change their shapes then men their minds Pro. Then men their minds t is true oh heuen were man But Constant he were perfect that one error Fils him with faults makes him run through all th' sins Inconstancy falls-off ere it begins What is in Siluia's face but I may spie More fresh in Iulia's with a constant eye Val Come come a hand from either Let me be blest to make this happy close 'T were pitty two such friends should be long foes Pro. Beare witnes heauen I haue my wish for euer Iul. And I mine Out-l. A prize a prize a prize Val. Forbeare forbeare I say It is my Lord the Duke Your Grace is welcome to a man disgrac'd Banished Valentine Duke Sir Valentine Thu. Yonder is Siluia and Siluia's mine Val. Thurio giue backe or else embrace thy death Come not within the measure of my wrath Doe not name Siluia thine if once againe Verona shall not hold thee heere she stands Take but possession of her with a Touch I dare thee but to breath vpon my Loue. Thur. Sir Valentine I care not for her I I hold him but a foole that will endanger His Body for a Girle that loues him not I claime her not and therefore she is thine Duke The more degenerate and base art thou To make such meanes for her as thou hast done And leaue her on such slight conditions Now by the honor of my Ancestry I doe applaud thy spirit Valentine And thinke thee worthy of an Empresse loue Know then I heere forget all former greefes Cancell all grudge repeale thee home againe Plead a new state in thy vn-riual'd merit To which I thus subscribe Sir Valentine Thou art a Gentleman and well deriu'd Take thou thy Siluia for thou hast deseru'd her Val I thank your Grace y e gift hath made me happy I now beseech you for your daughters sake To grant one Boone that I shall aske of you Duke I grant it for thine owne what ere it be Val. These banish'd men that I haue kept withall Are men endu'd with worthy qualities Forgiue them what they haue committed here And let them be recall'd from their Exile They are reformed ciuill full of good And fit for great employment worthy Lord. Duke Thou hast preuaild I pardon them and thee Dispose of them as thou knowst their deserts Come let vs goe we will include all iarres With Triumphes Mirth and rare solemnity Val. And as we walke along I dare be bold With our discourse to make your Grace to smile What thinke you of this Page my Lord Duke I think the Boy hath grace in him he blushes Val. I warrant you my Lord more grace then Boy Duke What meane you by that saying Val. Please you I le tell you as we passe along That you will wonder what hath fortuned Come Protheus 't is your pennance but to heare The story of your Loues discouered That done our day of marriage shall be yours One Feast one house one mutuall happinesse Exeunt The names of all the Actors Duke Father to Siluia Valentine the two Gentlemen Protheus the two Gentlemen Anthonio father to Protheus Thurio a foolish riuall to Valentine Eglamoure Agent for Siluia in her escape Host where Iulia lodges Out-lawes with Valentine Speed a clownish seruant to Valentine Launce the like to Protheus Panthion seruant to Antonio Iulia beloued of Protheus Siluia beloued of Valentine Lucetta waighting-woman to Iulia. FINIS THE Merry Wiues of Windsor Actus primus Scena prima Enter Iustice Shallow Slender Sir Hugh Euans Master Page Falstoffe Bardolph Nym Pistoll Anne Page Mistresse Ford Mistresse Page Simple Shallow SIr Hugh perswade me not I will make a Star-Chamber matter of it if hee were twenty Sir Iohn Falstoffs he shall not abuse Robert Shallow Esquire Slen. In the County of Glocester Iustice of Peace and Coram Shal. I Cosen Slender and Cust-alorum Slen. I and Rato lorum too and a Gentleman borne Master Parson who writes himselfe Armigero in any Bill Warrant Quittance or Obligation Armigero Shal. I that I doe and haue done any time these three hundred yeeres Slen. All his successors gone before him hath don 't and all his Ancestors that come after him may they may giue the dozen white Luces in their Coate Shal. It is an olde Coate Euans The dozen white Lowses doe become an old Coat well it agrees well passant It is a familiar beast to man and signifies Loue. Shal. The Luse is the fresh-fish the salt-fish is an old Coate Slen. I may quarter Coz Shal. You may by marrying Euans It is marring indeed if he quarter it Shal. Not a whit Euan. Yes per-lady if he ha's a quarter of your coat there is but three Skirts for your selfe in my simple coniectures but that is all one if Sir Iohn Falstaffe haue committed disparagements vnto you I am of the Church and will be glad to do my beneuolence to make attonements and compremises betweene you Shal. The Councell shall heare it it is a Riot Euan. It is not meet the Councell heare a Riot there is no feare of Got in a Riot The Councell looke you shall desire to heare the feare of Got and not to heare a Riot take your viza-ments in that Shal. Ha o' my life if I were yong againe the sword should end it Euans It is petter that friends is the sword and end it and there is also another deuice in my praine which peraduenture prings goot discretions with it There is Anne Page which is daughter to Master Thomas Page which is pretty virginity Slen. Mistris Anne Page she has browne haire and speakes small like a woman Euans It is that ferry person for all the orld as iust as you will desire and seuen hundred pounds of Moneyes and Gold and Siluer is her Grand-sire vpon his deaths-bed Got deliuer to a ioyfull resurrections giue when she is able to ouertake seuenteene yeeres old It were a goot motion if we leaue our pribbles and prabbles and desire a marriage betweene Master Abraham and Mistris Anne Page Slen. Did her Grand-sire leaue her seauen hundred pound Euan. I and her father is make her a petter penny Slen. I know the young Gentlewoman she has good gifts Euan. Seuen hundred pounds and possibilities is goot gifts Shal. Wel let vs see honest M r Page is Falstaffe there Euan. Shall I tell you a lye I doe despise a lyer as I doe despise one that is false or as I despise one that is not true the Knight Sir Iohn is there and I beseech you be ruled by your well-willers I will peat the doore for M r. Page What hoa Got-plesse your house heere M r. Page Who 's there Euan. Here is go't's plessing and your friend and Iustice Shallow and heere yong Master Slender that peraduentures shall tell you another tale if matters grow to your likings Mâ— Page I am glad to see your Worships well I thanke you for my Venison Master Shallow Shal. Master Page I
the decay of lust and late-walking through the Realme Mist Page Why Sir Iohn do you thinke though wee would haue thrust vertue out of our hearts by the head and shoulders and haue giuen our selues without scruple to hell that euer the deuill could haue made you our delight Ford What a hodge-pudding A bag of flax Mist Page A puft man Page Old cold wither'd and of intollerable entrailes Ford. And one that is as slanderous as Sathan Page And as poore as Iob Ford. And as wicked as his wife Euan. And giuen to Fornications and to Tauernes and Sacke and Wine and Metheglins and to drinkings and swearings and starings Pribles and prables Fal. Well I am your Theame you haue the start of me I am deiected I am not able to answer the Welch Flannell Ignorance it selfe is a plummet ore me vse me as you will Ford. Marry Sir wee 'l bring you to Windsor to one M r Broome that you haue cozon'd of money to whom you should haue bin a Pander ouer and aboue that you haue suffer'd I thinke to repay that money will be a biting affliction Page Yet be cheerefull Knight thou shalt eat a posset to night at my house wher I will desire thee to laugh at my wife that now laughes at thee Tell her M r Slender hath married her daughter Mist Page Doctors doubt that If Anne Page be my daughter she is by this Doctour Caius wife Slen. Whoa hoe hoe Father Page Page Sonne How now How now Sonne Haue you dispatch'd Slen. Dispatch'd I le make the best in Gloftershire know on 't would I were hang'd la else Page Of what sonne Slen. I came yonder at Eaton to marry Mistris Anne Page and she 's a great lubberly boy If it had not bene i' th Church I would haue swing'd him or hee should haue swing'd me If I did not thinke it had beene Anne Page would I might neuer stirre and 't is a Post-masters Boy Page Vpon my life then you tooke the wrong Slen. What neede you tell me that I think so when I tooke a Boy for a Girle If I had bene married to him for all he was in womans apparrell I would not haue had him Page Why this is your owne folly Did not I tell you how you should know my daughter By her garments Slen. I went to her in greene and cried Mum and she cride budget as Anne and I had appointed and yet it was not Anne but a Post-masters boy Mist. Page Good George be not angry I knew of your purpose turn'd my daughter into white and indeede she is now with the Doctor at the Deanrie and there married Cai. Ver is Mistris Page by gar I am cozoned I ha married oon Garsoon a boy oon pesant by gar A boy it is not An Page by gar I am cozened M. Page VVhy did you take her in white Cai. I bee gar and 't is a boy be gar I le raise all Windsor Ford. This is strange Who hath got the right Anne Page My heart misgiues me here comes M r Fenton How now M r Fenton Anne Pardon good father good my mother pardon Page Now Mistris How chance you went not with M r Slender M. Page Why went you not with M r Doctor maid Fen. You do amaze her heare the truth of it You would haue married her most shamefully Where there was no proportion held in loue The truth is she and I long since contracted Are now so sure that nothing can dissolue vs Th' offence is holy that she hath committed And this deceit looses the name of craft Of disobedience or vnduteous title Since therein she doth euitate and shun A thousand irreligious cursed houres Which forced marriage would haue brought vpon her Ford. Stand not amaz'd here is no remedie In Loue the heauens themselues do guide the state Money buyes Lands and wiues are sold by fate Fal. I am glad though you haue tane a special stand to strike at me that your Arrow hath glanc'd Page Well what remedy Fenton heauen giue thee ioy what cannot be eschew'd must be embrac'd Fal. When night-dogges run all sorts of Deere are chac'd Mist Page Well I will muse no further M r Fenton Heauen giue you many many merry dayes Good husband let vs euery one go home And laugh this sport ore by a Countrie fire Sir Iohn and all Ford. Let it be so Sir Iohn To Master Broome you yet shall hold your word For he to night shall lye with Mistris Ford Exeunt FINIS MEASVRE For Measure Actus primus Scena prima Enter Duke Escalus Lords Duke EScalus Esc My Lord. Duk. Of Gouernment the properties to vnfold Would seeme in me t' affect speech discourse Since I am put to know that your owne Science Exceedes in that the lists of all aduice My strength can giue you Then no more remaines But that to your sufficiency as your worth is able And let them worke The nature of our People Our Cities Institutions and the Termes For Common Iustice y' are as pregnant in As Art and practise hath inriched any That we remember There is our Commission From which we would not haue you warpe call hither I say bid come before vs Angelo What figure of vs thinke you he will beare For you must know we haue with speciall soule Elected him our absence to supply Lent him our terror drest him with our loue And giuen his Deputation all the Organs Of our owne powre What thinke you of it Esc If any in Vienna be of worth To vndergoe such ample grace and honour It is Lord Angelo Enter Angelo Duk. Looke where he comes Ang. Alwayes obedient to your Graces will I come to know your pleasure Duke Angelo There is a kinde of Character in thy life That to th' obseruer doth thy history Fully vnfold Thy selfe and thy belongings Are not thine owne so proper as to waste Thy selfe vpon thy vertues they on thee Heauen doth with vs as we with Torches doe Not light them for themselues For if our vertues Did not goe forth of vs 't were all alike As if we had them not Spirits are not finely touch'd But to fine issues nor nature neuer lends The smallest scruple of her excellence But like a thrifty goddesse she determines Her selfe the glory of a creditour Both thanks and vse but I do bend my speech To one that can my part in him aduertise Hold therefore Angelo In our remoue be thou at full our selfe Mortallitie and Mercie in Vienna Liue in thy tongue and heart Old Escalus Though first in question is thy secondary Take thy Commission Ang. Now good my Lord Let there be some more test made of my mettle Before so noble and so great a figure Be stamp't vpon it Duk. No more euasion We haue with a leauen'd and prepared choice Proceeded to you therefore take your honors Our haste from hence is of so quicke condition That it prefers it selfe and leaues vnquestion'd Matters of needfull value We
forget that Iulia is aliue Remembring that my Loue to her is dead And Valentine I le hold an Enemie Ayming at Siluia as a sweeter friend I cannot now proue constant to my selfe Without some treachery vs'd to Valentine This night he meaneth with a Corded-ladder To climbe celestiall Siluia's chamber window My selfe in counsaile his competitor Now presently I le giue her father notice Of their disguising and pretended flight Who all inrag'd will banish Valentine For Thurio he intends shall wed his daughter But Valentine being gon I le quickely crosse By some slie tricke blunt Thurio's dull proceeding Loue lend me wings to make my purpose swift As thou hast lent me wit to plot this drift Exit Scoena septima Enter Iulia and Lucetta Iul. Counsaile Lucetta gentle girle assist me And eu'n in kinde loue I doe coniure thee Who art the Table wherein all my thoughts Are visibly Character'd and engrau'd To lesson me and tell me some good meane How with my honour I may vndertake A iourney to my louing Protheus Luc. Alas the way is wearisome and long Iul. A true-deuoted Pilgrime is not weary To measure Kingdomes with his feeble steps Much lesse shall she that hath Loues wings to flie And when the flight is made to one so deere Of such diuine perfection as Sir Protheus Luc. Better forbeare till Protheus make returne Iul. Oh know'st y u not his looks are my soules food Pitty the dearth that I haue pined in By longing for that food so long a time Didst thou but know the inly touch of Loue Thou wouldst as soone goe kindle fire with snow As seeke to quench the fire of Loue with words Luc. I doe not seeke to quench your Loues hot fire But qualifie the fires extreame rage Lest it should burne aboue the bounds of reason Iul. The more thou dam'st it vp the more it burnes The Current that with gentle murmure glides Thou know'st being stop'd impatiently doth rage But when his faire course is not hindered He makes sweet musicke with th' enameld stones Giuing a gentle kisse to euery sedge He ouer-taketh in his pilgrimage And so by many winding nookes he straies With willing sport to the wilde Ocean Then let me goe and hinder not my course I le be as patient as a gentle streame And make a pastime of each weary step Till the last step haue brought me to my Loue And there I le rest as after much turmoile A blessed soule doth in Elizium Luc. But in what habit will you goe along Iul. Not like a woman for I would preuent The loose encounters of lasciuious men Gentle Lucetta fit me with such weedes As may beseeme some well reputed Page Luc. Why then your Ladiship must cut your haire Iul. No girle I le knit it vp in silken strings With twentie od-conceited true-loue knots To be fantastique may become a youth Of greater time then I shall shew to be Luc. What fashion Madam shall I make your breeches Iul. That fits as well as tell me good my Lord What compasse will you weare your Farthingale Why eu'n what fashion thou best likes Lucetta Luc. You must needs haue thē with a cod-peece Madam Iul. Out out Lucetta that wil be illfauourd Luc. A round hose Madam now 's not worth a pin Vnlesse you haue a cod-peece to stick pins on Iul. Lucetta as thou lou'st me let me haue What thou think'st meet and is most mannerly But tell me wench how will the world repute me For vndertaking so vnstaid a iourney I feare me it will make me scandaliz'd Luc. If you thinke so then stay at home and go not Iul. Nay that I will not Luc. Then neuer dreame on Infamy but go If Protheus like your iourney when you come No matter who 's displeas'd when you are gone I feare me he will scarce be pleas'd with all Iul. That is the least Lucetta of my feare A thousand oathes an Ocean of his teares And instances of infinite of Loue Warrant me welcome to my Protheus Luc. All these are seruants to deceitfull men Iul. Base men that vse them to so base effect But truer starres did gouerne Protheus birth His words are bonds his oathes are oracles His loue sincere his thoughts immaculate His teares pure messengers sent from his heart His heart as far from fraud as heauen from earth Luc. Pray heau'n he proue so when you come to him Iul. Now as thou lou'st me do him not that wrong To beare a hard opinion of his truth Onely deserue my loue by louing him And presently goe with me to my chamber To take a note of what I stand in need of To furnish me vpon my longing iourney All that is mine I leaue at thy dispose My goods my Lands my reputation Onely in lieu thereof dispatch me hence Come answere not but to it presently I am impatient of my tarriance Exeunt Actus Tertius Scena Prima Enter Duke Thurio Protheus Valentine Launce Speed Duke Sir Thurio giue vs leaue I pray a while We haue some secrets to confer about Now tell me Protheus what 's your will with me Pro. My gracious Lord that which I wold discouer The Law of friendship bids me to conceale But when I call to minde your gracious fauours Done to me vndeseruing as I am My dutie pricks me on to vtter that Which else no worldly good should draw from me Know worthy Prince Sir Valentine my friend This night intends to steale away your daughter My selfe am one made priuy to the plot I know you haue determin'd to bestow her On Thurio whom your gentle daughter hates And should she thus be stolne away from you It would be much vexation to your age Thus for my duties sake I rather chose To crosse my friend in his intended drift Then by concealing it heap on your head A pack of sorrowes which would presse you downe Being vnpreuented to your timelesse graue Duke Protheus I thank thee for thine honest care Which to requite command me while I liue This loue of theirs my selfe haue often seene Haply when they haue iudg'd me fast asleepe And oftentimes haue purpos'd to forbid Sir Valentine her companie and my Court But fearing lest my iealous ayme might erre And so vnworthily disgrace the man A rashnesse that I euer yet haue shun'd I gaue him gentle lookes thereby to finde That which thy selfe hast now disclos'd to me And that thou maist perceiue my feare of this Knowing that tender youth is soone suggested I nightly lodge her in an vpper Towre The key whereof my selfe haue euer kept And thence she cannot be conuay'd away Pro. Know noble Lord they haue deuis'd a meane How he her chamber-window will ascend And with a Corded-ladder fetch her downe For which the youthfull Louer now is gone And this way comes he with it presently Where if it please you you may intercept him But good my Lord doe it so cunningly That my discouery be not aimed at For loue of you not hate
