The Bodleian First Folio

Reference: B4v - Comedies, p. 20

Left Column

THE Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Actus primus, Scena prima. [Act 1, Scene 1] Valentine: Protheus, and Speed. Valentine. CEase to perswade, my louing Protheus: Home‑keeping youth, haue euer homely wits, Wer't not affection chaines thy tender dayes To the sweet glaunces of thy honour'd Loue,

[5]

I rather would entreat thy company, To see the wonders of the world abroad, Then (liuing dully sluggardiz'd at home) Weare out thy youth with shapelesse idlenesse, But since thou lou'st; loue still, and thriue therein,

[10]

Euen as I would, when I to loue begin. Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adew, Thinke on thy Protheus, when thou (hap'ly) seest Some rare note‑worthy object in thy trauaile. Wish me partaker in thy happinesse,

[15]

When thou do'st meet good hap; and in thy danger, (If euer danger doe enuiron thee) Commend thy grieuance to my holy prayers, For I will be thy beades‑man, Vaelentine. Ual.

And on a loue‑booke pray for my successe?

Pro.

[20]

Vpon some booke I loue, I'le pray for thee.

Ual. That's on some shallow Storie of deepe loue, How yong Leander crost the Hellespont. Pro. That's a deepe Storie, of a deeper loue; For he was more then ouer‑shooes in loue. Val.

[25]

'Tis true; for you are ouer‑bootes in loue, And yet you neuer swom the Hellespont. Pro.

Ouer the Bootes? nay giue me not the Boots.

Val.

No, I will not; for it boots thee not.

Pro.

What?

Ual.

[30]

To be in loue; where scorne is bought with (grones: Coy looks, with hart‑sore sighes: one fading moments mirth, With twenty watchfull, weary, tedious nights; If hap'ly won, perhaps a haplesse gaine; If lost, why then a grieuous labour won;

[35]

How euer: but a folly bought with wit, Or else a wit, by folly vanquished. Pro.

So, by your circumstance, you call me foole.

Ual.

So, by your circumstance, I feare you'll proue.

Pro.

'Tis loue you cauill at, I am not Loue.

Val.

[40]

Loue is your master, for he masters you; And he that is so yoked by a foole, Me thinkes should not be chronicled for wise. Pro. Yet Writers say; as in the sweetest Bud, The eating Canker dwels; so eating Loue

[45]

Inhabits in the finest wits of all. Val. And Writers say; as the most forward Bud

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Is eaten by the Canker ere it blow, Euen so by Loue, the yong, and tender wit Is turn'd to folly, blasting in the Bud,

[50]

Loosing his verdure, euen in the prime, And all the faire effects of future hopes. But wherefore waste I time to counsaile thee That art a votary to fond desire? Once more adieu: my Father at the Road

[55]

Expects my comming, there to see me ship'd. Pro.

And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.

Val. Sweet Protheus, no: Now let vs take our leaue: To Millaine let me heare from thee by Letters Of thy successe in loue; and what newes else

[60]

Betideth here in absence of thy Friend: And I likewise will visite thee with mine. Pro. All happinesse bechance to thee in Millaine. Val.

As much to you at home: and so farewell.

Exit. Pro. He after Honour hunts, I after Loue;

[65]

He leaues his friends, to dignifie them more; I loue my selfe, my friends, and all for loue; Thou, Iulia thou hast metamorphis'd me: Made me neglect my Studies, loose my time; Warre with good counsaile; set the world at nought;

[70]

Made Wit with musing, weake; hart sick with thought. Sp.

Sir Protheus: 'saue you: saw you my Master?

Pro.

But now he parted hence to embarque for Millain.

Sp. Twenty to one then, he is ship'd already, And I haue plaid the Sheepe in loosing him. Pro.

[75]

Indeed a Sheep doth very often stray, And if the Shepheard be awhile away. Sp.

You conclude that my Master is a Shepheard then,

and I Sheepe?

Pro.

I doe.

Sp.

[80]

Why then my hornes are his hornes, whether I

wake or sleepe.

Pro.

A silly answere, and fitting well a Sheepe.

Sp.

This proues me still a Sheepe.

Pro.

True: and thy Master a Shepheard.

Sp.

[85]

Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance.

Pro.

It shall goe hard but ile proue it by another.

Sp.

The Shepheard seekes the Sheepe, and not the

Sheepe the Shepheard; but I seeke my Master, and my

Master seekes not me: therefore, I am no Sheepe.

Pro.

[90]

The Sheepe for fodder follow the Shepheard,

the Shepheard for foode followes not the Sheepe: thou

for wages followest thy Master, thy Master for wages

followes not thee: therefore, thou art a Sheepe.

