But did I never speak of all that time? For though you lay here in this goodly chamber, 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. 91 Sly. Ay, the woman's maid of the house. Third Serv. Why, sir, you know no house nor no such maid, Nor no such men as you have reckon'd up, And twenty more such names and men as these Sly. Now Lord be thanked for my good amends! Sly. I thank thee: thou shalt not lose by it. Enter the Page as a lady, attended. 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? My men should call me 'lord': I am your Page. My husband and my lord, my lord and husband; Sly. I know it well. What must I call her? 100 Sly. Al'ce madam, or Joan madam? Lord. 'Madam' and nothing else: so lords call ladies. Page. Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me, Being all this time abandon'd from your bed. For your physicians have expressly charged, Sly. Ay, it stands so that I may hardly tarry so long. Enter a Messenger. 120 130 Mess. Your honour's players, hearing your amendment, For so your doctors hold it very meet, 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 com onty a Christmas gambold or a tumbling-trick? 140 Page. No, my good lord; it is more pleasing stuff. Sly. What, household stuff? Page. It is a kind of history. Sly. Well, we'll see 't. Come, madam wife, sit by my side and let the world slip: we shall ne'er be younger. Flourish. ACT FIRST. Scene I. Padua. A public place. Enter Lucentio and his man Tranio. Luc. Tranio, since for the great desire I had And by my father's love and leave am arm'd Gave me my being and my father first, Vincentio's son brought up in Florence It shall become to serve all hopes conceived, Will I apply that treats of happiness ΙΟ By virtue specially to be achieved. I am in all affected as yourself; Glad that you thus continue your resolve The mathematics and the metaphysics, Fall to them as you find your stomach serves you. No profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en: 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 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. 20 30 40 Enter Baptista, Katharina, Bianca, Gremio, and Hortensio. Lucentio and Tranio stand by. Bap. Gentlemen, importune me no farther, 50 For how I firmly am resolved you know; 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. 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, Unless you were of gentler, milder mould. But if it were, doubt not her care should be 60 Tra. Husht, master! here's some good pastime toward: That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward. Luc. But in the other's silence do I see Maid's mild behaviour and sobriety. Tra. Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill. 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. Bian. Sister, content you in my discontent. 70 80 |