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Original Text | Modern Text |
Enter VALENTINE | VALENTINE enters. |
VALENTINE How use doth breed a habit in a man! This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods, I better brook than flourishing peopled towns. Here can I sit alone, unseen of any, 5 And to the nightingales complaining notes Tune my distresses and record my woes. O thou that dost inhabit in my breast, Leave not the mansion so long tenantless, Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall 10 And leave no memory of what it was! Repair me with thy presence, Sylvia; Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain! | VALENTINE Repetition can make a man accustomed to anything! This shadowy deserted place, these woods that are rarely visitedI can take them better than bustling towns with lots of people. Here I can sit alone without anyone seeing me, and accompanied by the nightingales sad song I can sing about my worries and list all my troubles. Oh you, Sylvia, who lives in my heart, dont leave your home empty for long, or rotting from within, the entire building falls and leaves no trace of what it was! Heal me with your presence, Sylvia. Gentle nymph, cherish your sad lover! |
Shouting within. | Shouting is heard inside. |
What halloing and what stir is this to-day? These are my mates, that make their wills their law, 15 Have some unhappy passenger in chase. They love me well, yet I have much to do To keep them from uncivil outrages. Withdraw thee, Valentine. Whos this comes here? | Whats all this shouting and commotion I hear? Those are my friends, the outlaws who do whatever they like, who are chasing some unfortunate traveler. They like me enough, but I have to work hard to keep them from violent crimes. Hide yourself, Valentine. Who is this that comes here? |
He stands aside. | He stands off to the side. |
Enter PROTEUS , SYLVIA , and JULIA disguised as Sebastian | PROTEUS , SYLVIA , and JULIA , who is disguised as Sebastian, all enter |
PROTEUS Madam, this service I have done for you 20 Though you respect not aught your servant doth To hazard life and rescue you from him That would have forced your honor and your love. Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look; A smaller boon than this I cannot beg, 25 And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give. | PROTEUS Madame, Ive helped youeven though you dont value what I doand risked my life to rescue you from that man who would have raped you. For my reward, give me just one kind look. I cant beg for a smaller favor than this, and Im sure that you cant give anything less than this. |
VALENTINE [Aside] How like a dream is this I see and hear! Love, lend me patience to forbear awhile. | VALENTINE (aside) What I see and hear is like a dream! Love, give me strength to be patient just a little while longer. |
SYLVIA O miserable, unhappy that I am! | SYLVIA Oh, what a miserable, unhappy woman I am! |
PROTEUS Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came; 30 But by my coming I have made you happy. | PROTEUS You were unhappy, madam, before I came. But in coming Ive made you happy. |
SYLVIA By thy approach thou makst me most unhappy. | SYLVIA Your advances make me very unhappy. |
JULIA [Aside] And me, when he approacheth to your presence. | JULIA (aside) And makes me unhappy when he flirts with you. |
SYLVIA Had I been seizd by a hungry lion, I would have been a breakfast to the beast 35 Rather than have false Proteus rescue me. O, heaven be judge how I love Valentine, Whose lifes as tender to me as my soul! And full as muchfor more there cannot be I do detest false, perjured Proteus. 40 Therefore begone, solicit me no more. | SYLVIA If a hungry lion had seized me, I would rather have been eaten by the beast than have treacherous Proteus rescue me. Oh, heaven knows how I love Valentine, whose life is as precious to me as my own soul! And with just as much feelingfor I couldnt feel any more stronglyI hate the lying, deceitful Proteus. So get out of here, and stop trying to win me. |
PROTEUS What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo for one calm look? O, tis the curse in love, and still approved, When women cannot love where theyre beloved! | PROTEUS What dangerous action, even if it put me at risk of death, would I not undertake for just one gentle look from you? Oh, it is the curse of love, and it is always the case that women never love those who love them! |
SYLVIA 45 When Proteus cannot love where hes beloved. Read over Julias heart, thy first, best love, For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith Into a thousand oaths, and all those oaths Descended into perjury, to love me. 50 Thou hast no faith left now, unless thoudst two, And thats far worse than none. Better have none Than plural faith, which is too much by one. Thou counterfeit to thy true friend! | SYLVIA You mean Proteus never loves those who love him. Think of Julias feelings for you. She was your first, best love, and for her sake you swore your fidelity a thousand times. Now those oaths of faithfulness have sunk into lies, so that you can love me. You have no loyalty left now, unless you were to love two women, and thats far worse than loving no one. Better not love at all than love two women, which is too many by one. You deceiver of your true friend! |
