Thu. Since his exile she hath despised me most, Forsworn my company, and rail'd at me, Duke. This weak impress of love is as a figure Duke. My daughter takes his going grievously. Pro. little time, my lord, will kill that grief. Duke. So I believe; but Thurio thinks not SO. Proteus, the good conceit I hold of thee, (For thou hast shown some sign of good desert,) Makes me the better to confer with thee. Pro. Longer than I prove loyal to your grace, Let me not live to look upon your grace. Duke. Thou know'st, how willingly I would effect The match between sir Thurio and my daughter. Pro. I do, my lord. Duke. And also, I think, thou art not ignorant How she opposes her against my will. Pro. She did, my lord, when Valentine was here. Duke. Ay, and perversely she persévers so. What might we do, to make the girl forget The love of Valentine, and love sir Thurio? Pro. The best way is, to slander Valentine With falsehood, cowardice, and poor descent, Three things that women highly hold in hate. Duke. Ay, but she'll think that it is spoke in hate. Pro. Ay, if his enemy deliver it : Therefore it must, with circumstance, be spoken By one whom she esteemeth as his friend. Duke. Then you must undertake to slander him. Pro. And that, my lord, I shall be loth to do: 'Tis an ill office for a gentleman; Especially, against his very friend. Duke. Where your good word cannot advantage him, Your slander never can endamage him Being entreated to it by your friend. Pro. You have prevail'd, my lord: if I can do it, By aught that I can speak in his dispraise, Lest it should ravel, and be good to none, Because we know, on Valentine's report, And cannot soon revolt and change your mind. And, for your friend's sake, will be glad of you; Where you may temper her, by your persuasion, Pro. Say, that upon the altar of her beauty You sacrifice your tears, your sighs, your heart: Write till your ink be dry; and with your tears Moist it again; and frame some feeling line, That may discover such integrity: For Orpheus' lute was strung with poets' sinews; Whose golden touch could soften steel and stones, Make tigers tame, and huge leviathans Visit by night your lady's chamber-window, ance. This, or else nothing, will inherit her. Duke. This discipline shows thou hast been in love. Thu. And thy advice this night I'll put in practice. Therefore, sweet Proteus, my direction-giver, To sort some gentlemen well-skill'd in music : Pro. We'll wait upon your grace, till after supper; And afterward determine our proceedings. Duke. Even now about it; I will pardon you. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I.-A Forest, near Mantua. Enter certain Outlaws. I Outlaw. ELLOWS, stand fast; I see a passenger. 2 Out. If there be ten, shrink not, but down with 'em. Enter VALENTINE and SPEED. 3 Out. Stand, sir, and throw us that you have about you; If not, we'll make you sit, and rifle you. Speed. Sir, we are undone! these are the villains That all the travellers do fear so much. Val. My friends, I Out. That's not so, sir; we are your enemies. 2 Out. Peace! we'll hear him. 3 Out. Ay, by my beard, will we; for he is a proper man! Val. Then know, that I have little wealth to lose; A man I am cross'd with adversity : My riches are these poor habiliments, 2 Out. Whither travel you? Val. To Verona. 1 Out. Whence came you? 3 Out. Have you long sojourn'd there? If crooked fortune had not thwarted me. I Out. What, were you banish'd thence? 2 Out. For what offence? Val. For that which now torments me to I kill'd a man, whose death I much repent; I Out. Why, ne'er repent it, if it were done so : Val. My youthful travel therein made me happy; Or else I often had been miserable. 3 Out. By the bare scalp of Robin Hood's fat friar, This fellow were a king for our wild faction! It is an honourable kind of thievery. 2 Out. Tell us this: have you anything to take to? Val. Nothing but my fortune. 3 Out. Know then, that some of us are gentlemen, Such as the fury of ungovern'd youth |