THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
Mr WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
bis
COMEDIES, HISTORIES, and TRAGEDIES,
/et out by himfelf in quarto,
or by the Players bis Feilonus in folio,
and now faithfully repubUJb 1 d from those
Editions
in ten Volumes o8a<vo ; with an
INTRODUCTION:
Wbereunto will be added, in fame other Volumes ',
.A O T E 5, critical and explanatory, and a Body of
VARIOUS READINGS
Qui genus humanum ingenio fuperavit, et omneis
1'faeftiijxit, flellas exortus uti aethereus Sol.
LUCR.L;^. 3 ./. 1056.
LONDON:
Printed by DRYDEI* LEACH,
for J. and R, T o N s O f in the Strand.
To
the DUKE of
GRAFTON.
My Lord,
The works of fuch great authors as this whom I
have now the honour of presenting to your Grace,
are a part of the kingdom's riches : they are her ef-
tate in fame, that fame which letters confer upon
her; the worth and value of which or finks or raises
her in the opinion of foreign nations, and fhe takes
her rank among them accordingto the efteem which
these are held in : It is then an object of national
concern, that they fhould be fent into the world
with all the advantage which they are in their own
nature capable of receiving; and who performs the
office rightly, is in this a benefactor to his country,
and fomewhat entitl'd to her good will. The fol-
lowing great productions ftand foremoft in the lift
of these literary posseffions; are talk'd of wherever
137696S
Dedication.
the name of Britain is talk'd of, that is, (thanks to
fome late counfels) wherever there are men : but their
value is not a little diminifh'd by numerous and
grofs blemiflies, fpots in the fun's body, which pre-r
vent his glory breaking forth: If I could flatter my-
felfjuftly,that I had at laftremov'd those blemifhes,
and fet this glorious Poet in his due ftate of bright-
pefs, fure I am the world will all acknowledge the
fitnefsof addreffinghim in this eftate to your Grace;
who both prefide over the treasures of Great Britain,
and are eminent for a love and knowledge of letters,
that bring encreafe of luftre both to your ftation and
your quality:~But I am treading upon a ground
that I had forbidden to myfelf at fetting out, and
muft retire in time ere my affeclions engage me
further. Your illuftrious Grandfather vouchfaf'd to
call mine his friend, and always fpoke of him with
pleasure; he honour'd me early with his patronage,
and to him I owe the leisure that has enabl'd me to
bcftow upon this work the attention of twenty years:
Your Grace will therefore have the goodnefs to look
upon this little present, and the peribn who tenders
it, as a minute part of your inheritance, defcending
to you from Him : which if you are not the richer
for, in the common acceptation of that word, yet
fome accefiion of knowledge may perhaps accrue to
you from your more acquaintance with these moft
exquisite portraits of nature; in which Man, and his
mannersjtogether with all the fubtle workings of the
Dedication.
paflions he is endu'd with, are more largely and fine-
ly pencil'd out, and with higher colouring, than can
elfe be met with in the writings of any age or na-
tion whatfocver: a knowledge no ways unfuitable
to the many high employments your Grace is em-
barlc'd in; yet from the attaining of which your fta-
tion in life does in fome degree exclude you, other-
wise than in books. But if this idea of a benefit of
fo hi;h. a nature accruing to your Grace from the
perusal of this work, fliould prove only the vision
of an editor,~who is, in his affections, commonly
idolatrous; worfhipping himfelf, and expecting wor-
fhip from others towards the image he fets up,~yet
of this little good at leaft he has hopes of being the
inftrument; that is, of having furnifli'd you with a
noble and rational amusement for fome of your lei-
sure hours, and (perhaps) a relief for fome anxious
ones; which are the lot of all humanity, and parti-
cularly of perfons in your Grace's elevated condi-
tion: To have reach'd no farther than this, and, by
his labours, contributed only to your entertainment,
will fill all the wifhes of ham, who is, with the great-
eft refpect, your Grace's
moft dutiful and molt
devoted humble fervant,
EJfex Court
* EDWARD CAPELL.
INTRO DUCTION.
It is faid of the oftrich, that me drops her egg at ran-
dom, to be difpos'd of as chance pleases; either brought
to maturity by the fun's kindly warmth, or elfe crufh'd
by beafts and the feet of paffers-by: Such, at lead, is
the account which naturalifts have given us of this ex-
traordinary bird ; and admitting it for a truth, me is in
this a fit emblem of almoft every great genius : they
conceive and produce with ease those noble iffiies of hu-
man underftanding ; but incubation, the dull work of
putting them correctly upon paper and afterwards pub-
lifhing, is a tafk they can not away with. If the original
ftate of all fuch authors' writings, even from HOMER
downward,could be enquir'd into and known, they would
yield proof in abundance of the juftnefs of what is here
aflerted: but the Author now before us fhall fuffice for
them all; being at once the greateft inftance of genius
2 IntroduSlion.
in producing noble things, and of negligence in provi-
ding for them afterwards. This negligence indeed was
fo great, and the condition in which his works are come
down to us fo very defbrm'd, that it has, of late years,
induc'd feveral gentlemen to make a revision of them:
but the publick feems not to be fatiffy'd with any of
their endeavours; and the reason of it's difcontent will
be manifeft, when the ftate of his old editions, and the
methods that they have taken to amend them, are fully
lay'd open, which is the firft businefs of this Introduc-
tion.
Of thirty fix plays which SHAKESPEARE has left us,
and which compose the collection that was afterwards
fet out in folio, thirteen only were publifh'd in his life-
time, that have much resemblance to those in the folio;
these thirteen are" Hamlet, Firft and feccnd Henry I V,
King Lear, Lo^ii Labour's loft, Merchant of Venice, Mid-
jummer Nights Dream, Much Ado about Nothing, Richard
II and III, Romeo and Juliet, Titus Andronicus, and
Troilus tfWCreffida." Some others, that came out in the
fame period, bear indeed the titles of" Henry V, King
John,Mwry #7<zw o/ r vVindibr,and ' i 'Tamingcf the Shrew,"
but are no other than either firft draughts, or mutilated
and perhaps furreptitious impreffions of those plays, but
whether of the two is not easy to determine: " King John"
is certainly a firrt draught, and in two parts ; and fo much
another play, that only one line of it is retain'd in the
NOTE.
* This is meant of the firft quarto edition of " Tit Taming of the
Strew" for the fecond was printed from the folio. But the play in
this firft edition appears certainly to have been a fpurious one; from
Introduction. 3
fecond: there is alfo a firft draught ef the " Second and
third parts of Henry VE," publifh'd in his life-time, un-
der the following title, ''The whole Contention betweene
the t-ivo famous Houses, Lancafter and Ybrke :" and to these
plays, fix in number, may be added the firft imprcf-
fion of" Romeo and Juliet," being a play of the fame
itamp : The date of all these quarto's, and that of their
feveral re-impreflions, may be feen in a Table that fol-
lows the Introdu&ion. " Othello" came out only one
year before the folio ; and is, in the main, the fame play
that we have there: and this too is the cafe of the firft-
mention'd thirteen; notwithftanding there are in many
of them great variations, and particularly, in " Hamlet,
King Lear, Richard I If, and Romeo and Juliet."
As for the plays, which, we fay, are either the Poet's
firft draughts, or elfe imperfect and ftolen copies, it will
be thought, perhaps, they might as well have been left
out of the account: But they are not wholly ufelefs: fome
lacuna, that are in all the other editions, have been ju-
dicioufly fill'd up in modern impreffions by the author-
ity of these copies; and in fome particular paflages of
them, where there happens to be a greater conformity
than usual between them and the more perfect editions,
there is here and there a various reading that does hon-
our to the Poet's judgment, and ftiould upon that ac-
count be presum'd the true one; in other refpefts, they
have neither ufe nor merit, but are meerly curiofities.
NOTE.
Mr. POPE'S account of it, who feems to have been the only edito.'
whom it was ever feen by : great pains has been taken to trace who
he had it of, (for it was not in his collection) but without fucceis.
Proceed we then to a defcription of the other four-
teen. They all abound in faults, though not in equal de-
gree; and those faults are fo numerous, and of fo many
different natures, that nothing but a perusal of the pie-
ces themfelves can give an adequate conception of them;
but amongft them are thes that follow. Division of acts
and fcenes, they have none; " Othello 11 only excepted,
which is divided into acts: Entries of perfons are ex-
treamly imperfect in them, (fomctimes more, fometimes
fewer than the fcene requires) and their Exits are very
often omitted; or, when mark'd, not always in the right
place; and few fcenical directions are to be met with
throughout the whole : Speeches are frequently confoun-
ded, and given to wrong perfons, either whole, or in.
part ; and fometimes, inftead of the perfon fpeaking, you
have the actor who presented him: and in two of the
plays, (' Loves Labour*! loft, and Troilus and Creffida")
the fame matter, and in nearly the fame words, is fet
down twice in fome paflages; Which who fees not to
be only a negligence of the Poet, and that but one
of them ought to have been printed? But the reigning
fault of all is in the measure: prose is very often pr-
inted as verfe, and verfe as prose ; or, where rightly
printed verfe, that verfe is not always right divided: and
in all these pieces, the fongs are in every particular ftill
more corrupt than the other parts of them. These are
the general and principal defects : to which if you add
tran (position of words, fentences, lines, and even fpee-
ches; words omitted, and others added without reason;
and a punctuation fo deficient, and fo often wrong, that
it hardly deserves regard; you have, upon the whole, a
true but melancholy picture of the condition of these
Introduction* %
firft-printed plays: which, bad as it is, is yet better than
that of those which came after ; or than that of the fub-
fequent folio impreffion of fome of these which we are
now fpeaking of.
1 his folio impreffion was fent into the world fevert
years after the Author's death, by two of his fellow-play-
ers; and contains, befides the laft-mention'd fourteen,
the true and genuine copies of the other fix plays, and
fixteen that were never publifli'd before:* The editors
make great profeffions of fidelity, and fome complaint
of injury done to them and the Author by ftolen and
maim'd copies; giving withal an advantageous, if juft,
idea of the copies which they have follow'd: but fee ths
terms they make ufe of. " It had bene a thing, we con-
' fefle, worthie to have bene wifhed, that the Author him-
' felfe had liv'd to have fet forth, and overfeen his ownc
< writings; But fince it hath bin ordain'd otherwife, and
' he by death departed from that right, we pray you
* do not envie his Friends, the office of their care, and
paine,tohavecollefted&publifh'd themjand fo to have
publifh'd them, as where (before) you were abus'd with
' diverfe ftolne, and furreptitious copies, maimed, and
' deformed by the frauds and ftealthes of injurious im-
' poftors, that expos'd them : even thofe, are now offer'd
" to your view cur'd, and perfect of their limbes; and
** all the reft, abfolute in their numbers, as he conceived
NOTE.
2 There is yet extant in the books of the Stationers* Company, an
entry bearing date Febr. 12. 1624. to Mefirs. Jaggard and Blount,
the proprietors of this firft folio, which is thus worded; "Mr. Wai,
Sbakeff car's Comedy's Hiftsry't f Tragedy' sfo many of the faid Cifj 'i at
tee not tr.terd to other mer. ,-" and this entry is follow'd b the titlss
6 IntroduEiion.
" them. Who, as he was a happie imitator of Nature,
" was a moft gentle exprefTer of it. His minde and hand
" went together: And what he thought, he uttered with
' that eafinefle, that wee have fcarfe received from him
" a blct in his papers." Who now does not feel himfelf
inclin'd to expefl an accurate and good performance in
the edition of these prefacers? But, alas, it is nothing
lefs : for (if we except the fix fpurious ones, whose places
were then fupply'd by true and genuine copies) the edi-
tions of plays preceeding the folio, are the very bafis of
those we have there ; which are either printed from those
editions, or from the copies which they made ufe of: and
this is principally evident in " Firji and jecond Henry
J V, Love's Labour's loji, Merchant of Venice, Midfummer
Night's Dream, Much Ado about Nothing, Richard if, Ti-
tus Andronicus, and Troilus and Crefiida;" for in the o-
thers we fee fomewhat a greater latitude, as was observ'd
a little above: But in these plays, there is an almoft ft rift
conformity between the two impreflions : fome additions
are in the fecond, and fome omiilions; but the faults and
errors of the quarto's are all preserved in the folio, and
others added to them; and what difference there is, is
generally for the worfe on the fide of the folio editors :
which fliould give us but faint hopes of meeting with
greater accuracy in the plays which they firft publifh'd;
and, accordingly, we rind them fubjeft to all the imper-
N o re.
of all th<ve fixteen plays that were firft printed in the folio: The o-
ther twen:y pfays (" Othello, and King John," excepted; which the
perfon who turnifli'd this tranfcript, thinks he may have overlooked)
are enter'd too in these books, under their rcfpedive years, but to
whom the tranfctipt lavs not.
feftions that have been noted in the former: nor is their
edition in general diftinguifh'd by any mark of prefer-
ence above the earlieft quarto's, but that fome of their
plays are divided into adts, and fome others into afts and
fcenes ; and that with due precision, and agreable to the
Author's i'dea of the nature of fuch divisions. The order
of printing these plays, the way in which they are clafT'd,
and the titles given them, being matters of fome curio-
fity, the Table that is before the firft folio is here repr-
inted : and to it are added marks, put between crotchets,
fhewing the plays that are divided; a fignifying a&s,
a &/ a&s and fcenes.
TABLE of Plays in the folio. J
COMEDIES. " As you Like it. [> &/]
The Tempejt. [a &/} The Taming of the Shrew.
The two Gentlemen of V era- Allis e well,tbatEnds<we!l.[a~\
na* \a &/.] Twelfe - Night, or 'what you
The Merry Wives of Wind- 'will, [a &/]
for. [a &/] The Winters Tale, [a &/]
MeafureforMeafure. [aScf.] HISTORIES.
The Comedy of Erroun* [a.] The Life and Death of King
Much adoo about Nothing, [a.] John . * [ a & _/I]
Loves Labour loft* The Life ff death of Richard
Midfommer Nights Dreame.* thefecond* [a &/]
[a. ] The Firjl part of King Henry
The Merchant of Venice* [a.] the fourth* [a &/]
NOTE.
3 The plays, marlc'd with afterifk?, are fpoken of by name, in i
hook, call'd " JPit's Treasury, beir.g thefecond Parr affair's Common-
x-.'j/r^," written by Francis MERES ; at p. 282 : who, in the ime
paragraph, mentions another play as being SHAKESPEARE'S, under
the title of" Laves labwn wonnt^' a title that feems well adapted
8 Introduflion.
<tte SeconJpart ef K. Henry thefrft.
the fourth.* [a &/] TbeTragedyofCoriolanut.^a]
TbeLifeofKingHenrytbeFift. Titus Andronicus.* [a.]
The Firji part of King Henry Romeo and Juliet*
the Sixt. Timon of Athens.
The Second part cf King Hen. The Life and death of Julius
the Sixt. C<ffar. [a.]
The Third part of King Henry The Tragedy of Macbeth.
the Sixt. [a &/]
T'be Life & Death of Richard The Tragedy of Hamlet.
the Third* [a &/] King Lear, [a &/]
The Life of King Henry the Othello, the Moore of Venice.
Eight, [a &/] [a &/]
TRAGEDIES. Antony and Cleopater.
[Troylus an<tCreffida]from Cymbeline King of Britaine.
the Jecond folio; omitted in [a&cf.~\
Having premis'd thus much about the (late and con-
dition ot these firft copies, it may not be improper, nor
v.ill it be absolutely a digreffion, to add fomething con-
cerning their authenticity: In doing which, it will be
greatly for the reader's ease, and our own, to confine
ourfelves to the quarto's : which, it is hop'd, he will al-
NOTE.
to "All's ivell, that ends well," and under which it might be firft
ated. In the paragraph, immediately preceding, be fpeaks of his
" Venus and Adonis," his" Lucrece," and his " Sonnets: "This book
was piinted in 1598, by P. Short, for Cutbbert Burble ; cdtavo, fmall.
The Tame author, at p. 283, mentions too a " Richard the third,"
written by doftor LEG, author of another play, call'd " Tie Define
tion of Jermalf m." And there is in the Musseum, a manufcriut La-
tia. play upon the fame fubjcft, writtea by one Htnry LAC v in 1586:
Introduftion. 9
low of; efpecially, as our intended vindication of them
will alfo include in it (to the eye of a good observer) that
of the plays that appear'd firft in the folio : which there-
fore omitting, we now turn ourfelves to the quarto's.
We have feen the flur that is endeavour'd to be thrown
upon them indifcriminately by the player editors, and
we fee it too wip'd off by their having themfelves fol-
low'd the copies that they condemn. A modern editor,
who is not without his followers, is pleas'd to affert con-
fidently in his preface, that they are printed from " piece-
meal parts, and copies of prompters :" bat his arguments
for it are fome of them without foundation, and the oth-
ers not conclufive; and it is to be doubted, that the opi-
nion is only thrown out to countenance an abufe that
has been carry'd to much too great lengths by himfelf
and another editor, that of putting out of the text pa-
fages that they did not like. These cenfures then and this
opinion being fet afide, is it criminal to try another con-
jecture, and fee what can be made of it? It is known,
that SHAKESPEARE liv'd to no great age, being taken
off in his fifty third year; and yet his works are fo nu-
merous, that, when we take a furvey of them, they feera
the productions of a life of twice that length: for to the
NOTE.
Which Latin play is but a weak performance ; and yet feemeth to
be the play fp ken of by fir John HARRINGTON, (for the author
was a Cambridge man, and of Saint John's) in this paffage of his
" Apologit ofPoetrle?' prefix'd to his tranllation of ARIOSTO'S "Or-
lando,' Edit. I59J, fol. " and for Tragedies, to omit other famous
" Tragedies; That, that was played at S. Jokm in Cambridge, of
" Richard the 3. would move (I thinke) Pbjiaris the tyraunr, and
*< terrific all tyrarious minded men, fro following their foolifli am-
VOL, I. fe
13 Introduction.
thirty fix plays in this collection, we muft add feveh,(one
of which is in two parts) perhaps written over again ;
+ feven others that were publifh'd fome of them in his
life-time, and all with his name; and another feven, that
are upon good grounds imputed to him; making in all,
fifty eight plays; befides the part that he may reasona-
bly be thought to have had in other men's labours, be-
ing himfelf a player and manager of theatres: What his
prose productions were, we know not: but it can hardly
be fuppos'd, that he, who had fo confiderable a fhare in
the confidence of the earls ofEJex zn&Southampton, could
be a mute fpectator only of controverfies in which they
were fo much interefted ; and his other poetical works,
that are known, will fill a volume the fize of these that
we have here. When the number and bulk of these pieces,
the fhortnefs of his life, and the other busy employments
of it are reflected upon duly, can it be a wonder that he
fliould be fo loofe a tranfcriber of them? or why fhould
we refuse to give credit to what his companions tell us,
of the ftate of those tranfcriptions, and of the facility
with which they were pen'd ? Let it then be granted, that
these quarto's are the Poet's own copies, however they
were come by; haflily written at firft, and ifluing from
prefles moft of them as corrupt and licentious as can any
where be produc'd, and not overfeen by himfelf, nor by
NOTE.
" bilious humors, feeing how his ambition made him kill his bro-
*' ther, his nephews, his wife, befide infinit others ; and laft of all
" after a fliort and troublefome raigne, to end his miferable life, and
to have his body harried after his death."
* Vidi, />. 2. of this Introduction, and the Table at tke end
of it,
Infroduflion. \ 1
any of his friends: And there can be no ftronger reason
for fubfcribing to any opinion, than may be drawn in
favour of this from the condition of all the other plays
that were firft printed in the folio : for, in method of pub-
lication, they have the greateft likenefs poffible to those
which preceeded them, and carry all the fame marks of
hafte and negligence; yet the genuinenefs of the latter
is attefted by those who publilh'd them, and no proof
brought to invalidate their teftimony. If it be ftill aflc'd,
what then becomes of the accusation brought againft
the quarto's by the player editors, the anfwer is not fo
far off as may perhaps be expected: It may be true, that
they were " ftolnf" but ftoln from the Author's copies,
by tranfcribers who found means to get at them : s and
" maim'd" they muft needs be, in refpedt of their ma-
ny alterations after the firft performance : And who kn-
ows, if the difference that is between them, in fome of
the plays that are common to them both, has not been
fludioufly heighten'd by the player editors, who had
the means in their power, being mafters of all the alte-
rations, to give at once a greater currency to their own
lame edition, and fupport the charge which they bring
againft the quarto's ? this, at leaft,is a probable opinion,
#nd no bad way of accounting for those differences. 6
It were easy to add abundance of other arguments in
NOTE.
5 But fee a note at p. 5, which feems to infer that they were
fairly come by : which is, in truth, the editor's opinion, at leaft of
fome of them ; though, in way of argument, and for the fake of cl-
fcarnefs, he has here admitted the charge in that full extent in which
they bring it.
6 Some of these alterations are in the quaito's them/elves; (ano-
bl
favour of these quarto's; Such as, their exaft affinity
to almoft all the publications of this fort that came out
about that time; of which it will hardly be aflerted by
any reasoning man, that they are all clandefline copies,
and publifh'd without their authors' confent: Next, the
high improbability of fupposing that none of these plays
were of the Poet's own fetting-out: whose cafe is rend-
er'd Angular by fuch a fupposition ; it being certain, that
every other author of the time, without exception, who
wrote any thing largely, publifh'd fome of his plays him-
ielf, and Ben JON SON all of them : Nay, the very err-
ors and faults of these quarto's, fome of them at leaft,
and those fuch as are brought againft them by other ar-
guers, are, with the editor, proofs of their genuine-
nefs; For from what hand, but that of the Author him-
felf, could come those feemingly-ftrange repetitions wh-
ich are fpoken of at p. 4 ? those imperfeft entries, and
entries of perfons who have no concern in the play at
all, neither in the fcene where they are made to enter,
nor in any other part of it? yet fuch there are in feveral
of these quarto's ; and fuch might well be expected in
the hafty draughts of fo negligent an Author, who nei-
ther faw at once all he might want, nor, in fome inftan-
ces, gave himfelf fufficient time to confider the fitnefs
NOTE,
ther proof this, of tbeir being authentiek) as in " Richard II :*
where a large fcene, that of the king's deposing, appears firft in the
copy of 1608, the third quarto impreflion, being wanting in the two
former: and in one copy of " 2. Henry IV," there is a fcene too
that is not in the other, though of the fame year j it is the firft of
icl the third. And " Hamlet" has fome fiill more confiderable ; for
;hc copy of 1605 has these \vonf j ; Newly imprinted and enlar-
IntroJu&ion. l'-j
of what he was then penning. These and other like ar-
guments might, as is faid before, be collected, and urg'd
for the plays that were firft publifh'd in the quarto's;
that is, for fourteen of them, for the other fix are out of
the queftion: But what has been enlarg'd upon above,
of their being follow'd by the folio, and their apparent
general likenefs to all the other plays that are in that
colle&ion, is fo very forcible as to be fufficient of itfelf
to fatiffy the unprejudiced, that the plays of both impref-
iions fpring all from the fame ftock, and owe their num-
erous imperfections to one common origin and cause,
the too -great negligence and hafte of their over-carelefs
Producer.
But to return to the thing immediately treated, the
ftate of the old editions. The quarto's went through ma-
ny impreflions, as may be feen in the Table: and, in
each play, the laft is generally taken from the impref-
fion next before it, and fo onward to the firft; the few
that come not within this rule, are taken notice of in
the Table: And this further is to be observ'd of them :
that, generally fpeaking, the more diftant they are from
the original, the more they abound in faults; 'till, in the
end, the corruptions of the laft copies become fo excef-
five, as to make them of hardly any worth. The folio too
NOTE.
ged to almoft a? much 2gaine as it was, according to the true and
perfeft Coppie :" New though no prior copy has yet been produc'd,
it is certain there was fuch by the teftimony of this title-page: and
that the play was in being at leaft nine years before, is prov'd by a
book of doftor LODGE'S, printed in 15965 which play was perhaps
an imperfeft one ; and not unlike that we have now of " Romeo
end Juliet," printed the year after - } a fourth inftance too of what
14 Introduaion.
had it's re-impreffions, the dates and notices of which
are likewise in the Table, and they tread the fame round
as did the quarto's : only that the third of them has fe-
ven plays more, (fee their titles below ?) in which it is
follow'd by the laft; and that again by the firft of the
modern impreffions, which come now to be fpoken of.
If the ftage be a mirror of the times, as undoubtedly
it is, and we judge of the age's temper by what we fee
prevailing there, what muft we think of the times that
fucceeded SHAKESPEARE r JONSON, favour'd by a court
that delighted only in mafques, had been gaining gro-
und upon him even in his life-time; and his death put
him in full posseffion of a poft he had long afpir'd to,
the empire of the drama: The props of this new king's
throne, were FLETCHER, SHIRLEY, MIDDLE-TO^,
MASSINGER, BROOME, and others; and how unequal
they all were, the monarch and his fubje&s too, to the
Poet they came after, let their works teftify: yet they
had the vogue on their fide, during all those blefled ti-
mes that preceded the civil war,and SHAKESPEARE was
held in difefteem. The war, and medley government that
follow'd, fwept all these things away : but they were re-
flor'd with the king; and another itage took place, in
which SHAKESPEARE had little mare. DRYDEN had,
NOTE.
the note advances.
7 " Locrine j Tie London Prodigal; Pericles, Prince of Tyre Tie
Puritan, or, the Widvw of Wa'lin^-ftreet ; Sir John Oidcaltle , Thomas
Lord Cromwel; & The Yorkshire Tragedy:" And the impu.ed ones,
mcnticn'd a little above, are these; ' The Arraignment of Paris ;
Birth e/Merl n ; Fair Em ; Edward III j Merry Devil s/Edmonton ;
Mucedorus j & The tto noble Kimmen:" but in the " Merry Dtvil
Introduction. \ 5
then the lead, and maintain'd it for half a century: th-
ough his government was fometimes difputed by LEE,
TATE, SHADWELL, WYTCHERLEY, and others; weak-
en'd much by " The Rebearfal;" and quite overthrown
in the end by OTWAY, and ROWE: What the caft of
their plays was, is known to every one : but that SHA-
KESPEARE, the true and genuine SHAKESPEARE, was
not much relim'd,is plain from the many alterations of
him, that were brought upon the ftage by fome of those
gentlemen, and by others within that period.
But, from what has been faid, we are not to conclude
that the Poet had no admirers : for the contrary is true ;
and he had in all this interval no inconfiderable party
amongft men of the greateft underftanding,who both faw
his merit, in defpite ef the darknefs it was then wrapt
up in, and fpoke loudly in his praise; but the ftream of
the publick favour ran the other way. But this too com-
ing about at the time we are fpeaking of, there was a
demand for his works, and in a form that was more con-
venient than the folio's : in confequence of which, the
gentleman laft mention'd was fet to work by the book-
fellers ; and, in 1709, he put out an edition in fix vol-
umes, oftavo, which, unhappily, is the bafis of all the
other moderns : For this editor went no further than to
NOTE.
e/Edmonton," ROWLEY is call'd his parrner in the title-page; and
FLETCHER, in the " Tico ruble Kinsmen." What external proofs
there are of their coming from SHAKESPEARE, are gather'd all to-
gether, and put down in the Table; and further it not concerns us
to engage : But let those who aie inclin'd to difpute it, carry this a-
lorg with them; that London, in SHAKESPEARE'S time, had a
multitude of play-houses j ereited fome in inn-yards, and fuch like
1 6 Introduction.
the edition neareft to him in time, which was the folio
of 1685, the laft and word of those impreffions : this he
republifh'd with great exaftnefs; correcting here and
there fome of it's grofleft miftakes,and dividing into a&s
and fcenes the plays that were not divided before.
But no fooner was this edition in the hands of the
publick, than they faw in part its deficiences, and one
of another fort began to be required of them; which ac-
cordingly was fet about fome years after by two gentle-
men at once, Mr. POPE, and Mr. THEOBALD. The la-
bours of the firft came out in 1725, in fix volumes, qu-
arto : and he has the merit of having firft improv'd his
Author, by the infertion of many large paffages, fpee-
ches, and fmgle lines, taken from the quarto's ; and of
amending him in other places, by readings fetch'd from
the fame : but his materials were few, and his collation
of them not the moft careful; which, join'd to other fa-
ults, and to that main one of making his predeceflbr's
the copy himfelf follow'd, brought his labours in difre-
pute, and has finally funk them in negleft.
His publication retarded the other gentleman, and he
did not appear 'till the year 1733, when his work too
came out in feven volumes, oftavo. The opposition that
was between them feems to have enflam'd him, which
was heighten'd by other motives, and he declaims ve-
hemently againft the work of his antagonift: which ye
NOTE.
places, and frequented by the loweft of the people ; fuch audiences
as might have been feen fome years ago in Soutbwark and Bartbolo*
mew, and may be feen at this day in the country ; to which it was
alfo a ojltom for players to make excurfion, at wake times and fef-
tivalj : and for fuch places, and fuch occasions, might these pieces
Introduction. f/
ferv'd him for a model ; and his own is made only a lit-
tle better, by his having a few more materials; of wh-
ich he was not a better collator than the other, nor did
he excel him in ufe of them; for, in this article, both
their judgments may be equally call'd in queftion: in
what he has done that is conjectural, he is rather more
happy ; but in this he had large affiftances.
But the gentleman that came next, is a critick of a-
nother (lamp; and purfues a track, in which it is great-
ly to be hop'd he will never be follow'd in the public-
ation of any authors whatfoever: for this were, in effedT:,
to annihilate them, if carry'd a little further; by deftr-
oying all marks of peculiarity and notes of time, all ea-
sinefs of expreffion and numbers, all juftnefs of thought,
and the nobility of not a few of their conceptions: The
manner in which his Author is treated, excites an in-
dignation tha.t will be thought by fome to vent itfelf
too ftrongly; but terms weaker would do injuftice to
my feelings, and the cenfure (hall be hazarded. Mr.
POPE'S edition was the ground-work of this over-bold
one ; fplendidly printed at Oxford in fix quarto volumes,
and publilh'd in the year 1744: The publimer difdains
all collation of folio, or quarto; and fetches all from his
great felf, and the moderns his predeceflbrs : wantoning
in very licence of conjecture; and fweeping all before
him, (without notice, or reason given) that not fuits his
NOTE.
fee compos'd in the Author's early time ; the wont of them fuit-
ing well enough to the parties they might be made for : And
this, or fomething nearly of this fort, may have been the cafe too of
fome plays in his great collection, which (hall be fpoken of in their
place,
1 3 Introduction.
fafte, or lies level to his conceptions. But this juftice
fhonld be done him: as his conjectures are numerous,
they are oftentimes not unhappy; and fomeof them are
of that excellence, that one is ftruck with amazement
to fee a perfon of fo much judgment as he mows him-
felf in them, adopt a method of publiftiing that runs
counter to all the ideas that wise men have hitherto en-
tertain'd of an editor's province and duty.
The year 1747 produc'd a fifth edition, in eight oc-
tavo volumes, publifh'd by Mr. WARBURTON ; which
though it is faid in the title-page to be the joint work
of himfelf and the fecond editor, the third ought rather
to have been mention'd, for it is printed from his text.
The merits of this performance have been fo thorough-
ly difcuff'd in two very ingenious books, " The Canons
of Criticism," and " Revisal cfSn AKESPEARE'J Text,"
that it is needlefs to fay any more of it: this only (hall
be added to what may be there met with, that the e-
dition is not much benefited by frefh acquisitions from
the old ones, which this gentleman feems to have neg-
lected. 8
Other charges there are, that might be brought aga-
inft, these modern impreffions, without infringing the
laws of truth or candour either: but what is faid, will
be fufficient; and may fatiffy their greateft favourers,
NOTE.
8 It will perhaps be thought ftrange, that nothing ffiould be faid in
this place of another edition that came out about a twelvemonth ago,
in eight volumes, oftavo j but the reasons for it, re these : There
is no ufe made of it, nor could be j for the present was finifli'd, wi-
thin a pky or two, and printed too in great part, before that ap-
pear'd : the firft /hee: of this work ^beiag the fiill of volume z.) weat,
Introduction. 1 9
that the fuperftrufture cannot be a found one, which is
built upon fo bad a foundation as that work of Mr.
ROWE'S ; which all of them, as we fee, in fucceffion,
have yet made their corner-ftone : The truth is, it was
impoffible that fuch a beginning mould end better than
it has done: the fault was in the fetting-out; and all the
diligence that could be us'd, join'd to the difcernment
of a PEARCE, or a BENTLEY, could never purge their
Author of all his defeats by their method of procee-
ding-
The editor now before you was apprized in time of
this truth; favv the wretched condition his Author was
reduc'd to by these late tamperings, and thought feri-
oufly of a cure for it, and that fo long ago as the year
1745 ; for the attempt was firft fuggeited by that gen-
tleman's performance, which came out at Oxford the
year before: Which when he had perus'd with no little
aftonifhment, and confider'd the fatal confequences that
muft inevitably follow the imitation of fo much licence,
he resolv'd hirnfelf to be the champion; and to exert to
the uttermoft f'uch abilities as he was mafter of, to fave
from further ruin an edifice of this dignity, which Eng-
land muft for ever glory in. Hereupon he possefTd him-
felf of the other modern editions, the folio's, and as ma-
ny quarto's as could presently be procur'd; and, within
NOTE.
to the prefs in September 1760: and this volume was follow'd by vo-
lumes 8, 4, 9, i, 6, and 7 ; the laft of which was printed off in Au-
guft 1765: In the next place, the merits and demerits of it are un-
known to the present editor even at this hour: this only he has prr-
<:eiv'd in it, having look'd it but (lightly over, that the text it follow*
i\ that of it's near,eft predeceffor, and from that copy it was printed 4
Introduction.
a few years after, fortune and induftry help'd him to all
the reft, fix only excepted; 9 adding to them withal tw-
elve more, which the compilers of former tables had no
knowledge of. Thus furnifh'd, he fell immediately to
collation, which is the firft ftep in works of this nat-
ure; and, without it, nothing is done to purpose, firft
of moderns with moderns, then of moderns with anci-
ents, and afterwards of ancients with others more anci-
ent: 'till, at the laft, a ray of light broke forth upon
him, by which he hop'd to find his way through the
wildernefs of these editions into that fair country the
Poet's real habitation. He had not proceeded far in his
collation, before he faw cause to come to this resoluti-
on ; to flick, invariably to the old editions, (that is, the
beft of them) which hold now the place of manufcripts,
no fcrap of the Author's writing having the luck to come
down to us; and never to depart from them, but in ca-
fes where reason, and the uniform praftice of men of the
greateft note in this art, tell him they may be quitted ;
nor yet in those, without notice. But it will be necefla-
ry, that the general method of this edition mould now
he lay'd open; that the publick may be put in a capa-
city not only of comparing it with those they already
have, but of judging whether any thing remains to be
done towards the fixing this Author's text in the mann-
er him felf gave it.
Jt is faid a little before,~that we have nothing of hia
K r E.
9 But of one of these fix, (a " i. Henry IV," edition 1604) the
editor thinks he is possrff'd of a very large fragment, irnpert'eft only
in the firft and Uft &eet : which has been collated, as far as it goes,
IntroduBion. 4 1
in writing; that the printed copies are all that is left to
guide us; and that those copies are fubjecT: to number-
lefs imperfections, but not all in like degree: our firft
businefs then, was to examine their merit, and fee on
which fide the fcale of goodnefs preponderated; which,
we have generally found, to be on that of the moft an-
cient: It may be feen in the Table, what editions are
judg'd to have the preference among those plays that
were printed fmgly in quarto; and for those plays, the
text of those editions is chiefly adher'd to: in all the reft,
the firft folio is follow'd ; the text of which is by far the
moft faultlefs of the editions in that form; and has alfo
the advantage in three quarto plays, in '* 2. Henry IV,
Othello, and Richard III." Had the editions thus foll-
ow'd been printed with carefulnefs, from correcl copies,
and copies not added to or otherwise alter'd after those
impreffions, there had been no occasion for going any
further: but this was not at all the cafe, even in the beit
of them ; and it therefore became proper and neceflary
to look into the other old editions, and to felecl: from
thence whatever improves the Author, or contributes to
his advancement in perfe&nefs, the point in view thro-
ughout all this performance: that they do improve him*
was with the editor an argument in their favour; and a
presumption of genuinenefs for what is thus felecled,
whether additions, or differences of any other nature;
and the causes of their appearing in fome copies, and
NOTE.
along with the others : And of the twelve quarto editions, which he
has had the fortune to add to those that were known before, fome
of them are of great value j as may be fcen by looking into the Table,
zz IntroJuflion.
being wanting in others, cannot now be difcover'd, by
reason of the time's diftance, and defeft of fit materials
for making the difcovery. Did the limits of his Intro-
duHon allow of it, the editor would gladly have dila-
ted and treated more at large this article of his plan ; as
that which is of greateft importance, and moft likely to
be contefted of any thing in it: but this doabt, or this
diflent, (if any be) muft come from those perfons only
who are not yet possefPd of the idea they ought to en-
tertain of these ancient impreflions; for of those who are,
he fully perfuades himfelf he fhall have both the approof
and the applause. But without entering further in this
place into the reasonablenefs, or even neceflity, of fo
doing, he does for the present acknowledge, that he
has every-where made ufe of fuch materials as he me';
with in other old copies, which he thought improv'd the
editions that are made the ground-work of the present
text: And whether they do fo, or no, the judicious part
of the world may certainly know, by turning to a Col-
leftion that will be publiuYd; where all difcarded read-
ings are enter'd, all additions noted, and variations of
every kind; and the editions fpecify'd^ to which they fe-
yerally belong.
But, when these helps were adminifter'd, there was
yet behind a very great number of paflages, labouring
under various defefts and those of various degree, that
had their cure to feek from fome other fources, that of
copies affording it no more: For these he had recourfe
in the firft place to the affiftance of modern copies : and,
where that was incompetent, or elfe abfolutely defici-
ent, which was very often the cafe, there he fought the
remedy in himfelf, using judgment and conjecture; wh-
lutrotludion. a 3
Jch, he is bold to fay, he will not be found to have ex-
ercis'd wantonly, but to follow the eftablifli'd rules of
critique with fobernefs and temperance. These emend-
ations, (whether of his own, or other gentlemen 10 ) car-
rying in themfelves a face of certainty, and coming in
aid of places that were apparently corrupt, are admitt-
ed into the text, and the rejected reading is always put
below; fome others, that have neither that certainty,
nor are of that neceffity; but are fpecious and plaufible,
and may be thought by fome to mend the paflage they
belong to, will have a place in the Collection that is
fpoken of above. But where it is faid, that the rejected
reading is always put below, this muft be taken with
fome reftriction: for fome of the emendations, and of
courfe the ancient readings upon which they are groun-
ded, being of a complicated nature, the general method
was there inconvenient; and, for these few, you are re-
fer'd to a Note which will be found among the reft: and
another fort there are, that are fimply insertions; these
are effectually pointed out by being printed in the go-
thick or black character.
Hitherto, the defects and errors of these old editions
have been of fuch a nature, that we could lay them be-
fore the reader, and fubmit to his judgment the reme-
dies that are apply'd to them ; which is accordingly done,
either in the page itfelf where they occur, or in fome
NOTE.
T0 In the manufcripts from which al! these plays are printed, die
emendations are given to their proper owners by initials <uid other
marks that are in the margin of those manufcripts j but they are
fupprefTd in the print for two reasons : Firft, their number, in foms
pages, makes them a little unfightiy j and the editor profcfiss him-
^4 lntrcduftion
note that is to follow: But there are fome behind that
would not be fo manag'd ; either by reason of their fre-
quency, or difficulty of fubjefting them to the rules un-
der which the others are brought : they have been fpo-
ken of before at /. 4, where the corruptions are all en-
umerated, and are as follows; a want of proper exits
and entrances, and of many fcenical directions, through-
out the work in general, and, in fome of the plays, a
want of division ; and the errors are those of measure,
and punctuation: all these are mended, and fupply'd,
without notice and filently; but the reasons for fo do-
ing, and the method observ'd in doing it, fliall be a lit-
tle enlarg'd upon, that the fidelity of the editor, and that
which is chiefly to diftinguilh him from those who have
gone before, may ftand facred and unimpeachable; and,
firft, of the division.
The thing chiefly intended in reprinting the lift of
titles that may be feen at^. 7, was, to mow which plays
were divided into afts, which into afts and fcenes, and
which of them were not divided at all; and the number
of the firft clafs is~ eight, of the third eleven: for th-
ough in " Henry V, I. Henry VI, Love's Labour's loji t
and The Taming of the Shrew," there is fome division
aim'd at; yet it is fo lame and erroneous, that it was
thought beft to confider them as totally undivided, and
to rank them accordingly: Now when these plays were
NOTE.
felf weak enough to like a well-printed book : in the next place, he
does declare that his only objeft has been, to do fervice to his gr-
eat Author ; which provided it be done, he tninks it of fmall im-
portance by what hand the fervice was adminifter'd : If the partisans
of former editors fliall chance to think them injufd by this fuppref-
Introduction. 15
to be divided, as well those of the firft clafs as those of
the third, the plays of the fecond clafs were fludioufly
attended to; and a rule was pick'd out from them, by
which to regulate this division: which rule might easi-
ly have been difcover'd before, had but any the leaft
pains been beftow'd upon it; and certainly it was very
well worth it, fince neither can the representation ba
manag'd, nor the order and thread of the fable be pro-
perly conceiv'd by the reader, 'till this article is adjuft-
ed. The plays that are come down to us divided, mult
be look'd upon as of the Author's own fettling; and in.
them, 'with regard to ab, we find him following eftab-
lifh'd precepts, or, rather, conforming himfelf to the
practice of fome other dramatick writers of his time ;
for they, it is likely, and Nature, were the books he was
belt acquainted with : His fcene divisions he certainly
did not fetch from writers upon the drama; for, in them,
he observes a method in which perhaps he is fingular,
and he is invariable in the ufe of it : with him, a change
of fcene implies generally a change of place, though not
always; but always an entire evacuation of it, and a
fucceffion of new perfons: that liaifon of the fcenes, wh-
ich JON SON feems to have attempted, and upon which
the French ftage prides itfelf, he does not appear to have
had any idea of; of the other unities he was perfectly
well appriz'd; and has follow'd them, in one of his
NOTE.
fion, he muft upon this occasion violate the rules of modefty, by de-
claringthat he himfelf is the mod injur'd by it; whose emenda-
tions are equal, at haft in number, to all theirs if put together ; to
fay nothing of his recovered readings, which are more confiderable
ilill.
VOL. I. C
plays, with as great ftri&nefs and greater happlnefs than
can perhaps be met with in any other writer: the play
meant, is ' The Comtdy of Errors;" in which the a&ion
is one, the place one, and the time fuch as even ARIS-
TQTLS himfelf would allow of the revolution of half
a day: But even in this play, the change of fcene arises
from change of perfons, and by that it is regulated; as
are alfo all the other plays that are not divided in the
folio : for whoever will take the trouble to examine th-
ose that are divided, (and they are pointed out for him
in the lilt) will fee them conform exadlly to the rule
above-mention'd ; and can then have but little doubt,
that it fhould be apply'd to all the reiL" To have diftin-
guifh'd these divisions, made (indeed) without the au-
thority, but following the example of the folio, had
been ufelefs and troublefome; and the editor fully per-
fuades himfelf, that what he has faid will be fufticient,
and that he (hall be excus'd by the ingenious and can-
did for overpaying them without further notice: whose
pardon he hopes alfo to have for fome other unnotic'd
matters that are related to this in hand, fuch as mar-
king the place of aclion, both general and particular;
fupplying fcenical directions; and due regulating of ex-
its, and entrances: for of the firtf, there is no tittle in
the old editions; and in both the latter, they are fo de-
ficient and faulty throughout, that it would not be much
NOTE.
" The divisions that are in the folio are religioufly adher'd to,
except in two or three inflances which will be fpoken of in their
place j fo that, as is faid befote, a pe.ueal of those old divined plays
wiU put every one in a capacity of judging whether ths present ec-
Introduction. 4 7
amifs if welook'd upon them as wanting too; and then
all these feveral articles might be confider'd as additi-
ons, that needed no other pointing out than a declara-
tion that they are fo: The light they throw upon the
plays in general, and particularly upon Tome parts of
them, fuch as, the battle fcenes throughout; Cesar's
paflage to the fenate-houfe, and fubfequent a/Taffi nation;
Amony's death ; the furprizal and death of Cleopatra',
that of Titus Atdronicus ; and a multitude of others, wh-
ich are all directed new in this edition, will juftify
these insertions; and may, poffibly, merit the reader's
thanks, for the great aids which they afford to his con-
ception.
It remains now to fpeak of errors of the old copies
which are here amended without notice, to wit the
pointing, and wrong division of much of them refpect-
ing the numbers. And as to the firlr, it is fb extreamly
erroneous, throughout all the plays, and in every old
copy, that fmall regard is due to it; and it becomes an
editor's duty, (inftead of being influenc'd by fuch a pu-
n&uation, or even calling his eyes upon it) to attend
clofely to the meaning of what is before him, and to
new-point it accordingly: Was it the businefs of this e-
dition to make parade of difcoveries, this article alone
would have afforded ample field for it ; for a very great
number of pafTages are now full: fet to rights by this
NOTE.
itor has proceeded rightly or no: the current editions are divided in
ch a manner, that nothing like a ruls can be collected from any
them.
*8 Introduftion,
only, which, before, had either no fenfe at all, or one
unfuiting the context, and unworthy the noble penner
of it: but all the emendations of this fort, though infe-
rior in merit to no others whatfoever, are confign'd to
filence; fome few only excepted, of paflages that have
been much contefted, and whose present adjuftment mi-
ght poffibly be call'd in queftion again; these will be
fpoken of in fome note, and a reason given for embra-
cing them: All the other parts of the work have been
examin'd with equal diligence, and equal attention ; and
the editor flatters himfelf, that the punctuation he has
follow'd, (into which he has admitted fome novelties' 1 )
will be found of fo much benefit to his Author, that th
ose who run may read, and that with profit and under-
Handing. The other great miftake in these old editions,
and which is very infuificiently re&ify'd in any of the
new ones, relates to the Poet's numbers; his verfe be-
ing often wrong divided, or printed wholly as prose,
and his prose as often printed like verfe : this, though
not fo univerfal as their wrong pointing, is yet fo ex-
tenfive an error in the old copies, and fo impoffible to
be pointed out otherwise than by a note, that an edit-
or's filent amendment of it is furely pardonable at leafl;
For who would not be difgufled with that perpetual
famenefs which muft neceflarily have been in all the
notes of this fort? Neither are they, in truth, emenda-
tions that require proving; every good ear does imme-
N r E.
i* If the ufe of these new pointings, and alfo cf certain mark*
that he will meet with in this edition, do not occur immediately to
the reader, (as we think it will) he may find it explain 'd to him at
Introduilion. *9
tfiately adopt them, and every lover of the Poet will be
pleas'd with that acceffion of beauty which results to
him from them: It is perhaps to be lamented, that there
is yet Handing in his works much unpleasing mixture
of prosaic and metrical dialogue, and fometimes in pla-
ces feemingly improper, as in " Othello,"^. 21 ; and
fome others which men of judgment will be able to
pick out for themfelves: but these blemifties are not
now to be wip'd away, at leall not by an editor, whose
province it far exceeds to make a change of this nat-
ure ; but muft remain as marks of the Poet's negligence,
and of the hafte with which his pieces were compos'd :
what he manifeftly intended prose, (and we can judge
of his intentions only from what appears in the editions
that are come down to us) fhould be printed as prose,
what verfe as verfe; which, it is hop'd, is now done,
with an accuracy that leaves no great room for any fur-
ther confiderable improvements in that way.
Thus have we run through, in as brief a manner as
poffible, all the feveral heads, of which it was thought
proper and even necefTary that the publick fhould be
appriz'd ; as well those that concern preceding editions,
both old and new; as the other which we have juft qu-
itted, the method observ'd in the edition that is now
before them: which though not fo entertaining, it is
confefT'd, nor affording fo much room to difplay the
parts and talents of a writer, as fome other topicks that
NOTE.
large in the preface to a little oftavo volume, Intitl'd " Prolusions,
er,feleEl Pieces of ancient Pattryf publilh'4 in 1760 by this editor, and
printed for Mr. Tonftn.
30 Ivtrtdufiion.
have generally fupply'd the place of them; fuch as,-'
criticisms or panegyricks upon the Author, hifrorical a-
necdotes, effays, and f.erii gia ; yet the-e sviil be found
fome odd people, who may be apt to pionounce of them
that they are Suitable to the place they Hand in, and
convey all the inftruftion that mould be look'd for in a
preface. Here, therefore, we might take our leave of the
reader, bidding him welcome to the banquet that is fet
before him; were it net apprehended, and reasonably,
that he will expert fome account why it is not ferv'd up
to him at present with it's accailom'd and laudable gar-
niture, of '* Notes, Glo]Ja.ries" &c : Now though it might
be reply'd, as a reason for what is done, that a very
freat part of the world, amongft whom is the editor
imfelf, profefs much diflike to this paginary intermix-
ture of text and comment; in works meerly of enter-
tainment, and written in the language of the country;
as alfo that he, the editor, does not possefs the fecret
of dealing out notes by measure, and diflributing them
amongft his volumes fo nicely that the equality of their
bulk (hall not be broke in upon the thicknefs of a fheet
of paper; yet, having other matter at hand which he th-
inks may excuse him better, he will not have recourfe to
these above-mention'd: which matter is no other, than
his very ftrong desire of approving himfelf to the pub-
lick a man of integrity; and of making his future pre-
sent more perfect, and as worthy of their acceptance as
his abilities will let him. For the explaining of what is
faid, which is a little wrap'd up in my fiery at present, we
mull inform that publick that another work is pre-
par'd, and in great fonvardnefs, having been wrought
upon, many years ; nearly indeed as long as the work
IntraduSlm. 31
Which is now before them, for they have gone hand in
hand almoft from the firlt: This work, to which we have
given for title " The School of SH AKESPEARE," confifts
wholy of extracts, (with observations upon forne of them,
interfperf'd occasionally) from books that may properly
be call'd his fchool ; as they are indeed the fources from
which he drew the greater part of his knowledge in my-
thology and clafiical matters,*? his fable, his hiltory, and
even the feeming peculiarities of his language: To fur-
ni(h out these materials, all the plays have been perus'd,
within a very fmall number, that were in print in his
time or fome ftiort time after; the chroniclers his cotem-
poraries, or that a little preceeded him; many original
poets of that age, and many translators ; with efiayifts,
novelifts, and ftory-mongers in great abundance: every
book, in mort, has been^confulted that it was poffible ta
procure, with which it could be thought he was acqu-
ainted, or that feem'd likely to contribute anything to-
wards his illuftration.To what degree they iltuftrate him,
and in how new a light they fet the character of this
NOTE.
1 J Though our exareffions, as we think, are fufficiently guarded
in this plac--, yet, be ng fearful of mifconftrudHon, we desire to be
heard funher as to this arr'air of his learning. Jt is cur firm belief
then, that SHAKEIPEARE was very wdl grounded, at leaft \nLa-
tiii, at fchoo! : It appears from the cleared evidence poffible, that his
father wss a man or no little fubftance, and very well acli to give
him fuch educa ion ; which, perhaps, he might be inclin'd to carry
further, by fending him to a ur.iverlity; but wa< prevented in this
defign (if he had ir) Ly hi- f.-n's early ma riage, which, from monu-
ments and other like evidence, it appears with no lefs certainty, nvjft
have kappen'd before he was fevtnteen, or vsry fooa aft:r : The d.i-
3 2 Intro Ju fiion.
great Poet himfelf, can never be couceiv'd as it mould
be 'till these extradls come forth to publick view, in
their juft magnitude, and properly digefled: for befides
the various pafiages that he has either made ufe of or
alluded to, many other matters have been felecled and
will be found in this work, tending all to the fame end,
our better knowledge of him and his writings ; and
one clafs of them there is, for which we (hall perhaps
be cenfur'd as being too profufe in them, namely the
almoft innumerable examples, drawn from these ancient
writers, of words and modes of expreflton which many
have thought peculiar to SHAKESPEARE, and have been
too apt to impute to him as a blemiQi : but the quota-
tions of this clafs do effectually purge him from fuch a
charge, which is one reason of their profusion ; though
another main inducement to it has been, a desire of fh-
ewing the true force and meaning of the aforefaid unu-
sual words and expreflions; which can no way be better
afceFtain'd, than by a proper variety of well-chosen ex-
amples. Now, to bring this matter home to the fub-
NO IE.
pleasure of his father, which was the confequence of this marriage,
or elfe fome exceffe* which he is faid to have been guilty of, it is
probable, drove him up to town ; where he engag'd early in fome of
the theatres, and was honoured with the patronage of the earl of
cutbamptcn:\i\s "Venus WAdonis" is addrelTd to that carl in a very
pretty and modeft dedication, in which he calls it " tbefrft belre of
kit invention;" and ufiiers it to the world with this finguiar motto,
Vilia mirttur i>ulgus, mihi jla-vus Aftlh
Po.ula Caflalia plena mmiftret ayua ;
and the whole poem, as well as his ' Lucrece" which follow'd it
fooa after, together with his choice of those fubje&Sj are plain marks
lntrodulion. 3 3
jeft for which it has been alledg'd, and upon whose ac-
count this affair is now lay'd before the publick fome-
what before it's time, *vho is fo fhort-fighted as not to
perceive upon firft reflection, that, without manifelt in-
juftice, the Notes upon this Author could not preceed
the publication of the work we have been defcribing ;
whose choiceft materials would unavoidably and cert-
ainly have found a place in those notes, and fo been
twice retail'd upon the wor'd ; a praftice which the e-
ditor has often condemn'd in others, and could there-
fore not resolve to be guilty of in himfelf? By poftpon-
ing these notes a while, things will be as they ought:
they will then be confin'd to that which is their proper
fubjeft, explanation alone, intermix'd with fome little
criticism ; and inftead of long quotations, which would
otherwise have appear'd in them, the " School of SHA-
KESPEARE" will be refer'd to occasionally ; and one of
the many indexes with which this fame " School" will be
provided, will afford an ampler and truer Gloflary thaa
can be made out of any other matter. In the mean while,
NOTE,
of his acquaintance with fome of the Latin claflicks, at leaft at thit
time : The difiipation of youth, and, when that was over, the busy
fcene in which he inftantly plung'd himfelf, may very \vell be fup-
pos'd to have hinder'd his making any great piogrefs in them ; but
that fuch a mind as his mould quite lose the tindture of any Ifow-
ledge it had once been imbu'd with, can not be imagin'd: accord-
ingly we fee, that this fchool-learning (for it was no more) fluck
with him to the laft; and it was the recordations, as we may call it,
of that learning wh : ch produc'd the Latin that is in many of his
plays, and moft plentifully in those that are moft early : every feveral
piece of it is aptly introduc'd, given to a proper chara&er, and utt-
34
and 'till fuch time as the whole can be got ready, and
their way clear 'd for them by publication of the book
above-mention'd, the reader will please to take in good
part fome few of these notes with which he will be pre-
sented by and by: they were written at leaft four years
ago, with intention of placing them at the head of the
feveral notes that are defign'd for each play ; but are now
detach'd from their fellows, and made parcel of the In-
troduction, in compliance with fome friends' opinion;
who having given them a perusal, will needs have it,
that 'tis expedient the world (hould be made acquainted
forthwith in what fort of reading the poor Poet him-
felf, and his editor after him, have been unfortunately
immerf'd.
This difcourfe is ran out, we know not how, into gr-
eater heap of leaves than was any ways thought of, and
has perhaps fatigu'd the reader equally with the penner
of it : yet can we not difmifs him, nor lay down our pen,
'till one article more has been enquir'd into, which feems
no lefs proper for the difcuilion of this place, than one
NOTE.
er'd upon fome proper occasion ; and fo well cemented , as it were,
and jcin'd to the p,fl",-ge it lia:,ds in, as to deal conviction to theju-
a cious that the whole was wrought up together, and fetch'd trom
bis own little ftore, upon the fuddea and without fludy.
The other languages which he has icmetitnes made ufa of, that
is the Italian and fratt, are not or fuch difficult conqueft that we
fliouid think thsm beyond his reach : an acquaintance viith the firft
of them was a fort of fafliion in his time ; Sumy and the fonnet-
writers fet it en foot, and it was continued by SIDNEY and SPIN-
CER : all our p.e'ry illV<? from that fohool; and it would be \wn-
idcj-fyl indeed, if he, whom we law a little before putting himfaf
35
which we have inferted before, beginning at p. 8 ; as we
there vcntur'd to ftand up in the behalf of fome quar-
to's and maintain their authenticity, fo mean we to have
the hardinefs here to defend fome certain plays in this
collection from the attacks of a number of writers who
have thought fit to call in queftion their genuinenefs :
The plays contefted are" The three Parts of Henry VI;
Love's Laloia'"s loji ; The Taming eftbe Shrew, and Titus
Andronicus;" and the fum of what is brought againft
them, fo far at leaft as is hitherto come to knowledge,
may be all ultimately resolv'd into the fole opinion of
their unworthinefs, exclufive of fome weak furmises
which do not deserve a notice: it is therefore fair and
allowable, by all laws of duelling, to oppose opinion
to opinion; which if we can ftrengthen with reasons,
and fomething like proofs, which are totally wanting on
the other fide, the laft opinion may chance to carry the
day.
To begin then with the firft of them, " the Henry VI,
in three Paris." We are quite in the dark as to when the
NOTE.
with fo much zeal under the banner of the muses, ftiould not have
been tempted to tafie at leaft of that f untain to which of alibis o-
ther brethren there was fuch continual resort : let us conclude then,
that he did tafte of it ; but, happily for himfelf, and more happy for
the world that enjoys him now, he diti not find it to his relifh, and
threw away the cup : Metaphor apart, it is evident that he had
fome little knowledge of the Italian: p-rhaps, juft as much as ena-
bPd him to read a novel or a poem ; and to put fome few fragments
of it, with which h'S memory furnifli'd him, into the mouth of a
pedant, or fine gemleman.
Ho ,v or when he acquir'd it we muft be content to be ignorant,,
firft part was written ; but mould be apt to conjecture,
that it was fome confiderable time after the other two ;
and, perhaps, when those two were re-touch'd, and made
a little fitter than they are in their firft draught to rank
with the Author's other plays which he has fetch'd from
our Englijh hiftory : and those two parts, even with all
their re-touchings, being ftill much inferior to the oth-
er plays of that clafs, he may reasonably be fuppos'd to
have underwrit himfelf on purpose in the firlt, that it
might the better match with those it belong'd to: Now
that these two plays (the firft draught of them, at leaft)
are among his early performances, we know certainly
from their date; which is further confirm'd by the two
concluding lines of his " Henry V," fpoken by the Cho-
rus ; and (poflibly) it were not going too far, to imag-
ine that they are his fecond attempt in hiftory, and
rear in time to his original " King John" which is alfo
in two parts : and, if this be fo,we may fafely pronounce
them his, and even highly worthy of him ; it being cer-
tain, that there was no Englijb play upon the ftage, at
NOTE.
but of the French language he was fomewhat a greater matter than
of the two that have gone before j yet, unlefs we except their nov-
li(h, he does not appear to have had much acquaintance with any
of their writers ; what he has g^ven us of it is meerly colloquial,
flows with great ease from him, and is reasonably pure : Should it
be faid he had travel'd for't, we know not who can confute us: in
his days indeed, and with people ot his ftation, (he cuftom of do-
ing fo was rather rarer than in ours ; yet we have met witn an ex-
ample, and in his own band of players, in the perfon of the very
famous Mr. KEMPF. ; of whose travels there is mention in a filly
fid play, call'd " Tbt Return frtm Parnafius," printed in i6c6,
Introduaiott. 37
that time, which can come at all in competition with
them ; and this probably it was, which procur'd them
the good reception that is mention'd too in the Chorus.
The plays we are now fpeaking of have been inconcei-
vably mangl'd either in the copy or the prefs, or per-
haps both: yet this may be difcover'd in them, that
the alterations made afterwards by the Author are noth-
ing near fo confiderable as those in fome other plays ;
the incidents, the characters, every principal out-line in
ihort being the fame in both draughts ; fo that what we
Ihall have occasion to fay of the fecond, may, in fome
degree, and without much violence, be apply'd alfo to
the firft: And this we presume to fay of it; that, low-
as it muft be fet in comparifon with his other plays, it
has beauties in it, and grandeurs, of which no other au-
thor was capable but SHAKESPEARE only: that extrea-
mly-affe&ing fcene of the death of young Rutland, that
of his father which comes next it, and of Clifford the
murtherer of them both ; Beaufort's dreadful exit, the
exit of king Henry, and a fcene of wondrous fnnplicity
NOTE.
but written much earlier in the time of queen Elizabeth : add to
this the exceeding great livelinefs and juftnefs that is feen in ma-
ny defcriptions of the fea and of promontories, which, if examin'd,
Ihew another fort of knowledge of them than is to be gotten in books
or relations ; and if these be lay'd together, this conjeSurc of his
travelling may not be thought void of probability.
