Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare
Act 5 - Scene 2
The same. The DUKE’s palace.
Thurio : Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit?
Proteus : O, sir, I find her milder than she was;
[p]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
[p]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,
[p]Black men are pearls in
beauteous ladies' eyes.
Julia : [Aside] 'Tis true; such pearls as put out
[p]ladies' eyes;
[p]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 derived.
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.
Duke of Milan : How now, Sir Proteus! how now, Thurio!
[p]Which of you saw Sir
Eglamour of late?
Thurio : Not I.
Proteus : Nor I.
Duke of Milan : Saw you my daughter?
Proteus : Neither.
Duke of Milan : Why then,
[p]She's fled unto that peasant Valentine;
[p]And Eglamour
is in her company.
[p]'Tis true; for Friar Laurence met them
both,
[p]As he in penance wander'd through the forest;
[p]Him he knew
well, and guess'd that it was she,
[p]But, being mask'd, he was not
sure of it;
[p]Besides, she did intend confession
[p]At Patrick's cell
this even; and there she was not;
[p]These likelihoods confirm her
flight from hence.
[p]Therefore, I pray you, stand not to
discourse,
[p]But mount you presently and meet with me
[p]Upon the
rising of the mountain-foot
[p]That leads towards Mantua, whither they
are fled:
[p]Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me.
Thurio : Why, this it is to be a peevish girl,
[p]That flies her fortune when
it follows her.
[p]I'll after, more to be revenged on Eglamour
[p]Than
for the love of reckless Silvia.
Proteus : And I will follow, more for Silvia's love
[p]Than hate of Eglamour
that goes with her.
Julia : And I will follow, more to cross that love
[p]Than hate for Silvia
that is gone for love.
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Next: Act 5 - Scene 3
