The Taming of a Shrew

A Pleasant conceited Historie , called The Taming of a Shrew . Enter a Tapster , beating out of his doores Slie Droonken . Tapster . YOu whorson droonken slaue , you had best be gone , And empty your droonken panch some where else For in this house thou shalt not rest to night . Exit Tapster . Slie . Tilly vally , by crisee Tapster I le fese you anon . Fils the tother pot and all s paid for , looke you I doo drinke it of mine owne Instegation , Omne bene Heere I le lie a while , why Tapster I say , Fils a fresh cushen heere . Heigh ho , heer s good warme lying . He fals asleepe . Enter a Noble man and his men from hunting . Lord . Now that the gloomie shaddow of the night , Longing to view Orions drisling lookes , Leapes from th' antarticke World vnto the skie And dims the Welkin with her pitchie breath , And darkesome night oreshades the christall heauens , Here breake we off our hunting for to night , Cupple vppe the hounds and let vs hie vs home , And bid the huntsman see them meated well , For they haue all deseru'd it well to daie , But soft , what sleepie fellow is this lies heere ? Or is he dead , see one what he dooth lacke ? Seruingman . My lord , t is nothing but a drunken sleepe , His head is too heauie for his bodie , And he hath drunke so much that he can go no furder . Lord . Fie , how the slauish villaine stinkes of drinke . Ho , sirha arise . What so sound asleepe ? Go take him vppe and beare him to my house , And beare him easilie for feare he wake , And in my fairest chamber make a fire , And set a sumptuous banquet on the boord , And put my richest garmentes on his backe , Then set him at the Table in a chaire : When that is doone against he shall awake , Let heauenlie musicke play about him still , Go two of you awaie and beare him hence , And then I le tell you what I haue deuisde , But see in any case you wake him not . Exeunt two with Slie . Now take my cloake and giue me one of yours , Al fellowes now , and see you take me so , For we will waite vpon this droonken man , To see his countnance when he dooth awake And finde himselfe clothed in such attire , With heauenlie musicke sounding in his eares , And such a banquet set before his eies , The fellow sure will thinke he is in heauen , But we will be about him when he wakes , And see you call him Lord , at euerie word , And offer thou him his horse to ride abroad , And thou his hawkes and houndes to hunt the deere , And I will aske what sutes he meanes to weare , And what so ere he saith , see you doo not laugh , But still perswade him that he is a Lord . Enter one . Mes. And it please your honour your plaiers be com And doo attend your honours pleasure here . Lord . The fittest time they could haue chosen out , Bid one or two of them come hither straight , Now will I fit my selfe accordinglie , For they shall play to him when he awakes . Enter two of the players with packs at their backs , and a boy . Now sirs , what store of plaies haue you ? San. Marrie my lord you maie haue a Tragicall Or a comoditie , or what you will . The other .

A Comedie thou shouldst say , souns thout shame vs all .

Lord .

And what s the name of your Comedie ?

San. Marrie my lord t is calde The taming of a shrew : T is a good lesson for vs my lord , for vs y are maried men Lord . The taming of a shrew , that s excellent sure , Go see that you make you readie straight , For you must play before a lord to night , Say you are his men and I your fellow , Hee s something foolish , but what so ere he saies , See that you be not dasht out of countenance . And sirha go you make you ready straight , And dresse your selfe like some louelie ladie , And when I call see that you come to me , For I will say to him thou art his wife , Dallie with him and hug him in thine armes , And if he desire to goe to bed with thee , Then faine some scuse and say thou wilt anon . Be gone I say , and see thou doost it well . Boy . Feare not my Lord , I le dandell him well enough And make him thinke I loue him mightilie . Ex. boy . Lord . Now sirs go you and make you ready to , For you must play assoone as he dooth wake . San. O braue , sirha Tom , we must play before A foolish Lord , come let s go make vs ready , Go get a dishclout to make cleane your shooes , And I le speake for the properties , My Lord , we must Haue a shoulder of mutton for a propertie , And a little vinegre to make our Diuell rore . Lord .

Very well : sirha see that they want nothing .

Exeunt omnes . Enter two with a table and a banquet on it , and two other , with Slie asleepe in a chaire , richlie apparelled , & the musick plaieng . One . So : sirha now go call my Lord , And tel him that all things is ready as he wild it . Another . Set thou some wine vpon the boord And then I le go fetch my Lord presentlie . Exit . Enter the Lord and his men . Lord .

How now , what is all thinges readie ?

One .

I my Lord .

Lord . Then sound the musick , and I le wake him straight , And see you doo as earst I gaue in charge . My lord , My lord , he sleepes soundlie : My lord . Slie .

Tapster , gis a little small ale . Heigh ho ,

Lord .

Heer s wine my lord , the purest of the grape .

Slie .

For which Lord ?

Lord .

For your honour my Lord .

Slie .

Who I , am I a Lord ? Iesus what fine apparell haue I got .

Lord . More richer farre your honour hath to weare , And if it please you I will fetch them straight . Wil. And if your honour please to ride abroad , I le fetch you lustie steedes more swift of pace Then winged Pegasus in all his pride , That ran so swiftlie ouer the Persian plaines . Tom. And if your honour please to hunt the deere , Your hounds stands readie cuppeld at the doore , Who in running will oretake the Row , And make the long breathde Tygre broken winded . Slie . By the masse I thinke I am a Lord indeed , What s thy name ? Lord .

Simon and it please your honour .

Slie . Simon , that s as much to say Simion or Simon Put foorth thy hand and fill the pot . Giue me thy hand , Sim . am I a lord indeed ? Lord . I my gratious Lord , and your louelie ladie Long time hath moorned for your absence heere , And now with ioy behold where she dooth come To gratulate your honours safe returne . Enter the boy in Womans attire . Slie .

Sim . Is this she ?

Lord .

I my Lord .

Slie .

Masse t is a prettie wench , what s her name ?

Boy . Oh that my louelie Lord would once vouchsafe To looke on me , and leaue these frantike fits , Or were I now but halfe so eloquent , To paint in words what i le performe in deedes , I know your honour then would pittie me . Slie . Harke you mistresse , wil you eat a peece of bread , Come sit downe on my knee , Sim drinke to hir Sim , For she and I will go to bed anon . Lord . May it please you , your honors plaiers be come To offer your honour a plaie . Slie .

A plaie Sim , O braue , be they my plaiers ?

Lord .

I my Lord .

Slie .

Is there not a foole in the plaie ?

Lord .

Yes my lord .

Slie .

When wil they plaie Sim ?

Lord .

Euen when it please your honor , they be readie .

Boy .

My lord I le go bid them begin their plaie .

Slie .

Doo , but looke that you come againe .

Boy .

I warrant you my lord , I wil not leaue you thus .

Exit boy . Slie . Come Sim , where be the plaiers ? Sim stand by Me and wee le flout the plaiers out of their cotes . Lord .

I le cal them my lord . Hoe where are you there ?

Sound Trumpets . Enter two yoong Gentlemen , and a man and a boie . Pol. Welcome to Athens my beloued friend , To Platoes schooles and Aristotles walkes , Welcome from Cestus famous for the loue Of good Leander and his Tragedie , For whom the Helespont weepes brinish teares , The greatest griefe is I cannot as I would Giue entertainment to my deerest friend . Aurel. Thankes noble Polidor my second selfe , The faithfull loue which I haue found in thee Hath made me leaue my fathers princelie court , The Duke of Cestus thrise renowmed seate , To come to Athens thus to find thee out , Which since I haue so happilie attaind , My fortune now I doo account as great As earst did Caesar when he conquered most , But tell me noble friend where shal we lodge , For I am vnacquainted in this place . Poli. My Lord if you vouchsafe of schollers fare , My house , my selfe , and all is yours to vse , You and your men shall staie and lodge with me . Aurel. With all my hart , I will requite thy loue , Enter Simon , Alphonsus , and his three daughters . But staie ; what dames are these so bright of hew Whose eies are brighter then the lampes of heauen , Fairer then rocks of pearle and pretious stone , More louelie farre then is the morning sunne , When first she opes hir orientall gates . Alfon. Daughters be gone , and hie you to the church , And I will hie me downe vnto the key , To see what Marchandise is come a shore . Ex. Omnes . Pol. Why how now my Lord , what in a dumpe , To see these damsels passe away so soone ? Aurel. Trust me my friend I must confesse to thee , I tooke so much delight in these faire dames , As I doo wish they had not gone so soone , But if thou canst , resolue me what they be , And what old man it was that went with them , For I doo long to see them once againe . Pol. I cannot blame your honor good my lord , For they are both louely , wise , faire and yong , And one of them the yoongest of the three I long haue lou'd ( sweet friend ) and she lou'd me , But neuer yet we could not find a meanes How we might compasse our desired ioyes . Aurel.

