PERSONS REPRESENTED. Duke of Milan, father to Silvia. Valentine Proteus, } Gentlemen of Verona. Antonio, father to Proteus. Thurio, a foolish rival to Valentine. Eglamour, agent for Silvia in her escape. Panthino, servant to Antonio. Host, where Julia lodges in Milan. Julia, a lady of Verona, beloved by Proteus. Silvia, the duke's daughter, beloved by Valentine. Lucetta, waiting-woman to Julia. Servants, musicians. Scene, sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan; and on the frontiers of Mantua. TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. ACT I. SCENE I. An open place in Verona. Enter Valentine and Proteus. Valentine. CEASE to persuade, my loving Proteus; Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits: Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu! When thou dost meet good hap; and, in thy danger, If ever danger do environ thee, Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers, Val. And on a love-book pray for my success. How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont. For he was more than over shoes in love. Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love, And yet you never swam the Hellespont. Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots*. Val. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not. Pro. Val. What? To be In love, where scorn is bought with groans; coy looks, With heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth, Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool. prove. Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love. And he that is so yoked by a fool, Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud * A humorous punishment atharvest-home feasts, &c. But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee, Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our leave. At Milan, let me hear from thee by letters, Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in Milan ! Val. As much to you at home! and so, farewell! [Exit Valentine. Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love: He leaves his friends, to dignify them more; I leave myself, my friends, and all for love. Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me; Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, War with good counsel, set the world at nought; Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with. Speed. Sir Proteus, save you: saw you my master? Pro. But now he parted hence, to embark for Milan. Speed. Twenty to one then, he is shipp'd already; And I have play'd the sheep, in losing him. Pro. Indeed a sheep doth very often stray, An if the shepherd be awhile away. Speed. You conclude that my master is a shep herd then, and I a sheep? Pro. I do. Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whetlier I wake or sleep. Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Speed. This proves me still a sheep. Pro. True; and thy master a shepherd. |