The Persons represented in the Play.
Moroso, an old rich doting Citizen, suitor to Livia.
Sophocles, } Two Gentlemen, friends to Petruchio.
Tranio,
Petruchio, An Italian Gent. Husband to Maria.
Rowland, A young Gent. in love with Livia.
Petronius, Father to Maria and Livia.
Jaques, } Two witty servants to Petruchio.
Pedro,
Doctor.
Apothecarie.
Watchmen.
Porters.
WOMEN.
Maria, A chaste witty Lady, } The two masculine daughters of Petronius.
Livia, Mistriss to Rowland.
Biancha, Their Cosin, and Commander in chief.
City Wives, } To the relief of the Ladies, of which, two were drunk.
Countrey Wives,
Maids.
The Scene London.
PROLOGUE.
Ladies to you, in whose defence and right,
Fletchers brave Muse prepar'd her self to fight
A battel without blood, 'twas well fought too,
(The victory's yours, though got with much ado.)
We do present this Comedy, in which
A rivulet of pure wit flows, strong and rich
In Fancy, Language, and all parts that may
Add Grace and Ornament to a merry Play.
Which this may prove. Yet not to go too far
In promises from this our Female War.
We do intreat the angry men would not
Expect the mazes of a subtle plot,
Set Speeches, high Expressions, and what's worse,
In a true Comedy, politick discourse.
The end we aim at, is to make you sport;
Yet neither gall the City, nor the Court.
Hear, and observe his Comique strain, and when
Y' are sick-of melancholy, see't agen.
'Tis no dear Physick since 'twill quit the cost:
Or his intentions with our pains, are lost.