The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT FIRST
Scene One
[Verona. An open place]
[Enter] Valentine [and] Proteus; and [later,] Speed.
Val. Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus;
Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits.
Were 't not affection chains thy tender days
To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love, 4
I rather would entreat thy company
To see the wonders of the world abroad
Than, living dully sluggardiz'd at home,
Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness. 8
But since thou lov'st, love still, and thrive therein,
Even as I would when I to love begin.
Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu!
Think on thy Proteus, when thou haply seest 12
Some rare noteworthy object in thy travel.
Wish me partaker in thy happiness
When thou dost meet good hap; and in thy danger,
If ever danger do environ thee, 16
Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers.
For I will be thy beadsman, Valentine.
Val. And on a love-book pray for my success?
Pro. Upon some book I love I'll pray for thee. 20
Val. That's on some shallow story of deep love,
8 shapeless: aimless
9 still: always
12 haply: by chance
17 Commend . . . to: commit to the attention of
18 beadsman: one employed to pray for others
19 love-book: book treating of love (instead of prayer-book)
