SCENE III.

_Enter_ Petrucchio, _with a Letter_.

_Petr._ This man should be of special rank: For these commends carry no common way, No slight worth with 'em: He shall be he.

_Enter Don_ John.

_John._ 'Save ye Sir: I am sorrie My business was so unmannerly, to make ye Wait thus long here.

_Petr._ Occasions must be serv'd Sir: But is your name _Don John_?

_John._ It is Sir.

_Petr._ Then, First, for your own brave sake I must embrace ye: Next, from the credit of your noble friend _Hernando de Alvara_, make ye mine: Who lays his charge upon me in this Letter To look ye out, and for the goodness in ye, Whilst your occasions make ye resident In this place, to supply ye, love and honour ye; Which had I know[n] sooner--

_John._ Noble Sir, You'l make my thanks too poor: I wear a sword, Sir, And have a service to be still dispos'd of, As you shall please command it.

_Petr._ Gentle Sir, That manly courtesie is half my business: And to be short, to make ye know I honour ye, And in all points believe your worth like Oracle, And how above my friends, which are not few, And those not slack, I estimate your vertues, Make your self understand, This day _Petrucchio_, A man that may command the strength of this place, Hazard the boldest spirits, hath made choice Only of you, and in a noble office.

_John._ Forward, I am free to entertain it.

_Petr._ Thus then: I do beseech ye mark me.

_John._ I shall do it.

_Petr._ _Ferrara's_ Duke, would I might call him worthie, But that he has raz'd out from his family, As he has mine with Infamie, This man, Rather this powerfull Monster, we being left But two of all our house, to stock our memories, My Sister, and my self; with arts, and witchcrafts, Vows, and such oaths heaven has no mercy for, Drew to dishonour this weak maid, by stealths, And secret passages I knew not of, Oft he obtain'd his wishes, oft abus'd her: I am asham'd to say the rest: This purchas'd, And his hot bloud allay'd, as friends forsake us At a miles end upon our way, he left her, And all our name to ruine.

_John._ This was foul Play, And ought to be rewarded so.

_Petr._ I hope so; He scap'd me yester-night: which if he dare Again adventure for, Heaven pardon him, I shall with all my heart.

_John._ For me, brave Signior, What do ye intend?

_Petr._ Only, fair Sir, this trust, Which from the commendations of this Letter, I dare presume well plac'd, nobly to bear him By word of mouth a single challenge from me, That man to man, if he have honour in him, We may decide all difference.

_John._ Fair, and noble, And I will do it home: When shall I visite ye?

_Petr._ Please you this after-noon, I will ride with you: For at a Castle six miles hence, we are sure To find him.

_John._ I'le be ready.

_Petr._ To attend ye, My man shall wait: with all my love. [_Ex._ Petr.

_John._ My service shall not fail ye.

_Enter_ Frederick.

_Fred._ How now?

_John._ All's well: who dost thou think this wench is? Ghess, and thou canst?

_Fred._ I cannot.

_John._ Be it known then, To all men by these presents, this is she, She, she, and only she, our curious coxcombs Were errant two moneths after.

_Fred._ Who, _Constantia_? Thou talk'st of Cocks and Bulls.

_John._ I talk of wenches, Of cocks and Hens _Don Frederick_; this is the Pullet We two went proud after.

_Fred._ It cannot be.

_John._ It shall be; Sister to _Don Petrucchio_: I know all man.

_Fred._ Now I believe.

_John._ Go to, there has been stirring, Fumbling with Linnen _Frederick_.

_Fred._ 'Tis impossible, You know her fame was pure as fire.

_John._ That pure fire Has melted out her maiden-head: she is crackt: We have all that hope of our side, boy.

_Fred._ Thou tell'st me, To my imagination, things incredible: I see no loose thought in her.

_John._ That's all one, She is loose i'th' hilts by heaven: but the world must know A fair way, upon vow of marriage.

_Fred._ There may be such a slip.

