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Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA disguised in page’s attire |
THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA enter. JULIA is disguised in the clothing of a male servant. |
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THURIO
Sir Proteus, what says Sylvia to my suit? |
THURIO
Sir Proteus, what does Sylvia have to say about my declarations of love for her? |
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PROTEUS
O, sir, I find her milder than she was, And yet she takes exceptions at your person. |
PROTEUS
Oh, sir, she’s not as cold as she used to be, though she still objects to you. |
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THURIO
What, that my leg is too long? |
THURIO
What, because my leg is too long? |
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PROTEUS
No, that it is too little. |
PROTEUS
No, because it’s too skinny. |
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THURIO
I’ll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder. |
THURIO
I’ll wear a boot with spurs, then, to make it look thicker. |
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JULIA
(aside) But love will not be spurred to what it loathes. |
JULIA
(aside) But love can’t be spurred to like what it hates. |
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THURIO
What says she to my face? |
THURIO
What does she have to say about my face? |
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PROTEUS
She says it is a fair one. |
PROTEUS
She says it is an attractive one. |
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THURIO
Nay, then, the wanton lies; my face is black. |
THURIO
No, then, she’s lying—my face is ugly. |
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PROTEUS
But pearls are fair, and the old saying is, Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies’ eyes. |
PROTEUS
But pearls are beautiful, and the old saying is that ugly men are pearls in beautiful women’s eyes. |
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JULIA
(aside) ’Tis true, such pearls as put out ladies’ eyes, For I had rather wink than look on them. |
JULIA
(aside) It’s true—the kind of pearls that make ladies go blind. I’d rather shut my eyes than look at them. |
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THURIO
How likes she my discourse? |
THURIO
How does she like my conversation? |
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PROTEUS
Ill, when you talk of war. |
PROTEUS
Not much, when you talk about war. |
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THURIO
But well when I discourse of love and peace? |
THURIO
But she likes it when I talk about love and peace? |
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JULIA
(aside) But better, indeed, when you hold your peace. |
JULIA
(aside) But even better when you hold your peace and don’t talk at all. |
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THURIO
What says she to my valor? |
THURIO
What does she have to say about my bravery? |
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PROTEUS
O, sir, she makes no doubt of that. |
PROTEUS
Oh, sir, she doesn’t question it at all. |
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JULIA
(aside) She needs not, when she knows it cowardice. |
JULIA
(aside) She doesn’t need to, since she knows he’s a coward. |
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THURIO
What says she to my birth? |
THURIO
What does she have to say about my lineage? |
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PROTEUS
That you are well derived. |
PROTEUS
That you are of good descent. |
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JULIA
(aside) True; from a gentleman to a fool. |
JULIA
(aside) True—he’s descended from a gentleman to a fool. |
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THURIO
Considers she my possessions? |
THURIO
Has she thought about all the lands that I own? |
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PROTEUS
O, ay, and pities them. |
PROTEUS
Oh, yes, and she pities them. |
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THURIO
Wherefore? |
THURIO
Why? |
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JULIA
(aside) That such an ass should owe them. |
JULIA
(aside) Because an ass like him owns them. |
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PROTEUS
That they are out by lease. |
PROTEUS
Because you’ve leased them to others. |
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Enter DUKE |
The DUKE enters. |
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JULIA
Here comes the Duke. |
JULIA
Here comes the duke. |
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DUKE
How now, Sir Proteus? how now, Thurio? Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late? |
DUKE
How are you, Sir Proteus? How are you, Thurio? Has either of you seen Eglamour lately? |
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THURIO
Not I. |
THURIO
I haven’t. |
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PROTEUS
Nor I. |
PROTEUS
Nor have I. |
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DUKE
Saw you my daughter? |
DUKE
Have you seen my daughter? |
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PROTEUS
Neither. |
PROTEUS
I haven’t seen her either. |
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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 wandered through the forest. Him he knew well, and guessed that it was she, But, being masked, 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. |
DUKE
That means she’s run off to that rascal Valentine, and Eglamour is with her. I know it’s true, because Friar Lawrence met them both as he wandered through the forest in penance. He knew Eglamour well and guessed that the girl was Sylvia, but he wasn’t sure since she had a mask on. Besides, she’d planned to take confession at Friar Patrick’s chamber tonight, but she didn’t show up. These coincidences confirm that she’s run away. Therefore, I beg you, stop talking and mount your horses immediately. Meet me on the rise at the foot of the mountain that leads toward Mantua, where they fled to. Hurry, kind gentlemen, and follow me. |
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Exit DUKE |
The DUKE exits. |
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THURIO
Why, this it is to be a peevish girl, That flies her fortune when it follows her. I’ll after, more to be revenged on Eglamour Than for the love of reckless Sylvia. |
THURIO
Why, what a silly girl she is to throw away everything good that was coming to her. I’ll follow them, more to get revenge on Eglamour than out of love for reckless Sylvia. |
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Exit THURIO |
THURIO exits. |
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PROTEUS
And I will follow, more for Sylvia’s love Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her. |
PROTEUS
And I’ll follow, too, more out of love for Sylvia than hatred of Elgamour, who goes with her. |
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Exit PROTEUS |
PROTEUS exits. |
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JULIA
And I will follow, more to cross that love Than hate for Sylvia, that is gone for love. |
JULIA
And I will follow as well, more to thwart Proteus’ love for Sylvia than out of any hatred of Sylvia, who flees because of love. |
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Exit |
Exit. |