Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare

Milan. The DUKE'S palace

Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA as SEBASTIAN

THURIO
Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit?

PROTEUS
O, sir, I find her milder than she was;
And yet she takes exceptions at your person.

THURIO
What, that my leg is too long?

PROTEUS
No; that it is too little.

THURIO
I'll wear a boot to make it somewhat rounder.

JULIA
[Aside] But love will not be spurr'd to what it loathes.

THURIO
What says she to my face?

PROTEUS
She says it is a fair one.

THURIO
Nay, then, the wanton lies; my face is black.

PROTEUS
But pearls are fair; and the old saying is:
Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes.

JULIA
[Aside] 'Tis true, such pearls as put out ladies' eyes;
For I had rather wink than look on them.

THURIO
How likes she my discourse?

PROTEUS
Ill, when you talk of war.

THURIO
But well when I discourse of love and peace?

JULIA
[Aside] But better, indeed, when you hold your peace.

THURIO
What says she to my valour?

PROTEUS
O, sir, she makes no doubt of that.

JULIA
[Aside] She needs not, when she knows it cowardice.

THURIO
What says she to my birth?

PROTEUS
That you are well deriv'd.

JULIA
[Aside] True; from a gentleman to a fool.

THURIO
Considers she my possessions?

PROTEUS
O, ay; and pities them.

THURIO
Wherefore?

JULIA
[Aside] That such an ass should owe them.

PROTEUS
That they are out by lease.

JULIA
Here comes the Duke.

Enter DUKE

DUKE
How now, Sir Proteus! how now, Thurio!
Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late?

THURIO
Not I.

PROTEUS
Nor I.

DUKE
Saw you my daughter?

PROTEUS
Neither.

DUKE
Why then,
She's fled unto that peasant Valentine;
And Eglamour is in her company.
'Tis true; for Friar Lawrence met them both
As he in penance wander'd through the forest;
Him he knew well, and guess'd that it was she,
But, being mask'd, he was not sure of it;
Besides, she did intend confession
At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not.
These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence;
Therefore, I pray you, stand not to discourse,
But mount you presently, and meet with me
Upon the rising of the mountain foot
That leads toward Mantua, whither they are fled.
Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me.

Exit

THURIO
Why, this it is to be a peevish girl
That flies her fortune when it follows her.
I'll after, more to be reveng'd on Eglamour
Than for the love of reckless Silvia.

Exit

PROTEUS
And I will follow, more for Silvia's love
Than hate of Eglamour, that goes with her.

Exit

JULIA
And I will follow, more to cross that love
Than hate for Silvia, that is gone for love.

Exit