Why , is not her father willing to the match ?

Pol. Yes trust me , but he hath solemnlie sworne , His eldest daughter first shall be espowsde , Before he grauntes his yoongest leaue to loue , And therefore he that meanes to get their loues , Must first prouide for her if he will speed , And he that hath her shall be fettred so , As good be wedded to the diuell himselfe , For such a skould as she did neuer liue , And till that she be sped none else can speed , Which makes me thinke that all my labours lost , And whosoere can get hir firme good will , A large dowrie he shall be sure to haue , For her father is a man of mightie wealth , And an ancient Cittizen of the towne , And that was he that went along with them . Aurel. But he shall keepe hir still by my aduise , And yet I needs must loue his second daughter The image of honor and Nobilitie , In whose sweet person is comprisde the somme Of natures skill and heauenlie maiestie . Pol. I like your choise , and glad you chose not mine , Then if you like to follow on your loue , We must deuise a meanes and find some one That will attempt to wed this deuilish skould , And I doo know the man . Come hither boy , Go your waies sirha to Ferandoes house , Desire him take the paines to come to me , For I must speake with him immediatlie . Boy .

I will sir , and fetch him presentlie .

Pol. A man I thinke will fit hir humor right , As blunt in speech as she is sharpe of toong , And he I thinke will match hir euerie waie , And yet he is a man of wealth sufficient , And for his person worth as good as she , And if he compasse hir to be his wife , Then may we freelie visite both our loues . Aurel. O might I see the center of my soule Whose sacred beautie hath inchanted me , More faire then was the Grecian Helena For whose sweet sake so many princes dide , That came with thousand shippes to Tenedos , But when we come vnto hir fathers house , Tell him I am a Marchants sonne of Cestus , That comes for traffike vnto Athens heere , And heere sirha I will change with you for once , And now be thou the Duke of Cestus sonne , Reuell and spend as if thou wert my selfe , For I will court my loue in this disguise . Val. My lord , how if the Duke your father should By some meanes come to Athens for to see How you doo profit in these publike schooles , And find me clothed thus in your attire , How would he take it then thinke you my lord ? Aurel. Tush feare not Valeria let me alone , But staie , heere comes some other companie . Enter Ferando and his man Saunders with a blew coat . Pol.

Here comes the man that I did tel you of .

Feran. Good morrow gentlemen to all at once . How now Polidor , what man still in loue ? Euer wooing and canst thou neuer speed , God send me better luck when I shall woo . San.

I warrant you maister and you take my councell .

Feran.

Why sirha , are you so cunning ?

San. Who I , t were better for you by fiue marke And you could tel how to doo it as well as I . Pol. I would thy maister once were in the vaine , To trie himselfe how he could woe a wench . Feran.

Faith I am euen now a going .

San.

I faith sir , my maisters going to this geere now .

Pol.

Whither in faith Ferando , tell me true .

Feran. To bonie Kate , the patientst wench aliue The diuel himselfe dares scarce venter to woo her , Signior Alfonsos eldest daughter , And he hath promisde me six thousand crownes If I can win her once to be my wife , And she and I must woo with skoulding sure , And I will hold hir too t till she be wearie , Or else I le make her yeeld to graunt me loue . Pol. How like you this Aurelius , I thinke he knew Our mindes before we sent to him , But tell me , when doo you meane to speake with her ? Feran. Faith presentlie , doo you but stand aside , And I will make her father bring hir hither , And she , and I , and he , will talke alone . Pol. With al our heartes , Come Aurelius Let vs be gone and leaue him heere alone . Exit . Feran.

Ho Signiour Alfonso , whos 's within there ?

Alfon. Signiour Ferando your welcome hartilie , You are a stranger sir vnto my house . Harke you sir , looke what I did promise you I le performe , if you get my daughters loue . Feran. Then when I haue talkt a word or two with hir , Doo you step in and giue her hand to me , And tell her when the marriage daie shal be , For I doo know she would be married faine , And when our nuptiall rites be once performde Let me alone to tame hir well enough , Now call her foorth that I may speake with hir . Enter Kate . Alfon. Ha Kate , Come hither wench & list to me , Vse this gentleman friendlie as thou canst . Feran.

Twentie good morrowes to my louely Kate .

Kate .

You iest I am sure , is she yours alreadie ?

Feran.

I tell thee Kate I know thou lou'st me well .

Kate .

The deuill you doo , who told you so ?

Feran. My mind sweet Kate doth say I am the man , Must wed , and bed , and marrie bonnie Kate . Kate .

Was euer seene so grose an asse as this ?

Feran.

I , to stand so long and neuer get a kisse .

Kate . Hands off I say , and get you from this place ; Or I wil set my ten commandments in your face . Feran. I prethe doo kate ; they say thou art a shrew , And I like thee the better for I would haue thee so . Kate .

Let go my hand , for feare it reach your eare .

Feran.

No kate , this hand is mine and I thy loue .

Kate .

In faith sir no the woodcock wants his taile .

Feran.

But yet his bil wil serue , if the other faile .

Alfon.

How now Ferando , what saies my daughter ?

Feran.

Shee s willing sir and loues me as hir life .

Kate .

T is for your skin then , but not to be your wife .

Alfon. Come hither Kate and let me giue thy hand To him that I haue chosen for thy loue , And thou to morrow shalt be wed to him . Kate . Why father , what do you meane to do with me , To giue me thus vnto this brainsick man , That in his mood cares not to murder me ? She turnes aside and speakes . But yet I will consent and marrie him , For I methinkes haue liude too long a maid , And match him to , or else his manhoods good . Alfon. Giue me thy hand Ferando loues thee wel , And will with wealth and ease maintaine thy state . Here Ferando take her for thy wife , And sunday next shall be your wedding day . Feran. Why so , did I not tell thee I should be the man Father , I leaue my louelie Kate with you , Prouide your selues against our mariage daie , For I must hie me to my countrie house In hast , to see prouision may be made , To entertaine my Kate when she dooth come . Alfon. Doo so , come Kate , why doost thou looke So sad , be merrie wench thy wedding daies at hand . Sonne fare you well , and see you keepe your promise . Exit Alfonso and Kate . Feran.

So , all thus farre goes well . Ho Saunder .

Enter Saunder laughing . San. Sander , I faith your a beast , I crie God hartilie Mercie , my harts readie to run out of my bellie with Laughing , I stood behind the doore all this while , And heard what you said to hir . Feran.

Why didst thou think that I did not speake wel to hir ?

San. You spoke like an asse to her , I le tel you what , And I had been there to haue woode hir , and had this Cloke on that you haue , I hud haue had her before she Had gone a foot furder , and you talke of Woodcocks with her , and I cannot tell you what . Feran.

Wel sirha , & yet thou seest I haue got her for all this .

San. I marry t was more by hap then any good cunning I hope shee le make you one of the head men of the parish shortly . Feran. Wel sirha leaue your iesting and go to Polidors house , The yong gentleman that was here with me , And tell him the circumstance of all thou knowst , Tell him on sunday next we must be married , And if he aske thee whither I am gone , Tell him into the countrie to my house , And vpon sundaie I le be heere againe . Ex. Ferando , San. I warrant you Maister feare not me For dooing of my businesse . Now hang him that has not a liuerie cote To slash it out and swash it out amongst the proudest On them . Why looke you now I le scarce put vp Plaine Saunder now at any of their handes , for and any Bodie haue any thing to doo with my maister , straight They come crouching vpon me , I beseech you good M. Saunder speake a good word for me , and then am I so Stout and takes it vpon me , & stands vpon my pantoflles To them out of all crie , why I haue a life like a giant Now , but that my maister hath such a pestilent mind To a woman now a late , and I haue a prettie wench To my sister , and I had thought to haue preferd my Maister to her , and that would haue beene a good Deale in my waie but that hee s sped alreadie . Enter Polidors boie . Boy .

