Notes: IV, 2.
SCENE II. Outside ... palace ...] An open place, ... Warburton.
Court of the palace. Capell.
1: _have I_] _I've_ Pope.
15: _and_] om. F3 F4.
18: Musicians.] Rowe. Musitian. Ff. at the beginning of the scene.
23: _Who_] F1. Whom F2 F3 F4.
25: _tune_] F1. _turne_ F2. _turn_ F3 F4.
26: at a distance] Capell.
_allycholly_] _melancholy_ Pope.
27: _I pray you, why is it_] F1. _I pray you what is it_ F2 F3.
_I pray what is it?_ F4.
34: [Music plays] Capell.
40: _is she_] _as free_ Collier MS.
50: _excels_] _exceeds_ S. Walker conj.
53: SCENE III. Pope.
53, 54: _are you ... before?_] _you are ... before_ Heath conj.
68: _You would_] _you would, then,_ Malone. _you would not_
Collier MS.
70, 71: Printed as prose by Capell.
72-74: Printed as verse in Ff. _I tell ... He lov'd ..._
78: _fear not you_] F1. _fear not_ F2 F3 F4.
80: [Exeunt Thu. and Musicians.] Rowe.
81: SCENE IV. Pope.
Enter SILVIA above] Rowe. om. Ff.
85: _You would_] Ff. _You'd_ Pope.
88: _What's_] _What is_ Pope.
89: _even_] F1. _ever_ F2 F3 F4.
102: [Aside] Pope.
105: _thyself_] _even thyself_ Hanmer.
109: _his_] F2 F3 F4. _her_ F1.
112: _hers_] F1 F2. _her_ F3 F4.
114: [Aside] Pope.
115: _if_] _if that_ Warburton.
115, 116: _obdurate, Vouchsafe_] _Obdurate, O, vouchsafe_ Hanmer.
116: _for my love_] om. Hanmer.
122: [Aside] Pope.
125: _since your falsehood shall_] _since you're false, it shall_
Johnson conj.
129: [Exeunt ... severally] om. F1. [Exeunt. F2.
136: _heaviest_] _heavy one_ Pope.
SCENE III. _The same._
_Enter EGLAMOUR._
_Egl._ This is the hour that Madam Silvia
Entreated me to call and know her mind:
There's some great matter she'ld employ me in.
Madam, madam!
_Enter SILVIA above._
_Sil._ Who calls?
_Egl._ Your servant and your friend;
One that attends your ladyship's command. 5
_Sil._ Sir Eglamour, a thousand times good morrow.
_Egl._ As many, worthy lady, to yourself:
According to your ladyship's impose,
I am thus early come to know what service
It is your pleasure to command me in. 10
_Sil._ O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman,--
Think not I flatter, for I swear I do not,--
Valiant, wise, remorseful, well accomplish'd:
Thou art not ignorant what dear good will
I bear unto the banish'd Valentine; 15
Nor how my father would enforce me marry
Vain Thurio, whom my very soul abhors.
Thyself hast loved; and I have heard thee say
No grief did ever come so near thy heart
As when thy lady and thy true love died, 20
Upon whose grave thou vow'dst pure chastity.
Sir Eglamour, I would to Valentine,
To Mantua, where I hear he makes abode;
And, for the ways are dangerous to pass,
I do desire thy worthy company, 25
Upon whose faith and honour I repose.
Urge not my father's anger, Eglamour,
But think upon my grief, a lady's grief,
And on the justice of my flying hence,
To keep me from a most unholy match, 30
Which heaven and fortune still rewards with plagues.
I do desire thee, even from a heart
As full of sorrows as the sea of sands,
To bear me company, and go with me:
If not, to hide what I have said to thee, 35
That I may venture to depart alone.
_Egl._ Madam, I pity much your grievances;
Which since I know they virtuously are placed,
I give consent to go along with you;
Recking as little what betideth me 40
As much I wish all good befortune you.
When will you go?
_Sil._ This evening coming.
_Egl._ Where shall I meet you?
_Sil._ At Friar Patrick's cell,
Where I intend holy confession.