not Beatrice How tartly that Gentleman lookes I neuer can see him but I am heart-burn'd an howre after Hero He is of a very melancholy disposition Beatrice Hee were an excellent man that were made iust in the mid-way betweene him and Benedicke the one is too like an image and saies nothing and the other too like my Ladies eldest sonne euermore tatling Leon. Then halfe signior Benedicks tongue in Count Iohns mouth and halfe Count Iohns melancholy in Signior Benedicks face Beat. With a good legge and a good foot vnckle and money enough in his purse such a man would winne any woman in the world if he could get her good will Leon. By my troth Neece thou wilt neuer get thee a husband if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue Brother Infaith shee 's too curst Beat. Too curst is more then curst I shall lessen Gods sending that way for it is said God sends a curst Cow short hornes but to a Cow too curst he sends none Leon. So by being too curst God will send you no hornes Beat. Iust if he send me no husband for the which blessing I am at him vpon my knees euery morning and euening Lord I could not endure a husband with a beard on his face I had rather lie in the woollen Leonato You may light vpon a husband that hath no beard Batrice What should I doe with him dresse him in my apparell and make him my waiting gentlewoman he that hath a beard is more then a youth and he that hath no beard is lesse then a man and hee that is more then a youth is not for mee and he that is lesse then a man I am not for him therefore I will euen take sixepence in earnest of the Berrord and leade his Apes into hell Leon. Well then goe you into hell Beat. No but to the gate and there will the Deuill meete mee like an old Cuckold with hornes on his head and say get you to heauen Beatrice get you to heauen heere 's no place for you maids so deliuer I vp my Apes and away to S. Peter for the heauens hee shewes mee where the Batchellers sit and there liue wee as merry as the day is long Brother Well neece I trust you will be rul'd by your father Beatrice Yes faith it is my cosens dutie to make curtsie and say as it please you but yet for all that cosin let him be a handsome fellow or else make an other cursie and say father as it please me Leonato Well neece I hope to see you one day sitted with a husband Beatrice Not till God make men of some other mettall then earth would it not grieue a woman to be ouer-mastred with a peece of valiant dust to make account of her life to a clod of waiward marle no vnckle I le none Adams sonnes are my brethren and truly I hold it a sinne to match in my kinred Leon. Daughter remember what I told you if the Prince doe solicit you in that kinde you know your answere Beatrice The fault will be in the musicke cosin if you be not woed in good time if the Prince bee too important tell him there is measure in euery thing so dance out the answere for heare me Hero wooing wedding repenting is as a Scotch ijgge a measure and a cinque-pace the first suite is hot and hasty like a Scotch ijgge and full as fantasticall the wedding manerly modest as a measure full of state aunchentry and then comes repentance and with his bad legs falls into the cinque-pace faster and faster till he sinkes into his graue Leonata Cosin you apprehend passing shrewdly Beatrice I haue a good eye vnckle I can see a Church by daylight Leon. The reuellers are entring brother make good roome Enter Prince Pedro Claudio and Benedicke and Balthasar or dumbe Iohn Maskers with a drum Pedro. Lady will you walke about with your friend Hero So you walke softly and looke sweetly and say nothing I am yours for the walke and especially when I walke away Pedro. With me in your company Hero I may say so when I please Pedro. And when please you to say so Hero When I like your fauour for God defend the Lute should be like the case Pedro. My visor is Philemons roofe within the house is Loue. Hero Why then your visor should be thatcht Pedro. Speake low if you speake Loue. Bene. Well I would you did like me Mar. So would not I for your owne sake for I haue manie ill qualities Bene. Which is one Mar. I say my prayers alowd Ben. I loue you the better the hearers may cry Amen Mar. God match me with a good dauncer Balt. Amen Mar. And God keepe him out of my sight when the daunce is done answer Clarke Balt. No more words the Clarke is answered Vrsula I know you well enough you are Signior Anthonio Anth. At a word I am not Vrsula I know you by the wagling of your head Anth. To tell you true I counterfet him Vrsu You could neuer doe him so ill well vnlesse you were the very man here 's his dry hand vp down you are he you are he Anth. At a word I am not Vrsula Come come doe you thinke I doe not know you by your excellent wit can vertue hide it selfe goe to mumme you are he graces will appeare and there 's an end Beat. Will you not tell me who told you so Bene. No you shall pardon me Beat. Nor will you not tell me who you are Bened. Not now Beat. That I was disdainfull and that I had my good wit out of the hundred merry tales well this was Signior Benedicke that said so Bene. What 's he Beat. I am sure you know him well enough Bene. Not I beleeue me Beat. Did he neuer make you laugh Bene. I pray you what is he Beat. Why he is the Princes ieaster a very dull foole onely his gift is in deuising impossible slanders none but Libertines delight in him and the commendation is not in his witte but in his villanie for hee both pleaseth men and angers them and then they laugh at him and beat him I am sure he is in the Fleet I would he had boorded me Bene. When I know the Gentleman I le tell him what you say Beat. Do do hee 'l but breake a comparison or two on me which peraduenture not markt or not laugh'd at strikes him into melancholly and then there 's a Partridge wing saued for the foole will eate no supper that night We must follow the Leaders Ben. In euery good thing Bea. Nay if they leade to any ill I will leaue them at the next turning Exeunt Musicke for the dance Iohn Sure my brother is amorous on Hero and hath withdrawne her father to breake with him about it the Ladies follow her and but one visor remaines Borachio And that is Claudio I know him by his bearing Iohn Are not you signior Benedicke Clau. You know me well
an oyster of me he shall neuer make me such a foole one woman is faire yet I am well another is wise yet I am well another vertuous yet I am well but till all graces be in one woman one woman shall not come in my grace rich shee shall be that 's certaine wise or I le none vertuous or I le neuer cheapen her faire or I le neuer looke on her milde or come not neere me Noble or not for an Angell of good discourse an excellent Musitian and her haire shal be of what colour it please God hah the Prince and Monsieur Loue I will hide me in the Arbor Enter Prince Leonato Claudio and Iacke Wilson Prin. Come shall we heare this musicke Claud. Yea my good Lord how still the euening is As husht on purpose to grace harmonie Prin. See you where Benedicke hath hid himselfe Clau. O very well my Lord the musicke ended Wee 'll fit the kid-foxe with a penny worth Prince Come Balthasar wee 'll heare that song again Balth. O good my Lord taxe not so bad a voyce To slander musicke any more then once Prin. It is the witnesse still of excellency To slander Musicke any more then once Prince It is the witnesse still of excellencie To put a strange face on his owne perfection I pray thee sing and let me woe no more Balth. Because you talke of wooing I will sing Since many a wooer doth commence his suit To her he thinkes not worthy yet he wooes Yet will he sweare he loues Prince Nay pray thee come Or if thou wilt hold longer argument Doe it in notes Balth. Note this before my notes There 's not a note of mine that 's worth the noting Prince Why these are very crotchets that he speaks Note notes forsooth and nothing Bene. Now diuine aire now is his soule rauisht is it not strange that sheepes guts should hale soules out of mens bodies well a horne for my money when all 's done The Song Sigh no more Ladies sigh no more Men were deceiuers euer One foote in Sea and one on shore To one thing constant neuer Then sigh not so but let them goe And be you blithe and bonnis Conuerting all your sounds of woe Into hey nony nony Sing no more ditties sing no moe Of dumps so dull and heauy The fraud of men were euer so Since summer first was leauy Then sigh not so c. Prince By my troth a good song Balth. And an ill singer my Lord. Prince Ha no no faith thou singst well enough for a shift Ben. And he had been a dog that should haue howld thus they would haue hang'd him and I pray God his bad voyce bode no mischiefe I had as liefe haue heard the night-rauen come what plague could haue come after it Prince Yea marry dost thou heare Balthasar I pray thee get vs some excellent musick for to morrow night we would haue it at the Lady Heroes chamber window Balth. The best I can my Lord. Exit Balthasar Prince Do so farewell Come hither Leonato what was it you told me of to day that your Niece Beatrice was in loue with signior Benedicke Cla. O I stalke on stalke on the foule sits I did neuer thinke that Lady would haue loued any man Leon. No nor I neither but most wonderful that she should so dote on Signior Benedicke whom shee hath in all outward behauiours seemed euer to abhorre Bene. Is' t possible sits the winde in that corner Leo. By my troth my Lord I cannot tell what to thinke of it but that she loues him with an inraged affection it is past the infinite of thought Prince May be she doth but counterfeit Claud. Faith like enough Leon. O God! counterfeit there was neuer counterfeit of passion came so neere the life of passion as she discouers it Prince Why what effects of passion shewes she Claud. Baite the hooke well this fish will bite Leon. What effects my Lord shee will sit you you heard my daughter tell you how Clau. She did indeed Prin. How how I pray you you amaze me I would haue thought her spirit had beene inuincible against all assaults of affection Leo. I would haue sworne it had my Lord especially against Benedicke Bene. I should thinke this a gull but that the white-bearded fellow speakes it knauery cannot sure hide himselfe in such reuerence Claud. He hath tane th' infection hold it vp Prince Hath shee made her affection known to Benedicke Leonato No and sweares she neuer will that 's her torment Claud. 'T is true indeed so your daughter saies shall I saies she that haue so oft encountred him with scorne write to him that I loue him Leo. This saies shee now when shee is beginning to write to him for shee 'll be vp twenty times a night and there will she sit in her smocke till she haue writ a sheet of paper my daughter tells vs all Clau. Now you talke of a sheet of paper I remember a pretty iest your daughter told vs of Leon. O when she had writ it was reading it ouer she found Benedicke and Beatrice betweene the sheete Clau. That Leon. O she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence raild at her self that she should be so immodest to write to one that shee knew would flout her I measure him saies she by my owne spirit for I should flout him if hee writ to mee yea though I loue him I should Clau. Then downe vpon her knees she falls weepes sobs beates her heart teares her hayre praies curses O sweet Benedicke God giue me patience Leon. She doth indeed my daughter saies so and the extasie hath so much ouerborne her that my daughter is somtime afeard she will doe a desperate out-rage to her selfe it is very true Princ. It were good that Benedicke knew of it by some other if she will not discouer it Clau. To what end he would but make a sport of it and torment the poore Lady worse Prin. And he should it were an almes to hang him shee 's an excellent sweet Lady and out of all suspition she is vertuous Claudio And she is exceeding wise Prince In euery thing but in louing Benedicke Leon. O my Lord wisedome and bloud combating in so tender a body we haue ten proofes to one that bloud hath the victory I am sorry for her as I haue iust cause being her Vncle and her Guardian Prince I would shee had bestowed this dotage on mee I would haue daft all other respects and made her halfe my selfe I pray you tell Benedicke of it and heare what he will say Leon. Were it good thinke you Clau. Hero thinkes surely she wil die for she saies she will die if hee loue her not and shee will die ere shee make her loue knowne and she will die if hee wooe her rather than shee will bate one breath of her accustomed crossenesse Prin. She doth well if she should make tender of her loue 't is very possible hee
vp Bene. How doth the Lady Beat. Dead I thinke helpe vncle Hero why Hero Vncle Signor Benedicke Frier Leonato O Fate take not away thy heauy hand Death is the fairest couer for her shame That may be wisht for Beatr. How now cosin Hero Fri. Haue comfort Ladie Leon. Dost thou looke vp Frier Yea wherefore should she not Leon. Wherfore Why doth not euery earthly thing Cry shame vpon her Could she heere denie The storie that is printed in her blood Do not liue Hero do not ope thine eyes For did I thinke thou wouldst not quickly die Thought I thy spirits were stronger then thy shames My selfe would on the reward of reproaches Strike at thy life Grieu'd I I had but one Chid I for that at frugal Natures frame O one too much by thee why had I one Why euer was 't thou louelie in my eies Why had I not with charitable hand Tooke vp a beggars issue at my gates Who smeered thus and mir'd with infamie I might haue said no part of it is mine This shame deriues it selfe from vnknowne loines But mine and mine I lou'd and mine I prais'd And mine that I was proud on mine so much That I my selfe was to my selfe not mine Valewing of her why she O she is falne Into a pit of Inke that the wide sea Hath drops too few to wash her cleane againe And salt too little which may season giue To her foule tainted flesh Ben. Sir sir be patient for my part I am so attired in wonder I know not what to say Bea. O on my soule my cosin is belied Ben. Ladie were you her bedfellow last night Bea. No truly not although vntill last night I haue this tweluemonth bin her bedfellow Leon. Confirm'd confirm'd O that is stronger made Which was before barr'd vp with ribs of iron Would the Princes lie and Claudio lie Who lou'd her so that speaking of her foulnesse Wash'd it with teares Hence from her let her die Fri. Heare me a little for I haue onely bene silent so long and giuen way vnto this course of fortune by noting of the Ladie I haue markt A thousand blushing apparitions To start into her face a thousand innocent shames In Angel whitenesse beare away those blushes And in her eie there hath appear'd a fire To burne the errors that these Princes hold Against her maiden truth Call me a foole Trust not my reading nor my obseruations Which with experimental seale doth warrant The tenure of my booke trust not my age My reuerence calling nor diuinitie If this sweet Ladie lye not guiltlesse heere Vnder some biting error Leo. Friar it cannot be Thou seest that all the Grace that she hath left Is that she wil not adde to her damnation A sinne of periury she not denies it Why seek'st thou then to couer with excuse That which appeares in proper nakednesse Fri. Ladie what man is he you are accus'd of Hero They know that do accuse me I know none If I know more of any man aliue Then that which maiden modestie doth warrant Let all my sinnes lacke mercy O my Father Proue you that any man with me conuerst At houres vnmeete or that I yesternight Maintain'd the change of words with any creature Refuse me hate me torture me to death Fri. There is some strange misprision in the Princes Ben. Two of them haue the verie bent of honor And if their wisedomes be misled in this The practise of it liues in Iohn the bastard Whose spirits toile in frame of villanies Leo. I know not if they speake but truth of her These hands shall teare her If they wrong her honour The proudest of them shall wel heare of it Time hath not yet so dried this bloud of mine Nor age so eate vp my inuention Nor Fortune made such hauocke of my meanes Nor my bad life rest me so much of friends But they shall finde awak'd in such a kinde Both strength of limbe and policie of minde Ability in meanes and choise of friends To quit me of them throughly Fri. Pause awhile And let my counsell sway you in this case Your daughter heere the Princesse left for dead Let her awhile be secretly kept in And publish it that she is dead indeed Maintaine a mourning ostentation And on your Families old monument Hang mournfull Epitaphes and do all rites That appertaine vnto a buriall Leon. What shall become of this What wil this do Fri. Marry this wel carried shall on her behalfe Change slander to remorse that is some good But not for that dreame I on this strange course But on this trauaile looke for greater birth She dying as it must be so maintain'd Vpon the instant that she was accus'd Shal be lamented pittied and excus'd Of euery hearer for it so fals out That what we haue we prize not to the worth Whiles we enioy it but being lack'd and lost Why then we racke the value then we finde The vertue that possession would not shew vs Whiles it was ours so will it fare with Claudio When he shal heare she dyed vpon his words Th' Idea of her life shal sweetly creepe Into his study of imagination And euery louely Organ of her life Shall come apparel'd in more precious habite More mouing delicate and ful of life Into the eye and prospect of his soule Then when she liu'd indeed then shal he mourne If euer Loue had interest in his Liuer And wish he had not so accused her No though he thought his accusation true Let this be so and doubt not but successe Wil fashion the euent in better shape Then I can lay it downe in likelihood But if all ayme but this be leuelld false The supposition of the Ladies death Will quench the wonder of her infamie And if it sort not well you may conceale her As best befits her wounded reputation In some reclusiue and religious life Out of all eyes tongues mindes and iniuries Bene. Signior Leonato let the Frier aduise you And though you know my inwardnesse and loue Is very much vnto the Prince and Claudio Yet by mine honor I will deale in this As secretly and iustlie as your soule Should with your bodie Leon. Being that I flow in greefe The smallest twine may lead me Frier 'T is well consented presently away For to strange sores strangely they straine the cure Come Lady die to liue this wedding day Perhaps is but prolong'd haue patience endure Exit Bene. Lady Beatrice haue you wept all this while Beat. Yea and I will weepe a while longer Bene. I will not desire that Beat. You haue no reason I doe it freely Bene. Surelie I do beleeue your fair cosin is wrong'd Beat. Ah how much might the man deserue of mee that would right her Bene. Is there any way to shew such friendship Beat. A verie euen way but no such friend Bene. May a man doe it Beat. It is a mans office but not yours Bene. I doe loue nothing in the world so well
