Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. The Taming of the Shrew (1623 First Folio Edition)
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1: Actus primus. Scaena Prima.
2: [ Enter Begger and Hostes, Christophero Sly.]
3:
Begger.
4: Ile pheeze you infaith.
5:
Host.
A paire of stockes you rogue.
6:
Beg.
Y'are a baggage, the Slies are no
7: Rogues. Looke in the Chronicles, we came
8: in with Richard Conqueror: therefore Pau-cas
9: pallabris, let the world slide: Sessa.
10:
Host.
You will not pay for the glasses you haue burst?
11:
Beg.
No, not a deniere: go by S[aint]. Ieronimie, goe to thy
12: cold bed, and warme thee.
13:
Host.
I know my remedie, I must go fetch the Head-borough.
14: _
15:
Beg.
Third, or fourth, or fift Borough, Ile answere
16: him by Law. Ile not budge an inch boy: Let him come,
17: and kindly. [ Falles asleepe.]
18: [ Winde hornes. Enter a Lord from hunting, with his traine.]
19:
Lo.
Huntsman I charge thee, tender wel my hounds,
20: Brach Meriman, the poore Curre is imbost,
21: And couple Clowder with the deepe-mouth'd brach,
22: Saw'st thou not boy how Siluer made it good
23: At the hedge corner, in the couldest fault,
24: I would not loose the dogge for twentie pound.
25:
Hunts.
Why Belman is as good as he my Lord,
26: He cried vpon it at the meerest losse,
27: And twice to day pick'd out the dullest sent,
28: Trust me, I take him for the better dogge.
29:
Lord.
Thou art a Foole, if Eccho were as fleete,
30: I would esteeme him worth a dozen such:
31: But sup them well, and looke vnto them all,
32: To morrow I intend to hunt againe.
33:
Hunts.
I will my Lord.
34:
Lord.
What's heere? One dead, or drunke? See doth
35: he breath?
36:
2.Hun.
He breath's my Lord. Were he not warm'd
37: with Ale, this were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly.
38:
Lord.
Oh monstrous beast, how like a swine he lyes.
39: Grim death, how foule and loathsome is thine image:
40: Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man.
41: What thinke you, if he were conuey'd to bed,
42: Wrap'd in sweet cloathes: Rings put vpon his fingers:
43: A most delicious banquet by his bed,
44: And braue attendants neere him when he wakes,
45: Would not the begger then forget himselfe?
46:
1.Hun.
Beleeue me Lord, I thinke he cannot choose.
47:
2.H.
It would seem strange vnto him when he wak'd
48:
Lord.
Euen as a flatt'ring dreame, or worthles fancie.
49: Then take him vp, and manage well the iest:
50: Carrie him gently to my fairest Chamber,
51: And hang it round with all my wanton pictures:
52: Balme his foule head in warme distilled waters,
53: And burne sweet Wood to make the Lodging sweete:
54: Procure me Musicke readie when he wakes,
55: To make a dulcet and a heauenly sound:
56: And if he chance to speake, be readie straight
57: (And with a lowe submissiue reuerence)
58: Say, what is it your Honor wil command:
59: Let one attend him with a siluer Bason
60: Full of Rose-water, and bestrew'd with Flowers,
61: Another beare the Ewer: the third a Diaper,
62: And say wilt please your Lordship coole your hands.
63: Some one be readie with a costly suite,
64: And aske him what apparrel he will weare:
65: Another tell him of his Hounds and Horse,
66: And that his Ladie mournes at his disease,
67: Perswade him that he hath bin Lunaticke,
68: And when he sayes he is, say that he dreames,
69: For he is nothing but a mightie Lord:
70: This do, and do it kindly, gentle sirs,
71: It wil be pastime passing excellent,
72: If it be husbanded with modestie.
73:
1.Hunts.
My Lord I warrant you we wil play our part
74: As he shall thinke by our true diligence
75: He is no lesse then what we say he is.
76:
Lord.
Take him vp gently, and to bed with him,
77: And each one to his office when he wakes.
78: [ Sound trumpets.]
79: Sirrah, go see what Trumpet 'tis that sounds,
80: Belike some Noble Gentleman that meanes
81: (Trauelling some iourney) to repose him heere.
82: [ Enter Seruingman.]
83: How now? who is it?
84:
Ser.
An't please your Honor, Players
85: That offer seruice to your Lordship.
86: [ Enter Players.]
87:
Lord.
Bid them come neere:
88: Now fellowes, you are welcome.
89:
Players.
We thanke your Honor.
90:
Lord.
Do you intend to stay with me to night?
91:
2.Player.
So please your Lordshippe to accept our
92: dutie.
93:
Lord.
With all my heart. This fellow I remember,
94: Since once he plaide a Farmers eldest sonne,
95: 'Twas where you woo'd the Gentlewoman so well:
96: I haue forgot your name: but sure that part
97: Was aptly fitted, and naturally perform'd.
98:
Sincklo.
I thinke 'twas Soto that your honor meanes.
99:
Lord.
'Tis verie true, thou didst it excellent:
100: Well you are come to me in happie time,
101: The rather for I haue some sport in hand,
102: Wherein your cunning can assist me much.
103: There is a Lord will heare you play to night;
104: But I am doubtfull of your modesties,
105: Least (ouer-eying of his odde behauiour,
106: For yet his honor neuer heard a play)
107: You breake into some merrie passion,
108: And so offend him: for I tell you sirs,
109: If you should smile, he growes impatient.
110:
Plai.
Feare not my Lord, we can contain our selues,
111: Were he the veriest anticke in the world.
112:
Lord.
Go sirra, take them to the Butterie,
113: And giue them friendly welcome euerie one,
114: Let them want nothing that my house affoords.
115: [ Exit one with the Players.]
116: Sirra go you to Bartholmew my Page,
117: And see him drest in all suites like a Ladie:
118: That done, conduct him to the drunkards chamber,
119: And call him Madam, do him obeisance:
120: Tell him from me (as he will win my loue)
121: He beare himselfe with honourable action,
122: Such as he hath obseru'd in noble Ladies
123: Vnto their Lords, by them accomplished,
124: Such dutie to the drunkard let him do:
125: With soft lowe tongue, and lowly curtesie,
126: And say: What is't your Honor will command,
127: Wherein your Ladie, and your humble wife,
128: May shew her dutie, and make knowne her loue.
129: And then with kinde embracements, tempting kisses,
130: And with declining head into his bosome
131: Bid him shed teares, as being ouer-ioyed
132: To see her noble Lord restor'd to health,
133: Who for this seuen yeares hath esteemed him
134: No better then a poore and loathsome begger:
135: And if the boy haue not a womans guift
136: To raine a shower of commanded teares,
137: An Onion wil do well for such a shift,
138: Which in a Napkin (being close conuei'd)
139: Shall in despight enforce a waterie eie:
140: See this dispatch'd with all the hast thou canst,
141: Anon Ile giue thee more instructions.
142: [ Exit a seruingman.]
143: I know the boy will wel vsurpe the grace,
144: Voice, gate, and action of a Gentlewoman:
145: I long to heare him call the drunkard husband,
146: And how my men will stay themselues from laughter,
147: When they do homage to this simple peasant,
148: Ile in to counsell them: haply my presence
149: May well abate the ouer-merrie spleene,
150: Which otherwise would grow into extreames.
151: [ Enter aloft the drunkard with attendants, some with apparel,
Bason and Ewer, & other appurtenances, & Lord]
153:
Beg.
For Gods sake a pot of small Ale.
154:
1.Ser.
Wilt please your Lord drink a cup of sacke?
155:
2.Ser.
Wilt please your Honor taste of these Con-serues?
156: _
157:
3.Ser.
What raiment wil your honor weare to day.
158:
Beg.
I am Christophero Sly, call not mee Honour nor
159: Lordship: I ne're drank sacke in my life: and if you giue
160: me any Conserues, giue me conserues of Beefe: nere ask
161: me what raiment Ile weare, for I haue no more doub-lets
162: then backes: no more stockings then legges: nor
163: no more shooes then feet, nay sometime more feete then
164: shooes, or such shooes as my toes looke through the o-uer-leather.
165: _
166:
Lord.
Heauen cease this idle humor in your Honor.