_Egl._ I will not fail your ladyship. Good morrow, 45
gentle lady.
_Sil._ Good morrow, kind Sir Eglamour.
[_Exeunt severally._
Notes: IV, 3.
SCENE III.] SCENE V. Pope. Dyce makes no new scene here. See note
(VIII).
4: _Madam, madam!_] _Madam!_ Hanmer.
13: _Valiant, wise_] _Valiant and wise_ Pope. _Wise, valiant_
Anon. conj. A monosyllable lost before _valiant._ S. Walker conj.
17: _abhors_] Hanmer. _abhor'd_ F1 F2 F3. _abhorr'd_ F4.
19: _ever_] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.
_near_] _near unto_ Pope.
31: _rewards_] Ff. _reward_ Pope.
37, 38: _grievances; Which_] _grievances, And the most true
affections that you bear; Which_ Collier MS.
40: _Recking_] Pope. _Wreaking_ F1.
42: _evening coming_] _coming evening_ Anon. conj.
SCENE IV. _The same._
_Enter LAUNCE, with his Dog._
_Launce._ When a man's servant shall play the cur with
him, look you, it goes hard: one that I brought up of a
puppy; one that I saved from drowning, when three or
four of his blind brothers and sisters went to it! I have
taught him, even as one would say precisely, 'thus I 5
would teach a dog.' I was sent to deliver him as a present
to Mistress Silvia from my master; and I came no sooner
into the dining-chamber, but he steps me to her trencher,
and steals her capon's leg: O, 'tis a foul thing when a cur
cannot keep himself in all companies! I would have, as 10
one should say, one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed,
to be, as it were, a dog at all things. If I had not
had more wit than he, to take a fault upon me that he
did, I think verily he had been hanged for't: sure as I
live, he had suffered for't: you shall judge. He thrusts 15
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 pissing while, 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 20
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 25
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, 30
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? 35
didst thou ever see me do such a trick?
_Enter PROTEUS and JULIA._
_Pro._ Sebastian is thy name? I like thee well,
And will employ thee in some service presently.
_Jul._ In what you please: I'll do what I can.
_Pro._ I hope thou wilt. [_To Launce_] How now, you
whoreson peasant! 40
Where have you been these two days loitering?
_Launce._ Marry, sir, I carried Mistress Silvia the dog
you bade me.
_Pro._ And what says she to my little jewel?
_Launce._ Marry, she says your dog was a cur, and tells 45
you currish thanks is good enough for such a present.
_Pro._ But she received my dog?
_Launce._ No, indeed, did she not: here have I brought
him back again.
_Pro._ What, didst thou offer her this from me? 50
_Launce._ Ay, sir; the other squirrel was stolen from me
by the hangman boys in the market-place: 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, 55
Or ne'er return again into my sight.
Away, I say! stay'st thou to vex me here?
[_Exit Launce._
A slave, that still an end turns me to shame!
Sebastian, I have entertained thee,
Partly that I have need of such a youth, 60
That can with some discretion do my business,
For 'tis 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: 65
Therefore know thou, for this I entertain thee.
Go presently, and take this ring with thee,
Deliver it to Madam Silvia:
She loved me well deliver'd it to me.
_Jul._ It seems you loved not her, to leave her token. 70
She is dead, belike?
_Pro._ Not so; I think she lives.
_Jul._ Alas!
_Pro._ Why dost thou cry, 'alas'?
_Jul._ I cannot choose
But pity her.
_Pro._ Wherefore shouldst thou pity her?
_Jul._ Because methinks that she loved you as well 75
As you do love your lady Silvia:
She dreams on him that has forgot her love;
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!' 80
_Pro._ Well, give her that ring, and therewithal
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._ 85
_Jul._ How many women would do such a message?
Alas, poor Proteus! thou hast entertained
A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs.
Alas, poor fool! why do I pity him
That with his very heart despiseth me? 90
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, 95
To plead for that which I would not obtain,
To carry that which I would have refused,
To praise his faith which I would have dispraised.