_John._ And will be, _Frederick_, Whil'st the old game's a foot: I fear the boy Will prove hers too I took up.

_Fred._ Good circumstance May cure all this yet.

_John._ There thou hitst it, _Frederick_: Come, let's walk in and comfort her: her being here Is nothing yet suspected: anon I'le tell thee Wherefore her Brother came, who by this light Is a brave noble fellow, and what honour H'as done to me a stranger: there be Irons Heating for some, will hiss into their heart blouds, E're all be ended; so much for this time.

_Fred._ Well Sir. [_Exeunt._

_Actus Tertius. Scena Prima._

_Enter Land-lady, and_ Peter.

_Land._ Come, ye do know.

_Pet._ I do not by this hand Mistris. But I suspect.

_Land._ What?

_Peter._ That if egges continue At this price, women will ne're be sav'd By their good works.

_Land._ I will know.

_Peter._ Ye shall, any thing Lyes in my power: The Duke of _Loraine_ now Is seven thousand strong: I heard it of a fish-wife, A woman of fine knowledge.

_Land._ Sirrah, Sirrah.

_Pet._ The Popes Bulls are broke loose too, and 'tis suspected They shall be baited in _England_.

_Land._ Very well Sir.

_Peter._ No, 'tis not so well neither.

_Land._ But I say to ye, Who is it keeps your Master company?

_Peter._ I say to you, _Don John_.

_Land._ I say what woman?

_Peter._ I say so too.

_Land._ I say again, I will know.

_Peter._ I say 'tis fit ye should.

_Land._ And I tell thee He has a woman here.

_Peter._ And I tell thee 'Tis then the better for him.

_Land._ You are no Bawd now?

_Peter._ Would I were able to be call'd unto it: A worshipfull vocation for my elders; For as I understand it is a place Fitting my betters far.

_Land._ Was ever Gentlewoman So frumpt off with a fool? well sawcy Sirrah, I will know who it is, and for what purpose; I pay the rent, and I will know how my house Comes by these Inflammations: if this geer hold, Best hang a sign-post up, to tell the Signiors, Here ye may have lewdness at Liverie.

_Enter_ Frederick.

_Peter._ 'Twould be a great ease to your age.

_Fred._ How now? Why what's the matter Land-lady?

_Land._ What's the matter? Ye use me decently among ye Gentlemen.

_Fred._ Who has abus'd her, you Sir?

_Land._ 'Ods my witness I will not be thus treated, that I will not.

_Peter._ I gave her no ill language.

_Land._ Thou lyest lewdly, Thou tookst me up at every word I spoke, As I had been a Mawkin, a flurt Gillian; And thou thinkst, because thou canst write and read, Our noses must be under thee.

_Fred._ Dare you Sirrah?

_Pet._ Let but the truth be known Sir, I beseech ye, She raves of wenches, and I know not what Sir.

_Lan._ Go to, thou know'st too well, thou wicked varlet, Thou instrument of evil.

_Peter._ As I live Sir, She is ever thus till dinner.

_Fred._ Get ye in, I'le answer you anon Sir.

_Peter._ By this hand I'le break your Posset pan. [_Exit._

_Land._ Then by this hood I'le lock the meat up.

_Fred._ Now your grief, what is't? For I can ghesse--

_Land._ Ye may with shame enough, If there were shame amongst ye; nothing thought on, But how ye may abuse my house? not satisfi'd With bringing home your Bastards to undoe me, But you must drill your whores here too? my patience (Because I bear, and bear, and carry all, And as they say am willing to groan under) Must be your make-sport now.

_Fred._ No more of these words, Nor no more murmurings Lady: for you know That I know something. I did suspect your anger, But turn it presently and handsomely, And bear your self discreetly to this woman, For such an one there is indeed.

_Land._ 'Tis well son.

_Fre._ Leaving your devils Matins, and your melancholies, Or we shall leave our lodgings.

