As lively painted as the deed was done. 3 Ser. Or Daphne, roaming through a thorny wood, Scratching her legs; that one shall swear she bleeds: And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep, So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn. Lord. Thou art a lord, and nothing but a lord: Thou hast a lady far more beautiful Than any woman in this waning age. 1 Ser. And, till the tears, that she hath shed for thee, Like envious floods, o'er-ran her lovely face, Sly. Am I a lord? and have I such a lady? : I smell sweet savors, and I feel soft things:- And not a tinker, nor Christophero Sly.- 2 Ser. Will't please your mightiness to wash your hands? [Servants present a ewer, bason, and napkin. O, how we joy to see your wit restored! O, that once more you knew but what you are! These fifteen years you have been in a dream; Or, when you waked, so waked as if you slept. 1 Sly. These fifteen years! by my fay, a goodly nap: But did I never speak of all that time? 1 Ser. O, yes, my lord; but very idle words :For though you lay here in this goodly chamber, Yet would you say, ye were beaten out of door; And rail upon the hostess of the house, And say, you would present her at the leet,* Because she brought stone jugs, and no seal'd quarts: Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket. 3 Ser. Why, sir, you know no house, nor no such maid, Nor no such men as you have reckon'd up,— And twenty more such names and men as these, Sly. Now, Lord be thanked for my good amends! Sly. I thank thee; thou shalt not lose by it. Enter the PAGE, as a lady, with Attendants. Page. How fares my noble lord? Sly. Marry, I fare well; for here is cheer enough. Where is my 1 Faith. 2 Court-leet. Page. Here, noble lord; what is thy will with her? Sly. Are you my wife, and will not call me— husband? My men should call me-lord; I am your good man. Page. My husband and my lord, my lord and husband; I am your wife in all obedience. Sly. I know it well:-What must I call her? Sly. Al'ce madam, or Joan madam ? Lord. Madam, and nothing else; so lords call ladies. Sly. Madam wife, they say, that I have dream'd, and slept Above some fifteen year and more. Page. Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me, Being all this time abandon'd from your bed. Sly. 'Tis much. alone. -Servants, leave me and her Madam, undress you, and come now to bed. Page. Thrice noble lord, let me entreat of you, To pardon me yet for a night or two; Or, if not so, until the sun be set : For your physicians have expressly charged, I hope, this reason stands for my excuse. bed. Sly. Ay, it stands so, that I may hardly tarry so long. But I would be loath to fall into my dreams : again I will therefore tarry, in despite of the flesh and the blood. Enter SERVANT. Ser. Your honor's players, hearing your amendment, Are come to play a pleasant comedy, For so your doctors hold it very meet; Seeing too much sadness hath congeal'd your blood, And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy ; Therefore they thought it good you hear a play, And frame your mind to mirth and merriment, Which bars a thousand harms, and lengthens life. Sly. Marry, I will; let them play it. Is not a commonty 1 a Christmas gambol, or a tumblingtrick? Page. No, my good lord; it is more pleasing stuff. Sly. What, household stuff? Page. It is a kind of history. Sly. Well, we 'll see 't. Come, madam wife, sit by my side, and let the world slip: we shall ne'er be younger. [they sit down. 1 For comedy. ACT I. SCENE I. Padua. A public place. Enter LUCENTIO and TRANIO. Luc. Tranio, since-for the great desire I had To see fair Padua, nursery of arts, I am arrived for fruitful Lombardy,- And, by my father's love and leave, am arm'd Gave me my being, and my father first, A merchant of great traffic through the world, Vincentio, come of the Bentivolii. Vincentio's son, brought up in Florence, It shall become, to serve 2 all hopes conceived, |