Biancha.
Bian.
But is't Possible Sister, he shu'd have us'd you thus?
Marg.
Had I serv'd him as bad as Eve did Adam, he coud
not have us'd me worse; but I am resolv'd now I'm got
home again I'll be reveng'd, I'll muster up the Spight of all the Curs'd
Women since Noahs Flood to do him Mischeif, and add new Vigour to my
Tongue; I have not par'd my Nails this fortnight, they are long enough to
do him some Execution, that's my Comfort.
Bian.
Bless me Sister, how you talk.
Marg.
Thou art a Fool Biancha, come Learn of me; thou art Married to
a Man too, thou dost not know but thou mayst need my Councel, and make
good use on't; Thy Husband bares thee fair yet, but take heed of going
home with him, for when once he has thee within his verge, 'tis odds he'll
have his freaks too; there's no trusting these Men: Thy temper is soft and
easy, thou must Learn to break him, or he'll break thy Heart.
Bian.
I must Confess I shou'd be Loath to be so us'd, but sure Mr. VVinlove
is of a better Disposition.
Marg.
Trust him and hang him, they'r all alike; Come thou shalt be
my Schollar, learn to Frown, and cry out for unkindness, but brave Anger,
thou hast a Tongue, make use on't; Scould, Fight, Scratch, Bite, any thing,
still take Exceptions at all he does, if there be Cause or not, if there be
reason for't he'll Laugh at thee. I'll make Petruchio glad to wipe my Shoes,
or walk my Horse, ere I have done with him.
Enter Petruchio, Winlove, Sauny.
Bian.
Peace Sister, our Husbands are both here.
Marg.
Thou Child I am glad on't, I'll speak louder,
Pet.
Well Brother VVinlove now we are truly happy, never were Men so
blest with two such Wives.
-- 40 --
VVin.
I am glad to hear you say so Sir, my own I'm sure I'm blest in.
Pet.
Yours, why Biancha's a Lyon, and Margaret a meer Lamb to her:
I tell thee Winlove, there's no Man living tho I say't, (but 'tis no matter
since she does not hear me) that has a Wife so gentle, and so active and
affable, poor think I durst be sworn she wou'd walk barefoot a hundred
Miles to do me good.
Marg.
No but she wou'd not, nor one Mile neither.
Saun.
Now have at your Luggs, Sir.
Pet.
O Peg, art thou there? How dost thou do my Dear?
Marg.
You may go look, What's that to you?
Saun.
Stand o' yer guard Sir, Gud Saundy will put on his head Peice.
Pet.
I am glad to hear thee say thou'rt well introth.
Marg.
Never the better for you, which you shall find.
Pet.
Nay I know thou lov'st me, Prithee take up my Glove Peg.
Marg.
I take up your Glove; Marry come up, command your Servants,
look you there is lyes.
Pet.
I am glad to see thee merry, poor wanton Rogue.
Marg.
'Tis very well, you think you are in the Country but you are
mistaken, the case is alter'd, I am at home now, and my own disposer;
Go swagger at your greazy Lubber there, your Patient Wife will make you
no more Sport, she has a Father will allow her Meat and Lodging, and
another gaits Chamber-Maid then a Highlander.
Saun.
Gud an ye were a top of Grantham Steple that aw the Toon may
hear what a Scauden Queen ye are, out, out.
Pet.
Why what's the matter Peg? I never saw thee in so jolly a Humour,
sure thou hast been Drinking.
Saun.
Gud has she, haud ye tang, ye saw dranken Swine, out, out, out,
was ye tak a Drink and nere tak Saundy to yee, out, out, out.
Marg.
'Tis like I have, I am the sitter to talk to you, for no sober
Woman is a Companion for you.
Pet.
Troth thon sayst right, we are excellently Matcht.
Marg.
Well mark the end on't, Petruchio prithee come hither, I have
something to say to you.
Saun.
De ye nea budge a foot Sir, Deel a my saul bo she'll Scratch your
eyn out.
Pet.
Well, your Pleasure Madam.
Marg.
First thou art a Pittiful fellow, a thing beneath me, which I scorn
and Laugh at, ha, ha, ha.
Win.
She holds her own yet I see.
Marg.
