DUKE  Beshrew me, sir, but if he make this good

He is as worthy for an empress’ love

As meet to be an emperor’s counsellor.

Well, sir, this gentleman is come to me

With commendation from great potentates,

And here he means to spend his time awhile.

I think ’tis no unwelcome news to you.

VALENTINE    Should I have wished a thing, it had been he.       (2.4.67-74)

The Duke is impressed, obviously, but also perhaps slightly mocking at all this hyperbole from Valentine: beshrew me, sir, but if he make this good—if he’s as amazing as you’re making him out to be—then he’s as worthy of the loveof an empress as he is well-suited to being the right-hand man to an emperor. Can’t wait to meet him! Well, sir, this gentleman is come to me with commendation from great potentates—either he’s suggesting that Proteus is indeed coming with the best possible references from the best possible people, or, more likely, he’s mocking Valentine slightly: you’ve talked him up with great authority, even though you are very much not a great potentate. The upshot is, however, here he means to spend his time awhile. He’s going to be here for some time, hanging out in Milan. I think ’tis no unwelcome news to you: you’re pleased, huh? Oh, should I have wished a thing, it had been he! It’s a dream come true, says Valentine, Proteus, here with me! Silvia might look slightly put out at this, or simply coolly amused at the enthusiasms and short attention spans of boys…