The Two Gentlemen of Verona

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Original text
Act V, Scene I
Enter Eglamoure, Siluia.

Egl.
The Sun begins to guild the westerne skie,
And now it is about the very houre
That Siluia, at Fryer Patricks Cell should meet me,
She will not faile; for Louers breake not houres,
Vnlesse it be to come before their time,
So much they spur their expedition.
See where she comes: Lady a happy euening.

Sil.
Amen, Amen: goe on (good Eglamoure)
Out at the Posterne by the Abbey wall;
I feare I am attended by some Spies.

Egl.
Feare not: the Forrest is not three leagues off,
If we recouer that, we are sure enough.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act V, Scene II
Enter Thurio, Protheus, Iulia, Duke.

Th.
Sir Protheus, what saies Siluia to my suit?

Pro.
Oh Sir, I finde her milder then she was,
And yet she takes exceptions at your person.

Thu.
What? that my leg is too long?

Pro.
No, that it is too little.

Thu.
Ile weare a Boote, to make it somewhat rounder.

Pro.
But loue will not be spurd to what it loathes.

Thu.
What saies she to my face?

Pro.
She saies it is a faire one.

Thu.
Nay then the wanton lyes: my face is blacke.

Pro.
But Pearles are faire; and the old saying is,
Blacke men are Pearles, in beauteous Ladies eyes.

Thu.

'Tis true, such Pearles as put out Ladies eyes,
For I had rather winke, then looke on them.

Thu.
How likes she my discourse?

Pro.
Ill, when you talke of war.

Thu.
But well, when I discourse of loue and peace.

Iul.
But better indeede, when you hold you peace.

Thu.
What sayes she to my valour?

Pro.
Oh Sir, she makes no doubt of that.

Iul.
She needes not, when she knowes it cowardize.

Thu.
What saies she to my birth?

Pro.
That you are well deriu'd.

Iul.
True: from a Gentleman, to a foole.

Thu.
Considers she my Possessions?

Pro.
Oh, I: and pitties them.

Thu.
Wherefore?

Iul.

That such an Asse should owe them.

Pro.
That they are out by Lease.

Iul.
Here comes the Duke.

Du.
How now sir Protheus; how now Thurio?
Which of you saw Eglamoure of late?

Thu.
Not I.

Pro.
Nor I.

Du.
Saw you my daughter?

Pro.
Neither.

Du.
Why then
She's fled vnto that pezant, Valentine;
And Eglamoure is in her Company:
'Tis true: for Frier Laurence met them both
As he, in pennance wander'd through the Forrest:
Him he knew well: and guesd that it was she,
But being mask'd, he was not sure of it.
Besides she did intend Confession
At Patricks Cell this euen, and there she was not.
These likelihoods confirme her flight from hence;
Therefore I pray you stand, not to discourse,
But mount you presently, and meete with me
Vpon the rising of the Mountaine foote
That leads toward Mantua, whether they are fled:
Dispatch (sweet Gentlemen) and follow me.

Thu.
Why this it is, to be a peeuish Girle,
That flies her fortune when it followes her:
Ile after; more to be reueng'd on Eglamoure,
Then for the loue of reck-lesse Siluia.

Pro.
And I will follow, more for Siluas loue
Then hate of Eglamoure that goes with her.

Iul.
And I will follow, more to crosse that loue
Then hate for Siluia, that is gone for loue.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act V, Scene III
Siluia, Out-lawes.

1. Out.
Come, come be patient:
We must bring you to our Captaine.

Sil.
A thousand more mischances then this one
Haue learn'd me how to brooke this patiently.

2 Out.
Come, bring her away.

1 Out.
Where is the Gentleman that was with her?

3 Out.
Being nimble footed, he hath out-run vs.
But Moyses and Valerius follow him:
Goe thou with her to the West end of the wood,
There is our Captaine: Wee'll follow him that's fled,
The Thicket is beset, he cannot scape.

1 Out.
Come, I must bring you to our Captains caue.
Feare not: he beares an honourable minde,
And will not vse a woman lawlesly.

Sil.
O Valentine: this I endure for thee.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act V, Scene IV
Enter Valentine, Protheus, Siluia, Iulia, Duke, Thurio, Out-lawes.

Val.
How vse doth breed a habit in a man?
This shadowy desart, vnfrequented woods
I better brooke then flourishing peopled Townes:
Here can I sit alone, vn-seene of any,
And to the Nightingales complaining Notes
Tune my distrestes, and record my woes.
O thou that dost inhabit in my brest,
Leaue not the Mansion so long Tenant-lesse,
Lest growing ruinous, the building fall,
And leaue no memory of what it was,
Repaire me, with thy presence, Siluia:
Thou gentle Nimph, cherish thy for-lorne swaine.

