The Taming of the Shrew

INDUCTION

Scene 1

Enter Beggar (Christopher Sly) and Hostess.

SLY

I’ll feeze you, in faith.

HOSTESS

A pair of stocks, you rogue!

SLY

You’re a baggage! The Slys are no rogues. Look
in the chronicles. We came in with Richard Conqueror.
55Therefore, paucas pallabris, let the world
slide. Sessa!

HOSTESS

You will not pay for the glasses you have
burst?

SLY

No, not a denier. Go, by Saint Jeronimy! Go to
1010thy cold bed and warm thee.

He lies down.

HOSTESS

I know my remedy. I must go fetch the
headborough.

She exits.

SLY

Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I’ll answer him
by law. I’ll not budge an inch, boy. Let him come,
1515and kindly.

Falls asleep.Wind horns within. Enter a Lord from hunting, with
his train.

LORD

Huntsman, I charge thee tender well my hounds.
Breathe Merriman (the poor cur is embossed)
And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach.
Saw’st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good
2020At the hedge corner, in the coldest fault?
I would not lose the dog for twenty pound!

FIRST HUNTSMAN

Why, Bellman is as good as he, my lord.
He cried upon it at the merest loss,
And twice today picked out the dullest scent.
2525Trust me, I take him for the better dog.

LORD

Thou art a fool. If Echo were as fleet,
I would esteem him worth a dozen such.
But sup them well, and look unto them all.
Tomorrow I intend to hunt again.

FIRST HUNTSMAN

3030I will, my lord.

First Huntsman exits.

LORD , noticing Sly

What’s here? One dead, or drunk? See doth he
breathe.

SECOND HUNTSMAN

He breathes, my lord. Were he not warmed with ale,
This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly.

LORD

3535O 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
4040fingers,
A most delicious banquet by his bed,
And brave attendants near him when he wakes,
Would not the beggar then forget himself?

THIRD HUNTSMAN

Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.

SECOND HUNTSMAN

4545It would seem strange unto him when he waked.

LORD

Even as a flatt’ring dream or worthless fancy.
Then take him up, and manage well the jest.
Carry him gently to my fairest chamber,
And hang it round with all my wanton pictures;
5050Balm his foul head in warm distillèd waters,
And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet;
Procure me music ready when he wakes
To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound.
And if he chance to speak, be ready straight
5555And, with a low, submissive reverence,
Say “What is it your Honor will command?”
Let one attend him with a silver basin
Full of rosewater and bestrewed with flowers,
Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper,
6060And say “Will ’t please your Lordship cool your
hands?”
Someone be ready with a costly suit,
And ask him what apparel he will wear.
Another tell him of his hounds and horse,
6565And that his lady mourns at his disease.
Persuade him that he hath been lunatic,
And when he says he is, say that he dreams,
For he is nothing but a mighty lord.
This do, and do it kindly, gentle sirs.
7070It will be pastime passing excellent
If it be husbanded with modesty.

THIRD HUNTSMAN

My lord, I warrant you we will play our part
As he shall think by our true diligence
He is no less than what we say he is.

LORD

7575Take him up gently, and to bed with him,
And each one to his office when he wakes.
Sly is carried out.
Sound trumpets within.
Sirrah, go see what trumpet ’tis that sounds.
Servingman exits.
Belike some noble gentleman that means
(Traveling some journey) to repose him here.

Enter Servingman.

8080How now? Who is it?

SERVINGMAN

An ’t please your Honor, players
That offer service to your Lordship.

LORD

Bid them come near.

Enter Players.

Now, fellows, you are welcome.

PLAYERS

8585We thank your Honor.

LORD

Do you intend to stay with me tonight?

FIRST PLAYER

So please your Lordship to accept our duty.

LORD

With all my heart. This fellow I remember
Since once he played a farmer’s eldest son.—
9090’Twas where you wooed the gentlewoman so well.
I have forgot your name, but sure that part
Was aptly fitted and naturally performed.

SECOND PLAYER

I think ’twas Soto that your Honor means.

LORD

’Tis very true. Thou didst it excellent.
9595Well, you are come to me in happy time,
The rather for I have some sport in hand
Wherein your cunning can assist me much.
There is a lord will hear you play tonight;
But I am doubtful of your modesties,
100100Lest, over-eying of his odd behavior
(For yet his Honor never heard a play),
You break into some merry passion,
And so offend him. For I tell you, sirs,
If you should smile, he grows impatient.

FIRST PLAYER

105105Fear not, my lord, we can contain ourselves
Were he the veriest antic in the world.

LORD , to a Servingman

Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery
And give them friendly welcome every one.
Let them want nothing that my house affords.
One exits with the Players.
110110Sirrah, go you to Bartholomew, my page,
And see him dressed in all suits like a lady.
That done, conduct him to the drunkard’s chamber,
And call him “Madam,” do him obeisance.
Tell him from me, as he will win my love,
115115He bear himself with honorable action,
Such as he hath observed in noble ladies
Unto their lords, by them accomplishèd.
Such duty to the drunkard let him do
With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy,
120120And say “What is ’t your Honor will command,
Wherein your lady and your humble wife
May show her duty and make known her love?”
And then with kind embracements, tempting kisses,
And with declining head into his bosom,
125125Bid him shed tears, as being overjoyed
To see her noble lord restored to health,
Who, for this seven years, hath esteemed him
No better than a poor and loathsome beggar.
And if the boy have not a woman’s gift
130130To rain a shower of commanded tears,
An onion will do well for such a shift,
Which (in a napkin being close conveyed)
Shall in despite enforce a watery eye.
See this dispatched with all the haste thou canst.
135135Anon I’ll give thee more instructions.
A Servingman exits.
I know the boy will well usurp the grace,
Voice, gait, and action of a gentlewoman.
I long to hear him call the drunkard “husband”!
And how my men will stay themselves from
140140laughter
When they do homage to this simple peasant,
I’ll in to counsel them. Haply my presence
May well abate the over-merry spleen
Which otherwise would grow into extremes.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter aloft Christopher Sly, the drunkard, with
Attendants, some with apparel, basin and ewer, and
other appurtenances, and Lord dressed as an Attendant.

SLY

145For God’s sake, a pot of small ale.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Will ’t please your Lord drink a cup of sack?

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Will ’t please your Honor taste of these conserves?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What raiment will your Honor wear today?

SLY

5I am Christophero Sly! Call not me “Honor” nor
150“Lordship.” I ne’er drank sack in my life. An if you
give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef.
Ne’er ask me what raiment I’ll wear, for I have no
more doublets than backs, no more stockings than
10legs, nor no more shoes than feet, nay sometime
155more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look
through the over-leather.

LORD , as Attendant

Heaven cease this idle humor in your Honor!
O, that a mighty man of such descent,
15Of such possessions, and so high esteem
160Should be infusèd with so foul a spirit!

SLY

What, would you make me mad? Am not I Christopher
Sly, old Sly’s son of Burton Heath, by birth a
peddler, by education a cardmaker, by transmutation
20a bearherd, and now by present profession a
165tinker? Ask Marian Hacket, the fat alewife of Wincot,
if she know me not! If she say I am not fourteen
pence on the score for sheer ale, score me up for the
lying’st knave in Christendom. What, I am not
25bestraught! Here’s—

THIRD SERVINGMAN

170O, this it is that makes your lady mourn.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

O, this is it that makes your servants droop.

LORD , as Attendant

Hence comes it that your kindred shuns your house,
As beaten hence by your strange lunacy.
30O noble lord, bethink thee of thy birth,
175Call home thy ancient thoughts from banishment,
And banish hence these abject lowly dreams.
Look how thy servants do attend on thee,
Each in his office ready at thy beck.
35Wilt thou have music? Hark, Apollo plays,Music.
180And twenty cagèd nightingales do sing.
Or wilt thou sleep? We’ll have thee to a couch
Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed
On purpose trimmed up for Semiramis.
40Say thou wilt walk, we will bestrew the ground.
185Or wilt thou ride? Thy horses shall be trapped,
Their harness studded all with gold and pearl.
Dost thou love hawking? Thou hast hawks will soar
Above the morning lark. Or wilt thou hunt?
45Thy hounds shall make the welkin answer them
190And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Say thou wilt course. Thy greyhounds are as swift
As breathèd stags, ay, fleeter than the roe.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Dost thou love pictures? We will fetch thee straight
50Adonis painted by a running brook,
195And Cytherea all in sedges hid,
Which seem to move and wanton with her breath,
Even as the waving sedges play with wind.

LORD , as Attendant

We’ll show thee Io as she was a maid
55And how she was beguilèd and surprised,
200As lively painted as the deed was done.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Or Daphne roaming through a thorny wood,
Scratching her legs that one shall swear she bleeds,
And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep,
60So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn.

LORD , as Attendant

205Thou art a lord, and nothing but a lord;
Thou hast a lady far more beautiful
Than any woman in this waning age.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

And till the tears that she hath shed for thee
65Like envious floods o’errun her lovely face,
210She was the fairest creature in the world—
And yet she is inferior to none.

SLY

Am I a lord, and have I such a lady?
Or do I dream? Or have I dreamed till now?
70I do not sleep: I see, I hear, I speak,
215I smell sweet savors, and I feel soft things.
Upon my life, I am a lord indeed
And not a tinker, nor Christopher Sly.
Well, bring our lady hither to our sight,
75And once again a pot o’ the smallest ale.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

220Will ’t please your Mightiness to wash your hands?
O, how we joy to see your wit restored!
O, that once more you knew but what you are!
These fifteen years you have been in a dream,
80Or, when you waked, so waked as if you slept.

SLY

225These fifteen years! By my fay, a goodly nap.
But did I never speak of all that time?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Oh, yes, my lord, but very idle words.
For though you lay here in this goodly chamber,
85Yet would you say you were beaten out of door,
230And rail upon the hostess of the house,
And say you would present her at the leet
Because she brought stone jugs and no sealed
quarts.
90Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket.

SLY

235Ay, the woman’s maid of the house.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Why, sir, you know no house, nor no such maid,
Nor no such men as you have reckoned up,
As Stephen Sly and old John Naps of Greete,
95And Peter Turph and Henry Pimpernell,
240And twenty more such names and men as these,
Which never were, nor no man ever saw.

SLY

Now, Lord be thanked for my good amends!

ALL

Amen.

SLY

100I thank thee. Thou shalt not lose by it.

Enter Page as Lady, with Attendants.

PAGE , as Lady

245How fares my noble lord?

SLY

Marry, I fare well, for here is cheer enough.
Where is my wife?

PAGE , as Lady

Here, noble lord. What is thy will with her?

SLY

105Are you my wife, and will not call me “husband”?
250My men should call me “lord.” I am your goodman.

PAGE , as Lady

My husband and my lord, my lord and husband,
I am your wife in all obedience.

SLY

I know it well.—What must I call her?

LORD , as Attendant

110“Madam.”

SLY

255“Alice Madam,” or “Joan Madam”?

LORD

“Madam,” and nothing else. So lords call ladies.

SLY

Madam wife, they say that I have dreamed
And slept above some fifteen year or more.

PAGE , as Lady

115Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me,
260Being all this time abandoned from your bed.

SLY

’Tis much.—Servants, leave me and her alone.—
Madam, undress you, and come now to bed.

PAGE , as Lady

Thrice noble lord, let me entreat of you
120To pardon me yet for a night or two;
265Or if not so, until the sun be set.
For your physicians have expressly charged,
In peril to incur your former malady,
That I should yet absent me from your bed.
125I hope this reason stands for my excuse.

SLY

270Ay, it stands so that I may hardly tarry so long; but
I would be loath to fall into my dreams again. I will
therefore tarry in despite of the flesh and the
blood.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER

130Your Honor’s players, hearing your amendment,
275Are come to play a pleasant comedy,
For so your doctors hold it very meet,
Seeing too much sadness hath congealed your
blood,
135And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy.
280Therefore they thought it good you hear a play
And frame your mind to mirth and merriment,
Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life.

SLY

Marry, I will. Let them play it.Messenger exits.
140Is not a comonty a Christmas gambold or a tumbling
285trick?

PAGE , as Lady

No, my good lord, it is more pleasing stuff.

SLY

What, household stuff?

PAGE , as Lady

It is a kind of history.

SLY

145Well, we’ll see ’t. Come, madam wife, sit by my
290side, and let the world slip. We shall ne’er be
younger.

They sit.

ACT 1

Scene 1

Flourish. Enter Lucentio and his man Tranio.

