Laf.

I am sure, I saw her wear it.
Ber. You are deceiv'd, my lord, she never saw it:
In Florence was it from a casement thrown me,
Wrapp'd in a paper, which contain❜d the name
Of her that threw it: noble she was, and thought
I stood ingag'd: but when I had subscrib'd
To mine own fortune, and inform'd her fully,
I could not answer in that course of honour
As she had made the overture, she ceas'd,
In heavy satisfaction, and would never
Receive the ring again.

King.
Plutus himself,
That knows the tinct and multiplying medicine,
Hath not in nature's mystery more science,
Than I have in this ring: 'twas mine, 'twas H len's,
Whoever gave it you: Then, if you know
That you are well acquainted with yourself,
Confess 'twas hers, and by what rough enforcement
You got it from her: she call'd the saints to surety,
That she would never put it from her finger,
Unless she gave it to yourself in bed,
(Where you have never come,) or sent it us
Upon her great disaster.

And mak'st conjectural fears to come into me,
Which I would fain shut out: If it should prove
That thou art so inhuman, 'twill not prove so ;-
And yet I know not: - thou didst hate her deadly,
And she is dead; which nothing, but to close
Her eyes myself, could win me to believe,
More than to see this ring.. Take him away.
[Guards seize BERTRAM.
My fore-past proofs, howe'er the matter fall,
Shall tax my fears of little vanity,
Having vainly fear'd too little. —Away with him;—
We'll sift this matter further.

Ber.

If you shall prove
This ring was ever hers, you shall as easy
Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence,
Where yet she never was. [Exit BERTRAM, guarded.
Enter a Gentleman.

Wid. I am her mother, sir, whose age and honour
Both suffer under this complaint we bring,
And both shall cease, without your remedy.

King. Come hither, count; Do you know these
women?

Ber.

She never saw it.

Ber. My lord, I neither can, nor will deny

King. Thou speak'st it falsely, as I love mine But that I know them: Do they charge me further? Dia. Why do you look so strange upon your

honour;

wife?

King. I am wrapp'd in dismal thinkings.
Gent.
Gracious sovereign,
Whether I have been to blame, or no, I know not;
Here's a petition from a Florentine,

Who hath, for four or five removes, come short
To tender it herself. I undertook it,
Vanquish'd thereto by the fair grace and speech
Of the poor suppliant, who by this, I know,
Is here attending her business looks in her
With an importing visage; and she told me,
In a sweet verbal brief, it did concern
Your highness with herself.

To bring forth this discovery.-Seek these suitors
Go, speedily, and bring again the count.
[Exeunt Gentleman, and some Attendants.]
I am afeard, the life of Helen, lady,
Was foully snatch'd.

Count.

King. [Reads.] Upon his many protestations to marry me, when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, he won me. Now is the count Rousillon a widower; his vows are forfeited to me, and my honour's paid to him. He stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I follow him to his country for ustice: Grant it me, O king; in you it best lies; otherwise a seducer flourishes, and a poor maid is unDIANA CAPULET. Laf. I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll him for this, I'll none of him.

done.

King. The heavens have thought well on thee,
Lafeu,

Now, justice on the doers! Enter BERTRAM, guarded.

King. I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to

you,

And that you fly them as you swear them lordship,
Yet you desire to marry. — - What woman's that?

Re-enter Gentleman, with Widow, and DIANA.
Dia. I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine,
Derived from the ancient Capulet;
My suit, as I do understand, you know,
And therefore know how far may be pitied.

Laf. I saw the man to-day, if man he be.
King. Find him, and bring him hither.
Ber.

loved her, for, indeed, he was mad for her, and talked of Satan, and of limbo, and of furies, and I What of him? know not what yet I was in that credit with them at that time, that I knew of their going to bed; and of other motions, as promising her marriage, and things that would derive me ill will to speak of, therefore I will not speak what I know.

King. Thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst say they are married: But thou art too fine in thy evidence; therefore stand aside. This ring, you say, was yours?

He's quoted for a most perfidious slave,
With all the spots o' the world tax'd and debosh'd;
Whose nature sickens, but to speak a truth:
Am I or that, or this, for what he'll utter,
That will speak any thing'

King.