167: Oh that a mightie man of such discent,
168: Of such possessions, and so high esteeme
169: Should be infused with so foule a spirit.
170:
Beg.
What would you make me mad? Am not I Chri-stopher
171: Slie, old Slies sonne of Burton-heath, by byrth a
172: Pedler, by education a Cardmaker, by transmutation a
173: Beare-heard, and now by present profession a Tinker.
174: Aske Marrian Hacket the fat Alewife of Wincot, if shee
175: know me not: if she say I am not xiiii.d. on the score for
176: sheere Ale, score me vp for the lyingst knaue in Christen
177: dome. What I am not bestraught: here's===
178:
3.Man.
Oh this it is that makes your Ladie mourne.
179:
2.Man.
Oh this is it that makes your seruants droop.
180:
Lord.
Hence comes it, that your kindred shuns your house
181: As beaten hence by your strange Lunacie.
182: Oh Noble Lord, bethinke thee of thy birth,
183: Call home thy ancient thoughts from banishment,
184: And banish hence these abiect lowlie dreames:
185: Looke how thy seruants do attend on thee,
186: Each in his office readie at thy becke.
187: Wilt thou haue Musicke? Harke Apollo plaies, [ Musick]
188: And twentie caged Nightingales do sing.
189: Or wilt thou sleepe? Wee'l haue thee to a Couch,
190: Softer and sweeter then the lustfull bed
191: On purpose trim'd vp for Semiramis.
192: Say thou wilt walke: we wil bestrow the ground.
193: Or wilt thou ride? Thy horses shal be trap'd,
194: Their harnesse studded all with Gold and Pearle.
195: Dost thou loue hawking? Thou hast hawkes will soare
196: Aboue the morning Larke. Or wilt thou hunt,
197: Thy hounds shall make the Welkin answer them
198: And fetch shrill ecchoes from the hollow earth.
199:
1.Man.
Say thou wilt course, thy gray-hounds are as swift
200: As breathed Stags: I fleeter then the Roe.
201:
2.M.
Dost thou loue pictures? we wil fetch thee strait
202: Adonis painted by a running brooke,
203: And Citherea all in sedges hid,
204: Which seeme to moue and wanton with her breath,
205: Euen as the wauing sedges play with winde.
206:
Lord.
Wee'l shew thee Io, as she was a Maid,
207: And how she was beguiled and surpriz'd,
208: As liuelie painted, as the deede was done.
209:
3.Man.
Or Daphne roming through a thornie wood,
210: Scratching her legs, that one shal sweare she bleeds,
211: And at that sight shal sad Apollo weepe,
212: So workmanlie the blood and teares are drawne.
213:
Lord.
Thou art a Lord, and nothing but a Lord:
214: Thou hast a Ladie farre more Beautifull,
215: Then any woman in this waining age.
216:
1.Man.
And til the teares that she hath shed for thee,
217: Like enuious flouds ore-run her louely face,
218: She was the fairest creature in the world,
219: And yet shee is inferiour to none.
220:
Beg.
Am I a Lord, and haue I such a Ladie?
221: Or do I dreame? Or haue I dream'd till now?
222: I do not sleepe: I see, I heare, I speake:
223: I smel sweet sauours, and I feele soft things:
224: Vpon my life I am a Lord indeede,
225: And not a Tinker, nor Christopher Slie.
226: Well, bring our Ladie hither to our sight,
227: And once againe a pot o'th smallest Ale.
228:
2.Man.
Wilt please your mightinesse to wash your
229: hands:
230: Oh how we ioy to see your wit restor'd,
231: Oh that once more you knew but what you are:
232: These fifteene yeeres you haue bin in a dreame,
233: Or when you wak'd, so wak'd as if you slept.
234:
Beg.
These fifteene yeeres, by my fay, a goodly nap,
235: But did I neuer speake of all that time.
236:
1.Man.
Oh yes my Lord, but verie idle words,
237: For though you lay heere in this goodlie chamber,
238: Yet would you say, ye were beaten out of doore,
239: And raile vpon the Hostesse of the house,
240: And say you would present her at the Leete,
241: Because she brought stone-Iugs, and no seal'd quarts:
242: Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket.
243:
Beg.
I, the womans maide of the house.
244:
3.Man.
Why sir you know no house, nor no such maid
245: Nor no such men as you haue reckon'd vp,
246: As Stephen Slie, and old Iohn Naps of Greece,
247: And Peter Turph, and Henry Pimpernell,
248: And twentie more such names and men as these,
249: Which neuer were, nor no man euer saw.
250:
Beg.
Now Lord be thanked for my good amends.
251:
All.
Amen.
252: [ Enter Lady with Attendants.]
253:
Beg.
I thanke thee, thou shalt not loose by it.
254:
Lady.
How fares my noble Lord?
255:
Beg.
Marrie I fare well, for heere is cheere enough.
256: Where is my wife?
257:
La.
Heere noble Lord, what is thy will with her?
258:
Beg.
Are you my wife, and will not cal me husband?
259: My men should call me Lord, I am your good-man.
260:
La.
My husband and my Lord, my Lord and husband
261: I am your wife in all obedience.
262:
Beg.
I know it well, what must I call her?
263:
Lord.
Madam.
264:
Beg.
Alce Madam, or Ione Madam?
265:
Lord.
Madam, and nothing else, so Lords cal Ladies
266:
Beg.
Madame wife, they say that I haue dream'd,
267: And slept aboue some fifteene yeare or more.
268:
Lady.
I, and the time seeme's thirty vnto me,
269: Being all this time abandon'd from your bed.
270:
Beg.
'Tis much, seruants leaue me and her alone:
271: Madam vndresse you, and come now to bed.
272:
La.
Thrice noble Lord, let me intreat of you
273: To pardon me yet for a night or two:
274: Or if not so, vntill the Sun be set.
275: For your Physitians haue expressely charg'd,
276: In perill to incurre your former malady,
277: That I should yet absent me from your bed:
278: I hope this reason stands for my excuse.
279:
Beg.
I, it stands so that I may hardly tarry so long:
280: But I would be loth to fall into my dreames againe: I
281: wil therefore tarrie in despight of the flesh & the blood
282: [ Enter a Messenger.]
283:
Mes.
Your Honors Players hearing your amendment,
284: Are come to play a pleasant Comedie,
285: For so your doctors hold it very meete,
286: Seeing too much sadnesse hath congeal'd your blood,
287: And melancholly is the Nurse of frenzie,
288: Therefore they thought it good you heare a play,
289: And frame your minde to mirth and merriment,
290: Which barres a thousand harmes, and lengthens life.
291:
Beg.
Marrie I will let them play, it is not a Comon-tie,
292: a Christmas gambold, or a tumbling tricke?
293:
Lady.
No my good Lord, it is more pleasing stuffe.
294:
Beg.
What, houshold stuffe.
295:
Lady.
It is a kinde of history.
296:
Beg.
Well, we'l see't:
297: Come Madam wife sit by my side,
298: And let the world slip, we shall nere be yonger.
299: [ Flourish. Enter Lucentio, and his man Triano.]
300:
Luc.
Tranio, since for the great desire I had
301: To see faire Padua, nurserie of Arts,
302: I am arriu'd for fruitfull Lumbardie,
303: The pleasant garden of great Italy,
304: And by my fathers loue and leaue am arm'd
305: With his good will, and thy good companie.
306: My trustie seruant well approu'd in all,
307: Heere let vs breath, and haply institute
308: A course of Learning, and ingenious studies.
309: Pisa renowned for graue Citizens
310: Gaue me my being, and my father first
311: A Merchant of great Trafficke through the world:
312: Vincentio's come of the Bentiuolij,
313: Vincentio's sonne, brought vp in Florence,
314: It shall become to serue all hopes conceiu'd
315: To decke his fortune with his vertuous deedes:
316: And therefore Tranio, for the time I studie,
317: Vertue and that part of Philosophie
318: Will I applie, that treats of happinesse,
319: By vertue specially to be atchieu'd.
320: Tell me thy minde, for I haue Pisa left,
321: And am to Padua come, as he that leaues
322: A shallow plash, to plunge him in the deepe,
323: And with sacietie seekes to quench his thirst.