LUCENTIO

Tranio, since for the great desire I had
To see fair Padua, nursery of arts,
I am arrived for fruitful Lombardy,
295The pleasant garden of great Italy,
5And by my father’s love and leave am armed
With his goodwill and thy good company.
My trusty servant well approved in all,
Here let us breathe and haply institute
300A course of learning and ingenious studies.
10Pisa, renownèd for grave citizens,
Gave me my being, and my father first,
A merchant of great traffic through the world,
Vincentio, come of the Bentivolii.
305Vincentio’s son, brought up in Florence,
15It shall become to serve all hopes conceived
To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds.
And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study
Virtue, and that part of philosophy
310Will I apply that treats of happiness
20By virtue specially to be achieved.
Tell me thy mind, for I have Pisa left
And am to Padua come, as he that leaves
A shallow plash to plunge him in the deep
315And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.

TRANIO

25Mi perdonato, gentle master mine.
I am in all affected as yourself,
Glad that you thus continue your resolve
To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy.
320Only, good master, while we do admire
30This virtue and this moral discipline,
Let’s be no stoics nor no stocks, I pray,
Or so devote to Aristotle’s checks
As Ovid be an outcast quite abjured.
325Balk logic with acquaintance that you have,
35And practice rhetoric in your common talk;
Music and poesy use to quicken you;
The mathematics and the metaphysics—
Fall to them as you find your stomach serves you.
330No profit grows where is no pleasure ta’en.
40In brief, sir, study what you most affect.

LUCENTIO

Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise.
If, Biondello, thou wert come ashore,
We could at once put us in readiness
335And take a lodging fit to entertain
45Such friends as time in Padua shall beget.

Enter Baptista with his two daughters, Katherine and
Bianca; Gremio, a pantaloon, and Hortensio, suitors
to Bianca.

But stay awhile! What company is this?

TRANIO

Master, some show to welcome us to town.

Lucentio and Tranio stand by.

BAPTISTA , to Gremio and Hortensio

Gentlemen, importune me no farther,
340For how I firmly am resolved you know:
50That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter
Before I have a husband for the elder.
If either of you both love Katherine,
Because I know you well and love you well,
345Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.

GREMIO

55To cart her, rather. She’s too rough for me.—
There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?

KATHERINE , to Baptista

I pray you, sir, is it your will
To make a stale of me amongst these mates?

HORTENSIO

350“Mates,” maid? How mean you that? No mates for
60you,
Unless you were of gentler, milder mold.

KATHERINE

I’ faith, sir, you shall never need to fear.
Iwis it is not halfway to her heart.
355But if it were, doubt not her care should be
65To comb your noddle with a three-legged stool
And paint your face and use you like a fool.

HORTENSIO

From all such devils, good Lord, deliver us!

GREMIO

And me too, good Lord.

TRANIO , aside to Lucentio

360Husht, master, here’s some good pastime toward;
70That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.

LUCENTIO , aside to Tranio

But in the other’s silence do I see
Maid’s mild behavior and sobriety.
Peace, Tranio.

TRANIO , aside to Lucentio

365Well said, master. Mum, and gaze your fill.

BAPTISTA , to Gremio and Hortensio

75Gentlemen, that I may soon make good
What I have said—Bianca, get you in,
And let it not displease thee, good Bianca,
For I will love thee ne’er the less, my girl.

KATHERINE

370A pretty peat! It is best
80Put finger in the eye, an she knew why.

BIANCA

Sister, content you in my discontent.—
Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe.
My books and instruments shall be my company,
375On them to look and practice by myself.

LUCENTIO , aside to Tranio

85Hark, Tranio, thou mayst hear Minerva speak!

HORTENSIO

Signior Baptista, will you be so strange?
Sorry am I that our goodwill effects
Bianca’s grief.

GREMIO

380Why will you mew her up,
90Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell,
And make her bear the penance of her tongue?

BAPTISTA

Gentlemen, content you. I am resolved.—
Go in, Bianca.Bianca exits.
385And for I know she taketh most delight
95In music, instruments, and poetry,
Schoolmasters will I keep within my house
Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio,
Or, Signior Gremio, you know any such,
390Prefer them hither. For to cunning men
100I will be very kind, and liberal
To mine own children in good bringing up.
And so, farewell.—Katherine, you may stay,
For I have more to commune with Bianca.

He exits.

KATHERINE

395Why, and I trust I may go too, may I not?
105What, shall I be appointed hours as though, belike,
I knew not what to take and what to leave? Ha!

She exits.

GREMIO

You may go to the Devil’s dam! Your gifts are
so good here’s none will hold you.—Their love is
400not so great, Hortensio, but we may blow our nails
110together and fast it fairly out. Our cake’s dough on
both sides. Farewell. Yet for the love I bear my
sweet Bianca, if I can by any means light on a fit
man to teach her that wherein she delights, I will
405wish him to her father.

HORTENSIO

115So will I, Signior Gremio. But a word, I
pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet never
brooked parle, know now upon advice, it toucheth
us both (that we may yet again have access to our
410fair mistress and be happy rivals in Bianca’s love) to
120labor and effect one thing specially.

GREMIO

What’s that, I pray?

HORTENSIO

Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister.

GREMIO

A husband? A devil!

HORTENSIO

415I say “a husband.”

GREMIO

125I say “a devil.” Think’st thou, Hortensio,
though her father be very rich, any man is so very a
fool to be married to hell?

HORTENSIO

Tush, Gremio. Though it pass your patience
420and mine to endure her loud alarums, why,
130man, there be good fellows in the world, an a man
could light on them, would take her with all faults,
and money enough.

GREMIO

I cannot tell. But I had as lief take her dowry
425with this condition: to be whipped at the high cross
135every morning.

HORTENSIO

Faith, as you say, there’s small choice in
rotten apples. But come, since this bar in law
makes us friends, it shall be so far forth friendly
430maintained till by helping Baptista’s eldest daughter
140to a husband we set his youngest free for a
husband, and then have to ’t afresh. Sweet Bianca!
Happy man be his dole! He that runs fastest gets the
ring. How say you, Signior Gremio?

GREMIO

435I am agreed, and would I had given him the
145best horse in Padua to begin his wooing that would
thoroughly woo her, wed her, and bed her, and rid
the house of her. Come on.

Gremio and Hortensio exit.
Tranio and Lucentio remain onstage.

TRANIO

I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible
440That love should of a sudden take such hold?

LUCENTIO

150O Tranio, till I found it to be true,
I never thought it possible or likely.
But see, while idly I stood looking on,
I found the effect of love-in-idleness,
445And now in plainness do confess to thee
155That art to me as secret and as dear
As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was:
Tranio, I burn, I pine! I perish, Tranio,
If I achieve not this young modest girl.
450Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst.
160Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt.

TRANIO

Master, it is no time to chide you now.
Affection is not rated from the heart.
If love have touched you, naught remains but so:
455Redime te captum quam queas minimo.

LUCENTIO

165Gramercies, lad. Go forward. This contents;
The rest will comfort, for thy counsel’s sound.

TRANIO

Master, you looked so longly on the maid,
Perhaps you marked not what’s the pith of all.

LUCENTIO

460O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face,
170Such as the daughter of Agenor had,
That made great Jove to humble him to her hand
When with his knees he kissed the Cretan strand.

TRANIO

Saw you no more? Marked you not how her sister
465Began to scold and raise up such a storm
175That mortal ears might hardly endure the din?

LUCENTIO

Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move,
And with her breath she did perfume the air.
Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.

TRANIO , aside

470Nay, then ’tis time to stir him from his trance.—
180I pray, awake, sir! If you love the maid,
Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it
stands:
Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd
475That till the father rid his hands of her,
185Master, your love must live a maid at home,
And therefore has he closely mewed her up,
Because she will not be annoyed with suitors.

LUCENTIO

Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father’s he!
480But art thou not advised he took some care
190To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her?

TRANIO

Ay, marry, am I, sir—and now ’tis plotted!

LUCENTIO

I have it, Tranio!

TRANIO

Master, for my hand,
485Both our inventions meet and jump in one.

LUCENTIO

195Tell me thine first.

TRANIO

You will be schoolmaster
And undertake the teaching of the maid:
That’s your device.

LUCENTIO

490It is. May it be done?

TRANIO

200Not possible. For who shall bear your part
And be in Padua here Vincentio’s son,
Keep house, and ply his book, welcome his friends,
Visit his countrymen and banquet them?

LUCENTIO

495Basta, content thee, for I have it full.
205We have not yet been seen in any house,
Nor can we be distinguished by our faces
For man or master. Then it follows thus:
Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead,
500Keep house, and port, and servants, as I should.
210I will some other be, some Florentine,
Some Neapolitan, or meaner man of Pisa.
’Tis hatched, and shall be so. Tranio, at once
Uncase thee. Take my colored hat and cloak.
They exchange clothes.
505When Biondello comes, he waits on thee,
215But I will charm him first to keep his tongue.

TRANIO

So had you need.
In brief, sir, sith it your pleasure is,
And I am tied to be obedient
510(For so your father charged me at our parting:
220“Be serviceable to my son,” quoth he,
Although I think ’twas in another sense),
I am content to be Lucentio,
Because so well I love Lucentio.

LUCENTIO

515Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves,
225And let me be a slave, t’ achieve that maid
Whose sudden sight hath thralled my wounded eye.

Enter Biondello.

Here comes the rogue.—Sirrah, where have you
been?

BIONDELLO

520Where have I been? Nay, how now, where are you?
230Master, has my fellow Tranio stolen your clothes?
Or you stolen his? Or both? Pray, what’s the news?

LUCENTIO

Sirrah, come hither. ’Tis no time to jest,
And therefore frame your manners to the time.
525Your fellow, Tranio here, to save my life,
235Puts my apparel and my count’nance on,
And I for my escape have put on his;
For in a quarrel since I came ashore
I killed a man and fear I was descried.
530Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes,
240While I make way from hence to save my life.
You understand me?

BIONDELLO

Ay, sir. Aside. Ne’er a whit.

LUCENTIO

And not a jot of “Tranio” in your mouth.
535Tranio is changed into Lucentio.

BIONDELLO

245The better for him. Would I were so too.

TRANIO

So could I, faith, boy, to have the next wish after,
That Lucentio indeed had Baptista’s youngest
daughter.
540But, sirrah, not for my sake, but your master’s, I
250advise
You use your manners discreetly in all kind of
companies.
When I am alone, why then I am Tranio;
545But in all places else, your master Lucentio.

LUCENTIO

255Tranio, let’s go. One thing more rests, that
thyself execute, to make one among these wooers. If
thou ask me why, sufficeth my reasons are both
good and weighty.

They exit.The Presenters above speak.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

550My lord, you nod. You do not mind the play.

SLY

260Yes, by Saint Anne, do I. A good matter, surely.
Comes there any more of it?

PAGE , as Lady

My lord, ’tis but begun.

SLY

’Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady.
555Would ’twere done.

They sit and mark.

Scene 2

Enter Petruchio and his man Grumio.

PETRUCHIO

Verona, for a while I take my leave
To see my friends in Padua, but of all
My best belovèd and approvèd friend,
Hortensio. And I trow this is his house.
5560Here, sirrah Grumio, knock, I say.

GRUMIO

Knock, sir? Whom should I knock? Is there
any man has rebused your Worship?

PETRUCHIO

Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.

GRUMIO

Knock you here, sir? Why, sir, what am I, sir,
10565that I should knock you here, sir?

PETRUCHIO

Villain, I say, knock me at this gate
And rap me well, or I’ll knock your knave’s pate.

GRUMIO

My master is grown quarrelsome. I should knock
you first,
15570And then I know after who comes by the worst.

PETRUCHIO

Will it not be?
Faith, sirrah, an you’ll not knock, I’ll ring it.
I’ll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it.

He wrings him by the ears. Grumio falls.

GRUMIO

Help, mistress, help! My master is mad.

PETRUCHIO

20575Now knock when I bid you, sirrah
villain.

Enter Hortensio.

HORTENSIO

How now, what’s the matter? My old
friend Grumio and my good friend Petruchio? How
do you all at Verona?

PETRUCHIO

25580Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray?
Con tutto il cuore ben trovato, may I say.

HORTENSIO

Alia nostra casa ben venuto, molto
honorato signor mio Petruchio.—Rise, Grumio,
rise. We will compound this quarrel.

Grumio rises.

GRUMIO

30585Nay, ’tis no matter, sir, what he ’leges in
Latin. If this be not a lawful cause for me to leave
his service—look you, sir: he bid me knock him
and rap him soundly, sir. Well, was it fit for a
servant to use his master so, being perhaps, for
35590aught I see, two-and-thirty, a pip out?
Whom, would to God, I had well knocked at first,
Then had not Grumio come by the worst.