I am my master's true-confirmed love;
But cannot be true servant to my master, 100
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._
Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you, be my mean
To bring me where to speak with Madam Silvia. 105
_Sil._ What would you with her, if that I be she?
_Jul._ If you be she, I do entreat your patience
To hear me speak the message I am sent on.
_Sil._ From whom?
_Jul._ From my master, Sir Proteus, madam. 110
_Sil._ O, he sends you for a picture.
_Jul._ Ay, madam.
_Sil._ Ursula, bring my picture there.
Go give your master this: tell him, from me,
One Julia, that his changing thoughts forget, 115
Would better fit his chamber than this shadow.
_Jul._ Madam, please you peruse this letter.--
Pardon me, madam; I have unadvised
Deliver'd you a paper that I should not:
This is the letter to your ladyship. 120
_Sil._ I pray thee, let me look on that again.
_Jul._ It may not be; good madam, pardon me.
_Sil._ There, hold!
I will not look upon your master's lines:
I know they are stuff'd with protestations, 125
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.
_Sil._ The more shame for him that he sends it me;
For I have heard him say a thousand times 130
His Julia gave it him at his departure.
Though his false finger have profaned the ring,
Mine shall not do his Julia so much wrong.
_Jul._ She thanks you.
_Sil._ What say'st thou? 135
_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 140
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: 145
When she did think my master loved her well,
She, in my judgement, 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, 150
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, 155
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 judgements,
As if the garment had been made for me:
Therefore I know she is about my height. 160
And at that time I made her weep agood,
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, 165
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 beholding to thee, gentle youth.
Alas, poor lady, desolate and left! 170
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, with attendants._
_Jul._ And she shall thank you for't, if e'er you know her. 175
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, 180
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: 185
If that be all the difference in his love,
I'll get me such a colour'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, 190
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, loved, and adored! 193
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, 200
To make my master out of love with thee! [_Exit._
Notes: IV, 4.
SCENE IV.] SCENE VI. Pope. Dyce makes no new scene here. See note
(VIII).
The same.] The same. Silvia's Anti-chamber. Capell.
6: _I was sent_] _I went_ Theobald.
11: _to be a dog indeed_] _to be a dog, to be a dog indeed_
Johnson conj.
20: _the third_] _a third_ Hanmer.
23: _you mean_] _do you mean_ Collier MS.
26: _makes me no more_] _makes no more_ Rowe.
28: _his servant_] _their servant_ Pope.
33: _Silvia_] _Julia_ Warburton.
39: _I'll do_] _Ile do_ F1. _Ile do sir_ F2 F3 F4. _I will do_
Malone.
45: _was_] _is_ Capell conj.
48: _did she_] F1 F2. _she did_ F3 F4.
50: _this_] _this cur_ Collier MS.
51: _the other squirrel_] _the other, Squirrel_ Hanmer.
51-54: Printed as four verses ending _me ... marketplace ... dog ...
greater_ Ff. Pope made the change.
52: _hangman boys_] Singer. _Hangmans boyes_ F1. _hangmans boy_
F2 F3 F4. _a hangman boy_ Collier MS.
57: [Exit Launce] om. F1. [Exit. F2 after line 58.
58: _still an end_] _ev'ry day_ Pope.
66: _know thou_] F2 F3 F4. _know thee_ F1.
_entertain thee_] F1 F3 F4. _entertaine hee_ F2.
70: _to leave_] F2 F3 F4. _not leave_ F1. _nor love_ Johnson conj.
74: _Wherefore_] _Why_ Hanmer.
75: _that_] _if_ Hanmer.
81: _give her_] _give to her_ Collier MS.
_and therewithal_] _and give therewithal_ Theobald. _and give her
therewithal_ Capell.
85: [Exit] F2.
95: _am I_] F1 F2. _I am_ F3 F4.
103: Enter SILVIA attended] Malone. Enter SILVIA. Rowe.
104: _Gentlewoman_] Ff. _Lady_ Pope.
110: _From my master,_] _My master; from_ Capell.
