Which seem to move and wanton with her breath, As lively painted as the deed was done. 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. Thou hast a lady far more beautiful Than any woman in this waning age. 1 Serv. And, till the tears that she hath shed for thee, Like envious floods, o'erran her lovely face, She was the fairest creature in the world; And yet she is inferior to none. Sly. Am I a lord, and have I such a lady? I smell sweet savors, and I feel soft things:- And not a tinker, nor Christophero Sly.- 2 Serv. Will't please your mightiness to wash your hands? 1 Serv. O, yes, my lord; but very idle words.- 3 Serv. Why, sir, you know no house, nor no such maid, Nor no such men as you have reckoned up, As Stephen Sly, and old John Naps of Greece, And twenty more such names and men as these, Sly. Now, Lord be thanked for my good amends! 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 goodman. Page. My husband and my lord, my lord and husband. I am your wife in all obedience. Sly. I know it well. Lord. Madam. What must I call her? Sly. Al'ce madam, or Joan madam? Lord. Madam, and nothing else; so lords call ladies. Above some fifteen year and more. Page. Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me; Being all this time abandoned 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 To pardon me yet for a night or two; Or, if not so, until the sun be set; For your physicians have expressly charged, In peril to incur your former malady, That I should yet absent me from your bed. I hope this reason stands for my excuse. 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 honor's players, hearing your amendment, Are come to play a pleasant comedy, For so your doctors hold it very meet; Seeing too much sadness hath congealed your blood, Therefore they thought it good you hear a play, Sly. Marry, I will; let them play it. Is not a commonty a Christmas 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 public Place. - Luc. Tranio, since-for the great desire I had And, by my father's love and leave, am armed Gave me my being, and my father first, Vincentio's son, brought up in Florence, Balke logic with acquaintance that you have, Luc. Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise. Such friends as time in Padua shall beget. Tra. Master, some show, to welcome us to town. Enter BAPTISTA, KATHARINA, BIANCA, GREMIO, and HOR- Bap. Gentlemen, importune me no further, Kath. I pray you, sir, [To BAP.] is it your will 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 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-legged stool, And paint your face, and use you like a fool. Hor. From all such devils, good Lord deliver us! Tra. Hush, master! here is some good pastime toward; That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward. Luc. But in the other's silence I do see Maid's mild behavior 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; Put finger in the eye, -an she knew why. My books, and instruments, shall be my company; Luc. Hark, Tranio! thou mayst hear Minerva speak. [Aside. Hor. Seignior Baptista, will you be so strange? Gre. Why, will you mew her up, And make her bear the penance of her tongue? And for I know she taketh most delight [Exit BIANCA. Schoolmasters will I keep within my house, I will be very kind, and liberal To mine own children in good bringing up; [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. Farewellyet, 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, seignior Gremio: but a word, I pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brooked 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 labor and effect one thing 'specially. Gre. What's that, I pray? Hor. Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister. |