Gracious sovereign, King. I am wrapp'd in dismal thinkings. Who hath for four or five removes 7, come short Vanquish'd thereto by the fair grace and speech King. [Reads.] Upon his many protestations to marry me, when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, he won me. Now is the count Rousillon a widower; his vows are forfeited to me, and my honour's paid to him. He stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I follow him to his country for justice: Grant it me, 0 king; in you it best lies; otherwise a seducer flourishes, and a poor maid is undone. DIANA CAPULET. Laf. I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll him for this, I'll none of him. King. The heavens have thought well on thee, Lafeu, To bring forth this discovery.-Seek these suitors:Go, speedily, and bring again the count. [Exeunt Gentleman, and some attendants. I am afeard, the life of Helen, lady, Was foully snatch'd. Count. Now, justice on the doers! Enter BERTRAM, guarded. King. I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to you, And that you fly them as you swear them lordship, Yet you desire to marry. What woman's that? Good my lord, Ask him upon his oath, if he does think King. What say'st thou to her? Count. He blushes, and 'tis it: Of six preceding ancestors, that gem Conferr'd by testament to the sequent issue, Hath it been ow'd and worn. This is his wife; That ring's a thousand proofs. King. Methought, you said, You saw one here in court could witness it. Dia. I did, my lord, but loath am to produce What of him? King. She hath that ring of yours. Ber. I think, she has: certain it is, I lik'd her. She knew her distance, and did angle for me, Madding my eagerness with her restraint, As all impediments in fancy's 4 course Are motives of more fancy; and, in fine, Her insuit coming with her modern grace 5, Subdued me to her rate: she got the ring; And I had that, which any inferior might At market-price have bought. Dia. I must be patient; You, that turn'd off a first so noble wife, Ber. I have it not. King. What ring was yours, I pray you? Dia. The same upon your finger. Sir, much like Not fearing the displeasure of your master, (Which, on your just proceeding, I'll keep off,) By him, and by this woman here, what know you? Par. So please your majesty, my master hath been an honourable gentleman; tricks he hath had in him, which gentlemen have. King. Come, come, to the purpose: Did he love this woman? Par. 'Faith, sir, he did love her; But how? King. Take her away. Dia. Because he's guilty, and he is not guilty; Par. He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a Beguiles the true office of mine eyes? woman. King. How is that? Par. He loved her, sir, and loved her not. King. As thou art a knave, and no knave: — What an equivocal companion is this? Par. I am a poor man, and at your majesty's command. Laf. He's a good drum my lord, but a naughty orator. Dia. Do you know, he promised me marriage? Par. 'Faith, I know more than I'll speak. King. But wilt thou not speak all thou know'st? Par. Yes, so please your majesty; I did go between them, as I said; but more than that, he loved her, for indeed he was mad for her, and talked of Satan, and of limbo, and of furies, and I know not what yet I was in that credit with them at that time, that I knew of their going to bed; and of other motions, as promising her marriage, and things that would derive me ill will to speak of, therefore I will not speak what I know. 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. King. Where did you buy it? or who gave it you? Dia. It was not given me, nor I did not buy it. King. Who lent it you? Dia. It was not lent me neither. King. Where did you find it then? I found it not King. If it were yours by none of all these ways, How could you give it him? Dia. 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. It might be yours or hers for aught I know. King. Take her away, I do not like her now; To prison with her, and away with him. Unless thou tell'st me where thou hadst this ring, Thou diest within this hour. Dia. I'll never tell you. Is't real, that I see? Both, both; O, pardon! I'll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly. Hel. If it appear not plain, and prove untrue, Deadly divorce step between me and you! O, my dear mother, do I see you living? Laf. Mine eyes smell onions, I shall weep anon: Good Tom Drum, [To PAROLLES.] lend me a handkerchief: So, I thank thee: wait on me home, I'll make sport with thee: Let thy courtesies alone, They are scurvy ones. SCENE, sometimes in PADUA; and sometimes in PETRUCHIO's House in the Country. INDUCTION. SCENE I. Before an Alehouse on a Heath. And couple Clowder with the deep-mouth'd brach. Lord. Thou art a fool; if Echo were as fieet, 1 Hun. I will, my lord. 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 Lord. Even as a flattering dream, or worthless fancy. Then take him up, and manage well the jest:- Say, What is it your honour will command? Full of rose-water, and bestrew'd with flowers; 1 Play. Fear not, my lord; we can contain ourselves, Were he the veriest antick 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 see him dress'd in all suits like a lady : 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 observ'd in noble ladies And say,- Will't please your lordship cool your Unto their lords, by them accomplished: 1 Hun. My lord, I warrant you, we'll play our No better than a poor and loathsome beggar: 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, 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. Moderation. And if the boy have not a woman's gift, [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; [Exeunt. SCENE II.- A Bedchamber in the Lord's House. Sly. For heaven's sake, a pot of small ale. 2 Serv. Will't please your honour taste of these conserves? 3 Serv. What raiment will your honour wear to-day? Sly. I am Christopher Sly; call not me-honour, nor lordship: I never 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 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-leather. Lord. Heaven cease this idle humour in your honour ! O, that a mighty man of such descent, R 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, am not bestraught 9; 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 your house, As beaten hence by your strange lunacy. [Musick. And twenty caged nightingales do sing: Say, thou wilt walk; we will bestrew the ground: 1 Serv. Say, thou wilt course; thy greyhounds are as swift 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 : Which seem to move and wanton with her breath, 3 Serv. Or Daphne, roaming through a thorny wood; Scratching her feet that one shall swear she bleeds: Lord. Thou art a lord, and nothing but a lord: 1 Serv. And, till the tears that she hath shed for thee, Sly. Am I a lord? and have I such a lady? 2 Serv. Will't please your mightiness to wash your hands? [Servants present an ewer, bason, and napkin. 9 Distracted. O, how we joy to see your wit restor❜d! 1 Serv. O, yes, my lord; but very idle words: - 3 Serv. Why, sir, you know no house, nor no such maid; 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. 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 goodman Page. My husband and my lord, my lord an. husband; I am your wife in all obedience. Sly. I know it well : — - What must I call her? Lord. Madam. Sly. Alice 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. Enter a Servant. Serv. Your honour's players, hearing your amendment, Are come to play a pleasant comedy. 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 tumblingtrick? |