Sp.

Such another proofe will make me cry baâ.

Pro.

[95]

But do'st thou heare: gau'st thou my Letter

to Iulia?

Sp. I

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Actus primus, Scena prima. [Act 1, Scene 1] Valentine: Protheus, and Speed. Valentine. CEase to perswade, my louing Protheus: Home‑keeping youth, haue euer homely wits, Wer't not affection chaines thy tender dayes To the sweet glaunces of thy honour'd Loue,

[5]

I rather would entreat thy company, To see the wonders of the world abroad, Then (liuing dully sluggardiz'd at home) Weare out thy youth with shapelesse idlenesse, But since thou lou'st; loue still, and thriue therein,

[10]

Euen as I would, when I to loue begin. Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adew, Thinke on thy Protheus, when thou (hap'ly) seest Some rare note‑worthy object in thy trauaile. Wish me partaker in thy happinesse,

[15]

When thou do'st meet good hap; and in thy danger, (If euer danger doe enuiron thee) Commend thy grieuance to my holy prayers, For I will be thy beades‑man, Vaelentine. Ual.

And on a loue‑booke pray for my successe?

Pro.

[20]

Vpon some booke I loue, I'le pray for thee.

Ual. That's on some shallow Storie of deepe loue, How yong Leander crost the Hellespont. Pro. That's a deepe Storie, of a deeper loue; For he was more then ouer‑shooes in loue. Val.

[25]

'Tis true; for you are ouer‑bootes in loue, And yet you neuer swom the Hellespont. Pro.

Ouer the Bootes? nay giue me not the Boots.

Val.

No, I will not; for it boots thee not.

Pro.

What?

Ual.

[30]

To be in loue; where scorne is bought with (grones: Coy looks, with hart‑sore sighes: one fading moments mirth, With twenty watchfull, weary, tedious nights; If hap'ly won, perhaps a haplesse gaine; If lost, why then a grieuous labour won;

[35]

How euer: but a folly bought with wit, Or else a wit, by folly vanquished. Pro.

So, by your circumstance, you call me foole.

Ual.

So, by your circumstance, I feare you'll proue.

Pro.

'Tis loue you cauill at, I am not Loue.

Val.

[40]

Loue is your master, for he masters you; And he that is so yoked by a foole, Me thinkes should not be chronicled for wise. Pro. Yet Writers say; as in the sweetest Bud, The eating Canker dwels; so eating Loue

[45]

Inhabits in the finest wits of all. Val. And Writers say; as the most forward Bud Is eaten by the Canker ere it blow, Euen so by Loue, the yong, and tender wit Is turn'd to folly, blasting in the Bud,

[50]

Loosing his verdure, euen in the prime, And all the faire effects of future hopes. But wherefore waste I time to counsaile thee That art a votary to fond desire? Once more adieu: my Father at the Road

[55]

Expects my comming, there to see me ship'd. Pro.

And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.

Val. Sweet Protheus, no: Now let vs take our leaue: To Millaine let me heare from thee by Letters Of thy successe in loue; and what newes else

[60]

Betideth here in absence of thy Friend: And I likewise will visite thee with mine. Pro. All happinesse bechance to thee in Millaine. Val.

As much to you at home: and so farewell.

Exit. Pro. He after Honour hunts, I after Loue;

[65]

He leaues his friends, to dignifie them more; I loue my selfe, my friends, and all for loue; Thou, Iulia thou hast metamorphis'd me: Made me neglect my Studies, loose my time; Warre with good counsaile; set the world at nought;

[70]

Made Wit with musing, weake; hart sick with thought. Sp.

Sir Protheus: 'saue you: saw you my Master?

Pro.

But now he parted hence to embarque for Millain.

Sp. Twenty to one then, he is ship'd already, And I haue plaid the Sheepe in loosing him. Pro.

[75]

Indeed a Sheep doth very often stray, And if the Shepheard be awhile away. Sp.

You conclude that my Master is a Shepheard then,

and I Sheepe?

Pro.

I doe.

Sp.

[80]

Why then my hornes are his hornes, whether I

wake or sleepe.

Pro.

A silly answere, and fitting well a Sheepe.

Sp.

This proues me still a Sheepe.

Pro.

True: and thy Master a Shepheard.

Sp.

[85]

Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance.

Pro.

It shall goe hard but ile proue it by another.

Sp.

The Shepheard seekes the Sheepe, and not the

Sheepe the Shepheard; but I seeke my Master, and my

Master seekes not me: therefore, I am no Sheepe.