Friend , well met .

San. Souns , friend well met . I hold my life he sees Not my maisters liuerie coat , Plaine friend hop of my thum , kno you who we are . Boy . Trust me sir it is the vse where I was borne , To salute men after this manner , yet notwithstanding If you be angrie with me for calling of you friend , I am the more sorie for it , hoping the stile Of a foole will make you amends for all . San. The slaue is sorie for his fault , now we cannot be Angrie , wel what s the matter that you would do with vs . Boy .

Marry sir , I heare you pertain to signior Ferando .

San.

I and thou beest not blind thou maist see , Ecce signum , heere .

Boy .

Shall I intreat you to doo me a message to your Maister ?

San.

I , it may be , & you tel vs from whence you com .

Boy .

Marrie sir I serue yong Polidor your maisters friend .

San.

Do you serue him , and what s your name ?

Boy .

My name sirha , I tell thee sirha is cald Catapie .

San.

Cake and pie , O my teeth waters to haue a peece of thee .

Boy .

Why slaue wouldst thou eate me ?

San.

Eate thee , who would not eate Cake and pie ?

Boy . Why villaine my name is Catapie , But wilt thou tell me where thy maister is . San. Nay thou must first tell me where thy maister is , For I haue good newes for him , I can tell thee . Boy .

Why see where he comes .

Enter Polidor , Aurelius and Valeria . Pol. Come sweet Aurelius my faithfull friend , Now will we go to see those louelie dames Richer in beawtie then the orient pearle , Whiter then is the Alpine Christall mould , And farre more louelie then the terean plant , That blushing in the aire turnes to a stone . What Sander , what newes with you ? San. Marry sir my maister sends you word That you must come to his wedding to morrow . Pol.

What , shall he be married then ?

San.

Faith I , you thinke he standes as long about it as you doo .

Pol.

Whither is thy maister gone now ?

San. Marrie hee s gone to our house in the Countrie , To make all thinges in a readinesse against my new Mistresse comes thither , but hee le come againe to morrowe . Pol. This is suddainlie dispatcht belike , Well , sirha boy , take Saunder in with you And haue him to the buttrie presentlie . Boy .

I will sir : come Saunder .

Exit Saunder and the Boy . Aurel. Valeria as erste we did deuise , Take thou thy lute and go to Alfonsos house , And say that Polidor sent thee thither . Pol. I Valeria for he spoke to me , To helpe him to some cunning Musition , To teach his eldest daughter on the lute , And thou I know will fit his turne so well As thou shalt get great fauour at his handes , Begon Valeria and say I sent thee to him . Valer

I will sir and stay your comming at Alfonsos house .

Exit Valeria Pol. Now sweete Aurelius by this deuise Shall we haue leisure for to courte our loues , For whilst that she is learning on the lute , Hir sisters may take time to steele abrode , For otherwise she le keep them both within , And make them worke whilst she hir selfe doth play , But come let s go vnto Alfonsos house , And see how Valeria and Kate agreese , I doute his Musick skarse will please his skoller , But stay here comes Alfonso . Enter Alfonso Alfonso . What M. Polidor you are well mett , I thanke you for the man you sent to me , A good Musition I thinke he is , I haue set my daughter and him togither , But is this gentellman a frend of youres ? Pol. He is , I praie you sir bid him welcome , He 's a wealthie Marchants sonne of Cestus . Alfonso . Your welcom sir and if my house aforde You any thing that may content your mind , I pray you sir make bold with me . Aurel. I thanke you sir , and if what I haue got , By marchandise or trauell on the seas , Sattins or lawnes or azure colloured silke , Or pretious firie pointed stones of Indie , You shall command both them my selfe and all . Alfon. Thanks gentle sir , Polidor take him in , And bid him welcome to vnto my house , For thou I thinke must be my second sonne , Ferando , Polidor doost thou not know Must marry Kate , and to morrow is the day . Pol.

Such newes I heard , and I came now to know .

Alfon. Polidor t is true , goe let me alone , For I must see against the bridegroome come , That all thinges be according to his mind , And so I le leaue you for an houre or two . Exit . Pol. Come then Aurcleus come in with me , And wee le go sit a while and chat with them , And after bring them foorth to take the aire . Exit . Then Slie speakes . Slie .

Sim , when will the foole come againe ?

Lord .

Hee le come againe my Lord anon .

Slie . Gis some more drinke here , souns where s The Tapster , here Sim eate some of these things . Lord .

So I doo my Lord .

Slie .

Here Sim , I drinke to thee .

Lord .

My Lord heere comes the plaiers againe ,

Slie .

O braue , heer s two fine gentlewomen .

Enter Valeria with a Lute and Kate with him . Vale. The sencelesse trees by musick haue bin moou'd And at the sound of pleasant tuned strings , Haue sauage beastes hung downe their listning heads , As though they had beene cast into a trance . Then it may be that she whom nought can please , With musickes sound in time may be surprisde , Come louely mistresse will you take your lute , And play the lesson that I taught you last ? Kate . It is no matter whether I doo or no , For trust me I take no great delight in it . Vale. I would sweet mistresse that it laie in me , To helpe you to that thing that s your delight . Kate . In you with a pestlence , are you so kind ? Then make a night cap of your fiddles case , To warme your head , and hide your filthie face . Val. If that sweet mistresse were your harts content , You should command a greater thing then that , Although it were ten times to my disgrace . Kate . Your so kind t were pittie you should be hang'd , And yet methinkes the foole dooth looke asquint . Val.

Why mistresse doo you mocke me ?

Kate .

No , but I meane to moue thee .

Val.

Well , will you plaie a little ?

Kate .

I , giue me the Lute .

She plaies . Val.

That stop was false , play it againe .

Kate .

Then mend it thou , thou filthy asse .

Val.

What , doo you bid me kisse your arse ?

Kate . How now iack sause , your a iollie mate , Your best be still least I crosse your pate , And make your musicke flie about your eares , I le make it and your foolish coxcombe meet . She offers to strike him with the lute . Val.

Hold mistresse , souns wil you breake my lute ?

Kate . I on thy head , and if thou speake to me , There take it vp and fiddle somewhere else , She throwes it downe . And see you come no more into this place , Least that I clap your fiddle on your face . Ex. Kate . Val. Souns , teach hir to play vpon the lute ? The deuill shal teach her first , I am glad shee s gone , For I was neare so fraid in all my life , But that my lute should flie about mine eares , My maister shall teach her his selfe for me , For I le keepe me far enough without hir reach , For he and Polydor sent me before To be with her and teach her on the lute , Whilst they did court the other gentlewomen , And heere methinkes they come togither . Enter Aurelius , Polidor , Emelia , and Philena . Pol.

How now Valeria , whear s your mistresse ?

Val.

At the vengeance I thinke and no where else .

Aurel.

Why Valeria , will she not learne apace ?

Val. Yes berlady she has learnt too much already , And that I had felt had I not spoke hir faire , But she shall neare be learnt for me againe . Aurel. Well Valeria go to my chamber , And beare him companie that came to daie From Cestus , where our aged father dwels . Ex. Valeria . Pol. Come faire Emelia my louelie loue , Brighter then the burnisht pallace of the sunne , The eie-sight of the glorious firmament , In whose bright lookes sparkles the radiant fire , Wilie Prometheus slilie stole from Ioue , Infusing breath , life , motion , soule , To euerie obiect striken by thine eies . Oh faire Emelia I pine for thee , And either must enioy thy loue , or die . Eme. Fie man , I know you will not die for loue : Ah Polidor thou needst not to complaine , Eternall heauen sooner be dissolude , And all that pearseth Phebus siluer eie , Before such hap befall to Polidor . Pol. Thanks faire Emelia for these sweet words , But what saith Phylena to hir friend ? Phyle.

Why I am buying marchandise of him .

