The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Act 5, Scene 2

Modern spelling. Stage directions omitted.

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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

But love will not be spurred 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

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

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

She needs not, when she knows it cowardice.

THURIO

What says she to my birth?

PROTEUS

That you are well derived.

JULIA

True, from a gentleman to a fool.

THURIO

Considers she my possessions?

PROTEUS

O, ay, and pities them.

THURIO

?

JULIA

That such an ass should owe them.

PROTEUS

That they are out by lease.

JULIA

Here comes the 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.
true, for Friar Lawrence met them both
As he in penance wandered through the forest;
Him he knew well, and guessed that it was she,
But, being masked, 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 .
Therefore, I pray you, stand not to discourse,
But mount you and meet with me
Upon the rising of the mountain foot
That leads toward Mantua, they are fled.
Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me.

THURIO

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

PROTEUS

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

JULIA

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

All of The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Act 1

Act 1, Scene 1Act 1, Scene 2Act 1, Scene 3,

Act 2

Act 2, Scene 1Act 2, Scene 2Act 2, Scene 3Act 2, Scene 4Act 2, Scene 5Act 2, Scene 6Act 2, Scene 7,

Act 3

Act 3, Scene 1Act 3, Scene 2,

Act 4

Act 4, Scene 1Act 4, Scene 2Act 4, Scene 3Act 4, Scene 4,

Act 5

Act 5, Scene 1Act 5, Scene 2Act 5, Scene 3Act 5, Scene 4

Open The Two Gentlemen of Verona in the 1623 First Folio. See its words in the cloud.

Modern spelling for reading. The edition is public domain in the United States. Edition source.