PROTEUS In love, 55 Who respects friend? | PROTEUS Who honors their friendships when it comes to love? |
SYLVIA All men but Proteus. | SYLVIA All men but you, Proteus. |
PROTEUS Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form, Ill woo you like a soldier, at arms end, 60 And love you gainst the nature of loveforce ye. | PROTEUS No, if the gentle spirit of heartfelt words cant persuade you to think kindly of me, then Ill woo you at knifepoint like a soldier and make love to you in a manner contrary to the nature of loveby raping you. |
SYLVIA O heaven! | SYLVIA Oh, heaven! |
PROTEUS [Assailing her] Ill force thee yield to my desire. | PROTEUS (Proteus assaults her.) Ill force you to yield to my desire. |
VALENTINE [Coming forward] Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch, Thou friend of an ill fashion! | VALENTINE (Valentine comes out of hiding.) Scoundrel, keep your savage hands off her, you foul friend! |
PROTEUS 65 Valentine! | PROTEUS Valentine! |
VALENTINE Thou common friend, thats without faith or love! For such is a friend now. Treacherous man, Thou hast beguiled my hopes. Naught but mine eye Could have persuaded me. Now I dare not say 70 I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me. Who should be trusted, when ones right hand Is perjured to the bosom? Proteus, I am sorry I must never trust thee more, But count the world a stranger for thy sake. 75 The private wound is deepest. O time most accurst, Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst! | VALENTINE You lying friend, without loyalty or love! Thats what you are now. Treacherous man, you tricked me with my hopes. Nothing could have persuaded me of what you really are but seeing it with my eyes. Now I wont even say I have one friend aliveif I did, youd prove me wrong. Who can you trust when your closest friend is false down to his core? Proteus, Im sorry I must never trust you again, and because of you Ill never think again that I know the world. Personal treachery makes the deepest wounds. Curse the day when a friend is the worst of all your enemies! |
PROTEUS My shame and guilt confounds me. Forgive me, Valentine. If hearty sorrow Be a sufficient ransom for offence, 80 I tender t here. I do as truly suffer As eer I did commit. | PROTEUS Shame and guilt overwhelm me. Forgive me, Valentine. If heartfelt sadness is enough punishment for what Ive done, then I offer it to you here. I feel truly miserable for everything Ive done. |
VALENTINE Then I am paid, And once again I do receive thee honest. Who by repentance is not satisfied 85 Is nor of heaven nor earth, for these are pleased. By penitence the Eternals wraths appeased; And, that my love may appear plain and free, All that was mine in Sylvia I give thee. | VALENTINE Then youve paid your debt to me, and I consider you to be honest once again. Whoever isnt satisfied by such heartfelt repentence is neither from heaven nor earth, for repentance is enough to please both. Gods wrath comes in the form of penitence. And, so that you know my love for you is honest and free, I give you any claim I had to Sylvia. |
JULIA O me unhappy! | JULIA Oh, unhappy me! |
Swoons | She faints. |
PROTEUS 90 Look to the boy. | PROTEUS Look at the boy! |
VALENTINE Why, boy! Why, wag! How now? Whats the matter? Look up. Speak. | VALENTINE Hey, boy! Hey, kid! Are you okay? Whats the matter? Open your eyes. Say something. |
JULIA [Recovering] O good sir, my master charged me to deliver a ring to Madam Sylvia, which, out of my neglect, was never done. | JULIA (recovering) Oh, good sir, my master ordered me to deliver a ring to Madam Sylvia, which, out of neglect on my part, I never did. |
PROTEUS Where is that ring, boy? | PROTEUS Where is that ring, boy? |
JULIA [Giving her own ring] Here tis. This is it. | JULIA (giving her own ring) Here it is. This is it. |
PROTEUS 95 How? Let me see. Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia. | PROTEUS How? Let me see that. Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia. |
JULIA O, cry you mercy, sir, I have mistook. This is the ring you sent to Sylvia. | JULIA Oh, please forgive me, sir, Ive made a mistake. This is the ring you sent to Sylvia. |
She offers another ring. | She hands him another ring. |
PROTEUS But how camst thou by this ring? 100 At my depart I gave this unto Julia. | PROTEUS But how did you get this ring? I gave it to Julia when I departed from Verona. |
