TAMING OF THE SHREW.

A LORD.

CHRISTOPHER SLY, a drunken

Tinker.

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE.

WARBURTON and Farmer have questioned the authenticity of this play; one declaring it to be certainly spari. ous, and the other supposing that Shakspeare merely adapted it to the stage, with certain additions and cor rections. Malone, however, upon very satisfactory grounds, ranks it among the earliest efforts of Shakspeare's muse; as it abounds with the doggrel measure so common in the old comedies immediately preceding the time at which he commenced writing for the stage; and with a tiresome play upon words, which he took occasion to condemn in one of his subsequent comedies. The year 1549 is the probable date of its production. Yet Steevens discovers the hand of Shakspeare in almost every scene; and Johnson considers the whole play very popular, sprightly, and diverting. "The two plots (says the learned Doctor) are so well united, that they can hardly be called two, without injury to the art with which they are interwoven." That part of the story which suggests the title of the play, is probably a work of invention. The under-plot, which comprises the love-scenes of Lucentio, the pleasing incident of the pedant, with the characters of Vincentio, Tranio, Gremio and Biondello, is taken from a comedy of George Gascoigne's (an author of considerable popularity) called Supposes, translated from Ariosto's I Supporiti, and acted in 1566, by the gentlemen of Grey's Inn. The singular Induction to this piece is taken from Goulart's “Histories admirables de notre temps," in which its leading circumstance is related as a real fact, practised upon a mean artisan at Brussels, by Philip the Good duke of Burgundy. The Taming of the Shrew condensed within the compass of a modern after-piece invariably elicits considerable mirth; for the respective parts of Katharina and Petruchio are exceedingly spirited, Indicrous, and diverting. But, in its present form, many of the scenes are unpardonably tedious, and many of the incidents perplexingly involved. To those who look for "sermenus in stones, and good in every thing," we cannot exactly point out the moral of this domestic occurrence; since the successful issue of Petruchioʼn experiment in one solitary instance, will scarcely warrant its practical repetition in any of the numerous cases which seem to call for a similar remedy.

Hostess, Page, Players, Huntsnen, and other servants attening on the Lord.

Persons in the Induc

tion.

PETRUCHIO, a Gen leman of Verona, a suitor to Katharina.

HORTENSIO, Suitors to Bianca.

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

TRANIO,
BIONDELLO,
GRUMIO,
CURTIS,

PEDANT, an old fellow set up to personate
Vincentio.

A LORD, &c.

SLY.

A Tapster.

Page, Players, Huntsmen, &c.

BIANCA,
WIDOW.

} Servants to Lucentio.

Servants to Petruchio.

BAPTISTA a rich Gentleman of Padua.
VINCENTIO, an old Gentleman of Pisa.
LUCENTIO, Son to Vincentio, in love with KATHARINA, the Shrew, Daughters to Bap-

her Sister,

tista.

Bianca.

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

SCENE, sometimes in Padua ; and sometimes in Petruchio's House in the Country.

CHARACTERS IN THE INDUCTION

To the original Play of The Taming of a Shrew, entered on the Stationers' Books in 1594, and printed in quarto, in 1607.

KATE,
EMELIA,
PHYLEMA,

VALERIA, Servant to Aurelius.
SANDER, Servant to Ferando.

PHYLOTUS, a Merchant who personates the

Duke.

SCENE, Athens; and sometimes Ferando's Country House.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

Daughters to Alphonsus.

ALPHONSUS, a merchant of Athens.
JEROREL, Duke of Cestus.

AURELIUS, his Son, Suitors to the Daughters Tailor, Haberdasher, and Servants to Fe

FERANDO,
POLIDOR,

of Alphonsus.

rando and Alphonsus.

And say, -Will't please your lordship cool your bands ?

INDUCTION.

SCENE 1.-Before an Alehouse on a Heath. Some one be ready with a costly suit,
And ask him what apparel be will wear;
Enter HOSTESS and SLY.
Another tell him of his bounds and borse,
And that bis 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;
It will be pastime passing excellent,
If it be husbanded with modesty. +

1 Hun. My lord, I warrant you, we'll play
our part,

As he shall think, by our true diligence,
He is no less than what we say he is.
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.
Sirrab, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds :-
[Exit SERVAST.
Belike, some noble gentleman; that means,
Travelling some journey, to repose him here -
Re-enter a SERVANT.
How now? Who is it?

