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he had suffered for't: you shall judge. He thrusts me himself into the company of three or four gentleman-like dogs under the duke's table: he had not been there-bless the mark-a pissingwhile, but all the chamber smelt him. 'Out with the dog!' says one; 'What cur is that?' says another; 'Whip him out,' says the third; 'Hang him up,' says the duke. I, having been acquainted with the smell before, knew it was Crab, and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs: 'Friend,' quoth I, 'you mean to whip the dog?' 'Ay, marry, do I,' quoth he. 'You do him the more wrong,' quoth I; ''twas I did the thing you wot of.' He makes me no more ado, but whips me out of the chamber. How many masters would do this for his servant? Nay, I'll be sworn, I have sat in the stocks for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had been executed; I have stood on the pillory for geese he hath killed, otherwise he had suffered for't; thou thinkest not of this now. Nay, I remember the trick you served me when I took my leave of Madam Silvia: did not I bid thee still mark me and do as I do? When didst thou see me heave up my leg and make water against a gentlewoman's farthingale? Didst thou ever see me do such a trick?

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Partly, that I have need of such a youth,
That can with some discretion do my business,
For't is no trusting to yond foolish lout;
But chiefly for thy face and thy behaviour,
Which, if my augury deceive me not,
Witness good bringing up, fortune, and truth:
Therefore, know thou, for this I entertain thee.
Go presently, and take this ring with thee.
Deliver it to Madam Silvia:
She lov'd me well deliver'd it to me.
Jul. It seems, you lov'd not her, to leave her
token.

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I cannot choose 84

Pro. Wherefore should'st thou pity her?
Jul. Because methinks that she lov'd you as
well

As you do love your lady Silvia.
She dreams on him that has forgot her love; 88
You dote on her, that cares not for your love.
'Tis pity, love should be so contrary;
And thinking on it makes me cry, 'alas!'

Pro. Well, well, give her that ring and therewithal

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This letter: that's her chamber. Tell my lady
I claim the promise for her heavenly picture.
Your message done, hie home unto my chamber,
Where thou shalt find me sad and solitary. [Exit.
Jul. How many women would do such a
message?

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Alas, poor Proteus! thou hast entertain'd
A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs.
Alas, poor fooll why do I pity him
That with his very heart despiseth me?
Because he loves her, he despiseth me;
Because I love him, I must pity him.
This ring I gave him when he parted from me,
To bind him to remember my good will;
And now am I-unhappy messenger-
To plead for that which I would not obtain,
To carry that which I would have refus'd,
To praise his faith which I would have disprais'd.
I am my master's true-confirmed love,
But cannot be true servant to my master,
Unless I prove false traitor to myself.
Yet will I woo for him; but yet so coldly
As heaven it knows, I would not have him speed.

Enter SILVIA, attended.

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Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you, be my

mean

To bring me where to speak with Madam Silvia. Sil. What would you with her, if that I be she?

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Jul. And she shall thank you for 't, if e'er you know her.-[Exit SILVIA, with Attendants.

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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, 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: 196
If that be all the difference in his love
I'll get me such a colour'd periwig.

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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,
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 worshipp'd, kiss'd, lov'd, and

ador'd,

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And, were there sense in bis idolatry,
My substance should be statue in thy stead. 208
I'll use thee kindly for thy mistress' sake,
That us'd 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.

ACT V.

SCENE I. - Milan. An Abbey.

Enter EGLAMOUR.

Egl. The sun begins to gild the western sky, And now it is about the very hour

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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, 168

That Silvia at Friar Patrick's cell should meet

me.

She will not fail; for lovers break not hours, 4
Unless it be to come before their time,

So much they spur their expedition.

See, where she comes.

Enter SILVIA.

Lady, a happy evening!

Sil. Amen, amen! go on, good Eglamour, 8
Out at the postern by the abbey-wall.
I fear I am attended by some spies.

Egl. Fear not: the forest is not three leagues
off;

If we recover that, we're sure enough. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. The Same. 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.

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Duke Why then,

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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;
Besides, she did intend confession
At Patrick's cell this even, and there she was not.
These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence.
Therefore, I pray you, stand not to discourse, 44
But mount you presently and meet with me
Upon the rising of the mountain-foot,

4 That leads towards Mantua, whither theyare fled. Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me. [Exit. Thu. Why, this it is to be a peevish girl, That flies her fortune when it follows her. Jul. [Aside.] But love will not be spurr'd to I'll after, more to be reveng'd on Eglamour what it loathes.