111: Capell adds _does he not?_
115: _forget_] F1 F2. _forgot_ F3 F4.
117: _please you peruse_] _may 't please you to peruse_ Pope.
_wilt please you to peruse_ Capell. _so please you to peruse_
Collier MS.
127: _easily_] F1. _easie_ F2 F3 F4.
138: _Dost thou_] _Dost_ Capell conj.
151: _pinch'd_] _pitch'd_ Warburton. _pincte_ Becket conj. _pinc'd_
Id. conj.
158: _judgements_] _judgment_ Capell.
161: _agood_] F2 F3 F4. _a good_ F1. _a-good_ Theobald.
168: _felt_] _feel_ Seward conj.
169: _beholding_] _beholden_ Pope.
172: _my purse_] F1. _a purse_ F2 F3 F4.
174: _Farewell_] om. Pope.
[Exit ... attendants] Dyce, after 175. [Exit. F2. om. F1. [Exit S.
Singer, after 175.
178: _my mistress'_] _his mistress'_ Hanmer.
185: _auburn_] Rowe. _Aburne_ Ff.
188: _grey as glass_] F1. _grey as grass_ F2 F3 F4. _green as grass_
Collier MS.
189: _mine's as high_] _mine is high_ Pope.
197: _statue_] _sainted_ Hanmer. _statued_ Warburton. _statua_
Reed conj.
200: _your_] _thy_ Hanmer.
201: [Exit.] F2. [Exeunt. F1.
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
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; 5
So much they spur their expedition.
See where she comes.
_Enter SILVIA._
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. 10
_Egl._ Fear not: the forest is not three leagues off;
If we recover that, we are sure enough. [_Exeunt._
Notes: V, 1.
SCENE I. An abbey.] Capell. Near the Friar's cell. Theobald.
3: _That_] om. Pope.
_Friar_] om. Steevens (1793).
12: _we are_] _we're_ Pope.
SCENE II. _The same. 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. 5
_Thu._ I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder.
_Jul._ [_Aside_] 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. 10
_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;
For I had rather wink than look on them.
_Thu._ How likes she my discourse? 15
_Pro._ Ill, when you talk of war.
_Thu._ But well, when I discourse of love and peace?
_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. 20
_Jul._ [_Aside_] She needs not, when she knows it cowardice.
_Thu._ What says she to my birth?
_Pro._ That you are well derived.
_Jul._ [_Aside_] True; from a gentleman to a fool.
_Thu._ Considers she my possessions? 25
_Pro._ O, ay; and pities them.
_Thu._ Wherefore?
_Jul._ [_Aside_] That such an ass should owe them.
_Pro._ That they are out by lease.
_Jul._ Here comes the duke. 30
_Enter DUKE._
_Duke._ How now, Sir Proteus! how now, Thurio!
Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late?
_Thu._ Not I.
_Pro._ Nor I.
_Duke._ Saw you my daughter?
_Pro._ Neither.
_Duke._ Why then,
She's fled unto that peasant Valentine; 35
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; 40
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,
But mount you presently, and meet with me 45
Upon the rising of the mountain-foot
That leads toward Mantua, whither they are 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. 50
I'll after, more to be revenged on Eglamour
Than for the love of reckless Silvia. [_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 55
Than hate for Silvia, that is gone for love. [_Exit._
Notes: V, 2.
SCENE II. The Duke's palace.] Theobald.
7: Jul. [Aside] _But love ..._] Collier (Boswell conj.). Pro.
_But love ..._ Ff.
13: Jul. [Aside] _'Tis true ..._] Rowe. Thu. _'Tis true ..._ Ff.
18, 21, 24, 28: [Aside] Capell.
18: _hold_] _do hold_ Capell.
25: _possessions_] _large possessions_ Collier MS.
28: _owe_] Ff. _own_ Pope.
32: _saw Sir_] F4. _saw_ F1. _say saw Sir_ F2 F3.
34, 35: _Why then, She's_] _Why then, she's_ Capell.
35: _that_] F1. _the_ F2 F3 F4.
40: _it_] _her_ Collier MS.