324:
Tra.
Me Pardonato, gentle master mine:
325: I am in all affected as your selfe,
326: Glad that you thus continue your resolue,
327: To sucke the sweets of sweete Philosophie.
328: Onely (good master) while we do admire
329: This vertue, and this morall discipline,
330: Let's be no Stoickes, nor no stockes I pray,
331: Or so deuote to Aristotles checkes
332: As Ouid; be an out-cast quite abiur'd:
333: Balke Lodgicke with acquaintance that you haue,
334: And practise Rhetoricke in your common talke,
335: Musicke and Poesie vse, to quicken you,
336: The Mathematickes, and the Metaphysickes
337: Fall to them as you finde your stomacke serues you:
338: No profit growes, where is no pleasure tane:
339: In briefe sir, studie what you most affect.
340:
Luc.
Gramercies Tranio, well dost thou aduise,
341: If Biondello thou wert come ashore,
342: We could at once put vs in readinesse,
343: And take a Lodging fit to entertaine
344: Such friends (as time) in Padua shall beget.
345: But stay a while, what companie is this?
346:
Tra.
Master some shew to welcome vs to Towne.
347: [ Enter Baptista with his two daughters, Katerina & Bianca,
Gremio a Pantelowne, Hortentio sister to Bianca.
Lucen. Tranio, stand by]
350:
Bap.
Gentlemen, importune me no farther,
351: For how I firmly am resolu'd you know:
352: That is, not to bestow my yongest daughter,
353: Before I haue a husband for the elder:
354: If either of you both loue Katherina,
355: Because I know you well, and loue you well,
356: Leaue shall you haue to court her at your pleasure.
357:
Gre.
To cart her rather. She's to rough for mee,
358: There, there Hortensio, will you any Wife?
359:
Kate.
I pray you sir, is it your will
360: To make a stale of me amongst these mates?
361:
Hor.
Mates maid, how meane you that?
362: No mates for you,
363: Vnlesse you were of gentler milder mould.
364:
Kate.
I'faith sir, you shall neuer neede to feare,
365: I-wis it is not halfe way to her heart:
366: But if it were, doubt not, her care should be,
367: To combe your noddle with a three-legg'd stoole,
368: And paint your face, and vse you like a foole.
369:
Hor.
From all such diuels, good Lord deliuer vs.
370:
Gre.
And me too, good Lord.
371:
Tra.
Husht master, heres some good pastime toward;
372: That wench is starke mad, or wonderfull froward.
373:
Lucen.
But in the others silence do I see,
374: Maids milde behauiour and sobrietie.
375: Peace Tranio.
376:
Tra.
Well said Mr, mum, and gaze your fill.
377:
Bap.
Gentlemen, that I may soone make good
378: What I haue said, Bianca get you in,
379: And let it not displease thee good Bianca,
380: For I will loue thee nere the lesse my girle.
381:
Kate.
A pretty peate, it is best put finger in the eye,
382: and she knew why.
383:
Bian.
Sister content you, in my discontent.
384: Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe:
385: My bookes and instruments shall be my companie,
386: On them to looke, and practise by my selfe.
387:
Luc.
Harke Tranio, thou maist heare Minerua speak.
388:
Hor.
Signior Baptista, will you be so strange,
389: Sorrie am I that our good will effects
390: Bianca's greefe.
391:
Gre.
Why will you mew her vp
392: (Signior Baptista) for this fiend of hell,
393: And make her beare the pennance of her tongue.
394:
Bap.
Gentlemen content ye: I am resolud:
395: Go in Bianca.
396: And for I know she taketh most delight
397: In Musicke, Instruments, and Poetry,
398: Schoolemasters will I keepe within my house,
399: Fit to instruct her youth. If you Hortensio,
400: Or signior Gremio you know any such,
401: Preferre them hither: for to cunning men,
402: I will be very kinde and liberall,
403: To mine owne children, in good bringing vp,
404: And so farewell: Katherina you may stay,
405: For I haue more to commune with Bianca. [ Exit.]
406:
Kate.
Why, and I trust I may go too, may I not?
407: What shall I be appointed houres, as though
408: (Belike) I knew not what to take,
409: And what to leaue? Ha. [ Exit]
410:
Gre.
You may go to the diuels dam: your guifts are
411: so good heere's none will holde you: Their loue is not
412: so great Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together,
413: and fast it fairely out. Our cakes dough on both sides.
414: Farewell: yet for the loue I beare my sweet Bianca, if
415: I can by any meanes light on a fit man to teach her that
416: wherein she delights, I will wish him to her father.
417:
Hor.
So will I signiour Gremio: but a word I pray:
418: Though the nature of our quarrell yet neuer brook'd
419: parle, know now vpon aduice, it toucheth vs both: that
420: we may yet againe haue accesse to our faire Mistris, and
421: be happie riuals in Bianca's loue, to labour and effect
422: one thing specially.
423:
Gre.
What's that I pray?
424:
Hor.
Marrie sir to get a husband for her Sister.
425:
Gre.
A husband: a diuell.
426:
Hor.
I say a husband.
427:
Gre.
I say, a diuell: Think'st thou Hortensio, though
428: her father be verie rich, any man is so verie a foole to be
429: married to hell?
430:
Hor.
Tush Gremio: though it passe your patience &
431: mine to endure her lowd alarums, why man there bee
432: good fellowes in the world, and a man could light on
433: them, would take her with all faults, and mony enough.
434:
Gre.
I cannot tell: but I had as lief take her dowrie
435: with this condition; To be whipt at the hie crosse euerie
436: morning.
437:
Hor.
Faith (as you say) there's small choise in rotten
438: apples: but come, since this bar in law makes vs friends,
439: it shall be so farre forth friendly maintain'd, till by hel-ping
440: Baptistas eldest daughter to a husband, wee set his
441: yongest free for a husband, and then haue too't afresh:
442: Sweet Bianca, happy man be his dole: hee that runnes
443: fastest, gets the Ring: How say you signior Gremio?
444:
Grem.
I am agreed, and would I had giuen him the
445: best horse in Padua to begin his woing that would tho-roughly
446: woe her, wed her, and bed her, and ridde the
447: house of her. Come on.
448: [ Exeunt ambo. Manet Tranio and Lucentio]
449:
Tra.
I pray sir tel me, is it possible
450: That loue should of a sodaine take such hold.
451:
Luc.
Oh Tranio, till I found it to be true,
452: I neuer thought it possible or likely.
453: But see, while idely I stood looking on,
454: I found the effect of Loue in idlenesse,
455: And now in plainnesse do confesse to thee
456: That art to me as secret and as deere
457: As Anna to the Queene of Carthage was:
458: Tranio I burne, I pine, I perish Tranio,
459: If I atchieue not this yong modest gyrle:
460: Counsaile me Tranio, for I know thou canst:
461: Assist me Tranio, for I know thou wilt.
462:
Tra.
Master, it is no time to chide you now,
463: Affection is not rated from the heart:
464: If loue haue touch'd you, naught remaines but so,
465: Redime te captam quam queas minimo.
466:
Luc.
Gramercies Lad: Go forward, this contents,
467: The rest wil comfort, for thy counsels sound.
468:
Tra.
Master, you look'd so longly on the maide,
469: Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all.
470:
Luc.
Oh yes, I saw sweet beautie in her face,
471: Such as the daughter of Agenor had,
472: That made great Ioue to humble him to her hand,
473: When with his knees he kist the Cretan strond.
474:
Tra.
Saw you no more? Mark'd you not how hir sister
475: Began to scold, and raise vp such a storme,
476: That mortal eares might hardly indure the din.
477:
Luc.
Tranio, I saw her corrall lips to moue,
478: And with her breath she did perfume the ayre,
479: Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.
480:
Tra.
Nay, then 'tis time to stirre him fro[m] his trance:
481: I pray awake sir: if you loue the Maide,
482: Bend thoughts and wits to atcheeue her. Thus it stands:
483: Her elder sister is so curst and shrew'd,
484: That til the Father rid his hands of her,
485: Master, your Loue must liue a maide at home,
486: And therefore has he closely meu'd her vp,
487: Because she will not be annoy'd with suters.
488:
Luc.
