PROTEUS.
We’ll both attend upon your ladyship.
[Exeunt Silvia and Thurio.]
VALENTINE.
Now, tell me, how do all from whence you came?
PROTEUS.
Your friends are well and have them much commended.
VALENTINE.
And how do yours?
PROTEUS.
I left them all in health.
VALENTINE.
How does your lady? And how thrives your love?
PROTEUS.
My tales of love were wont to weary you;
I know you joy not in a love-discourse.
VALENTINE.
Ay, Proteus, but that life is altered now.
I have done penance for contemning Love,
Whose high imperious thoughts have punished me
With bitter fasts, with penitential groans,
With nightly tears, and daily heart-sore sighs;
For in revenge of my contempt of love,
Love hath chased sleep from my enthralled eyes
And made them watchers of mine own heart’s sorrow.
O gentle Proteus, Love’s a mighty lord,
And hath so humbled me as I confess
There is no woe to his correction,
Nor to his service no such joy on earth.
Now, no discourse, except it be of love;
Now can I break my fast, dine, sup, and sleep
Upon the very naked name of love.
PROTEUS.
Enough; I read your fortune in your eye.
Was this the idol that you worship so?