Which to requite, command me while I .ive. Pro. Know, noble lord, they have devis'd a mean Duke. Upon mine honour, he shall never know That I had any light from thee of this. Pro. Adieu, my lord: Sir Valentine is coming. Enter VALENTINE. [Exit Duke. Sir Valentine, whither away so fast? That is, guess. In Romeo and Juliet we have: « I aim'd sc near when I suppos'd you lov'd." That is, tempted. Vide note 1, Act ii. sc. 6. That is, design. That stays to bear my letters to my friends, Duke. Be they of much import? Va. The tenor of them doth but signify My health, and happy being at your court. Duke. Nay, then no matter; stay with me a while: I am to break with thee of some affairs, That touch me near, wherein thou must be secret. "Tis not unknown to thee, that I have sought To match my friend, Sir Thurio, to my daughter. Val. I know it well, my lord; and, sure, the match Were rich and honourable: besides, the gentleman Is full of virtue, bounty, worth, and qualities Beseeming such a wife as your fair daughter: Cannot your grace win her to fancy him? Duke. No, trust me she is peevish, sullen, froward, Proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty; Neither regarding that she is my child, 4 And, where I thought the remnant of mine age And turn her out to who will take her in : Val. What would your grace have me to do in Duke. There is a lady, sir, in Milan, here, • Where for whereas, often used by old writers. (For long agone I have forgot to court; Val. Win her with gifts, if she respect not words: Dumb jewels often, in their silent kind, More than quick words, do move a woman's mind. Duke. But she did scorn a present that I sent her. Val. A woman sometimes scorns what best con. tents her: Send her another; never give her o'er; For scorn at first makes after-love the more. " Duke. But she I mean is promis'd by her friends Unto a youthful gentlemen of worth, And kept severely from resort of men, That no man hath access by day to her. Val. Why, then I would resort to her by night. Duke. Ay, but the doors be lock'd, and keys kept safe, That no man hath recourse to her by night. Val. What lets, but one may enter at her window? Duke. Her chamber is aloft, far from the ground And built so shelving that one cannot climb it Without apparent hazard of his life. That is, hinders. Val. Why, then a ladder, quaintly made of cords, To cast up with a pair of anchoring hooks, Would serve to scale another Hero's tower, So bold Leander would adventure it. Duke. Now, as thou art a gentleman of blood, Advise me where I may have such a ladder. Val. When would you use it? pray, sir, tell me that. Duke. This very night; for Love is like a child, That longs for every thing that he can come by. Val. By seven o'clock I'll get you such a ladder Duke. But, hark thee; I will go to her alone: How shall I best convey the ladder thither? Val. It will be light, my lord, that you may bear it Under a cloak that is of any length. Duke. A cloak as long as thine will serve the turn? Val. Ay, my good lord. Duke. Then let me see thy cloak: I'll get me one of such another length. Val. Why, any cloak will serve the turn, my lord. Duke. How shall I fashion me to wear a cloak? I pray thee, let me feel thy cloak upon me.— And here an engine fit for my proceeding! [Reads. "My thoughts do harbour with my Silvia nightly; And slaves they are to me, that send them flying: O! could their master come and go as lightly, Himself would lodge where senseless they are lying. My herald thoughts in thy pure bosom rest thern; While I, their king, that thither them impórtune, Do curse the grace that with such grace hath bless'd them, Because myself do want my servants' fortune: I curse myself, for they are sent by me, That they should harbour where their lord should be." What's here? "Silvia, this night I will enfranchise thee." "Tis so; and here's the ladder for the purpose. Bestow thy fawning smiles on equal mates; Thank me for this, more than for all the favours Longer than swiftest expedition Will give thee time to leave our royal court, Be gone! I will not hear thy vain excuse; But, as thou lov'st thy life, make speed from hence [Erit DUKE Val. And why not death, rather than living tor ment? To die, is to be banish'd from myself; That is, because. And feed upon the shadow of perfection. "Animum pictura pascit inani." Virgil. |