Luc. Pardon, dear madam:'tis a passing shame That I, unworthy body as I am, Should censure* thus on lovely gentlemen. *Criticise. Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? Luc. Then thus: of many good I think him best. Jul. Your reason? Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason; I think him so because I think him so. Jul. And wouldst thou have me cast my love on him? Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away. Jul. Why he, of all the rest, hath never moved me. Luc. Yet he, of all the rest, I think, best loves ye.. Jul. His little speaking shows his love but small. 29 Luc. Fire that's closest kept burns most of all. Jul. They do not love that do not show their love. Luc. O, they love least that let men know their love. Jul. I would I knew his mind. Luc. Peruse this paper, madam. Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from Proteus. He would have given it you; but I, being in the way, Did in your name receive it: pardon the fault, I pray. 40 Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!* There, take the paper: see it be return'd; Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than hate. Jul. Will ye be gone? That you may ruminate. [Exit. Jul. And yet I would I had o'erlooked the letter: 50 It were a shame to call her back again And ask remission for my folly past. 60 Luc. Re-enter LUCETTA. What would your ladyship? I would it were, Jul. Is't near dinner-time? Luc. That you might kill your stomach* on your meat And not upon your maid. *Passion. Jul. What is't that you took up so gingerly? Luc. Nothing. Jul. Why didst thou stoop, then? Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall. Jul. And is that paper nothing? Luc. Nothing concerning me. 71 Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns. Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns, Unless it have a false interpreter. Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme. Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune. Give me a note: your ladyship can set. 81 Jul. As little by such toys* as may be possible. Best sing it to the tune of 'Light o' love.' some burden *Foolish tricks. Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune. Jul. Heavy! belike it hath 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. 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 meant to fill your song. 90 Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly bass. *Variation upon a melody. †Tenor. 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. 100 Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be best pleased To be so anger'd with another letter. [Exit. Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same! O hateful hands, to tear such loving words! I throw thy name against the bruising stones, And thus Í search* it with a sovereign kiss. *Heal 121 But twice or thrice was 'Proteus' written down. Luc. Madam, Re-enter LUCETTA. Dinner is ready, and your father stays. Jul. Well, let us go. †Since. 130 Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell tales here? Jul. If you respect them, best to take them up. Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down: Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold. you see; *Strong desire. I see things too, although you judge I wink. 140 [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. ANTONIO'S house. Enter ANTONIO and PANTHINO. *Serious. 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 men, of slender reputation, Put forth their sons to seek preferment out: Some to the studious universities. He said that Proteus your son was meet, ΤΟ To let him spend his time no more at home, Which would be great impeachment* to his age, In having known no travel in his youth. Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me *Cause of censure. to that And perfected by the swift course of time. 20 Pan. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither: There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, 30 Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen, And be in eye of every exercise Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth. Ant. I like thy counsel; well hast thou advised: And that thou mayst perceive how well I like it The execution of it shall make known. Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch him to the emperor's court. With other gentlemen of good esteem Are journeying to salute the emperor And to commend their service to his will. 40 Ant. Good company; with them shall Pro teus go: And in good time! now will we break with him. |