Page 1917 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 1917
VALENT INE
How does your lady, and how thrives your love?
PROT EUS
My tales of love were wont to weary you;
I know you joy not in a love-discourse. [125]
VALENT INE
Ay, Proteus, but that life is altered now;
I have done penance for contemning Love,
Whose high imperious thoughts have punished me
With bitter fasts, with penitential groans,
With nightly tears, and daily heart-sore sighs; [130]
For, in revenge of my contempt of love,
Love hath chased sleep from my enthrallèd eyes,
And made them watchers of mine own heart’s sorrow.
O gentle Proteus, Love’s a mighty lord,
And hath so humbled me as I confess [135]
There is no woe to his correction,
Nor to his service no such joy on earth.
Now no discourse, except it be of love;
Now can I break my fast, dine, sup, and sleep,
Upon the very naked name of love. [140]
PROT EUS
Enough; I read your fortune in your eye.
Was this the idol that you worship so?
VALENT INE
Even she; and is she not a heavenly saint?
PROT EUS
No; but she is an earthly paragon.
VALENT INE
Call her divine.
PROT EUS
I will not flatter her. [145]
