The mild and amiable Bianca forms a pleasing contrast to her haughty sister.-Grumio is a fellow of such infinite jest, that we never feel happier than when we are in his company. His description of the effects of cold on his " three-inch" body—his piteous ejaculations for fire-and his reply to Curtis-“ A piece of ice! if thou doubt it, thou mayst slide from my shoulder to my heel, with no greater a run but my head and my neck"-are in the highest degree diverting. His account of Petruchio's mad wedding-Petruchio's description of his wife's cap and gown-his contemptuous sneer at the puny effects of a woman's tongue, "That gives not half so great a blow to th' ear," As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire" may be selected for their wit; while his address to Katharine, proving that the mind alone is valuable "What, is the jay more precious than the lark, Or is the adder better than the eel, Because his painted slime contents the eye? O, no, good Kate, neither art thou the worse and Katharine's concluding speech, showing a wife's duty to her husband, are examples of beautiful writing. The effervescence and fire of Lewis well fitted him for Petruchio. As was usual with that great actor, he threw all his energies into the character, and ran through its romantic extravagancies with untired spirit. Mr. Charles Kemble and Mr. Elliston display their several excellencies in this character, but neither of them are entirely Petruchio. Mrs. Gibbs, in Katharine, was a Shrew, but no lady-Mrs. Charles Kemble was a lady, but no Shrew. DG. PETRUCHIO.-First dress: Buff-coloured pantaloons and jerkins, trimmed-russet boots-small cloak-high-topp'd hat, and feathers. Second dress: Trunk-dress-jerkin and cloak, very much patched-old boots-sword, &c. BAPTISTA.-Dark velvet body and trunks-stockings-bootscloak-sword-hat and feather-cane. HORTENSIO.-Dark velvet vest and trunks-cloak, belt, &c. trimmed-boots-sword. MUSIC-MASTER.-Gray tunic-trunks and stockings-russet shoes-belt. TAILOR.-Dark brown jerkin-vest and breeches-blue stockings-russet shoes-small three-cornered hat. BIONDELLO.-Drab livery. PEDRO.-Do. GRUMIO.-First dress: Dark jerkin-breeches-stockingsrusset boots. Second dress: Do. much patched. COOK.-White jacket, apron, and cap. SERVANTS.-Drab liveries, with dark binding-blue stockingsrusset shoes. KATHARINE. Richly trimmed white dress, with robe, ornamented and jewelled-black Spanish velvet hat, and white feathers. BIANCA.-Handsome satin robe-white dress, embroidered hat, &c. CURTIS.-Dark brown gown-cap-apron, &c. 10 Cast of the Characters, as performed at the Theatre Royal, The Conductors of this Work print no Plays but those which they have seen acted. The Stage Directions are given from their own personal observations, during the most recent performances. EXITS and ENTRANCES. R. means Right; L. Left; D. F. Door in Flat; R. D. Right Door; L. D. Left Door; S. E. Second Entrance; U. E. Upper Entrance; M. D. Middle Door. RELATIVE POSITIONS. R. means Right; L. Left; C. Centre; R. C. Right of Centre ; L. C. Left of Centre. The Reader is supposed to be on the Stage, facing the Audience. TAMING OF THE SHREW; OR, KATHARINE AND PETRUCHIO. ACT I. SCENE I.-Baptista's House-A Hall-Table and two chairs. Enter BAPTISTA, PETRUCHIO, L. and GRUMIO, who waits behind. Bap. (R.) Thus have I, 'gainst my own self-interest, Repeated all the worst you're to expect From my shrewd daughter, Katharine :-if you'll venture, Maugre my plain and honest declaration, You have my free consent,-win her and wed her. Pet. (c.) Signior Baptista, thus it stands with me. You knew him well, and, knowing him, know me, Which I have better'd, rather than decreas'd: Bap. Yes, when the special thing is well obtain'd, My daughter's love; for that is all in all. Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father, So, I to her, and so she yields to me; For I am rough, and woo not like a babe. Gru. [Comes forward, L.] Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his mind is: why, give him gold enough, and marry him to a puppet, or an old trot with ne'er a tooth in her head. Though she have as many diseases as two and fifty horses,-why, nothing comes amiss, so money comes withal. You know him not. Bap. [To Petruchio.] And will you woo her, sir? Pet. Why came I hither, but to that intent? Think you, a little din can daunt my ears? Have I not, in my time, heard lions roar? Have I not heard great ordnance in the field, And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies? Have I not, in a pitched battle, heard Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang? That gives not half so great a blow to th' ear, Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. Bap. Then thou'rt the man, The man for Katharine and her father too: That shall she know, and know my mind at once. New-married to Hortensio : And, if, with scurril taunt and squeamish pride, Nor henceforth shall she know her father's doors. Is rich enough to be Petruchio's wife, :-were she as rough As are the swelling Adriatic seas, I come to wive it wealthily in Padua ; If wealthily, then happily, in Padua. Bap. Well may'st thou woo, and happy be thy speed! But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words. Pet. Ay, to the proof; as mountains are for winds, That shake not, though they blow perpetually. [Katharine and the Music-master make a noise without, R. Mas. Help! help! Kat. Out of the house, you scraping fool |