THIRD OUTLAW        Know, then, that some of us are gentlemen Such as the fury of ungoverned youth Thrust from the company of lawful men. Myself was from Verona banishèd For practising to steal away a lady, An heir, and near allied unto the Duke. SECOND OUTLAW     And I from Mantua, for a gentleman Who, in […]

SECOND OUTLAW     Have you the tongues? VALENTINE    My youthful travel therein made me happy, Or else I had been often miserable. THIRD OUTLAW        By the bare scalp of Robin Hood’s fat friar, This fellow were a king for our wild faction! FIRST OUTLAW         We’ll have him. Sirs, a word. [The Outlaws talk apart] SPEED            [to […]

FIRST OUTLAW         What, were you banished thence? VALENTINE    I was. SECOND OUTLAW     For what offence? VALENTINE For that which now torments me to rehearse. I killed a man, whose death I much repent, But yet I slew him manfully, in fight, Without false vantage, or base treachery. FIRST OUTLAW Why, ne’er repent it, if it […]

VALENTINE    Then know that I have little wealth to lose. A man I am, crossed with adversity. My riches are these poor habiliments, Of which if you should here disfurnish me You take the sum and substance that I have. SECOND OUTLAW     Whither travel you? VALENTINE To Verona. FIRST OUTLAW         Whence came you? VALENTINE From […]

Enter Outlaws FIRST OUTLAW         Fellows, stand fast – I see a passenger. SECOND OUTLAW     If there be ten, shrink not, but down with ’em. [Enter Valentine and Speed] THIRD OUTLAW        Stand, sir, and throw us that you have about ye. If not, we’ll make you sit, and rifle you. SPEED [to Valentine] Sir, we are undone! These […]

THURIO          And thy advice this night I’ll put in practice. Therefore, sweet Proteus, my direction-giver, Let us into the city presently To sort some gentlemen well-skilled in music. I have a sonnet that will serve the turn To give the onset to thy good advice. DUKE  About it, gentlemen. PROTEUS       We’ll wait upon your grace […]

PROTEUS       After your dire-lamenting elegies, Visit by night your lady’s chamber-window With some sweet consort. To their instruments Tune a deploring dump. The night’s dead silence Will well become such sweet complaining grievance. This, or else nothing, will inherit her. DUKE  This discipline shows thou hast been in love.        (3.2.81-87)   Proteus is really into […]

PROTEUS       Say that upon the altar of her beauty You sacrifice your tears, your sighs, your heart. Write till your ink be dry, and with your tears Moist it again, and frame some feeling line, That may discover such integrity. For Orpheus’ lute was strung with poets’ sinews, Whose golden touch could soften steel and […]

PROTEUS       As much as I can do, I will effect. But you, Sir Thurio, are not sharp enough. You must lay lime to tangle her desires By wailful sonnets, whose composed rhymes Should be full-fraught with serviceable vows. DUKE  Ay, much is the force of heaven-bred poesy.         (3.2.66-71)   Oh, totally, I’ll do what I […]

DUKE  And Proteus, we dare trust you in this kind Because we know, on Valentine’s report, You are already love’s firm votary, And cannot soon revolt, and change your mind. Upon this warrant shall you have access Where you with Silvia may confer at large. For she is lumpish, heavy, melancholy, And for your friend’s […]