One opinion, we are fure, which is advanc'd fomewhere or other,
is utterly fo ; that this Latin, and this Italian, and the language
that was laft mention'd, are infertions and the work of fome other
hand : There has been ftarted now and then in philological matters
a proposition fo ftrange as to carry it's own condemnation in it, and
and wondrous tendernefs united, in which that&ry is
made a fpeaker while his laft decifive battle is fighting,
are as fo many ftamps upon these plays; by which his
property is mark'd, and himfelf declar'd the owner of
them, beyond controverfy as we think: And though we
have felefted these paffages only, and recommended them
to observation, it had been easy to name abundance of
others which bear his mark as ftrongly: and one circum-
fiance there is that runs through alt the three plays, by
which he is as furely to be known as by any other that
can be thought of; and that is, the preservation of cha-
racter: all the perfonages in them are diitinclly and tru-
}y delineated, and the character given them fuftain'd u-
niformly throughout; the enormous Richard's particu-
larly, which in the third of these plays is feen rising to-
wards it's zenith: and who fees not the future monfter,
and acknowledges at the fame time the pen that drew
it, in these two lines only, fpoken over a king who lies
iiab'd before him,
What, will the afpiring blood of Lancafier
ft T E.
th's is of the number ; it has been honour'd already with more no-
tice than it is any ways entitl'd to, where the Poet's Lavn is fpoke
ef a little white before; to which ar.fwerit muft be left, and we fliatl
pat? on to pro'efs o:ir entire belief of the genuinenefs i,f every le-
eral part of thi? work, ard that he only was the Author of it : he
rnight wiite benca h hinr.felf at particular times, and certainly aoej
in tome places ; but i not always without excufe ; and it frequmt-
ly happens that a weak fcene ferves to very good purpose, as will te
made appear at one time or other. It may be thought that th-re is
ore argument flill unanfwer'd, which has been brought agsinrt Ir.s
acquaintance with the Latin and other languages j and that isj th Jt,
39
Sink in thegroand? I thought, it would have mounted,
let him never pretend discernment hereafter in any cafe
of this nature.
It is hard to perfuade one's felf, that the objefters to
the play whieh comes next are indeed ferious in their
opinion; for if he is not visible in" Love's Labour* 't loft"
we know not in whieh of his comedies he can be faid
to be fo : the ease and fprightlinefs of the dialogue in,
very many parts of it; it's quick tarns of wit, and the
humour it abounds in; and (chiefly) in those truly co-
mick characters, the pedant and his companion, the page,
the conftable, Coftard, and Armado, feem more than
fufficient to proveSnAKEspEARE the Author of it: And
for the blemifhes of this play, we mull feek their true
cause in it's antiquity; which we may venture to carry
higher than 159^, the date of it's firft impreffion: rime,
when this play appear'd, was thought a beauty of the
drama, and hearu with fingular pleasure by an audience
who but a few years before had been accultom'd to all
lime; and the measure we call dogrel^and are fo much
NOTE.
had he Seen fo acquainted, it could not have happen'd but that fome
imitations would have crept into his writings, of which certainly
there are none: But this argument has been anfwer'd in effect; when
it was faid that his knowledge in these languages was but Ilender,
and his converfation with the writers in them ftendsr too cf cou'fet
but, had it been otherwise, and he as deeply read in them as fome
people have thought him, his works (it is probable) had been as lit-
tle deform'd w,th imitations as we now fee them : SHAKESPEARE
was far above furh a practice ; he had the ftores in him r elf, a A
warred not the afliftance of a foreign hand to drefs him- up in things
cf thek lending.
40 Introduction.
offended with, had no fuch effeft upon the ears of that
time : but whether blemiihes or no, or however this mat-
ter be which we have brought to exculpate him, nei-
ther of these articles can with any face of juftice be al-
ledg'd againft " Loves Labour's /o/l," feeing they are
both to be met with in feveral other plays, the genuine-
nefs of which has not been queilion'd by any one. And
one thing more fhall be observ'd in the behalf of this
play; that the Author himfelf was fo little difpleas'd
at lead with fome parts of it, that he has brought them
a fecond time upon the flage; For who may not per-
ceive that his famous Benedick and Beatrice are but lit-
tle more than the counter-parts of Biron and Rosaline?
All which circumftances confider'd, and that efpecially
cf the Writer's childhood (as it may be term'd) when
this comedy was produc'd, we may confidently prono-
once it his true off-lpring, and replace it amongft it's
brethren.
That the " Taming of the Shrew" fhould ever have
fceen put into this clafs of plays, and adjudg'd a fpuri-
eus one, may juftly be reckon'd wonderful, when we
confider it's merit, and the reception it has generally
Hiet with in the world: It's fuccefs at firft, and the ef-
teem it was then held in, induc'd FLETCHER to enter
the lifts with it in another play, in which Petruchio is
iumbl'd and Catharine triumphant; and we have it in
Jiis works, under the title of" The Woman s Prize, or,
the "Tamer tamd:" but, by an unhappy miftake of buf-
foonery for humour and obfcenity for wit, which was
not uncommon with that author, his production came
lamely off, and was foon confign'd to the oblivion in
*hich it is now bury'd; whereas this of his antagoniit
Introdu&iori. 41
flourifhes ftill, and has maintain'd it's place upon the
ftage (in fome fliape or other) from it's very firft appear-
ance down to the present hour: and this fuccefs it has
merited, by true wit and true humour; a fable of very
artful conftru&ion, much businefs, and highly intereft-
ing; and by natural and well-fuftain'd characters, which,
no pen but SHAKESPEARE'S was capable of drawing:
What defefts it has, are chiefly in the di&ion ; the fame
(indeed) with those of the play that was laft-mention'd,
and to be accounted for the fame way: for we are ftron-
gly inclin'd to believe it a neighbour in time to "Love's
Labour's loft" though we want the proofs of it which we
have luckily for that.u
But the plays which we have already fpoke of are but
flightly attack'd, and by few writers, in comparifon of
this which we are now come to of" Titus Andronic-
us:" commentators, editors, every one (in (hort) who has
had to do with SHAKESPEARE, unite all in condemn-
ing it,~as a very bundle of horrors, totally unfit for the
ftage, and unlike the Poet's manner, and even the ftyle
of his other pieces; all which allegations are extreamly
true, and we readily admit of them, but can not admit
the conclusion that, therefore, it is not his; and /hall
now proceed to give the reasons of our diflent, but (firft)
the play's age muft be enquir'd into. In the Induction
to JONSON'S " Bartholmew Fair," which was written
in the year 1614, the audience is thus accofted: "Hee
NOTE.
T 4- The authenticity of this play ftands further confirmed by the
teftimony of fir dfton COCKAYN j a writer who came near to SHA-
KESPEARE'S time, and does expreffly afcribe it to him in an epig-
VOL. I. d
42 Introduction.
" that will fwcare, Jeronimo, or Andronicus are the bed
playes, yet, fhall pafle unexcepted at, heere, as a man
" whofe Judgement (hewes it is conftant, and hath flood
" ilill, thefe five and twentie, or thirtie yeeres. Though
" it be an Ignorance, it is a vertuous and ftay'd i^nor-
" ance ;and next to truth, a confirm'd errour does well;
" fuch a one the Author knowes where to finde him."
We have here the great Ben himfelf, joining this play
with " Jeronimo, or, the Spanifli Tragedy," and bearing
exprefs teftimony to the credit they were both in with
the publick at the time they were written ; but this is
by the by ; to afcertain that time, was the chief reason
for inferring the quotation, and there we fee it fix'd to
t\ven%" five or thirty years prior to this Induction : now
it is not neceffary, to fuppose that JONSON fpeaks in
this place with exaft precision; but allowing that he
does, the firft of these periods carries us back to 1589,
a date not very repugnant to what is afterwards advan-
c'd: LANGBAINE, in his "Account of the Englifh dram-
atick Poets," under the article SHAKESPEARE, does ex-
preffly tell us, that " Andronicus was firft printed in
1594, quarto, and adled by the Earls of Derby, Pem-
" broke, and Ejfix, their Servants;" and though the ed-
ition is not now to be met with, and he who mentions
it be no exadl writer, nor greatly to be rely'd on in ma-
ny of his- articles, yet in this which we have quoted he
is fo very particular that one can hardly withhold aff-
NOTE.
ram addreff'dto Mr. Clement FISHER of Tf^ncot; but it is (perhaps)
fuperfliious, and of but little weight neither, as it will be faid that
ftrAfton proceeds only upon the evidence of it's being in print in his
Introduftioh, '4$
ent to it; efpecially, as this account of it's printing co-
incides well enough with JONSON'S asra of writing this
play ; to which therefore we fubfcribe, and go on upon
that ground. The books of that time afford ftrange ex-
amples of the barbarism of the publick tafte both upon
the ftage and elfevvhere: a conceited one of John LIL-
LY'S fet a nation a madding; and, for a while, every
pretender to politenefs " parl'd Euphuism," as it was
phras'd, and no writings would go down with them but
fuch as were pen'd in that fantastical manner: the fett-
er-up of this faftiion try'd it alfo in comedy; but feems
to have mifcarry'd in that, and for this plain reason :
the people who govern theatres are, the middle and low-
er orders of the world ; and these expedled laughter in
comedies, which this fluff of LILLY'S was incapable of
exciting: But fome other writers, who rose exactly at
that time, fucceeded better in certain tragical perform-
ances, though as outragious to the full in their way, and
as remote from nature, as these comick ones of LIL-
LY'S: for falling in with that innate love of blood wh-
ich has been often objected to Britijb audiences, and
choosing fables of horror which they made horrider ftill
by their manner of handling them, they produc'd a fet
of monfters that are not to be parallel'd in all the ann-
als of play-writing; yet they were receiv'd with appls-
use, and were the favourites of the publick for almcft
ten years together ending at 1595 : Many plays of this
NOTE.
name: we do therefore lay no great ftrefs upon it, nor fliall inferf
ihe epigram here; it will be found in " The School of SHAKES? E-
AKE," which is the proper place for things of that fort.
44
{tamp, it is probable, have perifli'd ; but those that are
come down to us, are as follows; " The Wars o/Cy-
rus; Tamburlaine the great, in two parts; The Spanifh
Tragedy, likewise in two parts; Soliman aWPerfeda; and
Selimus a tragedy" '* which whoever has means of co-
ming at, and can have the patience to examine, will fee
evident tokens of a faftiion then prevailing, which occa-
sion'd all these plays to be caft in the fame mold. Now
SHAKESPEARE, whatever motives he might have in fome
other parts of it, at this period of his life wrote certain-
ly for profit; and feeing it was to be had in this way,
(and in this way only, perhaps) he fell in with the cur-
rent, and gave his forry auditors a piece to their tooth
in this contefted play of" Titus Andronicus;" which as
it came out at the fame time with the plays above-men-
tion'd, is moft exaftly like them in almoft every partic-
ular; their very numbers, confifting all often fyllables
with hardly any redundant, are copy'd by this Proteus,
who could put on any fhape that either ferv'd his inter-
eft or fuited his inclination: and this, we hope, is a fair
and unforc'd way of accounting for " Andronicus;" and
may convince the moft prejudic'd that SHAKESPEARE
might be the writer of it ; as he might alfo of" Locrine"
which is afcrib'd to him, a ninth tragedy, in form and
lime agreeing perfectly with the others. But to conclude
2V T E.
*S No 'evidence has oceur'd to prove exaflly the time these playa
were written, except that paflage of JONSON'S which relates to " Je-
ronitno ;" but the editions we have read them in, are as follows :
" Tamburlaine" in 1593 ; " Selimus," and " the Wan of Cyrus,"
in 1594; and " Soliman and Perfeda" in 1599; the other without a
date, but as early as the eadieft : They are alfo without name of an-
IntroditEllm. 45
this article, However he may be cenfar'd, as rafh or
ill-judging, the editor ventures to declare that he him-
felf wanted not the conviction of the foregoing argum-
ent to be fatiffy'd who the play belongs to ; for though
-a work of imitation, and conforming itfelf to models
truly execrable throughout, yet the genius of it's Author
breaks forth in fome places, and, to the editor's eye,
SHAKESPEARE (lands confefTd: the third aft in parti-
cular may be read with admiration even by the moft de-
licate ; who, if they are not without feelings, may chance
to find themfelves touch'd by it with fuch paflions as
tragedy fhould excite, that is terror, and pity. The rea-
der will please to observe that all these contefted plays
are in the folio, which is dedicated to the Poet's patrons
and friends, the earls of Pembroke and Montgomery, by e-
ditors who are feemingly honeft men, and profefs them-
felves dependant upon those noblemen ; to whom there-
fore they would hardly have had the confidence to pre-
sent forgeries, and pieces fupposititious; in which too
they were liable to be detected by those identical noble
perfons themfelves, as well as by a very great part of
their other readers and auditors: which argument, tho-
ugh of no little ftrength in itfelf, we omitted to bring
before, as having better (as we thought) and more forc-
ible to offer; but it had behov'd those gentlemen who
NOTE.
thor ; nor has any book been met with to inftruft us in that parti-
cular, except only for " Jeronimo;" which we are told by HEY-
.\vooo,ia his " Apology fir dflors," was written by Thcmai KYD; au-
thor, or tranflator rather, (for it is taken from the French of Robert
GAKNIER) of another play, intitl'd " Cornelia," printed likewise
ia 1594. Which of these extravasnnt plays had the honour to leid
4J
4-$ Introdutliott.
have queftion'd the plays to have got rid of it in the firft
inflance, as it lies full in their way in the very entrance
upon this difpute.
We lhall close this part of thelntrodu&ion with fome
observations, that were reserv'd for this place, upon that
paragraph of the player editors' preface which is quoted
at p. 5 ; and then taking this further liberty with the
reader,~to call back his attention to fome particulars
that concern the present edition, difmifs him, to be en-
tertain'd (as we hope) by a fort of appendix, confifting
of those notes that have been mention'd, in which the
true and undoubted originals of almoft all the Poet's fa-
bles are clearly pointed out. But firft of the preface. Be-
iides the authenticity of all the feveral pieces that make
up this collection, and their care in publifhing them,
both folemnly affirm'd in the paragraph refer'd to, we
there find these honeft editors acknowledging in terms
equally folemn the Author's right in his copies, and la-
menting that he had not exercis'd that right by a pub-
lication of them during his life-time ; and from the man-
ner in which they exprefs themfelves, we are ftrongly
inclin'd to think that he had really form'd fuch a de-
fign, but towards his laft days, and too late to put it in
execution: a collection of JONSON'S was at that inftant
in the prefs, and upon the point of coming forth ; which,
NOTE.
the way, we can't certainly tell, b:it " Jeronimo" feems to harej
the beft pretenfions to it; as " Selimus" has above all his other bre-
thren, to bearing away the palm for blood and murther : this curi-
ous piece has these lines for a conclusion ;
Jf this firft part Gentles, do like jou well,
Tfhe fccpnd part, (hall greater murthen tell.
Introduction. 47
might probably infpire fuch a thought into him andhls
companions, and produce conferences between them
about a fimilar publication from him, and the pieces
that fhould compose it, which the Poet might make a
lift of. It is true, this is only a fupposition ; but a fup-
position arising naturally, as we think, from the incid-
ent that has been mention'd, and the expreffions of his
fellow players and editors : and, if fuffer'd to pafs for
truth, here is a good and found reason for the exclusi-
on of all those other plays that have been attributed to
him upon fome grounds or other; he himfelf has pro-
fcrib'd them ; and we cannot forbear hoping, that they
will in no future time rise up againft him, and be thruft
into his works: A difavowal of weak and idle pieces,
the productions of green years, wantonnefs, or inatten-
tion, is a right that all authors are veiled with; and
Ihould be exerted by all, if their reputations are dear to
them ; had J o N s o N us'd it, his character had flood high-
er than it does : But, after all, they who have pay'd at-
tention to this truth are not always fecure; the indif-
creet zeal of an admirer, or avarice of a publifher, has
frequently added things that diftionour them; and wh-
ere realities have been wanting, forgeries fupply the
j)lace; thus has HOMER his " Hymns," and the peor
Mantuan his " Ciris" and his " Culex." Noble and great
NO r E.
tut whether the aud'ence had enough of It, or how it has happen'3
we can't tell, but na I'uch fecond part is to be found. All these plays
were the eonftant but of the poets who came immediately after
them, and of SHAKESPEARE amongft the reft ; and by their ridic-
ule the town at laft was made fenfible of their ill judgment) and the
(theatre was purg'd of these rr.onfters,
48 Introduction.
authors demand all our veneration: where their wills
can be difcover'd, they ought facredly to be comply'4
with; and that editor ill difcharges his duty, who pre-
sumes to load them with things they have renounc'd:
It happens but too often, that we have other ways to
fhew our regard to them; their own great want of care
in their copies, and the Hill greater want of it that is
commonly in their impreflions, will find fufh'cient exer-
cise for any one's friendflrip, who may wim to fee their
works fet forth in that perfection which was intended
by the author. And this friendship we have endeavour'd
to {hew to SHAKESPEARE in the present edition: The
plan of it has been lay'd before the reader; upon whom
it refts to judge finally of it's goodnefs, as well as how
it is executed: but as feveral matters have interven'd,
that may have driven it from his memory; and we are
desirous above all things to leave a ftrong impreffion
upon him of one merit which it may certainly pretend
to, that is it's fidelity; we mail take leave to remind
him, at parting, that Throughout all this work, what
is added without the authority of fome ancient edition,
is printed in a black letter: what alter'd, and what th-
rown out, conftantly taken notice of; fome few times in
a note, where the matter was long, or of a complex na-
ture; 16 but, more generally, at the bottom of the page;
where what is put out of the text, how minute and in-
iignificant foever, is always to be met with ; what alu
NOTE.
6 The particulars that could not well be pointed out below, acc-
ording to the general method, or otherwise than by a note, are of
three forts ; omiffions, any thing large j tranfpositions j and fuch
differences of punctuation as produce !eat change: in the fenfe of 4
Introduction. 49
er'd, as conftantly fet down, and in the proper words of
that edition upon which the alteration is form'd: And,
even in authoriz'd readings, whoever is desirous of kn-
owing further, what edition is follow'd preferably to the
others, may be gratify'd too in that, by confulting the
Various Readings; which are now finifh'd; and will be
publifh'd, together with the Notes, in fome other vol-
umes, with all the fpeed that is convenient.
NOTE.
p adage : inftances of the firft, occur in " Love's Labour's loft,*'f>. 54,
and in " Troilus and Creflida," p. 109 and 1 17 j of the feeend, in
" The Comedy of Errors,'"' f. 62, and in " Richard III," f. 92, and
J02 ; and " The Tanpeft" /. 69, and " King Lear," p. 53, afford in-
flances of the laft ; as may be feen by looking into any modern edi-
tion, where all those paflages ftand nearly as in the old ones.
Origin O/^SHAKESPEARE'J Fables.
AlFs well, that ends 'well.
The fable of this play is taken from a novel, of wh-
ich BOCCACE is the original author; in whose " Dica-
meron" it may be feen at p. 97. b of the Giunti edition,
reprinted at London. But it is more than probable, that
SHAKESPEARE read it in a book, call'd " 'The Palace
of Pleasure:" which is a collection of "novels, translated,
irom other authors, made by one William PA INTER, and
\>y him firft publiQi'd in the years 1565 and 67, in two
$p Iirtrodu&on.
tomes, quarto; the novel now fpoken of, is the thirty-
eighth of tome the 'firft. This novel is a meagre tranfla-
tion, not (perhaps) immediately from BOCCAC, but
from a French tranflator of him : as the original is in e-
very body's hands, it may there be feen that nothing
as taken from it by SHAKESPEARE, but fome leading
incidents of the ferious part of his play.
Antony and Cleopatra.
This play, together with " Coriolanus, Julius Caesar,
and feme part of Timon of Athens," are form'd upon
' Plutarch's Lives," in the articles Coriolanus, Brutus,
Julius C<esar, and Antony : Of which Lives there is a Fr-
ench tranflation, of great fame, made by AMIOT, bifhop
cfduxerre and great almoner of France $ which, fome few
years after it's firft appearance, was put into an Englijh
orefs by our countryman fir Thomas NORTH, and pub-
lifh'd in the year 1579* in folio. As the language of this
tranflation is pret / good, for the time ; and the fenti-
ments, which are PLUTARCH'S, breath the genuine fpi-
rit of the feveral hiftorical perfonages; SHAKESPEARE
has, with much judgment, introduc'd no fmall number
of fpeeches into these plays, in the very words of that
tranflator, turning them into verfe: which he has fo well
wrought up, and incorporated with his plays, that, what
he has introduc'd, cannot be difcover'd by any reader,
'till it is pointed out for him.
like it.
A. novel, or (rather) pafloral romance, inud'd~'*Eu-
Introduction. 5 \
phues' golden Legacy" written in a very fantaftical ftyle
by Dr. -rbomas LODGE, and by him firft publifh'd in the
year 1590, in quarto, is the foundation of " As you like
it:" Befides the fable, which is pretty exactly follow'd,
the out-lines of certain principal characters may be ob-
sejv'd in the novel ; and fome expreiTions of the novel-
id (few, indeed, and of no great moment) feem to have
taken posseffion of SHAKESPEARE'S memory, and from
thence crept into his play.
Comedy of Errors.
Of this play, the " Menaxhmi" of PLAUTUS is moft
certainly the original: yet the Poet went not to theia-
// for it; but took up with an Englijb " Mensechini,"
put out by one W. W. in 15955 quarto. This tranflati-
on, in which the writer profefles to have us'd fome li-
berties, which he has diftinguifh'd by a particular mark,
~~is in prose, and a very good one for the time: it fur-
nifti'd SHAKESPEARE with nothing but his principal in-
cident ; as you may in part fee by the translator's argu-
ment, which is in verfe, and runs thus.
Tnvo Twinborne jonnes, a Sicill mar chant bad t
Menechmus one, #</ Soficles the other;
fbefirjl bis Father loft a title Lad,
*Tbe Grandfire namde the latter like his brothers
7 his Cgroivne a man) long travell tooke tofeeke t ~
His Brother, and to Epidamnum came,
Where tb" other dwelt inricbt, and himfo like,
That Citizens there take him for the fame:
Father, wife, neighbours, each mijiaking either^
Much pleaj'ant error t ere they meete togitbe?.
52 Introduflion.
It is probable, that the laft of these verfes fuggefted the
title of SHAKESPEARE'S play.
Cymbeline.
BOCCACE'S ftory of Bernabo da Amlrogi <volo (Day 2.
T^ov. 9.) is generally fuppos'd to have furnifh'd SHAKE-
SPEARE with the fable of" Cymbeline:" But the em-
tracers of this opinion feem not to have been aware, that
many of that author's novels (tranflated, or imitated) are
to be found in Er.glijh books, prior to, or contemporary
with, SHAKESPEARE: and of this novel in particular,
there is an imitation extant in a ftory-book of that time,
intitl'd "Weftnuardfor Sme/ts;"h is the fecond tale in
the book: the fcene, and the aftors of it, are different
from BOCCACE, as SHAKESPEARE'S are from both; but
the main of the ftory is the fame in all. We may vent-
ture to pronounce it a book of those times, and that ear-
ly enough to have been us'd by SHAKESPEARE, as I am
perfuaded it was; though the copy that I have of it, is
no older than 1620; it is a quarto pamphlet of only five
iheets and a half, printed in a black letter: fome reasons
for my opinion are given in another place; ( v. " Wint-
er's Tale"} though perhaps they are not ncccflary, as it
may one day better -be made appear a true one, by the
difcovery of fome more ancient edition.
Hamlet.
About the middle of the fixtcenth century, Francis de
BELLEFOREST, a Frenth gentleman, entertain'd his co-
untrymen with a ccllffKon of novels, which he intitlcr
53
* c Hiftoires tragiques;'" they are in part originals, part
tranflations, and chiefly from BANDELLO: He began to
publifh them in the year 1564; and continu'd his pub-
lication fuccefiively in feveral tomes, how many [ know
not ; the dedication to his fifth tome is dated fix years
after. In that tome, the troijteme Hiftoire has this title;
"A<vec quelle rufe Amleib, qui Jepuis fut roy de Dannemarcb,
vengea la mart de fan fere Hor<vuendille, occis par Fengoit
fan fr ere, & autre occurrence de fan biftoire." PAINTER,
who has been mention'd before, compil'd his " Palace
of Pleasure" almoft entirely from BELLEFOREST, taking
here and there a novel as pleas'd him, but he did not
tranflate the whole: other novels, it is probable, were
tranflated by different people, and publifh'd fingly; this,
at leaft, that we are fpeaking of, was fo, and is intitl'd
" The Hyftorie o/^Hamblet ;" it is in quarto, and black
letter : There can be no doubt made, by perfons who are
acquainted with these things, that the tranflation is not
much younger than the French original ; though the on-
ly edition of it, that is yet come to my knowledge, is
no earlier than 1608: that SHAKESPEARE took his play
from it, there can likewise be very little doubt.
i Henry IV.
In the eleven plays that follow," Macbeth, King
John, Richard II, Henry IV 2 parts, Henry V, Henry
VI 3 parts, Richard III, and Henry VI If, the hiftori-
ans of that time, HALL, HOLINSHED, STOW, and oth-
ers, (and, in particular, HOLINSHED) are pretty clofe-
ly follow'd ; and that not only for their matter, but event
ibmetimes in their expreflloas : The harangue of the
54 Introdullisn.
archbifhop of 'Canterbury in " Henry V," that of queen
Catharine in " Henry VIII" at her trial, and the king's
reply to it, are taken from those chroniclers, and put
into verfe: other lefler matters are borrow'd from them;
and fo largely fcatter'd up and down in these plays, that
whoever would rightly judge of the Poet, muft acquaint
himfelf with those authors, and his character will not
fuffer in the enquiry.
" Richard III" was preceded by other plays written
upon the fame fubjeft; concerning which, fee the con-
clusion of a note in this Introduction, at/. 8. And as to
' Henry V," it may not be improper to observe in
this place, that there is extant another old play, call'd
" The famous ViQorirs cf Henry theffth," printed in
1617, quarto; perhaps by fome tricking bookfeller,\vho
meant to impose it upon the world for SHAKESPEARE'S,
who dy'd the year before. This play which opens with
that prince's wildnefs and robberies before he carne to
the crown, and fo comprehends fomething of the ftory
of both parts of " Henry IV," as well as of " Henry
V,"*~is a very medley of nonfenfe and ribaldry; and,
it is my firm belief, was prior to SHAKESPEARE'S "Herr-
ries;" and the identical " difpleasing play" mention'd
in the epilogue to " 2 Henry IV;" for that fuch a play
fhould be written after his, or receiv'd upon any ftage,
has no face of probability. There is a character in it,
call'd fir John Qldcafih; who holds there the place of
fir John Fal/iajf, but his very antipodes in every other
particular, for it is all dulnefs: and it is to this charac-
ter that SHAKESPEARE alludes, in those much-difputed,
paflages; one in his " I Henry IV," f. 8, and the other
in the epilogue to his fecond part; where the words " for
IxtroduQ'to*. 55
a martyr" hint at this miserable perform-
ance, and it's fate, which was damnation.
King Lear.
Lear's diftrefiTul flory has been often told in poems,
ballads, and chronicles: But to none of these are we in-
debted for SHAKESPEARE'S " Lear;" but to a filly old
play which made it's firft appearance in 1605, the title
of which is as follows; The | True Chronicle Hi- |
ftory of King LEIR, and his three | daughters t Gonorttl,
Ragati, | and Cordelia. | As it hath bene divers and fun-
dry | times lately afted. | LONDON, J Printed by Simon
Stafford for John | Wright, and are to bee fold at his
fhop at j Chriftes Church dore, next Newgate- | Mark-
et. 1605. (4. I. 4*5.) As it is a great curiofity, and ve-
ry fcarce, the title is here inferted at large : and, for the
fame reason, and alfo to fhew the ufe that SHAKESPE-
ARE made of it, Come extracts mafl now be added.
The author of this "LEiR." has kept him clofe to
the chronicles; for he ends his play with the re-inftating
king Leir in his throne, by the aid of Cordelia and. her
husband. But take the entire fable in his own words.
Towards the end of the play, at fignature H 3, you find
Leir in France: upon whose coafl he and his friend Per-
illus are landed in fo neceflitous a condition, that, hav-
ing nothing to pay their pafTage, the mariners take their
cloaks, leaving them their jerkins in exchange: Thus
attir'd, they go up further into the country ; and there,
when they are at the point to perifh by famine, info-
much that Peril/us offers Leir his arm to feed upon, they
light upon Gallia and his qaeen, whom the author has
56 Introduction.
brought down thitherward, in progrefs, difguis'd. Their
difcourfe is overheard by Cordelia, who immediately
knows them ; but, at her husband's perfuasion, forbears
to difcover herfelf a while, relieves them with food, and
then afks their ftory; which Leir gives her in these
words :
Leir. Then know this firft, I am a Brittayne borne,
And had three daughters by one loving wife :
And though I fay it, of beauty they were fped;
Efpecially the youngeft of the three,
For her perfections hardly matcht could be:
On these I doted with a jelous love,
And thought to try which of them lov'd me belt,
By afking of them, which would do moft for me?
The firft and fecond flattred me with words,
And vowd they lov'd me better then their lives :
The youngeft fayd, fhe loved me as a child
Might do : her anfwere I efteem'd moft vild,
And prefently in an outragious mood,
I turnd her from me to go finke or fwym:
And all I had, even to the very clothes,
I gave in dowry with the other two:
And (he that beft deferv'd the greateft (hare,
I gave her nothing, but difgrace and care.
I^ow mark the fequell: When I had done thus,
I foiournd in my eldeft daughters houfe,
Where for a time I was intreated well,
And liv'd in ftate fufficing my content:
But every day her kindnefTe did grow cold,
Which I with patience put up well ynough
And feemed not to fee the things 1 faw:
But at the laft flie grew fo far iucenft
luiridufiio*. 57
With moody fury, and with caufelefle hate,
That in moil vild and contumelious termes,
She bade me pack, and harbour fome where elfe.
Then was 1 fayne for refuge to repayre
Unto my other daughter for reliefe,
Who gave me pleafing and moft courteous words;
But in her adlions (hewed her felfe fo fore,
As never any daughter did before:
She prayd me in a morning out betime,
To go to a thicket two miles from the Court,
Poynting that there (he would come talke with me:
There (he had fet a fhaghayrd murdring wretch,
To mafTacre my honeft friend and me.
-t--i-4--f--f-4--f--t-
And now I am conftraind to feeke reliefe
Of her to whom I have bin fo unkind;
Whofe cenfure, if it do award me death,
I muft confefc fhe payes me but my due:
But if (he (hew a loving daughters part,
It comes of God and her, not my defert.
Cor. No doubt (he will, I dare be fvvorne (he wilf.
Thereupon enfues her difcovery; and, with it, a cir-
cnmftance of fome beauty, which SHAKESPEARE has
ijorrow'd, (v. "Lear,"/. 100, /. 25.) their kneeling to
each other, and mutually contending which (hould a(k
forgivenefs.The next page presents us G^///a,and Mum-
ford who commands under him, marching to embarque
their forces, to re-inftate Leir; and the next, a fea-port
in Britain, and officers fetdng a watch, who are to fire
a beacon to give notice if any (hips approach, in which
there is fome low humour that is paflable enough. Gal/ia
and his forces arrive, and take the town by furprize:
VOL I. S
., 8 Introdufiioit.
immediately upon which, they are encounter'd by the
forces of the two elder fillers, and their husbands : a bat-
tle enfues; Leir conquers; he and his friends enter vift-
orious, and the play closes thus:
Thanks (worthy Mumford) to thee laft of all,
Not greeted laft, 'caufe thy defert was fmall;
No, thou haft Lion-like layd on to-day,
Chafing the Cornwall King and Cambria;
Who with my daughters, daughters did I fay?
To fave their lives, the fugitives did play.
Come, fonne and daughter, who did me advance,
Repofe with me awhile, and then for Frannce. [Exeunt.
Such is the Leir, now before us. Who the author of
it mould be, I cannot furmise; for neither in manner nor
ftyle has it the leaft resemblance to any of the other tra-
gedies of that time: moft of them rise now and then,
and are poetical ; but this creeps in one dull tenour, from,
beginning to end, after the fpecimen here inferted: it
fiiould feem he was a latinift.by the tranflation following;
Feare not, my Lord, the perfit good indeed,
Can never be corrupted by the bad :
A new frefti veflell ftill retaynes the tafte
Of that which firft is powr'd into the fame:(fign.f/.)
But, whoever he was, SHAKESPEARE has done him the
honour to follow him in a ftroke or two : One has been
observ'd upon above; and the reader, who is acquaint-
ed with SHAKESPEARE'S" Lear," will perceive another
in the fecond line of the concluding fpeech : and here
is a third; " Knoweft thou thefe letters?" fays Leir to
Ragan, (fign. /. 3^.) mewing her hers and her filler's let-
ters commanding his death; upon which, (he fnatches
at the letters, and tears tkem : (v. Lear,"/. 1 1 i, /. 2.1
IntroduQion. 59
&c ) Another, and that a moft fignal one upon one ac-
count, occurs at fignature C. ^b;
" But he, the myrrour of mild patience,
Puts up all wrongs, and never gives reply."
PeriHus fays this of Leir; comprizing therein his char-
acter, as drawn by this author: how opposite to thap
which SHAKESPEARE has given him, all know; and yet
he has found means to put nearly the lame words into
the very mouth of his Lear,
No, I will be the pattern of all patience,
I will fay nothing. (v.p. 58, /. 31 )
Laftly, two of SHAKESPEARE'S perfonages, Kent, and
the fteward, feem to owe their exiftence to the above-
mention'd " fhag-hair'd wretch," and the Perillus of this
" Leir."
The epifode of Glofler and his two fons is taken from
the tl Arcadia:" in which romance there is a chapter th-
us intitl'd; " The pitifullftate, andjtorie of the Paphla-
gonian unkinde King, and bis kind jonne, firft related by th(
Jon, then by the blind father ."( Arcadia./. 1 42, Edit. 15 90,
4.) of which epifode there are no traces in either chro-
nicle, poem, or play, wherein this hiftory is handl'd.
Loves Labour's loft.
The fable of this play does not feem to be a work
entirely of invention ; and I am apt to believe, that it
owes it's birth to fome novel or other, which may one
day be difcover'd. The character of Armado has fome re-
semblance to don Quixote; but the play is older than
that work of CERVANTES: Of Ho/of 'ernes, another fing-
ular character, there are fome faint traces ia a mafque
do Ixttcduflxm,
f fir Philip SYDNEY'S that was presented before queen
Elizabeth at Wanfted: this mafque, call'd in catalogues
The Lady of May, is at the end of that author's works,
Edit. 1627, folio.
Measure for Measure.
In the year 15 78, was publifh'd in a black-letter qa-
arto a miserable dramatick performance, in two parts,
intitl'd " Promos am/Caflandra;" written by one George
WHETSTONE, author likewise of the ' Heptameron,"
and much other poetry of the fame ftamp, printed about
that time. These plays their author, perhaps, might form
upon a novel of CINTHIO'S; (v. Dec. 8. Nov. 5.) which
SHAKESPEARE went not to, but took up with WHET-
STONE'S fable, as is evident from the argument of it ;
which, though it be fomewhat of the longeft, yet take
k in his own words.
" The Argument of the whole
Hijlory-e.
Iti the Cyttie of Julio (fometimes under the dominion
of Cer-vinus Kinge of Hungarie, and Boemia) there was
a law, that what man fo ever commited Adultery, should
lofe his head, & the woman offender, should weare fome
difguifed apparel, during her life, to make her infa-
jnouflye noted. This fevere lawe, by the favour of fome
mercifull magirtrate, became little regarded, untill the
time of Lord Promos auftority : who convicting, a yong
Gentleman name"d Andrugio of incontinency, condemn-
ed, both him, and his minion to the execution of this
ftatute. Andrugio had a very vertuous, and beawtiful Gen-
tlewoman to his Sifter, named Cajfandrn: Cafjfandia. t!j
InlroduStion* 6\
enlarge her brothers life, fubmitted an hurable petition
to the Lord Promos: Promos regarding her good behavi-
ours, and fantafying her great beawtie, was much del-
ighted with the fweete order of her talke: and doyng
good, that evill might come thereof: for a time, he re-
pryv'd her brother: but wicked man, tourning his lik-
ing unto unlawfull luft, he fet downe the fpoile of her
honour, raunfome for her Brothers life : Chafte CaJJandm,
abhorring both him and his fute, by no perfwalion wo-
uld yeald to this raunfome. But in fine, wonne with the
importunitye of hir brother (pleading for life :) upon th-
efe conditions, she agreed to Promos. Firfl that he should
pardon her brother, and after marry her. Promos as feare-
Jes in promifle, as careleffe in performance, with foll-
emne vowe, fygned her conditions: but worfe then any
Infydel, his will fatiffyed, he performed neither the one
nor the other: for to keepe his au&horitye, unfpotted
with favour.and to prevent CafTandraes clamors, he com-
inaunded the Gayler fecretly, to prefent Caffandra with
her brothers head. The Gayler, with the outcryes of
dndrugio, (abhorryng Promos lew^enes, by the providence
of God, provided thus for his fafety. He prefented Caf-
Jandra with a Felons head newlie executed, who (being
mangled, knew it not from her brothers, by the Gayler,
who was fet at libertie) was fo agreeved at this treche-
rye, that at the pointe to kyl her felfe, she fpared that
itroke, to be avenged of Promos. And devyfing a way,
she concluded, to make her fortunes knowne unto the
kinge. She (executing this refolution) was fo highly fa-
voured of the King, that forthwith he haded to do Juf-
tice on Promos: whofe iudgement was, to marrye Cajf-
wuira, to repaire her crafcd Honour: which donne, ior
&2 Introdufiiox.
his hainous offence he should lofe his head. This mary*
age folempnifed, Caffandra tyed in the greate** bondes
of affeftion to her hufband. became an e;.meit filter for
his life : the Kinge (tendringe the gererall benefit of the
comon weale, before her fpecial c .le, although he fav-
oured her much) would not gtaunt her fute. Andrugio
(difguifed amon?e the company) forrowing the griefe of
his fitter, bewrayd? his fafety, and craved pardon. The
Kinge, to renowne the vertues of Cnffandra, pardoned
both him, and Promos. The circumitances of this rare
Hiftorye, in aft'cn livelye folo-veth."
The play itfelf opens thus :
" Aflus I. Scena I.
Promos, Mayor, Shirife, Swordebearer: One with 2
bunche of keyes : Phallax, Promos man.
^cu )fficrr0 tohicb notn in Julio Gape,
IRnotoc gon our IcaHee, tfje IKinc of Hvngarle:
>cnt me Promos, to iorne toitf: rou in ftoap :
flgll toe map to Juitice I;atoe an epe,
note to ftoto, mr rule $ potoer at larUge,
t>is llcttero liDattento fjeare :
Pballax, reaHc out mr SotierainciJ charoce,
Phal. 30 pou commaunlie, '31 terll : gite ijertjcfull care*
Phallax readeib the Kinges Letters Patent*, ivbich
mujl be fayre written in parchment ', tuitbjome great
eounttrfeat zeale.
Pro. Hoe, |jere pou fee tol;at 10 our fi-o^eraisneo torf,
toe, |>eare t>is toifl), tljat riol;t, not migf)t f beare ftoare:
toe, Jjeare %i$ care, to toeetie from coou tlje p!I,
^To ftoorce tl;e tois?/t0 r cooti Latoro tl>at Uifobap."
And thus it proceeds; without one word in it, that
SHAKESPEARE could make ufe of, or can be read with
IntroditSion. i>3
patience by any man living: And yet, befides the cha-
ra&ers appearing in the argument, his Bawd, Clown,
Lucia, Juliet, and the Provoft, nay, and even his Barn-
ara'ine, are created out of hints which this play gave
him; and the lines too that are quoted, bad as they are,
fuggefted to him the manner in which his own play
opens.
Merchant of Venice.
The Jew of Venice was a ftory exceedingly well-kn-
own in SHAKESPEARE'S time; celebrated in ballads;
and taken (perhaps) originally from an Italian book,
intitl'd " // Pecorone:" the author of which calls him-
felf, Ser Giovanni Florentine; and writ his book, as he
tells you in fome humorous verfes at the beginning of
it, in 1 37 8, three years after the death of BOCCACE :itis
divided into giornata's, and the ftory we are fpeaking of
is in the firft novel of the giornata quarta; Edit. 1565*
octavo, in Vinegia. This novel SHAKESPEARE certainly
read; either in the original, or (which| I rather think)
in fome tranflation that is not now to be met with, and
form'd his play upon it. It was translated anew, and
made publick ia 1755, in a fmall odlavo pamphlet, pr-
inted for M. Cooper: and, at the end of it, a novel of
BOCCACE; (the firft of day the tenth) which, as the tran-
{lator rightly judges, might poffibly produce the fcene
of the caflcets, fubltituted by the Poet in place of one IB
.the other novel, that was noc proper for the ftage.
Merry Wivet of Windfor.
Queen Elizabeth "'fays a writer of SHAKESPEARE'S
64 Introduction.
life, " was fo well pleas'd with that admirable Charac-
ter of Fal/iaff~ t in the two Parts of Henry the Fourth, that
fhe commanded him to continue it for one Play more,
and to (hew him in Love. This is faid to be the Occa-
fion of his Writing the Merry Wives o/"Windfor." As
there is no proof brought for the truth of this ftory, we
may conclude that it is either fome play-houfe tradi-
tion, or had it's rife from fir William DAVENANT, wh-
ose authority the writer quotes for another fingular an-
ecdote, relating to lord Southampton. Be this as it may;
SHAKESPEARE, in the conduct of Faljlaff's love-adven-
tures, made ufe of fome incidents in a book that has
been mention'd before, call'd " // Pecorone ;" they are
in the fecond novel of that book. It is highly probable,
that this novel likewise is in an old Englijb drefs fome-
\vhere or other; and from thence tranfplanted into a foo-
lifh book, call'd " The fortunate, the deceived, and tie
unfortunate Lovers;" printed in 1685, octavo, for Will-
iam Whitwood; where the reader may fee it, at/. I. Let
me add too, that there is a like ftory in the " Piace-
<vo/i Nctti, " <//' ST R A P A ROL A , libra primo ; at Notte quart a.^
Fai;ola quarto; Edit. 1567, oftavo, in Vinegia"
Mieffumtner Night's Dream.
The hiftory of our old poets is fo little known, and
the firft editions of their works become fo very fcarce^
that it is hard pronouncing any thing certain about th-
em: But, if that pretty fantaftical poem of DRAYTON'S,
call'd " Nymphidia, or,-Jhe Court of Fairy," be early
enough in time, (as, 1 believe, it is; for 1 have feen an
edition of ih at author 'spaik>ral, printed in 1593* qu'ar-
to) it is not improbable, that SHAKESPEARE took from
thence the hint of his fairies : a line of that poem, "Tho-
rough bufh, thorough briar," occurs alfo in his play.
The reft of the play is, doubtlefs, invention : the names
only of Thefeus, Hippolita, and Thefeus 1 former loves, An-
tiopa and others, being hiftorical; and taken from the
tranflated Plutarch, in the article Thefeus.
Much Ado about Nothing.
" Timbree de Cardone deviet amoureux a Mefllne de
Fenicie Leonati, & dcs divers & eftrages accidens qui
advindret avat qu'il 1'efpoufaft." is the title of another
novel in the " Hiftoires tragiques" of BELLEFOREST ;
Tom. 3. Hift. 18: it is taken from one of BANDELLO'S,
which you may fee in his firft tome, at p. 150, of the
London edition in quarto, a copy from that of Lucca in
1^54. This French novel comes the neareft to the fable
of " Much Ado about Nothing," of any thing that has yet
been difcover'd, and is (perhaps) the foundation of it.
There is a ftory fomething like it in the fifth book of
" Orlando fur iofo:" (v. fir John HARRINGTON'S tranfla-
tion of it, Edit. 1591, folio) and another in SPENCER'S
*' Fairy ^ueen."
Othello.
CINTHIO, the beft of t\\t Italian writers next to Boc-
CAGE, has a novel thus intitl'd : " Un Capitano Moro
j-iglia per mogliera una cittadina venetiana, un fuo Alfi-
ieri 1'accufa di adulterio al [read, il, with a colon after
2duherio]i Marito, cerca,che 1'Aifieri uccida colui, ch'egH
66 Jntrodufiio*.
credea rAdultero,iI Capitano nccide la Moglie, e accu-
fato dallo Alfieri, non confefla il Moro, ma eflendovi
chiari inditii, e bandito, Et lo fcelerato Alfieri, creden-
do nuocere ad altri, procaccia a fe la morte miferamen-
te."Hecatommithi, Dec 3, Nov. 7 ; Edit. 1 565, 2 tomes,
cftavo. If there was no tranflation of this novel, French
or Englijb; nor any thing built upon it, either in prose
orverfe, near enough in time for SHAKESPEARE to take
his " Othello" from them; we mutt, I think, conclude
that he had it from the Italian; for the ftory (at lealt,
in all it's main circumflances) is apparently the fame.
Romeo and Juliet.
This very affe&ing ftory is likewise a true one ; it
made a great noise at the time it happen'd, and was foon
taken up by poets and novel-writers. BANDELLO has
one; it is the ninth of tome the fecond : and there is a-
nother, and much better, left us by fome anonymous
writer; of which I have an edition, printed in 1553 at
Venice, one year before BANDELLO, which yet was not
the firil. Some fmall time after, Pierre BOISTEAU, a
frtnch writer, put out one upon the fame fubjeft, taken
from these Italians, but much alter'd and enlarg'd: this
novel, together with five others of BOISTEAU'S penn-
ing, BELLEFOREST took; and they now {land at the
beginning of his " Hijioires tragiques" edition before-
meiition'd. But it had fome prior edition; which falling
into the hands of a countryman of ours, he converted it
into a poem ; altering, and adding many things to it of
his own, and publifh'd it in 1562, without a name, in
a foiall odiavo volume, printed by Richard Tottill', and
Introduction. 67
tins poem, which is call'd " The Tragical! Hi/lorie of
Romeus and Juliet," is the origin of SHAKESPEARE'S
play: who not only follows it even minutely in the con-
duct of his fable, and that in those places where it dif-
fers from the other writers; but has alfo borrow'd from
it fome few thoughts, and expreflions. At the end of a
fmall poetical mifcellany, publifh'd by one GeorgeTvu-
BERVILLE in i 570, there is a poem " on the death of
Maifter ^r//6r BROOKE drownde in paffing to Ne'w-ba-
cven'," in which it appears, that this gentleman, (who,
it is likely, was a military man) was the writer of" Ro-
meus and Juliet." In the fecond tome of" The Palace cf
P/?jar^,"(Nov.25.)thereisaprose tranflation of Bois-
TEAU'S novel; but SHAKESPEARE made no ufe of it.
Taming of the Shrew.
Nothing has yet been produc'd that is likely to have
given the Poet occasion for writing this play, neither
has it (in truth) the air of a novel, fo that we may rea-
sonably fuppose it a work of invention ; that part of it,
I mean, which gives it it's title. For one of it's under-
walks, or plots, to wit, the (lory of Lucentio, in almo'ft
all it's branches, (his love-affair, and the artificial con-
duel of it; the pleasant incident of the Pedant; and the
characters of Vincentio, Tranio, Gremia, and Eiondello) is
form'd upon a comedy of George GASCOI ONE'S, call'd
" Supposes," a translation from ARIOSTO'S " / Suppofiti: "
which comedy was acted by the gentlemen of Gr^VInn
in 1566; and may be feen in the tranflator's works, of
which there are feveral old editions: And the odd in-
du&ion of this play is taken from GOULART'S " tiijl-
<5$ IntreauSion.
eires admiralties de noire Temps ;'* who relates it as a real
faft, pra&if'd upon a mean artisan at Ervffeh by Philip
the good, duke of Burgundy. GOULART was tranflated
into Englijb, by one Ed<w. GRIMESTON : the edition I
have or it, was printed in 1607, quarto, by George Eld',
where this ftory may be found, at/. 587 : but, for any
thing that there appears to the contrary, the book might
have been printed before.
Tempeft.
11 The Tempejf'hzs rather more of the novel in it than
the play that was laft fpoken of: but no one has yet
pretended to have met with fuch a novel; nor any thing
elfe, that can be fuppos'd to have furnifh'd SHAKESPE-
ARE with materials for writing this play: the fable of
which muft therefore pafs for entirely his own produc-
tion, 'till the contrary can be made appear by any fut-
ure difcovery. One of the Poet's editors, after observing
that the perfons of the drama are all Italians; and the
unities all regularly observ'd in it, a cuflom likewise of
the Italians; concludes his note with the mention of two
of their plays, " 11 Negromante''' di L. ARIOSTO, and
* // Negromante Palliate?^ di Gto. Angela PETRUCCI ; one
or other of which, he feems to think, may have given
rife to ' The Tempejt :" but he is miltaken in both of
them; and the lall muft needs be out of the queftion,
being later than SHAKESPEARE'S time.
Titus Andronicus.
An old ballad, whose date and time of writing can-
Introduction, $9
not be afcertain'd, is the ground- work of" Titus And-
ronicus;" the names of the perfons adting, and almoft
every incident of the play are there in miniature: it is,
indeed, fo like, that one might be tempted to fufpeft,
that the ballad was form'd upon the play, and not that
upon the ballad ; were it not fufficiently known, that al -
moft all the compositions of that fort are prior to even
the infancy of SHAKESPEARE.
Troilus and Creffida.
The loves of Trailus and CreJJida are celebrated by
CHAUCER; whose poem might, perhaps, induce SHA-
KESPEARE to work them up into a play. The other mat-
ters of that play, (hiftoricaJ, or fabulous, call them wh-
ich you will) he had out of an ancient book, written
and printed firft by CAXTON, call'd " The DeJlruQiott
/~Troy," in three parts: in the third part of it, are ma-
ny ftrange particulars, occurring no where eife, which
SHAKESPEARE has admitted into his play.
Twelfth-Night.
Another of BELLE FOREST'S novels is thus intitPd:
" Comme une fille Romaine fe veftant en page fervift
long temps un fien amy fans eftre cogneue, & depuis T
cut a mary avec autres divers difcours." Hijloires tragi-
ques\ Tom. 4, Hift. 7. This novel, which is itfelf taken
irom one of BANDELLO'S (v. Tom. 2, Nov. 36) is, to
all appearance, the foundation of the ferious part of
" Twelftb- Night-" and mult be fo accounted; 'till fomc
Englijb novel appears, built (perhaps) upon that Erench
cne,but approaching nearer to SHAKESPEARE'S comedy.
Two Gentlemen ^f Verona.
Julia's love-adventures being in fome refpefts the
fame with those of Viola in " Twelfth 'Night," the fame
novel might give rife to them both ; and Valentines fal-
ling amongft out-laws, and becoming their captain, is
an incident that has fome resemblance to one in the
" Arcadia," (Book i, Chap. 6.) where Pyrodes heads the
Helftts: all the other circumftances which conftitute the
fable of this play, are, probably, of the Poet's own in-
vention.
Winter's Tale.
Totheftwy-book,or,"P/<f^f#//?0r)'(as it is call'd)
tf Doraftus and Fawnia," written by Robert GREENE,
M- A. we are indebted for SHAKESPEARE'S " Winter's
Tale." GREENE join'd with Dr. LODGE in writing a
play, call'd " A Looking- glafs fir London and Engl-
and, "printed in 1598, in quarto, and black letter; and
many of his other works, which are very numerous, were
jpubliih'd about that time, and this amongft the reft: ic
went through many impreffions, all of the fame form
and letter as the play; and that fo low down as the year
1664, of which year I have a copy. Upon this occasion^
I (hall venture to pronounce an opinion, that has been
reserv'd for this place, (though other plays too were
concern 'd in it, as " Hamlet,"and "Cymbeline") which
if it be found true, as I believe it will, may be of ufe to
fettle many difputed points in literary chronology, My
IntroduSlloiti 71
Opinion is this-. That almoft all books, of the gothicfc
Or black character, printed any thing late in the feven-
teenth century, are in truth only re-impreflions ; they
having paff'd the prefs before in the preceding century,
or (at leaft) very foon after. For the character began there-
to be difus'd in the printing of new books: but the ty-
pes remaining, the owners of them found a convenience
in using them for books that had been before printed
in them ; and to this convenience of theirs are owing all :
or moil of those impreflions pofterior to 1600. It is left
to the reader's fagacity,to apply this remark to the book
in the present article; and to those he finds mentioned
before, in the articles " Hamlet, and Cymbeline."
Such are the materials, out of which this great Poet
has rais'd a ftruclure, which no time ihall efface, nor any
envy be ftrong enough to leflen the admiration that is
fo juftly due to it; which if it was great before, cannot
fail to receive encreafe with the judicious, when the ac-
count that has been now given them is reflected upon
duly: other originals have, indeed, been pretended; and
much extraordinary criticism has, at different times.a'nd
by different people, been fpun out of those conceits; but,
except fome few articles in which the writer profefies
openly his ignorance of the fources they are drawn from,
and fome others in which he delivers himfelf doubtfully,
what is faid in the preceding leaves concerning these fa-
bles may with all certainty be rely'd upon.
How much is it to be wifh'd, that fomething equal-
ly certain, and indeed worthy to be intitl'd a Life of
SHAKESPEARE, could accompany this relation, and com-
pleat the tale of those pieces which the publick is apt
ffl IntroduElrm.
to expect before new editions.' But that nothing of this
fort is at present in being, may be faid without breach
of candour, as we think, or fufpicion of over much nice-
nefs: an imperfect and loofe account of his father, and
family; his own marriage, and the ifTue of it;fome tra-
ditional ftories, many of them triffling in themfeltes,
fupported by fmall authorit}', and feemingly ill-ground-
ed; together with his life's final period as gather'd from
his monument, is the full and whole amount of hiftori-
cal matter that is in any of these writings; in wKich the
critick and eflayift fvvallow up the biographer, who yet
ought to take the lead in them. The truth is, the occur-
rences of this moft interefting life (we mean, the private
ones) are irrecoverably loft to us, the friendly office of
regiftring them was overlook'd by those who alone had
It in their power, and our enquiries about them now
mud prove vain and thrown away. But there is another
fort of them that is not quite fo hopelefs; which betides
affording us the profpecl of fome good iffue to our end-
eavours, do alfo invite ns to' them by the promise of a
rnuch better reward for them: the knowledge of his pri-
vate life had done little more than gratify our curiofity,
but. his publick one as a writer would have confeqaen-
Ccs more important; a difcovery there would throw a
new light upon many of his pieces; and, where raflinels
only is fhew'd in the opinions that are now current a-
bout them, a judgment might then be form'd, which
perhaps would do credit to the giver of it. When he
commenc'd a writer for the ftage, and in which play ;
what the order of the reft of them, and (if that be dif-
toverable) what the occasion; and, laftly, for which of
jhe numerous theatres chat were then fubfifting they
Introduction. J$
were feverally written at firft, are the particulars that
fhould chiefly engage the attention of a writer of SHA-
KESPEARE'S Life, and be the principal fubjedb of his
enquiry: To aflift him in which, the firft impreffions of
these plays will do fomething, and their title-pages at
large, which, upon that account, we mean to give in a-
nother work that will accompany the " School of 'SHAKE-
SPEARE ;" and fomething the "Sr-W'itfelf will afford,
that may contribute to the fame fervice: but the corner-
ftone of all, mull be the works of the Poet hirnfelf,
from which much may be extracted by a heedful peru-
ser of them ; and, for the fake of fuch a peruser, and by
way of putting him into the train when the plays are
before him, we mail inftance in one of them; the time
in which'" Henry V" was written, is determin'd aim-
oft precifely by a paffage in the chorus to the fifth act,
and the concluding chorus of it contains matter relative
to " Henry VI:" other plays might be mention'd, as
*' Henry VIII and Macbeth;" but this one may be fuf-
ficient to anfwer our. intention in producing it, which
was to fpirit fome one up to this tafk in fome future
time, by (hewing the poffibility of it; which he may be
further convinc'd of, if he 'refledb what great things
have been done, by criticks amongft ourfelves, upon
fubjects of this fort, and cf a more remov'd antiquity
than he is concern'd in. A Life thus conftru&ed, inter-
fperf'd with fuch anecdotes of common notoriety as the
writer's judgment mall tell him ara worth regard; to-
gether with fome memorials of this Poet that are hap-
pily come do\v:i to us; fuch as, an Inftriiment. in the
Heralds' Office, confirming arms to i.is father; a Pat-
ent, preserved in RY.MER, rrarr.eJ by James the firft j
VOL. I. f
7-f Introduction.
his lad Will and Teftament, extant now at Doftors-
Commons; his Stratford Monument, and a monument
of his daughter which is faid to be there alfo; fuch a
Life would rise quickly into a volume; efpecially, with
the addition of one proper and even neceflary epifode
a brief hiilory of our Drama, from it's origin down to
the Poet's death: even the ftage he appear'd upon, it's
form, dreffings, aclors fhould be enquired into, as every
one of those circumfiances had fome confiderable effeft
upon what he compos'd for it: The fubjeft is certainly
a good one, and will fail (we hope) ere it be long into
the hands of fame good writer; by who;e abilities this
great want may at length be mace up to us, and the
world of letters enrich 'd by the happy acquisition, of a
naafterly " j# ^SHAKESPEARE."
Poems upon the Author,
Upon the Effigies of my worthy
Friend,the Author Mafter WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE,
and his Works.
Spectator, this life 's Jhadoiu is\ to fee
The truer image, and a livelier he,
'Turn reader: but observe his comick vein,
Laugh; and proceed next to a tragick ft rain,
Then weep: So, when thou find" ft two contraries^
Two different paj/ions, from thy rapt foul rise,~~
Saj, (who alone effect Juch wonaers could}
Rare Shakefpeare to the life thou dojl behold.
To the Reader.
Thisfgure, that thou herefeifl puf t
It was for gentle Shakefpeare cut ;
Wherein the graver had a ftrife
With nature, to out-do the life:
O, could he but have drawn his iuit
ds well in brajs, as he hath hit
His face ; the print would thenfurpafs
All, that was ever writ in brafs ;
But, fence he cannot, reader, look
Not on his picture, but hit book. B. J.
Poems upon the Author.
To the Memory of my beloved,
the Author Mr. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE^
and what he hath left us.
To Jretnv no envy, Shakefpeare, on thy name,
Am I thus ample to tby book, and fame \
While 1 confefs tby writings to be fuch,
4s neither man, aor muse, can praise too muck;
*Tis true, and all men's fuffrage: but these ivayr
Were net the paths I meant unto thy praise:
For feelieft ignorance en tbete may tight,
Which-, tvken it founds, at btjt, but echoes right \
Or blind ajfeftion, <wkicb dsth neer advance
The truth) but gropes, and urgeth all by chance ;
Or crafty malice might pretend this praise,
And think to ruin where it feemd to rcise:
'These are as fome infamous baiud, or ivhcre,
Should praise a matron; What could hurt her more?
But thcu art procf againft them ; and, indeed,
<Abc<ve the ill fortune of them, or the need :
I, therefore, nivill begin : Scul of the age,
The applause, delight, the iKonder of cur ft age,
My Shakefpeare, rise ! I ^jcill net lodge thee by
Chaucer, or Spencer; or bid Beaumont lye
A little further, to make thee a room :
f fhou art a monument, ivithcut a tomb ;
And art alive ftill, tvoi/e thy bock doth li*vr,
Andiue have ivits to read, and praise to gi*ve t
C I hat I not mix thce fo, my brain excuses ;
/ mtan, <witb great but difprcportiori 'd muses :
For, if I thought my judgment nuere cfjears,
Ijl-cu/a commit thee Jure ty ivit& thy peers*
Poems upon tit Autbtr*
And tell ho-iv far thou didft our Lilly utjkie t
Or /porting Kyd, or Mariow'j mighty lite.
And though thou h#d/i fmall Latin, and hfs Greek,""
From thence to honour thee, f <weuld wtt fetk
For names ; but call forth thuvdring ./iifchylue,
Euripides, and Sophocles, to ttt,
Pacuvius, Accius, him ef Cordova dead;
To live again, to bear thy buj&in tread
And Jh cike a ft age: or, <u;hen thyfaks iver-e *,
Leave thee alone ; for the comparifou
Of all, that ittfolent Greece, or hattghty Rome,
Sent forth, or Jince did from their ajbes come.
Triumph, my Britain ! thou hajt one to Jboiu^
To ivhom allfcenes ff Europe homage OVM.
He was not of an age, but for All time;
And all the Musts /till <wtre in their prime*
When like Apollo he tame forth to 'warm
Our ears, or like a Mercury to charm.
Nature her/elf ivas proud of his dejigns?
A'idjoy'd to <wvar the drejjing of his lines ^
Which were Jo richly fpun, and woven fo ft t
As, fence, Jhe will iiouchfafe no other <vuit :
The merry Greek, tart Ariftophar.es,
Neat Terence, witty Plautus, xotv nst
ut antiquated and deserted lye,
As they were not of Nature's family.
Yet muft I not give nature ail; thy art,
My gentle Shakefpeare, muft fnjcy a ps.rt:~*
For, though the pocfs matter tiaiur-e ie,
His art aoth give the fajhion : aud that he,
Who caffs to write a living line, muft five ai t
{Such as thine are) and jtrike af-etond it(at
Poems upcn the Author.
