W

Your message done, liie home unto my chamber, Sil. Belike, she thinks that Proteus hath forsook
Where ihou shalt find me sad and solitary.

her.

(Erit Proteus. Jul. I think she doth, and that's her cause of Jul. Hyw many women would do such a message? riles, poor Proteus ! thou hast entertain'd

Sil. Is she not passing fair? A fox, to be the shepherd of thy lambs :

Jul. She hath been fairer, madam, than she is : Alas, poor fool! why do I pity him

When she did think my master lov'd her well, That with his very heart despiseth me?

She, in my judgment, was as fair as you ; Because he loves her, he despiseth me;

But since she did neglect her looking-glass, Because I love him, I must pity him.

And threw her sun-expelling mask away, This ring I gave him, when he parted from me, The air hath starv'd the roses in her cheeks, To bind him to remember my good will :

And pinch'd the lily-tincture of her face, And now am I (unhappy messenger)

That now she is become as black as I. To plead for that, which I would not obtain ;

Si. How tall was she? To carry that which I would have refus'd;

Jul. About my stature : for, at Pentecost, To praise his faith, which I would have disprais'd. When all our pageants of delight were play'd, I am my master's true confirmed love;

Our youth got me to play the woman's part, But cannot be true servant to my master,

And I was trimm'd in madam Julia's gown; Unless I prove false traitor to myself.

Which served me as fit, by all men's judgment, Yet I will woo for him ; but yet so coldly,

As if the garment had been made for me:
As, heaven it knows, I would not have him speed. Therefore, I know she is about my height.

And, at that time, I made her weep a-good,
Enter Silvia, attended.

For I did play a lamentable part;
Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you, be my mean Madam, 'twas Ariadne, passioning
To bring me where to speak with madam Silvia. For Theseus' perjury, and unjust flight;

Si. What would you with her, if that I be she? Which I so lively acted with my tears,

Jul. If you be she, I do entreat your patience That my poor mistress, moved therewithal,
To hear me speak the message I am sent on. Wept bitterly; and, would I might be dead,
Sv. From whom?

If I in thought felt not her very sorrow!
Jul. From my master, sir Proteus, madam. Sil. She is belolden to thee, gentle youth!-
SU. 0!- he sends you for a picture?

Alas, poor lady! desolate and left!-
Jul. Ay, madam.

I weep myself, to think upon thy words.
Si. Ursula, bring my picture there.

Here, youth, there is my purse; I give thee this

{Picture brought. For thy sweet mistress' sake, because thou lov'st 'ner. Go, give your master this : tell him from me, Farewell.

{Erit Silvia. One Julia, that his changing thoughts forget,

Jul. And she shall thank you for't, if e'er you Would better fit his chamber, than this shallow,

know her. Jul. Madam, please you peruse this letter. A virtuous gentlewoman, mild, and beautiful. Pardon me, madam; I have unadvis'd

I hope my master's suit will be but cold, Delivered you a paper that I should not •

Since she respects my mistress' love so much.
This is the letter to your ladystrip.

Alas, how love can trifle with itself!
Si. I pray thee, let me look on that again. Here is her picture: Let me see; I think,
Jul. It may not be; good madam, pardon me. If I had such a tire, this face of mine
Si. There, hold.

Were full as lovely as is this of hers :
I will not look upon your master's lines :

And yet the painter flatter'd her a little,
I know, they are stuff”d with protestations, Unless I Aatter with myself too much.
And full of new-found oaths; which he will break, Her hair is auburn, mine is perfect yellow :
As easily as I do tear his paper.

If that be all the difference in his love,
Jul. Madam, he sends your ladyship this ring. I'll get me such a colour'd periwig.
Sil. The more shame for him that he sends it Her eyes are grey as glass; and so are mine :

Ay, but her forehead's low, and mine's as high.
Por, I have heard him say a thousand times, What should it be, that he respects in her,
His Julia gave it him at his departure :

But I can make respective in myself,
Through his false finger hath profan’d the ring, If this fond love were not a blinded god ?
Mine shall not do his Julia so much wrong. Come, shadow, come, and take this shadow up,
Jul. She thanks you.

For 'tis thy rival. O thou senseless form,
Sil. What say'st thou ?

Thou shalt be worshipp’d, kiss'd, lov'd, and ador'd;
Jul. I thank you, madam, that you tender her : And, were there sense in his idolatry,
Poor gentlewoman! my master wrongs her much. My substance should be statue in thy stead.
Sa. Dost thou know her ?