PETRUCHIO

A senseless villain, good Hortensio.
I bade the rascal knock upon your gate
40595And could not get him for my heart to do it.

GRUMIO

Knock at the gate? O, heavens, spake you not
these words plain: “Sirrah, knock me here, rap me
here, knock me well, and knock me soundly”? And
come you now with “knocking at the gate”?

PETRUCHIO

45600Sirrah, begone, or talk not, I advise you.

HORTENSIO

Petruchio, patience. I am Grumio’s pledge.
Why, this’ a heavy chance ’twixt him and you,
Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio.
And tell me now, sweet friend, what happy gale
50605Blows you to Padua here from old Verona?

PETRUCHIO

Such wind as scatters young men through the world
To seek their fortunes farther than at home,
Where small experience grows. But in a few,
Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me:
55610Antonio, my father, is deceased,
And I have thrust myself into this maze,
Happily to wive and thrive, as best I may.
Crowns in my purse I have and goods at home,
And so am come abroad to see the world.

HORTENSIO

60615Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee
And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favored wife?
Thou ’dst thank me but a little for my counsel—
And yet I’ll promise thee she shall be rich,
And very rich. But thou ’rt too much my friend,
65620And I’ll not wish thee to her.

PETRUCHIO

Signior Hortensio, ’twixt such friends as we
Few words suffice. And therefore, if thou know
One rich enough to be Petruchio’s wife
(As wealth is burden of my wooing dance),
70625Be she as foul as was Florentius’ love,
As old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd
As Socrates’ Xanthippe, or a worse,
She moves me not, or not removes at least
Affection’s edge in me, were she as rough
75630As are the swelling Adriatic seas.
I come to wive it wealthily in Padua;
If wealthily, then happily in Padua.

GRUMIO , to Hortensio

Nay, look you, sir, he tells you
flatly what his mind is. Why, give him gold enough
80635and marry him to a puppet or an aglet-baby, 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.

HORTENSIO

Petruchio, since we are stepped thus far in,
85640I will continue that I broached in jest.
I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife
With wealth enough, and young and beauteous,
Brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman.
Her only fault, and that is faults enough,
90645Is that she is intolerable curst,
And shrewd, and froward, so beyond all measure
That, were my state far worser than it is,
I would not wed her for a mine of gold.

PETRUCHIO

Hortensio, peace. Thou know’st not gold’s effect.
95650Tell me her father’s name, and ’tis enough;
For I will board her, though she chide as loud
As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.

HORTENSIO

Her father is Baptista Minola,
An affable and courteous gentleman.
100655Her name is Katherina Minola,
Renowned in Padua for her scolding tongue.

PETRUCHIO

I know her father, though I know not her,
And he knew my deceasèd father well.
I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her,
105660And therefore let me be thus bold with you
To give you over at this first encounter—
Unless you will accompany me thither.

GRUMIO , to Hortensio

I pray you, sir, let him go while
the humor lasts. O’ my word, an she knew him as
110665well as I do, she would think scolding would do little
good upon him. She may perhaps call him half a
score knaves or so. Why, that’s nothing; an he begin
once, he’ll rail in his rope tricks. I’ll tell you what,
sir, an she stand him but a little, he will throw a
115670figure in her face and so disfigure her with it that
she shall have no more eyes to see withal than a cat.
You know him not, sir.

HORTENSIO

Tarry, Petruchio. I must go with thee,
For in Baptista’s keep my treasure is.
120675He hath the jewel of my life in hold,
His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca,
And her withholds from me and other more,
Suitors to her and rivals in my love,
Supposing it a thing impossible,
125680For those defects I have before rehearsed,
That ever Katherina will be wooed.
Therefore this order hath Baptista ta’en,
That none shall have access unto Bianca
Till Katherine the curst have got a husband.

GRUMIO

130685“Katherine the curst,”
A title for a maid, of all titles the worst.

HORTENSIO

Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace
And offer me disguised in sober robes
To old Baptista as a schoolmaster
135690Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca,
That so I may, by this device at least,
Have leave and leisure to make love to her
And unsuspected court her by herself.

GRUMIO

Here’s no knavery! See, to beguile the old
140695folks, how the young folks lay their heads together!

Enter Gremio and Lucentio, disguised as Cambio, a
schoolmaster.

Master, master, look about you. Who goes there, ha?

HORTENSIO

Peace, Grumio, it is the rival of my love.
Petruchio, stand by awhile.

Petruchio, Hortensio, and Grumio stand aside.

GRUMIO , aside

A proper stripling, and an amorous.

GREMIO , to Lucentio

145700O, very well, I have perused the note.
Hark you, sir, I’ll have them very fairly bound,
All books of love. See that at any hand,
And see you read no other lectures to her.
You understand me. Over and beside
150705Signior Baptista’s liberality,
I’ll mend it with a largess. Take your paper too.
And let me have them very well perfumed,
For she is sweeter than perfume itself
To whom they go to. What will you read to her?

LUCENTIO , as Cambio

155710Whate’er I read to her, I’ll plead for you
As for my patron, stand you so assured,
As firmly as yourself were still in place,
Yea, and perhaps with more successful words
Than you—unless you were a scholar, sir.

GREMIO

160715O this learning, what a thing it is!

GRUMIO , aside

O this woodcock, what an ass it is!

PETRUCHIO , aside

Peace, sirrah.

HORTENSIO , aside

Grumio, mum.Coming forward.
God save you, Signior Gremio.

GREMIO

165720And you are well met, Signior Hortensio.
Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista Minola.
I promised to enquire carefully
About a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca,
And by good fortune I have lighted well
170725On this young man, for learning and behavior
Fit for her turn, well read in poetry
And other books—good ones, I warrant you.

HORTENSIO

’Tis well. And I have met a gentleman
Hath promised me to help me to another,
175730A fine musician to instruct our mistress.
So shall I no whit be behind in duty
To fair Bianca, so beloved of me.

GREMIO

Beloved of me, and that my deeds shall prove.

GRUMIO , aside

And that his bags shall prove.

HORTENSIO

180735Gremio, ’tis now no time to vent our love.
Listen to me, and if you speak me fair
I’ll tell you news indifferent good for either.
Presenting Petruchio.
Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met,
Upon agreement from us to his liking,
185740Will undertake to woo curst Katherine,
Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.

GREMIO

So said, so done, is well.
Hortensio, have you told him all her faults?

PETRUCHIO

I know she is an irksome, brawling scold.
190745If that be all, masters, I hear no harm.

GREMIO

No? Sayst me so, friend? What countryman?

PETRUCHIO

Born in Verona, old Antonio’s son.
My father dead, my fortune lives for me,
And I do hope good days and long to see.

GREMIO

195750Oh, sir, such a life with such a wife were strange.
But if you have a stomach, to ’t, i’ God’s name!
You shall have me assisting you in all.
But will you woo this wildcat?

PETRUCHIO

Will I live?

GRUMIO

200755Will he woo her? Ay, or I’ll hang her.

PETRUCHIO

Why came I hither but to that intent?
Think you a little din can daunt mine ears?
Have I not in my time heard lions roar?
Have I not heard the sea, puffed up with winds,
205760Rage like an angry boar chafèd with sweat?
Have I not heard great ordnance in the field
And heaven’s artillery thunder in the skies?
Have I not in a pitchèd battle heard
Loud ’larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets clang?
210765And do you tell me of a woman’s tongue,
That gives not half so great a blow to hear
As will a chestnut in a farmer’s fire?
Tush, tush, fear boys with bugs!

GRUMIO

For he fears none.

GREMIO

215770Hortensio, hark.
This gentleman is happily arrived,
My mind presumes, for his own good and yours.

HORTENSIO

I promised we would be contributors
And bear his charge of wooing whatsoe’er.

GREMIO

220775And so we will, provided that he win her.

GRUMIO

I would I were as sure of a good dinner.

Enter Tranio, disguised as Lucentio, and Biondello.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Gentlemen, God save you. If I may be bold,
Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way
To the house of Signior Baptista Minola?

BIONDELLO

225780He that has the two fair daughters—is ’t
he you mean?

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Even he, Biondello.

GREMIO

Hark you, sir, you mean not her to—

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Perhaps him and her, sir. What have you to do?

PETRUCHIO

230785Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

I love no chiders, sir. Biondello, let’s away.

LUCENTIO , aside

Well begun, Tranio.

HORTENSIO

Sir, a word ere you go.
Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no?

TRANIO , as Lucentio

235790An if I be, sir, is it any offense?

GREMIO

No, if without more words you will get you hence.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Why sir, I pray, are not the streets as free
For me, as for you?

GREMIO

But so is not she.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

240795For what reason, I beseech you?

GREMIO

For this reason, if you’ll know:
That she’s the choice love of Signior Gremio.

HORTENSIO

That she’s the chosen of Signior Hortensio.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Softly, my masters. If you be gentlemen,
245800Do me this right: hear me with patience.
Baptista is a noble gentleman
To whom my father is not all unknown,
And were his daughter fairer than she is,
She may more suitors have, and me for one.
250805Fair Leda’s daughter had a thousand wooers.
Then well one more may fair Bianca have.
And so she shall. Lucentio shall make one,
Though Paris came in hope to speed alone.

GREMIO

What, this gentleman will out-talk us all!

LUCENTIO , as Cambio

255810Sir, give him head; I know he’ll prove a jade.

PETRUCHIO

Hortensio, to what end are all these words?

HORTENSIO , to Tranio

Sir, let me be so bold as ask you,
Did you yet ever see Baptista’s daughter?

TRANIO , as Lucentio

No, sir, but hear I do that he hath two,
260815The one as famous for a scolding tongue
As is the other for beauteous modesty.

PETRUCHIO

Sir, sir, the first’s for me; let her go by.

GREMIO

Yea, leave that labor to great Hercules,
And let it be more than Alcides’ twelve.

PETRUCHIO , to Tranio

265820Sir, understand you this of me, in sooth:
The youngest daughter, whom you hearken for,
Her father keeps from all access of suitors
And will not promise her to any man
Until the elder sister first be wed.
270825The younger then is free, and not before.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

If it be so, sir, that you are the man
Must stead us all, and me amongst the rest,
And if you break the ice and do this feat,
Achieve the elder, set the younger free
275830For our access, whose hap shall be to have her
Will not so graceless be to be ingrate.

HORTENSIO

Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive.
And since you do profess to be a suitor,
You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman,
280835To whom we all rest generally beholding.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Sir, I shall not be slack; in sign whereof,
Please you we may contrive this afternoon
And quaff carouses to our mistress’ health,
And do as adversaries do in law,
285840Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.

GRUMIO and BIONDELLO

O excellent motion! Fellows, let’s be gone.

HORTENSIO

The motion’s good indeed, and be it so.—
Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto.

They exit.

ACT 2

Scene 1

Enter Katherine and Bianca with her hands tied.

BIANCA

Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself,
845To make a bondmaid and a slave of me.
That I disdain. But for these other goods—
Unbind my hands, I’ll pull them off myself,
5Yea, all my raiment to my petticoat,
Or what you will command me will I do,
850So well I know my duty to my elders.

KATHERINE

Of all thy suitors here I charge thee tell
Whom thou lov’st best. See thou dissemble not.

BIANCA

10Believe me, sister, of all the men alive
I never yet beheld that special face
855Which I could fancy more than any other.

KATHERINE

Minion, thou liest. Is ’t not Hortensio?

BIANCA

If you affect him, sister, here I swear
15I’ll plead for you myself, but you shall have him.

KATHERINE

O, then belike you fancy riches more.
860You will have Gremio to keep you fair.

BIANCA

Is it for him you do envy me so?
Nay, then, you jest, and now I well perceive
20You have but jested with me all this while.
I prithee, sister Kate, untie my hands.

Katherine strikes her.

KATHERINE

865If that be jest, then all the rest was so.

Enter Baptista.

BAPTISTA

Why, how now, dame, whence grows this
insolence?—
25Bianca, stand aside.—Poor girl, she weeps!
He unties her hands.
To Bianca. Go ply thy needle; meddle not with her.
870To Katherine. For shame, thou hilding of a devilish
spirit!
Why dost thou wrong her that did ne’er wrong
30thee?
When did she cross thee with a bitter word?

KATHERINE

875Her silence flouts me, and I’ll be revenged!

She flies after Bianca.

BAPTISTA

What, in my sight?—Bianca, get thee in.

Bianca exits.

KATHERINE

What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see
35She is your treasure, she must have a husband,
I must dance barefoot on her wedding day
880And, for your love to her, lead apes in hell.
Talk not to me. I will go sit and weep
Till I can find occasion of revenge.

She exits.