Aurel. Mistresse you shall not need to buie of me , For when I crost the bubling Canibey , And sailde along the Cristall Helispont , I filde my cofers of the wealthie mines , Where I did cause Millions of labouring Moores To vndermine the cauernes of the earth , To seeke for strange and new found pretious stones , And diue into the sea to gather pearle , As faire as Iuno offered Priams sonne , And you shall take your liberall choice of all . Phyle. I thanke you sir and would Phylena might In any curtesie requite you so , As she with willing hart could well bestow . Enter Alfonso . Alfon.

How now daughters , is Ferando come ?

Eme.

Not yet father , I wonder he staies so long .

Alfon.

And where s your sister that she is not heere ?

Phyle. She is making of hir readie father To goe to church and if that he were come . Pol.

I warrant you hee le not be long awaie .

Alfon. Go daughters get you in , and bid your Sister prouide her selfe against that we doo come , And see you goe to church along with vs . Exit Philena and Emelia . I maruell that Ferando comes not away . Pol. His Tailor it may be hath bin too slacke , In his apparrell which he meanes to weare , For no question but some fantasticke sutes He is determined to weare to day , And richly powdered with pretious stones , Spotted with liquid gold , thick set with pearle , And such he meanes shall be his wedding sutes . Alfon. I carde not I what cost he did bestow , In gold or silke , so he himselfe were heere , For I had rather lose a thousand crownes , Then that he should deceiue vs heere to daie , But soft I thinke I see him come . Enter Ferando baselie attired , and a red cap on his head . Feran. Godmorow father , Polidor well met , You wonder I know that I haue staid so long . Alfon. I marrie son , we were almost perswaded , That we should scarse haue had our bridegroome heere , But say , why art thou thus basely attired ? Feran. Thus richlie father you should haue said , For when my wife and I am married once , Shee s such a shrew , if we should once fal out , Shee le pul my costlie sutes ouer mine eares , And therefore am I thus attired awhile , For manie thinges I tell you 's in my head , And none must know thereof but Kate and I , For we shall liue like lammes and Lions sure , Nor lammes to Lions neuer was so tame , If once they lie within the Lions pawes As Kate to me if we were married once , And therefore come let vs to church presently . Pol. Fie Ferando not thus atired for shame , Come to my Chamber and there sute thy selfe , Of twentie sutes that I did neuer were . Feran. Tush Polidor I haue as many sutes Fantasticke made to fit my humor so As any in Athens and as richlie wrought As was the Massie Robe that late adornd , The stately legate of the Persian King , And this from them haue I made choise to weare . Alfon. I prethie Ferando let me intreat Before thou goste vnto the church with vs , To put some other sute vpon thy backe . Feran. Not for the world if I might gaine it so , And therefore take me thus or not at all , Enter Kate . But soft se where my Kate doth come , I must salute hir : how fares my louely Kate ? What art thou readie ? shall we go to church ? Kate . Not I with one so mad , so basely tirde , To marrie such a filthie slauish groome , That as it seemes sometimes is from his wits , Or else he would not thus haue come to vs . Feran. Tush Kate these words addes greater loue in me And makes me thinke thee fairrer then before , Sweete Kate the louelier then Dianas purple robe , Whiter then are the snowie Apenis , Or icie haire that groes on Boreas chin . Father I sweare by Ibis golden beake , More faire and Radiente is my bonie Kate , Then siluer Zanthus when he doth imbrace , The ruddie Simies at Idas feete , And care not thou swete Kate how I be clad , Thou shalt haue garments wrought of Median silke , Enchast with pretious Iewells fecht from far , By Italian Marchants that with Russian stemes , Plous vp huge sorrowes in the Terren Maine , And better farre my louely Kate shall weare , Then come sweet loue and let vs to the church , For this I sweare shall be my wedding sute . Exeunt omnes . Alfon. Come gentlemen go along with vs , For thus doo what we can he will be wed . Exit . Enter Polidors boy and Sander . Boy .

Come hither sirha boy .

San. Boy ; oh disgrace to my person , souns boy Of your face , you haue many boies with such Pickadeuantes I am sure , souns would you Not haue a bloudie nose for this ? Boy . Come , come , I did but iest , where is that Same peece of pie that I gaue thee to keepe . San. The pie ? I you haue more minde of your bellie Then to go see what your maister dooes . Boy . Tush t is no matter man I prethe giue it me , I am verie hungry I promise thee . San. Why you may take it and the deuill burst You with it , one cannot saue a bit after supper , But you are alwaies readie to munch it vp . Boy . Why come man , we shall haue good cheere Anon at the bridehouse , for your maisters gone to Church to be married alreadie , and thear s Such cheere as passeth . San. O braue , I would I had eate no meat this week , For I haue neuer a corner left in my bellie To put a venson pastie in , I thinke I shall burst my selfe With eating , for I le so cram me downe the tarts And the marchpaines , out of all crie . Boy . I , but how wilt thou doo now thy maisters Married , thy mistresse is such a deuill , as shee le make Thee forget thy eating quickly , shee le beat thee so . San. Let my maister alone with hir for that , for Hee le make hir tame wel inough ere longe I warent thee For he 's such a churle waxen now of late that and he be Neuer so little angry he thums me out of all crie , But in my minde sirra the yongest is a verie Prettie wench , and if I thought thy maister would Not haue hir I de haue a flinge at hir My selfe , I le see soone whether t will be a match Or no : and it will not I le set the matter Hard for my selfe I warrant thee . Boy . Sounes you slaue will you be a Riuall with My maister in his loue , speake but such Another worde and I le cut off one of thy legges . San. Oh , cruell iudgement , nay then sirra , My tongue shall talke no more to you , marry my Timber shall tell the trustie message of his maister , Euen on the very forehead on thee , thou abusious Villaine , therefore prepare thy selfe . Boy . Come hither thou Imperfecksious slaue in Regard of thy beggery , holde thee there 's Two shillings for thee ? to pay for the Healing of thy left legge which I meane Furiously to inuade or to maime at the least . San. O supernodicall foule ? well I le take your two shillinges but I le barre striking at legges . Boy .

Not I , for I le strike any where .

San. Here here take your two shillings again I le see thee hangd ere I le fight with thee , I gat a broken shin the other day , T is not , whole yet and therefore I le not fight Come come why should we fall out ? Boy . Well sirray your faire words hath something Alaied my Coller : I am content for this once To put it vp and be frends with thee , But soft see where they come all from church , Belike they be Married allredy . Enter Ferando and Kate and Alfonso and Polidor and Emelia and Aurelius and Philema . Feran. Father farwell , my Kate and I must home , Sirra go make ready my horse presentlie . Alfon. Your horse ! what son I hope you doo but iest , I am sure you will not go so suddainly . Kate . Let him go or tarry I am resolu'de to stay , And not to trauell on my wedding day . Feran. Tut Kate I tell thee we must needes go home , Villaine hast thou saddled my horse ? San.

Which horse , your curtall ?

Feran. Sounes you slaue stand you prating here ? Saddell the bay gelding for your Mistris . Kate

Not for me : for I le not go .

San. The ostler will not let me haue him , you owe ten pence For his meate , and 6 pence for stuffing my mistris saddle . Feran.

Here villaine go pay him straight .

San.

Shall I giue them another pecke of lauender .

Feran.

Out slaue and bring them presently to the dore

Alfon.

Why son I hope at least you le dine with vs .

San.

I pray you maister let s stay till dinner be don .

Feran. Sounes villaine art thou here yet ? Ex. Sander . Come Kate our dinner is prouided at home . Kate . But not for me , for here I meane to dine . I le haue my will in this as well as you , Though you in madding mood would leaue your frends Despite of you I le tarry with them still . Feran. I Kate so thou shalt but at some other time , When as thy sisters here shall be espousd , Then thou and I will keepe our wedding day , In better sort then now we can prouide , For here I promise thee before them all , We will ere long returne to them againe , Come Kate stand not on termes we will awaie , This is my day , to morrow thou shalt rule , And I will doo what euer thou commandes . Gentlemen farwell , we le take our leues , It will be late before that we come home . Exit Ferando and Kate . Pol.

Farwell Ferando since you will be gone .

Alfon.

So mad a cupple did I neuer see .

Emel .

They 're euen as well macht as I would wish .

Phile. And yet I hardly thinke that he can tame her . For when he has don she will do what she list . Aurel.

Her manhood then is good I do beleeue .