and yet enough May not extend so farre as to the Ladie And yet to be afeard of my deseruing Were but a weake disabling of my selfe As much as I deserue why that 's the Lady I doe in birth deserue her and in fortunes In graces and in qualities of breeding But more then these in loue I doe deserue What if I strai'd no farther but chose here Let 's see once more this saying grau'd in gold Who chooseth me shall gaine what many men desire Why that 's the Lady all the world desires her From the foure corners of the earth they come To kisse this shrine this mortall breathing Saint The Hircanion deserts and the vaste wildes Of wide Arabia are as through fares now For Princes to come view faire Portia The waterie Kingdome whose ambitious head Spets in the face of heauen is no barre To stop the forraine spirits but they come As ore a brooke to see faire Portia One of these three containes her heauenly picture Is' t like that Lead containes her 't were damnation To thinke so base a thought it were too grose To rib her searecloath in the obscure graue Or shall I thinke in Siluer she 's immur'd Being ten times vndervalued to tride gold O sinfull thought neuer so rich a Iem Was set in worse then gold They haue in England A coyne that beares the figure of an Angell Stampt in gold but that 's insculpt vpon But here an Angell in a golden bed Lies all within Deliuer me the key Here doe I choose and thriue I as I may Por. There take it Prince and if my forme lye there Then I am yours Mor. O hell what haue we here a carrion death Within whose emptie eye there is a written scroule I le reade the writing All that glisters is not gold Often haue you heard that cold Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold Guilded timber doe wormes infold Had you beene as wise as bold Yong in limbs in iudgement old Your answere had not beene inscrold Fare you well your suite is cold Mor. Cold indeede and labour lost Then farewell heate and welcome frost Portia adew I haue too grieu'd a heart To take a tedious leaue thus loosers part Exit Por. A gentle riddance draw the curtaines go Let all of his complexion choose me so Exeunt Enter Salarino and Solanio Flo. Cornets Sal. Why man I saw Bassanio vnder sayle With him is Gratiano gone along And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not Sol. The villaine Iew with outcries raisd the Duke Who went with him to search Bassanios ship Sal. He comes too late the ship was vndersaile But there the Duke was giuen to vnderstand That in a Gondilo were seene together Lorenzo and his amorous Iessica Besides Anthonio certified the Duke They were not with Bassanio in his ship Sol. I neuer heard a passion so confusd So strange outragious and so variable As the dogge Iew did vtter in the streets My daughter O my ducats O my daughter Fled with a Christian O my Christian ducats Iustice the law my ducats and my daughter A sealed bag two sealed bags of ducats Of double ducats stolne from me by my daughter And iewels two stones two rich and precious stones Stolne by my daughter iustice finde the girle She hath the stones vpon her and the ducats Sal. Why all the boyes in Venice follow him Crying his stones his daughter and his ducats Sol. Let good Anthonio looke he keepe his day Or he shall pay for this Sal. Marry well remembred I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday Who told me in the narrow seas that part The French and English there miscaried A vessell of our countrey richly fraught I thought vpon Anthonio when he told me And wisht in silence that it were not his Sol. Yo were best to tell Anthonio what you heare Yet doe not suddainely for it may grieue him Sal. A kinder Gentleman treads not the earth I saw Bassanio and Anthonio part Bassanio told him he would make some speede Of his returne he answered doe not so Slubber not businesse for my sake Bassanio But stay the very riping of the time And for the Iewes bond which he hath of me Let it not enter in your minde of loue Be merry and imploy your chiefest thoughts To courtship and such faire ostents of loue As shall conueniently become you there And euen there his eye being big with teares Turning his face he put his hand behinde him And with affection wondrous sencible He wrung Bassanios hand and so they parted Sol. I thinke he onely loues the world for him I pray thee let vs goe and finde him out And quicken his embraced heauinesse With some delight or other Sal. Doe we so Exeunt Enter Nerrissa and a Seruiture Ner. Quick quick I pray thee draw the curtain strait The Prince of Arragon hath tane his oath And comes to his election presently Enter Arragon his traine and Portia Flor. Cornets Por. Behold there stand the caskets noble Prince If you choose that wherein I am contain'd Straight shall our nuptiall rights be solemniz'd But if thou faile without more speech my Lord You must be gone from hence immediately Ar. I am enioynd by oath to obserue three things First neuer to vnfold to any one Which casket 't was I chose next if I faile Of the right casket neuer in my life To wooe a maide in way of marriage Lastly if I doe faile in fortune of my choyse Immediately to leaue you and be gone Por. To these iniunctions euery one doth sweare That comes to hazard for my worthlesse selfe Ar. And so haue I addrest me fortune now To my hearts hope gold siluer and base lead Who chooseth me must giue and hazard all he hath You shall looke fairer ere I giue or hazard What saies the golden chest ha let me see Who chooseth me shall gaine what many men desire What many men desire that many may be meant By the foole multitude that choose by show Not learning more then the fond eye doth teach Which pries not to th' interior but like the Martlet Builds in the weather on the outward wall Euen in the force and rode of casualtie I will not choose what many men desire Because I will not iumpe with common spirits And ranke me with the barbarous multitudes Why then to thee thou Siluer treasure house Tell me once more what title thou doost beare Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserues And well said too for who shall goe about To cosen Fortune and be honourable Without the stampe of merrit let none presume To wearâ— an vndeserued dignitie O that estates degrees and offices Were not deriuâ—d corruptly and that cleare honour Were purchast by the merrit of the wearer How many then should couer that stand bare How many be commanded that command How much low pleasantry would then be gleaned From the true seede of honor And how much honor Pickt from the
him for my heart to do it Gru. Knocke at the gate O heauens spake you not these words plaine Sirra Knocke me heere rappe me heere knocke me well and knocke me soundly And come you now with knocking at the gate Petr. Sirra be gone or talke not I aduise you Hor. Petruchio patience I am Grumio's pledge Why this a heauie chance twixt him and you Your ancient trustie pleasant seruant Grumio And tell me now sweet friend what happie gale Blowes you to Padua heere from old Verona Petr. Such wind as scatters yongmen throgh y e world To seeke their fortunes farther then at home Where small experience growes but in a few Signior Hortensio thus it stands with me Antonio my father is deceast And I haue thrust my selfe into this maze Happily to wiue and thriue as best I may Crownes in my purse I haue and goods at home And so am come abroad to see the world Hor. Petruchio shall I then come roundly to thee And wish thee to a shrew'd ill-fauour'd wife thou 'dst thanke me but a little for my counsell And yet I le promise thee she shall be rich And verie rich but th' art too much my friend And I le not wish thee to her Petr. Signior Hortensio 'twixt such friends as wee Few words suffice and therefore if thou know One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife As wealth is burthen of my woing dance Be she as foule as was Florentius Loue As old as Sibell and as curst and shrow'd As Socrates Zentippe or a worse She moues me not or not remoues at least Affections edge in me Were she is as rough As are the swelling Adriaticke seas I come to wiue it wealthily in Padua If wealthily then happily in Padua Gru. Nay looke you sir hee tels you flatly what his minde is why giue him Gold enough and marrie him to a Puppet or an Aglet babie or an old trot with ne're a tooth in her head though she haue as manie diseases as two and fiftie horses Why nothing comes amisse so monie comes withall Hor. Petruchio since we are stept thus farre in I will continue that I broach'd in iest I can Petruchio helpe thee to a wife With wealth enough and yong and beautious Brought vp as best becomes a Gentlewoman Her onely fault and that is faults enough Is that she is intollerable curst And shrow'd and froward so beyond all measure That were my state farre worser then it is I would not wed her for a mine of Gold Petr. Hortensio peace thou knowst not golds effect Tell me her fathers name and 't is enough For I will boord her though she chide as loud As thunder when the clouds in Autumne cracke Hor. Her father is Baptista Minola An affable and courteous Gentleman Her name is Katherina Minola Renown'd in Padua for her scolding tongue Petr. I know her father though I know not her And he knew my deceased father well I wil not sleepe Hortensio til I see her And therefore let me be thus bold with you To giue you ouer at this first encounter Vnlesse you wil accompanie me thither Gru. I pray you Sir let him go while the humor lasts A my word and she knew him as wel as I do she would thinke scolding would doe little good vpon him Shee may perhaps call him halfe a score Knaues or so Why that 's nothing and he begin once hee 'l raile in his rope trickes I le tell you what sir and she stand him but a litle he wil throw a figure in her face and so disfigure hir with it that shee shal haue no more eies to see withall then a Cat you know him not sir Hor. Tarrie Petruchio I must go with thee For in Baptistas keepe my treasure is He hath the Iewel of my life in hold His yongest daughter beautiful Bianca And her with-holds from me Other more Suters to her and riuals in my Loue Supposing it a thing impossible For those defects I haue before rehearst That euer Katherina wil be woo'd Therefore this order hath Baptista tane That none shal haue accesse vnto Bianca Til Katherine the Curst haue got a husband Gru. Katherine the curst A title for a maide of all titles the worst Hor. Now shal my friend Petruchio do me grace And offer me disguis'd in sober robes To old Baptista as a schoole-master Well seene in Musicke to instruct Bianca That so I may by this deuice at least Haue leaue and leisure to make loue to her And vnsuspected court her by her selfe Enter Gremio and Lucentio disgused Gru. Heere 's no knauerie See to beguile the olde-folkes how the young folkes lay their heads together Master master looke about you Who goes there ha Hor. Peace Grumio it is the riuall of my Loue. Petruchio stand by a while Grumio A proper stripling and an amorous Gremio O very well I haue perus'd the note Hearke you sir I le haue them verie fairely bound All bookes of Loue see that at any hand And see you reade no other Lectures to her You vnderstand me Ouer and beside Signior Baptistas liberalitie I le mend it with a Largesse Take your paper too And let me haue them verie wel perfum'd For she is sweeter then perfume it selfe To whom they go to what wil you reade to her Luc. What ere I reade to her I le pleade for you As for my patron stand you so assur'd As firmely as your selfe were still in place Yea and perhaps with more successefull words Then you vnlesse you were a scholler sir Gre. Oh this learning what a thing it is Gru. Oh this Woodcocke what an Asse it is Petru. Peace sirra Hor. Grumio mum God saue you signior Gremio Gre. And you are wel met Signior Hortensio Trow you whither I am going To Baptista Minola I promist to enquire carefully About a schoolemaster for the faire Bianca And by good fortune I haue lighted well On this yong man For learning and behauiour Fit for her turne well read in Poetrie And other bookes good ones I warrant ye Hor. 'T is well and I haue met a Gentleman Hath promist me to helpe one to another A fine Musitian to instruct our Mistris So shal I no whit be behinde in dutie To faire Bianca so beloued of me Gre. Beloued of me and that my deeds shal proue Gru. And that his bags shal proue Hor. Gremio 't is now no time to vent our loue Listen to me and if you speake me faire I le tel you newes indifferent good for either Heere is a Gentleman whom by chance I met Vpon agreement from vs to his liking Will vndertake to woo curst Katherine Yea and to marrie her if her dowrie please Gre. So said so done is well Hortensio haue you told him all her faults Petr. I know she is an irkesome brawling scold If that be all Masters I heare no harme Gre. No sayst me so friend What Countreyman Petr. Borne in Verona old Butonios sonne My father dead my fortune
le raile and brawle And with the clamor keepe her stil awake This is a way to kil a Wife with kindnesse And thus I le curbe her mad and headstrong humor He that knowes better how to tame a shrew Now let him speake 't is charity to shew Exit Enter Tranio and Hortensio Tra. Is' t possible friend Lisio that mistris Bianca Doth fancie any other but Lucentio I tel you sir she beares me faire in hand Luc. Sir to satisfie you in what I haue said Stand by and marke the manner of his teaching Enter Bianca Hor. Now Mistris profit you in what you reade Bian What Master reade you first resolue me that Hor. I reade that I professe the Art to loue Bian And may you proue sir Master of your Art Luc. While you sweet deere ptoue Mistresse of my heart Hor. Quicke proceeders marry now tel me I pray you that durst sweare that your mistris Bianca Lou'd me in the World so wel as Lucentio Tra. Oh despightful Loue vnconstant womankind I tel thee Lisio this is wonderfull Hor. Mistake no more I am not Lisio Nor a Musitian as I seeme to bee But one that scorne to liue in this disguise For such a one as leaues a Gentleman And makes a God of such a Cullion Know sir that I am cal'd Hortensio Tra. Signior Hortensio I haue often heard Of your entire affection to Bianca And since mine eyes are witnesse of her lightnesse I wil with you if you be so contented Forsweare Bianca and her loue for euer Hor. See how they kisse and court Signior Lucentio Heere is my hand and heere I firmly vow Neuer to woo her more but do forsweare her As one vnworthie all the former fauours That I haue fondly flatter'd them withall Tra. And heere I take the like vnfained oath Neuer to marrie with her though she would intreate Fie on her see how beastly she doth court him Hor. Would all the world but he had quite forsworn For me that I may surely keepe mine oath I wil be married to a wealthy Widdow Ere three dayes passe which hath as long lou'd me As I haue lou'd this proud disdainful Haggard And so farewel signior Lucentio Kindnesse in women not their beauteous lookes Shal win my loue and so I take my leaue In resolution as I swore before Tra. Mistris Bianca blesse you with such grace As longeth to a Louers blessed case Nay I haue tane you napping gentle Loue And haue forsworne you with Hortensio Bian. Tranio you iest but haue you both forsworne mee Tra. Mistris we haue Luc. Then we are rid of Lisio Tra. I' faith hee 'l haue a lustie Widdow now That shal be woo'd and wedded in a day Bian. God giue him ioy Tra. I and hee 'l tame her Bianca He sayes so Tranio Tra. Faith he is gone vnto the taming schoole Bian. The taming schoole what is there such a place Tra. I mistris and Petruchio is the master That teacheth trickes eleuen and twentie long To tame a shrew and charme her chattering tongue Enter Biondello Bion. Oh Master master I haue watcht so long That I am dogge-wearie but at last I spied An ancient Angel comming downe the hill Wil serue the turne Tra. What is he Biondello Bio Master a Marcantant or a pedant I know not what but formall in apparrell In gate and countenance surely like a Father Luc. And what of him Tranio Tra. If he be credulous and trust my tale I le make him glad to seeme Vincentio And giue assurance to Baptista Minola As if he were the right Vincentio Par. Take me your loue and then let me alone Enter a Pedant Ped. God saue you sir Tra. And you sir you are welcome Trauaile you farre on or are you at the farthest Ped. Sir at the farthest for a weeke or two But then vp farther and as farre as Rome And so to Tripolie if God lend me life Tra. What Countreyman I pray Ped. Of Mantua Tra. Of Mantua Sir marrie God forbid And come to Padua carelesse of your life Ped. My life sir how I pray for that goes hard Tra. 'T is death for any one in Mantua To come to Padua know you not the cause Your ships are staid at Venice and the Duke For priuate quarrel 'twixt your Duke and him Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly 'T is meruaile but that you are but newly come you might haue heard it else proclaim'd about Ped. Alas sir it is worse for me then so For I haue bils for monie by exchange From Florence and must heere deliuer them Tra. Wel sir to do you courtesie This wil I do and this I wil aduise you First tell me haue you euer beene at Pisa Ped. I sir in Pisa haue I often bin Pisa renowned for graue Citizens Tra. Among them know you one Vincentio Ped. I know him not but I haue heard of him A Merchant of incomparable wealth Tra. He is my father sir and sooth to say In count'nance somewhat doth resemble you Bion. As much as an apple doth an oyster all one Tra. To saue your life in this extremitie This fauor wil I do you for his sake And thinke it not the worst of all your fortunes That you are like to Sir Vincentio His name and credite shal you vndertake And in my house you shal be friendly lodg'd Looke that you take vpon you as you should you vnderstand me sir so shal you stay Til you haue done your businesse in the Citie If this be court'sie sir accept of it Ped. Oh sir I do and wil repute you euer The patron of my life and libertie Tra. Then go with me to make the matter good This by the way I let you vnderstand My father is heere look'd for euerie day To passe assurance of a dowre in marriage 'Twixt me and one Baptistas daughter heere In all these circumstances I le instruct you Go with me to cloath you as becomes you Exeunt Actus Quartus Scena Prima Enter Katherina and Grumio Gru. No no forsooth I dare not for my life Ka. The more my wrong the more his spite appears What did he marrie me to famish me Beggers that come vnto my fathers doore Vpon intreatie haue a present almes If not elsewhere they meete with charitie But I who neuer knew how to intreat Nor neuer needed that I should intreate Am staru'd for meate giddie for lacke of sleepe With oathes kept waking and with brawling fed And that which spights me more then all these wants He does it vnder name of perfect loue As who should say if I should sleepe or eate 'T were deadly sicknesse or else present death I prethee go and get me some repast I care not what so it be holsome soode Gru. What say you to a Neats foote Kate. 'T is passing good I prethee let me haue it Gru. I feare it is too chollericke a meate How say you to a fat Tripe finely broyl'd Kate. I like it well good Grumio fetch it me
haue some goodly Iest in hand She will not come she bids you come to her Petr. Worse and worse she will not come Oh vilde intollerable not to be indur'd Sirra Grumio goe to your Mistris Say I command her come to me Exit Hor. I know her answere Pet. What Hor. She will not Petr. The fouler fortune mine and there an end Enter Katerina Bap. Now by my hollidam here comes Katerina Kat. What is your will sir that you send for me Petr. Where is your sister and Hortensios wife Kate. They sit conferring by the Parler fire Petr. Goe fetch them hither if they denie to come Swinge me them soundly forth vnto their husbands Away I say and bring them hither straight Luc. Here is a wonder if you talke of a wonder Hor. And so it is I wonder what it boads Petr. Marrie peace it boads and loue and quiet life An awfull rule and right supremicie And to be short what not that 's sweete and happie Bap. Now faire befall thee good Petruchio The wager thou hast won and I will adde Vnto their losses twentie thousand crownes Another dowrie to another daughter For she is chang'd as she had neuer bin Petr. Nay I will win my wager better yet And show more signe of her obedience Her new built vertue and obedience Enter Kate Bianca and Widdow See where she comes and brings your froward Wiues As prisoners to her womanlie perswasion Katerine that Cap of yours becomes you not Off with that bable throw it vnderfoote Wid. Lord let me neuer haue a cause to sigh Till I be brought to such a sillie passe Bian. Fie what a foolish dutie call you this Luc. I would your dutie were as foolish too The wisdome of your dutie faire Bianca Hath cost me fiue hundred crownes since supper time Bian. The more foole you for laying on my dutie Pet. Katherine I charge thee tell these head-strong women what dutie they doe owe their Lords and husbands Wid. Come come your mocking we will haue no telling Pet. Come on I say and first begin with her Wid. She shall not Pet. I say she shall and first begin with her Kate. Fie fie vnknit that thretaning vnkinde brow And dart not scornefull glances from those eies To wound thy Lord thy King thy Gouernour It blots thy beautie as frosts doe bite the Meads Confounds thy fame as whirlewinds shake faire budds And in no sence is meete or amiable A woman mou'd is like a fountaine troubled Muddie ill seeming thicke hereft of beautie And while it is so none so dry or thirstie Will daigne to sip or touch one drop of it Thy husband is thy Lord thy life thy keeper Thy head thy soueraigne One that cares for thee And for thy maintenance Commits his body To painfull labour both by sea and land To watch the night in stormes the day in cold Whil'st thou ly'st warme at home secure and safe And craues no other tribute at thy hands But loue faire lookes and true obedience Too little payment for so great a debt Such dutie as the subiect owes the Prince Euen such a woman oweth to her husband And when she is froward peeuish sullen sowre And not obedient to his honest will What is she but a foule contending Rebell And gracelesse Traitor to her louing Lord I am asham'd that women are so simple To offer warre where they should kneele for peace Or seeke for rule supremacie and sway When they are bound to serue loue and obay Why are our bodies soft and weake and smooth Vnapt to toyle and trouble in the world But that our soft conditions and our harts Should well agree with our externall parts Come come you froward and vnable wormes My minde hath bin as bigge as one of yours My heart as great my reason haplie more To bandie word for word and frowne for frowne But now I see our Launces are but strawes Our strength as weake our weakenesse past compare That seeming to be most which we indeed least are Then vale your stomackes for it is no boote And place your hands below your husbands foote In token of which dutie if he please My hand is readie may it do him ease Pet. Why there 's a wench Come on and kisse mee Kate. Luc. Well go thy waies olde Lad for thou shalt ha 't Vin. T is a good hearing when children are toward Luc. But a harsh hearing when women are froward Pet. Come Kate weee'le to bed We three are married but you two are sped 'T was I wonne the wager though you hit the white And being a winner God giue you good night Exit Petruchio Horten. Now goe thy wayes thou hast tam'd a curst Shrow Luc. T is a wonder by your leaue she wil be tam'd so FINIS ALL' 's Well that Ends Well Actus primus Scoena Prima Enter yong Bertram Count of Rossillion his Mother and Helena Lord Lafew all in blacke Mother IN deliuering my sonne from me I burie a second husband Ros And I in going Madam weep ore my fathers death anew but I must attend his maiesties command to whom I am now in Ward euermore in subiection Laf. You shall find of the King a husband Madame you sir a father He that so generally is at all times good must of necessitie hold his vertue to you whose worthinesse would stirre it vp where it wanted rather then lack it where there is such abundance Mo. What hope is there of his Maiesties amendment Laf. He hath abandon'd his Phisitions Madam vnder whose practises he hath persecuted time with hope and finds no other aduantage in the processe but onely the loosing of hope by time Mo. This yong Gentlewoman had a father O that had how sad a passage t is whose skill was almost as great as his honestie had it stretch'd so far would haue made nature immortall and death should haue play for lacke of worke Would for the Kings sake hee were liuing I thinke it would be the death of the Kings disease Laf. How call'd you the man you speake of Madam Mo. He was famous sir in his profession and it was his great right to be so Gerard de Narbon Laf. He was excellent indeed Madam the King very latelie spoke of him admiringly and mourningly hee was skilfull enough to haue liu'd stil if knowledge could be set vp against mortallitie Ros What is it my good Lord the King languishes of Laf. A Fistula my Lord. Ros I heard not of it before Laf. I would it were not notorious Was this Gentlewoman the Daughter of Gerard de Narbon Mo. His sole childe my Lord and bequeathed to my ouer looking I haue those hopes of her good that her education promises her dispositions shee inherits which makes faire gifts fairer for where an vncleane mind carries vertuous qualities there commendations go with pitty they are vertues and traitors too in her they are the better for their simplenesse she deriues her honestie and atcheeues her goodnesse Lafew Your
