CHARACTERS IN THE INDUCTION To the Original Play of The Taming of a Shrew, entered on the Stationers' books in 1594, and printed in quarto in 1607. Valeria, servant to Aurelius. Sander, servant to Ferando. Phylotus, a merchant who personates the Duke. SCENE, Athens; and sometimes Ferando's Country House. TAMING OF THE SHREW. INDUCTION, SCENE I. Before an Alehouse on a Heath. Enter Hostess and SLY. Sly. I'LL pheese' you, in faith. Host. A pair of stocks, you rogue! Sly. Y'are a baggage; the Slies are no rogues; Look in the chronicles, we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore, paucas pallabris; let the world slide: Sessa !3 Host. You will not pay for the glasses you have burst ?4 Sly. No, not a denier: Go by, says Jeronimy;Go to thy cold bed, and warm thee.5 Host. I know my remedy, I must go fetch the thirdborough." I Beat or knock. 2 Few words. 3 Be quiet. 4 Broke. [Exit. 5 This line and the scrap of Spanish is used in burlesque from an old play called Hieronymo, or the Spanish Tragedy. An officer whose authority equals a constable. 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. [Lies down on the ground, and falls asleep. Wind Horns. Enter a Lord from hunting, with Huntsmen and Servants. Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds: Brach' Merriman,-the poor cur is emboss'd, 8 I would not lose the dog for twenty pound. 1 Hun. Why, Belman is as good as he, my lord; 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, 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 lies! Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image! Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man. What think you, if he were convey'd to bed, And brave attendants near him when he wakes, 1 Hun. Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose. 2 Hun. It would seem strange unto him when he wak'd. Lord. Even as a flattering dream, or worthless fancy. 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? Let one attend him with a silver bason, Full of rose-water, and bestrew'd with flowers; And say, Will't please your lordship cool your hands? Some one be ready with a costly suit, And ask him what apparel he will wear; $ Pitcher. |