SCENE I. Milan. An abbey
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
SCENE II. The same. The DUKE's
palace
Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA
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 spurr'd 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.
JULIA
Here comes the duke.
Enter 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 wander'd through the forest;
Him he knew well, and guess'd that it was she,
But, being mask'd, 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
SCENE III. The frontiers of Mantua. The
forest
Enter Outlaws with SILVIA
First Outlaw
Come, come,
Be patient; we must bring you to our captain.
SILVIA
A thousand more mischances than this one
Have learn'd 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.
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