"Upon the Muses' anvil; turn the fame,
( And bimfclf with it) that he thinks to frame;
Or, for the laurel, he may gain a /corn,
For a good poet's made, as well as born:
Andjuch wert thou: Look, how the father' s face
Lives in his ijjue ; even Jo the race
O/*Shakefpeare'/ mind, and manners, brightly flyines
In his well-tor ned and true- fled lines ;
In each of which he feems to Jhake a lance,
As brandijtid at the eyes of ignorance.
Sweet fwan' of Avon, what ajight it iuere,~~~
*To Jee thee in our waters yet appear ;
And make those flights upon the banks of Thames,
Thatfo did take Kliza, and our James !
But ft ay ; 1 Jee thee in the hctnijphere
Advanc d, and made a con. tellation there :
Shine forth, thou Jtar of poets', and with rage,
Or influence, chise, or cheer, the Drooping ft age;
Which, fence thy flight from hence, hath mourn d like night^
And dejpain day, but by thy volume'' s light !
Ben. Jor.fon.
Upon the Lines, and Life,
of the famous fcenick Poet, mailer William
SHAKESPEARE.
Those hands, which you Jo clapt, go new and wring.
You Britains brave; for done are Shakefpeare's days;
His days are done, that made the dainty p!avs,
Which made the globe of heaven and earth to ring :
Dryd is that vein, dry' d is the Thefpiany/r//*^,
Turn d all to tears, and Phoebus clouds his rays^
Points upon the Author.
$%at ccrpfe, that coffin, now beftick those lays,
Which crown d him poet fir/ 1, then poets king.
If tragedies might any prologue have,
All those he made would fc arce make one to this ;
Where Fame, now that he gone is to the grave,
(Death's publick tyring-houfe) the Nuntius is:
For, though his line of life went foon about,
The life yet of bis lines Jhall never out.
Hugh Holland.
To the Memory
of the deceafed Author, Matter
W. SHAKESPEARE.
Shakefpeare, at length thy pious fellows give
The world thy works ; thy works, by which outlive
Thy tomb thy name mvfi .' when that ftone is rent t
And time dissolves thy Stratford monument.
Here we alive ft all view thee ftili; try is book,
When brafs and marble fade, Jhall make thee look
Fre/h to ail ages ; when pifterity
Shall loath what's new, think all is prodigy
That is net Shakefpeare'/, every line, each vcrfe,
Here fnall revive, redeem ihiefrom thy herfe.
J\ 'or fire, nor cankering age, ~ as Nafoy^/W
Of his, thy wit-fraiighi took Jhall once invade:
Nar Jhall I e'er believe or think thee dead,
Though mi ft, until our bankrcut ftage be fped
(ImpiJJibie) with /owe new firain to out-do
fajfiom of Juliet, and her Romeo;
Or ''till 1 hear a fcene more -nobly tab.
Than when thy haif-jword par'jing
Poems upon the Author*
'Till then, 'till any of thy 'volume's teft,
$kall with more fire more feeling be expre/pd,
Be Jure, cur Shakefpeare, thou canft never die,
ut, croivn'd with laurel, live eternally.
L, Digges.
To the Memory
of MafterW. SHAKESPEARE.
We vaonder'd, Shakefpeare, that thou went 1 ft fo foon
from the ivories Jl 'age to the grave's tyring-room:
We thought thee dead; but this thy printed vJortb
Tells thy f fed at or s, that thou <went\ft but forth
To enter vaith applause : An attar's art
Can die, and live to al afecond part ,
That's but an exit of mortality,
This a re-entrance to a plaudite. J. M.
On worthy Matter SHAKESPEARE,
and his Poems.
A mind reflecting ages pc.fi, 'whose clear
And equal furf ace can make things appear,
Diftant a thousand years, and represent
Them in their lively colours, juji extent :
T'o outrun hafty time, retrieve the fates,
Row! tack the heavens, blirw ope the
Of death and Lethe, vjhere confused lye
Great heaps of ruinous mortality :
In that deep dujky dungeon, to discern
A royal ghojl frtm churls; by art to learn
'Thep'byttogmmyofjhade!, and gi-ve
Poems upon the Author.
Them fttttdtn birth, ivond 'ring how oft th?y liw,
What ft cry coldly tells, what poets ftign
At fecond hand, and picture without brain,
Senfelefs and foul- lej's Jhs ws: To give a ft age, -~
Ample, and true with lift, voice, action, age t
As Plato's year, and new jcene of the world,
Them unlo us, or us to them had hurl'J:
To raise our ancient fever eigns Jrom their hvrfe t
Make kings his Jubjecls ; ly exchanging *verfe
Enlive their pale trunks, that the present age
Joys in their joy and trembles at their rage :
Yet fo to temper pajfion, that our ears
Take pleasure in their pain, and eyes in teart
Bothjmik and weep ; fearful at plots fa fad*
Then laughing at our fear ; abus'd, and glad
To be abus'd; offered 'with that truth
Which <we perceive is falje, pleas' d in that ruth
At which we ft an, and, by elaborate play ,
Tortur 1 d and tickr d', by a crab -like way
Time paft made paftims, and in ugly fort
D i/gorging up his ravin for our j port :
While the plebeian imp, from lofty throne^
Creates and rules a world, and works upon
Mankind by Jeer et engines ; now to move
A chilling pity, then a rigorous love ;
To Jlrike up and ft r oak down, both joy and ire;
To Jleer ths ajftlions; and by heavenly Jire
Mold us anew, ft oln from ourfei~ves :
This, and much more, which cannot be exfreJ
But by him :etf, his tongue, and his own breaft,
Was Shakefpeare'.r/ra'>W l r/; which his cunniug braia
by favour of the nine-fol
Peems upon the Author.
fie lujkirfdmuse, the comick queen, the grand
And louder tone of Clio, nimble band
And nimbler foot of the melodious pair,
The feivcr-'Ooictd lady, the moj} fair
Calliope, ftc whose 'Jpeakingfeter.ee daunts,
And Jhe whose praise the heavenly body chants.
These jointly ivoo'd him, envying one anstber;^
Obey'J by all as /pome, tut lov'd as brother}""
And 1x1 'ought a curious robe, of j able grave,
Frrjh green, and pleasant yellova, red mojt brave,
And conftant blue, rich purple, guiltlefs iubite,
The lowly rujjet, and the fcarlet bright :
Branch d and embroidered like the painted fpring\
Each leaf match 1 d 'with afloiver, and each firing
Qf golden e wire, each line offeik: there run
Italian ivorks, vjbose thread the Jifters Jpun ;
And there didjlng, cr jicm to feng, the choice
Birds of a foreign note and various voice:
Here bangs a mtffi rock ; there plays a fair
But chiding fountain, purled : not the air,
Nor clouds, nor thunder, but ivere living drawn',
Kot out of common tiffany or lawn,
Butjine materials, lubich the Mutes know,
And only knonu the countries nicbere they grow.
NOVJ, nuhen they could no longer him enjoy,
In mortal garments pent, Death may dejtroy,
They fay, his body, but his *vt rfe jhalt live,
And more than nature takes our bands Jbail ?ivt?
In a lefs volume, but more ftreng'y bound,
Shakefpeare _/#// breath andjp.ah; ivith laurel crovjn a*
1' hicb never fades; fed with ambro/Jul meat;
la a vjell-limd vejiure, rich, and neat:
Pcems upon tie Author.
So vjith this role they cloatb him, lid him wear it ',
For time jhall never ft ain, nor envy tear it.
The friendly Admirer of his Endowments,
J. M. S.
An Epitaph
on the admirable dramatick Poet,
W. SHAKESPEARE.
What needs, my Shakefpeare,_/or his honour 1 d banet^
Vbe labour of an age in piled ftones ;
Or that his hallow d reliques Jhould be hid
Under a ftar-ypoit'.iing pyramid?
Dear f on of memory, great heir of fame,
fflhat need 1 ft thou juch weak witnefs of thy name?
Thou, in our wonder and ajtonijhment,
Haft built thy f elf a live-long monument:
For wbilft, to the Jhame of flow -endeavouring art,
Thy easy numbers flow ; and that each heart
Hath, from the leaves of thy unvalu d bsok,
Those Delphick lines with deep imprejjion took;
fhen thou, our fancy of itfetf bereaving,
Deft make us marble with too much conceiving ;
Jlnd, Jo jepulcherd, in fuch pomp doft lye,
' 5 'hat kings, for juch a tomb, would wijlj to die.
NOTE.
Th's lad poem was writ bv the great MILTON; and fs here g'vta
you as i' lies in an edition ot that au hor's poem?, printed in :673
oclavu; w >jre it is only infcrib'd, " On SHAKESPZAKR," ; nd
date- 16^0- This poem, that immediately before it, and '.fa>; iir.l
" Ujon his ffii:s_," are not in die fir;t loiio.
Table of bis Editions.
<T A B L E
cf quarto Editions of Plays toritten ly
SHAKESPEARE.
I. Hamlet. 1605. J. R. for V& VI. Henry VI. [1600.
N.L.(6eftEJit.) 2. 161 1. for Valentine Simmesfor Tho-
JohnSmethwicke. $. no date, mas Millington. (ADD. &
W.S.forDo.(ADD.)^.i6 37 . IMP.) 2. 1600. W. W.for
R. Young/or DO. Tho. Millington. (*DES.)$.
no date, for T. P.] i>. B.
IT. Henry IV, i/t. p. 1598.
P. S./or Andrew Wife, (btft VII. King John. [1591. for
Edit. ADD.} 2. 1599. S. S. SampfrnCiarke../.2.l6n.
for D'. 3. 1604. (DES.) 4. Valentine Simmes/or John
1608. for Mathew Law. Helme.3. 1622. Aug: Math-
{DES.} 5. idij. VV. W./^r ewes^rfhomasDewe.]-E;.C.
Do. (ADD.) 6. 1622. T. P.
o/4y Z)o 7.163 2. John Nor- VIII. A!% Lear. 1608. fcr
ton.Soldly William Sheares. Nathaniel Butter.(%/ E t ;it.)
(ADD.) 8. 1639. John Nor- 2. 1608. for ZK (ADD. v.
ton. 5o/r/ by Hugh Perry. D.) 3. 1655. Jane Bell.
III. Henry IV, 2</. p. 1600. IX. Lwi s Labour * /of/. 1598.
V. S./w Andrew Wife, and W. W. /or Cutbert Burby.
William Afpley. 2. 1600. (iejf Edt.) 2. 1631. W. S.
D. (DES.) v. A. /or John Smethwicke.
JV. Henry V. (1600. Tho- ^..Merchant ^Venice. 1600.
mas Creede, /w Tho Mil- x J. R- /r 1'homas Heyes.
Jington,^W John Busby. 2. (left Edit.} 2. 1600. J. Ro-
1602. Thomas Creede, for berts. 3. 1637. M. P. far
Thomas Pavier. (ADD.) 3. Laurence Hayes. 4. 1652. fir
iboS.fer T. P.] William Leak*
Fable of bis Editionr.
XL Merry Wives ^ Wind- XVI. Richard IH. 1597.73-
for. [1602. T. C.for Arth- lentine Sims, for Andrew
ur johnfon. 2. 1619. /> Wife. (*.) 2. 15-98. Tho~
&>.] 3. 1630. T. H.for R. mas Creede,/0r />. 3. 1602.
Meighen. (a &/) Z>>. 4. 1612. Thomas Cr-
eede.Sott ly MathewLavve.
XII. Midfummer Night* sDr- 5. 1622. Thomas Purfoot.
az. \6oo.for Thomas Fifh- ^/d' ^y />. 6. 1629. John
er. (beftEdit.} 2. 1 600. James Norton. 5oA/ by D.j. 1634.
Roberts. John Norton.
XII [. Mr -^/o alaut Noth- XVII. Romeo /?W Juliet.
inf. 1600. V. S. for Andrew [1597. John Danter.] 2.
Wife, <zW William Afpley. 1599- Thomas Creede, for
(left Edit.} Cuthbert Burby. (DES.) 3.
\6oc).for John Smethwick.
XIV. Othello. 1622. N. O. (beft Edit. ADD.} 4. no date,
far Thomas Walkley. (a.) f or jo}\r\Smet}\wickQ.(4DD )
2. o date. (Prface by Tho. 5. 1637. R. Young for DO.
Walkely. * DES.) 3. 1630.
A. M. for Richard Hawk- \V\ll.TamingoftbeSvre~M.
ins. (a ) 4- 1655. /or Willi-. [1607 V. S./wNich. Ling,
am Leak. (ADD. a.) *DES.] 2. 1631. W.S./w
John Smethwicke.
XV. RichardTI. 1597. Va-
lentine Simmesyir Andrew XIX. Titus Andronicus.
Wife, (left Edit. ADD.} 2. 1611. for Eedward White.
1598. Valentine Simmes/or (bejt Edit.)
DO. 3. 1608. VV W./JrMa-
thewLaw. (D5.) 4. 1615. XX. Trcilus and Crefilcla.
for DO. 5. 1634. John Nor- 1609. G. Eld for R. Boni-
ton. (a fir/) an W H. Wballey. (// f
Table of bis Editions.
JW7/.} 2. no date. G. Eld/or D. (*DES.)
NOTES.
A.] Signature E, in this copy, contains fix leaves ; a fcene being
there added, the firft of act the third.
B.J These editions conta : n only the fecond and third parts of
" Henry the Jixtby* and are thus intitldj Tie ivlolt Ccn.'eation be-
fuaene the two famius Houf'S, La'.cafter and Yorke.
C.] In all thes- editions, the play is ,n two parts.
H. 1 1 he firft of ihese <l Leirs" is p-inted upc:i eleven flieets; the
fecor.d, b-it IK on ten and a quarter : fignatire, next the title-page,
of the firft, A. 2 j of the feco'.d, B.
r.. b.] ADD. fignifies additions, or copies added by the comoiler ;
(v. " Intredufilon," p. 20.) IMP. impeifecl ; and DES. d'fder-
atum, cr wanting in his coiledion ; and a !tar before DES. implies
r,ever feen by him : the notices of thsie are fiom the tables of
former editois.
/)", of Plays afcriUd to him.
I. Arraignment o/Pzris. O.C. VII. Merry Devilo/Edmon-
1584. Henrie Mar(h.(a&/) ton. ^f 1608. Henry Ballard
II. Birth of Merlin.** 1662. for Arthur johnfon. 2 1617.
Tho. Johnfon for Francis G. Eld/or 2>-3. 1626. A.M.
Kirkraan,WHenryMarih. for Francis Falkner. 4.1651.
.(a) T. P. for D>. 5. 1655. far
III. Edvvardlll. O.C. 1596. William Gilbertfon.
/orCiuhbertBurby.2 1599. VIII. Mucedorus. =f 1598.
Sinron Stafford, for DO. for William Jones. (DES.)
ir Em. -|- 1631. for 2. 1610. for DO. 3. 1615.
John Wright. N.O.forD (DES.) 1639.
V. Locrine.* 1 595. Thomas for John V\ right. 5. no cute.
Creccie. (a&J ) for Francis Coles. 6. 1668.
V !. London PW/jW.* 1 605. E. O.for DO.
T.C./cr Nathaniel Butter. IX. Pericles.* 1609. for
V'able of bis Ediiimi.
'Henry Goflbn. 2. 1619.^ XIT. Thomas lord Croiw-
T. P. 3. 1630. J. N. Jor wel.* 1613. Thomas Snod-
R. B. 4. 1635. Thomas ham.
Cotes. Xlir. Two noble Kinsmen **
X. Puritan* 1607. G. Eld. 1634. Tho. Cotes, for John
(a.) Waterfon. (a &/)
XI. Sir John Oldcaftle. * XIV. Yorkfhire -Tragedy*
1600. for T. P. 1619. /arT. P.
2V r .
The two plays, mark'd with double afreriiks, are faid in the title-
page to have been wrhten, the firft by Shake/pearl and Riw/ey, the
other by Fletcher and Sbakeffeare: and the feven, with fingle afier-
ifks, are publifh'd with his other plays in a folio edition printed in
1664, and in fome ed.tions fince. 0. C. figrufies, old catalogues ; in
feme of which, these two plays are afcrib'd to Sbakefftfrt : and the
remaining three, difiinguifh'd by erodes, are in a volume, now in
Mr. Garrick's possefii-n, that did belong to king Charles the firft,
which is titl'd upon the back, "SHAKRSPEAR Vol, Is" and these
likewise are given to him by old catalogues, " Fair Em" excep'.ed,
which is therefore difFerenc'd by having but one crofs-bar. It may
be juft observ'd too, that, to the plays mark'd 0. C, and with crof-
fes, there is no name of author, either in the title-page, or other
part : of the double afteriflcs, fee the account above ; and, for the fin-
gle ones, in the; title-pages of " Locrine, Puritan, and Thomas lord
Cromwel," are the initial letters, W. S, and, in the others, the name
at length.
Folio Editions.
I. Mr. William Shakefpeares Comedies, Hiftories, & Tra-
gedies. Publijbed according to the True Originall Copies.
1623. foi. llaac Jawgard, and Ed. Blount.
If. DO, i632,/o/. Tho. Cotes, for Robert Allot.
HI. DO, i664,yW./rP.C.
'Table ofbif Editions.
IV. Do, i6Ss,/o/.for H. Herringman, E. Brewfler, a: I
R. Bentiey.
Edit lens of l>is Poems.
I. Shakefpeare's Poems. 1609. quarto. (*DES.)
II. D , m> rf'tftt, o8a<vo.for Bernard Lintott. (v. Note.}
I(F. D<> t 1640, ofta<vo. Tho. Cotes. Sold by John Benfon,
IV. Pajficnatc Pilgrim, poems by Z)-". 1599, o8a<v o, Jmall.
for W. Jaggard. Sold by W. Leake.
V. RapecfLncrece,apoem. 1 59 4, quarto. Richard Field,
for John Harriibn. (DES.)
VI. D', 1598, o^7^-<7. P. S.for Do.
Vff. ), 1607, oaavo. N. O./r D'.
VIII. Venus and Adonis, a poem. 1620, agave, for ]. P.
A 7 o r .
This is fold, in the titJe page, to be an exaft copy of the ed'tton
that goes before ; and has the appearance of being what it profefTes.
The
WORKS
f
SHAKESPEARE,
Volume the firjl :
containing,
Tin Tempejl ;
The two Gentlemen of Verona ;
The merry Wives 0/"Windfor.
LONDON:
Printed for }. and R. TON SON in tie Strand.
<Tbe
<r E M P E s r.
Perfons represented.
Alonso, King of Naples :
Sebaftian, his Brother.
Profpero, rightful Duke of Milan :
Antonio, his Brother, Usurper of his Dominion).
Ferdinand, Son to the King of Naples :
Gonzalo, 1
Adrian, > Lords attending the King.
Francifco, j
Caliban, ajavage and defornid Slave.
Trinculo, a Jejler.
Stephano, a drunken Butler.
Maflerofthe King's Ship, Boatfnuain, and Mariners.
Miranda, Daughter to Profpero.
Ariel, an airy Spirit. Other aerial Spirits ; pre-
senting, in the Mafque, Iris, Ceres, and Juno.
Attendants upon the King. Spirits attending Profpero.
Scene, at Sea ; and in different Parts
of an uninhabited I/land.
The TEMPEST.
ACT I.
SCENE I. A Ship at Sea.
^ great Storm, ivitb Thunder and Lightning,
Enter, upon Deck, a Ship-matter,
and a Boatfwain.
Maf. Boatfwain,
Boa. Here, matter : What cheer ?
Maf. Good : Speak to th' mariners: fall to't, yarely,
or we run ourfelves aground : beftir, beftir. [Exit.
Enter Mariners.
Boa. Heigh, my hearts ; cheerly, cheerly, my
hearts ; yare, yare : Take in the top-fail ; Tend to th'
matter's whittle: Blow, 'till thou burft thy wind, if
room enough. [Exeunt Mariners, aloft.
Enter ALONSO, Sebaftian, Ferdinand,
ANTONIO, GONZALO, and Others.
ALO. Good boatfwain, have care. Where's the
matter ? Play the men.
Boa. I pray now, keep below.
4NT. Where is the matter, boatfwain ?
^Boa. Do you not hear him ? You mar our labour ;
AS
4 7'6e Tempeft.
Keep your cabins ; You do affift the ftorm.
GON. Nay, good, be patient.
Boa. When the fea is. Hence. What care these
roarers for the name of king ? To cabin : filence :
trouble us not.
GON. Good ; yet remember whom thou haft aboard.
Boa. None that I more love than myfelf. You are
a counfellor ; If you can command these elements to
filence, and work the peace of the present, we will
not hand a rope more, use your authority : if you
cannot, give thanks you have liv'd fo long, and make
yourfelf ready in your cabin for the mifchance of the
hour, if it fo hap._ Cheerly, good hearts. Out of our
way, I fay. [Exit.
GON. I have great comfort from this fellow: me-
thinks, he hath no drowning mark upon him ; his
complexion is perfect gallows. Stand faft, good fate,
to his hanging ; make the rope of his deftiny our
cable, for our own doth little advantage : If he be not
born to be hang'd, our cafe is miserable. [Exeunt.
Re-enter Boatfwain.
Boa. Down with the top-mail; yare, lower, lower;
bring her to try with main-courfe. [Cry within."] A
plague upon this howling ! they are louder than the
weather, or our office. _
Re-enter SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, and
GONZALO.
Yet again ? What do you here ? Shall we give o'er,
and drown r Have you a mind to fink ?
SEB. A pox o' your throat ! you bawling, blafphe-
mous, incharitable dog !
Boa. Work you then.
* cares
The Tempejl. 5
Atst. Hang, cur, hang ! you whorfon infolent noise-
maker ! we are lefs afraid to be drown'd, than thou art.
GON. I'll warrant him for drowning; though the
ftiip were no ftronger than a nut -(hell, and as leaky as
an unftanch'd wench.
Boa. Lay her a-hold, a-hold; fet her two courfes
off to lea again, lay her off. [C r y a gain.
Enter Mariners, ivet.
Mar. All loft ; to prayers, to prayers ; all loft !
[Exeunt Mariners.
Boa. What, muft our mouths be cold ? [them;
GON. The king and prince at prayers! let's affiit
For our cafe is as theirs.
SEB. I'm out of patience. [ards
ANT. We are meerly cheated of our lives by drunk-
This wide-chopt rafcal; 'Would, thou might'ft lye
The wafhing of ten tides ! [drowning,
GON. He'll be hang'd yet;
Though every drop of water fwear againft it,
And gape at wid'ft to glut him. Mercy on us !
[A confusd Noise <within We fplit, we fplit !
_Fare\vel my wife and children !_ Farewel,
brother! We fplit, we fplit, we fplit !
ANT. Let's all fink wi' the king. [Exit.
SEB. Let's take leave of him. [Exit.
GON. Now would I give a thousand furlongs of fea
for an acre of barren ground; long heath, brown furze,
any thing : The wills above be done, but I would fain
dye a dry death. [Exeunt.
SCENE II. The IJland. Before Profpero's Cell
Enter PROSPERO, and MIR AN DA.
*' v. Note.
6 The Tempejl.
MIR. If by your art, my deareft father, you have
Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them :
The fey, it feems, would pour down ftinking pitch,
But that the fea, mounting to the welkin's cheek,
Dames the fire out. O, I have fuffer'd
With those that I faw fuffer ! A brave veflel,
Who had, no doubt, fome noble creature in her,
Dafh'd all to pieces. O, the cry did knock
Againft my very heart ! Poor fouls ! they perifh'd.
Had I been any god of power, I would
Have funk the fea within the earth, or e'er
It mould the good fhip fo have fwallow'd, and
The fraighting fouls within her.
PRO, Becollefted;
No more amazement : tell your piteous heart,
There's no harm done.
MIR. O, woe the day !
PRO. No harm.
I have done nothing but in care of thee,
(Of thee my dear one, thee my daughter) who
Art ignorant of what thou art, nought knowing
Of whence I am ; nor that I am more better
Than Pro/pero, matter* of a full-poor cell,
And thy no greater father.
MIR. More to know
Did never meddle with my thoughts.
PRO. 'Tis time
I fhould inform thee farther. Lend thy hand,
And pluck my magick garment from me._So ; [fort.
Lye ~f there, my art. Wipe thou thine eyes; have com-
The direful fpe&acle of the wreck, which touch'd
The very virtue of compaflion in thee,
The
I have with fuch provision in mine art
So fafely order'd, that there is no lofs,
No, not fo much perdition as an hair,
Betid to any creature in the veflel, [down,
Which thou heard'ft cry, which thou faw'ft fink. Sit
For thou muft now know farther.
MIR. You have often
Begun to tell me what I am ; but ftopt ;
And left me to a bootlefs inquisition,
Concluding, Slay, not yet.
PRO. The hour's now come ;
The very minute bids thee ope thine ear ;
Obey, and be attentive. Canft thou remember
A time before we came unto this cell ?
I do not think, thou canft ; for then thou waft not
Out three years old.
MIR. Certainly, fir, I can.
PRO. By what ? by any other houfe, or perfon ?
Of any thing the image tell me, that
Hath kept with thy remembrance.
MIR . 'Tis far off;
And rather like a dream, than an aflurance
That my remembrance warrants : Had I not
Four or five women once, that tended me ?
PRO . Thou hadft, and more, Miranda : But how is it,
That this lives in thy mind ? What fee'ft thou elfe
In the dark backward and abyfm of time ?
If thou remember'ft ought, ere thou cam'ft here ;
How thou cam'ft here, thou may'ft.
MIR. But that I do not.
PR o . Twelve year iince, Miranda, twelve year fmce,
Thy father was the duke of Milan, and
* no foule
8 The Tempt/}.
A prince of power.
MIR . Sir, are not you my father ?
PRO. Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and
She faid thou waft my daughter; and thy father
Was duke of Milan; and his only heir
A princefs : no worfe iffu'd.
MIR. O the heavens !
What foul play had we, that we came from thence ?
Or bleffed was't, we did ?
PRO. Both, both, my girl :
By foul play, as thou fay'ft, were we heav'd thence ;
But blefledly holp hither.
MIR. O, my heart bleeds
To think o'the teen that I have turn'd you to,
Which is from my remembrance ! Please you, farther.
PRO. My brother, and thy uncle, call'd Antonio,
I pray thee, mark me, (That a brother mould
Be fo perfidious !) he whom, next thy felf,
Of all the world I lov'd, and to him put
The manage of my ftate; (as, at that time,
Through all the figniories it was the firft,
And Prrj'fiero the prime duke ; being fo reputed
Jn dignity, and, for the liberal arts,
Without a parallel ; those being all my ftudy,
The government I caft upon my brother,
And to my ftate grew ftranger, being tranfported
And rapt in fecret ftudies) Thy falfe uncle
Doft thou attend me ?
MIR. Sir, moft heedfully.
PRO. Being once perfected how to grant fuits,
How to deny them ; who to advance, and who
To trafh for over- topping; new created
6 And Princefle
The Tempeft. 9
The creatures that were mine ; I fay, or chang'd them,
Or elfe new form'd them : having both the key
Of officer and office, fet all hearts i'the ftate
To what tune pleas'd his ear ; that now he was
The ivy, which had hid my princely trunk,
And fuckt my verdure out on't. Thou attend'ft not.
MIR. O, ges, good fir, I do.
PRO, I pray thee, mark me.
I thus neglecling worldly ends, all dedicated
To clofenefs, and the bettering of my mind
With that, which, but by being fo retir'd,
O'er-priz'd all popular rate, in my falfe brother
Awak d an evil nature: and my truft,
Like a good parent, did beget of him
A falfehood, in it's contrary as great
As my truft was ; which had, indeed, no limit,
A confidence fans bound. He being thus lorded,
Not only with what my revenue yielded,
But what my power might elfe exact, Like one
Who having, unto truth, by telling of it,
Made fuch a fmner of his memory
To credif his own lye, he did believe
He was, indeed, the duke ; from fubftitution,
And executing the outward face of royalty,
With all prerogative : Hence his ambition growing,
Doft thou hear, gitl t
MIR. Your tale, fir, would cure deafnefs.
PRO. To have no fcreen between this part he play'd
And him he play'd it for, he needs will be
Abfolute Milan : Me, poor man, my library
Was dukedom large enough ! of temporal royalties
He thinks me now incapable : confederates
into
10 The Temptjl.
(So dry he was for fway) wi' the king of Naples ;
To give him annual tribute, do him homage;
Subjeft his coronet to his crown, and bend
The dukedom, yet unbow'd, (alas, poor Milan ! )
To mofl ignoble ftooping.
MIR. O the heavens ! [me,
PRO. Mark his condition, and the event ; then tell
If this might be a brother.
MIR. I mould fin,
To think but nobly of my grand -mother :
Good wombs have born bad fons.
PRO. Now the condition.
This king of Naples, being an enemy
To me inveterate, hearkens my brother's fuit :
Which was, That he, in lieu o'the premises,
Of homage, and I know not how much tribute.
Should presently extirpate me and mine
Out of the dukedom^ and confer fair Milan,
With all the honours, t>n my brother : Whereon,
A treacherous army levy'd, one midnight,
Fated to the purpose, did dntonio open
The gates of Milan; and, i' the dead of darknefs,
The minifters for the purpose hurry'd thence
Me, and thy crying fe!f.
MIR. Alack, for pity !
I, not rcmembring how I cry'd on't then,
Will cry it o'er again ; it is a hint,
That wrings mine eyes to't.
PRO. Hear a little further,
And then I'll bring thee to the present businefs
Which now's upon us ; without the which, this ftory
Were moft impertinent.
16 cridc out then
The Tempejl. II
MIR. Wherefore did they not
That hour deftroy us ?
PRO. Well demanded, wench ;
My tale provokes that queftion : Dear, they durft not,
(So dear the love my people bore me) nor fet
A mark fo bloody on the businefs ; but
With colours fairer painted their foul ends.
In few, they hurry'd us aboard a bark ;
Bore us fome leagues to fea ; where they prepar'd
A rotten carcafe of a boat, not rig'd,
Nor tackle, nor fail, nor maft ; the very rats
Inftin&ively had quit it : there they hoift us
To cry to the fea, that roar'd to us ; to figh
To the winds, whose pity, fighing back again,
Did us but loving wrong.
MIR. Alack ! what trouble
Was I then to you !
PRO. O, a cherubin
Thou waft, that did preserve me ! Thou did'ft fmile,
Infused with a fortitude from heaven,
When I have deck'd the fea with drops full fait,
Under my burthen groan'd ; which rais'd in me
An undergoing ftomach, to bear up
Againft what mould enfue.
MIR . How came we afhore ?
PRO. By providence divine.
Some food we had, and fome frelh water, that
A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo,
Out of his charity, (he being then appointed
Mailer of this defign) did give us ; with
Rich garments, linnens, fluffs, and neceflaries,
Which fince have fteeded much : fo, of his gentlenefs,
10 a Butt, " have quit *9 (who being
12 T'he Tempeft.
Knowing I lov'd my books, he furnifh'd me,
From mine own library, with volumes that
I prize above my dukedom.
MIR. 'Would I might
But ever fee that man !
PRO. Now I arise:
Sit ftill, and hear the laft of our fea-forrow.
Here in this ifland we arriv'd ; and here
Have I, thy fchool-mafter, made thee more profit
Than other princes can, that have more time
For vainer hours, and tutors not fo careful. [fir,
MIR. Heavens thank you for't! And now, I pray you,
(For flill 'tis beating in my mind) your reason
For raising this fea-ltorm ?
PRO. Know thus far forth;
By accident molt ftrange, bountiful fortune,
Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies
Brought to this fhore : and by my prefcience
I find, my zenith doth depend upon
A moft aufpicious ftar ; whose influence
If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes
Will ever after droop. Here ceafe more queflions,
Thou art inclin'd to fleep ; 'tis a good dulnefs,
And give it way : I know, thou canft not choose.
[Miranda^/;.
Come away, fervant, come : I'm ready now;
Approach, my Ariel, come.
Enter ARIEL.
ARI. All hail, great matter ! grave fir, hail ! I come
To anfwer thy beft pleasure ; be't to fly,
To fwim, to dive into the fire, to ride
On the curl'd clouds : to thy llrong bidding talk
10 Princefie can
The Temptft. 13
Ariel and all his quality.
PRO. Haft thou, fpirit,
Perform'd to point the tempeft that I bad thee ?
ARI. To every article.
I boarded the king's (hip ; now on the beak,
Now in the wafte, the deck, in every cabin,
I flam'd amazement : Sometimes, I'd divide,
And burn in many places ; on the top-maft,
The yards, and bore-fprit, would I flame diftinftly,
Then meet, and join : Jove's lightnings, the precurfers
O' the dreadful thunder-clap, more momentary
And fight-out-running were not: The fire, and cracks
Of fulphurous roaring, the moft mighty Neptune
Seem to befiege ; and make his bold waves tremble,
Yea, his dread trident make.
PRO. My brave bratoe fpirit !
Who was fo firm, fo conftant, that this coil
Would not infeft his reason ?
Am. Not a foul
But felt a fever of the mad, and play'd
Some tricks of defperation: All, but mariners,
Plung'd in the foaming brine, and quit the veflel,
Then all a-fire with me : the king's fon, Ferdinand,
With hair up-ftaring, (then like reeds, not hair)
Was the firft man that leap'd ; cry'd, Hell it empty t ,
And all the devils are here.
PRO. Why, that's my fpirit !
But was not this nigh more ?
ARI. Clofe by, my m after.
PRO. But are they, Ariel, fafe ?
ARI. Not a hair perifh'd ;
On their fuftaining garments not a blemilh,
10 Lightning, f| Thunder-claps
14. We Ttmpeft.
But frefher than before ; and, as thou bad'ft me,
In troops I have difperf'd them 'bout the ifle :
The king's fon have I landed by himfelf ;
Whom I left cooling of the air with fighs,
In an odd angle of the ifle, and fitting,
His arms in this ~\ fad knot.
PRO. Of the king's (hip,
The mariners, fay how thou haft difpos'd,
And all the reft o' the fleet ?
ARI. Safely in harbour
Is the king's fhip ; in the deep nook, where once
Thou call'dft me up at midnight to fetch dew
From the ftill-vext Bermoothes, there (he's hid :
The mariners all under hatches ftow'd ;
Who, with a charm join'd to their fuffer'd labour,
I have left afleep : and for the reft o' the fleet,
Which I difperf'd, they all have met again ;
And are upon the Mediterranean note,
Bound fadly home for Naples ;
Supposing that they faw the king's fhip wreck'd,
And his great perfon perifh.
PR o . Ariel, thy charge
Exactly is perform'd ; but there's more work :
What is the time o' the day ?
ARI. Paft the mid feason. [now
PRO. At leaft two glaffes: The time 'twixt fix and
Muft by us both be fpent moft precioufly.
AR i. Is there more toil ? Since thou doft give me pains,
Let me remember thee what thou haft promis'd,
Which is not yet perform'd me.
PRO. How now? moody ?
What is't thou canft demand ?
The Tempejl. 15
ARI. My liberty.
PRO. Before the time be out? no more.
ARI. \ pray thee :
Remember, I have done thee worthy fervice ;
Told thee no lyes, made thee no miftakings, {erv'd
Without or grudge, or grumblings : thou didft promise
To bate me a full year.
PRO. Doft thou forget
From what a torment I did free thee ?
ARI. No. [ooze
PRO. Thou doft : and think'ft it much, to tread the
Of the fait deep;
To run upon the (harp wind of the north ;
To do me businefs in the veins o'the earth,
When it is bak'd with froft.
ARI. I do not, fir.
PRO. Thou ly'ft, malignant thing : Haft thou forgot
The foul witch Sycorax, who, with age, and envy,
Was grown into a hoop r haft thou forgot her?
ARI. No, fir.
PRO. Thou haft; Where was me born? fpeak, tell me.
ARI. Sir, in Argier.
PRO. O, was (he fo ? I muft,
Once in a month, recount what thou haft been,
Which thou forget'ft. This damn'd witch, Sycorax,
For rriifchiefs manifold, and forceries terrible
To enter human hearing, from Argier,
Thou know'ft, was banifh'd ; for one thing (he did,
They would not take her life : Is not this true ?
ARI. Ay, fir. [child,
PRO. This blue-ey'd hag was hither brought with
And here was left by the failors : Thou, my flave,
VOL. I. B
1 6 The TempsJ}.
As thou report'ft thyfelf, waft then her fervant :
And, for thou waft a fpirit too delicate
To aft her earthy and abhor'd commands,
Refusing her grand hefts, fhe did confine thee,
By help of her more potent minifters,
And in her moft unmitigable rage,
Into a cloven pine ; within which rift
Imprison'dj thou didft painfully remain
A dozen years ; within which fpace (he dy'd,
And left thee there ; where thou didft vent thy groans
As faft as mill-wheels ftrike : Then was this ifland
(Save for the fon that fhe did litter here,
A freckl'd whelp, hag-born) not honour'd with
A human mape.
Am. Yes; Caliban her fon.
PRO. Dull thing, I fay fo; he, that Caliban,
Whom now I keep in fervice. Thou beft know'ft
What torment I did find thee in : thy groans
Did make wolves howl, and penetrate the breafts
Of ever-angry bears ; it was a torment
To lay upon the damn'd, which Sjcerax
Could not again undo ; it was mine art,
When I arriv'd, and heard thee, that made gape
The pine, and let thee out.
ART. I thank thee, mafter.
PRO. If thou more murmur'ft, I will rend an oak,
And peg thee in his knotty entrails, 'till
Thou haft howl'd away twelve winters.
ARI. Pardon, mafter :
I will be correfpondent to command,
And do my fpiriting gently.
PRO. Do fo : and after two days
The Tempefl. 17
I will difcharge thee.
ARI. That's my noble matter!
What {hall I do ? lay, what ? what fhall I do ?
PRO. Go make thy felf like to a nymph o' the fea :.
Be fubjefl to no fight but mine ; invisible
To every eye-ball elfe : Go, take this fhape,
And hither come in it: go, hence, with diligence.
[Exit ARIEL.
Awake, dear heart, awake! thou haft flept well^
Awake !
MIR . The ftrangenefs of your ftory put
Heavinefs in me.
PRO. Shake it off: Come on ;
We'll visit Cali&an, my flave, who never
Yields us kind anfwer.
MIR. 'Tis a villain, fir,
I do not love to look on.
PRO. But, as 'tis,
We cannot mifs him : he does make our fire,
Fetch in our wood ; and ferves in offices
That profit us. _ What, ho ! flave ! Caliban !
Thou earth, thou, fpeak !
CAL . \fwithin\ There's wood enough within, [thee :
PRO. Come forth, I fay ; there's other businefs for
Come, thou tortoise ! when !
Re-enter ARIEL, like a Water-nymph.
" Fine apparition ! My quaint Ariel, "
" Hark in thine ear. "
ARI. " My lord, it fhall be done." [Exit ARIEL.
PRO. Thou poisonous flave, got by the devil himfelf
Upon thy wicked dam, come forth !
Enter CALIBAN.
5 but thine, and mine :
B a
IS The Tempefi.
CAL . As wicked dew, as ere my mother brufh'd
With raven's feather from unwholfom fen,
Drop on you both ! a fouth-weft blow on ye,
And blifter you all o'er ! [cramps,
PRO. For this, be fure, to-night thou fhalt have
Side-flitches that (hall pen thy breath up ; urchins
Shall, for that vaft of night that they may work,
All exercise on thee : thou fhalt be pinch d
As thick as honey-comb, each pinch more flinging
Than bees that made them.
CAL. I mufl eat my dinner.
This ifland's mine, by Sycorax my mother,
Which thou tak'ft from me. When thou cam'ft firft,
Thou flroak'dft me, and mad'ft much of me; would'ft
Water with berries in't ; and teach me how [give me
To name the bigger light, and how the lefs,
That burn by day and night : and then I lov'd thee,
And fhew'd thee all the qualities o' the ifle,
The frefh-fp rings, brine-pits, barren place, and fertil ;
Curf 'd be I, that I did fo ! All the charms
Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you !
For I am all the fubjefts that you have,
Which firft was mine own king : and here you fly me
In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me
The reft o'the ifland.
PRO. Thou moft lying flave,
Whom ftripes may move, not kindnefs : I have us'd thee,
Filth as thou art, with human care ; and lodg'd thee
In mine own cell, 'till thou did'tt feek to violate
The honour of my child.
CAL. Oh ho, oh ho!_'would't had been done !
Thou did'ft prevent me ; I had peopl'd elfe
+ ftroakft me, & made much
7'be Tempsfl. 19
This ifle with Calibans.
PRO. Abhorred flave ;
Which any print of goodnefs wilt not take,
Being capable of all ill ! I pity'd thee,
Took pains to make thee fpeak, taught thee each hour
One thing or other : when thou could'ft not, favage,
Show thine own meaning, but would'ft gabble like
A thing mod brutifh, 1 endow'd thy purposes
With words that made them known : But thy vile race,
Though thou didft learn, had that in't which good na-
Could not abide to be with ; therefore waft thou [tures
Deservedly confin'd into this rock,
Who had'it deserv'd more than a prison.
CAL. You taught me language; and my profit on't
Is, I know how to curfe ; The red plague rid you,
For learning me your language !
PRO. Hag- feed, hence !
Fetch us in fuel ; and be quick, thou'ert beft,
To anfwer other businefs. Shrug'ft thou, malice ?
If thou negle&'ft, or doft unwillingly
What I command, I'll rack thee with old cramps ;
Fill all thy bones with aches ; make thee roar,
That beafts mall tremble at thy din.
CAL. No, pray thee!_
" I muft obey ; his art is of fuch power,"
" It would controul my dam's god Setebos, "
" And make a vaflal of him."
PRO. So, flave; hence! [Exit CALIBAN.
Mustek. Re-enter ARIEL, invisible ;
FERDINAND following.
ARI. Come unto these yellow j and; y SONG,
and then take hands :
* Mir. Abhorred 6 thou didft not 1 Know thine
B 3
2O The Tempejl.
curffy'd 'when you have, and kiji,
(the wild waves ivhift)
foot it feat ly here and there ;
and,fweetfpriies, the burthen bear.
Hark, hark!
bur. Bowgh, wowgh. [difperfedfy.
the <rvatch-dogs bark :
bur. Bowgh, wowgh. \difperfedly.
Hark, hark! I hear
the ft rain ofjlrutting chant icier e
cry, Cock-a-doodle-do. [earth ?
FER . Where (hould this musick be ? i' the air ? or the
It founds no more : and, fure, it waits upon
Some god o' the ifland. Sitting on a bank,
Weeping againft the king my father's wreck,
This musick crept by me upon the waters ;
Allaying both their fury, and my paflion,
With it's fweet air : thence I have follow'd it,
Or it hath drawn me rather : But 'tis gone :
No, it begins again.
An i . Full fathom five thy father lies : SOtfG.
of hit bones are coral made ;
those are pearls, that were his eyes :
nothing of him, that doth fade,
but doth fujfer afea-change,
into fomething rich and flrange :
Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell:
hark, now 1 hear them, Ding-dong, bell.
{Burthen, Ding-dong.
FE R . The ditty does remember my drown'd father ;
This is no mortal businefs, nor no found
That the earth owes : I hear it now above me.
* bearc | the burthen, J againe the
The Ttmpejl. 21
PRO. The fringed curtains of thine eye advance,
And fay, what thou fee'ft yond'.
MIR. What is't? a fpirit?
Lord, how it looks about ! Believe me, fir,
It carries a brave form : But 'tis a fpirit. [fenfes
PRO. No, wench ; it eats, and fleeps, and hath fuch
As we have, fuch : This gallant, which thou fee'ft,
Was in the wreck ; and, but he's fomething ftain'd
With grief, that's beauty's canker, thou might'ftcall him
A goodly perfon : he hath loft his fellows,
And ftrays about to find them.
MIR. I might call him
A thing divine ; for nothing natural
I ever faw fo noble.
PRO. " It goes, I fee," [thee"
"As my foul prompts it: Spirit, fine fpirit, I'll free
" Within two days for this."
PER. Molt fure, the goddefs
On whom these airs attend : _ Vouchfafe my prayer
May know, if you remain upon this ifland ;
And that you will fome good inftruclion give
How I may bear me here : My prime requeft,
Which I do laft pronounce, is, o you wonder,
If you be maid, or no?
MIR. No wonder, fir;
But, certainly, a maid.
PER. My language! heavens !
I am the beft of them that fpeak this fpeech,
Were I but where 'tis fpoken.
PRO. How! the beft ?
What wert thou, if the king of Naples heard thee ?
PER. A iingle thing, as I am now, that wonders
1 5 goes 6n I
B 4
22 7'be 1'empejl.
To hear thee fpeak of Naples : He does hear me ;
And, that he does, I weep : myfelf am Naples ;
Who with mine eyes, ne'er fince at ebb, beheld
The king my father wreckt.
MIR. Alack, for mercy !
PER. Yes, faith, and all his lords ; the duke, of Milan,
And his brave fon, being twain.
PRO. The duke of Milan,
And his more braver daughter, could controul thee,
If now 'twere fit to do't._" At the firft fight"
"They have chang'd eyes : Delicate Ariel, "
" I'll fet thee free for this."_ A word, good fir ;
I fear, you have done yourfelf fome wrong ; a word.
MIR. "Why fpeaks my father fo ungenfly? This"
" Is the third man, that e'er I faw ; the firft, "
"That e'er I figh'd for: pity move my father"
"To be inclin'd my way!"
PER. O, if a virgin,
And your affection not gone forth, I'll make you
The queen of Naples.
PRO. Soft, fir; one word more. [sinefs"
* c They are both in cither's powers : but this fwift bu-
" I muft uneasy make, left too light winning [thee
" Make the prize light." Sir, one word more ; I charge
That thou attend me : thou doft here usurp
The name thou ow'ft not ; and haft put thyfelf
Upon this ifland, as a fpy, to win it
From me, the lord on't.
PER. No, as I am a man.
MIR . There's nothing ill can dwell in fuch a temple :
If the ill fpirit have fo fair a houfe,
Good things will ftrive to dwell with't.
7'be Tempeft. 23
PRO. Follow me
Speak not you for him ; he's a traitor Come :
I'll manacle thy neck and feet together :
Sea- water malt thou drink ; thy food mail be
The frem-brook mufTels, wither'd roots, and hulks
Wherein the acorn cradl'd : Follow.
PER. No;
I will resift fuch entertainment, 'till
Mine enemy has more power. [draws.
MIR. O dear father,
Make not too ram a trial of him ; for
He's gentle, and not fearful.
PRO. What, I fay,
My foot my tutor! Put thy fword up, traitor;
Who mak'ft a mew, but dar'ft not ftrike, thy confcience
Is fo posseft with guilt: come from thy ward;
For I can here difarm thee with this ftick,
And make thy weapon drop.
MIR. Befeech you, father!
PRO. Hence ; hang not on my garments.
MIR. Sir, have pity ;
I'll be his furety.
PRO. Silence ; one word more
Shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee. What,
An advocate for an importer ? hum !
Thou think'ft, there are no more fuch ftiapes as he,
Having feen but him and Caliban ; Foolifh wench !
To the molt of men this is a Caliban,
And they to him are angels.
MIR. My affeAions
Are then moft humble ; I have no ambition
To fee a goodlier man.
46 thtre is no
24 The Tempejl.
PRO. Come on ; obey :
Thy nerves are in their infancy again,
And have no vigour in them.
FE R . So they are :
My fpirits, as in a dream, are all bound up.
My father's lofs, the weaknefs which I feel,
The wreck of all my friends, or this man's threats
To whom I am fubdu'd, are but light to me,
Might I but through my prison once a day
Behold this maid : all corners elfe o'the earth
Let liberty make ufe of; fpace enough
Have I, in fuch a prison.
PRO. " It works."_Come on._
"Thou haft done well, fine Ariel." Follow me
"Hark what thou elfe {halt do me."
MIR. Be of comfort;
My father's of a better nature, fir,
Than he appears by fpeech ; this is unwonted,
Which now came from him.
PRO. " Thou (halt be as free "
" As mountain winds : but then exaftly do "
"All points of my command."
ARI. "To the fyllable."
PRO. Come, follow: Speak not for him. \Exeunt.
ACT II.
SCENE I. dnotberPartoftleljland.
Enter ALONSO,. SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, GONZALO,
ADRIAN, FRANCISCO, and Others.
t ON. Befeech you, fir, be merry : you have cause
7 friends, nor this
The Fempe/i. 25
(So have we all) of joy ; for our efcape
Is much beyond our lofs : Our hint of woe
Is common ; every day, fome failor's wife,
,The mafter of fome merchant, and the merchant,
Have juit our theme of woe : but for the miracle,
(I mean, our preservation) few in millions
Can fpeak like us : then wisely, good fir, weigh
Our forrow with our comfort.
ALO. Pr'ythee, peace.
SEB. He receives comfort like cold porridge.
ANT. The visitor will not give him o'er fo.
SEB. Look, he's winding up the watch of his wit;
by and by it will ftrike.
GON. Sir,
SEE. One:_TelI.
CON. When every grief is entertain'd, that's offer'd,
Comes to the entertainer
SEB. A dollar.
GON. Dolour comes to him, indeed ; you have fpoken
truer than you purpos'd.
SEB. You have taken it wiselier than I meant you
mould.
GON. Therefore, my lord,
ANT. Fie, what a fpend-thrift is he of his tongue ?
ALO. I pr'ythee, fpare.
GON. Well, I have done : But yet
SEB. He will be talking.
ANT. Which of tj?em, he, or Adrian, for a good
wager, firft begins to crow ?
SEB. The old cock.
ANT. The cockrel.
SEB. Done : The wager?
* Matters
26 The Tempeft.
Awr. A laughter.
SEB. A match.
ADR. Though this ifland feem to be desart,
SEB. Ha, ha, ha !
AvT. So, you've pay'd.
ADR. Uninhabitable, and almoft inacceffible,
SEB. Yet,
ADR. Yet
Aur. He could not mifs't.
ADR. It muft needs be of fubtle, tender, and delicate
temperance.
ANT. Temperance was a delicate wench.
SEB. Ay, and a fubtle; as he moft learnedly de-
liver'd.
ADR. The air breaths upon us here moft fweetly.
SEB. As if it had lungs, and rotten ones.
Avr. Or, as 'twere perfum'd by a fen.
Goff. Here is every thing advantageous to life.
ANT. True; fave means to live.
SEB. Of that there's none, or little.
GOAT. How lufh and lufty the grafs looks ? how green ?
ANT. The ground, indeed, is tawny.
SEB. With an eye of green in't.
AVT. He mifles not much.
SEB. No, he doth but miftake the truth totally.
Go tf. But the rarity of it is, (which is, indeed, almoft
beyond credit)
SEB. As many voucht rarities are.
Goy. That our garments, being (as they were)
drench'd in the fea, hold notwithftanding their frefh-
nefs, and glo/Tes ; being rather new dy'd, than ftajn'd
with fait water.
S you'r paid
The Tempeft. 27
AWT. If but one of his pockets could (peak, would
it not fay, he lyes ?
SEB. Ay, or very falfly pocket up his report.
GON. Methinks, our garments are now as frefii
as when we put them on firft in Africk, at the mar-
riage of the king's fair daughter Claribel to the king
of 'Tunis.
SEB. 'Twas a fweet marriage, and we profper well
in our return.
ADR. Tunis was never grac'd before with fuch a
paragon to their queen.
GOAT. Not fince widow Dido's time.
ANT. Widow? a pox o'that ! How came that widow
in ? widow Dido !
SEB. What if he had faid, widower jEneas too?
good lord, how you take it !
ADR. Widow Dido, faid you ? you make me ftudy
of that : She was of Carthage, not of Tunis.
Go if. This Tuni.', fir, was Carthage.
ADR. Carthage?
GON. 1 affure you, Carthage.
ANT. His word is more than the miraculous harp.
SEB. He hath rais'd the wall, and houses too.
AWT. What impoffible matter will he make easy next?
SEB. I think, he will carry this ifland home in his
pocket, and give it his fon for an apple.
ANT. And, fowing the kernels of it in the fea, bring
forth more iflands.
GON. Ay?
ANT. Why, in good time.
GON. Sir, we were talking, that our garments feem
now as frefh, as when we were at Tunis at the marriage
28 T
of your daughter, who is now queen.
Avf. And the rareft that e'er came there.
SE B. Bate, I befeech you, widow Dido.
JiNT. O, widow Dido ; ay, widow Dido.
Gotf. Is not, fir, my doublet as frefh as the firft day
I wore it, (I mean, in a fort)
4nr. That fort was well fiih'd for.
GON. When I wore it at your daughter's marriage?
ALO. You cram these words into mine ears, againft
The ftomach of my fenfe : 'Would, I had never
Marry'd my daughter there ! for, coming thence,
My fon is loft : and, in my rate, me too ;
Who is fo far from Italy remov'd,
I ne'er again fliall fee her : O thou mine heir
Of Naples and of Milan, what ftrange fifh
Hath made his meal on thee !
FRJ. Sir, he may live :
I faw him beat the (urges under him,
And ride upon their backs ; he trod the water,
Whose enmity he flung afide, and breailed
The furge moft fwoln that met him : his bold head
'Bove the contentious waves he kept, and oar'd
Himfelf with his good arms in lufty ftroke
To the more ; that o'er his wave- worn bafis bow'd,
As ftooping to relieve him : I not doubt,
He came alive to land.
ALO. No, no, he's gone.
SEB. Sir, you may thank yourfelf for this great lofs;
That would not blefs our Europe with your daughter,
But rather lose her to an African ;
Where (he at leaft is banilh'd from your eye,
Who hath cause to wet the grief on't.
The Tempeft. 29
ALO. Pr'ythee, peace.
SEE , You were kneel'd to, and importun'd otherwise
By all of us : and the fair foul herfelf
Weigh'd, between lothnefs and obedience, at
Which end the beam (hould bow. We have loft your fon,
I fear, for ever : Milan and Naples have
More widows in them of this businefs' making, [own.
Than we bring men to comfort them : the fault's your
ALO. So is the dear'ft o'the lofs.
GON. My lord Sebaftian,
The truth you fpeak doth lack fome gentlenefs,
And time to fpeak it in : you rub the fore,
When you mould bring the plaifter.
SE B. Very well.
ANT. And moft chirurgeonly.
GON. It is foul weather in us all, good fir,
When you are cloudy.
SEB. Foul weather?
ANT. Very foul.
Gotf. Had I plantation of this ifle, my lord,
ANT. He'd fow't with nettle- feed.
SEB. Or docks, or mallows.
GON. And were the king of it, What would I do?
SEB. 'Scape being drunk, for want of wine.
GON. Fthe common-wealth I would by contraries
Execute all things : For no kind of traffick
Would I admit; no name of magiftrate ;
Letters mould not be known ; poverty, riches,
And ufe of fervice, none; contract, fucceflion,
Bourn, bound of land, tilth, vineyard, olitoe, none;
No ufe of metal, corn, or wine, or oyl :
No occupation ; all men idle, all,
5 end o'th' beame* *" Riches, poverty,
30 The Tempe/l.
And women too, but innocent, and pure :
No fovereignty :
SEB. Yet he would be king on't.
ANT. The latter end of his common-wealth forgets
the beginning.
GON. All things in common nature mould produce,
Without fweat or endeavour : treason, felony,
Sword, pike, knife, gun, or need of any engine,
Would I not have ; but nature mould bring forth,
Of it's own kind, all foizon, all abundance,
To feed my innocent people.
SEB. No marrying 'mong his fubjecls ?
ANT. None, man : all idle ; whores, and knaves.
GON. 1 would with fuch perfection govern, fir,
To excel the golden age.
SEB, 'Save his majefty!
ANT. Long live Gonzalo !
GOAT. And, do you mark me, fir?
ALO~. Pr'ythee, no more ;
Thou doft talk nothing to me.
GON. I do well believe your highnefs; and did it
to minifter occasion to these gentlemen, who are of
fuch fenfible and nimble lungs, that they always use
to laugh at nothing.
ANT. 'Twas you we laugh'd at.
GON. Who, in this kind of merry fooling, am no-
thing to you : fo you may continue, and laugh at nothing
(till.
ANT. What a blow was there given ?
SEB. An it had not fallen flat-long.
GON. You are gentlemen of brave mettle ; you
would lift the moon out of her fphere, if me would
The Tempeft. 31
continue in it five weeks without changing.
[/olemn Mustek.
SEB. We would fo, and then go a bat-fowling.
ANT. Nay, good my lord, be not angry.
GON. No, I warrant you ; I will not adventure my
difcretion fo weakly : Will you laugh me afleep, for I
am very heavy ?
Ant. Go fleep, and hear us.
[GoN. ADR. FRA. and Train, Jleep.
ALO. What, all fo foon afleep! I wifh, mine eyes
Would, with themfelves, fhut up my thoughts ; I find,
They are inclin'd to do fo.
SEB. Please you, fir,
Do not omit the heavy offer of it :
It feldom visits forrow ; when it doth,
It is a comforter.
ANT. We two, my lord,
Will guard your perfon, while you take your reft,
And watch your fafety.
AL o . Thank you : Wondrous heavy.
SEB. What a ftrange drowsinefs posseffes them ?
ANT. It is the quality o' the climate.
S**. Why
Doth it not then our eye-lids fink ? I find not
Myfelf difpos'd to fleep.
ANT. Nor I; my fpirits are nimble.
They fell together all, as by confent ;
They dropt, as by a thunder-ftroke. What might
Worthy Sebaftian? o, what might ? No more :
And yet, methinks, I fee it in thy face,
What thou ftiould'ft be : the occasion fpeaks thee ; and
VOL. I. C
32 7'be 7'empeft.
My ftrong imagination fees a crown
Dropping upon thy head.
SEB. What, art thou waking?
Atff. Do you not hear me fpeak ?
SEB. I do : and, furely,
It is a fleepy language ; and thou fpeak'ft
Out of thy fleep : What is it thou did'ft fay ?
This is a ftrange repose, to be afleep
With eyes wide open ; Handing, fpeaking, moving,
And yet fo faft afleep.
ANT. Noble Sebajiian,
Thou let'ft thy fortune fleep j dye rather : wink'ft,
Whiles thou art waking.
SEB. Thou doft fnore diftinftly ;
There's meaning in thy fnores.
ANT. I am more ferious than my cuftom : you
Muft be fo too, if heed me ; which to do,
Trebles thee o'er.
SEB. Well ; I am {landing water.
ANT. I'll teach you how to flow.
SEB. Do fo : to ebb,
Hereditary floth inftrucls me.
ANT. O,
If you but knew, how you the purpose cherifli,
Whiles thus you mock it ! how, in {tripping it,
You more invert it ! Ebbing men, indeed,
Moft often do fo near the bottom run,
By their own fear, or floth.
SEB. Pr'ythee, fay on :
The fetting of thine eye, and cheek, proclaim
A matter from thee ; and a birth, indeed,
Which throes thee much to yield.
The rempe/f. 33
Avr. Thus, fir :
Although this lord of weak remembrance, "f this,
(Who fhall be of as little memory,
When he is earth'd) hath here almoft perfuaded
(For he's a fpirit of perfuasion, only
ProfefTes to perfuade) the king, his Ton's alive;
'Tis as impoflible that he's undrown'd,
As he, that fleeps here, fwims.
SEE. I have no hope,
That he's undrown'd.
ANT. O, out of that no hope,
What great hope have you ! no hope, that way, is
Another way fo high a hope, that even
Ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond,
But doubts difcovery there. Will you grant with me,
That Ferdinand is drown'd ?
SEE. He's gone.
Ay?. Then, tell me,
Who's the next heir of Naples?
SEB. ClaribeL
ANY. She that is queen of Tunis'; fhe that dwells
Ten leagues beyond man's life ; fhe that from Naples
Can have no note, unlefs the fun were port,
(The man i' the moon's too flow) 'till new-born chins
Be rough and razorable ; fhe from whom
We were fea-fwallow'd, though fome caft again;
And (by that deftiny) to perform an aft,
Whereof, what's paft is prologue ; what to come,
In yours, and my difcharge.
SEB. What fluff is this t How fay you ?
'Tis true, my brother's daughter's queen of Tunis ;
So is fhe heir of Naples ; 'twixt which regions
'5 doubt *5 she that from * We all were
54 The Tempeft.
There is fome fpace.
ANT. A fpace, whose every cubit
Seems to cry out, Honu Jhall that Claribel
Measure us back to Naples ? Keep in Tunis,
And let Sebaftian wake Say, this were death
That now hath feiz'd them ; why, they were no worfe
Than now they are : There be, that can rule Naples
As well as he that fleeps ; lords, that can prate
As amply, and unneceflarily,
As this Gonzalo; I myfelf could make
A chough of as deep chat. O, that you bore
The mind that I do ! what a fleep were this
For your advancement ? Do you underfland me ?
SEB. Methinks, I do.
Avr. And how does your content
Tender your own good fortune ?
SEB. I remember,
You did fupplant your brother Profpero.
ANT. True :
And, look, how feat my garments fit upon me ;
Much feater than before : My brother's fervants
Were then my fellows, now they are my men.
S EB. But, for your confcience
ANT . Ay, fir ; but where lyes that ? if 'twere a kybe,
'Twould put me to my flipper : But I feel not
This deity in my bosom : twenty confciences,
That fland 'twixt me and Milan, candy'd be they,
Would melt, ere they moled. Here lyes your brother,
No better than the earth he lyes upon,
If he were that which now he's like, that's dead ;
Whom I with this obedient fteel, three inches of it,
Can lay to bed for ever : whiles you, doing ~|~ thus,
48 And melt
Tke Ttmpejl. 35
To the perpetual wink for aye might put
This ancient morfel, this fir Prudence, who
Should not upbraid our courfe : For all the reft,
They'll take fuggeftion, as a cat laps milk ;
They'll tell the clock to any businefs that
We fay befits the hour.