I know what to call thee, thou art no Man, thou coudst not
have a Woman to thy Mother, thou paltry, Scurvy, ill condition'd fellow,
dost thou not tremble to think how thou hast us'd me; What are you
silent Sir? Biancha see, Looks he not like a Disbanded Officer, with that
hanging dog look there? I must eat nothing because your Cook has Roasted
the Mutton dry, as you us'd to have it when your Worship was a Batchellor,
I must not go to Bed neither, because the Sheets are Damp.
-- 41 --
Pet.
Mark you Peg; What a strange Woman are you to Discourse openly
the Fault of your Servants in your own Family.
Marg.
No, no, Sir, this wont serve your turn; your Old Stock of Impudence
won't carry you off so: I'll speak your Fame, and tell what a
fine Gentleman you are; how Valliantly you, and halfe a Douzen of your
Men, got the better of a Single Woman, and made her lose her Supper,
Saun.
Gud she Lyes Sir, I wou'd a gin her an awd Boor tull a made
Tripes on, and it wod a bin bra Meat with Mustard, and she wou'd nea
have it.
Marg.
My Faults? No, good Squire of the Country, you thought to
have Tam'd me, I warrant, in good time; why you see I am even with you;
Your Quiet Patient Wife, that will go no more in the Country with you,
but will stay in Town, to Laugh at your Wife Worship, and wish you
more Wit.
Pet.
I shou'd Laugh at that; why we are just now a going; Sauny go
get the Horses ready quickly.
Saun.
Gud will I Sir; I'se Saddle a Highland-Wutch to Carry your
Bride; Gud she'll mount your Arse for you Madam.
Marg.
Sirrah, touch a Horse, and I'll Curry your Coxcomb for you: No
Sir, I won't say, Pray let me not go; but boldly, I won't go; you force
me if you can or dare: You see I am not Tongue-ty'd, as silent as you
thought you made me.
Pet.
Prithee Peg, Peace a little, I know thou canst Speak, leave now, or
thoul't have nothing to say to morrow.
Marg.
Yes, I'll say this over again, and something more if I can think
on't, to a poor despised man of Clouts: Sister, how smoakes now he's off
his own Dunghill.
Pet.
Prithee Peg leave making a Noise; I'faith thou'lt make my Head
ach.
Marg.
Noise? Why this is Silence to what I intend; I'll talk Louder
than this, every Night in my Sleep.
Saun.
The Dee'l shall be your Bed fellow for Sawndy then.
Marg.
I will learn to Rail at thee in all Languages; Thunder shall
be soft-musick to my Tongue.
Saun.
The Dee'l a bit Scot's ye gat to brangle in, marry the Dee'l
gi ye a Clap wi a French Thunder-bolt.
Pet.
Very pretty; Prithee go on.
Marg.
I'll have a Collection of all the Ill Names that ever was Invented,
and call you over by 'em twice a-day.
Pet.
And have the Catalogue publish'd for the Education of young
Scolds: Proceed Peg.
Marg.
I'll have you Chain'd to a Stake at Billingsgate, and Baited by the
Fish-wives, while I stand to Hiss 'em on.
Pet.
Ha, ha, ha; Witty Peg, forward.
-- 42 --
Marg.
You shan't dare to Blow your Nose, but when I bid you; you
shall know me to be the Master.
Saun.
Wuns gat her to the Stool of Repantance, Sir.
Pet.
Nay, I believe, thou wilt go in Breeches shortly; On, on; What
have you no more on't? Ha, ha, ha.
Marg.
D'ye Laugh and be Hang'd? I'll spoil your Sport.
(Flys at him.
Pet.
Nay, Peg, Hands off; I thought you wou'd not have Disgrac'd your
Good Parts, to come to Blows so soon; Prithee Chide on, thou can'st not
believe what Delight I take to hear thee; It does become thee so well:
What Pumpt dry already? Prithee talk more and longer, and faster, and
sharper, this is nothing.
Marg.
I'll see you in the Indies before I'll do any thing to please you;
D'ye like it?
Pet.
Extreamly! On Peg, you'll cooll too fast.
Marg.
Why then Mark me, if it were to save thee from Drowning, or
Breaking thy Neck, I won't speak one word more to thee these Two
Months.
(Sits Sullenly
Saun.
Ah Gud an ye do nea Ly, Madam.
Pet.
Nay, Good Peg, be not so hard-harted. What Melancholly all
o'th' sudden? Come, get up, we'll send for the Fidlers, and have a Dance;
Tho'lt break thy Elbow with Leaning on that hard Table: Sawny, go
get your Mistriss a Cushion; Alas! I doubt she's not well; Look to her
Sister.
