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.
Thu.
I'll wear a boot to make it somewhat rounder.
Jul. [Aside.]
But love will not be spurr'd to what it loaths1 note.
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.
Jul. [Aside.]
'Tis true, such pearls as put out ladies' eyes;
For I had rather wink than look on them2 note.
Thu.
How likes she my discourse?
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.
Jul. [Aside.]
She needs not, when she knows it
cowardice.
Thu.
What says she to my birth?
-- 162 --
Pro.
That you are well deriv'd.
Jul. [Aside.]
True; from a gentleman to a fool.
Thu.
Considers she my possessions?
Pro.
O! ay; and pities them.
Thu.
Wherefore?
Jul. [Aside.]
That such an ass should owe them.
Pro.
That they are out by lease3 note.
Jul.
Here comes the duke.
Enter Duke.
Duke.
How now, sir Proteus! how now, Thurio!
Which of you saw Eglamour of late 11Q00534 note
?
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,
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:
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
Upon the rising of the mountain-foot,
-- 163 --
That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fled.
Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me.
[Exit.
Thu.
Why, this it is to be a peevish girl5 note,
That flies her fortune when it follows her.
I'll after, more to be reveng'd 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,
Than hate for Silvia, that is gone for love.
[Exit.
J. Payne Collier [1842–1844], The works of William Shakespeare. The text formed from an entirely new collation of the old editions: with the various readings, notes, a life of the poet, and a history of the Early English stage. By J. Payne Collier, Esq. F.S.A. In eight volumes (Whittaker & Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S10101].