BAPTISTA

40Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I?
But who comes here?

Enter Gremio; Lucentio disguised as Cambio
in the habit of a mean man; Petruchio with
Hortensio disguised as Litio; and Tranio disguised
as Lucentio, with his boy, Biondello bearing a lute
and books.

GREMIO

885Good morrow, neighbor Baptista.

BAPTISTA

Good morrow, neighbor Gremio.—God
save you, gentlemen.

PETRUCHIO

45And you, good sir. Pray, have you not a daughter
Called Katherina, fair and virtuous?

BAPTISTA

890I have a daughter, sir, called Katherina.

GREMIO , to Petruchio

You are too blunt. Go to it orderly.

PETRUCHIO

You wrong me, Signior Gremio. Give me leave.—
50I am a gentleman of Verona, sir,
That hearing of her beauty and her wit,
895Her affability and bashful modesty,
Her wondrous qualities and mild behavior,
Am bold to show myself a forward guest
55Within your house, to make mine eye the witness
Of that report which I so oft have heard,
900And, for an entrance to my entertainment,
I do present you with a man of mine,
Presenting Hortensio, disguised as Litio
Cunning in music and the mathematics,
60To instruct her fully in those sciences,
Whereof I know she is not ignorant.
905Accept of him, or else you do me wrong.
His name is Litio, born in Mantua.

BAPTISTA

You’re welcome, sir, and he for your good sake.
65But for my daughter Katherine, this I know,
She is not for your turn, the more my grief.

PETRUCHIO

910I see you do not mean to part with her,
Or else you like not of my company.

BAPTISTA

Mistake me not. I speak but as I find.
70Whence are you, sir? What may I call your name?

PETRUCHIO

Petruchio is my name, Antonio’s son,
915A man well known throughout all Italy.

BAPTISTA

I know him well. You are welcome for his sake.

GREMIO

Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray
75Let us that are poor petitioners speak too!
Bacare, you are marvelous forward.

PETRUCHIO

920O, pardon me, Signior Gremio, I would fain be
doing.

GREMIO

I doubt it not, sir. But you will curse your wooing.
80To Baptista. Neighbor, this is a gift very grateful,
I am sure of it. To express the like kindness, myself,
925that have been more kindly beholding to you than
any, freely give unto you this young scholar presenting
Lucentio, disguised as Cambio that hath
85been long studying at Rheims, as cunning in Greek,
Latin, and other languages as the other in music and
930mathematics. His name is Cambio. Pray accept his
service.

BAPTISTA

A thousand thanks, Signior Gremio.—Welcome,
90good Cambio. To Tranio as Lucentio. But,
gentle sir, methinks you walk like a stranger. May I
935be so bold to know the cause of your coming?

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own,
That being a stranger in this city here
95Do make myself a suitor to your daughter,
Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous.
940Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me,
In the preferment of the eldest sister.
This liberty is all that I request,
100That, upon knowledge of my parentage,
I may have welcome ’mongst the rest that woo
945And free access and favor as the rest.
And toward the education of your daughters
I here bestow a simple instrument
105And this small packet of Greek and Latin books.
Biondello comes forward with the gifts.
If you accept them, then their worth is great.

BAPTISTA

950Lucentio is your name. Of whence, I pray?

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Of Pisa, sir, son to Vincentio.

BAPTISTA

A mighty man of Pisa. By report
110I know him well. You are very welcome, sir.
To Hortensio as Litio. Take you the lute,
955To Lucentio as Cambio. and you the set of books.
You shall go see your pupils presently.
Holla, within!

Enter a Servant.

115Sirrah, lead these gentlemen
To my daughters, and tell them both
960These are their tutors. Bid them use them well.
Servant exits with Hortensio and Lucentio.
We will go walk a little in the orchard,
And then to dinner. You are passing welcome,
120And so I pray you all to think yourselves.

PETRUCHIO

Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste,
965And every day I cannot come to woo.
You knew my father well, and in him me,
Left solely heir to all his lands and goods,
125Which I have bettered rather than decreased.
Then tell me, if I get your daughter’s love,
970What dowry shall I have with her to wife?

BAPTISTA

After my death, the one half of my lands,
And, in possession, twenty thousand crowns.

PETRUCHIO

130And, for that dowry, I’ll assure her of
Her widowhood, be it that she survive me,
975In all my lands and leases whatsoever.
Let specialties be therefore drawn between us,
That covenants may be kept on either hand.

BAPTISTA

135Ay, when the special thing is well obtained,
That is, her love, for that is all in all.

PETRUCHIO

980Why, that is nothing. For I tell you, father,
I am as peremptory as she proud-minded;
And where two raging fires meet together,
140They do consume the thing that feeds their fury.
Though little fire grows great with little wind,
985Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all.
So I to her and so she yields to me,
For I am rough and woo not like a babe.

BAPTISTA

145Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed.
But be thou armed for some unhappy words.

PETRUCHIO

990Ay, to the proof, as mountains are for winds,
That shakes not, though they blow perpetually.

Enter Hortensio as Litio with his head broke.

BAPTISTA

How now, my friend, why dost thou look so pale?

HORTENSIO , as Litio

150For fear, I promise you, if I look pale.

BAPTISTA

What, will my daughter prove a good musician?

HORTENSIO , as Litio

995I think she’ll sooner prove a soldier!
Iron may hold with her, but never lutes.

BAPTISTA

Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute?

HORTENSIO , as Litio

155Why, no, for she hath broke the lute to me.
I did but tell her she mistook her frets,
1000And bowed her hand to teach her fingering,
When, with a most impatient devilish spirit,
““Frets” call you these?” quoth she. “I’ll fume with
160them!”
And with that word she struck me on the head,
1005And through the instrument my pate made way,
And there I stood amazèd for a while,
As on a pillory, looking through the lute,
165While she did call me “rascal fiddler,”
And “twangling Jack,” with twenty such vile terms,
1010As had she studied to misuse me so.

PETRUCHIO

Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench.
I love her ten times more than ere I did.
170O, how I long to have some chat with her!

BAPTISTA , to Hortensio as Litio

Well, go with me, and be not so discomfited.
1015Proceed in practice with my younger daughter.
She’s apt to learn, and thankful for good turns.—
Signior Petruchio, will you go with us,
175Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you?

PETRUCHIO

I pray you do. I’ll attend her here—
All but Petruchio exit.
1020And woo her with some spirit when she comes!
Say that she rail, why then I’ll tell her plain
She sings as sweetly as a nightingale.
180Say that she frown, I’ll say she looks as clear
As morning roses newly washed with dew.
1025Say she be mute and will not speak a word,
Then I’ll commend her volubility
And say she uttereth piercing eloquence.
185If she do bid me pack, I’ll give her thanks
As though she bid me stay by her a week.
1030If she deny to wed, I’ll crave the day
When I shall ask the banns, and when be marrièd.
But here she comes—and now, Petruchio, speak.

Enter Katherine.

190Good morrow, Kate, for that’s your name, I hear.

KATHERINE

Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing.
1035They call me Katherine that do talk of me.

PETRUCHIO

You lie, in faith, for you are called plain Kate,
And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst.
195But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom,
Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate
1040(For dainties are all Kates)—and therefore, Kate,
Take this of me, Kate of my consolation:
Hearing thy mildness praised in every town,
200Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded
(Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs),
1045Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife.

KATHERINE

“Moved,” in good time! Let him that moved you
hither
205Remove you hence. I knew you at the first
You were a movable.

PETRUCHIO

1050Why, what’s a movable?

KATHERINE

A joint stool.

PETRUCHIO

Thou hast hit it. Come, sit on me.

KATHERINE

210Asses are made to bear, and so are you.

PETRUCHIO

Women are made to bear, and so are you.

KATHERINE

1055No such jade as you, if me you mean.

PETRUCHIO

Alas, good Kate, I will not burden thee,
For knowing thee to be but young and light—

KATHERINE

215Too light for such a swain as you to catch,
And yet as heavy as my weight should be.

PETRUCHIO

1060“Should be”—should buzz!

KATHERINE

Well ta’en, and like a
buzzard.

PETRUCHIO

220O slow-winged turtle, shall a buzzard take thee?

KATHERINE

Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard.

PETRUCHIO

1065Come, come, you wasp! I’ faith, you are too angry.

KATHERINE

If I be waspish, best beware my sting.

PETRUCHIO

My remedy is then to pluck it out.

KATHERINE

225Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.

PETRUCHIO

Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting?
1070In his tail.

KATHERINE

In his tongue.

PETRUCHIO

Whose tongue?

KATHERINE

230Yours, if you talk of tales, and so farewell.

PETRUCHIO

What, with my tongue in your tail?
1075Nay, come again, good Kate. I am a gentleman—

KATHERINE

That I’ll try.

She strikes him.

PETRUCHIO

I swear I’ll cuff you if you strike again.

KATHERINE

235So may you lose your arms.
If you strike me, you are no gentleman,
1080And if no gentleman, why then no arms.

PETRUCHIO

A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books.

KATHERINE

What is your crest? A coxcomb?

PETRUCHIO

240A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen.

KATHERINE

No cock of mine. You crow too like a craven.

PETRUCHIO

1085Nay, come, Kate, come. You must not look so sour.

KATHERINE

It is my fashion when I see a crab.

PETRUCHIO

Why, here’s no crab, and therefore look not sour.

KATHERINE

245There is, there is.

PETRUCHIO

Then show it me.

KATHERINE

1090Had I a glass, I would.

PETRUCHIO

What, you mean my face?

KATHERINE

Well aimed of such a young one.

PETRUCHIO

250Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you.

KATHERINE

Yet you are withered.

PETRUCHIO

1095’Tis with cares.

KATHERINE

I care not.

PETRUCHIO

Nay, hear you, Kate—in sooth, you ’scape not so.

KATHERINE

255I chafe you if I tarry. Let me go.

PETRUCHIO

No, not a whit. I find you passing gentle.
1100’Twas told me you were rough, and coy, and sullen,
And now I find report a very liar.
For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing
260courteous,
But slow in speech, yet sweet as springtime flowers.
1105Thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance,
Nor bite the lip as angry wenches will,
Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk.
265But thou with mildness entertain’st thy wooers,
With gentle conference, soft, and affable.
1110Why does the world report that Kate doth limp?
O sland’rous world! Kate like the hazel twig
Is straight, and slender, and as brown in hue
270As hazelnuts, and sweeter than the kernels.
O, let me see thee walk! Thou dost not halt.

KATHERINE

1115Go, fool, and whom thou keep’st command.

PETRUCHIO

Did ever Dian so become a grove
As Kate this chamber with her princely gait?
275O, be thou Dian and let her be Kate,
And then let Kate be chaste and Dian sportful.

KATHERINE

1120Where did you study all this goodly speech?

PETRUCHIO

It is extempore, from my mother wit.

KATHERINE

A witty mother, witless else her son.

PETRUCHIO

280Am I not wise?

KATHERINE

Yes, keep you warm.

PETRUCHIO

1125Marry, so I mean, sweet Katherine, in thy bed.
And therefore, setting all this chat aside,
Thus in plain terms: your father hath consented
285That you shall be my wife, your dowry ’greed on,
And, will you, nill you, I will marry you.
1130Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn,
For by this light, whereby I see thy beauty,
Thy beauty that doth make me like thee well,
290Thou must be married to no man but me.
For I am he am born to tame you, Kate,
1135And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate
Conformable as other household Kates.

Enter Baptista, Gremio, and Tranio as Lucentio.

Here comes your father. Never make denial.
295I must and will have Katherine to my wife.

BAPTISTA

Now, Signior Petruchio, how speed you with my
1140daughter?

PETRUCHIO

How but well, sir? How but well?
It were impossible I should speed amiss.

BAPTISTA

300Why, how now, daughter Katherine? In your
dumps?

KATHERINE

1145Call you me daughter? Now I promise you
You have showed a tender fatherly regard,
To wish me wed to one half lunatic,
305A madcap ruffian and a swearing Jack,
That thinks with oaths to face the matter out.

PETRUCHIO

1150Father, ’tis thus: yourself and all the world
That talked of her have talked amiss of her.
If she be curst, it is for policy,
310For she’s not froward, but modest as the dove;
She is not hot, but temperate as the morn.
1155For patience she will prove a second Grissel,
And Roman Lucrece for her chastity.
And to conclude, we have ’greed so well together
315That upon Sunday is the wedding day.

KATHERINE

I’ll see thee hanged on Sunday first.

GREMIO

1160Hark, Petruchio, she says she’ll see thee
hanged first.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Is this your speeding? Nay,
320then, goodnight our part.