JULIA And Julia herself did give it me; And Julia herself have brought it hither. | JULIA And Julia herself gave it to me. And Julia herself has brought it here. |
She reveals her identity. | She reveals her identity. |
PROTEUS How? Julia? | PROTEUS What? Julia? |
JULIA Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths 105 And entertained em deeply in her heart. How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root! O Proteus, let this habit make thee blush! Be thou ashamed that I have took upon me Such an immodest raiment, if shame live 110 In a disguise of love. It is the lesser blot, modesty finds, Women to change their shapes than men their minds. | JULIA Its me, the woman who was the object of all your oaths and believed them deeply in her heart. Your lies have often cut me to the core! Oh, Proteus, I hope my appearance makes you blush! You should be ashamed that I have put on such an immodest outfit, if shame can live in someone who fakes love. Modesty says its better for women to transform their appearances than for men to change their minds. |
PROTEUS Than men their minds! Tis true. O heaven! Were man But constant, he were perfect. That one error 115 Fills him with faults, makes him run through all th sins; Inconstancy falls off ere it begins. What is in Sylvias face but I may spy More fresh in Julias with a constant eye? | PROTEUS Than for men to change their minds! Its true. Oh, God! Were men more constant and less fickle, he would be perfect. That one error leads to numerous faults and makes him commit all the deadly sins. The fickle man begins deceiving before he even tries to be constant. What does Sylvia have that I wouldnt see to be even better in Julia if I were faithful? |
VALENTINE Come, come, a hand from either. 120 Let me be blest to make this happy close; Twere pity two such friends should be long foes. | VALENTINE Come, come on, each of you give me a hand. Let me be blessed to bring this to a happy end. It would be a pity if two such good friends as you were enemies forever. |
PROTEUS and JULIA join hands. | Proteus and Julia join hands. |
PROTEUS Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish forever. | PROTEUS As God as my witness, I have what I want forever. |
JULIA And I mine. | JULIA And I as well. |
Enter DUKE and THURIO , led by Outlaws | The DUKE and THURIO enter, led by outlaws. |
A prize, a prize, a prize! | A prize! A prize! A prize! |
VALENTINE 125 Forbear, forbear, I say! it is my lord the Duke. | VALENTINE Stop, stop, I say! This is my lord, the duke. They release the Duke and Thurio. |
Your Grace is welcome to a man disgraced, Banishd Valentine. | I welcome you, Your Grace, as a disgraced man, banished Valentine. |
DUKE Sir Valentine! | DUKE Sir Valentine! |
THURIO [Advancing] Yonder is Sylvia, and Sylvias mine. | THURIO (advancing) Sylvia is over there, and shes mine. |
VALENTINE 130 [Drawing his sword] Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death. Come not within the measure of my wrath. Do not name Sylvia thine; if once again, Verona shall not hold thee. Here she stands. Take but possession of her with a touch; 135 I dare thee but to breathe upon my love. | VALENTINE (drawing his sword) Thurio, move back, or else be prepared to die. Dont come within a step of my anger. Do not call Sylvia yours. If you do it again, youll never be welcome in Verona. Go ahead, try to even touch her. I dare you to even breathe upon my love. |
THURIO Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I. I hold him but a fool that will endanger His body for a girl that loves him not. I claim her not, and therefore she is thine. | THURIO Sir Valentine, I dont care about her. I consider anyone a fool who will endanger his life for a girl who doesnt love him. I dont claim her, and therefore she is yours. |
DUKE 140 The more degenerate and base art thou, To make such means for her as thou hast done And leave her on such slight conditions. Now, by the honor of my ancestry, I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, 145 And think thee worthy of an empress love. Know then, I here forget all former griefs, Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again, Plead a new state in thy unrivalled merit, To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine, 150 Thou art a gentleman, and well derived. Take thou thy Sylvia, for thou hast deserved her. | DUKE Then you are even more degenerate and awful, having made such great efforts to win her as you have and now leaving her for such minor reasons. Now, by the honor of my ancestors, I applaud your spirit, Valentine, and think you worthy of an empress love. I disregard all my former grievances with you, cancel all grudges, welcome you home again, and give you a clean record because of your unrivaled excellence, which I bear witness to. Sir Valentine, you are a gentleman and well-born. Take your Sylvia, for you have earned her. |