straight Within this houre bring me word 't is done And by good testimonie or I le seize thy life With what thou else call'st thine if thou refuse And wilt encounter with my Wrath say so The Bastard-braynes with these my proper hands Shall I dash out Goe take it to the fire For thou sett'st on thy Wife Antig. I did not Sir These Lords my Noble Fellowes if they please Can cleare me in 't Lords We can my Royall Liege He is not guiltie of her comming hither Leo. You 're lyers all Lord. Beseech your Highnesse giue vs better credit We haue alwayes truly seru'd you and beseech ' So to esteeme of vs and on our knees we begge As recompence of our deare seruices Past and to come that you doe change this purpose Which being so horrible so bloody must Lead on to some foule Issue We all kneele Leo. I am a Feather for each Wind that blows Shall I liue on to see this Bastard kneele And call me Father better burne it now Then curse it then But be it let it liue It shall not neyther You Sir come you hither You that haue beene so tenderly officious With Lady Margerie your Mid-wife there To saue this Bastards life for 't is a Bastard So sure as this Beard 's gray What will you aduenture To saue this Brats life Antig. Any thing my Lord That my abilitie may vndergoe And Noblenesse impose at least thus much I le pawne the little blood which I haue left To saue the Innocent any thing possible Leo. It shall be possible Sweare by this Sword Thou wilt performe my bidding Antig. I will my Lord. Leo. Marke and performe it seest thou for the faile Of any point in 't shall not onely be Death to thy selfe but to thy lewd-tongu'd Wife Whom for this time we pardon We enioyne thee As thou art Liege-man to vs that thou carry This female Bastard hence and that thou beare it To some remote and desart place quite out Of our Dominions and that there thou leaue it Without more mercy to it owne protection And fauour of the Climate as by strange fortune It came to vs I doe in Iustice charge thee On thy Soules perill and thy Bodyes torture That thou commend it strangely to some place Where Chance may nurse or end it take it vp Antig. I sweare to doe this though a present death Had beene more mercifull Come on poore Babe Some powerfull Spirit instruct the Kytes and Rauens To be thy Nurses Wolues and Beares they say Casting their sauagenesse aside haue done Like offices of Pitty Sir be prosperous In more then this deed do's require and Blessing Against this Crueltie fight on thy side Poore Thing condemn'd to losse Exit Leo. No I le not reare Anothers Issue Enter a Seruant Seru. Please ' your Highnesse Posts From those you sent to th' Oracle are come An houre since Cleomines and Dion Being well arriu'd from Delphos are both landed Hasting to th' Court Lord. So please you Sir their speed Hath beene beyond accompt Leo. Twentie three dayes They haue beene absent 't is good speed fore-tells The great Apollo suddenly will haue The truth of this appeare Prepare you Lords Summon a Session that we may arraigne Our most â—sloyall Lady for as she hath Been publikely accus'd so shall she haue A iust and open Triall While she liues My heart will be a burthen to me Leaue me And thinke vpon my bidding Exeunt Actus Tertius Scena Prima Enter Cleomines and Dion Cleo. The Clymat's delicate the Ayre most sweet Fertile the Isle the Temple much surpassing The common prayse it beares Dion I shall report For most it caught me the Celestiall Habits Me thinkes I so should terme them and the reuerence Of the graue Wearers O the Sacrifice How ceremonious solemne and vn-earthly It was i' th' Offring Cleo. But of all the burst And the eare-deaffâ—ning Voyce o' th' Oracle Kin to Ioues Thunder so surpriz'd my Sence That I was nothing Dio. It th' euent o' th' Iourney Proue as successefull to the Queene O be 't so As it hath beene to vs rare pleasant speedie The time is worth the vse on 't Cleo. Great Apollo Turne all to th' best these Proclamations So forcing faults vpon Hermione I little like Dio. The violent carriage of it Will cleare or end the Businesse when the Oracle Thus by Apollo's great Diuine seal'd vp Shall the Contents discouer something rare Euen then will rush to knowledge Goe fresh Horses And gracious be the issue Exeunt Scoena Secunda Enter Leontes Lords Officers Hermione as to her Triall Ladies Cleomines Dion Leo. This Sessions to our great griefe we pronounce Euen pushes ' gainst our heart The partie try'd The Daughter of a King our Wife and one Of vs too much belou'd Let vs be clear'd Of being tyrannous since we so openly Proceed in Iustice which shall haue due course Euen to the Guilt or the Purgation Produce the Prisoner Officer It is his Highnesse pleasure that the Queene Appeare in person here in Court Silence Leo. Reade the Indictment Officer Hermione Queene to the worthy Leontes King of Sicilia thou art here accused and arraigned of High Treason in committing Adultery with Polixenes King of Bohemia and conspiring with Camillo to take away the Life of our Soueraigne Lord the King thy Royall Husband the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly layd open thou Hermione contrary to the Faith and Allegeance of a true Subiect didst counsaile and ayde them for their better safetie to flye away by Night Her Since what I am to say must be but that Which contradicts my Accusation and The testimonie on my part no other But what comes from my selfe it shall scarce boot me To say Not guiltie mine Integritie Being counted Falsehood shall as I expresse it Be so receiu'd But thus if Powres Diuine Behold our humane Actions as they doe I doubt not then but Innocence shall make False Accusation blush and Tyrannie Tremble at Patience You my Lord best know Whom least will seeme to doe so my past life Hath beene as continent as chaste as true As I am now vnhappy which is more Then Historie can patterne though deuis'd And play'd to take Spectators For behold me A Fellow of the Royall Bed which owe A Moitie of the Throne a great Kings Daughter The Mother to a hopefull Prince here standing To prate and talke for Life and Honor fore Who please to come and heare For Life I prize it As I weigh Griefe which I would spare For Honor 'T is a deriuatiue from me to mine And onely that I stand for I appeale To your owne Conscience Sir before Polixenes Came to your Court how I was in your grace How merited to be so Since he came With what encounter so vncurrant I Haue strayn'd t' appeare thus if one iot beyond The bound of Honor or in act or will That way enclining hardned be the hearts Of all that heare me and my
desires I am friend to them and you Vpon which Errand I now goe toward him therefore follow me And marke what way I make Come good my Lord. Exeunt Scoena Secunda Enter Autolicus and a Gentleman Aut. Beseech you Sir were you present at this Relation Gent. 1. I was by at the opening of the Farthell heard the old Shepheard deliuer the manner how he found it Whereupon after a little amazednesse we were all commanded out of the Chamber onely this me thought I heard the Shepheard say he found the Child Aut. I would most gladly know the issue of it Gent. 1. I make a broken deliuerie of the Businesse but the changes I perceiued in the King and Camillo were very Notes of admiration they seem'd almost with staring on one another to teare the Cases of their Eyes There was speech in their dumbnesse Language in their very gesture they look'd as they had heard of a World â—ansom'd or one destroyed a notable passion of Wonder appeared in them but the wisest beholder that knew no more but seeing could not say if th' importance were Iâ—y or Sorrow but in the extremitie of the one it must needs be Enter another Gentleman Here comes a Gentleman that happily knowes more The Newes Rogero Gent. 2. Nothing but Bon-fires the Oracle is fulfill'd the Kings Daughter is found such a deale of wonder is broken out within this houre that Ballad-makers cannot be able to expresse it Enter another Gentleman Here comes the Lady Paulina's Steward hee can deliuer you more How goes it now Sir This Newes which is call'd true is so like an old Tale that the veritie of it is in strong suspition Ha's the King found his Heire Gent. 3. Most true if euer Truth were pregnant by Circumstance That which you heare you 'le sweare you see there is such vnitie in the proofes The Mantle of Queene Hermiones her Iewell about the Neck of it the Letters of Antigonus found with it which they know to be his Character the Maiestie of the Creature in resemblance of the Mother the Affection of Noblenesse which Nature shewes aboue her Breeding and many other Euidences proclayme her with all certaintie to be the Kings Daughter Did you see the meeting of the two Kings Gent. 2. No. Gent. 3. Then haue you lost a Sight which was to bee seene cannot bee spoken of There might you haue beheld one Ioy crowne another so and in such manner that it seem'd Sorrow wept to take leaue of them for their Ioy waded in teares There was casting vp of Eyes holding vp of Hands with Countenance of such distraction that they were to be knowne by Garment not by Fauor Our King being ready to leape out of himselfe for ioy of his found Daughter as if that Ioy were now become a Losse cryes Oh thy Mother thy Mother then askes Bohemia forgiuenesse then embraces his Sonne-in-Law then againe worryes he his Daughter with clipping her Now he thanks the old Shepheard which stands by like a Weather-bitten Conduit of many Kings Reignes I neuer heard of such another Encounter which lames Report to follow it and vndo's description to doe it Gent. 2. What 'pray you became of Antigonus that carryed hence the Child Gent. 3. Like an old Tale still which will haue matter to rehearse though Credit be asleepe and not an eare open he was torne to pieces with a Beare This auouches the Shepheards Sonne who ha's not onely his Innocence which seemes much to iustifie him but a Hand-kerchief and Rings of his that Paulina knowes Gent. 1. What became of his Barke and his Followers Gent. 3. Wrackt the same instant of their Masters death and in the view of the Shepheard so that all the Instruments which ayded to expose the Child were euen then loft when it was found But oh the Noble Combat that 'twixt Ioy and Sorrow was fought in Paulina Shee had one Eye declin'd for the losse of her Husband another eleuated that the Oracle was fulfill'd Shee lifted the Princesse from the Earth and so locks her in embracing as if shee would pin her to her heart that shee might no more be in danger of loosing Gent. 1. The Dignitie of this Act was worth the audience of Kings and Princes for by such was it acted Gent. 3. One of the prettyest touches of all and that which angl'd for mine Eyes caught the Water though not the Fish was when at the Relation of the Queenes death with the manner how shee came to 't brauely confess'd and lamented by the King how attentiuenesse wounded his Daughter till from one signe of dolour to another shee did with an Alas I would faine say bleed Teares for I am sure my heart wept blood Who was most Marble there changed colour some swownded all sorrowed if all the World could haue seen 't the Woe had beene vniuersall Gent. 1. Are they returned to the Court Gent. 3. No The Princesse hearing of her Mothers Statue which is in the keeping of Paulina a Peece many yeeres in doing and now newly perform'd by that rare Italian Master Iulio Romaeno who had he himselfe Eternitie and could put Breath into his Worke would beguile Nature of her Custome so perfectly he is her Ape He so neere to Hermione hath done Hermione that they say one would speake to her and stand in hope of answer Thither with all greedinesse of affection are they gone and there they intend to Sup. Gent. 2. I thought she had some great matter there in hand for shee hath priuately twice or thrice a day euer since the death of Hermione visited that remoued House Shall wee thither and with our companie peece the Reioycing Gent. 1. Who would be thence that ha's the benefit of Accesse euery winke of an Eye some new Grace will be borne our Absence makes vs vnthriftie to our Knowledge Let 's along Exit Aut. Now had I not the dash of my former life in me would Preferment drop on my head I brought the old man and his Sonne aboord the Prince told him I heard them talke of a Farthell and I know not what but he at that time ouer-fond of the Shepheards Daughter so he then tooke her to be who began to be much Sea-sick and himselfe little better extremitie of Weather continuing this Mysterie remained vndiscouer'd But 't is all one to me for had I beene the finder-out of this Secret it would not haue rellish'd among my other discredits Enter Shepheard and Clowne Here come those I haue done good to against my will and alreadie appearing in the blossomes of their Fortune Shep. Come Boy I am past moe Children but thy Sonnes and Daughters will be all Gentlemen borne Clow. You are well met Sir you deny'd to fight with mee this other day because I was no Gentleman borne See you these Clothes say you see them not and thinke me still no Gentleman borne You were best say these Robes are not Gentlemen borne Giue me the Lye doe and try whether I
am not now a Gentleman borne Aut. I know you are now Sir a Gentleman borne Clow. I and haue been so any time these foure houres Shep. And so haue I Boy Clow. So you haue but I was a Gentleman borne before my Father for the Kings Sonne tooke me by the hand and call'd mee Brother and then the two Kings call'd my Father Brother and then the Prince my Brother and the Princesse my Sister call'd mv Father Father and so wee wept and there was the first Gentleman-like teares that euer we shed Shep. We may liue Sonne to shed many more Clow. I or else 't were hard luck being in so pâ—eposterous estate as we are Aut. I humbly beseech you Sir to pardon me all the faults I haue committed to your Worship and to giue me your good report to the Prince my Master Shep. 'Prethee Sonne doe for we must be gentle now we are Gentlemen Clow. Thou wilt amend thy life Ant. I and it like your good Worship Clow. Giue me thy hand I will sweare to the Prince thou art as honest a true Fellow as any is in Bohemia Shep. You may say it but not sweare it Clow. Not sweare it now I am a Gentleman Let Boores and Francklins say it I le sweare it Shep. How if it be false Sonne Clow. If it be ne're so false a true Gentleman may sweare it in the behalfe of his Friend And I le sweare to the Prince thou art a tall Fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt not be drunke but I know thou art no tall Fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt be drunke but I le sweare it and I would thou would'st be a tall Fellow of thy hands Aut. I will proue so Sir to my power Clow. I by any meanes proue a tall Fellow if I do not wonder how thou dar'st venture to be drunke not being a tall Fellow trust me not Harke the Kings and the Princes our Kindred are going to see the Queenes Picture Come follow vs wee 'le be thy good Masters Exeunt Scaena Tertia Enter Leontes Polixenes Florizell Perdita Camillo Paulina Hermione like a Statue Lords c. Leo. O graue and good Paulina the great comfort That I haue had of thee Paul What Soueraigne Sir I did not well I meant well all my Seruices You haue pay'd home But that you haue vouchsaf'd With your Crown'd Brother and these your contracted Heires of your Kingdomes my poore House to visit It is a surplus of your Grace which neuer My life may last to answere Leo. O Paulina We honor you with trouble but we came To see the Statue of our Queene Your Gallerie Haue we pass'd through not without much content In many singularities but we saw not That which my Daughter came to looke vpon The Statue of her Mother Paul As she liu'd peerelesse So her dead likenesse I doe well beleeue Excells what euer yet you look'd vpon Or hand of Man hath done therefore I keepe it Louely apart But here it is prepare To see the Life as liuely mock'd as euer Still Sleepe mock'd Death behold and say 't is well I like your silence it the more shewes-off Your wonder but yet speake first you my Liege Comes it not something neere Leo. Her naturall Posture Chide me deare Stone that I may say indeed Thou art Hermione or rather thou art she In thy not chiding for she was as tender As Infancie and Grace But yet Paulina Hermione was not so much wrinckled nothing So aged as this seemes Pol. Oh not by much Paul So much the more our Caruers excellence Which lets goe-by some sixteene yeeres and makes her As she liu'd now Leo. As now she might haue done So much to my good comfort as it is Now piercing to my Soule Oh thus she stood Euen with such Life of Maiestie warme Life As now it coldly stands when first I woo'd her I am asham'd Do's not the Stone rebuke me For being more Stone then it Oh Royall Peece There 's Magick in thy Maiestie which ha's My Euils coniur'd to remembrance and From thy admiring Daughter tooke the Spirits Standing like Stone with thee Perd. And giue me leaue And doe not say 't is Superstition that I kneele and then implore her Blessing Lady Deere Queene that ended when I but began Giue me that hand of yours to kisse Paul O patience The Statue is but newly fix'd the Colour 's Not dry Cam. My Lord your Sorrow was too sore lay'd-on Which sixteene Winters cannot blow away So many Summers dry scarce any Ioy Did euer so long liue no Sorrow But kill'd it selfe much sooner Pol. Deere my Brother Let him that was the cause of this haue powre To take-off so much griefe from you as he Will peece vp in himselfe Paul Indeed my Lord If I had thought the sight of my poore Image Would thus haue wrought you for the Stone is mine I l'd not haue shew'd it Leo. Doe not draw the Curtaine Paul No longer shall you gaze on 't least your Fancie May thinke anon it moues Leo. Let be let be Would I were dead but that me thinkes alreadie What was he that did make it See my Lord Would you not deeme it breath'd and that those veines Did verily beare blood Pol. ' Masterly done The very Life seemes warme vpon her Lippe Leo. The fixure of her Eye ha's motion in 't As we are mock'd with Art Paul I le draw the Curtaine My Lord 's almost so farre transported that Hee 'le thinke anon it liues Leo. Oh sweet Paulina Make me to thinke so twentie yeeres together No setled Sences of the World can match The pleasure of that madnesse Let 't alone Paul I am sorry Sir I haue thus farre stir'd you but I could afflict you farther Leo. Doe Paulina For this Affliction ha's a taste as sweet As any Cordiall comfort Still me thinkes There is an ayre comes from her What fine Chizzell Could euer yet cut breath Let no man mock me For I will kisse her Paul Good my Lord forbeare The ruddinesse vpon her Lippe is wet You 'le marre it if you kisse it stayne your owne With Oyly Painting shall I draw the Curtaine Leo. No not these twentie yeeres Perd. So long could I Stand-by a looker-on Paul Either forbeare Quit presently the Chappell or resolue you For more amazement if you can behold it I le make the Statue moue indeed descend And take you by the hand but then you 'le thinke Which I protest against I am assisted By wicked Powers Leo. What you can make her doe I am content to looke on what to speake I am content to heare for 't is as easie To make her speake as moue Paul It is requir'd You doe awake your Faith then all stand still On those that thinke it is vnlawfull Businesse I am about let them depart Leo. Proceed No foot shall stirre Paul Musick awake her Strike 'T is time descend be Stone no more approach Strike all that looke
