orator. Dia. Do you know, he promised me marriage? Laf. He's a good drum, my lord, but a naughty || Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes? I'll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly. Hel. If it appear not plain, and prove untrue, King. Thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst say they are married: But thou art too fine! in thy evidence: therefore stand aside.This ring, you say, was yours? Dia. Ay, my good lord. Laf. Mine eyes smell onions, I shall weep anon: King. Where did you buy it? or who gave it you?-Good Tom Drum, [To Parolles.] lend me a Dia. It was not given me, nor I did not buy it. handkerchief: So, I thank thee; wait on me home, King. Who lent it you? I'll make sport with thee: Let thy courtesies alone, Dia. It was not lent me neither. they are scurvy ones. King. Where did you find it then? Dia. I found it not. King. If it were yours by none of all these ways, How could you give it him? Dia. I never gave it him. Laf. This woman's an easy glove, my lord; she goes off and on at pleasure. King. This ring was mine, I gave it his first wife. Dia. I'll never tell you. King. Take her away. Dia. Because he's guilty, and he is not guilty; her. sir; Dia. Good mother, fetch my bail.-Stay, royal King. Let us from point to point this story know, This play has many delightful scenes, though not sufficiently probable; and some happy characters, though not new, nor produced by any deep knowledge of human nature. Parolles is a boaster and a coward, such as has always been the sport of the stage, but perhaps never raised more laughter or contempt than in the hands of Shakspeare. I cannot reconcile my heart to Bertram; a man noble without generosity, and young without truth; who marries Helen as a coward, and leaves her as a profligate: when she is dead by his unkindness, sneaks home to a second marriage, is accused by a woman whom he has wronged, defends himself by falsehood, and is dismissed to happiness. The story of Bertram and Diana had been told before of Mariana and Angelo, and, to confess the truth, scarcely merited to be heard a second time. JOHNSON. (5) i. e. Hear us without interruption, and take our parts, that is, support and defend us. Scene, sometimes in Padua, and sometimes in Scene, Athens; and sometimes Ferando's CounPetruchio's House in the Country. try House. INDUCTION. SCENE I.-Before an Alehouse on a Heath. I'LL pheesel you, in faith. Host. A pair of stocks, you rogue! Sly. Y'are a baggage; the Slies are no rogues: Look in the chronicles, we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore, paucas pallabris,2 let the|| world slide: Sessa !3 Host. You will not pay for the glasses you have burst 24 Sly. No, not a denier: Go by, says Jeronimy;Go to thy cold bed, and warm thee.5 Host. I know my remedy, I must go fetch the thirdborough.6 [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. [Lies down on the ground, and falls asleep. (2) Few words. (1) Beat or knock. (3) Be quiet. (4) Broke. (5) This line and the scrap of Spanish is used in burlesque from an old play called Hieronymo, or the Spanish Tragedy. Wind horns. Enter a Lord from hunting, with Huntsmen and Servants. Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds: Brach' Merriman,-the poor cur is emboss'd,8 Lord. Thou art a fool; if Echo were as fleet, Lord. What's here? one dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe? 2 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! (6) An officer whose authority equals a constable. (7) Bitch. (8) Strained. Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man.- 2 Hun. It would seem strange unto him when he wak'd. Lord. Even as a flattering dream, or worthless fancy. Then take him up, and manage well the jest:- hands? Some one be ready with a costly suit, It will be pastime passing excellent, If it be husbanded with modesty.4 Wherein your cunning can assist me much. There is a lord will hear you play to-night : But I am doubtful of your modesties; Lest, over-eyeing of his odd behaviour (For yet his honour never heard a play,) You break into some merry passion, And so offend him; for I tell you, sirs, If you should smile, he grows impatient. 1 Play. Fear not, my lord; we can contain ourselves, Were he the veriest antic in the world. Lord. Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery, And give them friendly welcome every one: Let them want nothing that my house affords.[Exeunt Servant and Players. Sirrah, go you to Bartholomew my page, To a Servant. And call him-madam, do him obeisance, kisses, And with declining head into his bosom,- To see her noble lord restor❜d to health, 1 Hun. My lord, I warrant you, we'll play our And if the boy have not a woman's gift, Enter Players. Now, fellows, you are welcome. 1 Play. We thank your honour. Lord. Do you intend to stay with me to-night? 2 Play. 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;- 1 Play. I think, 'twas Soto that your honour means. || To rain a shower of commanded tears, Which in a napkin being close convey'd, [Exit Servant I know, the boy will well usurp the grace, 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. SCENE II-A Bedchamber in the Lord's house. Sly is discovered in a rich nightgown, with at tendants; some with apparel, others with bason, ewer, and other appurtenances. Enter Lord, dressed like a Servant. Sly. I am Christophero Sly; call not me-honour, lordship: I never drank sack in my life; and you give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef: Ne'er ask me what raiment I'll wear; for (5) Perhaps. (4) Moderation. I have no more doublets than backs, no more stockings than legs, nor no more shoes than feet; nay, sometimes, more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look through the overleather. Lord. Heaven cease this idle humour in your honour! O, that a mighty man, of such descent, Sly. What, would you make me mad? Am not I Christopher Sly, old Sly's son of Burton-heath; by birth a pedler, by education a card-maker, by transmutation a bear-herd, and now by present profession a tinker? Ask Marian Hacket, the fat ale-wife of Wincot, if she know me not: if she say I am not fourteen pence on the score for sheer ale, score me up for the lyingest knave in Christendom. What, I am not bestraught: Here's 1 Serv. O, this it is that makes your lady mourn. 2 Serv. O, this it is that makes your servants droop. Lord. Hence comes it that your kindred shun As beaten hence by your strange lunacy. And twenty caged nightingales do sing: 1 Serv. Say, thou wilt course; thy greyhounds As breathed stags, ay, fleeter than the roe. 2 Serv. Dost thou love pictures? we will fetch Adonis, painted by a running brook: Lord. We'll show thee lo, as she was a maid; 3 Serv. Or Daphne, roaming through a thorny Scratching her legs that one shall swear she bleeds: And not a tinker, nor Christophero Sly. - [Servants present an ewer, bason, and napkin. nap. But did I never speak of all that time? 1 Serv. O, yes, my lord; but very idle words: 3 Serv. Why, sir, you know no house, nor no Nor no such men, as you have reckon'd up,- Sly. Now, Lord be thanked for my good amends! Sly. I thank thee; thou shalt not lose by it. Enter the Page, as a lady, with attendants. Page. How fares my noble lord? Sly. Marry, I fare well; for here is cheer enough. Page. Here, noble lord; What is thy will with her? Sly. Madam wife, they say that I have dream'd, and slept Above some fifteen year and more. Page. Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me: alone.- 1 Ser. And, till the tears that she hath shed for I hope, this reason stands for my excuse. Sly. Ay, it stands so, that I may hardly tarry so long. But I would be loath to fall into my dreams again; I will therefore tarry, in despite of the flesh and the blood. Enter a Servant. Serv. Your honour's players, hearing your Are come to play a pleasant comedy, |