Page 1939 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Of all that may concern thy love affairs.
As thou lovest Silvia, though not for thyself, [255]
Regard thy danger, and along with me.

VALENT INE

I pray thee, Launce, and if thou seest my boy,
Bid him make haste and meet me at the Northgate.

PROT EUS

Go, sirrah, find him out. Come, Valentine.

VALENT INE

O my dear Silvia! Hapless Valentine! [260]
[Exeunt Valentine and Proteus]

LAUNCE

I am but a fool, look you, and yet I have the wit to think my master is a
kind of a knave; but that’s all one if he be but one knave. He lives not now
that knows me to be in love; yet I am in love; but a team of horse shall not
pluck that from me; nor who ’tis I love; and yet ’tis a [265] woman; but
what woman I will not tell myself; and yet ’tis a milkmaid; yet ’tis not a
maid, for she hath had gossips; yet ’tis a maid, for she is her master’s maid
and serves for wages. She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel -
which is much in a bare Christian. [Reading from a paper] [270] Here is the
cate-log of her condition. Imprimis: She can fetch and carry. Why, a horse
can do no more; nay, a horse cannot fetch, but only carry; therefore is she
better than a jade. Item: She can milk. Look you, a sweet virtue in a maid
with clean hands. [275]

[Enter Speed]

SPEED

How now, Signior Launce? What news with your mastership?

LAUNCE

With my master’s ship? Why, it is at sea.

SPEED

Well, your old vice still: mistake the word. What news, then, in your paper?
[280]