VALENTINE I thank Your Grace. The gift hath made me happy. I now beseech you, for your daughters sake, To grant one boon that I shall ask of you. | VALENTINE I thank Your Grace. Your gift has made me happy. Now I beg you, for your daughters sake, to grant one favor that Ill ask of you. |
DUKE 155 I grant it for thine own, whateer it be. | DUKE I grant it for your own sake, whatever it may be. |
VALENTINE These banished men, that I have kept withal, Are men endued with worthy qualities. Forgive them what they have committed here, And let them be recalled from their exile. 160 They are reformd, civil, full of good, And fit for great employment, worthy lord. | VALENTINE These banished men, whom I have lived with, are men with good qualities. Forgive the crimes theyve committed here, and declare an end to their exile. They are reformed, peaceful, goodhearted, and fit for great work, worthy lord. |
DUKE Thou hast prevailed; I pardon them and thee. Dispose of them as thou knowst their deserts. Come, let us go. We will include all jars 165 With triumphs, mirth, and rare solemnity. | DUKE You win: I pardon them and you. Ill leave you in charge of them, since you know what they deserve. Come, lets go. Well put all quarrels behind us with pageants, happiness, and festivities. |
VALENTINE And, as we walk along, I dare be bold With our discourse to make Your Grace to smile. What think you of this page, my lord? | VALENTINE And, as we walk along, Id like to be so bold as to tell you something to make Your Grace smile. What do you think of this young servant boy, my lord? |
DUKE I think the boy hath grace in him. He blushes. | DUKE I think the boy has a feminine charm. Look, hes blushing. |
VALENTINE 170 I warrant you, my lord, more grace than boy. | VALENTINE I tell you, my lord, theres more feminine charm in him than boy. |
DUKE What mean you by that saying? | DUKE What do you mean by that? |
VALENTINE Please you, Ill tell you as we pass along, That you will wonder what hath fortund. Come, Proteus, tis your penance but to hear 175 The story of your loves discoverd. That done, our day of marriage shall be yours: One feast, one house, one mutual happiness. | VALENTINE If it please you, Ill tell you on the way, and youll be amazed at whats been going on. Come, Proteus, its your punishment to hear the story of your two loves revealed. When thats done, our wedding day will also be yours: one feast, one house, and one mutual happiness. |
Exeunt | They exit. |
Original Text | Modern Text |
Enter VALENTINE | VALENTINE enters. |
VALENTINE How use doth breed a habit in a man! This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods, I better brook than flourishing peopled towns. Here can I sit alone, unseen of any, 5 And to the nightingales complaining notes Tune my distresses and record my woes. O thou that dost inhabit in my breast, Leave not the mansion so long tenantless, Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall 10 And leave no memory of what it was! Repair me with thy presence, Sylvia; Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain! | VALENTINE Repetition can make a man accustomed to anything! This shadowy deserted place, these woods that are rarely visitedI can take them better than bustling towns with lots of people. Here I can sit alone without anyone seeing me, and accompanied by the nightingales sad song I can sing about my worries and list all my troubles. Oh you, Sylvia, who lives in my heart, dont leave your home empty for long, or rotting from within, the entire building falls and leaves no trace of what it was! Heal me with your presence, Sylvia. Gentle nymph, cherish your sad lover! |
Shouting within. | Shouting is heard inside. |
What halloing and what stir is this to-day? These are my mates, that make their wills their law, 15 Have some unhappy passenger in chase. They love me well, yet I have much to do To keep them from uncivil outrages. Withdraw thee, Valentine. Whos this comes here? | Whats all this shouting and commotion I hear? Those are my friends, the outlaws who do whatever they like, who are chasing some unfortunate traveler. They like me enough, but I have to work hard to keep them from violent crimes. Hide yourself, Valentine. Who is this that comes here? |
He stands aside. | He stands off to the side. |
Enter PROTEUS , SYLVIA , and JULIA disguised as Sebastian | PROTEUS , SYLVIA , and JULIA , who is disguised as Sebastian, all enter |
PROTEUS Madam, this service I have done for you 20 Though you respect not aught your servant doth To hazard life and rescue you from him That would have forced your honor and your love. Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look; A smaller boon than this I cannot beg, 25 And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give. | PROTEUS Madame, Ive helped youeven though you dont value what I doand risked my life to rescue you from that man who would have raped you. For my reward, give me just one kind look. I cant beg for a smaller favor than this, and Im sure that you cant give anything less than this. |
