VALENTINE    In conclusion, I stand affected to her.

SPEED            I would you were set, so your affection would cease.

VALENTINE Last night, she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves.

SPEED And have you?

VALENTINE I have.

SPEED Are they not lamely writ?

VALENTINE No, boy, but as well as I can do them – Peace, here she comes.

[Enter Silvia]

SPEED [aside] O excellent motion! O exceeding puppet! Now will he interpret to her.            (2.1.70-80)

In conclusion—of what, isn’t clear, other than that Valentine is trying to bring this exchange to a close—I stand affected to her. I’m in love with Silvia! I would you were set—that is, sitting down, and also, perhaps, sexually relieved—so your affection would cease, retorts Speed: sit down and shut up about it! fall out of love! stop pacing around like a madman.

But Valentine isn’t listening, because he has other things on his mind, and he’s a bit puzzled, or else just continuing his little reverie: last night, she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves. This is—weird? Plus one for actually having had a conversation with Silvia; minus one for being asked by her to write a love letter? a love poem? to someone else. What’s going on? And have you? asks Speed—did you do it? I have, confesses Valentine. Are they not lamely writ? you wrote something bad on purpose, didn’t you? asks Speed. (Lamely suggests poor versification, the metrical feet irregular and stumbling.) Valentine hasn’t thought of that, quite possibly, and his face might register dismay even as he protests: no, boy, but as well as I can do them. Of course I did my best writing, my best poem! But then—panic! Peace, shut up shut up shut up (as Valentine springs to attention, adjusts his hair and his jacket, runs his tongue over his teeth, and then tries to look Totally Cool)—here she comes! HERE SHE COMES. IT’S HER.

Enter Silvia (apparently unaccompanied, which perhaps does point to a problem with the acting forces available, or else a rookie oversight; an aristocratic young woman would never be unaccompanied, in either Milan or London, when speaking to a Young Man or, indeed, at any other time). Speed is gleeful at the prospect of the encounter to come: O excellent motion! this is going to be a great show! o exceeding puppet (who could be either Silvia herself, a poppet, a doll, or Valentine, flapping around like a complete muppet). Motion is commonly used for puppet shows. Now will he interpret to her, narrating himself like the master of a puppet show, up on his hind legs, performing the smooth, confident lover for all he’s worth…