Bion. You saw my master wink and laugh upon you? | Lac. Biondello, what of that? Bion. 'Faith nothing; but he has left me here behind, to expound the meaning or moral of his signs and tokens. Luc. I pray thee, moralize them. As those two eyes become that heavenly face?— Kath. Young budding virgin, fair, and fresh, and Bion. Then thus. Baptista is safe, talking with Whither away; or where is thy abode ? [sweet, the deceiving father of a deceitful son. Luc. And what of him? Happy the parents of so fair a child; Happier the man, whom favourable stars Bion. His daughter is to be brought by you to the Allot thee for his lovely bed-fellow! supper. Pet. Why, how now, Kate! I hope thou art not mad: This is a man, old, wrinkled, faded, wither'd; Luc. And then ?Bion. The old priest at Saint Luke's church is at And not a maiden, as thou say'st he is. your command at all hours. Luc. And what of all this? Bion. I cannot tell; except they are busied about a counterfeit assurance: Take your assurance of her, cum privilegio 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. [Going. Luc. Hear'st thou, Biondello? 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. Luc. I may, and will, if she be so contented: She will be pleas'd, then wherefore should I doubt? Hap what hap may, I'll roundly go about her; It shall go hard, if Cambio go without her. SCENE V.-A public Road. [Exit. Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, and HORTENSIO. Pet. Come on, o'God's name; once more toward our father's. Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon! Kath. I know it is. Pet. Nay, then you lie; it is the blessed sun. But sun it is not, when you say it is not; And so it shall be so, for Katharine. Hor. Petruchio, go thy ways; the field is won. And not unluckily against the bias.- [run, Enter VINCENTIO, in a travelling dress. Good morrow, gentle mistress: Where away?— [TO VINCENTIO. Tell me, sweet Kate, and tell me truly too, Hast thou beheld a fresher gentlewoman? Such war of white and red within her cheeks! What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty, Kath. Pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes, 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. [known Pet. Do, good old grandsire; and, withal, make 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 amaz'd me; My name is call'd-Vincentio: my dwelling-Pisa; 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. Vin. But is this true? or is it else your pleasure, Hor. I do assure thee, father, so it is. Pet. Come, go along, and see the truth hereof; For our first merriment hath made thee jealous. [Exeunt PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, & VINCENTIo. Hor. Well, Petruchio, this hath put me in heart. Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward.[Exit. Have to my widow; and if she be forward, ACT V. SCENE I.-Padua. Before Lucentio's House. Enter on one side BIONDELLO, LUCENTIO, and BIANCA: GREMIO walking on the other side. 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 then come back to my master as soon as I can. [Exeunt LUCENTIO, BIANCA, and BIONDELLO. Gre. I marvel Cambio comes not all this while. Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, VINCENTIO, and 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. 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 Vincentio, Vin. Lucentio! O, he hath murdered his master! -Lay hold on him, I charge you, in the duke's Ped. What's he, that knocks as he would beat name:-O, my son, my son !-tell me, thou villain, down the gate? Vin. Is signior Lucentio within, sir? Ped. Keep your hundred pounds to yourself; he shall need none, so long as I live. Pet. Nay, I told you, your son was beloved in Padua.-Do you hear, sir?-to leave frivolous circumstances, I pray you, tell signior Lucentio, that his father is come from Pisa, and is here at the door to speak with him. Ped. Thou liest; his father is come from Pisa, and here looking out at the window. Vin. Art thou his father? Vin. Come hither, crack-hemp. Bion. I hope, I may choose, sir. Vin. Come, hither, you rogue; What, have forgot me ? you Bion. Forgot you? no, sir: I could not forget you, for I never saw you before in all my life. Vin. What, you notorious villain, didst thou never see 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. Bion. Help, help, help! here's a madman will murder me. [Exit. Ped. Help, son! help, signior Baptista! [Exit, from the window. Pet. Pr'ythee, Kate, let's stand aside, and see the end of this controversy. [They retire. Re-enter Pedant below; BAPTISTA, TRANIO, & Servants. Tra. Sir, what are you, that offer to beat my servant? 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. Tra. How now! what's the matter? Tra. Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your habit, but your words shew you a madman: Why, sir, what concerns it you, if I wear pearl and gold? I thank my 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? Vin. His name? as if I knew not his name : where is my son, Lucentio ? 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. Bap. Talk not, signior Gremio; I say, he shall go to prison. catched in this business; I dare swear, this is the Gre. Take heed, signior Baptista, lest you be coneyright Vincentio. Ped. Swear, if thou darest. 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. Vin. Thus strangers may be haled and abus'd.-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. Lives my sweetest son? [BIONDELLO, TRANIO, and Pedant run out. [Kneeling. How hast thou offended! Vin. Luc. Vin. I'll slit the villain's nose, that would have sent me to the gaol. Bap. But do you hear, sir? [To LUCENTIO.] Have you married my 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 Lvc. and BIAN. Gre. My cake is dough: but I'll in among the rest; Out of hope of all,-but my share of the feast. [Exit. PETRUCHIO and KATHARINA advance. 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? 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. SCENE II.-A room in Lucentio's House. A Banquet set out. Enter BAPTISTA, VINCENTIO, Pet. You are sensible, and yet you miss my sense; I mean, Hortensio is afeard of you. Wid. He that is giddy thinks the world turns round. Kath. Mistress, how mean you that? Wid. Thus I conceive by him. Pet. Conceives by me!-How likes Hortensio that? Hor. My widow says, thus she conceives her tale. Pet. Very well mended: Kiss him for that, good widow. [round: Kath. He that is giddy, thinks the world turns Hor. To her, widow! Pet. Spoke like an officer:-Ha' to thee, lad. Pet. Nay, that you shall not; since you have begun, 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:You are welcome all. [Er. BIAN., KATH., & Widow. Pet. She hath prevented me.-Here, signior Tranio, 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. 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? 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. 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? Luc. Twenty crowns. Ay, and a kind one too : Pray God, sir, your wife send you not a worse. Pet. I hope, better. Hor. Sirrah, Biondello, go, and entreat my wife To come to me forthwith. [Exit BIONDELLO. O, ho! entreat her! Pet. Nay, then she must needs come. I am afraid, sir, Bion. She says, you have some goodly jest in hand; She will not come; she bids you come to her. Intolerable, not to be endur'd! Sirrah, Grumio, go to your mistress; [Exit GRUMIO. She will not come. Pet. The fouler fortune mine, and there an end. Enter KATHARINA. Bap. Now, by my holidame, here comes Katharina! 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: Away, I say, and bring them hither straight. [Exit KATHARINA. And, to be short, what not, that's sweet and happy. S Unto their losses twenty thousand crowns! Re-enter KATHARINA, with BIANCA and Widow. Bian. Fye! 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. Pet. Katharine, I charge thee, tell these head. strong 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. Pet. I say, she shall ;-and first begin with her. A woman mov'd is like a fountain troubled, Of this play the two plots are so well united, that they can hardly be called two without injury to the art with which they are interwoven. The attention is entertained with all the variety of a double plot, yet is not distracted by unconnected incidents, While 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. Such duty as the subject owes the prince, Even such a woman oweth to her husband: And when she's froward, peevish, sullen, sour, And not obedient to his honest will, What is she, but a foul contending rebel, And graceless traitor to her loving lord ?— I am asham'd, 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. 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! 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,That seeming to be most, which we least are. Then vail your stomachs, for it is no boot; And place your hands before your husband's foot: In token of which duty, if he please, My hand is ready, may it do him ease. [me, Kate. Pet. Why, there's a wench!-Come on, and kiss 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 : 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 KATHARINE. Hor. Now go thy ways, thou hast tam'd a curst shrew. Luc. 'Tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be tam'd so. [Exeunt. The part between Katharine and Petruchio is eminently sprightly and diverting. At the marriage of Bianca the arrival of the real father, perhaps, produces more perplexity than pleasure. The whole play is very popular and diverting.