VALENTINE [Aside] How like a dream is this I see and hear! Love, lend me patience to forbear awhile. | VALENTINE (aside) What I see and hear is like a dream! Love, give me strength to be patient just a little while longer. |
SYLVIA O miserable, unhappy that I am! | SYLVIA Oh, what a miserable, unhappy woman I am! |
PROTEUS Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came; 30 But by my coming I have made you happy. | PROTEUS You were unhappy, madam, before I came. But in coming Ive made you happy. |
SYLVIA By thy approach thou makst me most unhappy. | SYLVIA Your advances make me very unhappy. |
JULIA [Aside] And me, when he approacheth to your presence. | JULIA (aside) And makes me unhappy when he flirts with you. |
SYLVIA Had I been seizd by a hungry lion, I would have been a breakfast to the beast 35 Rather than have false Proteus rescue me. O, heaven be judge how I love Valentine, Whose lifes as tender to me as my soul! And full as muchfor more there cannot be I do detest false, perjured Proteus. 40 Therefore begone, solicit me no more. | SYLVIA If a hungry lion had seized me, I would rather have been eaten by the beast than have treacherous Proteus rescue me. Oh, heaven knows how I love Valentine, whose life is as precious to me as my own soul! And with just as much feelingfor I couldnt feel any more stronglyI hate the lying, deceitful Proteus. So get out of here, and stop trying to win me. |
PROTEUS What dangerous action, stood it next to death, Would I not undergo for one calm look? O, tis the curse in love, and still approved, When women cannot love where theyre beloved! | PROTEUS What dangerous action, even if it put me at risk of death, would I not undertake for just one gentle look from you? Oh, it is the curse of love, and it is always the case that women never love those who love them! |
SYLVIA 45 When Proteus cannot love where hes beloved. Read over Julias heart, thy first, best love, For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith Into a thousand oaths, and all those oaths Descended into perjury, to love me. 50 Thou hast no faith left now, unless thoudst two, And thats far worse than none. Better have none Than plural faith, which is too much by one. Thou counterfeit to thy true friend! | SYLVIA You mean Proteus never loves those who love him. Think of Julias feelings for you. She was your first, best love, and for her sake you swore your fidelity a thousand times. Now those oaths of faithfulness have sunk into lies, so that you can love me. You have no loyalty left now, unless you were to love two women, and thats far worse than loving no one. Better not love at all than love two women, which is too many by one. You deceiver of your true friend! |
PROTEUS In love, 55 Who respects friend? | PROTEUS Who honors their friendships when it comes to love? |
SYLVIA All men but Proteus. | SYLVIA All men but you, Proteus. |
PROTEUS Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words Can no way change you to a milder form, Ill woo you like a soldier, at arms end, 60 And love you gainst the nature of loveforce ye. | PROTEUS No, if the gentle spirit of heartfelt words cant persuade you to think kindly of me, then Ill woo you at knifepoint like a soldier and make love to you in a manner contrary to the nature of loveby raping you. |
SYLVIA O heaven! | SYLVIA Oh, heaven! |
PROTEUS [Assailing her] Ill force thee yield to my desire. | PROTEUS (Proteus assaults her.) Ill force you to yield to my desire. |
VALENTINE [Coming forward] Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch, Thou friend of an ill fashion! | VALENTINE (Valentine comes out of hiding.) Scoundrel, keep your savage hands off her, you foul friend! |
PROTEUS 65 Valentine! | PROTEUS Valentine! |
VALENTINE Thou common friend, thats without faith or love! For such is a friend now. Treacherous man, Thou hast beguiled my hopes. Naught but mine eye Could have persuaded me. Now I dare not say 70 I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me. Who should be trusted, when ones right hand Is perjured to the bosom? Proteus, I am sorry I must never trust thee more, But count the world a stranger for thy sake. 75 The private wound is deepest. O time most accurst, Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst! | VALENTINE You lying friend, without loyalty or love! Thats what you are now. Treacherous man, you tricked me with my hopes. Nothing could have persuaded me of what you really are but seeing it with my eyes. Now I wont even say I have one friend aliveif I did, youd prove me wrong. Who can you trust when your closest friend is false down to his core? Proteus, Im sorry I must never trust you again, and because of you Ill never think again that I know the world. Personal treachery makes the deepest wounds. Curse the day when a friend is the worst of all your enemies! |
