Ju. 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, She, in my judgment, was as fair as you; But since she did neglect her looking-glass, And threw her sun-expelling mask away, The air hath starved the roses in her cheeks, And pinch'd the lily-tincture of her face, That now she is become as black as I.

Sil. How tall was she?

Jul. About my stature: for, at Pentecost,
When all our pageants of delight were play'd,
Our youth got me to play the woman's part,
And I was trimm'd in madam Julia's gown;
Which served me as fit, by all men's judgment,
As if the garment had been made for me :
Therefore, I know she is about my height.
And, at that time, I made her weep a-good ̧1
For I did play a lamentable part:
Madam, 'twas Ariadne, passioning
For Theseus' perjury, and unjust flight;

In good earnest.

Which I so lively acted with my tears,
That my poor mistress, moved therewithal,
Wept bitterly; and, would I might be dead,
If I in thought felt not her very sorrow!

Sil. She is beholden to thee, gentle youth!—
Alas, poor lady! desolate and left !—

I weep myself, to think upon thy words.

Here, youth, there is my purse! I give thee this

For thy sweet mistress' sake, because thou lovest her.
Farewell.
[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,
Since she respects my mistress' love so much.
Alas, how love can trifle with itself!
Here is her picture. Let me see; I think,
If I had such a tire,1 this face of mine
Were full as lovely as is this of hers:
And yet the painter flatter'd her a little,
Unless I flatter with myself too much.
Her hair is auburn, mine is perfect yellow :
If that be all the difference in his love,
I'll get me such a color'd periwig.

Her eyes are grey as glass; and so are mine:
Ay, but her forehead's low, and mine's as high.
What should it be, that he respects in her,
But I can make respective in myself,

1 Head-dress.

* Respectful or respectable.

If this fond love were not a blinded god?
Come, shadow, come, and take this shadow up,
For 'tis thy rival. O thou senseless form,

Thou shalt be worship'd, kiss'd, loved, and adored :
And, were there sense in his idolatry,
My substance should be statue in thy stead.
I'll use thee kindly for thy mistress' sake,
That used me so; or else, by Jove I vow,
I should have scratch'd out your unseeing eyes,
To make my master out of love with thee.

[Exit

Eg. The sun begins to gild the western sky;

And now it is about the very hour

That Silvia, at friar Patrick's cell, should meet me,

She will not fail; for lovers break not hours,

Unless it be to come before their time;
So much they spur their expedition.

Enter SILVIA.

See, where she comes. Lady, a happy evening!
Sil. Amen, amen! go on, good Eglamour,

Out at the postern by the abbey-wall;

I fear, I am attended by some spies.

Eg. Fear not: the forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that, we are sure enough.1

[Exeunt.

The same.

SCENE II.

A room in the Duke's palace.

Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA.

Thu. Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit? Pro. O, sir, I find her milder than she was; And yet she takes exceptions at your person. Thu. What, that my leg is too long?

Pro. No; that it is too little.

Thu. I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder.

Pro. But love will not be spurr'd 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.

Jul. 'Tis true, such pearls as put out ladies' eyes;

For I had rather wink than look on them.

Thu. How likes she my discourse?

[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. [aside.

Out of danger.

Thu. What says she to my valor?

Pro. O, sir, she makes no doubt of that.

Jul. She needs not, when she knows it cowardice.

[aside.

Thu. What says she to my birth?

Pro. That you are well derived.

Jul. True; from a gentleman to a fooì.

[aside.

Thu. Considers she my possessions?

Pro. O, ay; and pities them.

Thu. Wherefore?

Jul. That such an ass should owe1 them. [aside.

Pro. That they are out by lease.

Jul. Here comes the duke.

Enter DUKE.

Duke. How now, sir Proteus? how now, Thurio ? Which of you saw sir Eglamour of late?

Duke. Why, then she's fled unto that peasant

Valentine;

And Eglamour is in her company.

'Tis true; for friar Laurence met them both,
As he in penance wander'd through the forest:
Him he knew well, and guess'd that it was she ;
But, being mask'd, he was not sure of it:

Possess.