Sly. Are you my wife, and will not call me-hus band? 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:-What must I call her? . Lord. Madam. 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, Above 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, 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, 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 amend ment, Are come to play a pleasant comedy, Seeing too much sadness hath congeal'd your blood, Therefore, they thought it good you hear a play, 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, and let the world slip; we shall ne'er be younger. [They sit down. ACT I. SCENE I.-Padua. A public 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 Here let us breathe, and happily institute A course of learning, and ingenious studies. Gave me my being, and my father first, A merchant of great traffick through the world, Vincentio his son, brought up in Florence, Tra. Mi perdonate, gentle master mine, As Ovid be an outcast quite abjur'd: Talk logick with acquaintance that you have, Luc. Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise. If, Biondello, thou wert come ashore, We could at once put us in readiness; And take a lodging, fit to entertain Such friends, as time in Padua shall beget. Tra. Master, some show, to welcome us to town. Enter BAPTISTA, KATHARINA, BIANCA, GREMIO, and Bap. Gentlemen, impórtune me no further, If either of you both love Katharina, Because I know you well, and love you well, Kath. I pray you, sir, [To Bar.] 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 : 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 Maids' mild behaviour and sobriety. Peace, Tranio. Tra. Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill. Bap. Gentlemen, that I may soon make good Put finger in the eye,—an she knew why. Bian. Sister, content you in my discontent.- My books, and instruments, shall be my company; Luc. Hark, Tranio! thou may'st hear Minerva speak. - Hor. Signior Baptista, will you be so strange? Gre. Why, will you mew her up, Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell, And make her bear the penance of her tongue? [Aside. : Bap. Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolv'd :Go in, Bianca. [Exit BIANCA. And for I know, she taketh most delight To mine own children in good bringing-up; |