While partly agreeing with Dr. Johnson, when he said, that he who tries to recommend Shakespeare by select quotations, will succeed like the pedant in Hierocles, who, when he offered his house to sell, carried a brick in his pocket as a specimen, the Editor believes that a small book such as this-portable, neat, and readable—will be appreciated by many who are admirers of the 'thousand-souled' Shakespeare. GLEANINGS FROM THE COMEDIES OF SHAKESPEARE. THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. THE PAINS OF LOVE. Valentine. To be In love, where scorn is bought with groans; coy looks, With heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth, With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights: If lost, why then a grievous labour won; Proteus. So, by your circumstance, you call Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear you'll prove. Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love. Val. Love is your master, for he masters you: And he that is so yoked by a fool, Methinks should not be chronicled for wise. Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all. Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud Is eaten by the canker ere it blow, Even so by love the young and tender wit And all the fair effects of future hopes. UNCERTAINTY OF LOVE. O how this spring of love resembleth And by and by a cloud takes all away! SIGNS OF LOVE. Julia. His little speaking shows his love but small. Lucetta. Fire, that is closest kept, burns most of all. Jul. They do not love, that do not show their love. Luc. O, they love least, that let men know their love.. EXPERIENCE. He cannot be a perfect man, And perfected by the swift course of time. A CLOWN ON LOVE. Valentine. Why, how know you that I am in love? Speed. Marry, by these special marks: first, you have learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreath your arms like a malcontent; to relish a lovesong, like a robin-redbreast; to walk alone, like one that had the pestilence; to sigh, like a schoolboy that had lost his A B C ; to weep, like a young wench that had buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes diet; to watch, like one that fears robbing; to speak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas. You were wont, when you laughed, to crow like a cock; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions; when you fasted, it was presently after dinner; when you looked sadly, it was for want of money: and now you are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when I look on you, I can hardly think you my master. Though the chameleon Love can feed on the air, I am one that am nourished by my victuals, and would fain have meat. UNHEEDFUL VOWS. Unheedful vows may heedfully be broken; |