Serv. An it please your honour,
Players that offer service to your lordship.
Lord. Bid them come near :-

•

Sly. I'll pheese 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 ; ↑ let
the world slide: Sessalt

Host. Yo will not pay for the glasses you have burst? §

|

Sly. No, not a denier: Go by, says Jeronimy ; -Go to thy cold bed, and warm thee. || 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.

[Lies down on the ground and falls asleep. 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,tt 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.

1 Hun. Why, Belman is as good as he, my
He cried upon it at the merest loss, flord;
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,
I would esteem him worth a dozen such.
But sup them well, and look unto them all;
To-morrow I intend to hunt again.

1 Hun. I will, my lord.

Lord. What's here? one dead, or drunk ↑ See, doth he breathe ?

tures: Balm his foul head with warm distilled waters, And burn sweet wood to make the lodging

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!
[image!
Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thiue
Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man. →→→→→
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?
1 Hun. Believe me, lord, I think he cannot
choose.

Hun. It would seem strange unto him when
he wak'd.
Lord. Even as a flattering dream, or worth-
less fancy.

Then take him up, and manage well the jest:-Were be the veriest antick in the world.
Carry him gently to my fairest chamber,
And hang it round with all my wanton pic-

Lord. Go, sirral, 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 see him dress'd in all suits like a lady:
That done, conduct bim to the drunkard's cham-
ber,
And call him-madám, do him obeissuce,—
Tell him from me, (as he will win my love,-
He bear himself with honourable action,
Such as he bath observ'd in noble ladies
Unto their lords, by them accomplished:
Such duty to the dronkard let him do,
With soft low tongue, and lowly courtesy;
And say,-What is't your honour will com
mand,

Wherein your lady, and your humble wife,
May show her duty, and make known her Love!

• Naturally.

↑ Moderation.

sweet:

Procure me music ready when he wakes,
To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound;
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 bason,
Full of rose-water, and bestrew'd with flowers ;
Another bear the ewer, ‡‡ the third a diaper, §§

+ Few words.
Broke.

• Beat or knock.
Be quiet.
This line and the scrap of Spanish is used in bur-
lesque from an old play called Hieronymo, or the Spanish
Tragedy.

Enter PLAYERS.

Now, fellows, you are welcome.
1 Play. We thank your honour.

An officer whose authority equals a constable. ++ Strained. $) Napkin.

.. Bitch. 11 Pitcher.

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 re-
member,

Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son ;-
'Twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman se
well:

I have forgot your name; but, sure, that part
Was aptly fitted, and naturally perform'd.
1 Play. I think, 'twas Soto that your bonser

means.

Lord. 'Tis very true;-thon didst it excellent.

Well, you are come to me in happy time;
The rather for I have some sport in hand,
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-eying 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,

And then-with kiud embracements, tempting kisses,

And with declining head into his bosom,
Bid him shed tears, as being overjoy'd

To see her noble lord restor❜d to bealth,
Who, for twice 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,
An onion will do well for such a shift ;
Which in a napkin being close convey'd,
Shall in despite enforce a watery eye.
See this despatch'd with all the haste thou canst;
Anon I'll give thee more instructions.~~~~~
[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.
I'll in to counsel them: haply my presence
May well abate the over-merry spleen,
Which otherwise would grow into extremes.

[Exeunt.

SCENE 11.

A Bedchamber in the LORD's House. SLY is discovered in a rich night gown, with attendants; some with apparel, others with bason, ewer, and other appurtenances. Enter LORD, dressed like a Servant.

Sly. For God's sake a pot of small ale.

1 Serv. Will't please your lordship drink a
cup of sack?

2 Serv. Will't please your honour taste of
these conserves ?

Oh! that a mighty man, of such descent,
Of such possessions, and so high esteem,
Should be infused with so foul a spirit!