Pol. Aurelius or else I misse my marke , Her toung will walke if she doth hold her handes , I am in dout ere halfe a month be past He le curse the priest that married him so soone , And yet it may be she will be reclaimde , For she is verie patient grone of late . Alfon. God hold it that it may continue still , I would be loth that they should disagree , But he I hope will holde her in a while . Pol. Within this two daies I will ride to him , And see how louingly they do agree . Alfon. Now Aurelius what say you to this , What haue you sent to Cestus as you said , To certifie your father of your loue , For I would gladlie he would like of it , And if he be the man you tell to me , I gesse he is a Marchant of great wealth . And I haue seene him oft at Athens here , And for his sake assure thee thou art welcome . Pol.

And so to me whilest Polidor doth liue .

Aurel. I find it so right worthie gentlemen , And of what worth your frendship I esteme , I leue censure of your seuerall thoughts , But for requitall of your fauours past , Rests yet behind , which when occasion serues I vow shal be remembred to the full , And for my fathers comming to this place , I do expect within this weeke at most . Alfon. Inough Aurelieus ? but we forget Our Marriage dinner now the bride is gon , Come let vs se what there they left behind . Exit Omnes Enter Sanders with two or three seruing men San. Come sirs prouide all thinges as fast as you can , For my Masters hard at hand and my new Mistris And all , and he sent me before to see all thinges redy . Tom. Welcome home Sander sirra how lookes our New Mistris they say she 's a plagie shrew . San. I and that thou shalt find I can tell thee and thou Dost not please her well , why my Maister Has such a doo with hir as it passeth and he 's euen like a madman . Will .

Why Sander what dos he say .

San. Why I le tell you what : when they should Go to church to be maried he puts on an olde Ierkin and a paire of canuas breeches downe to the Small of his legge and a red cap on his head and he Lookes as thou wilt burst thy selfe with laffing When thou seest him : he 's ene as good as a Foole for me : and then when they should go to dinner He made me Saddle the horse and away he came . And nere tarried for dinner and therefore you had best Get supper reddy against they come , for They be hard at hand I am sure by this time . Tom.

Sounes see where they be all redy .

Enter Ferando and Kate . Feran. Now welcome Kate : wher 'es these villains Here , what ? not supper yet vppon the borde : Nor table spred nor nothing don at all , Where s that villaine that I sent before . San.

Now , adsum , sir .

Feran. Come hether you villaine I le cut your nose , You Rogue : helpe me of with my bootes : wilt please You to lay the cloth ? sounes the villaine Hurts my foote ? pull easely I say ; yet againe . He beates them all . They couer the bord and fetch in the meate . Sounes ? burnt and skorcht who drest this meate ? Will . Forsouth Iohn cooke . He throwes downe the table and meate and all , and beates them . Feran. Go you villaines bringe you me such meate , Out of my sight I say and beare it hence , Come Kate we le haue other meate prouided , Is there a fire in my chamber sir ? San.

I forsooth .

Exit Ferando and Kate . Manent seruingmen and eate vp all the meate . Tom. Sounes ? I thinke of my conscience my Masters Mad since he was maried . Will . I laft what a boxe he gaue Sander For pulling of his bootes . Enter Ferando againe . San.

I hurt his foote for the nonce man .

Feran. Did you so you damned villaine . He beates them all out againe . This humor must I holde me to a while , To bridle and hold backe my headstrong wife , With curbes of hunger : ease : and want of sleepe , Nor sleepe nor meate shall she inioie to night , I le mew her vp as men do mew their hawkes , And make her gentlie come vnto the lure , Were she as stuborne or as full of strength As were the Thracian horse Alcides tamde , That King Egeus fed with flesh of men , Yet would I pull her downe and make her come As hungry hawkes do flie vnto there lure . Exit . Enter Aurelius and Valeria . Aurel. Valeria attend : I haue a louely loue , As bright as is the heauen cristalline , As faire as is the milke white way of Ioue , As chast as Phoebe in her sommer sportes , As softe and tender as the asure downe , That circles Cithereas siluer doues . Her do I meane to make my louely bride , And in her bed to breath the sweete content , That I thou knowst long time haue aimed at . Now Valeria it rests in thee to helpe To compasse this , that I might gaine my loue , Which easilie thou maist performe at will , If that the marchant which thou toldst me of , Will as he sayd go to Alfonsos house , And say he is my father , and there with all Pas ouer certaine deedes of land to me , That I thereby may gaine my hearts desire , And he is promised reward of me . Val. Feare not my Lord I le fetch him straight to you , For he le do any thing that you command , But tell me my Lord , is Ferando married then ? Aurel. He is : and Polidor shortly shall be wed , And he meanes to tame his wife erelong . Vale.

He saies so .

Aurel.

Faith he 's gon vnto the taming schoole .

Val.

The taming schoole ; why is there such a place ?

Aurel.

I : and Ferando is the Maister of the schoole .

Val.

That s rare : but what decorum dos he vse ?

Aurel. Faith I know not : but by som odde deuise Or other , but come Valeria I long to see the man , By whome we must comprise our plotted drift , That I may tell him what we haue to doo . Val.

Then come my Lord and I will bring you to him straight .

Aurel.

Agreed , then let s go .

Exeunt Enter Sander and his Mistres . San.

Come Mistris .

Kate . Sander I prethe helpe me to some meate , I am so faint that I can scarsely stande . San. I marry mistris but you know my maister Has giuen me a charge that you must eate nothing , But that which he himselfe giueth you . Kate .

Why man thy Maister needs neuer know it .

San. You say true indede : why looke you Mistris , What say you to a peese of beeffe and mustard now ? Kate .

Why I say t is excellent meate , canst thou helpe me to some ?

San. I , I could helpe you to some but that I doubt the mustard is too collerick for you , But what say you to a sheepes head and garlick ? Kate .

Why any thing , I care not what it be .

San. I but the garlike I doubt will make your breath stincke , and then my Maister will course me for letting You eate it : But what say you to a fat Capon ? Kate . That s meate for a King sweet Sander helpe Me to some of it . San. Nay berlady then t is too deere for vs , we must Not meddle with the Kings meate . Kate Out villaine dost thou mocke me , Take that for thy sawsinesse . She beates him . San. Sounes are you so light fingerd with a murrin , I le keepe you fasting for it this two daies . Kate . I tell thee villaine I le tear the flesh of Thy face and eate it and thou prates to me thus . San.

Here comes my Maister now he le course you .

Enter Ferando with a peece of meate vppon his daggers point and Polidor with him . Feran. Se here Kate I haue prouided meate for thee , Here take it : what is t not worthie thankes , Goe sirra ? take it awaie againe you shall be Thankefull for the next you haue . Kate

Why I thanke you for it .

Feran. Nay now t is not worth a pin go sirray and take It hence I say . San. Yes sir I le Carrie it hence : Maister let her Haue none for she can fight as hungrie as she is . Pol. I pray you sir let it stand , for I le eate Some with her my selfe . Feran.

Well sirra set it downe againe .

Kate . Nay nay I pray you let him take it hence , And keepe it for your owne diete for I le none , I le nere be beholding to you for your Meate , I tell thee flatlie here vnto the thy teethe Thou shalt not keepe me nor feede me as thou list , For I will home againe vnto my fathers house . Feran. I , when you 'r meeke and gentell but not Before , I know your stomack is not yet come downe , Therefore no maruell thou canste not eate , And I will goe vnto your Fathers house , Come Polidor let vs goe in againe , And Kate come in with vs I know ere longe , That thou and I shall louingly agree . Ex. Omnes Enter Aurelius Valeria and Phylotus the Marchant . Aurel. Now Senior Phylotus , we will go Vnto Alfonsos house , and be sure you say As I did tell you , concerning the man That dwells in Cestus , whose son I said I was , For you doo very much resemble him , And feare not : you may be bold to speake your mind . Phylo. I warrant you sir take you no care , I le vse my selfe so cunning in the cause , As you shall soone inioie your harts delight . Aurel. Thankes sweet Phylotus , then stay you here , And I will go and fetch him hither straight . Ho , Senior Alfonso : a word with you . Enter Alfonso . Alfon. Whos 's there ? what Aurelius what s the matter That you stand so like a stranger at the doore ? Aurel. My father sir is newly come to towne , And I haue brought him here to speake with you , Concerning those matters that I tolde you of , And he can certefie you of the truth . Alfon.

