SILVIA Urge not my father’s anger, Eglamour, But think upon my grief – a lady’s grief – And on the justice of my flying hence To keep me from a most unholy match, Which God and fortune still rewards with plagues. I do desire thee, even from a heart As full of sorrows as the […]

SILVIA Thyself hast loved, and I have heard thee say No grief did ever come so near thy heart As when thy lady and thy true love died, Upon whose grave thou vowed’st pure chastity. Sir Eglamour, I would to Valentine, To Mantua, where I hear he makes abode; And for the ways are dangerous […]

SILVIA O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman – Think not I flatter, for I swear I do not – Valiant, wise, remorseful, well accomplished. Thou art not ignorant what dear good will I bear unto the banished Valentine, Nor how my father would enforce me marry Vain Thurio, whom my very soul abhors.   (4.3.11-17)   […]

Enter Eglamour EGLAMOUR    This is the hour that Madam Silvia Entreated me to call, and know her mind. There’s some great matter she’d employ me in. Madam, Madam! [Enter Silvia, above] SILVIA Who calls? EGLAMOUR Your servant, and your friend. One that attends your ladyship’s command. SILVIA Sir Eglamour, a thousand times good morrow. EGLAMOUR […]

SILVIA             I am very loath to be your idol, sir. But, since your falsehood shall become you well To worship shadows and adore false shapes, Send to me in the morning, and I’ll send it. And so, good rest.      [Exit.] PROTEUS       As wretches have o’ernight That wait for execution in the morn.          [Exit.] JULIA  Host, will you go? […]

PROTEUS       Madam, if your heart be so obdurate, Vouchsafe me yet your picture for my love, The picture that is hanging in your chamber. To that I’ll speak, to that I’ll sigh and weep; For since the substance of your perfect self Is else devoted, I am but a shadow, And to your shadow will I make true love. JULIA  [aside] If ’twere a substance […]

SILVIA Say that she be, yet Valentine, thy friend, Survives to whom – thyself art witness – I am betrothed. And art thou not ashamed To wrong him with thy importunacy? PROTEUS       I likewise hear that Valentine is dead. SILVIA And so suppose am I, for in his grave, Assure thyself, my love is buried. […]

SILVIA For me – by this pale queen of night I swear – I am so far from granting thy request That I despise thee for thy wrongful suit, And by and by intend to chide myself Even for this time I spend in talking to thee. PROTEUS       I grant, sweet love, that I did […]

SILVIA What’s your will? PROTEUS       That I may compass yours. SILVIA You have your wish. My will is even this, That presently you hie you home to bed. Thou subtle, perjured, false, disloyal man. Think’st thou I am so shallow, so conceitless, To be seduced by thy flattery That hast deceived so many with thy […]

PROTEUS       Sir Thurio, fear not you, I will so plead That you shall say my cunning drift excels. THURIO          Where meet we? PROTEUS At Saint Gregory’s well. THURIO Farewell. [Exit Thurio][Enter Silvia, above] PROTEUS Madam, good even to your ladyship. SILVIA             I thank you for your music, gentlemen. Who is that that spoke? PROTEUS […]