QUOTES FROM THE BARD

Would not the beggar then forget himself?

PLAY: The Taming of the Shrew
ACT/SCENE: Ind 1
SPEAKER: Lord
CONTEXT:
LORD
O monstrous beast, how like a swine he lies!
Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image!
Sirs, I will practice on this drunken man.
What think you: if he were conveyed to bed,
Wrapped 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.

DUTCH:
Wist dan de beed’laar zelf wel, wie hij was?

MORE:
Proverb: Beggars should be no choosers

Practise on=Trick, persuade
Brave=Finely dressed
Compleat:
To practise upon others=Anderen omzetten, of overhaalen, of in zyn belang wikkelen
Practice=(underhand dealing, intrigue) Praktyk, bedekten handel, list
To brave=Trotsen, braveeren, trotseeren; moedig treeden

Topics: proverbs and idioms, still in use, deceitpoverty and wealth

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