What hallowing, and what stir is this to day?
These are my mates, that make their wills their Law,
Haue some vnhappy passenger in chace;
They loue me well: yet I haue much to doe
To keepe them from vnciuill outrages.
Withdraw thee Valentine: who's this comes heere?

Pro.
Madam, this seruice I haue done for you
(Though you respect not aught your seruant doth)
To hazard life, and reskew you from him,
That would haue forc'd your honour, and your loue,
Vouchsafe me for my meed, but one faire looke:
(A smaller boone then this I cannot beg,
And lesse then this, I am sure you cannot giue.)

Val.
How like a dreame is this? I see, and heare:
Loue, lend me patience to forbeare a while.

Sil.
O miserable, vnhappy that I am.

Pro.
Vnhappy were you (Madam) ere I came:
But by my comming, I haue made you happy.

Sil.
By thy approach thou mak'st me most vnhappy.

Iul.
And me, when he approcheth to your presence.

Sil.
Had I beene ceazed by a hungry Lion,
I would haue beene a break-fast to the Beast,
Rather then haue false Protheus reskue me:
Oh heauen be iudge how I loue Valentine,
Whose life's as tender to me as my soule,
And full as much (for more there cannot be)
I doe detest false periur'd Protheus:
Therefore be gone, sollicit me no more.

Pro.
What dangerous action, stood it next to death
Would I not vndergoe, for one calme looke:
Oh 'tis the curse in Loue, and still approu'd
When women cannot loue, where they're belou'd.

Sil.
When Protheus cannot loue, where he's belou'd:
Read ouer Iulia's heart, (thy first best Loue)
For whose deare sake, thou didst then rend thy faith
Into a thousand oathes; and all those oathes,
Descended into periury, to loue me,
Thou hast no faith left now, vnlesse thou'dst two,
And that's farre worse then none: better haue none
Then plurall faith, which is too much by one:
Thou Counterfeyt, to thy true friend.

Pro.
In Loue,
Who respects friend?

Sil.
All men but Protheus.

Pro.
Nay, if the gentle spirit of mouing words
Can no way change you to a milder forme;
Ile wooe you like a Souldier, at armes end,
And loue you 'gainst the nature of Loue: force ye.

Sil.
Oh heauen.

Pro.
Ile force thee yeeld to my desire.


Val.
Ruffian: let goe that rude vnciuill touch,
Thou friend of an ill fashion.

Pro.
Valentine.

Val.
Thou cõmon friend, that's without faith or loue,
For such is a friend now: treacherous man,
Thou hast beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye
Could haue perswaded me: now I dare not say
I haue one friend aliue; thou wouldst disproue me:
Who should be trusted, when ones right hand
Is periured to the bosome? Protheus
I am sorry I must neuer trust thee more,
But count the world a stranger for thy sake:
The priuate wound is deepest: oh time, most accurst:
'Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst?

Pro.
My shame and guilt confounds me:
Forgiue me Valentine: if hearty sorrow
Be a sufficient Ransome for offence,
I tender't heere: I doe as truely suffer,
As ere I did commit.

Val.
Then I am paid:
And once againe, I doe receiue thee honest;
Who by Repentance is not satisfied,
Is nor of heauen, nor earth; for these are pleas'd:
By Penitence th' Eternalls wrath's appeas'd:
And that my loue may appeare plaine and free,
All that was mine, in Siluia, I giue thee.

Iul.
Oh me vnhappy.

Pro.
Looke to the Boy.

Val.
Why, Boy? Why wag: how now? what's the
matter? look vp: speak.

Iul.
O good sir, my master charg'd me to deliuer a ring
to Madam Siluia: wc (out of my neglect) was neuer
done.

Pro.
Where is that ring? boy?

Iul.
Heere 'tis: this is it.

Pro.
How? let me see. / Why this is the ring I gaue
to Iulia.

Iul.
Oh, cry you mercy sir, I haue mistooke:
This is the ring you sent to Siluia.

Pro.
But how cam'st thou by this ring? at my
depart I gaue this vnto Iulia.

Iul.
And Iulia her selfe did giue it me,
And Iulia her selfe hath brought it hither.

Pro.
How? Iulia?

Iul.
Behold her, that gaue ayme to all thy oathes,
And entertain'd 'em deepely in her heart.
How oft hast thou with periury cleft the roote?
Oh Protheus, let this habit make thee blush.
Be thou asham'd that I haue tooke vpon me,
Such an immodest rayment; if shame liue
In a disguise of loue?
It is the lesser blot modesty findes,
Women to change their shapes, then men their minds.

