LITMIR.BIZ

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follows not thee. Therefore, thou art a

          sheep.

        SPEED. Such another proof will make me cry 'baa.'

        PROTEUS. But dost thou hear? Gav'st thou my letter to Julia?

        SPEED. Ay, sir; I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a

      lac'd

          mutton; and she, a lac'd mutton, gave me, a lost mutton,

      nothing

          for my labour.

        PROTEUS. Here's too small a pasture for such store of muttons.

        SPEED. If the ground be overcharg'd, you were best stick her.

        PROTEUS. Nay, in that you are astray: 'twere best pound you.

        SPEED. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying

      your

          letter.

        PROTEUS. You mistake; I mean the pound- a pinfold.

        SPEED. From a pound to a pin? Fold it over and over,

          'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your

      lover.

        PROTEUS. But what said she?

        SPEED. [Nodding] Ay.

        PROTEUS. Nod- ay. Why, that's 'noddy.'

        SPEED. You mistook, sir; I say she did nod; and you ask me if

      she

          did nod; and I say 'Ay.'

        PROTEUS. And that set together is 'noddy.'

        SPEED. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it

      for

          your pains.

        PROTEUS. No, no; you shall have it for bearing the letter.

        SPEED. Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear with you.

        PROTEUS. Why, sir, how do you bear with me?

        SPEED. Marry, sir, the letter, very orderly; having nothing but

      the

          word 'noddy' for my pains.

        PROTEUS. Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit.

        SPEED. And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.

        PROTEUS. Come, come, open the matter; in brief, what said she?

        SPEED. Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be

      both

          at once delivered.

        PROTEUS. Well, sir, here is for your pains. What said she?

        SPEED. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her.

        PROTEUS. Why, couldst thou perceive so much from her?

        SPEED. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not

      so

          much as a ducat for delivering your letter; and being so hard

      to

          me that brought your mind, I fear she'll prove as hard to you

      in

          telling your mind. Give her no token but stones, for she's as

          hard as steel.

        PROTEUS. What said she? Nothing?

        SPEED. No, not so much as 'Take this for thy pains.' To testify

          your bounty, I thank you, you have testern'd me; in requital

          whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself; and so, sir,

          I'll commend you to my master.

        PROTEUS. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck,

          Which cannot perish, having thee aboard,

          Being destin'd to a drier death on shore. Exit SPEED

          I must go send some better messenger.

          I fear my Julia would not deign my lines,

          Receiving them from such a worthless post. Exit

      SCENE II. Verona. The garden Of JULIA'S house

      Enter JULIA and LUCETTA

        JULIA. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone,

          Wouldst thou then counsel me to fall in love?

        LUCETTA. Ay, madam; so you stumble not unheedfully.

        JULIA. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen

          That every day with parle encounter me,

          In thy opinion which is worthiest love?

        LUCETTA. Please you, repeat their names; I'll show my mind

          According to my shallow simple skill.

        JULIA. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour?

        LUCETTA. As of a knight well-spoken, neat, and fine;

          But, were I you, he never should be mine.

        JULIA. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio?

        LUCETTA. Well of his wealth; but of himself, so so.

        JULIA. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus?

        LUCETTA. Lord, Lord! to see what folly reigns in us!

        JULIA. How now! what means this passion at his name?

        LUCETTA. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing shame

          That I, unworthy body as I am,

          Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen.

        JULIA. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest?

        LUCETTA. Then thus: of many good I think him best.

        JULIA. Your reason?

        LUCETTA. I have no other but a woman's reason:

          I think him so, because I think him so.

        JULIA. And wouldst thou have me cast my love on him?

        LUCETTA. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away.

        JULIA. Why, he, of all the rest, hath never mov'd me.

        LUCETTA. Yet he, of all the rest, I think, best loves ye.

        JULIA. His little speaking shows his love but small.

        LUCETTA. Fire that's closest kept burns most of all.

        JULIA. They do not love that do not show their love.

        LUCETTA. O, they love least that let men know their love.

        JULIA. I would I knew his mind.

        LUCETTA. Peruse this paper, madam.

        JULIA. 'To Julia'– Say, from whom?

        LUCETTA. That the contents will show.

        JULIA. Say, say, who gave it thee?

        LUCETTA. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from Proteus.

          He would have given it you; but I, being in the way,

          Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I pray.

        JULIA. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!

          Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines?

          To whisper and conspire against my youth?

          Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth,

          And

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