PETRUCHIO

Be patient, gentlemen. I choose her for myself.
1165If she and I be pleased, what’s that to you?
’Tis bargained ’twixt us twain, being alone,
That she shall still be curst in company.
325I tell you, ’tis incredible to believe
How much she loves me. O, the kindest Kate!
1170She hung about my neck, and kiss on kiss
She vied so fast, protesting oath on oath,
That in a twink she won me to her love.
330O, you are novices! ’Tis a world to see
How tame, when men and women are alone,
1175A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew.—
Give me thy hand, Kate. I will unto Venice
To buy apparel ’gainst the wedding day.—
335Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests.
I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine.

BAPTISTA

1180I know not what to say, but give me your hands.
God send you joy, Petruchio. ’Tis a match.

GREMIO and TRANIO , as Lucentio

Amen, say we. We will be witnesses.

PETRUCHIO

340Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu.
I will to Venice. Sunday comes apace.
1185We will have rings, and things, and fine array,
And kiss me, Kate. We will be married o’ Sunday.

Petruchio and Katherine exit
through different doors.

GREMIO

Was ever match clapped up so suddenly?

BAPTISTA

345Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant’s part
And venture madly on a desperate mart.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

1190’Twas a commodity lay fretting by you.
’Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas.

BAPTISTA

The gain I seek, is quiet in the match.

GREMIO

350No doubt but he hath got a quiet catch.
But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter.
1195Now is the day we long have lookèd for.
I am your neighbor and was suitor first.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

And I am one that love Bianca more
355Than words can witness or your thoughts can guess.

GREMIO

Youngling, thou canst not love so dear as I.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

1200Graybeard, thy love doth freeze.

GREMIO

But thine doth fry!
Skipper, stand back. ’Tis age that nourisheth.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

360But youth in ladies’ eyes that flourisheth.

BAPTISTA

Content you, gentlemen. I will compound this strife.
1205’Tis deeds must win the prize, and he of both
That can assure my daughter greatest dower
Shall have my Bianca’s love.
365Say, Signior Gremio, what can you assure her?

GREMIO

First, as you know, my house within the city
1210Is richly furnishèd with plate and gold,
Basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands;
My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry;
370In ivory coffers I have stuffed my crowns,
In cypress chests my arras counterpoints,
1215Costly apparel, tents, and canopies,
Fine linen, Turkey cushions bossed with pearl,
Valance of Venice gold in needlework,
375Pewter and brass, and all things that belongs
To house or housekeeping. Then, at my farm
1220I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail,
Six score fat oxen standing in my stalls,
And all things answerable to this portion.
380Myself am struck in years, I must confess,
And if I die tomorrow this is hers,
1225If whilst I live she will be only mine.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

That “only” came well in. To Baptista. Sir, list to
me:
385I am my father’s heir and only son.
If I may have your daughter to my wife,
1230I’ll leave her houses three or four as good,
Within rich Pisa walls, as any one
Old Signior Gremio has in Padua,
390Besides two thousand ducats by the year
Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.—
1235What, have I pinched you, Signior Gremio?

GREMIO

Two thousand ducats by the year of land?
Aside. My land amounts not to so much in all.—
395That she shall have, besides an argosy
That now is lying in Marcellus’ road.
1240To Tranio. What, have I choked you with an argosy?

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Gremio, ’tis known my father hath no less
Than three great argosies, besides two galliasses
400And twelve tight galleys. These I will assure her,
And twice as much whate’er thou off’rest next.

GREMIO

1245Nay, I have offered all. I have no more,
And she can have no more than all I have.
To Baptista. If you like me, she shall have me and
405mine.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Why, then, the maid is mine from all the world,
1250By your firm promise. Gremio is outvied.

BAPTISTA

I must confess your offer is the best,
And, let your father make her the assurance,
410She is your own; else, you must pardon me.
If you should die before him, where’s her dower?

TRANIO , as Lucentio

1255That’s but a cavil. He is old, I young.

GREMIO

And may not young men die as well as old?

BAPTISTA

Well, gentlemen, I am thus resolved:
415On Sunday next, you know
My daughter Katherine is to be married.
1260To Tranio as Lucentio. Now, on the Sunday
following, shall Bianca
Be bride to you, if you make this assurance.
420If not, to Signior Gremio.
And so I take my leave, and thank you both.

GREMIO

1265Adieu, good neighbor.Baptista exits.
Now I fear thee not.
Sirrah young gamester, your father were a fool
425To give thee all and in his waning age
Set foot under thy table. Tut, a toy!
1270An old Italian fox is not so kind, my boy.

Gremio exits.

TRANIO

A vengeance on your crafty withered hide!—
Yet I have faced it with a card of ten.
430’Tis in my head to do my master good.
I see no reason but supposed Lucentio
1275Must get a father, called “supposed Vincentio”—
And that’s a wonder. Fathers commonly
Do get their children. But in this case of wooing,
435A child shall get a sire, if I fail not of my cunning.

He exits.

ACT 3

Scene 1

Enter Lucentio as Cambio, Hortensio as Litio, and
Bianca.

LUCENTIO , as Cambio

Fiddler, forbear. You grow too forward, sir.
1280Have you so soon forgot the entertainment
Her sister Katherine welcomed you withal?

HORTENSIO , as Litio

But, wrangling pedant, this is
5The patroness of heavenly harmony.
Then give me leave to have prerogative,
1285And when in music we have spent an hour,
Your lecture shall have leisure for as much.

LUCENTIO , as Cambio

Preposterous ass, that never read so far
10To know the cause why music was ordained.
Was it not to refresh the mind of man
1290After his studies or his usual pain?
Then give me leave to read philosophy,
And, while I pause, serve in your harmony.

HORTENSIO , as Litio

15Sirrah, I will not bear these braves of thine.

BIANCA

Why, gentlemen, you do me double wrong
1295To strive for that which resteth in my choice.
I am no breeching scholar in the schools.
I’ll not be tied to hours, nor ’pointed times,
20But learn my lessons as I please myself.
And, to cut off all strife, here sit we down.
1300To Hortensio. Take you your instrument, play you
the whiles;
His lecture will be done ere you have tuned.

HORTENSIO , as Litio

25You’ll leave his lecture when I am in tune?

LUCENTIO , aside

That will be never. To Hortensio. Tune your
1305instrument.

Hortensio steps aside to tune his lute.

BIANCA

Where left we last?

LUCENTIO , as Cambio

Here, madam:
Showing her a book.
30Hic ibat Simois, hic est Sigeia tellus,
Hic steterat Priami regia celsa senis.

BIANCA

1310Conster them.

LUCENTIO

Hic ibat, as I told you before, Simois, I am
Lucentio, hic est, son unto Vincentio of Pisa,
35Sigeia tellus, disguised thus to get your love, Hic
steterat, and that “Lucentio” that comes a-wooing,
1315Priami, is my man Tranio, regia, bearing my port,
celsa senis, that we might beguile the old pantaloon.

HORTENSIO , as Litio

Madam, my instrument’s in
40tune.

BIANCA

Let’s hear. He plays. Oh fie, the treble jars!

LUCENTIO , as Cambio

1320Spit in the hole, man, and tune
again.

Hortensio tunes his lute again.

BIANCA

Now let me see if I can conster it. Hic ibat
45Simois, I know you not; hic est Sigeia tellus, I trust
you not; Hic steterat Priami, take heed he hear us
1325not; regia, presume not; celsa senis, despair not.

HORTENSIO , as Litio

Madam, ’tis now in tune.

He plays again.

LUCENTIO , as Cambio

All but the bass.

HORTENSIO , as Litio

50The bass is right. ’Tis the base knave that jars.
Aside. How fiery and forward our pedant is.
1330Now for my life the knave doth court my love!
Pedascule, I’ll watch you better yet.

BIANCA , to Lucentio

In time I may believe, yet I mistrust.

LUCENTIO

55Mistrust it not, for sure Aeacides
Was Ajax, called so from his grandfather.

BIANCA

1335I must believe my master; else, I promise you,
I should be arguing still upon that doubt.
But let it rest.—Now, Litio, to you.
60Good master, take it not unkindly, pray,
That I have been thus pleasant with you both.

HORTENSIO , as Litio, to Lucentio

1340You may go walk, and give me leave awhile.
My lessons make no music in three parts.

LUCENTIO , as Cambio

Are you so formal, sir? Well, I must wait
65Aside. And watch withal, for, but I be deceived,
Our fine musician groweth amorous.

He steps aside.

HORTENSIO , as Litio

1345Madam, before you touch the instrument,
To learn the order of my fingering
I must begin with rudiments of art,
70To teach you gamut in a briefer sort,
More pleasant, pithy, and effectual
1350Than hath been taught by any of my trade.
And there it is in writing fairly drawn.

BIANCA

Why, I am past my gamut long ago.

HORTENSIO

75Yet read the gamut of Hortensio.

Giving her a paper.

BIANCA reads

“Gamut I am, the ground of all accord:
1355 re, to plead Hortensio’s passion;
mi, Bianca, take him for thy lord,
fa ut, that loves with all affection;
80 sol re, one clef, two notes have I;
la mi, show pity or I die.”
1360Call you this “gamut”? Tut, I like it not.
Old fashions please me best. I am not so nice
To change true rules for odd inventions.

Enter a Servant.

SERVANT

85Mistress, your father prays you leave your books
And help to dress your sister’s chamber up.
1365You know tomorrow is the wedding day.

BIANCA

Farewell, sweet masters both. I must be gone.

LUCENTIO

Faith, mistress, then I have no cause to stay.

Bianca, the Servant, and Lucentio exit.

HORTENSIO

90But I have cause to pry into this pedant.
Methinks he looks as though he were in love.
1370Yet if thy thoughts, Bianca, be so humble
To cast thy wand’ring eyes on every stale,
Seize thee that list! If once I find thee ranging,
95Hortensio will be quit with thee by changing.

He exits.

Scene 2

Enter Baptista, Gremio, Tranio as Lucentio, Katherine,
Bianca, Lucentio as Cambio, and others, Attendants.

BAPTISTA , to Tranio

Signior Lucentio, this is the ’pointed day
1375That Katherine and Petruchio should be married,
And yet we hear not of our son-in-law.
What will be said? What mockery will it be,
5To want the bridegroom when the priest attends
To speak the ceremonial rites of marriage?
1380What says Lucentio to this shame of ours?

KATHERINE

No shame but mine. I must, forsooth, be forced
To give my hand, opposed against my heart,
10Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen,
Who wooed in haste and means to wed at leisure.
1385I told you, I, he was a frantic fool,
Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior,
And, to be noted for a merry man,
15He’ll woo a thousand, ’point the day of marriage,
Make friends, invite, and proclaim the banns,
1390Yet never means to wed where he hath wooed.
Now must the world point at poor Katherine
And say “Lo, there is mad Petruchio’s wife,
20If it would please him come and marry her.”

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Patience, good Katherine, and Baptista too.
1395Upon my life, Petruchio means but well,
Whatever fortune stays him from his word.
Though he be blunt, I know him passing wise;
25Though he be merry, yet withal he’s honest.

KATHERINE

Would Katherine had never seen him, though!

She exits weeping.

BAPTISTA

1400Go, girl. I cannot blame thee now to weep,
For such an injury would vex a very saint,
Much more a shrew of thy impatient humor.

Enter Biondello.

BIONDELLO

30Master, master, news! And such old
news as you never heard of!

BAPTISTA

1405Is it new and old too? How may that be?

BIONDELLO

Why, is it not news to hear of Petruchio’s
coming?

BAPTISTA

35Is he come?

BIONDELLO

Why, no, sir.

BAPTISTA

1410What then?

BIONDELLO

He is coming.

BAPTISTA

When will he be here?

BIONDELLO

40When he stands where I am, and sees you there.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

But say, what to thine old news?

BIONDELLO

1415Why, Petruchio is coming in a new hat and
an old jerkin, a pair of old breeches thrice turned,
a pair of boots that have been candle-cases, one
45buckled, another laced; an old rusty sword ta’en
out of the town armory, with a broken hilt, and
1420chapeless; with two broken points; his horse
hipped, with an old mothy saddle and stirrups of no
kindred, besides possessed with the glanders and
50like to mose in the chine, troubled with the lampass,
infected with the fashions, full of windgalls,
1425sped with spavins, rayed with the yellows, past cure
of the fives, stark spoiled with the staggers, begnawn
with the bots, swayed in the back and shoulder-shotten,
55near-legged before, and with a half-checked
bit and a headstall of sheep’s leather,
1430which, being restrained to keep him from stumbling,
hath been often burst, and now repaired with
knots; one girth six times pieced, and a woman’s
60crupper of velour, which hath two letters for her
name fairly set down in studs, and here and there
1435pieced with packthread.