as we are by this peeuish Towne Turne thou the mouth of thy Artillerie As we will ours against these sawcie walles And when that we haue dash'd them to the ground Why then defie each other and pell-mell Make worke vpon our selues for heauen or hell Fra. Let it be so say where will you assault Iohn We from the West will send destruction Into this Cities bosome Aust I from the North. Fran. Our Thunder from the South Shall raine their drift of bullets on this Towne Bast O prudent discipline From North to South Austria and France shoot in each others mouth I le stirre them to it Come away away Hub. Heare vs great kings vouchsafe awhile to stay And I shall shew you peace and faire-fac'd league Win you this Citie without stroke or wound Rescue those breathing liues to dye in beds That heere come sacrifices for the field Perseuer not but heare me mighty kings Iohn Speake on with favour we are bent to heare Hub. That daughter there of Spaine the Lady Blanch Is neere to England looke vpon the yeeres Of Lewes the Dolphin and that louely maid If lustie loue should go in quest of beautie Where should he finde it fairer theâ— in Blanch If zealous loue should go in search of vertue Where should he finde iâ— purer then in Blanch If loue ambitious sought a match of birth Whose veines bound richer blood then Lady Blanch Such as she is in beautie vertue birth Is the yong Dolphin euery way compleat If not compleat of say he is not shee And she againe wants nothing to name want If want it be not that she is not hee He is the halfe-part oâ— a blessed man Left to be finished by such as shee And she a faire diuided excellence Whose fulnesse of perfection lyes in him O two such siluer currents when they ioyne Do glorifie the bankes that bound them in And two such shores to two such streames made one Two such controlling bounds shall you be kings To these two Princes if you marrie them This Vnion shall do more then batterie can To our fast closed gates for at this match With swifter spleene then powder can enforce The mouth of passage shall we sling wide ope And giue you entrance but without this match The sea enraged is not halfe so deafe Lyons more confident Mountaines and rockes More free from motion no not death himselfe In mortall furie halfe so peremptorie As we to keepe this Citie Bast Heere 's a stay That shakes the rotten carkasse of old death Out of his ragges Here 's a large mouth indeede That spits forth death and mountaines rockes and seas Talkes as familiarly of roaring Lyons As maids of thirteene do of puppi-dogges What Cannoneere begot this Iustie blood He speakes plaine Cannon fire and smoake and bounce He giues the bastinado with his tongue Our eares are cudgel'd not a word of his But buffets better then a fist of France Zounds I was neuer so bethumpt with words Since I first cal'd my brothers father Dad. Old Qu. Son list to this coniunction make this match Giue with our Neece a dowrie large enough For by this knot thou shalt so surely tye Thy now vnsur'd assurance to the Crowne That you greene boy shall haue no Sunne to ripe The bloome that promiseth a mightie fruite I see a yeelding in the lookes of France Marke how they whisper vrge them while their soules Are capeable of this ambition Least zeale now melted by the windie breath Of soft petitions pittie and remorse Coole and congeale againe to what it was Hub. Why answer not the double Maiesties This friendly treatie of our threatned Towne Fra. Speake England first that hath bin forward first To speake vnto this Cittie what say you Iohn If that the Dolphin there thy Princely sonne Can in this booke of beautie râ—ad I loue Her Dowrie shall weigh equall with a Queene For Angiers and faire Toraine Maine Poyctiers And all that we vpon this side the Sea Except this Cittie now by vs besiedg'd Finde liable to our Crowne and Dignitie Shall gild her bridall bed and make her rich In titles honors and promotions As she in beautie education blood Holdes hand with any Princesse of the world Fra. What sai'st thou boy looke in the Ladies face Dol. I do my Lord and in her eie I find A wonder or a wondrous miracle The shadow of my selfe form'd in her eye Which being but the shadow of your sonne Becomes a sonne and makes your sonne a shadow I do protest I neuer lou'd my selfe Till now infixed I beheld my selfe Drawne in the flattering table of her eie Whispers with Blanch. Bast Drawne in the flattering table of her eie Hang'd in the frowning wrinkle of her brow And quarter'd in her heart hee doth espie Himselfe loues traytor this is pittie now That hang'd and drawne and quarter'd there should be In such a loue so vile a Lout as he Blan. My vnckles will in this respect is mine If he see ought in you that makes him like That any thing he see 's which moues his liking I can with ease translate it to my will Or if you will to speake more properly I will enforce it easlie to my loue Further I will not flatter you my Lord That all I see in you is worthie loue Then this that nothing do I see in you Though churlish thoughts themselues should bee your Iudge That I can finde should merit any hate Iohn What saie these yong-ones What say you my Neece Blan. That she is bound in honor still to do What you in wisedome still vouchsafe to say Iohn Speake then Prince Dolphin can you loue this Ladie Dol. Nay aske me if I can refraine from loue For I doe loue her most vnfainedly Iohn Then do I giue Volquessen Toraine Maine Poyctiers and Aniow these fiue Prouinces With her to thee and this addition more Full thirty thousand Markes of English coyne Phillip of France if thou be pleas'd withall Command thy sonne and daughtet to ioyne hands Fra. It likes vs well young Princes close your hands Aust And your lippes too for I am well assur'd That I did so when I was first assur'd Fra. Now Cittizens of Angires ope your gates Let in that amitie which you haue made For at Saint Maries Chappell presently The rights of marriage shall be solemniz'd Is not the Ladie Constance in this troope I know she is not for this match made vp Her presence would haue interrupted much Where is she and her sonne tell me who knowes Dol. She is sad and passionate at your highnes Tent. Fra. And by my faith this league that we haue made Will giue her sadnesse very little cure Brother of England how may we content This widdow Lady In her right we came Which we God knowes haue turnâ—d another way To our owne vantage Iohn We will heale vp all For wee 'l create yong Arthur Duke of Britaine And Earle of Richmond and this rich faire Towne We make him
from henceforth rather be my Selfe Mighty and to be fear'd then my condition Which hath beene smooth as Oyle soft as yong Downe And therefore lost that Title of respect Which the proud soule ne're payes but to the proud Wor. Our house my Soueraigne Liege little deserues The scourge of greatnesse to be vsed on it And that same greatnesse too which our owne hands Haue holpe to make so portly Nor. My Lord. King Worcester get thee gone for I do see Danger and disobedience in thine eye O sir your presence is too bold and peremptory And Maiestie might neuer yet endure The moody Frontier of a seruant brow You haue good leaue to leaue vs. When we need Your vse and counsell we shall send for you You were about to speake North. Yea my good Lord. Those Prisoners in your Highnesse demanded Which Harry Percy heere at Holmedon tooke Were as he sayes not with such strength denied As was deliuered to your Maiesty Who either through enuy or misprision Was guilty of this fault and not my Sonne Hot. My Liege I did deny no Prisoners But I remember when the fight was done When I was dry with Rage and extreame Toyle Breathlesse and Faint leaning vpon my Sword Came there a certaine Lord neat and trimly drest Fresh as a Bride-groome and his Chin new reapt Shew'd like a stubble Land at Haruest home He was perfumed like a Milliner And 'twixt his Finger and his Thumbe he held A Pouncet-box which euer and anon He gaue his Nose and took 't away againe Who therewith angry when it next came there Tooke it in Snuffe And still he smil'd and talk'd And as the Souldiers bare dead bodies by He call'd them vntaught Knaues Vnmannerly To bring a slouenly vnhandsome Coarse Betwixt the Winde and his Nobility With many Holiday and Lady tearme He question'd me Among the rest demanded My Prisoners in your Maiesties behalfe I then all-smarting with my wounds being cold To be so pestered with a Popingay Out of my Greefe and my Impatience Answer'd neglectingly I know not what He should or should not For he made me mad To see him shine so briske and smell so sweet And talke so like a Waiting-Gentlewoman Of Guns Drums and Wounds God saue the marke And telling me the Soueraign'st thing on earth Was Parmacity for an inward bruise And that it was great pitty so it was That villanous Salt-peter should be digg'd Out of the Bowels of the harmlesse Earth Which many a good Tall Fellow had destroy'd So Cowardly And but for these vile Gunnes He would himselfe haue beene a Souldier This bald vnioynted Chat of his my Lord Made me to answer indirectly as I said And I beseech you let not this report Come currant for an Accusation Betwixt my Loue and your high Maiesty Blunt The circumstance considered good my Lord What euer Harry Percie then had said To such a person and in such a place At such a time with all the rest retold May reasonably dye and neuer rise To do him wrong or any way impeach What then he said so he vnsay it now King Why yet doth deny his Prisoners But with Prouiso and Exception That we at our owne charge shall ransome straight His Brother-in-Law the foolish Mortimer Who in my soule hath wilfully betraid The liues of those that he did leade to Fight Against the great Magitian damn'd Glendower Whose daughter as we heare the Earle of March Hath lately married Shall our Coffers then Be emptied to redeeme a Traitor home Shall we buy Treason and indent with Feares When they haue lost and forfeyted themselues No on the barren Mountaine let him sterue For I shall neuer hold that man my Friend Whose tongue shall aske me for one peny cost To ransome home reuolted Mortimer Hot. Reuolted Mortimer He neuer did fall off my Soueraigne Liege But by the chance of Warre to proue that true Needs no more but one tongue For all those Wounds Those mouthed Wounds which valiantly he tooke When on the gentle Seuernes siedgie banke In single Opposition hand to hand He did confound the best part of an houre In changing hardiment with great Glendower Three times they breath'd and three times did they drink Vpon agreement of swift Seuernes flood Who then affrighted with their bloody lookes Ran fearefully among the trembling Reeds And hid his crispe-head in the hollow banke Blood-stained with these Valiant Combatants Neuer did base and rotten Policy Colour her working with such deadly wounds Nor neuer could the Noble Mortimer Receiue so many and all willingly Then let him not be sland'red with Reuolt King Thou do'st bely him Percy thou dost bely him He neuer did encounter with Glendower I tell thee he durst as well haue met the diuell alone As Owen Glendower for an enemy Art thou not asham'd But Sirrah henceforth Let me not heare you speake of Mortimer Send me your Prisoners with the speediest meanes Or you shall heare in such a kinde from me As will displease ye My Lord Northumberland We License your departure with your sonne Send vs your Prisoners or you 'l heare of it Exit King Hot. And if the diuell come and roare for them I will not send them I will after straight And tell him so for I will ease my heart Although it be with hazard of my head Nor. What drunke with choller stay pause awhile Heere comes your Vnckle Enter Worcester Hot. Speake of Mortimer Yes I will speake of him and let my soule Want mercy if I do not ioyne with him In his behalfe I le empty all these Veines And shed my deere blood drop by drop i' th dust But I will lift the downfall Mortimer As high i' th Ayre as this Vnthankfull King As this Ingrate and Cankred Bullingbrooke Nor. Brother the King hath made your Nephew mad Wor. Who strooke this heate vp after I was gone Hot. He will forsooth haue all my Prisoners And when I vrg'd the ransom once againe Of my Wiues Brother then his cheeke look'd pale And on my face he turn'd an eye of death Trembling euen at the name of Mortimer Wor. I cannot blame him was he not proclaim'd By Richard that dead is the next of blood Nor. He was I heard the Proclamation And then it was when the vnhappy King Whose wrongs in vs God pardon did set forth Vpon his Irish Expedition From whence he intercepted did returne To be depos'd and shortly murthered Wor. And for whose death we in the worlds wide mouth Liue scandaliz'd and fouly spoken of Hot. But soft I pray you did King Richard then Proclaime my brother Mortimer Heyre to the Crowne Nor. He did my selfe did heare it Hot. Nay then I cannot blame his Cousin King That wish'd him on the barren Mountaines staru'd But shall it be that you that set the Crowne Vpon the head of this forgetfull man And for his sake wore the detested blot Of murtherous subornation Shall it be That you a world of curses vndergoe
to blood If you go forward therefore yeeld or dye Cade As for these silken-coated slaues I passe not It is to you good people that I speake Ouer whom in time to come I hope to raigne For I am rightfull heyre vnto the Crowne Staff Villaine thy Father was a Playsterer And thou thy selfe a Sheareman art thou not Cade And Adam was a Gardiner Bro. And what of that Cade Marry this Edmund Mortimer Earle of March married the Duke of Clarence daughter did he not Staf. I sir Cade By her he had two children at one birth Bro. That 's false Cade I there 's the question But I say 't is true The elder of them being put to nurse Was by a begger-woman stolne away And ignorant of his birth and parentage Became a Bricklayer when he came to age His sonne am I deny it if you can But. Nay 't is too true therefore he shall be King Wea. Sir he made a Chimney in my Fathers house the brickes are aliue at this day to testifie it therefore deny it not Staf. And will you credit this base Drudges Wordes that speakes he knowes not what All. I marry will we therefore get ye gone Bro. Iacke Cade the D. of York hath taught you this Cade He lyes for I inuented it my selfe Go too Sirrah tell the King from me that for his Fathers sake Henry the fift in whose time boyes went to Span-counter for French Crownes I am content he shall raigne but I le be Protector ouer him Butcher And furthermore wee 'l haue the Lord Sayes head for selling the Dukedome of Maine Cade And good reason for thereby is England main'd And faine to go with a staffe but that my puissance holds it vp Fellow-Kings I tell you that that Lord Say hath gelded the Commonwealth and made it an Eunuch more then that he can speake French and therefore hee is a Traitor Staf. O grosse and miserable ignorance Cade Nay answer if you can The Frenchmen are our enemies go too then I ask but this Can he that speaks with the tongue of an enemy be a good Councellour or no All. No no and therefore wee 'l haue his head Bro. Well seeing gentle words will not preuayle Assaile them with the Army of the King Staf. Herald away and throughout euery Towne Proclaime them Traitors that are vp with Cade That those which flye before the battell ends May euen in their Wiues and Childrens sight Be hang'd vp for example at their doores And you that be the Kings Friends follow me Exit Cade And you that loue the Commons follow me Now shew your selues men 't is for Liberty We will not leaue one Lord one Gentleman Spare none but such as go in clouted shooen For they are thrifty honest men and such As would but that they dare not take our parts But. They are all in order and march toward vs. Cade But then are we in order when we are most out of order Come march forward Alarums to the fight wherein both the Staffords are slaine Enter Cade and the rest Cade Where 's Dicke the Butcher of Ashford But. Heere sir Cade They fell before thee like Sheepe and Oxen thou behaued'st thy selfe as if thou hadst beene in thine owne Slaughter-house Therfore thus will I reward thee the Lent shall bee as long againe as it is and thou shalt haue a License to kill for a hundred lacking one But. I desire no more Cade And to speake truth thou deseru'st no lesse This Monument of the victory will I beare and the bodies shall be dragg'd at my horse heeles till I do come to London where we will haue the Maiors sword born before vs. But. If we meane to thriue and do good breake open the Gaoles and let out the Prisoners Cade Feare not that I warrant thee Come let 's march towards London Exeunt Enter the King with a Supplication and the Queene with Suffolkes head the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Say Queene Oft haue I heard that greefe softens the mind And makes it fearefull and degenerate Thinke therefore on reuenge and cease to weepe But who can cease to weepe and looke on this Heere may his head lye on my throbbing brest But where 's the body that I should imbrace Buc. What answer makes your Grace to the Rebells Supplication King I le send some holy Bishop to intreat For God forbid so many simple soules Should perish by the Sword And I my selfe Rather then bloody Warre shall cut them short Will parley with Iacke Cade their Generall But stay I le read it ouer once againe Qu. Ah barbarous villaines Hath this louely face Rul'd like a wandering Plannet ouer me And could it not inforce them to relent That were vnworthy to behold the same King Lord Say Iacke Cade hath sworne to huae thy head Say I but I hope your Highnesse shall haue his King How now Madam Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolkes death I feare me Loue if that I had beene dead Thou would'st not haue mourn'd so much for me Qu. No my Loue I should not mourne but dye for thee Enter a Messenger King How now What newes Why com'st thou in such haste Mes The Rebels are in Southwarke Fly my Lord Iacke Cade proclaimes himselfe Lord Mortimer Descended from the Duke of Clarence house And calles your Grace Vsurper openly And vowes to Crowne himselfe in Westminster His Army is a ragged multitude Of Hindes and Pezants rude and mercilesse Sir Humfrey Stafford and his Brothers death Hath giuen them heart and courage to proceede All Schollers Lawyers Courtiers Gentlemen They call false Catterpillers and intend their death Kin. Oh gracelesse men they know not what they do Buck. My gracious Lord retire to Killingworth Vntill a power be rais'd to put them downe Qu. Ah were the Duke of Suffolke now aliue These Kentish Rebels would be soone appeas'd King Lord Say the Traitors hateth thee Therefore away with vs to Killingworth Say So might your Graces person be in danger The sight of me is odious in their eyes And therefore in this Citty will I stay And liue alone as secret as I may Enter another Messenger Mess Iacke Cade hath gotten London-bridge The Citizens flye and forsake their houses The Rascall people thirsting after prey Ioyne with the Traitor and they ioyntly sweare To spoyle the City and your Royall Court. Buc. Then linger not my Lord away take horse King Come Margaret God our hope will succor vs. Qu. My hope is gone now Suffolke is deceast King Farewell my Lord trust not the Kentish Rebels Buc. Trust no body for feare you betraid Say The trust I haue is in mine innocence And therefore am I bold and resolute Exeunt Enter Lord Scales vpon the Tower walking Then enters two or three Citizens below Scales How now Is Iacke Cade slaine 1. Cit. No my Lord nor likely to be slaine For they haue wonne the Bridge Killing all those that withstand them The L. Maior
