SCENE III. Frontiers of Mantua. The Foreft. Enter SILVIA, and Out-laws. 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 out-run us, But Moyfes, and Valerius, follow him. Go thou with her to the weft end of the wood, 1 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. SCENE IV. Another part of the Foreft. Enter VALENTINE. Val. How ufe doth breed a habit in a man! And, to the nightingale's complaining notes, Tune my diftreffes, and record my woes. Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn fwain !- They love me well; yet I have much to do, Withdraw thee, Valentine; who's this comes here? [Steps afide. Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA. Pro. Madam, this fervice I have done for you, That would have forc'd your honour and your love. [Afide. Sil. O miserable, unhappy that I am! Sil. By thy approach thou mak'st me most unhappy. ful. 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, [Afide. Rather Rather than have false Proteus rescue me. Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo for one calm look? O, 'tis the curfe in love, and still approv'd, Sil. When Proteus cannot love where he's belov'd. For whose dear fake thou didst then rend thy faith Defcended into perjury, to love me. Thou haft no faith left now, unless thou had'st two, Pro. Who refpects friend? Sil. In love, All men but Proteus. Pro. Nay, if the gentle fpirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form, I'll woo you like a foldier, at arms' end; And love you 'gainst the nature of love, force you. Pro. I'll force thee yield to my defire. Val. Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch; Thou friend of an ill fashion! Pro. Valentine! Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or love; (For fuch is a friend now,) treacherous man! Thou hast beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye Could Could have perfuaded me: Now I dare not fay I have one friend alive; thou would'st disprove me. I am forry, I must never truft thee more, But count the world a stranger for thy fake. The private wound is deepest: O time, most curst! Be a fufficient ranfom for offence, I tender it here; I do as truly suffer, And once again I do receive thee honest :- Is nor of heaven, nor earth; for thefe are pleas'd; All that was mine in Silvia, I give thee. Jul. O me, unhappy! Pro. Look to the boy. [Faints. Val. Why, boy! why wag! how now? what is the matter? Look up; fpeak. Jul. O good fir, my master charg'd me To deliver a ring to madam Silvia; Which, out of my neglect, was never done. Pro. Where is that ring, boy? Jul. O, cry you mercy, fir, I have mistook; This is the ring you sent to Silvia. [Shows another ring. Pro. But, how cam'ft 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! Jul. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, It is the leffer blot, modefty finds, Women to change their fhapes, than men their minds. Pro. Than men their minds! 'tis true: O heaven! were man But conftant, he were perfect: that one error Fills him with faults; makes him run through all fins : Inconftancy falls off, ere it begins : What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye? Let me be bleft to make this happy close; Pro. Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish for ever. Out. Enter Out-laws, with DUKE and THURIO. A prize, a prize, a prize! Your Val. Forbear, I fay; it is my lord the duke. |