I'll use thee kindly for thy mistress' sake,
jul. Almost as well as I do know myself: That us'd me so; or else, by Jove I vow,
To think upon her woes, I do protest,

I should have scratch'd out your unseeing eyes,
Text I have wept an hundred several times. To make my master out of love with thee. (Erit

me;

D

ACT V

SCENE 1.- The sume. An Abbon.

Duko. Why, then she's filed unto thet peasant

Valentine ;
Enter EGLAMOUR.

And Eglamour is in her company.
Egl. The sun begins to gild the western sky: 'Tis true; for friar Laurence met them both,
And now, it is about the very hour

As he in penance wander'd through the forest : That Silvia, at Patrick's cell, should meet me. Him he knew well, and guess’d that it was she ; She will not fail ; for lovers break not hours, But, being mask'd, he was not sure of it: Unless it be to come before their time ;

Besides, she did intend confession So much they spur their expedition.

At Patrick's cell this even ; and there she was not:

These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence. Enter Silvia.

Therefore, I pray you, stand not to discourse, See where she comes : Lady, a happy evening! But mount you presently; and meet with me

Si. Amen, amen! go on, good Eglamour ! Upon the rising of the mountain-foot Out at the postern by the abbey-wall;

That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fied. I fear, I am attended by some spies.

Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me. [Eril. Egl. Fear not: the forest is not three leagues off: Thu. Why this it is to be a peevish girl, If we recover that, we are sure enough. (Exeunt. That flies her fortune when it follows her:

I'll after; more to be reveng'd on Eglamour, SCENE II.- The same. An Apartment in the Than for the love of reckless Silvia. [Eru. Duke's Palace.

Pro. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love,

Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her. (Ext. Enter Thurio, Proteus, and Julia.

Jul. And I will follow, more to cross that love, Thu. Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit? Than hate for Silvia, that is gone for love.

(Erit. Pro. O, sir, I find her milder than she was; And yet she takes exceptions at your person.

SCENE III. - Frontiers of Mantua. The Thu. What, that my leg is too long?

Forest. Pro. No; that it is too little.

Enter Silvia, and Out-laws. Thu. I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder.

Out. Come, come; Pro. But love will not be spurr'd to what it loaths.

Be patient, we must bring you to our captain. Thu. What says she to my face?

Si. A thousand more mischances than this one Pro. She

says,
it is a fair one.

Have learn'd me how to brook this patiently.
Thu. Nay, then the wanton lies; my face is

2 Out. Come, bring her away. black.

1 Ont. Where is the gentleman that was with Pro. But pearls are fair ; and the old saying is,

her ? Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes;

3 Oul. Being nimble-footed, he hath out-run us, Jul. 'Tis true, suck pearls as put out ladies' eyes;

But Moyses, and Valerius, follow him. For I had rather wink than look on them. [Aside. Go thou with her to the west end of the wood, Thu. Ilow likes she my discourse?

There is our captain : we'll follow him that's fled. Pro. Ill, when you talk of war.

The thicket is beset, he cannot ’scape. Thu. But well, when I discourse of love and 1 Out. Come, I must bring you to our captain's peace?

cave; Jul. But better, indeed, when you hold your

Fear not; he bears an honourable ind, peace.

[Aside. And will not use a woman lawlessly. Thu. What says she to my valour ?

Si. O Valentine, this I endure for thee. (Ereuni. Pro. O, sir, she makes no doubt of that. Jul. She needs not, when she knows it cowardice.

SCENE IV. Another part of the Forest. Aside.

Enter VALENTINE. Thu. What

says she to my birth? Pro. That you are well deriv'd.

Val. How use doth breed a habit in a man Jul. True; from a gentleman to a fool. [Aside. This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods, Thu. Considers she my possessions ?

I better brook than flourishing peopled towns. Pro. O, ay; and pities them.

Here can I sit alone, unseen of

any, Thau. Wherefore ?

And to the nightingale's complaining notes, Jul. That such an ass should owe them. (Aside. Tune my distresses, and record my woes. Pro. That they are out by lease.

O thou that dost inhabit in my breast, Jul. Here comes the duke.

Leave not the mansion so long tenantless;

Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall.
Enter Duke.

And leave no memory of what it was ! Duke. How now, sir Proteus? how now, Thurio? Repair me with thy presence, Silvia ; which of you saw sir Eglamour of late ?

Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain! Thu. Not 1.

What halloing, and what stir, is this to-day?
Pro.
Nor I.

These are my mates, that make their wills their law Duke.

Saw you my daughter? Have some unhappy passenger in chase : Pro.

Neither. | They love me well; yet I have much to do,

a

sence.

To keep them from uncivil outrages.

Be a sufficient ransom for offence,
Withdraw thee, Valentine ; who's this comes here? I tender it here; I do as truly suffer,

(Steps aside. As e'er I did commit.
Val.