Pro.

[90]

The Sheepe for fodder follow the Shepheard,

the Shepheard for foode followes not the Sheepe: thou

for wages followest thy Master, thy Master for wages

followes not thee: therefore, thou art a Sheepe.

Sp.

Such another proofe will make me cry baâ.

Pro.

[95]

But do'st thou heare: gau'st thou my Letter

to Iulia?

Sp.

I Sir: I (a lost‑Mutton) gaue your Letter to her

(a lac'd‑Mutton) and she (a lac'd‑Mutton) gaue mee (a

lost‑Mutton) nothing for my labour.

Pro.

[100]

Here's too small a Pasture for such store of

Muttons.

Sp.

If the ground be ouer‑charg'd, you were best

sticke her.

Pro.

Nay, in that you are astray: 'twere best pound

[105]

you.

Sp.

Nay Sir, lesse then a pound shall serue me for carrying

your Letter.

Pro.

You mistake; I meane the pound, a Pinfold.

Sp. From a pound to a pin? fold it ouer and ouer,

[110]

'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your louer Pro.

But what said she?

Sp.

I.

Pro.

Nod‑I, Why that's noddy.

Sp. You mistooke Sir: I say she did nod;

[115]

And you aske me if she did nod, and I say I. Pro.

And that set together is noddy.

Sp.

Now you haue taken the paines to set it toge

ther, take it for your paines.

Pro.

No, no, you shall haue it for bearing the letter.

Sp.

[120]

Well, I perceiue I must be faine to bear with you.

Pro.

Why Sir, how doe you beare with me?

Sp. Marry Sir, the letter very orderly, Hauing nothing but the word noddy for my paines. Pro.

Beshrew me, but you haue a quicke wit.

Sp.

[125]

And yet it cannot ouer‑take your slow purse.

Pro.

Come, come, open the matter in briefe; what

said she.

Sp.

Open your purse, that the money, and the matter

may be both at once deliuered.

Pro.

[130]

Well Sir: here is for your paines: what said she?

Sp.

Truely Sir, I thinke you'll hardly win her.

Pro.

Why? could'st thou perceiue so much from her?

Sp. Sir, I could perceiue nothing at all from her; No, not so much as a ducket for deliuering your letter:

[135]

And being so hard to me, that brought your minde; I feare she'll proue as hard to you in telling your minde. Giue her no token but stones, for she's as hard as steele. Pro.

What said she, nothing?

Sp. No, not so much as take this for thy pains:

[140]

To testifie your bounty, I thank you, you haue cestern'd (me; In requital whereof, henceforth, carry your letters your selfe; And so, Sir, I'le commend you to my Master. Pro. Go, go, be gone, to saue your Ship from wrack, Which cannot perish hauing thee aboarde,

[145]

Being destin'd to a drier death on shore; I must goe send some better Messenger, I feare my Iulia would not daigne my lines, Receiuing them from such a worthlesse post. Exit.