BAPTISTA

Who comes with him?

BIONDELLO

Oh, sir, his lackey, for all the world caparisoned
65like the horse: with a linen stock on one leg
and a kersey boot-hose on the other, gartered with
1440a red and blue list; an old hat, and the humor of
forty fancies pricked in ’t for a feather. A monster,
a very monster in apparel, and not like a Christian
70footboy or a gentleman’s lackey.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

’Tis some odd humor pricks him to this fashion,
1445Yet oftentimes he goes but mean-appareled.

BAPTISTA

I am glad he’s come, howsoe’er he comes.

BIONDELLO

Why, sir, he comes not.

BAPTISTA

75Didst thou not say he comes?

BIONDELLO

Who? That Petruchio came?

BAPTISTA

1450Ay, that Petruchio came!

BIONDELLO

No, sir, I say his horse comes with him on
his back.

BAPTISTA

80Why, that’s all one.

BIONDELLO

Nay, by Saint Jamy.
1455I hold you a penny,
A horse and a man
Is more than one,
85And yet not many.

Enter Petruchio and Grumio.

PETRUCHIO

Come, where be these gallants? Who’s at home?

BAPTISTA

1460You are welcome, sir.

PETRUCHIO

And yet I come not well.

BAPTISTA

And yet you halt not.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

90Not so well appareled as I wish
you were.

PETRUCHIO

1465Were it better I should rush in thus—
But where is Kate? Where is my lovely bride?
How does my father? Gentles, methinks you frown.
95And wherefore gaze this goodly company
As if they saw some wondrous monument,
1470Some comet or unusual prodigy?

BAPTISTA

Why, sir, you know this is your wedding day.
First were we sad, fearing you would not come,
100Now sadder that you come so unprovided.
Fie, doff this habit, shame to your estate,
1475An eyesore to our solemn festival.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

And tell us what occasion of import
Hath all so long detained you from your wife
105And sent you hither so unlike yourself.

PETRUCHIO

Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear.
1480Sufficeth I am come to keep my word,
Though in some part enforcèd to digress,
Which at more leisure I will so excuse
110As you shall well be satisfied with all.
But where is Kate? I stay too long from her.
1485The morning wears. ’Tis time we were at church.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

See not your bride in these unreverent robes.
Go to my chamber, put on clothes of mine.

PETRUCHIO

115Not I, believe me. Thus I’ll visit her.

BAPTISTA

But thus, I trust, you will not marry her.

PETRUCHIO

1490Good sooth, even thus. Therefore, ha’ done with
words.
To me she’s married, not unto my clothes.
120Could I repair what she will wear in me,
As I can change these poor accoutrements,
1495’Twere well for Kate and better for myself.
But what a fool am I to chat with you
When I should bid good morrow to my bride
125And seal the title with a lovely kiss!

Petruchio exits, with Grumio.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

He hath some meaning in his mad attire.
1500We will persuade him, be it possible,
To put on better ere he go to church.

BAPTISTA

I’ll after him, and see the event of this.

All except Tranio and Lucentio exit.

TRANIO

130But, sir, to love concerneth us to add
Her father’s liking, which to bring to pass,
1505As I before imparted to your Worship,
I am to get a man (whate’er he be
It skills not much, we’ll fit him to our turn),
135And he shall be “Vincentio of Pisa,”
And make assurance here in Padua
1510Of greater sums than I have promisèd.
So shall you quietly enjoy your hope
And marry sweet Bianca with consent.

LUCENTIO

140Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster
Doth watch Bianca’s steps so narrowly,
1515’Twere good, methinks, to steal our marriage,
Which, once performed, let all the world say no,
I’ll keep mine own despite of all the world.

TRANIO

145That by degrees we mean to look into,
And watch our vantage in this business.
1520We’ll overreach the graybeard, Gremio,
The narrow prying father, Minola,
The quaint musician, amorous Litio,
150All for my master’s sake, Lucentio.

Enter Gremio.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Signior Gremio, came you from the church?

GREMIO

1525As willingly as e’er I came from school.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?

GREMIO

A bridegroom, say you? ’Tis a groom indeed,
155A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Curster than she? Why, ’tis impossible.

GREMIO

1530Why, he’s a devil, a devil, a very fiend.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Why, she’s a devil, a devil, the devil’s dam.

GREMIO

Tut, she’s a lamb, a dove, a fool to him.
160I’ll tell you, Sir Lucentio: when the priest
Should ask if Katherine should be his wife,
1535“Ay, by gog’s wouns!” quoth he, and swore so loud
That, all amazed, the priest let fall the book,
And as he stooped again to take it up,
165This mad-brained bridegroom took him such a cuff
That down fell priest and book, and book and priest.
1540“Now, take them up,” quoth he, “if any list.”

TRANIO , as Lucentio

What said the wench when he rose again?

GREMIO

Trembled and shook, for why he stamped and swore
170As if the vicar meant to cozen him.
But after many ceremonies done,
1545He calls for wine. “A health!” quoth he, as if
He had been aboard, carousing to his mates
After a storm; quaffed off the muscatel
175And threw the sops all in the sexton’s face,
Having no other reason
1550But that his beard grew thin and hungerly,
And seemed to ask him sops as he was drinking.
This done, he took the bride about the neck
180And kissed her lips with such a clamorous smack
That at the parting all the church did echo.
1555And I, seeing this, came thence for very shame,
And after me I know the rout is coming.
Such a mad marriage never was before!Music plays.
185Hark, hark, I hear the minstrels play.

Enter Petruchio, Katherine, Bianca, Hortensio, Baptista,
Grumio, and Attendants.

PETRUCHIO

Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains.
1560I know you think to dine with me today
And have prepared great store of wedding cheer,
But so it is, my haste doth call me hence,
190And therefore here I mean to take my leave.

BAPTISTA

Is ’t possible you will away tonight?

PETRUCHIO

1565I must away today, before night come.
Make it no wonder. If you knew my business,
You would entreat me rather go than stay.
195And, honest company, I thank you all,
That have beheld me give away myself
1570To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife.
Dine with my father, drink a health to me,
For I must hence, and farewell to you all.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

200Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.

PETRUCHIO

It may not be.

GREMIO

1575Let me entreat you.

PETRUCHIO

It cannot be.

KATHERINE

Let me entreat you.

PETRUCHIO

205I am content.

KATHERINE

Are you content to stay?

PETRUCHIO

1580I am content you shall entreat me stay,
But yet not stay, entreat me how you can.

KATHERINE

Now, if you love me, stay.

PETRUCHIO

210Grumio, my horse.

GRUMIO

Ay, sir, they be ready; the oats have eaten the
1585horses.

KATHERINE

Nay, then,
Do what thou canst, I will not go today,
215No, nor tomorrow, not till I please myself.
The door is open, sir. There lies your way.
1590You may be jogging whiles your boots are green.
For me, I’ll not be gone till I please myself.
’Tis like you’ll prove a jolly surly groom,
220That take it on you at the first so roundly.

PETRUCHIO

O Kate, content thee. Prithee, be not angry.

KATHERINE

1595I will be angry. What hast thou to do?—
Father, be quiet. He shall stay my leisure.

GREMIO

Ay, marry, sir, now it begins to work.

KATHERINE

225Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner.
I see a woman may be made a fool
1600If she had not a spirit to resist.

PETRUCHIO

They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command.—
Obey the bride, you that attend on her.
230Go to the feast, revel and domineer,
Carouse full measure to her maidenhead,
1605Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves.
But for my bonny Kate, she must with me.
Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret;
235I will be master of what is mine own.
She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house,
1610My household stuff, my field, my barn,
My horse, my ox, my ass, my anything.
And here she stands, touch her whoever dare.
240I’ll bring mine action on the proudest he
That stops my way in Padua.—Grumio,
1615Draw forth thy weapon. We are beset with thieves.
Rescue thy mistress if thou be a man!—
Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee,
245Kate.
I’ll buckler thee against a million.

Petruchio and Katherine exit, with Grumio.

BAPTISTA

1620Nay, let them go. A couple of quiet ones!

GREMIO

Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Of all mad matches never was the like.

LUCENTIO , as Cambio

250Mistress, what’s your opinion of your sister?

BIANCA

That being mad herself, she’s madly mated.

GREMIO

1625I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated.

BAPTISTA

Neighbors and friends, though bride and
bridegroom wants
255For to supply the places at the table,
You know there wants no junkets at the feast.
1630To Tranio. Lucentio, you shall supply the
bridegroom’s place,
And let Bianca take her sister’s room.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

260Shall sweet Bianca practice how to bride it?

BAPTISTA , to Tranio

She shall, Lucentio. Come, gentlemen, let’s go.

They exit.

ACT 4

Scene 1

Enter Grumio.

GRUMIO

1635Fie, fie on all tired jades, on all mad masters,
and all foul ways! Was ever man so beaten? Was
ever man so ’rayed? Was ever man so weary? I am
sent before to make a fire, and they are coming
5after to warm them. Now were not I a little pot and
1640soon hot, my very lips might freeze to my teeth, my
tongue to the roof of my mouth, my heart in my
belly, ere I should come by a fire to thaw me. But I
with blowing the fire shall warm myself. For, considering
10the weather, a taller man than I will take
1645cold.—Holla, ho, Curtis!

Enter Curtis.

CURTIS

Who is that calls so coldly?

GRUMIO

A piece of ice. If thou doubt it, thou mayst
slide from my shoulder to my heel with no greater
15a run but my head and my neck. A fire, good Curtis!

CURTIS

1650Is my master and his wife coming, Grumio?

GRUMIO

Oh, ay, Curtis, ay, and therefore fire, fire! Cast
on no water.

CURTIS

Is she so hot a shrew as she’s reported?

GRUMIO

20She was, good Curtis, before this frost. But
1655thou know’st winter tames man, woman, and
beast, for it hath tamed my old master and my new
mistress and myself, fellow Curtis.

CURTIS

Away, you three-inch fool, I am no beast!

GRUMIO

25Am I but three inches? Why, thy horn is a
1660foot, and so long am I, at the least. But wilt thou
make a fire? Or shall I complain on thee to our
mistress, whose hand (she being now at hand) thou
shalt soon feel, to thy cold comfort, for being slow in
30thy hot office?

CURTIS

1665I prithee, good Grumio, tell me, how goes the
world?

GRUMIO

A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine,
and therefore fire! Do thy duty, and have thy duty,
35for my master and mistress are almost frozen to
1670death.

CURTIS

There’s fire ready. And therefore, good Grumio,
the news!

GRUMIO

Why, “Jack boy, ho boy!” and as much news
40as wilt thou.

CURTIS

1675Come, you are so full of cony-catching.

GRUMIO

Why, therefore fire, for I have caught extreme
cold. Where’s the cook? Is supper ready, the house
trimmed, rushes strewed, cobwebs swept, the servingmen
45in their new fustian, their white stockings,
1680and every officer his wedding garment on? Be
the Jacks fair within, the Jills fair without, the
carpets laid, and everything in order?

CURTIS

All ready. And therefore, I pray thee, news.

GRUMIO

50First, know my horse is tired, my master and
1685mistress fallen out.

CURTIS

How?

GRUMIO

Out of their saddles into the dirt, and thereby
hangs a tale.

CURTIS

55Let’s ha’ t, good Grumio.

GRUMIO

1690Lend thine ear.

CURTIS

Here.

GRUMIO

There!

He slaps Curtis on the ear.

CURTIS

This ’tis to feel a tale, not to hear a tale.

GRUMIO

60And therefore ’tis called a sensible tale. And
1695this cuff was but to knock at your ear and beseech
list’ning. Now I begin: Imprimis, we came down a
foul hill, my master riding behind my mistress—

CURTIS

Both of one horse?

GRUMIO

65What’s that to thee?

CURTIS

1700Why, a horse.

GRUMIO

Tell thou the tale! But hadst thou not crossed
me, thou shouldst have heard how her horse fell,
and she under her horse; thou shouldst have heard
70in how miry a place, how she was bemoiled, how he
1705left her with the horse upon her, how he beat me
because her horse stumbled, how she waded
through the dirt to pluck him off me, how he swore,
how she prayed that never prayed before, how I
75cried, how the horses ran away, how her bridle was
1710burst, how I lost my crupper, with many things of
worthy memory which now shall die in oblivion,
and thou return unexperienced to thy grave.

CURTIS

By this reck’ning, he is more shrew than she.