Then I am paid ,
Enter PROTEUS, Silvia, and Julia.

And once again I do receive thee honest.
Pro. Madam, this service I have done for you, Who by repentance is not satisfied,
(Though you respect not aught your servant doth,) Is nor of heaven, nor earth ; for these are pleas'd ;
To hazard life, and rescue you from him

By penitence the Eternal's wrath's appeas'd : That wou'd have forc'd your honour and your

love.

And, that my love may appear plain and free, Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look ; All that was mine in Silvia, I give thee. A smaller boon than this I cannot beg,

Jul. O me, unhappy!

[Faints. And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give. Pro. Look to the boy.

Val. How like a dream is this I see and hear ! Val. Why, boy! why, wag ! how now? what is Love, lend me patience to forbear a while. [Aside.

the matter? Si. O miserable, unhappy that I am !

Look up; speak. Pro. Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came; Jul.

O good sir, my master charg'd me But, by my coming, I have made you happy. To deliver a ring to madam Silvia; Sü. By thy approach thou mak'st me most un- Which out of my neglect, was never done. happy.

Pro. Where is that ring, boy? Jul. And me, when he approacheth to your pre- Jul.

Here 'tis : this is it. [Aside.

[Gives a ring. Sil. Had I been seized by a hungry lion,

Pro. How! let me see : I would have been a breakfast to the beast,

Why this is the ring I gave to Julia. Rather than have false Proteus rescue me.

Jul. O, cry you mercy, sir, I have mistook ; O, heaven be judge, how I love Valentine,

This is the ring you sent to Silvia. Whose life's as tender to me as my soul ;

(Shows another ring, Ind full as much, (for more there cannot be,) Pro. But, how cam'st thou by this ring? at my I do detest false perjur'd Proteus :

depart, Therefore be gone, solicit me no more.

I gave this unto Julia. Pro. What dangerous action, stood it next to Jul. And Julia herself did give it me; death,

And Julia herself hath brought it hither. Would I not undergo for one calm look ?

Pro. How ! Julia ! 0, 'tis the curse in love, and still approv’d,

Jul. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, When women cannot love, where they're belov’d. And entertain'd them deeply in her heart : Si. When Proteus cannot love where he's be- How oft bast thou with perjury cleft the root ? lov’d.

O Proteus, let this habit make thee blush ! Read over Julia's heart, thy first best love,

Be thou asham'd, that I have took upon me For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith Such an immodest raiment; if shame live into a thousand oaths; and all those oaths

In a disguise of love : Descended into perjury, to love me.

It is the lesser blot, modesty finds, Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou had'st two, Women to change their shapes, than men their And that's far worse than none; better have none

minds. Than plural faith, which is too much by one :

Pro. Than men their minds! 'tis true; O hea. Thou counterfeit to thy true friend!

ven! were man Pro.

In love,

But constant, he were perfect : that one error Who respects friend?

Fills him with faults; makes him run through all Si. All men but Proteus.

sins : Pro. Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Inconstancy falls off, ere it begins : Can no way change you to a milder form,

What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy I'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end;

More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye? And love you 'gainst the nature of love, force you. Val. Come, come, a hand from either : Si. O heaven!

Let me be blest to make this happy close ; Pro.

I'll force thee yield to my desire. 'Twere pity two such friends should be long foes. Val. Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch ; Pro. Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish for Thou friend of an ill fashion ! Pro.

Valentine!

Jul. And I have mine. Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or

Enter Out-laws, with Duke and Thurio. (For such is a friend now,) treacherous man !

Out.

A prize, a prize, a prize! Thou has beguild my hopes ; nought but mine eye Val. Forbear, I say ; it is my lord the duke. Could have persuaded me: Now I dare not say, Your grace is welcome to a man disgrac'd, I have one friend alive; thou would'st disprove me. Banished Valentine. Who should be trusted now, when one's right hand Duke.

Sir Valentine ! Is perjur'd to the bosom? Proteus,

Thu. Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine. I am sorry I must never trust thee more,

Val. Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death ; But count the world a stranger for thy sake. Come not within the measure of my wrath : The private wound is deepest : O time, most curst! Do not name Silvia thine; if once again, 'Mongst all foes, that a friend should be the worst. Milan shall not behold thee. Here she stands,

Pro. My shame and guilt confound me. - Take but possession of her with a touch ; Porgive me, Valentine : if hearty sorrow

I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.

ever.

love;

a

thee;

Thu. Sır Valentine, I care not for her, I; Forgive them what they have committed here, I hold him but a fool, that will endanger

And let them be recall d from their exíle : His body for a girl that loves him not :

They are reform’d, civil, full of good, I claim her not, and therefore she is thine.

