Host. How now ? are you sadder than you were before? How do you, man? the musick likes you not. Jul. You mistake; the musician likes me not. Jul. He plays false, father. Host. How? out of tune on the strings? Jul. Not so; but yet so false, that he grieves my very heart-strings. Host. You have a quick ear. Jul. Ay, I would I were deaf! it makes me have à slow heart. Host. I perceive, you delight not in musick. Jul. Not a whit, when it jars so. Host. Hark, what fine change is in the musick! Host. You would have them always play but one thing? Jul. I would always have one play but one thing. But, host, doth this sir Proteus, that we talk on, often resort unto this gentlewoman? Host. I tell you what Launce, his man, told me, he loved her out of all nick. 9 Jul. Where is Launce? Host. Gone to seek his dog; which, to-morrow, by his master's command, he must carry for a present to his lady. Jul. Peace! stand aside! the company parts. Pro. Sir Thurio, fear not you; I will so plead, That you shall say, my cunning drift excels. 9 Thu. Where meet we? Pro. At saint Gregory's well. Thu. Farewell. [Exeunt THURIO and Musicians. SILVIA appears above, at her window. Pro. Madam, good even to your ladyship. out of all nick.] Beyond all reckoning or count. Reckon ings are kept upon nicked or notched sticks or tallies. Sil. I thank you for your Who is that, that spake? musick, gentlemen: Pro. One, lady, if you knew his pure heart's truth, Pro. Sir Proteus, gentle lady, and your servant. Pro. That I may compass yours. Sil. You have your wish; my will is even this, That hast deceiv'd so many with thy vows? Even for this time I spend in talking to thee. Pro. I grant, sweet love, that I did love a lady; But she is dead. Jul. 'Twere false, if I should speak it; For, I am sure, she is not buried. Sil. Say, that she be; yet Valentine, thy friend, I am betroth'd: And art thou not asham'd Pro. I likewise hear, that Valentine is dead. [Aside. Pro. Sweet lady, let me rake it from the earth. Sil. Go to thy lady's grave, and call her's thence; Or, at the least, in her's sepulchre thine, Jul. He heard not that. Pro. Madam, if your heart be so obdúrate, Vouchsafe me yet your picture for my love, The picture that is hanging in your chamber; [Aside. To that I'll speak, to that I'll sigh and weep: And to your shadow I will make true love. Jul. If 'twere a substance, you would, sure, deceive it, And make it but a shadow, as I am. Sil. I am very loth to be your idol, sir; Pro. As wretches have o'er-night, That wait for execution in the morn. [Aside. [Exeunt PROTEUS; and SILVIA, from above. Jul. Host, will you go? Host. By my hallidom, I was fast asleep. Jul. Pray you, where lies sir Proteus? Host. Marry, at my house: Trust me, I think, 'tis almost day. Jul. Not so; but it hath been the longest night That e'er I watch'd, and the most heaviest. 2 [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. Enter EGLAMOUR. Egl. This is the hour that madam Silvia But, since your falshood shall become you well] Mr. Malone thinks that our author means, however licentious the expression, But, since your falshood well becomes, or is well suited to, the worshipping of shadows, and the adoring of false shapes, send to me in the morning for my picture, &c. Or, in other words, But, since the worshipping of shadows and the adoring of false shapes shall well become you, false as you are, send, &c. 2 most heaviest.] This use of the double superlative is frequent in our author. Entreated me to call, and know her mind; There's some great matter she'd employ me in. Sil. Egl. SILVIA appears above, at her window. Who calls? Your servant, and your friend; One that attends your ladyship's command. Sil. Sir Eglamour, a thousand times good-morrow. Egl. As many, worthy lady, to yourself. According to your ladyship's impose, 3 I am thus early come, to know what service Sil. O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman, Nor how my father would enforce me marry 3 · your ladyship's impose,] Impose is injunction, command. A task set at college, in consequence of a fault, is still called an imposition. A tax likewise is said to be imposed. 4 5 remorseful,] Remorseful is pitiful. Upon whose grave thou vow'dst pure chastity.] It was common in former ages for widowers and widows to make vows of chastity in honour of their deceased wives or husbands. In Dugdale's Antiquities of Warwickshire, page 1013, there is the form of a commission by the bishop of the diocese for taking a vow of chastity made by a widow. It seems, that besides observing the vow, the widow was, for life, to wear a veil and a mourning habit. Some such distinction we may suppose to have been made in respect of male votarists; and therefore this circumstance might inform the players how sir Eglamour should be drest; and will account for Silvia's having Sir Eglamour, I would to Valentine, To Mantua, where, I hear, he makes abode; As full of sorrows as the sea of sands, To bear me company, and go with me: Egl. Madam, I pity much your grievances; 6 As much I wish all good befortune you. Sil. This evening coming. At friar Patrick's cell, Where I intend holy confession. Good-morrow, gentle lady. Sil. Good-morrow, kind sir Eglamour. [Exeunt. chosen him as a person in whom she could confide without injury to her own character. STEEVENS. 6 grievances;] Sorrows, sorrowful affections. 7 Recking as little -] To reck, is to care for. Chaucer and Spenser use this word with the same signification. |