Noble I le doth want his proper Limmes His Face defac'd with skarres of Infamie His Royall Stock grafft with ignoble Plants And almost shouldred in the swallowing Gulfe Of darke Forgetfulnesse and deepe Obliuion Which to recure we heartily solicite Your gracious selfe to take on you the charge And Kingly Gouernment of this your Land Not as Protector Steward Substitute Or lowly Factor for anothers gaine But as successiuely from Blood to Blood Your Right of Birth your Empyrie your owne For this consorted with the Citizens Your very Worshipfull and louing friends And by their vehement instigation In this iust Cause come I to moue your Grace Rich. I cannot tell if to depart in silence Or bitterly to speake in your reproofe Best fitteth my Degree or your Condition If not to answer you might haply thinke Tongue-ty'd Ambition not replying yeelded To beare the Golden Yoake of Soueraigntie Which fondly you would here impose on me If to reproue you for this suit of yours So season'd with your faithfull loue to me Then on the other side I check'd my friends Therefore to speake and to auoid the first And then in speaking not to incurre the last Definitiuely thus I answer you Your loue deserues my thankes but my desert Vnmeritable shunnes your high request First if all Obstacles were cut away And that my Path were euen to the Crowne As the ripe Reuenue and due of Birth Yet so much is my pouertie of spirit So mightie and so manie my defects That I would rather hide me from my Greatnesse Being a Barke to brooke no mightie Sea Then in my Greatnesse couet to be hid And in the vapour of my Glory smother'd But God be thank'd there is no need of me And much I need to helpe you were there need The Royall Tree hath left vs Royall Fruit Which mellow'd by the stealing howres of time Will well become the Seat of Maiestie And make no doubt vs happy by his Reigne On him I lay that you would lay on me The Right and Fortune of his happie Starres Which God defend that I should wring from him Buck. My Lord this argues Conscience in your Grace But the respects thereof are nice and triuiall All circumstances well considered You say that Edward is your Brothers Sonne So say we too but not by Edwards Wife For first was be contract to Lady Lucie Your Mother liues a Witnesse to his Vow And afterward by substitute betroth'd To Bona Sister to the King of France These both put off a poore Petitioner A Care-cras'd Mother to a many Sonnes A Beautie-waining and distressed Widow Euen in the after-noone of her best dayes Made prize and purchase of his wanton Eye Seduc'd the pitch and height of his degree To base declension and loath'd Bigamie By her in his vnlawfull Bed he got This Edward whom our Manners call the Prince More bitterly could I expostulate Saue that for reuerence to some aliue I giue a sparing limit to my Tongue Then good my Lord take to your Royall selfe This proffer'd benefit of Dignitie If not to blesse vs and the Land withall Yet to draw forth your Noble Ancestrie From the corruption of abusing times Vnto a Lineall true deriued course Maior Do good my Lord your Citizens entreat you Buck. Refuse not mightie Lord this proffer'd loue Catesb O make them ioyfull grant their lawfull suit Rich. Alas why would you heape this Care on me I am vnfit for State and Maiestie I doe beseech you take it not amisse I cannot nor I will not yeeld to you Buck If you refuse it as in loue and zeale Loth to depose the Child your Brothers Sonne As well we know your tendernesse of heart And gentle kinde effeminate remorse Which we haue noted in you to your Kindred And egally indeede to all Estates Yet know where you accept our suit or no Your Brothers Sonne shall neuer reigne our King But we will plant some other in the Throne To the disgrace and downe-fall of your House And in this resolution here we leaue you Come Citizens we will entreat no more Exeunt Catesb Call him againe sweet Prince accept their suit If you denie them all the Land will rue it Rich. Will you enforce me to a world of Cares Call them againe I am not made of Stones But penetrable to your kinde entreaties Albeit against my Conscience and my Soule Enter Buckingham and the rest Cousin of Buckingham and sage graue men Since you will buckle fortune on my back To beare her burthen where I will or no. I must haue patience to endure the Load But if black Scandall or foule-fac'd Reproach Attend the sequell of your Imposition Your meere enforcement shall acquittance me From all the impure blots and staynes thereof For God doth know and you may partly see How farre I am from the desire of this Maior God blesse your Grace wee see it and will say it Rich. In saying so you shall but say the truth Buck. Then I salute you with this Royall Title Long liue King Richard Englands worthie King All. Amen Buck. To morrow may it please you to be Crown'd Rich. Euen when you please for you will haue it so Buck. To morrow then we will attend your Grace And so most ioyfully we take our leaue Rich. Come let vs to our holy Worke againe Farewell my Cousins farewell gentle friends Exeunt Actus Quartus Scena Prima Enter the Queene Anne Duchesse of Gloucester the Duchesse of Yorke and Marquesse Dorset Duch. Yorke Who meetes vs heere My Neece Plantagenet Led in the hand of her kind Aunt of Gloster Now for my Life shee 's wandring to the Tower On pure hearts loue to greet the tender Prince Daughter well met Anne God giue your Graces both a happie And a ioyfull time of day Qu. As much to you good Sister whither away Anne No farther then the Tower and as I guesse Vpon the like deuotion as your selues To gratulate the gentle Princes there Qu. Kind Sister thankes wee 'le enter all together Enter the Lieutenant And in good time here the Lieutenant comes Master Lieutenant pray you by your leaue How doth the Prince and my young Sonne of Yorke Lieu. Right well deare Madame by your patience I may not suffer you to visit them The King hath strictly charg'd the contrary Qu. The King who 's that Lieu. I meane the Lord Protector Qu. The Lord protect him from that Kingly Title Hath he set bounds betweene their loue and me I am their Mother who shall barre me from them Duch. Yorke I am their Fathers Mother I will see them Anne Their Aunt I am in law in loue their Mother Then bring me to their sights I le beare thy blame And take thy Office from thee on my perill Lieu. No Madame no I may not leaue it so I am bound by Oath and therefore pardon me Exit Lieutenant Enter Stanley Stanley Let me but meet you Ladies one howre hence And I le salute your Grace of
boote because both they Matcht not the high perfection of my losse Thy Clarence he is dead that stab'd my Edward And the beholders of this franticke play Th' adulterate Hastings Riuers Vaughan Gray Vntimely smother'd in their dusky Graues Richard yet liues Hels blacke Intelligencer Onely reseru'd their Factor to buy soules And send them thither But at hand at hand Insues his pittious and vnpittied end Earth gapes Hell burnes Fiends roare Saints pray To haue him sodainly conuey'd from hence Cancell his bond of life deere God I pray That I may liue and say The Dogge is dead Qu. O thou did'st prophesie the time would come That I should wish for thee to helpe me curse That bottel'd Spider that foule bunch-back'd Toad Mar. I call'd thee then vaine flourish of my fortune I call'd thee then poore Shadow painted Queen The presentation of but what I was The flattering Index of a direfull Pageant One heau'd a high to be hurl'd downe below A Mother onely mockt with two faire Babes A dreame of what thou wast a garish Flagge To be the ayme of euery dangerous Shot A signe of Dignity a Breath a Bubble A Queene in ieast onely to fill the Scene Where is thy Husband now Where be thy Brothers Where be thy two Sonnes Wherein dost thou Ioy Who sues and kneeles and sayes God saue the Queene Where be the bending Peeres that flattered thee Where be the thronging Troopes that followed thee Decline all this and see what now thou art For happy Wife a most distressed Widdow For ioyfull Mother one that wailes the name For one being sued too one that humbly sues For Queene a very Caytiffe crown'd with care For she that scorn'd at me now scorn'd of me For she being feared of all now fearing one For she commanding all obey'd of none Thus hath the course of Iustice whirl'd about And left thee but a very prey to time Hauing no more but Thought of what thou wast To torture thee the more being what thou art Thou didst vsurpe my place and dost thou not Vsurpe the iust proportion of my Sorrow Now thy proud Necke beares halfe my burthen'd yoke From which euen heere I slip my wearied head And leaue the burthen of it all on thee Farwell Yorkes wife and Queene of sad mischance These English woes shall make me smile in France Qu. O thou well skill'd in Curses stay a-while And teach me how to curse mine enemies Mar. Forbeare to sleepe the night and fast the day Compare dead happinesse with liuing woe Thinke that thy Babes were sweeter then they were And he that slew them fowler then he is Bett'ring thy losse makes the bad causer worse Reuoluing this will teach thee how to Curse Qu. My words are dull O quicken them with thine Mar. Thy woes will make them sharpe And pierce like mine Exit Margaret Dut. Why should calamity be full of words Qu. Windy Atturnies to their Clients Woes Ayery succeeders of intestine ioyes Poore breathing Orators of miseries Let them haue scope though what they will impart Helpe nothing els yet do they ease the hart Dut. If so then be not Tongue-ty'd go with me And in the breath of bitter words let 's smother My damned Son that thy two sweet Sonnes smother'd The Trumpet sounds be copious in exclaimes Enter King Richard and his Traine Rich. Who intercepts me in my Expedition Dut. O she that might haue intercepted thee By strangling thee in her accursed wombe From all the slaughters Wretch that thou hast done Qu. Hid'st thou that Forhead with a Golden Crowne Where 't should be branded if that right were right The slaughter of the Prince that ow'd that Crowne And the dyre death of my poore Sonnes and Brothers Tell me thou Villaine-flaue where are my Children Dut. Thou Toad thou Toade Where is thy Brother Clarence And little Ned Plantagenet his Sonne Qu. Where is the gentle Riuers Vaughan Gray Dut. Where is kinde Hastings Rich. A flourish Trumpets strike Alarum Drummes Let not the Heauens heare these Tell-tale women Raile on the Lords Annointed Strike I say Flourish Alarums Either be patient and intreat me fayre Or with the clamorous report of Warre Thus will I drowne your exclamations Dut. Art thou my Sonne Rich. I I thanke God my Father and your selfe Dut. Then patiently heare my impatience Rich. Madam I haue a touch of your condition That cannot brooke the accent of reproofe Dut. O let me speake Rich. Do then but I le not heare Dut I will be milde and gentle in my words Rich. And breefe good Mother for I am in hast Dut. Art thou so hasty I haue staid for thee God knowes in torment and in agony Rich. And came I not at last to comfort you Dut. No by the holy Rood thou know'st it well Thou cam'st on earth to make the earth my Hell A greeuous burthen was thy Birth to me Tetchy and wayward was thy Infancie Thy School-daies frightfull desp'rate wilde and furious Thy prime of Manhood daring bold and venturous Thy Age confirm'd proud subtle slye and bloody More milde but yet more harmfull Kinde in hatred What comfortable houre canst thou name That euer grac'd me with thy company Rich. Faith none but Humfrey Hower That call'd your Grace To Breakefast once forth of my company If I be so disgracious in your eye Let me march on and not offend you Madam Strike vp the Drumme Dut. I prythee heare me speake Rich. You speake too bitterly Dut. Heare me a word For I shall neuer speake to thee againe Rich. So. Dut. Either thou wilt dye by Gods iust ordinance Ere from this warre thou turne a Conqueror Or I with greefe and extreame Age shall perish And neuer more behold thy face againe Therefore take with thee my most greeuous Curse Which in the day of Battell tyre thee more Then all the compleat Armour that thou wear'st My Prayers on the aduerse party fight And there the little soules of Edwards Children Whisper the Spirits of thine Enemies And promise them Successe and Victory Bloody thou art bloody will be thy end Shame serues thy life and doth thy death attend Exit Qu. Though far more cause yet much lesse spirit to curse Abides in me I say Amen to her Rich. Stay Madam I must talke a word with you Qu. I haue no more sonnes of the Royall Blood For thee to slaughter For my Daughters Richard They shall be praying Nunnes not weeping Queenes And therefore leuell not to hit their liues Rich. You haue a daughter call'd Elizabeth Vertuous and Faire Royall and Gracious Qu. And must she dye for this O let her liue And I le corrupt her Manners staine her Beauty Slander my Selfe as false to Edwards bed Throw ouer her the vaile of Infamy So she may liue vnscarr'd of bleeding slaughter I will confesse she was not Edwards daughter Rich. Wrong not her Byrth she is a Royall Princesse Qu. To saue her life I le say she is not so Rich. Her life is
all Happily when I shall wed That Lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry Halfe my loue with him halfe my Care and Dutie Sure I shall neuer marry like my Sisters Lear. But goes thy heart with this Cor. I my good Lord. Lear. So young and so vntender Cor. So young my Lord and true Lear. Let it be so thy truth then be thy dowre For by the sacred radience of the Sunne The miseries of Heccat and the night By all the operation of the Orbes From whom we do exist and cease to be Heere I disclaime all my Paternall care Propinquity and property of blood And as a stranger to my heart and me Hold thee from this for euer The barbarous Scythian Or he that makes his generation messes To gorge his appetite shall to my bosome Be as well neighbour'd pittied and releeu'd As thou my sometime Daughter Kent Good my Liege Lear. Peace Kent Come not betweene the Dragon and his wrath I lou'd her most and thought to set my rest On her kind nursery Hence and avoid my sight So be my graue my peace as here I giue Her Fathers heart from her call France who stirres Call Burgundy Cornwall and Albanie With my two Daughters Dowres digest the third Let pride which she cals plainnesse marry her I doe inuest you ioyntly with my power Preheminence and all the large effects That troope with Maiesty Our selfe by Monthly course With reseruation of an hundred Knights By you to be sustain'd shall our abode Make with you by due turne onely we shall retaine The name and all th' addition to a King the Sway Reuennew Execution of the rest Beloued Sonnes be yours which to confirme This Coronet part betweene you Kent Royall Lear Whom I haue euer honor'd as my King Lou'd as my Father as my Master follow'd As my great Patron thought on in my praiers Le. The bow is bent drawne make from the shaft Kent Let it fall rather though the forke inuade The region of my heart be Kent vnmannerly When Lear is mad what wouldest thou do old man Think'st thou that dutie shall haue dread to speake When power to flattery bowes To plainnesse honour 's bound When Maiesty falls to folly reserue thy state And in thy best consideration checke This hideous rashnesse answere my life my iudgement Thy yongest Daughter do's not loue thee least Nor are those empty hearted whose low founds Reuerbe no hollownesse Lear. Kent on thy life no more Kent My life I neuer held but as pawne To wage against thine enemies nere feare to loose it Thy safety being motiue Lear. Out of my sight Kent See better Lear and let me still remaine The true blanke of thine eie Kear Now by Apollo Lent Now by Apollo King Thou swear st thy Gods in vaine Lear. O Vassall Miscreant Alb. Cor. Deare Sir forbeare Kent Kill thy Physition and thy see bestow Vpon the foule disease reuoke thy guift Or whil'st I can vent clamour from my throate I le tell thee thou dost euill Lea. Heare me recreant on thine allegeance heare me That thou hast sought to make vs breake our vowes Which we durst neuer yet and with strain'd pride To come betwixt our sentences and our power Which nor our nature nor our place can beare Our potencie made good take thy reward Fiue dayes we do allot thee for prouision To shield thee from disasters of the world And on the sixt to turne thy hated backe Vpon our kingdome if on the tenth day following Thy banisht trunke be found in our Dominions The moment is thy death away By Iupiter This shall not be reuok'd Kent Fare thee well King sith thus thou wilt appeare Freedome liues hence and banishment is here The Gods to their deere shelter take thee Maid That iustly think'st and hast most rightly said And your large speeches may your deeds approue That good effects may spring from words of loue Thus Kent O Princes bids you all adew Hee 'l shape his old course in a Country new Exit Flourish Enter Gloster with France and Burgundy Attendants Cor. Heere 's France and Burgundy my Noble Lord. Lear. My Lord of Bugundie We first addresse toward you who with this King Hath riuald for our Daughter what in the least Will you require in present Dower with her Or cease your quest of Loue Bur. Most Royall Maiesty I craue no more then hath your Highnesse offer'd Nor will you tender lesse Lear. Right Noble Burgundy When she was deare to vs we did hold her so But now her price is fallen Sir there she stands If ought within that little seeming substance Or all of it with our displeasure piec'd And nothing more may fitly like your Grace Shee 's there and she is yours Bur. I know no answer Lear. Will you with those infirmities she owes Vnfriended new adopted to our hate Dow'rd with our curse and stranger'd with our oath Take her or leaue her Bur. Pardon me Royall Sir Election makes not vp in such conditions Le. Then leaue her sir for by the powre that made me I tell you all her wealth For you great King I would not from your loue make such a stray To match you where I hate therefore beseech you T' auert your liking a more worthier way Then on a wretch whom Nature is asham'd Almost t' acknowledge hers Fra. This is most strange That she whom euen but now was your obiect The argument of your praise balme of your age The best the deerest should in this trice of time Commit a thing so monstrous to dismantle So many folds of fauour sure her offence Must be of such vnnaturall degree That monsters it Or your fore-voucht affection Fall into taint which to beleeue of her Must be a faith that reason without miracle Should neuer plant in me Cor. I yet beseech your Maiesty If for I want that glib and oylie Art To speake and purpose not since what I will intend I le do 't before I speake that you make knowne It is no vicious blot murther or foulenesse No vnchaste action or dishonoured step That hath depriu'd me of your Grace and fauour But euen for want of that for which I am richer A still soliciting eye and such a tongue That I am glad I haue not though not to haue it Hath loft me in your liking Lear. Better thou had'st Not beene borne then not t haue pleas'd me better Fra. Is it but this A tardinesse in nature Which often leaues the history vnspoke That it intends to do my Lord of Burgundy What say you to the Lady Loue 's not loue When it is mingled with regards that stands Aloofe from th' intire point will you haue her She is herselfe a Dowrie Bur. Royall King Giue but that portion which your selfe propos'd And here I take Cordelia by the hand Dutchesse of Burgundie Lear. Nothing I haue sworne I am firme Bur. I am sorry then you haue so lost a Father That you must loose a husband Cor.
