anything of jealousy or of
envy.

The duke had now an opportunity of rewarding those true friends who had
stayed with him in his banishment; and these worthy followers, though
they had patiently shared his adverse fortune, were very well pleased to
return in peace and prosperity to the palace of their lawful duke.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

There lived in the city of Verona two young gentlemen, whose names were
Valentine and Proteus, between whom a firm and uninterrupted friendship
had long subsisted. They pursued their studies together, and their hours
of leisure were always passed in each other's company, except when
Proteus visited a lady he was in love with; and these visits to his
mistress, and this passion of Proteus for the fair Julia, were the only
topics on which these two friends disagreed; for Valentine, not being
himself a lover, was sometimes a little weary of hearing his friend for
ever talking of his Julia, and then he would laugh at Proteus, and in
pleasant terms ridicule the passion of love, and declare that no such
idle fancies should ever enter his head, greatly preferring (as he said)
the free and happy life he led, to the anxious hopes and fears of the
lover Proteus.

One morning Valentine came to Proteus to tell him that they must for a
time be separated, for that he was going to Milan. Proteus, unwilling to
part with his friend, used many arguments to prevail upon Valentine not
to leave him: but Valentine said, "Cease to persuade me, my loving
Proteus. I will not, like a sluggard, wear out my youth in idleness at
home. Home-keeping youths have ever homely wits. If your affection were
not chained to the sweet glances of your honoured Julia, I would entreat
you to accompany me, to see the wonders of the world abroad; but since
you are a lover, love on still, and may your love be prosperous!"

They parted with mutual expressions of unalterable friendship. "Sweet
Valentine, adieu!" said Proteus; "think on me, when you see some rare
object worthy of notice in your travels, and wish me partaker of your
happiness."

Valentine began his journey that same day towards Milan; and when his
friend had left him, Proteus sat down to write a letter to Julia, which
he gave to her maid Lucetta to deliver to her mistress.

Julia loved Proteus as well as he did her, but she was a lady of a noble
spirit, and she thought it did not become her maiden dignity too easi