Читать книгу Shakespeare: The Complete Collection - William Shakespeare - Страница 48

Enter Eglamour.

Egl.

This is the hour that Madam Silvia

Entreated me to call and know her mind.

There’s some great matter she’ld employ me in.

Madam, madam!

[Enter] Silvia [above at her window].

Sil.

Who calls?

Egl.

Your servant and your friend;

One that attends your ladyship’s command.

Sil.

Sir Eglamour, a thousand times good morrow.

Egl.

As many, worthy lady, to yourself.

According to your ladyship’s impose,

I am thus early come to know what service

It is your pleasure to command me in.

Sil.

O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman—

Think not I flatter, for I swear I do not—

Valiant, wise, remorseful, well accomplish’d:

Thou art not ignorant what dear good will

I bear unto the banish’d Valentine,

Nor how my father would enforce me marry

Vain Thurio, whom my very soul [abhors].

Thyself hast lov’d, and I have heard thee say

No grief did ever come so near thy heart

As when thy lady and thy true-love died,

Upon whose grave thou vow’dst pure chastity.

Sir Eglamour, I would to Valentine,

To Mantua, where I hear he makes abode;

And for the ways are dangerous to pass,

I do desire thy worthy company,

Upon whose faith and honor I repose.

Urge not my father’s anger, Eglamour,

But think upon my grief, a lady’s grief,

And on the justice of my flying hence,

To keep me from a most unholy match,

Which heaven and fortune still rewards with plagues.

I do desire thee, even from a heart

As full of sorrows as the sea of sands,

To bear me company, and go with me;

If not, to hide what I have said to thee,

That I may venture to depart alone.

Egl.

Madam, I pity much your grievances,

Which since I know they virtuously are plac’d,

I give consent to go along with you,

Reaking as little what betideth me,

As much I wish all good befortune you.

When will you go?

Sil.

This evening coming.

Egl.

Where shall I meet you?

Sil.

At Friar Patrick’s cell,

Where I intend holy confession.

Egl.

I will not fail your ladyship. Good morrow,

Gentle lady.

Sil.

Good morrow, kind Sir Eglamour.

Exeunt.

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