Читать книгу The Complete Works of Shakespeare онлайн

257 страница из 942

Duke.

Ay, and perversely she persevers so.

What might we do to make the girl forget

The love of Valentine, and love Sir Thurio?

Pro.

The best way is to slander Valentine

With falsehood, cowardice, and poor descent,

Three things that women highly hold in hate.

Duke.

Ay, but she’ll think that it is spoke in hate.

Pro.

Ay, if his enemy deliver it;

Therefore it must with circumstance be spoken

By one whom she esteemeth as his friend.

Duke.

Then you must undertake to slander him.

Pro.

And that, my lord, I shall be loath to do:

’Tis an ill office for a gentleman,

Especially against his very friend.

Duke.

Where your good word cannot advantage him,

Your slander never can endamage him;

Therefore the office is indifferent,

Being entreated to it by your friend.

Pro.

You have prevail’d, my lord; if I can do it

By aught that I can speak in his dispraise,

She shall not long continue love to him.

But say this weed her love from Valentine,

It follows not that she will love Sir Thurio.

Thu.