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Title: The Works of William Shakespeare - Cambridge Edition
       (3 of 9) (1863)

Author: William Shakespeare

Editor: William George Clark
        John Glover

Release Date: November 27, 2015 [EBook #50559]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SHAKESPEARE ***




Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Jane Robins and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

THE WORKS

OF

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

THE WORKS

OF

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

EDITED BY

WILLIAM GEORGE CLARK, M.A.
FELLOW AND TUTOR OF TRINITY COLLEGE, AND PUBLIC ORATOR IN THE
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE;

AND WILLIAM ALDIS WRIGHT, M.A.
LIBRARIAN OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.

VOLUME III.

Cambridge and London:

MACMILLAN AND CO.
1863.

CAMBRIDGE:
PRINTED BY C. J. CLAY, M.A.
AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

Note:

Hover the mouse over words to identify links.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
The Preface vii
The Taming of The Shrew 3
Notes to The Taming of The Shrew 101
All's Well That Ends Well 109
Notes to All's Well That Ends Well 215
Twelfth Night; or, What You Will       223
Notes to Twelfth Night; or, What You Will 311
The Winter's Tale 317
Notes to The Winter's Tale 429

[vii]

PREFACE.

The four plays printed in this volume appeared for the first time in the Folio of 1623, and in the same order in which they are here given.

Of The Taming of the Shrew alone is there any Quarto edition. The title-page of this, as it appears in Capell's copy, is as follows:

A wittie | and pleasant | Comedie | Called | The Taming of the Shrew. | As it was acted by his Maiesties | Seruants at the Blacke Friers | and the Globe. | Written by Will. Shakespeare. | London, | Printed by W. S. for John Smethwicke, and are to be | sold at his Shop in Saint Dunstones Church- | yard vnder the Diall: | 1631. |

From a minute comparison of this Quarto edition with the First Folio, extending to points which are necessarily left unrecorded in our notes, we have come to the conclusion that the Quarto was printed from the Folio. It is necessary to mention this, because Mr Collier, in the second edition of his Shakespeare, maintains that the Quarto was printed long before 1623, perhaps as early as 1607 or 1609; that its publication "had been in some way 'stayed' by the intervention of the author, on behalf of himself and the company to which he belonged; and that, having in consequence been laid aside for a number of years, some copies of it, remaining in the hands of Smithwicke the stationer, were issued in 1631, as if it had been then first published." Mr Collier also conjectures that the title-page was 'struck off long subsequent to the printing of the body of the [viii]comedy to which it is attached.' That this could not have been the case appears from an examination of Capell's copy, the only one known to us which has the title-page perfect. In this the title forms part of the first quire, and has not been inserted. The paper on which it is printed is the same as that used for the rest of the play, the wire-marks corresponding throughout. The passages from the Quarto and Folio which Mr Collier quotes in support of his theory seem to us to make strongly against it.

We have not reprinted the old play called The Taming of a Shrew, on which Shakespeare founded his comedy, because it is manifestly by another hand. It is referred to in the notes as (Q).

The 'Long MS.,' to which we have referred, is a copy of the Second Folio in the Library of Pembroke College, Cambridge, which was formerly in the possession of Dr Roger Long, Master of the College from 1733 to 1770. It contains marginal emendations, some from Theobald and Warburton, marked 'T.' and 'W.' respectively; some to which the initial 'L.' is affixed, and some without any initial letter at all. Such of these as could not be traced to any earlier source we have quoted as 'Long conj. MS.' or 'Long MS.' For permission to use this volume we are indebted to the kindness of the Rev. C. H. Parez.

Mr Keightley has, with great liberality, sent for our use the MS. of his forthcoming work 'The Shakespeare Expositor.' We beg to return him our best thanks.

To the number of those whom we have to thank for kind assistance we add with pleasure the names of the Rev. G. B. Bubier, the Rev. N. M. Ferrers, and Dr Meredith of Quebec.

W. G. C.
W. A. W.

ADDENDA AND CORRIGENDA.

The Taming of the Shrew.

ii. 1. 108. To] Unto S. Walker conj.

iv. 1. 36, 37. and ... thou wilt] is ... will thaw Badham conj. In note on line 37 dele will thaw Anon. conj.

iv. 5. 22. Add to note, so it shall be, so Mitford conj.

iv. 5. 77. Have to] Have at Jervis conj.

All's Well that Ends Well.

i. 1. 97. In the note, for Williams read Badham.

ii. 1. 170. maiden's] maid's S. Walker conj.

iii. 2. 108. Add to note, move the still-reeking Jervis conj.

iv. 2. 38. Add to note, make ropes ... snare or wake hopes ... scare Bubier conj.

iv. 3. 94. Add to note, he has Steevens.

iv. 3. 96. For he has read has, and in the note read has] ha's Ff. he has Steevens.

The Winter's Tale.

i. 2. 147, 148. Add to note, Her. How my lord? Pol. What ... brother?

ii. 1. 40. Add to note, drink deep Long MS. Mr Staunton's conjecture should be drink deep o't.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW.

DRAMATIS PERSONĆ[1].

A Lord. }

Christopher Sly, a tinker. } Persons in the Induction

Hostess, Page, Players, Huntsmen, and Servants. }

Baptista, a rich gentleman of Padua.

Vincentio, an old gentleman of Pisa.

Lucentio, son to Vincentio, in love with Bianca.

Petruchio[2], a gentleman of Verona, a suitor to Katharina.

Gremio, }

Hortensio, } suitors to Bianca.

Tranio, }

Biondello, } servants to Lucentio.

Grumio[3], }

Curtis[4], } servants to Petruchio.

A Pedant.

Katharina, the shrew, }

Bianca, } daughters to Baptista.

Widow.

Tailor, Haberdasher, and Servants attending on Baptista and Petruchio.

Scene: Padua, and Petruchio's country house.

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
5
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, Jeronimy: go to thy
cold bed, and warm thee.
10
Host. I know my remedy; I must go fetch the thirdborough.
[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. [Falls asleep.
[4]
Horns winded. Enter a Lord from hunting, with his train.
Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds:
15
Brach 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.
20
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:
Trust me, I take him for the better dog.
Lord. Thou art a fool: if Echo were as fleet,
25
I would esteem him worth a dozen such.
But sup them well and look unto them all:
To-morrow I intend to hunt again.
First Hun. I will, my lord.
Lord. What's here? one dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe?
30
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.
35
What think you, if he were convey'd to bed,
Wrapp'd in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers,
A most delicious banquet by his bed,
And brave attendants near him when he wakes,
Would not the beggar then forget himself?
40
First Hun. Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.
[5]
Sec. Hun. It would seem strange unto him when he waked.
Lord. Even as a flattering dream or worthless fancy.
Then take him up and manage well the jest:
Carry him gently to my fairest chamber
45
And hang it round with all my wanton pictures:
Balm his foul head in warm distilled waters
And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet:
Procure me music ready when he wakes,
To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound;
50
And if he chance to speak, be ready straight
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;
55
Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper,
And say 'Will't please your lordship cool your hands?'
Some one be ready with a costly suit
And ask him what apparel he will wear;
Another tell him of his hounds and horse,
60
And that his lady mourns at his disease:
Persuade him that he hath been lunatic;
And when he says he is, say that he dreams,
For he is nothing but a mighty lord.
This do and do it kindly, gentle sirs:
65
It will be pastime passing excellent,
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.
[6] 70
Lord. Take him up gently and to bed with him;
And each one to his office when he wakes.
[Some bear out Sly. A trumpet sounds.
Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds: [Exit Servingman.
Belike, some noble gentleman that means,
Travelling some journey, to repose him here.
Re-enter Servingman.
How now! who is it?
75
Serv. An't 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?
80
A Player. 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
85
Was aptly fitted and naturally perform'd.
A Player. 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
90
Wherein your cunning can assist me much.
There is a lord will hear you play to-night:
But I am doubtful of your modesties;
[7]
Lest over-eyeing of his odd behaviour,—
For yet his honour never heard a play,—
95
You break into some merry passion
And so offend him; for I tell you, sirs,
If you should smile he grows impatient.
A Player. Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves,
Were he the veriest antic in the world.
100
Lord. Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery,
And give them friendly welcome every one:
Let them want nothing that my house affords.
[Exit one with the Players.
Sirrah, go you to Barthol'mew my page,
And see him dress'd in all suits like a lady:
105
That done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber;
And call him 'madam,' do him obeisance.
Tell him from me, as he will win my love,
He bear himself with honourable action,
Such as he hath observed in noble ladies
110
Unto their lords, by them accomplished:
Such duty to the drunkard let him do
With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy,
And say, 'What is't your honour will command,
Wherein your lady and your humble wife
115
May show her duty and make known her love?'
And then with kind embracements, tempting kisses,
And with declining head into his bosom,
Bid him shed tears, as being overjoy'd
To see her noble lord restored to health,
120
Who for this seven years hath esteemed him
No better than a poor and loathsome beggar:
And if the boy have not a woman's gift
To rain a shower of commanded tears,
[8]
An onion will do well for such a shift,
125
Which in a napkin being close convey'd
Shall in despite enforce a watery eye.
See this dispatch'd with all the haste thou canst:
Anon I'll give thee more instructions. [Exit a Servingman.
I know the boy will well usurp the grace,
130
Voice, gait and action of a gentlewoman:
I long to hear him call the drunkard husband,
And how my men will stay themselves from laughter
When they do homage to this simple peasant.
I'll in to counsel them; haply my presence
135
May well abate the over-merry spleen
Which otherwise would grow into extremes. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

[Induction.] Pope. om. Ff Q. See note (i).

[Scene I. Before ...] Theobald. A Hedge Ale-house. Capell.

[Enter ...] Enter Begger and Hostes, Christophero Sly. Ff Q.

[1] pheeze] fese (Q).

[2] stocks] F3 F4. stockes F1 Q.] stokes F2.

[4] came in] came Rowe (ed. 1).

[5] paucas] paucus F4.

[7] Go by, Jeronimy] goe by Ieronimie Q. go by S. Ieronimie Ff (Ieronimy F2. Jeronimy F3 F4). go by, Jeronimo Theobald. 'go by,' says Jeronimy Steevens (Capell conj.). go—by S. Jeronimy Knight. See note (ii).

[9] thirdborough] Theobald. head-borough Ff Q.

[10] [Exit.] Rowe. om. Ff Q.

[13] [Falls asleep.] Ff Q. Falls from off his bench, and sleeps. Capell. Lies down on the ground, and falls asleep. Malone.

[14] Scene II. Pope.

Horns winded.] Winde hornes. Ff Q.

[15] Brach] Leech Hanmer. Bathe Johnson conj. Breathe Mitford conj. Brace Becket conj. Trash Singer.

Brach ... emboss'd;] (Brach Merriman, the poor cur, is emboss'd,) Grant White. Brach, Merriman, the ... emboss'd Johnson. (Back Merriman!—the ... emboss'd) Anon. conj.

[23] better] om. Q.

[30, 31] Printed as prose in Ff Q, as verse first by Rowe (ed. 2).

[37] bed] side Anon. conj.

[41, 42] waked. Lord. Even ... fancy. Then] waked, Even ... fancy. Lord. Then Anon. conj.

[46] Balm ... head] Bath ... hide Capell conj.

in] with Rowe (ed. 2).

[55] the third] a third Rowe.

[62] And ... he is,] Ff Q. And when he says he is poor, Rowe (ed. 1). And ... he's poor, Rowe (ed. 2). And ... he is,—Theobald. And ... he's Sly, Johnson conj. And when he says what he is, Long conj. MS. When he says what he is, Collier MS. And what he says he is, Jackson conj. And when he says who he is, Anon. ap. Halliwell conj. See note (iii).

[67] we will] we'll Rowe (ed. 2).

[71] [Some bear out Sly.] Theobald. om. Ff Q.

A trumpet sounds.] Sound trumpets. Ff Q.

[72] [Exit S.] Ex. Servant. Theobald. om. Ff Q.

[75] Scene iii. Pope.

[Re-enter ...] Enter ... Ff Q.

[75, 76] An't ... players That] Ff Q.

Please your honour, players That Pope.

An it ... Players that Malone.

[76] That offer] That come to offer Capell. That offer humble Collier MS.

[77] Enter P.] Ff Q, after line 76.

[80] A Player.] Edd. 2. Player. Ff Q.

[85] fitted] fit S. Walker conj.

[86] A Player.] Sincklo. F1 Q. Sin. F2. Sim. F3 F4. 1. P. Capell. See note (iv).

[98] A Player.] Plai. F1 F2. Play. Q. Pla. F3 F4. 1. P. Capell.

[99] See note (v).

[101] And ... one] omitted by Rowe.

[103] Barthol'mew] Bartholmew Ff Q. Bartholomew Rowe.

[108] bear] F3 F4. beare F1 F2. bare Q.

[112] soft low] soft slow Malone conj.

[113] will] doth Q.

[120] this seven] these seven Rowe (ed. 2). twice seven Theobald.

him] himself Rowe.

[125] being ... convey'd] (being ... convei'd) Ff Q.

[133] peasant.] Johnson. peasant, Ff Q. peasant; Rowe.

[135] the] their Collier (Collier MS.).

Scene II. A bedchamber in the Lord's house.

Enter aloft Sly, with Attendants; some with apparel, others with basin and ewer and other appurtenances, and Lord.

Sly. For God's sake, a pot of small ale.
First Serv. Will't please your lordship drink a cup of
sack?
Sec. Serv. Will't please your honour taste of these
conserves?
Third Serv. What raiment will your honour wear to-day?
5
Sly. I am Christophero Sly; call not me 'honour' nor
'lordship:' I ne'er drank sack in my life; and if you give me
any conserves, give me conserves of beef: ne'er ask me
what raiment I'll wear; for I have no more doublets than
[9]
backs, no more stockings than legs, nor no more shoes than
10
feet; nay, sometime more feet than shoes, or such shoes as
my toes look through the overleather.
Lord. Heaven cease this idle humour in your honour!
O, that a mighty man of such descent,
Of such possessions and so high esteem,
15
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 Burton-heath, by birth a
pedlar, by education a card-maker, by transmutation a
bear-herd, and now by present profession a tinker? Ask
20
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—
Third Serv. O, this it is that makes your lady mourn!
25
Sec. Serv. O, this is it that makes your servants droop!
Lord. Hence comes it that your kindred shuns your house,
As beaten hence by your strange lunacy.
O noble lord, bethink thee of thy birth,
Call home thy ancient thoughts from banishment
30
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:
35
Or wilt thou sleep? we'll have thee to a couch
[10]
Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed
On purpose trimm'd up for Semiramis.
Say thou wilt walk; we will bestrew the ground:
Or wilt thou ride? thy horses shall be trapp'd,
40
Their harness studded all with gold and pearl.
Dost thou love hawking? thou hast hawks will soar
Above the morning lark: or wilt thou hunt?
Thy hounds shall make the welkin answer them,
And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth.
45
First Serv. Say thou wilt course; thy greyhounds are as swift
As breathed stags, ay, fleeter than the roe.
Sec. Serv. Dost thou love pictures? we will fetch thee straight
Adonis painted by a running brook
And Cytherea all in sedges hid
50
Which seem to move and wanton with her breath,
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 surprised,
As lively painted as the deed was done.
55
Third 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.
Lord. Thou art a lord and nothing but a lord:
60
Thou hast a lady far more beautiful
Than any woman in this waning age.
First Serv. And till the tears that she hath shed for thee
Like envious floods o'er-run her lovely face,
She was the fairest creature in the world;
65
And yet she is inferior to none.
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;
I smell sweet savours and I feel soft things:
70
Upon my life, I am a lord indeed
[11]
And not a tinker nor Christophero Sly.
Well, bring our lady hither to our sight;
And once again, a pot o' the smallest ale.
Sec. Serv. Will't please your mightiness to wash your hands?
75
O, how we joy to see your wit restored!
O, that once more you knew but what you are!
These fifteen years you have been in a dream;
Or when you waked, so waked as if you slept.
Sly. These fifteen years! by my fay, a goodly nap.
80
But did I never speak of all that time?
First 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;
85
And say you would present her at the leet,
Because she brought stone jugs and no seal'd quarts:
Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket.
Sly. Ay, the woman's maid of the house.
Third Serv. Why, sir, you know no house nor no such maid,
90
Nor no such men as you have reckon'd up,
As Stephen Sly and old John Naps of Greece
And Peter Turph and Henry Pimpernell
And twenty more such names and men as these
Which never were nor no man ever saw.
95
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, attended.
Page. How fares my noble lord?
[12]
Sly. Marry, I fare well; for here is cheer enough.
100
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;
105
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.
110
Sly. Madam wife, they say that I have dream'd
And slept above some fifteen year or 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.
115
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,
120
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
125
therefore tarry in despite of the flesh and the blood.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. Your honour's players, hearing your amendment,
Are come to play a pleasant comedy;
[13]
For so your doctors hold it very meet,
Seeing too much sadness hath congeal'd your blood,
130
And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy:
Therefore they thought it good you hear a play
And frame your mind to mirth and merriment.
Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life.
Sly. Marry, I will, let them play it. Is not a comonty
135
a Christmas gambold 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
140
side and let the world slip: we shall ne'er be younger.
Flourish.

LINENOTES:

Scene ii.] Capell. Scene iv. Pope. A ... house.] Theobald.

Enter aloft Sly ...] Enter aloft the drunkard ... Ff Q. A stately Room in the Lord's House: In it a Stage and other Appurtenances, for the Play: and, in another Part, a Bed; Sly, in a rich Night-dress, sitting on it; surrounded by Servants, bearing Apparel, Bason, Ewer, &c. a Sideboard being by. Enter, at lower End, the Lord, himself habited like a Servant. Capell.

[1] Sly.] Beg. Ff Q, and elsewhere in the scene.

[5] Christophero] Christopher Warburton.

[10] sometime] sometimes F3 F4.

[12] idle] evil Collier MS.

[17] Christopher] F1 Q F2. Christophero F3 F4.

Sly's] Sies F1.

Burton-heath] Barton-heath Steevens conj.

[18] card-maker] cart-maker or cord-maker or crate-maker or cord-wainer Anon. conj.

[21] fourteen pence] xiiii. d. F1 Q F2. xiv. d. F3 F4.

score] sorce F2.

[22] sheer] F4. sheere F1 Q F2 F3. shear Jordan conj. Warwickshire Collier MS.

[23] What!] What Ff Q. What?—Hanmer.

bestraught] distraught Steevens conj. (withdrawn).

here's—] Ff. here's Q.

[24] Third Serv.] 3. Man. F1 Q F2. 1. Man. F3 F4.

[25] is it] it is Rowe.

[26] shuns] shun Rowe.

[43] hounds] bounds Q.

[47] Sec. Serv.] 2. M. Ff Q.

[51] with] with th' Anon. conj.

[63] o'er-run]o'er-ran Theobald.

[71] Christophero] F2 F3 F4. Christopher F1 Q.

[74] [presenting the Ewer, &c. Capell.

[75] wit] wits F3 F4.

[78] so] you Rowe.

[84] rail] rail'd Rowe.

[86] no] not Collier MS.

[91] of Greece] o' th' Green Hanmer (L. II. apud Theobald conj.). of Greys or of Greete Halliwell conj.

[92] Henry] Harry Capell conj.

[96] See note (vi).]

[97] Scene v. Pope.

Enter ...] Capell. Enter Lady with Attendants. Ff Q (after line 96).

[98-100] Capell prints as two lines How ... well; For ... wife?

[99, 100] Marry ... wife?] Printed as prose by Pope.

[108] Al'ce] Capell. Alce Ff.

[110] See note (vii).

Madam] Humph madam Capell conj. Madam, my S. Walker conj.

[110, 111] Madam ... more] As prose in Pope.

[111] above] F1 Q F2. about F3 F4.

year or] year and F4. years and Rowe.

[114, 115] 'Tis much ... bed] As prose in Pope.

[120] In] On Capell. your] you Q.

[124] dreams] dream Rowe.

[126] Scene vi. Pope.

Enter ...] Ff. Enter another servant. Capell.

[129] too much] so much Rowe.

[134] Marry ... Is not] Capell (play't). Marrie I will let them play, it is not F1 Q F2. Marry I will, let them play, it is not F3. Marry I will, let them play, is it not F4.

comonty] commodity? Pope, from (Q).

[134-140] Marry ... younger] Capell prints as six lines of verse.

[135] gambold] Ff Q. gambol Pope.

[140] and ... younger] We shall ne'er be younger, and let the world slide Collier (Collier MS.), reading 139, 140 as rhyme.

[Seating her for the Play. Capell. They sit down. Malone.

Flourish.] Ff Q. om. Capell.

ACT I.

Scene I.

Padua. A public place.
Enter Lucentio and his man Tranio.
Luc. Tranio, since for the great desire I had
To see fair Padua, nursery of arts,
I am arrived for fruitful Lombardy,
The pleasant garden of great Italy;
5
And by my father's love and leave am arm'd
[14]
With his good will and thy good company,
My trusty servant, well approved in all,
Here let us breathe and haply institute
A course of learning and ingenious studies.
10
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's son brought up in Florence
15
It shall become to serve all hopes conceived,
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
20
By virtue specially to be achieved.
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.
25
Tra. Mi perdonato, 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
30
This virtue and this moral discipline,
Let's be no stoics nor no stocks, I pray;
Or so devote to Aristotle's checks
As Ovid be an outcast quite abjured:
Balk logic with acquaintance that you have
[15] 35
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 you;
No profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en:
40
In brief, sir, study what you most affect.
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
45
Such friends as time in Padua shall beget.
But stay a while: what company is this?
Tra. Master, some show to welcome us to town.
Enter Baptista, Katharina, Bianca, Gremio, and Hortensio. Lucentio and Tranio stand by.
Bap. Gentlemen, importune me no farther,
For how I firmly am resolved you know;
50
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.
55
Gre. [Aside] To cart her rather: she's too rough for me.
There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?
Kath. I pray you, sir, is it your will
To make a stale of me amongst these mates?
Hor. Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates for you,
60
Unless you were of gentler, milder mould.
Kath. I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear:
[16]
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
65
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. Husht, master! here's some good pastime toward:
That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.
70
Luc. But in the other's silence do I see
Maid's mild behaviour and sobriety.
Peace, Tranio!
Tra. Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill.
Bap. Gentlemen, that I may soon make good
75
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! it is best
Put finger in the eye, an she knew why.
80
Bian. Sister, content you in my discontent.
Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe:
My books and instruments shall be my company,
On them to look and practise by myself.
Luc. Hark, Tranio! thou may'st hear Minerva speak.
85
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,
Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell,
And make her bear the penance of her tongue?
90
Bap. Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolved:
Go in, Bianca: [Exit Bianca.
[17]
And for I know she taketh most delight
In music, instruments and poetry,
Schoolmasters will I keep within my house,
95
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:
100
And so farewell. Katharina, you may stay;
For I have more to commune with Bianca. [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.
105
Gre. You may go to the devil's dam: your gifts are so
good, here's 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
110
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 brooked parle,
know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both, that we may
115
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. A husband! a devil.
120
Hor. I say, a husband.
Gre. I say, a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, though
her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be
married to hell?
[18]
Hor. Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience and
125
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.
130
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!
135
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!
140
Come on. [Exeunt Gremio and Hortensio.
Tra. 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;
145
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,
150
Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio,
If I achieve not this young modest girl.
Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst;
Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt.
Tra. Master, it is no time to chide you now;
155
Affection is not rated from the heart:
If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so,
'Redime te captum quam queas minimo.'
[19]
Luc. Gramercies, lad, go forward; this contents:
The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound.
160
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,
Such as the daughter of Agenor had,
That made great Jove to humble him to her hand,
165
When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan strond.
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
170
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:
175
Her eldest 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 will not be annoy'd with suitors.
180
Luc. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he!
But art thou not advised, 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,
185
Both our inventions meet and jump in one.
[20]
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 part,
190
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,
195
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,
200
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.
205
Tra. So had you need.
In brief, sir, sith it your pleasure is,
And I am tied to be obedient;
For so your father charged me at our parting,
'Be serviceable to my son,' quoth he,
210
Although I think 'twas in another sense;
I am content to be Lucentio,
Because so well I love Lucentio.
[21]
Luc. Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves:
And let me be a slave, to achieve that maid
215
Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded eye.
Here comes the rogue.
Enter Biondello.
Sirrah, where have you been?
Bion. Where have I been! Nay, how now! where are
you? Master, has my fellow Tranio stolen your clothes?
Or you stolen his? or both? pray, what's the news?
220
Luc. Sirrah, come hither: 'tis no time to jest,
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;
225
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.
230
Luc. And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth:
Tranio is changed into Lucentio.
Bion. The better for him: would I were so too!
Tra. So could I, faith, boy, to have the next wish after,
That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest daughter.
235
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
240
execute, to make one among these wooers: if thou ask
me why, sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty. [Exeunt.
[22]
The presenters above speak.
First 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?
245
Page. My lord, 'tis but begun.
Sly. 'Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady:
would 'twere done! [They sit and mark.

LINENOTES:

[Act i. Sc. i.] Pope. See note (1). Padua] Pope.

A public place.] Capell. A street in Padua. Theobald.

... Tranio.] Triano. F1 Q F2.

[3] for] from Theobald. in Capell (Heath conj.).

[8] haply] F1 Q. happly F2 F3 F4. happily Pope. happ'ly Capell.

[9] ingenious] ingenuous Johnson conj.

[13] Vincentio, come] Hanmer. Vincentio's come Ff Q. Vincentio's son come Malone conj. Vincentio comes Collier MS.

[14] Vincentio's] Ff Q. Vincentio his Pope. Lucentio his Hanmer.

brought] brough F1.

[18] Virtue] To virtue Hanmer.

[25] Mi perdonato] Me pardonato Ff. Me pardinato Q. Mi perdonate Capell (Heath conj.).

[28] sweet] fair Anon. conj.

[32] checks] Ff Q. ethicks Rann (Blackstone conj.). See note (viii).

[33] Ovid] F3 F4. Ovid; F1 Q F2.

[34] Balk] Talk Rowe. Chop Capell conj. Hack Anon. conj.

with] with' Hunter conj.

[38] you find] om. F4.

serves you] serves Anon. conj.

[41] Gramercies] Gramercy Hanmer.

[42] thou wert] now were Dyce (Collier MS.). then were Delius conj.

[47] ... Gremio ...] ... Gremio a Pantelowne ... F1.

... Hortensio ...] ... Hortentio sister to Bianca ... F1 Q.... H. a shuiter to B.... F2.... H. a suitor to B ... F3 F4.

[48] Gentlemen] Gentlemen both Theobald.

no] not Rowe (ed. 2).

[57] will] will and pleasure Hanmer. gracious will Collier (Collier MS.). See note (ix).

[58] these] F1 Q F2. those F3 F4.

[59] As two lines in Ff Q, ending that? ... you.

[60] mould] mood Collier MS.

[62] I wis] F4. I wis F1 Q F2 F3.

[63] should] F1 Q F2. shall F3 F4.

[66] us] me Hanmer.

[67] good] O good Hanmer.

[68] Husht] F1 Q F2. Hush'd F3 F4. Hush Rowe (ed. 2).

here's] F4. heres F1 Q F2 F3. here is Hanmer.

[72] Peace, Tranio!] Peace! Anon. conj.

[73] Well] Why, well Hanmer.

[74] Gentlemen] Come, gentlemen Hanmer. Well, gentlemen Capell.

[78, 79] A pretty ... why] Printed as prose in Ff Q.

[86] our] your Hanmer (ed. 2), a misprint.

[90] Gentlemen, content ye] Content ye, gentlemen Hanmer.

[91] Exit Bianca.] Theobald om. Ff Q.

[98] liberal] liberal, Ff Q.

[102-104] Printed in Ff Q as four lines, ending not? ... though ... take, ... Ha; as prose by Pope; by Capell as three lines, ending not? ... belike, ... ha!

[102] and] om. Rowe.

[106] here's] here is F4.

Their] F1 F2. There Q. Our F3 F4. Your Malone conj. There; Collier. This Collier MS. Her Bubier conj.

[113] yet never] never yet Pope.

parle] F1 Q F2. parlee F3 F4. parly Capell.

[122] any] any a F2.

[125] loud] lowd F1 Q. lewd F2 F3 F4.

alarums] alarms Rowe.

[127] all] all her F4.

[130] small] a small Theobald.

[131] But come] F1 Q. come F2 F3 F4.

[138] his wooing] the wooing Rowe (ed. 2).

thoroughly] F1 Q. throughly F2 F3 F4.

[140] Exeunt ... ] Exeunt ambo. Manet Tranio and Lucentio. Ff Q.

[142] of] F1 Q F2. on F3 F4.

[156] have] F1 Q. om. F2 F3 F4. has Rowe (ed. 1). hath Rowe (ed. 2).

touch'd] toyl'd Warburton.

nought] F2 F3 F4. naught F1 Q.

[157] captum] F2 F3 F4. captam F1 Q.

[158] Gramercies] Gramercy Rowe.

[159] counsel's] F2 F3 F4. counsels F1 Q.

[163] Agenor had] Agenor's race Collier MS.

[165] strond] F1 Q F2 F3. strand F4.

[168] hardly] scarce Collier MS.

endure] dure S. Walker conj.

[173] pray] pray you Q.

[Shaking him. Capell.]

[174] wits] wit Rowe (ed. 2).

[175] eldest] elder Q.

[176] rid] rids Rowe.

[179] she] he Singer conj.

will] shall Rowe.

[182] To get her] Together F2. To gather Long conj. MS.

schoolmasters] masters Collier (Collier MS.).

[189] part] port Anon. conj.

[200] meaner] mean Capell.

[201] 'Tis] It is Hanmer, ending lines 200-205 at man ... so ... take ... comes ... first ... need.

[202] take] and here take Hanmer. colour'd] F3 F4. Conlord F1 Q. Coulord F2. om. Hanmer.

[205] So] And so, sir Hanmer.

[They exchange habits. Theobald.

[206] In brief, sir] In brief, good sir Pope; omitted by Capell. In brief then, sir Malone. Be brief then, sir. Collier MS.

it your pleasure is] it is your pleasure thus Anon. conj.

[214] to] t' Ff Q.

[215] wounded] wond'ring Collier MS.

[216] .. .Biondello.] ... Binodello. F2.

[218] my fellow] om. Hanmer, who reads 217-219 as three lines, ending you? ... cloaths, ... news?

has] F4. ha's F1 Q F2 F3.

[225] ashore] a shore F1.

[226] was] am F3 F4.

[229] I, sir! ne'er] Ay, sir, ne'er Rowe. Ay, sir.—Ne'er Dyce conj.

[233-238] Printed as prose in Ff Q, as verse first by Capell.

[233] could] would F3 F4.

faith] 'faith Ff Q. i' faith Johnson.

[235, 236] advise You use ... companies] advise you, Use ... company Capell.

[238] your] you F1 Q.

[239-241] Printed as four lines in Ff, ending go.... execute.... why.... weighty; first as prose by Pope.

[240] among] 'mong F2.

[241] The presenters above speak.] ... speakes. Ff Q.

[242-247] Transferred by Pope to the end of the Act.

[247] 'twere] it were Capell.

[They ... mark.] Ff Q. om. Pope.

Scene II.

Padua. Before Hortensio's house.

Enter Petruchio and his man 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.
5
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,
10
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.
[23] 15
Pet. Will it not be?
Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll ring it;
I'll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it. [He wrings him by the ears.
Gru. Help, masters, help! my master is mad.
Pet. Now, knock when I bid you, sirrah villain!
Enter Hortensio.
Hor. 20
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.
25
Hor. 'Alla nostra casa ben venuto, molto honorato
signor mio Petrucio.'
Rise, Grumio, rise: we will compound this quarrel.
Gru. Nay, 'tis no matter, sir, what he 'leges in Latin. If
this be not a lawful cause for me to leave his service, look
30
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.
35
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.
[24]
Gru. Knock at the gate! O heavens! Spake you not
these words plain, 'Sirrah, knock me here, rap me here,
40
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's a heavy chance 'twixt him and you,
45
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
50
Where small experience grows. But in a few,
Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me:
Antonio, my father, is deceased;
And I have thrust myself into this maze,
Haply to wive and thrive as best I may:
55
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?
Thou'ldst thank me but a little for my counsel:
60
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.
[25]
Pet. Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we
Few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know
65
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 Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd
As Socrates' Xanthippe, or a worse,
70
She moves me not, or not removes, at least,
Affection's edge in me, were she as rough
As are the swelling Adriatic seas:
I come to wive it wealthily in Padua;
If wealthily, then happily in Padua.
75
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.
80
Hor. Petruchio, since we are stepp'd thus far in,
I will continue that I broach'd in jest.
I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife
With wealth enough and young and beauteous,
Brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman:
85
Her only fault, and that is faults enough,
Is that she is intolerable curst
And shrewd and froward, so beyond all measure,
That, were my state far worser than it is,
I would not wed her for a mine of gold.
90
Pet. Hortensio, peace! thou know'st not gold's effect:
Tell me her father's name and 'tis enough;
For I will board her, though she chide as loud
As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.
95
Hor. Her father is Baptista Minola,
An affable and courteous gentleman:
Her name is Katharina Minola,
Renown'd in Padua for her scolding tongue.
[26]
Pet. I know her father, though I know not her;
And he knew my deceased father well.
100
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.
105
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
110
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 in Baptista's keep my treasure is:
He hath the jewel of my life in hold,
115
His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca;
And her withholds from me and other more,
Suitors to her and rivals in my love;
Supposing it a thing impossible,
For those defects I have before rehearsed,
120
That ever Katharina will be woo'd;
Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en,
That none shall have access unto Bianca
Till Katharine the curst have got a husband.
Gru. Katharine the curst!
125
A title for a maid of all titles the worst.
[27]
Hor. Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace;
And offer me disguised in sober robes
To old Baptista as a schoolmaster
Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca;
130
That so I may, by this device, at least
Have leave and leisure to make love to her
And unsuspected court her by herself.
Gru. Here's no knavery! See, to beguile the old
folks, how the young folks lay their heads together!
Enter Gremio, and Lucentio disguised.
135
Master, master, look about you: who goes there, ha?
Hor. Peace, Grumio! it is the rival of my love.
Petruchio, stand by a while.
Gru. A proper stripling and an amorous!
Gre. O, very well; I have perused the note.
140
Hark you, sir; I'll have them very fairly bound:
All books of love, see that at any hand;
And see you read no other lectures to her:
You understand me: over and beside
Signior Baptista's liberality,
145
I'll mend it with a largess. Take your paper too,
And let me have them very well perfumed:
For she is sweeter than perfume itself
To whom they go to. What will you read to her?
Luc. Whate'er I read to her, I'll plead for you
150
As for my patron, stand you so assured,
As firmly as yourself were still in place:
Yea, and perhaps with more successful words
Than you, unless you were a scholar, sir.
Gre. O this learning, what a thing it is![28]
155
Gru. O this woodcock, what an ass it is!
Pet. Peace, sirrah!
Hor. Grumio, mum! God save you, Signior Gremio.
Gre. And you are well met, Signior Hortensio.
Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista Minola.
160
I promised to inquire carefully
About a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca:
And by good fortune I have lighted well
On this young man, for learning and behaviour
Fit for her turn, well read in poetry
165
And other books, good ones, I warrant ye.
Hor. 'Tis well; and I have met a gentleman
Hath promised me to help me to another,
A fine musician to instruct our mistress;
So shall I no whit be behind in duty
170
To fair Bianca, so beloved of me.
Gre. Beloved of me; and that my deeds shall prove.
Gru. And that his bags shall prove.
Hor. Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love:
Listen to me, and if you speak me fair,
175
I'll tell you news indifferent good for either.
Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met,
Upon agreement from us to his liking,
Will undertake to woo curst Katharine,
Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.
180
Gre. So said, so done, is well.
Hortensio, have you told him all her faults?
[29]
Pet. I know she is an irksome brawling scold:
If that be all, masters, I hear no harm.
Gre. No, say'st me so, friend? What countryman?
185
Pet. Born in Verona, old Antonio's son:
My father dead, my fortune lives for me;
And I do hope good days and long to see.
Gre. O sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange!
But if you have a stomach, to't i' God's name:
190
You shall have me assisting you in all.
But will you woo this wild-cat?
Pet.Will I live?
Gru. Will he woo her? ay, or I'll hang her.
Pet. Why came I hither but to that intent?
Think you a little din can daunt mine ears?
195
Have I not in my time heard lions roar?
Have I not heard the sea puff'd up with winds
Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat?
Have I not heard great ordnance in the field,
And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies?
200
Have I not in a pitched battle heard
Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang?
And do you tell me of a woman's tongue,
That gives not half so great a blow to hear
As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire?
Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs.
205
Gru.For he fears none.
Gre. Hortensio, hark:
This gentleman is happily arrived,
My mind presumes, for his own good and ours.
Hor. I promised we would be contributors
210
And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe'er.[30]
Gre. And so we will, provided that he win her.
Gru. I would I were as sure of a good dinner.
Enter Tranio brave, and Biondello.
Tra. Gentlemen, God save you. If I may be bold,
Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way
215
To the house of Signior Baptista Minola?
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—
220
Tra. Perhaps, him and her, sir: what have you to do?
Pet. Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray.
Tra. I love no chiders, sir. Biondello, let's away.
Luc. Well begun, Tranio.
Hor. Sir, a word ere you go;
225
Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no?
Tra. And if I be, sir, is it any offence?
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. But so is not she.
230
Tra. For what reason, I beseech you?
Gre. For this reason, if you'll know,
That she's the choice love of Signior Gremio.
Hor. That she's the chosen of Signior Hortensio.
Tra. Softly, my masters! if you be gentlemen,
Do me this right; hear me with patience.[31]
235
Baptista is a noble gentleman,
To whom my father is not all unknown;
And were his daughter fairer than she is,
She may more suitors have and me for one.
240
Fair Leda's daughter had a thousand wooers;
Then well one more may fair Bianca have:
And so she shall; Lucentio shall make one,
Though Paris came in hope to speed alone.
Gre. What, this gentleman will out-talk us all!
245
Luc. Sir, give him head: I know he'll prove a jade.
Pet. Hortensio, to what end are all these words?
Hor. Sir, let me be so bold as ask you,
Did you yet ever see Baptista's daughter?
Tra. No, sir; but hear I do that he hath two,
250
The one as famous for a scolding tongue
As is the other for beauteous modesty.
Pet. Sir, sir, the first's for me; let her go by.
Gre. Yea, leave that labour to great Hercules;
And let it be more than Alcides' twelve.
255
Pet. Sir, understand you this of me in sooth:
The youngest daughter whom you hearken for
Her father keeps from all access of suitors;
And will not promise her to any man
Until the elder sister first be wed:
260
The younger then is free and not before.
Tra. If it be so, sir, that you are the man
Must stead us all and me amongst the rest;
And if you break the ice and do this feat,
Achieve the elder, set the younger free
265
For our access, whose hap shall be to have her
Will not so graceless be to be ingrate.
Hor. Sir, you say well and well you do conceive;[32]
And since you do profess to be a suitor,
You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman,
270
To whom we all rest generally beholding.
Tra. Sir, I shall not be slack: in sign whereof,
Please ye we may contrive this afternoon,
And quaff carouses to our mistress' health,
And do as adversaries do in law,
275
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
Gru. Bion. O excellent motion! Fellows, let's be gone.
Hor. The motion's good indeed and be it so,
Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

[Scene ii.] Capell. Act II. Scene

[1] Rowe. Scene v. Pope.

Before ... house.] Pope.

[2] but of all] best of all Anon. conj.

[4] his] the F3 F4.

[6-24] Knock, sir!... may I say] Placed in the margin as spurious by Pope.

[6] knock?] knock, sir? Capell.

[7] has] F4. ha's F1 Q F2 F3. That has Capell.

rebused] rebsu'd Q. abused Tyrwhitt conj.

[16] ring] wring Malone.

[17] ... wrings ...] ... rings ... Ff Q.

[18] masters] Theobald. mistris Ff Q.

[19] sirrah villain!] sirrah! villain! Theobald.

[24] Con tutto ... trovato] Theobald. Contutti le core bene trobatto Ff Q (trovatto F2 F3 F4).

[25] ben] F2 F3 F4. bene F1 Q.

molto] Theobald. multo Ff Q.

honorato] honorata F1 Q.

[26] signor] Theobald. signior Ff Q.

[27-45] Rise, Grumio ... Grumio] Put in the margin as spurious by Pope.

[27] Grumio, rise] F1 Q F2. Grumio F3 F4.

[28] sir] om. Rowe.

he 'leges] Capell. he leges Ff Q. be leges Rann (Tyrwhitt conj.). he alledges Long conj. MS.

[32] pip] Rowe (ed. 2). peepe F1 Q F2. peep F3 F4.

out] mo Collier MS.

[32, 34] Whom ... worst] Printed as prose in Ff Q, as verse first by Rowe (ed. 2).

[38-40] Knock ... gate?] Capell prints as four lines, ending heavens! ... here, ... soundly? ... gate?

[44] this's] this Ff Q. this is Rowe. this so Mason conj. this' Dyce (S. Walker conj.). this? Collier.

[48] young men] F3 F4. yong men Q. yongmen F1 F2.

