Two Gentlemen of Verona — Act 2, Scene 2: Verona. JULIA'S house.

In Julia’s house, Proteus and Julia say farewell before his departure. Julia accepts that he must go and gives him a ring as a token of her affection. Proteus answers by giving her a ring of his own, and the two seal their exchange with a kiss. He swears that he will remain constant and that he should be punished if he spends any hour without thinking of her. When he says his father is waiting and tells her not to delay him with tears, Julia leaves without another word. Proteus is briefly surprised by her silence, then Panthino arrives to remind him he is being kept waiting, and Proteus goes off.

Have patience, gentle Julia.

I must, where is no remedy.

When possibly I can, I will return.

If you turn not, you will return the sooner.

Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's sake.

Why then, we'll make exchange; here, take you this.

And seal the bargain with a holy kiss.

Here is my hand for my true constancy;

And when that hour o'erslips me in the day

Wherein I sigh not, Julia, for thy sake,

The next ensuing hour some foul mischance

Torment me for my love's forgetfulness!

My father stays my coming; answer not;

The tide is now: nay, not thy tide of tears;

That tide will stay me longer than I should.

Julia, farewell!

What, gone without a word?

Ay, so true love should do: it cannot speak;

For truth hath better deeds than words to grace it.

Sir Proteus, you are stay'd for.

Go; I come, I come.

Alas! this parting strikes poor lovers dumb.