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,
Their harness studded all with gold and pearl.
Dost thou love hawking? thou hast bawks will

soar

Above the morning lark: Or wilt thou hunt ↑
Thy hounds strall make the welkin answer them,
And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth.

mourn.

2 Serv. Oh! this it is that makes your servants
droop.

Lord. Hence comes it that your kindred shun
your house,

As beaten hence by your strange lunacy.
O noble lord, bethink thee of thy birth;
Call home thy ancient thoughts from banish-
ment,

1 Serv. Say, thou wilt course; thy greyhounds

are as swift

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:
Or wilt thou sleep we'll have thee to a couch,
Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed

• Perhaps.

+ Distracted.

As breathed stags, ay, fleeter than the roe.

2 Serv. Dost thou love pictures? we will fetch
thee straight

Adonis, painted by a running brook:
And Cytherea all in sedges bid;
[breath,
Which seem to move and wanton with ber
Even as the waving sedges play with wind.
Lord. We'll show thee lo, as she was a maid;
And how she was beguiled and surpris'd,
As lively painted as the deed was done.

3 Serv. Or Daphne, roaming through a thorny
wood;

Sly. Am I a lord? and have 1 such a lady!
Or do I dream or have 1 dream'd till now ?
I do not sleep: I see, I hear, I speak;

3 Serv. What raiment will your honour wear
to-day?

I smell sweet savours, and I feel soft things :Upon my life, I am a lord, indeed; And not a tinker, nor Christophero Sly.Sly. I am Christophero Sly; call not me-Well, bring our lady hither to our sight; honour, nor lordship: I never drank sack in my And once again, a pot o' the smallest ale. 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 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 over.

2 Serv. Will't please your mightiness to wash your bands?

[SERVANTS present an ewer, basin, and napkin.

leather.

Lord. Heaven cease this idle humour in your
honour!

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:
Thou hast a lady far more beautiful
Than any woman in this waning age.

1 Serv. And, till the tears that she hath shed
for thee,
Like envious floods, o'er-ran her lovely face,
She was the fairest creature in the world;
And yet she is inferior to none.

Oh! how we joy to see your wit restor❜d!
Oh! that once more you knew but what you
are !

Bnt did I never speak of all that time?

Sig. What, would you make nie mad? Am 1 Serv. O yes, my lord; but very idle words :not Christopher Sly, old Sty's son of Burton For though you lay here in this goodly chamber, heath; by birth a pedlar, by education a card-Yet would you say, ye were beaten out of door; maker, by transmutation a bear-herd, and now And rail upon the hostess of the house; by present profession a tinker? Ask Marian Aud say, you would present her at the leet,+ Hacket, the fat ale-wife of Wincot, if she know Because she brought stone jugs and no seal'd me not if she say I am not fourteen pence on quarts: the score for sheer ale, score me up for the lyingest knave in Christendom. What, I am not bestraught: Here's———

1 Serv. Oh! this it is, that makes your lady

Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket.
Sly. Ay, the woman's maid of the house.
3 Serv. Why, Sir, you know no bouse, nor
no such maid;
Nor no such men, as you have reckon'd up,-
As Stephen Sly, and old John Naps of Greece,
And Peter Turf, and Henry Pimperuell;
And twenty more such names and men as these,
Which never were, nor no man ever saw.
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, with attendants.
Page. How fares my noble lord ?

Sly. Marry, I fare well; for here is cheer enough. Where is my wife? Page. Here, noble lord; What is thy will with her?

• Faith.

These fifteen years you have been in a dream;
Or, when you wak'd, so wak'd as if you slept.
Sly. These fifteen years, by my fay, a goodly

nap.

+ Court-leet.

busband?

Sty. Are you my wife, and will not call me-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.

My men should call me-lord; I am your good

man.

Page. My husband and my lord, my lord and
husband;
I am your wife in all obedience.

Sly. I know it well :-What must I call her?
Lord. Madam.

Sly. Al'ce madam, or Joan madam ?
Lord. Madam, and nothing else; so lords call
ladies.

Sly. Madam wife, they say that I have dream 'd, and slept

Above some fifteen year and more.

