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The Two Gentlemen of Verona

by William Shakespeare

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"The Uncertain Glory Of An April Day"

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Context: Panthino, servant of Antonio of Verona, is talking with his master, Proteus' father, about the need to send Proteus on a trip because he has spent all his youth at home. Antonio readily agrees to the wisdom of the suggestion. At this point Proteus enters reading a letter from his love Julia. When asked about its contents, however, he lies, saying the letter is from his friend Valentine who urges him to come to the Emperor's palace in Milan. Antonio then doubly insists that Proteus go, decreeing, in fact, that he must leave the next morning. Proteus now realizes what a situation he has got himself into.


PROTEUS
Thus have I shunned the fire for fear of burning,
And drenched me in the sea, where I am drowned.
I feared to show my father Julia's letter,
Lest he should take exceptions to my love,
And with the vantage of mine own excuse
Hath he excepted most against my love.
O, how this spring of love resembleth
The uncertain glory of an April day,
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away.

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