GRUMIO

80Ay, and that thou and the proudest of you all
1715shall find when he comes home. But what talk I of
this? Call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Phillip,
Walter, Sugarsop, and the rest. Let their heads
be slickly combed, their blue coats brushed, and
85their garters of an indifferent knit. Let them curtsy
1720with their left legs, and not presume to touch a hair
of my master’s horse-tail till they kiss their hands.
Are they all ready?

CURTIS

They are.

GRUMIO

90Call them forth.

CURTIS , calling out

1725Do you hear, ho? You must meet
my master to countenance my mistress.

GRUMIO

Why, she hath a face of her own.

CURTIS

Who knows not that?

GRUMIO

95Thou, it seems, that calls for company to
1730countenance her.

CURTIS

I call them forth to credit her.

GRUMIO

Why, she comes to borrow nothing of them.

Enter four or five Servingmen.

NATHANIEL

Welcome home, Grumio.

PHILLIP

100How now, Grumio?

JOSEPH

1735What, Grumio!

NICHOLAS

Fellow Grumio!

NATHANIEL

How now, old lad?

GRUMIO

Welcome, you!—How now, you?—What,
105you!—Fellow, you!—And thus much for greeting.
1740Now, my spruce companions, is all ready and all
things neat?

NATHANIEL

All things is ready. How near is our
master?

GRUMIO

110E’en at hand, alighted by this. And therefore
1745be not—Cock’s passion, silence! I hear my master.

Enter Petruchio and Katherine.

PETRUCHIO

Where be these knaves? What, no man at door
To hold my stirrup nor to take my horse?
Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Phillip?

ALL THE SERVANTS

115Here! Here, sir, here, sir!

PETRUCHIO

1750“Here, sir! Here, sir! Here, sir! Here, sir!”
You loggerheaded and unpolished grooms.
What? No attendance? No regard? No duty?
Where is the foolish knave I sent before?

GRUMIO

120Here, sir, as foolish as I was before.

PETRUCHIO

1755You peasant swain, you whoreson malt-horse
drudge!
Did I not bid thee meet me in the park
And bring along these rascal knaves with thee?

GRUMIO

125Nathaniel’s coat, sir, was not fully made,
1760And Gabriel’s pumps were all unpinked i’ th’ heel.
There was no link to color Peter’s hat,
And Walter’s dagger was not come from sheathing.
There were none fine but Adam, Rafe, and Gregory.
130The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly.
1765Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you.

PETRUCHIO

Go, rascals, go, and fetch my supper in!
The Servants exit.
Sings.Where is the life that late I led?
Where are those—
135Sit down, Kate, and welcome.
They sit at a table.
1770Soud, soud, soud, soud!

Enter Servants with supper.

Why, when, I say?—Nay, good sweet Kate, be
merry.—
Off with my boots, you rogues, you villains! When?
Sings.140It was the friar of orders gray,
1775As he forth walkèd on his way—

Servant begins to remove Petruchio’s boots.

Out, you rogue! You pluck my foot awry.
Take that!He hits the Servant.
And mend the plucking of the other.—
145Be merry, Kate.—Some water here! What ho!

Enter one with water.

1780Where’s my spaniel Troilus? Sirrah, get you hence
And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither.
A Servant exits.
One, Kate, that you must kiss and be acquainted
with.—
150Where are my slippers? Shall I have some water?—
1785Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily.—
You whoreson villain, will you let it fall?

He hits the Servant.

KATHERINE

Patience, I pray you, ’twas a fault unwilling.

PETRUCHIO

A whoreson beetle-headed flap-eared knave!—
155Come, Kate, sit down. I know you have a stomach.
1790Will you give thanks, sweet Kate, or else shall I?—
What’s this? Mutton?

FIRST SERVANT

Ay.

PETRUCHIO

Who brought it?

PETER

160I.

PETRUCHIO

1795’Tis burnt, and so is all the meat.
What dogs are these? Where is the rascal cook?
How durst you, villains, bring it from the dresser
And serve it thus to me that love it not?
165There, take it to you, trenchers, cups, and all!
He throws the food and dishes at them.
1800You heedless joltheads and unmannered slaves!
What, do you grumble? I’ll be with you straight.

The Servants exit.

KATHERINE

I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet.
The meat was well, if you were so contented.

PETRUCHIO

170I tell thee, Kate, ’twas burnt and dried away,
1805And I expressly am forbid to touch it,
For it engenders choler, planteth anger,
And better ’twere that both of us did fast
(Since of ourselves, ourselves are choleric)
175Than feed it with such over-roasted flesh.
1810Be patient. Tomorrow ’t shall be mended,
And for this night we’ll fast for company.
Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber.

They exit.Enter Servants severally.

NATHANIEL

Peter, didst ever see the like?

PETER

180He kills her in her own humor.

Enter Curtis.

GRUMIO

1815Where is he?

CURTIS

In her chamber,
Making a sermon of continency to her,
And rails and swears and rates, that she (poor soul)
185Knows not which way to stand, to look, to speak,
1820And sits as one new-risen from a dream.
Away, away, for he is coming hither!

The Servants exit.Enter Petruchio.

PETRUCHIO

Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
190My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
1825And, till she stoop, she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call.
195That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
1830That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat.
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeservèd fault
200I’ll find about the making of the bed,
1835And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her.
205And, in conclusion, she shall watch all night,
1840And, if she chance to nod, I’ll rail and brawl,
And with the clamor keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness.
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humor.
210He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
1845Now let him speak; ’tis charity to shew.

He exits.

Scene 2

Enter Tranio as Lucentio and Hortensio as Litio.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Is ’t possible, friend Litio, that mistress Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?
I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.

HORTENSIO , as Litio

Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said,
51850Stand by, and mark the manner of his teaching.

They stand aside.Enter Bianca and Lucentio as Cambio.

LUCENTIO , as Cambio

Now mistress, profit you in what you read?

BIANCA

What, master, read you? First resolve me that.

LUCENTIO , as Cambio

I read that I profess, .

BIANCA

And may you prove, sir, master of your art.

LUCENTIO , as Cambio

101855While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart.

They move aside and kiss and talk.

HORTENSIO , as Litio

Quick proceeders, marry! Now tell me, I pray,
You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca
Loved none in the world so well as Lucentio.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

O despiteful love, unconstant womankind!
151860I tell thee, Litio, this is wonderful!

HORTENSIO

Mistake no more. I am not Litio,
Nor a musician as I seem to be,
But one that scorn to live in this disguise
For such a one as leaves a gentleman
201865And makes a god of such a cullion.
Know, sir, that I am called Hortensio.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Signior Hortensio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca,
And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness,
251870I will with you, if you be so contented,
Forswear Bianca and her love forever.

HORTENSIO

See how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio,
Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow
Never to woo her more, but do forswear her
301875As one unworthy all the former favors
That I have fondly flattered her withal.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

And here I take the like unfeignèd oath,
Never to marry with her, though she would entreat.
Fie on her, see how beastly she doth court him!

HORTENSIO

351880Would all the world but he had quite forsworn!
For me, that I may surely keep mine oath,
I will be married to a wealthy widow
Ere three days pass, which hath as long loved me
As I have loved this proud disdainful haggard.
401885And so farewell, Signior Lucentio.
Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,
Shall win my love, and so I take my leave,
In resolution as I swore before.

Hortensio exits;Bianca and Lucentio come forward.

TRANIO

Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace
451890As ’longeth to a lover’s blessèd case!
Nay, I have ta’en you napping, gentle love,
And have forsworn you with Hortensio.

BIANCA

Tranio, you jest. But have you both forsworn me?

TRANIO

Mistress, we have.

LUCENTIO

501895Then we are rid of Litio.

TRANIO

I’ faith, he’ll have a lusty widow now
That shall be wooed and wedded in a day.

BIANCA

God give him joy.

TRANIO

Ay, and he’ll tame her.

BIANCA

551900He says so, Tranio?

TRANIO

Faith, he is gone unto the taming school.

BIANCA

The taming school? What, is there such a place?

TRANIO

Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master,
That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long
601905To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue.

Enter Biondello.

BIONDELLO

O master, master, I have watched so long
That I am dog-weary, but at last I spied
An ancient angel coming down the hill
Will serve the turn.

TRANIO

651910What is he, Biondello?

BIONDELLO

Master, a marcantant, or a pedant,
I know not what, but formal in apparel,
In gait and countenance surely like a father.

LUCENTIO

And what of him, Tranio?

TRANIO

701915If he be credulous, and trust my tale,
I’ll make him glad to seem Vincentio
And give assurance to Baptista Minola
As if he were the right Vincentio.
Take in your love, and then let me alone.

Lucentio and Bianca exit.Enter a Merchant.

MERCHANT

751920God save you, sir.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

And you, sir. You are welcome.
Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?

MERCHANT

Sir, at the farthest for a week or two,
But then up farther, and as far as Rome,
801925And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

What countryman, I pray?

MERCHANT

Of Mantua.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Of Mantua, sir? Marry, God forbid!
And come to Padua, careless of your life?

MERCHANT

851930My life, sir? How, I pray? For that goes hard.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

’Tis death for anyone in Mantua
To come to Padua. Know you not the cause?
Your ships are stayed at Venice, and the Duke,
For private quarrel ’twixt your duke and him,
901935Hath published and proclaimed it openly.
’Tis marvel, but that you are but newly come,
You might have heard it else proclaimed about.

MERCHANT

Alas, sir, it is worse for me than so,
For I have bills for money by exchange
951940From Florence, and must here deliver them.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Well, sir, to do you courtesy,
This will I do, and this I will advise you.
First tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?

MERCHANT

Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been,
1001945Pisa renownèd for grave citizens.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Among them know you one Vincentio?

MERCHANT

I know him not, but I have heard of him:
A merchant of incomparable wealth.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

He is my father, sir, and sooth to say,
1051950In count’nance somewhat doth resemble you.

BIONDELLO , aside

As much as an apple doth an
oyster, and all one.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

To save your life in this extremity,
This favor will I do you for his sake
1101955(And think it not the worst of all your fortunes
That you are like to Sir Vincentio):
His name and credit shall you undertake,
And in my house you shall be friendly lodged.
Look that you take upon you as you should.
1151960You understand me, sir. So shall you stay
Till you have done your business in the city.
If this be court’sy, sir, accept of it.

MERCHANT

O sir, I do, and will repute you ever
The patron of my life and liberty.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

1201965Then go with me, to make the matter good.
This, by the way, I let you understand:
My father is here looked for every day
To pass assurance of a dower in marriage
’Twixt me and one Baptista’s daughter here.
1251970In all these circumstances I’ll instruct you.
Go with me to clothe you as becomes you.

They exit.

Scene 3

Enter Katherine and Grumio.

GRUMIO

No, no, forsooth, I dare not for my life.

KATHERINE

The more my wrong, the more his spite appears.
What, did he marry me to famish me?
1975Beggars that come unto my father’s door
5Upon entreaty have a present alms.
If not, elsewhere they meet with charity.
But I, who never knew how to entreat,
Nor never needed that I should entreat,
1980Am starved for meat, giddy for lack of sleep,
10With oaths kept waking and with brawling fed.
And that which spites me more than all these wants,
He does it under name of perfect love,
As who should say, if I should sleep or eat
1985’Twere deadly sickness or else present death.
15I prithee, go, and get me some repast,
I care not what, so it be wholesome food.

GRUMIO

What say you to a neat’s foot?

KATHERINE

’Tis passing good. I prithee let me have it.

GRUMIO

1990I fear it is too choleric a meat.
20How say you to a fat tripe finely broiled?

KATHERINE

I like it well. Good Grumio, fetch it me.

GRUMIO

I cannot tell. I fear ’tis choleric.
What say you to a piece of beef and mustard?

KATHERINE

1995A dish that I do love to feed upon.

GRUMIO

25Ay, but the mustard is too hot a little.

KATHERINE

Why then, the beef, and let the mustard rest.

GRUMIO

Nay then, I will not. You shall have the mustard
Or else you get no beef of Grumio.

KATHERINE

2000Then both, or one, or any thing thou wilt.

GRUMIO

30Why then, the mustard without the beef.

KATHERINE

Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave,
She beats him.
That feed’st me with the very name of meat.
Sorrow on thee, and all the pack of you
2005That triumph thus upon my misery.
35Go, get thee gone, I say.

Enter Petruchio and Hortensio with meat.

PETRUCHIO

How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort?

HORTENSIO

Mistress, what cheer?

KATHERINE

Faith, as cold as can be.

PETRUCHIO

2010Pluck up thy spirits. Look cheerfully upon me.
40Here, love, thou seest how diligent I am,
To dress thy meat myself and bring it thee.
I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits thanks.
What, not a word? Nay then, thou lov’st it not,
2015And all my pains is sorted to no proof.
45Here, take away this dish.