[50] grows. But in a few,] grows; but in a few, Hanmer. grows but in a few. Ff Q. grows, but in a few. Theobald. grows but in a mew. Warburton.

[53] have] must Rowe (ed. 2).

[54] Haply] Malone. Happily Ff Q. Happly Rowe (ed. 2). Happ'ly Hanmer.

[59] Thou'ldst] Thou'lt Hanmer.

[61] thou'rt] Rowe. th' art Ff Q.

[63] Signior] om. Q.

we] us Rowe (ed. 2).

[64] thou] you Rowe (ed. 2).

[66] burden] guerdon Becket conj.

dance] song Johnson conj.

[67] Florentius'] Florentio's Hanmer conj.

[68] Sibyl] Sibell F1 Q F2 F3 Sibel F4.

[69] Xanthippe] Zentippe F1 Q. Zantippe F2 F3 F4. Xantippe Theobald.

a worse] even worse Collier MS.

[71] Affection's ... me] F1 Q. Affection's edge in time F2 F3 F4. Affection sieg'd in coin Warburton.

as] is as F1.

[78] as two and fifty] too as fifty Rann.

[79] horses] houses Becket conj.

[85] and that] as that Capell.

faults] F1 Q. fault F2 F3 F4.

[86] intolerable] intolerably Hanmer.

[87] shrewd] shrow'd F1 Q. shrew'd F2 F3 F4.

froward] forward Warburton.

[94] is] om. Q.

[105] O'] Rowe (ed. 2). A Ff Q.

[108] begin] begins Q.

his] her Anon. conj.

rope-tricks] trope-tricks Theobald conj. rhetorick Hanmer. rhetoricks Capell. roop tricks Anon conj.

[113] keep] Ff Q. house Rowe.

[116] And her] Her he Rann.

withholds from me and other more] Capell (Thirlby conj.). withholds from me. Other more F1 Q. with-holds he from me. Other more F2 F3 F4 (hee F2) with-holds he from me, and others more Theobald. with-holds he from me, and other more Hanmer.

[119] For] From Hanmer.

[132] herself] myself Capell.

[133] Scene vi. Pope.

Gru.] Gru. [aside.] Dyce.

[134] their heads] theirs head F2.

... disguised.] Ff Q (after line 131). ... disguised, with books under his arm. Capell.

[135] Master, master] Master Rowe.

ha?] om. Q.

[136] it is] 'tis Pope.

[137] Petruchio, stand...] Petruchio, stand we by a little while Capell. Petruchio. Stand ... Edd. conj.

a while] a whilt F2.

[140] Hark you] Hark S. Walker conj.

very] om. Anon. conj.

[145] Take your paper too,] Take your papers too Pope. Take your papers Hanmer. Here, take your papers too Capell. See note (x).

[148] go to] go Rowe.

[157] Hor. Grumio, mum!] Hor. Grumio mum: F1 Q. Hor. Gru. mum: F2 F3 F4.

[158-167] Printed as prose by Pope.

[158] And you are] And you're Steevens.

[158, 159] And you.... Trow you whither] You ... trow you Whither Capell.

[158-161] Malone prints as five lines, ending Hortensio ... whither ... Minola ... about ... Bianca.

[160] promised] promis'd him Capell.

[161] schoolmaster] master Collier (Collier MS.).

the fair] fair Steevens.

[165] ye] you Steevens.

[167] help me] Rowe. help one Ff Q.

[171] deeds] deed Warburton.

[184] What] pray, what Hanmer.

[185] Antonio's] Rowe. Butonios F1 Q F2. Butonio's F3 F4.

[186] father] father's Rowe.

[188] O sir, such] Oh, such Hanmer. Sir, such Capell.

[189] stomach, to't ... name:] stomach to't, ... name, Bubier conj.

a stomach] stomacke Q.

to't i'] Edd. too't a F1 Q F2 F3. to't a F4. to't o' Theobald.

[192] er] om. Rann.

[194] mine] my Rowe (ed. 2).

[197] sweat] pursuit Theobald conj.

[201] trumpets' clang] trumpets clangue Ff Q. trumpets' clangue Capell.

[203] hear] th' ear Hanmer (Warburton).

[208] ours] Theobald (Thirlby conj.). yours Ff Q.

[213] Scene vii. Pope.

... brave,] ... bravely apparelled, Pope.

you. If ... bold,] you, if ... bold. Edd. conj.

[213-215] Printed as prose by Pope.

[216] Bion.] Gre. Capell (Tyrwhitt and Heath conj.).

is't he] is't [aside to Tranio] he Malone.

[218] Even he, Biondello.] Even he Biondello. Ff Q. Even he, sir. Capell. Even he. Biondello! Steevens (Tyrwhitt and Heath conj). Even he. Rann.

[219] her to—] Ff Q. her too. Tyrwhitt conj. her to woo. Halliwell (Malone conj.).

[221] Not] Nor Rowe (ed. 2).

[226] And if] Ff. And Q. An if Hanmer.

[228] I pray] Ff. I pray you Q.

[232] That she's] She's Hanmer.

[233] That she's] Ff. That she is Q. She is Hanmer.

Signior] om. Hanmer.

[235] with patience] Ff. patience Q.

[239] suitors] sutore F2.

[244] What,] What, what, Capell.

[245] Sir, give] Ff. Give Q.

[247] as ask you] F1 Q. as to ask you F2 F3 F4. as ask you this Capell.

[251] As is the other] As the other is Pope.

[259] the elder] the eldest Rowe (ed. 2). her elder Capell. See note (xi).

[262] stead] Capell. steed Ff Q.

[263] And if] An if Capell.

feat] Rowe. seeke F1 Q F2. seek F3 F4.

[270] beholding] beholden Rowe.

[272] contrive] convive Theobald.

[273] mistress'] mistress' (for mistresses') S. Walker conj.

[276] Gru.] Gre. Ritson conj.

Bion.] om. Capell.

[278] I shall] I'll Capell.

ben venuto] F2 F3 F4. been venuto F1 Q. See note (xii).

ACT II.

Scene I.

Padua. A room in Baptista's house.

Enter Katharina and Bianca.

Bian. Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself,
To make a bondmaid and a slave of me;
That I disdain: but for these other gawds,
Unbind my hands, I 'll pull them off myself,
5
Yea, all my raiment, to my petticoat;
Or what you will command me will I do,
So well I know my duty to my elders.
Kath. Of all thy suitors, here I charge thee, tell
Whom thou lovest best: see thou dissemble not.
10
Bian. Believe me, sister, of all the men alive
I never yet beheld that special face
[33]
Which I could fancy more than any other.
Kath. Minion, thou liest. Is't not Hortensio?
Bian. If you affect him, sister, here I swear
15
I'll plead for you myself, but you shall have him.
Kath. O then, belike, you fancy riches more:
You will have Gremio to keep you fair.
Bian. Is it for him you do envy me so?
Nay then you jest, and now I well perceive
20
You have but jested with me all this while:
I prithee, sister Kate, untie my hands.
Kath. If that be jest, then all the rest was so. [Strikes her.
Enter Baptista.
Bap. Why, how now, dame! whence grows this insolence?
Bianca, stand aside. Poor girl! she weeps.
25
Go ply thy needle; meddle not with her.
For shame, thou hilding of a devilish spirit,
Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee?
When did she cross thee with a bitter word?
Kath. Her silence flouts me, and I'll be revenged.
[Flies after Bianca.
30
Bap. What, in my sight? Bianca, get thee in.
[Exit Bianca.
Kath. What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see
She is your treasure, she must have a husband;
I must dance bare-foot on her wedding day
And for your love to her lead apes in hell.
35
Talk not to me: I will go sit and weep
Till I can find occasion of revenge. [Exit.
Bap. Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I?
But who comes here?
[34]
Enter Gremio, Lucentio in the habit of a mean man; Petruchio, with Hortensio as a musician; and Tranio, with Biondello bearing a lute and books.
Gre. Good morrow, neighbour Baptista.
40
Bap. Good morrow, neighbour Gremio. God save you,
gentlemen!
Pet. And you, good sir! Pray, have you not a daughter
Call'd Katharina, fair and virtuous?
Bap. I have a daughter, sir, called Katharina.
45
Gre. You are too blunt: go to it orderly.
Pet. You wrong me, Signior Gremio: give me leave.
I am a gentleman of Verona, sir,
That, hearing of her beauty and her wit,
Her affability and bashful modesty,
50
Her wondrous qualities and mild behaviour,
Am bold to show myself a forward guest
Within your house, to make mine eye the witness
Of that report which I so oft have heard.
And, for an entrance to my entertainment,
55
I do present you with a man of mine, [Presenting Hortensio.
Cunning in music and the mathematics,
To instruct her fully in those sciences,
Whereof I know she is not ignorant:
Accept of him, or else you do me wrong:
60
His name is Licio, born in Mantua.
Bap. You're welcome, sir; and he, for your good sake.
But for my daughter Katharine, this I know,
She is not for your turn, the more my grief.
Pet. I see you do not mean to part with her,
65
Or else you like not of my company.
[35]
Bap. Mistake me not; I speak but as I find.
Whence are you, sir? what may I call your name?
Pet. Petruchio is my name; Antonio's son,
A man well known throughout all Italy.
70
Bap. I know him well: you are welcome for his sake.
Gre. Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray,
Let us, that are poor petitioners, speak too:
Baccare! you are marvellous forward.
Pet. O, pardon me, Signior Gremio; I would fain be doing.
75
Gre. I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing.
Neighbour, this is a gift very grateful, I am sure of it. To
express the like kindness, myself, that have been more
kindly beholding to you than any, freely give unto you
this young scholar [presenting Lucentio], that hath been
80
long studying at Rheims; as cunning in Greek, Latin, and
other languages, as the other in music and mathematics:
his name is Cambio; pray, accept his service.
Bap. A thousand thanks, Signior Gremio. Welcome,
good Cambio. But, gentle sir [to Tranio], methinks you
85
walk like a stranger: may I be so bold to know the cause
of your coming?
[36]
Tra. Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own;
That, being a stranger in this city here,
Do make myself a suitor to your daughter,
90
Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous.
Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me,
In the preferment of the eldest sister.
This liberty is all that I request,
That, upon knowledge of my parentage,
95
I may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo
And free access and favour as the rest:
And, toward the education of your daughters,
I here bestow a simple instrument,
And this small packet of Greek and Latin books:
100
If you accept them, then their worth is great.
Bap. Lucentio is your name; of whence, I pray?
Tra. Of Pisa, sir; son to Vincentio.
Bap. A mighty man of Pisa; by report
I know him well: you are very welcome, sir.
105
Take you the lute, and you the set of books;
You shall go see your pupils presently.
Holla, within!
Enter a Servant.
Sirrah, lead these gentlemen
To my daughters; and tell them both,
These are their tutors: bid them use them well.
[Exit Servant, with Luc. and Hor., Bio. following.
[37] 110
We will go walk a little in the orchard,
And then to dinner. You are passing welcome,
And so I pray you all to think yourselves.
Pet. Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste,
And every day I cannot come to woo.
115
You knew my father well, and in him me,
Left solely heir to all his lands and goods,
Which I have better'd rather than decreased:
Then tell me, if I get your daughter's love,
What dowry shall I have with her to wife?
120
Bap. After my death the one half of my lands,
And in possession twenty thousand crowns.
Pet. And, for that dowry, I 'll assure her of
Her widowhood, be it that she survive me,
In all my lands and leases whatsoever:
125
Let specialties be therefore drawn between us,
That covenants may be kept on either hand.
Bap. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd,
That is, her love; for that is all in all.
Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father,
130
I am as peremptory as she proud-minded;
And where two raging fires meet together
They do consume the thing that feeds their fury:
Though little fire grows great with little wind,
Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all:
135
So I to her and so she yields to me;
For I am rough and woo not like a babe.
Bap. Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed!
But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words.
Pet. Ay, to the proof; as mountains are for winds,
140
That shake not, though they blow perpetually.
[38]
Re-enter Hortensio, with his head broke.
Bap. How now, my friend! why dost thou look so pale?
Hor. For fear, I promise you, if I look pale.
Bap. What, will my daughter prove a good musician?
Hor. I think she'll sooner prove a soldier:
145
Iron may hold with her, but never lutes.
Bap. Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute?
Hor. Why, no; for she hath broke the lute to me.
I did but tell her she mistook her frets,
And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering;
150
When, with a most impatient devilish spirit,
'Frets, call you these?' quoth she; 'I'll fume with them:'
And, with that word, she struck me on the head,
And through the instrument my pate made way;
And there I stood amazed for a while,
155
As on a pillory, looking through the lute;
While she did call me rascal fiddler
And twangling Jack; with twenty such vile terms,
As had she studied to misuse me so.
Pet. Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench;
160
I love her ten times more than e'er I did:
O, how I long to have some chat with her!
Bap. Well, go with me and be not so discomfited:
Proceed in practice with my younger daughter;
She's apt to learn and thankful for good turns.
165
Signior Petruchio, will you go with us,
Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you?
Pet. I pray you do; I will attend her here,
[Exeunt Baptista, Gremio, Tranio, and Hortensio.
[39]
And woo her with some spirit when she comes.
Say that she rail; why then I'll tell her plain
170
She sings as sweetly as a nightingale:
Say that she frown; I'll say she looks as clear
As morning roses newly wash'd with dew:
Say she be mute and will not speak a word;
Then I'll commend her volubility,
175
And say she uttereth piercing eloquence:
If she do bid me pack, I'll give her thanks,
As though she bid me stay by her a week:
If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day
When I shall ask the banns, and when be married.
180
But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, speak.
Enter Katharina.
Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear.
Kath. Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing:
They call me Katharine that do talk of me.
Pet. You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate,
185
And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst;
But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom,
Kate of Kate-Hall, my super-dainty Kate,
For dainties are all Kates, and therefore, Kate,
Take this of me, Kate of my consolation;
190
Hearing thy mildness praised in every town,
Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded,
Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs,
Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife.
Kath. Moved! in good time: let him that moved you hither
195
Remove you hence: I knew you at the first
You were a moveable.
Pet. Why, what's a moveable?
Kath. A join'd-stool.
Pet. Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me.
Kath. Asses are made to bear, and so are you.
Pet. Women are made to bear, and so are you.
[40] 200
Kath. No such jade as you, if me you mean.
Pet. Alas, good Kate, I will not burden thee!
For, knowing thee to be but young and light,—
Kath. Too light for such a swain as you to catch;
And yet as heavy as my weight should be.
Pet. Should be! should—buzz!
205
Kath. Well ta'en, and like a buzzard.
Pet. O slow-wing'd turtle! shall a buzzard take thee?
Kath. Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard.
Pet. Come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry.
Kath. If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
210
Pet. My remedy is then, to pluck it out.
Kath. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.
Pet. Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting?
In his tail.
Kath. In his tongue.
Pet. Whose tongue?
Kath. Yours, if you talk of tails: and so farewell.
215
Pet. What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again,
Good Kate; I am a gentleman.
Kath. That I'll try. [She strikes him.
Pet. I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again.
Kath. So may you lose your arms:
If you strike me, you are no gentleman;
220
And if no gentleman, why then no arms.
[41]
Pet. A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books!
Kath. What is your crest? a coxcomb?
Pet. A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen.
Kath. No cock of mine; you crow too like a craven.
225
Pet. Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not look so sour.
Kath. It is my fashion, when I see a crab.
Pet. Why, here's no crab; and therefore look not sour.
Kath. There is, there is.
Pet. Then show it me.
Kath. Had I a glass, I would.
Pet. What, you mean my face?
230
Kath. Well aim'd of such a young one.
Pet. Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you.
Kath. Yet you are wither'd.
Pet. 'Tis with cares.
Kath. I care not.
Pet. Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth you scape not so.
Kath. I chafe you, if I tarry: let me go.
235
Pet. No, not a whit: I find you passing gentle.
'Twas told me you were rough and coy and sullen,
And now I find report a very liar;
For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous,
But slow in speech, yet sweet as spring-time flowers:
240
Thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance,
Nor bite the lip, as angry wenches will,
Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk,
But thou with mildness entertain'st thy wooers,
With gentle conference, soft and affable.
245
Why does the world report that Kate doth limp?
O slanderous world! Kate like the hazel-twig
Is straight and slender and as brown in hue
As hazel-nuts and sweeter than the kernels.
O, let me see thee walk: thou dost not halt.
[42] 250
Kath. Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st command.
Pet. Did ever Dian so become a grove
As Kate this chamber with her princely gait?
O, be thou Dian, and let her be Kate;
And then let Kate be chaste and Dian sportful!
255
Kath. Where did you study all this goodly speech?
Pet. It is extempore, from my mother-wit.
Kath. A witty mother! witless else her son.
Pet. Am I not wise?
Kath. Yes; keep you warm.
Pet. Marry, so I mean, sweet Katharine, in thy bed:
260
And therefore, setting all this chat aside,
Thus in plain terms: your father hath consented
That you shall be my wife; your dowry 'greed on;
And, will you, nill you, I will marry you.
Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn;
265
For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty,
Thy beauty, that doth make me like thee well,
Thou must be married to no man but me;
For I am he am born to tame you Kate,
And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate
270
Conformable as other household Kates.
Here comes your father: never make denial;
I must and will have Katharine to my wife.
Re-enter Baptista, Gremio, and Tranio.
Bap. Now, Signior Petruchio, how speed you with my daughter?
Pet. How but well, sir? how but well?
275
It were impossible I should speed amiss.
Bap. Why, how now, daughter Katharine! in your dumps?
[43]
Kath. Call you me daughter? now, I promise you
You have show'd a tender fatherly regard,
To wish me wed to one half lunatic;
280
A mad-cap ruffian and a swearing Jack,
That thinks with oaths to face the matter out.
Pet. Father, 'tis thus: yourself and all the world,
That talk'd of her, have talk'd amiss of her:
If she be curst, it is for policy,
285
For she's not froward, but modest as the dove;
She is not hot, but temperate as the morn;
For patience she will prove a second Grissel,
And Roman Lucrece for her chastity:
And to conclude, we have 'greed so well together,
290
That upon Sunday is the wedding-day.
Kath. I'll see thee hang'd on Sunday first.
Gre. Hark, Petruchio; she says she'll see thee hang'd first.
Tra. Is this your speeding? nay, then, good night our part!
Pet. Be patient, gentlemen; I choose her for myself:
295
If she and I be pleased, what's that to you?
'Tis bargain'd 'twixt us twain, being alone,
That she shall still be curst in company.
I tell you, 'tis incredible to believe
How much she loves me: O, the kindest Kate!
300
She hung about my neck; and kiss on kiss
She vied so fast, protesting oath on oath,
That in a twink she won me to her love.
O, you are novices! 'tis a world to see,
How tame, when men and women are alone,
305
A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew.
Give me thy hand, Kate: I will unto Venice,
[44]
To buy apparel 'gainst the wedding-day.
Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests;
I will be sure my Katharine shall be fine.
310
Bap. I know not what to say: but give me your hands;
God send you joy, Petruchio! 'tis a match.
Gre. Tra. Amen, say we: we will be witnesses.
Pet. Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu;
I will to Venice; Sunday comes apace:
315
We will have rings, and things, and fine array;
And, kiss me, Kate, we will be married o' Sunday.
[Exeunt Petruchio and Katharina severally.
Gre. Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly?
Bap. Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant's part,
And venture madly on a desperate mart.
320
Tra. 'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you:
'Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas.
Bap. The gain I seek is, quiet in the match.
Gre. No doubt but he hath got a quiet catch.
But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter:
325
Now is the day we long have looked for:
I am your neighbour, and was suitor first.
Tra. And I am one that love Bianca more
Than words can witness, or your thoughts can guess.
Gre. Youngling, thou canst not love so dear as I.
Tra. Greybeard, thy love doth freeze.
330
Gre. But thine doth fry.
Skipper, stand back: 'tis age that nourisheth.
Tra. But youth in ladies' eyes that flourisheth.
Bap. Content you, gentlemen: I will compound this strife:
'Tis deeds must win the prize; and he, of both,
335
That can assure my daughter greatest dower
Shall have my Bianca's love.
[45]
Say, Signior Gremio, what can you assure her?
Gre. First, as you know, my house within the city
Is richly furnished with plate and gold;
340
Basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands;
My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry;
In ivory coffers I have stuff'd my crowns;
In cypress chests my arras counterpoints,
Costly apparel, tents, and canopies,
345
Fine linen, Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl,
Valance of Venice gold in needlework,
Pewter and brass and all things that belong
To house or housekeeping: then, at my farm
I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail,
350
Sixscore fat oxen standing in my stalls,
And all things answerable to this portion.
Myself am struck in years, I must confess;
And if I die to-morrow, this is hers,
If whilst I live she will be only mine.
355
Tra. That 'only' came well in. Sir, list to me:
I am my father's heir and only son:
If I may have your daughter to my wife,
I'll leave her houses three or four as good,
Within rich Pisa walls, as any one
360
Old Signior Gremio has in Padua;
Besides two thousand ducats by the year
Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.
What, have I pinch'd you, Signior Gremio?
Gre. Two thousand ducats by the year of land!
365
My land amounts not to so much in all:
That she shall have; besides an argosy
That now is lying in Marseilles' road.
[46]
What, have I choked you with an argosy?
Tra. Gremio, 'tis known my father hath no less
370
Than three great argosies; besides two galliasses,
And twelve tight galleys: these I will assure her,
And twice as much, whate'er thou offer'st next.
Gre. Nay, I have offer'd all, I have no more;
And she can have no more than all I have:
375
If you like me, she shall have me and mine.
Tra. Why, then the maid is mine from all the world,
By your firm promise: Gremio is out-vied.
Bap. I must confess your offer is the best;
And, let your father make her the assurance,
380
She is your own; else, you must pardon me,
If you should die before him, where's her dower?
Tra. That's but a cavil: he is old, I young.
Gre. And may not young men die, as well as old?
Bap. Well, gentlemen,
385
I am thus resolved: on Sunday next you know
My daughter Katharine is to be married:
Now, on the Sunday following, shall Bianca
Be bride to you, if you make this assurance;
If not, to Signior Gremio:
390
And so, I take my leave, and thank you both.
Gre. Adieu, good neighbour. [Exit Baptista.
Now I fear thee not:
Sirrah young gamester, your father were a fool
To give thee all, and in his waning age
Set foot under thy table: tut, a toy!
395
An old Italian fox is not so kind, my boy. [Exit.
Tra. A vengeance on your crafty wither'd hide!
Yet I have faced it with a card of ten.
[47]
'Tis in my head to do my master good:
I see no reason but supposed Lucentio
400
Must get a father, call'd—supposed Vincentio;
And that's a wonder: fathers commonly
Do get their children; but in this case of wooing,
A child shall get a sire, if I fail not of my cunning. [Exit.

LINENOTES:

[3] gawds] Theobald, goods Ff Q. gards Collier (Collier MS.).

[4] pull] put Boswell.

[8] charge thee] F2 F3 F4. charge F1 Q.

[10] the] om. S. Walker conj.

[13] Is't] F1 F2 F3. It's Q. is it F4.

[14] you] Ff. thou Q.

[17] you fair] you fine Johnson conj. your fair Halliwell conj.

[18] envy me so] so envy me Pope.

[21] untie] Ff. unite Q.

[25] thy] Ff. the Q.

[29] [Flies after B.] Ff Q. Flies at B. Hanmer.

[30] [Exit B.] Exit. Ff Q.

[31] What] om. Pope.

[37] ever] never F2.

[39] Scene ii. Pope.

Petruchio ... books] Rowe. Petruchio with Tranio, with his boy bearing a Lute and Bookes. Ff Q.

[40] God save] Save Capell conj.

[42, 43] And you ... virtuous] Printed as prose in Ff Q as verse first by Capell.

[43] fair] om. Q.

[45] too] to Q.

[50] wondrous] woman's Collier MS.

[60] Licio] F2 F3 F4. Litio F1 Q.

[61] You're] Warburton. Y'are Ff Q. You 'are Theobald.

[62] Katharine] Katerine F1 Q F2. Katerina F3. Katherina F4.

[63] the more] F1 Q F2. the more's F3 F4.

[66] as] F1 Q. what F2 F3 F4.

[71-73] Saving ... forward] Steevens. Printed as prose in Ff Q; first as three lines of verse by Capell, ending let ... too ... forward, sir.

[71] I pray] pray S. Walker conj.

[73] Baccare] F2 F3 F4. Bacare F1 Q. Baccalare Theobald (Warburton).

[75-82] I doubt ... service] Printed first as prose by Pope; in Ff Q as ten lines, ending curse ... gift ... express ... been ... any ... hath ... cunning... languages, ... mathematics: ... service: by Capell as ten lines, ending wooing. ... Neighbour, ... it: ... myself, ... any,— ... scholar, ... cunning ... languages, ... mathematicks: ... service.

[75, 76] wooing. Neighbour, this] Theobald, wooing neighbors: this F1 Q. wooing neighbours: this F2 F3 F4. wooing, neighbours. This Rowe (ed. 1). wooing. Neighbours this Rowe (ed. 2).

[76] Neighbour] Neighbour [to Baptista] Capell.

To] And—to Capell.

[78] kindly] om. Capell.

beholding] beholden Pope.

freely give unto you] Edd. (Glover conj.). I freely give unto you Capell (Tyrwhitt conj.). Freely give unto F1 Q F2. Free leave give unto F3 F4.

[79] [presenting Lucentio] Rowe.

[80] Rheims] Rhemes Ff Q.

Greek, Latin] Latin, Greek Capell.

[81] mathematics] the mathematics Capell.

[82] pray] pray you Q.

[83-86] A thousand ... coming? Printed first as prose by Pope; as four lines in Ff Q, ending Gremio: ... sir, ... stranger, ... coming?

[83, 85] Signior ... walk ... so bold ...cause] good signior ... walk here ... bold ... cause too Capell, ending line 85, may I.

[89] myself] F1 Q F3 F4. thy selfe F2.

[99] packet] pack S. Walker conj.

[100] [They greet privately. Theobald.]

[101] Bap. Lucentio is your name; of whence, I pray?] Lucentio is my name. Bap. Of whence, I pray? Theobald conj.

[103] Pisa; by report] Rowe. Pisa by report, Ff Q.

[104] know] knew Rann (Capell conj.).

you are] you're Capell.

[107] within] within there Capell.

lead] shew Capell, corrected in M.S.

[107, 108] Sirrah ... both] Steevens. prints as two lines, ending lead ... both.

[108] To ... both] In to my daughters; tell them both from me Capell conj.

daughters] F1 Q. two daughters F2 F3 F4.

tell] F1 Q. then tell F2 F3 F4.

[109] [Exit ... Hor.] Theobald. Bio....] Capell.

[115] knew] F1 Q. know F2 F3 F4.

[116] solely] Rowe. solie F1 Q F2 F3. soly F4.

[122] of] for Hanmer. on Steevens conj.

[124] whatsoever] whosoever F2.

[140] shake] F2 F3 F4. shakes F1 Q.

[141] Scene iii. Pope.

[144] sooner] om. Q.

[147] to me] on me Hanmer.

[150] most] moist Q.

[151] these] them Rowe.

[156] rascal fiddler] Capell. rascal, fidler Ff Q.

[158] had she] Ff Q. she had Rowe.

[162] discomfited] discomforted Capell conj.

[167] I will] Rowe. Ile F1 Q. I F2 F3 F4.

[Exeunt....] Exit. Manet Petruchio. Ff Q.

[179] banns] Johnson. banes Ff Q.

[185] bonny] F4. bony F1 Q F2 F3.

[188] Kates] cates Pope.

[191] sounded] founded F2.

[197] join'd] joint Capell.

[200] jade as you] F1 Q. jade, sir, as you F2 F3 F4. jack, sir, as you Farmer conj. jade as you—bear! Jackson conj. load, sir, as you Singer. jade to bear you Collier MS. jade as bear you Dyce. jade as to bear you Collier (ed. 2). load as you Grant White. a jade as you S. Walker conj.

[205-232] Should be ... care not] Put in the margin as spurious by Pope.

[205] Should ... buzz!] Shold be, should: buzze. F1 Q. Should be, should: buzze. F2 F3. Should be, should: buz. F4. Should be! should! buz. Rowe. Should bee;—should buz.—Theobald. Should! Bee: should! ... buz. Hanmer.

[209] best] 'best F3 F4.

[211] Ay] Ah Theobald.

find it] find out Collier MS.

[212] does] doth Rowe (ed. 2).

[212, 213] Who ... tail] Printed as prose in Ff Q.

[213] Kath. In his tongue. Pet. Whose tongue?] Cat. In his tail! in his tongue. Pet. In his tongue? whose tongue? Capell.

[214] tails] Rowe (ed. 2). tailes Q. tales Ff.

[215, 216] nay ... gentleman] Pope. Printed as one line in Ff Q.

[218-222] So ... coxcomb?] Printed by Capell is four lines, ending me ... gentlemen ... put ... coxcomb?

[227] sour] so sour Theobald.

[240] askance] Capell. a sconce F1 Q a scance F2 F3 F4. ascance Rowe (ed. 2).

[245] does] doth Rowe.

[250] keep'st] keepest, those Hanmer.

[257] witless] witness Capell.

else] elfe Theobald conj.

[258] keep] to keep Rann.

[259] Marry] Why Pope.

[269] wild Kate] wilde Kate F1 Q. wild Kat F2 F3 F4. wild cat Rowe.

[270] Kates] cats Theobald conj.

[273] Scene v. Pope.

Re-enter....] Enter.... Pope. Enter... Ff Q (after line 267).

... Tranio.] Q. Trayno. Ff.

Now] om. Hanmer.

[277] Kath.] Pet. Theobald.

[278] You have] You've Pope.

[286] morn] moon Collier MS.

[287] Grissel] Grizelde Capell.

[289] we have] we've Pope.

[291] on] o' Capell.

[292] Hark] Hark, hark Hanmer.

hang'd] hang'd o' Sunday Capell.

[293] nay] om. Hanmer.

part] pact Collier (Collier MS.).

[294] gentlemen] sirs Pope.

[301] vied] ply'd Johnson conj. vent Bubier conj.

[308] Provide the feast, father] Father, provide the feast, Pope.

[310] me] om. Pope.

[316] we will be married] we'll marry Hanmer.

o' Sunday] Hanmer. a sonday F1 Q F2. a Sunday F3 F4.

[Exeunt P. and K. severally] Theobald. [Exit P. and K. Ff Q.

[317] Scene vi. Pope.

[322] in] Rowe (ed. 2). me Ff Q.

[336] my Bianca's love.] F1 Q. Bianca's love. F2 F3 F4. Bianca's love.—And, first, to you; Capell.

[343] arras] Ff Q. arras, Rowe (ed. 2).

counterpoints] counterpanes Rowe (ed. 2).

[346] Valance] Pope. Vallens Ff Q.

[347] belong] Rowe. belongs Ff Q.

[351] portion] proportion Theobald conj.

[352] struck] F3 F4. strooke F1 Q F2. stuck Rowe (ed. 1).

[362] jointure] Rowe. ioynter F1 Q. joynter F2 F3 F4.

[365] not to] but to Warburton. yet to Staunton conj.

[367] Marseilles'] Marcellus F1 Q. Marsellis F2 F3 F4.

[384-389] Well ... Gremio] Printed by Hanmer as five lines, ending resolv'd: ... Catharine ... following ... if you ... Gremio.

[384, 385] Well ... resolved] Capell; as one line in Ff Q.

[384] gentlemen] gentlemen, then Pope, ending lines 384, 385 resolv'd ... know.

[387] the] om. Hanmer.

shall Bianca] Bianca shall Hanmer.

[388] to you] to you, Lucentio Capell.

make this assurance] Th' assurance make Hanmer.

[400] Must] May Rowe.

[401] wonder] wonders Q.

[402] wooing] winning Collier (Capell conj.).

[403] cunning] doing Rann (Steevens conj.). See note (xiii).

ACT III.

Scene I. Padua. Baptista's house.

Enter Lucentio, Hortensio, and Bianca.

Luc. Fiddler, forbear; you grow too forward, sir:
Have you so soon forgot the entertainment
Her sister Katharine welcomed you withal?
Hor. But, wrangling pedant, this is
5
The patroness of heavenly harmony:
Then give me leave to have prerogative;
And when in music we have spent an hour,
Your lecture shall have leisure for as much.
Luc. Preposterous ass, that never read so far
10
To know the cause why music was ordain'd!
Was it not to refresh the mind of man
After his studies or his usual pain?
Then give me leave to read philosophy,
And while I pause, serve in your harmony.[48]
15
Hor. Sirrah, I will not bear these braves of thine.
Bian. Why, gentlemen, you do me double wrong,
To strive for that which resteth in my choice:
I am no breeching scholar in the schools;
I'll not be tied to hours nor 'pointed times,
20
But learn my lessons as I please myself.
And, to cut off all strife, here sit we down:
Take you your instrument, play you the whiles;
His lecture will be done ere you have tuned.
Hor. You'll leave his lecture when I am in tune?
25
Luc. That will be never: tune your instrument.
Bian. Where left we last?
Luc. Here, madam:
'Hic ibat Simois; hic est Sigeia tellus;
Hic steterat Priami regia celsa senis.'
30
Bian. Construe them.
Luc. 'Hic ibat,' as I told you before,—'Simois,' I am
Lucentio,—'hic est,' son unto Vincentio of Pisa,— 'Sigeia
tellus,' disguised thus to get your love;—' Hic steterat,' and
that Lucentio that comes a-wooing,—'Priami,' is my man
35
Tranio,—'regia,' bearing my port,—'celsa senis,' that we
might beguile the old pantaloon.
Hor. Madam, my instrument's in tune.
Bian. Let's hear. O fie! the treble jars.
Luc. Spit in the hole, man, and tune again.
40
Bian. Now let me see if I can construe it:
'Hic ibat Simois,' I know you not,—'hic est Sigeia tellus,'
I trust you not;—'Hic steterat Priami,' take heed he hear [49]
us not,—'regia,' presume not,—'celsa senis,' despair not.
Hor. Madam, 'tis now in tune.
Luc. All but the base.
45
Hor. The base is right; 'tis the base knave that jars.
[Aside] How fiery and forward our pedant is!
Now, for my life, the knave doth court my love:
Pedascule, I'll watch you better yet.
Bian. In time I may believe, yet I mistrust.
50
Luc. Mistrust it not; for, sure, Ćacides
Was Ajax, call'd so from his grandfather.
Bian. I must believe my master; else, I promise you,
I should be arguing still upon that doubt:
But let it rest. Now, Licio, to you:
55
Good masters, take it not unkindly, pray,
That I have been thus pleasant with you both.
Hor. You may go walk, and give me leave a while:
My lessons make no music in three parts.
Luc. Are you so formal, sir? well, I must wait,
60
[Aside] And watch withal; for, but I be deceived,
Our fine musician groweth amorous.
Hor. Madam, before you touch the instrument,
To learn the order of my fingering,
I must begin with rudiments of art;
65
To teach you gamut in a briefer sort,
More pleasant, pithy, and effectual,
Than hath been taught by any of my trade:[50]
And there it is in writing, fairly drawn.
Bian. Why, I am past my gamut long ago.
70
Hor. Yet read the gamut of Hortensio.
Bian. [reads] "'Gamut' I am, the ground of all accord,
'A re,' to plead Hortensio's passion;
'B mi,' Bianca, take him for thy lord,
'C fa ut,' that loves with all affection:
75
'D sol re,' one clef, two notes have I:
'E la mi,' show pity, or I die."
Call you this gamut? tut, I like it not:
Old fashions please me best; I am not so nice,
To change true rules for old inventions.
Enter a Servant.
80
Serv. Mistress, your father prays you leave your books,
And help to dress your sister's chamber up:
You know to morrow is the wedding-day.
Bian. Farewell, sweet masters both; I must be gone.
[Exeunt Bianca and Servant.
Luc. Faith, mistress, then I have no cause to stay. [Exit.
85
Hor. But I have cause to pry into this pedant:
Methinks he looks as though he were in love:
Yet if thy thoughts, Bianca, be so humble,
To cast thy wandering eyes on every stale,
Seize thee that list: if once I find thee ranging,
90
Hortensio will be quit with thee by changing. [Exit.

LINENOTES:

[Act iii. Scene i.] Actus Tertia. F1 Q. Actus Tertius. F2 F3 F4. Act ii. Scene ii. Capell.

Baptista's house.] Theobald. Another room. Capell.

[4] But ... this is] Wrangling pedant, this Pope. She is a shrew, but, wrangling pedant, this is Theobald. But, wrangling pedant, know this lady is Hanmer. But, wrangling pedant, this lady is Malone conj. Tut, wrangling pedant, I avouch this is Collier (Collier MS.). See note (ix).

this is] this' S. Walker conj. ending lines 4-6 with patroness ... leave ... prerogative.

[14] while] when Capell (corrected in note).

[15] not] om. Q.

[19] 'pointed] Hanmer. pointed Ff Q.

[22] your] the Q.

play you the whiles] play you the while Pope. stay you a while Hanmer.

[24] [Hortensio retires. Pope. [To Bianca, taking up his lute. Capell.

[26] [Sitting to a table with Luc. Capell.

[27] [Shewing a book. Capell.

[28, 31, Hic] Ff Q. Hac Theobald.

41.] Sigeia] F3 F4. sigeria F1 Q. sigeia F2.

[30, 40.] Construe] F4. Conster F1 Q F2 F3.

[32] Sigeia] F2 F3 F4. Sigeria F1 Q.

[37] Hor.] Hor. [returning] Pope.

[38] [Hortensio plays. Capell.

[41] ibat] that F3 F4.

Sigeia] sigeia F2 F3 F4. sigeria F1 Q.

[42] steterat] F2 F3 F4. staterat F1 Q.

[44] [Hortensio plays. Edd. conj.

[46] How ... is!] Luc. How fiery and forward our pedant is, F1 Q F2. Luc. How ... froward ... is, F2 F3 F4 (is! F4). How fiery and froward our pedant is! Rowe (ed. 2). How fiery and how froward is our pedant! Pope. How fiery and how forward is our pedant! Capell.

[47] the] F1 Q. that F2 F3 F4.

[48] Pedascule] Pedascale Warburton. Didascule Harness conj.

[49] In ... mistrust] Continued to Luc. in Ff Q. Given to Bian. by Pope (ed. 2).

[Seeing Hor. listen. Capell.

[50] Luc.] Pope (ed. 2). Bian. Ff Q.

[52] Bian.] Pope (ed. 2). Hort. Ff Q.

[54] [rising. Capell.

[55] masters] Rowe (ed. 2). master Ff Q.

[57] Hor.] Hort. F1 Q. Bian. F2 F3 F4.

[59-61] [Aside. Johnson.

[60] [Aside] Edd.

[65] gamut] Rowe. gamoth Ff Q.

[69, 70, gamut] Rowe. gamouth

71, 77.] F1 Q. gamoth F2 F3 F4.

[72] A re] Q. Are Ff.

[73] B mi] Pope. B eme Ff Q.

[74] C fa ut] Q. Cfavt F1 F2. Cfaut F3 F4.

loves] loves thee Hanmer.

[75] clef] cliffe F1 Q F2 F3 cliff F4.

two] but two Pope. not two Capell.

[76] show] show me Hanmer.

[78] I am] I'm Pope.

[79] change]F2 F3 F4. charge F1 Q.

true ... ola] Ff Q. true ... new Rowe (ed. 2). true ... odd Theobald. old ... new Long conj. MS. new ... old Malone conj.

Enter a Servant.] Rowe. Enter a Messenger. Ff Q.

[80] Serv.] Rowe. Nicke. F1 Q F2. Nick. F3 F4. See note (iv).

[83] [Exeunt B. and S.] Capell. Ex. Rowe. Exit. Pope.

[84] [Exit.] Rowe.

[86] were] was Q.

[89] that] who Pope.

[51]

Scene II. Padua. Before Baptista's house.

Enter Baptista, Gremio, Tranio, Katharina, Bianca, Lucentio, and others, attendants.