SEB. Thy cafe, dear friend,
Shall be my precedent ; as thou got'ft Mi/an,
I'll come by Naples. Draw thy fword : one itroke
Shall free thee from the tribute which thou pay'ft;
And I the king mall love thee.
AST . Draw together :
And when I rear my hand, do you the like
To fall it on Gonzak.
SEB. O, but one word. [they talk apart.
Enter ARIEL, invisible.
ARI. "My mafter through his art forefees the danger"
" That you, his friend, are in ; and fends me forth "
" (For elfe his projeft dies) to keep them living."
[Jings in Gonzalo's Ear.
While you here do f nor ing lye,
open-ey'd confpiracy
bis time doth take :
If of life you keep a care,
jhake offjlumber, and beTvare :
awake! awake!
Avf. Then let us both be fudden.
GON. Now, good angels preserve the king !
[ft art ing up. All wake.
AiQ. Why, how now, ho ! awake ? _ Why are you
Wherefore this gaftly looking ? [drawn ?
Gotf. What's the matter ?
C3
36 The Tempejt.
SEB. Whiles we flood here fecuring your repose,
Even now, we heard a hollow burft of bellowing
Like bulls, or rather lions ; Did't not wake you ?
It ftrook mine ear mofl terribly.
ALO. 1 heard nothing.
An?. O, 'twas a din to fright a monfter's ear ;
To make an earth-quake ! fure, it was the roar
Of a whole herd of lions.
ALO. Heard you this, Gonzalo?
GON. Upon mine honour, fir, I heard a humming,
And that a ftrange one too, which did awake me :
I fhak'd you, fir, and cry'd; as mine eyes open'd,
I faw their weapons drawn : there was a noise,
That's verily : 'Tis beft, we ftand upon our guard ;
Or that we quit this place : let's draw our weapons.
ALO. Lead off this ground ; and let's make further
For my poor fon. [fearch
GON. Heavens keep him from these beads!
For he is, fure, i' the ifland.
ALO. Lead away.
ARI. "Profperomy lord fhall know what I have done."
" So, king, go fafely on to feek thy fon." {Exeunt.
SCENE II. Another Part of the Ifland.
Enter CALIBAN, iuitb a Burthen of Wood :
A Noise of Thunder beard.
CAL. All the infections that the fun fucks up
[throwing do-ivn his Burthen.
From bogs, fens, flats, on Profpir fall, and make him
By inch-meal a disease ! His fpirits hear me,
And yet I needs muft curfe. But they'll not pinch,
Fright me with urchin (hews, pitch me i' th' mire,
The Tempejt. 37
Nor lead me, like a fire-brand, in the dark
Out of my way, unlefs he bid 'em ; but
For every trifle are they fet upon me :
Sometime like apes, that moe and chatter at me,
And after bite me ; then like hedge-hogs, which
Lye tumbling in my bare-foot way, and mount
Their pricks at my foot-fall ; fometime am I
All wound with adders, who with cloven tongues
Do hifs me into madnefs; Lo, now, lo !
Enter TRJNCULO.
Here comes a fpirit of his; and to torment me,
For bringing wood in flowly : I'll fall flat ;
\cafl 3 himfelf on the Ground.
Perchance, he will not mind me.
TRI. Here's neither bufli nor fhrub, to bear off" any
weather at all ; and another ftorm brewing, I hear it
fing i' th' wind : yond 1 fame black cloud, yond' huge
one, looks like a foul bumbard that would fhed his li-
quor : if it fhould thunder, as it did before, I know not
where to hide my head : yond' fame cloud cannot choose
but fall by pail-fulls. What have we here? [feeing
Caliban.] a man, or a fifli? Dead, or alive ? A fifli : he
fmells like a fifh ; a very ancient and fifli-like fmell; a
kind of, not of the neweft, poor-Jokn. A ftrange fifli !
Were I in England now, (as once I was) and had but
this fifh painted, not a holiday fool there but would
give a piece of filver : there would this monfter make
a man ; any ftrange bead there makes a man ; when
they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar,
they will lay out ten to fee a dead Indian. Leg'd like
a man ! and his fins like arms ! Warm, o'my troth! I
do DO\V Let loofc my opinion, hold it no longer; this
C 4
38 The Tempejt.
is no fifh, but an iflander, that hath lately fuffer'd by a
thunder-bolt. [Thunder. ~\ Alas, the florm is come again :
my beft way is to creep under his gaberdine ; there is
no other fhelter hereabout : Misery acquaints a man
with ftrange bed-fellows : I will here mrowd 'till the
dregs of the florm be paft. [creeping under Caliban.
Enter ST EPH AN o, fenging; a Bottle in his Hand.
STE. IJhallno more tofea, tofea,
here Jhall 1 dye a-Jhore ;
This is a very fcurvy tune to fing at a man's funeral :
Well, here's my comfort. [drinks.
The majler, the fiuabber, the boatswain, and I,
the gunner, and his mate,
/cfVMall, Meg, WMarrian, and Margery,
but none of us c ar'd for Kate '.
for Jhe had a tongue with a tang,
would cry to a jailor, Go, hang;
Jhe lo'v'd not the favour of tar nor of pitch,
yet a tailor might f cratch her 'where- e'er Jhe did itch :
then tofea, boys, and let her go hang.
This is a fcurvy tune too : But here's my comfort, [drinks.
CAL. Do not torment me : O !
STE. What's the matter? Have we devils here ? Do
you put tricks upon's. with favages, and men of Inde?
Ha ! I have not 'fcap'd drowning, to be afeard now of
your four legs ; for it hath been faid, As proper a man
as ever went on four legs cannot make him give ground :
and it mall be faid fo again, while Stephana breaths at
noftrils.
CAL. The fpirit torments me ; O !
STE. This is fome moniler of the ifle, with four legs;
who hath got, as I take it, an ague : Where, the devil,
The Tempeft. 39
fiiould he learn our language ? I will give him fbme
relief, if it be but for that : If I can recover him, and
keep him tame, and get to Naples with him, he's a pre-
sent for any emperor that ever trod on neat's-leather.
CAL. Do not torment me, pr'ythee ; I'll bring my
wood home fafter.
STE. He's in his fit now; and does not talk after
the wiseft : He mail tafte of my bottle : if he have
never drunk wine afore, it will go near to remove his
fit : If I can recover him, and keep him tame, I will
not take too much for him ; he {hall pay for him, that
hath him, and that foundly.
CAL. Thou doft me yet but little hurt; thou wilt
anon, I know it by thy trembling: Now Pro/per works
upon thee.
STE. Come on your ways ; open your mouth ; here
is that which will give language to you, cat ; open your
mouth : this will make your making, I can tell you,
and that foundly : you cannot tell who's your friend ;
open your chaps again.
TRI. 1 mould know that voice : It mould be But
he is drown'd ; and these are devils : O, defend me !
STE. Four legs, and two voices ; a moll delicate
monfter! His forward voice now is to fpeak well of his
friend ; his backward voice is to utter foul fpeeches, and
to detradl : If all the wine in my bottle will recover him,
I will help his ague : Come, Amen ; I will pour fome
in thy other mouth.
TRI. Stephana,
- STE. Doth thy other mouth call me? mercy, mercy!
This is a devil, and no monfter : I will leave him ; I
have no long fpoon.
40 ?be Tempejl.
TRI. Stephana, if thou be' ft Stephana, touch me, and
fpeak to me ; for I am Trinculo, be not afeard, thy
good friend Trincuh.
STE. If thou be'ft Trinculo, come forth ; I'll pull thee
by the lefler legs ; if any be Trinculo's legs, these are
they : [hauling him : he and Cal. rise.] Thou art very
Trinculo indeed : How cam'ft thou to be the fiege of this
moon-calf? can he vent Trinculo*s ?
T"RI. I took him to be kill'd with a thunder-ftroke ;
But art thou not drown'd, Stephana? I hope now, thou
art not drown'd : Is the ftorm over-blown ? I hid me
under the dead moon-calf's gaberdine, for fear of the
ftorm : And art thou living, Stephana? O Stephana, two
Neapolitans 'fcap'd !
STE. Pr'ythee, do not turn me about; my ftomach
is not conftant.
CAL . These be fine things, an if they be not fprights!
That's a brave god, and bears celeftial liquor :
I will kneel to him.
STE. How did'ft thou 'fcape ? How cam'ft thou hi-
ther ? fwear by this bottle, how thou cam'ft hither. I
efcap'd upon a but of fack, which the failors heaved
o'er- board, by this bottle ! which I made of the bark of
a tree, with mine own hands, fince I was caft a -more.
CAL. I'll fwear, upon that bottle, to be thy true fub-
jeft ; for the liquor is not earthly.
STE. Here; fwear then how thou efcap'dft.
TKI. Sworn a-fhore, man, like a duck; I can fwim
like a duck, I'll be fworn.
STE. Here, ~|~ kifs the book: Though thou can'ft
fwim like a duck, thou art made like a goofe.
T*/. O Stephana, haft any more of this ?
The Tempeft. 41
STE. The whole but, man ; my cellar is in a rock by
th' Tea-fide, where my wine is hid._Kow now, moon-
calf ? how does thine ague ?
CAL. Haft thou not dropt from heaven ?
STE. Out o' th' mcon, I do aflure thee : I was the
man i' th' moon, when time was.
CAL. I have feen thce in her ; and I do adore thee :
My miftrefs fhew'd me thee, and thy dog, and thy buih.
STE. Come, fwear to that; kifs the book: 1 will
furnifh it anon with new contents : ~f" fwear.
TRI. By this good light, this is a very mallow mon-
fter : I afeard of him ? a very weak monfter: The
man i' th' moon ? a moft poor credulous monfter :
Well drawn, monfter, in good footh.
CAL. I'll (hew thee every fertil inch o'the ifle ;
And I will kifs thy foot : I pr'ythee, be my god.
7 RI. By this light, a moft perfidious and drunken
monfter; when's god's afleep, he'll rob his bottle.
CAL . I'll kifs thy foot : I'll fwear myfelf thy fubjeft.
STE. Come on then; down, and fwear.
TRI. I fhall laugh myfelf to death at this puppy-
headed monfter : A moft fcurvy monfter : I could find
in my heart to beat him,
STE. Come, kifs.
TRI. but that the poor monfter's in drink : An abo-
minable monfter. [berries ;
CAL. I'll mew thee the beft fprings ; I'll pluck thee
I'll fifh for thee, and get thee wood enough.
A plague upon the tyrant that I ferve !
I'll bear him no more flicks, but follow thee,
Thou wondrous man.
TRI. A moft ridiculous monfter; to make a wonder
4Z The Tempeft.
of a poor drunkard !
CAL . I pr'y thee, let me bring thee where crabs grow ;
And I with my long nails will dig thee pig-nuts ;
Show thee a jay's neft, and inftruft thee how
To fnare the nimble marmoset ; I'll bring thee
To cluft'ring filberds, and fometimes I'll get thee
Young fcamels from the rock : Wilt thou go with me ?
$T. I pr'y thee now, lead the way without any more
talking. Trinculc, the king, and all our company elfe,
being drown'd, we will inherit here. _ Here, [to Cal.]
bear my bottle :_ Fellow Trinculo, we'll fill him by and
by again.
CAL. Fare-ivel, mafter ; fanivel, fare*wel.
\_fenging drunkenly,
TRI. A howling monfter ; a drunken monfter.
CAL . No more dams I'll make for fijb ;
nor fetch infring
at requiring,
nor f crape trencher ing, nor nvajh dijh :
'Ban, 'Ban, Ca- Caliban
has a ne<w mafter, Get a neiu man.
Freedom, hey-day ! hey-day, freedom ! freedom, hey-
day, freedom !
STE. O brave monfter ! lead the way. [Exeunt.
AC? III.
5 CE NE 1. Before ProfperoV Cell.
Enter FERDINAND, bearing a Log.
[bour
PER. There be fome fports are painful ; and their la-
Delight in them fets off: fome kinds of bafenefs
3* fet
The Tempejl. 43
Are nobly undergone ; and moft poor matters
Point to rich ends : This my mean talk would be
As heavy to me, as 'ti0 odious ; but
The miftrefs, which I ferve, quickens what's dead,
And makes my labours pleasures : O, fhe is
Ten times more gentle, than her father's crabbed;
And he's compos'd of harfhnefs. I muft remove
Some thousands of these logs, and pile them up,
Upon a fore injunction : my fweet miftrefs
Weeps, when me fees me work ; and fays, fuch bafenefs
Had ne'er like executor. I forget :
But these fweet thoughts do even refrefh my labours ;
Moft busy-lefs, when I do it.
Enter MIRANDA ; aw</PROSPERO,
at a Diftance, unfeen.
MIR. Alas, now ! pray you,
Work not fo hard : I would, the lightning had
Burnt up those logs that you're enjoin'd to pile !
Pray, fet it down, and reft you : when this burns,
'Twill weep for having weary'd you : My father
Is hard at ftudy ; pray now, reft yourfelf ;
He's fafe for these three hours.
PER. O moft dear miftrefs,
The fun will fet before I fhall difcharge
What I muft ftrive to do.
MIR. If you'll fit down,
I'll bear your logs the while: Pray, give me that ;
I'll carry't to the pile.
PER. No, precious creature ;
I had rather crack my finews, break my back,
Than you mould fuch difhonour undergo,
While I fit lazy by.
'3 bufie left
44
MIR. It would become me
As well as it does you : and I fliould do it
With much more ease ; for my good will is to it,
And yours it is againft.
PRO. "Poor worm, thou art infefted;"
"This visitation fliews it."
MIR. You look wearily.
FER. No, noble miftrefs ; 'tis frefh morning with me,
When you are by at night. I do befeech you,
(Chiefly, that I might fet it in my prayers)
What is you name ?
MIR. Miranda: O my father,
I have broke your heft to fay fo.
FER. Admir'd Miranda !
Indeed, the top of admiration ; worth
What deareft to the world ! Full many a lady
I have ey'd with beft regard ; and many a time
The harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
Brought my too diligent ear : for feveral virtues
Have I lik'd feveral women ; never any
With fo full foul, but fome defect in her
Did quarrel with the nobleft grace (he ow'd,
And put it to the foil : But you, o you,
So perfedl, and fo peerlefs, are created
Of every creature's beft.
MIR . I do not know
One of my fex ; no woman's face remember,
Save, from my glafs, my own ; nor have I feen
More that I may call men, than you, good friend,
And my dear father : how features are abroad,
I am fkill-lefs. of ; but, by my modefty,
(The jewel in my dower) 1 would not wifti
The Tempejl. 45
Any companion in the world but you ;
Nor can imagination form a fhape,
Befidcs yourfelf, to like of: But I prattle
Something too wildly, and my father's precepts
I therein do forget.
PER. I am, in my condition,
A prince, Miranda ; I do think, a king ;
(I would not fo!) and would no more endure
This \vooden flavery, than I would fuffer
The flefh-fly blow my mouth : Hear my foul fpeak ;
The very inftant that I faw you, did
My heart fly to your fervice ; there reside?,
To make me flave to it ; and, for your fake,
Am I this patient log-man.
MIR . Do you love me ?
PER. O heaven, o earth, bear witnefs to this found,
And crown what I profefs with kind event,
If I fpeak true; if hollowly, invert
What beft is boded me, to mifchief ! I,
Beyond all limit of what elfe i'the world,
Do love, prize, honour you.
MIR. 1 am a fool,
To weep at what I am glad of.
PRO. " Fair encounter"
"Of two moft rare affections! Heavens rain grace"
" On that which breeds between them ! "
FER. Wherefore weep you r
MIR. At mine unworthinefs, that dare not offer
What I desire to give ; and much lefs take
What I (hall dye to want: But this is trifling;
And all the more it feeks to hide itfelf,
The bigger bulk it {hews. Hence, bafhful cunning ;
9 then to fuffer
46 The Tempeft.
'And prompt me, plain and holy innocence !
I am your wife, if you will marry me ;
If not, I'll dye your maid : to be your fellow
You may deny me ; but I'll be your fervant,
Whether you will or no.
FER. My miftrefs, deareft,
And I thus humble ever.
MIR. My husband then ?
FER. Ay, with a heart as willing
As bondage e'er of freedom : here's my hand. [wel,
MIR. And mine, with my heart in't: And now, fare-
'Till half an hour hence.
FER. A thousand thousand !
[Exeunt FER. and Mi R . federally.
PRO. So glad of this as they, I cannot be,
Who are furpriz'd with all ; but my rejoicing
At nothing can be more. I'll to my book ;
For yet, ere fupper-time, muft I perform
Much businefs appertaining. [Exit.
SCENE II. Another Part of the Jjland.
Enter STEPHANO, aWTRiNCuto, reeling ;
CALIBAN following, with the Bottle.
SrE. Tell not me ; when the but is out, we will
drink water; not a drop, before : therefore bear up, and
board 'em : Servant monfter, drink to me.
TRI. Servant monfter ? the folly of this ifland ! They
fay, there's but five upon this ifle : we are three of them;
if the other two be brain'd like us, the ftate totters.
STE. Drink, fervant moniter, when I bid thee ; thy
eyes are almoft fet in thy head.
TKI. Where fhould they be fet elfe ? he were a brave
T&e TempeJI. 47
ir.onfter indeed, if they were fet in his tail.
STE. My man monfter hath drown'd his tongue in
fack : for my part, the fea cannot drown me ; I fwam,
ere I could recover the ftiore, five and thirty leagues,
off" and on, by this light Thou fhalt be my lieutenant,
moniler, or my ftandard.
T'RI. Your lieutenant, if you lift ; he's no ftandard.
STE. We'll not run, monfieur moniter.
TRI. Nor go neither: but you'll lye, like dogs ; and
yet fay nothing neither.
STE. Moon-calf, fpeak once in thy life, if thou be'ft
a good moon-calf.
^CAL. How does thy honour ? Let me lick thy fhoe:
I'll not ferve him, he is not valiant.
TRI. Thou ly'ft, moft ignorant monfter; I am in
cafe to juftle a conftable : Why, thou debofh'd fifti thou,
was there ever man a coward, that hath drunk fo much
fack as I to-day ? Wilt thou tell me a monftrous lye,
being but half a fim, and half a monfter?
CAL. Lo, how he mocks me; Wilt thou let him, my
lord ?
TRI. Lord, quoth he ? that a monfter mould be fuch
a natural !
CAL. Lo, lo, again : bite him to death, I pr'ythee.
STE. Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head; if
you prove a mutineer, the next tree : the poor monfter's
my fubjecl, and he fliall not fuffer indignity.
CAL, I thank my noble lord. Wilt thou be pleas'd
To hearken once again to the fuit I made to thee ?
STE. Marry, will I : kneel, and repeat it ; I will
ftand, and fo lhall Trivculo.
Enter ARIEL, invisible.
s v. Note.
VOL. r. D
48 The Tempeft.
CAL. As I told thee before, t am fubjedl to a tyrant;
a forcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of the
ifland.
ARI. Thouly'ft.
CAL. Thou4y'ft, thou jefting monkey thou;
T would, my valiant matter would deftroy thee :
I do not lye.
STE. Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in's tale,
by this hand, I will fupplant fome of your teeth.
TRI. Why, I faid nothing.
STE. Mum, then, and no more: _ Proceed.
CAL. I fay, by forcery he got this ifle ;
From me he got it: If thy greatnefs will
Revenge it on him, for, I know, thou dar'ft ;
But this "|" thing dare not,
STE. That's moft certain.
CAL. thou malt be lord of it, and I'll ferve thee.
STE. How now fhall this be compaiTdr Can'il thoa
bring me to the party ?
CAL. Yea, yea, my lord ; I'll yield him thee afieep,
Where thou may'ft knock a nail into his head.
ARI. Thou ly'ft, thou can'ft not.
CAL . What apy'd ninny's this ? Thou fcurvy patch!
I do befeech thy greatnefs, give him blows,
And take his bottle from him : when that's gone,
He (hall drink nought but brine ; for I'll not fhew him
Where the quick frefhes are.
STE. Trinculo, run into no further danger : interrupt
the monfter one word further, and, by this hand, I'll turn
my mercy out o' doors, and make a ftock-fim of thee.
TRI. Why, what did I? I did nothing: I'll go no
farther oft.
The Tempejl. 49
Srs. Did'ft thou not fay, he ly'd?
ARI. Thou ly'ft.
5rE. Do I fo ? take thou that : {ftriking him.'] As you
like this, give me the lye another time.
TRI. I did not give the lye : Out o' your wits, and
hearing too ? ~ A pox o' your bottle ! this can fack, and
drinking, do. A murrain on your monfter, and the
devil take your fingers !
CAL. Ha, ha, ha.
STE. Now forward with your tale.Pr'ythee, Hand
further off.
CAL. Beat him enough : after a little time,
I'll beat him too.
STE. Stand further Come, proceed.
CAL. Why, as I told thee, 'tis a cuftom with him
I' the afternoon to fleep : there thou may'ft brain him,
Having firft feiz'd his books ; or with a log
Batter his fkull, or paunch him with a flake,
Or cut his wezand with thy knife : Remember,
Firft to possefs his books : for without them
He's but a fot, as I am ; nor hath not
One fpirit to command ; they all do hate him
As rootedly as I : burn but his books.
He has brave utenfils, (for fo he calls them)
Which, when he has a houfe, he'll deck withal.
And that moft deeply to confider, is
The beauty of his daughter ; he himfelf
Calls her, a non-pareil : I never faw a woman,
But only Sjcorax my dam, and (he ;
But me as far furpafleth Sjcorax,
As great'ft does leaft.
STE. Is it fo brave a lafs ?
D 2
50
The
CAL. Ay, lord ; (he will become thy bed, I warrant,
And bring thee forth brave b.*ood.
STE. Monfter, I will kill this man : his daughter and
I will be king and queen ; (faveour graces !} and Trin-
fulo and thyfeff (hall be viceroys : _ Doft thou like the
plot, Trin:ulo?
TRI. Excellent.
STE . Give me thy hand ; I am forry, I beat thee : but,
while thou liv'ft, keep a good tongue in thy head.
CAL. Within this haif hour will he be afleep ;
Wilt thou deftroy him then :
STE. Ay, on mine honour.
ARI. "This will I tell my matter. "
CAL . Thou mak'ft me merry : I am full of pleasure ;
Let us be jocund : Will you troul the catch
Yea taught me but while-ere ?
STE. At thy requeft, monfter, I will do reason, any
reason : _Come on, Trinculo ; let us fing.
Flout 'em, and jcout ''em ; and fcout 'e/n, and flout 'em ;
Thought it free
CAL. That's not the tune.
[Ariel plays the Tune on a Tabor and Pipe.
STE. What is this fame ?
TRI. This is the tune of our catch, play'd by the
pifture of no-body.
STE. If thou be'ft a man, (hew thyfelf in thy like-
nefs : if thou be'ft a devil, take't as thou lift.
TRI. O, forgive me my fins !
STE. He that dies, pays all debts : I defy thee :
Mercy upon us !
CAL. Art thou afcard?
STE. No, monfter, not I.
The Tempeft. 51
CJL. Be not afear'd ; the ifle is full of noises,
Sounds, and fweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand (wangling inftruir.ents
Will hum about mine ears ; and fometime voices,
That, if I then had wak'd after long fleep,
Will make me fleep again : and then, in dreaming.
The clouds, methought, would open, and ftiew riches
Ready to drop upon me; that, when I wak'd,
I cry'd to dream again.
STE. This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where
I fhall have my musick for nothing.
CJL . When Projpero is deftroy'd.
STE. That fhall be by and by : I remember the
flory.
TRI. The found is going away : let's follow it,
.And after do our work.
S-TE . Lead, monfler; we'll follow I would, I could
fee this laborer ; he lays it on.
TRI. Wilt come r
STE. I'll follow. [Exeunt.
SCENE III. AwtkerPartoftbelJland.
Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, GONZALO,
ADRIAN, FRANCISCO, and Others.
GON. By'r-lakin, I can go no further, fir;
My old bones ake : Here's a maze trod, indeed,
Through forth-rights, and meanders ! by your patience,
I needs muft relt me.
ALO. Old lord, I cannot blame thee,
Who am myfelf attach'd with wearinefs,
To the dulling of my fpirits : fit down, and reft.
Even here I will put off my hope, and keep it
10 v. Note,
5Z The Tempejl.
No longer for my flatterer : he is drown'd,
Whom thus we llray to find ; and the fea mocks
Our fruftrate fearch on land : Well, let him go.
ANT. " I am right glad, that he's fo out of hope. "
" Do not, for one repulfe, forego the purpose"
" That you resolv'd to effect. "
SEB. " The next advantage "
" Will we take throughly. "
ANT. "Let it be to-night;"
" For, now they are oppreff'd with travail, they"
" Will not, nor cannot, use fuch vigilance "
"As when they are frefli, "
SEE. " I fay, to-night : no more."
Solemn andftrange Mustek : and Profpero,
on the Top, invisible. Enter federal Jlrange Shapes,
bringing in a Banquet ; and dance about it, 'with
gentie Actions of Salutation ; and, inviting the
King, ffr. to eat, they depart.
ALO. What harmony is this? my good friends, hark.
CON. Marvelous fweet musick ! [these ?
ALO. Give us kind keepers, heavens ! What were
SEB. A living drolery : Now I will believe,
That there are unicorns ; that in Arabia
There is one tree, the phoenix' throne ; one phcenix,
At this hour reigning there.
ANT. I'll believe both ;
And what does elfe want credit, come to me,
And I'll be fworn 'tis true : Travellers ne'er did lye,
Though fools at home condemn 'em.
GON, If in Naples
T mould report this now, would they believe me ?
If I mould fay, I faw fuch iflanders,
Tie Tcmpejf. 53
(For, certes, these are people of the ifland)
Who though they are of monftrous fhape, yet, note,
Their manners are more gentle, kind, than of
Our human generation you lhall find
Many, nay, almoll any.
PRO. "Honeft lord,"
" Thou haft laid well ; for fome of you there present"
" Are worfe than devils."
ALO. I cannot too much muse;
Such ftiapes, fuch geiture, and fuch found, expreffing
(Although they want the ufe of tongue) a kind
Of excellent dumb difcourfe.
PRO. "Praise in departing."
FRA. They vanifh'd ftrangely.
SEE. No matter, fince [machs. _
They have left their viands behind ; for we have llo-
Wilt please you tafte of what is here ?
ALO. Not I. [boys,
GON. 'Faith, fir, you need not fear : When we were
Who would believe that there were mountaineers
Dew-lapt like bulls, whose throats had hanging at 'em
Wallets of flefli ? or that there were fuch men
Whose heads flood in their breafts ? which now, we find,
Each putter-out on five for one will bring us
Good warrant of.
ALO. I will ftand to, and feed,
Although my laft ; no matter, fince I feel
The beft is paft : Brother, my lord the duke,
Stand to, and do as we.
Thunder and Lightning. Enter ARIEL,
like a Harpy : claps his Wings upon the Table ; and, with
a queint Device, the Banquet vanijhes.
*4 out of five
D 4
54 The empej.
ARI. You are three men of fin, whom deftiny
(That hath to inflrument thib lower world,
And what is in't) the never- forfeited fea
Hath caused to belch up ; and on this ifland,
Where man doth not inhabit, you 'monglt men
Iking moft unfit to live. I have made you mad ;
[jieiag them. dra<T.v-
.And even with fuch like valour men hang and drown
Their proper felves : Vou fools ! I and my fellows
Are minitlers of fate ; the elements
Of whom your fwords are temper'd may as well
Wound the loud winds, or with bemockt-at ftabs
Kill the rtill-closing waters, as diminifh
One down that's in my plume ; my fellow miniflers
Are like invulnerable: if you coujd hurt,
Your fwords are now too mafly for your llrengths,
And will not be uplifted: But remember
(For that's my businefs to you) that you three
From Milan did fupplant good Prcjpcro ;
Expos'd unto the lea (which hath requit it)
Him, and his innocent child : for which foul deed,
The powers (delaying, not forgetting) have
IncenPd the feas and fhores, yea, all the creatures,
Againft your peace : thee of thy fon, Alonso,
They have bereft ; and do pronounce by me,
Ling'ring perdition (worfe than any death
Can be at once) mail ftep by Itep attend
You, and your ways ; whose wraths to guard you from
(Which here, in this moil deiolate ifle, elfe falls
Upon your heads) is nothing, but heart's forrow,
J?.nd a clear life enfuing.
He VfOVjtft in Thunder : Tb;,^ to foft Mustek,
+ up you j V dov.ie that's in my plumbe
The Temfejl. 55
Enter the Shapes again, and dance, with Mocks
and Macs, and carry out the Table.
PRO. ''Bravely the figure of this harpy haft thoa "
"Perform'd, my Ariel; a grace it had, devouring;"
" Of my inftruclion haft thou nothing 'bated, "
" In what thou had:! to fay: fo, with good life,"
"And observation ftrange, my meaner minifters"
" Their feveral kinds have done : my high charms work,"
"And these, mine enemies, are all knit up"
" In their diilractions , they now are in my power:"
" And in these fits I leave them, while I visit"
<x< Young Ferdinand, (whom they fuppose is drown'd)"
" And his and my lov'd darling." [Exit, from ato<ue.
CoA\ I' the name of fomething holy, fir, why ftand
In this ftrange ftare ? [you
ALQ. O, it is monfcrous, monftrous !
IVTethought, the billows fpoke, and told me of it,
The winds did fing it to me; and the thunder,
That deep and dreadful organ-pipe, pronounc'd
The name of Proper; it did bafe my trefpafs :
Therefore my ion i' the ooze is bedded ; and
I'll feek him deeper than e'er plummet founded,
And with him there lye mudcied. [Exit.
SEE. But one fiend at a time,
I'll fight their legions o'er. [Exit.
ANT. I'll be tl'7 fecond. [Exit.
GoA\ All three of them aredefperate; their great guilt,
Like poison, given to work a great time after,
Now 'gins to bite the f^ifits : t do befeech you,
That are of fuppler joints, follow them fwiftly ;
And hinder them from what this extafy
May now prcvoke them to.
13 mine lov'd
56 The Tempejt.
. Follow, I pray you. . [Exeunt.
ACT: iv.
SCENE, Before Profpero's Cell.
Enter PROSPERO, FERDINAND, and MIRANDA.
PRO. If I have too aufterely punifh'd you,
Your compenfation makes amends ; for I
Have given you here a third of mine own life,
Or that for which I live ; whom once again
I tender to thy hand : all thy vexations
Were but my trials of thy love, and thou
Haft ftrangely flood the teft : here, afore heaven,
I ratify this my rich gift : O Ferdinand,
Do not fmile at me, that I boaft her off;
For thon fhalt find, fhe will out-ftrip all praise,
And make it halt behind her.
PER. I do believe it
Againft an oracle,
Pzo. Then, as my gift, and thine own acquisition
Worthily purchaf'd, take my daughter: But
If thou doft break her virgin knot, before
All fandHmonious ceremonies may
With full and holy rite be minifter'd,
No fweet afperfion fhall the heavens let fall
To make this contract grow; but barren hate,
Sour-ey'd difdain, and difcord, mall beftrew
The union of your bed with weeds fo loathly,
That you mail hate it both : therefore take heed,
As Hymen's lamps mall light you.
Fes. As I hope
11 ray gucft, and
The Tetnpejl. 57
For quiet days, fair ifTue, and long life?
With fuch love as is now, The murkieft den,
The moft opportune place, the ftrong'rt fuggeftion
Our worfer genius can, Ihall never melt
Mine honour into luft ; to take away
The edge of that day's celebration,
When I (hall think, or Phcebus" fteeds are founder'd,
Or night kept chain'd below.
PRO. Fairly fpoke :
Sit then, and talk with her, (he is thine own._
"What, Ariel \ my induftrious fervant, Ariel!"
Enter ARIEL.
ARI. "What would my potent mailer ? here I am :*'
PRO. "Thou, and thy meaner fellows, your lad fer-
" Did worthily perform ; and I muft use you" [vice"
" In fuch another trick : go, bring the rabble,"
" O'er whom I give thee power, here, to this place :"
" Incite them to quick motion; for I muft"
" Beftow upon the eyes of this young couple"
" Some vanity of mine art; it is my promise,"
" And they expedl it from me."
ARI. ' Presently r"
PRO. ' A'/i with a twinck."
ARI. ' Before you can fay, Come, and go ;"
And breath twice; and cry, So,fo;"
Each one, tripping on his toe, "
Will be here with mop and moe : "
Do you love me, mafter? no. "
PRO. ' Dearly, my delicate Ariel: Do not approach,"
'Till thou doft hear me call. "
ARI. "Well, I conceive." [Exit ARIEL.
PRO. Look, thou be true; do not give dalliance
58 The Tempeft.
Too much the rein ; the ftrongeft oaths are ftraw
To the fire i' the blood : be more abftemious,
Or elfe good-night your vow.
FEK. I warrant you, fir ;
The white, cold, virgin fnow upon my heart
Abates the ardor of my liver.
PRO. Well.-
" Now come, my Ariel '; bring a corollary, "
" Rather than want a fpirit; appear, and pertly."
No tongue ; all eyes ; be filent. [ff f Mustek.
A Mafque. Enter IRIS.
/*/. Ceres, moft bounteous lady, thy rich leas
# Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and pease;
+ Thy turfy mountains, where live nibling meep,
x And flat mtads thatch'd with Mover, them to keep ;
m Thy banks with pioned and tilled brims,
Which fpungy April at thy heft betnms, [groves,
* To make cold nyrr r hs chad crowns ; and thy broom
Whose fhadow the difmifled batchelor loves,
Being lafs-lorn ; thy pole clipt vineyard ;
# And thy fea-marge, fteril, and rocky-hard,
g. Where thou thyfelf doft air ; The queen o'thc Iky,
Whose watry arch, and meflenger, am I,
Bids thee leave these ; and with her fovereign grace,
Here on this grafs-plot, in this very place,
9 To come and fport : her peacocks fly amain ;
% Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.
Enter CERES.
CEK. Hail, many-colour'd mefienger, that ne'er
Dolt dilbbey the wife of Jupiter ;
% Who, with thy faffron wings, upon my flowers
% Diffuscfl honey-drops, rcfrefhing (bowers;
16 Uvilltd
The Tempejl. 59
, And with each end of thy blue bow dofc crown
* My boflcy acres, and my unfhrub'd down,
Rich fcarf to my proud earth ; Why hath thy queen
* Summon'd me hither to this mort-graff'd green?
* IRI. A contradl of true love to celebrate ;
, And fome donation freely to eftate
* On the bleft lovers.
* CEK. Tell me, heavenly bow,
* If Venus, or her fon, as thou doft know,
* Do now attend the queen ? fince they did plot
* The means that dufky Dis my daughter got,
* Her and her blind boy's fcandal'd company
* I have fore-fworn.
* IRI. Of her fociety
* Be not afraid . I met her deity
* Cutting the clouds towards Papbos ; and her fon
* Dove-drawn with her : here thought they to have done
* Some wanton charm upon this man and maid,
* Whose vows are, that no bed-right fhall be pay'd
* 'Till Hymen 's torch be lighted : but in vain ;
* Man's hot minion is return'd again ;
* Her wafpifh-headed fon has broke his arrows,
* Swears he will moot no more, but play with fparrows,
* And be a boy right-out.
CER. High'ft queen of flate,
* Great Juno, comes ; I know her by her gait.
Enter JUNO.
^ JUN, How does my bounteous fifter ? Go with me,
* To blefs this twain ; that they may profp'rous be,
* And honour'd in their iflue.
SONG.
^ JUN. Honour, richer, marriage- blejfing,
60 The Tempejl.
long continuance, and encreajlng,
hourly joys be Jlill upon you !
Junoy/wg-j her blefjings on you,
Ccr Earth's encreafe, and foizon plenty ;
barns, and garners, never empty ;
vines, with duff ring bunches growing \
plants, with goodly burthen bowing ;
fpring come to you, at tbefarthefl,
in the very end of harvejl !
fear city, and want, Jhall jhun you ;
Ceres' blejjingfo is on you.
PER. This is a moil majeftic vision, and
Harmonious-charming lay : May I be bold
To think these fpirits ?
PRO. Spirits, which by mine art
I have from their confines call'd to enat
My present fancies.
FER. Let me live here ever ;
So rare a wonder'd father, and a wife,
Makes this place paradife.
Juno and Ceres wbijper, and fend Iris on Employment.
PRO. Now, filence, fweet !
"Juno, and Ceres, whifper ferioufly ;
There's fomething elfe to do : hum, and be mute,
Or elfe our fpell is mar'd. [brooks,
IRI. You nymphs, call'd Nayads, of the wind'ring
With your fedg'd crowns, and ever-harmlefs looks,
Leave your crifp channels, and on this green-land
Anfvver your fummons : "Juno does command :
Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate
A contrail of true love ; be not too late.
Enter certain Nymphs.
'3 charmingly : * J Sweet now, filence :
The Tempejl. 61
You fun-burnt ficklemen of Auguft weary,
Come hither from the furrow, and be merry ;
Make holiday : your rye-ftraw hats put on,
And these frefh nymphs encounter every one
In country footing.
Enter certain Reapers, properly habited ':
they join 'with the Nymphi in a graceful Dance ; towards
the End 'whereof, Profpero ft arts fuddenly, and /peaks ;
after 'which, to a Jlrange, hollow, and confused Noise,
they heavily vanijh.
PRO. "I had forgot that foul confpiracy"
" Of the bead Caliban, and his confederates,"
" Againft my life ; the minute of their plot "
" Is almoft come: "_ Well done; avoid; nomore. [fion,
PER . This is mofl ftrange : your father's in fome paf-
That works him ftrongly.
MIR. Never 'till this day
Saw I him touch'd with anger fo diftemper'd.
PRO. You do look, my fon, in a mov'd fort,
As if you were difmay'd : be cheerful, fir.
Our revels now are ended : these our actors,
As I fore-told you, were all fpirits ; and
Are melted into air, into thin air :
And, like the bafelefs fabrick of this vision,
The cloud-capt towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The folemn temples, the great globe itfelf,
Yea, all, which it inherit, fhall dissolve;
And, like this infubftantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind : We are fuch fluff
As dreams are made on ; and our little life
Is rounded with a fleep. Sir, I am vext ;
Bear with my weaknefs ; my old brain is troubl'd :
6 2 The Tempejt.
Be not diflurb'd with my infirmity :
If you be pleas'd, retire into my cell,
And there repose ; a turn or two I'll walk,
To ftill my beating mind.
PER. MIR. We wiih your peace. {Exeunt.
PRO. Come with a thought,! thank ye_^m/,come.
Enter ARIEL.
^Ri. Thy thoughts I cleave to : What's thy pleasure?
PRO. Spirit,
We muft prepare to meet with Caliban.
ARI. Ay, my commander: when 1 presented Ceres,
I thought to have told thee of it ; but I fear'd
Left I might anger thee. [varlets ?
PRO. OcII ; fay again, where didft thou leave these
As. i. I told you, fir, they were red-hot with drinking:
So full of valour, that they fmote the air
For breathing in their faces ; beat the ground
For kifiing of their feet : yet always bending
Towards their project : Then I beat my tabor ;
At which, like unbackt colts, they prick'd their ears,
Advanc'd their eye-lids, lifted up their noses
As they fmelt musick; fo I charm'd their ears,
That, calf-like, they my lowing follow'd, through
Tooth'd briars, (harp furzes, pricking gofs, and thorns,
Which enter'd their frail fhins : at laft I left them
I' the filthy mantl'd pool beyond your eel!,
There dancing up to the chins, that the foul lake
O'er-ftunk their feet.
PRO. This was well done, my bird :
Thy (hape invisible retain thou ftill :
The trumpery in my houfe, go, bring it hither,
For flale to catch these thieves.
6 thank thee
The TemprJ}. 63
ARI. I go, I go. [Exit.
PRO. A devil, a born devil, on whose nature
Nurture can never flick ; on whom my pains,
Humanely taken, all, all loft, quite loft ;
And as, with age, his body uglier grows,
So his mind cankers : I will plague them all,
Re-enter ARIEL, leaden with gli ft' ring Apparel, &C.
Even to roaring : _ Come, hang them on this line.
Profpero, and Ariel, invisible. Enter CALIBAN,
STEPHANO, aWTaiNCULo, all wet. [not
CAL . Pray you, tread foftly, that the blind mole may
Hear a foot fall : we now are near his cell.
STE. Monfter, your fairy, which, you fay, is a harm-
lefs fairy, has done little better than play'd the Jack
with us.
TRI. Monfter, T do fmell all horfe-pifs ; at which
my nose is in great indignation.
STE. So is mine. Do you hear, monfter; If I mould
take a difpleasure againft you, look you,
TRI. thou wert but a loft monfter.
CAL. Good QOOtJ my lord, give me thy favour ftill :
Be patient, for the prize I'll bring thee to ly ;
Shall hood- wink this mifchance : therefore, fpeak fofc-
All's hufht as midnight yet.
TRI. Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool,
STE. There is not only difgrace and difhonour in
that, monfter, but an infinite lofs.
TRI. That's more to me than my wetting: Yet this
is your harmlefs fairy, monfter.
STE. \ will fetch off my bottle, though I be o'er ears
for my labour.
CAL. Pr'ythee, my king, be quiet: See'ft thou here,
* on them f\
VOL. L E
64 T
This is the mouth o' the cell ; no noise, and entef :
Do that good mifchief, which may make this ifland
Thine own for ever ; and I, thy Caliban,
For aye thy foot-licker.
STE. Give me thy hand: I do begin to have bloody
thoughts.
TRI. O king Stepkano! O peer! O worthy Stephana!
look, what a wardrobe here is for thee !
CAL. Let it alone, thou fool ; it is but tram.
<TRI. Oh ho, monfter ; we know what belongs to a
frippery : O king Stephana !
S-TE. Put off that gown, Trinculo; by this hand, I'll
have that gown.
TJ?/. Thy grace (hall have it.
CAL. The dropfy drown this fool! \vhatdoyoumean,
To doat thus on fuch luggage ? Let's along,
And do the murther firtt : if he awake,
From toe to crown he'll fill our (kins with pinches ;
Make us ftrange fluff.
STE. Be you quiet, monfter Miftrefs line, is not
this my jerkin ? Now is the jerkin under the line :
Now, jerkin, you are like to lose your hair, and prove
a bald jerkin.
TKI. Do, do ; We (leal by line and level, an't like
your grace.
STE. I thank thee for that jeft ; here's =f a garment
for't: wit (hall not go unrewarded, while I am king of
this country : Steal by line and level, is an excellent pafs
of pate ; there's another =f garment for't.
Txi. Monfter, come, put fome lime upon your fin-
gers, and away with the reft.
CAL. I will have none on't : we (hall lose our time.
I
16 let's alone
The
And all be turn'd to barnacles, or to apes,
With foreheads villainous low
STE. Monfter, lay to your fingers; help to bear this
away, where my hogfhead of wine is, or I'll turn you
out of my kingdom : go to, carry this.
TRI. And this.
STE. Ay, and this. [heaping Garments on him.
A Noise of Hunters heard. Enter divers Spirits,
in Shape of Dogs, and Hounds, and hunt them about ;
Profpero, and A riel,y tting them on.
PRO. Hey, Mountain, hey !
ARI . Silver! there it goes, Silver!
PRO. Fury, Fury! there, Tyrant, there! hark, hark!
[GAL. STE. andTm. are driven out roaring.
Go, charge my goblins that they grind their joints
With dry convulfions ; fhorten up their finews
With aged cramps ; and more pinch-fpotted make them,
Than pard, or cat-o'mountain.
ARI. Hark, they roar.
PRO. Let them be hunted foundly. At this hour
Lye at my mercy all mine enemies :
Shortly fnall all my labours end, and thou
Shalt have the air at freedom ; for a little,
Follow, and do me fervice. [Exeunt.
AC? V.
SCENE, the fame.
Enter PROSPERO, and ARIEL.
PRO. Now does my project gather to a head :
My charms crack not ; my fpirits obey ; and time
*' Lies at
E 2
66 r
Goes upright with his carriage. How's the day ?
Am. On the fixth hour; at which time, my lord,
YbU faid our work (houid ceale.
PRO. I did fay fo,
V'hen firft I rais'd the temped. Say, my fpirit,
liow fates the king, and his followers ?
Am. Confin'd together
In the fame fafhion as you gave in charge ;
Juft as you left them; all gour prisoners, fir,
In the lime-grove which weather-fends your eel! ;
They cannot budge, 'till your releafe : The king,
His brother, and yours, abide all three diilracicd ;
And the remainder mourning over them,
Brim-full of forrow, and difmay : but chiefly
Him that you term'd, fir, The good old lord, Gonzalo;
His tears run down his b^ard, like winter drops
From eavts of reeds : your charm fo ftrongly works 'em,
That, if you now beheld them, your affection*
\Vould become tender.
PRO. Doll thou think fo, fpirit ?
AK.I. Mine would, fir, were 1 human.
PRO. And mine (hail.
Haft thcu, which art but air, a touch, a feeling
Of their afflictions ? and fl>all not myfelf,
One of their kind, that relifh all as fharply,
Pafiion as they, be kindlier mov'd than thou art?
Though with their high wrongs I am lirook to the quick,
Vet, with my nobler reason, 'gainit my fury
Do I take part: the rarer ailion is
In virtue, than in vengeance: they being penitent,
The fole drift of my purpose, teratb doth end ;
Not a frown further : Cio, releafe them, Ariel \
1 Lin: grcrvt - c winters 3' dcth extend
The Tetnpf ft. 67
?>Ty charms I'll break, their fenfes I'll reftore,
And they (hall be themfelves.
ARI. 'I'll fetch them, fir. [A;>.
' Pno. Ye elves of hills, brooks, (landing lakes, and
And ye, that on the fands with printlefs foot [groves;
Do chafe the ebbing Neptune, and do fly him
When he comes back ; you demi-puppets, that
By rnov.i-fhine do the green four ringlets make,
Whereof the ewe not bites ; and you, whose paitime
Is to make midnight mufhrooms; that rejoice
T<> ;f-ar the folemn curfeu ; by whose aid
(Weak matters though ye be) I have bedim'd
'j h>: ::' >n-i.Jo fun, call'd forth the mutinous winds-,.
And 'twixt the green fea and the azur'H vault
Set roaring war: to the dread rattling thunder
Have I given fire, and rifted Jove's (tout oak
With his o\vn bolt: the (trong-baf'd promontory
Have 1 made (hake ; and by the (purs pluck'd up
.The pine, and cedar : graves, at my command,
Have wak'd their fleepers ; op'd, and let them forth,
By rr.y fo potent art : But this rough magick
J here abjure : and, when I have requir'd
Some heavenly musick, (which even now I do)
To work mine end upon their fenfes that
This airy charm is for, I'll break my ilaff,
Bury it certain fathoms in the earth,
And deeper than did ever plummet found
I'll drown my. book. [/olenn Musick.
Re-enter ARIEL: after him,
A I. o N s o, with afrantick Gefture, attended by Go N z A L o ;
SEBASTIAN, and ANTONIO, in like Manner, attended by
Adrian, ^WFrancifco : They all enter the Circle which
68 The Tempeji.
Profpero had mack, and there ft and charm" d\ which
Profpero observing, /peaks.
A folemn air, the belt comforter
To an unfettl'd fancy, cure thy brains,
Now ufelefs, boil'd within thy fkull! there ftand,
For you are fpell-ftopt. __
Holy Gonxalo, honourable man,
Mine eyes, even fociable to the {hew of thine,
Fall fellow drops The charm dissolves apace;
And as the morning fteals upon the night,
Melting the darknefs, fo their rising fenfes
Begin to chafe the ignorant fumes that mantle
Their clearer reason O good Gonzalo,
My true preserver, and a loyal fir
To him thou follow'ft ; I will pay thy graces
Home, both in word and deed._Moft cruelly
Didfl thou, Alamo, use me and my daughter :
Thy brother was a furtherer in the aft ;
Thou art pinch'd for't now, Sebaftian, Flefh and blood,
You, brother mine; that entertain'd ambition,
Expell'd remorfe, and nature ; who, with Sebaftian,
(Whose inward pinches therefore are moil ftrong)
Would here have kilPd your king ; I do forgive thee,
Unnatural though thou art. Their underftanding
Begins to fwell ; and the approaching tide
Will fhortly fill the reasonable more,
That now lies foul and muddy. Not one of them,
That yet looks on me, or would know me: -.Ariel,
Fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell ; _
[Exit ARIEL.
I will difcafe me, and myfelf present
As I was fometime Milan : _ quickly, fpiiit;
s Ayre, and the * boik 9 fcllowly dropi *7 ly foule
The Tempeji. 69
Thou (halt ere long be free.
' Re-enter ARIEL.
ARS. Where the bee fucks, there fuck I', SONG,
in a cowflip's bell I lye,
there I couch : nvhen owls do cry-,
on the bat's back 1 do fly
after fummer, merrily :
Merrily, merrily, Jhall I li<ve no-~w,
under the blojfom that hangs on the bough.
[helps to attire Profpero.
PRO. Why, that's my dainty Ariel: I fhall mifi thee;
But yet thou ihalt have freedom : So, fo, fo.
To the king's fhip, invisible as thou art :
There (halt thou find the mariners afleep
Under the hatches ; the mafter, and the boatfwain,
Being awake, enforce them to this place,
And presently, I pr'ythee.
ARI. I drink the air before me, and return
Or ere your pulfe twice beat. [Exit ARIEL.
GON. All torment, trouble, wonder, and amazement
Inhabits here; Some heavenly power guide us
Out of this fearful country !
PRO. Behold, fir king,
The wronged duke of Milan, Profpero :
For more afTurance that a living prince
Does now fpeak to thee, I embrace thy body ;
And to thee, and thy company, I bid
A hearty welcome.
ALQ. Whe'r thou be'ft he, or no,
Or fome enchanted trifle to abuse me,
As late I have been, I not know : thy pulfe
Beats, as of flefli and blood ; and, lince I faw thee,
5 v, Kate,
70 The Tempejl.
The affliction of my mind amends, with which,
I fear, a madnefs held me : this muft'crave
(An if this be at all) a moft ftrange ftory.
Thy dukedom I resign ; and do entreat,
Thou pardon me my wrongs: But how fhould Pro/pert
Be living, and be here ?
PRO. Firft, noble friend,
Let me embrace thine age ; whose honour cannot
Be measur'd, or confin'd.
GON. Whether this be,
Or be not, I'll not fwear.
PRO. You do yet tafte
Some fubtleties o'the ifle, that will not let you
Believe things certain : Welcome, my friends all : _
" But you, my brace of lords, were 1 fo minded,"
" I here could pluck his highnefs' frown upon you, "
" And juftify you traitors ; at this time"
" I'll tell no tales."
SEB. "The devil fpeaks in him. " [to Ant.
PRO. *'No."_
For you, moft wicked fir, whom to call brother
Would even infeft my mouth, I do forgive
Thy rankeft fault; all of them ; and require
My dukedom of thee, which, perforce, I know,
Thou muft reftore.
ALO. If thou be'ft Profpero,
Give us particulars of thy preservation :
How thou haft met us here, who three hours fince
Were wreck'd upon this fliore ; where 1 have loll
(How (harp the point of this remembrance is !)
My dear fon "Ferdinand.
PRO. I am woe for't, fir.
The Tempejt. 71
ALO, Irreparable is the lofs ; and patience
Says, it is paft her cure.
PRO. I rather think,
You have not fought her help ; of whose foft grace,
For the like lofs, I have her fuvereign aid,
And reft myfelf content.
ALQ. You the like lofs ?
PRO. As great to me, as late, tir : and fupportable
To make the dear lofs, have I means much weaker
Than you may call to comfort you ; for I
Have loft my daughter.
ALQ. Daughter?
O heavens! that they were living both in Naples,
The king and queen there! that they were, L with
Myfelf were mudded in that oozy bed
Where my fon lies. When did you !oe your daughter ?
PRO. In this laft tempt ft. I perceive, these lords
At this encounter do fo much admire,
That they devour their reason ; and fcarce think,
Their eyes do offices of truth, these words
Are natural breath : but, howfoe'er you have
Been juftl'd from your fenfes, know for certain
That I am Projpero, and that very duke
Which was thruft forth of Milan ; who moft ftrangel^
Upon this more, where you were wreckt, was landed,
To be the lord on't. No more yet of this ;
For 'tis a chronicle of day by day,
Not a relation for a breakfaft, nor
Befitting this firft meeting: Welcome, fir;
This cell's my court : here have I few attendants,
And fubjefts none abroad : pray you, look in :
My dukedcm fince you have given me again,
11 A daughter? 1O Their words
72 7"be Tempejt.
I will requite yon with as good a thing;
At leaft, bring forth a wonder, to content you
As much, as me my dukedom.
Cell opens ; and difcovers FERDINAND, and
MIRANDA, playing at Chefs.
MIR. Sweet lord, you play me falfe.
FER. No, my dear'ft love,
I would not for the world. [gle,
MIR. Yes, for a fcore of kingdoms you fhould wran-
And I would call it fair play.
A 10. If this prove
A vision of the ifland, one dear fon
Shall I twice lose.
SEE. A moft high miracle!
FER. Though the feas threaten, they are merciful;
I have curf'd them without cause.
[running to Alonso, and kneeling.
ALO. Now all the bleflings
Of a glad father compafs thee about !
Arise, and fay how thou cam'ft here.
MIR. O wonder !
How many goodly creatures are there here !
How beauteous mankind is ! O brave new world,
That has fuch people in't !
PRO. 'Tis new to thee. [pl a X- ?
ALO. What is this maid, with whom thou waft at
Your eld'ft acquaintance cannot be three hours :
Is me the goddefs that hath fever'd us,
And brought us thus together ?
FER. Sir, me is mortal ;
But, by immortal providence, {he's mine :
I chose her, when I could not afk my father
The Temp eft. 73
For his advice ; nor thought I had one : (he
Is daughter to this famous duke of Milan,
Of whom fo often I have heard renown,
But never faw before ; of whom I have
Receiv'd a fecond life, and fecond father
This lady makes him to me.
ALO. [ am her's:
But, o, how oddly will it found, that I
Muft afk my child forgivenefs ?
PRO. There, fir, ftop ;
Let us not burthen our remembrance with
A heavinefs that's gone.
Gotf. I have inly wept,
Or mould have fpoke ere this : Look down, you gods,
And on this couple drop a blefied crown;
For it is you, that have chalk'd forth the way
Which brought us hither!
ALO. I fay, amen, Gonza/o.
GON. Was Milan thruft from Milan, that his iflue
Should become kings of Naples ? O, rejoice
Beyond a common joy ; and fet it down
With gold, on lafting pillars : In one voyage
Did Ciaribel her husband find at Tunis ;
And Ferdinand, her brother, found a wife,
Where he himfelf was loft; ProJ'pero his dukedom,
In a poor ifle; and all of us ourfelves,
When no man was his own.
ALO. Give me your hands : [/o Per. and Mir.
Let grief and forrow ftill embrace his heart,
That doth not vvifh you joy !
GON. Be it fo ! amen !
Re-enter ARIEL ; with theMaJler t and Boatswain,
11 remembrances,
^74 Tkt Tempejt.
amazeJly fcJloivltig.
look, fir, look, fir, here is more of us :
1 prophefy'd, if a gallows were on land,
This fellow could not drown :_No\v, blafpherr.y,
That fwear'ft grace o'er-board, not an oath on fhore ?
Haft thou no mouth by land ? What is the news r
Boa. The beft news is, that we have fafely found
Our king, and company : the next, our fliip,
Which, but three glafTes fince, we gave out fplit,
Is tight, and yare, and bravely rig'd, as when
We firft put out to fea.
ARI. " Sir, all this fervice "
" Have I done fince I went."
PRO. "My trickfey fpirit! "
ALO. These are not natural events; they firengthen,
From ftrange to ftranger : Say, how came you hither?
Boa. If I did think, fir, I were well awake,
I'd firive to tell you. We were dead afleep,
And (how, we know not) all clapt under hatches :
Where, but even now, with ftrange and feveral noises,
Of roaring, fhrieking, howling, jingling chains,
And more diverfity of founds, all horrible,
We were awak'd ; ftraightway, at liberty :
Where we, in all her trim, frefhly beheld
Our royal, good, and gallant (hip ; our mailer
Cap'ring to eye her : On a trice, fo please you,
Even in a dream, were we divided from them,
And were brought moping hither.
ARI. " Was't well done ? "
PRO. "Bravely, my diligence : thou (halt be free."
ALO. This is as ftrange a maze as e'er men trod ;
And there is in this businefs more than nature
18 de;d of flcepc *+ all cur trim
7'he Tempeft. 75
Was ever conaul of: fome oracle
Mull rectify our knowledge.
PRO. Sir, my liege,
Do not iufeft your mind with beating on
The ftrangenefs of this businefs ; at pickt leisure,
Which (hall be (hortly, Jingle I'll resolve you
(Which to you {hall feem probable) of every
These happen'd accidents : 'till when, be chearful ;
And think of each thing well __ "Come hither, fpirit ;"
" Set Caliban, and his companions, free ;*' [fir?
" Unty the fpeil." [Exit ARI.] How fares my gracious
Theie are yet miffing of your company
Some few odd lads, that you remember not.
Re-enter ARIEL, driving in CALIBAN, STEPHANO,
and TRINCULO, in their Jioln Apparel.
SfE. Every man ihift for all the reft, and let no man
take care for himfelf ; for all is but fortune: _ Coragio,
bully monfter, Cor agio !
f RI. If these be true fpies which I wear in my head,
here's a goodly fight.
CAL. O SeteAos, these be brave fpirits, indeed!
How fine my matter is ! I am afraid,
He will chaftise me.
SEB . Ha, ha; What things are these, my lord Antonic?
Will money buy them ?
Avf. Very like ; one of them
Is a plain fifh, and, no doubt, marketable.
PRO. Mark but the badges of these men, my lords,
Then fay, if they be true: This mif-lhapen knave,
His mother was a witch ; and one fo ftroiig
That could controul the moon, make flows and ebbs,
And deal in her command without her power:
7 6 -The
These three have rob'd me ; and this demi-devil
(For he's a baftard one) had plotted with them
To take my life : two of these fellows you
Muft know, and own ; this thing of darknefs I
Acknowledge mine.
CAL. I fhall be pinch'd to death.
ALO. Is not this Stephana, my drunken butler?
SEB. He is drunk now; Where had he wine?
ALO. AndTrinculois reeling ripe; Where fhould they
Find this grand 'lixir that hath gilded them r
How cam'ft thou in this pickle ?
TKI. I have been in fuch a pickle fince I faw you laft,
that, I fear me, will never out of my bones : I fhall not
fear fly-blowing.
SEB. Why, how now, Stephana?
STE. O, touch menot; lam notStepbano, butacramp.
PRO. You'd be king o'the ifle, firrah ?
STE. I ftiould have been a fore one then.
ALO. This is as ilrange a thing as e'er I look'd on.
PRO. He is as difproportion'd in his manners,
As in his ftiape : _ Go, lirrah, to my cell ;
Take with you your companions; as you look
To have my pardon, trim it handfomely.
CAL. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter,
And feek for grace : What a thrice-double afs
Was I, to take this ~\ drunkard for a god ;
And worfhip this "|~ dull fool ?
PRO. Go to, away. [found it.
ALO. Hence, and bcftow your luggage where you
SEB. Or ftole it, rather.
[Exeunt CAL. STE. am/Tut.
PRO. Sir, I invite your highnefs, and your train,
10 grand Liquor "a ftrangc
The Tempefl. 77
to my poor cell : where you fhall take your reft
For this one night ; which (part of it) I'll wafte
With fuch difcourfe, as, I not doubt, fhall make it
Go quick away : the ftory of my life ;
And the particular accidents, gone by
Since I came to this ifle : And, in the morn,
I'll bring you to your (hip ; and fo to Naples ;
Where 1 have hope to fee the nuptials
Of these our dear-beloved folemniz'd :
And thence retire me to my Milan ; where
Every third thought fhall be my grave.
ALO. I long
To hear the ftory of your life; which mud
Take the ear ftrangely.
PRO. I'll deliver all ;
And promise you calm feas, aufpitious gales,
And fail fo expeditious, that fhall catch
Your royal fleet far off: _" My Ariel - t chick, "
" That is thy charge : Then, to the elements;"
" Be free ; and fare thou well."_Please you, draw near.
advancing,
Now my charms are all e'er-thrown,
And what Jirength I have 's mine own ;
Which is mcfl faint : now, 'tis true,
I muft be here confined by you,
Or fent to Naples : Let me not.
Since 1 haiie my dukedom got,
And pardoned the deceiver, dwell
In this bare ijland, by your fpell ;
But rekafe me from my bands
78 The Temfefl.
With the helf of your good hands :
Gentle breath oj yours my jails
Mnft Jilt, or el/e my project fails,
Which was to please : No-iu I want
Spirits to enforce, art to enchant,
And my ending is drjpair ;
Unlejs I be reliev'd by prayer ;
Which pierces fo, that it ajjaults
Mercy it/elf, and frees all faults.
Ai youfrcm crimes <would pardon V t>f,
Let yctir indulgence fet me free.
[Exeunt.
The two
GENTLEMEN
VERONA.
Perfons represented.
