Dramatis Personae.

MEN.

Duke of MILAN, Father to Silvia.

VALENTINE,

PROTHEUS,

}

the two Gentlemen.

ANTHONIO, Father to Protheus.

THURIO, a Foolish Rival to Valentine.

EGLAMOUR, Agent for Silvia in her Escape.

Host, where

Julia

lia lodges

in Milan.

Out-Laws.

SPEED, a Clownish Servant to Valentine.

LAUNCE, the like to Protheus.

PANTHINO, Servant to Anthonis.

WOMEN.

JULIA, a Lady of Verona, beloved of Protheus.
SILVIA, the Duke of Milan's Daughter, beloved of Va-

lentine.

LUCETTA, Waiting-Woman to Julia.

Servants, Musicians.

SCENE, sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan; and on the Frontiers of Mantua.

TWO GENTLEMEN

OF

VERONA.

ACT 1. SCENE I.

An open Place in Verona. Enter VALENTINE, and PROTHEUS.

Valentine.

CEASE to persuade, my loving Protheus;
Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits:
Wer't not, affection chains thy tender day
To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love,
I rather would entreat thy company,
To see the wonders of the world abroad,
Than, living dully sluggardiz'd at home,

Wear

Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness.

Or else a wit b

But, since thou lov'st, love still, and thrive therein,

Pro. So, by

Even as I would, when I to love begin.

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Val. So, b

Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu!

prov

Think on thy Protheus, when thou, haply, seest

Pro. 'Tis lo

Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel :

Val. Love is

Wish me partaker in thy happiness,

And he that is

When thou dost meet good hap; and, in thy danger,

Methinks shou

If ever danger do environ thee,

Pro. Yet w

Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers,
For I will be thy bead's-man, Valentine.

Val. And on a love-book pray for my success.
Pro. Upon some book I love, I'll pray for thee.
Val. That's on some shallow story of deep love,

How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont.
Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love;

For he was more than over shoes in love.

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The eating car Inhabits in the Val. And w Is eaten by the Even so by lov Is turn'd to fo Losing his ver And all the fa

But wherefore

That art a vot

And yet you never swom the Hellespont.

Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love,

1

Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots.
Val. No, I will not; for it boots thee not.

Once more adi

Expects my co

Pro. And t

Pro. What?

Val. To be in love, where scorn is bought with

Val. Sweet

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leave

groans;

ment's mirth,

With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights:
If haply won, perhaps, a hapless gain;
If lost, why then a grievous labour won;
However, but a folly bought with wit,

Coy looks, with heart-sore sighs; one fading mo

At Milan, let

Of thy success Betideth here

And I likewise

Pro. All ha

Or

Or else a wit by folly vanquished.

Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool. Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear, you'll

prove.

Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at; I am not love.

Val. Love is your master, for he masters you; 40

And he that is so yoked by a fool,
Methinks should not be chronicled for wise.

Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud
The eating canker dwells, so eating love

Inhabits in the finest wits of all.

Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud Is eaten by the canker ere it blow, Even so by love the young and tender wit

Is turn'd to folly; blasting in the bud,
Losing his verdure even in the prime,
And all the fair effects of future hopes.
But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee,

50

That art a votary to fond desire?

Once more adieu: my father at the road

Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd.

Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.
Val. Sweet Protheus, no; now let us take our

leave.

At Milan, let me hear from thee by letters,
Of thy success in love, and what news else
Betideth here in absence of thy friend;
And I likewise will visit thee with mine.
Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in Milan!

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