Bian.
Are you not well, Sister? What ail you? Pray speak Sister:
Indeed, Brother, you have so Vext her, she'll be Sick.
Pet.
Alas, alas! I know what's the matter with her, she has the Tooth-Ach.
See how she holds her Cheek; the Wind has gotten into her Teeth,
by keeping her Mouth open this Cold Weather.
Bian.
Indeed it may be so Brother, she uses to be troubled with that
Pain sometimes.
Pet.
Without all Question; Poor Peg, I pitty thee; Which Tooth is it?
Wilt thou have it Drawn, Peg? The Tooth-Ach makes Fooles of all the
Physitians; there is no Cure, but Drawing: What say'st thou? Wilt thou
have it pull'd out? Well, thou shalt. Sauny, Run, Sirrah, hard by, you
know where my Barber Lives that Drew me a Tooth last Week, fetch him
quickly; What d'ye stand staring at? Run and fetch him immediately, or
I'll cut your Legs off.
Saun
Gud I'se fetch can to pull her head off an ye wull.
[Exit.
Win.
This will make her find her Tongue agen, or else for certain she
has lost it.
Pet.
Her Tongue, Brother? Alas! You see her Face is so Swell'd, she
cannot speak.
Bian.
You Jest Brother; her Face is not swell'd. Pray let me see, Sister,
I can't perceive it.
-- 43 --
Pet.
Not Swell'd? Why you are blind then; Prithee let her alone, you
trouble her.
Enter Sauny and Barber.
Here, Honest Barber, have you brought your Instruments?
Barber.
Yes Sir; VVhat must I do?
Pet.
You must Draw that Gentlewoman a Tooth there; Prithee do it
neatly, and as gently as thou can'st; And, de hear me, take care you don't
tear her Gums.
Barber.
I warrant you Sir.
Saun.
Hear ye Sir, Cou'd not ye Mistake? and pull her Tang out instead
of her Teeth.
Bian.
I'll be gone, I can't endure to see her put to so much Pain.
[Exit.
Barb.
Pray, Madam, open your Mouth, that I may see which Tooth
it is.
[She Strikes him.
VVhy Sir, Did you send for me to Abuse me.
Saun.
Gud be nea Angry, Ye ha ne aw yer Pay yet Sir. Cud ye not
Mistake, and Draw her Tang in stead of her Teeth Sir.
Pet.
No, no: But it seems now she wo' not have it Drawn: Go,
there's something for your Paines however.
[Exit Barber.
Sau.
Ye sid ha taken my Counsel Sir.
Win.
This will not do, Sir. You cannot raise the Spirit you have laid,
with all your Arts.
Pet.
I'll try; Have at her once more. VVinlove, you must assist me;
I'll make her Stir, if I can't make her Speak. Look, look! alas! How
Pale she is! She's gone o'th' sudden; Body O' me, she's stiff too; undone,
undone, What an unfortunate Man am I? she's gone! she's gone!
never had man so great a Loss as I; O Winlove, pity me, my poor Peg is
Dead, dear Winlove call in my Father and the Company that they may
share in this sad Spectacle, and help my Sorrows with their joyning
Griefs.
Exit. Winlove.
Speak, or by this hand I'll bury thee alive; Sauny thou seest in how sad a
condition thy poor Master is in, thy good Mistriss is Dead, hast to the
next Church and get the Bier and the Bearers hither, I'll have her buried
out of hand; Run Sauny.
Saun.
An you'll mack her Dead, we'll bury her deep enough, we'll put
her doon intill a Scotch Coalepit, and she shall rise at the Deel's arse o'
Peake.
Exit.
Pet.
I will see that last Pious act Perform'd, and then betake my self to
a willing Exile; my own Country's Hell, now my dear Peg has left it.
Not yet, upon my Life I think thou hast a mind to be buried quick; I hope
thou hast.
-- 44 --
Enter Winlove, Beaufoy, Sir Lyonell, Woodall, Biancha, Tranio, Jamy, &c.
Beau.
Bless me Son Petruchio, Is my dear Daughter Dead?
Pet.
Alas, alas, 'tis but too true, wou'd I had ta'ne her roome.
Beau.
Why methinks she looks brisk, fresh and lively.
Pet.
So much Beauty as she had must needs leave some wandring remains
to hover still about her face.
Beau.
What could her Disease be?
Pet.
