perjured to the bosom? Proteus,
I am sorry I must never trust thee more,
But count the world a stranger for thy sake.
The private wound is deepest: O time most accurst!
’Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst!
Pro.
My shame and guilt confounds me.
Forgive me, Valentine; if hearty sorrow
Be a sufficient ransom for offense,
I tender’t here: I do as truly suffer
As e’er I did commit.
Val.
Then I am paid;
And once again I do receive thee honest.
Who by repentance is not satisfied
Is nor of heaven nor earth, for these are pleas’d;
By penitence th’ Eternal’s wrath’s appeas’d:
And that my love may appear plain and free,
All that was mine in Silvia I give thee.
Jul. O me unhappy!
[Swoons.]
Pro. Look to the boy.
Val. Why, boy! why, wag! how now? what’s the matter? Look up; speak.
Jul. O good sir, my master charg’d me to deliver a ring to Madam Silvia, which (out of my neglect) was never done.
Pro.
Where is that ring, boy?
Jul.
Here ’tis; this is it.
[Shows a ring.]
Pro.
How? let me see.
Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia.
Jul.
O, cry you mercy, sir, I have mistook;
This is the ring you sent to Silvia.
[Shows another ring.]
Pro.
But how cam’st thou by this ring? At my depart
I gave this unto Julia.
Jul.
And Julia herself did give it me,
And Julia herself hath brought it hither.
Pro.
How? Julia?
Jul.
Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths,
And entertain’d ’em deeply in her heart.
How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root?
O Proteus, let this habit make thee blush!
Be thou asham’d that I have took upon me
Such an immodest raiment—if shame live
In a disguise of love!
It is the lesser blot, modesty finds,
Women to change their shapes than men their minds.
Pro.
Than men their minds? ’tis true. O heaven, were man
But constant, he were perfect; that one error
Fills him with faults; makes him run through all th’ sins:
Inconstancy falls off ere it begins.
What is in Silvia’s face, but I may spy
More fresh in Julia’s with a constant eye?
Val.
Come, come, a hand from either.
Let me be blest to make this happy close;
’Twere pity two such friends should be long foes.
Pro.
Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish for ever.
Jul.
And I mine.
[Enter] Duke, Thurio, Outlaws.
Outlaws.
A prize, a prize, a prize!
Val.
Forbear, forbear, I say; it is my lord the Duke.
Your Grace is welcome to a man disgrac’d,
Banished Valentine.
Duke.
Sir Valentine!
Thu.
Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia’s mine.
Val.
Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death;
Come not within the measure of my wrath.
Do not name Silvia thine; if once again,
[Milan] shall not hold thee. Here she stands,
Take but possession of her with a touch:
I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.
Thu.
Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I;
I hold him but a fool that will endanger
His
