Faculty of English

DUKE  The more degenerate and base art thou To make such means for her as thou hast done, And leave her on such slight conditions. Now, by the honour of my ancestry, I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, And think thee worthy of an empress’ love. Know then I here forget all former griefs, Cancel […]

THURIO          Yonder is Silvia, and Silvia’s mine. VALENTINE    Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death. Come not within the measure of my wrath. Do not name Silvia thine. If once again, Verona shall not hold thee. Here she stands. Take but possession of her with a touch – I dare thee but to breathe […]

VALENTINE    Come, come. A hand from either. Let me be blessed to make this happy close. ’Twere pity two such friends should be long foes. PROTEUS       Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish for ever. JULIA  And I mine. [Enter Outlaws, with the Duke and Thurio as prisoners] OUTLAWS      A prize, a prize, a prize! […]

JULIA  It is the lesser blot, modesty finds, Women to change their shapes than men their minds. PROTEUS       Than men their minds? ’Tis true. O heaven, were man But constant, he were perfect. That one error Fills him with faults, makes him run through all th’ sins; Inconstancy falls off ere it begins. What is […]

JULIA  And Julia herself did give it me, And Julia herself hath brought it hither. [Julia reveals herself] PROTEUS       How? Julia? JULIA Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths And entertained ’em deeply in her heart. How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root? O Proteus, let this habit make thee blush. […]

PROTEUS       Look to the boy! VALENTINE                Why, boy? Why, wag, how now? What’s the matter? Look up. Speak. JULIA              O good sir, my master charged me to deliver a ring to Madam Silvia, which out of my neglect was never done. PROTEUS Where is that ring, boy? JULIA [giving a ring] Here ’tis. This is it. PROTEUS […]

VALENTINE                Then I am paid, And once again, I do receive thee honest. Who by repentance is not satisfied Is nor of heaven nor earth, for these are pleased. By penitence th’Eternal’s wrath’s appeased. And that my love may appear plain and free, All that was mine in Silvia I give thee. JULIA              O me […]

VALENTINE                Proteus, I am sorry I must never trust thee more, But count the world a stranger for thy sake. The private wound is deepest. O time most accursed, ’Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst! PROTEUS       My shame and guilt confounds me. Forgive me, Valentine. If hearty sorrow Be a sufficient […]

VALENTINE    [revealing himself] Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch, Thou friend of an ill fashion. PROTEUS                   Valentine! VALENTINE Thou common friend, that’s without faith or love, For such is a friend now. Treacherous man, Thou hast beguiled my hopes. Naught but mine eye Could have persuaded me. Now I dare not say I have one […]

CW: sexual violence, threat, attempted rape   PROTEUS       In love, Who respects friend? SILVIA             All men but Proteus. PROTEUS Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form I’ll woo you like a soldier, at arm’s end, And love you ’gainst the nature of love – […]