Bap. Signior Lucentio [to Tranio], this is the 'pointed day.
That Katharine and Petruchio should be married,
And yet we hear not of our son-in-law.
What will be said? what mockery will it be,
5
To want the bridegroom when the priest attends
To speak the ceremonial rites of marriage!
What says Lucentio to this shame of ours?
Kath. No shame but mine: I must, forsooth, be forced
To give my hand, opposed against my heart,
10
Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen;
Who woo'd in haste, and means to wed at leisure.
I told you, I, he was a frantic fool,
Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behaviour:
And, to be noted for a merry man.
15
He'll woo a thousand, 'point the day of marriage,
Make friends, invite, and proclaim the banns;
Yet never means to wed where he hath woo'd.
Now must the world point at poor Katharine,
And say, 'Lo, there is mad Petruchio's wife,
20
If it would please him come and marry her!'
Tra. Patience, good Katharine, and Baptista too.
Upon my life, Petruchio means but well,
Whatever fortune stays him from his word:[52]
Though he be blunt, I know him passing wise;
25
Though he be merry, yet withal he's honest.
Kath. Would Katharine had never seen him though!
[Exit weeping, followed by Bianca and others.
Bap. Go, girl; I cannot blame thee now to weep;
For such an injury would vex a very saint,
Much more a shrew of thy impatient humour.
Enter Biondello.
30
Bion. Master, master! news, old news, and such news
as you never heard of!
Bap. Is it new and old too? how may that be?
Bion. Why, is it not news, to hear of Petruchio's coming?
Bap. Is he come?
35
Bion. Why, no, sir.
Bap. What then?
Bion. He is coming.
Bap. When will he be here?
Bion. When he stands where I am and sees you there.
40
Tra. But say, what to thine old news?
Bion. Why, Petruchio is coming in a new hat and an old
jerkin, a pair of old breeches thrice turned, a pair of boots
that have been candle-cases, one buckled, another laced, an
old rusty sword ta'en out of the town-armoury, with a
45
broken hilt, and chapeless; with two broken points: his
horse hipped with an old mothy saddle and stirrups of no
kindred; besides, possessed with the glanders and like to
mose in the chine; troubled with the lampass, infected with
the fashions, full of windgalls, sped with spavins, rayed with
50
the yellows, past cure of the fives, stark spoiled with the
staggers, begnawn with the bots, swayed in the back and
shoulder-shotten; near-legged before and with a half-checked
bit and a head-stall of sheep's leather which, being
restrained to keep him from stumbling, hath been often
55
burst and now repaired with knots; one girth six times
pieced and a woman's crupper of velure, which hath two
letters for her name fairly set down in studs, and here and
there pieced with packthread.
[53]
Bap. Who comes with him?
60
Bion. O, sir, his lackey, for all the world caparisoned
like the horse; with a linen stock on one leg, and a kersey
boot-hose on the other, gartered with a red and blue list;
an old hat, and 'the humour of forty fancies' pricked in't
for a feather: a monster, a very monster in apparel, and
65
not like a Christian footboy or a gentleman's lackey.
Tra. 'Tis some odd humour pricks him to this fashion;
Yet oftentimes he goes but mean-apparell'd.
Bap. I am glad he's come, howsoe'er he comes.
Bion. Why, sir, he comes not.
70
Bap. Didst thou not say he comes?
Bion. Who? that Petruchio came?
Bap. Ay, that Petruchio came.
Bion. No, sir; I say his horse comes, with him on his
back.
75
Bap. Why, that's all one.
[54]
Bion. Nay, by Saint Jamy,
I hold you a penny,
A horse and a man
Is more than one,
80
And yet not many.
Enter Petruchio and Grumio.
Pet. Come, where be these gallants? who's at home?
Bap. You are welcome, sir.
Pet. And yet I come not well.
Bap. And yet you halt not.
Tra. Not so well apparell'd
As I wish you were.
85
Pet. Were it better, I should rush in thus.
But where is Kate? where is my lovely bride?
How does my father? Gentles, methinks you frown:
And wherefore gaze this goodly company,
As if they saw some wondrous monument,
90
Some comet or unusual prodigy?
Bap. Why, sir, you know this is your wedding-day:
First were we sad, fearing you would not come;
Now sadder, that you come so unprovided.
Fie, doff this habit, shame to your estate,
95
An eye-sore to our solemn festival!
Tra. And tell us, what occasion of import
Hath all so long detain'd you from your wife,[55]
And sent you hither so unlike yourself?
Pet. Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear:
100
Sufficeth, I am come to keep my word,
Though in some part enforced to digress;
Which, at more leisure, I will so excuse
As you shall well be satisfied withal.
But where is Kate? I stay too long from her:
105
The morning wears, 'tis time we were at church.
Tra. See not your bride in these unreverent robes:
Go to my chamber; put on clothes of mine.
Pet. Not I, believe me: thus I'll visit her.
Bap. But thus, I trust, you will not marry her.
110
Pet. Good sooth, even thus; therefore ha' done with words:
To me she's married, not unto my clothes:
Could I repair what she will wear in me,
As I can change these poor accoutrements,
'Twere well for Kate and better for myself.
115
But what a fool am I to chat with you,
When I should bid good morrow to my bride,
And seal the title with a lovely kiss!
[Exeunt Petruchio and Gremio.
Tra. He hath some meaning in his mad attire:
We will persuade him, be it possible,
120
To put on better ere he go to church.
Bap. I'll after him, and see the event of this.
[Exeunt Baptista, Gremio, and attendants.
Tra. But to her love concerneth us to add
Her father's liking: which to bring to pass,[56]
As I before imparted to your worship,
125
I am to get a man,—whate'er he be,
It skills not much, we'll fit him to our turn,—
And he shall be Vincentio of Pisa;
And make assurance here in Padua
Of greater sums than I have promised.
130
So shall you quietly enjoy your hope,
And marry sweet Bianca with consent.
Luc. Were it not that my fellow-schoolmaster
Doth watch Bianca's steps so narrowly,
'Twere good, methinks, to steal our marriage;
135
Which once perform'd, let all the world say no,
I'll keep mine own, despite of all the world.
Tra. That by degrees we mean to look into,
And watch our vantage in this business:
We'll over-reach the greybeard, Gremio,
140
The narrow-prying father, Minola,
The quaint musician, amorous Licio;
All for my master's sake, Lucentio.
Re-enter Gremio.
Signior Gremio, came you from the church?
Gre. As willingly as e'er I came from school.
145
Tra. And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?
Gre. A bridegroom say you? 'tis a groom indeed,
A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find.
Tra. Curster than she? why, 'tis impossible.
Gre. Why, he's a devil, a devil, a very fiend.
150
Tra. Why, she's a devil, a devil, the devil's dam.
Gre. Tut, she's a lamb, a dove, a fool to him!
I'll tell you, Sir Lucentio: when the priest
Should ask, if Katharine should be his wife,[57]
'Ay, by gogs-wouns,' quoth he; and swore so loud,
155
That, all amazed, the priest let fall the book;
And, as he stoop'd again to take it up,
The mad-brain'd bridegroom took him such a cuff,
That down fell priest and book, and book and priest:
'Now take them up,' quoth he, 'if any list.'
160
Tra. What said the wench when he rose again?
Gre. Trembled and shook; for why he stamp'd and swore,
As if the vicar meant to cozen him.
But after many ceremonies done,
He calls for wine: 'A health!' quoth he; as if
165
He had been aboard, carousing to his mates
After a storm: quaff'd off the muscadel,
And threw the sops all in the sexton's face;
Having no other reason
But that his beard grew thin and hungerly
170
And seem'd to ask him sops as he was drinking.
This done, he took the bride about the neck
And kiss'd her lips with such a clamorous smack
That at the parting all the church did echo:
And I seeing this came thence for very shame;
175
And after me, I know, the rout is coming.
Such a mad marriage never was before:
Hark, hark! I hear the minstrels play. [Music.
Re-enter Petruchio, Katharina, Bianca, Baptista, Hortensio, [58]
Grumio, and Train.
Pet. Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains:
I know you think to dine with me to-day,
180
And have prepared great store of wedding cheer;
But so it is, my haste doth call me hence,
And therefore here I mean to take my leave.
Bap. Is't possible you will away to-night?
Pet. I must away to-day, before night come:
185
Make it no wonder; if you knew my business,
You would entreat me rather go than stay.
And, honest company, I thank you all,
That have beheld me give away myself
To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife:
190
Dine with my father, drink a health to me;
For I must hence; and farewell to you all.
Tra. Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.
Pet. It may not be.
Gru. Let me entreat you.
Pet. It cannot be.
Kath. Let me entreat you.
Pet. I am content.
195
Kath. Are you content to stay?
Pet. I am content you shall entreat me stay;
But yet not stay, entreat me how you can.
Kath. Now, if you love me, stay.
Pet. Grumio, my horse.
Gru. Ay, sir, they be ready: the oats have eaten the
200
horses.
Kath. Nay, then,
Do what thou canst, I will not go to-day;[59]
No, nor to-morrow, not till I please myself.
The door is open, sir; there lies your way;
205
You may be jogging whiles your boots are green;
For me, I'll not be gone till I please myself:
'Tis like you'll prove a jolly surly groom,
That take it on you at the first so roundly.
Pet. O Kate, content thee; prithee, be not angry.
210
Kath. I will be angry: what hast thou to do?
Father, be quiet: he shall stay my leisure.
Gre. Ay, marry, sir, now it begins to work.
Kath. Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner:
I see a woman may be made a fool,
215
If she had not a spirit to resist.
Pet. They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command.
Obey the bride, you that attend on her;
Go to the feast, revel and domineer,
Carouse full measure to her maidenhead,
220
Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves:
But for my bonny Kate, she must with me.
Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret;
I will be master of what is mine own:
She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house,
225
My household stuff, my field, my barn,
My horse, my ox, my ass, my any thing;
And here she stands, touch her whoever dare;
I'll bring mine action on the proudest he
That stops my way in Padua. Grumio,
230
Draw forth thy weapon, we are beset with thieves;
Rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man.
Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee, Kate:
I'll buckler thee against a million.[60]
[Exeunt Petruchio, Katharina, and Grumio.
Bap. Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones.
235
Gre. Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing.
Tra. Of all mad matches never was the like.
Luc. Mistress, what's your opinion of your sister?
Bian. That, being mad herself, she's madly mated.
Gre. I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated.
240
Bap. Neighbours and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants
For to supply the places at the table,
You know there wants no junkets at the feast.
Lucentio, you shall supply the bridegroom's place;
And let Bianca take her sister's room.
245
Tra. Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it?
Bap. She shall, Lucentio. Come, gentlemen, let's go. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

[Scene ii.] Pope. Act iii. Scene i. Capell.

Before B.'s house.] Malone. Court before the house. Capell.

Lucentio] Rowe. om. Ff Q.

attendants.] attendants; Lucentio, and Hortensio among them. Capell.

[1] Bap.] Bap. [to Tra.] Capell.

['pointed] Pope. pointed Ff Q.

[14] man.] Rowe. man; F1 Q F2 F3. man: F4.

[15] 'point] Pope. point Ff Q.

[16] Make friends, invite,] F1 Q. Make friends, invite, yes F2 F3 F4. Make friends, invite them Malone. Make friends invite, yes Singer. Make friends invited Grant White. Make friends invite guests Dyce conj. Make feasts, invite friends Anon. conj.

banns] Johnson. banes Ff Q.

[18] Katharine] Katharina Rowe.

[24] know] Ff. knew Q.

[26] him] om. Q.

[Exit ... others.] Exit weeping. Ff Q. Exit weeping: is follow'd by Bianca, Gremio, Hortensio, and Others. Capell.

[28] a very saint] F1 Q. a saint F2 F3 F4.

[29] thy] F2 F3 F4. om. F1 Q.

Enter B.] Enter B., hastily. Capell.

[30.] Scene iii. Pope.

news, old news, and such news] Capell. news, and such news Ff Q. old news, and such news Rowe. news, and such old news Collier (Collier MS.).

[33] hear] heard F1. heare Q.

[40] what to] what be Capell. what:—to Malone. what is Collier MS.

thine] F1 Q F2. thy F3 F4.

[41] a new] an old Anon. conj.

[43, 45] laced; an ... points] laced with two broken points; an ... chapeless Rann (Johnson conj.).

[45-47] his horse ... kindred;] with an old mothy saddle, the stirrups of no kindred: his horse hip'd, Rann.

[46] hipped] hip'd Ff Q. heaped Collier MS.

and] F1 Q. the F2 F3 F4. with the Hanmer (ed. 2).

[48] mose] mourn Hanmer.

[49] fashions] farcin Hanmer. farcy Long conj. MS.

[50] fives] vives Hanmer.

[51] swayed] Hanmer. waid Ff Q.

[52] near-legged] neere leg'd F1 Q F2. neer leg'd F3 F4. ne'er legg'd Malone.

[55] now repaired] new-repaired S. Walker conj.

girth] girt Rowe (ed. 2).

[57] down] dower F2.

[63] the humour of] the amours or Collier MS. See note (xiv).

pricked] prickt up F3 F4.

[65] or a] F1 Q. or F3 F4.

[66] odd] old Q.

[66, 67] 'Tis ... apparell'd Printed as prose in Q.

[68] he's come] he is come Johnson. he's come though Capell.

howsoe'er] howsoere F1 Q. howsoever F2 F3 F4.

[71] that Petruchio] that that Petruchio F3 F4.

came] came not Warburton.

[73] say] say, that Capell.

[76-80] Nay ... many.] Printed as prose in Ff Q; as five lines of verse by Collier; as two lines by Rowe (ed. 2).

[81] Scene iv. Pope.

Enter P. and G.] Enter P. and G. fantastically habited. Rowe.

Come] Come, come S. Walker conj.

gallants?] gallants here? Capell.

who's] who is Pope.

[81-84] Come ... were] Verse as in Capell. Printed as prose in Ff Q. See note (xv).

[81, 83, 85] Come ... Not so well ... Were it ... thus.] Come, come ... Nor so ... Were it not ... thus? Lettsom conj., ending lines 83, 84 at halt not ... were.

[82] you are] you're Pope.

[82, 83] sir. Pet. And yet I come not well. Bap. And yet you halt not] sir: and yet you come not well. Pet. And yet I halt not Capell conj.

[83] apparell'd] 'parell'd Pope, reading as one verse Not ... were.

[84] wish] could wish Capell.

[85] Were] Why, were Hanmer. Tut! were Capell. Wer't S. Walker conj.

better] much better Collier MS.

thus.] thus? Rann.

[86] is my] is is my Q.

[95] An] And Anon. conj.

[103] withal] with all F1 F2.

[110] ha'] F4. ha F1 Q F2 F3. have Capell.

[113] can] F1 Q F2. could F3 F4.

[117] lovely] loving Collier (Collier MS.).

[Exeunt P. and G.] Dyce. [Exit. Ff Q. [Exeunt Pet. Gru. and Bio. Capell.

[121] [Exeunt B., G., and attendants.] Exit. Ff Q. [Exeunt Bap. and Attendants. Tranio follows; but is beckon'd back by Lucentio, who converses a while apart. Capell.

[122] Scene v. Pope.

But to her love] Grant White. But sir, Love Ff Q. But, sir, our love Pope. But to her love, sir Capell. But, sir, her love Rann (Ritson conj.). But, sir, to her love Malone (Tyrwhitt conj.). But to our love Collier MS. But, sir, to love Knight.

[124] I before] Pope. before F1 Q. before I F2 F3 F4.

[126] our turn] turn Capell (corrected in MS).

[140] narrow-prying] Pope. narrow prying Ff Q.

[143] Scene vi. Pope.

Re-enter Gremio] Re-enter G. laughing. Capell.

Signior] Now, signior Pope.

[145] is] are Hanmer.

[147] grumbling] grumlling F1. grumling Q.

[148] she?] F4. she F1 Q F2 F3.

[153] Should ask] Did ask Hanmer.

[160] wench] wretch Capell conj.

rose] F1 Q. rose up F2 F3 F4. arose Reed (1803).

[161-177] Trembled ... play] Arranged as in Reed (1803). Printed as prose in F1 Q; as verse first in F2, making 16 lines, ending swore ... him ... done ... if ... mates ... muscadell ... face ... beard ... aske ... tooke ... lips ... parting ... this ... me ... marryage ... play.

[164-168] He calls ... reason] Printed by Capell as five lines, ending wine ... aboard ... storm ... sops ... reason.

[164] if] om. Capell.

[165] He had] H'ad Pope.

[168] reason] cause Pope.

[170] him] His F3 F4.

[173] all] om. Long conj. MS.

did echo] echo'd Pope.

[174] And I] I Capell.

[175] I know] om. Hanmer.

[176] never] Ne'er Theobald.

[177] I hear] om. Hanmer.

play] om. Theobald.

[178] Scene vii. Pope.

Petruchio, Katharina....] P. and C. as marry'd.... Capell.

Grumio, and Train.] Capell.

[183] will] must Hanmer.

[193] you] you, sir Hanmer. you stay Steevens conj.

[194] you,] you, sir Hanmer. you then Capell. you stay Steevens conj.

[198] horse] horses Rowe (ed. 2).

[199] Ay, sir] Sir Hanmer.

oats] bots Grey conj.

eaten] eaten up Capell.

[203] not till] F1 Q F2 F3. nor till F4.

[205] whiles] while Pope.

[206] be gone] go Hanmer.

till I] till Capell.

[214] made] maide Q.

[220] yourselves] you selves F2.

[224] she is my house] and my house Hanmer. and she is My house Mitforl conj.

[225] My] She is my Hanmer.

my barn] my barn, my stable Capell. my barn, my grange S. Walker conj. my barn, my garner Edd. conj.

[228] mine] my Rowe.

[230] we are] we're Pope.

[233] [Exeunt P. K. and G.] Exeunt P. Ka. Ff Q. [Exit, hurrying Catherine out; Grumio, with his sword drawn, bringing up the rear. Capell.

[237] Luc. Mistress ... sister?] Continued to Tranio by Capell.

[240] wants] want Pope.

[242] wants] want Grant White.

[243] shall supply] supply Pope. shall have Rann (Capell conj.).

[246] Come] om. Pope. See note (xvi).

ACT IV.

Scene I. Petruchio's country house.

Enter Grumio.

Gru. Fie, fie on all tired jades, on all mad masters,
and all foul ways! Was ever man so beaten? was ever
man so rayed? was ever man so weary? I am sent before
to make a fire, and they are coming after to warm them.
5
Now, were not I a little pot, and soon hot, my very lips
might freeze to my teeth, my tongue to the roof of my
mouth, my heart in my belly, ere I should come by a fire
[61]
to thaw me: but I, with blowing the fire, shall warm myself;
for, considering the weather, a taller man than I will
10
take cold. Holla, ho! Curtis!
Enter Curtis.
Curt. Who is that calls so coldly?
Gru. A piece of ice: if thou doubt it, thou mayst slide
from my shoulder to my heel with no greater a run but my
head and my neck. A fire, good Curtis.
15
Curt. Is my master and his wife coming, Grumio?
Gru. O, ay, Curtis, ay: and therefore fire, fire; cast on
no water.
Curt. Is she so hot a shrew as she's reported?
Gru. She was, good Curtis, before this frost: but, thou
20
knowest, winter tames man, woman, and beast; for it hath
tamed my old master, and my new mistress, and myself,
fellow Curtis.
Curt. Away, you three-inch fool! I am no beast.
Gru. Am I but three inches? why, thy horn is a foot;
25
and so long am I at the least. But wilt thou make a fire,
or shall I complain on thee to our mistress, whose hand,
she being now at hand, thou shalt soon feel, to thy cold
comfort, for being slow in thy hot office?
30
Curt. I prithee, good Grumio, tell me, how goes the world?
Gru. A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine;
and therefore fire: do thy duty, and have thy duty; for
my master and mistress are almost frozen to death.
Curt. There's fire ready; and therefore, good Grumio,
35
the news.
Gru. Why, 'Jack, boy! ho! boy!' and as much news
as thou wilt.
Curt. Come, you are so full of cony-catching!
[62]
Gru. Why, therefore fire; for I have caught extreme
40
cold. Where's the cook? is supper ready, the house trimmed,
rushes strewed, cobwebs swept; the serving-men in
their new fustian, their white stockings, and every officer
his wedding-garment on? Be the jacks fair within, the jills
fair without, the carpets laid, and every thing in order?
45
Curt. All ready; and therefore, I pray thee, news.
Gru. First, know, my horse is tired; my master and
mistress fallen out.
Curt. How?
Gru. Out of their saddles into the dirt; and thereby
50
hangs a tale.
Curt. Let's ha't, good Grumio.
Gru. Lend thine ear.
Curt. Here.
Gru. There. [Strikes him.
55
Curt. This is to feel a tale, not to hear a tale.
Gru. And therefore 'tis called a sensible tale: and this
cuff was but to knock at your ear, and beseech listening.
Now I begin: Imprimis, we came down a foul hill, my master
riding behind my mistress,—
60
Curt. Both of one horse?
Gru. What's that to thee?
Curt. Why, a horse.
Gru. Tell thou the tale: but hadst thou not crossed
me, thou shouldst have heard how her horse fell and she
65
under her horse; thou shouldst have heard in how miry a
place, how she was bemoiled, how he left her with the horse
upon her, how he beat me because her horse stumbled,
how she waded through the dirt to pluck him off me, how
he swore, how she prayed, that never prayed before, how I
70
cried, how the horses ran away, how her bridle was burst,
how I lost my crupper, with many things of worthy memory,
[63]
which now shall die in oblivion and thou return unexperienced
to thy grave.
Curt. By this reckoning he is more shrew than she.
75
Gru. Ay; and that thou and the proudest of you all
shall find when he comes home. But what talk I of this?
Call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Philip, Walter, Sugarsop
and the rest: let their heads be sleekly combed,
their blue coats brushed and their garters of an indifferent
80
knit: let them curtsy with their left legs and not presume
to touch a hair of my master's horse-tail till they kiss their
hands. Are they all ready?
Curt. They are.
Gru. Call them forth.
85
Curt. Do you hear, ho? you must meet my master to
countenance my mistress!
Gru. Why, she hath a face of her own.
Curt. Who knows not that?
Gru. Thou, it seems, that calls for company to countenance
90
her.
Curt. I call them forth to credit her.
Gru. Why, she comes to borrow nothing of them.
Enter four or five serving-men.
Nath. Welcome home, Grumio!
Phil. How now, Grumio!
95
Jos. What, Grumio!
Nich. Fellow Grumio!
Nath. How now, old lad?
Gru. Welcome, you;—how now, you;—what, you;—fellow,
you;—and thus much for greeting. Now, my spruce
100
companions, is all ready, and all things neat?
[64]
Nath. All things is ready. How near is our master?
Gru. E'en at hand, alighted by this; and therefore be
not—Cock's passion, silence! I hear my master.
Enter Petruchio and Katharina.
Pet. Where be these knaves? What, no man at door
105
To hold my stirrup nor to take my horse!
Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Philip?
All Serv. Here, here, sir; here, sir.
Pet. Here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! here, sir!
You logger-headed and unpolish'd grooms!
110
What, no attendance? no regard? no duty?
Where is the foolish knave I sent before?
Gru. Here, sir; as foolish as I was before.
Pet. You peasant swain! you whoreson malt-horse drudge!
Did I not bid thee meet me in the park,
115
And bring along these rascal knaves with thee?
Gru. Nathaniel's coat, sir, was not fully made,
And Gabriel's pumps were all unpink'd i' the heel;
There was no link to colour Peter's hat,
And Walter's dagger was not come from sheathing:
120
There were none fine but Adam, Ralph, and Gregory;
The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly;
Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you.
Pet. Go, rascals, go, and fetch my supper in. [Exeunt Servants.
[Singing] Where is the life that late I led—
125
Where are those—Sit down, Kate, and welcome.—
[65]
Soud, soud, soud, soud!
Re-enter Servants with supper.
Why, when, I say? Nay, good sweet Kate, be merry.
Off with my boots, you rogues! you villains, when? [Sings.
It was the friar of orders grey,
130
As he forth walked on his way:—
Out, you rogue! you pluck my foot awry:
Take that, and mend the plucking off the other. [Strikes him.
Be merry, Kate. Some water, here; what, ho!
Where's my spaniel Troilus? Sirrah, get you hence,
135
And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither:
One, Kate, that you must kiss, and be acquainted with.
Where are my slippers? Shall I have some water?
Enter one with water.
Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily.
You whoreson villain! will you let it fall? [Strikes him.
140
Kath. Patience, I pray you; 'twas a fault unwilling.
Pet. A whoreson beetle-headed, flap-ear'd knave!
Come, Kate, sit down; I know you have a stomach.
Will you give thanks, sweet Kate; or else shall I?
What's this? mutton?
First Serv. Ay.
Pet. Who brought it?
Peter. I.
145
Pet. 'Tis burnt; and so is all the meat.
What dogs are these! Where is the rascal cook?
How durst you, villains, bring it from the dresser,[66]
And serve it thus to me that love it not?
There, take it to you, trenchers, cups, and all:
[Throws the meat, &c. about the stage.
150
You heedless joltheads and unmanner'd slaves!
What, do you grumble? I'll be with you straight.
Kath. I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet:
The meat was well, if you were so contented.
Pet. I tell thee, Kate, 'twas burnt and dried away;
155
And I expressly am forbid to touch it,
For it engenders choler, planteth anger;
And better 'twere that both of us did fast,
Since, of ourselves, ourselves are choleric,
Than feed it with such over-roasted flesh.
160
Be patient; to-morrow't shall be mended,
And, for this night, we'll fast for company:
Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber. [Exeunt.
Re-enter Servants severally.
Nath. Peter, didst ever see the like?
Peter. He kills her in her own humour.
Re-enter Curtis.
165
Gru. Where is he?
Curt. In her chamber, making a sermon of continency to her;
And rails, and swears, and rates, that she, poor soul,
Knows not which way to stand, to look, to speak,
170
And sits as one new-risen from a dream.
Away, away! for he is coming hither. [Exeunt.
Re-enter Petruchio.
Pet. Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And 'tis my hope to end successfully.[67]
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty;
175
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper's call,
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
180
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not;
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I'll find about the making of the bed;
185
And here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets:
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night:
190
And if she chance to nod I'll rail and brawl
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness;
And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
195
Now let him speak: 'tis charity to show. [Exit.

LINENOTES:

Act iv. Scene i.] Pope.

P.'s country house.] Pope. A hall in.... Capell.

[2, 3] Was ... beaten? was ... rayed? was ... weary?] was ... weary? was ... beaten? was ... raied? Hanmer.

[3] rayed] 'wray'd Capell.

[11] is] is't Anon. conj.

[16] Curtis] Burtis Q.

[19] this] the Rowe (ed. 2).

[21] myself] thyself Hanmer (Warburton).

[23] three-inch] three-inch'd Rowe.

[24] thy] my Theobald.

[34] There's] There is Hanmer.

[37] thou wilt] wilt thou F1. will thaw Anon. conj.

[42] their] F3 F4. the F1 Q F2. the—in their S. Walker conj., supposing an omission.

[43, 44] within ... without] without ... within Hanmer.

[44] the carpets] carpets F3 F4.

[45] news] what news F2 F3 F4. thy news Malone conj.

[54] [Strikes him.] Rowe.

[55] is] Rowe (ed. 2). 'tis Ff Q.

[60] of] on Rowe.

[71] of worthy] worthy of S. Walker conj.

[73] thy] the Q.

[74] is] om. Q.

[77] Walter, Sugarsop] Walter Sugarsop S. Walker conj.

Sugarsop] corrupt, Id. conj.

[78] sleekly] slickely F1 Q F2. slickly F3 F4.

[79] indifferent] different Malone conj.

[80] knit] knot Capell.

[89] call] Ff Q. call'st Rowe (ed. 2).

[92] Enter....] Ff Q (after line 90).

[97] Nath.] Walt. Edd. conj.

[101] is ready] F1 Q. are ready F2 F3 F4.

[104] Scene ii. Pope.

[104-106] Where ... Philip] Printed as prose in F3 F4.

[104] door] the door Capell.

[106-108] Where is ... here, sir!] Printed by Capell as two lines, ending the first at Here, here, sir.

[110] attendance] attendants Q.

[113] peasant] pleasant Pope (ed. 2).

[115] these] F1 Q. the F2 F3 F4.

[122] here are] F1 Q. om. F2 F3 F4.

[123] [Exeunt Servants] Ex. Ser. Ff Q. Exeunt some of the servants. Cloth lay'd. Capell.

[124] [Singing.] Theobald. See note (xvii).

led—] led, say they:— Capell.

[125] those—] those villains? Capell.

[126] Soud ... soud] Sů ... sů. A. A. (N. and Q.) conj.

[Humming. Hanmer. [Wipes himself. Capell.

[128] rogues] rogue Hammer.

[Sings.] Rowe.

[131] Out] Out, out Pope.

[132] mend] mind Hanmer.

[Strikes him.] Rowe.

[134] my] by Hanmer (a misprint).

[137] [Water presented. Capell.

[Enter..] Ff Q (after line 133). om. Capell.

[138] [Servant lets the ewer fall. Capell.

[141] flap-ear'd] flatear'd Rowe.

[144] What's] What is Hanmer.

Ay] Yes Rowe.

Peter.] F1 Q. Ser F2 F3 F4.

[145] all the] all the rest o'the Capell.

[149] [Throws....] Rowe.

[160] to-morrow] for to-morrow Pope.

[162] [Exeunt] Ff Q. [Exit, leading out Cat. Cur. follows. Capell.

[163-166] Peter ... chamber] As two lines in Capell, ending kills her ... chamber.

[164] [Re-enter Curtis.] Enter Curtis a servant. Ff Q (after line 165).

[166-171] In her ... hither] Pope. Printed as prose in Ff Q.

[168] swears] sweare F2.

that she] and she Rowe.

[171] [Exeunt.] Pope. om. Ff Q.

[172] Scene iii. Pope.

[180] bate ... beat] baite ... beate F1 Q F2. bait ... beat F3 F4.

[182] she shall] shall F_ 3 F4.

[186] another] that Pope.

[187] I intend] I'll pretend Rowe (ed. 2).

Scene II. Padua. Before Baptista's house.

Enter Tranio and Hortensio.

Tra. Is't possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?
I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.[68]
Hor. Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said,
5
Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.
Enter Bianca and Lucentio.
Luc. Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?
Bian. What, master, read you? first resolve me that.
Luc. I read that I profess, the Art to Love.
Bian. And may you prove, sir, master of your art!
10
Luc. While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart!
Hor. Quick proceeders, marry! Now, tell me, I pray,
You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca
Loved none in the world so well as Lucentio.
Tra. O despiteful love! unconstant womankind!
15
I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.
Hor. Mistake no more: I am not Licio,
Nor a musician, as I seem to be;
But one that scorn to live in this disguise,
For such a one as leaves a gentleman,
20
And makes a god of such a cullion:
Know, sir, that I am call'd Hortensio.
Tra. Signior Hortensio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca;
And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness,
25
I will with you, if you be so contented,
Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.
Hor. See, how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio,
Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow[69]
Never to woo her more, but do forswear her,
30
As one unworthy all the former favours
That I have fondly flatter'd her withal.
Tra. And here I take the like unfeigned oath,
Never to marry with her though she would entreat:
Fie on her! see, how beastly she doth court him!
35
Hor. Would all the world but he had quite forsworn!
For me, that I may surely keep mine oath,
I will be married to a wealthy widow,
Ere three days pass, which hath as long loved me
As I have loved this proud disdainful haggard.
40
And so farewell, Signior Lucentio.
Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,
Shall win my love: and so I take my leave,
In resolution as I swore before. [Exit.
Tra. Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace
45
As 'longeth to a lover's blessed case!
Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love,
And have forsworn you with Hortensio.
Bian. Tranio, you jest: but have you both forsworn me?
Tra. Mistress, we have.
Luc. Then we are rid of Licio.
50
Tra. I'faith, he'll have a lusty widow now,
That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day.
Bian. God give him joy!
Tra. Ay, and he'll tame her.
Bian. He says so, Tranio.
Tra. Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.
55
Bian. The taming-school! what, is there such a place?
[70]
Tra. Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master;
That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long,
To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue.
Enter Biondello.
Bion. O master, master, I have watch'd so long
60
That I am dog-weary! but at last I spied
An ancient angel coming down the hill,
Will serve the turn.
Tra. What is he, Biondello?
Bion. Master, a mercatantč, or a pedant,
I know not what; but formal in apparel,
65
In gait and countenance surely like a father.
Luc. And what of him, Tranio?
Tra. If he be credulous and trust my tale,
I'll make him glad to seem Vincentio,
And give assurance to Baptista Minola,
70
As if he were the right Vincentio.
Take in your love, and then let me alone.
[Exeunt Lucentio and Bianca.
Enter a Pedant.
Ped. God save you, sir!
Tra. And you, sir! you are welcome.
Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?
Ped. Sir, at the farthest for a week or two:
75
But then up farther, and as far as Rome;
And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life.
[71]
Tra. What countryman, I pray?
Ped. Of Mantua.
Tra. Of Mantua, sir? marry, God forbid!
And come to Padua, careless of your life?
80
Ped. My life, sir! how, I pray? for that goes hard.
Tra. 'Tis death for any one in Mantua
To come to Padua. Know you not the cause?
Your ships are stay'd at Venice; and the Duke,
For private quarrel 'twixt your duke and him,
85
Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly:
'Tis marvel, but that you are but newly come,
You might have heard it else proclaim'd about.
Ped. Alas, sir, it is worse for me than so!
For I have bills for money by exchange
90
From Florence, and must here deliver them.
Tra. Well, sir, to do you courtesy,
This will I do, and this I will advise you:
First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?
Ped. Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been;
95
Pisa renowned for grave citizens.
Tra. Among them know you one Vincentio?
Ped. I know him not, but I have heard of him;
A merchant of incomparable wealth.
Tra. He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say,
100
In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.
Bion. As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one. [Aside.
[72]
Tra. To save your life in this extremity,
This favour will I do you for his sake;
And think it not the worst of all your fortunes
105
That you are [like to Sir Vincentio.
His name and credit shall you undertake,
And in my house you shall be friendly lodged:
Look that you take upon you as you should;
You understand me, sir: so shall you stay
110
Till you have done your business in the city:
If this be courtesy, sir, accept of it.
Ped. O sir, I do; and will repute you ever
The patron of my life and liberty.
Tra. Then go with me to make the matter good.
115
This, by the way, I let you understand;
My father is here look'd for every day,
To pass assurance of a dower in marriage
'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here:
In all these circumstances I'll instruct you:
120
Go with me to clothe you as becomes you. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Scene ii.] Steevens. Act v. Scene i. Pope. Scene iv. Hanmer. Act iv. Scene i. Capell. See note (xviii).

Padua] Pope.

Before B's house.] Theobald.

Enter T. and H.] Ff Q. Enter Lucentio and Bianca courting; and, on the opposite side, Tranio and Hortensio. Capell.

[1] that] om. S. Walker conj.

Mistress] om. Pope.

[4] Hor.] F2 F3 F4. Luc. F1 Q.

Sir, to satisfy you] Ff Q. To satisfy you, sir Pope. Signior, to satisfy you Anon conj.

have] om. Pope.

[5] [They stand by. Theobald.

... and Lucentio] Rowe.

[6, 8] Luc.] F2 F3 F4. Hor. F1 Q.

[7] What, master, read you? first] Theobald. What master read you first, Ff Q.

[8] to] of Rowe (ed. 2).

[10] [They retire backward. Theobald. [Court apart. Capell.

[11] Quick proceeders, marry] Marry, quick proceeders Capell.

Now, tell me] Tell me now Capell.

[11-13] Quick ... Lucentio] F1 Q F2. As prose in F3 F4.

[12] that your mistress] your mistress fair Capell.

[13] none] Rowe. me Ff Q.

in the] i'the Capell.

as] as her Capell.

[14] O] om. Capell.

[29] Never ... forswear her] om. Rowe.

[31] her] F3 F4. them F1 Q F2.

[33] Never] Ne'er Steevens.

with her] her Pope, wi'her S. Walker conj.

she would] she Pope. she'ld S. Walker conj.

[35] forsworn] forsworn her Rowe (ed. 2).

[36] oath,] Rowe. oath. Ff Q.

[38] hath] has F4.

[42] so] om. F2. thus Collier MS.

[44] Tra.] Tra. [passing to the other side]. Capell.

[45] 'longeth] Hanmer. longeth Ff Q.

[53] her] her too S. Walker conj.

[54] unto] Ff Q. into Warburton. to Heath conj.

[59] Act v. Scene ii. Pope. Scene v. Hanmer.

Enter B.] Enter B. running. Theobald.

[60] I am] I'm Pope.

[61] ancient angel] angel-merchant Steevens conj.

angel] Angel F1 F3 F4. Angell Q F2. engle Theobald. ayeul Becket conj. gentleman or gentle Mitford conj. morsel Staunton conj. ambler Collier (Collier MS.), antick Anon. conj. uncle Bubier conj.

coming] going Pope (ed. 2).

[63] mercatantč, or] Capell. marcantant or Ff Q. mercantant, or else Pope.

[65] surely] F1 Q. surly F2 F3 F4.

[66] And] om. Capell.

Tranio] om. S. Walker conj.

[69] give] give him Theobald.

[71] Take in] Theobald. Par. Take me F1 Q. Take me, F2 F3 F4. Partake or Take on Anon. conj.

Take ... and then] Partake your love within; Anon. conj.

[Exeunt L. and B.] Rowe.

[75] and] e'en Theobald conj.

[78] sir? marry] sir? Pope. sir, say you? Hanmer. sir? marry now Capell.

[81] in] of Hanmer.

[86] you are] you're Pope.

[91] courtesy] courtesy herein Capell.

[92] I will] will I Pope.

[100] countenance] count'nance F1 Q F3 F4. countnance F2.

[101] [Aside.] Rowe.

[105] like to Sir] so like to Collier MS. like, sir, to Staunton conj.

[110] the city] this city Capell conj.

[111] courtesy] court'sie Ff Q.

[117] dower] Warburton. dowre Ff Q. dowry Rowe.

[120] me] F1 Q. me, sir F2 F3 F4. See note (xix).

Scene III. A room in Petruchio's house.

Enter Katharina and Grumio.

