honour, nor lordship: I never drank sack in my life; and if you give me any conserves, give meconserves of beef: Ne'er ask me what raiment I'll wear; for I have no more doublets than backs, no more stockings than legs, nor no more shoes than feet; nay, sometimes, more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look through the over-leather.

Lord. Heaven cease this idle humour in your honour!

0, that a mighty man, of such descent, Of such possession, and so high esteem, Should be infused with so foul a spirit!

Sly, What, would you make me mad! Am not I Christopher Sly, old Sly's son of Burtonheath; by birth a pedlar, by education a cardmaker, by transmutation a bear-head, and now by present profession a thinker? Ask Marian Hacket, the fat ale-wife of Wincot, if she know me not: if she say I am not fourteen pence on the score for sheer ale, score me up for the lyingest knave in Christendom. What, I am not bestraught :* Here's

mourn.

1 Serv. O, this it is, that makes your lady 2 Serv. O, this it is, that makes your servants droop. Lord. Hence comes it that your kindred shun your house,

As beaten hence by your strange lunacy.

O, noble lord, bethink thee of thy birth; [ment,
Call home thy ancient thoughts from banish-
And banish hence these abject lowly dreams:
Look how thy servants do attend on thee,
Each in his office ready at thy beck.
Wilt thou have music? hark! Apollo plays,
[Music.

And twenty caged nightingales do sing :
Or wilt thou sleep? we'll have thee to a couch
Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed

On purpose trimm'd up for Semiramis. [ground:
Say, thou wilt walk; we will bestrew the
Or wilt thou ride? thy horses shall be trapp'd,
Their harness studded all with gold and pearl.
Dost thou love hawking? thou hast hawks will

As breathed stages, ay, fleeter than the roe.

2 Serv. Dost thou love pictures? we will
fetch thee straight

Adonis, painted by a running brook :
And Cytherea all in sedges hid;
[breath,
Which seem to move and wanton with her
Even as the waving sedges play with wind.

Lord. We'll show thee Io, as she was a maid;
And how she was beguiled and surpris'd,
As lively painted as the deed was done.

3 Serv. Or Daphne, roaming through a thorny wood; [bleeds: Scratching her legs that one shall swear she And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep, So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn. Lord. Thou art a lord, and nothing but a Thou hast a lady far more beautiful Than any woman in this waning age.

Sly. Am I a lord? and have I such a lady: Or do I dream? or have I dream'd till now? I do not sleep: I see, I hear, I speak; 1 smell sweet savours, and I feel soft things:Upon my life, I am a lord, indeed; And not a tinker, nor Christopher Sly.Well, bring our lady hither to our sight; And once again, a pot o' the smallest ale.

2 Serv. Will't please your mightiness to wash your hands?

[SERVANTS present an ewer, basin, and napkin. O, how we joy to see your wit 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 herein 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,f Because she brought stone jugs and no seal'd quarts: [Hacket. Sometimes you would call out for Cicely 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

Sly. Madam wife, they say that I have dream'd, and slept

Above some fifteen years 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

1 Serv. And, till the tears that she hath shed

for thee,

Like envious floods, o'er-ran her lovely face, She was the fairest creature in the world;

And yet she is inferior to none.

To pardon me yet for a night or two ;
Or, if not so, until the sun be set;
For your physicians have expressly charg'd,
In peril to incur your former malady,
That I should yet absent me from your bel:
I hope, this reason stands for my excuse.

Enter a SERVANT.

And take a lodging, fit to entertain
Such friends, as time in Padua shall beget.
But stay awhile: What company is this;

Tra. Master, some show, to welcome us to town.

amendment,

Are come to play a pleasant comedy,
For so your doctors hold it very meet;
Seeing too much sadness hath congeal'd your

blood,

And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy,

Therefore they thought it good you hear play, And frame your mind to mirth and merriment, Which bears a thousand harms, and lengthens life.

Sly. Marry, I will; let them play it: is not a commonty, a Chrismas gambol, or a tumbling trick ?

Page. No, my good lord; it is more pleasing

stuff.

Sly. What, household stuff? Page. It is a kind of history. Sly. Well, we'll see't: Come, madam wife, sit by my side, and let the world slip; we shall ✓ ne'er be younger. [They sit down.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-Padua. A publie Place.
Enter LUCENTIO and TRANIO.