47: _toward_] _towards_ Pope.
48: [Exit.] Rowe.
50: _when_] F1. _where_ F2 F3 F4.
51: _on_] _of_ Pope.
52: [Exit.] Capell.
54: [Exit.] Capell.
56: [Exit.] Capell. [Exeunt. Ff.
SCENE III. _The frontiers of Mantua. The forest._
_Enter _Outlaws_ with SILVIA._
_First Out._ Come, come,
Be patient; we must bring you to our captain.
_Sil._ A thousand more mischances than this one
Have learn'd me how to brook this patiently.
_Sec. Out._ Come, bring her away. 5
_First Out._ Where is the gentleman that was with her?
_Third Out._ Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us,
But Moses and Valerius follow him.
Go thou with her to the west end of the wood;
There is our captain: we'll follow him that's fled; 10
The thicket is beset; he cannot 'scape.
_First Out._ Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave:
Fear not; he bears an honourable mind,
And will not use a woman lawlessly.
_Sil._ O Valentine, this I endure for thee! [_Exeunt_. 15
Notes: V, 3.
SCENE III. The ... Mantua] Capell.
The forest.] Pope.
8: _Moses_] Capell. _Moyses_ Ff.
10: _we'll_] om. Pope.
11: [Exeunt. Capell.
SCENE IV. _Another part of the forest._
_Enter VALENTINE._
_Val._ How use doth breed a habit in a man!
This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods,
I better brook than flourishing peopled towns:
Here can I sit alone, unseen of any,
And to the nightingale's complaining notes 5
Tune my distresses and record my woes.
O 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! 10
Repair me with thy presence, Silvia;
Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain!
What halloing and what stir is this to-day?
These are my mates, that make their wills their law,
Have some unhappy passenger in chase. 15
They love me well; yet I have much to do
To keep them from uncivil outrages.
Withdraw thee, Valentine: who's this comes here?
_Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA._
_Pro._ Madam, this service I have done for you,
Though you respect not aught your servant doth, 20
To hazard life, and rescue you from him
That would have forced your honour and your love;
Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look;
A smaller boon than this I cannot beg,
And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give. 25
_Val._ [_Aside_] How like a dream is this I see and hear!
Love, lend me patience to forbear awhile.
_Sil._ O miserable, unhappy that I am!
_Pro._ Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came;
But by my coming I have made you happy. 30
_Sil._ By thy approach thou makest me most unhappy.
_Jul._ [_Aside_] And me, when he approacheth to your presence.
_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. 35
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 perjured Proteus.
Therefore be gone; solicit me no more. 40
_Pro._ What dangerous action, stood it next to death,
Would I not undergo for one calm look!
O, 'tis the curse in love, and still approved,
When women cannot love where they're beloved!
_Sil._ When Proteus cannot love where he's beloved. 45
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
Descended into perjury, to love me.
Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou'dst two, 50
And that's far worse than none; better have none
Than plural faith which is too much by one:
Thou counterfeit to thy true friend!
_Pro._ In love
Who respects friend?
_Sil._ All men but Proteus.
_Pro._ Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words 55
Can no way change you to a milder form,
I'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end,
And love you 'gainst the nature of love,--force ye.
_Sil._ O heaven!
_Pro._ I'll force thee yield to my desire.
_Val._ Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch, 60
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; nought but mine eye
Could have persuaded me: now I dare not say 65
I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me.
Who should be trusted now, when one's 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. 70
The private wound is deepest: O time most accurst,
'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, 75
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
Is nor of heaven nor earth, for these are pleased. 80
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! [_Swoons._
_Pro._ Look to the boy. 85
_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. 90
_Pro._ Where is that ring, boy?
_Jul._ Here 'tis; this is it.
_Pro._ How! let me see:
Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia.
_Jul._ O, cry you mercy, sir, I have mistook:
This is the ring you sent to Silvia. 95
_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! 100
_Jul._ Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths,
And entertain'd 'em 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 105
Such an immodest raiment, if shame live
In a disguise of love:
It is the lesser blot, modesty finds,
Women to change their shapes than men their minds.
