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and steals her capon's leg. O, 'tis a foul thing when a cur

cannot keep himself in all companies! I would have, as one should

say, one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed, to be, as it

were, a dog at all things. If I had not had more wit than he, to

take a fault upon me that he did, I think verily he had been

hang'd for't; sure as I live, he had suffer'd for't. You shall

judge. He thrusts me himself into the company of three or four

gentleman-like dogs under the Duke's table; he had not been

there, bless the mark, a pissing while but all the chamber smelt

him. 'Out with the dog' says one; 'What cur is that?' says

another; 'Whip him out' says the third; 'Hang him up' says the

Duke. I, having been acquainted with the smell before, knew it

was Crab, and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs.

'Friend,' quoth I 'you mean to whip the dog.' 'Ay, marry do

I'

quoth he. 'You do him the more wrong,' quoth I; "twas I did the

thing you wot of.' He makes me no more ado, but whips me out of

the chamber. How many masters would do this for his servant?

Nay,

I'll be sworn, I have sat in the stock for puddings he hath

stol'n, otherwise he had been executed; I have stood on the

pillory for geese he hath kill'd, otherwise he had suffer'd

for't. Thou think'st not of this now. Nay, I remember the trick

you serv'd me when I took my leave of Madam Silvia. Did not I bid

thee still mark me and do as I do? When didst thou see me heave

up my leg and make water against a gentlewoman's farthingale?

Didst thou ever see me do such a trick?

Enter PROTEUS, and JULIA in boy's clothes

PROTEUS.

Sebastian is thy name? I like thee well,

And will employ thee in some service presently.

JULIA.

In what you please; I'll do what I can.

PROTEUS.

I hope thou wilt. [To LAUNCE] How now, you whoreson peasant!

Where have you been these two days loitering?

LAUNCE.

Marry, sir, I carried Mistress Silvia the dog you bade me.

PROTEUS.

And what says she to my little jewel?

LAUNCE.

Marry, she says your dog was a cur, and tells you currish

thanks is good enough for such a present.

PROTEUS.

But she receiv'd my dog?

LAUNCE.

No, indeed, did she not; here have I brought him back again.

PROTEUS.

What, didst thou offer her this from me?

LAUNCE.

Ay, sir; the other squirrel was stol'n from me by the

hangman's boys in the market-place; and then I offer'd her mine

own, who is a dog as big as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater.

PROTEUS.

Go, get thee hence and find my dog again,

Or ne'er return again into my sight.

Away, I say. Stayest thou to vex me here? Exit LAUNCE

A slave that still an end turns me to shame!

Sebastian, I have entertained thee

Partly that I have need of such a youth

That can with some discretion do my business,

For 'tis no trusting to yond foolish lout,

But chiefly for thy face and thy behaviour,

Which, if my augury deceive me not,

Witness good bringing up, fortune, and truth;

Therefore, know thou, for this I entertain thee.

Go presently, and take this ring with thee,

Deliver it to Madam Silvia-

She lov'd me well deliver'd it to me.

JULIA.

It seems you lov'd not her, to leave her token.

She is dead, belike?

PROTEUS.

Not so; I think she lives.

JULIA.

Alas!

PROTEUS.

Why dost thou cry 'Alas'?

JULIA.

I cannot choose

But pity her.

PROTEUS.

Wherefore shouldst thou pity her?

JULIA.

Because methinks that she lov'd you as well

As you do love your lady Silvia.

She dreams on him that has forgot her love:

You dote on her that cares not for your love.

'Tis pity love should be so contrary;

And thinking on it makes me cry 'Alas!'

PROTEUS.

Well, give her that ring, and therewithal

This letter. That's her chamber. Tell my lady

I claim the promise for her heavenly picture.

Your message done, hie home unto my chamber,

Where thou shalt find me sad and solitary. Exit PROTEUS

JULIA.

How many women would do such a message?

Alas, poor Proteus, thou hast entertain'd

A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs.

Alas,