Where have you been these two days loitering? Laun. Marry, sir, I carried mistress Silvia the dog you bade me. Pro. And what says she, to my little jewel? Laun. Marry, she says, your dog was a cur; and tells you, currish thanks is good enough for such a present. Pro. But she received my dog? Laun. No, indeed, she did not: here have I brought him back again. Pro. What, didst thou offer her this from me? Laun. Ay, sir; the other squirrel was stolen from me by the hangman's boys in the marketplace: and then I offered her mine own; who is a dog as big as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater. Pro. Go, get thee hence, and find my dog again, Or ne'er return again unto my sight. Away, I say: Stay'st thou to vex me here? Sebastian, I have entertained thee, She loved me well, deliver'd it to me. Jul. It seems you loved her not, to leave her token: She's dead, belike. Pro. Jul. Alas! Not so; I think, she lives. Pro. Why dost thou cry, alas? (1) In the end. Jul. I cannot choose but pity her. Pro. Wherefore should'st thou pity her? Jul. Because, methinks, that she loved you as well As you do love your lady Silvia : She dreams on him, that has forgot her love; Pro. Well, give her that ring, and therewithal Jul. How many women would do such a message? Alas, poor Proteus! thou hast entertain'd To plead for that, which I would not obtain; To praise his faith, which I would have disprais'd. But cannot be true servant to my master, Enter Silvia, attended. 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? VOL. I. G Jul. If you be she, I do entreat your patience Jul. From my master, sir Proteus, madam. Sil. Ursula, bring my picture there. [Picture brought. Sil. I pray thee, let me look on that again. I will not look upon your master's lines : know, they are stuff'd with protestations, And full of new-found oaths; which he will break As easily as I do tear his paper. Jul. Madam, he sends your ladyship this ring. Though his false finger hath profan'd the ring, Jul. She thanks you. Sil. What say'st thou ? Jul. I thank you, madam, that you tender her: Poor gentlewoman! my master wrongs her much. Sil. Dost thou know her? Jul. 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 lov'd 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 starv'd 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,1 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,2 For I did play a lamentable part; Madam, 'twas Ariadne, passioning For Theseus' perjury, and unjust flight; 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! weep myself, to think upon thy words. Here, youth, there is my purse; I give thee this For thy sweet mistress' sake, because thou lov'st her. Farewell. [Exit Silvia. Jul. And she shall thank you for't, if e'er you know her. A virtuous gentlewoman, mild, and beautiful. (1) Whitsuntide. (2) In good earnest. If I had such a tire, this face of mine Her eyes are grey as glass; and so are mine: ACT V. SCENE I-The same. An abbey. Enter Eglamour. Egl. The sun begins to gild the western sky; And now, it is about the very hour That Silvia, at Patrick's cell, should meet me. Enter Silvia. See, where she comes: Lady, a happy evening! (1) Head-dress. (2) Respectable. |