_Speed._ Without you? nay, that's certain, for, without
you were so simple, none else would: but you are so without
these follies, that these follies are within you, and shine
through you like the water in an urinal, that not an eye that 35
sees you but is a physician to comment on your malady.
_Val._ But tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia?
_Speed._ She that you gaze on so as she sits at supper?
_Val._ Hast thou observed that? even she, I mean.
_Speed._ Why, sir, I know her not. 40
_Val._ Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and
yet knowest her not?
_Speed._ Is she not hard-favoured, sir?
_Val._ Not so fair, boy, as well-favoured.
_Speed._ Sir, I know that well enough. 45
_Val._ What dost thou know?
_Speed._ That she is not so fair as, of you, well favoured.
_Val._ I mean that her beauty is exquisite, but her
favour infinite.
_Speed._ That's because the one is painted, and the other 50
out of all count.
_Val._ How painted? and how out of count?
_Speed._ Marry, sir, so painted, to make her fair, that no
man counts of her beauty.
_Val._ How esteemest thou me? I account of her beauty. 55
_Speed._ You never saw her since she was deformed.
_Val._ How long hath she been deformed?
_Speed._ Ever since you loved her.
_Val._ I have loved her ever since I saw her; and still I
see her beautiful. 60
_Speed._ If you love her, you cannot see her.
_Val._ Why?
_Speed._ Because Love is blind. O, that you had mine
eyes; or your own eyes had the lights they were wont to
have when you chid at Sir Proteus for going ungartered! 65
_Val._ What should I see then?
_Speed._ Your own present folly, and her passing deformity:
for he, being in love, could not see to garter his
hose; and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose.
_Val._ Belike, boy, then, you are in love; for last morning 70
you could not see to wipe my shoes.
_Speed._ True, sir; I was in love with my bed: I thank
you, you swinged me for my love, which makes me the
bolder to chide you for yours.
_Val._ In conclusion, I stand affected to her. 75
_Speed._ I would you were set, so your affection would
cease.
_Val._ Last night she enjoined me to write some lines
to one she loves.
_Speed._ And have you? 80
_Val._ I have.
_Speed._ Are they not lamely writ?
_Val._ No, boy, but as well as I can do them. Peace!
here she comes.
_Speed._ [_Aside_] O excellent motion! O exceeding puppet! 85
Now will he interpret to her.
_Enter SILVIA._
_Val._ Madam and mistress, a thousand good-morrows.
_Speed._ [_Aside_] O, give ye good even! here's a million
of manners.
_Sil._ Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thousand. 90
_Speed._ [_Aside_] He should give her interest, and she
gives it him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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