Gru. No, no, forsooth; I dare not for my life.
Kath. The more my wrong, the more his spite appears:
What, did he marry me to famish me?
Beggars, that come unto my father's door,
5
Upon entreaty have a present alms;
If not, elsewhere they meet with charity:
But I, who never knew how to entreat,
Nor never needed that I should entreat,
Am starved for meat, giddy for lack of sleep;
10
With oaths kept waking, and with brawling fed:
[73]
And that which spites me more than all these wants,
He does it under name of perfect love;
As who should say, if I should sleep or eat,
'Twere deadly sickness or else present death.
15
I prithee go and get me some repast;
I care not what, so it be wholesome food.
Gru. What say you to a neat's foot?
Kath. 'Tis passing good: I prithee let me have it.
Gru. I fear it is too choleric a meat.
20
How say you to a fat tripe finely broil'd?
Kath. I like it well: good Grumio, fetch it me.
Gru. I cannot tell; I fear 'tis choleric.
What say you to a piece of beef and mustard?
Kath. A dish that I do love to feed upon.
25
Gru. Ay, but the mustard is too hot a little.
Kath. Why then, the beef, and let the mustard rest.
Gru. Nay then, I will not: you shall have the mustard,
Or else you get no beef of Grumio.
Kath. Then both, or one, or any thing thou wilt.
30
Gru. Why then, the mustard without the beef.
Kath. Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave, [Beats him.
That feed'st me with the very name of meat:
Sorrow on thee and all the pack of you
That triumph thus upon my misery!
35
Go, get thee gone, I say.
Enter Petruchio and Hortensio with meat.
Pet. How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort?
Hor. Mistress, what cheer?
Kath. Faith, as cold as can be.
[74]
Pet. Pluck up thy spirits; look cheerfully upon me.
Here, love; thou see'st how diligent I am
40
To dress thy meat myself and bring it thee:
I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits thanks.
What, not a word? Nay, then thou lovest it not;
And all my pains is sorted to no proof.
Here, take away this dish.
Kath. I pray you, let it stand.
45
Pet. The poorest service is repaid with thanks;
And so shall mine, before you touch the meat.
Kath. I thank you, sir.
Hor. Signior Petruchio, fie! you are to blame.
Come, Mistress Kate, I'll bear you company.
50
Pet. Eat it up all, Hortensio, if thou lovest me. [Aside.
Much good do it unto thy gentle heart!
Kate, eat apace: and now, my honey love,
Will we return unto thy father's house,
And revel it as bravely as the best,
55
With silken coats and caps and golden rings,
With ruffs and cuffs and fardingales and things;
With scarfs and fans and double change of bravery,
With amber bracelets, beads and all this knavery.
What, hast thou dined? The tailor stays thy leisure,
60
To deck thy body with his ruffling treasure.
Enter Tailor.
Come, tailor, let us see these ornaments;
Lay forth the gown.
Enter Haberdasher.
What news with you, sir?
[75]
Hab. Here is the cap your worship did bespeak.
Pet. Why, this was moulded on a porringer;
65
A velvet dish: fie, fie! 'tis lewd and filthy:
Why, 'tis a cockle or a walnut-shell,
A knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap:
Away with it! come, let me have a bigger.
Kath. I'll have no bigger: this doth fit the time
70
And gentlewomen wear such caps as these.
Pet. When you are gentle, you shall have one too,
And not till then.
Hor. That will not be in haste. [Aside.
Kath. Why, sir, I trust I may have leave to speak;
And speak I will; I am no child, no babe:
75
Your betters have endured me say my mind,
And if you cannot, best you stop your ears.
My tongue will tell the anger of my heart,
Or else my heart concealing it will break;
And rather than it shall, I will be free
80
Even to the uttermost, as I please, in words.
Pet. Why, thou say'st true; it is a paltry cap,
A custard-coffin, a bauble, a silken pie:
I love thee well, in that thou likest it not.
Kath. Love me or love me not, I like the cap;
85
And it I will have, or I will have none. [Exit Haberdasher.
Pet. Thy gown? why, ay: come, tailor, let us see't.
O mercy, God! what masquing stuff is here?
What's this? a sleeve? 'tis like a demi-cannon:
What, up and down, carved like an apple-tart?
90
Here's snip and nip and cut and slish and slash,
Like to a censer in a barber's shop:
Why, what, i' devil's name, tailor, call'st thou this?
Hor. I see she's like to have neither cap nor gown. [Aside.
Tai. You bid me make it orderly and well,
95
According to the fashion and the time.
[76]
Pet. Marry, and did; but if you be remember'd,
I did not bid you mar it to the time.
Go, hop me over every kennel home,
For you shall hop without my custom, sir:
100
I'll none of it: hence! make your best of it.
Kath. I never saw a better-fashion'd gown,
More quaint, more pleasing, nor more commendable:
Belike you mean to make a puppet of me.
Pet. Why, true; he means to make a puppet of thee.
105
Tai. She says your worship means to make a puppet of her.
Pet. O monstrous arrogance! Thou liest, thou thread,
thou thimble,
Thou yard, three-quarters, half-yard, quarter, nail!
Thou flea, thou nit, thou winter-cricket thou!
110
Braved in mine own house with a skein of thread?
Away, thou rag, thou quantity, thou remnant;
Or I shall so be-mete thee with thy yard,
As thou shalt think on prating whilst thou livest!
I tell thee, I, that thou hast marr'd her gown.
115
Tai. Your worship is deceived; the gown is made
Just as my master had direction:
Grumio gave order how it should be done.
Gru. I gave him no order; I gave him the stuff.
Tai. But how did you desire it should be made?
120
Gru. Marry, sir, with needle and thread.
Tai. But did you not request to have it cut?
Gru. Thou hast faced many things.
Tai. I have.
Gru. Face not me: thou hast braved many men; brave
125
not me; I will neither be faced nor braved. I say unto
thee, I bid thy master cut out the gown; but I did not bid
him cut it to pieces: ergo, thou liest.
[77]
Tai. Why, here is the note of the fashion to testify.
Pet. Read it.
130
Gru. The note lies in's throat, if he say I said so.
Tai. [reads] 'Imprimis, a loose-bodied gown:'
Gru. Master, if ever I said loose-bodied gown, sew me
in the skirts of it, and beat me to death with a bottom of
brown thread: I said a gown.
135
Pet. Proceed.
Tai. [reads] 'With a small compassed cape:'
Gru. I confess the cape.
Tai. [reads] 'With a trunk sleeve:'
Gru. I confess two sleeves.
140
Tai. [reads] 'The sleeves curiously cut.'
Pet. Ay, there's the villany.
Gru. Error i' the bill, sir; error i' the bill. I commanded
the sleeves should be cut out, and sewed up again;
and that I'll prove upon thee, though thy little finger be
145
armed in a thimble.
Tai. This is true that I say: an I had thee in place
where, thou shouldst know it.
Gru. I am for thee straight: take thou the bill, give
me thy mete-yard, and spare not me.
150
Hor. God-a-mercy, Grumio! then he shall have no odds.
Pet. Well, sir, in brief, the gown is not for me.
Gru. You are i' the right, sir: 'tis for my mistress.
Pet. Go, take it up unto thy master's use.
Gru. Villain, not for thy life: take up my mistress'
155
gown for thy master's use!
Pet. Why, sir, what's your conceit in that?
Gru. O, sir, the conceit is deeper than you think for:
Take up my mistress' gown to his master's use!
O, fie, fie, fie!
160
Pet. Hortensio, say thou wilt see the tailor paid. [Aside.
Go take it hence; be gone, and say no more.
[78]
Hor. Tailor, I'll pay thee for thy gown to-morrow:
Take no unkindness of his hasty words:
Away! I say; commend me to thy master. [Exit Tailor.
165
Pet. Well, come, my Kate; we will unto your father's
Even in these honest mean habiliments:
Our purses shall be proud, our garments poor;
For 'tis the mind that makes the body rich;
And as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds,
170
So honour peereth in the meanest habit.
What is the jay more precious than the lark,
Because his feathers are more beautiful?
Or is the adder better than the eel,
Because his painted skin contents the eye?
175
O, no, good Kate; neither art thou the worse
For this poor furniture and mean array.
If thou account'st it shame, lay it on me;
And therefore frolic: we will hence forthwith,
To feast and sport us at thy father's house.
180
Go, call my men, and let us straight to him;
And bring our horses unto Long-lane end;
There will we mount, and thither walk on foot.
Let's see; I think 'tis now some seven o'clock,
And well we may come there by dinner-time.
185
Kath. I dare assure you, sir, 'tis almost two;
And 'twill be supper-time ere you come there.
Pet. It shall be seven ere I go to horse:
Look, what I speak, or do, or think to do,
You are still crossing it. Sirs, let't alone:
190
I will not go to-day; and ere I do,
It shall be what o'clock I say it is.
Hor. Why, so this gallant will command the sun. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Scene iii.] Steevens. Actus Quartus. Scćna Prima. Ff Q. Act iv. Scene iv. Pope. Act v. Scene i. Hanmer. Act iv. Scene vi. Warburton. Act iv. Scene ii. Capell.

[8] Nor ... entreat] omitted in Reed (1803, 1813), Boswell (1821), &c.

[11] wants] wrongs Capell (corrected in MS.).

[19] choleric] F1 Q. phlegmatic F2 F3 F4.

[22] 'tis] it is Rowe. it's Pope.

[27] Nay then] Nay, that Collier (Collier MS.).

[30] without] e'en without Hanmer. now without Capell.

[36] Scene v. Pope. Scene vii. Warburton.

[37] Faith] I'faith Capell.

[40] [Sets the dish on a table. Capell (after line 39).

[41] I am] I'm Pope.

[43] is] are Halliwell.

[44] this] the F3 F4.

I pray you] Pray Hanmer.

[49] [Sits to table along with her. Capell.

[50] me.] me: Ff Q. me, Rowe.

[Aside.] Theobald.

[51] Much] Now much Capell.

[55] rings ... things] things ... rings Johnson conj. (withdrawn).

[56] fardingales] F1 Q F2 F3. fardingals F4.

[59] What] F1 Q. With F2 F3 F4.

[60] To] The F2.

ruffling] rustling Pope.

[61] Scene vi. Pope. Act v. Scene iii. Hanmer. Scene viii. Warburton.

[62] Enter....] Ff Q (after line 61).

sir?] sir? ha! Hanmer.

[63] Hab.] Rowe. Fel. Ff Q.

[72] [Aside.] Hanmer.

[80] uttermost] utmost Pope.

[81] a] om. F1.

[85] it will have] I will have it Pope.

[Exit Haberdasher] Edd.

[87] God] Heav'n Rowe (ed. 2).

[88] What's this?] F1 Q. What this? F2. What? this F3 F4.

like a] like F1.

[92] i'] Edd. a Ff Q. o' Capell.

tailor] trilor F4.

[93] to have] to've Pope.

[Aside.] Theobald.

[95] and] of Rowe (ed. 2).

[96] and did] I did Long conj. MS.

[106] As two lines in Ff Q, ending arrogance: ... thimble. As one line in Capell. As two lines ending liest, ... thimble Malone. As two ending thread ... thimble Knight.

[106] monstrous] F1 Q. most monstrous F2 F3 F4.

liest] list Anon conj.

thou thread] om. Ritson conj.

[107] thimble,] thimble thou! thou liest, Hanmer.

[108] yard,] F2 F3 F4. yard F1 Q.

131. 136, 1382 140. [reads] Capell.

[131] Imprimis] F3 F4. Inprimis F1 Q F2.

[132] loose-bodied] loose body's Steevens conj. from (Q).

sew me] sow me up Pope.

[146] an] Pope. and Ff Q.

[147] where, thou shouldst] Q F3 F4. where thou shouldst F1. where thou should F2.

[149] not me] me not Hanmer.

[150] Pet.] Kath. Daniel conj.

[154] mistress'] mistress's Rowe.

[158] to] unto F3 F4.

[160] [Aside.] Rowe.

[164] [Exit Tailor.] Exit Tail. Ff Q. Exeunt Tailor and Haberdasher. Collier.

[170] peereth] 'peareth Grant White (Capell conj.).

[171] What is] Ff Q. What; is Pope.

[171, 172] lark, ... beautiful?] F2 F3 F4. larke?... beautifull. F1 Q.

[175] good] om. Q.

[177] account'st] Rowe. accountedst F1 Q F2. accounted'st F3 F4.

[182] on foot] afoot Capell.

[190] and] or, Capell.

[192] Why, so] Why so F1 Q. Why so: F2 F3 F4. Why, so! Capell. See note (xix).

[79]

Scene IV. Padua. Before Baptista's house.

Enter Tranio, and the Pedant dressed like Vincentio.

Tra. Sir, this is the house: please it you that I call?
Ped. Ay, what else? and but I be deceived
Signior Baptista may remember me,
Near twenty years ago, in Genoa,
5
Where we were lodgers at the Pegasus.
Tra. 'Tis well; and hold your own, in any case,
With such austerity as 'longeth to a father.
Ped. I warrant you.
Enter Biondello.
But, sir, here comes your boy;
'Twere good he were school'd.
10
Tra. Fear you not him. Sirrah Biondello,
Now do your duty throughly, I advise you:
Imagine 'twere the right Vincentio.
Bion. Tut, fear not me.
Tra. But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista?
15
Bion. I told him that your father was at Venice;
And that you look'd for him this day in Padua.
Tra. Thou'rt a tall fellow: hold thee that to drink.
Here comes Baptista: set your countenance, sir.
[80]
Enter Baptista and Lucentio.
Signior Baptista, you are happily met.
20
[To the Pedant] Sir, this is the gentleman I told you of:
I pray you, stand good father to me now,
Give me Bianca for my patrimony.
Ped. Soft, son!
Sir, by your leave: having come to Padua
25
To gather in some debts, my son Lucentio
Made me acquainted with a weighty cause
Of love between your daughter and himself:
And, for the good report I hear of you,
And for the love he beareth to your daughter,
30
And she to him, to stay him not too long,
I am content, in a good father's care,
To have him match'd; and, if you please to like
No worse than I, upon some agreement
Me shall you find ready and willing
35
With one consent to have her so bestow'd;
For curious I cannot be with you,
Signior Baptista, of whom I hear so well.
Bap. Sir, pardon me in what I have to say:
Your plainness and your shortness please me well.
40
Right true it is, your son Lucentio here
Doth love my daughter, and she loveth him,
Or both dissemble deeply their affections:
And therefore, if you say no more than this.
That like a father you will deal with him,
45
And pass my daughter a sufficient dower,
[81]
The match is made, and all is done:
Your son shall have my daughter with consent.
Tra. I thank you, sir. Where then do you know best
We be affied and such assurance ta'en
50
As shall with either part's agreement stand?
Bap. Not in my house, Lucentio; for, you know,
Pitchers have ears, and I have many servants:
Besides, old Gremio is hearkening still;
And happily we might be interrupted.
55
Tra. Then at my lodging, an it like you:
There doth my father lie; and there, this night,
We'll pass the business privately and well.
Send for your daughter by your servant here;
My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently.
60
The worst is this, that, at so slender warning,
You are like to have a thin and slender pittance.
Bap. It likes me well. Cambio, his you home,
And bid Bianca make her ready straight;
And, if you will, tell what hath happened,
65
Lucentio's father is arrived in Padua,
And how she's like to be Lucentio's wife.
Bion. I pray the gods she may with all my heart!
Tra. Dally not with the gods, but get thee gone. [Exit Bion
Signior Baptista, shall I lead the way?
[82] 70
Welcome! one mess is like to be your cheer:
Come, sir; we will better it in Pisa.
Bap. I follow you.
[Exeunt Tranio, Pedant, and Baptista. Re-enter Biondello.
Bion. Cambio.
Luc. What sayest thou, Biondello?
75
Bion. You saw my master wink and laugh upon you?
Luc. Biondello, what of that?
Bion. Faith, nothing; but has left me here behind, to
expound the meaning or moral of his signs and tokens.
Luc. I pray thee, moralize them.
80
Bion. Then thus. Baptista is safe, talking with the
deceiving father of a deceitful son.
Luc. And what of him?
Bion. His daughter is to be brought by you to the supper.
Luc. And then?
85
Bion. The old priest at Saint Luke's church is at your
command at all hours.
Luc. And what of all this?
Bion. I cannot tell; expect they are busied about a
counterfeit assurance: take you assurance of her, 'cum privilegio
90
ad imprimendum solum:' to the church; take the
priest, clerk, and some sufficient honest witnesses:
If this be not that you look for, I have no more to say,
But bid Bianca farewell for ever and a day.
[83]
Luc. Hearest thou, Biondello?
95
Bion. I cannot tarry: I knew a wench married in an
afternoon as she went to the garden for parsley to stuff a
rabbit; and so may you, sir: and so, adieu, sir. My master
hath appointed me to go to Saint Luke's, to bid the priest be
ready to come against you come with your appendix. [Exit.
100
Luc. I may, and will, if she be so contented:
She will be pleased; then wherefore should I doubt?
Hap what hap may, I'll roundly go about her:
It shall go hard if Cambio go without her. [Exit.

LINENOTES:

[Scene iv.] Steevens. Act v. Scene ii. Pope (ed. 1). Act v. Scene iii. Pope (ed. 2). Act v. Scene iv. Hanmer. Scene ix. Warburton. Scene iii. Capell. Act v. Scene i. Johnson conj.

Before B's house.] Capell.

... Pedant dressed....] Pedant, booted, and drest.... Capell.

[1] Sir] Theobald. Sirs Ff Q.

[2] Ay,] I Ff Q. Ay, ay, Hanmer. Ay, sir; Capell.

[4, 5] Genoa, Where we] Genoa, where We Steevens. Genoa When we Halliwell.

[5, 6] Where we ... Tra. 'Tis] Theobald. Tra. Where we ... Tis Ff Q. Tra. Where you ... Tis Capell.

[7] 'longeth to a] Hanmer. longeth to a FF Q. 'longs t' a S. Walker conj.

[9] good] good that Hanmer.

[11] Now] om. Hanmer.

throughly] thoroughly Steevens.

I advise you] om. Hanmer.

[15] at] in F3 F4.

[17] Thou'rt] Capell. Th'art F1 Q F2. That's F3 F4.

[19] Scene iii. Pope (ed. 1). Scene iv. Pope (ed. 2). Act v. Scene v. Hanmer. Act iv. Scene x. Warburton.

Enter B. and L.] Enter B. and L.: Pedant booted and bare headed. Ff Q. (and Pedant F2 F3 F4.)

[20] [To the Pedant] Capell.

Sir, this is] Sir, This is Capell. Sir, this 's Edd conj.

[21] stand good father to] stand, good father, to Rowe.

[23, 24] As in Hanmer. As one line in Ff Q.

[33] I, upon] F1. I upon Q. I sir upon F2 F3 F4.

[34] ready and willing] F1 Q. most ready and most willing F2 F3 F4.

[38] to say] say Steevens (1778), a misprint.

[45] dower] F1 Q F2. dowre F3 F4. dowry Rowe.

[46] made] fully made Hanmer.

done] done with me Capell. happily done Collier (Collier MS.).

[48, 49] Where then do you ... We be] Then where you do ... Be we Becket conj.

[48] do you know] do you trow is Hanmer. you do know Johnson conj. do you trow Rann (Johnson conj.). do you hold Collier (Collier MS.).

[49] We be] Be we Rowe (ed. 2).

[54] And happily] And happilie F1 Q. Ann haply F2. And haply F3 F4. And haply then Pope. And hapily Capell. And happely Grant White.

might] Ff. may Q.

[55] like you] F1 Q. like you, sir F2 F3 F4. liketh you] Anon conj.

[61] You are] You're Pope.

[62, 63] As in Steevens. As two lines ending well: ... straight in Ff Q.

[62] Cambio] Go, Cambio Pope. Biondello Edd. conj. See note (xx).

[64] And, if you will, tell] Rowe. And if you will tell Ff Q.

happened] Capell. hapned Ff Q. happen'd here Pope.

[67] Bion.] F2 F3 F4. Biond. F1 Q. Luc. Rowe.

[68] [Exit Bion.] Exit. Ff Q, after line 67. om. Capell. See note (xx).

Enter Peter. Ff Q.

[70] Welcome] F1 Q. We come F2 F3 F4. See note (xxi).

[70, 71] Welcome ... Come, sir; we will] Come, sir; one mess ... cheer; We'll Capell.

[71] Come] But come Hanmer.

[72] Exeunt T. P. and B] Exeunt. Ff Q.

Re-enter Biondello.] Edd. Enter Lucentio and Biondello. Ff Q.

[73] Act v. Scene iv. Pope (ed. 1). Scene v. Pope (ed. 2). Act v. Scene vi. Hanmer. Act iv. Scene xi. Warburton.

[75] wink and laugh] laugh, and wink Capell conj.

[77] has] 'has Rowe. ha's Theobald. h'as Hanmer. he's Johnson. he has Steevens.

[79] them] then Anon conj.

[84] then?] F2 F3 F4. then. F1 Q.

[87] this?] F2 F3 F4. this. F1 Q.

[88] expect] F1 Q. except F2 F3 F4. expect, Warburton. except, while Capell. expect;— Malone. except— Tyrwhitt conj.

[90] imprimendum solum] F2 F3 F4. impremendum solem F1 Q.

church;] Rann (Tyrwhitt conj.). church Ff Q.

[93] [Going. Capell.]

[101] I doubt] we doubt Rowe. I doubt her Pope.

Scene V. A public road.

Enter Petruchio, Katharina, Hortensio, and Servants.

Pet. Come on, i' God's name; once more toward our father's.
Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!
Kath. The moon! the sun: it is not moonlight now.
Pet. I say it is the moon that shines so bright.
5
Kath. I know it is the sun that shines so bright.
Pet. Now, by my mother's son, and that's myself,
It shall be moon, or star, or what I list,
Or ere I journey to your father's house.
Go on, and fetch our horses back again.
10
Evermore cross'd and cross'd; nothing but cross'd!
Hor. Say as he says, or we shall never go.
[84]
Kath. Forward, I pray, since we have come so far,
And be it moon, or sun, or what you please:
An if you please to call it a rush-candle,
15
Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me.
Pet. I say it is the moon.
Kath. I know it is the moon.
Pet. Nay, then you lie: it is the blessed sun.
Kath. Then, God be bless'd, it is the blessed sun:
But sun it is not, when you say it is not;
20
And the moon changes even as your mind.
What you will have it named, even that it is;
And so it shall be so for Katharine.
Hor. Petruchio, go thy ways; the field is won.
Pet. Well, forward, forward! thus the bowl should run,
25
And not unluckily against the bias.
But, soft! company is coming here.
Enter Vincentio.
[To Vincentio] Good morrow, gentle mistress: where away?
Tell me, sweet Kate, and tell me truly too,
Hast thou beheld a fresher gentlewoman?
30
Such war of white and red within her cheeks!
What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty,
As those two eyes become that heavenly face?
Fair lovely maid, once more good day to thee.
Sweet Kate, embrace her for her beauty's sake.
35
Hor. A' will make the man mad, to make a woman of him.
Kath. Young budding virgin, fair and fresh and sweet,
Whither away, or where is thy abode?
Happy the parents of so fair a child;
Happier the man, whom favourable stars
40
Allot thee for his lovely bed-fellow!
[85]
Pet. Why, how now, Kate! I hope thou art not mad:
This is a man, old, wrinkled, faded, wither'd;
And not a maiden, as thou say'st he is.
Kath. Pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes,
45
That have been so bedazzled with the sun,
That every thing I look on seemeth green:
Now I perceive thou art a reverend father;
Pardon, I pray thee, for my mad mistaking.
Pet. Do, good old grandsire; and withal make known
50
Which way thou travellest: if along with us,
We shall be joyful of thy company.
Vin. Fair sir, and you my merry mistress,
That with your strange encounter much amazed me,
My name is call'd Vincentio; my dwelling Pisa;
55
And bound I am to Padua; there to visit
A son of mine, which long I have not seen.
Pet. What is his name?
Vin. Lucentio, gentle sir.
Pet. Happily met; the happier for thy son.
And now by law, as well as reverend age,
60
I may entitle thee my loving father:
The sister to my wife, this gentlewoman,
Thy son by this hath married. Wonder not,
Nor be not grieved: she is of good esteem,
Her dowry wealthy, and of worthy birth;
65
Beside, so qualified as may beseem
The spouse of any noble gentleman.
Let me embrace with old Vincentio,
And wander we to see thy honest son,
Who will of thy arrival be full joyous.
[86] 70
Vin. But is this true? or is it else your pleasure,
Like pleasant travellers, to break a jest
Upon the company you overtake?
Hor. I do assure thee, father, so it is.
Pet. Come, go along, and see the truth hereof;
75
For our first merriment hath made thee jealous. [Exeunt all but Hortensio.
Hor. Well, Petruchio, this has put me in heart.
Have to my widow! and if she be froward,
Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward. [Exit.

LINENOTES:

[Scene v.] Steevens. Act v. Scene v. Pope (ed. 1). Scene vi. Pope. (ed. 2). Act v. Scene vii. Hanmer. Act iv. Scene xii. Warburton. Act v. Scene i. Capell.

A public road.] Capell. The street before Lucentio's house. Pope. A green lane. Theobald. The road to Padua. Hanmer.

... and Servants.] Edd. om. Ff Q.

[1] i'] Edd. a Ff Q. o' Theobald.

toward] F1 F2 F3. towards Q F4. tow'rds Pope.

[5] shines] shine, Q_1.

[7] I list] I I list F2.

[9] Go on] Go one Rann (Capell conj.).

[13] you] your F2.

[14] An] Collier. And Ff Q.

[16] I know it is the moon.] I know it is. Steevens.

[18] is] in F1.

[22] so it shall be so] so it shall be, sir, Capell. so it shall be still Singer (Ritson conj.). so it shall be 'sol' Becket conj.

[24] should] shall Harness.

[26] company] some company Pope. what company Steevens (Ritson conj.).

Act v. Scene vi. Pope. Act v. Scene viii. Hanmer. Act iv. Scene xiii. Warburton.

Enter V.] Enter V. journeying. Capell. Enter V. in a travelling dress. Malone.

[27] [To Vincentio] Rowe.

where] whither Capell.

[31, 32] do ... such ... those two] so ... their ... do those Seymour conj.

[35] A'] A Ff Q. He Rowe.

a woman] F2 F3 F4. the woman F1 Q.

[37] Whither ... where] F2 F3 F4. Whether ... whether F1 Q.

[39] whom] whose Capell conj.

[40] Allot] Pope. A lots F1. Alots Q F2 F3. Allots F4.

[44] mistaking] mistaken Rowe.

[49] withal] withall Ff. with all Q.

[52] mistress] mistress too Hanmer. mistress here Capell.

[54] name is call'd Vincentio] name's Vincentio call'd Anon conj.

my dwelling] dwelling Hanmer.

[66] gentleman] gentlewoman Q.

[67] with] thee, Capell conj.

[70] is it else] else is it Anon. conj.

[75] Exeunt...] Exeunt. Ff Q.

[76] Well, Petruchio,] Petruchio, well! Hanmer. Well, sir Petruchio Capell. Well done, Petruchio Anon conj.

has] hath Hanmer.

[77] be] F2 F3 F4. om. F1 Q.

[78] to be] be Capell.

ACT  V.

Scene I. Padua. Before Lucentio's house.

Gremio discovered. Enter behind Biondello, Lucentio, and Bianca.
Bion. Softly and swiftly, sir; for the priest is ready.
Luc. I fly, Biondello: but they may chance to need
thee at home; therefore leave us.
Bion. Nay, faith, I'll see the church o' your back; and
5
then come back to my master's as soon as I can.
[Exeunt Lucentio, Bianca, and Biondello.
Gre. I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.
[87]
Enter Petruchio, Katharina, Vincentio, Grumio, with Attendants.
Pet. Sir, here's the door, this is Lucentio's house:
My father's bears more toward the market-place;
Thither must I, and here I leave you, sir.
10
Vin. You shall not choose but drink before you go:
I think I shall command your welcome here,
And, by all likelihood, some cheer is toward. [Knocks.
Gre. They're busy within; you were best knock louder.
Pedant looks out of the window.
Ped. What's he that knocks as he would beat down
15
the gate?
Vin. Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?
Ped. He's within, sir, but not to be spoken withal.
Vin. What if a man bring him a hundred pound or
two, to make merry withal?
20
Ped. Keep your hundred pounds to yourself: he shall
need none, so long as I live.
Pet. Nay, I told you your son was well beloved in
Padua. Do you hear, sir?—to leave frivolous circumstances,—I
pray you, tell Signior Lucentio, that his father is
25
come from Pisa, and is here at the door to speak with him.
Ped. Thou liest: his father is come from Padua, and
here looking out at the window.
Vin. Art thou his father?
Ped. Ay, sir; so his mother says, if I may believe her.
30
Pet. [To Vincentio] Why, how now, gentleman! why,
this is flat knavery, to take upon you another man's name.
Ped. Lay hands on the villain: I believe a' means to
cozen somebody in this city under my countenance.
[88]
Re-enter Biondello.
Bion. I have seen them in the church together: God
35
send 'em good shipping! But who is here? mine old
master Vincentio! now we are undone, and brought to
nothing.
Vin. [Seeing Biondello] Come hither, crack-hemp.
Bion. I hope I may choose, sir.
40
Vin. Come hither, you rogue. What, have you forgot
me?
Bion. Forgot you! no, sir: I could not forget you, for
l never saw you before in all my life.
Vin. What, you notorious villain, didst thou never see
45
thy master's father, Vincentio?
Bion. What, my old worshipful old master? yes, marry,
sir: see where he looks out of the window.
Vin. Is't so, indeed? [Beats Biondello.
50
Bion. Help, help, help! here's a madman will murder me. [Exit.
Ped. Help, son! help, Signior Baptista! [Exit from above.
Pet. Prithee, Kate, let's stand aside, and see the end of this
controversy. [They retire.
Re-enter Pedant below; Tranio, Baptista, and Servants.
Tra. Sir, what are you, that offer to beat my servant?
55
Vin. What am I, sir! nay, what are you, sir? O immortal
gods! O fine villain! A silken doublet! a velvet
hose! a scarlet cloak! and a copatain hat! O, I am undone!
I am undone! while I play the good husband at
home, my son and my servant spend all at the university.
[89] 60
Tra. How now! what's the matter?
Bap. What, is the man lunatic?
Tra. Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your
habit, but your words show you a madman. Why, sir,
what 'cerns it you if I wear pearl and gold? I thank my
65
good father, I am able to maintain it.
Vin. Thy father! O villain! he is a sail-maker in Bergamo.
Bap. You mistake, sir, you mistake, sir. Pray, what
do you think is his name?
70
Vin. His name! as if I knew not his name: I have
brought him up ever since he was three years old, and his
name is Tranio.
Ped. Away, away, mad ass! his name is Lucentio;
and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, Signior
75
Vincentio.
Vin. Lucentio! O, he hath murdered his master!
Lay hold on him, I charge you, in the Duke's name. O,
my son, my son! Tell me, thou villain, where is my son
Lucentio?
80
Tra. Call forth an officer.
Enter one with an Officer.
Carry this mad knave to the gaol. Father Baptista, I
charge you see that he be forthcoming.
Vin. Carry me to the gaol!
Gre. Stay, officer: he shall not go to prison.
85
Bap. Talk not, Signior Gremio: I say he shall go to
prison.
Gre. Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catched
in this business: I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.
90
Ped. Swear, if thou darest.
[90]
Gre. Nay, I dare not swear it.
Tra. Then thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio.
Gre. Yes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio.
Bap. Away with the dotard! to the gaol with him!
95
Vin. Thus strangers may be haled and abused:
O monstrous villain!
Re-enter Biondello, with Lucentio and Bianca.
Bion. O, we are spoiled! and—yonder he is: deny him,
forswear him, or else we are all undone.
Luc. Pardon, sweet father. [Kneeling.
Vin. Lives my sweet son?
[Exeunt Biondello, Tranio, and Pedant, as fast as may be.
Bian. Pardon, dear father.
100
Bap. How hast thou offended?
Where is Lucentio?
Luc. Here's Lucentio,
Right son to the right Vincentio;
That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,
While counterfeit supposes blear'd thine eyne.
105
Gre. Here's packing, with a witness, to deceive us all!
Vin. Where is that damned villain Tranio,
That faced and braved me in this matter so?
Bap. Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?
Bian. Cambio is changed into Lucentio.
[91] 110
Luc. Love wrought these miracles. Bianca's love
Made me exchange my state with Tranio,
While he did bear my countenance in the town
And happily I have arrived at the last
Unto the wished haven of my bliss.
115
What Tranio did, myself enforced him to;
Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake.
Vin. I'll slit the villain's nose, that would have sent
me to the gaol.
Bap. But do you hear, sir? have you married my
120
daughter without asking my good will?
Vin. Fear not, Baptista; we will content you, go to:
but I will in, to be revenged for this villany. [Exit.
Bap. And I, to sound the depth of this knavery. [Exit.
Luc. Look not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown.
[Exeunt Lucentio and Bianca.
125
Gre. My cake is dough: but I'll in among the rest;
Out of hope of all, but my share of the feast. [Exit.
Kath. Husband, let's follow, to see the end of this ado.
Pet. First kiss me, Kate, and we will.
Kath. What, in the midst of the street?
130
Pet. What, art thou ashamed of me?
Kath. No, sir, God forbid; but ashamed to kiss.
Pet. Why, then let's home again. Come, sirrah, let's away.
Kath. Nay, I will give thee a kiss: now pray thee, love, stay.
Pet. Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate:
135
Better once than never, for never too late. [Exeunt.

[92]

LINENOTES:

[Act v. Theobald. Scene i. Warburton. Act v. Scene vii. Pope. Act v. Scene ix. Hanmer. Act v. Scene ii. Capell.

Before L's house] Pope. Before Tranio's house. Capell.

Gremio....] Edd. Enter Bion. Luc. and Bianca, Gremio is out before. Ff Q. Enter B. L. and B., Gremio walking on one side. Rowe. Enter Bion. with Luc. and Bian., hastily; Gremio is seen ent'ring, behind. Capell.

[4] o'] Rowe (ed. 2). a Ff Q.

[5] master's] Capell. mistris Ff Q. master Theobald. business Hanmer.

Exeunt ...] Rowe. Exit. Ff Q (after line 3).

[8] toward] towards Rowe (ed. 2).

[13] [Knocks.] Knock. Ff Q. Noise within. Knocks. Capell.

[21] so] F1 Q F2. as F3 F4.

[22] well] om. Q.

[26] from Padua] Ff Q. to Padua Pope. from—Mantua [aside] Capell. from Pisa Malone (Tyrwhitt conj.). See note (xxii).

[27] out at] out of Q.

[30] [To Vincentio] Capell.

[32] a'] a F1 Q F2. he F3 F4.

[34] Scene viii. Pope. Scene x. Hanmer. Scene ii. Warburton.

[35] [drawing backward. Capell.]

[36] brought] brough F1.

[37] [Seeing Biondello.] Rowe.

[45] master's] F2 F3 F4. mistris F1 Q.

[46] my old worshipful] my worshipfull Q.

[48] [Beats B.] He beates B. Ff Q.

[50] [Exit.] Exit, crying out. Capell om. Ff Q.

[51] [Exit....] Capell. om. Ff Q.

[53] [They retire.] Theobald.

Re-enter....] Capell. Enter Pedant with servants, Baptista, Tranio. Ff Q.

[59] servant] servants Rowe.

[60] matter?] matter now? Capell.

[61] the man] this man Rowe.

[64] 'cerns] Collier, cernes F1 Q. concerns F2 F3 F4.

[72] Tranio] F2 F3 F4. Tronio F1 Q.

[80] Enter one with an Officer.] Capell. om. Ff Q.

[81, 83, gaol] Iaile F1 Q F2. Jayle F3. Goal F4.

94, 118]  

[83] the gaol] goal Rowe (ed. 1). jail Id. (ed. 2).

[94] to the] to Rowe (ed. 1).

[95] haled] haild F1 Q F2. hal'd F3 F4. handled Collier MS.

[96] villain] F3 F4. villaine F1 Q F2. villany Dyce conj.

[97] Re-enter....] Enter.... Ff Q (after line 94). Enter Luc. and Bianca. Rowe.

and—] Capell. and Ff Q.

[98] undone] done F2.

[99] Scene ix. Pope. Scene xi. Hanmer. Scene iii. Warburton.

[Kneeling.] Kneele. F1 Q.

[Exeunt....] Exit.... Ff Q (after line 95).

[100] [Kneels to Bap. Capell.]

[100-102] Pardon ... Vincentio] Arranged as in Capell: as prose in Ff Q.

[102] Right son to] Ff Q. Right son unto Capell. The right son to Anon. conj.

[104] supposes] supposers Rowe (ed. 2).

eyne] eyes Pope.

[105] all] om. Hanmer.

[106] damned] damn'd Rowe.

[111] exchange] exchangr F2.

[113] arrived at the] F1 Q. arriv'd at F2 F3 F4.

[122] for this villany] for this villanie F1 Q. for this villaine F2. on this vallain F3 F4. on this vallain Rowe (ed. 1).

[124] [Exeunt L. and B.] Capell. [Exeunt. Ff Q.

[126] [Exit.] Rowe.

[127] P. and C. advancing. Theobald.]

[131] No] Mo F1.

[133] pray thee] pray Q.

[135] once] late Hanmer. at once Anon. conj.

never] never's Anon. conj. See note (xix).

Scene II. Padua. Lucentio's house.

Enter Baptista, Vincentio, Gremio, the Pedant, Lucentio, Bianca, Petruchio, Katharina, Hortensio, and Widow, Tranio, Biondello, and Grumio: the Serving-men with Tranio bringing in a banquet.

Luc. At last, though long, our jarring notes agree:
And time it is, when raging war is done,
To smile at scapes and perils overblown.
My fair Bianca, bid my father welcome,
5
While I with self-same kindness welcome thine.
Brother Petruchio, sister Katharina,
And thou, Hortensio, with thy loving widow,
Feast with the best, and welcome to my house:
My banquet is to close our stomachs up,
10
After our great good cheer. Pray you, sit down;
For now we sit to chat, as well as eat.
Pet. Nothing but sit and sit, and eat and eat!
Bap. Padua affords this kindness, son Petruchio.
Pet. Padua affords nothing but what is kind.
15
Hor. For both our sakes, I would that word were true.
Pet. Now, for my life, Hortensio fears his widow.
Wid. Then never trust me, if I be afeard.
Pet. You are very sensible, and yet you miss my sense:
I mean, Hortensio is afeard of you.
20
Wid. He that is giddy thinks the world turns round.
Pet. Roundly replied.
Kath. Mistress, how mean you that?
[93]
Wid. Thus I conceive by him.
Pet. Conceives by me! How likes Hortensio that?
Hor. My widow says, thus she conceives her tale.
25
Pet. Very well mended. Kiss him for that, good widow.
Kath. 'He that is giddy thinks the world turns round:'
I pray you, tell me what you meant by that.
Wid. Your husband, being troubled with a shrew,
Measures my husband's sorrow by his woe:
30
And now you know my meaning.
Kath. A very mean meaning.
Wid. Right, I mean you.
Kath. And I am mean, indeed, respecting you.
Pet. To her, Kate!
Hor. To her, widow!
35
Pet. A hundred marks, my Kate does put her down.
Hor. That's my office.
Pet. Spoke like an officer: ha' to thee, lad.
[Drinks to Hortensio.
Bap. How likes Gremio these quick-witted folks?
Gre. Believe me, sir, they butt together well.
40
Bian. Head, and butt! an hasty-witted body
Would say your head and butt were head and horn.
Vin. Ay, mistress bride, hath that awaken'd you?
Bian. Ay, but not frighted me; therefore I'll sleep again.
Pet. Nay, that you shall not: since you have begun,
45
Have at you for a bitter jest or two!
Bian. Am I your bird? I mean to shift my bush;
And then pursue me as you draw your bow.
[94]
You are welcome all.
[Exeunt Bianca, Katharina, and Widow.
Pet. She hath prevented me. Here, Signior Tranio,
50
This bird you aim'd at, though you hit her not;
Therefore a health to all that shot and miss'd.
Tra. O, sir, Lucentio slipp'd me like his greyhound,
Which runs himself, and catches for his master.
Pet. A good swift simile, but something currish.
55
Tra. 'Tis well, sir, that you hunted for yourself:
'Tis thought your deer does hold you at a bay.
Bap. O ho, Petruchio! Tranio hits you now.
Luc. I thank thee for that gird, good Tranio.
Hor. Confess, confess, hath he not hit you here?
60
Pet. A' has a little gall'd me, I confess;
And, as the jest did glance away from me,
'Tis ten to one it maim'd you two outright.
Bap. Now, in good sadness, son Petruchio,
I think thou hast the veriest shrew of all.
65
Pet. Well, I say no: and therefore for assurance
Let's each one send unto his wife;
And he whose wife is most obedient
To come at first when he doth send for her,
Shall win the wager which we will propose.
Hor. Content. What is the wager?
70
Luc. Twenty crowns.
Pet. Twenty crowns!
I'll venture so much of my hawk or hound,
[95]
But twenty times so much upon my wife.
Luc. A hundred then.
Hor. Content.
Pet. A match! 'tis done.
Hor. Who shall begin?
75
Luc. That will I.
Go, Biondello, bid your mistress come to me.
Bion. I go. [Exit.
Bap. Son, I'll be your half, Bianca comes.
Luc. I'll have no halves; I'll bear it all myself.
Re-enter Biondello.
How now! what news?
80
Bion. Sir, my mistress sends you word
That she is busy, and she cannot come.
Pet. How! she is busy, and she cannot come!
Is that an answer?
Gre. Ay, and a kind one too:
Pray God, sir, your wife send you not a worse.
85
Pet. I hope, better.
Hor. Sirrah Biondello, go and entreat my wife
To come to me forthwith. [Exit Biondello.
Pet. O, ho! entreat her!
Nay, then she must needs come.
Hor. I am afraid, sir,
Do what you can, yours will not be entreated.
Re-enter Biondello.
90
Now, where's my wife?
Bion. She says you have some goodly jest in hand:
She will not come; she bids you come to her.
Pet. Worse and worse; she will not come! O vile,
[96]
Intolerable, not to be endured!
95
Sirrah Grumio, go to your mistress;
Say, I command her come to me. [Exit Grumio.
Hor. I know her answer.
Pet. What?
Hor. She will not.
Pet. The fouler fortune mine, and there an end.
Bap. Now, by my holidame, here comes Katharina!
Re-enter Katharina.
100
Kath. What is your will, sir, that you send for me?
Pet. Where is your sister, and Hortensio's wife?
Kath. They sit conferring by the parlour fire.
Pet. Go, fetch them hither: if they deny to come,
Swinge me them soundly forth unto their husbands:
105
Away, I say, and bring them hither straight. [Exit Katharina.
Luc. Here is a wonder, if you talk of a wonder.
Hor. And so it is: I wonder what it bodes.
Pet. Marry, peace it bodes, and love, and quiet life,
An awful rule, and right supremacy;
110
And, to be short, what not, that's sweet and happy?
Bap. Now, fair befal thee, good Petruchio!
The wager thou hast won; and I will add
Unto their losses twenty thousand crowns;
Another dowry to another daughter,
115
For she is changed, as she had never been.
Pet. Nay, I will win my wager better yet,
And show more sign of her obedience,
Her new-built virtue and obedience.
[97]
See where she comes and brings your froward wives
120
As prisoners to her womanly persuasion.
Re-enter Katharina, with Bianca and Widow.
Katharine, that cap of yours becomes you not:
Off with that bauble, throw it under-foot.
Wid. Lord, let me never have a cause to sigh,
Till I be brought to such a silly pass!
125
Bian. Fie, what a foolish duty call you this?
Luc. I would your duty were as foolish too:
The wisdom of your duty, fair Bianca,
Hath cost me an hundred crowns since supper-time.
Bian. The more fool you, for laying on my duty.
130
Pet. Katharine, I charge thee, tell these headstrong women
What duty they do owe their lords and husbands.
Wid. Come, come, you're mocking: we will have no telling.
Pet. Come on, I say; and first begin with her.
Wid. She shall not.
135
Pet. I say she shall: and first begin with her.
Kath. Fie, fie! unknit that threatening unkind brow;
And dart not scornful glances from those eyes,
To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor:
It blots thy beauty as frosts do bite the meads,
140
Confounds thy fame as whirlwinds shake fair buds,
And in no sense is meet or amiable.
A woman moved is like a fountain troubled,
Muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty;
[98]
And while it is so, none so dry or thirsty
145
Will deign to sip or touch one drop of it.
Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper,
Thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee,
And for thy maintenance commits his body
To painful labour both by sea and land,
150
To watch the night in storms, the day in cold,
Whilst thou liest warm at home, secure and safe;
And craves no other tribute at thy hands
But love, fair looks and true obedience;
Too little payment for so great a debt.
155
Such duty as the subject owes the prince
Even such a woman oweth to her husband;
And when she is froward, peevish, sullen, sour,
And not obedient to his honest will,
What is she but a foul contending rebel,
160
And graceless traitor to her loving lord?
I am ashamed that women are so simple
To offer war where they should kneel for peace;
Or seek for rule, supremacy and sway,
When they are bound to serve, love and obey.
165
Why are our bodies soft and weak and smooth,
Unapt to toil and trouble in the world,
But that our soft conditions and our hearts
Should well agree with our external parts?
Come, come, you froward and unable worms!
170
My mind hath been as big as one of yours,
My heart as great, my reason haply more,
To bandy word for word and frown for frown;
But now I see our lances are but straws,
Our strength as weak, our weakness past compare,
175
That seeming to be most which we indeed least are.
Then vail your stomachs, for it is no boot,
[99]
And place your hands below your husband's foot:
In token of which duty, if he please,
My hand is ready, may it do him ease.
180
Pet. Why, there's a wench! Come on, and kiss me, Kate.
Luc. Well, go thy ways, old lad; for thou shalt ha't.
Vin. 'Tis a good hearing, when children are toward.
Luc. But a harsh hearing, when women are froward.
Pet. Come, Kate, we'll to bed.
185
We three are married, but you two are sped.
'Twas I won the wager, though you hit the white; [To Lucentio.
And, being a winner, God give you good night!
[Exeunt Petruchio and Katharina.
Hor. Now, go thy ways; thou hast tamed a curst shrew.
Luc. 'Tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be tamed so. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

[Scene ii.] Steevens. Actus Quintus. F1 Q F2 F3. Scene Quarta. F4. Act v. Scene i. Rowe. Scene iv. Warburton. Scene iii. Capell.

