ACT III. SCENE I.-Milan. An Ante-room in the Enter DUKE, THURIO, and PROTEUS. IR Thurio, give us leave, I pray, a while; [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 : My duty pricks me on to utter that Which else no worldly good should draw from me. I know you have determined to bestow her Duke. Proteus, I thank thee for thine honest care; Which to requite, command me while I live. The key whereof myself have ever kept; mean How he her chamber-window will ascend, Pro. Adieu, my lord; sir Valentine is coming. [Exit. Enter VALENTINE. Duke. Sir Valentine, whither away so fast? Val. Please it your grace, there is a messenger That stays to bear my letters to my friends, And I am going to deliver them. 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 a while; I am to break with thee of some affairs, That touch me near, wherein thou must be secret. 'Tis not unknown to thee, that I have sought To match my friend, sir Thurio, to my daughter. Val. I know it well, my lord; and, sure, the match Were rich and honourable; besides, the gentle man Is full of virtue, bounty, worth, and qualities Duke. No, trust me; she is peevish, sullen, froward, Proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty; I now am full resolved to take a wife, Duke. There is a lady in Milano here, (For long agone I have forgot to court: Val. Win her with gifts, if she respect not words; Dumb jewels often, in their silent kind, More than quick words, do move a woman's mind. Duke. But she did scorn a present that I sent her. Val. A woman sometimes scorns what best contents her : Send her another; never give her o'er ; That man that hath a tongue, I say, is no man, Unto a youthful gentleman of worth; And kept severely from resort of men, 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, 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, Duke. Now, as thou art a gentleman of blood, Duke. This very night; for love is like a child, That longs for everything 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 would 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. Duke. How shall I fashion me to wear a cloak ?— I pray thee, let me feel thy cloak upon me.What letter is this same? What's here ?-To Silvia? |