PROTEUS My shame and guilt confounds me. Forgive me, Valentine. If hearty sorrow Be a sufficient ransom for offence, 80 I tender t here. I do as truly suffer As eer I did commit. | PROTEUS Shame and guilt overwhelm me. Forgive me, Valentine. If heartfelt sadness is enough punishment for what Ive done, then I offer it to you here. I feel truly miserable for everything Ive done. |
VALENTINE Then I am paid, And once again I do receive thee honest. Who by repentance is not satisfied 85 Is nor of heaven nor earth, for these are pleased. By penitence the Eternals wraths appeased; And, that my love may appear plain and free, All that was mine in Sylvia I give thee. | VALENTINE Then youve paid your debt to me, and I consider you to be honest once again. Whoever isnt satisfied by such heartfelt repentence is neither from heaven nor earth, for repentance is enough to please both. Gods wrath comes in the form of penitence. And, so that you know my love for you is honest and free, I give you any claim I had to Sylvia. |
JULIA O me unhappy! | JULIA Oh, unhappy me! |
Swoons | She faints. |
PROTEUS 90 Look to the boy. | PROTEUS Look at the boy! |
VALENTINE Why, boy! Why, wag! How now? Whats the matter? Look up. Speak. | VALENTINE Hey, boy! Hey, kid! Are you okay? Whats the matter? Open your eyes. Say something. |
JULIA [Recovering] O good sir, my master charged me to deliver a ring to Madam Sylvia, which, out of my neglect, was never done. | JULIA (recovering) Oh, good sir, my master ordered me to deliver a ring to Madam Sylvia, which, out of neglect on my part, I never did. |
PROTEUS Where is that ring, boy? | PROTEUS Where is that ring, boy? |
JULIA [Giving her own ring] Here tis. This is it. | JULIA (giving her own ring) Here it is. This is it. |
PROTEUS 95 How? Let me see. Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia. | PROTEUS How? Let me see that. Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia. |
JULIA O, cry you mercy, sir, I have mistook. This is the ring you sent to Sylvia. | JULIA Oh, please forgive me, sir, Ive made a mistake. This is the ring you sent to Sylvia. |
She offers another ring. | She hands him another ring. |
PROTEUS But how camst thou by this ring? 100 At my depart I gave this unto Julia. | PROTEUS But how did you get this ring? I gave it to Julia when I departed from Verona. |
JULIA And Julia herself did give it me; And Julia herself have brought it hither. | JULIA And Julia herself gave it to me. And Julia herself has brought it here. |
She reveals her identity. | She reveals her identity. |
PROTEUS How? Julia? | PROTEUS What? Julia? |
JULIA Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths 105 And entertained em deeply in her heart. How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root! O Proteus, let this habit make thee blush! Be thou ashamed that I have took upon me Such an immodest raiment, if shame live 110 In a disguise of love. It is the lesser blot, modesty finds, Women to change their shapes than men their minds. | JULIA Its me, the woman who was the object of all your oaths and believed them deeply in her heart. Your lies have often cut me to the core! Oh, Proteus, I hope my appearance makes you blush! You should be ashamed that I have put on such an immodest outfit, if shame can live in someone who fakes love. Modesty says its better for women to transform their appearances than for men to change their minds. |
PROTEUS Than men their minds! Tis true. O heaven! Were man But constant, he were perfect. That one error 115 Fills him with faults, makes him run through all th sins; Inconstancy falls off ere it begins. What is in Sylvias face but I may spy More fresh in Julias with a constant eye? | PROTEUS Than for men to change their minds! Its true. Oh, God! Were men more constant and less fickle, he would be perfect. That one error leads to numerous faults and makes him commit all the deadly sins. The fickle man begins deceiving before he even tries to be constant. What does Sylvia have that I wouldnt see to be even better in Julia if I were faithful? |
VALENTINE Come, come, a hand from either. 120 Let me be blest to make this happy close; Twere pity two such friends should be long foes. | VALENTINE Come, come on, each of you give me a hand. Let me be blessed to bring this to a happy end. It would be a pity if two such good friends as you were enemies forever. |
PROTEUS and JULIA join hands. | Proteus and Julia join hands. |
PROTEUS Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish forever. | PROTEUS As God as my witness, I have what I want forever. |
JULIA And I mine. | JULIA And I as well. |
Enter DUKE and THURIO , led by Outlaws | The DUKE and THURIO enter, led by outlaws. |
A prize, a prize, a prize! | A prize! A prize! A prize! |
VALENTINE 125 Forbear, forbear, I say! it is my lord the Duke. | VALENTINE Stop, stop, I say! This is my lord, the duke. They release the Duke and Thurio. |
