Page 1966 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

As you do love your lady Silvia. [Exit]
She dreams on him that has forgot her love;
You dote on her that cares not for your love;
’Tis pity love should be so contrary; [80]
And thinking on it makes me cry “Alas!”.

PROT EUS

Well, give her that ring, and therewithal
This letter. That’s her chamber. Tell my lady
I claim the promise for her heavenly picture.
Your message done, hie home unto my chamber, [85]
Where thou shalt find me sad and solitary.

JULIA

How many women would do such a message?
Alas, poor Proteus, thou hast entertained
A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs.
Alas, poor fool, why do I pity him [90]
That with his very heart despiseth me?
Because he loves her, he despiseth me;
Because I love him, I must pity him.
This ring I gave him, when he parted from me,
To bind him to remember my good will; [95]
And now am I, unhappy messenger,
To plead for that which I would not obtain,
To carry that which I would have refused,
To praise his faith, which I would have dispraised.
I am my master’s true confirmèd love, [100]
But cannot be true servant to my master,
Unless I prove false traitor to myself.
Yet will I woo for him, but yet so coldly
As, heaven it knows, I would not have him speed.

[Enter Silvia]
Gentlewoman, good day. I pray you, be my mean [105]
To bring me where to speak with Madam Silvia.

SILVIA

What would you with her, if that I be she?

JULIA