Page. Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me; Being all this time abandon'd from your bed. Sly. 'Tis much ;- -Servants leave me and

her alone.Madam, undress you, and come now to bed.

No profit grows, where is no pleasure ta’en;—

Page. Thrice noble lord, let me entreat of In brief, Sir, study what you most affect.

(vi

Luc. Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou ad-
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 awhile: What company is this?

Tra. Master, some show to welcome us to
town.

you,

To pardon me yet for a night or two;
Or, if not so, until the sun be set:
For your physicians have expressly charg'd,
In peril to incur your former malady,
That I should yet absent me from your bed:
I hope, this reason stands for my excuse.

Sly. Ay, it stands so, that I may hardly tarry so long. But I would be loath to fall into my dreams again; I will therefore tarry in despite of the flesh and the blood.

Are come to play a pleasant comedy,
For so your doctors hold it very meet;
Seeing too much sadness hath congeal'd

Enter a SERVANT.

Bap. Gentlemen, impórtune me no further,

Serv. Your honour's players, hearing your For how I firmly am resolv'd you know; amendment, That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter, Before I have a husband for the elder: If either of you both love Katharina, your Because I know you well, and love you well, Leave shall you have to court her at your pica

blood,

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 commonty, a Christmas gambol, or a tumbling trick?

Tra. Mi perdonate, gentle master this,
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
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 abjur'd:
Talk logic with acquaintance that you have,
And practise rhetoric in your common talk :
Music and poesy use to quicken 3 you :
The mathematics, and the metaphysics,
Fall to them, as you find your stomach ses
you:

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: Coine, madam wife, sit by my side, and let the world slip; we shall ne'er be younger. [They sit down.

Enter BAPTISTA, KATHARINA, BIANCA, GRI

MIO, and HORTENSIO. LUTENTIO ONE TRAMO stand aside.

sure.

Gre. To cart her rather: She's too rough for

me:

There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife t Kath. I pray you, Sir, [To BAF.] is it your will

To make a stale of me amongst these mates !
Hor. Mates, maid! how mean you that fo
mates for you,
Unless you were of gentler, milder mould.
Kath. 'faith, Sir, you shall never need to fear;
I wis, it is not half way to her heart:
But, if it were, doubt not her care should be
To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool,
And paint your face, and use you like a fool.
Hor. From all such devils, good Lord, del-

ver us!

Gre. And me too, good Lord!

Tra. Hush, master! here is some good pas time toward;

ACT I.

SCENE 1.-Padua.-A public Place.
Enter LUCENTIO and TRANIO.
Luc. Tranio, since-for the great desire I had Peace, Tranio.
To see fair Padua, nursery of arts,-
I am arriv❜d for fruitful Lombardy,
The pleasant garden of great Italy;
And, by my father's love and leave, am arm'd
With his good will, and thy good company,
Most trusty servant, well approv'd in all;
Here let us breathe, and happily institute
A course of learning, and ingenious + studies.
Pisa, renowned for grave citizens,
Gave me my being, and my father first,
A merchant of great traflic through the world,
Vincentio, come of the Bentivolii.
Vincentio his son, brought up in Florence,
It shall become, to serve all hopes conceiv'd,
To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds:
And therefore Trauio, for the time I study,
Virtue, and that part of philosophy
Will I apply, that treats of happiness
By virtue 'specially to be achiev'd.

• For comedy.

+ Ingenuous.

That wench is stark mad, or wonderful froward.
Luc. But in the other's silence I do see
Maids' mild behaviour and sobriety.

Tra. Well said, master: mum! and gaze your fill.

Bap. Gentlemen, that I may soon make good
What I have said,-Bianca, get you in:
And let it not displease thee, good Bianca;
For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl.

Kath. A pretty peat !** 'tis best
Put finger in the eye,-an she knew why.

Bian. Sister, content you in my discontent.—
Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe:
My books and instrument shall be my company;
On them to look, and practise by myself.
Luc. Hark, Tranio ! thon may'st hear Minervi
speak.
Aste.
Hor. Signior Baptista, will you be so strange!
Sorry am I, that our good will effects
Bianca's grief.

• Small piece of water.

I Harsh rules.

A bait or decoy.