Page 1934 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 1934

It will be light, my lord, that you may bear it
     Under a cloak that is of any length. [130]

     DUKE

     A cloak as long as thine will serve the turn?

     VALENT INE

     Ay, my good lord.

     DUKE

                    Then let me see thy cloak;
     I’ll get me one of such another length.

     VALENT INE

     Why, any cloak will serve the turn, my lord.

     DUKE

     How shall I fashion me to wear a cloak? [135]
     I pray thee, let me feel thy cloak upon me.

                 [He lifts Valentine’s cloak and finds a letter and a rope-ladder]
     What letter is this same? What’s here? “To Silvia”!
     And here an engine fit for my proceeding.
     I’ll be so bold to break the seal for once.
[Reads]
     “My thoughts do harbour with my Silvia nightly, [140]

                    And slaves they are to me, that send them flying.
     O, could their master come and go as lightly,

                    Himself would lodge where, senseless, they are lying!
     My herald thoughts in thy pure bosom rest them,

                    While I, their king, that thither them importune, [145]
     Do curse the grace that with such grace hath blessed them,

                    Because myself do want my servants’ fortune.
     I curse myself, for they are sent by me,

                    That they should harbour where their lord should be.”
     What’s here? [150]
     “Silvia, this night I will enfranchise thee.”
     ’Tis so; and here’s the ladder for the purpose.
     Why, Phaethon - for thou art Merops’ son -
     Wilt thou aspire to guide the heavenly car,
     And with thy daring folly burn the world? [155]
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