Duke, Vice-roy of Milan:
Th urio, 1 Qentlemen of hh Courl ^
hglamour, }
Antonio, Protheus' Father :
Panthino, his Domeftick.
Speed, Page to Valentine.
Launce, Servant to Protheus.
Servant, attending the Duke.
Hoft, a Milanefe.
three Out-laws.
Silvia, Daughter to the Duke.
Julia, a Lady of Verona :
Lucetta, her Woman.
Other Attendants, Out -laws, and Musicians.
Scene, difpeffd; in Verona, Milan,
and the Frontiers of Mantua.
The
two GENTLE ME N of
VERONA.
i.
SCENE I. Verona. A Street.
Enter VALENTINE, and PROTHEUS.
VAI. Ceafe to perfuade, my loving Protheus',
Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits :
Wer't not, affection chains thy tender days
To the fweet glances, of thy honour'd love,
I rather would entreat thy company,
To fee the wonders of the world abroad,
Than, living dully fluggardiz'd at home,
Wear out thy youth in mapelefs idlenefs.
But, fince thou lov'ft, love ftill, and thrive therein ;
Even as I would, when I to love begin.
PRO. Wilt thou be gone ? fweet Valentine, adieu !
Think on thy Protbeus y when thou, haply, fee'ft
Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel :
Wifh me partaker in thy happinefs,
When thou doll meet good hap ; and, in thy danger,
(If ever danger do environ thee)
VOL. I. F 2
4 The tiuo Gentlemen of Verona.
Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers,
For I will be thy beads-man, Valentine.
VAL. And on a love-book pray for my fuccefs.
PRO. Upon fome book I love, I'll pray for thee.
VAL. That's on fome mallow ftory of deep love,
How young Lcander crofTd the Helleffont.
PRO. That's a deep ftory of a deeper love ;
For he was more than over Ihoes in love.
VAL. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love,
And yet you never fwom the Htllefpcnt.
PRO. Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots.
VAL. No, I will not; for it boots thee not.
PRO. What? [groans;
VAL. To be in love, where fcorn is bought with
Coy looks, with heart-fore fighs; one fading moment's
With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights : [mirth
If haply won, perhaps a haplefs gain ;
If loft, why then a grievous labour won ;
However, but a folly bought with wit,
Or elfe a wit by folly vanqui(hed t
PRO. So, by your circumftance, you call me fool.
VAL. So, by your circumftance, I fear, you'll prove.
P*o. 'Tis love you cavil at ; I am not love.
VA L . Love is your mafter ; for he mafters you :
And he that is fo yoked by a fool,
Methinks, mould not be chronicl'd for wise.
PRO. Yet writers fay, As in the fweeteft bud
The eating canker dwells ; fo eating love
Inhabits in the fineft wits of all.
VAL. And writers fay, As the moft forward bud
Is eaten by the canker ere it blow ;
Even fo bv love the voung and tender wit
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 5
Fs turn'd to folly ; blafting in the bud,
Losing his verdure even in the prime,
And all the fair effe&s of future hopes.
But wherefore wafte I time, to counfel thee
That art a votary to fond desire ?
Once more, adieu : my father at the road
Expedls my coming, there to fee me fhip'd.
PRO. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.
VA L . Sweet Protbeus, no ; now let us take our leave :
At Milan let me hear from thee by letters,
Of thy fuccefs in love, and what news elfe
Betideth here in abfcnce of thy friend ;
And I likewise will visit thee with mine.
PRO. All happinefs bechance to thee in Milan!
VAI. As much to you at home ! and fo, farewel.
[Exit VALENTINE.
PRO. He after honour hunts, I after love :
He leaves his friends, to dignify them more ;
I leave myfelf, my friends, and all for love.
Thou, Julia, thou haft metamorphos'd me ;
Made me negledl my ftudies, lose my time,
War with good counfel, fet the world at nought;
Made wit with musing weak, heart fick with thought.
Enter SPEED, bluntly.
SPE. Sir Protheusf 'Cave you, Cr: Saw you mymafter?
PRO. But now he parted hence, to embark for Milan.
SPE. Twenty to one then, he is ftiip'd already;
And I have play'd the flieep, in losing him,
PRO. Indeed, a fheep doth very often ftray,
An' if the fhepherd be a while away.
SFE. You conclude, that my mafter is a fliepherd
then, and I a fheep ?
'9 I love my
6 The live Gentlemen of Verona.
PRO. I do.
SPE. Why then my horns are his horns, wheher I
wake, or fleep.
PRO. A filly anfvver, and fitting well a ftieep.
SPE. This proves me ftill a fheep.
PRO. True ; and thy mailer a fhepherd.
SPE. Nay, that I can deny by a circumftance.
PRO. It (hall go hard, but I'll prove it by another.
SPE. The Ihepherd feeks the fheep, and not the fheep
the fhepherd ; but I feek my matter, and my mafter feeks
not me : therefore I am no fheep.
PRO. The fheep for fodder follows the fhepherd, the
fhepherd for food follows not the fheep ; thou for wages
follow'ft thy mafter, thy mafter for wages follows not
thee : therefore thou art a fheep.
SPE. Such another proof will make me cry, ba.
PRO . Butdoft thou hear? gav'ft thou my letter tojulia. ?
SPE. Ay, fir : I, a loft mutton, gave your letter to
her, a lac'd mutton ; and fhe, a lac'd mutton, gave me,
a loft mutton, nothing for my labour.
PRO. Here's too fmall a pafture for fuch ftore of
muttons.
SPE. If the ground be overcharg d, you were befl
ftick her.
PRO. Nay, in that you are a-ftray ; 'twere bell pound
you.
SPE. Nay, fir, lefs than a pound (hall ferve me for
carrying your letter.
PRO. You miftake ; I mean the pound, a pinfold.
SPE. From a pound to a pin r fold it over and over,
'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your
lover.
11 fplldw
Tbe two Gentleman of 'Verona. 7
PRO. But what faid fhe ? [Speed nods.} Dft G?C noB f
SPE. I.
PRO. Nod FT? why, that's noddy,
SPE. You miflobk, fir; I faid, (he did nod: and you
aflt me, if fhe did nod ; and I faid, I.
PRO. And that, fet together, is noddy.
SPE. Now you have taken the pains to fet it together,
take it for your pains.
PRO. No, no, you fhall have it for bearing the letter.
SPE. Well, I perceive, I muft be fain to bear with you.
PRO. Why, fir, how do you bear with me ?
SPE. Marry, fir, the letter very orderly; having
nothing but the word, noddy, for my pains.
PRO. Befhrew me, bat you have a quick \vit.
SPE. And yet it cannot overtake your flow pude.
PRO. Come, come, open the matter in brief; What
faid me ?
SPE. Open your purfe ; that the money, and the
matter, may be both at once deliver'd.
PRO. Well, fir, here =j= is for your pains : What faid
me?
SPE. Truly, fir, I think you'll hardly win her.
PRO. Why, could'ft thou perceive fo much from her?
SPE. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her ;
no, not fo much as a ducat for delivering your letter :
And, being fo hard to me that brought your mind, I
fear flie'll prove as hard to you in telling your mind.
Give her no token but ftones, for fhe's as hard as fteel.
PRO. What, faid fhe nothing?
SPE. No, not fo much as take this for thy pains.
To teitify your bounty, I thank you, you have tefler'd
me ; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters
8 The two Gentlemen ef Verona.
yourfelf : and fo, fir, I'll commend you to my mafter.
[Exit.
PRO. Go, go, begone, to fave your {hip from wreck ;
Which cannot perifh, having thee aboard,
Being deftin'd to a drier death on fhore : _
I muft go fend fome better meiTenger ;
I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines,
Receiving them from fuch a worthlefs port. \Exit.
SCENE II. The fame. Garden o^Julia'j Heu/e.
Enter JULIA, dWLucETTA.
JVL. But fay, Lucefta, (now we are alone)
Would'ft thou then counfel me to fall in love ?
Luc. Ay, madam ; fo you ftumble not unheedfully.
Jut. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen.
That every day with parle encounter me,
In thy opinion which is \\orthieft love ? [mind,
Luc. 'Please you repeat their names, I'll (hew my
According to my {hallow fimple (kill.
JVL. What think'ft thou of the fair fir Eg/amour ?
Luc. As of a knight well-fpoken, neat, and fine;
But, were I you, he never mould be mine.
JUL. What think'ft thou of the rich Mereatio?
Luc. Well, of his wealth; but, of himfelf, fo, fo.
JUL. What think'ft thou of the gentle Protbeus?
Luc. Lord, lord ! to fee what folly reigns in us !
JUL . How now ? what means this paffion at his name?
Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a paffing fliame,
That I, unworthy body as I am,
Should cenfure thus on lovely gentlemen.
JUL. Why not on Prothetis, as of all the reft ?
Luc. Then thus of many good I think him beft.
T'be two Gentlemen of Verona. 9
JUL . Your reason ?
Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason;
I think him fo, becaufe I think him fo.
JUL . And would'ft thou have me caft my love on him ?
Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not caft away.
JUL. Why, he of all the reft hath never mov'd me.
Luc. Yet he of all the reft, I think, belt loves you.
JUL. His little fpeaking mews his love but fmall.
Luc. Fire, that is clofeft kept, burns moft of all.
JUL. They do not love, that do not (hew their love.
Luc. O, they love leaft, that let men know their love.
JUL. I would, I knew his mind.
Luc. Peruse this ^ paper, madam.
JUL . To Ju/ia, Say, from whom ?
Luc. That the contents will (hew.
JUL. Say, fay ; who gave it thee? [Protheus ;
Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and fent, I think, from
He would have given it you, but I, being in the way,
Did in your name receive it ; pardon the fault, I pray.
JUL. Now, by my modefty, a goodly broker !
Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines ?
To whifper and cor.fpire againft my youth ?
Now, truft me, 'tis an office of great worth;
And you an officer fit for the place.
There, take the ^ paper, fee it be return'd ;
Or elfe return no more into my fight.
Luc, To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.
JUL . Will you be gone ?
Luc. " that you may ruminate. " [Exit.
Ji'L. And yet I would I had o'er-look'd the letter.
It were a mame, to call her back again,
And pray her to a fault for which I chid her.
1O The two Gentlemen of Verona^
What fool is flie, that knows I am a maid,
And would not force the letter to my view ?
Since maids, in modefty, fay, no, to that
Which they would have the profferer conftrue, ay^
Fie, fie ! how wayward is this foolifli love ;
That, like a tefty babe, will fcratch the nurfe,
And presently, all humbl'd, kifs the rod!
How churlifhly I chid Lucetta hence,
When willingly I would have had her here !
How angerly I taught my brow to frown,
When inward joy enforc'd my heart to fmile !
My penance is, to call Lucetta back,
And aflc remiffion for my folly paft : __
What ho ! Lucetta !
Re-enter LUCETTA.
Luc. What would your ladyftiip ?
JUL. Is it near dinner-time?
Luc. I would, it were;
That you might kill your fromach on your meat,
And not upon your maid.
JUL . What is't, that you
Took up fo gingerly ?
Luc. Nothing.
' JUL. Why didft thou ftoop then ?
Luc. To take a paper up, that I let fall.
JUL. And is that paper nothing?
Luc. Nothing concerning me.
JUL. Then let it lie for those that it concerns.
Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns,
Unlefs it have a falfe interpreter.
JUL. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rime r
LUC. That I might fing it, madam, to a tune :
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 1 1
Give me a note ; your ladymip can fet.
JUL. As little by fuch toys as may be poffible :
Belt fing it to the tune of, Light o' love.
Luc. It is too heavy for fo light a tune.
JUL. Heavy ? belike, it hath fome burden then.
Luc. Ay ; and melodious were it, would you fing it.
JUL . And why not you ?
Luc. I cannot reach fo high.
JUL Let's fee your ^ fong : cCiJIip, how now, minion?
Luc. Keep tune there ftill, fo you will fing it out :
And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune.
JUL. You do not ?
Luc. No, madam, it is too {harp.
JUL . You, minion, are too faucy.
Luc. Nay, now you are too flat,
And mar the concord with too harm a defcant :
There wanteth but a mean to fill your fong.
JUL. The mean is drown'd with your unruly bafe.
Luc . Indeed, t bid the bafe for Protbeus.
JUL. This babble (hall net henceforth trouble me. .
Here is a coil with protection ! _
\lookir.g over the Letter ; tears, and throws it away.
Go, get you gone ; and let the papers lye :
You would be fing'ring them, to anger me. [pleas'd,
Luc. She makes it itrange ; but fhe would be befl
To be fo anger'd with another letter. [Exit.
JUL. Nay, would I were fo anger'd with the fame !
O hateful hands, to tear fuch loving words !
Injurious wafps ; to feed on fuch fweet honey,
And kill the bees, that yield it, with your ftings !
I'll kifs each feveral paper for amends.
[picking up the Piece t,
1 2 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
Look, here is writ kind Julia, Unkind Julia !
As in revenge of thy ingratitude,
I throw ~f~ thy name againft the bruising ftones,
Trampling contemptuoufly on thy difdain.
And here is writ ltrue-<wounc!ed Protheus :
Poor wounded name! my bosom, as a bed,
Shall lodge thee, 'till thy wound be throughly heal'd;
And thus ~|~ I fearch it with a fovereign kifs.
But twice, or thrice, was Protheus written clown :
Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away,
'Till I have found each letter in the letter,
Except mine own name ; that fome whirlwind bear
Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock,
And throw it therce into the raging fea.
Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ,
Poor forlorn Protheus, pajfionate Protheus,
To the fnueet Julia ; that I'll tear away ;
And yet I will not, fith fo prettily
He couples it to his complaining n?mes :
Thus ~\ will I fold them one upon another;
Now kifs, embrace, contend, do what you will.
Re-enter LUCETTA.
Luc. Madam,
Dinner is ready, and your father flays.
' Jut. Well, let us go.
Luc. What, fhall these papers lye like tell-tales here ?
Jut. If you refpeft them, bell to take them up.
Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down :
Yet here they (hall not lye, for catching cold.
JVL. I fee, you have a month's mind to them.
Luc. Ay, madam, you may fay what fights you fee ;
I fee things too, although you judge I wink.
7"& t-Mt> Gentlemen cf Verona. 1 3
JUL. Come, come, will't please you go ? [Exeunt.
SCENE III. The fame. A Room in Antonio'j \Houfe.
Enter ANTONIO, andPAKTHiKO.
AXT. Tell me, Panthino, what fad talk was that,
Wherewith my brother held you in the cloiiler ?
PAX. 'Twas of his nephew Protheus, your fon.
JKT. Why, what of him ?
PAN. He wonder 'd, that your lordfiiip
Would fuffer him to fpend his youth at home ;
While other men, of flender reputation,
Put forth their fons to feek preferment out :
Some to the wars, to try. their fortune there ;
Some to difcorer iflands far away ;
Some to the itudious univerfities.
For any, or for all these exercises,
He faid, that Protbeus, your fon, was meet ;
And did requefl me, to importune yotf'
To let him fpend his time no more at home ;
Which would be great impeachment to his age,
In having known no travel in his youth.
Art?. Nor need'ft thou much importune me to that
Whereon this month I have been hammering.
I have confider'd well his lofs of time ;
And how he cannot be a perfeft man,
Not being try'd and tutor'd in the world :
Experience is by induftry atchiev'd,
And perfected by the fvvift courfe of time :
Then, tell me, whither were I beft to fend him ?
PAN. I think, your lordfhip is not ignorant,
How his companion, youthful Valentine,
Attends the emperor in his royal court.
i 4. The fwo Gent /even of Verona.
JNT. I know it well. [thither :
PAN. 'Tvvere good, I think, your lordfliip fent him
There {hall he practise tilts and tournaments,
Hear fweet difcourfe, converfe with noblemen;
And be in eye of every exercise,
Worthy his youth and noblenefs of blood.
Atif, I like thy counfel ; well haft thou advis'd :
And, that thou may'ft perceive how well I like it,
The execution of it mall make known ;
Even with the fpeedielt expedition
I will difpatch him to the emperor's court.
PAN. To-morrow, may it please you, don dlpbonso,
With other gentlemen of good efteem,
Are journeying to falute the emperor,
And to commend their fervice to his will.
AwT. Good company ; with them {hall Prctbeus go :
And, in good time, now will we break with him.
Enter PROTHETJS, at a Diftance, reading.
PR o . Sweet love ! fweet lines ! fweet life ! flocet 31"lia !
Here is her hand, the agent of her heart ;
Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn :
O, that our fathers would applaud our loves,
To feal our happinefs with their confer.ts !
O heavenly Julia !
Ayr. How now ? what letter are you reading there ?
PRO. May't please your lordfhip, 'tis a word or two
Of commendations fent from Valentine ;
Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.
JJNT. Lend me the letter ; let me fee what news.
PRO. There is no news, my lord ; but that he writes
How happily he lives, how well bclov'd,
And daily graced by the emperor ;
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 1 5
Wifhing me with him, partner of his fortune.
JNT. And how ftand you affefted to his wifli ?
PRO. As one relying on your lordfhip's will,
And not depending on his friendly wifh.
Ax?. My will is fomething forted with his wifh :
Muse not that I thus fuddenly proceed ;
For what I will, I will, and there an end.
I am resolv'd, that thou malt fpend fome time
With Valentino in the emperor's court ;
What maintenance he from his friends receives,
Like exhibition thou malt have from me.
To-morrow be in readinefs to go :
Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.
PRO. My lord, I cannot be fo foon provided;
Please you, deliberate a day or two.
AXT. Look, what thou \\ ant'ft, (hall be fent after thee:
No more of ftay ; to-morrow thou muft go
Come on, Panthino ; you (hall be employ'd
To haften on his expedition.
\Exeunt ANTONIO, /&/PANTHINO.
PRO. Thus have I mun'd the fire, for fear of burning,
And drench'd me in the fea, where I am drown'd :
1 fear'd to (hew my father Julia's letter,
Left he mould take exceptions to my love ;
And with the vantage of mine own excufe
Hath he excepted moft againft my love.
O, how this fpring of love resembleth
The uncertain glory of an April day;
Which now fhews all the beauty of the fun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away !
Re -enter PANTHINO.
PJX. Sir Prothius, your father calls for you ;
I 6 $"# two Gentlemen of Verona.
He is in hafte, therefore, I pray you, go.
PRO. Why, this it is ! my heart accords thereto;
And yet a thousand times it anfwers, no. [Exeunt.
ii.
SCNE I. Milan. A Room in the Dukis Palace.
Enter VALENTINE, SPEED following.
SPE. Sir, your "|" glove.
VAL. Not mine; my gloves are on.
SPE. Why, then this may be yours; for this is butone k
VAL. Ha ! let me fee : ay, give it me, it's mine : _
Sweet ornament, that decks a thing divine !
Ah Silvia ! Silvia !
SPE. Madam Silvia! madam Silvia/
VAL. How now, firrah ?
SPE. She is not within hearing, fir.
VAL. Why, fir, who bad you call her ?
SPE. Your worfhip, fir; or elfe I miftook.
VAL. Well, you'll flill be too forward.
SPE. And yet I was laft chidden for being too flow.
VAL . Go to, fir : tell me, do you know madam Silvia ?
SPE. She that your worfhip loves ?
VAL. Why, how know you that I am in love ?
SPE. Marry, by these fpecial marks ; Firft, you
have learn'd, like fir Protheus, to wreath your arms
like a male-content ; to relifh a love-fong, like a
rc;-red-breaft ; to walk alone, like one that had
the peftilence; to figh, like a fchool-boy that had loft
his ABC; to weep, like a young wench that had
bury'd her grandame ; to faft, like one that takes
7)5 fwo Gentlemen of Verona. i j
diet ; to watch, like one that fears robbing ; to fpeak
puling, like a beggar at hollowmafs : You were wont,
when you laugh'd, to crow like a cock ; when you
walk'd, to walk like one of the lions ; when you fafted,
it was presently after dinner ; when you look'd fadly,
it was for want of money : and now you are metamor-
phos'd with a miftrefs ; that, when I look on you, I can
hardly think you my matter.
PAL. Are all these things perceiv'd in me ?
SPE. They are all perceiv'd without you.
VAL. Without me ? they cannot.
SPE. Without you ? nay, that's certain ; for, with-
out you were fo fimple, none elfe would : but you are
fo without these follies, that these follies are within,
you, and fhine through you like the water in an urinal;
that not an eye, that fees you, but is a physician to com-
ment on your malady.
VAL. But, tell me, ddft thou know my lady Sifaia?
SPE. She that you gaze on fo, as (he fits at fupper?
VAL. Haft thou observ'd that? even me I mean.
SPE. Why, fir, I know her not.
VAL . Doft thou know her by my gazing on her, and
yet know'ft her not ?
SPE. Is me not hard-favour'd, fir?
VAL. Not fo fair, boy, as well-favour'd.
SPE. Sir, I know that well enough.
VAL. What doft thou know?
SPE. That me is not fo fair, as (of you) well favour*d.
VAL. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but her
favour infinite.
SPE. That's because the one is painted, and thr
other out of all count,
VOL. I G
j& The tnvo Gentlemen of VeronaL
VAI. How painted ? and how out of count ?
SPE. Marry, fir, fo painted, to make her fair, that
no man counts of her beauty.
VAL. Hovvefleem'ftthoume? I account of her beauty.
SPE. You never faw her fince me was deform'd.
VAL . How long hath me been deform'd ?
S : PE. Ever fince you lov'd her.
VAL I have lov'd her ever iinee I faw her ; and ftill
I fee her beautiful.
SPE- If you love her, you cannot fee her.
VAL. Why?
SPE. Because love is blind. O, that you had mine
eyes ; or your own eyes had the lights they were wont to-
have, when you chid at fir Protheus for going ungarter'd 1
VAL . What mould I fee then ?
SPE. Your own present folly, and her paffing de-
formity : for he, being in love, could not fee to garter
his hose ; and you, being in love, cannot fee to put on
your hose,
VAL. Belike, boy, then you are in love; for laft
morning you could not fee to wipe my fhoes.
SPE. True, fir; I was in love with my bed: I thank
you, you fwing'd me for my love ; which makes me the
bolder to chide you for yours.
VAL. In conclusion, I ftand affefted to her. [ceafe.
SPE. I would you were fet, fo your affedion would
VAL. Laft night me enjoin'd me to write fome lines
to one (he loves.
SPE. And have you ?
VAL. I have,
SPE. Are they not lamely writ?
Jr*i. No, boy; but as well as I can do then* :
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 19
eace, here lhe comes.
Enter SILVIA.
SPE. " O excellent motion ! o exceeding puppet ! "
" now will he interpret to her. "
VAL . Madam and miltrefs, a thousand good morrows.
SPE. " O, gi' ye good even! here's a million of man-
" ners. "
SIL. Sir Valentine and. fervant, to you two thousand.
SPE. " He mould give her intereft ; and me gives it
"him."
VAL . As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter
Unto the fecret namelefs friend of yours ;
Which I was much unwilling to proceed in,
But for my duty to your ladyfhip. [gives the Letter.
SIL. I thankyou, gentle fervant: 'tis very clerkly done.
VAL. Now truft me, madam, it came hardly off;
For, being ignorant to whom it goes,
1 writ at random, very doubtfully.
SIL . Perchance, you think toomuch of fo much pains.
VAL . No, madam ; fo it ftead you, I will write,
Please you command, a thousand times as much.
And yet,
SIL. A pretty period ! Well, I guefs the fequel ;
And yet I will not name 't : and yet I care not :
And yet take this "f again : and yet I thank you ;
Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more.
SPE. " And yet you will ; and yet another yet. "
VAL. What means your ladylhip ? do you not like it?
SIL. Yes, yes ; the lines are very quaintly writ :
But, fince unwillingly, take them again ;
Nay, take~J~ them.
PAL . Madam, they arc for you.
G 2
2O The two Gentlemen of Verona.
Sri. Ay, ay ; you writ them, fir, at my requeft ;
But I will none of them; they are for you :
I would have had them writ more movingly.
VAL. Please you, I'll write your ladyfhip another.
Sit. And, when it's writ, for my fake read it over :
And, if it please you, fo; if not, why, fo.
VAL. If it please me, madam ? what then ?
SIL. Why, if it please you, take it for your labour ;
And fo, good morrow, fervant. [Exit SILVIA.
SPE. O jeft unfeen, infcrutable, invisible,
As a nose on a man's face, or a weather-cock on a fteeple ?
My mafter fues to her ; and fhe hath taught her fuitor,
He being her pupil, to become her tutor.
O excellent devife ! was there ever heard a better ?
That my mafter, being fcribe, to himfelf mould write
the letter ? [yourfelf ?
VAL. How now, fir? what are you reasoning with
SPE. Nay, I was riming; 'tis you that have the reason.
VAL. To do what?
SPE. To be a fpokesman from, madam Si/via.
VAL. To whom?
SPE. To yourfelf: why, {he wooes you by a figure.
VAL. What figure?
SPE. By a letter, I mould fay.
VAL. Why, fhe hath not writ to me.
SPE. What need me, when fhe hath made ypu write
to yourfelf? Why, do you not perceive the jeft ?
VAL. No, believe me.
SPE. No believing you indeed, fir: But did you per-
ceive her earneft ?
VAL. She gave me none, except an angry word,
SPE. Why, fhe hath given you a letter.
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 21
VAL. That's the letter I writ to her friend. [end.
SPE. And that letter hath me deliver'd, and there an
VAL. \ would, it were no worfe.
SPE. I'll warrant you, 'tis as well:
For often have you writ to her ; and me, in modefty,
Or elfe for want of idle time, could not again reply ;
Or fearing elfe fome meflenger that might her mind
difcover,
Herfelf hath taught her love himfelf to write unto her
lover. _
All this I fpeak in print, for in print I found it._
Why muse you, fir ? 'tis dinner-time.
VAL. I have din'd.
SPE. Ay, but hearken, fir; though the cameleonlove
can feed on the air, I am one that am nourifh'd by my
victuals, and would fain have meat : O, be not like
your miftrefs ; be moved, be moved. [Exeunt.
SCENE II. Verona. Room hi Julia's Houfe.
Enter PROTHEUS, and [ULIA.
P*o. Have patience, gentle Julia.
JUL. I muft, where is no remedy.
PRO. When poflibly I can, I will return.
JUL. If you turn not, you will return the fooner.
Keep this ={= remembrance for thy Julia's fake.
[ giving a Ring.
PRO. Why, then we'll make exchange; here, takeyou
JUL . And feal the bargain with a holy kifs. [^ this.
PRO. Here is ~|~ my hand for my true conftancy :
And when that hour o'er-flips me in the day,
Wherein I figh not, Ju/ia, for thy fake,
^fhe next enfuing hour fome foul mifchance
22 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
Torment me for my love's forgetfulnefs !
My father ftays my coming ; anfwer not ;
The tide is now : nay, not thy tide of tears ;
That tide will flay me longer than I mould.
Julia, fare w el. _ What, gone without a word ?
[Exit JULIA.
Ay, fo true love mould do : it cannot fpeak ;
For truth hath better deeds than words to grace it.
Enter PANTHINO.
PJN. Sir Protkeus, you are ftay'd for.
PRO. Go, I come :
Alas, this parting flrikes poor lovers dumb. [Exeunt.
SCENE III. The fame. 4 Street.
Enter LAUNCE, nuith a Dog in a String.
J*ji v. Nay, 'twill be this hour ere I have done weep-
ing ; all the kind of the Launces have this very fault :
I have receiv'd my proportion, like the prodigious fon,
and am going with fir Prctheus to the imperial's court.
I think, Crab my dog be the foureft-natur'd dog that
lives : my mother weeping, my father wailing, my filter
crying, our maid howling, our cat wringing her hands,
and all our houfe in a great perplexity, yet did not
this cruel-hearted cur fhed one tear : he is a ftone, a
very pibble-ftone, and has no more pity in him than a
dfjg ; a Je<w would have wept to have feen our part-
ing ; why, my grandame, having no eyes, look you,
wept herfelf blind at my parting. Nay, I'll (how you
the manner of it : This flioe is my father ; no, this
left flioe is my father ; no, no, this left fhoe is my
mother ; nay, that cannot be fp neither ; yes, it is
fo, it is fo ; it hath the worfer fole : This (hoe, with ih^
11 J come, I come:
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 23
hole in it, is my mother ; and this, my father; A ven-
geance on't ! there 'tis : now, fir, this ftaff is my filler - r
for, look you, (he is as white as a lilly, and as fmall as
a wand : this hat is Nan our maid : I am the dog; *
no, the dog is himfelf, and I am the dog, o, the dog
is me, and I am myfelf; ay, fo, fo : Now come I to my
father, Father, your blejjing ; now mould not the fhoe
fpeak a word for weeping ; now mould I kifs my fatherj
well, he weeps on : now come I to my mother ; O,
that (he could fpeak now, like a wode woman ! well,
I kifs her;~why, there 'tis ; here's my mother's breath
up and down : now come I to my fifter ; mark the moan
ihe makes : now the dog all this while flieds not a tear,
nor fpeaks a word ; but fee how I lay the duft with my
tears.
Enter PANTHINO.
PAN. L ounce ! away, away, aboard; thy matter is
fhip'd, and thou art to poft after with oars : What's the
matter? why weep'ft thou, man? Away, afs; you'll lose
the tide, if you tarry any longer.
LAV. It is no matter, if the ty'd were loft ; for it is
the unkindeft ty'd that ever any man ty'd.
PAN. What's the unkindeft tide?
LA u. Why, he that's ty'd here ; Crab, my dog.
PAN. Tut, man! I mean, thou'lt lose the flood;
and, in losing the flood, lose thy voyage ; and, in losing
thy voyage, lose thy mafter; and, in losing thy mafter,
lose thy fervice; and, in losing thy fervice, Why doft
thou flop my mouth ?
LAV. For fear thou fhould'ft lose thy tongue.
PAN. Where fliould I lose my tongue ?
LAU. In thy tale.
* a would- worn in
24 Tbf two Gentlemen of Verona.
PAN. In thy tail ?
LAV. Lose the tide, and the voyage, and the mafter,
and the fervice ? Why, man, if the river were dry, I
am able to fill it with my tears ; if the wind were down,
I could drive the boat with my fighs.
PA v. Come, come away, man ; I was fent to call thee.
LAV, Sir, call me what thou dar'ft.
PAN. Wilt thou go ?
LAV. Well, I will go. [Exeunt.
SCENE IV. Milan. A Room in theDukis Palace.
Enter SILVIA, VALENTINE, THURio,tfW SPEED.
SIL . Servant,
VAL . Miftrefs ? [they converjt apart.
SPE. Mafter, fir Thurio frowns on you.
VAL . Ay, boy, it's for love.
SPE. Not of you.
VAL. Of my miftrefs then.
SPS. 'Twere good, you knock'd him,
Sit. Servant, you are fad.
VAL . Indeed, madam, I feem fo.
THU. Seem you that you are not ?
VAL. Haply, I do. '
7uu. So do counterfeits.
YAL . So do you.
T'av. What feem I, that I am not ?
VAL. Wise.
f'uv. What inftance of the contrary ?
V^L. your folly.
7 11 1'.- Ajid how quote you my folly ?
VAL . I quote it in your jerkin.
"^r. My jerkin is a doublet.
3 v. Nete.
The liuo Gentlemen of Verona. 25
VAL. Well then, I'll double your folly.
Yau, How ?
SIL . What, angry, firTburio?do you change colour?
VAL . Give him leave, madam ; heis a kind ofcameleon.
Tuir. That hath more mind to feed on your blood,
than live in your air.
VAL. You have faid, fir.
Tau. Ay, fir, and done too, for this time. [gin.
VAL. I know it well, fir ; you always end ere you be-
Sii , A fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quick-
ly fhot off.
VAL. 'Tis indeed, madam ; we thank the giver.
SJL. Who is that, fervant ?
VAL. Yourfelf, fweet lady ; for you gave the fire : fir
Thurio borrows his wit from your ladyftiip's looks, and
fpends what he borrows kindly in your company.
THU. Sir, if you fpend word for word with me, I mall
make your wit bankrupt.
VAL. I know it well, fir : you have an exchequer of
words, and, I think, no other treasure to give your fol-
lowers ; for it appears by their bare liveries, that they
live by your bare words.
SIL. No more, gentlemen, no more; here comes my
father.
Enter Duke, attended.
Duk. Now, daughter Silvia ? you are hard befet
Sir Valentine, your father's in good health :
What fay you to a letter from your friends,
Of much good news ?
VAL. My lord, I will be thankful
To any happy meffenger from thence.
Duk. Know you don Antonio, your countryman ?
>6 be tivo Gentlemen of Verona.
VAL. Ay, my good lord, I know the gentleman
To be of worth, and worthy eftimation,
And not without desert fo well reputed.
Duk. Hath he not a fen ?
Vji. Ay, my good lord ; a fon, that well deserves
The honour and regard of fuch a father.
Duk. You know him well ?
FJLL. I knew him as myfelf ; for from our infancy
We have converf'd, and fpent our hours together :
And though myfelf have been an idle truant,
Omitting the fweet benefit of time
To cloath mine age with angel-like perfection,
Yet hath fir Protbeus (for that's his name)
Made ufe and fair advantage of his days ;
His years but young, but his experience old ;
Hu head unmellow'd, but his judgment ripe ;
And, in a word, (for far behind his worth
Come all the praises that I now bellow)
He is compleat in feature, and in mind,
With all good grace to grace a gentleman.
Duk. Befhrew me, fir, but, if he make this good,
He is as worthy for an emprefs' love
As meet to be an emperor's counfellor.
Well, fir ; this gentleman is come to me,
With commendation from great potentates,
And here he means to fpend his time a while :
J think, 'tis no unwelcome news to you.
VAL. Should I have wifh'd a thing, it had been he.
Duk Welcome him then according to his worth ;
Silvia, I fpeak to you, _ and you, fir Thurio ;
For Valentine, I need not cite him to it :
I'll fend him hither to you presently. [Exit,
18 Comes
7be two Gentlemen of Verona. 27
VAL. This is the gentleman, I told your ladyfhip,
Had come along with me, but that his miftrefs
Did hold his eyes lock'd in her cryftal looks.
SIL. Belike, that now fhe hath enfranchis'd them
Upon fome other pawn for fealty.
VAL . Nay, fure, I think, fhe holds them prisoners (till.
SIL . Nay, then he mould be blind ; And , being blind,
How could he fee his way to feek out you ?
VAL. Why, lady, love hath twenty pair of eyes.
THU. They fay, that love hath not an eye at all.
VAL. To fee fuch lovers, Tburio^ as yourfelf ;
Upon a homely object love can wink. [man.
SIL . Have done, have done ; here comes the gentle-
Enier PROTKEUS. [yu,
VAL. Welcome, dear Protkeus /_ Miftrefs, I befeech
Confirm his welcome with fome fpecial favour.
SIL. His worth is warrant for his welcome hither ;
If this be he you oft have wifh'd to hear from.
VAL. Miftrefs, it is : fweet lady, entertain him
To be my fellow-fervant to your ladyfhip.
SIL . Too low a miftrefs for fo high a fervant.
PRO. Not fo, fweet lady ; but too mean a fervant
To have a look of fuch a worthy miftrefs.
VAL . Leave off difcourfe of difability :
Sweet lady, entertain him for your fervant.
PRO. My duty will I boaft of, nothing elfe.
SIL. And duty never yet did want his meed :
Servant, you are welcome to a worthlefs miftrefs.
PRO. I'll die on him that fays fo, but yourfelf.
SIL. That you are welcome, fir?
PRO. That you are worthlefs.
Enter an Attendant.
3* v. Note.
28 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
[you.
Att. Madam, my lord your father would fpeak with
SIL. I wait upon his pleasure. Come, fir Thurio,
Go got! with me : Once more, new fervant, welcome :
Til leave you to confer of home affairs ;
When you have done, we look to hear from you.
PRO. We'll both attend upon your lady (hip.
. [Exeunt SILVIA, THURIO, SPEED, and Att.
VAI . Now, tell me, how doall from whence you came?
PRO. Your friends are well, and have them much
VAL. And how do yours ? [commended.
PRO. I left them all in health.
VAL . How doesyour lady ? and how thrives your love ?
PRO. My tales of love were wont to weary you ;
I know, you joy not in a love-difcourfe.
VAI. Ay, Protheus, but that life is alter'd now :
I have done penance for contemning love ;
Whose high imperious thoughts have punifli'd me
With bitter fafts, with penitential groans,
With nightly tears, and daily heart-fore fighs ;
For, in revenge of my contempt of love,
Love hath chac'd fleep from my enthralled eyes,
And made them watchers of mine own heart's forrow.
O gentle Protbeus, love's a mighty lord;
And hath fo humbl'd me, as, I confefs,
There is no woe to his correction ;
Nor, to his fervice, no fuch joy on earth !
Now, no difcourfe, except it be of love ;
Now can I break my fail, dine, fup, and fleep,
Upon the very naked name of love.
PRO. Enough ; T read your fortune in your eye :
Was this the idol that you worlhip fo ?
VAL. Even fhe ; And is me not a heavenly fain* ?
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 29
PRO. No i but fhe is an earthly paragon.
VAL. Call her divine.
PRO. I will not flatter her.
VAL. O, flatter me ; for love delights in praise.
PRO. When I was fick, you gave me bitter pilb ;
And I muft minifter the like to you.
VAL . Then fpeak the truth by her ; if not divine,
Yet let her be a principality,
Sovereign to all the creatures on the earth.
PRO. Except my miftrefs.
VAL. Sweet, except not any ;
Except thou wilt except againft my love.
PRO. Have t not reason to prefer mine own ?
VAL. And I will help thee to prefer her too :
She fhall be dignify'd with this high honour, *
To bear my lady's train ; left the bafe earth
Should from her vefture chance to fteal a kifs,
And, of fo great a favour growing proud,
Difdain to root the fummer-fwelling flower,
And make rough winter everlallingly.
PRO. Why, Valentine, what bragadism is .this?
VAL. Pardon me, Protbeus: all I can is nothing
To her whose worth makes other worthies nothing ;
She is alone
PRO. S2aj), then let her alone.
VAL . Not for the world : why, man, me is mine own ;
And I as rich in having fuch a jewel,
As twenty feas, if all their fand were pearl,
The water nectar, and the rocks pure gold.
Forgive me, that I do not dream on thee,
Because thou fee'il me doat upon my love.
My foolifh rival, that her father likes,
JO Vhe two Gentlemen of Vet-aria,
Only for his posseflions are fo huge,
Is gone with her along ; and I muft after ;
For love, thou know'ft, is full of jealoufy.
PRO. But flie loves you ?
^>i. Ay, and we are betroth'd ;
!Nay, more, mg Ii?rotl;eu0* our marriage hour,
With all the cunning manner of our flight,
Determin'd of: how I muft climb her window ;
The ladder made of cords ; and all the means
Plotted, and 'greed on, for my happinefs.
Good Prctheus, go with me to my chamber,
In these affairs to aid me with thy counfel.
PRO. Go on before ; I mall enquire you forth :
I muft unto the road, to difembarque
Some neceflaries that I needs muft use,
And then I'll presently attend on you.
VJIL. Will you make hafte ?
PRO. I will. [Exit VALENTINE,
Even as one heat another heat expels,
Or as one nail by ftrength drives out another,
So the renembrance of my former love
Is by a newer objedl quite forgotten.
Is it mine oton, or Valentino's praise,
Her true perfection, or my falfe tranfgreffion,
That makes me, reasonlefs, to reason thus ?
She's fair ; and fo is Julia that I love ;
That I did love ; for now my love is thaw'd*
Which, like a waxen image 'gainft a fire,
Bears no impreffion of the thing it was.
Methinks, my zeal to Valentine is cold,
And that I love him not as I was wont :
O, but I love his lady too too much ;
The ivjD Gentleman o/'Veroni 31
And that's the reason I love him fo little.
How mall I doat on her with more advice,
That thus without advice begin to love her?
'Tis but her pidure I have yet beheld,
And that hath dazzl'd my reason's light ;
But when I look on her perfections,
There is no reason but I fhall be blind.
Jf I can check my erring love, I will ;
If not, to compafs her I'll use my {kill. [Exit,
SCENE V. The fame. 4 Street.
Enter SPEED, ^WLAUNCE, meeting.
SPE. Launce ! by mine honefty, welcome to Milan.
LAU. Forfwear not thyfelf, fweet youth ; for I am not
welcome. I reckon this always That a man is never un-
done, 'till he be hang'd ; nor nevef welcome to a place, 'till
fome certain mot be pay'd, and the hoftefs fay, welcome.
SPE. Come on, you mad-cap, I'll to the ale-houfe
with you presently ; where, for one mot of five pence,
thou malt have five thousand welcomes. But,firrah, how
did thy mafler part with madam Julia ?
LAV. Marry, after they clos'd in earneft, they parted
very fairly in jeft.
ip. But mall me marry him ?
LAU. No.
SPE. How then ? mall he marry her ?
LAV. No, neither.
S-PK. What, are they broken ?
LAU. No, they are both as whole as a fifh.
SPE. Why then, how Hands the matter with them?
LAU. Marry, thus ; when it (lands well with him, is
ftands well with her.
2 *rbe two Gentlemen of Verona.
SPE. What an afs art thou? I underftand thee not.
LAU. What a block art thou, that thou can'ft not ?
jny ftaffunderftands me.
SPE. What thou fay 'ft ?
LAU. Ay/and what I do too : look thee, I'll but lean,
and my ftaff underftands me.
5p. It (lands under thee, indeed.
LAV. Why, Hand-under" and under- ftand is all one.
SPE. But, tell me true, will't be a match ?
LAU. Aflt my dog : if he fay, ay, it will ; if he fay,
no, it will ; if he (hake his tail, and fay nothing, it will.
SPE. The conclusion is then, that it will.
LAV. Thou (halt never get fuch a fecret from me, but
by a parable.
SPE. 'Tiswell,thatlgetitfo. But Launce, how fay'il
thou, that my mafter is become a notable lover ?
LAU. I never knew him otherwise.
SPE. Than how?
LAU, A notable lubber, as thou reported him to be.
SPE. Why, thou whorfon afs, thou miftak'ft me.
LAU. Why, fool, I meant not thee ; I meant thy mafter.
SPE. I tell thee, my mafter is become a hot lover.
LAU. Why, I tell thee, I care not though he burn
himfelf in love. If thou wilt go with me to the ale-
houfe, (b ; if not, thou art an Hebrew, a Jew, and not
worth the name of a chriftian.
SPE. Why?
LAU. Because thou haft not fo much charity in thee
as to go to the ale with a chriftian : Wilt thou go ?
SPE. At thy fervice. [Exeunt.
SCENE VI. The fame. A Room i* the Palace.
Tkt tnuo Gentlemen of Verona. 3 3
Enter PROTHEUS.
PRO. To leave my Julia, ftiall I be forfworn ;
To love fair Silvia, ftiall t be forfworn ;
To wrong my friend, I fhall be much forfworn ;
And even that power, which gave me firft my oath,
Provokes me to this threefold perjury :
Love bad me fwear, and love bids me forfivear :
fweet fuggefting love, if thou haft fin'd,
Teach me, thy tempted fubjet, to excuse it !
At firft I did adore a twinkling ftar,
But now I worfhip a celeftial fun :
Unheedful vows may needfully be broken ;
And he wants wit, that wants resolved will
To learn his wit to exchange the bad for better :
Fie, fie, unreverend tongue ! to call her bad,
Whose fovereignty fo oft thou haft prefer'd
With twenty thousand foul-confirming oaths.
1 cannot leave to love, and yet I do ;
But there I leave to love, where I fhould love.
Julia I lose, and Valentine I lose :
If I keep them, I needs muft lose myfelf;
If I lose them, This find I by their lofs,
For Valentine, myfelf; for Julia, Silvia.
I to myfelf am dearer than a friend ;
For love is ftill moft precious in itfelf :
And Silvia (witnefs heaven, that made her fair)
Shews Julia but a fwarthy Etbiope.
I will forget that Julia is alive,
Remembring that my love to her is dead ;
And Valentine I'll hold an enemy,
Aiming at Silvia as a fweeter friend.
I cannot now prove conflant to myfelf,
" thus
VOL, I. H
34 Vke tiuo Gentlemen ^V
Without feme treachery us'd to Valentine:-'
This night, he meaneth with a corded ladder
To climb celeftial Silvia's chamber-window j
Myfelf in counfel, his competitor :
Now presently I'll give her father notice
Of their difguising, and pretended flight ;
Who, all enrag'd, will banifh Valentine ;
For Thurio, he intends, fhall wed his daughter :
But, Valentine being gone, I'll quickly crofs,
By fome fly trick, blunt 'Thurid's dull procseding.
Love, lend me wings to make my purpose fwift,
As thou haft lent me wit to plot this drift ! [Exit,.
SCENE VII. Verona. A Room in Julia'* Heuft.
Enter JULIA, aWLucETTA.
Jut . Counfel, Lucetta ; gentle girl, aflift me !
And, even in kind love, I do conjure thee,
Who art the table wherein all my thoughts
Are visibly chara&er'd and engrav'd,
To leflbn me ; and tell me fome good mean,
How, with my honour, I may undertake
A journey to my loving Protbeus.
Luc. Alas, the way is wearifome and long.
JUL. A true-devoted pilgrim is not weary
To measure kingdoms with his feeble Heps ;
Much lefs fhall me, that hath love's wings to fly j
And when the flight is made to one fo dear,
Of fuch divine perfection, as fir Protbeus.
Luc. Better forbear, 'till Protbeus make return.
JUL . O, know'ft thounot,his looks are my feul's food?
Pity the dearth that I have pined in,
By longing for that food fo long a time.
The t<uco Gentlemen of Verona. 35
jDidft thou but know the inly touch of love,
Thou would'ft as foon go kindle fire with fnow,
As feek to quench the fire of love with words.
Lvc. I do not feek to quench your love's hot fire;
But qualify the fire's extream rage,
Left it ftiould burn above the bounds of reason.
JUL. The more thou dam'ft it up, the more it burns:
The current, that with gentle murmur glides,
Thou know'ft, being ftop'd, impatiently doth rage;
But, when his fair courfe is not hindered,
He makes fweet musick with th' enamel'd Hones,
Giving a gentle kifs to every fedge
He overtaketh in his pilgrimage ;
And fo by many winding nooks he ftrays
With willing fport. to the wild ocean.
Then let me go, and hinder not my courfe :
I'll be as patient as a gentle ftream,
And make a paftime of each weary flep,
'Till the laft ftep have brought me to my love,
And there I'll reft ; as, after much turmoil,
A blefled foul doth in Elysium.
Luc. But in what habit will you go along ?
JUL. Not like a woman ; for I would prevent
The loofe encounters of lafcivious men :
Gentle Lucetta, fit me with fuch weeds
As may befeem fome well-reputed page.
Lvc. Why, then your ladyfhip muft cut your hair.
JUL. No, girl; I'll knit it up in filken firings,
With twenty odd-conceited true-love knots :
To be fantaftick, may become a youth
Of greater time than I lhall mew to be. [ches ?
Lvc. What faihion, madam, (hall I make your bree-
H z
j6 The tno Gentlemen c/* Verona,
Jui. That fits as well, as, Tell me, good my lord,
What compafs will you wear your farthingale ?_
Why, e'en what fafhion thou beft lik'fl, Lucetta. [dam.
Luc. You mud needs have them with a cod-piece, ma-
JUL. Out, out, Lucetta! that will be ill-favour'd.
Luc. A round hose, madam, now's not worth a pin,
Unlefs you have a cod-piece to flick pins on.
JUL . Lucetta, as thou lov'll me, let me have
What thou think'fl meet, and is moft mannerly.
But tell me, wench, how will the world repute me,
For undertaking fo unftay'd a journey ?
I fear me, it will make me fcandaliz'd.
Luc. If you think fo, then flay at home, and go not.
JUL. Nay, that I will not.
Luc. Then never dream on infamy, but go :
If Protheus like your journey, when you come,
No matter who's difpleas'd, when you are gone ;
I fear me, he will fcarce be pleas'd withal.
JUL . That is the leafl, Lucetta, of my fear :
A thousand oaths, an ocean of his tears,
And inflances of infinite of love,
Warrant me welcome to my Protheui.
Luc. All these are fervants to deceitful men.
JUL. Bafe men, that use them to fo bafe effec~l \
But truer ftars did govern Protbeus* birth :
His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles ;
His love fmcere, his thoughts immaculate ;
His tears, pure meflengers fent from his heart ;
His heart as far from fraud, as heaven from earth.
Luc. Pray heaven, he prove fo, when you come to him !
JUL. Now, as thou lov'ft me, do him not that wrong,
To bear a hard opinion of his truth :
3 likes
The two Gentlemen of Verona. >7
Only deserve my love, by loving him ;
And presently go with me to my chamber,
To take a note of what I {land in need of,
To furnifh me upon my longing journey :
All that is mine I leave at thy difpose,
My goods, my lands, my reputation ;
Only, in lieu thereof, difpatch me hence :
Come, anfwer not, but to it presently ;
I am impatient of my tarriance. [Exeunt.
AC? III.
SCENE I. Milan. Anti-room of the Palace.
Enter Duke, PROTHEUS, and Thurio.
Duk. Sir Thurio, give IB leave, I pray, a while ;
We have fbme fecrets to confer about.
[Exit Thurio.
Now, tell me, Protbeus, what's your will with me ?
PRO. My gracious lord, that which I would difcover,
The law of friendfhip bids roe to conceal :
But, when I call to mind your gracious favours
Done to me, undeserving as I am,
My duty pricks me on to utter that
Which elfe no worldly good mould draw from me.
Know, worthy prince, fir Valentine my friend
This night intends to fteal away your daughter;
Myfelf am one made privy to the plot :
I know, you have determin'd to beftow her
On Tburio, whom your gentle daughter hates ;
And, fhould me thus be ftoln away from you,
It would be much vexation to your age :
3 8 Ike two Gentlemen of Verona.
Thus, for my duty's fake, I rather chose
To crofs my friend in his intended drift ;
Than, by concealing it, heap on your head
A pack of forrows, which would prefs you down,
Being unprevented, to your timelefs grave.
Duk. Protbeust I thank thee for thine honeft care ;
Which to requite, command me while I live.
This love of theirs myfelf have often feen,
Haply when they have judg'd me faft afleep ;
And oftentimes have purpos'd to forbid
Sir Valentine her company, and my court :
But, fearing left my jealous aim might err,
And fo unworthily difgrace the man,
(A rafhnefs that I ever yet have fhun'd)
J gave him gentle looks ; thereby to find
That which thyfelf haft now difclos'd to me.
And, that thou may'ft perceive my fear of this,
Knowing that tender youth ils foon fuggefted,
I nightly lodge her in an upper tower,
The key whereof myfelf have ever kept ;
And thence {he cannot he convey'd away.
PRO. Know, noble lord, they have devis'd a mean
How he her chamber-window will afcend,
And with a corded ladder fetch her down :
For which the youthful lover now is gone,
And this way comes he with it presently;
Where, if it please you, you may intercept him.
But, good my lord, do it fo cunningly,
That my difcovery be not aimed at ;
For love of you, not hate unto my friend,
Hath made me publifher of this pretence.
Duk, Upon mine honour, he fhall never know
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 39
That I had any light from thee of this.
PRO. Adieu, my lord; fir Patent ine is coming.
[Exit PROTHEUS,
Enter VALENTINE.
Duk. Sir Valentine, whither away fo faft ?
VAL, Please it your grace, there is a meflenger
That Hays -to bear my letters to my friends,
And I am going to deliver them.
Duk. Be they of much import?
VJL. The tenour of them doth but fignify
My health, and happy being at your court.
Duk. Nay, then no matter, ftay with me a while ;
I am to break with thee of fome affairs
That touch me near, wherein thou muft be fecret.
'Tis not unknown to thee, that I have fought
To match my friend fir Thurio to my daughter.
VAL. I know it well, my lord ; and, fure, the match
Were rich and honourable ; befides, the gentleman
Is full of virtue, bounty, worth, and qualities
Befeeming fuch a wife as your fair daughter :
Cannot your grace win her to fancy him ?
Duk . No, truft me ; me is peevim, fullen, froward,
Proud, difobedient, ftubborn, lacking duty ;
Neither regarding that fhe is my child,
Nor fearing me as if I were her father :
And, may i fay to thee, this pride of hers,
Upon advice, hath drawn my love from her;
And, where I thought the remnant of mine age
Should have been cherim'd by her child-like duty,
I now am full resolv'd to take a wife,
And turn her out to who will take her in :
Then let her beauty be her wedding-dower;
a 4
4.0 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
For me, and my posseffions, fhe efteems not.
VAL. What would your grace have me to do in this ?
Duk. There is a lady, fir, in Milan here,
Whom I affeft ; but fhe is nice, and coy,
And nought efteems my aged eloquence :
Now, therefore, would I have thee to my tutor,
(For long agone I have forgot to court ;
Befides, the fafhion of the time is chang'd)
How, and which way, I may beftow myfelf,
To be regarded in her fun-bright eye.
VAL. Win her with gifts, if fhe refpedl: not words;
Dumb jewels often, in their filent kind,
More than quick words do move a woman's mind.
Duk. But fhe did fcorn a present that I fent her.
VAL. A woman fometimes fcorns what beft contents
Send her another ; never give her o'er ; [her :
For fcorn at firft makes after-love the more.
If fhe do frown, 'tis not in hate of you ;
But, rather, to beget more love in you :
If fhe do chide, 'tis not to have you gone ;
For why, the fools are mad, if left alone :
Take no repulfe, whatever fhe doth fay ;
For, Get you gone i fhe doth not mean, away.
Flatter, and praise, commend, extol their graces ;
Though ne'er fo black, fay, they have angels' faces.
That man that hath a tongue, I fay, is no man,
If with his tongue he cannot win a woman.
Duk. But fhe I mean, is promis'd by her friends
Unto a youthful gentleman of worth ;
And kept feverely from resort of men,
That no man hath accefs by day to her.
VAL. Why, then I would resort to her by night.
3 Lady in Verona here
T&e two Gentlemen of Verona. 41
Duk. Ay, but the doors be lock'd, and keys kept fafe,
That no man hath recourfe to her by night.
VAL. What lets, but one may enter at her window?
Duk. Her chamber is aloft, far from the ground;
And built fo fhelving, that one cannot climb it
Without apparent hazard of his life.
VAL. Why, then a ladder, quaintly made of cords,
To caft up, with a pair of anchoring hooks,
Would ferve to fcale another Hero's tower,
So bold Leander would adventure it.
Duk. Now, as thou art a gentleman of blood,
Advise me where I may have fuch a ladder.
VAL . When would you use it ? pray, fir, tell me that.
Duk. This very night ; for love is like a child,
That longs for every thing that he can come by.
VAL. By feven o'clock I'll get you fuch a ladder.
Duk. But hark thee ; I will go to her alone,
How fliall I beft convey the ladder thither?
VAI . It will be light, my lord ; that you may bear it
Under a cloak, that is of any length.
Duk. A cloak as long as thine will ferve the turn ?
VAL. Ay, my good lord.
Duk. Then let me fee thy cloak ;
I'll get me one of fuch another length.
VAL. Why, any cloak will ferve the turn, my lord.
Duk. How fnall I fafhion me to wear a cloak ?_
I pray thee, let me feel thy ~j~ cloak upon me
What letter is this fame? What's here ? To Silvia?
And here an engine fit for my proceeding !
fll be fo bold to break the feal for once. \reads.
My thoughts do harbour iuith my Silvia nightly ;
And fiaves they are tc me, that fend them fying :
4 2 The two Gentlemen of Vero n a .
Q, cculd their majier ccme and go as lightly,
Himje If 'would ledge where Jen.'elefi they are lying.
My herald thoughts in thy pure bosom reft them ;
While I, their king, that thither them importune,
Do curj'e the grace that with Juch grace hath bleji them,
Beraure my f elf do want my /e wants' fortune :
1 curfe my f elf, for they are fent by me,
That they Jhould harbour where their lord would be-
What's here ?
Silvia, this night I will enfranchize thee.
'Tis fo ; and here's the ladder for the purpose.
Why, Phaeton, (for thou art Merops^ fon)
Wilt thou afpire to guide the heavenly car,
And with thy daring folly burn the world ?
Wilt thou reach ftars, because they mine on thee J
Go, bafe intruder ! over-weening {lave !
Beftow thy fawning fmiles on equal mates ;
And think, my patience, more than thy desert,
Is priyijedge for thy departure hence :
Thank me for this, more than for all the favours,
Wnici, all too much, I have beftow'd on thee.
But if thou linger in my territories
Longer than fwifteft expedition
Will give thee time to leave our royal court,
By heaven, my wrath fliall far exceed the love
I ever bore my daughter, or thyfelf.
Be gone, I will not hear thy vain excufe;
But, 35 thou lov'ft thy life, make fpeed from hence.
[Exit Duke.
FJI. And why not death, rather than living torment ;
To die, is to be banifh'd from myfelf ;
Aad Silvia is myielf : banifh'd from her.
5 T he tvjc Gtnthmtn of Verona. 43
Is felf from felf ; A deadly banifhment !
What light is light, if Silvia be not feen?
What joy is joy, if Silvia be not by ?
Unlefs it be, to think that Ihe is by,
And feed upon the fhadow of perfedion.
Except I be by Silvia in the night,
There is no musick in the nightingale ;
Unlefs I look on Silvia in the day,
There is no day for me to look upon :
She is my eflence ; and I leave to be,
If I be not by her fair influence
Fofter'd, illumin'd, cherim'd, kept alive.
I fly not death, to fly his deadly doom :
Tarry I here, I but attend on death ;
But, fly I hence, I fly away from life.
Entir PROTHEUS,
PRO. Run, boy, run, run, and feek him out.
LAV. So-ho! fo-ho!
PRO. What fee'ft thou ?
LAV. Him we go to find; there's not a hair on's head,
but 'tis a Valentine.
PRO. Valentine?
VAL. No.
PRO. Who then? his fpirit ?
VAL. Neither.
PRO. What then ?
VAL. Nothing.
LAV. Can nothing fpeak ? Matter, fliall I ftrike ?
PRO. Whom would'lt thou ftrike ?
L-AV. Nothing.
PRO. Villain, forbear.
LAV. Why, Hr, I'll ftrike nothing : I pray you.
44 Ibe t Gentlemen of Verona.
PRO. Sirra, T fay, forbear. Friend Valentine, a word .
VAL. My ears are ftopt, and cannot hear good news,
So much of bad already hath posseft them.
PRO. Then in dumb filence will I bury mine ;
For they are harfh, untunable, and bad.
VAL. Is Silvia dead?
PRO. No, Valentine.
VAL.. No Valentine, indeed, for iacred Silvia :
Hath fhe forfworn me ?
PRO. No, Valentine.
VAL. No Valentine, if Silvia have forfworn me. .
What is your news ?
LAV. Sir,thereisaproclamation,'thatyouarevanifh'd.
PRO. That thou art banifh'd, o, that is the news,
From hence, from Silvia, and from me thy friend.
VAL . O, I have fed upon this woe already,
And now excefs of it will make me furfeit.
Doth Silvia know that I am banifhed ?
PRO. Ay, ay ; and fhe hath offer'd to the doom,
(Which, unreverf'd, ftands in effectual force)
A fea of melting pearl, which fome call tears :
Those at her father's churlifh feet fhe tender'd ;
With them, upon her knees, her humble felf ;
Wringing her hands, whose whitenefs fo became them,
As if but now they waxed pale for woe :
But neither bended knees, pure hands held up,
Sad fighs, deep groans, nor filver-fhedding tears,
Could penetrate her uncompafiionate fire ;
But Valentine, if he be ta'en, mufl die.
Befides, her interceflion chaf 'd him fo,
When fhe for thy repeal was fuppliant,
That to clofe prison he commanded her,
The t-Mo Gentlemen of Verona. 45
With many bitter threats of 'biding there.
VAL . No more ; unlefs the next word that thou fpeak'ft
Have fome malignant power upon my life :
If fo, I pray thee, breath it in mine ear,
As ending anthem of my endlefs dolour.
PRO. Ceafe to lament for that thou canft not help,
And ftudy help for that which thou lament'ft.
Time is the nurfe and breeder of all good.
Here if thou ftay, thou canft not fee thy love ;
Befides, thy flaying will abridge thy life:
Hope is a lover's ftaff ; walk hence with that,
And manage it againft defpairing thoughts :
Thy letters may be here, though thou art hence ;
Which, being writ to me, (hall be deliver'd
Even in the milk-white bosom of thy love.
The time now ferves not to expoftulate :
Come, I'll convey thee through the city-gate ;
And, ere I part with thee, confer at large
Of all that may concern thy love-affairs :
As thou lov'fl Silvia, though not for thyfelf,
Regard thy danger, and along with me.
VAL. I pray thee, Launce, an if thou fee'ft my boy,
Bid him make hafle and meet me at the north-gate.
PRO. Go, firra, find him out : Come, Valentine.
VAL . O my dear Sil-via ! haplefs Valentine !
[Exeunt VALENTINE, <:</PROTHEUS.
LAV. I am but a fool, look you ; and yet I have
the wit to think, my matter is a kind of a knave : but
that's all one, if he be but one knave. He lives not
now, that knows me to be in love : yet I am in love ;
but a team of horfe {hall not pluck that from me : nor
who 'tis I love ; and vet 'tis a woman : but what
*6 The t*uoo Gentlemen of Verona.
woman, I will not tell myfelf; and yet 'tis a milk-
maid : yet 'tis not a maid ; for me hath had g-oflips :
yet 'tis a maid ; for me is her matter's maid, and
ferves for wages. She hath more qualities than a
water- fpaniel, which is much in a bare chriftian :
here is [pulling out a Paper.] the cat-log of her con-
ditions. Jmprimis, She* can fetch and carry: Why, a
horfe can do no more : nay, a horfe cannot fetch, but
only carry; therefore, is fhe better than a jade. Item,
She can milk, look you ; A fweet virtue in a maid with
clean hands.
