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Don J. That's a lie.

Don F. And trusty,

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[Aside. Which nature and the liberal world make custom; And nothing but fair honour! dear honour! sweet

Beyond your wishes; valiant to defend,
And modest to converse with as your blushes.
Don J. Modest to converse with! Here's a fellow!
Now may I hang myself: this commendation
Has broke the neck of all my hopes; for now
Must I cry, "No, forsooth!" and " Ay, forsooth!"
And "Truly, as I live!" and "As I am honest!"
He's done these things on purpose; for he knows,
Like a most envious rascal as he is,

I am not honest this way. Oh! the traitor!
He has watch'd his time. I shall be quit with him.

1 Con. Sir, I credit you. Don F. Go, salute her, John.

[Aside.

Don J. Plague o' your commendations! [Aside. 1 Con. Sir, I shall now desire to be a trouble. Don J. Never to me, sweet lady. Thus I seal My faith, and all my services. [Kisses her hand. [To Don F.

1 Con. One word, signior.
Don J. What a hand the rogue has! softer than
down,

And whiter than the lily; and then, her eyes!
What points she at? my leg, I warrant; or
My well-knit body: sit fast, Don Frederick.

Don F. 'Twas given him by that gentleman, You took such care of, his own being lost i'the scuffle.

Lone, 1 Con. With much joy may he wear it! 'tis a right I can assure you, gentlemen; and right happy May he be in all fights for that noble service. Don F. Why do you blush?

1 Con. It had almost cozen'd me.

For, not to lie, when I saw that, I look'd for
Another owner of it. But 'tis well.

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Don J. And so am I, Frederick; but what of
Fie upon thee! a man of thy discretion!
[in;
That I was trusty and valiant, were things well put
But modest! a modest gentleman!
Oh! wit, wit! where wast thou?

Don F. It shall be mended;
And henceforth you shall have your due.
Re-enter ANTHONY

Don F. I look for't. How now, who is't?
Anth. A gentleman of this city,

And calls himself Petruchio.

Don J. Petruchio! I'll attend him.

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Don J. Ay, heaven knows, that we are all evil; Yet heaven forbid we should have our deserts. What is he?

1 Con. Too, too near to my offence, sir. Oh! he will cut me piece-meal!

Don F. "Tis no treason?

Don J. Let it be what it will, if he cut here, I'll find him cut-work.

Don F. He must buy you dear;

With more than common lives.

Don J. Fear not, nor weep not;

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Don F. How now?

Why, what's the matter, Landlady?

Land. What's the matter!

You use me decently among you, gentlemen.
Don F. Who has abus'd her? you, sir?
Land. Od's my witness!

I will not be thus treated, that I will not.
Anth. I gave her no ill language.
Land. Thou liest, sirrah!

Thou took'st me up at every word I spoke,
As I had been a maukin, a flirt gillian:

And thou think'st, because thou canst write and read,
Our noses must be under thee.

Don F. Dare you, sirrah?

[you:

Anth. Let but the truth be known, sir, I beseech She raves of wenches, and I know not what, sir. Land. Go to, thou know'st too well, thou wicked varlet!

Thou instrument of evil!

Anth. As I live, sir, she's ever thus, till dinner. Don F. Get you in, sir; I'll answer you anon. [Exit ANTHONY. Now to your grief: what is't? for I can guessLand. You may, with shame enough, Don Frederick, [on,

If there were shame amongst you: nothing thought But how you may abuse my house.

Don F. No more of these words;

Nor no more murm'rings, woman:

I did suspect your anger:

But turn it presently and handsomely,

And bear yourself discreetly to this lady;

For such a one there is, indeed.

Land. 'Tis well, sir!

[melancholies,

Don F. Leave off your devil's matins, and your Or we shall leave our lodgings.

Land. But, mine honour-
And 'twere not for mine honour-

Don F. Come, your honour,

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Nay, then, it is decreed, though hills were set on
And seas met seas to guard thee, I would through!
Land. Od's my witness! if you ruffle me, I'll
spoil your sweet face for you.
Don J. Oh! raptures, raptures!

Kissing her. She runs after him. What, will you hurt your own son? Land. Well, well! go, go to the door, there's a gentleman there would speak with you. Don J. Upon my life, Petruchio. Good, dear landlady, carry him into the dining-room, and I'll wait upon him presently.

Land. Well, Don John, the time will come that I shall be even with you.

Don J. I must begone about this business. Won't you go too, Frederick?

[Exit.

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1 Con. What, no way to divert this certain danger?

Don F. Impossible! their honours are engag'd.
1 Con. Then there must be murder, and I the
cause!

Which, gen'rous sir, I shall no sooner hear of,
Make all go less. Do, sir, for heaven's sake,
Than make one in't. You may, if you please, sir,
Let me request one favour.

Don F. It is granted.

1 Con. Your friend, sir, is, I find, too resolute, Too hot and fiery for the cause: as ever You did a virtuous deed, for honour's sake, Go with him, and allay him: your fair temper, And noble disposition, like wish'd showers, [else. May quench those eating fires, that would spoil all I see in him destruction. [ation.

Don F. I will do it: and it is a wise considerI'll after him, lady.

The old gentlewoman

Shall wait upon you; she is discreet and secret, And you may trust her in all points.

1 Con. You are noble.

Don F. And so I take my leave.

I hope, lady, a happy issue for all this.

1 Con. All heaven's care upon you, and my Expunk

prayers!

SCENE II.-Antonio's House.

Enter Surgeon and a Gentleman.

Gent. What symptoms do you find in him?
Surg. None, sir, dangerous, if he be ruled.
Gent. Why, what does he do?

Surg. Nothing that he should. First, he will let no liquor down but wine; and then, he has a fancy that he must be dressed always to the tune of John Dory.

Gent. How to the tune of John Dory?

He brought home one; I pity her that bore it. Some rich woman

(For wise I dare not call her) was the mother. For it was hung with jewels; the bearing cloth No less than crimson velvet.

1 Con. How?

Land. 'Tis true, lady.

1 Con. Was it a boy, too? Land. A brave boy!

1 Con. May I see it?

For there is a neighbour of mine, a gentlewoma
Has had a late mischance, which willingly

Surg. Why, he will have fiddlers, and make I would know further of; now if you please

them play and sing it to him all the while. Gent. An odd fancy, indeed!

Enter ANTONIO

Anto. Give me some wine.

Surg. I told you so-'Tis death, sir.

Anto. 'Tis a horse, sir. Dost thou think I shall recover with the help of barley-water only?

Gent. Fie, Antonio, you must be governed. Anto. Why, sir, he feeds me with nothing but rotten roots, and drowned chickens, stewed pericraniums and pia-maters; and when I go to bed, (by heaven 'tis true, sir) he rolls me up in lints, with labels at them, that Í am just the man in the almanack; my head and face is in Aries' place.

Surg. Will it please you to let your friends see you opened?

Anto. Will it please you, sir, to give me a brimmer? I feel my body open enough for that. Give it me, or I'll die upon thy hand, and spoil thy eus

tom

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canst thou cure me?

Surg. In forty days.

Anto. I'll have a dog shall lick me whole in twenty. In how long a time canst thou kill me? Surg. Presently.

Anto. Do it; that's the shorter, and there's more delight in it.

Gent. You must have patience.

Anto. Man, I must have business; this foolish fellow hinders himself; I have a dozen rascals to hurt within these five days. Good man-mender, stop me up with parsley like stuffed beef, and let me walk abroad, and let me be dressed to that warlike tune, John Dory.

Surg. You shall walk shortly.

Anto. I will walk presently, sir, and leave your salads there, your green salves and your oils; I'll to my old diet again, strong food and rich wine, and see what that will do.

Surg. Well, go thy ways, thou art the maddest old fellow I ever met with! [Exeunt severally.

SCENE III-Don FREDERICK's lodging.

Enter First CONSTANTIA and Landlady. 1 Con. I have told all I can, and more than yet These gentlemen know of me, ever trusting Your concealment-but are they such strange

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To be so courteous to me-
Land. You shall see it:

[know 'em! But what do you think of these men, now you Be wise, or you may repent too late. I tell y But for your own good, and as you will find in 1 Con. I am advised.