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

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Than for the love of reckless Silvia.

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[Exit.

Pro. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her. [Exit. Jul. And I will follow, more to cross that love Than hate for Silvia that is gone for love. [Exit.

Pro. But pearls are fair, and the old saying is, 'Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes.' Jul. [Aside.] 'Tis true, such pearls as put out ladies' eyes;

SCENE III.-Frontiers of Mantua. The Forest.
Enter Outlaws with SILVIA.

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Thu. Considers she my possessions?

Jul. [Aside.] But better, indeed, when you hold your peace.

Thu. What says she to my valour?

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

Jul. [Aside.] She needs not, when she knows

it cowardice.

Thu. What says she to my birth?

Pro. That you are well deriv'd.

First Out. Where is the gentleman that was with her?

Jul. [Aside.] True; from a gentleman to The thicket is beset; he cannot 'scape. a fool.

Pro. O, ay; and pities them.

Third Out. Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us;

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Thu. Wherefore?

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Jul. [Aside.] That such an ass should owe them.

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Fear not; he bears an honourable mind,
And will not use a woman lawlessly.

Pro. That they are out by lease.

Jul. Here comes the duke.

Sil. O Valentine! this I endure for thee.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV. Another Part of the Forest.
Enter VALENTINE.

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Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man!
This shadowy desart, unfrequented woods,
I better brook than flourishing peopled towns.
Here can I sit alone, unseen of any,
And to the nightingale's complaining notes
Tune my distresses and record my woes.
0 thou that dost inhabit in my breast,
Leave not the mansion so long tenantless,
Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall
And leave no memory of what it was!
Repair me with thy presence, Silvia!
II
Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain!
[Noise within.

What halloing and what stir is this to-day?
These are my mates, that make their wills their

law,

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Sil. When Proteus cannot love where he's
belov'd.

Read over Julia's heart, thy first best love,
For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy
faith

Into a thousand oaths; and all those oaths 48
Descended into perjury to love me.

8 Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou 'dst two,
And that's far worse than none: better have

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Have some unhappy passenger in chase.
They love me well; yet I have much to do
To keep them from uncivil outrages.
Withdraw thee, Valentine: who's this comes
here?
[Steps aside.

Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA.

Pro. Madam, this service I have done for
you-

Though you respect not aught your servant
doth-
To hazard life and rescue you from him

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That would have forc'd your honour and your love.

Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look; A smaller boon than this I cannot beg, 24 And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give. Val. [Aside.] How like a dream is this I see and hear!

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Jul. [Aside.] And me, when he approacheth to your presence.

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Sil. Had I been seized by a hungry lion,
I would have been a breakfast to the beast,
Rather than have false Proteus rescue me.
O! heaven be judge how I love Valentine,
Whose life's as tender to me as my soul,
And full as much for more there cannot be-
I do detest false perjur'd Proteus.

Therefore be gone, solicit me no more.

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Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death,

Would I not undergo for one calm look!

'Mongstall foes that a friend should be the worst!
Pro. My shame and guilt confound me.
Forgive me, Valentine. If hearty sorrow
Be a sufficient ransom for offence,
I tender't here: I do as truly suffer
As e'er I did commit.
Val.

Then, I am paid;

And once again I do receive thee honest.
Who by repentance is not satisfied

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Is nor of heaven, nor earth; for these are pleas'd.
By penitence the Eternal's wrath's appeas'd: 81
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.

[Swoons. Come not within the measure of my wrath; 85 Do not name Silvia thine; if once again,

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

Look up; speak.

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Verona shall not hold thee. Here she stands;
Take but possession of her with a touch;
I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.

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Thu. Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I. 132 I hold him but a fool that will endanger His body for a girl that loves him not: I claim her not, and therefore she is thine. 135 Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou, To make such means for her as thou hast done, And leave her on such slight conditions. Now, by the honour of my ancestry, I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, And think thee worthy of an empress' love. Know then, I here forget all former griefs, Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again, Plead a new state in thy unrivall'd merit, To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine, Thou art a gentleman and well deriv'd; Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserv'd her. Val. I thank your Grace; the gift hath made me happy. 148

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minds.

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What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye?

Val. Come, come, a hand from either. Let me be blest to make this happy close: 'Twere pity two such friends should be long foes.

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Pro. Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish,

Val. And as we walk along, I dare be bold With our discourse to make your Grace to smile. What think you of this page, my lord?

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for ever.

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Duke. I think the boy hath grace in him: he blushes.

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