Win.

I am quite weary of the Country Life; there is that Little thing the World calls Quiet, but there is nothing else; Clowns live and die in't, whose Souls lye hid here, and after Death their Names: My Kinder Stars (I thank 'em) have Wing'd my Spirit with an Active Fire, which makes me wish to know what Men are Born for, to Dyet a Running Horse, to give a Hawk casting, to know Dogs Names; These make not Men; no, 'tis Philosophy, 'tis Learning, and Exercise of Reason to know what's Good and Virtuous, and to break our Stubborn and Untemper'd Wills, to Choose it; This makes us Imitate that Great Divinity that Fram'd us.

Tran.

I thought you had Learn't Philosophy enough at Oxford, what betwixt Aristotle on one side, and Bottle-Ale on the other, I am confident you have arriv'd at a Pitch of Learning and Virtue sufficient for any Gentleman to set up with in the Countrey, that is, to be the Prop of the Family.

Winl.

My Father's Fondness has kept me so long in the Country, I've forgot all I'd Learn't at the University: Besides, take that at Best, it but Rough-casts us; No, London is the Choisest Academy, 'tis that must Polish us, and put a Gloss upon our Country-Studies; Hither I'm come at last, and do resolve to Glean many Vices. Thou, Tranio, hast been my Companion, still one Bed has held us, one Table fed us; and tho' our Bloods give me Precedency (that I count Chance) My Love has made us Equal, and I have found a frank return in thee.

Tran.

Such a Discourse commands a Serious Answer; Know then, your Kindness tells me, I must Love you: The Good you have Taught me Commands me to Honour you; I have Learnt, with you, to hate Ingratitude; But setting those aside, for thus I may seem to do it: for my own sake, be assur'd, I must Love you, though you hate me; I neither look at Vice nor Virtue in you, but as you are the Person I dote on.

Win.

No more; I do believe and know thou lov'st me: I wonder Jamy stays so long behind: You must look out to get me handsome Lodgings, fit to receive such Friends the Town shall bring me; you must take care of all, for I'm resolv'd to make my Study my sole Business; I'll live handsomly, not over high, nor yet beneath my Quality.

Enter Beaufoy, Margaret, Biancha, Woodall, and Geraldo.

But stay a little, What Company's this?

Beau.

Gentlemen, Importune no farther, you know my firm Resolve, not to bestow my Youngest Daughter, before I have a Husband for the Elder; if either of you both Love Pegg, because I know you well, and love you well: You shall have freedom to Court her at your Pleasure.

Wood.

That is to say, we shall have leave to have our Heads broken, a prime Kindness, by'ur Lady, she's too rough for me; There, Geraldo, take her for me, if you have any Mind to a Wife; to her, you are Young, and may clap Trammel's on her, and strike her to a Pace in time; I dare not deal with her, I shall never get her out of her high Trot.

Marg.

'Tis strange, Sir, you should make a Stale of me among these Mates thus.

Geral.

Mates, Madam, 'Faith, no Mates for you, unless you were a little Tamer; wo worth him that has the Breaking of you?

Marg.

Take heed I don't bestow the Breaking of your Calves Head for you; You Mate, Marry come up; go, get you a Sempstress, and run in Score with her for Muckinders to dry your Nose with, and Marry her at last to pay the Debt: And you there, Goodman Turnep-eater, with your Neats-Leather Phisnomy, I'll send your Kitchen-wench to Liquor it this Wet-weather; Whose old Bootes was it cut out of?

Ger.

From all such Petticoate Devils deliver us I pray.

Tran.

Did you ever see the like, Sir? that Wench is either stark Mad, or wonderful Froward.

Wood.

I can't tell, but I had as live take her Dowry with this condition, to be whipt at Chairing-cross every morning.

Ger.

Faith as you say, there's small choice in rotten Apples, but since 'tis as 'tis, let us be Friendly Rivals, and endeavour for a Husband for Margaret, that Biancha may be free to have one, and then he that can win her, wear her.

Wood.

I would give the best Horse in Smith-field to him that would throughly Woe her, Wed her, and Bed her, and rid the House of her, to carry her far enough of, well come agreed.

Tran.

But pray Sir, is't possible that Love should of a sudden take such hold of you.

Win.

O Tranio, till I found it to be true, I never found it possible, but she has such attractive Charms, he were a stone that did not Love her, I am all fire, burn, pine, perish Tranio, unless I win her; Counsel me, and Assist me, Dear Tranio.

Tran.

Are all your Resolutions for Study come to this? you have got a book will hold you tack, you are like to be a fine Virtuoso, now must we to a Chymist to set his Still a going for Philters—Love Powders and Extracts of Sigh's and Highoe's.

Win.

Nay Tranio, do not make Sport with my Passion, it is a thing so deeply rooted here, it cannot dye, but it must take me with it; help me, or hope not long to see thy Master?

Tran.

Nay Sir, if you are so far gone there's no remedy, we must contrive

some way, but 'twill be difficult; for you know her Father has mew'd her up, and till he has rid his hands of her Sister there's no coming near her.

Win.

Ah, Tranio, what a cruel Father's he, but don't you remember what care he took to provide Masters for her.

Tran.

I Sir, and what of all that?

Win.

Y'are a Fool, can't I be perfer'd to her, to teach her French, I have a good command of the Language, and it may be easily done.

Tran.

I don't apprehend the easiness of it; for who shall be Sir Lyonels Son here in Town? To ply his Studyes, and wellcome his Friends, visit his Kindred, and entertain 'em.

Win.

Be content, I have a Salve for that too; we have not yet been seen in any House, nor can be distinguish'd by our Faces, for Man or Master. Then it follows thus, you Tranio must be young Winlove in my stead, and bear your self according to my rank; I'll be an ordinary French Master about the Town, the time I stay'd in France, in that will help me, it must be so. Come, come, uncase, and take my Cloath's and when we're at our Lodgings, we'll make a full change; when Jamy comes he waits on thee, but first I'll charme his Tongue.

Tran.

'Twill be needful, since this is your Pleasure I'me ty'd to be Obedient, for so your Father charg'd me at your Parting, altho I think 'twas in another sence; In short I'm ready to serve you, and assist you in your Enterprize.

Win.

Here comes the Rogue. Sirrah, Where have you been?

Jam.

Where have I been? Pray how now Master, where are you Master, has Tranio Stoln your Cloathes, or you his, or both?

Winl.

Sirrah come hither, this is not time to Jest. Some weighty Reason makes me take this Habit; enquire not; you shall know e'm time enough; mean while wait you on Tranio in my stead I charge you as becomes you, you understand me.

Jam.

I, Sir, ne'r a whit.

Win.

And not of Tranio; one word in your Mouth, he's turn'd to Winlove.

Jam.

The better for him, would I were so too.

Tran.

When I am alone with you, why then I am Tranio still, in all places else, your Master VVinlove.

VVinl.

Tranio, let's go, one thing yet remains, which you must by no means neglect, that is, to make one amongst these Wars; Ask me not why, but be satisfy'd, my Reasons are both good and weighty.

Tran.

I obey, Sir.

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