reason I haue to thinke so if thou should'st not be glad I would diuorce me from thy Mother Tombe Sepulchring an Adultresse O are you free Some other time for that Beloued Regan Thy Sisters naught oh Regan she hath tied Sharpe-tooth'd vnkindnesse like a vulture heere I can scarce speake to thee thou 'lt not beleeue With how deprau'd a quality Oh Regan Reg. I pray you Sir take patience I haue hope You lesse know how to value her desert Then she to scant her dutie Lear. Say How is that Reg. I cannot thinke my Sister in the least Would faile her Obligation If Sir perchance She haue restrained the Riots of your Followres 'T is on such ground and to such wholesome end As cleeres her from all blame Lear. My curses on her Reg. O Sir you are old Nature in you stands on the very Verge Of his confine you should be rul'd and led By some discretion that discernes your state Better then you your selfe therefore I pray you That to our Sister you do make returne Say you haue wrong'd her Lear. Aske her forgiuenesse Do you but marke how this becomes the house Deere daughter I confesse that I am old Age is vnnecessary on my knees I begge That you 'l vouchsafe me Rayment Bed and Food Reg. Good Sir no more these are vnsightly trickes Returne you to my Sister Lear. Neuer Regan She hath abated me of halfe my Traine Look'd blacke vpon me strooke me with her Tongue Most Serpent-like vpon the very Heart All the stor'd Vengeances of Heauen fall On her ingratefull top strike her yong bones You taking Ayres with Lamenesse Corn. Fye sir fie Le. You nimble Lightnings dart your blinding flames Into her scornfull eyes Infect her Beauty You Fen-suck'd Fogges drawne by the powrfull Sunne To fall and blister Reg O the blest Gods So will you wish on me when the rash moode is on Lear. No Regan thou shalt neuer haue my curse Thy tender-hefted Nature shall not giue Thee o're to harshnesse Her eyes are fierce but thine Do comfort and not burne 'T is not in thee To grudge my pleasures to cut off my Traine To bandy hasty words to scant my sizes And in conclusion to oppose the bolt Against my comming in Thou better know'st The Offices of Nature bond of Childhood Effects of Curtesie dues of Gratitude Thy halfe o' th' Kingdome hast thou not forgot Wherein I thee endow'd Reg. Good Sir to ' th' purpose Tucket within Lear. Who put myâ— an i' th' Stockes Enter Steward Corn. What Trumpet 's that Reg. I know 't my Sisters this approues her Letter That she would soone be heere Is your Lady come Lear. This is a Slaue whose easie borrowed pride Dwels in the fickly grace of her he followes Out Varlet from my sight Corn. What meanes your Grace Enter Gonerill Lear. Who stockt my Seruant Regan I haue good hope Thou did'st not know on 't Who comes here O Heauens If you do loue old men if your sweet sway Allow Obedience if you your selues are old Make it your cause Send downe and take my part Art not asham'd to looke vpon this Beard O Regan will you take her by the hand Gon. Why not by ' th' hand Sir How haue I offended All 's not offence that indiscretion findes And dotage termes so Lear. O sides you are too tough Will you yet hold How came my man i' th' Stockes Corn. I set him there Sir but his owne Disorders Deseru'd much lesse aduancement Lear. You Did you Reg. I pray you Father being weake seeme so If till the expiration of your Moneth You will returne and soiourne with my Sister Dismissing halfe your traine come then to me I am now from home and out of that prouision Which shall be needfull for your entertainement Lear. Returne to her and fifty men dismiss'd No rather I abiure all roofes and chuse To wage against the enmity o th' ayre To be a Comrade with the Wolfe and Owle Necessities sharpe pinch Returne with her Why the hot-bloodied France that dowerlesse tooke Our yongest borne I could as well be brought To knee his Throne and Squire-like pension beg To keepe base life a foote returne with her Perswade me rather to be slaue and sumpter To this detested groome Gon. At your choice Sir Lear. I prythee Daughter do not make me mad I will not trouble thee my Child farewell Wee 'l no more meete no more see one another But yet thou art my flesh my blood my Daughter Or rather a disease that 's in my flesh Which I must needs call mine Thou art a Byle A plague sore or imbossed Carbuncle In my corrupted blood But I le not chide thee Let shame come when it will I do not call it I do not bid the Thunder-bearer shoore Nor tell tales of thee to high-iudging Ioue Mend when thou can'st be better at thy leisure I can be patient I can stay with Regan I and my hundred Knights Reg. Not altogether so I look'd not for you yet nor am prouided For your fit welcome giue eare Sir to my Sister For those that mingle reason with your passion Must be content to thinke you old and so But she knowes what she doe's Lear. Is this well spoken Reg. I dare auouch it Sir what fifty Followers Is it not well What should you need of more Yea or so many Sith that both charge and danger Speake ' gainst so great a number How in one house Should many people vnder two commands Hold amity 'T is hard almost impossible Gon. Why might not you my Lord receiue attendance From those that she cals Seruants or from mine Reg. Why not my Lord If then they chanc'd to slacke ye We could comptroll them if you will come to me For now I spiâ— danger I entreate you To bring but fiue and twentie to no more Will I giue place or notice Lear. I gaue you all Reg. And in good time you gaue it Lear. Made you my Guardians my Depositaries But kept a reseruation to be followed With such a number What must I come to you With fiue and twenty Regan said you so Reg. And speak 't againe my Lord no more with me Lea. Those wicked Creatures yet do look wel fauor'd When others are more wicked not being the worst Stands in some ranke of praise I le go with thee Thy fifty yet doth double fiue and twenty And thou art twice her Loue. Gon. Heare me my Lord What need you fiue and twenty Ten Or fiue To follow in a house where twice so many Haue a command to tend you Reg. What need one Lear. O reason not the need our basest Beggers Are in the poorest thing superfluous Allow not Nature more then Nature needs Mans life is cheape as Beastes Thou art a Lady If onely to go warme were gorgeous Why Nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st Which scarcely keepes thee warme but for true need You Heauens giue me that patience patience I need You see me
gilded Fly Do's letcher in my sight Let Copulation thriue For Glousters bastard Son was kinder to his Father Then my Daughters got 'tweene the lawfull sheets Too 't Luxury pell-mell for I lacke Souldiers Behold yond simpring Dame whose face betweene her Forkes presages Snow that minces Vertue do's shake the head to heare of pleasures name The Fitchew nor the soyled Horse goes too 't with a more riotous appetite Downe from the waste they are Centaures though Women all aboue but to the Girdle do the Gods inherit beneath is all the Fiends There 's hell there 's darkenes there is the sulphurous pit burning scalding stench consumption Fye fie fie pah pah Giue me an Ounce of Ciuet good Apothecary sweeten my immagination There 's money for thee Glou. O let me kisse that hand Lear. Let me wipe it first It smelles of Mortality Glou. O ruin'd peece of Nature this great world Shall so weare out to naught Do'st thou know me Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough dost thou squiny at me No doe thy worst blinde Cupid I le not loue Reade thou this challenge marke but the penning of it Glou. Were all thy Letters Sunnes I could not see Edg. I would not take this from report It is and my heart breakes at it Lear. Read Glou. What with the Case of eyes Lear. Oh ho are you there with me No eies in your head nor no mony in your purse Your eyes are in a heauy case your purse in a light yet you see how this world goes Glou. I see it feelingly Lear. What art mad A man may see how this world goes with no eyes Looke with thine eares See how yond Iustice railes vpon yond simple theefe Hearke in thine eare Change places and handy-dandy which is the Iustice which is the theefe Thou hast seene a Farmers dogge barke at a Beggar Glou. I Sir Lear. And the Creature run from the Cur there thou might'st behold the great image of Authoritie a Dogg's obey'd in Office Thou Rascall Beadle hold thy bloody hand why dost thou lash that Whore Strip thy owne backe thou hotly lusts to vse her in that kind for which thou whip'st her The Vsurer hangs the Cozener Thorough tatter'd cloathes great Vices do appeare Robes and Furr'd gownes hide all Place sinnes with Gold and the strong Lance of Iustice hurtlesse breakes Arme it in ragges a Pigmies straw do's pierce it None do's offend none I say none I le able 'em take that of me my Friend who haue the power to seale th' accusers lips Get thee glasse-eyes and like a scuruy Politician seeme to see the things thou dost not Now now now now Pull off my Bootes harder harder so Edg. O matter and impertinency mixt Reason in Madnesse Lear. If thou wilt weepe my Fortunes take my eyes I know thee well enough thy name is Glouster Thou must be patient we came crying hither Thou know'st the first time that we smell the Ayre We wawle and cry I will preach to thee Marke Glou. Alacke alacke the day Lear. When we are borne we cry that we are come To this great stage of Fooles This a good blocke It were a delicate stratagem to shoo A Troope of Horse with Felt I le put't in proofe And when I haue stolne vpon these Son in Lawes Then kill kill kill kill kill kill Enter a Gentleman Gent. Oh heere he is lay hand vpon him Sir Your most deere Daughter Lear. No rescue What a Prisoner I am euen The Naturall Foole of Fortune Vse me well You shall haue ransome Let me haue Surgeons I am cut to ' th' Braines Gent. You shall haue any thing Lear. No Seconds All my selfe Why this would make a man a man of Salt To vse his eyes for Garden water-pots I wil die brauely Like a smugge Bridegroome What I will be Iouiall Come come I am a King Masters know you that Gent. You are a Royall one and we obey you Lear. Then there 's life in 't Come and you get it You shall get it by running Sa sa sa sa Exit Gent. A sight most pittifull in the meanest wretch Past speaking of in a King Thou hast a Daughter Who redeemes Nature from the generall curse Which twaine haue brought her to Edg. Haile gentle Sir Gent. Sir speed you what 's your will Edg. Do you heare ought Sir of a Battell toward Gent. Most sure and vulgar Euery one heares that which can distinguish sound Edg. But by your fauour How neere 's the other Army Gent. Neere and on speedy foot the maine descry Stands on the hourely thought Edg. I thanke you Sir that 's all Gent. Though that the Queen on special cause is here Her Army is mou'd on Exit Edg. I thanke you Sir Glou. You euer gentle Gods take my breath from me Let not my worser Spirit tempt me againe To dye before you please Edg. Well pray you Father Glou. Now good sir what are you Edg. A most poore man made tame to Fortunes blows Who by the Art of knowne and feeling sorrowes Am pregnant to good pitty Giue me your hand I le leade you to some biding Glou. Heartie thankes The bountie and the benizon of Heauen To boot and boot Enter Steward Stew. A proclaim'd prize most happie That eyelesse head of thine was first fram'd flesh To raise my fortunes Thou old vnhappy Traitor Breefely thy selfe remember the Sword is out That must destroy thee Glou. Now let thy friendly hand Put strength enough too 't Stew. Wherefore bold Pezant Dar'st thou support a publish'd Traitor Hence Least that th' infection of his fortune take Like hold on thee Let go his arme Edg. I hill not let go Zir Without vurther ' casion Stew. Let go Slaue or thou dy'st Edg. Good Gentleman goe your gate and let poore volke passe and ' I hud ha' bin zwaggerd out of my life 't would not ha' bin zo long as 't is by a vortnight Nay come not neere th' old man keepe out che vor'ye or ice try whither your Costard or my Ballow be the harder I hill be plaine with you Stew. Out Dunghill Edg. I hill picke your teeth Zir come no matter vor your foynes Stew. Slaue thou hast slaine me Villain take my purse If euer thou wilt thriue bury my bodie And giue the Letters which thou find'st about me To Edmund Earle of Glouster seeke him out Vpon the English party Oh vntimely death death Edg. I know thee well A seruiceable Villaine As duteous to the vices of thy Mistris As badnesse would desire Glou. What is he dead Edg. Sit you downe Father rest you Let 's see these Pockets the Letters that he speakes of May be my Friends hee 's dead I am onely sorry He had no other Deathsman Let vs see Leaue gentle waxe and manners blame vs not To know our enemies mindes we rip their hearts Their Papers is more lawfull Reads the Letter LEt our reciprocall vowes be remembred You haue manie opportunities to cut him off if your will
who Iago Marry to Come Captaine will you go Othel. Haue with you Cassio Here comes another Troope to seeke for you Enter Brabantio Rodorigo with Officers and Torches Iago It is Brabantio Generall be aduis'd He comes to bad intent Othello Holla stand there Rodo Signior it is the Moore Bra. Downe with him Theefe Iago You Rodorigoc Cme Sir I am for you Othe Keepe vp your bright Swords for the dew will rust them Good Signior you shall more command with yeares then with your Weapons Bra. Oh thou foule Theefe Where hast thou stow'd my Daughter Damn'd as thou art thou hast enchaunted her For I le referre me to all things of sense If she in Chaines of Magick were not bound Whether a Maid so tender Faire and Happie So opposite to Marriage that she shun'd The wealthy curled Deareling of our Nation Would euer haue t'encurre a generall mocke Run from her Guard age to the sootie bosome Of such a thing as thou to feare not to delight Iudge me the world if 't is not grosse in sense That thou hast practis'd on her with foule Charmes Abus'd her delicate Youth with Drugs or Minerals That weakens Motion I le haue 't disputed on 'T is probable and palpable to thinking I therefore apprehend and do attach thee For an abuser of the World a practiser Of Arts inhibited and out of warrant Lay hold vpon him if he do resist Subdue him at his perill Othe Hold your hands Both you of my inclining and the rest Were it my Cue to fight I should haue knowne it Without a Prompter Whether will you that I goe To answere this your charge Bra. To Prison till fit time Of Law and course of direct Session Call thee to answer Othe What if do obey How may the Duke be therewith satisfi'd Whose Messengers are heere about my side Vpon some present businesse of the State To bring me to him Officer 'T is true most worthy Signior The Dukes in Counsell and your Noble selfe I am sure is sent for Bra. How The Duke in Counsell In this time of the night Bring him away Mine's not an idle Cause The Duke himselfe Or any of my Brothers of the State Cannot but feele this wrong as 't were their owne For if such Actions may haue passage free Bond-slaues and Pagans shall our Statesmen be Exeunt Scaena Tertia Enter Duke Senators and Officers Duke There 's no composition in this Newes That giues them Credite 1. Sen. Indeed they are disproportioned My Letters say a Hundred and seuen Gallies Duke And mine a Hundred fortie 2. Sena And mine two Hundred But though they iumpe not on a iust accompt As in these Cases where the ayme reports 'T is oft with difference yet do they all confirme A Turkish Fleete and bearing vp to Cyprus Duke Nay it is possible enough to iudgement I do not so secure me in the Error But the maine Article I do approue In fearefull sense Saylor within What hoa what hoa what hoa Enter Saylor Officer A Messenger from the Gallies Duke Now What 's the businesse Sailor The Turkish Preparation makes for Rhodes So was I bid report here to the State By Signior Angelo Duke How say you by this change 1. Sen. This cannot be By no assay of reason 'T is a Pageant To keepe vs in false gaze when we consider Th' importancie of Cyprus to the Turke And let our selues againe but vnderstand That as it more concernes the Turke then Rhodes So may he with more facile question beare it For that it stands not in such Warrelike brace But altogether lackes