Because she brought stone jugs, and no seal'd quarts: Sometimes, you would call out for Cicely Hacket. Sly. Ay, the woman's maid of the house. 3 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! 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? Sly. Are you my wife, and will not call mehusband? 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? 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; alone.- -Servants, leave me and her Madam, undress you, and come now to bed. Page. Thrice noble lord, let me entreat of you, For your physicians have expressly charg'd, Sly. Ay, it stands so, that I may hardly tarry so long. But I would be loth to fall into my dreams again; I will therefore tarry, in despite of the flesh and the blood. Enter a Servant. Sero. Your honour's players, hearing your amendment, Are come to play a pleasant comedy, For so your doctors hold it very meet; Seeing too much sadness hath congeal'd your blood, Page. No, my good lord; it is more pleasing stuff. Sly. What, houshold 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. [They sit down. ACT I. SCENE I. PADUA. A PUBLIC PLACE. Enter Lucentio and 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, A merchant of great traffick through the world, Vincentio his son, brought up in Florence, I am in all affected as yourself; Glad that you thus continue your resolve, Talk logick with acquaintance that you have, Fall to them, as you find your stomach serves you: 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; But stay awhile: What company is this? Tra. Master, some show, to welcome us to town. Enter Baptista, Katharina, Bianca, Gremio, and Hortensio. Lucentio and Tranio stand aside. Bap. Gentlemen, impórtune me no further, For how I firmly am resolv'd 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. |