... Petruchio, Katharina, Hortensio...] om. Ff Q. Enter ... Tranio's servants bringing in a banquet. Rowe. Musick. A banquet set out. Enter ... Tranio, Grumio, Biondello and others, attending. Capell.

[1-62] At last ... outright] Put in the margin as spurious by Pope.

[2] done] Rowe. come Ff Q. calm Malone conj. gone Collier (Collier MS.).

[6] Katharina] Katharine Rowe.

[8] best] rest Anon conj.

[9] banquet] F3 F4. banket F1 Q F2.

[11] [Company sit to table. Capell.]

[14] nothing] no thing S. Walker conj.

[17] Wid.] F1 Q. Hor. F2 F3 F4.

[18] very] om. Steevens.

and yet] yet Anon conj.

[22-37] Thus I ... lad] Verses differently arranged in Capell.

[23] Conceives] Conceive Capell.

[27] meant] mean Anon conj.

[35] does] F1 Q. doe F2. do F3 F4.

[37] ha' to thee, lad] ha to the lad F1. ha to thee lad Q F2 F3 F4. here's to thee, lad Collier MS.

[38] How likes] And how likes Capell. How liketh Anon. conj.

[39] they] they'ld Anon conj.

butt together well] butt heads together well Rowe (ed. 2). but heads well together Capell.

[40] Head] How! head Capell.

[45] bitter] Capell (Theobald conj.). better Ff Q.

two] F3 F4. too F1 Q F2.

[47] your] my Q.

[Rising. Capell.

[48] [Exeunt B., K., and Widow.] Exit ... Rowe. [Exit B. Ff Q. [Exit. Cat. and Wid. follow. Capell.

[49] [Filling. Capell.

[50] her] it Rowe.

[51] [Drinks. Capell.

[57] O ho] Capell. Oh, Oh Ff Q.

[60] A' has] A has Ff Q. He has Rowe.

[62] two] Rowe. too Ff Q.

[63] Scene x. Pope. Scene xii. Hanmer.

[65] therefore for] F2 F3 F4. therefore sir F1. therefore sir, Q.

for assurance] sir, as surance Staunton conj.

[66-69] Let's ...wager] Printed by Pope as three lines ending he ... first ... wager.

[66] Let's] Please you, let's Capell.

wife] several wife Collier MS.

[68] at first] first Pope.

[69] which we will propose] omitted by Pope.

[70] What is the] Steevens. what's the Ff Q. what Pope. the Capell.

[72] of] on Rowe.

[75] begin?] begin, Lucentio? Anon. conj.

That will I.] That will I.—Here, where are you? Capell.

[78] I'll] Ile F1 Q F2. I'le F3 F4. I will Capell.

your half] Ff (your F4). you halfe Q.

[80] Sir] om. S. Walker conj.

[81, 82] she cannot] cannot F3 F4.

[82-88] How! ... come] Printed as prose in Ff Q.

[82] she is] Capell. she's Ff Q.

[85] better] a better S. Walker conj.

[88] must needs] needs must Steevens.

[93, 94] Worse ... endured] As two lines in Ff Q, ending come ... indur'd.

[95] Sirrah] Here, sirrah Capell.

[96] come] to come F3 F4.

[97] She] That she Capell.

not] not come Steevens.

[98] there] there's Rowe.

[99] Katharina] Katharine Rowe.

Re-enter K.] Enter K. Ff Q (after line 98).

[105] them] then F2.

[106] of a wonder] of wonder S. Walker conj.

[109] An awful] And awful Rowe (ed. 2). And lawful Rawlinson conj.

[117] her obedience] her submission S. Walker conj.

[118] and obedience] of obedience Capell. and her gentleness or and her patience Edd. conj.

[120] Re-enter K. with B. and Widow] Enter Kate, B. and Widdow. Ff Q (after line 118).

[122] [She pulls off her cap, and throws it down. Rowe.

[128] Hath cost me an] Rowe. Hath cost me five Ff Q. Cost me an Pope. Cost me a Capell. Hath cost one Singer (ed. 1). Cost me one Collier MS.

[130, 131] Katharine ... husbands] Printed as prose in Ff Q; as verse by Rowe (ed. 2).

[131] do owe] owe to F3 F4.

[132] you're] F3 F4. your F1 Q F2.

[133] begin with her] begin— Capell, ending the verse with shall not.

[136] threatening] thretaning F1. threating F2.

[139] do bite] F1 Q. bite F2 F3 F4.

[140] fame] frame Grey conj.

[145] one] a Rowe (ed. 2).

[157] she is] she's Pope.

[169] you] Ff Q. you'ar Rowe (ed. 1). you're Rowe (ed. 2).

[171] as] F1 Q. is F2 F3 F4.

[174] as] is Rowe.

[175] to be] om. Collier MS. indeed] om. Steevens.

[176-189] Then vail ... tamed so] Put in the margin as spurious by Pope. See note (xxiii).

[181] Luc.] Bap. Capell conj.

[185] three] two Rowe.

[186] won] one Capell (corrected in note).

[To Lucentio.] Malone.

[187] [... and Katharina] ... and Kath. Rowe.

[189] be] om. Q.

[101]

NOTES.

Note I.

Ind. The Folios and the Quarto have here Actus Primus. Scćna Prima, making no separation between the play and the Induction. The play is divided into Acts, but not into Scenes. The second Act, however, is not marked in any of the old copies. The arrangement which we have followed is that of Steevens, which all subsequent editors have adopted, and which is therefore the most convenient for purposes of reference.

Note II.

Ind. 1. 7. The phrase 'Go by, Jeronimy,' quoted from Kyd's 'Spanish Tragedy,' was used in popular 'slang,' derisively. It occurs frequently in the dramatic literature of the time, for example, in Beaumont and Fletcher's Captain, Act iii. Sc. 5. The 'S' of the Folios may have been derived from a note of exclamation in the MS., written, as it is usually printed, like a note of interrogation.

Note III.

Ind. 1. 62. Mr Lettsom's suggestion that a line has been lost between 61 and 62 seems the most probable solution of the difficulties presented by this passage in its present form.

Note IV.

Ind. 1. 86. 'Sincklo,' the stage direction of the first Folio, was the name of an actor in Shakespeare's company, not mentioned in the list of 'Principall Actors' at the beginning of the first Folio. He was one of the actors in the Second Part of Henry IV., as appears from[102] the 4to. edition of that play, published in 1600, where the stage direction to Act v. Scene 4 is, "Enter Sincklo and three or foure officers," and the part taken by Sincklo is that usually assigned to the 'Officer.' In the Third Part of Henry VI. Act iii. Scene 1, the stage direction in the first Folio is, 'Enter Sinklo, and Humfrey, with crosse-bowes in their hands.' Sinklo also appears as an actor in the Induction to Marston's play of The Malcontent. In the present play he probably took the part of Lucentio.

In iii. 1. 80, 'Nicke.' is supposed by Steevens to mean Nicholas Tooley, who at a later period became one of the 'Principall Actors.'

Note V.

Ind. 1. 99. Pope inserts here the following speech from the old play:

'2 Player [to the other]. Go get a dishclout to make clean your shoes, and I'll speak for the properties. [Exit Player.] My lord, we must have a shoulder of mutton for a property, and a little vinegar to make our devil roar.'

This insertion is repeated by all subsequent editors, till Capell struck it out of the text and Steevens placed it in a note.

Note VI.

Ind. 2. 96. The following speeches are here inserted by Pope from the same source:

'Sly. By th' mass I think I am a lord indeed.
What's thy name?
Man. Simon, an't please your honour.
Sly. Sim? that's as much as to say Simeon or Simon; put forth
thy hand and fill the pot.'

Capell was the first to strike it out of the text.

Note VII.

Ind. 2. 110. Pope prefixed to Sly's speech the following words from the old play, without giving any indication that they were not Shakespeare's: 'Come sit down on my knee. Sim, drink to her.' They are repeated in all subsequent editions, till Capell restored the true text. After line 115, Pope again added, 'Sim, drink to her.'

[103]

Note VIII.

i. 1. 32. The old play (Q) after the Induction, commences thus:

'Polidor. Welcome to Athens, my beloved friend, To Plato's school and Aristotle's walks....'

but this affords us no hint as to the true reading of the passage in question, whether 'checks' or 'ethics.' When Mr Halliwell conjectured that we should read 'works' for 'walks,' he had not observed that the allusion was to the gardens of the Lyceum, the favourite haunt of the Peripatetics.

Note IX.

i. 1. 57. We have often observed that as in this line and in iii. 1. 4, and Ind. 2. 110, the metre may be completed by pronouncing the name of the speaker at the beginning. This is one indication among many, of the haste with which parts of Shakespeare's plays were thrown off.

Note X.

i. 2. 145. Considering the carelessness with which a plural demonstrative pronoun was used with reference to a singular noun and vice versa, we have not altered the reading of the old editions in order to accommodate the construction to modern rule. See note (iv) to Love's Labour's Lost.

Note XI.

i. 2. 259. The misprint in Rowe's second edition remained uncorrected by Pope, Theobald, Hanmer, Warburton, and Johnson. Capell in correcting the error made another by writing 'her' for 'the.' He printed his edition not from any former text, but from a manuscript of his own writing.

Another instance of the facility with which a misprint which makes sense escapes correction is found in ii. 1. 4, where 'put,' a misprint for 'pull' in the Variorum of 1821, was retained by many subsequent editors, Mr Collier, Mr Singer, &c.

Note XII.

i. 2. 278. Mr Grant White believes the whole of the foregoing scene to be by some other hand than Shakespeare's. Coleridge and Sidney[104] Walker also held that large portions of the play were not from the master's hand. It appears to us impossible to discriminate, as in Henry the Eighth and The Two Noble Kinsmen, what parts were due to Shakespeare and what to another hand. The feeblest scenes of this play seem to have been touched by him. The probability is that he worked, in this case, not with, but after, another.

Note XIII.

ii. 1. 403. Pope inserts from the old play:

'[Sly speaks to one of the servants.

Sly. Sim, when will the fool come again?

Sim. Anon, my lord.

Sly. Give's some more drink here—where's the tapster? here Sim, eat some of these things.

Sim. So I do, my lord.

Sly. Here Sim, I drink to thee.'

These lines were repeated by all subsequent editors down to Capell, who inserted them at a different place. See note (xvi).

Note XIV.

iii. 2. 63. Mr Collier says that the Quarto reads 'the humor or fourty fancies...' If so, his copy differs from ours, which reads 'the humor of fourty fancies...'

Note XV.

iii. 2. 81-84. It is not always clear from the way in which Capell's text is printed whether he meant a passage where there is a rapid change of speakers to be read as prose or verse. In the Edition before us, this is always explained by certain conventional symbols inserted with his own hand in red ink. This he probably did with a view to a second edition, which he never lived to bring out. 'Tulit alter honores.'

Note XVI.

iii. 2. 245. Capell here inserted the lines which Pope put after ii. 1. 403. See note (xiii).

[105]

Note XVII.

iv. 1. 124. Theobald first printed 'Where is the life that late I led?' as part of a song. He printed also the following words, 'Where are those—' in italics, as if they were a continuation of the song. He was followed by Hanmer, Warburton, and Johnson, but not by Capell. As the song is lost, the question must remain doubtful.

Note XVIII.

iv. 2. Pope made a bold transposition, and placed here the scene which in our Edition stands as the third scene of the fourth Act, beginning:

'Gra. No, no, forsooth, I dare not for my life,'

and ending:

'Hor. Why so this gallant will command the sun.'

The scene thus in Pope's edition counted as the 4th, 5th, and 6th scenes of Act iv.

Our Scene 2 of Act iv. is in Pope's edition Scenes 1 and 2 of Act v.

Theobald restored the old arrangement, which, as he proves in a note, is indisputably the right one.

Note XIX.

iv. 2. 120. Hanmer inserts from the old play the following lines, which are placed by Pope after iv. 3. 192, and by Capell after v. 1. 132.

'Lord. Who's within there? [Sly sleeps.
Enter Servants.
Asleep again! go take him easily up, and put him in his own apparel
again. But see you wake him not in any case.
Serv. It shall be done, my lord: come help to bear him hence.
[They carry off Sly.'

Note XX.

iv. 4. 62. There is evidently some mistake here. On the whole it seems better to change 'Cambio' to 'Biondello' in line 62, than 'Bion.' to 'Luc.' in line 66. The supposed Cambio was not acting as Baptista's servant, and, moreover, had he been sent on such an errand he would have 'flown on the wings of love' to perform it. We must suppose that Biondello apparently makes his exit, but really waits till the stage is clear for an interview with his disguised master. The line 67 is as suitable to the faithful servant as to the master himself.

[106]

Note XXI.

iv. 4. 70. Mr Dyce says that in some copies of the first Folio the 'l' in welcome is scarcely visible. It was from one of these copies, doubtless, that the later Folios were printed. The 'l' is clear enough in Capell's copy of F1.

Note XXII.

v. 1. 26. We have retained 'from Padua,' which is the reading of the old Edition, and probably right. The Pedant has been staying some time at Padua, and that is all he means when he contradicts the newly arrived traveller from Pisa.

Note XXIII.

v. 2. 176-189. The following speeches are added by Pope from the old play, and remained as part of the text till Capell's time:

'Enter two Servants bearing Sly in his own apparel, and leave him on the stage. Then enter a Tapster.

Sly awaking.] Sim, give's some more wine—what, all the Players gone? am not I a lord?

Tap. A lord with a murrain! Come, art thou drunk still?

Sly. Who's this? Tapster! oh, I have had the bravest dream that ever thou heardst in all thy life.

Tap. Yea marry, but thou hadst best get thee home, for your wife will course you for dreaming here all night.

Sly. Will she? I know how to tame a Shrew. I dreamt upon it all this night, and thou hast wak'd me out of the best dream that ever I had. But I'll to my wife, and tame her too, if she anger me.'


[108]

ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.

DRAMATIS PERSONĆ[5].

King of France.

Duke of Florence.

Bertram, Count of Rousillon[6].

Lafeu[7], an old lord.

Parolles[8], a follower of Bertram.

Steward, }

Lavache, a Clown } servants to the Countess of Rousillon.

A Page.

Countess of Rousillon, mother to Bertram.

Helena, a gentlewoman protected by the Countess.

An old Widow of Florence.

Diana, daughter to the Widow.

Violenta,}

} neighbours and friends to the Widow.

Mariana, }

Lords, Officers, Soldiers, &c., French and Florentine.

Scene: Rousillon; Paris; Florence; Marseilles.

[109]

ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.

ACT I.

Scene I. Rousillon. The Count's palace.

Enter Bertram, the Countess of Rousillon, Helena, and Lafeu, all in black.

Count. In delivering my son from me, I bury a second
husband.

Ber. And I in going, madam, weep o'er my father's
death anew: but I must attend his majesty's command, to
5 whom I am now in ward, evermore in subjection.

Laf. You shall find of the king a husband, madam;
you, sir, a father: he that so generally is at all times good,
must of necessity hold his virtue to you; whose worthiness
would stir it up where it wanted, rather than lack it where
10 there is such abundance.

Count. What hope is there of his majesty's amendment?

Laf. He hath abandoned his physicians, madam; under
whose practices he hath persecuted time with hope, and
[110] finds no other advantage in the process but only the losing
15 of hope by time.

Count. This young gentlewoman had a father,—O, that
'had'! how sad a passage 'tis!—whose skill was almost as
great as his honesty; had it stretched so far, would have
made nature immortal, and death should have play for lack
20 of work. Would, for the king's sake, he were living! I
think it would be the death of the king's disease.

Laf. How called you the man you speak of, madam?

Count. He was famous, sir, in his profession, and it was
his great right to be so,—Gerard de Narbon.

25 Laf. He was excellent indeed madam: the king very
lately spoke of him admiringly and mourningly: he was
skilful enough to have lived still, if knowledge could be set
up against mortality.

Ber. What is it, my good lord, the king languishes of?

30 Laf. A fistula, my lord.

Ber. I heard not of it before.

Laf. I would it were not notorious. Was this gentlewoman
the daughter of Gerard de Narbon?

Count. His sole child, my lord; and bequeathed to my
35 overlooking. I have those hopes of her good that her education
promises; her dispositions she inherits, which makes
fair gifts fairer; for where an unclean mind carries virtuous
qualities, there commendations go with pity; they are virtues
and traitors too: in her they are the better for their simpleness;
40 she derives her honesty and achieves her goodness.

Laf. Your commendations, madam, get from her tears.

Count. 'Tis the best brine a maiden can season her praise
in. The remembrance of her father never approaches her
heart but the tyranny of her sorrows takes all livelihood from
[111] 45 her cheek. No more of this, Helena, go to, no more; lest
it be rather thought you affect a sorrow than to have—

Hel. I do affect a sorrow, indeed, but I have it too.

Laf. Moderate lamentation is the right of the dead;
excessive grief the enemy to the living.

50 Count. If the living be enemy to the grief, the excess
makes it soon mortal.

Ber. Madam, I desire your holy wishes.

Laf. How understand we that?

Count. Be thou blest, Bertram, and succeed thy father
55
In manners, as in shape! thy blood and virtue
Contend for empire in thee, and thy goodness
Share with thy birthright! Love all, trust a few,
Do wrong to none: be able for thine enemy
Rather in power than use; and keep thy friend
60
Under thy own life's key: be check'd for silence,
But never tax'd for speech. What heaven more will,
That thee may furnish, and my prayers pluck down,
Fall on thy head! Farewell, my lord;
'Tis an unseason'd courtier; good my lord,
Advise him.
65
Laf. He cannot want the best
That shall attend his love.
Count. Heaven bless him! Farewell, Bertram. [Exit.
Ber. [To Helena] The best wishes that can be forged in
your thoughts be servants to you! Be comfortable to my
70
mother, your mistress, and make much of her.
[112]
Laf. Farewell, pretty lady: you must hold the credit
of your father.
[Exeunt Bertram and Lafeu.
Hel. O, were that all! I think not on my father;
And these great tears grace his remembrance more
75
Than those I shed for him. What was he like?
I have forgot him: my imagination
Carries no favour in 't but Bertram's.
I am undone: there is no living, none,
If Bertram be away. 'Twere all one
80
That I should love a bright particular star
And think to wed it, he is so above me:
In his bright radiance and collateral light
Must I be comforted, not in his sphere.
The ambition in my love thus plagues itself:
85
The hind that would be mated by the lion
Must die for love. 'Twas pretty, though a plague,
To see him every hour; to sit and draw
His arched brows, his hawking eye, his curls,
In our heart's table; heart too capable
90
Of every line and trick of his sweet favour:
But now he's gone, and my idolatrous fancy
Must sanctify his reliques. Who comes here?
Enter Parolles.
[Aside] One that goes with him: I love him for his sake;
And yet I know him a notorious liar,
95
Think him a great way fool, solely a coward;
Yet these fix'd evils sit so fit in him,
That they take place, when virtue's steely bones
[113]
Look bleak i' the cold wind: withal, full oft we see
Cold wisdom waiting on superfluous folly.
100
Par. Save you, fair queen!
Hel. And you, monarch!
Par. No.
Hel. And no.
Par. Are you meditating on virginity?
105
Hel. Ay. You have some stain of soldier in you: let
me ask you a question. Man is enemy to virginity; how
may we barricado it against him?
Par. Keep him out.
Hel. But he assails; and our virginity, though valiant,
110
in the defence yet is weak: unfold to us some warlike
resistance.
Par. There is none: man, sitting down before you, will
undermine you and blow you up.
Hel. Bless our poor virginity from underminers and
115
blowers up! Is there no military policy, how virgins
might blow up men?
Par. Virginity being blown down, man will quicklier
be blown up: marry, in blowing him down again, with the
breach yourselves made, you lose your city. It is not
120
politic in the commonwealth of nature to preserve virginity.
Loss of virginity is rational increase and there was never
virgin got till virginity was first lost. That you were made
of is metal to make virgins. Virginity by being once lost
may be ten times found; by being ever kept, it is ever lost:
125
'tis too cold a companion; away with 't!
[114]
Hel. I will stand for 't a little, though therefore I die a
virgin.
Par. There's little can be said in 't; 'tis against the rule
of nature. To speak on the part of virginity, is to accuse
130
your mothers; which is most infallible disobedience. He
that hangs himself is a virgin: virginity murders itself; and
should be buried in highways out of all sanctified limit, as a
desperate offendress against nature. Virginity breeds mites,
much like a cheese; consumes itself to the very paring, and
135
so dies with feeding his own stomach. Besides, virginity is
peevish, proud, idle, made of self-love, which is the most inhibited
sin in the canon. Keep it not; you cannot choose
but lose by 't: out with 't! within ten year it will make
itself ten, which is a goodly increase; and the principal
140
itself not much the worse: away with 't!
Hel. How might one do, sir, to lose it to her own liking?
Par. Let me see: marry, ill, to like him that ne'er it
likes. 'Tis a commodity will lose the gloss with lying; the
longer kept, the less worth: off with 't while 'tis vendible;
145
answer the time of request. Virginity, like an old courtier,
wears her cap out of fashion; richly suited, but unsuitable:
just like the brooch and the tooth-pick, which wear not now.
Your date is better in your pie and your porridge than in
your cheek: and your virginity, your old virginity, is like
150
one of our French withered pears, it looks ill, it eats drily;
marry, 'tis a withered pear; it was formerly better; marry,
yet 'tis a withered pear: will you any thing with it?
[115]
Hel. Not my virginity yet....
There shall your master have a thousand loves,
155
A mother and a mistress and a friend,
A phœnix, captain and an enemy,
A guide, a goddess, and a sovereign,
A counsellor, a traitress, and a dear;
His humble ambition, proud humility,
160
His jarring concord, and his discord dulcet,
His faith, his sweet disaster; with a world
Of pretty, fond, adoptious christendoms,
That blinking Cupid gossips. Now shall he—
I know not what he shall. God send him well!
165
The court's a learning place, and he is one—
Par. What one, i' faith?
Hel. That I wish well. 'Tis pity—
Par. What's pity?
Hel. That wishing well had not a body in't,
170
Which might be felt; that we, the poorer born,
Whose baser stars do shut us up in wishes,
Might with effects of them follow our friends,
And show what we alone must think, which never
Returns us thanks.
Enter Page.
175
Page. Monsieur Parolles, my lord calls for you.
[Exit.
Par. Little Helen, farewell: if I can remember thee, I
will think of thee at court.[116]
Hel. Monsieur Parolles, you were born under a charitable
star.
180
Par. Under Mars, I.
Hel. I especially think, under Mars.
Par. Why under Mars?
Hel. The wars have so kept you under, that you must
needs be born under Mars.
185
Par. When he was predominant.
Hel. When he was retrograde, I think, rather.
Par. Why think you so?
Hel. You go so much backward when you fight.
Par. That's for advantage.
190
Hel. So is running away, when fear proposes the safety:
but the composition that your valour and fear makes in you
is a virtue of a good wing, and I like the wear well.
Par. I am so full of businesses, I cannot answer thee
acutely. I will return perfect courtier; in the which, my
195
instruction shall serve to naturalize thee, so thou wilt be
capable of a courtier's counsel, and understand what advice
shall thrust upon thee; else thou diest in thine unthankfulness,
and thine ignorance makes thee away: farewell. When
thou hast leisure, say thy prayers; when thou hast none,
200
remember thy friends: get thee a good husband, and use
him as he uses thee: so, farewell. [Exit.
Hel. Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie,
Which we ascribe to heaven: the fated sky
Gives us free scope; only doth backward pull
205
Our slow designs when we ourselves are dull.
What power is it which mounts my love so high;
[117]
That makes me see, and cannot feed mine eye?
The mightiest space in fortune nature brings
To join like likes and kiss like native things.
210
Impossible be strange attempts to those
That weigh their pains in sense, and do suppose
What hath been cannot be: who ever strove
To show her merit, that did miss her love?
The king's disease—my project may deceive me,
215
But my intents are fix'd, and will not leave me. [Exit.

LINENOTES:

  Act i. Scene i.] Actus Primus. Scćna Prima. Ff.

  Enter.... ] Enter yong Bertram, Count of Rossillion, his Mother, and Helena, Lord Lafew, all in blacke. Ff.

[1] Count.] Mother. Ff, and afterwards Mo.

delivering] delivering up Hanmer. dissevering Warburton.

son from me,] son, for me or son, 'fore me, Becket conj.

[3] And I in going, madam] F1. And in going Madam F2 F3 F4. And in going, madam, I Rowe.

[9] lack] slack Theobald (Warburton).

[13] persecuted] prosecuted Hanmer.

[17] passage] preface Hanmer. presage Warburton. pesage Becket conj.

was] om. Collier (Collier MS.).

[18] would] it would Rowe, 't would Singer.

[19] have] have had Hanmer.

play] play'd Warburton.

[29, 31, 52] Ber.] Ros. Ff.

[35] hopes of her good that her] good hopes of her that her or hopes of her that her good Anon. conj.

[36] promises; her] Rowe. promises her Ff. promises her; Pope.

her dispositions] the honesty of her dispositions Staunton conj.

dispositions] disposition Rowe.

[39] their] her Hammer (Warburton).

[41] from her tears] tears from her Pope.

[46] it be rather thought you] you be rather thought to Hanmer.

to have—] Ff. to have it. Warburton. have it. Capell. to have. Steevens.

[48] lamentation] F1. lamentations F2 F3 F4.

[50] Count.] Hel. Tieck.

be] be not Theobald (Warburton).

[52, 53] Ber. Madam, ... Laf. How ... ] Laf. How ... Ber. Madam, ... Theobald conj.

[63] head] F1. hand F2 F3 F4.

Farewell, my lord:] Farewell my Lord, Ff. Farewel.—My lord Lafeu, Capell. Farewell. My lord, Steevens.

[63-67] Hanmer ends the lines 'tis an ... advise him ... attend ... Bertram. S. Walker would end them My lord Lafeu, ... my lord ... that shall ... Bertram, reading can't for cannot in line 65.

[64] Advise him.] Advise him you. Capell.

[65-87] Laf. He cannot ... draw] Omitted in F4.

[67] Heaven] May heaven Hanmer.

[68] [To Helena] Rowe.

[71] must hold] uphold Rann (Mason conj.).

[72] [Exeunt...] Rowe. om. Ff.

[73] Scene ii. Pope.

[75] those I] they are Hanmer.

[77] in't but Bertram's] in it but my Bertram's Pope. in it, but of Bertram Capell. in 't but only Bertram's Collier (Collier MS.).

[79] 'Twere] F1 F2 F3. It were Pope.

[80] particular] F1 F2 F3. partic'lar Pope.

[81] me:] Rowe. me F1 F2 F3.

[84] The] Th' F1 F2 F3.

[88] brows] browes F1 F2. arrows F3 F4.

[89] our] my Collier MS.

[90] trick] trait Becket conj.

[92] reliques] F1 F2. relick F3 F4.

Enter Parolles.] Ff. Dyce transfers to line 99.

[93] [Aside] Edd.

[95] solely] F3 F4. solie F1 F2. wholly Hanmer.

[97] steely] seely Williams conj.

[98] Look] Rowe. Lookes F1 F2. Looks F3 F4.

i'the] in the Pope.

withal] om. Pope.

[99] Cold] S. Walker conjectures that this is corrupt.

folly] F3 F4. follie F1 F2.

[100] Scene iii. Pope.

Save] 'Save Hanmer.

[105] stain] strain Halliwell conj.

[107] barricado] Rowe. barracedo F1. barrocado F2 F3 F4.

[107-109] him? Par. Keep him out. Hel. But] him to keep him out? for Hanmer.

[109] assails] assails us S. Walker conj.

[109, 110] valiant, in the defence yet] Ff. valiant in the defence, yet Steevens.

[110] to us] F1. us F2 F3 F4.

[112] sitting] Johnson. setting Ff.

[114] Bless] 'Bless Capell conj. MS.

[121] rational] national Hanmer (Theobald conj.). natural Anon. ap. Halliwell conj.

[122] got] F2 F3 F4. goe F1.

[130] mothers] mother Rowe.

[130, 131] He ... is] He ... is like Hanmer. As he ... so is Warburton.

[135] his] its Rowe. on its Hanmer.

[137] inhibited] F1. inhabited F2 F3 F4. prohibited Pope.

[138, 139] ten year ... ten,] ten years ... ten Hanmer. ten yeare ... two F1. ten yeares ... two F2 F3. ten years ... two F4. two years ... two Collier, ed. 2 (Steevens conj.). ten years ... twelve Tollet conj. ten months ... two Singer (Malone conj.). one year ... two Grant White. the year ... two Anon. conj.

[142, 143] it likes] likes it S. Walker conj.

[143] 'Tis] And 'tis Hanmer.

[147] wear] Capell. were Ff. we wear Rowe.

[152] yet] yes, Hanmer.

will you] will you do Collier MS.

with it?] with me? Johnson conj. with us? Tyrwhitt conj. with it? I am now bound for the court. Malone conj. with it? We are for the Court. Staunton conj.

[153] Not] Not with Collier MS.

yet.] yet. You're for the Court: Hanmer. See note (ii).

[153, 154] Not ... your] No!—my virginity! yet There shall its Jackson conj.

[154] shall] should Steevens conj.

[155] A mother] Another Rowe (ed. 2).

[156-163] A phœnix ... shall he] Put in brackets as spurious by Warburton.

[156] captain] captor Anon. conj.

[159] humble] F1. humblest F2 F3 F4.

[162] pretty] petty Harness.

fond, adoptious] fond-adoptious S. Walker conj.

[163] he—] Rowe. he: Ff.

[165] learning place] learning-place Steevens.

one—] Rowe. one. Ff.

[167] pity—] Rowe. pitty. F1 F2 F3. pity. F4.

[168] Par. What's pity?] Omitted in Pope (ed. 2).

[170] the] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.

[176] Exit.] Theobald.

[183] wars have] Pope. warres hath F1 F2. waters hath F3 F4. waters have Rowe.

[190] So ... safety] Printed as two lines in Ff, the first ending away.

the safety] safety F3 F4.

[191] makes] make Hanmer.

[192] wing] ming Warburton.

I like the wear] is like to wear Mason conj.

[193] businesses] F1 F2 F3. business F4. businesses, as Theobald.

[195] instruction] instrument Rowe (ed. 2).

[196] of a] F1. of the F2 F3 F4. of Pope.

[202] Scene iv. Pope.

[207] That] Which Capell.

[208] The mightiest space] The mighty and base Mason conj. The wid'st apart Staunton conj.

fortune nature] nature fortune Malone conj. (withdrawn).

brings] springs Anon. (Fras. Mag.) conj.

[208, 209] The ... To join like likes] Through ... Likes to join likes Johnson conj. The ... Like to join like Long MS.

[212] hath been cannot be] hath not been ca'nt be Hanmer. ha'nt been cannot be Mason conj. n'ath been cannot be Staunton conj.

[214] The king's disease—] Rowe. (The Kings disease) Ff.

Scene II. Paris. The King's palace.

Flourish of cornets. Enter the King of France with letters, and divers Attendants.

King. The Florentines and Senoys are by the ears;
Have fought with equal fortune, and continue
A braving war.
First Lord. So 'tis reported, sir.
King. Nay, 'tis most credible; we here receive it
5
A certainty, vouch'd from our cousin Austria,
With caution, that the Florentine will move us
For speedy aid; wherein our dearest friend
Prejudicates the business, and would seem
To have us make denial.
First Lord. His love and wisdom,
10
Approved so to your majesty, may plead
For amplest credence.
King. He hath arm'd our answer,
And Florence is denied before he comes:
[118]
Yet, for our gentlemen that mean to see
The Tuscan service, freely have they leave
To stand on either part.
15
Sec. Lord. It well may serve
A nursery to our gentry, who are sick
For breathing and exploit.
King. What's he comes here?
Enter Bertram, Lafeu, and Parolles.
First Lord. It is the Count Rousillon, my good lord,
Young Bertram.
King. Youth, thou bear'st thy father's face;
20
Frank nature, rather curious than in haste,
Hath well composed thee. Thy father's moral parts
Mayst thou inherit too! Welcome to Paris.
Ber. My thanks and duty are your majesty's.
King. I would I had that corporal soundness now,
25
As when thy father and myself in friendship
First tried our soldiership! He did look far
Into the service of the time, and was
Discipled of the bravest: he lasted long;
But on us both did haggish age steal on,
30
And wore us out of act. It much repairs me
To talk of your good father. In his youth
He had the wit, which I can well observe
To-day in our young lords; but they may jest
Till their own scorn return to them unnoted
35
Ere they can hide their levity in honour:
So like a courtier, contempt nor bitterness
Were in his pride or sharpness; if they were,
[119]
His equal had awaked them; and his honour,
Clock to itself, knew the true minute when
40
Exception bid him speak, and at this time
His tongue obey'd his hand: who were below him
He used as creatures of another place;
And bow'd his eminent top to their low ranks,
Making them proud of his humility,
45
In their poor praise he humbled. Such a man
Might be a copy to these younger times;
Which, follow'd well, would demonstrate them now
But goers backward.
Ber. His good remembrance, sir,
Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb;
50
So in approof lives not his epitaph
As in your royal speech.
King. Would I were with him! He would always say—
Methinks I hear him now; his plausive words
He scatter'd not in ears, but grafted them,
55
To grow there and to bear,—'Let me not live,'—
This his good melancholy oft began,
On the catastrophe and heel of pastime,
When it was out,—'Let me not live,' quoth he,
'After my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff
60
Of younger spirits, whose apprehensive senses
All but new things disdain; whose judgements are
Mere fathers of their garments; whose constancies
Expire before their fashions. This he wish'd:
[120]
I after him do after him wish too,
65
Since I nor wax nor honey can bring home,
I quickly were dissolved from my hive,
To give some labourers room.
Sec. Lord. You are loved, sir;
They that least lend it you shall lack you first.
King. I fill a place, I know't. How long is't, count,
70
Since the physician at your father's died?
He was much famed.
Ber. Some six months since, my lord.
King. If he were living, I would try him yet.
Lend me an arm; the rest have worn me out
With several applications: nature and sickness
75
Debate it at their leisure. Welcome, count;
My son's no dearer.
Ber. Thank your majesty.
[Exeunt. Flourish.

LINENOTES:

[Scene ii.] Capell. Scene v. Pope.

Flourish of cornets.] Flourish cornets. Ff.

[1] Senoys] Siennois or Siennese Lloyd conj.

the ears] Capell. th' eares Ff.

[3, 9, 18] First Lord.] 1. Lord. Rowe. 1. Lo. G. Ff.

[15, 67] Sec. Lord.] 2. Lord. Rowe. 2. Lo. E. Ff.

[15] well may] may well F3 F4.

[18] It is] F1 F4. It 'tis F2 F3.

Rousillon] Pope. Rosignoll F1. Rosillion F2. Rossillion F3 F4.

[21] Hath well composed thee] Compos'd thee well Pope.

[28] bravest] brav'st Pope.

[32] well] ill Long MS.

[35] hide their levity in honour] vye their levity with his honour Hanmer. hide their levity in humour Long MS.

[35, 36] honour: So like a courtier,] Ff. honour, So like a courtier: Capell (Blackstone conj.). honour: No courtier-like Lloyd conj.

[36] contempt nor] no contempt nor Rowe (ed. 1). no contempt or Rowe (ed. 2).

[37] in his pride or sharpness;] in him; pride or sharpness, Theobald (Warburton). in him, pride or sharpness; Capell.

if they were] if there were Theobald (Warburton).

[39] Clock] Block Rowe (ed. 2).

[40] Exception] Exceptions Theobald.

this] that Rowe.

[41] his hand] the hand Johnson conj. it's hand Capell. his head Long MS.

[42] another place] a brother-race Hanmer.

[44] proud of] proud; and Warburton.

[44, 45] humility, In ... praise he humbled] humility: He in ... praise, humbled Becket conj.

[45] he humbled] be-humbled Staunton conj.

[47] demonstrate them now] now demonstrate them Pope.

[50] So in approof lives not his] Approof so lives not in his Johnson conj. So his approof lives not in Capell.

[56] This] Ff. Thus Pope.

[58] it] wit Staunton conj.

[62] fathers] feathers Tyrwhitt conj. parcels Williams conj.

[67] labourers] labourer Warburton.

You are] Capell. You'r F1 F2. You're F3 F4.

[76] Thank] Thanks to Rowe.

[Exeunt.] Exit. Ff.

Scene III. Rousillon. The Count's palace.

Enter Countess, Steward, and Clown.

Count. I will now hear; what say you of this gentlewoman?

Stew. Madam, the care I have had to even your content,
I wish might be found in the calendar of my past
5endeavours; for then we wound our modesty and make
foul the clearness of our deservings, when of ourselves we
publish them.

Count. What does this knave here? Get you gone,
sirrah: the complaints I have heard of you I do not all
10believe: 'tis my slowness that I do not; for I know you
[121] lack not folly to commit them, and have ability enough to
make such knaveries yours.

Clo. 'Tis not unknown to you, madam, I am a poor
fellow.

15Count. Well, sir.

Clo. No, madam, 'tis not so well that I am poor,
though many of the rich are damned: but, if I may have
your ladyship's good will to go to the world, Isbel the
woman and I will do as we may.

20Count. Wilt thou needs be a beggar?

Clo. I do beg your good will in this case.

Count. In what case?

Clo. In Isbel's case and mine own. Service is no
heritage: and I think I shall never have the blessing of
25God till I have issue o' my body; for they say barnes are
blessings.

Count. Tell me thy reason why thou wilt marry.

Clo. My poor body, madam, requires it: I am driven on
by the flesh; and he must needs go that the devil drives.

30Count. Is this all your worship's reason?

Clo. Faith, madam, I have other holy reasons, such as
they are.

Count. May the world know them?

Clo. I have been, madam, a wicked creature, as you
35and all flesh and blood are; and, indeed, I do marry that
I may repent.

Count. Thy marriage, sooner than thy wickedness.

Clo. I am out o' friends, madam; and I hope to have
friends for my wife's sake.

40Count. Such friends are thine enemies, knave.

Clo. You're shallow, madam, in great friends; for the
[122] knaves come to do that for me, which I am aweary of. He
that ears my land spares my team, and gives me leave to in
the crop; if I be his cuckold, he's my drudge: he that comforts
45my wife is the cherisher of my flesh and blood; he
that cherishes my flesh and blood loves my flesh and blood;
he that loves my flesh and blood is my friend: ergo, he that
kisses my wife is my friend. If men could be contented to
be what they are, there were no fear in marriage; for young
50Charbon the puritan and old Poysam the papist, howsome'er
their hearts are severed in religion, their heads are both one;
they may joul horns together, like any deer i' the herd.

Count. Wilt thou ever be a foul-mouthed and calumnious
knave?

55Clo. A prophet I, madam; and I speak the truth the
next way:

For I the ballad will repeat,
Which men full true shall find;
Your marriage comes by destiny,
60
Your cuckoo sings by kind.

Count. Get you gone, sir; I'll talk with you more anon.

Stew. May it please you, madam, that he bid Helen
come to you: of her I am to speak.

Count. Sirrah, tell my gentlewoman I would speak with
65her; Helen I mean.

Clo. Was this fair face the cause, quoth she,
Why the Grecians sacked Troy?
Fond done, done fond,
Was this King Priam's joy?
[123] 70
With that she sighed as she stood,
With that she sighed as she stood,
And gave this sentence then;
Among nine bad if one be good,
Among nine bad if one be good,
75
There's yet one good in ten.

Count. What, one good in ten? you corrupt the song,
sirrah.

Clo. One good woman in ten, madam; which is a purifying
o' the song: would God would serve the world so all
80the year! we'd find no fault with the tithe-woman, if I were
the parson: one in ten, quoth a'! an we might have a good
woman born but one every blazing star, or at an earth-quake,
'twould mend the lottery well: a man may draw his
heart out, ere a' pluck one.

85Count. You'll be gone, sir knave, and do as I command
you.

