The Two Gentlemen of Verona

this shadow up,
For ’tis thy rival. O thou senseless form,
Thou shalt be worshipp’d, kiss’d, loved and adored!
And, were there sense in his idolatry,
My substance should be statue in thy stead.
I’ll use thee kindly for thy mistress’ sake,
That used me so; or else, by Jove I vow,
I should have scratch’d out your unseeing eyes,
To make my master out of love with thee! Exit.

Act V

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. See where she comes.
	Enter Silvia.
	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.
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.

Scene IV

Another part of the forest.

	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! What halloing and what stir is this to-day? 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?
	Enter Proteus, Silvia, and Julia.
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