1 Out. Come, come; be patient; we must bring you to our captain. Sil. A thousand more mischances than this one Have learn'd me how to brook 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 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. [Exeunt all except the First Outlaw and SILVIA. 1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our captain's Fear not; he bears an honourable mind, And will not use a woman lawlessly. [cave. Sil. O Valentine! this I endure for thee. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Another pari of the Forest. Enter VALENTINE. Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man! These 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! [Noise heard. What halloing, and what stir, is this to-day? These are my mates, that make their wills their law, Have some unhappy passenger in chace. They love me well; yet I have much to do, To keep them from uncivil outrages. Withdraw thee, Valentine: who's this comes here? [Retires. Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA. Pro. 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 forc'd 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. Val. [Aside.] How like a dream is this I see and Love, lend me patience to forbear a while. Sil. O, miserable, unhappy that I am! Pro. Unhappy were you, Madam, ere I came; But by my coming I have made you happy. Sil. By thy approach thou mak'st me most unhappy. [your presence. Jul. [Aside.] And me, when he approacheth to [hear! Sil. 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 perjur'd Proteus! Therefore be gone, solicit me no more. Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to Would I not undergo for one calm look? [death, O, 'tis the curse in love, and still approv'd, When women cannot love, where they're beloved! Sil. When Proteus cannot love where he's beRead over Julia's heart, thy first best love, [lov'd. 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, (For such is a friend now) treach'rous man! I am sorry I must never trust thee more, I tender 't here; I do as truly suffer, Jul. O, cry you mercy, Sir'; I have mistook: This is the ring you sent to Silvia. [Shows another ring. Pro. But how cam'st thou by this ring? At my depart I gave this unto Julia. Ful. And Julia herself did give it me; And Julia herself hath brought it hither. Pro. How! Julia! Jul. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, And entertain'd them deeply in her heart: How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root! O Proteus! let this habit make thee blush: Be thou asham'd, 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, [minds. Women to change their shapes, than men their Pro. Than men their minds! 'tis true. O heaven! were man But constant, he were perfect: that one error [ever. I hold him but a fool, that will endanger I claim her not, and therefore she is thine. I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, And think thee worthy of an empress' love: I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake, Duke. I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be.. [thee: Duke. Thou hast prevail'd; I pardon them, and Dispose of them, as thou know'st their deserts.Come; let us go: we will include all jars With triumphs, mirth, and rare solemnity. Val. 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. Val. I warrant you, my lord,- -more grace than That done, our day of marriage shall be yours; [Exeunt. |