Is this your father ? you are welcome sir .

Phylo. Thankes Alfonso , for that s your name I gesse , I vnderstand my son hath set his mind And bent his liking to your daughters loue , And for because he is my only son , And I would gladly that he should doo well , I tell you sir , I not mislike his choise , If you agree to giue him your consent , He shall haue liuing to maintaine his state , Three hundred poundes a yeere I will assure To him and to his heyres , and if they do ioyne , And knit themselues in holy wedlock bande , A thousand massie in gots of pure gold , And twise as many bares of siluer plate , I freely giue him , and in writing straight , I will confirme what I haue said in wordes . Alfon. Trust me I must commend your liberall mind , And louing care you beare vnto your son , And here I giue him freely my consent , As for my daughter I thinke he knowes her mind , And I will in large her dowrie for your sake . And solemnise with ioie your nuptiall rites , But is this gentleman of Cestus too ? Aurel. He is the Duke of Cestus thrise renowned son , Who for the loue his honour beares to me : Hath thus accompanied me to this place . Alfonso . You weare to blame you told me not before , Pardon me my Lord , for if I had knowne Your honour had bin here in place with me , I would haue donne my dutie to your honour . Val. Thankes good Alfonso : but I did come to see When as these marriage rites should be performed , And if in these nuptialls you vouchsafe , To honour thus the prince of Cestus frend , In celebration of his spousall rites , He shall remaine a lasting friend to you , What saies Aurelius father . Phylo. I humbly thanke your honour good my Lord , And ere we parte before your honor here : Shall articles of such content be drawne , As twixt our houses and posterities , Eternallie this league of peace shall last , Inuiolat and pure on either part : Alfonso . With all my heart , and if your honour please , To walke along with vs vnto my house , We will confirme these leagues of lasting loue . Val.

Come then Aurelius I will go with you .

Ex. omnes . Enter Ferando and Kate and Sander . San. Master the haberdasher has brought my Mistresse home her cappe here . Feran.

Come hither sirra : what haue you there ?

Habar .

A veluet cappe sir and it please you .

Feran.

Who spoake for it ? didst thou Kate ?

Kate . What if I did , come hither sirra , giue me The cap , I le see if it will fit me . She sets it one hir head . Feran. O monstrous : why it becomes thee not , Let me see it Kate : here sirra take it hence , This cappe is out of fashion quite . Kate The fashion is good inough : belike you , Meane to make a foole of me . Feran. Why true he meanes to make a foole of thee , To haue thee put on such a curtald cappe , sirra begon with it . Enter the Taylor with a gowne . San.

Here is the Taylor too with my Mistris gowne .

Feran. Let me see it Taylor : what with cuts and iagges ? Sounes you villaine , thou hast spoiled the gowne . Taylor . Why sir I made it as your man gaue me direction , You may reade the note here . Feran.

Come hither sirra : Taylor reade the note .

Taylor .

Item a faire round compast cape .

San.

I that s true .

Taylor .

And a large truncke sleeue .

San.

That s a lie maister , I sayd two truncke sleeues .

Feran.

Well sir goe forward .

Tailor .

Item a loose bodied gowne .

San. Maister if euer I sayd loose bodies gowne , Sew me in a seame and beate me to death , With a bottome of browne thred . Tailor .

I made it as the note bad me .

San. I say the note lies in his throate and thou too , And thou sayst it . Taylor .

Nay nay nere be so hot sirra , for I feare you not .

San. Doost thou heare Taylor , thou hast braued Many men : braue not me . Thou 'st faste many men . Taylor .

Well sir .

San. Face not me I le nether be faste nor braued At thy handes I can tell thee . Kate . Come come I like the fashion of it well enough , Here s more a do then needs I le haue it , And if you do not like it hide your eies , I thinke I shall haue nothing by your will . Feran.

Go I say and take it vp for your maisters vse .

San. Souns : villaine not for thy life touch it not , Souns , take vp my mistris gowne to his Maisters vse ? Feran.

Well sir : what s your conceit of it .

San. I haue a deeper conceite in it then you thinke for , take vp my Mistris gowne To his maisters vse ? Feran. Tailor come hether : for this time take it Hence againe , and I le content thee for thy paines . Taylor .

I thanke you sir .

Exit Taylor . Feran. Come Kate we now will go see thy fathers house Euen in these honest meane abilliments , Our purses shall be rich , our garments plaine , To shrowd our bodies from the winter rage , And that s inough , what should we care for more . Thy sisters Kate to morrow must be wed , And I haue promised them thou shouldst be there The morning is well vp let s hast away , It will be nine a clocke ere we come there . Kate . Nine a clock , why t is allreadie past two In the after noone by all the clocks in the towne . Feran.

I say t is but nine a clock in the morning .

Kate .

I say t is tow a clock in the after noone .

Feran. It shall be nine then ere we go to your fathers , Come backe againe , we will not go to day . Nothing but crossing of me still , I le haue you say as I doo ere you go . Exeunt omnes . Enter Polidor , Emelia , Aurelius and Philema . Pol. Faire Emelia sommers sun bright Queene , Brighter of hew then is the burning clime , Where Phoebus in his bright aequator sits , Creating gold and pressious minneralls , What would Emelia doo ? if I were forst To leaue faire Athens and to range the world . Eme. Should thou assay to scale the seate of loue , Mounting the suttle ayrie regions Or be snacht vp as erste was Ganimed , Loue should giue winges vnto my swift desires , And prune my thoughts that I would follow thee , Or fall and perish as did Icarus . Aurel. Sweetly resolued faire Emelia , But would Phylema say as much to me , If I should aske a question now of thee , What if the duke of Cestus only son , Which came with me vnto your fathers house , Should seeke to git Phylemas loue from me , And make thee Duches of that stately towne , Wouldst thou not then forsake me for his loue ? Phyle. Not for great Neptune , no nor Ioue himselfe , Will Phylema leaue Aurelius loue , Could he install me Empres of the world , Or make me Queene and guidres of the heauens , Yet would I not exchange thy loue for his , Thy company is poore Philemas heauen , And without thee , heauen were hell to me . Eme. And should my loue as erste did Hercules Attempt to passe the burning valtes of hell , I would with piteous lookes and pleasing wordes , As once did Orpheus with his harmony , And rauishing sound of his melodious harpe , Intreate grim Pluto and of him obtaine , That thou mightest go and safe retourne againe . Phyle. And should my loue as earst Leander did , Attempte to swimme the boyling helispont For Heros loue : no towers of brasse should hold But I would follow thee through those raging flouds , With lockes disheuered and my brest all bare , With bended knees vpon Abidas shoore , I would with smokie sighes and brinish teares , Importune Neptune and the watry Gods , To send a guard of siluer scaled Dolphyns , With sounding Tritons to be our conuoy , And to transport vs safe vnto the shore , Whilst I would hang about thy louely necke , Redoubling kisse on kisse vpon thy cheekes , And with our pastime still the swelling waues . Eme. Should Polidor as great Achilles did , Onely imploy himselfe to follow armes , Like to the warlike Amazonian Queene , Pentheselea Hectors paramore , Who foyld the bloudie Pirrhus murderous greeke , I le thrust my selfe amongst the thickest throngs , And with my vtmost force assist my loue . Phyle. Let Eole storme : be mild and quiet thou , Let Neptune swell , be Aurelius calme and pleased , I care not I , betide what may betide , Let fates and fortune doo the worst they can , I recke them not : they not discord with me , Whilst that my loue and I do well agree . Aurel. Sweet Phylema bewties mynerall , From whence the sun exhales his glorious shine , And clad the heauen in thy reflected raies , And now my liefest loue , the time drawes nie , That Himen mounted in his saffron robe , Must with his torches waight vpon thy traine , As Hellens brothers on the horned Moone , Now Iuno to thy number shall I adde , The fairest bride that euer Marchant had . Pol. Come faire Emelia the preeste is gon , And at the church your father and the reste , Do stay to see our marriage rites performde , And knit in sight of heauen this Gordian knot . That teeth of fretting time may nere vntwist , Then come faire loue and gratulate with me , This daies content and sweet solemnity . Ex. Omnes Slie

Sim must they be married now ?