Your Grace is welcome to a man disgraced, Banishd Valentine. | I welcome you, Your Grace, as a disgraced man, banished Valentine. |
DUKE Sir Valentine! | DUKE Sir Valentine! |
THURIO [Advancing] Yonder is Sylvia, and Sylvias mine. | THURIO (advancing) Sylvia is over there, and shes mine. |
VALENTINE 130 [Drawing his sword] Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death. Come not within the measure of my wrath. Do not name Sylvia thine; if once again, Verona shall not hold thee. Here she stands. Take but possession of her with a touch; 135 I dare thee but to breathe upon my love. | VALENTINE (drawing his sword) Thurio, move back, or else be prepared to die. Dont come within a step of my anger. Do not call Sylvia yours. If you do it again, youll never be welcome in Verona. Go ahead, try to even touch her. I dare you to even breathe upon my love. |
THURIO Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I. I hold him but a fool that will endanger His body for a girl that loves him not. I claim her not, and therefore she is thine. | THURIO Sir Valentine, I dont care about her. I consider anyone a fool who will endanger his life for a girl who doesnt love him. I dont claim her, and therefore she is yours. |
DUKE 140 The more degenerate and base art thou, To make such means for her as thou hast done And leave her on such slight conditions. Now, by the honor of my ancestry, I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine, 145 And think thee worthy of an empress love. Know then, I here forget all former griefs, Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again, Plead a new state in thy unrivalled merit, To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine, 150 Thou art a gentleman, and well derived. Take thou thy Sylvia, for thou hast deserved her. | DUKE Then you are even more degenerate and awful, having made such great efforts to win her as you have and now leaving her for such minor reasons. Now, by the honor of my ancestors, I applaud your spirit, Valentine, and think you worthy of an empress love. I disregard all my former grievances with you, cancel all grudges, welcome you home again, and give you a clean record because of your unrivaled excellence, which I bear witness to. Sir Valentine, you are a gentleman and well-born. Take your Sylvia, for you have earned her. |
VALENTINE I thank Your Grace. The gift hath made me happy. I now beseech you, for your daughters sake, To grant one boon that I shall ask of you. | VALENTINE I thank Your Grace. Your gift has made me happy. Now I beg you, for your daughters sake, to grant one favor that Ill ask of you. |
DUKE 155 I grant it for thine own, whateer it be. | DUKE I grant it for your own sake, whatever it may be. |
VALENTINE These banished men, that I have kept withal, Are men endued with worthy qualities. Forgive them what they have committed here, And let them be recalled from their exile. 160 They are reformd, civil, full of good, And fit for great employment, worthy lord. | VALENTINE These banished men, whom I have lived with, are men with good qualities. Forgive the crimes theyve committed here, and declare an end to their exile. They are reformed, peaceful, goodhearted, and fit for great work, worthy lord. |
DUKE Thou hast prevailed; I pardon them and thee. Dispose of them as thou knowst their deserts. Come, let us go. We will include all jars 165 With triumphs, mirth, and rare solemnity. | DUKE You win: I pardon them and you. Ill leave you in charge of them, since you know what they deserve. Come, lets go. Well put all quarrels behind us with pageants, happiness, and festivities. |
VALENTINE And, as we walk along, I dare be bold With our discourse to make Your Grace to smile. What think you of this page, my lord? | VALENTINE And, as we walk along, Id like to be so bold as to tell you something to make Your Grace smile. What do you think of this young servant boy, my lord? |
DUKE I think the boy hath grace in him. He blushes. | DUKE I think the boy has a feminine charm. Look, hes blushing. |
VALENTINE 170 I warrant you, my lord, more grace than boy. | VALENTINE I tell you, my lord, theres more feminine charm in him than boy. |
DUKE What mean you by that saying? | DUKE What do you mean by that? |
VALENTINE Please you, Ill tell you as we pass along, That you will wonder what hath fortund. Come, Proteus, tis your penance but to hear 175 The story of your loves discoverd. That done, our day of marriage shall be yours: One feast, one house, one mutual happiness. | VALENTINE If it please you, Ill tell you on the way, and youll be amazed at whats been going on. Come, Proteus, its your punishment to hear the story of your two loves revealed. When thats done, our wedding day will also be yours: one feast, one house, and one mutual happiness. |
Exeunt | They exit. |
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