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   <head rend="italic center">Actus primus, Scena prima.</head>
   <head type="supplied">[Act 1, Scene 1]</head>
   <cb n="1"/>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Valentine: Protheus,<hi rend="roman">and</hi>Speed.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-val">
      <speaker rend="italic">Valentine.</speaker>
      <l n="1">
         <c rend="decoratedCapital">C</c>Ease to perswade, my louing<hi rend="italic">Protheus</hi>:</l>
      <l n="2">Home‑keeping youth, haue euer homely wits,</l>
      <l n="3">Wer't not affection chaines thy tender dayes</l>
      <l n="4">To the sweet glaunces of thy honour'd Loue,</l>
      <l n="5">I rather would entreat thy company,</l>
      <l n="6">To see the wonders of the world abroad,</l>
      <l n="7">Then (liuing dully sluggardiz'd at home)</l>
      <l n="8">Weare out thy youth with shapelesse idlenesse,</l>
      <l n="9">But since thou lou'st; loue still, and thriue therein,</l>
      <l n="10">Euen as I would, when I to loue begin.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <l n="11">Wilt thou be gone? Sweet<hi rend="italic">Valentine</hi>, adew,</l>
      <l n="12">Thinke on thy<hi rend="italic">Protheus</hi>, when thou (hap'ly) seest</l>
      <l n="13">Some rare note‑worthy object in thy trauaile.</l>
      <l n="14">Wish me partaker in thy happinesse,</l>
      <l n="15">When thou do'st meet good hap; and in thy danger,</l>
      <l n="16">(If euer danger doe enuiron thee)</l>
      <l n="17">Commend thy grieuance to my holy prayers,</l>
      <l n="18">For I will be thy beades‑man,<hi rend="italic">Vaelentine</hi>.</l>
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   <sp who="#F-tgv-val">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ual.</speaker>
      <p n="19">And on a loue‑booke pray for my successe?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="20">Vpon some booke I loue, I'le pray for thee.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-val">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ual.</speaker>
      <l n="21">That's on some shallow Storie of deepe loue,</l>
      <l n="22">How yong<hi rend="italic">Leander</hi>crost the<hi rend="italic">Hellespont</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <l n="23">That's a deepe Storie, of a deeper loue;</l>
      <l n="24">For he was more then ouer‑shooes in loue.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-val">
      <speaker rend="italic">Val.</speaker>
      <l n="25">'Tis true; for you are ouer‑bootes in loue,</l>
      <l n="26">And yet you neuer swom the<hi rend="italic">Hellespont</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="27">Ouer the Bootes? nay giue me not the Boots.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-val">
      <speaker rend="italic">Val.</speaker>
      <p n="28">No, I will not; for it boots thee not.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="29">What?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-val">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ual.</speaker>
      <l n="30">To be in loue; where scorne is bought with
      <lb rend="turnunder"/>
         <pc rend="turnunder">(</pc>grones:</l>
      <l n="31">Coy looks, with hart‑sore sighes: one fading moments mirth,</l>
      <l n="32">With twenty watchfull, weary, tedious nights;</l>
      <l n="33">If hap'ly won, perhaps a haplesse gaine;</l>
      <l n="34">If lost, why then a grieuous labour won;</l>
      <l n="35">How euer: but a folly bought with wit,</l>
      <l n="36">Or else a wit, by folly vanquished.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="37">So, by your circumstance, you call me foole.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-val">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ual.</speaker>
      <p n="38">So, by your circumstance, I feare you'll proue.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="39">'Tis loue you cauill at, I am not Loue.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-val">
      <speaker rend="italic">Val.</speaker>
      <l n="40">Loue is your master, for he masters you;</l>
      <l n="41">And he that is so yoked by a foole,</l>
      <l n="42">Me thinkes should not be chronicled for wise.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <l n="43">Yet Writers say; as in the sweetest Bud,</l>
      <l n="44">The eating Canker dwels; so eating Loue</l>
      <l n="45">Inhabits in the finest wits of all.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-val">
      <speaker rend="italic">Val.</speaker>
      <l n="46">And Writers say; as the most forward Bud</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="47">Is eaten by the Canker ere it blow,</l>
      <l n="48">Euen so by Loue, the yong, and tender wit</l>
      <l n="49">Is turn'd to folly, blasting in the Bud,</l>
      <l n="50">Loosing his verdure, euen in the prime,</l>
      <l n="51">And all the faire effects of future hopes.</l>
      <l n="52">But wherefore waste I time to counsaile thee</l>
      <l n="53">That art a votary to fond desire?</l>
      <l n="54">Once more adieu: my Father at the Road</l>
      <l n="55">Expects my comming, there to see me ship'd.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="56">And thither will I bring thee,<hi rend="italic">Valentine</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-val">
      <speaker rend="italic">Val.</speaker>
      <l n="57">Sweet<hi rend="italic">Protheus</hi>, no: Now let vs take our leaue:</l>
      <l n="58">To<hi rend="italic">Millaine</hi>let me heare from thee by Letters</l>
      <l n="59">Of thy successe in loue; and what newes else</l>
      <l n="60">Betideth here in absence of thy Friend:</l>
      <l n="61">And I likewise will visite thee with mine.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <l n="62">All happinesse bechance to thee in<hi rend="italic">Millaine</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-val">
      <speaker rend="italic">Val.</speaker>
      <p n="63">As much to you at home: and so farewell.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <l n="64">He after Honour hunts, I after Loue;</l>
      <l n="65">He leaues his friends, to dignifie them more;</l>
      <l n="66">I loue my selfe, my friends, and all for loue;</l>
      <l n="67">Thou,<hi rend="italic">Iulia</hi>thou hast metamorphis'd me:</l>
      <l n="68">Made me neglect my Studies, loose my time;</l>
      <l n="69">Warre with good counsaile; set the world at nought;</l>
