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. Jul. She hath been fairer, madam, than she is: Jul. About my stature: for, at Pentecost, Sil. She is beholden to thee, gentle youth!- I weep myself, to think upon thy words. Here, youth, there is my purse; I give thee this 1 i. e. in good earnest, tout de bon. [Exit SILVIA. Jul. And she shall thank you for't, if e'er you know her. A virtuous gentlewoman, mild, and beautiful. Her eyes are gray as glass; and so are mine: Thou shalt be worshipped, kissed, loved, and adored; My substance should be statue 2 in thy stead. I should have scratched out your unseeing eyes, 1 Regardful. V. Merchant of Venice, Act V. Sc. I. [Exit. 2 The word statue was formerly used to express a portrait, and sometimes a statue was called a picture. ACT V. SCENE 1. The same. Enter EGLAMOUR. An Abbey. Egl. The sun begins to gild the western sky; That Silvia, at friar Patrick's cell, should meet me. Enter SILVIA. See where she comes; Lady, a happy evening! I fear I am attended by some spies. Egl. Fear not: the forest is not three leagues off: If we recover that, we are 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. No; that it is too little. Thu. I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder. Pro. But love will not be spurred 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. Pro. But pearls are fair; and the old saying is, Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes. T [Aside. Jul. 'Tis true; such pearls as put out ladies' eyes; For I had rather wink than look on them. Thu. How likes she my discourse? Pro. Ill, when you talk of war. Thu. But well, when I discourse of love and peace ? Jul. But better indeed, when you hold your peace. Thu. What says she to my valor? Pro. O, sir, she makes no doubt of that. [Aside. Jul. She needs not, when she knows it cowardice. [Aside. Thu. What says she to my birth? Pro. That you are well derived. Jul. True, from a gentleman to a fool. [Aside. Thu. Considers she my possessions? Pro. O, ay; and pities them. Thu. Wherefore? Jul. That such an ass should owe them. 1 [Aside. 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; And Eglamour is in her company. 'Tis true; for friar Laurence met them both, 1 i. e. possess them, own them. 2 By Thurio's possessions he himself understands his lands. But Proteus chooses to take the word likewise in a figurative sense, as signifying his mental endowments, and when he says they are out by lease, he means, that they are no longer enjoyed by their master (who is a fool), but are leased out to another. Besides, she did intend confession At Patrick's cell this even: and there she was not: That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fled: Despatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me. Thu. Why, this it is to be a peevish girl, That flies her fortune when it follows her: I'll after; more to be revenged on Eglamour, Than for the love of reckless Silvia. [Exit. [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. SCENE III. Frontiers of Mantua. The Forest. Enter SILVIA and Outlaws. Out. Come, come; Be patient, we must bring you to our captain. 1 Out. Where is the gentleman that was with her? 3 Out. Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us, But Moyses and Valerius follow him. Go thou with her to the west end of the wood; 1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave: Fear not; he bears an honorable mind, And will not use a woman lawlessly. Sil. O Valentine, this I endure for thee! [Exeunt. |