PROTEUS       This night he meaneth with a corded ladder

To climb celestial Silvia’s chamber window,

Myself in counsel his competitor.

Now presently I’ll give her father notice

Of their disguising and pretended flight,

Who, all enraged, will banish Valentine;

For Thurio he intends shall wed his daughter.

But Valentine being gone, I’ll quickly cross,

By some sly trick, blunt Thurio’s dull proceeding.

Love, lend me wings to make my purpose swift,

As thou hast lent me wit to plot this drift.

Exit      (2.6.33-43)

And so Proteus reveals his dastardly, callous plot. Valentine told him of his plan to elope with Silvia—that this night he meaneth with a corded ladder to climb celestial Silvia’s chamber window. He’s prepared, he’s got a rope ladder and everything. And myself in counsel his competitor: he’s taken me completely into his confidence—the fool! Competitor here is associate, companion, but it is also ironically true: Proteus and Valentine are rivals now. So, presently, right away, I’ll give her father notice of their disguising and pretended flight. I’m going to go straight to the Duke and tell all, how they’re planning to deceive him, how they’ve plotted to run away together. He’s not going to be happy about that! in fact, all enraged, the Duke will banish Valentine, not least because he’s got other plans for his daughter Silvia: Thurio he intends shall wed his daughter. That’s whom he’s settled on for a son-in-law, not Valentine. (That Silvia might have her own views doesn’t enter Proteus’s head. Again.) But—ha!—Valentine being gone, banished, then the way will be clear: I’ll quickly cross, by some sly trick, blunt Thurio’s dull proceeding. It won’t take much to outwit Thurio, he’s so stupid and slow on the uptake; it’ll be straightforward to get him out of the way. Oh, I am so clever! Love, lend me wings to make my purpose swift, as thou hast lent me wit to plot this drift! Be on MY side, make this all happen just as I plan, and quickly—after all, it’s love that’s given me the quick-thinking ability, the sheer brilliance (though I say so myself) to work this all out so speedily and comprehensively. I am SO good, I deserve to get everything I want!