Pro.
Then men their minds? tis true: oh heuen, were man
But Constant, he were perfect; that one error
Fils him with faults: makes him run through all th' sins;
Inconstancy falls-off, ere it begins:
What is in Siluia's face, but I may spie
More fresh in Iulia's, with a constant eye?

Val.
Come, come: a hand from either:
Let me be blest to make this happy close:
'Twere pitty two such friends should be long foes.

Pro.
Beare witnes (heauen) I haue my wish for euer.

Iul.
And I mine.

Out-l.
A prize: a prize: a prize.

Val.
Forbeare,
forbeare I say: It is my Lord the Duke.
Your Grace is welcome to a man disgrac'd,
Banished Valentine.

Duke.
Sir Valentine?

Thu.
Yonder is Siluia: and Siluia's mine.

Val.
Thurio giue backe; or else embrace thy death:
Come not within the measure of my wrath:
Doe not name Siluia thine: if once againe,
Verona shall not hold thee: heere she stands,
Take but possession of her, with a Touch:
I dare thee, but to breath vpon my Loue.

Thur.
Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I:
I hold him but a foole that will endanger
His Body, for a Girle that loues him not:
I claime her not, and therefore she is thine.

Duke.
The more degenerate and base art thou
To make such meanes for her, as thou hast done,
And leaue her on such slight conditions.
Now, by the honor of my Ancestry,
I doe applaud thy spirit, Valentine,
And thinke thee worthy of an Empresse loue:
Know then, I heere forget all former greefes,
Cancell all grudge, repeale thee home againe,
Plead a new state in thy vn-riual'd merit,
To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine,
Thou art a Gentleman, and well deriu'd,
Take thou thy Siluia, for thou hast deseru'd her.

Val.
I thank your Grace, ye gift hath made me happy:
I now beseech you (for your daughters sake)
To grant one Boone that I shall aske of you.

Duke.
I grant it (for thine owne) what ere it be.

Val.
These banish'd men, that I haue kept withall,
Are men endu'd with worthy qualities:
Forgiue them what they haue committed here,
And let them be recall'd from their Exile:
They are reformed, ciuill, full of good,
And fit for great employment (worthy Lord.)

Duke.
Thou hast preuaild, I pardon them and thee:
Dispose of them, as thou knowst their deserts.
Come, let vs goe, we will include all iarres,
With Triumphes, Mirth, and rare solemnity.

Val.
And as we walke along, I dare be bold
With our discourse, to make your Grace to smile.
What thinke you of this Page (my Lord?)

Duke.
I think the Boy hath grace in him, he blushes.

Val.
I warrant you (my Lord) more grace, then Boy.

Duke.
What meane you by that saying?

Val.
Please you, Ile tell you, as we passe along,
That you will wonder what hath fortuned:
Come Protheus, 'tis your pennance, but to heare
The story of your Loues discouered.
That done, our day of marriage shall be yours,
One Feast, one house, one mutuall happinesse.
Exeunt.
Modern text
Act V, Scene I
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 she comes. Lady, a happy evening!

SILVIA
Amen, amen! Go on, good Eglamour,
Out at the postern by the abbey wall;
I fear I am attended by some spies.

EGLAMOUR
Fear not. The forest is not three leagues off;
If we recover that, we are sure enough.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act V, Scene II
Enter Thurio, Proteus, and Julia dressed in a page's
costume

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 boot to make it somewhat rounder.

JULIA
(aside)
But love will not be spurred to what it loathes.

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 had rather wink than look on them.

THURIO
How likes she my discourse?

PROTEUS
Ill, when you talk of war.

THURIO
But well when I discourse of love and peace?

JULIA
(aside)
But better, indeed, when you hold your peace.

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; and pities them.

THURIO
Wherefore?

JULIA
(aside)
That such an ass should owe them.

PROTEUS
That they are out by lease.
Enter the Duke of Milan

JULIA
Here comes the Duke.

DUKE
How now, Sir Proteus! How now, Thurio!
Which of you saw Sir 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 in penance wandered through the forest;
Him he knew well, and guessed that it was she,
But, being masked, he was not sure of it;
Besides, she did intend confession
At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not.
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 towards Mantua, whither they are fled.
Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me.
Exit

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 will follow, more to cross that love
Than hate for Silvia, that is gone for love.
Exit
Modern text
Act V, Scene III
Enter the Outlaws with Silvia captive

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 hath outrun us,
But Moyses and Valerius follow him.
Go thou with her to the west end of the wood;
There is our captain; we'll follow him that's fled.
The thicket is beset; he cannot 'scape.