Ah Tranio, what a cruell Fathers he:
489: But art thou not aduis'd, he tooke some care
490: To get her cunning Schoolemasters to instruct her.
491:
Tra.
I marry am I sir, and now 'tis plotted.
492:
Luc.
I haue it Tranio.
493:
Tra.
Master, for my hand,
494: Both our inuentions meet and iumpe in one.
495:
Luc.
Tell me thine first.
496:
Tra.
You will be schoole-master,
497: And vndertake the teaching of the maid:
498: That's your deuice.
499:
Luc.
It is: May it be done?
500:
Tra.
Not possible: for who shall beare your part,
501: And be in Padua heere Vincentio's sonne,
502: Keepe house, and ply his booke, welcome his friends,
503: Visit his Countrimen, and banquet them?
504:
Luc.
Basta, content thee: for I haue it full.
505: We haue not yet bin seene in any house,
506: Nor can we be distinguish'd by our faces,
507: For man or master: then it followes thus;
508: Thou shalt be master, Tranio in my sted:
509: Keepe house, and port, and seruants, as I should,
510: I will some other be, some Florentine,
511: Some Neapolitan, or meaner man of Pisa.
512: 'Tis hatch'd, and shall be so: Tranio at once
513: Vncase thee: take my Coulord hat and cloake,
514: When Biondello comes, he waites on thee,
515: But I will charme him first to keepe his tongue.
516:
Tra.
So had you neede:
517: In breefe Sir, sith it your pleasure is,
518: And I am tyed to be obedient,
519: For so your father charg'd me at our parting:
520: Be seruiceable to my sonne (quoth he)
521: Although I thinke 'twas in another sense,
522: I am content to bee Lucentio,
523: Because so well I loue Lucentio.
524:
Luc.
Tranio be so, because Lucentio loues,
525: And let me be a slaue, t' atchieue that maide,
526: Whose sodaine sight hath thral'd my wounded eye.
527: [ Enter Biondello.]
528: Heere comes the rogue. Sirra, where haue you bin?
529:
Bion.
Where haue I beene? Nay how now, where
530: are you? Maister, ha's my fellow Tranio stolne your
531: cloathes, or you stolne his, or both? Pray what's the
532: newes?
533:
Luc.
Sirra come hither, 'tis no time to iest,
534: And therefore frame your manners to the time
535: Your fellow Tranio heere to saue my life,
536: Puts my apparrell, and my count'nance on,
537: And I for my escape haue put on his:
538: For in a quarrell since I came a-shore,
539: I kil'd a man, and feare I was descried:
540: Waite you on him, I charge you, as becomes:
541: While I make way from hence to saue my life:
542: You vnderstand me?
543:
Bion.
I sir, ne're a whit.
544:
Luc.
And not a iot of Tranio in your mouth,
545: Tranio is chang'd into Lucentio.
546:
Bion.
The better for him, would I were so too.
547:
Tra.
So could I 'faith boy, to haue the next wish af-ter,
548: that Lucentio indeede had Baptistas yongest daugh-ter.
549: But sirra, not for my sake, but your masters, I ad-uise
550: you vse your manners discreetly in all kind of com-panies:
551: When I am alone, why then I am Tranio: but in
552: all places else, your master Lucentio.
553:
Luc.
Tranio let's go:
554: One thing more rests, that thy selfe execute,
555: To make one among these wooers: if thou ask me why,
556: Sufficeth my reasons are both good and waighty.
557: [ Exeunt. The Presenters aboue speakes.]
558:
1.Man.
My Lord you nod, you do not minde the
559: play.
560:
Beg.
Yes by Saint Anne do I, a good matter surely:
561: Comes there any more of it?
562:
Lady.
My Lord, 'tis but begun.
563:
Beg.
'Tis a verie excellent peece of worke, Madame
564: Ladie: would 'twere done. [ They sit and marke.]
565: [ Enter Petruchio, and his man Grumio.]
566:
Petr.
Verona, for a while I take my leaue,
567: To see my friends in Padua; but of all
568: My best beloued and approued friend
569: Hortensio: & I trow this is his house:
570: Heere sirra Grumio, knocke I say.
571:
Gru.
Knocke sir? whom should I knocke? Is there
572: any man ha's rebus'd your worship?
573:
Petr.
Villaine I say, knocke me heere soundly.
574:
Gru.
Knocke you heere sir? Why sir, what am I sir,
575: that I should knocke you heere sir.
576:
Petr.
Villaine I say, knocke me at this gate,
577: And rap me well, or Ile knocke your knaues pate.
578:
Gru.
My Mr is growne quarrelsome:
579: I should knocke you first,
580: And then I know after who comes by the worst.
581:
Petr.
Will it not be?
582: 'Faith sirrah, and you'l not knocke, Ile ring it,
583: Ile trie how you can Sol, Fa, and sing it.
584: [ He rings him by the eares]
585:
Gru.
Helpe mistris helpe, my master is mad.
586:
Petr.
Now knocke when I bid you: sirrah villaine.
587: [ Enter Hortensio.]
588:
Hor.
How now, what's the matter? My olde friend
589: Grumio, and my good friend Petruchio? How do you all
590: at Verona?
591:
Petr.
Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray?
592: Contutti le core bene trobatto, may I say.
593:
Hor.
Alla nostra casa bene venuto multo honorata signi-or
594: mio Petruchio.
595: Rise Grumio rise, we will compound this quarrell.
596:
Gru.
Nay 'tis no matter sir, what he leges in Latine.
597: If this be not a lawfull cause for me to leaue his seruice,
598: looke you sir: He bid me knocke him, & rap him sound-ly
599: sir. Well, was it fit for a seruant to vse his master so,
600: being perhaps (for ought I see) two and thirty, a peepe
601: out? Whom would to God I had well knockt at first,
602: then had not Grumio come by the worst.
603:
Petr.
A sencelesse villaine: good Hortensio,
604: I bad the rascall knocke vpon your gate,
605: And could not get him for my heart to do it.
606:
Gru.
Knocke at the gate? O heauens: spake you not
607: these words plaine? Sirra, Knocke me heere: rappe me
608: heere: knocke me well, and knocke me soundly? And
609: come you now with knocking at the gate?
610:
Petr.
Sirra be gone, or talke not I aduise you.
611:
Hor.
Petruchio patience, I am Grumio's pledge:
612: Why this a heauie chance twixt him and you,
613: Your ancient trustie pleasant seruant Grumio:
614: And tell me now (sweet friend) what happie gale
615: Blowes you to Padua heere, from old Verona?
616:
Petr.
Such wind as scatters yongmen throgh y world,
617: To seeke their fortunes farther then at home,
618: Where small experience growes but in a few.
619: Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me,
620: Antonio my father is deceast,
621: And I haue thrust my selfe into this maze,
622: Happily to wiue and thriue, as best I may:
623: Crownes in my purse I haue, and goods at home,
624: And so am come abroad to see the world.
625:
Hor.
Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee,
626: And wish thee to a shrew'd ill-fauour'd wife?
627: Thou'dst thanke me but a little for my counsell:
628: And yet Ile promise thee she shall be rich,
629: And verie rich: but th'art too much my friend,
630: And Ile not wish thee to her.
631:
Petr.
Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as wee,
632: Few words suffice: and therefore, if thou know
633: One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife:
634: (As wealth is burthen of my woing dance)
635: Be she as foule as was Florentius Loue,
636: As old as Sibell, and as curst and shrow'd
637: As Socrates Zentippe, or a worse:
638: She moues me not, or not remoues at least
639: Affections edge in me. Were she is as rough
640: As are the swelling Adriaticke seas.
641: I come to wiue it wealthily in Padua:
642: If wealthily, then happily in Padua.
643:
Gru.
Nay looke you sir, hee tels you flatly what his
644: minde is: why giue him Gold enough, and marrie him
645: to a Puppet or an Aglet babie, or an old trot with ne're a
646: tooth in her head, though she haue as manie diseases as
647: two and fiftie horses. Why nothing comes amisse, so
648: monie comes withall.
649:
Hor.
Petruchio, since we are stept thus farre in,
650: I will continue that I broach'd in iest,
651: I can Petruchio helpe thee to a wife
652: With wealth enough, and yong and beautious,
653: Brought vp as best becomes a Gentlewoman.
