Why even what fashion thou best likest, Lu

cetta.

Luc. You must needs have them with a codpiece, madam.

Jul. Out, out, Lucetta! that will be ill-favor'd.
Luc. A round hose, madam, now 's not worth a pin,
Unless you have a codpiece to stick pins on.
Jul. Lucetta, as thou lovest me, let me have

What thou think'st meet, and is most mannerly.
But tell me, wench, how will the world repute

me

For undertaking so unstaid a journey?

60

I fear me, it will make me scandalized. Luc. If you think so, then stay at home, and go

not.

Jul. Nay, that I will not.

Luc. Then never dream on infamy, but go.

If Proteus like your journey when you come, No matter who's displeased when you are gone: I fear me, he will scarce be pleased withal. Jul. That is the least, Lucetta, of my fear: A thousand oaths, an ocean of his tears, And instances of infinite of love, Warrant me welcome to my Proteus. Luc. All these are servants to deceitful men. Jul. Base men, that use them to so base effect!

But truer stars did govern Proteus' birth:

70

70. “Infinite” is here used for infinity. So in Much Ado About Nothing we find “the infinite of thought"; and Chaucer has “although the life of it be stretched with infinite of time." The reading is that of the first folio: the second has "instances as infinite of love," which is adopted by Mr. Collier. But the former, besides having better authority, seems better in itself.-H. N. H.

His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles;
His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate;
His tears pure messengers sent from his heart;
His heart as far from fraud as heaven from
earth.

Luc. Pray heaven he prove so, when you come to him!

l. Now, as thou lovest me, do him not that

wrong,

To bear a hard opinion of his truth:
Only deserve my love by loving him;

And presently go with me to my chamber,
To take a note of what I stand in need of,
To furnish me upon my longing journey.
All that is mine I leave at thy dispose,
My goods, my lands, my reputation;
Only, in lieu thereof, dispatch me hence.
Come, answer not, but to it presently!

80

I am impatient of my tarriance. [Exeunt. 90

85. That is, the journey that I long to be making; or, it may be, the journey that I shall make with continual longing to reach the end of it.-H. N. H.

ACT THIRD

SCENE I

Milan. Ante-room in the Duke's palace.
Enter Duke, Thurio, and Proteus.

Duke. Sir Thurio, give us leave, I pray, awhile;
We have some secrets to confer about.

[Exit Thu. Now, tell me, Proteus, what's your will with

me?

Pro. My gracious lord, that which I would dis

cover

The law of friendship bids me to conceal;

But when I call to mind your gracious favors
Done to me, undeserving as I am,

My duty pricks me on to utter that

Which else no worldly good should draw from

me.

Know, worthy prince, Sir Valentine, my friend,

10

This night intends to steal away your daugh

ter:

Myself am one made privy to the plot.

I know you have determined to bestow her
On Thurio, whom your gentle daughter hates;
And should she thus be stol'n away from you,

It would be much vexation to your age.
Thus, for my duty's sake, I rather chose
To cross my friend in his intended drift
Than, by concealing it, heap on your head
A pack of sorrows, which would press you
down,

20

Being unprevented, to your timeless grave. Duke. Proteus, I thank thee for thine honest care; Which to requite, command me while I live. This love of theirs myself have often seen, Haply when they have judged me fast asleep; And oftentimes have purposed to forbid Sir Valentine her company and my court: But, fearing lest my jealous aim might err, And so, unworthily disgrace the man, A rashness that I ever yet have shunn'd,

I

30

gave him gentle looks; thereby to find That which thyself hast now disclosed to me. And, that thou mayst perceive my fear of this, Knowing that tender youth is soon suggested, I nightly lodge her in an upper tower, The key whereof myself have ever kept; And thence she cannot be convey'd away. Pro. Know, noble lord, they have devised a mean How he her chamber-window will ascend, And with a corded ladder fetch her down; 40 For which the youthful lover now is gone, And this way comes he with it presently; Where, if it please you, you may intercept him. But, good my Lord, do it so cunningly

That my discovery be not aimed at;

For, love of you, not hate unto my friend,

Hath made me publisher of this pretense. Duke. Upon mine honor, he shall never know

That I had any light from thee of this. Pro. Adieu, my Lord; Sir Valentine is coming. 50 [Exit.

Enter Valentine.

Duke. Sir Valentine, whither away so fast?
Val. Please it your grace, there is a messenger
That stays to bear my letters to my friends,
And I am going to deliver them.
Duke. Be they of much import?
Val. The tenor of them doth but signify

My health and happy being at your court. Duke. Nay then, no matter; stay with me awhile; I am to break with thee of some affairs

That touch me near, wherein thou must be secret.

'Tis not unknown to thee that I have sought

60

To match my friend Sir Thurio to my daugh

ter.

Val. I know it well, my lord; and, sure, the match Were rich and honorable; besides, the gentle

man

Is full of virtue, bounty, worth and qualities Beseeming such a wife as your fair daughter: Cannot your grace win her to fancy him? Duke. No, trust me; she is peevish, sullen, froward, Proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty; Neither regarding that she is my child, Not fearing me as if I were her father: And, may I say to thee, this pride of hers,

70