Page 1938 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

O, I have fed upon this woe already,
And now excess of it will make me surfeit. [220]
Doth Silvia know that I am banishèd?

PROT EUS

Ay, ay; and she hath offered to the doom -
Which, unreversed, stands in effectual force -
A sea of melting pearl, which some call tears;
Those at her father’s churlish feet she tendered; [225]
With them, upon her knees, her humble self,
Wringing her hands, whose whiteness so became them
As if but now they waxèd pale for woe.
But neither bended knees, pure hands held up,
Sad sighs, deep groans, nor silver-shedding tears, [230]
Could penetrate her uncompassionate sire -
But Valentine, if he be ta’en, must die.
Besides, her intercession chafed him so,
When she for thy repeal was suppliant,
That to close prison he commanded her, [235]
With many bitter threats of biding there.

VALENT INE

No more; unless the next word that thou speakest
Have some malignant power upon my life;
If so, I pray thee breathe it in mine ear,
As ending anthem of my endless dolour. [240]

PROT EUS

Cease to lament for that thou canst not help,
And study help for that which thou lamentest.
Time is the nurse and breeder of all good;
Here, if thou stay, thou canst not see thy love;
Besides, thy staying will abridge thy life. [245]
Hope is a lover’s staff; walk hence with that,
And manage it against despairing thoughts.
Thy letters may be here, though thou art hence,
Which, being writ to me, shall be delivered
Even in the milk-white bosom of thy love. [250]
The time now serves not to expostulate.
Come, I’ll convey thee through the city gate;
And, ere I part with thee, confer at large