VALENTINE    Repair me with thy presence, Silvia, Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain. [Sounds within] What hallowing, and what stir is this today? These are my mates, that make their wills their law, Have some unhappy passenger in chase. They love me well, yet I have much to do To keep them from uncivil […]

Enter Valentine VALENTINE    How use doth breed a habit in a man! This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods I better brook than flourishing peopled towns. Here can I sit alone, unseen of any, And to the nightingale’s complaining notes Tune my distresses and record my woes. O thou that dost inhabit in my breast, Leave not […]

[Enter] Silvia [and] Outlaws FIRST OUTLAW         Come, come – be patient. We must bring you to our captain. SILVIA A thousand more mischances than this one Have learned me how to brook this patiently. SECOND OUTLAW     Come, bring her away. FIRST OUTLAW Where is the gentleman that was with her? THIRD OUTLAW        Being nimble-footed, he […]

THURIO          Why this it is to be a peevish girl, That flies her fortune when it follows her. I’ll after, more to be revenged on Eglamour Than for the love of reckless Silvia. [Exit] PROTEUS       And I will follow, more for Silvia’s love Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her. [Exit] JULIA  And I […]

DUKE  These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence; Therefore I pray you, stand not to discourse, But mount you presently, and meet with me Upon the rising of the mountain foot That leads toward Mantua, whither they are fled. Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me. [Exit]   (5.2.41-46)   These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence: […]

[Enter Duke] DUKE  How now, Sir Proteus? How now, Thurio? Which of you saw Eglamour of late? THURIO          Not I. PROTEUS       Nor I. DUKE Saw you my daughter? PROTEUS Neither. DUKE Why then, she’s fled unto that peasant Valentine, And Eglamour is in her company. ’Tis true, for Friar Laurence met them both As he […]

THURIO          What says she to my valour? PROTEUS       O sir, she makes no doubt of that. JULIA  [aside] She needs not, when she knows it cowardice. THURIO What says she to my birth? PROTEUS That you are well derived. JULIA [aside] True – from a gentleman to a fool. THURIO Considers she my possessions? PROTEUS O ay, […]

THURIO          What says she to my face? PROTEUS       She says it is a fair one. THURIO Nay, then, the wanton lies. My face is black. PROTEUS But pearls are fair; and the old saying is, ‘Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies’ eyes.’ JULIA  [aside] ’Tis true, such pearls as put out ladies’ eyes, For I […]

Enter Thurio, Proteus, [and] Julia [disguised as a boy] THURIO          Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit? PROTEUS       O sir, I find her milder than she was, And yet she takes exceptions at your person. THURIO What, that my leg is too long? PROTEUS No, that it is too little. THURIO I’ll wear a […]

Enter Eglamour EGLAMOUR    The sun begins to gild the western sky, And now it is about the very hour That Silvia at Friar Patrick’s cell should meet me. She will not fail; for lovers break not hours, Unless it be to come before their time, So much they spur their expedition.  [Enter Silvia] See where […]