tingale--

'She syngeth in the thyke; and under her brest
A pricke, to kepe hur fro sleepe.'

In close connection with this is the conversation between Julia and
her maid Lucetta, in _Two Gent._ I, ii, 76-93, about the letter from
Proteus.

_Jul._ Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme.

_Luc._ That I might _sing_ it, madam, to a _tune_:
_Give me a note_: your ladyship can _set_.

_Jul._ As little by such toys as may be possible:
Best sing it to the tune of "Light o' love."

_Luc._ It is too heavy for so _light_ a tune.

_Jul._ _Heavy?_ belike, it hath some _burden_ then.

_Luc._ Ay, and melodious were it, would you sing it.

_Jul._ And why not you?

_Luc._ I cannot _reach so high_.

_Jul._ Let's see your song.--How now, minion!

_Luc._ _Keep tune_ there still, so you will _sing it out_;
And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune.

_Jul._ You do not?

_Luc._ No, madam, it is _too sharp_.

_Jul._ You, minion, are too saucy.

_Luc._ Nay, now you are _too flat_,
And _mar the concord_ with _too harsh a descant_:
There wanteth but a _mean_ to fill your song.

_Jul._ The _mean_ is _drown'd_ with your _unruly base_.

_Luc._ Indeed, I bid the _base_ for Proteus.

Perhaps it is sufficient to remark that many of the italicized words
above are still in ordinary use by musicians--_e.g._, to 'give the
note' in order to 'set' the pitch for singing; to 'keep in tune,' to
'sing out'; or one voice is 'drowned' by another, as the 'mean' (alto)
by the 'bass.' Once more we have quibbles on musical terms--Lucetta
says the 'tune,' _i.e._, Julia's testiness about Proteus' letter, is
'too sharp,' and that her chiding of herself is 'too flat,' meaning,
that neither is in 'concord' with the spirit of the love-letter.
Lucetta recommends the middle course, or 'mean' (alto voice, midway
between treble and bass), 'to _fill_ the song,' _i.e._, to perfect the
harmony. Finally, there is a punning reference (somewhat prophetic) by
Lucetta, to the 'base' conduct of Proteus, in forsaking Julia for
Silvia. Another play upon words should not be missed, viz., in ll. 78
and 79, where 'set' does double duty.

_Rom._ III, v, 25. Romeo and Juliet's parting at daybreak. The lark's
song suggests musical metaphors in Juliet's speech.