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 – […]

PROTEUS       What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo for one calm look! O, ’tis the curse in love, and still approved, When women cannot love where they’re beloved. SILVIA When Proteus cannot love, where he’s beloved! Read over Julia’s heart, thy first, best love, For whose dear sake thou didst […]

SILVIA O miserable, unhappy that I am! PROTEUS       Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came, But by my coming I have made you happy. SILVIA By thy approach thou mak’st me most unhappy. JULIA  [aside] And me, when he approacheth to your presence. SILVIA Had I been seized by a hungry lion I would have been […]

[Enter Proteus, Silvia, and Julia, disguised as a boy] PROTEUS       Madam, this service I have done for you – Though you respect not aught your servant doth – To hazard life, and rescue you from him That would have forced your honour and your love. Vouchsafe me for my meed but one fair look. A […]