The Taming of the Shrew


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But sup them well and look unto them all:  
To-morrow I intend to hunt again.  
First Huntsman  
I will, my lord.  
Lord  
What's here? one dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe?  
Second Huntsman  
He breathes, my lord. Were he not warm'd with ale,  
This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly.  
Lord  
O monstrous beast! how like a swine he lies!  
Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image!  
Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man.  
What think you, if he were convey'd to bed,  
Wrapp'd in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers,  
A most delicious banquet by his bed,  
And brave attendants near him when he wakes,  
Would not the beggar then forget himself?  
First Huntsman  
Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.  
Second Huntsman  
It would seem strange unto him when he waked.  
Lord  
Even as a flattering dream or worthless fancy.  
Then take him up and manage well the jest:  
Carry him gently to my fairest chamber  
And hang it round with all my wanton pictures:  
Balm his foul head in warm distilled waters  
And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet:  
Procure me music ready when he wakes,  
To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound;  
And if he chance to speak, be ready straight  
And with a low submissive reverence  
Say 'What is it your honour will command?'  
Let one attend him with a silver basin  
Full of rose-water and bestrew'd with flowers,  
Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper,  
And say 'Will't please your lordship cool your hands?'  
Some one be ready with a costly suit  
And ask him what apparel he will wear;  
Another tell him of his hounds and horse,  
And that his lady mourns at his disease:  
Persuade him that he hath been lunatic;  
And when he says he is, say that he dreams,  
For he is nothing but a mighty lord.  
This do and do it kindly, gentle sirs:  
It will be pastime passing excellent,  
If it be husbanded with modesty.  
First Huntsman  


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