is thy name? I like thee well,
And will employ thee in some service presently.
Jul.
In what you please; I’ll do what I can.
Pro.
I hope thou wilt.
[To Launce.]
How now, you whoreson peasant,
Where have you been these two days loitering?
Launce. Marry, sir, I carried Mistress Silvia the dog you bade me.
Pro. And what says she to my little jewel?
Launce. Marry, she says your dog was a cur, and tells you currish thanks is good enough for such a present.
Pro. But she receiv’d my dog?
Launce. No indeed did she not; here have I brought him back again.
Pro. What, didst thou offer her this from me?
Launce. Ay, sir, the other squirrel was stol’n from me by the hangman’s boys in the market-place; and then I offer’d her mine own, who is a dog as big as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater.
Pro.
Go, get thee hence, and find my dog again,
Or ne’er return again into my sight.
Away, I say! stayest thou to vex me here?
[Exit Launce.]
A slave, that still an end turns me to shame!
Sebastian, I have entertained thee,
Partly that I have need of such a youth
That can with some discretion do my business—
For ’tis no trusting to yond foolish lout—
But chiefly for thy face and thy behavior,
Which (if my augury deceive me not)
Witness good bringing up, fortune, and truth:
Therefore know [thou], for this I entertain thee.
Go presently, and take this ring with thee,
Deliver it to Madam Silvia—
She lov’d me well deliver’d it to me.
Jul.
It seems you lov’d not her, [to] leave her token:
She is dead, belike?
Pro.
Not so; I think she lives.
Jul.
Alas!
Pro.
Why dost thou cry “alas”?
Jul.
I cannot choose
But pity her.
Pro.
Wherefore shouldst thou pity her?
Jul.
Because methinks that she lov’d you as well
As you do love your lady Silvia:
She dreams on him that has forgot her love;
You dote on her that cares not for your love.
’Tis pity love should be so contrary;
And thinking on it makes me cry “alas!”
Pro.
Well, give her that ring and therewithal
This letter; that’s her chamber. Tell my lady
I claim the promise for her heavenly picture.
Your message done, hie home unto my chamber,
Where thou shalt find me sad and solitary.
[Exit.]
Jul.
How many women would do such a message?
Alas, poor Proteus, thou hast entertain’d
A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs.
Alas, poor fool, why do I pity him
That with his very heart despiseth me?
Because he loves her, he despiseth me;
Because I love him, I must pity him.
This ring I gave him when he parted from me,
To bind him to remember my good will;
And now am I (unhappy messenger)
To plead for that which I would not obtain,
To carry that which I would have refus’d,
To praise his faith which I would have disprais’d.
I am my master’s true confirmed love;
But cannot be true servant to my master,
Unless I prove false traitor to myself.
Yet will I woo for him, but yet so coldly
As, heaven it knows, I would not have him speed.
[Enter] Silvia [attended].
Gentlewoman, good day; I pray you be my mean
To bring me where to speak with Madam Silvia.
Sil.
What would you with her, if that I be she?
Jul.
If you be she, I do entreat your patience
To