-JOHNSON " THE first edition of this play is that of the Players, the folio of 1623. It could not have been written before 1610, as we find from the office-book of Sir Henry Herbert, that it was licensed by Sir George Buck, who did not till that year get full possession of the office of Master of the Revels, which he had obtained by a reversionary grant: neither could the comedy have been produced later than 1613, when it was performed at Court. The plot is taken from the Pleasant History of Dorastus and Fawnia, written by Thomas Green. The poet has changed the names of the characters, and added the parts of Antigonus, Paulina, and Autolycus; he has also suppressed many circumstances of the original story; in other respects he has adhered closely to the novel. The error of representing Bohemia as a maritime country is not attributable to our author, but to the original from which he copied. Ben Jonson, in a conver sation with Drummond of Hawthornden, in 1619, remarking on this geographical mistake, observed that " Shakspeare wanted art and sometimes sense, for in one of his plays he brought in a number of men, saying they had suffered ship wreck in Bohemia, where is no sea near by a hundred miles " This remark, which was uttered in the course of private conversation, without the slightest suspicion of its ever being made public, and which was so well justified by the example that he adduced to support it, has been quoted as another instance in proof of Jonson's enmity to Shakspeare, Jonson only professes to love Shakspeare," on this side idolatry," to admire his excellences without being blinded to his defects: the incorrectness mentioned is decidedly a great fault, bat there is no malignity or undue severity expressed by the manner in which it is censured. Mr. Walpole has a ridiculous conjecture that The Winter's Tale is an historical play, that it was intended as a covert compliment to Queen Elizabeth, that it is designed as a supplement to Henry the Eighth, and that Leontes represents the bluff monarch, Hermione, Anne Bullen, Perdita, Queen Elizabeth, and Mamillius an elder brother of hers, who was still-born. The Title of this play," says Schlegel," answers admirably to its subject. It is one of those histories which appear framed to delight the idleness of a long evening." 64 ledge: we cannot with such magnificence-in so rare -I know not what to say.— We will give you sleepy drinks; that your senses, unintelligent of our insufficience, may, though they cannot praise us, as little accuse us. Cam. You pay a great deal too dear, for what's given freely. Arch. Believe me, I speak as my understanding instructs me, and as mine honesty puts it to utterance. Cam. Sicilia cannot shew himself over-kind to Bohemia. They were trained together in their childhoods; and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection, which cannot choose but branch now. Since their more mature dignities, and royal necessities. made separation of their society, their encounters, though not personal, have been royally attornied, with interchange of gifts, letters, loving embassies; that they have seemed to be together, though absent; shook hands as over a vast; and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. The heavens continue their loves! Arch. I think, there is not in the world either malice, or matter, to alter it. You have an unspeakable comfort of your young prince Mamillius; it is a gentleman of the greatest promise, that ever came into my note. him: It is a gallant child; one that, indeed, physics Cam. I very well agree with you in the hopes of the subject, makes old hearts fresh; they, that went on crutches ere he was born, desire yet their life, to see him a man. Arch. Would they else be content to die? Cam. Yes; if there were no other excuse why they should desire to live. Arch. If the king had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same.-A Room of State in the Palace. Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, CAMILLO, and Attendants. Arch. If you shall chance, Camillo, to visit Bohemia, on the like occasion whereon my services are now on foot, you shall see, as I have said, great dif- Pol. Nine changes of the wat'ry star have been ference betwixt our Bohemia, and your Sicilia. The shepherd's note, since we have left our throne Cam. I think, this coming summer, the king of Si-Without a burden: time as long again cilia means to pay Bohemia the visitation which he justly owes him. Arch. Wherein our entertainment shall shame us, we will be justified in our loves: for, indeed,Cam. 'Beseech you, Arch. Verily, I speak it in the freedom of my know. Would be fill'd up, my brother, with our thanks; Go hence in debt: And therefore, like a cipher, |