Enter SPEED.
SPE. How now, fignior Launce ? what news with
your maftermip ?
LAV. With my matter's fliip ? why, it is at fea.
SPE. Well, your old vice ftill; mittake the word :
What news then in your paper ?
LAV. The blackeft news that ever thou heard'ft.
SPE. Why, man, how black?
LAV. Why, as black as ink.
SPE. Let me read them.
LAV. Fie on thee, jolt-head ; thou canft not read.
SPE. Thou ly'ft, 1 can.
LAU. I will try thee : Tell me this, Who begot thee?
SPE. Marry, the fon of my grandfather.
LAU. O illiterate loiterer ! it was the fon of thy
grandmother : this proves, that thou canft not read.
SPE. Come, fool, come ; try me in thy paper.
LAU. There =f ; And faint Nicholas be thy fpeed !
SPE. Imprimis, She can milk. \readi-
LAV. Ay, that (he can.
SPE. Item, She brews good ale.
7 Condition, 5 Maflerfliip ?
7'be tivo Gentlemen of , Verona. 47
LAU. Arid thereof comes the proverb, Blefllng o*
your heart, you brew good ale.
SPE. Item, Sbecanfo<vj.
LAV. That's as much as to fay, Can fhe fo ?
SPE. Item, She can knit.
LAU. What need a man care for a flock with a wench,
when (he can knit him a Hock ?
SPE. Item, Skecannvafiandfcour.
LAU. A fpecial virtue ; for then fhe need not to be
wafh'd and fcour'd.
SPE. Item, She can fpin.
LAU. Then may I fet the world on wheels, when ihe
can fpin for her living.
SPE. Item, She bath many namelefs virtues.
LAU. That's as much as to fay, baftard virtues ; that,
indeed, know not their fathers, and therefore have no
names.
SPE. Here follow her vices.
LAU. Clofe at the heels of her virtues.
SPE. Item, She is not to be feiff'H fafting, in reff>e<3 of
her breath.
LAU. Well, that fault may be mended with a break-
faft. Read on.
SPE. Item, She bath a faaeet mouth.
LAU. That makes amends for her four breath.
SPE. Item, She doth talk in herjltep. (talk.
LAU. It's no matter for that, fo fhe fleep not in her
SPE. Item, She isjlo-w in words.
LAU. O villain, that fet this down among her vices!
To be flow in words, is a woman's only virtue : _I pray
thee, out with't ; and place it for her chief virtue.
SPE. Item, She is proud.
48 he tnvo Gentlemen of Verona.
LAV. Out with that too ; it was Eve's legacy, and
cannot be ta'en from her.
S PE. Item, She hath no teeth.
LAV. I care not for that neither, because I love crafts.
SPE. Item, She is curJJ.
Lju. Well, the belt is, me hath no teeth to bite.
S PE. Item, She will often praise her liquor.
LAV. If her liquor be good, fhe lhall : if (he will not,
I will ; for good things mould be prais'd.
SPE. Item, She is too liberal.
LAV. Of her tongue (he cannot ; for that's writ down
(he is flow of: of her purfe fhe fhall not ; for that I'll
keep fhut : now, of another thing fhe may ; and that
cannot I help. Well, proceed.
SPE. Item, She hath more hair than nult, and more
faults than hairs, and more 'wealth than faults.
LAV. Stop there ; I'll have her : fhe was mine, and
not mine, twice or thrice in that laft article : Rehearfe
that once more.
SPE. Item, She hath more hair than nuit,
LAV. More hair than wit, it may be; I'll prove
it : The cover of the fait hides the fait, and therefore
it is more than the fait : the hair, that covers the wit,
is more than the wit j for the greater hides the lefs.
What's next ?
SPE. and more faults than hairs,"
LAV. That's monftrous ; O, that that were out !
SPE. and more luealth than faults.
LAV. Why, that word makes the faults gracious.
Well, I'll have her : And if it be a match, as nothing
is impoffible,
SPE. What then?
wo Gentlemen of Verona. 49
LAV. Why, then will I tell thee, that thy mailer
ftays for thee at the north gate.
SPE. For me ?
LAU. For thee ! ay ; who art thou ? he hath ftay'd for
a better man than thee.
S PE. And muft I go to him ?
LAU. Thou muft run to him ; for thou haft ftay'd fo
long, that going will fcarce ferve the turn.
SPE. Why didft not tell me fooner ? 'pox of your
love-letters ! [Exit.
LAU. Now will he be fwing'd for reading my let-
ter ; An unmannerly flave, that will thruft him-
felf into fecrets ! I'll after, to rejoice in the boy's cor-
reftion. {Exit.
SCENE II. The fame. A Room in the fame.
Enter Duke, aWTnuRio; PROTHEUS behind.
Duk. Sir Thurio, fear not, but that me will love you,
Now Valentine is banifli'd from her fight.
THU. Since his exile fhe hath defpis'd me moft,
Forfworn my company, and rail'd at me,
That I am defperate of obtaining her.
Duk. This weak imprefs of love is as a figure
Trenched in ice ; which, with an hour's heat,
Dissolves to water, and doth lose his form :
A little time will melt her frozen thoughts,
And worthlefs Valentine fhall be forgot
How now, fir Protheus ? is your countryman,
According to our proclamation, gone ?
PRO. Gone, my good lord.
Duk. My daughter takes his going grievoufly.
PRO. A little time, my lord, will kill that grief.
Vox. I. I
50 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
Duk. So I believe ; but Tburio thinks not fo.
Protbeus, the good conceit I hold of thee
(For thou haft fhown fome fign of good desert)
Makes me the better to confer with thee.
PRO. Longer than I prove loyal to your grace,
.Let me not live to look upon your grace.
Duk. Thou know'ft, how willingly I would effect
The match between fir Thurio and my daughter :
PRO. I do, my lord.
Duk. And alfo, I do think, thou art not ignorant
How flie opposes her againft my will.
PRO. She did, my lord, when Valentine was here.
Duk. Ay, and perverfly me perfevers fo.
What might we do to make the girl forget
The love of Valentine, and love fir Thurio ?
PRO. The beft way is, to flander Valentine
With fal mood, cowardice, and poor defcent ;
Three things that women highly hold in hate.
Duk. Ay, but fhe'll think, that it is fpoke in hate.
PRO. Ay, if his enemy deliver it :
Therefore it muft, with circumftance, be fpoken
By one, whom me efteemeth as his friend.
Duk. Then you muft undertake to flander him.
PRO. And that, my lord, I mall be loth to do :
'Tis an ill office for a gentleman ;
Efpecially, againft his very friend.
Duk. Where your good word cannot advantage him,
Your flander never can endamage him ;
Therefore the office is indifferent,
Being intreated to it by your friend.
PRO. You have prevail'd, my lord : if I can do it,
By ought that I can fpeak in his difpraise,
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 5 1
She fhall not long continue love to him.
But fay, this weed her love from Valentine,
It follows not, that me will love fir Thurio.
Tau. Therefore, as you unwind her love from him,
Left it mould ravel, and be good to none,
You muft provide to bottom it on me :
Which muft be done, by praising me as much
As you in worth difpraise fir Valentine.
Duk. And, Protheus, we dare truft you in this kind ;
Because we know, on Valentine's report,
You are already love's firm votary,
And cannot foon revolt and change your mind.
Upon this warrant, {hall you have accefs,
Where you with Silvia may confer at large ;
For me is lumpifli, heavy, melancholy,
And, for your friend's fake, will be glad of you :
Where you may temper her by your perfuasion,
To hate young Valentine, and love my friend.
PRO. As much as I can do, I will effeft : _
But you, fir Thurio, are not marp enough ;
You muft lay lime, to tangle her desires,
By wailful fonnets, whose composed rimes
Should be full fraught with ferviceable vows.
Duk. Ay, Much is the force of heaven-bred poefy.
PRO. Say, that upon the altar of her beauty
You facrifice your tears, your fighs, your heart :
Write 'till your ink be dry, and with your tears
Moift it again ; and frame fome feeling line,
That may difcover fuch integrity :
For Orpheus' lute was ftrung with poets' finews ;
Whose golden touch could foften fteel and ftones,
Make tigers tame, and huge leviathans
I 2
rz ^be two Gentlemen of Verona.
Forfake unfounded deeps to dance on fands.
After your dire-lamenting elegies,
Visit by night your lady's chamber- window
With fome fweet concert: to their inftruments
Tune a deploring dump ; the night's dead filence
Will well become fuch fvveet-complaining grievance.
This, or elfe nothing, will inherit her.
Duk. This difcipline mows thou haft been in love.
THV. And thy advice this night I'll put in pradlice :
Therefore, fweet Protheus, my diredlion-giver,
Let us into the city presently,
To fort fome gentlemen well fkill'd in musick :
I have a fonnet, that will ferve the turn,
To give the onfet to thy good advice.
Duk. About it, gentlemen.
PRO. We'll wait upon your grace, 'till after fupper ;
And afterward determine our proceedings.
Duk. Even now about it ; I will pardon you. [Exeunt.
ACT IV.
SCENE I. rbe Frontiers of Mantua. A Ferejl.
Enter certain Out-laws.
1. O.- Fellows, (land faft ; I fee a pafTenger.
2. O. If there be ten, fhrink not, but down with 'em.
Enter VALENTINE, and SPEED.
3. O. Stand, fir, and throw us thatyou have aboutyou;
If not, we'll make you fit, and riffle you.
SPE. 2D, fir, we are undone ! these are the villains
That all the travellers do fear fo much.
VAI , My friends,
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 53
1 . O. That's not fo, fir ; we are your enemies.
2. O. Peace, peace; we'll hear him.
3. O. Ay, by my beard, will we;
For he's a proper man.
VAL. Then know, that I have little wealth to lose j
A man I am, croff'd with adverfity :
My riches are these poor habiliments ;
Of which if you mould here diffurnim me,
You take the fum and fubftance that I have.
2. O. Whither travel you .'
VAL. To Verona.
i . O. anto whence came you ?
VAL. From Milan.
3. O. Have you long fojourned there ? [ftay'd,
VAL. Some fixteen months ; and longer might have
If crooked fortune had not thwarted me.
1 . O. What, were you banim'd thence ?
VAL. I was.
2. O. For what offence ?
VAL. For that which now torments me to rehearfe:
I kill'd a man, whose death I much repent;
But yet I flew him manfully in fight,
Without falfe vantage, or bafe treachery.
1 . O. Why, ne'er repent it, if it were done fo :
But were you banim'd for fo fmall a fault ?
VAL. I was, and held me glad of fuch a doom.
2. O. Have you the tongues ?
VAL. My youthful travel therein made me happy ;
Or elfe I often had been miserable.
3. O. By the bare fcalp of Robin Hood'' 's fat friar,
This fellow were a king for our wild fadlion.
f . O. We'll have him : Sirs, a word. [talk apart.
54 tte two Gentlemen of Verona.
S PE. Mafter, be one of them ;
It is an honourable kind of thievery.
VAL. Peace, villain.
2. O. Tell us this, Have you any thing to take to ?
VAL. Nothing, but my fortune.
3. O. Know then, that fome of us are gentlemen,
Such a^ the fury of ungovern'd youth
Thruft from the company of awful men :
Myfelf was from Verona banimed,
For praftifing to fteal away a lady,
An heir, and near ally'd unto the duke.
2. 0. And I from Man/ua, for a gentleman
Who, in my mood, I ftab'd unto the heart.
1. O. And I, for fuch like petty crimes as these.
But to the purpose, (for we cite our faults,
That they may hold excus'd our lawlefs lives)
And, partly, feeing you are beautify'd
With goodly fhape ; and, by your own report,
A linguift ; and a man of fuch perfection,
As we do in our quality much want ;
2. 0. Indeed, because you are a banifh'd man,
Therefore, above the reft, we parly to you :
Are you content to be t>ur general ; '
To make a virtue of neceflity,
And live, as we do, in this wildernefs ?
3. O. What fay'ft thou? wilt thou be of our confort ?
Say, ay, and be the captain of us all :
We'll do thee homage, and be rul'd by thee,
Love thee as our commander, and our king.
1. O. But, if thou fcorn our courtefy, thou dy'ft.
2. O. Thou fhalt not live to brag what we have offer'd,
VAL. 1 take your offer, and will live with you ;
and Ncece, allide
The tvjo Gentlemen of Verona. 55
Provided, that you do no outrages
On filly women, or poor paflengers.
3. 0. No, we deleft fuch vile bafe praftices.
Come, go with us, we'll bring thee -to our crews,
And fhow thee all the treasure we have got ;
Which, with ourfelves, all reft at thy difpose. [Exeunt.
SCENE II. Milan. Court of the Palace.
Enter PROTHEUS.
PRO. Already I've been falfe to Valentine,
And now I muft be as unjuft to Thurio.
Under the colour of commending him,
I have accefs my own love to prefer ;
But Silvia is too fair, too true, too holy,
To be corrupted with my worthlefs gifts :
When I proteft true loyalty to her,
She twits me with my falfnood to my friend ;
When to her beauty I commend my vows,
She bids me think, how I have been forfworn
In breaking faith with Julia whom I lov'd :
And, notwithftanding all her fudden quips,
(The leaft whereof would quell a lover's hope)
Yet, fpaniel-like, the more (he fpurns my love,
The more it grows, and fawneth on her ftill.
But here comes Thurio : now muft we to her window,
And give fome evening musick to her ear.
Enter THURIO, and Musicians.
THU. How now, fir Protheut ? areyou crept before us?
PRO. Ay, gentle-77;-ar/0; for, you know, that love
Will creep in fervice where it cannot go.
THU. Ay, but, I hope, fir, that you love not here.
PRO. Sir, but I do ; or elfe I would be hence.
> have I
56 The t-iuo Gentlemen of Verona.
7'Hu. Who ? Silvia ?
PRO. Ay, Sifariff for your fake.
THV. I thank you, for your own. _ Now, gentlejnen,
Let's tune, and to it luftily a while.
Enter Hoft, at a Dijiance ; 'with JULIA,
apparel' d like a Boy.
Ho/}. Now, my young gueft! methinks, you're alli-
vholly ; \ pray you, why is it ? ,
JUL. Marry, mine hoft, because I cannot be merry.
Hojt. Come, we'll have you merry : I'll bring you
where you mall hear musick, and fee the gentleman
that you afk'd for.
JUL. But (hall I hear him fpeak ?
Hoft. Ay, that you (hall.
JUL. That will be musick.
Haft. Hark, hark! [Musick plays,
JUL. Is he among these ?
Hoft. Ay : but peace, let's hear 'em.
SONG.
Who is Silvia ? 'what is fie,
that all our fw aim commend her ?
holy, fair, and 'wise is jhe ;
the heaven fuch grace did lend her,,
that Jhe might admired 1 he.
Z.
Is Jhe kind, as Jhe is fair ?
for beauty lives vjith kindntfs :
Love doth to her eyes repair,
to help him of his blindnefs ;
and, being belp'd, inhabits there.
3-
Then to Silvia let us /ing,
T&e two Gentlemen of Verona. 57
that Silvia // excelling ;
Jhe excels each mortal thing,
upon the dull earth dwelling :
to her let us garlands bring.
Heft.* How now ? are you fadder than you were before ?
How do you, man ? the musick likes you not.
JUL. You miftake; the musician likes me not.
Hoji. Why, my pretty youth ?
"Jut . He plays falfe, father.
Hoft. How ? out of tune on the firings ?
JUL. Not fo ; but yet fo falfe, that he grieves my
very heart-ftrings.
Hoft. You have a quick ear.
JUL. Ay, I would I were deaf; it makes me have a
flow heart.
Hoft. \ perceive, you delight not in musick.
JUL. Not a whit, when it jars fo.
Hoft. Hark, what fine change is in the musick !
JUL. Ay; that change is the fpight.
Heft. You would have them always play butone thing.
JUL. I would always have one play but one thing.
But, hoft, doth this fir Protheus, that we talk on, often
resort unto this gentlewoman ?
Hoft. I tell you what Launce his man told me, he lov'd
her out of ail nick.
JUL. Where is Launce?
Hoft. Gone to fcek his dog ; which, to-morrow, by
his matter's command, he muft carry for a present to
his lady. [Musick ccafes..
JUL. Peace ! ftand afide, the company parts.
fg.0. Sir Tkurio, fear not you ; 1 will fo plead.
58 The two Gentlemen of Verona.
That you fliall fay, my cunning drift excels.
<ftfu. Where meet we ?
PRO. At faint Gregory's well.
TJIV. Farewel. [ Exeunt T H u R i o , and Mustek.
SILVIA appears above, at her Window.
PRO. Madam, good even to your ladyfhip !
SIL. I thank you for your musick, gentlemen :
Who is that, that fpake ?
PRO. One, lady, if you knew his pure heart's truth,
You'd quickly learn to know him by his voice.
SIL. Sir Protbeus, as I take it.
PRO. Sir Protbeus, gentle lady, and your fervant.
SIL. What is your will ?
PRO. That 1 may compafs yours.
SIL. You have your wilh ; my will is even this,-"
That presently you hie you home to bed. ,
Thon fubtle, perjur'd, falfe, difloyal man!
Think'ft thou, I am fo (hallow, fo conceitlefs,
To be feduced by thy flattery,
That haft deceived fo many with thy vows ?
Return, return, and make thy love amends :
For me, (by this pale queen of night I fwear)
I am fo far from granting thy requeft,
That I defpise thee for thy wrongful fuit ;
And by and by intend to chide myfelf,
Even for this time I fpend in talking to thee.
PRO. I grant, fweet love, that I did love a lady ;
Bat flie is dead.
JUL. " 'Twere falfe, if I mould fpeak it;"
"For, I am fure, me is not buried."
SIL. Say, that flie be : yet Valentine, thy friend,
Survives ; to whom, thyfelf art witnefs,
Tkf two Gentlemen of Verona. 59
I am betroth'd ; And art thou not afham'd
To wrong him with thy importunacy ?
PRO. 1 likewise hear, that Valentine is dead.
SIL. And fo, fuppose, am I ; for in his grave,
Aflure thyfelf, my love is buried.
PRO. Sweet lady, let me rake it from the earth.
SIL. Go to thy lady's grave, and call her's thence;
Or, at the leaft, in her's fepulcher thine.
JUL. " He heard not that."
PRO. Madam, if tfjat your heart be fo obdurate,
Vouchfafe me yet your picture for my love,
The pidture that is hanging in your chamber ;
To that I'll fpeak, to that I'll figh, and weep :
For, fince the fubftance of your perfect felf
Is elfe devoted, I am but a fhadow ;
And to your fhadow will I make true love. [it,"
JUL. "If 'twere a fubftance, you would fure deceive
" And make it but a fhadow, as I am. "
SIL. I am very loth to be your idol, fir :
But, fince your falfhood fhall become you well
To worfhip fhadows, and adore falfe fhapes,
Send to me in the morning, and I'll fend it :
And fo, good reft.
PRO. As wretches have o'er night,
That wait for execution in the morn.
[Exeunt PROTHEUS ; and SILVIA, from above.
JUL . Hoft, will you go ?
Hoji. By my halydom, I was faft afleep.
JUL . Pray you, where lies fir Protheus ?
Hoft. Marry, at my houfe : Truft me, I think 'tis
almoft day.
JUL, Not fo : but it hath been the longeft night
60 *[be two Gentlemen of Verona.
That e'er I watch'd, and the mofl heavieft. [Exeunt.
SCENE III. The fame.
Enter En L AMOUR.
EGL. This is the hour that madam Silvia,
Entreated me to caJl, and know her mind ;
There's fome great matter {he'd employ me in.
Madam !
Enter SILVIA, above.
SIL. Who calls?
EGL. Your fervant, and your friend;
One that attends your ladyfhip's commands.
SIL. Sir Eglamour ! a thousand times good morrow,
EGL. As many, worthy lady, to yourfelf.
According to your ladyfhip's impose,
I am thus early come ; to know what fervice
It is your pleasure to command me in.
SIL. O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman
(Think not, I flatter; for, I fwear, I do not)
Valiant, attS wise, remorfeful, well accomplifh'd.
Thou art not ignorant, what dear good will
I bear unto the banifh'd Valentine ;
Nor how my father would enforce me marry
Vain Tburio, whom my very foul abhors :
Thyfelf haft lov'd ; and I have heard thee fay,
No grief did ever come fo near thy heart,
As when thy lady and thy true-love dy'd,
Upon whose grave tho vow'dft pure chaflity ;
Sir Enamour, I would to Valentine,
To Mantua, where, I hear, he makes abode ;
And, for the ways are dangerous to pnfs,
I do desire thy worthy company,
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 6t
Upon whose faith and honour I repose.
Urge not my father's anger, Eglamour,
But think upon my grief, a lady's grief;
And on the juftice of my flying hence,
To keep me from a moil unholy match,
Which heaven, and fortune, itill rewards with plagues.
I do desire thee, even from a heart
As full of forrows as the fea of fands,
To bear me company and go with me :
If not, to hide what 1 have faid to thee,
That I may venture to depart alone.
EGL . Madam, I pity much your grievances ;
Which fince I know they virtuoufly are plac'd,
1 give confent to go along with you ;
Wreaking as little what hetideth me,
As much I wifh all good befortune you.
When will you go ?
SIL. This evening coming on*
EGL. Where mall I meet you ?
SIL . At friar Patrick's cell,
Where I intend holy confeflion.
ECL. I will not fail yoar lady (hip.
Good morrow, gentle lady.
SIL. Good morrow, kind fir E glamour. [Excur.?.
SCENE IV. Ike Jam*. Silvia'/ Anti-chamber.
Enter L A u N c E - / b his Dog.
LAU. When a man's iervant (hall play the cur
with him, look you, it goes hard ; one that I brought
up of a puppy; one that I fav'd from drowning, when
three or four of his blind brothers and fitters went
to it : I have taught him even as one would fay
62 The two Gentlemen ^Verona.
precifely, Thus I would teach a dog. I was fent to
deliver him, as a present to miftrefs Si/via, from
my matter ; and I came no fboner into the dining-
chamber, but he fteps me to her trencher, and fteals
her capon's leg. O, 'tis a foul thing, when a cur can-
not keep himfelf in all companies ! I would have, as
one mould fay, one that takes upon him to be a dog
indeed, to be, as it were, a dog at all things. If I
had not had more wit than he, to take a fault upon
me that he did, I think verily he had been hang'd
for't ; fure as I live, he had fuffer'd for't : you mall
judge : He thrufts me himfelf into the company of
three or four gentleman-like dogs, under the duke's
table ; he had not been there (blefs the mark !) a
piffing while, but all the chamber fmelt him : Out
'with the dog, fays one ; What cur is that ? fays another*
Whip him out, fays the third ; Hang him up, fays the
duke : I, having been acquainted with the fmell be-
fore, knew it was Crab ; and goes me to the fellow
that whips the dogs, Friend, quoth I, you mean to
t'jhip the dog ? Jly, marry, do I, quoth he ; You do him
the more wrong, quoth I ; 'twas I did the thing you
<wot of: he makes me no more ado, but whips me
out of the chamber: How many mailers would do this
for his fervant ? nay, I'll be fworn, I have fat in the
flocks for puddings he hath ftoln, otherwise he had
been executed ; I have Hood on the pillory for geefe
he hath kill'd, otherwise he had fuffer'd for't : thou
think'ft not of this now : Nay, I remember the trick
you ferv'd me, when I took my leave of madam Julia;
Did not T bid thee ftill mark me, and do as I do ?
when didft thou fee me heave up my leg, and make
so Madam Sih*
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 63
water againft a gentlewoman's farthingale ? didft thou
ever fee me do fuch a trick ?
Enter PROTHEUS, and JULIA.
PRO. Sebaftian is thy name ? I like thee we'll,
And will employ thee in fome fervice presently.
JUL. In what you please ; I'll do, fir, what I can.
PRO. I hope, thou wilt. How now, you whoriba
peasant ?
Where have you been these two days loitering ?
LAU. Marry, fir, I carry'd miftrefs Silvia the dog you
bad me.
PRO. And what fays me to my little jewel ?
LAU. Marry, fhe fays, your dog was a cur ; and tells
you, currifh thanks is good enough for fuch a present.
PRO. But fhe receiv'd my dog ?
LAU. No, indeed, did fhe not ; here ~|" have I brought
him back again.
PRO. What, didft thoa offer her this from me ?
LAU. Ay, fir ; the other fquirrel was ftoln from me
by the hangman's boy in the market-place : and then
I offer'd her mine own ; who is a dog as big as ten of
yours, and therefore the gift the greater.
PRO. Go, get thee hence, and find my dog again,
Or ne'er return again into my fight.
Away, I fay ; Stay'ft thou to vex me here ? _
[Exit LAUNCH,
A flave, that, flill an end, turns me to fhame. __
Sebaftian, I have entertained thee,
Partly, that I have need of fuch a youth,
That can with fome difcretion do my businefs,
For 'tis no trufting to yon' foolifh lowt ;
But, chiefly, for thy face, and thy behaviour,
64. 7'be two Gentlemen o^Verona.
Which (if my augury deceive me not)
Witnefs good bringing up, fortune, and truth :
Therefore, know thou, for this I entertain thee.
Go presently, and take this *f ring with thee,
Deliver it to madam Sil-via ;
She lov'd me well, deliver'd it to me.
Jut . It feems, you lov'd not her, to leave her token :
She is dead, belike ?
PRO. Not fo ; I think, (he lives.
Jut. Alas!
PRO. Why doft thou cry, alas ?
JUL. I cannot choose
But pity her.
PRO. Wherefore {fcould'ft thou pity her?
JUL. Because, me'thinks, that fne lov'd you as well
As you do love your lady Silvia :
She dreams on him, that has forgot her love;
You doat on her, that cares not for your love :
'Tis pity, love mould be fo contrary ;
And thinking on it makes me cry, alas. [withal
PRO. Well, Give her that ring, and gibe er there-
This =f letter ; that's her chamber : Tell my lady,
I claim the promise for her heavenly pifture :
Your meffage done, hie home unto my chamber,
Where thou malt find me fad and folitary.
[Exit PROTHEUS.
JUL. How many women would do fuch a meffage .'
Alas, poor Protbcus ! thou haft entertain'd
A fox, to be the fnepherd of thy lambs :
Alas, poor fool ! why do I pity him
That with his very heart defpiseth me ?
Because he loves her, he defpiseth me ;
The /wo Gentlemen of Verona. 65
Because I love him, I muft pity him.
This ring I gave him, when he parted from me,
To bind him to remember my good will :
And now am I (unhappy mefienger)
To plead for that, which I would not obtain ;
To carry that, which I would have refus'd ;
To praise his faith, which I would have difprais'd.
I am my matter's true confirmed love ;
But cannot be true fervant to my mafter,
Unlefs I prove falfe traitor to myfelf :
Yet will I woo for him ; but yet fo coldly,
As, heaven it knows, I would not have him {peed.
Enter SILVIA.
Gentlewoman, good day ! I pray you, be my mean
To bring me where to fpeak with madam Silvia*
SIL. What would you with her, if that I be flie?
JUL. If you be me, I do entreat your patience
To hear me fpeak the mefl'age I am fent on.
Sit . From whom ?
JUL. My mafter ; from fir Prot&eus, madam.
SIL. O, he fends you for a picture ; Boca e not?
JUL. Ay, madam.
SIL. Ur/uJa, bringmy piclure there \Pifture. brought.
Go, give your mafter this =f= : tell him from me,
One Julia, that his changing thoughts forget,
Would better fit his chamber thsa this fhadow.
JUL. Madam, fault please youfj peruse this letter ?
Pardon me, madam ; I have, unadvis'd,
Deliver'd you a paper that I fhould not ;
Tnis'f is the letter to your ladyihip.
SIL. I pray thee, let me look on that again.
JUL . It may not be ; good madam, pardon me.
10 From my Mafter, Sir
VOL. I K
66 The tivo Gentlemen c
SIL. There, hold. [giving back the frjl Letter.
I will not look upon your mailer's lines :
I know, they are ftuff'd with proteftations,
And full of new-found oaths ; which he will break,
As easily as I do tear ~j~ his paper.
JUL. Madam, he fends your ladyfhip this "|~ ring.
SIL. The more fhame for him, that he fends it me ;
For I have heard him fay a thousand times,
His Julia gave it him at his departure :
Though his falfe finger have prophan'd the ring,
Mine mall not do his Julia fo much wrong.
JUL. She thanks you.
SIL. What fay'it thou ?
JUL. I thank you, madam, that you tender her :
Poor gentlewoman ! my matter wrongs her much.
SIL. Doft thou know her ?
JUL. Almoft as well as I do know myfelf :
To think upon her woes, I do proteft,
That I have wept a hundred feveral times.
SIL . Belike, fhe thinks ihzlProtheus hath forfook her.
JVL . I think, fhe doth ; and that's her cause of forrow.
SIL . Is fhe not paffing fair ?
JUL . She hath been fairer, madam, than fhe is :
When fhe did think my mafler lov'd her well,
She, in my judgment, was as fair as you ;
But fince fhe did negleft her looking-glaf?,
And threw her fun- expelling mafque away,
The air hath ftarv'd the roses in her cheeks,
And pinch'd the lilly tin&ure of her face,
That now fhe is become as black as I.
SIL. How tall was fhe ?
JUL. About my ftature : for, at pentecoft,
Tbe tivo Gentlemen 0/" Verona. 67
When all our pageants of delight were play'd,
Our youth got me to play the woman's part,
And I was trim'd in madam Julia's gown ;
Which ferved me as fit, by all men's judgment,
As if the garment had been made for me :
Therefore, I know me is about my height.
And, at that time, I made her weep a-good;
For I did play a lamentable part :
Madam, 'twas Ariadne, pafiioning
For ThefeuS perjury, and unjuft flight :
Which I fo lively afted with my tears,
That my poor miftrefs, moved therewithal,
Wept bitterly ; and, 'would I might be dead,
If I in thought felt not her very forrow.
S/i. She is beholding to thee, gentle youth :
Alas, poor lady ! defolate and left !
I weep myfelf, to think upon thy words.
Here, youth, there is ^ my purfe ; I give thee this
For thy fweet miftrefs' fake, because thou lov'ft her.
Farewel. [Exit SILVIA.
JUL. And me mall thank you for't, if e'er you know
A virtuous gentlewoman, mild, and beautiful : [her
I hope, my matter's fuit will be but cold,
Since me refpefts my miftrefs' love fo much.
Alas, how love can trifle with itfelf !
Here is her pidlure : Let me fee; I think,
If I had fuch a tyre, this face of mine
Were full as lovely as is this of hers :
And yet the painter flatter'd her a little,
Unlefs I flatter with myfelf too much.
Her hair is auburn, mine is perfeft yellow ;
If that be all the difference in his love,
K z
68 The two Gentlemen nf Verona.
I'll get me fuch a coloured periwig :
Her eyes are grey as glafs ; and fo are mine :
Ay, but her forehead's low ; and mine's as high :
What mould it be, that he refpe&s in her,
But I can make refpeftive in myfelf,
If this fond love were not a blinded god ?
Come, (hadow, come, and take this fhadow up,
For 'tis thy rival : O thou fenfelefs form,
Thou malt be worfhip'd, kiff'd, lov'd, and ador'd ;
And, were there fenfe in his idolatry,
My fubftance mould be ftatue in thy Head.
I'll use thee kindly for thy miftrefs' fake,
That us'd me fo ; or elfe, by Jove I vow,
I mould have fcratch'd out your unfeeing eyes,
To make my matter out of love with thee. [Exit.
ACT V.
SCENE I. The fame. An Abbey.
Enter EGLAMOUR.
EGL. The fun begins to gild the weftern flcy ;
And now it is about the very hour,
That Silvia, at friar Patrick's cell, mould meet me :
She will not fail ; for lovers break not hours,
Unlefs it be to come before their time ;
So much they fpur their expedition.
Enter SILVIA.
See, where me comes : Lady, a happy evening !
SIL. Amen, amen ! go on, good Eg/amour,
Out at the poftern by the abbey wall ;
I fear, I am attended by fome fpies.
bt two Gentlemen of Verona. 69
EGL. Fear not : the foreft is not three leagues off;
If we recover that, we're fure enough. [Exeunt.
SCENE II. The fame. A Room in the Palace.
Enter THURIO, PROTHEUS, and JULIA.
THU. Sir Protbeus, what fays Silvia to my fuit ?
PRO. O, fir, I find her milder than fhe was j
But yet fhe takes exceptions at your perfon.
THU. What, that my leg's too long ?
PRO. No ; that it is too little.
Tau. I'll wear a boot, to make it fomewhat rounder.
PRO. But love will not be fpur'd to what it loaths.
T'au. What fays (he to my face ?
PRO. She fays, it is a fair one.
THU. Nay, then the wanton lies ; my face is black.
PRO. But pearls are fair ; and the old faying is,
Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes.
JUL. "'Tis true, fuch pearls as put out ladies' eyes;
" For I had rather wink, than look on them.".
THU. How likes {he my difcourfe ?
PRO. Ill, when you talk of war.
TH.U. But well, when I difcourfe of love, and peace ?"
JUL. " But better, indeed, when you lio hold your
THU. Whatteys (he to my valour .* [peace."
PRO. O, fir, flie makes
No doubt of that.
JUL . " She needs not, when me knows it cowardice."
Tau. What fays fhe to my birth ?
PRO. That you are well deriv'd.
JUL. "True ; from a gentleman, to a fool."
THU. Confiders fhe my posseffions ?
P&o. O, ay ; and pities them.
Tbu. 'Tis
70 The ttw Gentlemen of Verona,
'Tav. Wherefore ?
JUL. "That fuch an afs mould owe them."
PRO. That they are out by leafe.
JUL. Here comes the duke.
Enter Duke.
Duk. How now, fir Prctheus ? how now, Tburia?
Which of you faw fir Eglamour of late ?
HU. Not I.
PRO. Nor I.
Duk. Saw you my daughter ?
PRO. Neither.
Duk. Why, then (he's fled onto the peasant Vahniine\
And Eglamcur is in her company.
'Tis true ; for friar Laurence met them both,
As he in penance wander'd through the foreft :
Him he knew well ; and guefTd, that it was {he ;
But, being mafk'd, he was not fure of it :
Befides, fr.e did intend confefiion
At Patricks cell this even ; and there fhe was not :
These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence.
Therefore, 1 pray you, (land not to difcourfe,
But mount you presently ; and meet with me
Upon the rising of the mountain foot
That leads toward Mantua^ whither they are fled :
Difpatch, fweet gentlemen, and follow me. [Exit.
THU. Why, this it is to be a peevifh girl,
That flies her fortune when it follows her :
I'll after ; more to be reveng'd on Eglamour,
Than for the love of recklefs Sil-via. [Exit.
PRO. And I will follow, more for Silvia's love,
Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her. [Exit.
Jut. And 1 will follow, more to crofs that love,
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 7 1
Than hate for Sitvia that is gone for love. [Exit.
SCENE III. Frontiers of Mantua. 7'heForeJt.
Shouts. Enter Out-laws, with SILVIA.
1. O. Come, come;
Be patient, we muft bring you to our captain.
SIL, A thousand more mifchances than this one
Have learn'd me how to brook this patiently.
2. O. Come, Bring her away.
I. O. Where is the gentleman that was with her ?
3. O. Being nimble-footed, he hath out-run us;
But tyloses, and Valerius, follow him.
Go-thou with her to the weft end of the wood,
There is our captain : we'll follow him that's fled ;
The thicket is befet, he cannot 'fcape. [Exeunt.
i. O. Come, I muft bring you to our captain's cave:
Fear not ; he bears an honourable mind,
And will not use a woman lawlefly.
SIL. O Valentine, this I endure for thee ! [Exeunt.
SCENE IV. The fame. Another Part of it.
Enter VALENTINE.
VAL. How ufe doth breed a habit in a man !
This fhadowy desert, unfrequented woods,
I better brook than flourifhing peopl'd towns :
Here can I fit alone, unfeen of any,
And, to the nightingale's complaining. notes,
Tune my diftrefles, and record my woes.
O thou that doft inhabit in iny breaft,
Leave not the manfion fo long tenantlefs;
Left, growing ruinous, the building fall,
And leave no memory of what it was !
7 z The tnva Gentlemen of Verona.
Repair me with thy presence, Silvia ; .
Thou gentle nymph, cherifh thy forlorn fwain !
What hallowing, and what flir, is this to-day ?
These are my mates, that make their wills their law,
Have fome unhappy paflenger in chace :
They love me well ; yet I have much to do,
To keep them from uncivil outrages.
Withdraw thee, Valentine ; who's this comes "here ?
Enter PROTKEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA.
PRO. Madam, this fervice I have done for you,
(Though you refpedl not ought your fervant doth)
To hazard life, and refcue you from him,
That would have forc'd your honour, and your love :
Vouchfafe me, for my meed, but one fair look ;
A fmaller boon than this I cannot beg,
And lefs than this, I am fure, you cannot give.
VAL. " How like a dream is this, I fee, and hear ! "
*' Love, lend me patience to forbear a while."
SIL. O miserable, unhappy, that I am !
PRO. Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came;
But, by my coining, I have made you happy.
SIL. By thy approach thou mak'ft me inoft unhappy.
JVL. "And me, when he approacheth to your pre-
SIL. Had I been feized by a hungry lion, [sence.**
I would have been a breakfaft to the beaft,
Rather than have falfe Protbeus refcue me.
O, heaven be jydge, how I love Valentine.,
Whose life's as tender to me as my foul ;
And full as much (for more there cannot be)
I do deleft falfe perjur'd Protbeus :
Therefore be gone, folicit me no more.
PRO. What dangerous adlion, flood it next to dea.th,
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 73
Would I not undergo for one calm look ?
O, 'tis the curie in love, and ftill approv'd,
When women cannot love where they're belov'd !
SIL . When Protheus cannot love where he's belov'd :
Read over Julia.'?, heart, thy firft beft love,
For whose dear fake thou didll then rend thy faith
Into a thousand oaths ; and all those oaths
Defcended into perjury, to love me.
Thou haft no faith left now, unlefs thou'dft two,
And that's far worfe than none; better have none
Than plural faith, which is too much by one:
Thou counterfeit to thy true friend !
PRO. In love,
Who refpefts friend ?
SIL. All men but Protheus.
PK.O. Nay, if the gentle fpirit of moving words
Can no way change you to a milder form,
I'll woo you like a ibldier, at arm's end ;
And love you 'gainft the nature of love, force you.
SIL. O heaven !
PRO. I'll force thee yield to my desire.
VAL. Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch;
Thou friend of an ill fafhicn.
PRO. Valentine! [love;
VAL. Thou common friend, that's without faith, or
(For fuch is a friend now) treacherous man,
Thou haft beguil'd my hopes ; nought but mine eye
Could have perfuaded me : Now I dare not fay,
I have one friend alive; thou would'ft difprove me:
Who fhould be trufted now, when one's right hand
Is perjur'd to the bosom ? Protheus,
J am forry, I muft never trufl thee more,
74 &* fru:e Gentlemen of Verona.
But count the world a ftranger for thy fake.
The private wound is deepeft: O time accurft!
'Mongft all foes, that a friend flionld be the word \
PRO. My flume, and guilt, confounds me. _
Forgive me, Valentine : if hearty forrow
Be a fufficient ranfom for offence,
I tender't here ; I do as truly fuffer,
As e'er I did commit.
Vji. Then I am pay'd ;
And once again I do receive thee honeft : _
Who by repentance is not fatiffy'd,
Is nor of heaven, nor earth; for these are pleas'd ;
By penitence th' Eternal's wrath's appeas'd :
And, that my love may appear plain and free,
All, that was mine in Silvia, I give thee.
JUL. O me unhappy! [faimj.
PRO. Look to the boy. [matter ?
PjL.Why, boy ! why, wag! how now ? what is the
Look up ; fpeak.
JUL. O good fir, my matter charg'd me
To deliver a ring to madam Silvia ;
Which, out of my negleft, was never done.
PRO. Where is that ring, boy ?
JUL . Here 'tis ; this =f is it.
PRO. How ! let me fee:
Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia.
JVL. O, cry you mercy, fir, I have miflook ;
This ~J~ is the ring you fent to Silvia. [part,
PRO. But, how cam'ft thou by this ring? at my de-
I gave this unto Julia.
JVL. And Julia herfelf did give it me;
And Julia herlelf hath brought it hither.
* time, mod ace-
Ybe two Gentlemen of Verona. 75
PRO. How! Julia ?
Jut. Behold ~|~ her that gave aim to all thy oaths,
And entertain'd them deeply in her heart:
How oft haft thou with perjury cleft the root ?
O Protbeus, let this habit make thee blufti ;
Be thou afham'd, that I have took upon me
Such an immodeft rayment ; if lhame live
In a difguise of love :
It is the lefler blot, modefty finds,
Women to change their fhapes, than men their minds.
PRO. Than men their minds ! 'tis true : O heaven I
were man
But conftant, he were perfect: that one error
Fills him with faults; makes him run through all fins:
Jnconltancy falls off, ere it begins :
What is in Silvia's face, but I may fpy
More frefh in Julias, with a conftant eye ?
VAL. Come, come, a hand from either :
Let me be blefl to make this happy close;
'Twere pity, two fuch friends mould be long foes.
Jut. Bear witnefs, heaven, I have my wifh for ever.
PRQ. And I mine. [embracing.
Shouts; and Enter Outlaws, ivitb Duke,
Out. A prize, a prize, a prize !
VAL . Forbear, I fay ; it is my lord the duke : _
Your grace is welcome to a man difgrac'd,
tS$e banifh'd Valentine.
Duk. Sir Valentine !
Tnu. Yonder is Silvia ; and Silvia's mine.
VAL . Thurio, give back, or elfe embrace thy death ;
Come not within the measure of my wrath :
** all th' fma
j6 We iivo Gentlemen of Verona.
Do not name Silvia thine ; if once again,
Milan (hall not behold thee : Here fhe (lands,
Take but posseffion of her with a touch ;
J dare thee but to breath upon my love.
<Tuu. Sir Valentine, \ care not for her, I :
I hold him but a fool, that will endanger
His body for a girl that loves him not :
I claim her not, and therefore flie is thine.
Ditk. The more degenerate and bafe art thou,
To make fuch means for her as thou haft done,
And leave her on fuch flight conditions.
Now, by the honour of my ancellry,
I do applaud thy fpirit, Valentine,
And think thee worthy of an emprefs' love :
Know then, I here forget all former griefs,
Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again ;
Plead a new ftate in thy unrival'd merit,
To which I thus fubfcribe, Sir Valentine,
Thou art a gentleman, and well deriv'd ;
Take thou thy ~\ Silvia, for thou hart deserv'd her.
VJL. I thank your grace; the gift hath made me
I now befeech you, for your daughter's fake, [happy.
To grant one boon that I (hall aflc of you.
' Duk. I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be.
VjtL. These banifh'd men, that I have kept withal,
Are men endu'd with worthy qualities ;
Forgive them what they have committed here,
And let them be recall'd from their exile :
They are reformed, civil, full of good,
And fit for great employment, worthy lord.
Duk. Thou haft prevail'd ; I pardon them, and thee;
Difpose of them, as thou know'ft their deserts.
4 Verona fcall not hold
The two Gentlemen of Verona. 77
Come, let us go ; we will include all jars
With triumphs, mirth, and rare folemnity.
VAL. And, as we walk along, I dare be bold
With our difcourfe to make your grace to fmile :
What think you of this page, my lord ?
Duk. I think, the boy hath grace in him ; he blufhes.
VAL . I warrant you, my lord ; more grace than boy.
Duk, What mean you by that faying ?
VAL. 'Please you, I'll tell you as we pafs along,
That you will wonder, what hath fortuned
Come, Protbeus ; 'tis your penance, but to hear
The ftory of your loves difcovered :
That done, our day of marriage fhall be yours ;
One feaft, one houfe, one mutual happinefs.
[Exeunt.
fbe
M E RRT WIVES
of
WINDSOR.
Perfons represented
Sir John FalftafF:
Nym, -}
Piltol, V his Followers :
Bardolph, }
Robin, bis Page :
Hoft of the garter Inn.
pTe' } Gentlemn f w ndfor :
William, Son to Page :
Sir Hugh Evans, a Welch Parfon,
Shallow, a country Jujiice :
Slender, bis Cousin, afoolijb 'Squire, 1 Suitors
Fenton, a young Gentleman, > to Page's
Do&or Caius, a French Physician, J Daughter.
Rugby, Ser<vant to D. Caius :
Simple, Servant to Slender :
Robert \ Ser ' vattts in Ford ' s
Miftrefs Ford.
Mijlrefs Page :
Miftrefs Anne, her Daughter, in Love with Fenton.
Mijlrefs Quickly, Houje-keefer to D. Caius.
Scene, Windfor ; and Parts adjacent.
MERRY WIVES of WINDSOR.
I.
SCENE I. Before Page's Houfe.
Enter Juftice SHALLOW, SLENDER,
and Sir Hugh EVANS.
SHAL. Sir Hugh, perfuade me not; I will make a
ftar-charnber matter of it : if he were twenty fir John
Falftajfs, he fhall not abuse Robert Shallow, efquire,
SiEtr. In the county of Gh/ter, jultice of peace and
Ay, cousin Slender, and cuftalorum.
SLKN. Ay, and ratolorum too ; and a gentleman born*
matter parfon ; who writes himfelr, armigero; in any bill,
warrant, quittance, or obligation, armigero.
SUAL . Ay, that I do ; and have done, any time these
three hundred years.
SL E AT . All his fuccefibrs, gone before him, have don't j
and all his ancellors, that come after him, may : they
may gi^e the dozen white luces in their coat.
Sttjt. It is an old coat.
Sir H. The dozen white loufes do become an old coatf
* hath don't
VOL. I. L
4 The merry Wives of Wind/or.
well ; it agrees well paflant : it is a familiar beaft to man,
and fignifies love.
SHAL. The luce [to Slen. flowing him bis Seal-ring.]
is the frefh fifh ; the fait fifh is an old coat.
SLEN. I may quarter, coz'.
SBAL. You may, by marrying.
Sir H. It is marring, indeed, if he quarter it.
Not a whit.
Sir H. Yes, py'r-lady ; if he has a quarter of your
coat, there h but three fkirts for yourfelf, in my fimple
conjectures : but that is all one : If fir John Falftaff 'have
committed difparagements unto you, I am of the church,
and will be glad to do my benevolence, to make atone-
ments and compremises between you.
SHAL. The council (hall hear it; it is a riot.
Sir H. It is not meet the council hear a riot ; there is
no fear of Got in a riot : the council, look you, fhall de-
sire to hear the fear of Got, and not to hear a riot ; take
your visaments in that.
SHAL. Ha ! o' my life, if I were young again, the
fword fhould end it.
Sir H. It is petter that friends is the fword, and end
it: and there is alfo another device in my prain, which,
peradventure, prings goot difcretions with it: There is
Anne Page, which is daughter to mailer Thomas Page t
which is pretty virginity.
SLEV. Miftrefs Anne Page ? fhe has brown hair, and
fpeaks fmall like a woman.
Sir H. It is that fery perfon for all the 'orld, as juft
as you will desire ; and feven hundred pounds of mo-
nies, and gold, and filver, is her grandfire, upon his
death's bed, (Got deliver to a joyful resurrections !)
Tbe merry Wives of Windfor. 5
give, when (he is able to overtake feventeen years old :
It were a goot motion, if we leave our pribbles and
prabbles, and desire a marriage between mailer Abraham,
and miflrefs Anne Page.
SBAL. Did her grandfire leave her feven hundred
pound ?
Sir H. Ay, and his father is make her a petter
penny.
SffAL . I know the young gentlewoman ; (he has good
gifts.
Sir H. Seven hundred pounds, and poffibilities, is
good gifts.
SHAL . Well, let us fee honeft matter Page : Is Faljlajf
there i
Sir H. Shall I tell you a lye ? I do defpise a liar, as
I do defpise one that is falfe ; or, as I defpise one that
is not true : The knight fa John is there ; and I befeech,
you, be ruled by your well-willers : I will peat the
door for mafler Page What, hoa ! Got plefs your houfe
here !
Enter PAGE.
PAGE. Who's there?
Sir H. Here is Got's plefling, and your friend, and
juftice Shallow: and here is young mailer Slender; that,
peradventures, fhall tell you another tale, if matters
grow to your likings.
PAGE. I am glad to fee your worfhips well : I thank
you for my venison, mafter Shallow.
SHAL. Mafter Page, I am glad to fee you; Much
good do it your good heart 1 I wifh'd your venison
better ; it was ill killed : How doth good miftrefs
Page ? aod I thank you always with my heart, la ;
* v. Note.
L 2
6 Toe merry Wives of Windfor.
with my heart.
PAGE.. Sir, I thank you.
SHAL. Sir, I thank you; by yea and no, I do.
PAGE. I am glad to fee you, good mailer Slender.
SLEN. How does your fallow greyhound, fir? Iheard
fav, he was out-run on Cotfall.
PAGE. Jt could not be judg'd, fir-
SLEN. You'll not confefs, you'll not confefs.
SHAL. That he will not; 'tis your fault, 'tis your"
fault : 'Tis a good dog.
PAG-E. A cur, fir.
SHAL . Sir, he's a good dog, and a fair dog ; Can
there be more faid ? he is good, and fair. Is fir John
Faijlafhere:
PAGE. Sir, he is within ; and I would I could do a
good office between you.
Sir H. It is fpoke as a chriftians ought to fpeak.
SHAL. He hath wrong'd me, mafter Page.
PAGE. Sir, he doth in fome fort confefs it.
SHAL. ]f it be confefTed, it is not redreffed ; Is not
that fo, miSxrPage? He hath wrong'd me; indeed, he
hath ; at a word, he hath ; believe me ; Robert Shallow
efquire faith, he is wronged.
PAGE. Here comes fir John.
Enter Sir John FALSTAFF, NYM, PISTOL,
and BARDOLPH.
FAI.S. Now, mafter Shallow, you'll complain of me
to the king ?
SHAL. Knight, you have beaten my men, kill'd my
deer, and broke open my lodge.
FALS. But not kiff'd your keeper's daughter ?
SHAL . Tut a pin ! this fhall be anfwer'd.
Tie merry Wives of Windfor. 7
FALS. I will anfwer it ftraight ; I have done all
this : ~ That is now anfwer'd.
SHAL. The council fliall know this.
FALS. 'Twere better for you if it were known in
council ? you'll be Jaugh'd at.
Sir H. Pauca iter&a, fir John ; good worts.
FALS. Good worts ! good cabbage -.Slender, I broke
your head ; What matter have you againft me ?
SLEN. Marry, fir, I have matter in my head againft
you ; and againil your coney-catching rafcals, Bardolpb,
Nym, and Piftol,
HARD. You Banbury cheese !
SLEN. Ay, it is no matter.
Pisr. How now, Mephofiopbilus?
SLEN. Ay, it is no matter.
NTM. Slice, I fay ! pauca, pauca ; flice [ that's my
humour.
SLEN. Where's Simple my man ? _ can you tell,
cousin ?
Sir H. Peace, t pray you ! Now let us underftand :
There is three umpires in this matter, as I underftand:
that is mafter Page,fidelicet, mafter Page; and there is
myk\f,_fidelicet, myfelf ; and the three party is, laftly and
finally, mine hoft of the garter.
PAGE. We three, to hear it, and end it between
them.
Sir H. Fery goot : I will make a prief of it in my
note-book ; and we will afterwards 'ork upon the cause,
with as great difcreetly as we can.
FALS. Pijtol,
Pisr. He hears with ears.
Sir H. The tevil and his tarn ! what phrase is this.
S The merry Wivtt of Windfor.
He bears with ear ? Why, it is affe&ations.
FALS. Piftol, did you pick mafter S/enJer's purfe?
SLEN. Ay, by these gloves, did he, (or I would I
might never come in mine own great chamber again
elfe) of feven groats in mill-fixpences, and two Ed-ward
ihovel-boards, that coft me two milling and two-pence
a-piece of Ttad Miller, by these gloves.
FALS. Is this true, Pijlol?
Sir H. No, it is falfe, if it is a pickpurfe.
PIST. Ha, thou mountain foreigner ! _
Sir John and mafter mine,
I combat challenge of this latten bilboe :_
Word of denial in thy labras here ;
Word of denial; froth and fcum, thou ly'ft.
SLEN. By these gloves, then 'twas ~|" he.
NYM. Be avis'd, fir, and pafs good humours: I will
fay, marry trap, with you, if you run the nuthook's
humour on me ; that is the very note of it.
St EN. By this hat, then~f~he in the red face had it:
for though I cannot remember what I did when you
made me drunk, yet I am not altogether an afs.
FALS. What fay you, Scarlet and John ?
BARD. Why, fir, for my part, I fay, the gentleman
had drunk himfelf out of his five fentences ;
Sir H. It is his five fenfes : fie, what the ignorance is .'
BARD. And being fap, fir, wa5, as they fay, cafhier'd ;
and fo conclusions part the careeres.
SLEN. Ay, you fpake in Latin then too ; but 'tis no
matter : I'll ne'er be drunk whilft I live again, but in
honeft, civil, godly company, for this trick : if I be
drunk, I'll be drunk with those that have the fear of
God, and not with drunken knaves.
The merry Wi<vei tffWindfor. 9
~SirH. So Got'udge me, that is a virtuous mind.
FALS. You hear all these matters deny'd, gentlemen ;
you hear it.
Enter Miftrefs Anne Page, with Wine; MiJ}. Ford,
and Mi/f. Page, following her.
PAGE. Nay, daughter, carry the wine in; we'll drink
within.
SLEN. O heaven ! this is miftrefs Anne Page.
PAGE. How now, miftrefs Ford?
FALS. Miftrefs Ford', by my troth, you are very well
met : by your leave, good miftrefs. {.kffi'g her.
PAGE. Wife, bid these gentlemen welcome :_Come,
we have a hot venison pafty to dinner ; come, gentle-
men ; I hope, we fhall drink down all unkind nefs.
[Exeunt 411, but SHAI.. SLEN. and 5/rH. EVANS.
SLEN. I had rather than forty millings, I had my
book of fongs and fonnets here : _
Enter SIMPLE.
How now, Simple ; where have you been ? I muft wait
on myfelf, muft I ? You have not the book of riddles
about you, have you?
SIMP. Book of riddles 1 why, did you not lend it to
Alice Short-cake, upon Alhallonumas laft, a fortnight afore
Michaelmas ?
SEAL. Come, coz ; come, coz; we ftay for you. A
word with you, coz : marry, this, coz j There is, as
'twere, a tender, a kind of tender, made afar off by fir
Hugh here ; Do you underftand me ?
SLEN. Ay, fir, you fhall find me reasonable; if it be
fo, I mail do that that is reason.
SHAL . Nay, but underftand me,
SLEN. So I do, fir.
10 Me merry Wives of Windfor,
SirH. Give ear to his motions, matter Slender: t
will defcription the matter to you, if you be capacity
of it.
SLEN. Nay, I will do as my cousin Shallow fays :
I pray you, pardon me; he's a juftice of peace in his
country, iimple though I Hand here.
SirH. But that is not the queftion ; the queftion is
concerning your marriage.
SHAL. Ay, there's the point, fir.
Sir H. Marry, is it ; the very point of it; to miftrefs
Anne Page.
SLEN. Why, if it be fo, I will marry her, upon any
reasonable demands.
Sir H. But can you affeftion the 'oman? let us com-
mand to know that of your mouth, or of your lips ;
for divers philofophers hold, that the lips is parcel of
the mouth; Therefore, precifely, can you carry youif
good will to the maid ?
SHAL. Cousin Abraham Slender, can you love her ?
SstEff. I hope, fir, I will do as it mall become one
that would do reason.
Sir H. Nay, Got's lords and his ladies, you muft
fpeak possitable, if you can carry her your desires to-
ward' her.
SHAL. That you muft; Will you, upon good dowry,
marry her ?
Siztr. I will do a greater thing than that, upon your
requeft, cousin, in any reason.
SHAL. Nay, conceive me, conceive me, fweet coz ;
what I do is to pleasure you, coz : Can you love the
maid ?
. I will marry her, fir, at your requeftj but if
The merry Wives of Vyjndfor. 1 1
there be no great love in the beginning, yet heaven
may decreafe it upon better acquaintance, when we arq
marry'd, and have more occasion to know one another:
I hope, upon familiarity will grow more content : but
if you fay, marry her, I will marry her, that lam freely
dissolv'd, and diflblutely.
Sir H. It is a fery difcretion anfwer ; fave the faul'
is in the 'ort, diflblutely : the 'ort is, according to our
meaning, resolutely ; his meaning is good.
SHAL. Ay, I think my cousin meant well.
SIEN. Ay, or elfe I would 1 might be hang'd, la.
Re-enter Anne PAGE.
SHAL. Here comes fair miitrefs Anne: 'Would I
were young, for your fake, miftrefs Anne !
ANNE. The dinner is on the table ; my father desires
your worships' company.
SHAL. I will wait on him, fair miftrefs Anne.
Sir H. Od's plefled will ! I will not be abfence at
the grace. [Exeunt SHALLOW, and Sir Hugh EVANS.
ANNE. Will't please your worfhip to come in, fir?
SLEN. No, I thank you, forfooth, heartily; I am
very well.
ANNE. The dinner attends you, fir.
SLEN. I am not a-hungry, 1 thank you, forfooth :
Go, Jirrah, for all you are my man, go, wait upon my
cousin Shallmv ; [Exit SIMPLE.] a juftice of peace fome-
time may be beholding to his friend for a man : _ I
keep but three men and a boy yet, 'till my mother be
dead : But what though ? yet I live like a poor gentle-
man born.
ANNE. I may not go in without your worfliip : they
Vill not fit, 'till you come.
1 2 Tie merry Wivtt of Windfor.
SLEV. I'faith, I'll eat nothing : I thank you as much
as though I did.
JUNE. I pray you, fir, walk in.
SLEN. I had rather walk here, I thank you : I bruis'd
my fhin th' other day with playing at fword and dag-
ger with a mafter of fence, three veneys for a difh of
ftew'd prunes ; and, by my troth, I cannot abide the
fmell of hot meat fince. Why do your dogs bark fo ? be
there bears i' th' town ?
J#NNE. I think, there are, fir ; I heard them talk'd of.
SLEN. I love the fport well ; but I lhall as foon quar-
rel at it, as any man in England: You are afraid, if
you fee the bear loofe, are you not ?
J$NNE. Ay, indeed, fir.
SLEN. That's meat and drink to me now: I have
feen Sackerfon loofe, twenty times ; and have taken him
by the chain : but, I warrant you, the women have fo
cry'd and (hriek'd at it, that it paff'd : but women,
indeed, cannot abide 'em ; they are very ill-favour'd
rough things.
Re -enter PAGE.
PAGE. Come, gentle mailer Slender, come ; we flay
for you.
SLEN. I'll eat nothing, I thank you, fir.
PAGE. By cock and pye, you fhall not choose, fir:
come, come.
SLEN. Nay, pray you, lead the way.
PAGE. Come on, fir.
SLEN. Miftrefs Anne, yourfelf (hall go firft.
JJNNE. Not I, fir; pray you, keep on.
SLEN. Truly, I will riot go firft ; truly, la : I will
not do you that wrong.
The merry Wives of Windfor. I j
I pray you, fir.
SLEN. I'll rather be unmannerly, than troublefome:
You do yourfelf wrong, indeed, la. [Exeunt.
SCENE II. The fame.
Enter Sir Hugh EVANS, a</SiMPLE.
Sir H. Go your ways, and alk of doclor Caius 1 houfe,
which is the way : and there dwells one miftrefs Quickly,
which is in the manner of his nurfe, or his dry nurfe, or
his cook, or his laundry, his wafher, and his wringer.
SIMP. Well, fir.
SirH. Nay, it is petter yet; give her this =f letter;
for it is a 'oman that altogether acquaintance with
miftrefs Anne Page ; and the letter is, to desire and re-
quire her to folicit your matter's desires to miftrefs Anne
Page: I pray you, be gone; I will make an end of my
dinner ; there's pippins and cheese to come.
[Exeunt, federally.
SCENE III. A Room in the garter Inn.
Enter FALSTAFF, Hoft, BARDOLPH, PISTOL,
NYM, and Robin.
FALS. Mine hoft of the garter,
Hoft. What fays my bully rook ? fpeak fchollarly,
and wisely.
FALS. Truly, mine hoft, I muft turn away fome of
my followers.
Hoft. Difcard, bully Hercules', cafhier : let them wag;
trot, trot.
FALS. I fit at ten pounds a week.
Hoft. Thou'rt an emperor, Cesar, Keisar, and Pheasar.
\ will entertain Bardolpb \ he mall draw, he mail tap ;
1^. Tic merry Wives o^Windfor.
Said I well, bully Heaor?
FALS. Do fo, good mine hoft.
Ho/}. I have fpoke ; let him follow : _ Let me fee
thee froth and lime: I am at a word ; follow.
[ Exit Hoft.