Indeed I grieve to tell it, but truth must out, she Dyed for spight,
she was strangely Infected.
Bian.
Fye Sister, for shame speak, Will you let him abuse you thus?
Pet.
Gentlemen you are my loving Friends and knew the Virtues of my
matchless Wife, I hope you will accompany her Body to its long home.
All.
We'll all wait on you.
Beau.
Thou wilt break her heart indeed.
Pet.
I warrant you Sir, 'tis tougher then so.
Enter Sauny and Bearers with a Beir.
Saun.
I bring you here vera gued Men, an she be nea Dead Sir, for a
Croon more they'll bury her quick.
Pet.
O honest friends, you'r Wellcome, you must take up that Corps,
how! hard-hearted, Why de ye not weep? the loss of so much Beauty and
goodness, take her up, and lay her upon the Beir.
1 Bear.
Why what d'ye mean Sir? She is not Dead.
Pet.
Rogues, tell me such a Lye to my face? Take her up or I'll swinge
ye.
Saun.
Tak her up, tak her up, we'll mark her Dead Billy, ye'st a twa
Croons mear, tak her up Man.
1 Bear.
Dead or alive all's one to us, let us but have our fees.
Pet.
There, nay she is stiff, however on with her, Will you not speak
yet? So here take these Strings and bind her on the Beir, she had an active
stirring body when she Liv'd, she may chance fall off the Hearse now she's
Dead: So, now take her up and away, come Gentlemen you'll follow, I
mean to carry her through the Strand as far as St. James's, People shall see
what respect I bore her—She shall have so much Ceremony to attend
her now she's Dead. There my Coach shall meet her and carry her into
the Country, I'll have her laid in the Vault belonging to my Family, she
shall have a Monument; some of you inquire me out a good Poet to write
her Epitaph suitable to her Birth, Quallity and Conditions, Pitty the
-- 45 --
remembrance of so many Virtues shou'd be lost; March on, I wou'd say
more, but grief Checks my Tongue.
Marg.
Father, Sister, Husband, Are you all Mad? Will you expose me
to open shame? Rogues set me down you had best.
Pet.
A Miracle! a Miracle! she Lives! Heaven make me thankful for't,
set her down, Liv'st thou my Poor Peg?
Marg.
Yes that I do, and will to be your Tormentor.
Saun.
Out, out, gea her nea Credit, gud she's as Dead as mine Grannam,
tak her, away with her, Sir.
Pet.
Bless me my hopes are all vanisht agen, 'tis a Demon speaks within
her Body; Take her up again, we'll bury 'em together.
Marg.
Hold, hold, my dear Petruchio, you have overcome me, and I beg
your Pardon, henceforth I will not dare to think a thought shall Cross
your Pleasure, set me at Liberty, and on my knees I'll make my Recantation.
All.
Victoria, victoria, the field is won.
Pet.
Art thou in earnest Peg? May I believe thee?
Saun.
You ken very well she was awway's a lying Quean when she was
Living, and wull ye believe her now she's Dead?
Marg.
By all that's good not truth it self truer.
Pet.
Then thus I free thee, and make thee Mistriss both of my self and
all I have.
Saun.
S'breed bo ye'l nea gi Saundy tull her Sir?
Wood.
Take heed of giving away your Power, Sir.
Pet.
I'll venture it, nor do I fear I shall repent my bargain.
Marg.
I'm sure I will not give you Cause, y've taught me now what 'tis
to be a Wife, and I'll still shew my self your humble Handmaid.
Pet.
My best Peg, we will change kindness and be each others Servant;
Gentleman why do you not Rejoyce with me?
Beau.
I am so full of joy I cannot Speak, may you be happy, this is your
Wedding day.
Saun.
Shall Saundy get her a Bride-Cake, and Brake o'r her Head Sir?
and wee's gatt us a good Wadding Dunner.
Enter Geraldo.
Geral.
Save ye all Gentlemen; Have ye any Room for more Guess? I
am come to make up the Chorus.
Pet.
My Noble Friend, VVellcome; VVhere have you been so long?
Geral.
I have been about a little trivial Business; I am just now come
from a VVedding.
Pet.
What VVedding I pray Sir?
Geral.
Troth e'en my own; I have ventur'd upon't at last: Madam, I
hope you'l pardon me.
-- 46 --
Bian.
Yes Sir; and so will this Gentleman.
Saun.
Are not you a Gentleman-Hampdresser?
Pet.
