Page 1982 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

T HURIO

Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I:
I hold him but a fool that will endanger
His body for a girl that loves him not. [135]
I claim her not and therefore she is thine.

DUKE

The more degenerate and base art thou
To make such means for her as thou hast done,
And leave her on such slight conditions.
Now, by the honour of my ancestry, [140]
I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine,
And think thee worthy of an empress’ love.
Know, then, I here forget all former griefs,
Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again,
Plead a new state in thy unrivalled merit, [145]
To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine,
Thou art a gentleman, and well derived;
Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserved her.

VALENT INE

I thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy.
I now beseech you, for your daughter’s sake, [150]
To grant one boon that I shall ask of you.

DUKE

I grant it, for thine own, whate’er it be.

VALENT INE

These banished men, that I have kept withal,
Are men endued with worthy qualities;
Forgive them what they have committed here, [155]
And let them be recalled from their exile:
They are reformèd, civil, full of good,
And fit for great employment, worthy lord.

DUKE

Thou hast prevailed; I pardon them and thee;
Dispose of them as thou knowest their deserts. [160]
Come, let us go; we will include all jars