FALS. B&rdolph, follow him ; a tapfter is a good
trade : An old cloak makes a new jerkin ; a wither'd
ferving-man, a frefh tapfter : Go ; adieu.
BARD. It is a life that I have desir'd : I will thrive.
[Exit BARDOLPH.
PIST. O bafe Gongarian wight ! wilt thou the fpigot
wield ?
NTM. He was gotten in drink : Is not the humour
conceited ?
FALS. I am glad, I am fo acquit of this tinder-box ;
his thefts were too open : his filching was like an un-
Ikilful finger, he kept not time.
NTM. The good humour is, to fleal at a minute'*
reft.
PIST. Convey, the wise it call : Steal ! foh ; a fico
for the phrase !
FALS. Well, firs, I am almoft out at heels.
PIST. Why then, let kybes enfue.
PALS. There is no remedy ; I muft coney-catch, T
muft fhift.
PIST, Young ravens muft have food.
FALS. Which of you know Ford of this town ?
PIST. I ken the wight ; he is of fubftance good.
FALS. My honeft lads, I will tell you what I am
about.
PIST. Two yards, and more.
No quips now, PiJ}ol ; Indeed, I am in the
Tbe merry Wives of Windfor. 15
Wafte two yards about : but I am now about no wafle;
I am about thrift. Briefly, I do mean to make love to
Ford's wife; I fpy entertainment in her; fhe difcourfes,
ilie carves, (he gives the leer of invitation : I can con-
ftrue the adlion of her familiar ftile ; and the hardeft
voice of her behaviour, to be englilh'd rightly, is, 1 am
Jir John Fal Raff's.
PIST, He hath ftudy'd her will, and tranflated her
will ; out of honefty into Englifa.
NYM. The anchor is deep : Will that humour pafs ?
FJLS. Now, the report goes, fhe hath all the rule of
her husband's purfe ; ihe hath legions of angels.
PisT. As many devils entertain ; and, To her, loy y
fay I.
NYM. The humour rises ; it is good : humour me
the angels.
FALS. I have writ me here "fa letter to her: and
here another ~j~ to Page's wife ; who even now gave me
good eyes too, examin'd my parts with moft judicious
oeillades : fometimes the beam of her view gilded my
foot, fometimes my portly belly.
PIST. Then did the fun on dunghill mine.
1 thank thce for that humour.
. O, fhe did fo courfe-o'er my exteriors with
fuch a greedy intention, that the appetite of her eye
did feem to fcorch me up like a burning- glafs ! Here's
~f~ another letter to her : fhe bears the purfe too ; fhe is
a region in Guiana, all gold and bounty. I will be
'cheator to them both, and they fhall be exchequers to
me ; they fhall be my Eaft and Weft-Indits, and I will
trade to them both. Go, bear thou ~f~ this letter to mif-
trefs Page ; and thou "}" this to miftrefs Ford : we will
* il.'iads *9 Chsitors
1 6 The merry Wives of Windfor.
thrive, lads, we will thrive.
Pisr. Shall I fir Pandarus of Troy become,
And by my fide wear fteel ? then, Lucifer take all !
NrM. I will run no bafe humour : here, take the
humour letter; I will keep the 'haviour of reputation.
FJLS. Hold, firrah, [to Rob.] bear you =}= these let-
ters tightly ;
Sail, like my pinnace, to the golden fhores.
Rogues, hence, avaunt, vanifh like hailftones, go ;
Trudge, plod, away, o'the hoof, feek Ihelter, pack !
Falftaff will learn the humour of this age,
French thrift, you rogues, myielf and ficirted page.
[Exeunt FALSTAFF, and Robin.
PIST. Let vultures gripe thy guts ! for gourd and
Fullam holds ;
And high and low beguiles the rich and poor :
Tefter I'll have in pouch, when thou (halt lack,
Bafe Phrygian Turk !
NrM I have operations in my head, which be hu-
mours of revenge.
PisT. Wilt thou revenge ?
NrM . By welkin, and her ftar !
Pisr. With wit, or fteel ?
NrM. With both the humours I :
I will difcufs the humour of this love to Ford.
PisT. And I to Page {hall eke unfold,
How Faljiaf, varlet vile,
His dove will prove, his gold will hold,
And his foft couch defile.
NrM . My humour fhall not cool : I will incenfe Ford
to deal with poison ; I will possefs him with yellownefs,
for the revolt of mien is dangerous : that is my true
10 plod away oW hoofe 3* of mine
The merry #7<f o/Windfor.
humour.
Pisr. Thou art the Man of male-contents : Tfecond
thee; troop on. [Exeunt.
SCENE IV. A Room in Doflor Caius' Hau/e.
Enter Miftrefs QUICKLY, SIMPLE, and John RUGBY.
>yic. What ; John Rugby ! _ I pray thee, go to the
casement ; and fee if you can fee my matter, matter
doctor Caius, coming : if he do, i'faith, and find any
body in the houfe, here will be an old abusing of God's
patience, and the king's Englijh.
RUGB. I'll go watch. [Exit RUGBY.
Qyic. Go; and we'll have a poflet for't foon at
night, i'faith, at the latter end of a fea-coal fire. _
An honeft, willing, kind fellow, as ever fervant (hall
come in houfe withal; and, I warrant ycu, no tell-tale r
nor no breed-bate : his worft fault is, that he is given
to prayer ; he is fomething peevifh that way : but no
body but has his fault; but let that pafs. Peter Simple,
you fay, your name is ?
SIMP. Ay, for fault of a better.
hric. And mailer S/eader's your mailer ?
SIMP. Ay, forfooth.
>uic. Does he not wear a great round beard, like a
glover's paring-knife?
SIMP . No, forfooth : he hath but a little whey-face,
with a little yellow beard ; a cane-colour'd beard.
Qyic. A foftly-fp'rited man, is he not ?
SIMP. Ay, forfooth : but he is as tall a man of his
hands, as any is between this and his head ; he hath
fought with a warrener.
>yic. How fay you ? oh, I fhould remember him j
wee-face
1 3 Tie merry Wives of Wind for.
Does he not hold up his head, as it were, and ftrut in
his gait?
6 IMP. Yes, indeed, does he.
Vuic. Well, heaven fend Anne Page no worfe for-
tune ! Tell mafter parfon Evans, I will do what I can
for your mafter : Anne is a good girl ; and I wiih
Re-enter RUGBY, haftily.
RVGB. Out, alas ! here comes my mafter.
Vyic. We (hall all be ment:_Run in here, good
young man ; go into this closet; [Shuts him in.~\ he will
not ftay long What, John Rugby ; John ! what, John
I fay! Go, John, go, enquire for my mafter; I doubt
ke be not well, that he comes not home : and down,
Jouun, adswn-a, &c. [J* n g' n '
Enter Doftsr CAIUS.
D. CAI. Vat is you fing ? I do not like dese toys :
Piay 'you, go and vetch me in my closet un bottler
i-era 1 ', a box, a green-a box ; Do intend vat I fpeak :
a green-a box.
Quic. Ay, forfooth, I'll fetch it you. " I am glad"
**he went not in himfelf : if he had found the young"
'man, he would have been horn-mad."
D. CAI. Fe, fe,fe, fe ! mafoi, il fait fort chaud. Je
in in <uai a la cour, ~~ la grande affaire.
Qyic. Is it this, fir?
D. CAI. Oui ; mette le au mon pocket ; depeche, quick-
Jy : Vere is dat knave Rugby?
Quic. What, John Rugby ; John !
RUGB. Here, fir.
D. CAI. You are John Rugby, and you are Jack
Rugby : Come, take-a your rapier, and come after my
heel to de court.
>7 unbo\teee
The merry Wives ^"Windfor. 19
RVGB. 'Tis ready, fir, here in the porch.
D. CAI. By my trot, I tarry too long : Od's me ! qu*
ay je oublie ? dere is fome fimples in my doset, dat I
vil not for de varld I mail leave behind.
>vic. Ah me 1 he'll find the young man there, and
be mad.
D. CAI. O diable, diable! vat is in my closet ?_V:l-
lany, larron! [pulling Simple out.] Rugij, my rapier.
Quic. Good mailer, be content.
D. CAI. Verefore mail I be content-a ?
>yic.. The young man is an honeft man.
D. CAI. Vat fhall de honeft man do in my closet ?
dere is no honeft man dat fhall come in my closet.
S>yic. 1 befeech you, be not fo flegmatic ; hear the
truth of it. He came of an errand to me from parfon
Hugh :
D. CAI. Veil.
SIMP. Ay, forfooth ; to desire her to
2>yic. Peace, I pray you.
D. CAI. Peace-a your tongue ;_Speak-a your tale.
S!MP. To desire this honeft gentlewoman, your
maid, to fpeak a good word to miftrefs Anne Page for
my mafter in the way of marriage.
)yic. This is all, indeed-la; but I'll ne'er put my
finger in the fire, and need not.
D. CAI. Sir Hugh fend a you ? _ Rugby, lailleK me
fome paper :_Tarry you a little-a while.
[sitting a'o-ivn to ivrite.
>yic. I am glad, he is fo quiet: if he had been
throughly moved, you mould have heard him fo loud
and fo melancholy; But notwithftanding, man, I'll do
your mafter what good I can : and the very yea and the
76 ballow mte
VOL. t. M
jo 1'he merry Wives of Wind for.
no is, the French doftor my matter, I may call him
my matter, look you, for I keep his houfe ; and I wafh,
wring, brew, bake, fcour, drefs meat and drink, make
the beds, and do all myfelf.
SIMP. 'Tis a great charge, to come under one bo-
dy's hand.
Quic. Are you avis'd o' that ? you (hall find it a
great charge : And to be up early, and down late ;
but notwithftanding, (to tell you in your ear ; I would
have no words of it) my matter himfelf is in love with
miftrefs Anne Page : but notwithftanding that, I know
Anne's mind, that's neither here nor there.
D. CAI. You, jack'nape ; give-a dis ^= letter to fir
Hugh ; by gar, it is a (hallenge : I vill cut his troat in
de park ; and I vill teach a fcurvy jackanape prieft to
meddle or make : you may be gone ; it is not good
you tarry here : by gar, 1 vill cut all his two ftones ;
by gar, he (hall not have a (lone to trow at his dog.
[Exit SIMPLE.
>yic. Alas, he fpeaks but for his friend.
D. CAI. It is no matter-a for dat : do not you tell-
a me, dat I (hall have Anne Page for myfelf ? by gar,
I vill kill de jack prieft ; and I have appointed mine
hofc of dejartect- to measure our weapon : by gar, I
vill myfelf have Anne Page.
Quic. Sir, the maid loves you, and all fhall be
well : we muft give folks leave to prate ; What, the
good year !
D. CAI. Ruglj, come to de court vit me : _By gar,
if I have not Anne Page, I (hall turn your head out of
door: -Follow my heels, Rugby.
[Exeunt CAZVS, and RUGBY.
J S good-jer
The merry Wives of Windfor. 2 1
>yic. You mall have An fool's head of your own :_
No, I know Anne"?, mind for that : never a woman in
Windfor knows more of Anne's mind than I do; nor can
do more than I do with her, I thank heaven.
.F-Etfr. \fwitbin. ~\ Who's within there, ho ?
Qyic. Who's there, I trow ? come near the houfe, I
pray you.
Enter FENTON.
PENT. How now, good woman ; how doft thou ?
Quic. The better that it pleases your good worfhip
to alk.
FEKT. What news r how does pretty miftrefs Anns r*
Quic. In truth, fir, and me is pretty, and honeft,
and gentle ; and one that is your friend, I can tell you
that by the way, I praise heaven for it.
PENT. Shall I do any good, think'ft thou ? mail I
not lose my fuit ?
>uic. 'Troth, fir, all is in his hands above : but
notwithftanding, mafter Fentcn, I'll be fworn on a book,
{he loves you ; Have not your worfhip a wart above your
eye ?
PENT. Yes, marry, have I ; What of that ?
Qyic. Well, thereby hangs a tale ; good faith, it
is fuch another Nan; but, I deleft, an honeft maid as
ever broke bread : We had an hour's talk of that wart;
I {hall never laugh but in that maid's company : but,
indeed, fhe is given too much to allicholly and musing:
But, for you well, go to.
FEKT. Well, I {hall fee her to-day: Hold, there's f
money for thee ; let me have thy voice in my behalf:
if thou fee'ft her before me, commend me
^uic. Will I ? i'faith, that we will : and I will tell
M 2
az The merry Wives of Windfor.
your worfhip more of the wart, the next time we have
confidence; and of other wooers.
FENT. Well, farewel ; I am in great hade now. [Exit.
>uic. Farewel to your worfhip. Truly, an honeft
gentleman ; but Anne loves him not ; for I know Annis
mind as well as another does : Out upon't ! what have
1 forgot? [Exit.
ACT II.
SCENE I. Before PageV Houfe.
Enter Miftrefs PAGE, <witb a Letter.
M. PA. What, have I Tcap'd love-letters in the ho-
liday time of my beauty, and am I now a fubjeft for
them r Let me fee : {reads.
Ajk me no reason *why I love you ; for though love
use reason for his precisian, he admits him not for his
counjellor : You are not young, no more am 1 ; go to
then, there's Jympathy : you are merry, Jo am 1 ; Ha !
ha! then there's more Jympathy : you love fack, andfo
(to I; Would you ffesire better fympathy ? let it fujpce
thee, miftrefs Page, (at the leaft, if the love offoldier
can fitffife) that I love thee: I will not /ay, pity me, 'tii
not a JolJier-like phrase ; but 1 fay, love me. By me,
Thine oivn true knight,
By day or night,
Or any kind of light,
With all his might
For thce Jo fght,
John FalftafF.
What a Herod of Jewry is this ? O wicked, wicked
The merry Wives of Windfor. 25
world ! ~~ one that is well-nigh worn to pieces with
age, to fhow himfelf a. young gallant ! What one un-
weigh'd behaviour hath this Flemijh drunkard pick'd
(with the devil's name) out of my convention, that
he dares in this manner aflay me ? Why, he hath not
been thrice in my company ! What mould [ fay to
him ? I was then frugal of my mirth : Heaven for-
give me ! Why, I'll exhibit a bill in the parliament
for the putting down of men. How (hall I be reveng'd
on him ? for reveng'd I will be, as fure as his guts are
made of puddings.
Enter Mijlrefs FORD.
M. Fo. Miftrefs Page ! truit me, I was going to your
houfe.
M. PA. And, truft me, I was going to you. You look
very ill.
M. Fo. Nay, I'll ne'er believe that ; I have to mew
to the contrary.
M. PA. 'Faith, but you do, in my mind.
M. Fo. Well, I do then ; yet, I fay, I could mew
you to the contrary : O, miftrefs Page, give me fome
counfel !
M. PA. What's the matter, woman ?
M. Fo. O woman, if it were not for one trifling re-
fpeft, I could come to fuch honour !
M. PA. Hang the trifle, woman ; take the honour :
What is it ? difpence with trifles ; what is it ?
M. Fo. If I would but go to hell for an eternal mo-
ment, or fo, I could be knighted.
M. PA. What, thou ly'ft ? - fir Alice Ford! These
knights will hack ; and fo thou flipuld'ft not after the
article of thy gentry.
* What an un-
Mj
24 The merry Wives o/Windfor.
M. Fo. We burn daylight : here, =f read, read ; per-
ceive how I might be knighted I fhall think the worfe
of fat men, as long as I have an eye to make difference
of men's liking : And yet he would not fwear; prais'd
women's modefly ; and gave fuch orderly and well-
behaved reproof to all uncomelinefs, that I would have
fworn his difposition would have gone to the truth of
his words : but they do no more adhere, and keep place
together, than the hundredth pfalm to the tune of Green
Jlee<ve$. What tempeft, I trow, threw this whale, with fo
many tuns of oil in his belly, a-fhore at Windjor? How
fhall I be reveng'd on him : I think, the belt way were
to entertain him with hope, 'till the wicked fire of lufl
have melted him in his own greafe Did you ever hear
the like?
M. PA. Letter for letter ; but that the name of Page
and Ford differs ! _ To thy great comfort in this myl-
tery of ill opinions, here's ^ the twin brother of thy
letter : but let thine inherit firft ; for, I proteft, mine
never fhall. I warrant, he hath a thousand of these let-
ters, writ with blank fpace for different names, (fure,
more) and these are of the fecond edition : He will
print them, out of doubt ; for he cares not what he
puts into the prefs, when he would put us two : I had
rather be a giantefs, and lye under mount Pelion. Well,
I will find you twenty lafcivious turtles, e'er one chart
man.
M. Fo. Why, this is the very fame, the very hand,
the very words ; What doth he think of us r
M. PA. Nay, I know not : It makes me almoir rea-
dy to wrangle with mine own honefty : I'll entertain
myfelf like one that I am not acquainted \vlthal ; for
* praii'c 5 hundred Pfrlrr.cs
The merry Wives o/*Windfor. 25
fure, unlefs he know fome ftrain in me, that I know not
myfelf, he would never have boarded me in this fury.
M Fo. Boarding, call you it ? I'll be fure to keep
him above deck.
M. PA. So will I; if he come under my hatches, I'll
never to fea again. Let's be reveng'd on him : let's ap-
point him a meeting ; give him a mow of comfort in,
his fuit ; and lead him on with a fine- baited delay,
'till he hath pawn'd his horfes to mine hoft of the
garter.
M. Fo. Nay, I will confent to aft any villany againft
him, that may not fully the charinefs of our honefty.
O, that my hufband faw this letter ! it would give
eternal food to his jealoufy.
M. PA. Why, look where he comes ; and my good
man too : he's as far from jealoufy, as I am from gi-
ving him cause ; and that, I hope, is an unmeasurable
diftance.
M. Fo. You are the happier woman.
M. PA. Let's confult together againft this greasy
knight : Come hither. \tbey con<uerfe apart.
Enter FORD, PISTOL, PAGE, and NY M.
FORD. Well, I hope it be not fa.
Pisf. Hope is a ourtal dog in fome affairs :
Sir John affects thy wife.
FORD. Why, fir, my wife is not young. [poor,
PIST. He wooes both high and low, both rich and
Both young and old, one with another, Ford\
He loves thy gaily- mawfry ; Ford, perpend.
FORD. Love my wife?
PisT. With liver burning hot : Prevent ; or go thou
Like fir dcieon, he, with Ringwood at thy keels :
M 4
26 The merry Wives if Wimljor.
O, odious is the name !
FORD. What name, fir ?
Pisr. The horn, I fay : Farewel.
Take heed; have open eye; for thieves do foot by night:
Take heed, ere fummer comes, orcuckoo birds do fing
Away, fir corporal Nym
Believe it, Page ; he fpeaks fenfe.
FORD. " 1 will be patient ; I will find out this."
Nru. And this is true; [to Page.] I like not the
humour of lying. He hath wronged me in fome hu^
mours: I fhould have born the humour'd letter to her;
but I have a fword, and it (hall bite upon my neceffity.
He loves your wife ; there's the mort and the long. My
name is corporal Nym ; I fpeak, and I avouch. 'Tis true:
my name is Nym, and Falftajf\oves your wife. Adieu !
I love not the humour of bread and cheese ; and there's
the humour of it. Adieu. [Exeunt PISTOL, a*</NYM.
PAGE. The humour of it, quoth 'a ! here's a fellow
frights humour out of his wits.
FORD. " 1 will feek out Faljia/."
PAGE. I never heard fuch a drawling, afFecling rogue.
FORD . If I do find it, Well. "
PAGE. I will not believe fuch a Catalan, though the
prieft o'the town commended him for a true man.
FORD. "'Twas a good fenfible fellow : Well. 1 *
PAGE. How now, Mtg?
M. PA. Whither go you, George? Hark you.
M.Fo. How now, fvveet Frank ? why art thou me-
lancholy?
FORD. I melancholy! I am not melancholy. Get you
home, go.
M. Fo. 'Faith, thou haft fomc crotchets in thy head
The merry Wives of Windfor. 27
Now, will you go, miftrefs Page?
M. PA. Have with you. _ You'll come to dinner,
George? " Look who comes yonder: (he (hall be our"
" meflengerto this paltry knight."
Enter Mijirefs Qu I c K L Y .
M. To. " Truft me, I thought on her : (he'll fit it."
M PA. You are come to fee my daughter Anne?
Quic. Ay, forfooth ; And, I pray, how does good
miftrefs Anne?
M. PA. Go in with us, and fee ; we have an hour's
talk with you. \Exeunt Women.
PAGE. How now, m after For d?
FORD. You heard what this knave told me; did you
not ?
PAGE. Yes ; And you heard what the other told me ?
FORD. Do you think there is truth in them ?
PACE. Hang 'em, flaves ! I do not think the knight
would offer it: but these, that accuse him in his intent
towards our wives, are a yoak of his difcarded men ;
very rogues, now they be out of fervice.
FORD. Were they his men I
PACE. Marry, were they.
FORD. 1 like it never the better for that Does he
lye at the garter ?
PAGE. Ay, marry, does he. If he mould intend this
voyage toward my wife, I would turn her loofe to him;
and what he gets more of her than (harp words, let ic
lye on my head.
FORD. I do not mifdoubt my wife ; but I would be
loth to turn them together : A man may be too confi-
dent : I would have nothing lye on my head : I cannpt
be thus fatiffy'd.
23 be merry Wives of Windfor.
PAG*., Look where my ranting hoft of the garter
comes : there is either liquor in his pate, or money in
his purfe, when he looks Ib merrily. How now, mine
hoft?
Enter Hoft, and SHALLOW.
Ho/?. How now, bully rook ? thou'rt a gentleman :
Cavaferojuftice, I fay!
SUJL. 1 follow, mine hoft, I follow. _Good even,
and twenty, good matter Page.' Mailer Page, will you
go with us? we have fport in hand.
Hofi, Tell him, cavalero juftice ; tell him, bully
rook.
SHJL. Sir, there is a fray to be fought, between fir
Hugh the W r elch prieft and Caius the French doftor.
FORD. Good mine hoft o' the garter, a word with
you. [drawing him afide.
Hojl. What fay'ft thou, my bully rook ?
SHAL. Will you [to Page.] go with us to behold it ?
My merry hoft hath had the measuring of their wea-
pons ; and, I think, hath appointed them contrary pla-
ces : for, believe me, I hear the parfon is no jefter.
Hark, I will tell you what our fport (hall be.
[they ccn'verfe apart.
Ho/}. Haft thou no fuit againft my knight, my
gueft cavalier ?
FORD. None, I proteft : but I'll give you a pottle
of burnt fack, to give me recourfe to him, and tell him
my name is Break ; only for a jeft.
Hoft. My hand, bully ; thou (halt have egrefs and
rcgrefs, (faid F well ?) and thy name fhall be Brook :
It is a merry knight. _ Will you go, mynheers?
Have with you, mine hoft,
3' goe An-bcires ?
The merry Wives of Windfor. 29
PAGE, I have heard, the Frenchman hath good fkill
in his rapier.
SEAL. Tut, fir, I could have told you more: Tn
these times you ftand on diftance, your pafTes, ftocca-
does, and I know not what ; 'tis the heart, matter Page-,
'tis ~|" here, 'tis here : I have feen the time, with my long
fword, I would have made you four tall fellows fkip
like rats.
Hofl. Here, boys, here, here! mall we wag?
PAGE. Have with you: I had rather hear them
fcold, than fight. [Exeunt Hoir, PAGE, aWSnAL.
FORD. Though Page be a fecure fool, and ftands fo
firmly on his wife's frailty, yet I cannot put'ofF my
opinion fo easily : She was in his company at Page's
houfe ; and, what they made there, I know not. Well,
I will look further into't ; and I have a dilguise to
found Faljiajf: If I find her honeft, I lose not my la-
bour ; if me be otherwise, 'tis labour well beftowed.
[Exit.
SCENE II. A Room in the garter Inn.
Enter FALSTAFF, and PISTOL.
FALS. I will not lend thee a penny.
Pisf. Why, then the world's mine oilier, which I
with fword will open.
FALS. Not a penny. I have been content, fir, you
fliould lay my countenance to pawn : I have grated
upon my good friends for three reprieves for you and
your coach-fellow Nym ; or elfe you had looked through
the grate, like a geminy of baboons. I am damn'd in
hell, for fwearing to gentlemen my friends, you were
good foldiers, and tall fellows : and when miftrefj
je Tbt merry Wives of Windfor.
EriJget loft the handle of her fan, I took't upon mine
honour, thou hadft it not.
PIST. Didft not thou fhare ? hadft thou not fifteen
pence ?
FALS. Reason, you rogue, reason ;Think'ft thou I'll
endanger my foul gratis ? At a word, hang no more
about me, I am no gibbet for you : go, a ihort knife
and a throng; to your manor of Pick-hatch, go. You'll
not bear a letter for me, you roguel you Hand upon
your honour ! Why, thcu unconfinable bafenefs, it is
as much as I can do, to keep the terms of my honour
precife : I, I, I myfelf fometimes, leaving the fear of
heaven on the left hand, and hiding mine honour in
my neceflity, am fain to muffle, to hedge, and to lurch ;
and yet you, rogue, will enfconce your rags, your cat-
o'-mountain looks, your red-lattice phrases, and your
bold- beating oaths, under the ihelter of your honour !
you will not do it, you !
PJST. I do relent ; What would'fl thou more of man ?
Enter ROBIN.
ROB. Sir, here's a woman would fpeak with you.
Fjis. Let her approach.
Enter Mijirefs QUICKLY.
Give your worfhip good morrow.
Good morrow, good wife.
Not fo, an't please your worfhip.
Good maid, then.
I'll be fworn ; as my mother was, the firft
hour I was born.
F^LS. ] do believe the fwearer : What with me ?
>vic. Shall I vouchfafeyourwormip a word or two r
FJLS. Two thousand, fair woman ; and I'll vouch-
The merry Wives of Windibr. 3 1
fafe thee the hearing.
^uic. There is one miftrefs Ford, fir; I pray, come
a little nearer this ways : I myfelf dwell with mafter
doctor Cains.
FALS. Well, on : Miflrefs Ford, you fay ;
>uic. Your worfhip fays very true : I pray your wor-
fhip, come a little nearer this ways.
FALS. I warrant thee, no body hears; mine own
people, mine own people.
>uic. Are they for Heaven blefs them, and make
them his fervants !
FALS. Well, miflrefs Ford; What of her ?
Quic. Why, fir, fhe's a good creature ; Lord, Lord !
your worfhip's a wanton: Well, heaven forgive you,
and all of us, I pray !
FALS. Miflrefs Ford^ come, miftrefs Ford;
>uic. Marry, this is the fhort and the long of it;
you have brought her into fuch a canaries, as 'tis won-
derful : the beft courtier of them all, when the court
lay at Wind/or, could never have brought her to fuch
a canary : Yet there has been knights, and lords, and
gentlemen, with their coaches ; I warrant you, coach
after coach, letter after letter, gift after gift; fmelling
fo fweetly, (all mufk) and fo rufhling, I warrant you,
in filk and gold; and in fuch alligant terms; and in
fuch wine and fugar of the beft and the faireft, that
would have won any woman's heart ; and, I warrant
you, they could never get an eye-wink of her : I had
myfelf twenty angels given me this morning : but I
defy all angels, (in any fuch fort, as they fay) but in
the way of honefty : and, I warrant you, they could
never get her fo much as lip on a cup with the proudeit
3 2 5 'be merry Wi<vei of Wind for.
of them all : and yet there has been earls, nay, which
is more, penfioners ; but, I warrant you, all is one
with her.
Fjiis. But what fays me to me ? be brief, my good
fhe Mercury.
>uic. Marry, me hath receiv'd your letter ; for the
which {he thanks you a thousand times : and me gives
you to notify, that her hufband will be abfence from
his houfe between ten and eleven.
. Ten and eleven.
. Ay, forfooth; and then you may come and
fee the picture, fhe fays, that you wot of; mailer Ford,
her husband, will be from home : Alas, the fweet
woman leads an ill life with him ; he's a very jealoufy
man ; fhe leads a very frampold lite with him, good
heart.
Fjts. Ten and eleven: Woman, commend me to
her ; I will not fail her.
>uic. Why, you fay well : But I have another mef-
fenger to your worfhip : Miftrefs Page hath her hearty
commendations to you too ; and let me tell you in
your ear, flic's as fartuous a civil modeft wife, and one
([ tell you) that will not mifs you morning nor evening
prayer, as any is in WindJ(,r> whoe'er be the other :
ar.-d fhe bad me tell your wormip, that her husband is
ftidcm from home ; but, (he hopes, there will come a
time. I never knew a woman ib doat upon a man ;
furely, I think you have chaims, la ; yes, in truth.
AL$. Not I, I allure thee ; fetting the attra&ion of
irsy ocod parts afide, 1 have no other charms.
$>OIC. Blefling on your heart for't!
But, 1 pray thee, tell me this ; Has Fork's
The merry Wives of Windfor. 3 3
wife, and Page's wife, acquainted each other how they
love me?
Qyic. That were a jeft, indeed ! they have not Co
little grace, 1 hope: that were a trick, indeed! But
miftrefs Page would desire you to fend her your little
page, of all loves ; her husband has a marvelous in-
fedlion to the little page : And, truly, mailer Page is
an honeft man : never a wife in Windfcr leads a better
life than me does ; do what fhe will, fay what (he will,
take all, pay all, go to bed when (he lift, rise when fhe
lift, all is as fhe will; and, truly, fhe deserves it; for if
there be a kind woman in Windfor, (he is one : You muft
fend her your page ; no remedy.
FALS. Why, 1 will.
>yic. Nay, but do fo then : and, look you, he may
come and go between you both ; and, in any cafe, have
a nayword, that you may know one another's mind,
and the boy never need to underftand any thing ; for
'tis not good that children fhould know any wicked-
nefs : old folks, you know, have difcretion, as they fay,
and know the world.
FALS. Fare thee well : commend me to them both :
there's my ^ purfe ; I am yet thy debtor Boy, go
along with this woman. This news diftrafls me.
[Exeunt Qu i c K L Y, and Ro B i jr.
Pisr. This punk is one of Cupid's carriers :
Clap on more fails; purfue; up with your fights;
Give fire; fhe is my prize, or ocean whelm them all !
[Exit PISTOL.
FALS. Say'ft thou fo, old Jack? go thy ways; I'll
make more of thy old body, than 1 have done. Will
they yet look after thee ? wilt thou, after the expence
34 &e merry Wi-ua of Windfor.
of fo much money, be now a gainer ? good body, \
thank thee : Let them fay, 'tis grofly done ; fo it be
fairly done, no matter.
Enter BARDOI.PH.
BJRD. Sir John, there's one mailer Brock below
would fain fpeak with you, and be acquainted with
you ; and hath fent your worfhip a morning's draught
of fack.
FALS. Brock is his name ?
BARD. Ay, fir.
FALS. Callhimin; [Exit BARDOLPH.] SachBrooh
are welcome to me, that o'er-flow fuch liquor. Ah, ha,
miitrefs Ford, and miftrefs Page, have I encompafs'd
you ? go to; v:af
Re-enter Bardolph, with FORD difguis^d.
FORD. Blefs you, fir.
FALS. And you, fir : Would you fpeak with me ?
FORD. 1 make bold, to prefs with fo little prepara-
tion upon you.
FALS. You're welcome ; What's your will ? Give us
leave, drawer. [Exit Bardolph.
FORD. Sir, I am a gentleman that have fpentmuch;
my name is Brook.
FALS. Good mailer Brook, I desire more acquaint-
ance of" you.
FORD. Good (\rjobn, I fue for yours : not to charge
you; for I muft let you underftand, I think myfelf in
better plight for a lender than you are : the which hath
iomething embolden'd me to this unfeason'd intrusion ;
for they fay, if money go before, all ways do lye open.
FALS. Money is a good foldier, fir, and will on.
FORD. Troth, and I have a bag of money ~f~ here
'* ore 'flowes
The merry wives of Windfor. j $
troubles me : if you will help to bear it, fir John, take
all, or half, for easing me of the carriage.
FALS. Sir, I know not how I may deserve to btf
your porter.
FORD. I will tell you, fir, if you will give me the
hearing.
FALS. Speak, good matter Brook; I (hall be glad to
be your fervant.
FORD. Sir, I hear you are fchollar, I will be brief
with you ; and you have been a man long known to
me, though I had never fo good means, as desire, to
make myfelf acquainted with you. I fhall difcover a
thing to you, wherein I muft very much lay open mine
own imperfection : but, good fir 'John, as you have one
eye upon my follies, as you hear them unfolded, turn
another into the regifter of your own ; that I may pafs
with a reproof the easier, fith you yourfelf know, how
easy it is to be fuch an offender.
PALS. Very well, fir; proceed.
FORD. There is a gentlewoman in this town, her
husband's name is Ford.
FALS. Well, fir.
FORD. I have long lov'd her, and, I proteft to you,
beftowed much on her ; follovv'd her with a doating
observance ; engroff'd opportunities to meet her ; fee'd
every flight occasion that could but niggardly give me
fight of her ; not only bought many presents to give
her, but have given largely to many, to know what flic
would have given : briefly, I have purfu'd her, as love
hath purfu'd me ; which hath been, on the wing of all
occasions : But, whatfoever I have merited, either in
my mind, or in my means, meed, I am fure, I have re-
VOL. I. N
36 %'be merry Wives of Windfor.
ceived none; unlefs experience be a jewel; that I have
purchafed at an infinite rate ; and that hath taught me
to fay this,
Lo*ve like a Jhado-iu Jiies, nvhsn fubftance love purfues j
Purfuing that that fliet, andfiying nubat purfues.
FALS. Have you receiv'd no promise of fatiffaftion
at her hands ?
FORD. Never.
FALS. Have you importun'd her to fuch a purpose ?
FORD. Never.
FALS. Of what quality was your love then ?
FORD. Like a fair houfe, built on another man's
ground ; fo that I have loft my edifice, by miftaking
the place where I erected it.
FALS. To what purpose have you unfolded this to me?
FORD. When I have told you that, I have told you
all. Some fay, that, though (he appear honeft to me,
yet, in other places, (he enlargeth her mirth fo far, that
there is'fhrevvd conftruction made of her. Now, fir John,
here is the heart of my purpose ; You are a gentleman
of excellent breeding, admirable difcourfe, of great ad-
mittance, authentic in your place and perfon, generally
allowed for your many warlike, courtlike, and learned
preparations.
FALS. O, fir!
FORD. Believe it, for you know it : There ^ is
money ; fpend it, fpend it ; fpend more ; fpend all I
have ; only give me fo much of your time in exchange
of it, as to lay an amiable fiege to the honefty of this
Ford's wife : use your art of wooing, win her to con-
fent to you ; if any man may, you may as foon as any.
Would it apply well to the vehemency of your
The merry Wives o/'Windfor. 37
affeftion, that I fhould win what you would enjoy ?
methinks, youprefcribe toyourfelf very prepofteroufiy.
FORD. O, underftand my drift! fhedwellsfo fecure-
ly on the excellency of her honour, that the folly of my
foul dares not present itfelf ; (he is too bright to be look'd
againft : Now, could I come to her with any detection
in my hand, my desires had inftance and argument to
commend themfelves ; I could drive her then from the
ward of her purity, her reputation, her marriage vow,
and a thousand other her defences, which now are too-
too ftrongly embattl'd againft me : What fay you to't,
fir John ?
FALS. Matter Brook, I will firft make bold with your
money ; [pocketing it.] next, give me your hand ; and
laft, as I am a gentleman, you lhall, if you will, enjoy
Ford's wife.
FORD. O, good fir!
FJLS. I fay, you mall,
FORD . Want no money, fir John, you fliall want none.
FALS. Want no miftrefs Ford, mafter Brook, you (hall
want none ; I fhall be with her (I may tell you) by her
own appointment ; even as you came in to me, her af-
fiftant, or go-between, parted from me : I fay, I mall be
with her between ten and eleven ; for at that time the
jealous rafcally knave, her husband, will be forth : Come
you to me at night ; you mail know how I fpeed.
FORD. I ambleftin your acquaintance. Do you know
Ford, fir ?
FJLS. Hang him, poor cuckoldly knave! I know
him not : yet I wrong him, to call him poor; they
fay, the jealous wittolly knave hath mafTes of money ;
for the which, his wife feems to me well-favour'd : I
N 3
38 fhe merry Wivet of Wind for.
tvill use her as the key of the cuckoldly rogue's coffer,
and there's my harveft-home.
FORD. I would you knew Fcrd, fir; that you might
avoid him, if you faw him.
FJLS. Hang him, mechanical falt-butter rogue! I
will ftare him out of his wits ; I will awe him with
my cudgel ; it fhall hang like a meteor o'er the cuc-
kold's horns : mailer Brook, thou (halt know, I will
predominate over the peasant, and thou fhalt lye with
his wife. Come to me foon at night : Fork's a knave,
and I will aggravate his ftile ; thou, mailer Brook, (halt
know him for knave and cuckold : come to me foon
at night. I Exit.
FORD. What a damn'd Epicurean rafcal is this I
My heart is ready to crack with impatience. Who
fays, this is improvident jealoufy ? my wife hath fent
to' him, the hour is fix'd, the match is made ; Would
any man have thought this ? See the hell of having
a falfe woman ! my bed (hall be abus'd, my coffers ran-
fack'd, my reputation gnawn at ; and J fhall not only
receive this villanous wrong, but ftand under the adop-
tion of abominable terms, and by him that does me
this wrong. Terms ! names ! Amaimcn founds well ;
Lucifer, well ; Barbafon, well ; yet they are devils' ad-
ditions, the names of fiends : but, cuckold ! wittol !
cuckold! the devil himfelf hath not fuch a name. Page
is an afs, a fecure afs ; he will truft his wife, he will
not be jealous : I will rather truft a Fleming with my
butter, parfon Hugh the Welcbman with my cheese, an
Irijhman with my aqua~*vit<f bottle, or a thief to walk
my ambling gelding, than my wife with herfelf : then
Ihe plots, then fhe ruminates, thsn fhe devise?; and
fbe merry Wives of Windfor. 39
they think in their hearts they may effeft, they
will break their hearts but they will effect. Heaven b
prais'd for my jealoufy ! Eleven o'clock the hour ; I
will prevent this, deted my wife, be reveng'd on
Falftajf, and laugh at Page : I will about it ; better three
hours too foon, than a minute too late. Fie, fie, fie !
cuckold ! cuckold ! cuckold ! [Exit.
SCENE III. The Park.
Enter Doflor CAIUS, and RUGBY.
D. CAI. Jack Rugby
RUGB. Sir.
D. CAI. Vat is de clock, Jack f
RUGB. 'Tis paft the hour, fir, that fir Hugh promis'd
to meet.
D. CAI. By gar, he has fave his foul, dat- he is no
come ; he has pray his pible veil, dat he is no come :
by gar, Jack Rugby, he is dead already, if he be come.
RUGB. He is wise, fir; he knew yourworfhip would
kill him, if he came.
D CAI. By gar, de herring is no dead, fo as I vill
kill him : Take your rapier, Jack ; I vill tell you how
I vill kill him.
RUGB. Alas, fir, I cannot fence.
D. CAI. Villany, take your rapier.
RUGB. Forbear; here's company.
Enter Hoft, SHALLOW, PAGE, and SLENDER.
Haft. Blefs thee, bully doftor.
SUAL. Save you, mailer do&or Caius.
PAGE. Now, good matter doftor!
SLEN. Give you good-morrow, fir. [for ?
D. CAI. Vat be all you, one, two, tree, four, come
N 3
40 J'be merry Wives o/"VVindfor.
Hcjl. To fee thee fight, to fee thee foign, to fee
thee traverfe, to fee here, to fee thee there ; to fee thee
pafs thy pundlo, thy ftock, thy reverfe, thy diltance,
thy montant : Is he dead, my Ethiopian? is he dead,
my Francifco ? ha, bully r What fays my Efculapius? my
Galen ? my heart of elder ? ha ? is he dead, bully ftale?
is he dead ?
D. CAI. By gar, he is de coward jack prieft of de
varld ; he is not (how his face.
Hoft. Thou art a Cajliiiian, king urinal ; Heflor of
Greece, my boy.
D. CAI. I pray you, bear vitnefs dat me have ftay fix
or feven, two, tree hours for him, and he is no come.
SHAL. He is the wiser man, mailer doftor: he is a
curer of fouls, and you a curer of bodies ; if you mould
fight, you go againft the hair of your profeffions : Is
it not true, mafter Page?
PAGE. Mafter Shallow, you have yourfelf been 2
great fighter, though now a man of peace.
SHAL . Body kins, mafter Page, though T now be old,
and of the peace, if I fee a fword out, my finger itches
to make one : though we are juftices, and doftors,
and churchmen, mafter Page, we have fome fait of our
youth in us ; we are the fons of women, mafter Page.
PACE. 'Tis true, mafter Shallow.
SHAL. It will be found fo, mafter Page. Mafter
doftor Caius, I am come to fetch you home ; I am fworn
of the peace : you have fhow'd yourfelf a wise physi-
cian, and fir Hugh hath mown himfelf a wise and patient
churchman : you muft go with me, mafter dodtor.
Hcjl. Pardon, gueft juftice : _ A word, mounfieur
mock-water.
* caftallian
The merry Wives o^Windfbr. 4.1
D. CAT. Mock-vater! vat is dat?
Ho/1. Mock-water, in our Englijb tongue, is va-
lour, bully.
D. CAI. By gar, den I have as much mock-vater as
de Engtijhman : Scurvy, jack-dog, prieft ! by gar, me
vill cut his ears.
Hoft. He will clapper-claw thee tightly, bully.
D. CAI. Clapper-de-claw ! vat is dat ?
Heft. That is, he will make thee amends.
D. CAI. By gar, me do look he fhall clapper-de-
claw me ; for, by gar, me vill have it.
Hoft. And I will provoke him to't, or let him wag.
D. CAI. Me tank you for dat.
Hoft. And moreover, bully, "but firft, mafter"
" gueft, and mafter Page, and eke cavalero Slender, go "
" you through the town to Frogmore. "
PAGE . "Sir Hugh is there, is he ? "
Hoft. " He is there : fee what humour he is in ; "
" and I will bring the do&or about by the fields : "
" Will it do well r " [dodor.
SHAL. "We will do it. "_ Adieu, good mafter
PACE. Si EN. Adieu, good mafter doctor.
[Exeunt PAGF, SHALLOW, and SLENDER.
D. CAI. By gar, me vill kill de prieft ; for he fpcak
for a jackanape to Anne Page.
Hoft. Let him dye: Sheath thy impatience; throw
cold water on thy choler : go about the fields with me
through Frogmore, I will bring thee where miftrefs Anne
Page is, at a farm houfe a feafting ; and thou (halt woo
her, try'd game, Said I well ?
D. CAI. By gar, me tank you for dat : by gar, I love
you ; and I fliall procure-a you de good gueft, de earl,
3 woce her. Crjde-game,
4* The merry Wives of Windfor.
de knight, de lords, de gentlemen, my patients.
Hoft. For the which, I will be thy adverfary to-
ward Anne Page ; Said I well ?
D. CAI. By gar, 'tis good ; veil faid.
Hofi. Let us wag then.
D. CAI. Come at my heels, Jack Rugby. [Exeunt.
ACT III.
SCENE I. Field, near Frogmore.
Enter Sir Hugh EVANS, and SIMPLE.
Sir H. I pray you now, good mafler Sender's ferving-
man, and friend Simple by your name, which way have
you looked for mafter Caius, that calls himfelf dodlor
of physic ?
SIMP . Marry, fir, the city- ward, the park- ward, every
way ; old Windfor way, and every way but the town way.
Sir H. I moft fehemently desire you, you will alfb
look that way.
SIMP. I will, fir.
Sir H. Plefs my foul \ how full cf cholers I am, and
trempling of mind ! I fhall be glad if he have deceiv'd
me : how melancholies I am i I will knog his uri-
nals about his knave's coftard, when 1 have good opor-
tunities for the 'ork : Plefs my foul !
To Jballoiv rivers, to 'whose falls
melodious birds feng madrigals ;
there will <we make our beds of roses,
and a thousand fragrant posies.
To (hallow
Mcicy on me! I have a great difposhions to cry,
J 7 pittie-wzr4
7'&t merry Wives of Windfor. 43
tntlvdious birds fing madrigals ; ~
When as I fat in Pabylon,
and a thousand vagrant posies.
SIMP. Yonder he is coming, this way, fir Hugh.
Sir H. He's welcome :
To JhaUow rivers, to whose falls
Heaven profper the right! _ What weapons is he?
SIMP. No weapons, fir: There comes my matter,
mafter Shallow, and another gentleman, from Frogmore,
over the ftile, this way.
Sir H. Pray you, give me my gown; or elfe keep it
in your arms.
Enter PAGE, SHALLOW, and SLENDER.
SHAL . How now, mafter parfon ! G ood morrow, good
fir Hugh : Keep a gamefter from the dice, and a good
ftudent from his book, and it is wonderful.
SLEN. Ah, fweet Anne Page!
PAGE. Save you, good fir Hugh!
Sir H. Plefs you from his mercy' fake, all of you!
SHAL. What, the fword and the word! do you ftudy
them both, mafter parfon ?
PAGE, And youthful Hill, in your doublet and hose,
this raw rheumatic day !
Sir H. There is reasons and causes for it.
PACE. We are come to you, to do a good office,
mailer parfon,
Sir H. Fery well; What is it?
PAGE. Yonder is a moft reverend gentleman, who, be-
like, having received wrongbyfomeperfon.isatmoftodds
with his own gravity, and patience, that ever you faw.
* I have lived fourfcore years, and upward; I
44 The merry Wives of Windfor.
never heard a man of his place, gravity, and learning,
fo wide of his own refpeft.
Sir H. What is he?
PAGE. I think, you know him; matter doQ.orCaius,
the renowned French physician.
Sir H. Got's will, and his paffion o'my heart ! I had
as lief you would tell me of a mefs of porridge.
PAGE. Why?
Sir //. He has no more knowledge in Hibocrates,
and Galen, and he is a knave befides; a cowardly
knave, as you would desires to be acquainted withal.
PAGE. I warrant you, [to Shal.] he's the man fhould
fight with him.
Si EN. Ofweet Anne Page!
Enter Hoft, CAIUS, and Rugby.
SHAL. It appears fo by his weapons : Keep them
afunder; here comes doftor Caius. [pon.
PAGE. Nay, good matter parfon, keep in your wea-
SHAL. So do you, good matter doftor.
Hojt. Difarm them, and let them queftion ; let
them keep their limbs whole, and hack our Englijb.
D. CAI. I pray you, let-a me fpeak a vord vit your
ear ; Verefore vill you not meet-a me ?
Sir H. Pray you, use your patience in good time.
D. CAI, By gar, you are de coward, de Jack dog,
John ape.
Sir H. Pray you, let us not be laughing-ftogs to
other men's humours; I desire you in friendftiip, and
I will one way or other make you amends; I will
knog your urinals about your knave's cogs-combs, for
miffing your meetings and appointments.
D. CAI Diatitf-.JaciK*gly,mviC hoft dejartecr,
The merry Wives of Windfor. 45
_have I not ftay for him to kill him, have I not, at de
place I did appoint ?
Sir H, As i am a chriflians' foul now, look you, this
is the place appointed ; I'll be judgment by mine holl
of the garter.
Hoft. Peace, I fay, Gallia and Gaul, French and
Welch, foul-curer and body-curer.
D. CAI. Ay, dat is very good! excellent!
Ho/?. Peace, I fay ; hear mine hoft of the garter.
Am I politic? am I fubtle? am I a Macbutvfll Shall
I lose my dodtor? no; he gives me the potions, and
the motions. Shall I lose my parfon ? my prieft? my fir
Hugh? no; he gives me the pro-verbs, and the no-
verbs Give me thy hand, terreftrial : fo:_Give me
thy hand, celeftial : fo :_Boys of art, I have deceiv'd
you both; I have directed you to wrong places : your
hearts are mighty, your {kins are whole, and let burn'd
fack be the iffue Come, lay their fwords to pawn :_
Follow me, lad of peace, follow, follow, follow.
SHAL. Truft me, a mad hoft: Follow, gentlemen,
follow.
SLEN. OfaettJxitePafel [Exeunt HoA, PAGE, &V.
D. CAI. Ha ! do t perceive dat ? have you make-a de
fot of us ? ha, ha !
Sir H. This is well; he has made us his vlouting-
ftog :_I desire you, that we may be friends ; and let us
knog our prains together, to be revenge on this fame
fcal', fcurvy, cogging companion, the hoft of the garter.
D. CAI. By gar, vit all my heart: he promise to
bring me vere is Anne Page ; by gar, he deceive me too.
Sir H. Well, I will fmite his noddles : Pray you,
follow. [Exeunt.
46 Vke merry Wives of Windfor.
SC ENE II. A Street.
Enter Miftrejs PAGE, and ROBIN.
M. PA. Nay, keep your way, little gallant; you
were wont to be a follower, but now you are a leader:
Whether had you rather, lead mine eyes, or eye your
matter's heels ?
Ros. I had rather, forfooth, go before you like
a man, than follow him like a dwarf.
M. PA. O, you are a flattering boy; now, I fee,
you'll be a courtier.
Enter FORD.
FORD. Well met, miftrefs Page : Whither go you ?
M. PA. Truly, fir, to fee your wife; Is (he at home ?
FORD. Ay; and as idle as fhe may hang together,
for want of company : I think, if your husbands weie
dead, you two would marry.
M. PA. Befure of that, two other husbands.
FORD. Where had you this pretty weather- cock ?
M. PA. I cannot tell what the dickens his name is
my husband had him of:_What do you call your
knight's name, firrah ?
Ros. Sir John Talfiaff.
FORD. Sir John Faljiajf!
M. PA. He, he ; I can never hit on's name ! There
is fuch a league between my good man and he! Is
your wife at home, indeed ?
FORD. Indeed, (he is.
M. PA. By your leave, fir ; I am fick 'till I fee her.
[Exeunt Miftrefs PAGE, and ROBIN.
FORD. Has Page any brains? hath he any eyes ?
hath he any thinking? fure, they deep; he hath no
The merry Wives of Windfor. 47
ufeofthem: why, this boy will carry a letter twenty
miles, as easy as a cannon will moot point-blank
twelvefcore. He pieces out his wife's inclination ; he
gives her folly motion, and advantage: and now fhe's
going to my wife, and Faljlaff" 1 ?, boy with her ; A
man may hear this mower ling in the wind ! and Fal-
ftaffs boy with her. Good plots! they are lay'd;
and our revolted wives mare damnation together.
Well ; I will take him, then torture my wife, pluck
the borrow'd vail of modefly from the fo feeming mif-
trefs Page, divulge Page himfelf for a fecure and wil-
ful Atteon; and to these violent proceedings all my
neighbours mall cry aim. [Clock beard.'} The clock
gives me my cue, and my aflurance bids me fearch ;
there I (hall find Faljlajf: I mall be rather prais'd for
this, than mock'd ; for it is as positive as the earth is
firm, that Falftaff is there : I will go.
Enter PAGE, SHALLOW, SLENDER, Sir Hugh,
CAIUS, Hoft, and Rugby.
SHAL, PAGE, &c. Well met, m after Ford.
FORD. Truft me, a good knot : I have good cheer
at horns ; and, I pray you all, go with me.
SUAL. I muft excuse myfelf, matter Ford.
SLEN. And fo muft I, fir; we have appointed to
dine with miftrefs Anne, and I would not break with
her for more money than I'll fpeak of.
SHAL. We have linger'd about a match between
Anne Page and my cousin Slender, and this day we
{hall have our anfwer.
SLEN. I hope, I have your good will, father Page?
PAGE. You have, mafter Slider ; I ftand wholly for
you :_but my wife, matter do&or, is for you altogether.
A g 7'he merry Wives of Windfor.
D. CAI. Ay, by gar ; and de maid is love-a me ;
my nurfh-a, Quickly, tell me fo mufh.
Hojt. What fay you to young mafter Fentcn? he
capers, he dances, he ha- eyes of youth, he writes verfes,
he fpeaks holiday, he fmells April and May : he will
carry't, he will carry't ; 'tis in his buttons, he will carry't.
PAGE. Not by my confent, I promise you. The
gentleman is of no having: he kept company with the
wild prince, and Points ; he is of too high a region, he
knows too much : No, he fhall not knit a knot in his
fortunes with the finger of my fubftance : if he take her,
let him take her fimply; the wealth I have waits on my
confent, and my confent goes not that way.
FORD. I befeech you heartily, fome of you go
home with me to dinner: befides your cheer, you fhall
havefport; Twill (hew you a monfter Mafter dodlor,
you (hall go;_fo fhall you, mafter Page ;_and you, fir
Hugh.
SHAL. Well, fare you well: we fhall have the
freer wooing at mafter Page's.
[Exeunt SHALLOW, and SLENDER.
D. CAI. Go home, John Rugby, I come anon.
[Exit Rugby.
Ho/I. Farewel, my hearts : I will to my honeft
knight, Falftajf; and drink canary with him.
[Exit Hoft.
FORD. " I think, I fhall drink in pipe wine firft"
" with him; I'll make him dance." Will you go,
gentles ?
all. Have with you, to fee this monfter. [Exeunt-
SCENE III. A Room in Ford's Houfe.
The merry Wives of Windfor. 49
Enter Mijlrefs FORD, and Mijirefs PAGE.
M. Fo. What, John! what, Robert!
M. PA. Quickly, quickly ;_ls the buck-bafket
M. Fo. I warrant :_What, Robin, I fay!
Enter Servants, with a Bajket,
M. PA. Come, come, come.
M. Fo. Here, fet it down.
M. PA. Give your men the charge ; we muft be brief.
M. Fo. Marry, as I told you before, John, and
Robert, be ready here hard by in the brew-houfe; and,
when I fuddenly call you, come forth, and (without any
pause, or ftaggering) take this baflcet on your moulders:
that done, trudge with it in all hafte, and carry it among
the whitfters in Datchet mead ; and there empty it in
the muddy ditch, clofe by the names' fide.
M. PA. You will do it?
M. Fo. I have told them over and over; they lack
no direction :_Begone ; and come when you are calPd.
M. Pa. Here comes little Robin. [Exeunt Servants.
Enter ROBIN.
M. Fo . How now, my eyas-mufket ? what news with
you ?
ROB. My mafter fa John is come in at your back
door, miitrefs Ford; and requefts your company.
M. PA. You little jack-a-lent, have you been true
to us ?
ROB. Ay, I'll be fvvorn : My mafter knows not of
your being here: and hath threaten'd to put me into
everlalHng liberty, if I tell you of it; for, he fwears,
he'll turn me away.
A/. PA. Thou'rt a good boy : this fecrecy of thine
Hull be a t ay lor to thce, and (hall make thee a nev/
jo Tkt merry Wives of Windfor.
doublet and hose. I'll go hide me.
M. Fo. Do fo:_Go, tell thy matter, I am alone.
[Exit ROB.] Miftrefs Page, remember you your cue.
M. Pa. I warrant thee ; if I do not aft it, hifs me.
[Exit Mifre/s PAGE.
M. Fo. Go too then; We'll use this unwhole-
fome humidity, this grofs watry pumpion; we'll teach
him to know turtles from jays.
Enter FAI. STAFF.
FJIS. Have I caught thee, my heavenlyjewel ? Why,
now let me dye, for I have liv'd long enough ; this is
the period of my ambition : O this blefTed hour!
M. Fo. O fweet fir John!
FJLS. Miftrefs Ford, I cannot cog, I cannot prate,
nuftrefs Ford. Now (hall I fin in my v/ifh : I would, thy
husband were dead ; I'll fpeak it before the beft lord, I
would make thee my lady.
M. Fo. I your lady, fir John\ alas, I fhould be a
pitiful lady.
FJLS. Let the court of France ftiewmefuch another.
I fee how thine eye would emulate the diamond : Thou
haft the right arched beauty of the brow ; that becomes
the (hip- tire, the tire- valiant, or any tire of Venetian
admittance.
M. Fo. A plain kerchief, hrjobn: my brows be-
come nothing elfe ; nor that well neither.
Fjtis. Thou art a traitor to fay fo : thou would'ft
make an abfolute courtier ; and the firm fixture of thy
foot would give an excellent motion to thy gait, in a
iemi-circl'd farthingale. I fee what thou wert, if for-
tune thy foe were net ; nature is thy friend : Come thou
canft not hide it.
The merry Wives of Windfor. 5 1
M. Fo, Believe me, there's no fuch thing in me.
FALS. What made me love thee? let that perfuade
thee, there's fomething extraordinary in thee. Come,
I cannot cog, and fay, thou art this and that, like a
many of these lifping hawthorn-buds, that come like
women in men's apparel, and fmell like Bucklers-bury
in fimple time; I cannot: but I love thee; none but thee;
and thou deserv'ft it. [trefs Page.
M. Fo. Do not betray me, fir; I fear, you love mif-
FALS. Thou might'ir. as well fay, I love to walk
by the counter gate ; which is as hateful to me as the
reek of a lime kiln.
M. Fo. Well, heaven knows how I love you ; and
you (hall one day find it.
FALS. Keep in that mind ; I'll deserve it.
M. Fo. Nay, I muft tell you, fo you do; or elfe I
could not be in that mind.
Re-enter ROBIN.
ROB. Mifirefs Ford, miftrefs Ford! here's miftrefs
Page at the door, fweating, and blowing, and looking
wildly, and would needs fpeak with you presently.
FALS. She fiiall not fee me; 1 will enfconce me be-
hind the arras. \.l :>e PP in g behind it ^
M. Fo. Pray you, dofo ; fhe'sa very tatling woman.
Enter Miftrefs PAGE.
What's the matter f how now ?
M. PA. O miftrefs Ford, what have you done ? you're
lham'd, you're overthrown, you're undone for ever.
M. Fo. What's the matter, good miftrefs Page?
M. PA. O, wel-a-day, miftrefs Ford! having an ho-
neft man to your husband, to give him fuch cause of
fufpicion !
VOL. F. O
52 The merry Wives of Windfor.
M. Fo. What cause of fufpicion ?
Af. Pa. What cause of fufpicion? Out upon yon!
how am I miftook in you ?
M. Fo. Why, alas, what's the matter?
M. PA. Your husband's coming hither, woman, with
all the officers in Windfor t to fearch for a gentleman,
that, he fays, is here now in the houfe, by your confent,
to take an ill advantage of his abfence : you are undone.
M. Fo. 'Tis not lo, I hope.
M. PA. Pray heaven it be not fo, that you have fuch
a man here ; but 'tis mofl certain, your husband's com-
ing, with half Windfor at his heels, to fearch for fuch a
one. I come before, to tell you : If you know yourfelf
clear, why, 1 am glad of it: but if you have a friend
here, convey, convey him out. Be not araaz'd ; call all
your fen fes to you; defend your reputation, or bid fare-
wel to your good life for ever.
M. Fo. What mall I do? -There is a gentleman,
my dear friend ; and I fear not mine own fhame, fo much
as his peril : I had rather than a thousand pound, he
were out of the houfe.
M. PA. For fhame! never ftand_vca had rather, and
you had rather; your husband's here at hand, bethink
you of fome conveyance: in the houfe you cannot hide
him :~~O, how have you deceiv'd me! Look, here is
a bafket ; if he be of any reasonable flature, he may
creep in here; and throw foul linnen upon him, as if
it were going to bucking: Or, it is whiting time, fend
him by your two men to Datchet mead.
M. Fo. He's too big to go in there : What mall I do ?
FALS. \Jlartingfrom his Concealment.] Let me fee't,
let me fee't, o, let me fee't ! I'll in, I'll in ; follow your
*Tht merry Wives of Windfor. 5 3
friend's counfel ; I'll in.
M. PA. What ; fir Jab* Fa/ftaff-kre these your
letters, knight ?
FALS. I love thee ; help me away : Let me creep in
here: I'll never [goes into the Bajket, Women cover him.
M. PA. Help to cover your matter, boy :_Call your
men, miftrefs Ford: You dilTembling knight!
M. Fo. What, John, Robert, John! [Re-enter Ser-
vants. ]Go, take up these cloaths here, quickly; Where's
the cowl-ftarT? look, how you drumble: carry them to
the landrefs in Datchtt mead ; quickly, come.
Enter FORD, PAGE, CAIUS, and
Sir Hugh EVANS.
FORD. Pray you, come near: if I fufpeft without
cause, why then make fport at me, then let me be your
jeft, I deserve it. _ How now? whither bear you this?
Ser<v. To the landrefs, forfooth.
M. Fo. Why, what have you to do whither they
bear it ? you were belt meddle with buck-warning.
FORD. Buck? I would, I could warn myfelf of the
buck ! Buck, buck, buck ? Ay, buck ; I warrant you,
buck : and of the feason too ; it (hall appear. _ Gen-
tlemen, [Exeunt Servants, iuitb the Ba/ket.} I have
dream'd to-night: I'll tell you my dream: Here,
here, ^ here be my keys : afcend my chambers, fearch,
feek, find out ; I'll warrant, we'll unkennel the fox :
Let me flop this way firft : [locking the Door] So, now
uncape.
PAG E . Good mailer Ford, be contented : you wrong
yourfelf too much.
FORD. True, mafterP^-_Up, gentlemen; you fhall
fee fport anon: follow me, gentlemen. [Exit FO-RD.
O 2
54. T&t merry Wives of Windfor.
Sir H. This is fery fantaftical humours, andjea-
loufies.
D. CAI. By gar, 'tis no de fafhion of France : it is not
jealous in France.
