some love of your's bath writ to you in rhyme.

Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a

tune:

Give me a note: your ladyship can set.

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. Heavy? belike it hath some burden
then.

Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you sing it.

Jul. And why not you?
Luc. I cannot reach so high.

Jul. Let's see your song ;-How now, minion ?

Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out;

And yet methinks, I do not like this tune.
Jul. You do not?

Luc. No, madam; it is too sharp.
Jul. You, minion, are too saucy.
Luc. Nay, now you are too flat,

And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:

There wanteth but a mean to fill your song. Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly base.

Luc. Indeed, I bid the base for Proteus. Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble

me.

Here is a coil with protestation !—

[Tears the letter. Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie: You would be fingering them, to anger me. Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be best pleas'd

[Erit.

To be so anger'd with another letter. Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same!

O hateful bands, to tear such loving words!
Injurious wasps! to feed on such sweet honey
Aud kill the bees, that yield it, with your
stings!

I'll kiss each several paper for amends.
And here is writ-kind Julia ;-unkind Julia!
As in revenge of thy ingratitude,

I throw thy name against the bruising stones
Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain,
Look, here is writ-love-wounded Proteus:-
Poor wounded name! my bosom, as a bed,
Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be thoroughly
heal'd;

And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss.
But twice, or thrice, was Proteus written

down?

• Passion or obstinacy.

+ The tenor in music

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Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your fa- Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn:

ther stays.

Jul. Well, let us go.

Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tales here ?

Jul. If you respect them, best to take up.

Oh! that our fathers would applaud our loves To seal our happiness with their consents! tell-O beavenly Julia!

them

Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down:

Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold. Jul. I see, you have a month's mind to them.

Luc. Ay, madam, you may say what sights you see;

I see things too, although you judge I wink.
Jul. Come, come, wil't please you go?

[Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same.-A Room in ANTONIO'S House.

Enter ANTONIO and PANTHINO, Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that,

Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister ? Pan. 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your

son.

Ant. Why, what of him?

Pan. He wonder'd, that your lordship
Would suffer him to spend his youth at home:
While other meu, 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 impórtune you,
To let him spend his time no more at home,
Which would be great impeachment to his

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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,
Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.
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,
And daily graced by the emperor;
Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune.
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'm peremptory.

Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided; Please you, deliberate a day or two.

Ant. Look what thou want'st, shall be sent after thee:

No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go.→
Come on, Panthino; you shall be employ'd
To hasten on his expedition.

[Exeunt ANT. and PAN. Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear of

burning;

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Val. Go to, Sir; tell me, do you know madam Silvia ?

Speed. She that your worship loves?

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 moruing 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.

Speed. And bave you?

Val. I have.

Speed. Are they not lamely writ

Val. No, boy, but as well I can do them :Peace, here she comes.

Enter SILVIA.

Speed. O excellent motion! O exceeding puppet! now will be interpret to her. Val. Madam and mistress, a thousand good

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 lovesong, 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 pul-morrows. You were ing like a beggar at Hallowmas. + 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 perceiv'd in me? Speed. They are all perceiv'd without you. Val. Without me? They cannot. 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 observ'd that? even she I

mean.

Speed. Why, Sir, I know her not.

Speed. O 'give you good even! Here's a [Aside. million of manners. Sil. Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thousand.

Speed. 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 your's;
Which I was much unwilling to proceed in,
But for my duty to your ladyship.

Sil. I thank you, gentle servant: 'tis very
clerkly done.
[off;
Val. Now trust me, madam, it came hardly
For, being ignorant to whom it goes,
I writ at random, very doubtfully.

Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains?

Val. No, madam; so it stead you, I will write, thousand times Please you command, a much:

And yet,

as

Sil. Á pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel; And yet I will not name it :-and yet I care

not;

Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on And yet take this again;-and yet I thank you;

her, and yet know'st her not.

Speed. Is she not hard favoured Sir?

Val. Not so fair, boy, as well favoured.
Speed. Sir, I know that well enough.
Val. What dost thou know?

Speed. That she is not so fair, as (of you) well favoured.

Val. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but ber 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.

Val. How esteem'st thou me? I account of her beauty.

Speed. You never saw her since she was deformed.

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 hand the lights they were wont to have, when you chid at Sir Protens for going ungartered!

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Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more.
Speed. And yet you will; and yet another
yet.
[Aside.

Val. What means your ladyship? do you not

like it ?

Sil. Yes, yes; the lines are very quaintly writ:
But since unwillingly, take them again!
Nay take them.

Val. Madam, they are for you.

Sil. Ay, ay; you writ them, Sir, at my re

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