Luc. Tranio, since for the great desire I had
To see fair Padua, nursery of arts, -
I am arriv'd for fruitful Lombardy,
The pleasant garden of great Italy;
And by my father's love and leave, am arm'd
With his good will, and thy good company,
Most trusty servant, weil approv'd in all;
Here let us breathe, and happily institute
A course of learning, and ingenioust studies.
Pisa, renowned for grave citizens,

Gave me my being, and my father first,
A merchant of great traffic through the world,
Vincentio, come of the Bentivolii.
Vincentio his son, brought up in Florence,

It shall become, to serve all hopes conceiv'd,
To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds:
And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study.
Virtue, and that part of philosophy
Will I apply, that treats of happiness
By virtue 'specially to be achiev'd.
Tell me thy mind: for I have Pisa left,
And am to Padua come; as he that leaves
A shallow plash,‡ to plunge him in the deep,
And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.

Tra. Mi perdonate, gentle master mine,
I am in all affected as yourself;
Glad that you thus continue your resolve,
To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy,
Only, good master, while we do admire
This virtue, and this moral discipline,
Let's be no stoics, nor no stocks, I pray;
Or so devote to Arostotle's checks,||
As Ovid be an outcast quite abjur'd:
Talk logic with acquaintance that you have,
:: And practise rhetoric in your common talk:
Music and poesy use to quicken you :
The mathematics, and the metaphysics,

Fall to them, as you find your stomach serves

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 mould.
Kath. I'faith, Sir, you shall never need to
1 wis,t it is not half way to her heart: (fear;
But, if 1 were, doubt not her care should be
To comb yournoddle with a three-legg'd stool,
And paint your face, and use you like a fool.

Hor. From all such devils, good Lord, deli

ver us!

Gre. And me too, good Lord!
Tra. Hush, master! here is some good pas-
time toward;

That wench is stark mad, or wonderful forward.
Luc. But in the other's silence I do see
Maids' mild behaviour and sobriety.
Peace, Tranio.

Tra. Well said, master: mum! and gaze
your fill.

Bap. Gentlemen, that I may soon make good What I have said, -Bianca, get you in: And let it not displease thee, good Bianca; For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl.

Kath. A pretty peat !‡ 'tis best Put finger in the eye, and she knew why. Bian. Sister, content you in my discontent. Sir. to your pleasure humbly I subscribe : My books, and instruments, shall be my com

And for I knew, she taketh most delight
In music instruments and poetry,
Schoolmasters will I keep within my house,
Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio,
Or signior Gremio, you,-know any such,
Prefer|| them hither, for to cunning men
I will be very kind, and liberal

To mine own children in good bringing up;
And so farewell. Katharina you may stay;
For I have more to commune with Bianca.

+ Think.

[Erit. Pet.

* A bait or decoy. Shut. || Recommend. Knowing, learner

I not ?

Kath. Why, and I trust I may go too; May [belike, What, shall I be appointed hours; as though, 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 is none will hold you. Their 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 Though th the nature of our quarrel yet never brook'd parle, know now, upon advice.t it toucheth us both,-that we may yet a ain have access to our far 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. A husband! a devil.

Hor. I say, a husband.

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 indure her loud alarms, 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 dowery with this condition, -to be whipped at the high-cross very morning.

Hor. 'Faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotton 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 [Exeunt GREMIO and HORTENSIO,

on.

Tra. [Advancing. I pray, Sir, tell me,-Is it possible

That love should of a sudden take such hold?
Luc. O Tranio, till I found it to be true,

I never thought it possible, or likely;
But see! while idly I stood looking on,
I found the effect of love in idleness:
And now in plainness do confess to thee,-
That art to me as secret, and as dear,
As Anna to the queen of Carthage was,--
Tranio, I burn, I pine, I pe ish, Tranio,
If I achieve not this young modest girl;
Counsel me, Tramio, for I know thou canst ;
Assist me, Trauio, for know thou wilt.

Tra. Master, it is no time to chide you now Affection is not ratedý from the heart: [so,If love have touch'd you, nought remains t Redime te captum quam queas minimo

Luc. Gramercies, lad; go forward: tl contents; The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's soun Tra. Master, you look'd so longly on th maid,

Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all. *Endowments. † Consideration. + Gain or lot. Prisen out by Chiding. !! Longingly.