:

She hath that ring of yours.
Ber. I think, she has certain it is, I lik'd her,
And boarded her i' the wanton way of youth:
She knew her distance, and did angle for me,
Madding my eagerness with her restraint,
As all impediments in fancy's course
Are motives of more fancy; and, in fine,
Her insuit coming with her modern grace,
Subdued me to her rate: she got the ring;
And I had that which any inferior might
At market-price have bought.

Dia.

I must be patient;
You, that turn'd off a first so noble wife,
May justly diet me. I pray you yet,
(Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband,)
Send for your ring, I will return it home,
And give me mine again.

Ber.

I have it not.

King. What ring was yours, I pray you?
Sir, much like

Dia.

The same upon your finger.
King. Know you this ring? this ring was his of

late.

-

Dia.

Ay, my good lord.
King. Where did you buy it? or who gave it you?
Dia. It was not given me, nor I did not buy it.
King. Who lent it you?

Dia.
It was not lent me neither.
King. Where did you find it then?
Dia.
I found it not.
King. If it were yours by none of all these ways,
How could you give it him?

Dia.

I never gave it him. Laf. This woman's an easy glove, my lord; she goes off and on at pleasure.

King. This ring was mine, I gave it his first wife. Dia. It might be yours, or hers, for aught I know.

Dia.

King. Take her away.
Dia.
I'll put in bail, my liege.
King. I think thee now some common customer.
Dia. By Jove, if ever I knew man, 'twas you.
King. Wherefore hast thou accus'd him all this
while?

Dia. Because he's guilty, and he is not guilty:
He knows I am no maid, and he'll swear to't:
I'll swear I am a maid, and he knows not.
Great king, I am no strumpet, by my life;
I am either maid, or else this old man's wife.

[Pointing to LAFEU.
King. She does abuse our ears; to prison with her.
Dia. Good mother, fetch my bail. Stay, royal
sir;
[Exit Widow.
The jeweller, that owes the ring, is sent for,
And he shall surety me. But for this lord,
Who hath abus'd me, as he knows himself,
Though yet he never harm'd me, here I quit him :
He knows himself my bed he hath defil'd;
And at that time he got his wife with child :
Dead though she be, she feels her young one kick ;
So there's my riddle, One, that's dead, is quick;
And now behold the meaning.

TAMING OF THE SHREW.

A LORD.

CHRISTOPHER SLY, a drunken Tinker. Hostess, Page, Players, Huntsmen, and other Servants attending on the Lord.

GREMIO,
HORTENSIO,

SCENE I.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

suitors to Bianca.

Persons in the
Induction.

BAPTISTA, a rich gentleman of Padua.
VINCENTIO, an old gentlemen of Pisa.
LUCENTIO, son to Vincentio, in love with Bianca.
PETRUCHIO, a gentleman of Verona, a suitor to

Katharina.

}

SCENE, - sometimes in PADUA; and sometimes in PETRUCHIO's House in the Country.

- Before an Alehouse on a Heath. Enter Hostess and SLY.

TRANIO,
BIONDELLO,

GRUMIO,
CURTIS,

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!

Host. You will not pay for the glasses you have burst!

Sly. No, not a denier: Go by, says Jeronimy ;Go to thy cold bed, and warm thee,

Host. I know my remedy, I must go fetch the thirdborough. [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.

[Lies down on the ground, and falls asleep. Wind horns. Enter a LORD from hunting, with Huntsmen and Servants.

}

servants to Petruchio.

Pedant, an old fellow set up to personate Vincentio.

INDUCTION.

KATHARINA, the shrew ;
BIANCA, her sister,
Widow.

} daughters to Baptista.

Tailor, Haberdasher, and Servants attending on
Baptista and Petruchio.

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 :
Trust me, I take him for the better dog.

Lord. Thou art a fool; if Echo were as fleet,

I would esteem him worth a dozen such.
But sup them well, and look unto them all;
To-morrow I intend to hunt again.
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, Wrapp'd in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, A most delicious banquet by his bed, And brave attendants near him when he wakes, Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my Would not the beggar then forget himself? hounds: Brach Merriman, the poor cur is emboss'd, And couple Clowder with the deep-mouth'd brach. Saw'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good At the hedge corner, in the coldest fault?` I would not lose the dog for twenty pound.

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:

: