Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act I, Scene 3 :|: Open Source Shakespeare

Two Gentlemen of Verona

Act I, Scene 3

The same. ANTONIO’s house.

[Enter ANTONIO and PANTHINO]

Antonio. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that
Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister?

Panthino. He wonder'd that your lordship
Would suffer him to spend his youth at home,
While other men, of slender reputation,
Put forth their sons to seek preferment out: 310
Some to the wars, to try their fortune there;
Some to discover islands far away;
Some to the studious universities.
For any or for all these exercises,
He said that Proteus your son was meet, 315
And did request me to importune you
To let him spend his time no more at home,
Which would be great impeachment to his age,
In having known no travel in his youth.

Antonio. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that 320
Whereon this month I have been hammering.
I have consider'd well his loss of time
And how he cannot be a perfect man,
Not being tried and tutor'd in the world:
Experience is by industry achieved 325
And perfected by the swift course of time.
Then tell me, whither were I best to send him?

Panthino. I think your lordship is not ignorant
How his companion, youthful Valentine,
Attends the emperor in his royal court. 330

Panthino. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither:
There shall he practise tilts and tournaments,
Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen.
And be in eye of every exercise 335
Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.

Antonio. I like thy counsel; well hast thou advised:
And that thou mayst perceive how well I like it,
The execution of it shall make known.
Even with the speediest expedition 340
I will dispatch him to the emperor's court.

Panthino. To-morrow, may it please you, Don Alphonso,
With other gentlemen of good esteem,
Are journeying to salute the emperor
And to commend their service to his will. 345

Antonio. Good company; with them shall Proteus go:
And, in good time! now will we break with him.

[Enter PROTEUS]

Proteus. Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life!
Here is her hand, the agent of her heart; 350
Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn.
O, that our fathers would applaud our loves,
To seal our happiness with their consents!
O heavenly Julia!

Proteus. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two
Of commendations sent from Valentine,
Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.

Proteus. There is no news, my lord, but that he writes 360
How happily he lives, how well beloved
And daily graced by the emperor;
Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune.

Proteus. As one relying on your lordship's will 365
And not depending on his friendly wish.

Antonio. My will is something sorted with his wish.
Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed;
For what I will, I will, and there an end.
I am resolved that thou shalt spend some time 370
With Valentinus in the emperor's court:
What maintenance he from his friends receives,
Like exhibition thou shalt have from me.
To-morrow be in readiness to go:
Excuse it not, for I am peremptory. 375

Proteus. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided:
Please you, deliberate a day or two.

Antonio. Look, what thou want'st shall be sent after thee:
No more of stay! to-morrow thou must go.
Come on, Panthino: you shall be employ'd 380
To hasten on his expedition.

[Exeunt ANTONIO and PANTHINO]

Proteus. Thus have I shunn'd the fire for fear of burning,
And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd.
I fear'd to show my father Julia's letter, 385
Lest he should take exceptions to my love;
And with the vantage of mine own excuse
Hath he excepted most against my love.
O, how this spring of love resembleth
The uncertain glory of an April day, 390
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away!

[Re-enter PANTHINO]

Panthino. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you:
He is in haste; therefore, I pray you to go. 395

Proteus. Why, this it is: my heart accords thereto,
And yet a thousand times it answers 'no.'

[Exeunt]