Land. No more words then; do that,
And instantly, I told you of; be ready:
Don John, I'll fit you for your frumps.
1 Con. I will, dame:
But shall I see this child?

Land. Within this half hour.

Let's in, and then think better.

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up this way. Petr. So he does.

Don J. Stand you still,

Within that covert, till I call: You, Frederick,
By no means be not seen, unless they offer
To bring on odds upon us: He comes forward ·
Here will I wait him fairly: To your places.
Petr. I need no more instruct you
Don J. Fear me not.

[PETRUCHIO and FREDERICK retire. Enter DUKE and his Party. Duke. Feed the hawks up,

We'll fly no more to-day. Oh, my blest fortune, Have I so fairly met the man!

Don J. You have, sir; And him you know by this.

Duke. Sir, all the honour,

And love

[Shearing his hot.

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And out of hearing, I command ye: Now, sir, Be plain.

Dom J. I will, and short,

You have wronged a gentleman beyond all justice, Beyond the mediation of all friends.

Ďuke. The man, and manner of wrong?

Don J. Petruchio is the man;

The wrong is, you have dishonour'd his sister.

Duke. Now, stay you, sir,

[loved;

And hear me a little. This gentleman's
Sister, that you have named, 'tis true I have long
As true, I have possess'd her: No less truth,
I have a child by her. But that she, or he,
Or any of that family, are tainted;
Suffer disgrace or ruin by my pleasures,
I wear a sword to satisfy the world, no,
And him in this case when pleases; for know, sir,
She is my wife, contracted before heaven;
(A witness I owe more tie to than her brother)
Nor will I fly from that name, which long since
Had had the church's seal and approbation,
But for his jealous nature.

Don J. Sir, your pardon;

And all that was my anger, now my service.

[we

Duke. Fair sir, I knew I should convert you; had

But that rough man here now too

Don J. You shall, sir.

What, hoa, hoa!

Duke. I hope you have laid no ambush ?

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[all's well.

Don J. Why, the man has his mare again, and The Duke professes freely he's her husband. Don F. Tis a good hearing.

Don J. Yes, for modest gentlemen;

I must present you-May it please your grace,
To number this brave gentleman, my friend,
And noble kinsman, among these your servants.
He is truly valiant, and modest to converse with.
Duke. Oh, my brave friend! you shower your
bounties on me.

[ber
Amongst thy best thoughts, signior, in which num-
You being worthily disposed already,
May freely place your friend.

[brother,

Don. F. Your grace honours me. Petr. Why, this is wond'rous happy. But now, Now comes the bitter to our sweet: Constantia ! Duke. Why, what of her?

Petr. Nor what, nor where do I know: [ledge, Wing'd with her fears, last night, beyond my knowShe quit my house, but whither

Don. F. Let not that

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Enter FRANCISCO and a Man.

[Exeunt.

Fran. This is the maddest mischief: never fool was so fobbed off as I am, made ridiculous, and to myself mine own ass; trust a woman! I'll trust the devil first, for he dares be better than his word sometimes. Pray tell me, in what observance have I ever failed her?

Man. Nay, you can tell that best yourself.
Fran. Let us consider.

Enter Don FREDERICK and Don JOHN.
Don F. Let them talk, we'll go on before.
Fran. Where didst thou meet Constantia, and
this woman?

Don F. Constantia! what are these fellows? Stay by all means. [They listen. Man. Why, sir, I met her in that great street that comes from the market-place, just at the turning by a goldsmith's shop.

Don F. Stand still, John.

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Man, I heard her grave conductress twattle

Duke. No more, good sir, I have heard too much. something as they went along, that makes me guess it.

Petr. Nay, sink not,

She cannot be so lost.

Don J. Nor shall not, gentlemen;

Be free again, the lady's found: That smile, sir, Shows you distrust your servant.

Duke. I do beseech you.

[safe.

Don J. You shall believe me; by my soul, she's
Duke. Heaven knows I would believe, sir.
Don F. You may safely.

Don J. And under noble usage: This modest gentlemanSpeak, Frederick.

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