VINCENTIO, an old gentleman of Pisa. LUCENTIO, Son to Vincentio, in love with Bianca. PETRUCIO, a gentleman of Verona, a suitor to Katharina. Tailor, Haberdasher, and Servants attending on Baptista and Petrucio. SCENE-sometimes in Padua, and sometimes in Petrucio's house in the country. THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. INDUCTION. SCENE I. Before an alehouse on a heath. Enter Hostess and SLY. Sly. I'll pheeze you, in faith. Host. A pair of stocks, you rogue! Sly. Y'are a baggage: the Slys are no rogues; look in the Chronicles, we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore, paucas pallabris; let the world slide: sessa! Host. You will not pay for the glasses you have burst? Sly. No, not a denier. Go by, Saint (1) Jeronimy,—go to thy cold bed, and warm thee. Host. I know my remedy; I must go fetch the thirdborough. (2) [Exit. Sly. Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I'll answer him by law I'll not budge an inch, boy: let him come, and kindly. [Lies down on the ground, and falls asleep. : Horns winded. Enter a Lord from hunting, with Huntsmen and Servants. Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds: Brach (3) Merriman,—the poor cur is emboss'd; And couple Clowder with the deep-mouth'd brach. Saw'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good At the hedge-corner, in the coldest fault? I would not lose the dog for twenty pound. First Hun. Why, Belman is as good as he, my lord; He cried upon it at the merest loss, And twice to-day pick'd out the dullest scent: Lord. Thou art a fool: if Echo were as fleet, First Hun. I will, my lord. Lord. What's here? one dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe? Sec. Hun. He breathes, my lord. Were he not warm'd with ale, This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly. Lord. O monstrous beast! how like a swine he lies!Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image!— Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man. What think you, if he were convey'd to bed, Wrapp'd in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, And brave attendants near him when he wakes,— First Hun. Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose. Then take him up, and manage well the jest: Carry him gently to my fairest chamber, And hang it round with all my wanton pictures: And, with a low submissive reverence, Say, What is it your honour will command? Let one attend him with a silver basin Full of rose-water, and bestrew'd with flowers; And say,-Will't please your lordship cool your hands? And ask him what apparel he will wear; And, when he says he is(4), say that he dreams, This do, and do it kindly, gentle sirs: If it be husbanded with modesty. First Hun. My lord, I warrant you, we will play our part, As he shall think, by our true diligence, He is no less than what we say he is. Lord. Take him up gently, and to bed with him; And each one to his office when he wakes. [Sly is borne out. A trumpet sounds. Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds: Belike, some noble gentleman, that means, [Exit Servant. How now! who is it? Serv. Re-enter Servant. An it please your honour, Players that offer service to your lordship. Lord. Bid them come near. Enter Players. Now, fellows, you are welcome. Players. We thank your honour. Lord. Do you intend to stay with me to-night? Sec. Play. So please your lordship to accept our duty. Lord. With all my heart.-This fellow I remember, Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son : 'Twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman so well: I have forgot your name; but, sure, that part Was aptly fitted and naturally perform'd. First Play. I think 'twas Soto that your honour means. Lord. 'Tis very true: thou didst it excellent.— Well, you are come to me in happy time; The rather for I have some sport in hand, First Play. Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves, Were he the veriest antic in the world. Lord. Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery, And give them friendly welcome every one : Let them want nothing that my house affords. [Exeunt Servant and Players. [To a Servant. Sirrah, go you to Barthol'mew my page, Bid him shed tears, as being overjoy'd To see her noble lord restor❜d to health, Who for this seven (5) years hath esteemèd him And if the boy have not a woman's gift |