654: Her onely fault, and that is faults enough,
655: Is, that she is intollerable curst,
656: And shrow'd, and froward, so beyond all measure,
657: That were my state farre worser then it is,
658: I would not wed her for a mine of Gold.
659:
Petr.
Hortensio peace: thou knowst not golds effect,
660: Tell me her fathers name, and 'tis enough:
661: For I will boord her, though she chide as loud
662: As thunder, when the clouds in Autumne cracke.
663:
Hor.
Her father is Baptista Minola,
664: An affable and courteous Gentleman,
665: Her name is Katherina Minola,
666: Renown'd in Padua for her scolding tongue.
667:
Petr.
I know her father, though I know not her,
668: And he knew my deceased father well:
669: I wil not sleepe Hortensio til I see her,
670: And therefore let me be thus bold with you,
671: To giue you ouer at this first encounter,
672: Vnlesse you wil accompanie me thither.
673:
Gru
. I pray you Sir let him go while the humor lasts.
674: A my word, and she knew him as wel as I do, she would
675: thinke scolding would doe little good vpon him. Shee
676: may perhaps call him halfe a score Knaues, or so: Why
677: that's nothing; and he begin once, hee'l raile in his rope
678: trickes. Ile tell you what sir, and she stand him but a li-tle,
679: he wil throw a figure in her face, and so disfigure hir
680: with it, that shee shal haue no more eies to see withall
681: then a Cat: you know him not sir.
682:
Hor.
Tarrie Petruchio, I must go with thee,
683: For in Baptistas keepe my treasure is:
684: He hath the Iewel of my life in hold,
685: His yongest daughter, beautiful Bianca,
686: And her with-holds from me. Other more
687: Suters to her, and riuals in my Loue:
688: Supposing it a thing impossible,
689: For those defects I haue before rehearst,
690: That euer Katherina wil be woo'd:
691: Therefore this order hath Baptista tane,
692: That none shal haue accesse vnto Bianca,
693: Til Katherine the Curst, haue got a husband.
694:
Gru.
Katherine the curst,
695: A title for a maide, of all titles the worst.
696:
Hor.
Now shal my friend Petruchio do me grace,
697: And offer me disguis'd in sober robes,
698: To old Baptista as a schoole-master
699: Well seene in Musicke, to instruct Bianca,
700: That so I may by this deuice at least
701: Haue leaue and leisure to make loue to her,
702: And vnsuspected court her by her selfe.
703: [ Enter Gremio and Lucentio disguised.]
704:
Gru.
Heere's no knauerie. See, to beguile the olde-folkes,
705: how the young folkes lay their heads together.
706: Master, master, looke about you: Who goes there? ha.
707:
Hor.
Peace Grumio, it is the riuall of my Loue.
708: Petruchio stand by a while.
709:
Grumio.
A proper stripling, and an amorous.
710:
Gremio.
O very well, I haue perus'd the note:
711: Hearke you sir, Ile haue them verie fairely bound,
712: All bookes of Loue, see that at any hand,
713: And see you reade no other Lectures to her:
714: You vnderstand me. Ouer and beside
715: Signior Baptistas liberalitie,
716: Ile mend it with a Largesse. Take your paper too,
717: And let me haue them verie wel perfum'd;
718: For she is sweeter then perfume it selfe
719: To whom they go to: what wil you reade to her.
720:
Luc.
What ere I reade to her, Ile pleade for you,
721: As for my patron, stand you so assur'd,
722: As firmely as your selfe were still in place,
723: Yea and perhaps with more successefull words
724: Then you; vnlesse you were a scholler sir.
725:
Gre.
Oh this learning, what a thing it is.
726:
Gru.
Oh this Woodcocke, what an Asse it is.
727:
Petru.
Peace sirra.
728:
Hor.
Grumio mum: God saue you signior Gremio.
729:
Gre.
And you are wel met, Signior Hortensio.
730: Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista Minola,
731: I promist to enquire carefully
732: About a schoolemaster for the faire Bianca,
733: And by good fortune I haue lighted well
734: On this yong man: For learning and behauiour
735: Fit for her turne, well read in Poetrie
736: And other bookes, good ones, I warrant ye.
737:
Hor.
'Tis well: and I haue met a Gentleman
738: Hath promist me to helpe one to another,
739: A fine Musitian to instruct our Mistris,
740: So shal I no whit be behinde in dutie
741: To faire Bianca, so beloued of me.
742:
Gre.
Beloued of me, and that my deeds shal proue.
743:
Gru.
And that his bags shal proue.
744:
Hor.
Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our loue,
745: Listen to me, and if you speake me faire,
746: Ile tel you newes indifferent good for either.
747: Heere is a Gentleman whom by chance I met
748: Vpon agreement from vs to his liking,
749: Will vndertake to woo curst Katherine,
750: Yea, and to marrie her, if her dowrie please.
751:
Gre.
So said, so done, is well:
752: Hortensio, haue you told him all her faults?
753:
Petr.
I know she is an irkesome brawling scold:
754: If that be all Masters, I heare no harme.
755:
Gre.
No, sayst me so, friend? What Countreyman?
756:
Petr.
Borne in Verona, old Butonios sonne:
757: My father dead, my fortune liues for me,
758: And I do hope, good dayes and long, to see.
759:
Gre.
Oh sir, such a life with such a wife, were strange:
760: But if you haue a stomacke, too't a Gods name,
761: You shal haue me assisting you in all.
762: But will you woo this Wilde-cat?
763:
Petr.
Will I liue?
764:
Gru.
Wil he woo her? I: or Ile hang her.
765:
Petr.
Why came I hither, but to that intent?
766: Thinke you, a little dinne can daunt mine eares?
767: Haue I not in my time heard Lions rore?
768: Haue I not heard the sea, puft vp with windes,
769: Rage like an angry Boare, chafed with sweat?
770: Haue I not heard great Ordnance in the field?
771: And heauens Artillerie thunder in the skies?
772: Haue I not in a pitched battell heard
773: Loud larums, neighing steeds, & trumpets clangue?
774: And do you tell me of a womans tongue?
775: That giues not halfe so great a blow to heare,
776: As wil a Chesse-nut in a Farmers fire.
777: Tush, tush, feare boyes with bugs.
778:
Gru.
For he feares none.
779:
Grem.
Hortensio hearke:
780: This Gentleman is happily arriu'd,
781: My minde presumes for his owne good, and yours.
782:
Hor.
I promist we would be Contributors,
783: And beare his charge of wooing whatsoere.
784:
Gremio.
And so we wil, prouided that he win her.
785:
Gru.
I would I were as sure of a good dinner.
786: [ Enter Tranio braue, and Biondello.]
787:
Tra.
Gentlemen God saue you. If I may be bold
788: Tell me I beseech you, which is the readiest way
789: To the house of Signior Baptista Minola?
790:
Bion.
He that ha's the two faire daughters: ist he you
791: meane?
792:
Tra.
Euen he Biondello.
793:
Gre.
Hearke you sir, you meane not her to===
794:
Tra.
Perhaps him and her sir, what haue you to do?
795:
Petr.
Not her that chides sir, at any hand I pray.
796:
Tranio.
I loue no chiders sir: Biondello, let's away.
797:
Luc.
Well begun Tranio.
798:
Hor.
Sir, a word ere you go:
799: Are you a sutor to the Maid you talke of, yea or no?
800:
Tra.
And if I be sir, is it any offence?
801:
Gremio.
No: if without more words you will get you
802: hence.
803:
Tra.
Why sir, I pray are not the streets as free
804: For me, as for you?
805:
Gre.
But so is not she.
806:
Tra.
For what reason I beseech you.
807:
Gre.
For this reason if you'l kno,
808: That she's the choise loue of Signior Gremio.
809:
Hor.
That she's the chosen of signior Hortensio.
810:
Tra.
Softly my Masters: If you be Gentlemen
811: Do me this right: heare me with patience.
812: Baptista is a noble Gentleman,
813: To whom my Father is not all vnknowne,
814: And were his daughter fairer then she is,
815: She may more sutors haue, and me for one.
816: Faire Laedaes daughter had a thousand wooers,
817: Then well one more may faire Bianca haue;
818: And so she shall: Lucentio shal make one,
819: Though Paris came, in hope to speed alone.