      <l n="70">Made Wit with musing, weake; hart sick with thought.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="71">Sir<hi rend="italic">Protheus</hi>: 'saue you: saw you my Master?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="72">But now he parted hence to embarque for<hi rend="italic">Millain</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <l n="73">Twenty to one then, he is ship'd already,</l>
      <l n="74">And I haue plaid the Sheepe in loosing him.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <l n="75">Indeed a Sheep doth very often stray,</l>
      <l n="76">And if the Shepheard be awhile away.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="77">You conclude that my Master is a Shepheard then,
      <lb n="78"/>and I Sheepe?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="79">I doe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="80">Why then my hornes are his hornes, whether I
      <lb n="81"/>wake or sleepe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="82">A silly answere, and fitting well a Sheepe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="83">This proues me still a Sheepe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="84">True: and thy Master a Shepheard.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="85">Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="86">It shall goe hard but ile proue it by another.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="87">The Shepheard seekes the Sheepe, and not the
      <lb n="88"/>Sheepe the Shepheard; but I seeke my Master, and my
      <lb n="89"/>Master seekes not me: therefore, I am no Sheepe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="90">The Sheepe for fodder follow the Shepheard,
      <lb n="91"/>the Shepheard for foode followes not the Sheepe: thou
      <lb n="92"/>for wages followest thy Master, thy Master for wages
      <lb n="93"/>followes not thee: therefore, thou art a Sheepe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="94">Such another proofe will make me cry baâ.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="95">But do'st thou heare: gau'st thou my Letter
      <lb n="96"/>to<hi rend="italic">Iulia</hi>?</p>
   </sp>
   <pb facs="FFimg:axc0041-0.jpg" n="21"/>
   <cb n="1"/>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="97">I Sir: I (a lost‑Mutton) gaue your Letter to her
      <lb n="98"/>(a lac'd‑Mutton) and she (a lac'd‑Mutton) gaue mee (a
      <lb n="99"/>lost‑Mutton) nothing for my labour.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="100">Here's too small a Pasture for such store of
      <lb n="101"/>Muttons.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="102">If the ground be ouer‑charg'd, you were best
      <lb n="103"/>sticke her.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="104">Nay, in that you are astray: 'twere best pound
      <lb n="105"/>you.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="106">Nay Sir, lesse then a pound shall serue me for carrying
      <lb n="107"/>your Letter.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="108">You mistake; I meane the pound, a Pinfold.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <l n="109">From a pound to a pin? fold it ouer and ouer,</l>
      <l n="110">'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your louer</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="111">But what said she?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="112">I.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="113">Nod‑I, Why that's noddy.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <l n="114">You mistooke Sir: I say she did nod;</l>
      <l n="115">And you aske me if she did nod, and I say I.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="116">And that set together is noddy.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="117">Now you haue taken the paines to set it toge
      <lb n="118"/>ther, take it for your paines.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="119">No, no, you shall haue it for bearing the letter.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="120">Well, I perceiue I must be faine to bear with you.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="121">Why Sir, how doe you beare with me?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <l n="122">Marry Sir, the letter very orderly,</l>
      <l n="123">Hauing nothing but the word noddy for my paines.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="124">Beshrew me, but you haue a quicke wit.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="125">And yet it cannot ouer‑take your slow purse.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="126">Come, come, open the matter in briefe; what
      <lb n="127"/>said she.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="128">Open your purse, that the money, and the matter
      <lb n="129"/>may be both at once deliuered.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="130">Well Sir: here is for your paines: what said she?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <p n="131">Truely Sir, I thinke you'll hardly win her.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="132">Why? could'st thou perceiue so much from her?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <l n="133">Sir, I could perceiue nothing at all from her;</l>
      <l n="134">No, not so much as a ducket for deliuering your letter:</l>
      <l n="135">And being so hard to me, that brought your minde;</l>
      <l n="136">I feare she'll proue as hard to you in telling your minde.</l>
      <l n="137">Giue her no token but stones, for she's as hard as steele.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <p n="138">What said she, nothing?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-spe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sp.</speaker>
      <l n="139">No, not so much as take this for thy pains:</l>
      <l n="140">To testifie your bounty, I thank you, you haue cestern'd
      <lb rend="turnover"/>
         <pc rend="turnover">(</pc>me;</l>
      <l n="141">In requital whereof, henceforth, carry your letters your</l>
      <l n="142">selfe; And so, Sir, I'le commend you to my Master.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-tgv-pro">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <l n="143">Go, go, be gone, to saue your Ship from wrack,</l>
      <l n="144">Which cannot perish hauing thee aboarde,</l>
      <l n="145">Being destin'd to a drier death on shore;</l>
      <l n="146">I must goe send some better Messenger,</l>
      <l n="147">I feare my<hi rend="italic">Iulia</hi>would not daigne my lines,</l>
      <l n="148">Receiuing them from such a worthlesse post.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
</div>

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The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.

Text and Image

Reference: B4v - Comedies, p. 20