PACK. Nay, follow him, gentlemen; fee the iffue
of his fearch. [Exeunt Sir Hugh, PAGE andCAivs.
M. PA. Is there not a double excellency in this?
M. Fo. I know not which pleases me better, that
my husband is deceived, or fir John.
M. Pa. What a taking was he in, when yonr husband
aflc'd who was in the bafket?
M. Fo. I am half afraid, he will have need of warn-
ing; fo throwing him into the water >vill do him a be-
nefit.
M. PA. Hang him, dimoneft rafcal ! I would, all of
the fame ftrain were in the fame diftrefs.
M. Fo. I think, my husband hath fome fpecial fuf-
picion of Faljiafs being here; for I never faw him fo
grofs in his jealoufy 'till now.
M. PA. I will lay a plot to try that: And we wilt
yet have more tricks with Falftajj~\ his diflblute disease
will fcarce obey this medicine.
M. Fo. Shall we fend that foolifh carrion, miilrefs
Quickly, to him, and excuse his throwing into the wa-
ter; and give him another hope, to betray him to a-
nother punirtiment?
M. PA. We will do it ; let him be fent for to-morrow
eight o'clock, to have amends.
Re-enter FORD, PAGE, CAIUS, and Sir Hugh.
FORD. I cannot find him : maybe, the knave brag'd
of that he could not compafs.
M.PA. Heard >ou that?" [to M. Ford.
T&e merry Wives c/Windfor. 55
M. Fo. You use me well, mafter Ford* do you?
FORD. Ay, I do fo.
M. Fo. Heaven make you better than your thoughts!
FORD. Amen.
M PA. You do yourfelf mighty wrong, matter Ford.
FORD. Ay, ay ; I muft bear it.
Sir H. If there be any pody in the houfe, and in
the chambers, and in the coffers, and in the prefles,
heaven forgive my fins at the day of judgment 1
D. CAI. By gar, nor I too ; dere is no bodies.
PAGE. Fie, fie, mafter Ford! are you not afham'd ?
what fpirit, what devil, fuggefts this imagination ? I
would not have your diftemper in this kind, for the
wealth of WMfor caftle.
FORD. 'Tis my fault, matter Page ; I fuffer for it.
Sir H. You fuffer for a pad confcience : your wife is
as honeft a'omans as I will desires among five thousand,
and five hundred too.
D. CAI. By gar, I fee 'tis an honeft 'oman.
FORD. Well; I promis'd you a dinner -.Come,
come, walk in the park : I pray you, pardon me ; I
will hereafter make known to you why I have done
this Come, wife; come, miftrefs Page; I pray you,
pardon me ; pray heartily, pardon me.
PAGE. Let's go in, gentlemen; but, truft me, we'll
mock him. I do invite you to-morrow morning to my
houfe to breakfaft ; after, we'll a birding together;! have
a fine hawk for the bum : Shall it be fo i
FORD. Any thing. [ny.
Sir H. If there is one, I mall make two in thecompa-
D. CAI. If dere be one or two, I {hall make-a de turd.
FORD. Pray you, go, mafter Page.
5 6 The merry Wives of Windfor.
Sir H. I pray you now, remembrance to-morrow
on the lousy knave mine hoft.
D. Cjii. Dat is good ; by gar, vit all my heart.
Sir H. A lousy knave ; to have his gibes, and hig
mockeries : [Exeunt.
SCENE IV. A Room in Page's Heu/t.
Eater FENTON, and Mijireft Anne PAGE.
PENT. I fee, I cannot get thy father's love ;
Therefore no more turn me to him, fweet Nan.
JNNE. Alas, how then ?
PENT. Why, thou muft be thyfelf.
He doth object, I am too great of birth ;
And that, my 'ftate being gall'd with my expence,
I feek to heal it only by his wealth :
Befides these, other bars he lays before me,
My riots paft, my wild focieties ;
And tells me, 'tis a thing impoffible
I mould love thee, but as a property.
JUNE. May be, he tells you true.
PENT. No, Heaven fofpeedme in the time to come!
Albeit, I will confefs, thy father's wealth
Was the firft motive that I woo'd thee, Anne :
Yet, wooing thee, I found thee of more value
Than ftamps in gold, or fums in fealed bags ;
And 'tis the very riches of thyfelf
That now I aim at.
ANNE. Gentle mafter Fenton,
Yet feek my father's love ; ftill feek it, fir:
If opportunity, and humbleft fuit,
Cannot attain it, why then, Hark you hither.
[t/jcy ceaver/f apart.
The merry Wives e/'Windfor. 57
Enter SHALLOW, SLENDER, and
Miftrefs QUICKLY.
SSAL. Break their talk, miftrefs Quickly ; my kins-
man mall fpeak for himlelf. [venturing.
SLEN. I'll make a (haft or a bolt on't : 's-lid, 'tis but
SHAL. Be not difmay'd.
SLEN. No, flie fliall not difmay me: I care not for
that, but that I am afeard.
Quic. Hark ye ; mafter Slender would fpeak a word
with you. [choice:"
ANNE. I come to him._" This is my father's
" O, what a world of vile ill-favour'd faults"
" Look handfome in three hundred pounds a year !"
<%yic. And how does good mafter Fenton? Pray
you, a word with you. [drawing him ajlde.
SHAL. She's coming; to her, coz. O boy, thou
hadft a father !
S*.eN. I had a father, miftrefs Anne; my uncle
can tell you good jefts of him: Pray you, uncle, tell
miftrefs Anne the jeft, how my father ftole two geefe
out of a pen, good uncle.
SHAL. Miftrefs Anne, my cousin loves you.
SLEN. Ay, that I do; as well as I love any woman
in Glocefterjbire.
SHAL. He will maintain you like a gentlewoman.
SLEN. Ay, that I will, come cut and long tail, un-
der the degree of a 'fquire.
SHAL, He will make you a hundred and fifty pounds
jointure. [felf.
ANNE. Good mafter Shallow, let him woo for him-
SHAL, Marry, I thank you for it; I thank you for
that good comfort. She calls you, coz : I'll leave you.
3 Lookes
91k merry tf'ives o/"Windfcr.
Now, mafter Slender.
St EN. Now, good miftrefs Annt.
What is your will ?
My will? 'od's heartlings, 'that's a pretty
jeft, indeed ! I ne'er made my will yet, I thank heaven ;
I am not fuch a fickly creature, I give heaven praise.
JUNE. I mean, mailer Slender, what would you
with me ?
SLEX. Truly, for mine own part, T would little or
nothing with you : Your father, and my uncle, hath
made motions: if it be my luck, fo ; if not, happy man
be his dole: They can tell you how things go, better
than I can : You may afk your father ; here he comes.
Eater PAGE, and Miftrefs PAGE.
PAGE. Now, mailer Slender ;_Love him, daughter
dnne :
Why, how now ! what does mafter Fenton here ?
You wrong me, fir, thus ftill to haunt my houfe :
I told you, fir, my daughter is difpos'd of.
PENT* Nay, mafter Page, be not impatient.
M. PA. Good mafter Fenton, come not to my child.
PAGE. She is no match for you.
Fth-r. Sir, will you hear me ?
PAGE. No, good mafter Fenton
Come, mafter Shallow ; come, fon Slender ; in :
Xnowing my mind, you wrong me, mafter Fenton.
[ExeunfPAGE, SHALLOW, and BLENDER.
>yic. Speak to' miftrefs Page.
PENT. Good miftrefs Page, for that I love your
daughter
In fuch a righteous fafhion as I do,
Perforce, againft all checks, rebukes, and manners,
97v merry Wives of Windfor. 59
I muft advance the colours of my love,
And not retire : Let me have your good will.
A\-NE . Good mother, do not marry me to yon' fool.
M. PA. I mean it not ; I feek you a better husband.
>yic. That's my matter, matter doctor.
JNNE. Alas, I had rather be fet quick i'the earth,
And bowl'd to death with turnips.
M. PA. Come, trouble not yourfelf:_Good matter
Fenton,
I will not be your friend, nor enemy:
My daughter will I queftion how me loves you,
And as 1 find her, fo am I affected ;
3 Till then, farewel, fir: She muft needs go in;
Her father will be angry.
FENT. Farewel, mp gentle miftrefs; farewel, Nan.
[Exeunt Miftrefi PAGE, and ANNE.
Quic. This is my doing now; Nay, faid I, will
you caft away your child on a fool, and a physician ?
look on matter Fenton: this is my doing.
PENT. I thank thee; and, I pray thee, once to-night
Give my fweet Nan this ^ ring: There's =}= for thy pains.
[Exit FENTON.
Qvic. Now heaven fend thee good fortune! A kind
heart he hath: a woman would run through fire and
water for fuch a kind heart. But yet, I would my matter
had miftrefs Anne ; or I would matter Blender had her ;
or, in footh, I would matter Fenton had her: I will do
what I can for them all three ; for fo I have promis'd,
and I'll be as good as my word ; but 'fpecioufly for matter
Fenton. Well, I muft of another errand to hrJohnFai-
Jiaffhom my two miftrefles j What a beatt am I to flack
it? [Exit.
60 The merry Wives of Windfor.
5 C E N E V . A Room in the garter Inn.
Enter FALSTAFF and BARDOLPH.
FALS. Bardolph, I fay,
BARD. Here, fir.
FALS. Go, fetch me a quart of fack ; put a toaftin't.
\Exit BARD.] Have I liv'd to be carry'd in a baflcet, like
a barrow of butcher's offal ; and to be thrown in the
Thames* Well; if I be ferv'd fuch another trick, I'll
have my brains ta'en out, and butter'd, and give them
to a dog for a new-year's gift. The rogues flighted me
into the river with as little remorfe as they would have
drown'd a bitch's blind puppies, fifteen i'the litter :" and
you may know, by my fize, that I have a kind of alacrity
in finking; if the bottom were as deep as hell, 1 mould
down. I had been drown'd, but that the more was fhelvy
and (hallow; a death that I abhor; for the water fwells
a man ; And what a thing mould I have been, when I
had been fwell'd ! I mould have been a mountain of
mummy.
Re-enter BARDOLPH, *witb the Wine.
BARD. Here's miftrefs^w/^/K, fir, to fpeak with you.
FALS. Come, let me pour in feme fack to the
Vbamei' water; for my belly's as cold, as if J had fwal-
Jow'd fnow-balls for pills to cool the reins Call her in.
BARD. Come in, woman.
Enter Miftrefs Qu I C K L Y .
Quic. By your leave ; I cry you mercy: Give
your worihip good morrow.
FALS. Take away these challices: Go, brew me a
pottle of fack finely.
BARD. With eggs, fir?
3 blinde bitches
The merry Wives ff/"Windfor. 6 1
FAL s. Simple of itfelf ; I'll no pullet-fperm in my
brewage [Exit BARD.] How now?
>uic. Marry, fir, I come to your worfhip from
miftrefs Ford.
FAL s . Miftrefs Ford! I have had ford enough : I was
thrown into the ford; I have my belly full of ford.
$>yic. Alas the day! good heart, that was not her
fault : {he does fo take on with her men ; they miftook
their eredtion.
FALS. So did I mine, to build upon a foolifh wo-
man's promise.
>vic. Well, fhe laments, fir, for it, that it would
yearn your heart to fee it. Her husband goes this morn-
ing a birding; (he desires you once more to come to her,
between eight and nine : I muft carry her word quickly :
(he'll make you amends, I warrant you.
FALS. Well, I will visit her: Tell her fo; and bid
her think what a man is : let her confider his frailty, and
then judge of my merit.
>uic. I will tell her.
FALS. Do fo. Between nine and ten, fay'ft thou?
>yic. Eight and nine, fir.
FALS. Well, be gone: I will not mifs her.
Quic. Peace be with you, fir! [Exit.
FALS. I marvel, I hear not of matter Brook ; he fent
me word, to ftay within : I like his money well. O, here
he comes.
Enter FORD.
FORD. Blefs you, fir!
FALS. Now, mailer Brook ? you come to know what
hath pafl between me and Ford's wife ?
FORD. That, indeed, fir John, is my businefs.
6z 'Tie merry Wives of Wind for.
Matter Brook, I will not lye to you; I was at
her houfe the hour fhe appointed me.
FORD. And iped you, fir?
. FJILS. Very ill-favour'dly, matter Brook.
FORD. Howfo, fir? Did Ihe change her determina-
tion ?
FALS. No, matter Break: but the peaking cornuto
her husband, matter Brook, dwelling in a continual 'larum
of jealoufy, comes me in the inftant of our encounter,
after we had embrac'd, kifT'd, protefted, and (as it were)
fpoke the prologue of our comedy ; and at his heel; a
rabble of his companions, thither provoked and infti-
gated by his diflemper, and (forfooth) to fearch his houfe
for his wife's love.
FORD. What, while you were there?
FJLS. While I was there.
FORD. And did he fearch for you, and could not
find you?
FALS. You (hall hear. As good luck would have
it, comes in one miftrefs Page; gives intelligence of
Ford's approach; and, in her invention, and Ford's
wife's diftradion, they convey'd me into a buck-bafket.
FORD. A buck-bafket!
FALS. Yes, a buck-bafket : ram'd me in with foul
fhirts and fmocks, focks, foul (lockings, greasy napkins ;
that, matter Brook, there was the rankeft compound of
villanous fmell, that ever offended noftril.
FORD. And how long lay you there ?
FJLS. Nay, you (hall hear matter Brook, what I
have fuffer'd to bring this woman to evil for your good.
Being thus cram'd in the bafket, a couple of Ford's
knaves, his hinds, were call'd forth by their miftrefs,
The merry Wives of Windfor. 63
to carry me in the name of foul cloaths to Datcbet lane :
they took me on their moulders ; met the jealous knave
their matter in the door; who afked them once or twice,
what they had -in their bafket : I quak'd for fear left
the lunatic knave would have fearch'd it ; but fate, or-
daining he mould be a cuckold, held his hand. Well ;
on went he for a fearch, and away went I for foul
cloaths. But mark the fequel, mafter Brook: I fuffer'd
the pangs of three feveral deaths : firft, an intolerable
fright, to be detected by a jealous rotten bell-weather:
next, to be compaff'd, like a good bilbo, in the cir-
cumference of a peck, hilt to point, heel to head: and
then, to be ftop'd in, like a ftrong diiHllation, with
ftinking cloaths that fretted in their own greafe ; think
of that, a man of my kidney think of that ; that
am as fubjec"l to heat, as butter; a man of continual
diflblution and thaw ; it was a miracle, to 'fcape fuffo-
cation. And in the height of this bath, when I was
more than half ftew'd in greafe, like a Dutch dim, to be
thrown into the Thames, and cool'd, glowing hot, in
that furge, like a horfe-fhoe ; think of that, hiffing
hot think of that, mafter Brook.
FORD. In good fadnefs, fir, I am forry that for my
fake you have fuffer'd all this. My fuit then is defpe-
rate ; you'll undertake her no more?
FALS. Mafter Brook, I will be thrown into Etna, as
I have been into Thames, ere I will leave her thus. Her
husband is this morning gone a birding: I have received
from her another embafly of meeting; 'tvvixt eight and
nine is the hour, mafter Brook.
FORD. 'Tis paft eight already, fir.
FALS. Is it? I will then addrefs me to my appoint-
10 with a
64 The merry Wives of Windfor.
ment. Come to me at your convenient leisure, and you
fhall know how I fpeed ; and the conclusion (hall be
crowned with your enjoying her: Adieu. You (hall
have her, mafter Brook; mailer Brook, you (hall cuckold
Ford. [Exit FALSTAFF.
FORD. Hum ! ha! is this a vision? is this a dream ?
do I deep r mafter Ford, awake ; awake, mafter Ford\
there's a hole made in your beft coat, mafter Ford. This
'tis to be marry'd ! this 'tis to have linnen, and buck-
baflcets! Well, I will proclaim myfelf what I am: I
will now take the letcher ; he is at my houfe : he can-
not 'fcape me, 'tis impoffible he mould ; he cannot creep
into a half- penny purfe, nor into a pepper-box : but, left
the devil that guides him mould aid him, I will fearch
impofiible places : Though what I am 1 cannot avoid,
yet to be what I would not (hall not make me tame : if
I have horns to make one mad, let the proverb go with
me, I'll be horn-mad. [Exit.
ACT IV.
SCENE I. 4 Street.
Enter Miftrefs PAGE, Miftrefs QUICKLY, and
WILLIAM.
M. PA. Is he at miftrefs/W's already, thin k'ftthou?
Quic. Sure, he is by this ; or will be presently : bat,
truly, he is very courageous mad, about his throwing
into the water. Miftrefs Ford desires you to come fud-
denly.
M. PA. I'll be with her by and by ; I'll but bring
my young man here to fchool : Look, where his mafter
The merry Wives of Windfor. 65
comes ; 'tis a playing-day, I fee : _
Enter Sir Hugh EVANS.
How now, fir Hugh ? no Ichool to-day ?
Sir H. No ; m after Slender is let the boys leave to
play.
Quic. B'.efling of his heart!
M. PA, Sir Hugh, my husband fays, my fon profits
nothing in the world at his book; I pray you, afk him
fome queftions in his accidence.
Sir H. Come hither, William ; hold up your head ;
come.
M. PA. Come OB, firrah; hold up your head; anfwer
your mafter, be not afraid.
Sir H. William, how many numbers is in nouns ?
WILL. Two.
S>yic. Truly, I thought there had been one num-
ber more; because they fay, od's-nouns.
Sir H. Peace your tattlings. _What is, fair, Wil-
liam-?
WILL. Pulcher.
$>uic. Poulcats ! there are fairer things than poul-
cats, fure.
Sir H. You are a very fimplicity 'oman ; I pray
you, peace What is, lapis, William?
WILL. A ftone.
Sir H. And what is a ftone, William?
WILL. A pebble,
Sir H. No, it is lapis ; I pray you, remember in
your prain.
WILL. Lapis.
Sir H That is a good William: What is he, Wil-
liam, that does lend articles ?
66 The merry Wives of Wind for.
WILL. Articles are borrowed of the pronoun ; and
be thus declined, Singulariter nominativo, bic, htec, hoc.
Sir H. Nominative, big, bag, bog ; Pray you, mark :
genitive, bujus: Well, what is your accusative cafe?
WlLL. Accusative, bine.
Sir H. I pray you, have your remembrance, child ;
Accusative, bing, hang, bog.
>uic. Hang-hog is Latin for bacon, I warrant you.
Sir H. Leave your prabbles, 'oman. What is the
focative cafe, William ?
WILL. O vocative, o.
Sir H. Remember, William: focative is, caret.
>uic. And that's a good root.
Sir //. 'Oman, forbear.
M. PA. Peace.
Sir H. What is your genitive cafe plural, William?
WILL. Genitive cafe ?
Sir H. Ay.
WILL. Genitive horum, barum, horum.
Qyic. Vengeance of^fanp's cafe ! fie on her ! never
name her, child, if fhe be a whore.
Sir H. For ftiame, 'oman.
>vic. You do ill to teach the child fuch words :
he teaches him to hie, and to hac, which they'll do fail
enough of themfelves ; and to call, horum ; _ Fie upon
you !
Sir H. 'Oman, art thou lunaticks? haft thou no
underftandings for thy cafes, and the numbers of the
genders ? thou art as foolifh chriiHan creatures, as I
would desires.
M. PA. Pr'ythee, hold thy peace.
Sir H. Shew me now, William, fome declenfions of
*7 Lunatics ?
The merry Wives of Windfor. 67
your pronouns.
WILL. Forfooth, I have forgot.
Sir H. It is, qui, qu<e, quod: if you forget your
qxff, your qu^s, and your yuoa's, you muft be preeches.
Go your ways, and play; go.
M. PA. He is a better fcholar, than 1 thought he was.
Sir H. He is a good fprag memory. Farewel, mif-
trefs Page.
M. PA. Adieu, good fir Hugh. Get you home, boy.
Come, we ftay too long. [Exeunt.
SCENE II. A Room in Ford's Houfe.
Enter FALSTAFF, and Mijlre/t FORD.
FALS. Miflrefs Ford? your forrow hath eaten up
my fufFerance : I fee, you are obfequious in your love,
and I profefs requital to a hair's breadth ; not only, mif-
trefs Ford, in the fimple office of love, but in all the
accoutrement, complement, and ceremony of it. But
arc you fure of your husband now?
M. Fo. He's a birding, fweet fir John.
M. PA. [within.] What hoa, gofiip Ford! whathoa!
M. Fo. Step into the chamber, fir John.
[Exit FALSTAFF.
Enter Miftre/s PAGE.
M. PA. How now, fweet heart? who's at home be-
frdes yourfelf?
M. Fo. Why, none but mine own people.
M. PA. Indeed ?
M. Fo. No, certainly: " Speak louder."
M. PA. Truly, I am to glad you have no body here :
M. Fo. Why?
M. PA. Why, woman, your husband is in his old
VOL. I. P
68 The merry Wives of Windfor.
lunes again : he fo takes on yonder with my husband ;
fo rails againft all marry'd mankind; fo curfes all Eve's
daughters, of what complexion foever ; and fo buffets
himfelf on the forehead, crying, Peer out ', peer out; that
any madnefs, I ever yet beheld, feem'd but tamenefs,
civility, and patience, to this his diftemper he is in
now : I am glad, the fat knight is not here.
M. Fo. Why, does he talk of him ?
M. PA. Of none but him; and Avears he was car-
ry 'd out, the laft time he fearch'd for him, in a baflcet:
protefts to my husband, he is now here ; and hath
drawn him and the relt of their company from their
lf)ort, to make another experiment of his fufpicion :
But I am glad, the knight is not here; now he (hall fee
his own foolery,
M. Fo. How near is he, miftrefs Page?
M. PA. Hard by ; at ftreet end ; be will be here anon.
M. Fo. I am undone ! _the knight is here.
M. PA. Why, then you are utterly ftiam'd, and he's
but a dead man. What a woman are you! Away with
him, away with him ; Better fhame than murther.
Af. Fo. Why, which way fliould he go ? how fhould
I beftow him? Shall I put him into the baflcet again ?
Re-enter FA L STAFF.
FALS. No, I'll come no more i' th' baflcet :_May
I not go out ere he come ?
M. PA. Alas, three of matter Ford's brothers watch
the door with piftols, that none (hall iflue out ; other-
wise, you might flip away ere he came : But what make
you here ?
What (hall I do ?_F11 creep up into the chim-
> liati
The merry Wives of Windfor. 69
M. To. There they always use to difcharge their
birding pieces : Creep into the kiln-hole.
FALS. Where is it?
M. Fo. He will feek there, on my word: neither
prefs, coffer, cheft, trunk, well, vault, but he hath an
abftraft for the remembrance of fuch places, and goes
to them by his note : There is no hiding you in the
houfe.
FAILS. I'll go out then.
M. Fo. If you go out in your own femblance, you
dye, fir John; unlefs you go out difguis'd, How might
we difguise him ?
M. PA. Alas the day, I know not : there is no wo-
man's gown big enough for him ; otherwise, he might
put on a hat, a muffler, and a kerchief a,nd fo efcape.
FJLS. Good hearts, devise fomething : any extre-
mity, rather than a mifchief.
M. Fo. My maid's aunt, the fat woman of Brent-
ford, has a gown above.
M t PA. On my word, it will ferve him; fhe's as
big as he is: and there's her thrumb hat, and her muf-
fler too ; _ Run up, fir John.
M. Fo. Go, go, fweet fir John : miflrefs Page, and
I, will look fome linnen for your head.
M. PA. Quick, quick ; we'll come drefs you ftraight :
put on the gown the while. [Exit FALSTAFF.
M. Fo. I would, my husband would meet him in
this fhape: he cannot abide the old woman of Brentford ;
he fvvears, fhe's a witch ; forbad her my houfe, and hath
threaten'd to beat her.
M. PA. Heaven guide him to thy husband's cudgel;
and the devil guide his cudgel afterwards !
P 2
70 The Kerry Wives of Windfor.
M.Fo. But is my husband coming?
M. PA. Ay, in good fadnefs, is he ; and talks of the
bafket too, howfoever he hath had intelligence.
M. Fo. We'll try that; for I'll appoint my men to
carry the bafket again, to meet him at the door with
it, as they did laft time.
M. PA. Nay, but he'll be here presently : let's go
drefs him like the witch of Brentford.
M. Fo. I'll firfl diredl my men, what they, (hall do
with the bafket : Go up; I'll bring linnen for him
ftraight. [Exit.
M. PA. Hang him difhoneft varlet ! we cannot mif-
use I;im enough.
We'll leave a proof, by that which we will do,
Wives may be merry, and yet honeft too :
We do not aft, that often jeft and laugh ;
'Tis old, but true, Still fwine eats all the draff. [Exit.
Re-enter Mjftrefs FORD, with her two Men.
M. Fo. Go, firs, take the bafket again on your moul-
ders ; your mailer is hard at door; if he bid you fet it
down, obey him : quickly, difpatch. [Exit.
I. Ser. Come, come, take it up.
z. Ser. Pray heaven, it be not full of t\)t knight
again !
I . Ser. I hope not ; I had as lief bear fo much lead.
Enter FORD, PACE, SHALLOW,
and Sir Hugh EVANS.
FORD. Ay, but if it prove true, matter Page, have
you any way then to unfool me again ?_Set down the
bafket, villain : Somebody call my \vife:_Youth in
a bafket !_O, you panderly rafcals Ithere's a knot, a
gang, a pack, a conspiracy againft me : _ Now fhall the
3* girg
The merry Wives c/'Windfor. 71
devil be fliam'd :_What, wife, I fay ! come, come forth ;
behold what honeft cloaths you fend forth to bleaching.
PAGE. Why, this pafles !_Mafter Ford, you are not
to go loofe any longer; you muft be pinion'd.
Sir H. Why, this is lunaticks ! this is mad as a
mad dog!
SHAL. Indeed, mailer Ford, this is not well; in-
deed.
Enter Miftrefi FORD.
FORD. So fay I too, fir Come hither, miftrefsFm/;
miftrefs Ford, the honeft woman, the modeft wife, the
virtuous creature, that hath the jealous fool to her hus-
band ! I fufpecl without cause, miftrefs ; do I ?
M. Fo. Heaven be my witnefs, you do, if you fuf-
pecl me in any difhonefty.
FORD. Well faid, brazen-face; hold it out:_Come
forth, firrah. [pulling cut the Cloalbs.
PAGE. This pafles !
M. Fo. Are you not afliam'd ? let the cloaths alone.
FORD. I (hall find you anon.
Sir H. 'Tis unreasonable ! Will you take up your
wife's cloaths ? come away.
FORD. Empty the baflcet, I fay.
M. Fo. Why, man, why
FORD. Mafter Page, as I am a man, there was one
convey'd out of my houfe yefterday in this bafket; Why
may not he be there again ? In my houfe, I am fure,
he is : my intelligence is true ; my jealoufy is reason-
able; Pluck me out all the linnen.
M. Fo. If you find a man there, he Hi all dye a
flea's death.
PAGE. Here's no man.
P3
The merry Ifi-va o/Windfor.
By my fidelity, this is not well, matter ford;
this wrongs you.
Sir H. Matter Ford, you mutt pray, and not follow
the imaginations of your own heart : this is jealoufies.
FORD. Well, he's not here I feek for.
PAGE. No, nor no where elfe but in your brain.
FORD. Help to fearch my houfe this one time : if
I find not what I feek, (hew no colour for my extremi-
ty ; let me for ever be your table-fport ; let them fay
of me, As jealous as ford, that fearch'd a hollow wal-
nut for his wife's leman : Satiffy me once more; once
more fearch with me.
M. Fo. What ho, mittrefs Page! come you, and the
old woman, down; my husband will come into the
chamber.
FORD. Old woman ! what old woman's that ?
M. Fo. Why, it is my maid's aunt of Brentford.
FORD. A witch, a quean, an old cozening quean !_
Have I not forbid her my houfe? She comes of er-
rands, does (he ? We are fimple men* we do not know
what's brought to pafs under the profeffion of fortune-
telling- She works by charms, by fpells, by the figure,
and fuch dawbery as this is ; beyond our element- we
know nothing-_Come down, you witch, you hag you j
come down, I fay.
M. Fo. Nay, good fweet husband ;_good gentler
men, let him net ftrike the old woman.
Enter Mijtrefs PACE ; leading in
FalltafF, dijguis'd.
M. PA. Come,motherFra/,come,give me your hand.
FORD. I'll Prat her: Out of my doors, you
witch; [to Falf.] you hag, you baggnge, you poulcat,
The merry Wives of Windfor. 7 j
you ronyon! out, out! I'll conjure you, I'll fortune-teH
you. [beating, and driving him out.
M- PA. Are you not aftiam'd I I think, you have
kill'd the poor woman. . [you-
M. Fo . Nay, he will do it ;-^'Tis a goodly credit for
FORD. Hang her witch !
Sir H. By yea and no, 1 think the 'oman is a witch
indeed: I like not when a 'omans has a great peard ; I
fpy a great peard under his muffler.
FORD. Will you follow, gentlemen? I befeech you,
follow ; fee but the iffue of my jealoufy : if I cry out
thus upon no trail, never truft me when I open again.
PAGE. Let's obey his humour a little further:
Come, gentlemen.
[Exeunt PAG E, FOR D, SH AL . and Sir Hugh.
M. PA. Truft me, he beat him moft pitifully.
M. Fo. Nay, by th' mafs, that he did not; he beat
him moft unpidfally, methought.
M. PA. I'll have the cudgel hallow'd, and hung o'er
the altar ; it hath done meritoiious fervice.
M. Fo. What think your may we, with the war-
rant of womanhood, and the witnefs of a good confci-
ence, purfue him with any further revenge ?
M. PA. The fpirit of wantonnefs is, fure, fcar'd out
of him ; if the devil have him not in fee-fimple, with
fine and recovery, he will never, I think, in the way
of wafte, attempt us again.
M. Fo. Shall we tell our husbands how we have
ferv'd him ?
M. PA. Yes, by all means ; if it be but to fcrapc
the figures out of your husband's brains: If they can
find in their hearts, the poor, unvircuous, fat knight
1 Runnion
74 Vbe merry Wives of Windfor.
(hall be any further afflicted, we two will be ftill the
minifters.
M. Fo. I'll warrant, they'll have him publickly
fham'd : and, methinks, there would be no fi't period
to the jeft, fhotild he not be publickly (ham'd.
M. PA. Come, to the forge with it then, fhape it;
I would not have things cool. [Exeunt.
SCENE III. A Room in the garter Inn.
Enter BARDOLPH.
BARD. Sir, the Germans desire to have three of
your horfes: the duke himfelf will be to-morrow at
court, and they ar? going to meet him.
Hoft. What duke ihould that be, comes fo fecret-
Jy ? I hear net of him in the court :_ Let me fpeak with
the gentlemen ; They fpeak Englijh ?
BARD. Ay, fir; I'll call them to you.
Ha/?. They (hall have my horfes ; but I'll make
them pay, Pil fauce them: they have had my houses
a week at command ; 1 have turn'd away my other
guefts : they mult not come off ; I'll fauce them :_
Come. [Exeunt.
SCENE IV. A Room in Ford'j Houfe.
Enter Sir HUGH, PAGE, FORD, Mifrefs PAGE,
and Miftrefs FORD.
Sir H. 'Tis one of the belt difcretions of a 'omans
as ever 1 did look upon.
PJGS And did he fend you both these "f letters
at an inftant?
M. PA. Within a quarter of an hour. [wilt;
FORD. Pardon me, wife: Henceforth do what thou
1 German defircs ' ^ call him to
The merry 'wives of Windfor. 75
J rather will fufpeft the fun with cold,
Than theewith vvantonnefs : now doth thy honour ftand,
In him that was of late an heretick,
As firm as faith.
PAGE. 'Tis well, 'tis well ; no more:
Be not as extream in fubmiffion,
As in offence ;
But let our plot go forward : let our wives
Yet once again, to make us publick fport,
Appoint a meeting with this old fat fellow,
Where we may take him, and difgrace him for it. [of.
FORD. There is no better way than that they fpoke
PAGE. How! fend him word, they'll meet him in
At midnight ! fie, fie ; he will never come, [the park
Sir H. You fay, he has been thrown in the rivers ;
and has been grievoufly peaten, as an old 'oman : me-
thinks, there mould be terrors in him, that he mould
not come; methinks, his flefh is puniih'd, he mail have
no desires.
PAGE. So think I too. [comes,
M. Fo. Devise but how you'll use him when he
And let us two devise to bring him thither. [ter,
M. PA. There is an old tale goes, that Herne the hun-
Sometime a keeper here in Windfor foreft,
Doth all the winter time, at Hill midnight,
Walk round about an oak, with great jag'd horns;
And there he blafts the tree, and takes the cattle,
And makes milch-kine yield blood, and makes a chain
In a moft hideous and dreadful manner :
You have heard of fuch a fpirit; and well you know,
The fuperftitious idle-headed eld
Receiv'd, and did deliver to our age,
1 with gold '3 v. N'.>tt a6 rag'd
76 W>e merry Wives of Windfor.
This tale of Htrne the hunter for a truth.
PAGE. Why, yet there want not many, that do fear
In deep of night to walk by this Herne's oak :
But what of this ?
M. Fo. Marry, this is our device;
That Faljlajf^ that oak (hall meet with us,
Difguis'd like Hcrne , with huge horns on his head.
PAGE. Well, let it not be doubted but he'll come,
And in this fhape; When you have brought him thither,
What {hall be done with him ? what is your plot? [thus:
M. PA. That likewise have we thought upon, and
Nan Page my daughter, and my little fon,
And three or four more of their growth, we'll drefs
Like urchins, ouphes, and fairies, green and white,
With rounds of waxen tapers on their heads,
And rattles in their hands; upon a fudden,
As Fa//!af t (he, and I, are newly met,
Let them from forth a faw-pit rufh at once
With fome diffused fong: upon their fight,
We two in great amazednefs will fly :
Then let them all encircle him about,
And, fairy. like too, pinch the unclean knight;
And afk him, why, that hour of fairy revel,
In their fo facred paths he dares to tread
In lhape prophane.
FORD. And, 'till he tell the truth,
Let the fupposed fairies pinch him found,
And burn him with their tapers.
M. PA. The truth being known,
We'll all present ourfelves ; difhorn the fpirit,
And mock him home to Windfor.
FORD. The children muft
** like to pinch
T/je merry Wives of Windfor. 77
Be praftic'd well to this, or they'll ne'er dot*.
Sir H, I will teach the children their behaviours ;
and I will be like a jackanapes alfo, to burn the knight
with my taber. [vizards.
FORD. That will be excellent. I'll go buy then*
A/. PA. My Kan fhall be the queen of all the fairies,
Finely attired in a robe of white.
PACE. That filk will I go buy; "and, in that time,"
" Shall matter Slender fteal my Nan away,"
" And marry her at Eaten." Go, fend \.vFalftaff'
Straight.
FORD. Nay, I'll to him again in name of Brook :
He'll tell me all his purpose : Sure, he'll come.
M. PA. Fear not you that : Go, get us properties,
And tricking for our fairies.
Sir H. Let us about it : It is admirable pleasures,and
fery honeft knaveries. [Exeunt FORD, PAGE, anJSirH.
M. PA. Go, mirtrefs Ford,
Send quickly to fir John, to know his mind.
[Exit Miflreft FORD.
I'll to the doctor ; he hath my good will,
And none but he, to marry with Nan Page.
That Slender, though well landed, is an ideot;
And he my husband bed of all affefts :
The doctor is well money'd, and his friends
Potent at court ; he, none but he, {hall have her,
Though twenty thousand worthier come to crave her.
SCENE V. A Room in the garter Inn.
Enter Hoft, and SIMPLE.
Hofl. What would'ftthou have, boor? what.thick-
Jkin? fpeak, breath, difcufs; brief, fcort, quick, fnap.
~3 The merry Jfives of Windfor.
SIMP. Marry, fir, I come to fpcak with fir John
Falji 'off horn m after Slender.
Hoft. There's his chamber, his houfe, his cal-
tle, his ftanding-bed and truckle-bed ; 'tis painted a-
bout with the Itory of the prodigal, frefh and new:
'Go, knock and call ; he'll fpeak like an Anthropopba-
ginian unto thee : Knock, 1 fay.
SIMP. There's an old woman, a fat woman, gone
up into his chamber ; I'll be fo bold as ftay, fir, 'till
fhe come down : I come to fpeak with her, indeed.
Hoft. Ha ! a fat woman ? the knight may be rob'd:
I'll call. _ Bully knight! bully fir John \ fpeak from
thy lungs military; Art thou there? it is thine hoft,
thine Epbesian, calls.
FJLS. [above] How now, mine hoft ?
Hofl. Here's a Bohemian-Tartar tarries the com-
ing down of thy fat woman : Let her defcend, bully,
let her defcend ; my chambers are honourable : Fie !
privacy? fie!
Enter FALSTAFF.
FJLS. There was, mine hoft, an old fat woman
even now with me ; but fhe's gone.
SIMP. Pray you, fir, was't not the wise woman of
Brtntferj?
FJLS. Ay, marry, was it, muflel-fhell ; What
would you with her ?
SIMP. My mafter, fir, my m after Slender, fen t to
her, feeing her go thorough the ftreets, to know, fir,
whether one Nym, fir, that beguil'd him of a chain, had
the chain, or no.
FJLS. I fpake with the old woman about it.
SIMP. And what fays (he, I pray, fir?
The merry Wives of Windfor. 79
Many, me fays, thatthe very fame man, that
beguil'd mailer Slender of his chain, cozen'd him of it.
SIMP. I would, I could have fpoken with the wo-
man herfelf ; I had other things to have fpoken with
her too, from him.
FALS. What are they ? let us know.
Ho/?. Ay, come ; quick
SIMP. I may not conceal them, fir.
Haft. Conceal them, or thou dy'ft.
SIMP. Why, fir, they were nothing but about mif-
trefs Anne Page\ to know, if it were my mailer's for-
tune to have her, or no.
FALS. 'Tis, 'tis his fortune.
SIMP. What, fir?
FALS. To have her, or no : Go ; fay, the woman
told me fo.
SIMP. May I be bold to fay fo, fir ?
FALS. Ay, fir; like who more bold.
SIMP . I thank your worfhip : I mall make my maf-
ter glad with these tidings. [Exii.
Hoft. Thou art clerkly, thou art clerkly, fir John :
Was there a wise woman with thee ?
FALS. Ay, that there was, mine hod ; one that hath
taught me more wit than ever I learn'd before in my
life : and I pay'd nothing for it neither., but was pay'd
for my learning.
Enter BARDOLPH, haftily.
BARD. Out, alas, fir ! cozenage, meer cozenage !
Hoft. Where be my horfes ? fpeak well of them,
varletto.
BARD. Run away with the cozeners : for fo foon
as I came beyond Eaton, they threw me off, from be-
* Fal. I majr
8o Tie mirry Wi<ves of Windfor.
hind one of them, in a flough of mir? ; and fet fpiirs,
and away, like three German divels, three dodlof
Fauftus' '/.
tiojt. They are gone but to meet the duke, villain :
do not fay, they be fled ; Germans are honeft men.
Enter Sir Hugh EVANS.
Sir H. Where is mine hoft ?
Hoft. What is the matter, fir ?
Sir H, Have a care of your entertainments : there
is a friend of mine come to town, tells me, there is
three cousin germans, that has cozen'd all the hofts of
Readings, of Maidenhead, of Cclebrook , of horfes and mo-
ney. 1 tell you for good will, look you : you are wise,
and full of gibes and vlouting ftogs; and 'tis not con-
venient you mould be cozened : Fare you well. [Exit*
Enter Do ft or C A I u s .
D. CAI. Vere is mine hoft dejartere?
Hoji. Here, mailer doctor ; in perplexity, and
doubtful dilemma.
D. CAI. I cannot tell vat is dat : Bnt it is tell-a me,
dat you make grand preparation for a duke de Jamany :
by my trot, dere is no duke, dat de court is know, to
come : I tell you for good vill : adieu. [xvV.
Hoft. Hue and cry, villain, go : affift me, knight ;
I am undone : fly, run, hue and cry, villain ; I am
undone! [Exeunt Hoft, and BARDOLPH.
FJLS. T would, all the world might be cozen'd ;
for I have been cozen'd, and beaten too. If it (hould
come to the ear of the court, how I have been tranf-
formed, and how my tranfformation hath been wafh'd
and cudgel'd, they would melt me out of my fat, drop
by drop, and liquor fifhermen's boots with me; I warrant,
The merry Wives of Windfor. 8 1
they would whip me with their fine wits, 'till I were as
creft-fall'n as a dry'd pear. I never profper'd fmce I
forfwore myfelf at Primero. Well, if my wind were but
long enough to fay my prayers, I would repent. _Now !
Enter Mijlrefs QUICKLY.
whence come you ?
Qyic. From the two parties, forfooth.
FALS. The devil take one party, and his dam the
other, and fo they mall be both beftowed ! I have fuf-
fer'd more for their fakes, more, than the villainous
inconftancy of man's difposition is able to bear.
>uic. And have not they fuffer'd ? yes, I warrant ;
'fpecioufly one of them ; miilrefs Ford, good heart, is
beaten black and blue, that you cannot fee a white
fpot about her.
FALS. What tell'ft thou me of black and blue? I
was beaten myfelf into all the colours of the rain-bow;
and I was like to be apprehended for the witch of
Brentford: but that my admirable dexterity of wit, my
counterfeiting the a&ion of an old woman, deliver'J
iti, the knave conftable had fet me i'the ftocks, i'th'
common ftocks, for a witch.
>uic. Sir, let me fpeak with you in your chamber :
you mall hear how things go'; and, I warrant, to your
content : here is a letter ~J~ will fay fomewhat. Good
hearts, what ado here is to bring you together ! fure,
one of you does not ferve heaven well, that you are fo
croff'd.
FALS. Come up into my chamber. {Exeunt.
SCENE V], Another Room,
Enter Hoft, and FEN TON.
82 7ke merry Wives of Wind/or.
Hr/?. Mafter Fentcn, talk not to me ; my mind Is
heavy, I will give over all.
FEKT. Yet hear mefpeak; Affift me in my purpose,
And, as I am a gentleman, I'll jive thee
A hundred pound in gold, more than your lofs.
Hoft. \ will hear you, matter Fenton ; and I will,
at the leaft, keep your couniel.
PENT. From time to time I have acquainted you
With the dear love I bear to fair Anne Page ;
Who, mutually, hath anfwer'd my affeclion
(So far forth as herfelf might be her chooser)
Even to my wifli : I have a letter from her,
Of fuch contents as you will wonder at ;
The mirth whereof 'g fo larded with my matter,
That neither, fmgly, can be rr.anifciled
Without the mew of both : fat fir John Falftajf
Hath a great fcene in it : the image of the jell
I'll {how you "I" here at large. Hark, good mine hofl :
To-night ziHcmis oak, juit 'tvvixt twelve and one,
Muft my fweet Kan present the fairy queen ;
The purpose why, is ~j~ here ; in which difguise,
While other jefts are fomething rank on foot,
Her father hath commanded her to flip
Away with Slender, and with him at Eaton
Immediately to marry : me hath confented : Now, fir,
Her mother, ever ftrong againft tiiat match,
And firm, for doctor Caius, hath appointed
That he mail likewise fhuffle her away,
While other fports are taking off their minds,
And at the deanery, where a pric-ft attends,
Straight marry her : to this her mother's plot
She feemingly obedient likewise hath
^ (even ftrong *9 ta/kirg of
The merry Wives of Windfor . 83
Made promise to the do&er : Now, thus it refts :
Her father means me (hall be all in white ;
And in that habit, when Slender ftes his time
To take her by the hand and bid her go,
She fnall go with him : her mother hath inJeaJed,
The better to dencte her to the doflor,
(For they mull all be mafk'd and viznrded)
That quaint in green ("he fhall be loofe enrob'd,
With ribbands pendant flaring 'boat her head ;
And when the doftor fpies his vantage ripe,
To pinch her by. the hand, anJ, on that token,
The nwiid hrth given Content to go with him. [thcr ?
11 ,'}. V/hich means ihe deceive: father, or mo-
FENT. Both, my good hoit, to go along with me :
AnJ here it reib, that you'll procure the vicar
To f;ay for me at church, 'twixt twelve and one,
And, in the lawful name of marrying,
To give our hearts united ceremony.
Ho ft. Well, husband your device ; I'll to the vicar :
Bri::;r you the maid, you ihall not lack a prieft.
PENT. So (hall i evermore be -bound to thee ;
Befidcs, I'll rr.ake a present recompence. [Exeunt.
v.
SCENE I. A Room in the garter Inn.
Enter FALSTAFF, and Q_y i c K L Y .
Pr'ychee, no more pratling;; go, I'll hold:
This is the third time; I hope, good luck lyes in odd
numbers: Away, go; they fay, there is divinity in odd
nu;~je.-;, either in nativity,' chance, or death: away.
&4 11* merry Wives 9/~Windfor.
Quic. I'll provide you a chain ; and I'll do what
I can to get you a pair of horns.
FJLS. Away, I fay; time wears: hold up your
head, and mince. [Exit QUICKLY.
Enter FORD.
How now, mailer Brook? Mailer Brook, the matter will
be known to-night, or never: Be you in the park, a-
bout midnight, at Hernis oak, and you fhall fee Won-
ders.
FORD. Went you not to her yefterday, fir, as you
told me you had appointed ?
FJLS. I went to her, mailer Brook, as you fee, like
a poor old man ; but I came from her, matter Brook,
like a poor old woman. That fame knave Ford, her
husband, hath the fineft mad devil of jealoufy in him,
matter Brook, that ever govern'd frenzy: I will tell you,
He beat me grievoufly, in the fhape of a woman : for,
in the ftiape of man, mailer Brook, I fear not Goliah
\vith a weaver's beam; because 1 know alfo, life is a
fhuttle. I am in hafle; go along with me; I'll tell you
all, mailer Brook: Since I pluck'd geefe, play'd truant,
and whip'd top, I knew not what 'twas to be beaten,
'till lately. Follow me: I'll tell you ftrange things of
this knave Ford; on whom to-night I will be revenged,
and I will deliver his wife into your hand. Follow :
Strange things in hand, mailer Brook ! follow. [Exeunt.
SCENE II. A Street.
/!/ PAGE, SHALLOW, and SLENDER.
PJGE. Come, come ; we'll couch i'the caille-ditch,
'till we fee the light of our fairies Remember, fon.
Slender, my daughter.
The mtrry Wives o/^Windfor. 85
SLEW. Ay, forfooth ; I have fpoke with her, and
we have a nay-word, how to know one another : I
come to her in white, and cry, mum ; ihe cries, bud-
get ; and by that we know one another.
SHAL. That's good too; But what needs either
your mum, or her budget? the white will decipher
her well enough. It hath ftrook ten o'clock.
PACK. The night is dark ; light and fpirits will be-
come it well. Heaven profper our fport! None means
evil, But the devil; and we mall know him by his
horns. Let's away; follow me. [Exeunt.
S CENE III. Another Street, leading to the Pqrk.
Enter Miftrtfs PAGE, CAIUS, and Miftrefs FORD.
M. PA. Mafter doflor, my daughter is in green:
when you fee your time, take her by the hand, away
with her to the deanery, and difpatch it quickly : Go
before into the park; we two muft go together.
D. CAI. I know vat I have to do ; Adieu.
M. PA. Fare you well, fir. [Exit CAI us.] My hus-
band will not rejoice fo much at the abufe of Fal/iaf,
as he will chafe at the doctor's marrying my daughter:
bat 'tis no matter ; better a little chiding) than a great
deal of heart break.
M. Fo . Where is Nan now, and her troop of fairies ?
and the Wtlcb devil, Hugh?
' M. PA. They are all couch'd in a pit hard by Hernis
oak, with obfcur'd lights; which, at the very inflant
of Falftajfs and our meeting, they will at once difplay
to the night.
M. Fo. That cannot choose but amaze him.
M. Pa. If he be not amaz'd, he will be mock'd ; if
9 No mar. mcancs * 6 ILrnif z
g6 ke merry Wivu e/'Windfbr.
he be amaz'cl, he will every way be mcck'd.
M. Fo. We'll betray him finely.
M. PA. Againft fuch lewdfters, and their lechery,
Those that betray them do no treachery.
M. Fo . The hour draws on ; To the oak, to the oak!
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV. r be Park.
Enter Sir HUGH, Piftol, Quickly, Anne Page, anJOtbers,
tvifUtr<fta t and dijguif d for Fairies.
Sir H. Tiib, trib, fairies ; come ; and remember
your parts: be pold, I pray you; fellow me ir.to the
pit ; and \\hen I give the watch-'ords, do as I pid you:
Come, come; trib, trib. [Exeunt.
SCENE V. Another Part of the Pa, k.
Enter FALSTAFF, dijguis'd.
FALS. The Wir.djor bell hath ftrook twelve; the
minute draws on : Now the hot-blooded gods affift me !
Remember, Jove, thou waft a bull for thy Eurofa;
love feton thy horns :_O powerful love! that, in fome
refpeds, makes a beaft a man ; in fome other, a man a
beaft You were alfo, Jupiter, a f\\an, for the love of
Leda : O omnipotent love! how near the god drew to
the complexion of a goofer A fault done firft in the
form of a beaft ;_O Jove, a beaftly fault !_and then a-
nother fault in the femblance of a fowl;_think on't,
"Jove; a foul fault When gods have hot backs, what
ihall poor men dor For me, I am here a Windfor ftag;
and the fatteft, I think, i'the forcft : end me a cool rut-
time, Jove, or who can blame rne to pifs my tallow ?
Who comes here : my doe ?
The merry Wives of Windfor. 87
Enter Miftrefs FORD, and Mijlrefs PAGE.
M. Fo. Sir John ? art thou there, my deer ; my male
deer ?
FALS. My doe, with the black fcut?__Let the flcy
rain potatoes ; let it thunder to the tune of Grsen-Jlee-ves ;
hail kiffing-comfits, and fnow eringoes; let there coma
a temped of provocation, I will Ihelter me here.
\embracing her*
M. Fo. Miftrefs Page is come with me, fvveet heart.
FALS. Divide me like abrib'd-buck,eachahaunch:
I will keep my fides to myfelf, my moulders for the
fellow of this walk, and my horns I bequeath your
husbands. Am I a woodman ? ha! fpeak i like Herne
the hunter ?_Why, now i? Cupid a child of confcience ;
he makes restitution :_As I am a true fpirit, welcome.
M. PA. Alas, what noise? \Noise within.
M. Fo. Heaven forgive our fins !
FALS. What mould this be ?
Worn. Away, away. \_thsy run off.
FALS. I think, the devil will not have me damn'd,
left the oil that's in me mould fet hell on fire ; he would
never elfe crofs me thus.
Enter, from the Pit, Sir HUGH, and his Troop of
Fairies, with Lights, running.
>uic. Fairies, black, grey, green, and white,
You moon-mine revellers, and mades of night,
You orphan heirs of fixed deftiny.
Attend your office, and your quality
Cryer Hob-goblin, make the fairy o-yes.
Pisf. Elves, lift your names ; filence, you airy toys.
Cricket, to Windfor chimneys malt thou leap:
Where fires thou find'il unrak'd, and hearths unfwept r
88 The merry Wivet o^Windfor.
There pinch the maids as blue as bilberry;
Our radiant queen hates fluts, and fluttery. [dye:
FJLS. They are fairies ;he,thatfpeaks to them, mall
I'll wink, and couch; No man their works muft eye.
[lyes dcivn, upon bis Face.
"Sir H. Where's Pede? go you, and where you rind
a maid,
That, ere (lie fleep, has thrice her prayers faid,
Rein up the organs of her fantafy;
Sleep (he as found as carelefs infancy :
But those, as fleep, and think not on their fins,
Pinch them arms, legs, backs, fhoulders, fides, and (bins.
Qyic. About, about;
Search Windfcr caftle, elves, within and 'out:
Strew good luck, ouphes, on every facred room;
That it may ftand 'till the perpetual doom,
In ftate as wholefome, as in irate 'tis fit,
Worthy the owner, and the owner it.
The feveral chairs of order look you fcour
With juice of balm and every precious flower:
Each fair inftalment coat, and feveral creft,
With loyal blazon, evermore be bleft;
And nightly, meadow fairies, look you fing,
Like to the garter's -compafs, in a ring :
The expreflure that it bears, green let it be,
More fertile-frefh than all the field to fee;
And, Honi foit qui mal y penfe, write
In emerald tufts, flowers purple, blue, and white j
Like faphire, pearl, and rich embroidery,
Euckl'd below fair knighthood's bending knee;
Fairies use flowers for their charaftery.
Away; difperfe : But 'till 'tis one o'clock,
5 Raife up *' Emrold tuffes
The merry Wives o/WJndfor. 89
Our dance of cuftom, round about the oak
Of Herne the hunter, let us not forget.
Sir H. Pray you,
Lock hand in hand; yourfelves in order fet:
And twenty glow-worms fhall our lanthorns be,
To guide our measure round about the tree
But, (lay ; I fmell a man of middle earth.
FALS. Heavens defend me from that Welch fairy!
left he tranfform me to a piece of cheese.
Pisr. Vile worm, thou waft o'er-look'd even in thy
birth.
)uic. With trial fire touch me his finger end:
If he be chaft, the flame will back defcend,
And turn him to no pain; but if he ftart,
It is the flem of a corrupted heart.
PIST. A trial, come.
Sir H. Come, will this wood take fire ?
[applying their T'apers.
FALS. O, o, o !
>uic. Corrupt, corrupt, and tainted in desire '.__
About him, fairies; fing a fcornful rime;
And, as you trip, ftill pinch him to your time.
SONG. Fie on Jinful fantafy !
Jie on Ittft, and luxury !
luji is but a bloody fire,
kindl'd nuith unchaji desire,
fed in heart ; 'whose flames afpire,
as thoughts do blow them, higher and higher .* .
Pinch him, fairies, mutually,
pinch him for his 'villany;
pinch him, and burn him, and turn him about,
'till candles, andjiar -light, and moon-Jhine be out.
90 The merry U'ives of Windfor.
During tlii Song, (in which the Fairies
finch Falttafr", turn him with their Tapers, and dance
about him) Dafior Caius comes one <uiay, and carries
(iff a Fairy in green', Slender another way, and takes
ci:e in white: and Fenton ftcals a^ivav A// trr s
Anne. Ncise heard wit I. in : Fairies break off the*r
Dance: Falflaff rises: and Enter FORD, PAGE,
bliftrffs FORD and Mi trefs PAGE.
PjtGE. Nay, do not fly : I think, we have watch'd
you now ;
Will none but Herne the hunter ferve your turn?
M. PA. I pray you, come, hold up the jeft no higher:
Now, good lir John, how like you Wind/or wives?
See you ~f these, husband ? do not these fair oaks
Become the foreft better than the town ?
FORD. Now, fir, who's a cuckold now?_Mafler
Brook, Talfiajfs a knave, a cuckoldly knave; here are
his horns, matter Brook: And matter Brock, he hath
enjoyed nothing of Ford's, but his buck-bafket, his
cudgel, and twenty pounds of money; which mutt be
pay'd tco, matter Brook; his horfes are arreiled for it,
matter Brook.
M. Fo. Sir John, we have had ill luck; we could
never meet : I will never take you for my love again,
but I will always count you my deer.
PALS. I do begin to perceive that I am made an afs.
FORD. Ay , and an ox too ; both the proofs are extant.
FJIS. And these are not fairies.' I was three or
four times in the thought, they were not fairies : and
yet the guiltinefs of my mind, the fudden furprize of
my powers, drove the groffnefs of the foppery into a
receiv'd belief, in defpight of the teeth of all rime and
*' paid to ma.1er
The merry Wives of Wind for. 91
reason, that they were fairies : See now, how wit may
be made a, jack-o'lent, when 'tis upon ill employment 1
Sir H. Sir "John Fal/tafi\ fervc Got, -and leave your
desires, and fairies will not pinfe you.
FORD. Well faid, fairy Hugh.
Sir H. And leave you your jealousies alfo, I pray
you.
FORD. I will never miftruft my wife again, 'till thou
art able to woo her in good Englijh
FALS. Have I lay'd my brain in the fun, and dry'd
it, that it wants matter to prevent fo grofs o'er reach-
ing as this? Am I ridden with a Welch goat too? fhall
I have a coxcomb of frize? 'tis time 1 were choak'd
with a piece of toailed cheese.
Sir //. Seefe is not good to give putter; your pclly
is all putter.
FALS. Seefe and putter! have I liv'd to ftand at
the taunt of one that makes fritters of Englijb ? tnis is
enough to be the decay of lull and late- walking through
the realm.
M. PA. Why, fir John, do you think, though we
would have tliruft virtue out of our hearts by the head
and fhoulders, and have given curfclves without fcruple
to hell, that ever the devil could have made you our
delight ?
FORD. What, a hodge-pudding? a bag of flax?
M. PA. A puft man?
PAGE. Old, cold, wither'd, and of intolerable en-
trails ?
FORD. And one that i? as flanderous as Satan?
PAGE. And as poor as Job ?
FORD. And as wicked as his wife?
gz The merry
Sir H. And given to fornications, and to taverns,
and fack, and wine, and metheglins, and to drinkings,
and fwearings, and {tarings, pribbles and prabbles ?
FALS. Well, I am your theme; you have the Hart
of me ; I am deje&ed ; I am not able to anfvver the
Welch flannel, ignorance itfelf is a plummet o'er me :
use me as you will.
FORD. Marry, fir, we'll bring you to Windfor, to
one mafter Brook, that you have cozen'd of money, to
whom you mould have been a pander: over and above
that you have fuffcr'd, I think, to repay that money
will be a biting affliction.
PAGE. Yet be chearful, knight: thou ftialt eat a
poflet to-night at my houfe ; where I will desire thee
to laugh at my wife, that now laughs at thee ; tell her,
mafter Slender hath marry'd her daughter.
M. PA. Doftors doubt that; if Anne Page be my
daughter, Ihe is, by this, doctor Caius* wife.
Enter SLENDER.
SLEK. Whoo, ho, ho, father Page!
PAGE. Son ! how now ? how now, fon ? Have you
difpatch'd ?
SLEN. Difpatch'd f-I'll make the beft in Glofter-
Jhire know on't ; 'would I were hang'd, la, elfe.
PAGE. Of what, fon?
SLEN. I came yonder at Eaton to marry miflrefs
finite Page, and (he's a great lubberly boy : If it had
not been i'th' church, I would have fwing'd him, or
he fhould have fwing'd me. If I did not think it had
been Anne Page, 'would I might never ftir, and 'tis a
poft-mafter's boy.
PAGE. Upon my life then you took the wrong.
The merry Wives of Windfor. 93
What need you tell me that? I think fo
when I took a boy for a girl: If I had been marry 'd to
him, for all he was in woman's apparel, I would not
have had him.
PAGE. Why, this is your own folly; Did not I tell
you how you mould know my daughter by her gar-
ments ?
SLEN. I went to her in white, and cry'd, mum,
and me cry'd, budget, as Anne and I had appointed;
and yet it was not Anne, but a poft- matter's boy.
M. PA. Good George, be not angry : I knew of your
purpose; turn'd my daughter into green; and, indeed,
{he is now with the do&or at the deanery, and there
marry 'd.
Enter Doflor CAIUS.
D. CAI. Vere is miftrefs Page ?By gar, I am cozen-
ed ; I have marry'd un garden, a boy, un paifan, by gar,
a boy ; it is not Anne Page : by gar, I am cozened.
M. PA. Why, did you take her in green?
D. CAI. Ay, by gar, and 'tis a boy : by gar, I'll raise
al 1 Windfor. [ Exit CAIUS.
FORD. This is ftrange ! Whohathgottheright^//H^
PAGE. My heart mifgives me: Here comes mafter
Fenton.
Enter FENTON, ca/Axirfe PAGE.
How now, mafter Fenton ?
JJNNE. Pardon, good father! good my mother, par-
don!
PAGE. Now, miftrefs? how chance you went not
with mafter Slender?
M. PA. Why wentyounotwith mafter doftor, maid?
FENT. You do amaze her ; Hear the truth of it.
* v. N'jte. '7 oon Garfon, a boy ; oon Pcfant,
94 The merry Wives o/" Wind for.
You would have marry'd her moft fhamefully,
Where there was no proportion held in love.
The truth is, She and I, long fince contracted,
Are now fo fure that nothing can dissolve us.
The offence is holy, that fhe hath committed:
And this deceit loses the name of craft,
Of difobedience, or unduteous title;
Since therein fhe doth evitate and ftiun
A thousand irreligious curfed hours,
Which forced marriage would have brought upon her.
FORD. Stand not amaz'd: here is no remedy :_
In love, the heavens themfelves do guide the ftate;
Money buys lands, and wives are fold by fate.
FJLS. I am glad, though you ta'en a fpecial fland
to ftrike at me, that your arrow hath glanc'd.
PACE. Well, what remedy lFcntun, heaven give
thee joy !
What cannot be efchew'd, mull be embrac'd.
FALS. When night dogs run, all forts of deer are
chac'd.
M. PA. Well, I will muse no further :_MafterFf/0
Heaven give you many, many merry days !_.
Good husband, let us every one go home,
And laugh this fport o'er by a country fire;
Sir Juhn and all.
For.o. Let it be fo, fir John:
To matter Brock you yet (hall hold your word ;
For he, to-night, (hall lye with miftrefs Ford. [Exeunt.
LOS ANGELES, cSuFoS il on* B X 951 388
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