820:
Gre.
What, this Gentleman will out-talke vs all.
821:
Luc.
Sir giue him head, I know hee'l proue a Iade.
822:
Petr.
Hortensio, to what end are all these words?
823:
Hor.
Sir, let me be so bold as aske you,
824: Did you yet euer see Baptistas daughter?
825:
Tra.
No sir, but heare I do that he hath two:
826: The one, as famous for a scolding tongue,
827: As is the other, for beauteous modestie.
828:
Petr.
Sir, sir, the first's for me, let her go by.
829:
Gre.
Yea, leaue that labour to great Hercules,
830: And let it be more then Alcides twelue.
831:
Petr.
Sir vnderstand you this of me (insooth)
832: The yongest daughter whom you hearken for,
833: Her father keepes from all accesse of sutors,
834: And will not promise her to any man,
835: Vntill the elder sister first be wed.
836: The yonger then is free, and not before.
837:
Tranio.
If it be so sir, that you are the man
838: Must steed vs all, and me amongst the rest:
839: And if you breake the ice, and do this seeke,
840: Atchieue the elder: set the yonger free,
841: For our accesse, whose hap shall be to haue her,
842: Wil not so gracelesse be, to be ingrate.
843:
Hor.
Sir you say wel, and wel you do conceiue,
844: And since you do professe to be a sutor,
845: You must as we do, gratifie this Gentleman,
846: To whom we all rest generally beholding.
847:
Tranio.
Sir, I shal not be slacke, in signe whereof,
848: Please ye we may contriue this afternoone,
849: And quaffe carowses to our Mistresse health,
850: And do as aduersaries do in law,
851: Striue mightily, but eate and drinke as friends.
852:
Gru. Bion.
Oh excellent motion: fellowes let's be gon.
853:
Hor.
The motions good indeed, and be it so,
854: Petruchio, I shal be your Been venuto. [ Exeunt]
.
855: [ Enter Katherina and Bianca.]
856:
Bian.
Good sister wrong me not, nor wrong your self,
857: To make a bondmaide and a slaue of mee,
858: That I disdaine: but for these other goods,
859: Vnbinde my hands, Ile pull them off my selfe,
860: Yea all my raiment, to my petticoate,
861: Or what you will command me, wil I do,
862: So well I know my dutie to my elders.
863:
Kate.
Of all thy sutors heere I charge tel
864: Whom thou lou'st best: see thou dissemble not.
865:
Bianca.
Beleeue me sister, of all the men aliue,
866: I neuer yet beheld that speciall face,
867: Which I could fancie, more then any other.
868:
Kate.
Minion thou lyest: Is't not Hortensio?
869:
Bian.
If you affect him sister, heere I sweare
870: Ile pleade for you my selfe, but you shal haue him.
871:
Kate.
Oh then belike you fancie riches more,
872: You wil haue Gremio to keepe you faire.
873:
Bian.
Is it for him you do enuie me so?
874: Nay then you iest, and now I wel perceiue
875: You haue but iested with me all this while:
876: I prethee sister Kate, vntie my hands.
877:
Ka
If that be iest, then all the rest was so. [ Strikes her]
878: [ Enter Baptista.]
879:
Bap.
Why how now Dame, whence growes this in-solence?
880: _
881: Bianca stand aside, poore gyrle she weepes:
882: Go ply thy Needle, meddle not with her.
883: For shame thou Hilding of a diuellish spirit,
884: Why dost thou wrong her, that did nere wrong thee?
885: When did she crosse thee with a bitter word?
886:
Kate.
Her silence flouts me, and Ile be reueng'd.
887: [ Flies after Bianca]
888:
Bap
What in my sight? Bianca get thee in. [ Exit.]
889:
Kate.
What will you not suffer me: Nay now I see
890: She is your treasure, she must haue a husband,
891: I must dance bare-foot on her wedding day,
892: And for your loue to her, leade Apes in hell.
893: Talke not to me, I will go sit and weepe,
894: Till I can finde occasion of reuenge.
895:
Bap.
Was euer Gentleman thus greeu'd as I?
896: But who comes heere.
897: [ Enter Gremio, Lucentio, in the habit of a meane man,
Petruchio with Tranio, with his boy
bearing a Lute and Bookes]
900:
Gre.
Good morrow neighbour Baptista.
901:
Bap.
Good morrow neighbour Gremio: God saue
902: you Gentlemen.
903:
Pet.
And you good sir: pray haue you not a daugh-ter,
904: cal'd Katerina, faire and vertuous.
905:
Bap.
I haue a daughter sir, cal'd Katerina.
906:
Gre.
You are too blunt, go to it orderly.
907:
Pet.
You wrong me signior Gremio, giue me leaue.
908: I am a Gentleman of Verona sir,
909: That hearing of her beautie, and her wit,
910: Her affability and bashfull modestie:
911: Her wondrous qualities, and milde behauiour,
912: Am bold to shew my selfe a forward guest
913: Within your house, to make mine eye the witnesse
914: Of that report, which I so oft haue heard,
915: And for an entrance to my entertainment,
916: I do present you with a man of mine
917: Cunning in Musicke, and the Mathematickes,
918: To instruct her fully in those sciences,
919: Whereof I know she is not ignorant,
920: Accept of him, or else you do me wrong.
921: His name is Litio, borne in Mantua.
922:
Bap.
Y'are welcome sir, and he for your good sake.
923: But for my daughter Katerine, this I know,
924: She is not for your turne, the more my greefe.
925:
Pet.
I see you do not meane to part with her,
926: Or else you like not of my companie.
927:
Bap.
Mistake me not, I speake but as I finde,
928: Whence are you sir? What may I call your name.
929:
Pet.
Petruchio is my name, Antonio's sonne,
930: A man well knowne throughout all Italy.
931:
Bap.
I know him well: you are welcome for his sake.
932:
Gre.
Sauing your tale Petruchio, I pray let vs that are
933: poore petitioners speake too? Bacare, you are meruay-lous
934: forward.
935:
Pet.
Oh, Pardon me signior Gremio, I would faine be
936: doing.
937:
Gre.
I doubt it not sir. But you will curse
938: Your wooing neighbors: this is a guift
939: Very gratefull, I am sure of it, to expresse
940: The like kindnesse my selfe, that haue beene
941: More kindely beholding to you then any:
942: Freely giue vnto this yong Scholler, that hath
943: Beene long studying at Rhemes, as cunning
944: In Greeke, Latine, and other Languages,
945: As the other in Musicke and Mathematickes:
946: His name is Cambio: pray accept his seruice.
947:
Bap.
A thousand thankes signior Gremio:
948: Welcome good Cambio. But gentle sir,
949: Me thinkes you walke like a stranger,
950: May I be so bold, to know the cause of your comming?
951:
Tra.
Pardon me sir, the boldnesse is mine owne,
952: That being a stranger in this Cittie heere,
953: Do make my selfe a sutor to your daughter,
954: Vnto Bianca, faire and vertuous:
955: Nor is your firme resolue vnknowne to me,
956: In the preferment of the eldest sister.
957: This liberty is all that I request,
958: That vpon knowledge of my Parentage,
959: I may haue welcome 'mongst the rest that woo,
960: And free accesse and fauour as the rest.
961: And toward the education of your daughters:
962: I heere bestow a simple instrument,
963: And this small packet of Greeke and Latine bookes:
964: If you accept them, then their worth is great:
965:
Bap.
Lucentio is your name, of whence I pray.
966:
Tra.
Of Pisa sir, sonne to Vincentio.
967:
Bap.
A mightie man of Pisa by report,
968: I know him well: you are verie welcome sir:
969: Take you the Lute, and you the set of bookes,
970: You shall go see your Pupils presently.
971: Holla, within.
972: [ Enter a Seruant]
.
973: Sirrah, leade these Gentlemen
974: To my daughters, and tell them both
975: These are their Tutors, bid them vse them well,
976: We will go walke a little in the Orchard,
977: And then to dinner: you are passing welcome,
978: And so I pray you all to thinke your selues.
979:
Pet.