Lord .

I my Lord .

Enter Ferando and Kate and Sander . Slie .

Looke Sim the foole is come againe now .

Feran. Sirra go fetch our horsses forth , and bring Them to the backe gate presentile . San.

I will sir I warrant you ,

Exit Sander . Feran.

Come Kate the Moone shines cleere to night methinkes .

Kate . The moone ? why husband you are deceiud It is the sun . Feran. Yet againe : come backe againe it shall be The moone ere we come at your fathers . Kate .

Why I le say as you say it is the moone .

Feran.

Iesus saue the glorious moone .

Kate .

Iesus saue the glorious moone .

Feran. I am glad Kate your stomack is come downe , I know it well thou knowest it is the sun , But I did trie to see if thou wouldst speake , And crosse me now as thou hast donne before , And trust me kate hadst thou not named the moone , We had gon back againe as sure as death , But soft whos 's this that s comming here . Enter the Duke of Cestus alone . Duke . Thus all alone from Cestus am I come , And left my princelie courte and noble traine , To come to Athens , and in this disguise , To see what course my son Aurelius takes , But stay , here s some it may be Trauells thether , Good sir can you derect me the way to Athens ? Ferando speakes to the olde man . Faire louely maide yoong and affable , More cleere of hew and far more beautifull , Then pretious Sardonix or purple rockes , Of Amithests or glistering Hiasinthe , More amiable farre then is the plain , Where glistring Cepherus in siluer boures , Gaseth vpon the Giant Andromede , Sweet Kate entertaine this louely woman . Duke .

I thinke the man is mad he calles me a woman .

Kate . Faire louely lady , bright and Christalline , Bewteous and stately as the eie-traind bird , As glorious as the morning washt with dew , Within whose eies she takes her dawning beames , And golden sommer sleepes vpon thy cheekes , Wrap vp thy radiations in some cloud , Least that thy bewty make this stately towne , Inhabitable like the burning Zone , With sweet reflections of thy louely face . Duke . What is she mad to ? or is my shape transformd , That both of them perswade me I am a woman , But they are mad sure , and therefore I le begon , And leaue their companies for fear of harme , And vnto Athens hast to seeke my son . Exit Duke . Feran. Why so Kate this was friendly done of thee , And kindly too : why thus must we two liue , One minde , one heart , and one content for both , This good old man dos thinke that we are mad , And glad he is I am sure , that he is gonne , But come sweet Kate for we will after him , And now perswade him to his shape againe . Ex. omnes . Enter Alfonso and Phylotus and Valeria , Polidor , Emelia , Aurelius and Phylema . Alfon. Come louely sonnes your marriage rites performed , Let s hie vs home to see what cheere we haue , I wonder that Ferando and his wife Comes not to see this great solemnitie . Pol. No maruell if Ferando be away , His wife I think hath troubled so his wits , That he remaines at home to keepe them warme , For forward wedlocke as the prouer be sayes , Hath brought him to his night cappe long agoe . Phylo. But Polidor let my son and you take heede , That Ferando say not ere long as much to you , And now Alfonso more to shew my loue , If vnto Cestus you do send your ships , My selfe will fraught them with Arabian silkes , Rich affrick spices Arras counter poines , Muske Cassia : sweet smelling Ambergreece , Pearle , curroll , christall , iett , and iuorie , To gratulate the fauors of my son , And friendly loue that you haue shone to him . Vale. And for to honour him and this faire bride , Enter the Duke of Cestus . I le yerly send you from my fathers courte , Chests of refind suger seuerally , Ten tunne of tunis wine , sucket sweet druges , To celibrate and solemnise this day , And custome free your marchants shall conuerse : And interchange the profits of your land , Sending you gold for brasse , siluer for leade , Casses of silke for packes of woll and cloth , To binde this friendship and confirme this league . Duke . I am glad sir that you would be so franke , Are you become the Duke of Cestus son , And reuels with my treasure in the towne , Base villaine that thus dishonorest me . Val. Sounes it is the Duke what shall I doo , Dishonour thee why , knowst thou what thou saist ? Duke . Her 's no villaine : he will not know me now , But what say you ? haue you forgot me too ? Phylo.

Why sir , are you acquainted with my son ?

Duke . With thy son ? no trust me if he be thine , I pray you sir who am I ? Aurel. Pardon me father : humblie on my knees , I do intreat your grace to heare me speake . Duke . Peace villaine : lay handes on them , And send them to prison straight . Phylotus and Valeria runnes away . Then Slie speakes . Slie .

I say we le haue no sending to prison .

Lord .

My Lord this is but the play , theyr but in iest .

Slie . I tell thee Sim we le haue no sending , To prison that s flat : why Sim am not I Don Christo Vary ? Therefore I say they shall not go to prison . Lord . No more they shall not my Lord , They be run away . Slie . Are they run away Sim ? that s well , Then gis some more drinke , and let them play againe . Lord .

Here my Lord .

Slie drinkes and then falls a sleepe . Duke . Ah trecherous boy that durst presume , To wed thy selfe without thy fathers leaue , I sweare by fayre Cintheas burning rayes , By Merops head and by seauen mouthed Nile , Had I but knowne ere thou hadst wedded her , Were in thy brest the worlds immortall soule , This angrie sword should rip thy hatefull chest , And hewd thee smaller then the Libian sandes , Turne hence thy face : oh cruell impious boy , Alfonso I did not thinke you would presume , To mach your daughter with my princely house , And nere make me acquainted with the cause . Alfon. My Lord by heauens I sweare vnto your grace , I knew none other but Valeria your man , Had bin the Duke of Cestus noble son , Nor did my daughter I dare sweare for her . Duke . That damned villaine that hath deluded me , Whome I did send guide vnto my son , Oh that my furious force could cleaue the earth , That I might muster bands of hellish feendes , To rack his heart and teare his impious soule . The ceaselesse turning of celestiall orbes , Kindles not greater flames in flitting aire , Then passionate anguish of my raging brest , Aurel. Then let my death sweet father end your griefe , For I it is that thus haue wrought your woes , Then be reuengd on me for here I sweare , That they are innocent of what I did , Oh had I charge to cut of Hydraes hed , To make the toplesse Alpes a champion field , To kill vntamed monsters with my sword , To trauell dayly in the hottest sun , And watch in winter when the nightes be colde , I would with gladnesse vndertake them all , And thinke the paine but pleasure that I felt , So that my noble father at my returne , Would but forget and pardon my offence , Phile. Let me intreat your grace vpon my knees , To pardon him and let my death discharge The heauy wrath your grace hath vowd gainst him . Pol. And good my Lord let vs intreat your grace , To purge your stomack of this Melancholy , Taynt not your princely minde with griefe my Lord , But pardon and forgiue these louers faults , That kneeling craue your gratious fauor here . Emel . Great prince of Cestus , let a womans wordes , Intreat a pardon in your lordly brest , Both for your princely son , and vs my Lord . Duke . Aurelius stand vp I pardon thee , I see that vertue will haue enemies , And fortune will be thwarting honour still , And you faire virgin too I am content , To accept you for my daughter since t is don , And see you princely vsde in Cestus courte . Phyle. Thankes good my Lord and I no longer liue , Then I obey and honour you in all : Alfon. Let me giue thankes vnto your royall grace , For this great honor don to me and mine , And if your grace will walke vnto my house , I will in humblest maner I can , show The eternall seruice I doo owe your grace . Duke Thanks good Alfonso : but I came alone , And not as did beseeme the Cestian Duke , Nor would I haue it knowne within the towne , That I was here and thus without my traine , But as I came alone so will I go , And leaue my son to solemnise his feast , And ere 't be long I le come againe to you , And do him honour as beseemes the son Of mightie Ierobell the Cestian Duke , Till when I le leaue you , Farwell Aurelius . Aurel.

Not yet my Lord , I le bring you to your ship .

Exeunt Omnes . Slie sleepes . Lord . Whos 's within there ? come hither sirs my Lords A sleepe againe : go take him easily vp , And put him in his one apparell againe , And lay him in the place where we did find him , Iust vnderneath the alehouse side below , But see you wake him not in any case . Boy .