Clo. That man should be at woman's command, and
yet no hurt done! Though honesty be no puritan, yet it
will do no hurt; it will wear the surplice of humility over
90the black gown of a big heart. I am going, forsooth: the
business is for Helen to come hither. [Exit.

Count. Well, now.

Stew. I know, madam, you love your gentlewoman
entirely.

95Count. Faith, I do: her father bequeathed her to me;
and she herself, without other advantage, may lawfully make
[124] title to as much love as she finds: there is more owing her
than is paid; and more shall be paid her than she'll demand.

Stew. Madam, I was very late more near her than I
100think she wished me: alone she was, and did communicate
to herself her own words to her own ears; she thought, I
dare vow for her, they touched not any stranger sense. Her
matter was, she loved your son: Fortune, she said, was no
goddess, that had put such difference betwixt their two
105estates; Love no god, that would not extend his might,
only where qualities were level; ... queen of virgins, that
would suffer her poor knight surprised, without rescue in
the first assault, or ransom afterward. This she delivered
in the most bitter touch of sorrow that e'er I heard virgin
110exclaim in: which I held my duty speedily to acquaint you
withal; sithence, in the loss that may happen, it concerns
you something to know it.

Count. You have discharged this honestly; keep it to
yourself: many likelihoods informed me of this before,
115which hung so tottering in the balance, that I could neither
believe nor misdoubt. Pray you, leave me: stall this in
your bosom; and I thank you for your honest care: I will
speak with you further anon. [Exit Steward.

Enter Helena.

Even so it was with me when I was young:
120
If ever we are nature's, these are ours; this thorn
Doth to our rose of youth rightly belong;
Our blood to us, this to our blood is born;
[125]
It is the show and seal of nature's truth,
Where love's strong passion is impress'd in youth:
125
By our remembrances of days foregone,
Such were our faults, or then we thought them none.
Her eye is sick on't: I observe her now.
Hel. What is your pleasure, madam?
Count. You know, Helen,
I am a mother to you.
Hel. Mine honourable mistress.
130
Count. Nay, a mother:
Why not a mother? When I said 'a mother,'
Methought you saw a serpent: what's in 'mother,'
That you start at it? I say, I am your mother;
And put you in the catalogue of those
135
That were enwombed mine: 'tis often seen
Adoption strives with nature; and choice breeds
A native slip to us from foreign seeds:
You ne'er oppress'd me with a mother's groan,
Yet I express to you a mother's care:
140
God's mercy, maiden! does it curd thy blood
To say I am thy mother? What's the matter,
That this distemper'd messenger of wet,
The many-colour'd Iris, rounds thine eye?
Why? that you are my daughter?
Hel. That I am not.
Count. I say, I am your mother.
145
Hel. Pardon, madam;
The Count Rousillon cannot be my brother:
I am from humble, he from honour'd name;
No note upon my parents, his all noble:
My master, my dear lord he is; and I
[126] 150
His servant live, and will his vassal die:
He must not be my brother.
Count. Nor I your mother?
Hel. You are my mother, madam; would you were,—
So that my lord your son were not my brother,—
Indeed my mother! or were you both our mothers,
155
I care no more for than I do for heaven,
So I were not his sister. Can't no other,
But I your daughter, he must be my brother?
Count. Yes, Helen, you might be my daughter-in-law:
God shield you mean it not! daughter and mother
160
So strive upon your pulse. What, pale again?
My fear hath catch'd your fondness: now I see
The mystery of your loneliness, and find
Your salt tears' head: now to all sense 'tis gross
You love my son; invention is ashamed,
165
Against the proclamation of thy passion,
To say thou dost not: therefore tell me true;
But tell me then, 'tis so; for, look, thy cheeks
Confess it, th' one to th' other; and thine eyes
See it so grossly shown in thy behaviours,
170
That in their kind they speak it: only sin
And hellish obstinacy tie thy tongue,
That truth should be suspected. Speak, is't so?
If it be so, you have wound a goodly clew;
If it be not, forswear't: howe'er, I charge thee,
175
As heaven shall work in me for thine avail,
[127]
To tell me truly.
Hel. Good madam, pardon me!
Count. Do you love my son?
Hel. Your pardon, noble mistress!
Count. Love you my son?
Hel. Do not you love him, madam?
Count. Go not about; my love hath in't a bond,
180
Whereof the world takes note: come, come, disclose
The state of your affection; for your passions
Have to the full appeach'd.
Hel. Then, I confess,
Here on my knee, before high heaven and you,
That before you, and next unto high heaven,
185
I love your son.
My friends were poor, but honest; so's my love:
Be not offended; for it hurts not him
That he is loved of me: I follow him not
By any token of presumptuous suit;
190
Nor would I have him till I do deserve him;
Yet never know how that desert should be.
I know I love in vain, strive against hope;
Yet, in this captious and intenible sieve,
I still pour in the waters of my love,
195
And lack not to lose still: thus, Indian-like,
Religious in mine error, I adore
The sun, that looks upon his worshipper,
But knows of him no more. My dearest madam,
Let not your hate encounter with my love
200
For loving where you do: but if yourself,
Whose aged honour cites a virtuous youth,
Did ever in so true a flame of liking
Wish chastely and love dearly, that your Dian
[128]
Was both herself and love; O, then, give pity
205
To her, whose state is such, that cannot choose
But lend and give where she is sure to lose;
That seeks not to find that her search implies,
But riddle-like lives sweetly where she dies!
Count. Had you not lately an intent,—speak truly,—
To go to Paris?
Hel. Madam, I had.
210
Count. Wherefore? tell true.
Hel. I will tell truth; by grace itself I swear.
You know my father left me some prescriptions
Of rare and proved effects, such as his reading
And manifest experience had collected
215
For general sovereignty; and that he will'd me
In heedfull'st reservation to bestow them,
As notes, whose faculties inclusive were,
More than they were in note: amongst the rest,
There is a remedy, approved, set down,
220
To cure the desperate languishings whereof
The king is render'd lost.
Count. This was your motive
For Paris, was it? speak.
Hel. My lord your son made me to think of this;
Else Paris, and the medicine, and the king,
225
Had from the conversation of my thoughts
Haply been absent then.
Count. But think you, Helen,
If you should tender your supposed aid,
He would receive it? he and his physicians
Are of a mind; he, that they cannot help him,
230
They, that they cannot help: how shall they credit
[129]
A poor unlearned virgin, when the schools,
Embowell'd of their doctrine, have left off
The danger to itself?
Hel. There's something in't,
More than my father's skill, which was the greatest
235
Of his profession, that his good receipt
Shall for my legacy be sanctified
By the luckiest stars in heaven: and, would your honour
But give me leave to try success, I'd venture
The well-lost life of mine on his Grace's cure
By such a day and hour.
240
Count. Dost them believe't?
Hel. Ay, madam, knowingly.
Count. Why, Helen, thou shalt have my leave and love,
Means and attendants and my loving greetings
To those of mine in court: I'll stay at home
245
And pray God's blessing into thy attempt:
Be gone to-morrow; and be sure of this,
What I can help thee to, thou shalt not miss. [Exeunt.

[130]

LINENOTES:

[Scene iii.] Scene vi. Pope.

[1] hear; what say you] Theobald. heare, what say you Ff. hear what you say Capell.

gentlewoman?] F4. gentlewoman. F1 F2 F3.

[3] even] win Collier conj.

[6] foul] out Rowe (ed. 2).

[10] 'tis] it is S. Walker conj., reading lines 9-12 as verse, ending complaints ... believe ... them ... make ... yours.

[12] yours] yare Warburton conj.

[13] I am] that I am Capell.

[17] may have] F1. have F2 F3 F4.

[18] to go to] to go into Long MS.

[18, 19] the woman] your woman Grant White.

[19] and I will] F2 F3 F4. and w will F1. and we will Collier.

[25] o'] Rowe (ed. 2). a Ff. of Rann.

barnes] F1. bearns F2. barns F3 F4.

[38] out o'] Capell. out a F1 F2 F3. out of F4.

[41] You're] Capell. Y'are Ff. You are Steevens.

madam, in] madam; e'en Hanmer. madam, my Tyrwhitt conj.

[42] aweary] weary Rowe.

[43] to in] F4. to Inne F1 F2 F3.

[46] cherishes] F1. cherisheth F2 F3 F4.

[50] Charbon ... Poysam] See note (iii).

howsome'er] how somere F1 F2. howsomeere F3. howsomere F4. howsoe'er Pope.

[57-60] For I ... kind] Printed as verse first in Rowe (ed. 2).

[66] the cause, quoth she] quoth she, the cause Collier (Collier MS.).

[68] Fond done, done fond] omitted by Pope.

[68, 69] done find ... joy?] done, fond ... joy, F1 F2. fond done;—for Paris he ... joy. Theobald (Warburton). fond done! but Paris he ... joy, Capell conj. done fond, good sooth, it was: ... joy? Collier (Collier MS.). For it undone, undone, quoth he, ... joy. Rann (Heath conj.).

[70, 71] With ... stood] With ... stood, bis. Ff (bis in italics).

[71] Omitted by Pope.]

[72-75] And gave ... ten] Printed first as verse in Rowe (ed. 2).

[73, 74] one] none Capell conj.

[74] Omitted by Pope.]

[78] a] F1 F2. the F3 F4.

[79] o' the] Capell. o' th' Rowe (ed. 2). ath' F1 F2. a'th F3 F4.

song] song and mending of the sex Collier (Collier MS. o' the).

[82] one] Collier (Collier MS.). ore F1 F2. o're F3 F4. o'er Rowe. om. Pope. or Capell. on Rann. ere Collier (ed. 1). for Harness. 'fore Staunton. at Halliwell conj.

[83] well] wheel Malone conj.

draw] pray Rowe.

[84] a'] he Rowe (ed. 2).

[86] you.] Pope, you? Ff.

[87] woman's] F1. a woman's F2 F3 F4.

[87, 88] and yet] F1 F2. and get F3 F4.

[88] no puritan] a puritan Rann. (Tyrwhitt conj.).

[89] do no hurt] do what is enjoined Malone conj.

[96] advantage] advantages Rowe.

[105] would] should Capell.

not] om. Long MS.

might, only] F4. might onelie, F1 F2. might onely F3.

[106] level; ... queen] levell, Queene F1 F2. levell: Queen F3F4. level: Complain'd against the Queen Rowe. level; Diana no queen Theobald. See note (iv).

[107] knight] spright Warburton conj.

surprised] to be surpris'd Rowe.

[107, 108] without rescue in the first assault,] in the first assault, without rescue Capell.

[109] virgin] a virgin Pope.

[110] held] held it Rowe.

[113] honestly] honesty F3 F4.

[115] neither] F1. never F2 F3 F4.

[118] Enter H.] Enter Hellen. Ff. Enter H. Singer (after line 126). See note (v).

[119] Scene vii. Pope.

Even] Old Cou. Even Ff.

[120] ever] om. Pope. e'er Edd. conj.

[126] Such were our faults, or] Ff. Such-were our faults, tho' Hanmer. Such were our faults,—O! Johnson (Warburton conj.). Search we out faults, for Collier MS.

then ... them] them ... then Staunton.

[128] You know, Helen] Helen, you know Pope.

[130, 131] Nay ... said 'a mother'] As one line in Ff.

[131] said 'a mother'] said mother F3 F4.

[133] I am] Ff. I'm Pope.

[137] seeds] soil Anon. conj.

[143] The] This S. Walker conj.

eye] eyes Pope.

[144] Why?] —Why, Ff. Why,— Rowe.

are] art F2.

[151] mother?] Rowe (ed. 2). mother. Ff.

[155] I care ... heaven] I cannot ask for more than that of heav'n Hanmer. I can no more fear, than I do fear heav'n Warburton. I cannot more fear than I do fear heav'n Heath conj. I'd care no more for't than I do for heaven Capell. I care would ... heaven or I crave would ... heaven Mason conj. I care no more for than you do, 'fore heaven Becker conj. [Aside] I care no more for than I do for heaven Staunton conj.

[156, 157] Can't no other, But I ... he ... brother?] Theobald. Cant no other, But I ... he ... brother. Ff. Can't no other? But I ... he ... brother. Pope. Can't be no other Way I ... but he ... brother? Hanmer.

[162] loneliness] Theobald. loveliness Ff. lowliness Hall conj. liveliness Becket conj.

[168] th' one to th'] Knight. 'ton tooth to th' F1. 'ton to th' F2. 'tone to th' F3 F4. one to th' Rowe.

[169] it] it is F2.

behaviours] behaviour F3 F4.

[173] you have] you've Pope.

[175] thine] F1. mine F2 F3 F4.

[176] truly] true Hanmer.

[180] disclose] F3 F4. disclose: F1 F2.

[184] heaven] F1. heavens F2 F3 F4.

[184, 185] That ... son] As in Pope. Printed as one line in Ff.

[193] captious] carious Johnson conj. cap'cious Farmer conj. copious Jackson conj.

intenible] intemible F1. inteemible Nicholson conj.

[194] waters] water Rowe.

[195] lose] F4. loose F1 F2 F3. love Tyrwhitt conj.

[202] liking] F1. living F2. loving F3 F4.

[203] Wish ... dearly] Love dearly and wish chastely Malone conj.

[205] that] she Hanmer.

[207] her] F1. om. F2 F3 F4. which Rowe.

[210] tell true] om. Steevens conj.

[211] tell truth] F1. tell true F2 F3 F4. tell you true Capell (corrected in note).

[214] manifest] manifold Collier (Long MS.).

[220] languishings Ff. languishes Reed (1803).

[226] Haply] Pope. Happily Ff.

[229] that they cannot help him] that he can't be help'd Hanmer. that they cannot help Capell conj. that they cannot heal him S. Walker conj.

[230] cannot help] can't help him Capell conj. cannot cure Bailey conj.

[233] in't] hints Hanmer (Warburton).

[237] By the] Byth' F1 F2 F3. By th' F4.

[238] to try] F1. to F2 F3 F4. for the Rowe.

[239] The] This Hanmer.

on his] on's S. Walker conj.

[240] and] an F1.

[243] attendants] attendance S. Walker conj.

[245] into] F1 F2. unto F3 F4. upon Hanmer.

[246] Be gone] F3 F4. Begon F1 F2.

ACT II.

Scene I. Paris. The King's palace.

Flourish of cornets. Enter the King, attended with divers young Lords taking leave for the Florentine war; Bertram, and Parolles.

King. Farewell, young lords; these warlike principles
Do not throw from you: and you, my lords, farewell:
Share the advice betwixt you; if both gain, all
The gift doth stretch itself as 'tis received,
And is enough for both.
5
First Lord. 'Tis our hope, sir,
After well-enter'd soldiers, to return
And find your Grace in health.
King. No, no, it cannot be; and yet my heart
Will not confess he owes the malady
10
That doth my life besiege. Farewell, young lords;
Whether I live or die, be you the sons
Of worthy Frenchmen: let higher Italy,—
Those bated that inherit but the fall
Of the last monarchy,—see that you come
15
Not to woo honour, but to wed it; when
The bravest questant shrinks, find what you seek,
That fame may cry you loud: I say, farewell.
Sec. Lord. Health, at your bidding, serve your majesty!
[131]
King. Those girls of Italy, take heed of them:
20
They say, our French lack language to deny,
If they demand: beware of being captives,
Before you serve.
Both. Our hearts receive your warnings.
King. Farewell. Come hither to me. [Exit.
First Lord. O my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us!
Par. 'Tis not his fault, the spark.
25
Sec. Lord. O, 'tis brave wars!
Par. Most admirable: I have seen those wars.
Ber. I am commanded here, and kept a coil with
'Too young,' and 'the next year,' and ''tis too early.'
Par. An thy mind stand to't, boy, steal away bravely.
30
Ber. I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock,
Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry,
Till honour be bought up, and no sword worn
But one to dance with! By heaven, I'll steal away.
First Lord. There's honour in the theft.
Par. Commit it, count.
35
Sec. Lord. I am your accessary; and so, farewell.
Ber. I grow to you, and our parting is a tortured body.
First Lord. Farewell, captain.
Sec. Lord. Sweet Monsieur Parolles!
[132]
Par. Noble heroes, my sword and yours are kin. Good
40
sparks and lustrous, a word, good metals: you shall find
in the regiment of the Spinii one Captain Spurio, with his
cicatrice, an emblem of war, here on his sinister cheek; it
was this very sword entrenched it: say to him, I live; and
observe his reports for me.
45
First Lord. We shall, noble captain. [Exeunt Lords.
Par. Mars dote on you for his novices! what will ye do?
Ber. Stay: the king.
Re-enter King.
Par. [Aside to Ber.] Use a more spacious ceremony to
the noble lords; you have restrained yourself within the list
50
of too cold an adieu: be more expressive to them: for they
wear themselves in the cap of the time, there do muster true
gait, eat, speak, and move under the influence of the most received
star; and though the devil lead the measure, such are
to be followed: after them, and take a more dilated farewell.
55
Ber. And I will do so.
Par. Worthy fellows; and like to prove most sinewy
sword-men. [Exeunt Bertram and Parolles.
Enter Lafeu.
Laf. [Kneeling] Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings.
[133]
King. I'll fee thee to stand up.
60
Laf. Then here's a man stands, that has brought his pardon.
I would you had kneel'd, my lord, to ask me mercy;
And that at my bidding you could so stand up.
King. I would I had; so I had broke thy pate,
And ask'd thee mercy for't.
65
Laf. Good faith, across: but, my good lord, 'tis thus;
Will you be cured of your infirmity?
King. No.
Laf. O, will you eat no grapes, my royal fox?
Yes, but you will my noble grapes, an if
70
My royal fox could reach them: I have seen a medicine
That's able to breathe life into a stone,
Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary
With spritely fire and motion; whose simple touch
Is powerful to araise King Pepin, nay,
75
To give great Charlemain a pen in's hand,
And write to her a love-line.
King. What 'her' is this?
Laf. Why, Doctor She: my lord, there's one arrived,
If you will see her: now, by my faith and honour,
If seriously I may convey my thoughts
80
In this my light deliverance, I have spoke
With one that, in her sex, her years, profession,
[134]
Wisdom and constancy, hath amazed me more
Than I dare blame my weakness: will you see her,
For that is her demand, and know her business?
That done, laugh well at me.
85
King. Now, good Lafeu,
Bring in the admiration; that we with thee
May spend our wonder too, or take off thine
By wondering how thou took'st it.
Laf. Nay, I'll fit you,
And not be all day neither. [Exit.
90
King. Thus he his special nothing ever prologues.
Re-enter Lafeu, with Helena.
Laf. Nay, come your ways.
King. This haste hath wings indeed.
Laf. Nay, come your ways;
This is his majesty, say your mind to him:
A traitor you do look like; but such traitors
95
His majesty seldom fears: I am Cressid's uncle,
That dare leave two together; fare you well. [Exit.
King. Now, fair one, does your business follow us?
Hel. Ay, my good lord.
Gerard de Narbon was my father;
In what he did profess, well found.
100
King. I knew him.
Hel. The rather will I spare my praises towards him;
Knowing him is enough. On's bed of death
Many receipts he gave me; chiefly one,
[135]
Which, as the dearest issue of his practice,
105
And of his old experience the only darling,
He bade me store up, as a triple eye,
Safer than mine own two, more dear; I have so:
And, hearing your high majesty is touch'd
With that malignant cause, wherein the honour
110
Of my dear father's gift stands chief in power,
I come to tender it and my appliance,
With all bound humbleness.
King. We thank you, maiden;
But may not be so credulous of cure,
When our most learned doctors leave us, and
115
The congregated college have concluded
That labouring art can never ransom nature
From her inaidible estate; I say we must not
So stain our judgement, or corrupt our hope.
To prostitute our past-cure malady
120
To empirics, or to dissever so
Our great self and our credit, to esteem
A senseless help, when help past sense we deem.
Hel. My duty, then, shall pay me for my pains:
I will no more enforce mine office on you;
125
Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts
A modest one, to bear me back again.
King. I cannot give thee less, to be call'd grateful:
Thou thought'st to help me; and such thanks I give
As one near death to those that wish him live:
130
But, what at full I know, thou know'st no part;
I knowing all my peril, thou no art.
Hel. What I can do can do no hurt to try,
Since you set up your rest 'gainst remedy
He that of greatest works is finisher,
135
Oft does them by the weakest minister:
[136]
So holy writ in babes hath judgement shown,
When judges have been babes; great floods have flown
From simple sources; and great seas have dried,
When miracles have by the greatest been denied.
140
Oft expectation fails, and most oft there
Where most it promises; and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest, and despair most fits.
King. I must not hear thee; fare thee well, kind maid;
Thy pains not used must by thyself be paid:
145
Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward.
Hel. Inspired merit so by breath is barr'd:
It is not so with Him that all things knows,
As 'tis with us that square our guess by shows;
But most it is presumption in us when
150
The help of heaven we count the act of men.
Dear sir, to my endeavours give consent;
Of heaven, not me, make an experiment.
I am not an impostor, that proclaim
Myself against the level of mine aim;
155
But know I think, and think I know most sure,
My art is not past power, nor you past cure.
King. Art thou so confident? within what space
Hopest thou my cure?
Hel. The great'st grace lending grace,
Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring
160
Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring;
Ere twice in murk and occidental damp
Moist Hesperus hath quench'd his sleepy lamp;
Or four and twenty times the pilot's glass
Hath told the thievish minutes how they pass;
165
What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly,
Health shall live free, and sickness freely die.
King. Upon thy certainty and confidence
[137]
What darest thou venture?
Hel. Tax of impudence,
A strumpet's boldness, a divulged shame
170
Traduced by odious ballads: my maiden's name
Sear'd otherwise, ne worse of worst extended,
With vilest torture let my life be ended.
King. Methinks in thee some blessed spirit doth speak
His powerful sound within an organ weak:
175
And what impossibility would slay
In common sense, sense saves another way.
Thy life is dear; for all, that life can rate
Worth name of life, in thee hath estimate,
Youth, beauty, wisdom, courage, all
180
That happiness and prime can happy call:
Thou this to hazard needs must intimate
Skill infinite or monstrous desperate.
Sweet practiser, thy physic I will try,
That ministers thine own death if I die.
185
Hel. If I break time, or flinch in property
Of what I spoke, unpitied let me die,
And well deserved: not helping, death's my fee;
[138]
But, if I help, what do you promise me?
King. Make thy demand.
Hel. But will you make it even?
190
King. Ay, by my sceptre and my hopes of heaven.
Hel. Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand
What husband in thy power I will command:
Exempted be from me the arrogance
To choose from forth the royal blood of France,
195
My low and humble name to propagate
With any branch or image of thy state;
But such a one, thy vassal, whom I know
Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow.
King. Here is my hand; the premises observed,
200
Thy will by my performance shall be served:
So make the choice of thy own time; for I,
Thy resolved patient, on thee still rely.
More should I question thee, and more I must,
Though more to know could not be more to trust,
205
From whence thou camest, how tended on: but rest
Unquestion'd welcome, and undoubted blest.
Give me some help here, ho! If thou proceed
As high as word, my deed shall match thy deed.
[Flourish. Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Act ii.] Actus Secundus. Ff (Sćcundus F2).

Enter ... attended....] Capell. Enter ... warre: Count Rosse, and Parolles. Florish Cornets. Ff.

divers] two Hanmer. om. Steevens.

[1, 2] lords ... lords] Ff. lord ... lord Hanmer. See note (vi).

[2] and you] you Pope.

[3] both gain, all] Ff. both gain, Pope, both gain, well! Hanmer. both gain all, Johnson. back again, Jackson conj. both gain, All Anon. conj. See note (vii).

[5] First Lord] i. Lord. Rowe. Lord G. Ff.

'Tis] Ff. It is Steevens.

[9] he owes] it owns Pope. he owns Long MS.

[12] higher] hired Coleridge conj.

[13] bated] bastards Hanmer. 'bated ones Capell conj.

[15, 16] wed it; when ... shrinks,] Pope, wed it, when ... shrinkes: F1 F2 F3. wed it, when ... shrinks; F4.

[16] questant] F1. question F2 F3 F4. questor Collier MS.

[18] Sec. Lord.] 2. Lord Rowe (ed. 2). L. G. Ff. 1. Lord Rowe (ed. 1).

[22] Both.] Rowe. Bo. Ff.

[23] Come ... me] Come ... me [to Bert.] Pope. om. Hanmer. Come ... me [to Attendants]. Theobald.

Exit.] Pope. om. Ff. Retires to a Couch; Attendants leading him. Capell. See note (viii).

[24, 34, 37] First Lord.] 1. Lord. Rowe. 1. Lo. G. Ff.

[25] fault, the spark.] F3 F4. fault the spark. F1 F2. fault, the spark— Rowe. fault; the spark— Theobald.

[25, 35, 38] Sec. Lord.] 2. Lord. Rowe. 2. Lo. E. Ff.

[27] a coil] acoyle F2.

[27, 28] with 'Too young'] Pope. with, Too young Ff. with; 'Too young' Capell.

[29] An ... to't, boy, ... bravely] Theobald. And ... too't boy, Steale away bravely F1 F2 F3. And ... to it ... F4. And thy mind—stand to it, boy; steal away bravely. Pope.

[30] I shall stay] I stay Rowe. Shall I stay Pope.

[36] I ... our ... a tortured body] I ... this our ... A tortur'd body Hanmer. I ... our ... the parting of a tortured body Johnson conj. I ... our ... a torture Capell. I ... our ... as a tortured body S. Walker conj., reading lines 34-37 Commit ... captain. as three lines, ending accessary ... parting ... captain.

to you] t' ye S. Walker conj.

[37] captain] worthy captain Hanmer.

[39] yours] yours [measuring swords with them] Capell.

[40] a word] in a word Long MS.

[41, 42] with his cicatrice, an emblem] Theobald. his cicatrice, with an emblem Ff (sicatrice F1). he's cicatriced with an emblem Rann conj.

[44] for] F1 F2. of F3 F4.

[45] First Lord.] 1. Lord. Rowe. Lo. G. F1 F2. L.G. F3 F4. 2. Lord. Warburton. Both. Edd. conj.

[46] novices! what will ye do?] novices, what will ye do? Ff (doe F1 F2). See note (ix).

ye] you Hanmer.

[47] Stay: the king.] F2 F3 F4. Stay the king. F1. Stay; the king— Pope. Stay with the king Grant White (Collier conj.).

Re-enter King.] Edd. See note (viii).

[51] there do muster] there, to muster Warburton. they do muster with the Johnson conj. there do master Heath conj. they do master Collier conj. there demonstrate Anon. conj.

[51, 52] there ... gait] do muster your true gaité Becket conj. om. Collier MS.

true gait] together Hanmer.

[52] eat] dress Hanmer. they eat Singer conj.

move] F1. more F2 F3 F4.

[57] Exeunt B. and P.] Exeunt. Ff.

[58] Scene ii. Pope.

Enter L.] Enter the King and L. Pope. Enter L. hastily. Capell.

Kneeling] Johnson, om. Ff.

[59] I'll fee] Theobald. Ile see Ff. I'll sue Staunton. I'll free Anon. ap. Halliwell conj. I beseech Keightley conj.

[59-62] Capell ends the lines man ... I would you ... mercy; and ... up.

[60] has] F1. hath F2 F3 F4.

brought] Ff. bought Theobald.

[63, 64] I would ... for't] You would ... for't? Anon. conj.

[64-70] Capell ends the lines across: ... cur'd ... eat ... will ... fox ... medicine.

[65] across] a cross F4.

[69] my noble grapes] omitted by Hanmer, ending the line at fox. aye, noble grapes Collier MS.

[70] seen a medicine] seen A medicine Anon. conj.

medicine] med'cin (in italics) Theobald. medecin Steevens.

[74] araise] raise Pope. upraise Collier MS.

Pepin] Theobald. Pippen Ff.

[75] To give] And give Capell.

in's] in his Capell. Malone supposes a line to be lost after this.

[76] And write] To write Hanmer. And cause him write Singer conj.

to her a love-line] a love-line to her Hanmer.

[77] Doctor She] Grant White. doctor she Ff. Doctor-she Theobald.

[79] convey] convay F1. convoy F2 F3 F4.

[83] Than ... weakness] Than (blame my weakness) I dare— Becket conj.

blame] blaze Theobald conj.

[89] Exit] Theobald. om. Ff.

[90] nothing] nothings Hanmer.

Re-enter L. with H.] Enter Hellen. Ff (after line 91 come your ways).

[91] Laf. Nay, ... ways] Laf. [Returns.] Nay ... ways [Bringing in Helena. Theobald.

[95] I am] I'm Pope.

[96] Exit] Ff. Exit. Attendants retire. Capell. See note (viii).

[97] Scene iii.] Pope.

[98-100] Ay ... him] As in Ff. As three lines, ending was ... found ... him. Hanmer. As two, ending father ... him. Capell.

[99] Gerard de Narbon] Gerardo of Narbona Anon. conj.

[100] In] One in S. Walker conj.

[101] praises] praise Theobald.

[102] On's] On his Capell.

[103] receipts] Rowe. receits Ff.

[105] the] th' Ff.

[107] two, more dear] Steevens. two: dear Ff.

[109, 110] honour ... power] power ...honour Rann (Johnson conj.).

[116] ransom] answer Steevens (1778).

[117] inaidible] inaydible F1 F2. unaydible F3 F4. unaidable Rowe. inaidable Capell.

estate] state S. Walker conj.

I say] om. Pope.

[118] stain] strain Anon. conj.

[124] mine] F1. my F2 F3 F4.

[139] miracles ... greatest] miracles ... great'st Ff. mir'cles ... greatest Theobald. Johnson supposes a line lost after this.

[142] fits] Collier (Theobald conj.). shifts Ff. sits Pope. See note (x).

[153] impostor] F3 F4. impostrue F1 F2. imposture Capell.

[158] The great'st grace lending] Capell. The greatest grace lending Ff. The Greatest lending Rowe.

[162] his] Rowe. her Ff.

[169, 170] shame ... ballads: my maidens name] Ff. shame; ... ballads my maiden's name, Theobald conj. shame; ... ballads: my maiden's name Id. conj. shame, ... ballads my maiden name Johnson conj.

[171] Sear'd otherwise, ne worse of ...] F1. Seard otherwise, no worse of ... F2 F3 F4. Sear'd otherwise no worse of worst: extended Theobald conj. Sear'd, otherwise no worse of worst extended; Id. conj. Sear'd: otherwise, the worst of ... Hanmer. Sear'd otherwise, to worst of ... Johnson conj. Fear otherwise to worst of ... Id. conj. Sear'd; otherwise the worst to ... Id. conj. Fear, otherwise, to worst of worse Heath conj. Sear'd otherwise; or, worse to ... Capell. Seard otherwise, as worse of ... Long MS. Fear'd o' the wise no worse if ... Mason conj. Sear'd otherwise; nay, worst of ... Malone conj. Scar'd otherwise; the worst of ... Id. conj. Sear'd otherwise; the worst of ... Rann. Sear'd otherwise; nay, worse of ... Singer.

ne ... extended] and worse, if worse, attended Becket conj. and, worse of worst expended Staunton conj. on worst of racks extended Anon. conj. nay, worse, if worse, extended Anon. conj.

[173, 174] speak His powerful sound] speak, It powerful sounds Hanmer. speak: His power full sounds Warburton. O powerful sound Becket conj. (transposing lines 173, 174.)

[174] within] F1. wherein F2 F3 F4.

[179] courage] courage, virtue Theobald. courage, honour Collier (Collier MS.).

[180] and prime] and pride Tyrwhitt conj. in prime Rann (Mason conj.).

[190] heaven] Theobald (Thirlby conj.). helpe F1 F2. help F3 F4.

[196] image] impage Warburton.

[201] make the] make thee Anon. conj.

thy] F1. thine F2 F3 F4.

[208] thy deed] thy meed Anon. conj.

[Flourish. Exeunt.] Florish. Exit. F1. Exeunt. F2 F3 F4.

Scene II. Rousillon. The Count's palace.

Enter Countess and Clown.

Count. Come on, sir; I shall now put you to the height
of your breeding.

Clo. I will show myself highly fed and lowly taught: I
know my business is but to the court.
[139] 5Count. To the court! why, what place make you special,
when you put off that with such contempt? But to the court!

Clo. Truly, madam, if God have lent a man any manners,
he may easily put it off at court: he that cannot make
a leg, put off's cap, kiss his hand, and say nothing, has
10neither leg, hands, lip, nor cap; and, indeed, such a fellow,
to say precisely, were not for the court; but for me, I have
an answer will serve all men.

Count. Marry, that's a bountiful answer that fits all
questions.

15Clo. It is like a barber's chair, that fits all buttocks, the
pin-buttock, the quatch-buttock, the brawn-buttock, or any
buttock.

Count. Will your answer serve fit to all questions?

Clo. As fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney,
20as your French crown for your taffeta punk, as Tib's rush
for Tom's forefinger, as a pancake for Shrove Tuesday, a
morris for May-day, as the nail to his hole, the cuckold to his
horn, as a scolding quean to a wrangling knave, as the nun's
lip to the friar's mouth, nay, as the pudding to his skin.

25Count. Have you, I say, an answer of such fitness for
all questions?

Clo. From below your duke to beneath your constable,
it will fit any question.

Count. It must be an answer of most monstrous size
30that must fit all demands.

Clo. But a trifle neither, in good faith, if the learned
should speak truth of it: here it is, and all that belongs to't.
Ask me if I am a courtier: it shall do you no harm to learn.

Count. To be young again, if we could: I will be a
35fool in question, hoping to be the wiser by your answer.
I pray you, sir, are you a courtier?

[140]

Clo. O Lord, sir! There's a simple putting off. More,
more, a hundred of them.

Count. Sir, I am a poor friend of yours, that loves you.

40Clo. O Lord, sir! Thick, thick, spare not me.

Count. I think, sir, you can eat none of this homely meat.

Clo. O Lord, sir! Nay, put me to't, I warrant you.

Count. You were lately whipped, sir, as I think.

Clo. O Lord, sir! spare not me.

45Count. Do you cry, 'O Lord, sir!' at your whipping,
and 'spare not me'? Indeed your 'O Lord, sir!' is very
sequent to your whipping: you would answer very well to
a whipping, if you were but bound to't.

Clo. I ne'er had worse luck in my life in my 'O Lord,
50sir!' I see things may serve long, but not serve ever.

Count. I play the noble housewife with the time,
To entertain 't so merrily with a fool.

Clo. O Lord, sir! why, there't serves well again.

Count. An end, sir; to your business. Give Helen this,
55
And urge her to a present answer back:
Commend me to my kinsmen and my son:
This is not much.
Clo. Not much commendation to them.
Count. Not much employment for you: you understand
60
me?
Clo. Most fruitfully: I am there before my legs.
Count. Haste you again. [Exeunt severally.

[141]

LINENOTES:

Scene ii.] Scene iv. Pope.

[1] Count.] Lady. Ff (and Lady. or La. throughout the scene).

[5] To the court] But to the court Theobald.

[6] contempt? ... court!] Pope. contempt, ... Court? Ff.

[11] court; but for me,] Rowe. court, but for me, Ff. court, but for me: Pope.

[18] serve fit] sir, fit Anon. conj. fit Anon. conj.

[20, 21] Tib's ... Tom's] Tom's ... Tib's Hawkins conj.

[36] I pray ...] F3. La. I pray ... F1 F2. Lady. I pray ... F4.

[50] but] and Hanmer.

[51, 52] Printed as prose in Ff. As verse first by Knight.

[51] housewife] huswife Ff.

[52] entertain 't] Edd. (S. Walker conj.). entertain it Ff.

[54] An end, sir; to] Rowe (ed. 2). And end sir to F1 F2. And end; sir to F3 F4.

[57] is not] isn't Hanmer.

[62] [Exeunt severally] Capell. Exeunt. Ff.

Scene III. Paris. The King's palace.

Enter Bertram, Lafeu, and Parolles.