_Land._ You have much need To use these vagrant ways, and to much profit: Ye had that might content (At home within your selves too) right good Gentlemen, Wholsome, and ye said handsom: But you gallants, Beast that I was to believe ye--

_Fred._ Leave your suspicion: For as I live there's no such thing.

_Land._ Mine honour; And 'twere not for mine honour.

_Fred._ Come, your honour, Your house, and you too, if you dare believe me, Are well enough: sleek up your self, leave crying, For I must have ye entertain this Lady With all civility, she well deserves it, Together with all secresie: I dare trust ye, For I have found ye faithfull: when you know her, You will find your own fault: no more words, but do it.

_Land._ You know you may command me.

_Enter Don_ John.

_John._ Worshipful Lady, How does thy velvet Scabbard? by this hand Thou lookst most amiably, now could I willingly, And 'twere not for abusing thy _Geneva_ print there, Venture my Body with thee.

_Land._ You'll leave this Roguery When you come to my years.

_John._ By this light Thou art not above fifteen yet, a meer Girl, Thou hast not half thy teeth: come--

_Fred._ Prithee _John_ Let her alone, she has been vex'd already; She'll grow stark mad, man.

_John._ I would see her mad, An old mad woman--

_Fred._ Prithee be patient.

_John._ Is like a Millers Mare, troubled with tooth-ach. She'll make the rarest faces.

_Fred._ Go, and do it, And do not mind this fellow.

_Land._ Well, _Don John_, There will be times again; when O good Mother, What's good for a Carnosity in the Bladder? O the green water, Mother.

_John._ Doting take ye; Do ye remember that?

_Fred._ She has paid ye now, Sir.

_Land._ Clary, sweet mother, clary.

_Fred._ Are ye satisfied?

_Land._ I'll never whore again, never give petticoats And Wastcoats at five pound apiece: good mother, Quickly mother; now mock on Son.

_John._ A Devil grind your old Chaps. [_Exit Landlady._

_Fred._ By this hand, wench, I'll give thee a new hood for this. Has she met with your Lordship?

_John._ Touch-wood take her.

_Enter_ A[n]thony.

She's a rare ghostly Mother.

_Ant._ Below attends ye The Gentlemans man, Sir, that was with you.

_John._ Well, Sir; My time is come then; yet if my project hold, You shall not stay behind; I'll rather trust

_Enter_ Constantia.

A Cat with sweet milk, _Frederick_; by her face, I feel her fears are working.

_Const._ Is there no way, I do beseech ye think yet, to divert This certain danger?

_Fred._ 'Tis impossible; Their Honours are engag'd.

_Const._ Then there must be murther, Which, Gentlemen, I shall no sooner hear of, Than make one in't: you may if you please, Sir, Make all go less yet.

_John._ Lady, were't mine own Cause, I could dispense; but loaden with my friends trust, I must go on; though general massacres As much I fear--

_Const._ Do ye hear, Sir; for Heavens pity Let me request one love of you.

_Fred._ Yes, any thing.

_Const._ This Gentleman I find too resolute, Too hot and fiery for the Cause; as ever You did a vertuous deed, for honours sake Go with him, and allay him; your fair temper And noble disposition, like wish'd showrs, May quench those eating fires, that would spoil all else. I see in him destruction.

_Fred._ I will do it; And 'tis a wise consideration, To me a bounteous favour, hark ye, _John_; I will go with ye.

_John._ No.

_Fred._ Indeed I will, Ye go upon a hazard; no denial, For as I live, I'll go.

_John._ Then make ye ready, For I am straight o' horse-back.

_Fred._ My Sword on, I am as ready as you; what my best labour, With all the art I have can work upon 'em, Be sure of, and expect fair end; the old Gentlewoman Shall wait upon you; she is both grave and private, And ye may trust her in all points.

_Const._ You are noble; And so I kiss your hand.

_John._ That seal for me too, And I hope happy issue, Lady.

_Const._ All Heavens Care upon ye, and my Prayers.

_John._ So, Now my mind's at rest.

_Fred._ Away, 'tis late, John. [_Exeunt._