_Pro._ Than men their minds! 'tis true. O heaven, were man 110
But constant, he were perfect! That one error
Fills him with faults; makes him run through all the sins:
Inconstancy falls off ere it begins.
What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy
More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye? 115
_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.
_Pro._ Bear witness, Heaven, I have my wish for ever.
_Jul._ And I mine. 120
_Enter _Outlaws_, with DUKE and THURIO._
_Outlaws._ A prize, a prize, a prize!
_Val._ Forbear, forbear, I say! it is my lord the duke.
Your Grace is welcome to a man disgraced,
Banished Valentine.
_Duke._ Sir Valentine!
_Thu._ Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine. 125
_Val._ Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death;
Come not within the measure of my wrath;
Do not name Silvia thine; if once again,
Verona shall not hold thee. Here she stands:
Take but possession of her with a touch: 130
I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.
_Thu._ Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I:
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, 140
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 unrival'd merit,
To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine, 145
Thou art a gentleman, and well derived;
Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserved her.
_Val._ I thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy.
I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake,
To grant one boon that I shall ask of you. 150
_Duke._ I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be.
_Val._ These banish'd men that I have kept withal
Are men endued with worthy qualities:
Forgive them what they have committed here,
And let them be recall'd from their exile: 155
They are reformed, civil, full of good,
And fit for great employment, worthy lord.
_Duke._ Thou hast prevail'd; I pardon them and thee:
Dispose of them as thou know'st their deserts.
Come, let us go: we will include all jars 160
With triumphs, mirth, and rare solemnity.
_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?
_Duke._ I think the boy hath grace in him; he blushes. 165
_Val._ I warrant you, my lord, more grace than boy.
_Duke._ What mean you by that saying?
_Val._ Please you, I'll tell you as we pass along,
That you will wonder what hath fortuned.
Come, Proteus; 'tis your penance but to hear 170
The story of your loves discovered:
That done, our day of marriage shall be yours;
One feast, one house, one mutual happiness. [_Exeunt._
Notes: V, 4.
SCENE IV. Another ... forest.] Capell. The outlaw's cave in the
forest. Theobald.
2: _This shadowy desert,_] _These shadowy, desert,_ Collier MS.
8: _so_] _too_ Collier MS.
14: _are my_] _my rude_ Collier MS.
18: [Steps aside. Johnson.
19: _I have_] F1 F2 F3. _have I_ F4. _having_ Collier MS.
25: _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.
26, 32: [Aside] Theobald.
26: _is this I see and hear!_] Theobald. _is this? I see and hear:_
Ff.
43: _and still approved_] _for ever prov'd_ Pope.
49: _to love me_] F1. _to deceive me_ F2 F3 F4.
57: _woo_] _wooe_ F1. _move_ F2 F3 F4.
58: _ye_] Ff. _you_ Warburton.
63: _treacherous man_] F1. _Thou treacherous man_ F2. _Though
treacherous man_ F3. _Tho treacherous man_ F4.
65: _now_] om. Pope.
67: _trusted now, when one's_] F2 F3 F4. _trusted, when one's_ F1.
_trusted, when one's own_ Johnson. _trusted now, when the_ Pope.
69: _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.
71: _O time most accurst_] _O time accurst_ Hanmer. _O time most
curst_ Johnson. _O spite accurst_ S. Verges conj.
72: _all foes that a friend_] _all my foes a friend_ Collier MS.
73: _confounds_] _confound_ Rowe.
_My ... confounds me_] _My shame and desperate guilt at once
confound me_ Collier MS.
82, 83: Blackstone proposes to transfer these lines to the end of
Thurio's speech, line 135.
84: [Swoons.] Pope.
86-90: Printed by Capell as four verses ending _matter ... me ...
Silvia ... done._
86: _what's_] _what is_ Capell.
88: _to deliver_] _Deliver_ Steevens conj.
92: _see_] _see it_ Steevens conj. suggesting that lines 92-97
should end at _ring ... sir ... sent ... this?_ (om. _ring_)
_... Julia._
93: _Why, this is_] _This is_ Pope. _Why, 'tis_ S. Verges conj.