Laf. They say miracles are past; and we have our philosophical
persons, to make modern and familiar, things supernatural
and causeless. Hence is it that we make trifles
of terrors; ensconcing ourselves into seeming knowledge,
5
when we should submit ourselves to an unknown fear.
Par. Why, 'tis the rarest argument of wonder that
hath shot out in our latter times.
Ber. And so 'tis.
Laf. To be relinquished of the artists,—
10
Par. So I say; both of Galen and Paracelsus.
Laf. Of all the learned and authentic fellows,—
Par. Right; so I say.
Laf. That gave him out incurable,—
Par. Why, there 'tis; so say I too.
15
Laf. Not to be helped,—
Par. Right; as 'twere, a man assured of a—
Laf. Uncertain life, and sure death.
Par. Just, you say well; so would I have said.
Laf. I may truly say, it is a novelty to the world.
20
Par. It is, indeed: if you will have it in showing, you
shall read it in—what do ye call there?
Laf. A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor.
Par. That's it; I would have said the very same.
[142]
Laf. Why, your dolphin is not lustier: 'fore me, I
25
speak in respect—
Par. Nay, 'tis strange, 'tis very strange, that is the brief
and the tedious of it; and he's of a most facinerious spirit
that will not acknowledge it to be the—
Laf. Very hand of heaven.
30
Par. Ay, so I say.
Laf. In a most weak—
Par. And debile minister, great power, great transcendence:
which should, indeed, give us a further use to be
made than alone the recovery of the king, as to be—
35
Laf. Generally thankful.
Par. I would have said it; you say well. Here comes
the king.
Enter King, Helena, and Attendants.
Laf. Lustig, as the Dutchman says: I'll like a maid
the better, whilst I have a tooth in my head: why, he's
40
able to lead her a coranto.
Par. Mort du vinaigre! is not this Helen?
Laf. 'Fore God, I think so.
King. Go, call before me all the lords in court.
Sit, my preserver, by thy patient's side;
45
And with this healthful hand, whose banish'd sense
Thou hast repeal'd, a second time receive
The confirmation of my promised gift,
Which but attends thy naming.
[143]
Enter three or four Lords.
Fair maid, send forth thine eye: this youthful parcel
50
Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing,
O'er whom both sovereign power and father's voice
I have to use: thy frank election make;
Thou hast power to choose, and they none to forsake.
Hel. To each of you one fair and virtuous mistress
55
Fall, when Love please! marry, to each, but one!
Laf. I'd give bay Curtal and his furniture,
My mouth no more were broken than these boys',
And writ as little beard.
King. Peruse them well:
Not one of those but had a noble father.
60
Hel. Gentlemen,
Heaven hath through me restored the king to health.
All. We understand it, and thank heaven for you.
Hel. I am a simple maid; and therein wealthiest,
That I protest I simply am a maid.
65
Please it your majesty, I have done already:
The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me,
'Hel. We blush that thou shouldst Hel. choose; but, be refused,
Hel. Let the white death sit on thy cheek for ever;
We'll ne'er come there again.'
Hel. King. Make choice; and, see,
70
Who shuns thy love shuns all his love in me.
Hel. Now, Dian, from thy altar do I fly;
And to Hel. imperial Love, that god most high,
[144]
Do my sighs stream. Sir, will you hear my suit?
First Lord. And grant it.
Hel. Thanks, sir; all the rest is mute.
75
Laf. I had rather be in this choice than throw
Ames-ace for my life.
Hel. The honour, sir, that flames in your fair eyes,
Before I speak, too threateningly replies:
Love make your fortunes twenty times above
80
Her that so wishes and her humble love!
Sec. Lord. No better, if you please.
Hel. My wish receive,
Which great Love grant! and so, I take my leave.
Laf. Do all they deny her? An they were sons of
mine, I'd have them whipped; or I would send them to
85
the Turk, to make eunuchs of.
Hel. Be not afraid that I your hand should take;
I'll never do you wrong for your own sake:
Blessing upon your vows! and in your bed
Find fairer fortune, if you ever wed!
90
Laf. These boys are boys of ice, they'll none have
her: sure, they are bastards to the English; the French
ne'er got 'em.
Hel. You are too young, too happy, and too good,
To make yourself a son out of my blood.
95
Fourth Lord. Fair one, I think not so.
Laf. There's one grape yet; I am sure thy father
drunk wine: but if thou be'st not an ass, I am a youth of
fourteen; I have known thee already.
Hel. [To Bertram] I dare not say I take you; but I give
[145] 100
Me and my service, ever whilst I live,
Into your guiding power. This is the man.
King. Why, then, young Bertram, take her; she's thy wife.
Ber. My wife, my liege! I shall beseech your highness,
In such a business give me leave to use
The help of mine own eyes.
105
King. Know'st thou not, Bertram,
What she has done for me?
Ber. Yes, my good lord;
But never hope to know why I should marry her.
King. Thou know'st she has raised me from my sickly bed.
Ber. But follows it, my lord, to bring me down
110
Must answer for your raising? I know her well:
She had her breeding at my father's charge.
A poor physician's daughter my wife! Disdain
Rather corrupt me ever!
King. 'Tis only title thou disdain'st in her, the which
115
I can build up. Strange is it, that our bloods,
Of colour, weight, and heat, pour'd all together,
Would quite confound distinction, yet stand off
In differences so mighty. If she be
All that is virtuous, save what thou dislikest,
120
A poor physician's daughter, thou dislikest
Of virtue for the name: but do not so:
From lowest place when virtuous things proceed,
The place is dignified by the doer's deed:
Where great additions swell's, and virtue none,
125
It is a dropsied honour. Good alone
[146]
Is good without a name. Vileness is so:
The property by what it is should go,
Not by the title. She is young, wise, fair;
In these to nature she's immediate heir,
130
And these breed honour: that is honour's scorn,
Which challenges itself as honour's born,
And is not like the sire: honours thrive,
When rather from our acts we them derive
Than our foregoers: the mere word's a slave
135
Debosh'd on every tomb, on every grave
A lying trophy; and as oft is dumb
Where dust and damn'd oblivion is the tomb
Of honour'd bones indeed. What should be said?
If thou canst like this creature as a maid,
140
I can create the rest: virtue and she
Is her own dower; honour and wealth from me.
Ber. I cannot love her, nor will strive to do't.
King. Thou wrong'st thyself, if thou shouldst strive to choose.
Hel. That you are well restored, my lord, I'm glad:
145
Let the rest go.
King. My honour's at the stake; which to defeat,
I must produce my power. Here, take her hand,
Proud scornful boy, unworthy this good gift;
That dost in vile misprision shackle up
150
My love and her desert; that canst not dream,
We, poising us in her defective scale,
[147]
Shall weigh thee to the beam; that wilt not know,
It is in us to plant thine honour where
We please to have it grow. Check thy contempt:
155
Obey our will, which travails in thy good:
Believe not thy disdain, but presently
Do thine own fortunes that obedient right
Which both thy duty owes and our power claims;
Or I will throw thee from my care for ever
160
Into the staggers and the careless lapse
Of youth and ignorance; both my revenge and hate
Loosing upon thee, in the name of justice,
Without all terms of pity. Speak; thine answer.
Ber. Pardon, my gracious lord; for I submit
165
My fancy to your eyes: when I consider
What great creation and what dole of honour
Flies where you bid it, I find that she, which late
Was in my nobler thoughts most base, is now
The praised of the king; who, so ennobled,
Is as 't were born so.
170
King. Take her by the hand,
And tell her she is thine: to whom I promise
A counterpoise; if not to thy estate,
A balance more replete.
Ber. I take her hand.
King. Good fortune and the favour of the king
175
Smile upon this contract; whose ceremony
Shall seem expedient on the now-born brief,
And be perform'd to-night: the solemn feast
Shall more attend upon the coming space,
Expecting absent friends. As thou lovest her,
[148] 180
Thy love's to me religious; else, does err.
[Exeunt all but Lafeu and Parolles.
Laf. Do you hear, monsieur? a word with you.
Par. Your pleasure, sir?
Laf. Your lord and master did well to make his recantation.
185
Par. Recantation! My lord! my master!
Laf. Ay; is it not a language I speak?
Par. A most harsh one, and not to be understood
without bloody succeeding. My master!
Laf. Are you companion to the Count Rousillon?
190
Par. To any count, to all counts, to what is man.
Laf. To what is count's man: count's master is of
another style.
Par. You are too old, sir; let it satisfy you, you are
too old.
195
Laf. I must tell thee, sirrah, I write man; to which
title age cannot bring thee.
Par. What I dare too well do, I dare not do.
Laf. I did think thee, for two ordinaries, to be a pretty
wise fellow; thou didst make tolerable vent of thy travel;
200
it might pass: yet the scarfs and the bannerets about thee
did manifoldly dissuade me from believing thee a vessel of
too great a burthen. I have now found thee; when I lose
thee again, I care not: yet art thou good for nothing but
taking up; and that thou'rt scarce worth.
205
Par. Hadst thou not the privilege of antiquity upon
thee,—
Laf. Do not plunge thyself too far in anger, lest thou
hasten thy trial; which if—Lord have mercy on thee for
a hen! So, my good window of lattice, fare thee well:
210
thy casement I need not open, for I look through thee.
Give me thy hand.
Par. My lord, you give me most egregious indignity.
[149]
Laf. Ay, with all my heart; and thou art worthy of it.
Par. I have not, my lord, deserved it.
215
Laf. Yes, good faith, every dram of it; and I will not
bate thee a scruple.
Par. Well, I shall be wiser.
Laf. Ev'n as soon as thou canst, for thou hast to pull at
a smack o' the contrary. If ever thou be'st bound in thy
220
scarf and beaten, thou shalt find what it is to be proud of
thy bondage. I have a desire to hold my acquaintance
with thee, or rather my knowledge, that I may say in the
default, he is a man I know.
Par. My lord, you do me most insupportable vexation.
225
Laf. I would it were hell-pains for thy sake, and my
poor doing eternal: for doing I am past; as I will by thee,
in what motion age will give me leave. [Exit.
Par. Well, thou hast a son shall take this disgrace off
me; scurvy, old, filthy, scurvy lord! Well, I must be patient;
230
there is no fettering of authority. I'll beat him, by
my life, if I can meet him with any convenience, an he were
double and double a lord. I'll have no more pity of his
age than I would have of—I'll beat him, an if I could but
meet him again.
Re-enter Lafeu.
235
Laf. Sirrah, your lord and master's married; there's
news for you: you have a new mistress.
Par. I most unfeignedly beseech your lordship to make
some reservation of your wrongs: he is my good lord:
whom I serve above is my master.
240
Laf. Who? God?
Par. Ay, sir.
[150]
Laf. The devil it is that's thy master. Why dost thou
garter up thy arms o' this fashion? dost make hose of thy
sleeves? do other servants so? Thou wert best set thy lower
245
part where thy nose stands. By mine honour, if I were but
two hours younger, I'd beat thee: methinks't, thou art a
general offence, and every man should beat thee: I think
thou wast created for men to breathe themselves upon thee.
Par. This is hard and undeserved measure, my lord.
250
Laf. Go to, sir; you were beaten in Italy for picking a
kernel out of a pomegranate; you are a vagabond, and no
true traveller: you are more saucy with lords and honourable
personages than the commission of your birth and
virtue gives you heraldry. You are not worth another
255
word, else I'd call you knave. I leave you. [Exit.
Par. Good, very good; it is so then: good, very
good; let it be concealed awhile.
Re-enter Bertram.
Ber. Undone, and forfeited to cares for ever!
Par. What's the matter, sweet-heart?
260
Ber. Although before the solemn priest I have sworn,
I will not bed her.
Par. What, what, sweet-heart?
Ber. O my Parolles, they have married me!
I'll to the Tuscan wars, and never bed her.
265
Par. France is a dog-hole, and it no more merits
The tread of a man's foot: to the wars!
Ber. There's letters from my mother: what the import
is, I know not yet.
Par. Ay, that would be known. To the wars, my
boy, to the wars!
[151] 270
He wears his honour in a box unseen,
That hugs his kicky-wicky here at home.
Spending his manly marrow in her arms,
Which should sustain the bound and high curvet
Of Mars's fiery steed. To other regions
275
France is a stable; we that dwell in't jades;
Therefore, to the war!
Ber. It shall be so: I'll send her to my house,
Acquaint my mother with my hate to her,
And wherefore I am fled; write to the king
280
That which I durst not speak: his present gift
Shall furnish me to those Italian fields,
Where noble fellows strike: war is no strife
To the dark house and the detested wife.
Par. Will this capriccio hold in thee, art sure?
285
Ber. Go with me to my chamber, and advise me.
I'll send her straight away: to-morrow
I'll to the wars, she to her single sorrow.
Par. Why, these balls bound; there's noise in it. 'Tis hard:
A young man married is a man that's marr'd:
290
Therefore away, and leave her bravely; go:
The king has done you wrong: but, hush, 'tis so. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

[Scene iii.] Scene v. Pope.

[1] Laf.] Ol. Laf. Ff (and throughout the scene).

and] yet Anon. apud Halliwell.

[2] persons] person F3 F4. reasons Long MS.

familiar, things] Theobald. familiar things Ff. familiar things, Steevens.

[6] Par.] Ber. S. Walker conj.

[7] latter] later Hanmer.

[8] Ber.] Par. S. Walker conj.

[10, 11] Par. So ... Paracelsus. Laf. Of all ...] Par. So I say. Laf. Both ... Paracelsus, of all ... Johnson conj. Par. So I say. Laf. Both ... Paracelsus. Par. So I say. Laf. Of all ... Edd. conj.

[11] Laf.] Ol. Laf. F1 F3 F4. Ol. Fal. F2.

[16] a—] an— Rowe.

[20] in showing] in shewing F1 F2. in the shewing F3 F4. a showing Rann (Tyrwhitt conj.).

[23] it; ... said the] it, ... said the F4. it, ... said, the F1 F2 F3. it, ... said; the Capell.

[24] dolphin] Dauphin Theobald conj. (withdrawn).

'fore] Capell. fore F1. for F2 F3 F4.

[27] facinerious] Ff. facinorous Steevens.

[31-34] Laf. In a most weak— Par. And ... king, as to be—] Laf. In a most ... king. Par. As to be— Rann (Johnson conj.). Laf. In ... weak— Par. Ay, so I say. Laf. And debile ... king, as to be [after a pause] generally thankful Edd. conj.

[33] give us a further] give us a further Warburton.

[34] alone] F1. only F2 F3 F4.

[36] Scene vi. Pope.

say] F1. said F2 F3 F4

[37] Enter ...] Ff (after line 35).

[38] Lustig] Lustique F1 F2. Lustick F3 F4. Lustigh Capell.

[39] whilst] F1. while F2 F3 F4.

[40] coranto] carranto Ff. corranto Rowe.

[41] Mort du vinaigre] Mor du vinager Ff. Mort du vainqueur Collier.

[43] [Exeunt some attendants. Capell.]

[51] sovereign] sovereign's Collier MS.

[54, 55] mistress Fall,] Rowe. mistress; Fall Ff.

[54] [coming from her Seat, and addressing herself to the Lords. Capell.

[55] marry ... one!] Par. Marry ... one! Tyrwhitt conj.

[58] writ] with Collier MS.

[60] [She addresses her to a Lord. Ff.

[60, 61] Gentlemen ... health] Arranged as in Capell. Printed as prose in Ff; as two lines by Theobald, ending restor'd ... health.

[67] choose; but, be refused,] Rann. choose, but be refused; Ff. chuse; but being refused Hanmer.

[67-69] We blush ... again] Kin. We blush ... again F3 F4.

[68] Let the] Let not F3 F4.

death] dearth Warburton conj.

cheek] cheeks F3 F4.

[69] King.] om. F3 F4.

[72] imperial Love] imperiall loue F1. imperiall Iove F2. impartiall Jove F3. impartial Jove F4. impartial love Warburton.

[73] stream] steam Collier MS.

[74] is mute] are mute Pope.

[75] Laf.] Par. Theobald conj.

[76] Ames-ace] F1 A deaus-ace F2 F3 F4.

[78] threateningly] threatingly F2.

[82] Love F1 F2. Jove F3 F4.

[83] all they] they all Capell conj.

An] Capell. And Ff. If Pope.

[84, 85] to the] to'th Ff.

[89] fairer] fair Rann. ever] F1. ere F2 F3 F4.

[90, 91] have her] haue heere F1. of her Rowe.

[90-92] S. Walker would read as three lines of verse, ending her ... English ... got 'em.

[92] 'em] them Capell.

[93] Hel.] F3 F2. La. F1 F2.

[96, 98] Laf. There's ... already] Laf. There's ... yet,— Par. I am sure ... wine.— Laf. But ... already Theobald.

[96] thy] F1. my F2 F3 F4.

[99] [To Bertram] Rowe.

[105, 107] Know'st thou not ... her] Arranged as in Pope; printed as prose in Ff.

[106] has] h'as F1 F2. hath F3 F4.

[112] my wife! Disdain Rather] she my wife! Disdain rather Hanmer.

[114] only title] But title Hanmer. only lack of title S. Walker conj.

[116] Of colour] Alike of colour Capell.

[117] stand] Rowe (ed. 2). stands Ff.

[118] so] F1. of F2 F3 F4. om. Long MS.

[121] the name] a name Collier conj.

[122] place when] Theobald (Thirlby conj). place, whence Ff.

[123] by the] by th' Ff.

[124] additions swell's] F1. addition swell's F2. addition swells F3 F4. additions swell Malone.

[125] honour.] honour, Ff.

[125, 126] Good ... so:] Good a lone, Is good without a name? Vilenesse is so] F1 F2. Good alone, ... name? Vileness is so] F3. Good alone, ... name. Vileness is so] F4. good ... name, in't self is so] Hanmer. good alone Is good; and, with a name, vileness is so] Warburton. good alone Is good, without a name vileness is so] Johnson. Virtue alone Is good without a name; Helen is so] Johnson conj. good alone Is good, without a name; in vileness is so Steevens conj. good alone Is good;—without a name, vileness is so Mason conj.

[127] it is] is is F1.

[128] young] good Warburton. sprung Becket conj.

[131] honour's born] honour-born Hanmer.

[132] thrive] F1. best thrive F2 F3 F4.

[134] word's] F2 F3 F4. words, F1.

[135] grave] grave] Ff.

[137, 138] tomb Of ... indeed.] Theobald (Thirlby conj.). tomb. Of ... indeed, Ff.

[146] defeat,] Ff. defend Theobald. defeat,— Id. conj.

[155] travails] trauailes F1. travailes F2. travells F3. travels F4.

[159] throw] through F2.

care] F1 F2. cares F3 F4.

[160] staggers and the] staggering and Long MS.

the careless] F1. careless F2. the cureless S. Walker conj.

[161] both] om. Theobald.

[162] Loosing] Let loose Hanmer.

[163] Speak: thine] Speak, thine F1 F2 F3. Speak thine F4.

[167] bid it] Ff. bid Rowe.

[169] praised] prised Warburton.

who, so] who's so Long MS.

[172] to] F1. in F2 F3 F4.

[175] this] F1. the F2 F3 F4.

[175-177] whose ... And be] what ... Shall be Johnson conj.

[176] now-born] now born F3 F4. now borne F1 F2. new-born Warburton.

[180] [Exeunt...] Exeunt. Parolles and Lafew stay behind, commenting of this wedding. Ff.

[181] Scene vii. Pope.

[199] thou] F1 F2. if thou F3 F4.

[200] bannerets] F1 F2. banners F3 F4.

[208] if—] Theobald. if, F1 F2. is, F3 F4.

[209] lattice] F3 F4. lettice F1 F2.

[210] for] om. F3 F4.

[217] wiser.] wiser— Theobald.

[219] o' the] Rowe (ed. 2). a' th Ff.

[220] shalt] shall F1.

[222, 223] in the default] on thy defaults Hanmer.

[226, 227] for doing ... leave] Put in the margin as spurious by Hanmer.

[226] past; as I will] past; * * * as I will Warburton, who supposes a line to be lost. past; as I will be Capell conj. past, so I will by thee Staunton conj.

[229] scurvy lord] scabby lord Collier conj.

[238, 239] he ... whom] he my good lord, whom Rowe (ed. 2). he, my good lord, whom Pope.

[239] whom] he whom Capell.

[243] o'] Rowe (ed. 2). a Ff.

[246] methinks't] Dyce (S. Walker conj.). methink'st Ff. methinks Rowe (ed. 2).

[253, 254] commission ... heraldry] Ff. heraldry ... commission Hanmer. condition ... heraldry Collier (Collier MS.).

[256] Scene viii. Pope.]

[257] Re-enter B.] Enter Count Rossillion. Ff (after line 255).

[259] What's] What is F4.

[260, 261] Although ... her] Printed as prose in Ff, as verse first by Rowe (ed. 2).

[265, 266] France ... wars] Printed as verse in Ff, as prose by Pope.

[266] wars!] wars, Bertram! or wars, Rousillon! Anon. conj.

[271] kicky-wicky] kickie wickie F1. kicksie wicksie F2 F3. kicksy wicksy F4. kicksy-winsy Collier conj.

[274, 275] regions France] Pope. regions, France Ff. regions! France Capell.

[282] war] warres F1.

[283] detested] Rowe. detected Ff. See note (xi).

[286] to-morrow] even to-morrow Hanmer. betimes to-morrow Steevens conj.

[290] her bravely; go] her; bravely go Delius.

Scene IV. Paris. The King's Palace.

Enter Helena and Clown.

Hel. My mother greets me kindly: is she well?
[152]
Clo. She is not well; but yet she has her health: she's
very merry; but yet she is not well: but thanks be given,
she's very well and wants nothing i' the world; but yet
5
she is not well.
Hel. If she be very well, what does she ail, that she's
not very well?
Clo. Truly, she's very well indeed, but for two things.
Hel. What two things?
10
Clo. One, that she's not in heaven, whither God send
her quickly! the other, that she's in earth, from whence
God send her quickly!
Enter Parolles.
Par. Bless you, my fortunate lady!
Hel. I hope, sir, I have your good will to have mine
15
own good fortunes.
Par. You had my prayers to lead them on; and to
keep them on, have them still. O, my knave, how does
my old lady?
Clo. So that you had her wrinkles, and I her money, I
20
would she did as you say.
Par. Why, I say nothing.
Clo. Marry, you are the wiser man; for many a man's
tongue shakes out his master's undoing: to say nothing, to
do nothing, to know nothing, and to have nothing, is to be
25
a great part of your title; which is within a very little of
nothing.
Par. Away! thou'rt a knave.
Clo. You should have said, sir, before a knave thou'rt
a knave; that's, before me thou'rt a knave: this had been
30
truth, sir.
Par. Go to, thou art a witty fool; I have found thee.
[153]
Clo. Did you find me in yourself, sir? or were you
taught to find me? The search, sir, was profitable; and
much fool may you find in you, even to the world's pleasure
35
and the increase of laughter.
Par. A good knave, i' faith, and well fed.
Madam, my lord will go away to-night;
A very serious business calls on him.
The great prerogative and rite of love,
40
Which, as your due, time claims, he does acknowledge;
But puts it off to a compell'd restraint;
Whose want, and whose delay, is strew'd with sweets,
Which they distil now in the curbed time,
To make the coming hour o'erflow with joy,
And pleasure drown the brim.
45
Hel. What's his will else?
Par. That you will take your instant leave o' the king,
And make this haste as your own good proceeding,
Strengthen'd with what apology you think
May make it probable need.
Hel. What more commands he?
50
Par. That, having this obtain'd, you presently
Attend his further pleasure.
Hel. In every thing I wait upon his will.
Par. I shall report it so.
Hel. I pray you. [Exit Parolles.]
Come, sirrah. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Scene iv.] Scene ix. Pope.

The King's Palace.] Another room in the same. Capell.

[2-5] S. Walker would read as four lines of verse, ending health ... not well ... wants ... well.

[3] but thanks] thanks Hanmer.

[10] she's] F1. she is F2 F3 F4.

[11] in earth] on earth Hanmer.

from whence] whence Rowe (ed. 2).

[15] fortunes] Capell (Heath conj.). fortune Ff.

[23] shakes out] speaks out Warburton. shapes out Anon. conj. shakes to Anon. conj.

[27] thou'rt] Rowe. th' art Ff. Before God thou'rt Anon. conj.

[28, 29] knave ... knave; ... me thou'rt] knave, ... knave, ... me th' art F1 F2. knave, ... knave, ... th' art F3 F4. knave; thou art a knave; and I am before thee that art Hanmer.

[28] thou'rt] Capell. th' art Ff.

[33] find me? The search] Rowe. find me? Clo. The search Ff. find me? Par. Go to, I say: I have found thee: no more; I have found thee, a witty fool. Clo. The search Collier (Collier MS.).

[39] rite] right Capell.

[40] due, time claims] duteous claim or duty's claim Anon. conj.

[41] to] F1 F2. by F3 F4. on Capell.

[42] is] are Hanmer.

[43] curbed] cup of Collier conj.

[46] o'] Rowe. a' Ff.

[53] [Exit Par.] Ff (after so).

you. Come] Theobald. you come Ff.

[Exeunt.] Exit. Ff.

[154]

Scene V. Paris. The Kings Palace.

Enter Lafeu and Bertram.
Laf. But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier.
Ber. Yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof.
Laf. You have it from his own deliverance.
Ber. And by other warranted testimony.
5
Laf. Then my dial goes not true: I took this lark for
a bunting.
Ber. I do assure you, my lord, he is very great in
knowledge, and accordingly valiant.
Laf. I have then sinned against his experience and
10
transgressed against his valour; and my state that way is
dangerous, since I cannot yet find in my heart to repent.
Here he comes: I pray you, make us friends; I will pursue
the amity.
Enter Parolles.
Par. These things shall be done, sir. [To Bertram.
15
Laf. Pray you, sir, who's his tailor?
Par. Sir?
Laf. O, I know him well, I, sir; he, sir, 's a good
workman, a very good tailor.
Ber. Is she gone to the king? [Aside to Parolles.
20
Par. She is.
Ber. Will she away to-night?
Par. As you'll have her.
Ber. I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure,
Given order for our horses; and to-night,
[155] 25
When I should take possession of the bride,
End ere I do begin.
Laf. A good traveller is something at the latter end of
a dinner; but one that lies three thirds, and uses a known
truth to pass a thousand nothings with, should be once
30
heard, and thrice beaten. God save you, captain.
Ber. Is there any unkindness between my lord and
you, monsieur?
Par. I know not how I have deserved to run into my
lord's displeasure.
35
Laf. You have made shift to run into't, boots and spurs
and all, like him that leaped into the custard; and out of
it you'll run again, rather than suffer question for your
residence.
Ber. It may be you have mistaken him, my lord.
40
Laf. And shall do so ever, though I took him at's
prayers. Fare you well, my lord; and believe this of me,
there can be no kernel in this light nut; the soul of this
man is his clothes. Trust him not in matter of heavy consequence;
I have kept of them tame, and know their natures.
45
Farewell, monsieur: I have spoken better of you
than you have or will to deserve at my hand; but we must
do good against evil. [Exit.
Par. An idle lord, I swear.
Ber. I think so.
50
Par. Why, do you not know him?
Ber. Yes, I do know him well, and common speech
Gives him a worthy pass. Here comes my clog.
Enter Helena.
Hel. I have, sir, as I was commanded from you,
[156]
Spoke with the king, and have procured his leave
55
For present parting; only he desires
Some private speech with you.
Ber. I shall obey his will.
You must not marvel, Helen, at my course,
Which holds not colour with the time, nor does
The ministration and required office
60
On my particular. Prepared I was not
For such a business; therefore am I found
So much unsettled: this drives me to entreat you,
That presently you take your way for home,
And rather muse than ask why I entreat you;
65
For my respects are better than they seem,
And my appointments have in them a need
Greater than shows itself at the first view
To you that know them not. This to my mother: [Giving a letter.
'Twill be two days ere I shall see you; so,
I leave you to your wisdom.
70
Hel. Sir, I can nothing say,
But that I am your most obedient servant.
Ber. Come, come, no more of that.
Hel. And ever shall
With true observance seek to eke out that
Wherein toward me my homely stars have fail'd
To equal my great fortune.
75
Ber. Let that go:
My haste is very great: farewell; hie home.
Hel. Pray, sir, your pardon.
Ber. Well, what would you say?
Hel. I am not worthy of the wealth I owe;
Nor dare I say 'tis mine, and yet it is;
80
But, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal
What law does vouch mine own.
Ber. What would you have?
[157]
Hel. Something; and scarce so much: nothing, indeed.
I would not tell you what I would, my lord: faith, yes;
Strangers and foes do sunder, and not kiss.
85
Ber. I pray you, stay not, but in haste to horse.
Hel. I shall not break your bidding, good my lord.
Ber. Where are my other men, monsieur? Farewell.
[Exit Helena.
Go thou toward home; where I will never come,
Whilst I can shake my sword, or hear the drum.
Away, and for our flight.
90
Par. Bravely, coragio! [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

scene v.] scene x. Pope.

The King's Palace.] Another room in the same. Capell.

[11] yet] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.

[14] [To Bertram.] Capell.

[15] Pray you] I pray you Rowe.

who's] whose F1.

[17] sir, 's] Theobald. sir's F2 F3 F4. sirs F1. sits Pope.

[19] [Aside ...] Rowe.

[23-26] I have ... begin] Printed as prose by Pope.

[24] horses] F1. horse F2 F3 F4.

[25, 26] bride, End ... begin.] Collier (Egerton MS.), bride, And ... begin Ff. bride—And ... begin— Rowe.

[28] one that] Rowe (ed. 2). on that Ff. if on that he Rowe (ed. 1).

[30] heard] hard F1.

you] your F2.

[36] leaped] leapt F1. leapes F2. leaps F3 F4.

custard] See note (xii).

[46] or will] qualities or will Malone conj. wit or will Singer conj.

to] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.

hand] F1 F2. hands F3 F4.

[47] [Exit.] Rowe.

[49] so] not so Long MS.

[51, 52] Yes ... clog] As prose in Hanmer.

[53] Scene xi. Pope.

[57] must] must must F2.

[64] ask why I] ask why, I Hanmer.

entreat you] dismiss you S. Walker conj. request it Bailey conj.

[68] [Giving a letter.] Rowe.

[75, 76] Let ... home] Printed as prose in Ff.

[83, 84] I would ... kiss] Arranged as in Ff. As three lines, ending lord ... yes ... kiss. Dyce conj.

[83] my lord] om. Hanmer.

[87] Ber. Where are ... Farewell] Hanmer (Theobald conj.): continued to Helena in Ff.

men, monsieur?] Hanmer (Theobald conj.). men? Monsieur: Ff.

[Exit H.] Hanmer. [Exit. Ff. [Exit Hel. Warburton (after line 86).

[90] [Exeunt] om. Ff.

... attended] Capell. om. Ff.

ACT III.

Scene I. Florence. The Duke's palace.

Flourish. Enter the Duke of Florence, attended; the two Frenchmen with a troop of soldiers.
Duke. So that from point to point now have you heard
The fundamental reasons of this war.
Whose great decision hath much blood lot forth
And more thirsts after.
First Lord. Holy seems the quarrel
5
Upon your Grace's part; black and fearful
On the opposer.
Duke. Therefore we marvel much our cousin France
Would in so just a business shut his bosom
Against our borrowing prayers.
[158]
Sec. Lord. Good my lord,
10
The reasons of our state I cannot yield,
But like a common and an outward man,
That the great figure of a council frames
By self-unable motion: therefore dare not
Say what I think of it, since I have found
15
Myself in my incertain grounds to fail
As often as I guess'd.
Duke. Be it his pleasure.
First Lord. But I am sure the younger of our nature,
That surfeit on their ease, will day by day
Come here for physic.
Duke. Welcome shall they be;
20
And all the honours that can fly from us
Shall on them settle. You know your places well;
When better fall, for your avails they fell:
To-morrow to the field. [Flourish. Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

[5] part] party S. Walker conj.

black] but black Pope.

[6] opposer] opposer's Hanmer.

[9] Sec. Lord] 2 Lord. Rowe. French E. Ff.

[13] By] From Theobald conj.

motion] notion Warburton (Theobald conj.).

[17] First Lord] Fren. G. F1. Fre. G. F2 F3 F4. 2 Lord. Rowe.

nature] nation Rowe.

[22] fell] fall Hanmer (Thirlby conj.)

[23] to] to 'th F1.

[Exeunt.] om. Ff.

Scene II. Rousillon. The Count's Palace.

Enter Countess and Clown.
Count. It hath happened all as I would have had it,
save that he comes not along with her.
Clo. By my troth, I take my young lord to be a very
melancholy man.
5
Count. By what observance, I pray you?
Clo. Why, he will look upon his boot and sing; mend
the ruff and sing; ask questions and sing; pick his teeth
[159]
and sing. I know a man that had this trick of melancholy
sold a goodly manor for a song.
10
Count. Let me see what he writes, and when he means
to come. [Opening a letter.
Clo. I have no mind to Isbel since I was at court: our
old ling and our Isbels o' the country are nothing like
your old ling and your Isbels o' the court: the brains of
15
my Cupid's knocked out, and I begin to love, as an old
man loves money, with no stomach.
Count. What have we here?
Clo. E'en that you have there. [Exit.
Count. [reads] have sent you a daughter-in-law: she hath
20
recovered the king, and undone me. I have wedded her, not bedded
her; and sworn to make the 'not' eternal. You shall hear I am
run away: know it before the report come. If there be breadth
enough in the world, I will hold a long distance. My duty to you.
Your unfortunate son,
25
Bertram.
This is not well, rash and unbridled boy,
To fly the favours of so good a king;
To pluck his indignation on thy head
By the misprising of a maid too virtuous
30
For the contempt of empire.
Re-enter Clown.
Clo. O madam, yonder is heavy news within between
two soldiers and my young lady!
Count. What is the matter?
Clo. Nay, there is some comfort in the news, some
35
comfort; your son will not be killed so soon as I thought
he would.
Count. Why should he be killed?
Clo. So say I, madam, if he run away, as I hear he does:
the danger is in standing to't; that's the loss of men, though
[160] 40
it be the getting of children. Here they come will tell you
more: for my part, I only hear your son was run away. [Exit.
Enter Helena and two Gentlemen.
First Gent. Save you, good madam.
Hel. Madam, my lord is gone, for ever gone.
Sec. Gent. Do not say so.
45
Count. Think upon patience. Pray you, gentlemen,
I have felt so many quirks of joy and grief,
That the first face of neither, on the start,
Can woman me unto't: where is my son, I pray you?
Sec. Gent. Madam, he's gone to serve the duke of Florence:
50
We met him thitherward; for thence we came,
And, after some dispatch in hand at court,
Thither we bend again.
Hel. Look on his letter, madam; here's my passport.
[reads] When thou canst get the ring upon my finger which never
55
shall come off, and show me a child begotten of thy body that
I am father to, then call me husband: but in such a 'then' I write a
'never.'
This is a dreadful sentence.
Count. Brought you this letter, gentlemen?
First Gent. Ay, madam;
60
And for the contents' sake are sorry for our pains.
Count. I prithee, lady, have a better cheer;
If thou engrossest all the griefs are thine,
Thou robb'st me of a moiety: he was my son;
[161]
But I do wash his name out of my blood,
65
And thou art all my child. Towards Florence is he?
Sec. Gent. Ay, madam.
Count. And to be a soldier?
Sec. Gent. Such is his noble purpose; and, believe 't,
The Duke will lay upon him all the honour
That good convenience claims.
Count. Return you thither?
70
First Gent. Ay, madam, with the swiftest wing of speed.
Hel. [reads] Till I have no wife, I have nothing in France.
'Tis bitter.
Count. Find you that there?
Hel. Ay, madam.
First Gent. 'Tis but the boldness of his hand, haply,
75
which his heart was not consenting to.
Count. Nothing in France, until he have no wife!
There's nothing here that is too good for him
But only she; and she deserves a lord
That twenty such rude boys might tend upon
80
And call her hourly mistress. Who was with him?
First Gent. A servant only, and a gentleman
Which I have sometime known.
Count. Parolles, was it not?
First Gent. Ay, my good lady, he.
Count. A very tainted fellow, and full of wickedness.
85
My son corrupts a well-derived nature
With his inducement.
First Gent. Indeed, good lady,
The fellow has a deal of that too much,
Which holds him much to have.
[162]
Count. Y' are welcome, gentlemen.
90
I will entreat you, when you see my son,
To tell him that his sword can never win
The honour that he loses: more I'll entreat you
Written to bear along.
Sec. Gent. We serve you, madam,
In that and all your worthiest affairs.
95
Count. Not so, but as we change our courtesies.
Will you draw near? [Exeunt Countess and Gentlemen.
Hel. 'Till I have no wife, I have nothing in France.'
Nothing in France, until he has no wife!
Thou shalt have none, Rousillon, none in France;
100
Then hast thou all again. Poor lord! is 't I
That chase thee from thy country and expose
Those tender limbs of thine to the event
Of the none-sparing war? and is it I
That drive thee from the sportive court, where thou
105
Wast shot at with fair eyes, to be the mark
Of smoky muskets? O you leaden messengers,
That ride upon the violent speed of fire,
Fly with false aim; move the still-peering air,
That sings with piercing; do not touch my lord.
110
Whoever shoots at him, I set him there;
Whoever charges on his forward breast,
I am the caitiff that do hold him to 't;
And, though I kill him not, I am the cause
His death was so effected: better 'twere
115
I met the ravin lion when he roar'd
[163]
With sharp constraint of hunger; better 'twere
That all the miseries which nature owes
Were mine at once. No, come thou home, Rousillon,
Whence honour but of danger wins a scar,
120
As oft it loses all: I will be gone;
My being here it is that holds thee hence:
Shall I stay here to do't? no, no, although
The air of paradise did fan the house,
And angels officed all: I will be gone,
125
That pitiful rumour may report my flight,
To consolate thine ear. Come, night; end, day!
For with the dark, poor thief, I'll steal away. [Exit.

LINENOTES:

[7] the ruff] his ruff Rowe. the ruffle Whalley conj.

[8] know] knew Rowe.

[9] sold] F3 F4. hold F1 F2.

sold ... manor for] holds ... manner for Harness conj. hold ... manor by Collier conj.

[11] [Reads the letter. Theobald.]

[13] ling] F2 F3 F4. lings F1.

[14] old ling] youngling S. Walker conj.

brains] brain Pope.

[18] E'en] Theobald. In Ff.

[19] Count. [reads] A letter. Ff.

[30] contempt] F1 F2 F3. content F4.

[41] hear] heard Hanmer.

[42] Scene III. Pope.

First Gent.] 1 Gen. Rowe. French E. Ff. See note (vi).

[44] Sec. Gent.] 2 Gen. Rowe. French G. F1 F3 F4. Fren. G. F2. See note (vi).

[45] patience. Pray you,] patience, pray you F1 F2. patience; pray you F3. patience: pray you F4. patience, 'pray you: Hanmer.

[46] I have] I've Pope.

[48] I pray you] om. Theobald.

[50] for] from Rowe.

[53] his] this Rowe.

[54] [reads.] Capell.

[54, 55] upon my ... off] from my ... off Hanmer. upon thy ... off mine Johnson conj. (withdrawn).

[59] First Gent.] 1 G. F1 F2 F3. 1 Gen. F4.

[59, 60] Ay, madam ... pains] Arranged as in Capell; printed as prose in Ff.

[62] are] as Rowe.

[71] [reads] Reading. Rowe.

[72] bitter] F1. better F2 F3 F4.

[73] Ay] Yes Rowe.

[74] haply] F1. happily F2 F3 F4.

[81, 82] A servant ... known] Printed as prose in Ff; as verse first in Pope.

[82] sometime] F1 F2. sometimes F3. sometimes F4. sometime Pope (ed. 2).

was it] Ff. was't Pope.

[84-86] A very ... inducement] Printed as prose by Hanmer.

[84] very] om. S. Walker conj.

and] om. Pope.

[86] Indeed] Why, indeed Capell.

[86-94] Indeed ... affairs] Printed as prose in Ff; as verse first in Capell.

[87] that too] Rowe. that, too Ff.

[88] holds him much to have] soils him much to have Theobald conj. 'hoves him not much to have Hanmer. 'hoves him much to leave Collier (Collier MS.), fouls him much to have Singer conj.

[95] courtesies] Rowe (ed. 2). courtesies, Ff.

[96] [Exeunt C. and G.] Rowe. [Exit. Ff.

[97] Scene iv. Pope.

[107] violent] volant Collier (Collier MS.).

[108] move the still peering] F1. move the still-piercing F2 F3 F4 (still piercing F4). pierce the still-moving Hanmer (Warburton). move the still-piecing Steevens (Anon. conj.). rove the still-piecing Tyrwhitt conj. move the still-pierced Nares conj. mow the still-pacing Jackson conj. wound the still-piecing Collier (Collier MS.). move the still 'pearing Grant White conj. (withdrawn), move the still-closing Bailey conj.

[109] sings] F1. stings F2 F3 F4.

[112] to't] to it Theobald.

[115] ravin] Capell. ravine F1 F2 F3. raving F4. rav'ning Rowe (ed. 2).

[124] angels] angles F1.

[126] consolate] consolats F2.

Scene III. Florence. Before the Duke's palace.

Flourish. Enter the Duke of Florence, Bertram, Parolles, Soldiers, Drum, and Trumpets.
Duke. The general of our horse thou art; and we,
Great in our hope, lay our best love and credence
Upon thy promising fortune.
Ber. Sir, it is
A charge too heavy for my strength; but yet
5
We'll strive to bear it for your worthy sake
To the extreme edge of hazard.
Duke. Then go thou forth;
And fortune play upon thy prosperous helm,
As thy auspicious mistress!
Ber. This very day,
Great Mars, I put myself into thy file:
10
Make me but like my thoughts, and I shall prove
A lover of thy drum, hater of love. [Exit.

LINENOTES:

Scene iii.] Scene v. Pope.

Before ... palace.] Capell. Scene changes to the Duke's court in Florence. Theobald.

Parolles] om. Capell.

[3] Sir, it is] See note (xiii.)

[4] but yet] F1. but F2 F3 F4.

[6] the] th' Ff.

thou] om. Pope.

[164]

Scene IV. Rousillon. The Count's palace.

Enter Countess and Steward.
Count. Alas! and would you take the letter of her?
Might you not know she would do as she has done,
By sending me a letter? Read it again.
Stew. [Reads] I am Saint Jaques' pilgrim, thither gone:
5
Ambitious love hath so in me offended,
That bare-foot plod I the cold ground upon,
With sainted vow my faults to have amended.
Write, write, that from the bloody course of war
My dearest master, your dear son, may hie:
10
Bless him at home in peace, whilst I from far
His name with zealous fervour sanctify:
His taken labours bid him me forgive;
I, his despiteful Juno, sent him forth
From courtly friends with camping foes to live,
15
Where death and danger dogs the heels of worth:
He is too good and fair for death and me;
Whom I myself embrace to set him free.
Count. Ah, what sharp stings are in her mildest words!
Rinaldo, you did never lack advice so much,
20
As letting her pass so: had I spoke with her,
I could have well diverted her intents,
Which thus she hath prevented.
Stew. Pardon me, madam:
If I had given you this at over-night,
She might have been o'erta'en; and yet she writes,
Pursuit would be but vain.
25
Count. What angel shall
[165]
Bless this unworthy husband? he cannot thrive,
Unless her prayers, whom heaven delights to hear
And loves to grant, reprieve him from the wrath
Of greatest justice. Write, write, Rinaldo,
30
To this unworthy husband of his wife;
Let every word weigh heavy of her worth
That he does weigh too light: my greatest grief,
Though little he do feel it, set down sharply.
Dispatch the most convenient messenger:
35
When haply he shall hear that she is gone,
He will return; and hope I may that she,
Hearing so much, will speed her foot again.
Led hither by pure love: which of them both
Is dearest to me, I have no skill in sense
40
To make distinction: provide this messenger:
My heart is heavy and mine age is weak;
Grief would have tears, and sorrow bids me speak.
[Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Scene iv..] Scene vi. Pope.

[4] Stew. [Reads] Collier. Letter Ff. Ste. Capell.

Saint] S. F1 F2 F3. St. F4.

[7] have] hane F1.

[10] Bless] 'Bless Capell conj. MS.

peace, whilst] F3 F4. peace. Whilst F1 F2.

[12] His taken] Herculean Rann conj.

[15] dogs] dog Rowe.

[18] Count.] Cou. Capell. om. Ff.

[19] Rinaldo] Rynaldo F1 F3 F4. Rynardo F2.

did never lack] ne'er lack'd Hanmer.

[22] me] om. Pope.

[26] cannot] can't S. Walker conj.

[27] whom] which Hanmer.

[29] Write, write] F1 F3 F4. Write and write F2. Write, oh, write Hanmer.

[33] he do] do he Rowe (ed. 2). does he Hanmer.

[39] I have] I've Pope.

skill in sense] skill or sense Collier (Collier MS.).

[42] and] but Hanmer.

Scene V. Florence. Without the walls. A tucket afar off.

