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Thou friend of an ill fashion!

Pro.

Valentine!

Val. Thou common friend, that 's without faith or

love;

(For such is a friend now) treacherous man! Thou hast beguiled my hopes; naught but mine

eye

Could have persuaded me. Now I dare not say

I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me. Who should be trusted when one's own right hand

Is perjured to the bosom? Proteus,

I am sorry I must never trust thee more,

But count the world a stranger for thy sake.

The private wound is deepest. O time most accursed!

'Mongst all foes, that a friend should be the worst! Pro. My shame and guilt confounds me.Forgive me, Valentine: if hearty sorrow

Be a sufficient ransom for offence,

I tender it here: I do as truly suffer,
As e'er I did commit.

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And once again I do receive thee honest :--
Who by repentance is not satisfied,

Is nor of heaven nor earth; for these are pleased;
By penitence the Eternal's wrath's appeased :--
And, that my love may appear plain and free,

All that was mine in Silvia, I give thee.

Jul. O me unhappy!

Pro. Look to the boy.

[faints.

Val. Why, boy! why, wag! how now? what's the matter? look up; speak.

Jul. O good sir, my master charged me to deliver a ring to madam Silvia; which, out of my neglect, was never done.

Pro. Where is that ring, boy?

Jul.

Here 'tis this is it. [gives a ring. Pro. How let me see: why this is the ring I gave to Julia!

this

Jul. O, cry your mercy, sir, I have mistook; is the ring you sent to Silvia. [shows another ring. Pro. But how camest thou by this ring? at my depart, I gave this unto Julia.

Jul. And Julia herself did give it me ;

And Julia herself hath brought it hither.
Pro. How! Julia!

Jul. Behold her that gave aim 1 to all thy oaths, And entertain'd them deeply in her heart:

How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root!
O Proteus, let this habit make thee blush!
Be thou ashamed, that I have took upon me
Such an immodest raiment; if shame live
In a disguise of love : 3

It is the lesser blot, modesty finds,

Women to change their shapes, than men their minds.

Direction.

2 Cleft the root of her heart. Here an allusion is made to cleaving the pin in archery.

If it be any shame to wear a disguise for the purposes of love,

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