Signior Baptista, my businesse asketh haste,
980: And euerie day I cannot come to woo,
981: You knew my father well, and in him me,
982: Left solie heire to all his Lands and goods,
983: Which I haue bettered rather then decreast,
984: Then tell me, if I get your daughters loue,
985: What dowrie shall I haue with her to wife.
986:
Bap.
After my death, the one halfe of my Lands,
987: And in possession twentie thousand Crownes.
988:
Pet.
And for that dowrie, Ile assure her of
989: Her widdow-hood, be it that she suruiue me
990: In all my Lands and Leases whatsoeuer,
991: Let specialties be therefore drawne betweene vs,
992: That couenants may be kept on either hand.
993:
Bap.
I, when the speciall thing is well obtain'd,
994: That is her loue: for that is all in all.
995:
Pet.
Why that is nothing: for I tell you father,
996: I am as peremptorie as she proud minded:
997: And where two raging fires meete together,
998: They do consume the thing that feedes their furie.
999: Though little fire growes great with little winde,
1000: Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all:
1001: So I to her, and so she yeelds to me,
1002: For I am rough, and woo not like a babe.
1003:
Bap.
Well maist thou woo, and happy be thy speed:
1004: But be thou arm'd for some vnhappie words.
1005:
Pet.
I to the proofe, as Mountaines are for windes,
1006: That shakes not, though they blow perpetually.
1007: [ Enter Hortensio with his head broke.]
1008:
Bap.
How now my friend, why dost thou looke so
1009: pale?
1010:
Hor.
For feare I promise you, if I looke pale.
1011:
Bap.
What, will my daughter proue a good Musiti-an?
1012: _
1013:
Hor.
I thinke she'l sooner proue a souldier,
1014: Iron may hold with her, but neuer Lutes.
1015:
Bap.
Why then thou canst not break her to the Lute?
1016:
Hor.
Why no, for she hath broke the Lute to me:
1017: I did but tell her she mistooke her frets,
1018: And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering,
1019: When (with a most impatient diuellish spirit)
1020: Frets call you these? (quoth she) Ile fume with them:
1021: And with that word she stroke me on the head,
1022: And through the instrument my pate made way,
1023: And there I stood amazed for a while,
1024: As on a Pillorie, looking through the Lute,
1025: While she did call me Rascall, Fidler,
1026: And twangling Iacke, with twentie such vilde tearmes,
1027: As had she studied to misvse me so.
1028:
Pet.
Now by the world, it is a lustie Wench,
1029: I loue her ten times more then ere I did,
1030: Oh how I long to haue some chat with her.
1031:
Bap.
Wel go with me, and be not so discomfited.
1032: Proceed in practise with my yonger daughter,
1033: She's apt to learne, and thankefull for good turnes:
1034: Signior Petruchio, will you go with vs,
1035: Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you.
1036: [ Exit. Manet Petruchio.]
1037:
Pet.
I pray you do. Ile attend her heere,
1038: And woo her with some spirit when she comes,
1039: Say that she raile, why then Ile tell her plaine,
1040: She sings as sweetly as a Nightinghale:
1041: Say that she frowne, Ile say she lookes as cleere
1042: As morning Roses newly washt with dew:
1043: Say she be mute, and will not speake a word,
1044: Then Ile commend her volubility,
1045: And say she vttereth piercing eloquence:
1046: If she do bid me packe, Ile giue her thankes,
1047: As though she bid me stay by her a weeke:
1048: If she denie to wed, Ile craue the day
1049: When I shall aske the banes, and when be married.
1050: But heere she comes, and now Petruchio speake.
1051: [ Enter Katerina]
.
1052: Good morrow Kate, for thats your name I heare.
1053:
Kate.
Well haue you heard, but something hard of
1054: hearing:
1055: They call me Katerine, that do talke of me.
1056:
Pet.
You lye infaith, for you are call'd plaine Kate,
1057: And bony Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst:
1058: But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendome,
1059: Kate of Kate-hall, my super-daintie Kate,
1060: For dainties are all Kates, and therefore Kate
1061: Take this of me, Kate of my consolation,
1062: Hearing thy mildnesse prais'd in euery Towne,
1063: Thy vertues spoke of, and thy beautie sounded,
1064: Yet not so deepely as to thee belongs,
1065: My selfe am moou'd to woo thee for my wife.
1066:
Kate.
Mou'd, in good time, let him that mou'd you
1067: hether
1068: Remoue you hence: I knew you at the first
1069: You were a mouable.
1070:
Pet.
Why, what's a mouable?
1071:
Kat.
A ioyn'd stoole.
1072:
Pet.
Thou hast hit it: come sit on me.
1073:
Kate.
Asses are made to beare, and so are you.
1074:
Pet.
Women are made to beare, and so are you.
1075:
Kate.
No such Iade as you, if me you meane.
1076:
Pet.
Alas good Kate, I will not burthen thee,
1077: For knowing thee to be but yong and light.
1078:
Kate.
Too light for such a swaine as you to catch,
1079: And yet as heauie as my waight should be.
1080:
Pet.
Shold be, should: buzze.
1081:
Kate.
Well tane, and like a buzzard.
1082:
Pet.
Oh slow-wing'd Turtle, shal a buzard take thee?
1083:
Kat.
I for a Turtle, as he takes a buzard.
1084:
Pet.
Come, come you Waspe, y'faith you are too
1085: angrie.
1086:
Kate.
If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
1087:
Pet.
My remedy is then to plucke it out.
1088:
Kate.
I, if the foole could finde it where it lies.
1089:
Pet.
Who knowes not where a Waspe does weare
1090: his sting? In his taile.
1091:
Kate.
In his tongue?
1092:
Pet.
Whose tongue.
1093:
Kate.
Yours if you talke of tales, and so farewell.
1094:
Pet.
What with my tongue in your taile.
1095: Nay, come againe, good Kate, I am a Gentleman,
1096:
Kate
That Ile trie. [ she strikes him]
1097:
Pet.
I sweare Ile cuffe you, if you strike againe.
1098:
Kate.
So may you loose your armes,
1099: If you strike me, you are no Gentleman,
1100: And if no Gentleman, why then no armes.
1101:
Pet.
A Herald Kate? Oh put me in thy bookes.
1102:
Kate.
What is your Crest, a Coxcombe?
1103:
Pet.
A comblesse Cocke, so Kate will be my Hen.
1104:
Kate.
No Cocke of mine, you crow too like a crauen
1105:
Pet.
Nay come Kate, come: you must not looke so
1106: sowre.
1107:
Kate.
It is my fashion when I see a Crab.
1108:
Pet.
Why heere's no crab, and therefore looke not
1109: sowre.
1110:
Kate.
There is, there is.
1111:
Pet.
Then shew it me.
1112:
Kate.
Had I a glasse, I would.
1113:
Pet.
What, you meane my face.
1114:
Kate.
Well aym'd of such a yong one.
1115:
Pet.
Now by S[aint]. George I am too yong for you.
1116:
Kate.
Yet you are wither'd.
1117:
Pet.
'Tis with cares.
1118:
Kate.
I care not.
1119:
Pet.
Nay heare you Kate. Insooth you scape not so.
1120:
Kate.
I chafe you if I tarrie. Let me go.
1121:
Pet.
No, not a whit, I finde you passing gentle:
1122: 'Twas told me you were rough, and coy, and sullen,
1123: And now I finde report a very liar:
1124: For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous,
1125: But slow in speech: yet sweet as spring-time flowers.
1126: Thou canst not frowne, thou canst not looke a sconce,
1127: Nor bite the lip, as angry wenches will,
1128: Nor hast thou pleasure to be crosse in talke:
1129: But thou with mildnesse entertain'st thy wooers,
1130: With gentle conference, soft, and affable.
1131: Why does the world report that Kate doth limpe?
1132: Oh sland'rous world: Kate like the hazle twig
1133: Is straight, and slender, and as browne in hue
1134: As hazle nuts, and sweeter then the kernels:
1135: Oh let me see thee walke: thou dost not halt.
1136:
Kate.
Go foole, and whom thou keep'st command.
1137:
Pet.
Did euer Dian so become a Groue
1138: As Kate this chamber with her princely gate:
1139: O be thou Dian, and let her be Kate,
1140: And then let Kate be chaste, and Dian sportfull.
1141:
Kate.