Enter an old Widow of Florence, Diana, Violenta, and Mariana, with other Citizens.
Wid. Nay, come; for if they do approach the city, we
shall lose all the sight.
[166]
Dia. They say the French count has done most honourable
service.
5
Wid. It is reported that he has taken their greatest
commander; and that with his own hand he slew the Duke's
brother. [Tucket.] We have lost our labour; they are gone
a contrary way: hark! you may know by their trumpets.
Mar. Come, let's return again, and suffice ourselves
10
with the report of it. Well, Diana, take heed of this French
earl: the honour of a maid is her name; and no legacy is
so rich as honesty.
Wid. I have told my neighbour how you have been
solicited by a gentleman his companion.
15
Mar. I know that knave; hang him! one Parolles: a
filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young earl.
Beware of them, Diana; their promises, enticements, oaths,
tokens, and all these engines of lust, are not the things they
go under: many a maid hath been seduced by them; and
20
the misery is, example, that so terrible shows in the wreck
of maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession, but
that they are limed with the twigs that threaten them. I
hope I need not to advise you further; but I hope your own
grace will keep you where you are, though there were no
25
further danger known but the modesty which is so lost.
Dia. You shall not need to fear me.
Wid. I hope so.
Enter Helena, disguised like a Pilgrim.
Look, here comes a pilgrim: I know she will lie at my
house; thither they send one another: I'll question her.
30
God save you, pilgrim! whither are you bound?
Hel. To Saint Jaques le Grand.
Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?
[167]
Wid. At the Saint Francis here beside the port.
Hel. Is this the way?
35
Wid. Ay, marry, is't. [A march afar.] Hark you! they come this way.
If you will tarry, holy pilgrim,
But till the troops come by,
I will conduct you where you shall be lodged;
The rather, for I think I know your hostess
As ample as myself.
40
Hel. Is it yourself?
Wid. If you shall please so, pilgrim.
Hel. I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.
Wid. You came, I think, from France?
Hel. I did so.
Wid. Here you shall see a countryman of yours
That has done worthy service.
45
Hel. His name, I pray you.
Dia. The Count Rousillon: know you such a one?
Hel. But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him:
His face I know not.
Dia. Whatsome'er he is,
He's bravely taken here. He stole from France,
50
As 'tis reported, for the king had married him
Against his liking: think you it is so?
Hel. Ay, surely, mere the truth: I know his lady.
Dia. There is a gentleman that serves the count
Reports but coarsely of her.
Hel. What's his name?
Dia. Monsieur Parolles.
55
Hel. O, I believe with him,
[168]
In argument of praise, or to the worth
Of the great count himself, she is too mean
To have her name repeated: all her deserving
Is a reserved honesty, and that
I have not heard examined.
60
Dia. Alas, poor lady!
'Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
Of a detesting lord.
Wid. I write good creature, wheresoe'er she is,
Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do her
A shrewd turn, if she pleased.
65
Hel. How do you mean?
May be the amorous count solicits her
In the unlawful purpose.
Wid. He does indeed;
And brokes with all that can in such a suit
Corrupt the tender honour of a maid:
70
But she is arm'd for him, and keeps her guard
In honestest defence.
Mar. The gods forbid else!
Wid. So, now they come:
Drum and Colours.
Enter Bertram, Parolles, and the whole army.
That is Antonio, the Duke's eldest son;
That, Escalus.
Hel. Which is the Frenchman?
Dia. He;
75
That with the plume: 'tis a most gallant fellow.
I would he loved his wife: if he were honester
He were much goodlier: is't not a handsome gentleman?
Hel. I like him well.
[169]
Dia. 'Tis pity he is not honest: yond's that same knave
80
That leads him to these places: were I his lady,
I would poison that vile rascal.
Hel. Which is he?
Dia. That jack-an-apes with scarfs: why is he melancholy?
Hel. Perchance he's hurt i' the battle.
Par. Lose our drum! well.
85
Mat. He's shrewdly vexed at something: look, he has spied us.
Wid. Marry, hang you!
Mar. And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier!
[Exeunt Bertram, Parolles, and army.
Wid. The troop is past. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you
90
Where you shall host: of enjoin'd penitents
There's four or five, to great Saint Jaques bound,
Already at my house.
Hel. I humbly thank you:
Please it this matron and this gentle maid
To eat with us to-night, the charge and thanking
95
Shall be for me; and, to requite you further,
I will bestow some precepts of this virgin
Worthy the note.
Both. We'll take your offer kindly. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Scene v.] Scene vii. Pope.

Without the walls.] Capell. A public place in Florence. Theobald.

A tucket...] Transferred to line 7 by Dyce.

Diana] her daughter. Ff.

Violenta] om. Capell.

[1-14] As seventeen lines, ending come ... city ... sight... done ... service ... reported ... commander ... slew ... labour ... hark ... trumpets ... again ... of it ... earl ... name ... rich ... honesty ... neighbour ... gentleman ... companion in Ff. First as prose by Pope.

[3] Dia.] Violenta. Edd. conj.

[5] taken] ta'en Rowe.

greatest] great'st Ff.

[7] [Tucket.] Capell.

[18] not] but Hanmer. om. Warburton.

[20] is, example] Rowe (ed. 2). is example Ff.

[22] threaten] Pope, threatens Ff.

[25] known] found Hanmer (Warburton).

the modesty] of the modesty Long MS.

[27] Enter...] Rowe. Enter Hellen. Ff.

[31] le] F3 F4. la F1 F2.

[33] here] om. Theobald.

[34-37] Arranged as in Ff; as prose in Pope; as three lines, ending Hark you!... pilgrim ... by in Capell.

[35] is't] is it Capell.

A march afar.] Ff. Tucket. Capell.

[36] holy] om. Capell.

[37] the] the the F2.

[40] ample] amply Capell conj.

[40, 41] Is it ... pilgrim] As one line in Capell.

[43] I did] True, I did Hanmer.

[48] Whatsome'er he is] What somere he is F1 F3 F4. What somere his is F2. Whatsoe'er he is Rowe.

[52] mere the] the meer Hanmer. meerlye Warburton.

[54] coarsely] Johnson. coursely Ff.

[60] Alas] Ah Pope.

[63] I write good creature,] F1. I right good creature, F2 F3 F4. Ah! right good creature! Rowe. Ah! right; good creature! Theobald. Ay, right:—Good creature! Capell. A right good creature: Steevens (Malone conj.). I weet, good creature, Steevens conj. I write, good creature, Grant White.

[68] brokes] brooks Rowe (ed. 2).

[71] Scene VIII. Pope.

[72] Enter Bertram...] Enter Count Rossillion... Ff (after defence, line 71).

[77] is't not a] but is it not A Hanmer.

[79] he is] he's Hanmer.

[80] places] paces Theobald. pranks Heath conj. passes Lettsom conj.

[81] I would] I'd Pope.

[82-84] That ... well] S. Walker reads as three lines, ending melancholy ... drum ... Well.

[84] well] om. Hanmer.

[87] [Parolles bows to them. Capell.]

[88] Exeunt....] Exit. Ff.

[89] bring you] Rowe (ed. 2). bring you, (you in next line) F1. bring You, F2 F3 F4.

[96] of] F1. on F2 F3 F4.

Scene VI. Camp before Florence.

Enter Bertram and the two French Lords.
Sec. Lord. Nay, good my lord, put him to't; let him
have his way.
[170]
First Lord. If your lordship find him not a hilding,
hold me no more in your respect.
5
Sec. Lord. On my life, my lord, a bubble.
Ber. Do you think I am so far deceived in him?
Sec. Lord. Believe it, my lord, in mine own direct
knowledge, without any malice, but to speak of him as my
kinsman, he's a most notable coward, an infinite and endless
10
liar, an hourly promise-breaker, the owner of no one
good quality worthy your lordship's entertainment.
First Lord. It were fit you knew him; lest, reposing
too far in his virtue, which he hath not, he might at some
great and trusty business in a main danger fail you.
15
Ber. I would I knew in what particular action to try him.
First Lord. None better than to let him fetch off his
drum, which you hear him so confidently undertake to do.
Sec. Lord. I, with a troop of Florentines, will suddenly
surprise him; such I will have, whom I am sure he knows
20
not from the enemy: we will bind and hoodwink him so,
that he shall suppose no other but that he is carried into
the leaguer of the adversaries, when we bring him to our
own tents. Be but your lordship present at his examination:
if he do not, for the promise of his life and in the
25
highest compulsion of base fear, offer to betray you and
deliver all the intelligence in his power against you, and
that with the divine forfeit of his soul upon oath, never
trust my judgement in any thing.
First Lord. O, for the love of laughter, let him fetch
30
his drum; he says he has a stratagem for't: when your
lordship sees the bottom of his success in't, and to what
metal this counterfeit lump of ore will be melted, if you
[171]
give him not John Drum's entertainment, your inclining
cannot be removed. Here he comes.
Enter Parolles.
35
Sec. Lord. [Aside to Ber.] O, for the love of laughter,
hinder not the honour of his design: let him fetch off his
drum in any hand.
Ber. How now, monsieur! this drum sticks sorely in
your disposition.
40
First Lord. A pox on't, let it go; 'tis but a drum.
Par. 'But a drum'! is't 'but a drum'? A drum so lost!
There was excellent command,—to charge in with our
horse upon our own wings, and to rend our own soldiers!
First Lord. That was not to be blamed in the command
45
of the service: it was a disaster of war that Cćsar
himself could not have prevented, if he had been there to
command.
Ber. Well, we cannot greatly condemn our success:
some dishonour we had in the loss of that drum; but it is
50
not to be recovered.
Par. It might have been recovered.
Ber. It might; but it is not now.
Par. It is to be recovered: but that the merit of service
is seldom attributed to the true and exact performer,
55
I would have that drum or another, or 'hic jacet.'
Ber. Why, if you have a stomach, to't, monsieur: if you
think your mystery in stratagem can bring this instrument
of honour again into his native quarter, be magnanimous in
the enterprise and go on; I will grace the attempt for a
60
worthy exploit: if you speed well in it, the Duke shall both
speak of it, and extend to you what further becomes his
greatness, even to the utmost syllable of your worthiness.
[172]
Par. By the hand of a soldier, I will undertake it.
Ber. But you must not now slumber in it.
65
Par. I'll about it this evening: and I will presently
pen down my dilemmas, encourage myself in my certainty,
put myself into my mortal preparation; and by midnight
look to hear further from me.
Ber. May I be bold to acquaint his Grace you are gone
70
about it?
Par. I know not what the success will be, my lord;
but the attempt I vow.
Ber. I know thou'rt valiant; and, to the possibility of
thy soldiership, will subscribe for thee. Farewell.
75
Par. I love not many words. [Exit.
Sec. Lord. No more than a fish loves water. Is not
this a strange fellow, my lord, that so confidently seems to
undertake this business, which he knows is not to be done;
damns himself to do and dares better be damned than to
80
do't?
First Lord. You do not know him, my lord, as we do:
certain it is, that he will steal himself into a man's favour
and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries; but when
you find him out, you have him ever after.
85
Ber. Why, do you think he will make no deed at all of
this that so seriously he does address himself unto?
Sec. Lord. None in the world; but return with an invention
and clap upon you two or three probable lies: but
we have almost embossed him; you shall see his fall to-night;
90
for indeed he is not for your lordship's respect.
First Lord. We'll make you some sport with the fox
ere we case him. He was first smoked by the old lord
Lafeu: when his disguise and he is parted, tell me what a
sprat you shall find him; which you shall see this very night.
[173] 95
Sec. Lord. I must go look my twigs: he shall be caught.
Ber. Your brother he shall go along with me.
Sec. Lord. As't please your lordship: I'll leave you. [Exit.
Ber. Now will I lead you to the house, and show you
The lass I spoke of.
First Lord. But you say she's honest.
100
Ber. That's all the fault: I spoke with her but once
And found her wondrous cold; but I sent to her,
By this same coxcomb that we have i' the wind,
Tokens and letters which she did re-send;
And this is all I have done. She's a fair creature:
Will you go see her?
105
First Lord. With all my heart, my lord. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Scene VI.] Scene IX. Pope.

Camp before Florence.] Capell.

Enter...] Rowe. Enter Count Rossillion and the Frenchmen, as at first. Ff.

[1] Sec. Lord.] Cap. E. Ff, and] generally throughout the scene, 1. Ld. Rowe. Fr. Env. Collier. See note (vi).

[3] First Lord.] Cap. G. Ff, and throughout the scene. 2. Ld. Rowe. Fr. Gent. Collier. See note (vi).

[18] Sec. Lord.] C. E. F1. G. E. F2. Cap. E. F3 F4. Omitted by Capell, who continues the following speech to 1. L.

[22] leaguer] F4. leager F1 F2 F3.

adversaries] adversary or adversary's Grant White conj.

[29, 30] O ... drum] Omit and lines 35, 36, 37. Capell conj.

[29] fetch] fetch off Dyce (Collier MS.).

[31] his] Rowe. this Ff.

[32] ore] oar Theobald, ours Ff. ores Collier MS.

[33] John] Tom Hanmer (Theobald conj.).

inclining] inelining F1.

[35] Scene x. Pope.

Enter P.] Dyce (after line 37).

[35-37] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

[36] honour] F3 F4. honor F1 F2. humour Theobald.

[42] in] F1 F2 F3. him F4.

[44, 45] command] conduct Collier conj.

[55] 'hic jacet.'] hic jacet— Theobald.

[57] mystery] mastery Collier conj.

[73, 74] As three lines, ending valiant ... souldiership ... Farewell in Ff.

[73] thou'rt] Capell. th' art Ff.

[74] thy] om. Warburton.

[76] Scene xi. Pope.

[79] do] do't F4.

[79, 80] to do 't] do 't Rann.

[83] discoveries] discovery S. Walker conj.

[88] probable] improbable S. Walker conj.

[92] case] uncase Hanmer. uncape Anon. conj.

[93] is parted] are parted Hanmer.

tell me] you'll tell me Rann conj.

[95] I ... caught] Continued to the former speaker by Capell.

go look] go and look Rowe. go lime Long MS. go lack Jackson conj. go loop Anon. conj.

[97] Sec. Lord.] 2 Lord. Theobald. Cap. G. Ff.

Sec. Lord. As't ... you] Fr. Cent. As't ... lordship. Fr. En. I'll leave you. Collier.

[99, 105] First Lord.] Cap. E. Ff.

[104] I have] I've Pope.

Scene VII. Florence. The Widow's house.

Enter Helena and Widow.
Hel. If you misdoubt me that I am not she,
I know not how I shall assure you further,
But I shall lose the grounds I work upon.
Wid. Though my estate be fallen, I was well born,
5
Nothing acquainted with these businesses;
And would not put my reputation now
In any staining act.
Hel. Nor would I wish you.
First, give me trust, the count he is my husband,
And what to your sworn counsel I have spoken
10
Is so from word to word; and then you cannot,
[174]
By the good aid that I of you shall borrow,
Err in bestowing it.
Wid. I should believe you;
For you have show'd me that which well approves
You're great in fortune.
Hel. Take this purse of gold,
15
And let me buy your friendly help thus far,
Which I will over-pay and pay again
When I have found it. The count he wooes your daughter,
Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty,
Resolved to carry her: let her in fine consent,
20
As we'll direct her how 'tis best to bear it.
Now his important blood will nought deny
That she'll demand: a ring the county wears,
That downward hath succeeded in his house
From son to son, some four or five descents
25
Since the first father wore it: this ring he holds
In most rich choice; yet in his idle fire,
To buy his will, it would not seem too dear,
Howe'er repented after.
Wid. Now I see
The bottom of your purpose.
30
Hel. You see it lawful, then: it is no more,
But that your daughter, ere she seems as won,
Desires this ring; appoints him an encounter;
In fine, delivers me to fill the time,
Herself most chastely absent: after this,
35
To marry her, I'll add three thousand crowns
To what is past already.
[175]
Wid. I have yielded:
Instruct my daughter how she shall persever,
That time and place with this deceit so lawful
May prove coherent. Every night he comes
40
With musics of all sorts and songs composed
To her unworthiness: it nothing steads us
To chide him from our eaves; for he persists
As if his life lay on't.
Hel. Why then to-night
Let us assay our plot; which, if it speed,
45
Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed,
And lawful meaning in a lawful act,
Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact:
But let's about it. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Scene vii.] Scene xii. Pope.

[5] businesses] basenesses Anon. conj.

[8, 17] count he] county Edd. conj.

[8] is] his F2

[14] You're] Y'are Ff. You are Capell.

[17] he] om. Pope.

[19] Resolved] Collier (Egerton MS.). Resolve F1. Resolves F2 F3 F4.

in fine] om. Rowe (ed. 2).

[20] how 'tis] how, 'tis Warburton.

[21] his important] F1 F2. this important F3 F4. this importurate Rowe (ed. i). his importunate Rowe (ed. 2).

[22] county wears] countie weares F1. county weares F2 F3. count wears F4. count does wear Rowe. See note (xiv).

[28, 29] Now ... purpose] As in Capell. As one line in Ff. Now do I see ... purpose (as one line) Hanmer.

[34] after this] F2 F3 F4. after F1. afterwards Collier conj.

[36] past] pact Anon. conj.

[40] musics] Musickes F1 F2. Musicks F3. Musick F4.

[41] steads] F4. steeds F1 F2 F3.

[42] eaves] Hanmer. eeves Ff.

[46] And lawful] Unlawful Hanmer.

lawful act] wicked act Warburton. lawless act Anon. conj.

ACT IV.

Scene I. Without the Florentine camp.

Enter Second French Lord, with five or six other Soldiers in ambush.
Sec. Lord. He can come no other way but by this
hedge-corner. When you sally upon him, speak what terrible
language you will: though you understand it not
yourselves, no matter; for we must not seem to understand
5
him, unless some one among us whom we must produce
for an interpreter.
First Sold. Good captain, let me be the interpreter.
Sec. Lord. Art not acquainted with him? knows he not
10
thy voice?
First Sold. No, sir, I warrant you.
[176]
Sec. Lord. But what linsey-woolsey hast thou to speak
to us again?
First Sold. E'en such as you speak to me.
Sec. Lord. He must think us some band of strangers i'
15
the adversary's entertainment. Now he hath a smack of
all neighbouring languages; therefore we must every one be
a man of his own fancy, not to know what we speak one to
another; so we seem to know, is to know straight our purpose:
choughs' language, gabble enough, and good enough.
20
As for you, interpreter, you must seem very politic. But
couch, ho! here he comes, to beguile two hours in a sleep,
and then to return and swear the lies he forges.
Enter Parolles.
Par. Ten o'clock: within these three hours 'twill be
time enough to go home. What shall I say I have done?
25
It must be a very plausive invention that carries it: they
begin to smoke me; and disgraces have of late knocked too
often at my door. I find my tongue is too foolhardy; but
my heart hath the fear of Mars before it and of his creatures,
not daring the reports of my tongue.
30
Sec. Lord. This is the first truth that e'er thine own
tongue was guilty of.
Par. What the devil should move me to undertake the
recovery of this drum, being not ignorant of the impossibility,
and knowing I had no such purpose? I must give
35
myself some hurts, and say I got them in exploit: yet
slight ones will not carry it; they will say, 'Came you off
with so little?' and great ones I dare not give. Wherefore,
what's the instance? Tongue, I must put you into a butter-woman's
mouth, and buy myself another of Bajazet's
40
mule, if you prattle me into these perils.
[177]
Sec. Lord. Is it possible he should know what he is,
and be that he is?
Par. I would the cutting of my garments would serve
the turn, or the breaking of my Spanish sword.
45
Sec. Lord. We cannot afford you so.
Par. Or the baring of my beard; and to say it was in
stratagem.
Sec. Lord. 'Twould not do.
Par. Or to drown my clothes, and say I was stripped.
50
Sec. Lord. Hardly serve.
Par. Though I swore I leaped from the window of the
citadel—
Sec. Lord. How deep?
Par. Thirty fathom.
55
Sec. Lord. Three great oaths would scarce make that
be believed.
Par. I would I had any drum of the enemy's: I would
swear I recovered it.
Sec. Lord. You shall hear one anon.
60
Par. A drum now of the enemy's,— [Alarum within.
Sec. Lord. Throca movousus, cargo, cargo, cargo.
All. Cargo, cargo, cargo, villianda par corbo, cargo.
Par. O, ransom, ransom! do not hide mine eyes.
[They seize and blindfold him.
First Sold. Boskos thromuldo boskos.
65
Par. I know you are the Muskos' regiment;
And I shall lose my life for want of language:
If there be here German, or Dane, low Dutch,
Italian, or French, let him speak to me; I'll
Discover that which shall undo the Florentine.
70
First Sold. Boskos vauvado: I understand thee, and
[178]
can speak thy tongue. Kerelybonto, sir, betake thee to
thy faith, for seventeen poniards are at thy bosom.
Par. O!
75
First Sold. O, pray, pray, pray! Manka revania dulche.
Sec. Lord. Oscorbidulchos volivorco.
First Sold. The general is content to spare thee yet;
And, hoodwink'd as thou art, will lead thee on
To gather from thee: haply thou mayst inform
Something to save thy life.
80
Par. O, let me live!
And all the secrets of our camp I'll show,
Their force, their purposes; nay, I'll speak that
Which you will wonder at.
First Sold. But wilt thou faithfully?
Par. If I do not, damn me.
85
First Sold. Acordo linta.
Come on; thou art granted space.
[Exit, with Parolles guarded. A short alarum within.
Sec. Lord. Go, tell the Count Rousillon, and my brother,
We have caught the woodcock, and will keep him muffled
Till we do hear from them.
Sec. Sold. Captain, I will.
90
Sec. Lord. A' will betray us all unto ourselves:
Inform on that.
Sec. Sold. So I will, sir.
Sec. Lord. Till then I'll keep him dark and safely lock'd. [Exeunt.

[179]

LINENOTES:

Scene I. Without....] Capell. Continues in Florence. Pope. Part of the French camp in Florence. Theobald.

Enter Second French Lord....] Edd. Enter one of the Frenchmen.... Ff. Enter First Lord.... Capell. Enter French Envoy.... Collier. See note (vi).

Sec. Lord.] 1. Lord. E. Ff.

[5] among] amongst Rowe.

[7] captain] F3 F4. captaine F1. captaive F2.

[15] adversary's] Johnson, adversaries Ff. adversaries' Warburton.

[18] know straight] shew straight Hanmer. go straight to Collier (Collier MS.).

[19] choughs'] chough's F3 F4. choughs F1 F2.

[23] o'] Johnson, a Ff.

[29] my] my own Mason conj. mine own Rann.

[39] myself] om. Steevens.

Bajazet's] Baiazeths F1. Bajazeths F2 F3 F4.

[40] mule] F1 F2. Mules F3 F4. mute Hanmer (Warburton).

[57] enemy's] Malone. enemies Ff. enemies' Capell.

[60] enemy's,—] Edd. enemy's! Malone. enemies! Theobald. enemies. Ff.

[62] cargo, cargo] cargo Hanmer.

[63] [They ... him.] Rowe. om. Ff.

[64] Boskos ... boskos] F1. Baskos ... baskos F2 F3 F4.

[65] Muskos'] Capell. Muskos Ff.

[68] or] om. Capell.

[68, 69] Arranged as in Capell. Ile ... Florentine (in one line) Ff. I will ... undo The.... Malone.

[70-74] Boskos ... pray!] Printed as verse by Capell.

[73, 74] Par. O! First Sold. O, pray] Par. Oh, oh! 1. S. Pray. Capell.

[74] revania] F1. revanta F2. revancha F3 F4.

[76] Oscorbidulchos] F1. Osceorbidulchos F2 F3 F4.

[86] Exit....] Capell. Exit. Ff.

A short alarum within.] Ff. om. Capell.

[88] We have] We've Pope.

[90] A'] A Ff. He Rowe.

[91] Inform on that] Inform 'em that Rowe. Inform 'em too of that Capell.

Scene II. Florence. The Widow's house.

Enter Bertram and Diana.
Ber. They told me that your name was Fontibell.
Dia. No, my good lord, Diana.
Ber. Titled goddess;
And worth it, with addition! But, fair soul,
In your fine frame hath love no quality?
5
If the quick fire of youth light not your mind,
You are no maiden, but a monument:
When you are dead, you should be such a one
As you are now, for you are cold and stern;
And now you should be as your mother was
10
When your sweet self was got.
Dia. She then was honest.
Ber. So should you be.
Dia. No:
My mother did but duty; such, my lord,
As you owe to your wife.
Ber. No more o' that;
I prithee, do not strive against my vows:
15
I was compell'd to her; but I love thee
By love's own sweet constraint, and will for ever
Do thee all rights of service.
Dia. Ay, so you serve us
Till we serve you; but when you have our roses,
You barely leave our thorns to prick ourselves,
And mock us with our bareness.
20
Ber. How have I sworn!
Dia. 'Tis not the many oaths that makes the truth,
[180]
But the plain single vow that is vow'd true.
What is not holy, that we swear not by,
But take the High'st to witness: then, pray you, tell me,
25
If I should swear by Jove's great attributes,
I loved you dearly, would you believe my oaths,
When I did love you ill? This has no holding,
To swear by him whom I protest to love,
That I will work against him: therefore your oaths
30
Are words and poor conditions, but unseal'd,
At least in my opinion.
Ber. Change it, change it;
Be not so holy-cruel: love is holy;
And my integrity ne'er knew the crafts
That you do charge men with. Stand no more off,
35
But give thyself unto my sick desires,
Who then recover: say thou art mine, and ever
My love as it begins shall so persever.
Dia. I see that men make rope's in such a scarre
That we'll forsake ourselves. Give me that ring.
40
Ber. I'll lend it thee, my dear; but have no power
To give it from me.
Dia. Will you not, my lord?
[181]
Ber. It is an honour 'longing to our house,
Bequeathed down from many ancestors;
Which were the greatest obloquy i' the world
In me to lose.
45
Dia. Mine honour's such a ring:
My chastity's the jewel of our house,
Bequeathed down from many ancestors;
Which were the greatest obloquy i' the world
In me to lose: thus your own proper wisdom
50
Brings in the champion Honour on my part,
Against your vain assault.
Ber. Here, take my ring:
My house, mine honour, yea, my life, be thine,
And I'll be bid by thee.
Dia. When midnight comes, knock at my chamber-window:
55
I'll order take my mother shall not hear.
Now will I charge you in the band of truth,
When you have conquer'd my yet maiden bed,
Remain there but an hour, nor speak to me:
My reasons are most strong; and you shall know them
60
When back again this ring shall be deliver'd:
And on your finger in the night I 'll put
Another ring, that what in time proceeds
May token to the future our past deeds.
Adieu, till then; then, fail not. You have won
65
A wife of me, though there my hope be done.
Ber. A heaven on earth I have won by wooing thee. [Exit.
Dia. For which live long to thank both heaven and me!
You may so in the end.
My mother told me just how he would woo,
70
As if she sat in's heart; she says all men
Have the like oaths: he had sworn to marry me
When his wife's dead; therefore I'll lie with him
[182]
When I am buried. Since Frenchmen are so braid,
Marry that will, I live and die a maid:
75
Only in this disguise I think't no sin
To cozen him that would unjustly win. [Exit.

LINENOTES:

Enter Bertram and the Maid called Diana. Ff.

[2] Titled goddess] Titl'd, goddess Capell.

[8] stern] F3 F4. sterne F1 F2. stone Collier (Collier MS.).

[13] o'] Rowe. a' Ff.

[14] strive ... vows:] drive against my vows: Johnson conj. shrive—against my voice Id. conj.

[19] barely] basely Rowe (ed. 2).

[21-31] Dia. 'Tis not ... opinion] Dia. 'Tis not ... witness. Ber. Then ... ill? Dia. This ... opinion Staunton conj.

[21] makes] F1. make F2 F3 F4.

[23, 24] What ... me,] But ... by? Jackson conj. (inverting the lines).

What ... witness: then, pray] Bert. What ... witness. Diana. Then, pray Johnson conj.

[23-29] What ... against him] Erased in Collier MS.

[23] swear not by,] swear, not 'bides, Warburton.

[24] pray you] pray Pope.

[25] Jove's] Joves F3 F4. Ioues F1 F2. love's Grant White (Johnson conj.). God's Edd. conj. See note (xv).

attributes] F1. attribute F2 F3 F4.

[28] by] to Johnson conj.

whom] when Singer.

[28, 29] whom I ... him] and to protest I love Whom I will work against Becket conj.

[32] holy-cruel] Theobald. holy cruel Ff.

love] my love Staunton conj.

[35, 36] desires, Who then recover] Rowe (ed. 2). desires, Who then recovers Ff. desires, Which then recover Pope. desire, Who then recovers Capell.

[38] rope's ... scarre] F1 F2. ropes ... scarre F3. ropes ... scar F4. hopes ... affairs Rowe. hopes ... scene Malone. mopes in ... scar or japes of ... scathe Becket conj. hopes ... scare Henley conj. hopes ... cause Mitford conj. hopes ... war Singer (ed. 1). hopes ... scarre Singer (Knight conj.). slopes ... scarre Collier conj. ropes ... staire Id. conj. hopes ... case Dyce. hopes ... snare Staunton. hopes ... suit Collier (Collier MS.). may cope's ... sorte Williams conj.

[44] were] 'twere Collier (Collier MS.).

[53] And I'll] An I Collier conj.

[65] done] none Collier MS.

[66] I have] F1 F2. I've F3 F4.

[71] had] hath Capell conj. has Grant White.

[73] Frenchmen] men Hanmer.

[74] Marry] Marry 'em Theobald (Warburton).

[74] I] F1 F2. I'le F3 F4. I'd Theobald (Warburton).

Lords] Captains Ff.

Scene III. The Florentine camp.

Enter the two French Lords and some two or three Soldiers.
First Lord. You have not given him his mother's letter?
Sec. Lord. I have delivered it an hour since: there is
something in't that stings his nature; for on the reading it
he changed almost into another man.
5
First Lord. He has much worthy blame laid upon him
for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady.
Sec. Lord. Especially he hath incurred the everlasting
displeasure of the king, who had even tuned his bounty to
sing happiness to him. I will tell you a thing, but you
10
shall let it dwell darkly with you.
First Lord. When you have spoken it, 'tis dead, and I
am the grave of it.
Sec. Lord. He hath perverted a young gentlewoman
here in Florence, of a most chaste renown; and this night
15
he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honour: he hath given
her his monumental ring, and thinks himself made in the
unchaste composition.
First Lord. Now, God delay our rebellion! as we are
ourselves, what things are we!
20
Sec. Lord. Merely our own traitors. And as in the
common course of all treasons, we still see them reveal
themselves, till they attain to their abhorred ends, so he
[183]
that in this action contrives against his own nobility, in his
proper stream o'erflows himself.
25
First Lord. Is it not meant damnable in us, to be
trumpeters of our unlawful intents? We shall not then
have his company to-night?
Sec. Lord. Not till after midnight; for he is dieted to
his hour.
30
First Lord. That approaches apace: I would gladly
have him see his company anatomized, that he might take
a measure of his own judgements, wherein so curiously
he had set this counterfeit.
Sec. Lord. We will not meddle with him till he come;
35
for his presence must be the whip of the other.
First Lord. In the mean time, what hear you of these
wars?
Sec. Lord. I hear there is an overture of peace.
First Lord. Nay, I assure you, a peace concluded.
40
Sec. Lord. What will Count Rousillon do then? will
he travel higher, or return again into France?
First Lord. I perceive, by this demand, you are not
altogether of his council.
Sec. Lord. Let it be forbid, sir; so should I be a great
45
deal of his act.
First Lord. Sir, his wife some two months since fled
from his house: her pretence is a pilgrimage to Saint Jaques
le Grand; which holy undertaking with most austere sanctimony
she accomplished; and, there residing, the tenderness
50
of her nature became as a prey to her grief; in fine, made a
groan of her last breath, and now she sings in heaven.
[184]
Sec. Lord. How is this justified?
First Lord. The stronger part of it by her own letters,
which makes her story true, even to the point of her death:
55
her death itself, which could not be her office to say is come,
was faithfully confirmed by the rector of the place.
Sec. Lord. Hath the count all this intelligence?
First Lord. Ay, and the particular confirmations, point
from point, to the full arming of the verity.
60
Sec. Lord. I am heartily sorry that he'll be glad of this.
First Lord. How mightily sometimes we make us comforts
of our losses!
Sec. Lord. And how mightily some other times we
drown our gain in tears! The great dignity that his valour
65
hath here acquired for him shall at home be encountered
with a shame as ample.
First Lord. The web of our life is of a mingled yarn,
good and ill together: our virtues would be proud, if our
faults whipped them not; and our crimes would despair, if
70
they were not cherished by our virtues.
Enter a Messenger.
How now! where's your master?
Serv. He met the Duke in the street, sir, of whom he
hath taken a solemn leave: his lordship will next morning
for France. The Duke hath offered him letters of commendations
75
to the king.
Sec. Lord. They shall be no more than needful there,
if they were more than they can commend.
First Lord. They cannot be too sweet for the king's
tartness. Here's his lordship now.
[185]
Enter Bertram.
80
How now, my lord! is't not after midnight?
Ber. I have to-night dispatched sixteen businesses, a
month's length a-piece, by an abstract of success: I have
congied with the Duke, done my adieu with his nearest;
buried a wife, mourned for her; writ to my lady mother I
85
am returning; entertained my convoy; and between these
main parcels of dispatch effected many nicer needs: the
last was the greatest, but that I have not ended yet.
Sec. Lord. If the business be of any difficulty, and this
morning your departure hence, it requires haste of your
90
lordship.
Ber. I mean, the business is not ended, as fearing to
hear of it hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue between
the fool and the soldier? Come, bring forth this
counterfeit module, has deceived me, like a double-meaning
95
prophesier.
Sec. Lord. Bring him forth: he has sat i' the stocks all
night, poor gallant knave.
Ber. No matter; his heels have deserved it, in usurping
his spurs so long. How does he carry himself?
100
Sec. Lord. I have told your lordship already, the stocks
carry him. But to answer you as you would be understood;
he weeps like a wench that had shed her milk: he
hath confessed himself to Morgan, whom he supposes to be
a friar, from the time of his remembrance to this very instant
105
disaster of his setting i' the stocks: and what think
you he hath confessed?
Ber. Nothing of me, has a'?
Sec. Lord. His confession is taken, and it shall be read
[186]
to his face: if your lordship be in't, as I believe you are,
110
you must have the patience to hear it.
Enter Parolles guarded, and First Soldier.
Ber. A plague upon him! muffled! he can say nothing
of me: hush, hush!
First Lord. Hoodman comes! Portotartarosa.
First Sold. He calls for the tortures: what will you
115
say without 'em?
Par. I will confess what I know without constraint: if
ye pinch me like a pasty, I can say no more.
First Sold. Bosko chimurcho.
First Lord. Boblibindo chicurmurco.
120
First Sold. You are a merciful general. Our general
bids you answer to what I shall ask you out of a note.
Par. And truly, as I hope to live.
First Sold. [reads] First demand of him how many horse the
Duke is strong. What say you to that?
125
Par. Five or six thousand; but very weak and unserviceable:
the troops are all scattered, and the commanders
very poor rogues, upon my reputation and credit and as I
hope to live.
First Sold. Shall I set down your answer so?
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Par. Do: I'll take the sacrament on 't, how and which
way you will.
Ber. All's one to him. What a past-saving slave is this!
First Lord. You're deceived, my lord: this is Monsieur
Parolles, the gallant militarist,—that was his own phrase,—
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that had the whole theoric of war in the knot of his scarf,
and the practice in the chape of his dagger.
Sec. Lord. I will never trust a man again for keeping
his sword clean, nor believe he can have every thing in
him by wearing his apparel neatly.
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First Sold. Well, that's set down.
Par. Five or six thousand horse, I said,—I will say
true,—or thereabouts, set down, for I'll speak truth.
First Lord. He's very near the truth in this.
Ber. But I con him no thanks for't, in the nature he
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delivers it.
Par. Poor rogues, I pray you, say.
First Sold. Well, that's set down.
Par. I humbly thank you, sir: a truth's a truth, the
rogues are marvellous poor.
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First Sold. [reads] Demand of him, of what strength they are
a-foot. What say you to that?
Par. By my troth, sir, if I were to live this present hour,
I will tell true. Let me see: Spurio, a hundred and fifty;
Sebastian, so many; Corambus, so many; Jaques, so many;
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Guiltian, Cosmo, Lodowick, and Gratii, two hundred and
fifty each; mine own company, Chitopher, Vaumond, Bentii,
two hundred and fifty each: so that the muster-file, rotten
and sound, upon my life, amounts not to fifteen thousand
poll; half of the which dare not shake the snow from off
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their cassocks, lest they shake themselves to pieces.
Ber. What shall be done to him?
First Lord. Nothing, but let him have thanks. Demand
of him my condition, and what credit I have with the Duke.
First Sold. Well, that's set down. [Reads] You shall demand
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of him, whether one Captain Dumain be i' the camp, a Frenchman;
what his reputation is with the Duke; what his valour, honesty,
and expertness in wars; or whether he thinks it were not possible,
[188]
with well-weighing sums of gold, to corrupt him to a revolt.
What say you to this? what do you know of it?
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Par. I beseech you, let me answer to the particular of
the inter'gatories: demand them singly.
First Sold. Do you know this Captain Dumain?
Par. I know him: a' was a botcher's 'prentice in Paris,
from whence he was whipped for getting the shrieve's fool
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with child,—a dumb innocent, that could not say him nay.
Ber. Nay, by your leave, hold your hands; though I
know his brains are forfeit to the next tile that falls.
First Sold. Well, is this captain in the Duke of Florence's
camp?
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Par. Upon my knowledge, he is, and lousy.
First Lord. Nay, look not so upon me; we shall hear
of your lordship anon.
First Sold. What is his reputation with the Duke?
Par. The Duke knows him for no other but a poor
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officer of mine; and writ to me this other day to turn him
out o' the band: I think I have his letter in my pocket.
First Sold. Marry, we'll search.
Par. In good sadness, I do not know; either it is there,
or it is upon a file with the Duke's other letters in my tent.
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First Sold. Here 'tis; here's a paper: shall I read it to
you?
Par. I do not know if it be it or no.
Ber. Our interpreter does it well.
First Lord. Excellently.
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First Sold. [reads] Dian, the count's a fool, and full of gold,—
Par. That is not the Duke's letter, sir; that is an advertisement
to a proper maid in Florence, one Diana, to
take heed of the allurement of one Count Rousillon, a
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foolish idle boy, but for all that very ruttish: I pray you,
200
sir, put it up again.
First Sold. Nay, I'll read it first, by your favour.
Par. My meaning in't, I protest, was very honest in
the behalf of the maid; for I knew the young count to be
a dangerous and lascivious boy, who is a whale to virginity
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and devours up all the fry it finds.
Ber. Damnable both-sides rogue!
First Sold. [reads] When he swears oaths, bid him drop gold, and take it;
After he scores, he never pays the score:
Half won is match well made; match, and well make it;
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He ne'er pays after-debts, take it before;
And say a soldier, Dian, told thee this,
Men are to mell with, boys are not to kiss:
For count of this, the count's a fool, I know it,
Who pays before, but not when he does owe it.
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Thine, as he vowed to thee in thine ear,
Parolles.
Ber. He shall be whipped through the army with this
rhyme in's forehead.
Sec. Lord. This is your devoted friend, sir, the manifold
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linguist and the armipotent soldier.
Ber. I could endure any thing before but a cat, and
now he's a cat to me.
First Sold. I perceive, sir, by the general's looks, we
shall be fain to hang you.
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Par. My life, sir, in any case: not that I am afraid to
die; but that, my offences being many, I would repent out
[190]
the remainder of nature: let me live, sir, in a dungeon, i' the
stocks, or any where, so I may live.
First Sold. We'll see what may be done, so you confess
230
freely; therefore, once more to this Captain Dumain:
you have answered to his reputation with the Duke and to
his valour: what is his honesty?
Par. He will steal, sir, an egg out of a cloister: for
rapes and ravishments he parallels Nessus: he professes
235
not keeping of oaths; in breaking 'em he is stronger than
Hercules: he will lie, sir, with such volubility, that you
would think truth were a fool: drunkenness is his best virtue,
for he will be swine-drunk; and in his sleep he does
little harm, save to his bed-clothes about him; but they
240
know his conditions and lay him in straw. I have but
little more to say, sir, of his honesty: he has every thing
that an honest man should not have; what an honest man
should have, he has nothing.
First Lord. I begin to love him for this.
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Ber. For this description of thine honesty? A pox
upon him for me, he's more and more a cat.
First Sold. What say you to his expertness in war?
Par. Faith, sir, has led the drum before the English
tragedians; to belie him, I will not, and more of his soldiership
250
I know not; except, in that country he had the
honour to be the officer at a place there called Mile-end,
to instruct for the doubling of files: I would do the man
what honour I can, but of this I am not certain.
First Lord. He hath out-villained villany so far, that
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the rarity redeems him.
Ber. A pox on him, he's a cat still.
First Sold. His qualities being at this poor price, I
need not to ask you if gold will corrupt him to revolt.
Par. Sir, for a quart d'écu he will sell the fee-simple of
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his salvation, the inheritance of it; and cut the entail from
all remainders, and a perpetual succession for it perpetually.
First Sold. What's his brother, the other Captain Dumain?
Sec. Lord. Why does he ask him of me?
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First Sold. What's he?
Par. E'en a crow o' the same nest; not altogether so
great as the first in goodness, but greater a great deal in
evil: he excels his brother for a coward, yet his brother is
reputed one of the best that is: in a retreat he outruns any
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lackey; many, in coming on he has the cramp.
First Sold. If your life be saved, will you undertake to
betray the Florentine?
Par. Ay, and the captain of his horse, Count Rousillon.
First Sold. I'll whisper with the general, and know his
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pleasure.
Par. [Aside] I'll no more drumming; a plague of all
drums! Only to seem to deserve well, and to beguile the
supposition of that lascivious young boy the count, have I
run into this danger. Yet who would have suspected an
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ambush where I was taken?
First Sold. There is no remedy, sir, but you must die:
the general says, you that have so traitorously discovered the
secrets of your army and made such pestiferous reports of
men very nobly held, can serve the world for no honest use;
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therefore you must die. Come, headsman, off with his head.
Par. O Lord, sir, let me live, or let me see my death!
First Sold. That shall you, and take your leave of all
your friends. [Unblinding him.
So, look about you: know you any here?
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Ber. Good morrow, noble captain.
Sec. Lord. God bless you, Captain Parolles.
First Lord. God save you, noble captain.
Sec. Lord. Captain, what greeting will you to my Lord
Lafeu? I am for France.
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