Luc. O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face, Such as the daughter* of Agenor had, That made great Jove to humble him to her hand, [stand. When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan Tra. Saw you no more? mark'd you not how her sister

Began to scold; and raise up such a storm, That mortal ears might hardly endure the din; 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.

Tra. Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance.

I pray, awake, Sir: if you love the maid, Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus

it stands:

Herelder sister is so curst and shrewd,
That, till the father rid his hands of her,
Master, your love must live a maid at home;
And therefore has he closely mew'd her up,
Because she shall not be annoy'd with suitors.

Luc. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he! But art thou not advis'd, he took some care To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her?

Tra. Ay, marry, am I, Sir; and now 'tis plotted.

Luc. I have it, Tranio.

Tra. Master, for my hand,
Both our inventions meet and jump in one.
Luc. Tell me thine first.

Tra. You will be schoolmaster,

And undertake the teaching of the maid: That's your device.

Luc. It is: May it be done ?

Tra. Not possible; For who shall bear your And be in Padua here Vicentio's son? [part, 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 distinguished 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 mean 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:
In brief then, Sir, sithy it your pleasure is,
And I am tied to be obedient;

For so your father charg'd me at our parting; Be serviceable to my son, quoth he, Although, I think, 'twas in another sense,) am content to be Lucentio, ecause so well I love Lucentio.

Luc Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves: And let me be a slave, to achieve that maid Vhose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded

eye.

Enter BIONDELLO.

ere comes the rogue. Sirrah, where have you been? Bion. Where have I been? Nay, how now. where are you? [clothes? aster, has my fellow Tranio stolen your or you stolen his? or both? pray, what's the

And therefore frame your manners to the time.
Your fellow Tranio here, to save my life,
Puts my apparel and my countenance on,
And I for my escape have put on his;
For in a quarrel, since I came ashore,
I kill'd a man, and fear I was descried :*
Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes,
While I make way from hence to save my life;
You understand me?

Bion. I. Sir, ne'er a whit.

Luc. And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth; Tranio is chang'd into Lucentio.

Bion. The better for him; Would I were so too!

Tra. So would I, faith, boy, to have the next wish after,[daughter. That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest But, sirrah, -not for my sake, but your master's,-I advise

You use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies:

When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio; But in all places else, your master Lucentio. Luc. Tranio, let's go :

One thing more rests, that thyself execute;To make one among these wooers: If thou ask

me why,Sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty. [Exeunt.

1 Servt 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 't were done!

SCENE II.--The same.--Before HORTENSIO's

House.

Enter PETRUCHIO and GRUMIO. Pet. Verona, for a while I take my leave, To see my friends in Padua; but, of all, My best beloved and approved friend, Hortensio; and, I trow, this is his house:Here, sirrah Grumio: knock, I say.

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 Gru. My master is grown quarrelsome: I should knock you first,

pate.

Rise, Grumio, rise; we will compound this quarrel.

Gru. Nay, 'tis no matter, 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 out?

Whom, 'would to God, I had well knock'd at first,

Then had not Grumio come by the worst.
Pet. A senseless villain-Good Hortensio,
I bade the rascal knock upon your gate,
And could not get him for my heart to do it.
Gru. Knock at the gate?-O heavens!
Spake you not these words plain, Sirrah,
knock me here,
[soundly?
Rap me here, knock me well, and knock me
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 further than at home,
Where small experience grows. But, in a few,t
Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me:-
Antonio, my father, is deceas'd;
And I have thrust myself into this maze,
Haply to wive, and thrive, as best I may:
Crowns in my purse I have, and goods at home,
And so am come abroad to see the world.

Hor. Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee,

And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour'd wife? Thoud'st thank me but a little for my counsel: And yet I'll promise thee she shall be rich, And very rich:--but thou'rt too much my friend, And I'll not wish thee to her.

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 burden of my wooing dance,)
Be she as foul as was Florentius' love,‡
As old as Sybil, and as curst and shrewd
As Socrates Xantippe, or a worse,
She moves me not, or not removes, at least,
Affection's edge in me; where she as rough
As are the swelling Adriatic seas:
I come to wive it wealthily in Padua;
If wealthily, then happily in Padua.

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 have stepp'd thus
far in,

I will continue that I broach'd in jest.
I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife
[ous;
With wealth enough, and young, and beaute-

* Alleges,

† Few words.

Set the story. No. 39, of "A Thousand Notable

Things,"

A small image on the tag of a face.