'Tis e'en so, this proves to be VVinlove in earnest.
Ger.
Good Gentlemen undo this Riddle; I'm all in the Dark.
Pet.
You shall know anon, in the mean time Believe it Gentlemen.
VVe want another VVoman, or we might have a Dance.
Geral.
My VViddow is within, she'll supply you.
Beau.
Good Peg go and wait on her, and you Biancha too.
(Exit Peg, Biancha.
Pet.
I tell thee Geraldo, never had Man so Obedient and Loving a VVife
as I have now, I defy the VVorld to equal her.
VVin.
Nay, Brother, you must except her Sister.
Geral.
You must except mine too, or I shall have a hard Bargain of it;
my VViddow is all Obedience.
Pet.
I'll tell you what I'll do with you, I'll hold you Ten Pieces to be
spent in a Collation on them, That mine has more Obedience than both
them; to try which, each send for his VVife, and if mine come not first
I'll lose my Bett.
Saun.
Gud yeel lose your Siller sure enough Sir.
Both.
A Match.
VVood.
I'll be your halves Geraldo, and yours Mr. VVinlove too.
VVin.
Jamy, Go tell your Mistress, I desire her to come hither to me
presently.
(Exit Jamy.
Pet.
A Piece more she does not come.
Beau.
You'll lose Son, you'l lose; I know she'll come.
Pet.
I know she won't; I find by Instinct I shall VVin my VVager.
Enter Jamy.
Jam.
Sir, she says she's busie, and she can't leave Mr. Geraldo's Lady.
Pet.
Look ye there now, come your Money.
Ger.
Prithee go again and tell my Wife I must needs speak with her immediately.
Exit Jamy.
Pet.
I shall win yours too as sure as in my Pocket.
Ger.
I warrant you no such matter, What will you give to be off your
Bett?
Pet.
I won't take forty Shillings.
Enter Jamy.
How now?
Jam.
Sir, she says you have no Business with her, if you have you may
come to her.
-- 47 --
Pet.
Come produce, I knew 'twould be so; Sauny go and tell Peg from
me, I command her to come to me instantly
Saun.
I'se gar her gea wuth me Sir, or I'se put my Durke to the hilt in
her Weam.
Wood
Yet you wont win, I'll hang for't if she'll come.
Pet.
Yes but she will, as sure as you gave forty peices to Court Biancha,
I'll venture them to twenty more upon't with you.
Wood.
Nay I have lost enough already.
Enter Peg and Sauny.
Pet.
Look ye here Gentlemen.
Saun.
O my Saul, she's ean a daft gued Lass, she's at your Beck, steake her
and kiss her Man.
Marg.
I come to receive your Commands, Sir.
Pet.
All I have to say to thee Peg, is to bid thee demand ten pound of
these two Gentlemen, thou hast Won it.
Marg.
I, Sir, for what?
Pet.
Only for being so good natur'd to come when I send for you.
Marg.
It was my duty Sir.
Pet.
Come pay, pay, give it her, I'll not bate ye two pence.
Ger.
There's mine.
Win.
And mine Sister, much good may it do ye.
Beau.
VVell Peg I'll find thee one Thousand Pound the more for this.
Saun.
Bo what wull ye gi Saundy that halpt to mak her gued and tame?
VVuns she was as VVild as a Galloway Coalt.
Enter Biancha and VViddow.
VVin
Look here they come at last.
Bian.
VVhat did you send for me for?
Win.
VVhy to win me five Pound if you had been as obedient as you
should a been.
Bian.
You have not known me long enough to venture so much upon my
Duty, I have been my Sisters Schollar a little.
Saun.
Bo put her to Saundy to teach, Gud I'se mak her sea gentle ye may
streake her and handle her all o're Sir,
Ger.
You might have got me five Pound if you had done as you should do.
VVid.
VVere it to do again you should be sure to loose.
Marg.
Fy Ladys, for shame, How dare you infringe that Duty which you
justly owe your Husbands, they are our Lords and we must pay 'em Service.
-- 48 --
Beau.
VVell said Peg, you must be their Tutor, come Son if youll have
a Dance dispatch it quickly, the Musick's ready, and the Meat will be spoil'd.
Pet.
Come then, play, play.
DANCE.
Now let us in, and Eate, the VVork is done,
VVhich neither Time nor Age can wear from Memory;
I've Tam'd the Shrew, but will not be asham'd,
If next you see the very Tamer Tam'd.