96: _But_] om. Pope.
102: _'em_] _them_ Capell.
103: _root_] _root on't_ Hanmer.
112: _all the sins_] _all th' sins_ Ff. _all sins_ Pope.
118: _be long_] _long be_ Pope.
120: _And I mine_] _And I have mine_ Steevens (Ritson conj.).
[embracing. Capell.
121: SCENE V. Pope.
122: _Forbear, forbear, I say!_] _Forbear, I say!_ Capell.
_Forbear, forbear!_ Pope.
124: _Banished_] _The banish'd_ Pope.
129: _Verona shall not hold_] _Milan shall not behold_ Theobald.
_And Milan shall not hold_ Hanmer. _Milano shall not hold_
Collier MS. See note (VII).
143: _again,_] _again._ Steevens (Tyrwhitt conj.).
144: _unrival'd_] F1. _arrival'd_ F2 F3 F4.
160: _include_] _conclude_ Hanmer.
161: _rare_] F1. _all_ F2 F3 F4.
164: _page_] _stripling page_ Collier MS.
167: _saying?_] _saying, Valentine?_ Collier MS.
171: _loves discovered_] _love discovered_ Pope. _love's discoverer_
Collier MS.
172: _That done, our ... yours_] _Our day of marriage shall be
yours no less_ Collier MS.
NOTES.
NOTE I.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. We have followed Steevens and the later editors in
reading 'Proteus' for 'Protheus'; for though the latter form is
invariably used in the Folios, and was, in all probability, what
Shakespeare wrote, yet in choosing the name he doubtless meant to
compare the fickle mind of the lover with the changeable form of the
god. We have written 'Panthino,' not 'Panthion,' because the authority
of the first Folio preponderates in favour of the former, in itself the
more probable form of an Italian proper name. 'Panthion' occurs in F1,
among 'the names of all the actors,' and in a stage direction at the
beginning of Act II Sc. 2, but never in the text. 'Panthino' is found
twice in the text, and once in a stage direction at the beginning of Act
I. Sc. 3. The blunder 'Panthmo,' I. 3. 76, which is the reading of F1,
shows that the original MS. had 'Panthino,' not 'Panthion.'
NOTE II.
I. 1. 28 sqq. Mr Sidney Walker (_Criticisms on Shakespeare_, III. p. 9)
says we ought 'perhaps' to read
'No,
I will not, for it boots not.'
Doubtless he meant also to re-arrange the following lines, and so get
rid of the Alexandrine at 30; thus:
'_Val._ No,
I will not, for it boots not.
_Pro._ What?
_Val._ To be
In love, where scorn is bought with groans; coy looks
With heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth,' &c.
NOTE III.
I. 2. 53. _What a fool is she._ The first Folio reads 'What 'foole is
she,' doubtless to indicate an ellipsis of the indefinite article,
which, for the sake of the metre, was to be slurred over in
pronunciation. As we have not followed the Folio in reading _th'_ or
_th_ for _the_ before a consonant, so we have thought it best to insert
here the omitted letter _a_, especially as the use of the apostrophe is
by modern custom much more restricted than it was in the Folio. For
example, we find _'Save for God save_ (_Tempest_, II. 1. 162), and _at
'nostrils for at's nostrils_ or _at the nostrils_ (_Id._ II. 2. 60).
NOTE IV.
II. 1. 68, 69. This passage is corrupt. The usual explanation, which
satisfies Delius, is inadmissible, because Valentine would certainly not
appear, like the Knight of La Mancha, without his hose. A rhyming
couplet was probably what the author intended. Many conjectures might be
made, as for example:
'For he, being in love, could not see to garter his hose;
And you, being in love, cannot see to beyond your nose.'