It shall be don my Lord come helpe to beare him hence ,

Exit . Enter Ferando , Aurelius and Polidor and his boy and Valeria and Sander . Feran. Come gentlemen now that suppers donne , How shall we spend the time till we go to bed ? Aurel. Faith if you will in triall of our wiues , Who will come sownest at their husbands call . Pol. Nay then Ferando he must needes sit out , For he may call I thinke till he be weary , Before his wife will come before she list . Feran. T is well for you that haue such gentle wiues , Yet in this triall will I not sit out , It may be Kate will come as soone as yours . Aurel.

My wife comes soonest for a hundred pound .

Pol. I take it : I le lay as much to youres , That my wife comes as soone as I do send . Aurel.

How now Ferando you dare not lay belike .

Feran. Why true I dare not lay indeede ; But how , so little mony on so sure a thing , A hundred pound : why I haue layd as much Vpon my dogge , in running at a Deere , She shall not come so farre for such a trifle , But will you lay fiue hundred markes with me , And whose wife soonest comes when he doth call , And shewes her selfe most louing vnto him , Let him inioye the wager I haue laid , Now what say you ? dare you aduenture thus ? Pol. I weare it a thousand pounds I durst presume On my wiues loue : and I will lay with thee . Enter Alfonso . Alfon. How now sons what in conference so hard , May I without offence , know where abouts . Aurel. Faith father a waighty cause about our wiues Fiue hundred markes already we haue layd , And he whose wife doth shew most loue to him , He must inioie the wager to himselfe . Alfon. Why then Ferando he is sure to lose , I promise thee son thy wife will hardly come , And therefore I would not wish thee lay so much . Feran. Tush father were it ten times more , I durst aduenture on my louely Kate , But if I lose I le pay , and so shall you . Aurel.

Vpon mine honour if I loose I le pay .

Pol.

And so will I vpon my faith I vow .

Feran.

Then sit we downe and let vs send for them .

Alfon.

I promise thee Ferando I am afraid thou wilt lose

Aurel. I le send for my wife first , Valeria Go bid your Mistris come to me . Val.

I will my Lord .

Exit Valeria . Aurel. Now for my hundred pound . Would any lay ten hundred more with me , I know I should obtaine it by her loue . Feran.

I pray God you haue not laid too much already .

Aurel. Trust me Ferando I am sure you haue , For you I dare presume haue lost it all . Enter Valeria againe . Now sirra what saies your mistris ? Val.

She is something busie but she le come anon .

Feran. Why so , did not I tell you this before , She is busie and cannot come . Aurel. I pray God your wife send you so good an answere She may be busie yet she sayes she le come . Feran.

Well well : Polidor send you for your wife .

Pol.

Agreed Boy desire your mistris to come hither .

Boy .

I will sir

Ex. Boy . Feran.

I so so he desiers her to come .

Alfon. Polidor I dare presume for thee , I thinke thy wife will not deny to come . And I do maruell much Aurelius , That your wife came not when you sent for her . Enter the Boy againe . Pol.

Now where s your Mistris ?

Boy . She bad me tell you that she will not come , And you haue any businesse , you must come to her . Feran. Oh monstrous intollerable presumption , Worse then a blasing starre , or snow at midsommer , Earthquakes or any thing vnseasonable , She will not come : but he must come to her . Pol. Well sir I pray you let s here what Answere your wife will make . Feran. Sirra , command your Mistris to come To me presentlie . Exit Sander . Aurel. I thinke my wife for all she did not come , Will proue most kinde for now I haue no feare , For I am sure Ferandos wife , she will not come . Feran. The more s the pittie : then I must lose . Enter Kate and Sander . But I haue won for see where Kate doth come . Kate .

Sweet husband did you send for me ?

Feran. I did my loue I sent for thee to come , Come hither Kate , what s that vpon thy head Kate .

Nothing husband but my cap I thinke .

Feran. Pull it of and treade it vnder thy feete , T is foolish I will not haue thee weare it . She takes of her cap and treads on it . Pol.

Oh wonderfull metamorphosis .

Aurel.

This is a wonder : almost past beleefe .

Feran. This is a token of her true loue to me , And yet I le trie her further you shall see , Come hither Kate where are thy sisters . Kate .

They be sitting in the bridall chamber .

Feran. Fetch them hither and if they will not come , Bring them perforce and make them come with thee . Kate .

I will .

Alfon. I promise thee Ferando I would haue sworne , Thy wife would nere haue donne so much for thee . Feran. But you shall see she will do more then this , For see where she brings her sisters forth by force . Enter Kate thrusting Phylema and Emelia before her , and makes them come vnto their husbands call . Kate

See husband I haue brought them both .

Feran.

T is well don Kate .

Eme. I sure and like a louing peece , your worthy To haue great praise for this attempt . Phyle.

I for making a foole of her selfe and vs .

Aurel. Beshrew thee Phylema , thou hast Lost me a hundred pound to night . For I did lay that thou wouldst first haue come . Pol.

But thou Emelia hast lost me a great deale more .

Eme. You might haue kept it better then , Who bad you lay ? Feran. Now louely Kate before there husbands here , I prethe tell vnto these hedstrong women , What dutie wiues doo owe vnto their husbands . Kate . Then you that liue thus by your pompered wills , Now list to me and marke what I shall say , Th eternall power that with his only breath , Shall cause this end and this beginning frame , Not in time , nor before time , but with time , confusd , For all the course of yeares , of ages , moneths , Of seasons temperate , of dayes and houres , Are tund and stopt , by measure of his hand , The first world was , a forme , without a forme , A heape confusd a mixture all deformd , A gulfe of gulfes , a body bodiles , Where all the elements were orderles , Before the great commander of the world , The King of Kings the glorious God of heauen , Who in six daies did frame his heauenly worke , And made all things to stand in perfit course . Then to his image he did make a man . Olde Adam and from his side a sleepe , A rib was taken , of which the Lord did make , The woe of man so termd by Adam then , Woman for that , by her came sinne to vs , And for her sin was Adam doomd to die , As Sara to her husband , so should we , Obey them , loue them , keepe , and nourish them , If they by any meanes doo want our helpes , Laying our handes vnder theire feete to tread , If that by that we , might procure there ease , And for a president I le first begin , And lay my hand vnder my husbands feete She laies her hand vnder her husbands feete . Feran. Inough sweet , the wager thou hast won , And they I am sure cannot denie the same . Alfon. I Ferando the wager thou hast won , And for to shew thee how I am pleasd in this , A hundred poundes I freely giue thee more , Another dowry for another daughter , For she is not the same she was before . Feran. Thankes sweet father , gentlemen godnight For Kate and I will leaue you forto night , T is Kate and I am wed , and you are sped . And so farwell for we will to our beds . Exit Ferando and Kate and Sander . Alfon.

Now Aurelius what say you to this ?

Aurel. Beleeue me father I reioice to see , Ferando and his wife so louingly agree . Exit Aurelius and Phylema and Alfonso and Valeria . Eme.

How now Polidor in a dump , what sayst thou man ?

Pol.

I say thou art a shrew .

Eme.

That s better then a sheepe .

Pol. Well since t is don let it go , come let s in . Exit Polidor and Emelia . Then enter two bearing of Slie in his Owne apparrell againe , and leaues him Where they found him , and then goes out . Then enter the Tapster . Tapster . Now that the darkesome night is ouerpast , And dawning day apeares in cristall sky , Now must I hast abroad : but soft whos 's this ? What Slie oh wondrous hath he laine here all night , I le wake him , I thinke he 's starued by this , But that his belly was so stuft with ale , What how Slie , Awake for shame . Slie . Sim gis some more wine : what s all the Plaiers gon : am not I a Lord ? Tapster .

A Lord with a murrin : come art thou dronken still ?

Slie . Whos 's this ? Tapster , oh Lord sirra , I haue had The brauest dreame to night , that euer thou Hardest in all thy life . Tapster . I marry but you had best get you home , For your wife will course you for dreming here to night , Slie Will she ? I know now how to tame a shrew , I dreamt vpon it all this night till now , And thou hast wakt me out of the best dreame That euer I had in my life , but I le to my Wife presently and tame her too And if she anger me . Tapster . Nay tarry Slie for I le go home with thee , And heare the rest that thou hast dreamt to night . Exeunt Omnes . FINIS .