S't poffible, friend Licio, that Bianca Doth fancy any other but Lucentio ? I tell you, Sir, fhe bears me fair in hand. Hor. To fatisfy you, Sir, in what I faid, Stand by, and mark the manner of his teaching. [They stand by.

Enter Bianca and Lucentio.

Luc. Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?

4 Is't poffible, friend Licio, &c.] This Scene, Mr. Pope, upon what Authority I can't pretend to guefs, has in his Editions made the First of the Fifth A&t: in doing which, he has fhewn the very Power and Force of Criticism. The Confequence of this judicious Regulation is, that two unpardonable Abfurdities are fix'd upon the Author, which he could not poffibly have committed. For, in the first Place, by thus fhuffling the Scenes out of their true Pofition, we find Hortenfio, in the fourth A&t, already gone from Baptifta's to Petruchio's Country-houfe; and afterwards in the beginning of the fifth Act we find him first forming the Refolution of quitting Bianca; and Tranio immediately informs us, he is gone to the Taming-School to Petruchio. There is a Figure,

indeed, in Rhetorick, call'd, regor we repor: But this is an Abuse of it, which the Rhetoricians will never adopt upon Mr, Pope's Authority. Again, by this Mifplacing, the Pedant makes his first Entrance, and quits the Stage with Tranio in order to go and drefs himself like Vincentio, whom he was to perfonate: but his fecond Entrance is upon the very Heels of his Exit; and without any Interval of an Ad, or one Word intervening, he comes out again equipp'd like Vincentio. If fuch a Critick be fit to publish a Stage-Writer, I fhall not envy Mr. Pope's Admirers, if they fhould think fit to applaud his Sagacity. I have replac'd the Scenes in that Order, in which I found them in the old Books.

F 2

THEOBALD.

Bian

Bian. What, master, read you? first, refolve me

that.

Luc. I read That I profefs the art of Love.
Bian. And may you prove, Sir, mafter of your art!
Luc. While you, fweet dear, prove mistress of my
They retire backward.

heart.

Hor. Quick proceeders! marry! now, tell me, I pray, you that durft fwear that your mistress Bianca lov'd none in the world fo well as Lucentio.

Tra. Defpightful love, unconftant womankind! I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.

Hor. Mistake no more, I am not Licio,
Nor a musician, as I feem to be;

But One that fcorns to live in this difguife,
For fuch a One as leaves a gentleman,
And makes a God of fuch a cullion;
Know, Sir, that I am call'd Hortenfio.

Tra. Signior Hortenfio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca;

And fince mine eyes are witnefs of her lightness,
I will with you, if you be fo contented,
Forfwear Bianca and her love for ever.

Hor. See, how they kifs and court!

Lucentio,

Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow
Never to woo her more, ; but to forfwear her,
As one unworthy all the former favours,
That I have fondly flatter'd her withal.

Signior

Tra. And here I take the like unfeigned oath,

Never to marry her, tho' fhe intreat.

Fy on her fee, how beaftly fhe doth court him. Hor. 'Would all the world, but he, had quite forfworn her!

For me, that I may furely keep mine oath,

I will be married to a wealthy widow,

Ere three days pafs, which has as long lov'd me,
As I have lov'd this proud difdainful haggard.
And fo farewel, Signor Lucentio.

Kind

Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,
Shall win my love: and fo I take my leave,
In refolution as I fwore before.

[Exit. Hor, Tra. Mistress Bianca, blefs you with fuch grace, As longeth to a lover's bleffed cafe:/

Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle Love,

And have forfworn you with Hortenfio.

Lucentio and Bianca come forward.]

Bian. Tranio, you jeft: but have you both forfworn me?

Tra. Mistress, we have.

Luc. Then we are rid of Licio.

Tra. I'faith, he'll have a lufty widow now, That fhall be woo'd and wedded in a day. Bian. God give him joy!

Tra. Ay, and he'll tame her.

Bian. He fays fo, Tranio.

Tra. 'Faith, he's gone unto the Taming fchool. Bian. The Taming fchool? what, is there fuch a place?

Tra. Ay, miftrefs, and Petruchio is the mafter; That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long, To tame a Shrew, and charm her chattering tongue.

Bion. Oh master, mafter, I have watch'd fo long,

That I'm dog-weary; but at laft I fpied

An ancient angel going down the hill,

Will ferve the turn..

Tra. What is he, Biondello?

Bion. Mafter, a mercantant, or elfe a pedant;

I know not what; but formal in apparel;

5 An ancient Angel.] For an- Sir T. Hanmer, and Dr. Warbur gel Ms. Theobala, and after him ton read Engle.

In gaite and countenance furly like a father".
Luc. And what of him, Tranio ?

Tra. If he be credulous, and truft my tale,
I'll make him glad to feem Vincentio,
And give him affurance to Baptifta Minola,
As if he were the right Vincentio :

Take in your love, and then let me alone.

[Exeunt Lucentio and Bianca.

Enter a Pedant.

Ped. God fave you, Sir.

Tra. And you, Sir; you are welcome:
Travel you far on, or are you at the fartheft?
Ped. Sir, at the fartheft for a week or two;
But then up farther, and as far as Rome;
And fo to Tripoly, if God lend me life.
Tra. What countryman, I pray?
Ped. Of Mantua.

Tra. Of Mantua, Sir? God forbid!

And come to Padua, careless of your life?

Ped. My life, Sir! how, I pray? for that goes hard. Tra. 'Tis death for any one in Mantua To come to Padua; know you not the caufe? Your ships are ftaid at Venice, and the Duke (For private quarrel 'twixt your Duke and him,) Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly: 'Tis marvel, but that you're but newly come, You might have heard it elfe proclaim'd about. Ped. Alas, Sir; it is worfe for me than fo; For I have bills for money by exchange From Florence, and muft here deliver them. Tra. Well, Sir, to do you courtesy, This will I do, and this will I advise you; First, tell me, have you ever been at Pifa?

6-Surely like a father.] I know not what he is, fays the fpeaker; however, this is certain,

he has the gait and countenance of a fatherly man.

WARBURTON,

Ped.

Ped. Ay, Sir, in Pifa have I often been; Pifa renowned for grave citizens.

Tra. Among them know you one Vincentio? Ped. I know him not; but I have heard of him; A merchant of incomparable wealth.

Tra. He is my father, Sir; and, footh to fay, In count'nance fomewhat doth refemble you. Bien. As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all

one.

Tra. To fave your life in this extremity,
This favour will I do you for his fake;
And think it not the worst of all your fortunes,
That you are like to Sir Vincentio:

His name and credit fhall you undertake,
And in my houfe you fhall be friendly lodg'd:
Look that you take upon you as you should.
You understand me, Sir: fo fhall you stay,
'Till you have done your bufinefs in the city.
If this be court'fy, Sir, accept of it.

Ped. Oh, Sir, I do; and will repute you ever
The Patron of my life and liberty.

[Afide

Tra. Then go with me to make the matter good: This by the way I let you understand, My father is here look'd for every day, To pass affurance of a dower in marriage 'Twixt me and one Baptifta's daughter here: In all these circumftances I'll inftruct you: Go with me, Sir, to cloath you as becomes you.

SCENE VI.

Enter Catharina and Grumio.

[Exeunt.

Gru. No, no, forfooth, I dare not for my life.
Cath. The more my wrong, the more his fpite ap-

pears:

What, did he marry me to famifh me?

F 4

Beggars,