Would not do much amiss, unless they mean
To make a bell-man of me.

And what now

Mean they to study, Anthony? moral philosophy, After their mar-all women?

Anth. Mar a fool's head!

Peter. It will mar two fools' heads, an they take not heed,

Besides the giblets to 'em.

Anth. Will you walk, sir,

And talk more out of hearing? your fool's head May chance to find a wooden night-cap else. Peter. I never lay in any.

Anth. Then leave your lying,

And your blind prophesying.

Enter DON JOHN and FREDERIC.

[Exeunt PETER and ANTHONY.

John. I would we could have seen her though;

for sure

She must be some rare creature, or report lies,
All men's reports too.

Fred. I could well wish I had seen her;

But since she's so conceal'd, so beyond venture Kept and preserved from view, so like a Paradise, Placed where no knowledge can come near her, so guarded

As 'twere impossible, though known, to reach her, I have made up my belief.

John. Hang me, from this hour,

If I more think upon her, or believe her;
But, as she came, a strong report unto me,
So the next fame shall lose her.

Fred. 'Tis the next way.

But whither are you walking?

John. My old round

After my meat, and then to bed.

Fred. 'Tis healthful.

John. Will not you stir?

Fred. I have a little business.

John. Upon my life, this lady still

Fred. Then you will lose it.

John. 'Pray let us walk together,
Fred. Now I cannot.

John. I have something to impart.
Fred. An hour hence

I will not miss to meet you.

John. Where?

Fred. I' th' High Street;

For, not to lie, I have a few devotions

To do first, then I am yours.

John. Remember.

SCENE II.

A Room in Petruccio's House.

[Exeunt.

Enter PETRUCCIO, ANTONIO, and two Gentlemen.

Ant. Cut his wind-pipe, I say

1 Gent. Fy, Antonio!

!

Ant. Or knock his brains out first, and then forgive him!

If you do thrust, be sure it be to th' hilts,

A

2

surgeon may see through him.2

If you do thrust, be sure it be to th' hilts,

A surgeon may see through him.] That is, so that a surgeon may see through him.-Mason. The same elliptical mode of ex

1 Gent. You are too violent.

2 Gent. Too open undiscreet. Petr. Am I not ruin'd?

The honour of my house crack'd? my blood poison'd? My credit, and my name?

2 Gent. Be sure it be so,

Before you use this violence: Let not doubt,
And a suspecting anger, so much sway you
Your wisdom may be question'd.

Ant. I kill him,

say,

And then dispute the cause! Cut off what may be, And what is shall be safe.

2 Gent. Hang up a true man, Because 'tis possible he may be thievish? 3 Alas, is this good justice?

Petr. I know, as certain

As day must come again, as clear as truth,
And open as belief can lay it to me,

That I am basely wrong'd, wrong'd above recom

pense,

Maliciously abused, blasted for ever

In name and honour, lost to all remembrance,
But what is smear'd and shameful! I must kill him;
Necessity compels me,

1 Gent. But think better.

Petr. There is no other cure left: Yet, witness with me,

All that is fair in man, all that is noble,

I am not greedy of this life I seek for,

pression is used in the fourth speech after this,

Let not doubt,

And a suspecting anger, so much sway you
Your wisdom may be questioned.

Hang up a true man,

Because he may be thievish.] True man is generally placed in opposition to thief in old language. Abhorson, in Measure for Measure, says, "Every true man's apparel fits your thief."

Nor thirst to shed man's blood; and 'would 'twere

possible

I wish it with my soul, so much I tremble
To offend the sacred image of my Maker!-
My sword could only kill his crimes! No, 'tis Ho-
nour,

Honour, my noble friends, that idol Honour,
That all the world now worships, not Petruccio,
Must do this justice.

Ant. Let it once be done,

And 'tis no matter whether you, or Honour,
Or both, be accessary.

2 Gent. Do you weigh, Petruccio,

The value of the person, power and greatness,
And what this spark may kindle?

Petr. To perform it,

So much I am tied to reputation,

And credit of my house, let it raise wild-fires
That all this dukedom smoke, and storms that toss

me

4

Into the waves of everlasting ruin,

Yet I must through. If ye dare side me

Ant. Dare?

Petr. Ye are friends indeed; if not

2 Gent. Here's none flies from you; Do it in what design you please, we'll back you. Ant. But then, be sure ye kill him! 5

2 Gent.. Is the cause

So mortal, nothing but his life

Petr. Believe me,

Storms.] Corrected in the second folio.

$ 1 Gent. But then be sure ye kill him.] Mr Seward, observing that these words did not suit the moderate character of the Gentlemen, gives them to Petruccio. They are much more suitable to Antonio, we think, who is crying out for blood through the whole scene. Ed. 1778.

A less offence has been the desolation
Of a whole name.

2 Gent. No other way

to purge

it?

Petr. There is, but never to be hoped for. 2 Gent. Think an hour more:

And if then you find no safer road to guide you, We'll set up our rests too.

Ant. Mine's up already;

And hang him, for my part, goes less than life! 2 Gent. If we see noble cause, 'tis like our swords May be as free and forward as your words. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

A Street before the House of Constantia.

Enter DON JOHN.

John. The civil order of this town, Bologna, Makes it beloved and honour'd of all travellers, As a most safe retirement in all troubles; Besides the wholesome seat, and noble temper Of those minds that inhabit it, safely wise, And to all strangers virtuous. But I see My admiration has drawn night upon me, And longer to expect my friend may pull me Into suspicion of too late a stirrer,

Which all good governments are jealous of:

If then you find no safer road to guide you,

We'll set up our rests too.

Ant. Mine's up already;

And hang him, for my part, goes less than life.] The gaming phrase, goes less, proves that in the present sense the words set up our rests refer to Primero and other games, and not to the rest of an ancient musket. See vol. II. p. 185. and vol. IV. p. 274.