And fit for great employment, worthy lord. Duke. The more degenerate and base art thou, Duke. Thou hast prevail'd; I pardon them, and To make such means for her as thou hast done, And leave her on such slight conditions.

Dispose of them, as thou know'st their deserts. Now, by the honour of my ancestry,

Come, let us go; we will include all jars I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine,

With triumphs, mirth, and rare solemnity. And think thee worthy of an empress' love.

Val. And, as we walk along, I dare be bold Know then, I here forget all former griefs,

With our discourse to make your grace to smile: Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again.

What think you of this page, my lord ? Plead a new state in thy unrivall’d merit,

Duke. I think the boy hath grace in him ; he To which I thus subscribe, sir Valentine,

blushes. Thou art a gentleman, and well deriv'd ;

Val. I warrant you, my lord; more grace than boy. Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserv'd her. Duke. What mean you by that saying? Val. I thank your grace; the gift hath made me Val. Please you, I'll tell you as we pass along, happy.

That you will wonder, what hath fortuned. ī now beseech you, for your daughter's sake, Come, Proteus; 'tis your penance, but to hear To grant one boon that I shall ask of you.

The story of your loves discovered : Duke. I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be. That done, our day of marriage shall be yours ;

Val. These banish'd men, that I have kept withai, One feast, one house, one mutual happiness. Are men endued with worthy qualities;

(Ereus.

MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

}

Sir John FalstaPr.

Robin, page to Falstaff. FENTON.

SIMPLE, servant to Slender.
SHALLOW, a country justice.

Rugby, servant to Dr. Caius.
SLENDER, cousin to Shallow.
Mr. Ford,
Mr. Page,
two gentlemen dwelling at Windsor.

Mrs. FORD. • William Page, a boy, son to Mr. Page.

Mrs. Page. Sir Hugh Evans, a Welch parson.

Mrs. Anne Page, her daughter, in love with Fentor. VDr. Caius, a French physician.

"Mrs. Quickly, servant to Dr. Caius. Host of the Garter Inn. BARDOLPH, PISTOL, followers of Falstaff.

Servants to Page, Ford, fc. Nou,

SCENE, — WINDSOR ; and the parts adjacent.

ACT І.

SCENE I. - Windsor. Before Page's House.

Eva. Yes, py'r-lady; if he has a quarter of your

coat, there is but three skirts for yourself, in my Enter Justice Shallow, SLENDER, and Sir Hugh simple conjectures : but this is ail one: If sir John Evans.

Falstaff have committed disparagements unto you, Shal. Sir Hugh, persuade me not; I will make | I am of the church, and will be glad to do my bea Star-chamber matter of it: if he were twenty sir nevolence, to make atonements and compromises John Falstaffs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow, between you. esquire.

Shal. The Council shall hear it; it is a riot. Slen. In the county of Gloster, justice of peace,

Eva. It is not me the Council hear a riot ; and coram.

there is no fear of Got in a riot: the Council, look Shal. Ay, cousin Slender, and Cust-alorum. you, shall desire to hear the fear of Got, and not to

Slen. Ay, and ratolorum too; and a gentleman hear a riot; take your vizaments in that. born, master parson ; who writes himself armigero ; Shal. Ha! o' my life, if I were young again, the in any bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation, ar- sword should end it. migero.

Eva. It is petter that frier.ds is the sword, and Shal. Ay, that we do ; and have done any time end it: and there is also another device in my these three hundred years.

prain, which, peradventure, prings goot discretions Slen. All his successors, gone before him, have with it: There is Anne Page, which is daughter to done't; and all his ancestors, that come after master George Page, which is pretty virginity. him, may : they may give the dozen white luces in Slen. Mistress Anne Page ? She has brown hair, their coat.

and speaks small like a woman. Shal. It is an old coat.

Eva. It is that fery person for all the 'orld, as Eva. The dozen white louses do become an old just as you will desire; and seven hundred pounds coat well; it agrees well, passant : it is a familiar of monies, and gold, and silver, is her grandsire, beast to man, and signifies — love.

upon his death’s-bed, (Got deliver to a joyful resurShal. The luce is the fresh fish; the salt fish is rections !) give, when she is able to overtake sevenan old coat.

teen years old: it were a goot motion, if we leave Slen. I may quarter, coz?

our pribbles and prabbles, and desire a marriage beShal. You may, by marrying.

tween master Abraham, and mistress Anne Page. Eva. It is marring, indeed, if he quarter it. Shal. Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred Shal. Not a whit.

pound?