Where did you study all this goodly speech?
1142:
Petr.
It is extempore, from my mother wit.
1143:
Kate.
A witty mother, witlesse else her sonne.
1144:
Pet.
Am I not wise?
1145:
Kat.
Yes, keepe you warme.
1146:
Pet.
Marry so I meane sweet Katherine in thy bed:
1147: And therefore setting all this chat aside,
1148: Thus in plaine termes: your father hath consented
1149: That you shall be my wife; your dowry greed on,
1150: And will you, nill you, I will marry you.
1151: Now Kate, I am a husband for your turne,
1152: For by this light, whereby I see thy beauty,
1153: Thy beauty that doth make me like thee well,
1154: Thou must be married to no man but me,
1155: [ Enter Baptista, Gremio, Trayno.]
1156: For I am he am borne to tame you Kate,
1157: And bring you from a wilde Kate to a Kate
1158: Conformable as other houshold Kates:
1159: Heere comes your father, neuer make deniall,
1160: I must, and will haue Katherine to my wife.
1161:
Bap.
Now Signior Petruchio, how speed you with my daughter?
1162:
Pet.
How but well sir? how but well?
1163: It were impossible I should speed amisse.
1164:
Bap.
Why how now daughter Katherine, in your dumps?
1165:
Kat.
Call you me daughter? now I promise you
1166: You haue shewd a tender fatherly regard,
1167: To wish me wed to one halfe Lunaticke,
1168: A mad-cap ruffian, and a swearing Iacke,
1169: That thinkes with oathes to face the matter out.
1170:
Pet.
Father, 'tis thus, your selfe and all the world
1171: That talk'd of her, haue talk'd amisse of her:
1172: If she be curst, it is for pollicie,
1173: For shee's not froward, but modest as the Doue,
1174: Shee is not hot, but temperate as the morne,
1175: For patience shee will proue a second Grissell,
1176: And Romane Lucrece for her chastitie:
1177: And to conclude, we haue greed so well together,
1178: That vpon sonday is the wedding day.
1179:
Kate.
Ile see thee hang'd on sonday first.
1180:
Gre.
Hark Petruchio, she saies shee'll see thee hang'd first.
1181:
Tra.
Is this your speeding? nay the[n] godnight our part.
1182:
Pet.
Be patient gentlemen, I choose her for my selfe,
1183: If she and I be pleas'd, what's that to you?
1184: 'Tis bargain'd twixt vs twaine being alone,
1185: That she shall still be curst in company.
1186: I tell you 'tis incredible to beleeue
1187: How much she loues me: oh the kindest Kate,
1188: Shee hung about my necke, and kisse on kisse
1189: Shee vi'd so fast, protesting oath on oath,
1190: That in a twinke she won me to her loue.
1191: Oh you are nouices, 'tis a world to see
1192: How tame when men and women are alone,
1193: A meacocke wretch can make the curstest shrew:
1194: Giue me thy hand Kate, I will vnto Venice
1195: To buy apparell 'gainst the wedding day;
1196: Prouide the feast father, and bid the guests,
1197: I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine.
1198:
Bap.
I know not what to say, but giue me your ha[n]ds,
1199: God send you ioy, Petruchio, 'tis a match.
1200:
Gre. Tra.
Amen say we, we will be witnesses.
1201:
Pet.
Father, and wife, and gentlemen adieu,
1202: I will to Venice, sonday comes apace,
1203: We will haue rings, and things, and fine array,
1204: And kisse me Kate, we will be married a sonday.
1205: [ Exit Petruchio and Katherine.]
1206:
Gre.
Was euer match clapt vp so sodainly?
1207:
Bap.
Faith Gentlemen now I play a marchants part,
1208: And venture madly on a desperate Mart.
1209:
Tra.
Twas a commodity lay fretting by you,
1210: 'Twill bring you gaine, or perish on the seas.
1211:
Bap.
The gaine I seeke, is quiet me the match.
1212:
Gre.
No doubt but he hath got a quiet catch:
1213: But now Baptista, to your yonger daughter,
1214: Now is the day we long haue looked for,
1215: I am your neighbour, and was suter first.
1216:
Tra.
And I am one that loue Bianca more
1217: Then words can witnesse, or your thoughts can guesse.
1218:
Gre.
Yongling thou canst not loue so deare as I.
1219:
Tra.
Gray-beard thy loue doth freeze.
1220:
Gre.
But thine doth frie,
1221: Skipper stand backe, 'tis age that nourisheth.
1222:
Tra.
But youth in Ladies eyes that florisheth.
1223:
Bap.
Content you gentlemen, I wil co[m]pound this strife
1224: 'Tis deeds must win the prize, and he of both
1225: That can assure my daughter greatest dower,
1226: Shall haue my Biancas loue.
1227: Say signior Gremio, what can you assure her?
1228:
Gre.
First, as you know, my house within the City
1229: Is richly furnished with plate and gold,
1230: Basons and ewers to laue her dainty hands:
1231: My hangings all of tirian tapestry:
1232: In Iuory cofers I haue stuft my crownes:
1233: In Cypres chests my arras counterpoints,
1234: Costly apparell, tents, and Canopies,
1235: Fine Linnen, Turky cushions bost with pearle,
1236: Vallens of Venice gold, in needle worke:
1237: Pewter and brasse, and all things that belongs
1238: To house or house-keeping: then at my farme
1239: I haue a hundred milch-kine to the pale,
1240: Sixe-score fat Oxen standing in my stalls,
1241: And all things answerable to this portion.
1242: My selfe am strooke in yeeres I must confesse,
1243: And if I die to morrow this is hers,
1244: If whil'st I liue she will be onely mine.
1245:
Tra.
That only came well in: sir, list to me,
1246: I am my fathers heyre and onely sonne,
1247: If I may haue your daughter to my wife,
1248: Ile leaue her houses three or foure as good
1249: Within rich Pisa walls, as any one
1250: Old Signior Gremio has in Padua,
1251: Besides, two thousand Duckets by the yeere
1252: Of fruitfull land, all which shall be her ioynter.
1253: What, haue I pincht you Signior Gremio?
1254:
Gre.
Two thousand Duckets by the yeere of land,
1255: My Land amounts not to so much in all:
1256: That she shall haue, besides an Argosie
1257: That now is lying in Marcellus roade:
1258: What, haue I choakt you with an Argosie?
1259:
Tra.
Gremio, 'tis knowne my father hath no lesse
1260: Then three great Argosies, besides two Galliasses
1261: And twelue tite Gallies, these I will assure her,
1262: And twice as much what ere thou offrest next.
1263:
Gre.
Nay, I haue offred all, I haue no more,
1264: And she can haue no more then all I haue,
1265: If you like me, she shall haue me and mine.
1266:
Tra.
Why then the maid is mine from all the world
1267: By your firme promise, Gremio is out-vied.
1268:
Bap.
I must confesse your offer is the best,
1269: And let your father make her the assurance,
1270: Shee is your owne, else you must pardon me:
1271: If you should die before him, where's her dower?
1272:
Tra.
That's but a cauill: he is olde, I young.
1273:
Gre.
And may not yong men die as well as old?
1274:
Bap.
Well gentlemen, I am thus resolu'd,
1275: On sonday next, you know
1276: My daughter Katherine is to be married:
1277: Now on the sonday following, shall Bianca
1278: Be Bride to you, if you make this assurance:
1279: If not, to Signior Gremio:
1280: And so I take my leaue, and thanke you both. [ Exit.]
1281:
Gre.
Adieu good neighbour: now I feare thee not:
1282: Sirra, yong gamester, your father were a foole
1283: To giue thee all, and in his wayning age
1284: Set foot vnder thy table: tut, a toy,
1285: An olde Italian foxe is not so kinde my boy. [ Exit.]
1286:
Tra.
A vengeance on your crafty withered hide,
1287: Yet I haue fac'd it with a card of ten:
1288: 'Tis in my head to doe my master good:
1289: I see no reason but suppos'd Lucentio
1290: Must get a father, call'd suppos'd Vincentio,
1291: And that's a wonder: fathers commonly
1292: Doe get their children: but in this case of woing,
1293: A childe shall get a sire, if I faile not of my cunning. [ Exit.]