All that is mine I leave at thy dispose, [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.-Milan. An Ante-room in the Duke's Enter Duke, THURIO, and PROTEUS. Duke. Sir Thurio, give us leave, I pray, awhile; We have some secrets to confer about. [Exit THURIO. Now, tell me, Proteus, what's your will with me? Pro. My gracious lord, that which I would discover, The law of friendship bids me to conceal : But, when I call to mind your gracious favours My duty pricks me on to utter that Which else no worldly good should draw from me. I know, you have determin'd to bestow her Thus, for my duty's sake, I rather chose is a participle active, with a passive signification; for longed, wished, or desired. But Julia may mean a journey which she shall pass in longing. To cross my friend in his intended drift, 4 Duke. Proteus, I thank thee for thine honest care; Which to requite, command me while I live. This love of theirs myself have often seen, Haply, when they have judged me fast asleep : And oftentimes have purpos'd to forbid Sir Valentine her company, and my court: But, fearing lest my jealous aim might err, And so, unworthily, disgrace the man, (A rashness that I ever yet have shunn'd,) I gave him gentle looks; thereby to find That which thyself hast now disclos'd to me. And, that thou may'st perceive my fear of this, Knowing that tender youth is soon suggested, I nightly lodge her in an upper tower, The key whereof myself have ever kept ; And thence she cannot be convey'd away. Pro. Know, noble lord, they have devis'd a mean And with a corded ladder fetch her down; That I had any light from thee of this. Pro. Adieu, my lord; sir Valentine is coming. jealous aim -] Aim is guess, in this instance. [Exit. 4 5 be not aimed at :] Be not guessed. Enter VALENTINE. Duke. Sir Valentine, whither away so fast? Duke. Be they of much import? Val. The tenor of them doth but signify My health, and happy being at your court. Duke. Nay, then, no matter; stay with me awhile; I am to break with thee of some affairs, That touch me near, wherein thou must be secret. Duke. No, trust me; she is peevish, sullen, froward, Proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty; Neither regarding that she is my child, Nor fearing me as if I were her father: Upon advice, hath drawn my love from her; Val. What would your grace have me to do in this? 7 And, where-] Where, the same here as whereas. 8 sir, in Milan, here,] It ought to be thus, instead of-in Verona, here-for the scene apparently is in Milan, as is clear from Whom I affect; but she is nice, and coy, Val. Win her with gifts, if she respect not words; More than quick words, do move a woman's mind. her: Send her another; never give her o'er ; Duke. But she, I mean, is promis'd by her friends That no man hath access by day to her. Val. Why then I would resort to her by night. Duke. Ay, but the doors be lock'd, and keys kept safe, That no man hath recourse to her by night. several passages in the first act, and in the beginning of the first scene of the fourth act. 9 the fashion of the time-] The modes of courtship, the acts by which men recommended themselves to ladies. Val. What lets', but one may enter at her window? Duke. Her chamber is aloft, far from the ground; And built so shelving, that one cannot climb it Without apparent hazard of his life. Val. Why, then, a ladder, quaintly made of cords, To cast up, with a pair of anchoring hooks, Would serve to scale another Hero's tower, So bold Leander would adventure it. Duke. Now, as thou art a gentleman of blood, Advise me where I may have such a ladder. Val. When would you use it? pray, sir, tell me that. Duke. This very night; for love is like a child, That longs for every thing that he can come by. Val. By seven o'clock I'll get you such a ladder. Duke. But, hark thee; I will go to her alone; How shall I best convey the ladder thither? Val. It will be light, my lord, that you may bear it Under a cloak, that is of any length. Duke. A cloak as long as thine will serve the turn? Val. Ay, my good lord. Duke. Then let me see thy cloak: I'll get me one of such another length. Val. Why, any cloak will serve the turn, my lord. [Reads. I pray thee, let me feel thy cloak upon me.- Himself would lodge, where senseless they are lying. My herald thoughts in thy pure bosom rest them †; While I, their king, that thither them impórtune, 1 What lets,] i. e. what hinders. † i. e. the thoughts contained in my letter. |