Milan. The DUKE'S palace
Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA as SEBASTIAN THURIO Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit?
PROTEUS O, sir, I find her milder than she was;
And yet she takes exceptions at your person.
THURIO What, that my leg is too long?
PROTEUS No; that it is too little.
THURIO I'll wear a boot to make it somewhat rounder.
JULIA [Aside] But love will not be spurr'd to what it loathes.
THURIO What says she to my face?
PROTEUS She says it is a fair one.
THURIO Nay, then, the wanton lies; my face is black.
PROTEUS But pearls are fair; and the old saying is:
Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes.
JULIA [Aside] 'Tis true, such pearls as put out ladies' eyes;
For I had rather wink than look on them.
THURIO How likes she my discourse?
PROTEUS Ill, when you talk of war.
THURIO But well when I discourse of love and peace?
JULIA [Aside] But better, indeed, when you hold your peace.
THURIO What says she to my valour?
PROTEUS O, sir, she makes no doubt of that.
JULIA [Aside] She needs not, when she knows it cowardice.
THURIO What says she to my birth?
PROTEUS That you are well deriv'd.
JULIA [Aside] True; from a gentleman to a fool.
THURIO Considers she my possessions?
PROTEUS O, ay; and pities them.
THURIO Wherefore?
JULIA [Aside] That such an ass should owe them.
PROTEUS That they are out by lease.
JULIA Here comes the Duke.
Enter DUKE DUKE How now, Sir Proteus! how now, Thurio!
Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late?
THURIO Not I.
PROTEUS Nor I.
DUKE Saw you my daughter?
PROTEUS Neither.
DUKE Why then,
She's fled unto that peasant Valentine;
And Eglamour is in her company.
'Tis true; for Friar Lawrence met them both
As he in penance wander'd through the forest;
Him he knew well, and guess'd that it was she,
But, being mask'd, he was not sure of it;
Besides, she did intend confession
At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not.
These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence;
Therefore, I pray you, stand not to discourse,
But mount you presently, and meet with me
Upon the rising of the mountain foot
That leads toward Mantua, whither they are fled.
Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me.
Exit THURIO Why, this it is to be a peevish girl
That flies her fortune when it follows her.
I'll after, more to be reveng'd on Eglamour
Than for the love of reckless Silvia.
Exit PROTEUS And I will follow, more for Silvia's love
Than hate of Eglamour, that goes with her.
Exit JULIA And I will follow, more to cross that love
Than hate for Silvia, that is gone for love.
Exit