th' abilities The Rhodes is dress'd in If we make thought of this We must not thinke the Turke is so vnskillfull To leaue that latest which concernes him first Neglecting an attempt of ease and gaine To wake and wage a danger profitlesse Duke Nay in all confidence he 's not for Rhodes Officer Here is more Newes Enter a Messenger Messen The Ottamites Reueren'd and Gracious Steering with due course toward the I le of Rhodes Haue there inioynted them with an after Fleete 1. Sen. I so I thought how many as you guesse Mess Of thirtie Saile and now they do re-stem Their backward course bearing with frank appearance Their purposes toward Cyprus Signior Montano Your trustie and most Valiant Seruitour With his free dutie recommends you thus And prayes you to beleeue him Duke 'T is certaine then for Cyprus Marcus Luccicos is not he in Towne 1. Sen. He 's now in Florence Duke Write from vs To him Post Post-haste dispatch 1. Sen. Here comes Brabantio and the Valiant Moore Enter Brabantio Othello Cassio Iago Rodorigo and Officers Duke Valiant Othello we must straight employ you Against the generall Enemy Ottoman I did not see you welcome gentle Signior We lack't your Counsaile and your helpe to night Bra. So did I yours Good your Grace pardon me Neither my place hor ought I heard of businesse Hath rais'd me from my bed nor doth the generall care Take hold on me For my perticular griefe Is of so flood-gate and ore-bearing Nature That it engluts and swallowes other sorrowes And it is still it selfe Duke Why What 's the matter Bra. My Daughter oh my Daughter Sen. Dead Bra. I to me She is abus'd stolne from me and corrupted By Spels and Medicines bought of Mountebanks For Nature so prepostrously to erre Being not deficient blind or lame of sense Sans witch-craft could not Duke Who ere he be that in this foule proceeding Hath thus beguil'd your Daughter of her selfe And you of her the bloodie Booke of Law You shall your selfe read in the bitter letter After your owne sense yea though our proper Son Stood in your Action Bra. Humbly I thanke your Grace Here is the man this Moore whom now it seemes Your speciall Mandate for the State affaires Hath hither brought All. We are verie sorry for 't Duke What in your owne part can you say to this Bra. Nothing but this is so Othe Most Potent Graue and Reueren'd Signiors My very Noble and approu'd good Masters That I haue tane away this old mans Daughter It is most true true I haue married her The verie head and front of my offending Hath this extent no more Rude am I in my speech And little bless'd with the soft phrase of Peace For since these Armes of mine had seuen yeares pith Till now some nine Moones wasted they haue vs'd Their deerest action in the Tented Field And little of this great world can I speake More then pertaines to Feats of Broiles and Battaile And therefore little shall I grace my cause In speaking for my selfe Yet by your gratious patience I will a round vn-varnish'd â— Tale deliuer Of my whole course of Loue. What Drugges what Charmes What Coniuration and what mighty Magicke For such proceeding I am charg'd withall I won his Daughter Bra. A Maiden neuer bold Of Spirit so still and quiet that her Motion Blush'd at her selfe and she in
spight of Nature Of Yeares of Country Credite euery thing To fall in Loue with what she fear'd to looke on It is a iudgement main'd and most imperfect That will confesse Perfection so could erre Against all rules of Nature and must be driuen To find out practises of cunning hell Why this should be I therefore vouch againe That with some Mixtures powrefull o're the blood Or with some Dram coniur'd to this effect He wtought vp on her To vouch this is no proofe Without more wider and more ouer Test Then these thin habits and poore likely-hoods Of moderne seeming do prefer against him Sen. But Othello speake Did you by indirect and forced courses Subdue and poyson this yong Maides affections Or came it by request and such faire question As soule to soule affordeth Othel. I do beseech you Send for the Lady to the Sagitary And let her speake of me before her Father If you do finde me foule in her report The Trust the Office I do hold of you Not onely take away but let your Sentence Euen fall vpon my life Duke Fetch Desdemona hither Othe Aunciant conduct them You best know the place And tell she come as truely as to heauen I do confesse the vices of my blood So iustly to your Graue eares I le present How I did thriue in this faire Ladies loue And she in mine Duke Say it Othello Othe Her Father lou'd me oft inuited me Still question'd me the Storie of my life From yeare to yeare the Battaile Sieges Fortune That I haue past I ran it through euen from my boyish daies To th' very moment that he bad me tell it Wherein I spoke of most disastrous chances Of mouing Accidents by Flood and Field Of haire-breadth scapes i' th' imminent deadly breach Of being taken by the Insolent Foe And sold to slauery Of my redemption thence And portance in my Trauellours historie Wherein of Antars vast and Desarts idle Rough Quarries Rocks Hills whose head touch heauen It was my hint to speake Such was my Processe And of the Canibals that each others eate The Antropophague and men whose heads Grew beneath their shoulders These things to heare Would Desdemona seriously incline But still the house Affaires would draw her hence Which euer as she could with haste dispatch She'l'd come againe and with a greedie eare Deuoure vp my discourse Which I obseruing Tooke once a pliant houre and found good meanes To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart That I would all my Pilgrimage dilate Whereof by parcels she had something heard But not instinctiuely I did consent And often did beguile her of her teares When I did speake of some distressefull stroke That my youth suffer'd My Storie being done She gaue me for my paines a world of kisses She swore in faith 't was strange 't was passing strange 'T was pittifull 't was wondrous pittifull She wish'd she had not heard it yet she wish'd That Heauen had made her such a man She thank'd me And bad me if I had a Friend that lou'd her I should but teach him how to tell my Story And that would wooe her Vpon this hint I spake She lou'd me for the dangers I had past And I lou'd her that she did pitty them This onely is the witch-craft I haue vs'd Here comes the Ladie Let her witnesse it Enter Desdemona Iago Attendants Duke I thinke this tale would win my Daughter too Good Brabantio take vp this mangled matter at the best Men do their broken Weapons rather vse Then their bare hands Bra. I pray you heare her speake If she confesse that she was halfe the wooer Destruction on my head if my bad blame Light on the man Come hither gentle Mistris Do you perceiue in all this Noble Companie Where most you owe obedience Des My Noble Father I do perceiue heere a diuided dutie To you I am bound for life and education My life and education both do learne me How to respect you You are the Lord of duty I am hitherto your Daughter But heere 's my Husband And so much dutie as my Mother shew'd To you preferring you before her Father So much I challenge that I may professe Due to the Moore my Lord. Bra. God be with you I haue done Please it your Grace on to the State Affaires I had rather to adopt a Child then get it Come hither Moore I here do giue thee that with all my heart Which but thou hast already with all my heart I would keepe from thee For your sake Iewell I am glad at soule I haue no other Child For thy escape would teach me Tirranie To hang clogges on them I haue done my Lord. Duke Let me speake like your selfe And lay a Sentence Which as a grise or step may helpe these Louers When remedies are past the griefes are ended By seeing the worst which late on hopes depended To mourne a Mischeefe that is past and gon Is the next way to draw new mischiefe on What cannot be presern'd when Fortune takes Patience her Iniury a mock'ry makes The rob'd that smiles steales something from the Thiefe He robs himselfe that spends a bootelesse griefe Bra. So let the Turke of Cyprus vs beguile We loose it not so long as we can smile He beares the Sentence well that nothing beares But the free comfort which from thence he heares But he beares both the Sentence and the sorrow That to pay griefe must of poore Patience borrow These Sentences to Sugar or to Gall Being strong on both sides are Equiuocall But words are words I neuer yet did heare That the bruized heart was pierc'd through the eareâ— I humbly beseech you proceed to th' Affaires of State Duke The Turke with a most mighty Preparation makes for Cyprus Othello the Fortitude of the place is best knowne to you And though we haue there a Substitute of most allowed sufficiencie yet opinion a more soueraigne Mistris of Effects throwes a more safer voice on you you must therefore be content to slubber the glosse of your new Fortunes with this more stubborne and boystrous expedition Othe The Tirant Custome most Graue Senators Hath made the flinty and Steele Coach of Warre My thrice-driuen bed of Downe I do agnize A Naturall and prompt Alacartie I finde in hardnesse and do vndertake This present Warres against the Ottamites Most humbly therefore bending to your State I craue fit disposition for my Wife Due reference of Place and Exhibition With such Accomodation and besort As leuels with her breeding Duke Why at her Fathers Bra. I will not haue it so Othe Nor I. Des Nor would I there recide To put my Father in impatient thoughts By being in his eye Most Grcaious Duke To my vnfolding lend your prosperous eare And let me finde a Charter in your voice T' assist my simplenesse Duke What would you Desdemona Des That I loue the Moore to liue with him My downe-right violence and storme of Fortunes May trumpet to
poasted hence on serious matter It was great ignorance Glousters eyes being out To let him liue Where he arriues he moues All hearts against vs Edmund I thinke is gone In pitty of his misery to dispatch His nighted life Moreouer to descry The strength o' th' Enemy Stew. I must needs after him Madam with my Letter Reg. Our troopes set forth to morrow stay with vs The wayes are dangerous Stew. I may not Madam My Lady charg'd my dutie in this busines Reg. Why should she write to Edmund Might not you transport her purposes by word Belike Some things I know not what I le loue thee much Let me vnseale the Letter Stew. Madam I had rather Reg. I know your Lady do's not loue her Husband I am sure of that and at her late being heere She gaue strange Eliads and most speaking lookes To Noble Edmund I know you are of her bosome Stew. I Madam Reg. I speake in vnderstanding Y' are I know 't Therefore I do aduise you take this note My Lord is dead Edmond and I haue talk'd And more conuenient is he for my hand Then for your Ladies You may gather more If you do finde him pray you giue him this And when your Mistris heares thus much from you I pray desire her call her wisedome to her So fare you well If you do chance to heare of that blinde Traitor Preferment fals on him that cuts him off Stew. Would I could meet Madam I should shew What party I do follow Reg. Fare thee well Exeunt Scena Quinta Enter Gloucester and Edgar Glou. When shall I come to th' top of that same hill Edg. You do climbe vp it now Look how we labor Glou. Me thinkes the ground is eeuen Edg. Horrible steepe Hearke do you heare the Sea Glou. No truly Edg. Why then your other Senses grow imperfect By your eyes anguish Glou. So may it be indeed Me thinkes thy voyce is alter'd and thou speak'st In better phrase and matter then thou did'st Edg. Y' are much deceiu'd In nothing am I chang'd But in my Garments Glou. Me thinkes y' are better spoken Edg. Come on Sir Heere 's the place stand still how fearefull And dizie 't is to cast ones eyes so low The Crowes and Choughes that wing the midway ayre Shew scarse so grosse as Beetles Halfe way downe Hangs one that gathers Sampire dreadfull Trade Me thinkes he seemes no bigger then his head The Fishermen that walk'd vpon the beach Appeare like Mice and yond tall Anchoring Barke Diminish'd to her Cocke her Cocke a Buoy Almost too small for sight The murmuring Surge That on th' vnnumbred idle Pebble chafes Cannot be heard so high I le looke no more Least my braine turne and the deficient sight Topple downe headlong Glou. Set me where you stand Edg. Giue me your hand You are now within a foote of th' extreme Verge For all beneath the Moone would I not leape vpright Glou. Let go my hand Heere Friend's another purse in it a Iewell Well worth a poore mans taking Fayries and Gods Prosper it with thee Go thou further off Bid me farewell and let me heare thee going Edg. Now fare ye well good Sir Glou. With all my heart Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his dispaire Is done to cure it Glou. O you mighty Gods This world I do renounce and in your sights Shake patiently my great affliction off If I could beare it longer and not fall To quarrell with your great opposelesse willes My snuffe and loathed part of Nature should Burne it selfe out If Edgar liue O blesse him Now Fellow fare thee well Edg. Gone Sir farewell And yet I know not how conceit may rob The Treasury of life when life it selfe Yeelds to the Theft Had he bin where he thought By this had thought bin past Aliue or dead Hoa you Sir Friend heare you Sir speake Thus might he passe indeed yet he reuiues What are you Sir Glou. Away and let me dye Edg. Had'st thou beene ought But Gozemore Feathers Ayre So many fathome downe precipitating thou 'dst shiuer'd like an Egge but thou do'st breath Hast heauy substance bleed'st not speak'st art sound Ten Masts at each make not the altitude Which thou hast perpendicularly fell Thy life 's a Myracle Speake yet againe Glou. But haue I falne or no Edg. From the dread Somnet of this Chalkie Bourne Looke vp a height the shrill-gorg'd Larke so farre Cannot be seene or heard Do but looke vp Glou. Alacke I haue no eyes Is wretchednesse depriu'd that benefit To end it selfe by death 'T was yet some comfort When misery could beguile the Tyrants rage And frustrate his proud will Edg. Giue me your arme Vp so How is' t Feele you your Legges You stand Glou. Too well too well Edg. This is aboue all strangenesse Vpon the crowne o' th' Cliffe What thing was that Which parted from you Glou. A poore vnfortunate Beggar Edg. As I stood heere below me thought his eyes Were two full Moones he had a thousand Noses Hornes wealk'd and waued like the enraged Sea It was some Fiend Therefore thou happy Father Thinke that the cleerest Gods who make them Honors Of mens Impossibilities haue preserued thee Glou. I do remember now henceforth I le beare Affliction till it do cry out it selfe Enough enough and dye That thing you speake of I tooke it for a man often 't would say The Fiend the Fiend he led me to that place Edgar Beare free and patient thoughts Enter Lear. But who comes heere The safer sense will ne're accommodate His Master thus Lear. No they cannot touch me for crying I am the King himselfe Edg. O thou side-piercing sight Lear. Nature's aboue Art in that respect Ther 's your Presse-money That fellow handles his bow like a Crow-keeper draw mee a Cloathiers yard Looke looke a Mouse peace peace this peece of toasted Cheese will doo 't There 's my Gauntlet I le proue it on a Gyant Bring vp the browne Billes O well flowne Bird i' th' clout i' th' clout Hewgh Giue the word Edg. Sweet Mariorum Lear. Passe Glou. I know that voice Lear. Ha! Gonerill with a white beard They flatter'd me like a Dogge and told mee I had the white hayres in my Beard ere the blacke ones were there To say I and no to euery thing that I said I and no too was no good Diuinity When the raine came to wet me once and the winde to make me chatter when the Thunder would not peace at my bidding there I found 'em there I smelt 'em out Go too they are not men o' their words they told me I was euery thing 'T is a Lye I am not Agu-proofe Glou. The tricke of that voyce I do well remember Is' t not the King Lear I euery inch a King When I do stare see how the Subiect quakes I pardon that mans life What was thy cause Adultery thou shalt not dye dye for Adultery No the Wren goes too 't and the small