Sil. O miserable, unhappy that I am! Pro. Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came; But by my coming I have made you happy. Sil. By thy approach thou mak'st me most unhappy. I would have been a breakfast to the beaft, Pro. What dang'rous action, stood it next to death, O, 'tis the curfe in love, for ever prov'd, When women cannot love where they're belov'd. Sil. When Protheus cannot love where he's belov'd. For whose dear fake thou then didst rend thy faith Pro. In love, Who refpects friend? Sil. All men but Protheus. Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form; I'll move you like a foldier, at arms end, And love you 'gainst the nature of love; forcé ye. Pro. I'll force thee yield to my defire. Val. Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch; Thou Thou friend of an ill fashion! Pro. Valentine! Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith, or love; Thou haft beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye I have one friend alive; thou wouldst difprove me. I'm forry, I muft never truft thee more, I tender't here; I do as truly fuffer, Val. Then I am pay'd: And once again I do receive thee honeft.. Is nor of heav'n, nor earth; for these are pleas'd; And that my love may appear plain and free, All that was mine in Silvia I give thee.* Jul. O me unhappy! Pro. Look to the boy. Val. Why, boy? how now? what's the matter? look up; fpeak. Jul. O good fir, my mafter 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. Here 'tis: this is it. * This passage either hath been much sophisticated, or is one great proof that the main parts of this play did not proceed from Shakespear: for it is impoffible he could make Valentine act and speak fo much out of character; or give to Silvia fo unnatural a behaviour as to take no notice of this ftrange declaration, if it had been made. VOL. I. Dd Pro. Pro. How? let me fee: This is the ring I gave to Julia. Jul. O, cry you mercy, fir, I have mistook ; This is the ring you fent to Silvia. I Pro. How cam'ft thou by this ring? at my depart gave this unto Julia. ful. 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, How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root on't? Be thou asham'd that I have took upon me Such an immodest raiment; if fhame live It is the leffer blot modefty finds, Women to change their fhapes, than men their minds. Pro. Than men their minds? 'tis true; o heav'n! were man But conftant, he were perfect; that one error Fills him with faults, makes him run through all fins: What is in Silvia's face but I may spy More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye? Val. Come, come, a hand from either: Let me be bleft to make this happy clofe; 'Twere pity, two fuch friends fhould long be foes. SCENE V. Enter Duke, Thurio, and Out-laws. Out. A prize, a prize, a prize! Val. Forbear, forbear, it is my lord the duke. Your grace is welcome to a man difgrac'd, The banish'd Valentine. Duke. Duke. Sir Valentine? Thu. Yonder is Silvia: and Silvia's mine. Val. Thurio, give back; or else embrace thy death : Come not within the measure of my wrath. Do not name Silvia thine; but once again, Thu. Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I. Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou, Val. I thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy. I now befeech you, for your daughter's fake, To grant one boon that I shall ask of you. Duke. I grant it for thine own, whate'er it be. Are men endu'd with worthy qualities: Forgive them what they have committed here, They are reformed, civil, full of good, And fit for great employment, worthy lord. Duke. Thou haft prevail'd; I pardon them and thee; Difpore of them as thou know'ft their deserts. Come, let us go; we will conclude all jars Val. And, as we walk along, I dare be bold Duke. I think, the boy hath grace in him; he blushes. Val. Please I'll tell you, you as we pass along, That done, our day of marriage shall be yours; [Exeunt omnes. |