THE TAMING OF THE SHREW INDUCTION. SCENE I. Before an alehouse on a heath. Enter HOSTESS and SLY. Sly. I'll pheeze you, in faith. Host. A pair of stocks, you rogue ! Sly. Ye are a baggage: the Slys are no rogues; look in the chronicles; we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore paucas pallabris; let the world slide: sessa! Host. You will not pay for the glasses you have burst? Sly. No, not a denier. to thy cold bed, and warm I. pheese, chastise, pay off (a low word, only used elsewhere in Shakespeare by Ajax in Tr. and Cr.). 5. paucas pallabris, Sly's corruption of Spanish pocas palabras, few words,' 'silence!' a learned tag much affected by the pretentious vulgar. 'Palabras' is Dogberry's reproof to Verges (Much Ado, iii. 5.). 6. sessa, probably a cry encouraging to swift running. 9. denier, a coin of very small Go by, Jeronimy: go thee. value. 10 9. Go by, Jeronimy, a hackneyed scrap from Kyd's Spanish Tragedy, where the hero, Jeronymo, finding himself in a perilous situation, addresses himself nearly in these words. F1 has S. Jeronymy, probably through a misprint of S. for? (i.e. !). Delius thought Sly was meant to confuse Jeronymo with Saint Jerome, but this is unlikely. Go to thy cold bed, and warm thee, was a similar scrap. Host. I know my remedy; I must go fetch the third-borough. [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. [Falls asleep. Horns winded. Enter a Lord from hunting, Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well Brach Merriman, the poor cur is emboss'd; He cried upon it at the merest loss And twice to-day pick'd out the dullest scent: Lord. Thou art a fool: if Echo were as fleet, I would esteem him worth a dozen such. First Hun. I will, my lord. Lord. What's here? one dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe? Sec. Hun. He breathes, my lord. Were he not warm'd with ale, This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly. 12. third-borough, constable. 16. tender, care for. 17. Brach is probably wrong; leech, breathe, trash (i.e. hold in) have been variously proposed. 20 30 17. emboss'd, worn out. 18. brach, female hound. 23. cried upon it at the merest loss, found the scent when it seemed totally lost. Lord. O monstrous beast! how like a swine he lies! Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image! What think you, if he were convey'd to bed, A most delicious banquet by his bed, And brave attendants near him when he wakes, First Hun. Believe me, lord, I think he can- Sec. Hun. It would seem strange unto him when he waked. Lord. Even as a flattering dream or worthless Then take him up, and manage well the jest: And hang it round with all my wanton pictures: Say 'What is it your honour will command?' Full of rose-water and bestrew'd with flowers; And say 'Will't please your lordship cool your Some one be ready with a costly suit And ask him what apparel he will wear; 36. practise, play a trick. 40 50 60 57. diaper, a towel of fine linen. And that his lady mourns at his disease: This do and do it kindly, gentle sirs: First Hun. My lord, I warrant you we will play our part, As he shall think by our true diligence Lord. Take him up gently and to bed with him; [Some bear out Sly. A trumpet sounds. Belike, some noble gentleman that means, Re-enter Servingman. How now! who is it? Serv. An't please your honour, players That offer service to your lordship. Lord. Bid them come near. Lord. Do you intend to stay with me to-night? A Player. So please your lordship to accept our duty. Lord. With all my heart. This fellow I remember, Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son : 'Twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman so well: I have forgot your name; but, sure, that part Was aptly fitted and naturally perform'd. A Player. I think 'twas Soto that your honour means. Lord. 'Tis very true: thou didst it excellent. A Player. Fear not, my lord: we can contain Were he the veriest antic 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. [Exit one with the Players. Sirrah, go you to Barthol'mew my page, And see him dress'd in all suits like a lady: 85. gentlewoman; trisyllabic (géntlooman). 88. For A Player, the F and Q here substitute Sincklo, the name of a player in Shakespeare's company. 90. happy, opportune. 92. cunning, skill. 90 100 95. over-eyeing, witnessing. 97. merry passion, fit of merriment. 101. antic, buffoon, zany. 106. in all suits, in all points. C |