Two Gentlemen of Verona Act 3 Scene 1 William Shakespeare

                              SCENE I. Milan. The DUKE's palace.

      Enter DUKE, THURIO, and PROTEUS

DUKE
      Sir Thurio, give us leave, I pray, awhile;
      We have some secrets to confer about.

      Exit THURIO

      Now, tell me, PROTEUS, what's your will with me?

PROTEUS
      My gracious lord, that which I would discover
      The law of friendship bids me to conceal;
      But when I call to mind your gracious favours
      Done to me, undeserving as I am,
      My duty pricks me on to utter that
      Which else no worldly good should draw from me.
      Know, worthy prince, Sir VALENTINE, my friend,
      This night intends to steal away your daughter:
      Myself am one made privy to the plot.
      I know you have determined to bestow her
      On Thurio, whom your gentle daughter hates;
      And should she thus be stol'n away from you,
      It would be much vexation to your age.
      Thus, for my duty's sake, I rather chose
      To cross my friend in his intended drift
      Than, by concealing it, heap on your head
      A pack of sorrows which would press you down,
      Being unprevented, to your timeless grave.