FIRST OUTLAW
Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave;
Fear not; he bears an honourable mind,
And will not use a woman lawlessly.

SILVIA
O Valentine, this I endure for thee!
Exeunt
Modern text
Act V, Scene IV
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 the mansion so long tenantless,
Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall
And leave no memory of what it was!
Repair me with thy presence, Silvia;
Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain.
Noises within
What halloing 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 outrages.
Withdraw thee, Valentine. Who's this comes here?
He steps aside
Enter Proteus, Silvia, and Julia in a page's costume

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 smaller boon than this I cannot beg,
And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give.

VALENTINE
(aside)
How like a dream is this I see and hear!
Love, lend me patience to forbear awhile.

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 makest 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 a breakfast to the beast,
Rather than have false Proteus rescue me.
O, heaven be judge how I love Valentine,
Whose life's as tender to me as my soul!
And full as much, for more there cannot be,
I do detest false perjured Proteus.
Therefore be gone; solicit me no more.

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 then rend thy faith
Into a thousand oaths; and all those oaths
Descended into perjury, to love me.
Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou'dst two,
And that's far worse than none; better have none
Than plural faith, which is too much by one.
Thou counterfeit to thy true friend!

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 arms' end,
And love you 'gainst the nature of love – force ye.

SILVIA
O heaven!

PROTEUS
I'll force thee yield to my desire.
Valentine steps forward

VALENTINE
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 friend alive: thou wouldst disprove me.
Who should be trusted now, when one's right hand
Is perjured to the bosom? 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 ransom for offence,
I tender't here; I do as truly suffer
As e'er I did commit.

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 unhappy!
She swoons

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
Here 'tis; this is it.
She offers her own ring

PROTEUS
How? Let me see. Why, this is the ring I gave
to Julia.

JULIA
O, cry you mercy, sir, I have mistook;
This is the ring you sent to Silvia.
She offers another ring

PROTEUS
But how camest thou by this ring? At my
depart I gave this unto Julia.

JULIA
And Julia herself did give it me;
And Julia herself hath brought it hither.

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!
Be thou ashamed that I have took upon me
Such an immodest raiment, if shame live
In a disguise of love.
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 the sins:
Inconstancy falls off ere it begins.
What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy
More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye?

VALENTINE
Come, come, a hand from either.
Let me be blest to make this happy close;
'Twere pity two such friends should be long foes.

PROTEUS
Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish for ever.

JULIA
And I mine.
Enter the Outlaws, with the Duke of Milan and
Thurio captives

OUTLAWS
A prize, a prize, a prize!

VALENTINE
Forbear,
Forbear, I say! It is my lord the Duke.
Your grace is welcome to a man disgraced,
Banished Valentine.

DUKE
Sir Valentine?

THURIO
Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine.

VALENTINE
Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death;
Come not within the measure of my wrath;
Do not name Silvia thine; if once again,
Verona shall not hold thee. Here she stands;
Take but possession of her with a touch –
I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.

THURIO
Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I:
I hold him but a fool that will endanger
His body for a girl that loves him not.
I claim her not and therefore she is thine.

DUKE
The more degenerate and base art thou
To make such means for her as thou hast done,
And leave her on such slight conditions.
Now, by the honour of my ancestry,
I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine,
And think thee worthy of an empress' love.
Know, then, I here forget all former griefs,
Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again,
Plead a new state in thy unrivalled merit,
To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine.
Thou art a gentleman, and well derived;
Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserved her.

VALENTINE
I thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy.
I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake,
To grant one boom that I shall ask of you.

DUKE
I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be.

VALENTINE
These banished men, that I have kept withal,
Are men endued with worthy qualities;
Forgive them what they have committed here,
And let them be recalled from their exile:
They are reformed, civil, full of good,
And fit for great employment, worthy lord.

DUKE
Thou hast prevailed; I pardon them and thee;
Dispose of them as thou knowest their deserts.
Come, let us go; we will include all jars
With triumphs, mirth, and rare solemnity.

VALENTINE
And, as we walk along, I dare be bold
With our discourse to make your grace to smile.
What think you of this page, my lord?

DUKE
I think the boy hath grace in him; he blushes.

VALENTINE
I warrant you, my lord – more grace than boy.

DUKE
What mean you by that saying?

VALENTINE
Please you, I'll tell you as we pass along,
That you will wonder what hath fortuned.
Come, Proteus, 'tis your penance but to hear
The story of your loves discovered.
That done, our day of marriage shall be yours:
One feast, one house, one mutual happiness.
Exeunt
x

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