Even as the waving sedges play with wind. 3 Serv. Or Daphne roaming through a thorny wood, Scratching her legs, that one shall swear she bleeds; And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep, So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn. Than any woman in this waning age. 1 Serv. And, till the tears that she hath shed for thee, Sly. Am I a lord? and have I such a lady? I smell sweet savours, and I feel soft things.- 2 Serv. Will't please your mightiness to wash your hands? [Servants present an ewer, bason, and napkin. O, how we joy to see your wits restor❜d! O, that once more you knew but what you are! These fifteen years you have been in a dream, Or, when you wak'd, so wak'd as if you slept. Sly. These fifteen years! by my fay, a goodly nap. But did I never speak of all that time? 1 Serv. O! yes, my lord, but very idle words; For though you lay here in this goodly chamber, Yet would you say, ye were beaten out of door, And rail upon the hostess of the house, And say you would present her at the leet, Because she brought stone jugs, and not seal'd quarts. Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket. Sly. Ay, the woman's maid of the house. 3 Serv. Why, sir, you know no house, nor no such maid, Nor no such men, as you have reckon'd up, As Stephen Sly, and old John Naps of Greece, And Peter Turf, and Henry Pimpernell, And twenty more such names and men as these, Which never were, nor no man ever saw. Sly. Now, Lord be thanked for my good amends! All. Amen. Sly. I thank thee; thou shalt not lose by it. Enter the Page, as a Lady, with Attendants. Page. How fares my noble lord? Sly. Marry, I fare well; for here is cheer enough. Where is my wife? Page. Here, noble lord: what is thy will with her? Sly. Are you my wife, and will not call me husband? My men should call me lord: I am your good-man. Page. My husband and my lord, my lord and husband; I am your wife in all obedience. Sly. I know it well.-What must I call her? Sly. Al'ce madam, or Joan madam? Lord. Madam, and nothing else: so lords call ladies. Sly. Madam wife, they say that I have dream'd, And slept about some fifteen year and more. Page. Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me, Being all this time abandon'd from your bed. Sly. "Tis much.-Servants, leave me and her alone.Madam, undress you, and come now to bed. Page. Thrice noble lord, let me entreat of you Sly. Ay, it stands so, that I may hardly tarry so long; but I would be loath to fall into my dreams again: I will therefore tarry, in despite of the flesh and the blood. Enter a Servant. Serv. Your honour's players, hearing your amendment, Are come to play a pleasant comedy; Sly. Marry, I will; let them play it. Is not a com- Page. It is a kind of history. Sly. Well, we'll see't. Come, madam wife, sit by my side, We shall ne'er be younger, and let the world slide. SCENE I.-Padua. A Public Place. Luc. Tranio, since, for the great desire I had And, by my father's love and leave, am arm'd ACT I. It shall become, to serve all hopes conceiv'd, Or so devote to Aristotle's Ethics, Fall to them as you find your stomach serves you. Luc. Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise. And take a lodging fit to entertain Such friends as time in Padua shall beget. Tra. Master, some show, to welcome us to town. Bap. Gentlemen, importune me no farther, For how I firmly am resolv'd you know; That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter, Before I have a husband for the elder. If either of you both love Katharina, Because I know you well, and love you well, Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure. Gre. To cart her rather: she's too rough for me.There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife? Kath. [To BAP.] I pray you, sir, is it your gracious will To make a stale of me amongst these mates? Hor. Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates for you, Unless you were of gentler, milder mood. Kath. I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear: I wis, it is not half way to her heart; But, if it were, doubt not her care should be To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool, And paint your face, and use you like a fool. Hor. From all such devils, good Lord, deliver us! Gre. And me too, good Lord! Tra. Hush, master! here is some good pastime toward: That wench is stark mad, or wonderful froward. Tra. Well said, master: mum! and gaze your fill. Kath. A pretty peat! it is best Put finger in the eye,—an she knew why. Bian. Sister, content you in my discontent.- Luc. Hark, Tranio! thou may'st hear Minerva speak. Hor. Signior Baptista, will you be so strange? Sorry am I, that our good will effects Bianca's grief. Gre. Why, will you mew her up, And make her bear the penance of her tongue? And for I know, she taketh most delight Fit to instruct her youth.-If you, Hortensio, [Exit. Kath. Why, and I trust, I may go too; may I not? What! shall I be appointed hours, as though, belike, I knew not what to take, and what to leave? Ha! [Exit. Gre. You may go to the devil's dam: your gifts are so good, here's none will hold you. This love is not so great, Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together, and fast it fairly out: our cake's dough on both sides. Farewell:-yet, for the love I bear my sweet Bianca, if I can by any means light on a fit man to teach her that wherein she delights, I will wish him to her father. Hor. So will I, signior Gremio: but a word, I pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brook'd parle, know now upon advice, it toucheth us both, that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivals in Bianca's love, to labour and effect one thing 'specially. Gre. What's that, I pray? Hor. Marry sir, to get a husband for her sister. Gre. I say, a devil. Think'st thou, Hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell? Hor. Tush, Gremio! though it pass your patience, and mine, to endure her loud alarums, why, man, there be good fellows in the world, an a man could light on them, would take her with all faults, and money enough. Gre. I cannot tell, but I had as lief take her dowry with this condition,-to be whipped at the high-cross every morning. Hor. 'Faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotten apples. But, come; since this bar in law makes us friends, it shall be so far forth friendly maintained, till by helping Baptista's eldest daughter to a husband, we set his youngest free for a husband, and then have to't afresh.-Sweet Bianca!-Happy man be his dole! He that runs fastest gets the ring. How say you, signior Gremio? Gre. I am agreed: and 'would I had given him the best horse in Padua to begin his wooing, that would thoroughly woo her, wed her, and bed her, and rid the house of her. Come on. [Exeunt GREMIO and HORTENSIO. I never thought it possible, or likely. Tra. Master, it is no time to chide you now; If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so,— Luc. Gramercies, lad; go forward: this contents; The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound. Tra. Master, you look'd so longly on the maid, Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all. Luc. O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face, That made great Jove to humble him to her hand, sister Began to scold, and raise up such a storm, Luc. Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move, And with her breath she did perfume the air: Sacred, and sweet, was all I saw in her. I Tra. Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance.— pray, awake, sir: if you love the maid, Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it stands: Luc. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he! Master, for my hand, Both our inventions meet and jump in one. Luc. Tell me thine first. Tra. It is may it be done? You will be schoolmaster, And undertake the teaching of the maid: That's your device. Luc. Tra. Not possible; for who shall bear your part, And be in Padua, here, Vincentio's son; Keep house, and ply his book; welcome his friends; Visit his countrymen, and banquet them? Luc. Basta; content thee; for I have it full. We have not yet been seen in any house, Nor can we be distinguish'd by our faces, For man, or master: then, it follows thus; Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead, Keep house, and port, and servants, as I should. I will some other be; some Florentine, Some Neapolitan, or meaner man of Pisa. 'Tis hatch'd, and shall be so :-Tranio, at once Uncase thee; take my colour'd hat and cloak: When Biondello comes, he waits on thee, But I will charm him first to keep his tongue. Tra. So had you need. [They exchange habits. Be brief then, sir, sith it your pleasure is, And I am tied to be obedient; (For so your father charg'd me at our parting; Although, I think, 'twas in another sense,) Because so well I love Lucentio. Luc. Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves, And let me be a slave, t' achieve that maid Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wond'ring eye. Enter BIONDELLO. Here comes the rogue.-Sirrah, where have you been? Bion. Where have I been? Nay, how now? where are you? Master, has my fellow Tranio stol'n your clothes, [Exeunt. 1 Serv. My lord, you nod; you do not mind the play. Sly. Yes, by saint Anne, do I. A good matter, surely comes there any more of it? Page. My lord, 'tis but begun. Sly. 'Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady; would 'twere done! SCENE II.-The Same. Before HORTENSIO'S House. Pet. Verona, for a while I take my leave, Gru. Knock, sir! whom should I knock? is there any man has rebused your worship? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me here soundly. Gru. Knock you here, sir? why, sir, what am I, sir, that I should knock you here, sir? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me at this gate; And rap me well, or I'll knock your knave's pate. Gru. My master is grown quarrelsome.—I should knock you first, And then I know after who comes by the worst. 'Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll wring it: [He wrings GRUMIO by the ears. Gru. Help, masters, help! my master is mad. Pet. Now, knock when I bid you: sirrah! villain! [GRUMIO falls down. Enter HORTENSIO. Hor. How now! what's the matter?—My old friend Grumio, and my good friend Petruchio!-How do you all at Verona ? Pet. Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray? Con tutto il core ben trovato, may I say. Hor. Alla nostra casa ben venuto, molto honorato signior mio Petruchio. Rise, Grumio, rise: we will compound this quarrel. Gru. [Rising.] Nay, 'tis no matter, sir, what he 'leges in Latin.-If this be not a lawful cause for me to leave his service,-look you, sir,—he bid me knock him, and rap him soundly, sir: Well, was it fit for a servant to use his master so; Being, perhaps, (for aught I see) two and thirty,-a pip mo? Whom, 'would to God, I had well knock'd at first, Pet. A senseless villain !-Good Hortensio, Gru. Knock at the gate?-O heavens! Spake you not these words plain," Sirrah, knock me here; rap me here, knock me well, and knock me soundly?" And come you now with knocking at the gate? Pet. Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise you. Hor. Petruchio, patience: I am Grumio's pledge. Why this? a heavy chance 'twixt him and you; Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio. And tell me now, sweet friend, what happy gale Blows you to Padua, here, from old Verona? Pet. Such wind as scatters young men through the world, To seek their fortunes farther than at home, Where small experience grows. But in a few, And I have thrust myself into this maze, Hor. Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee, Pet. Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we Few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife, (As wealth is burthen of my wooing dance) Be she as foul as was Florentius' love, As old as Sybil, and as curst and shrewd Affection's edge in me. Were she as rough Gru. Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his mind is why, give him gold enough and marry him to a puppet, or an aglet-baby; or an old trot with ne'er a tooth in her head, though she have as many diseases as two and fifty horses. Why, nothing comes amiss, so money comes withal. Hor. Petruchio, since we are stepp'd thus far in, I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife And shrewd, and froward; so beyond all measure, I would not wed her for a mine of gold. Pet. Hortensio, peace! thou know'st not gold's effect. Tell me her father's name, and 'tis enough, As thunder, when the clouds in autumn crack. An affable and courteous gentleman : Pet. I know her father, though I know not her, I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her; And therefore let me be thus bold with you, To give you over at this first encounter, Unless you will accompany me thither. Gru. I pray you, sir, let him go while the humour lasts. O' my word, an she knew him as well as I do, she would think scolding would do little good upon him. She may, perhaps, call him half a score knaves, or so; why, that's nothing: an he begin once, he'll rail in his rope-tricks. I'll tell you what, sir,-an she stand him but a little, he will throw a figure in her face, and so disfigure her with it, that she shall have no more eyes to see withal than a cat. You know him not, sir. Hor. Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee, For those defects I have before rehears'd, A title for a maid of all titles the worst. Hor. Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace, And offer me, disguis'd in sober robes, To old Baptista, as a schoolmaster Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca; That so I may by this device, at least Have leave and leisure to make love to her, And unsuspected court her by herself. Enter GREMIO, and LUCENTIO disguised, with books under his arm. Gru. Here's no knavery? See, to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together! Master, master, look about you: who goes there? ha! Hor. Peace, Grumio: 'tis the rival of my love. Petruchio, stand by a while. Gru. A proper stripling, and an amorous! [They retire. Gre. O! very well; I have perus'd the note. I'll mend it with a largess.-Take your papers, too, To whom they go. What will you read to her? Gre. O, this learning, what a thing it is! Hor. Grumio, mum!-[Coming forward.]-God save you, signior Gremio! Gre. And you are well met, signior Hortensio. Trow you, whither I am going?—To Baptista Minola. I promis'd to inquire carefully About a master for the fair Bianca: And, by good fortune, I have lighted well On this young man; for learning, and behaviour, L Fit for her turn; well read in poetry, A fine musician to instruct our mistress: prove. Gre. Belov'd of me, and that my deeds shall Gre. No, say'st me so, friend? What countryman? Gre. O! sir, such a life with such a wife were strange; But will you woo this wild cat? Will I live? Gru. Will he woo her? ay, or I'll hang her. Have I not in my time heard lions roar? Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang? As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire? Tush! tush! fear boys with bugs. For he fears none. Gre. Hortensio, hark. Gre. And so we will, provided that he win her. Bion. He that has the two fair daughters :-is't he you mean? Tra. Even he, Biondello. Gre. Hark you, sir: you mean not her to Pet. Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray. Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea, or no? Gre. No; if without more words you will get you hence. Tra. Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free For me, as for you? Gre. That she's the choice love of signior Gremio. To whom my father is not all unknown; Gre. What! this gentleman will out-talk us all. Did you yet ever see Baptista's daughter? Pet. Sir, sir, the first's for me; let her go by. Pet. Sir, understand you this of me: insooth, Tra. If it be so, sir, that you are the man Hor. Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive; Tra. Sir, I shall not be slack: in sign whereof, Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends. Gru. Bion. O, excellent motion! Fellows, let's begone. Hor. The motion's good indeed, and be it so.— Tra. Perhaps, him and her, sir: what have you to do? Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I.—The Same. A Room in BAPTISTA's House. | Unbind my hands, I'll put them off myself, Enter KATHARINA and BIANCA. Yea, all my raiment, to my petticoat; Bian. Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself So well I know my duty to my elders. To make a bondmaid, and a slave of me: That I disdain; but for these other gards, Kath. Of all thy suitors, here I charge thee, tell Whom thou lov'st best: see thou dissemble not. P |