Or, 'to put spectacles on your nose.' Or possibly, 'to put on your
shoes,' the point of which remark Valentine's disordered dress might
make clear to the audience. Rosalind, when enumerating the marks of a
man in love, mentions the untied shoe as well as the ungartered hose,
_As You Like It_, Act III. Sc. 2. The same misprint, 'hose' for 'shoes,'
occurs in the first edition of Greene's _Groatsworth of Wit_. See Mr
Dyce's preface to his edition of Greene's _Dramatic Works_, p. xxviii.
NOTE V.
II. 4. 7, 95, 111. As Speed after line 7 does not say a word during the
whole of this long scene, we have sent him off the stage. It is not
likely that the clown would be kept on as a mute bystander, especially
when he had to appear in the following scene.
The Folios give line 110 to Thurio, who, if the reading be right, must
have quitted the stage during the scene. The most probable time for this
would be on Proteus' entrance, line 95. Mr Dyce however argues that
'Thurio, after what the Duke, in the presence of Silvia, had said to him
about welcoming Proteus, would hardly run off the moment Proteus
appeared.' But Thurio is not held up as a model of courtesy, and he
might as well be off the stage as on it, for any welcome he gives to
Proteus. Besides, in line 101 Valentine ignores Thurio altogether, who,
if he had been present, would not have remained silent under the slight.
On the whole, we think that the arrangement we have given is the best,
as involving no change in the original reading. The question however is
a difficult and doubtful one--indeed, far more difficult and doubtful
than it is important, or instructive.
NOTE VI.
II. 4. 192. Theobald's correction, 'mine eye,' or as Mr Spedding
suggests, 'my eye' ('my eie' in the original spelling), is supported by
a passage in the _Comedy of Errors_, III. 2. 55:
'It is a fault that springeth from your eye.'
If this were not satisfactory, another guess might be hazarded:
'Is it mine _unstaid mind_ or Valentine's praise.'
The resemblance of 'mine' and 'mind' in the printer's eye (final d and
final e being perpetually mistaken for each other) might cause the
omission of the two words. 'Valentine' is found as a dissyllable I. 2.
38. 'Sir Valentine's page, &c.': perhaps also III. 1. 191:
'There's not a hair on 's head but 'tis a Valentine,'
and, if Capell's arrangement be right, V. 2. 34.
NOTE VII.
II. 5. 1, III. 1. 81, and V. 4. 129. We have retained 'Padua' in the
first of these passages and 'Verona' in the second and third, because it
is impossible that the words can be a mere printer's, or transcriber's,
error. These inaccuracies are interesting as showing that Shakespeare
had written the whole of the play before he had finally determined where
the scene was to be laid.
* * * * *
* * * *
* * * * *
Sources:
The editors' Preface (e-text 23041) discusses the 17th- and
18th-century editions in detail; the newer (19th-century) editions
are simply listed by name. The following editions may appear in the
Notes. All inset text is quoted from the Preface.
Folios:
F1 1623; F2 (no date given); F3 1663; F4 1685.
"The five plays contained in this volume occur in the first Folio
in the same order, and ... were there printed for the first time."
Early editions:
Rowe 1709
Pope 1715
"Pope was the first to indicate the _place_ of each new scene;
as, for instance, _Tempest_, I. 1. 'On a ship at sea.' He also
subdivided the scenes as given by the Folios and Rowe, making
a fresh scene whenever a new character entered--an arrangement
followed by Hanmer, Warburton, and Johnson. For convenience of
reference to these editions, we have always recorded the
commencement of Pope's scenes."
Theobald 1733
Hanmer ("Oxford edition") 1744
Warburton 1747
Johnson 1765
Capell 1768; _also Capell's annotated copy of F2_
Steevens 1773
Malone 1790
Reed 1803
Later editions:
Singer, Knight, Cornwall, Collier, Phelps, Halliwell, Dyce, Staunton
Errors and inconsistencies:
[Text-critical notes]
II. 3. 20: _Oh, the dog is me_] [_body text punctuates "Oh! the"_]
II. 4. 58: Know] [_body text has "know", not capitalized_]
II. 5. 1: Padua] [_body text has "the same", referring back to
II. 4 "Milan"_]
IV. 4. 95: _am I_] F1 F2. _I am_ F3 F4. [F3 F3]