KATHERINE

I pray you, let it stand.

PETRUCHIO

The poorest service is repaid with thanks,
And so shall mine before you touch the meat.

KATHERINE

2020I thank you, sir.

HORTENSIO

50Signior Petruchio, fie, you are to blame.
Come, Mistress Kate, I’ll bear you company.

PETRUCHIO , aside to Hortensio

Eat it up all, Hortensio, if thou lovest me.—
Much good do it unto thy gentle heart.
2025Kate, eat apace.
Katherine and Hortensio prepare to eat.
55And now, my honey love,
Will we return unto thy father’s house
And revel it as bravely as the best,
With silken coats and caps and golden rings,
2030With ruffs and cuffs and farthingales and things,
60With scarves and fans and double change of brav’ry,
With amber bracelets, beads, and all this knav’ry.
What, hast thou dined? The tailor stays thy leisure
To deck thy body with his ruffling treasure.

Enter Tailor.

2035Come, tailor, let us see these ornaments.
65Lay forth the gown.

Enter Haberdasher.

What news with you, sir?

HABERDASHER

Here is the cap your Worship did bespeak.

PETRUCHIO

Why, this was molded on a porringer!
2040A velvet dish! Fie, fie, ’tis lewd and filthy.
70Why, ’tis a cockle or a walnut shell,
A knack, a toy, a trick, a baby’s cap.
Away with it! Come, let me have a bigger.

KATHERINE

I’ll have no bigger. This doth fit the time,
2045And gentlewomen wear such caps as these.

PETRUCHIO

75When you are gentle, you shall have one too,
And not till then.

HORTENSIO , aside

That will not be in haste.

KATHERINE

Why, sir, I trust I may have leave to speak,
2050And speak I will. I am no child, no babe.
80Your betters have endured me say my mind,
And if you cannot, best you stop your ears.
My tongue will tell the anger of my heart,
Or else my heart, concealing it, will break,
2055And, rather than it shall, I will be free
85Even to the uttermost, as I please, in words.

PETRUCHIO

Why, thou sayst true. It is a paltry cap,
A custard-coffin, a bauble, a silken pie.
I love thee well in that thou lik’st it not.

KATHERINE

2060Love me, or love me not, I like the cap,
90And it I will have, or I will have none.

Exit Haberdasher.

PETRUCHIO

Thy gown? Why, ay. Come, tailor, let us see ’t.
O mercy God, what masking-stuff is here?
What’s this? A sleeve? ’Tis like a demi-cannon.
2065What, up and down carved like an apple tart?
95Here’s snip and nip and cut and slish and slash,
Like to a censer in a barber’s shop.
Why, what a devil’s name, tailor, call’st thou this?

HORTENSIO , aside

I see she’s like to have neither cap nor gown.

TAILOR

2070You bid me make it orderly and well,
100According to the fashion and the time.

PETRUCHIO

Marry, and did. But if you be remembered,
I did not bid you mar it to the time.
Go, hop me over every kennel home,
2075For you shall hop without my custom, sir.
105I’ll none of it. Hence, make your best of it.

KATHERINE

I never saw a better-fashioned gown,
More quaint, more pleasing, nor more
commendable.
2080Belike you mean to make a puppet of me.

PETRUCHIO

110Why, true, he means to make a puppet of thee.

TAILOR

She says your Worship means to make a puppet of
her.

PETRUCHIO

O monstrous arrogance! Thou liest, thou thread,
2085thou thimble,
115Thou yard, three-quarters, half-yard, quarter, nail!
Thou flea, thou nit, thou winter cricket, thou!
Braved in mine own house with a skein of thread?
Away, thou rag, thou quantity, thou remnant,
2090Or I shall so be-mete thee with thy yard
120As thou shalt think on prating whilst thou liv’st.
I tell thee, I, that thou hast marred her gown.

TAILOR

Your Worship is deceived. The gown is made
Just as my master had direction.
2095Grumio gave order how it should be done.

GRUMIO

125I gave him no order. I gave him the stuff.

TAILOR

But how did you desire it should be made?

GRUMIO

Marry, sir, with needle and thread.

TAILOR

But did you not request to have it cut?

GRUMIO

2100Thou hast faced many things.

TAILOR

130I have.

GRUMIO

Face not me. Thou hast braved many men;
brave not me. I will neither be faced nor braved. I
say unto thee, I bid thy master cut out the gown,
2105but I did not bid him cut it to pieces. Ergo, thou
135liest.

TAILOR

Why, here is the note of the fashion to testify.

He shows a paper.

PETRUCHIO

Read it.

GRUMIO

The note lies in ’s throat, if he say I said so.

TAILOR reads

2110“Imprimis, a loose-bodied gown—”

GRUMIO

140Master, if ever I said “loose-bodied gown,”
sew me in the skirts of it and beat me to death with
a bottom of brown thread. I said “a gown.”

PETRUCHIO

Proceed.

TAILOR reads

2115“With a small-compassed cape—”

GRUMIO

145I confess the cape.

TAILOR reads

“With a trunk sleeve—”

GRUMIO

I confess two sleeves.

TAILOR reads

“The sleeves curiously cut.”

PETRUCHIO

2120Ay, there’s the villainy.

GRUMIO

150Error i’ th’ bill, sir, error i’ th’ bill! I commanded
the sleeves should be cut out and sewed
up again, and that I’ll prove upon thee, though thy
little finger be armed in a thimble.

TAILOR

2125This is true that I say. An I had thee in place
155where, thou shouldst know it.

GRUMIO

I am for thee straight. Take thou the bill, give
me thy mete-yard, and spare not me.

HORTENSIO

God-a-mercy, Grumio, then he shall have
2130no odds.

PETRUCHIO

160Well, sir, in brief, the gown is not for me.

GRUMIO

You are i’ th’ right, sir, ’tis for my mistress.

PETRUCHIO

Go, take it up unto thy master’s use.

GRUMIO

Villain, not for thy life! Take up my mistress’
2135gown for thy master’s use!

PETRUCHIO

165Why, sir, what’s your conceit in that?

GRUMIO

O, sir, the conceit is deeper than you think
for. Take up my mistress’ gown to his master’s use!
O, fie, fie, fie!

PETRUCHIO , aside to Hortensio

2140Hortensio, say thou wilt see the tailor paid.
170To Tailor. Go, take it hence. Begone, and say no
more.

HORTENSIO , aside to Tailor

Tailor, I’ll pay thee for thy gown tomorrow.
Take no unkindness of his hasty words.
2145Away, I say. Commend me to thy master.

Tailor exits.

PETRUCHIO

175Well, come, my Kate, we will unto your father’s,
Even in these honest mean habiliments.
Our purses shall be proud, our garments poor,
For ’tis the mind that makes the body rich,
2150And as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds,
180So honor peereth in the meanest habit.
What, is the jay more precious than the lark
Because his feathers are more beautiful?
Or is the adder better than the eel
2155Because his painted skin contents the eye?
185O no, good Kate. Neither art thou the worse
For this poor furniture and mean array.
If thou account’st it shame, lay it on me,
And therefore frolic! We will hence forthwith
2160To feast and sport us at thy father’s house.
190To Grumio. Go, call my men, and let us straight to
him,
And bring our horses unto Long-lane end.
There will we mount, and thither walk on foot.
2165Let’s see, I think ’tis now some seven o’clock,
195And well we may come there by dinner time.

KATHERINE

I dare assure you, sir, ’tis almost two,
And ’twill be supper time ere you come there.

PETRUCHIO

It shall be seven ere I go to horse.
2170Look what I speak, or do, or think to do,
200You are still crossing it.—Sirs, let ’t alone.
I will not go today, and, ere I do,
It shall be what o’clock I say it is.

HORTENSIO , aside

Why, so, this gallant will command the sun!

They exit.

Scene 4

Enter Tranio as Lucentio, and the Merchant, booted,
and dressed like Vincentio.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

2175Sir, this is the house. Please it you that I call?

MERCHANT

Ay, what else? And but I be deceived,
Signior Baptista may remember me,
Near twenty years ago, in Genoa,
5Where we were lodgers at the Pegasus.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

2180’Tis well. And hold your own in any case
With such austerity as ’longeth to a father.

MERCHANT

I warrant you.

Enter Biondello.

But, sir, here comes your boy.
10’Twere good he were schooled.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

2185Fear you not him.—Sirrah Biondello,
Now do your duty throughly, I advise you.
Imagine ’twere the right Vincentio.

BIONDELLO

Tut, fear not me.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

15But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista?

BIONDELLO

2190I told him that your father was at Venice,
And that you looked for him this day in Padua.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Thou ’rt a tall fellow. Hold thee that to drink.
He gives him money.

Enter Baptista and Lucentio as Cambio.

Here comes Baptista. Set your countenance, sir.

Merchant stands bareheaded.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

20Signior Baptista, you are happily met.—
2195Sir, this is the gentleman I told you of.
I pray you stand good father to me now.
Give me Bianca for my patrimony.

MERCHANT , as Vincentio

Soft, son.—
25Sir, by your leave, having come to Padua
2200To gather in some debts, my son Lucentio
Made me acquainted with a weighty cause
Of love between your daughter and himself.
And, for the good report I hear of you,
30And for the love he beareth to your daughter
2205And she to him, to stay him not too long,
I am content, in a good father’s care,
To have him matched. And if you please to like
No worse than I, upon some agreement
35Me shall you find ready and willing
2210With one consent to have her so bestowed,
For curious I cannot be with you,
Signior Baptista, of whom I hear so well.

BAPTISTA

Sir, pardon me in what I have to say.
40Your plainness and your shortness please me well.
2215Right true it is your son Lucentio here
Doth love my daughter, and she loveth him,
Or both dissemble deeply their affections.
And therefore, if you say no more than this,
45That like a father you will deal with him
2220And pass my daughter a sufficient dower,
The match is made, and all is done.
Your son shall have my daughter with consent.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

I thank you, sir. Where then do you know best
50We be affied and such assurance ta’en
2225As shall with either part’s agreement stand?

BAPTISTA

Not in my house, Lucentio, for you know
Pitchers have ears, and I have many servants.
Besides, old Gremio is heark’ning still,
55And happily we might be interrupted.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

2230Then at my lodging, an it like you.
There doth my father lie, and there this night
We’ll pass the business privately and well.
Send for your daughter by your servant here.
He indicates Lucentio, and winks at him.
60My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently.
2235The worst is this: that at so slender warning
You are like to have a thin and slender pittance.

BAPTISTA

It likes me well.—Cambio, hie you home,
And bid Bianca make her ready straight.
65And, if you will, tell what hath happenèd:
2240Lucentio’s father is arrived in Padua,
And how she’s like to be Lucentio’s wife.

Lucentio exits.

BIONDELLO

I pray the gods she may, with all my heart.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Dally not with the gods, but get thee gone.—
70Signior Baptista, shall I lead the way?
2245Welcome! One mess is like to be your cheer.
Come, sir, we will better it in Pisa.

BAPTISTA

I follow you.

All but Biondello exit.Enter Lucentio.

BIONDELLO

Cambio.

LUCENTIO

75What sayst thou, Biondello?

BIONDELLO

2250You saw my master wink and laugh upon
you?

LUCENTIO

Biondello, what of that?

BIONDELLO

Faith, nothing; but ’has left me here behind
80to expound the meaning or moral of his signs
2255and tokens.

LUCENTIO

I pray thee, moralize them.

BIONDELLO

Then thus: Baptista is safe, talking with
the deceiving father of a deceitful son.

LUCENTIO

85And what of him?

BIONDELLO

2260His daughter is to be brought by you to the
supper.

LUCENTIO

And then?

BIONDELLO

The old priest at Saint Luke’s Church is at
90your command at all hours.

LUCENTIO

2265And what of all this?

BIONDELLO

I cannot tell, except they are busied
about a counterfeit assurance. Take you assurance
of her cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum. To th’
95church take the priest, clerk, and some sufficient
2270honest witnesses.
If this be not that you look for, I have no more to
say,
But bid Bianca farewell forever and a day.

LUCENTIO

100Hear’st thou, Biondello?

BIONDELLO

2275I cannot tarry. I knew a wench married in
an afternoon as she went to the garden for parsley
to stuff a rabbit, and so may you, sir. And so adieu,
sir. My master hath appointed me to go to Saint
105Luke’s to bid the priest be ready to come against
2280you come with your appendix.

He exits.

LUCENTIO

I may, and will, if she be so contented.
She will be pleased. Then wherefore should I
doubt?
110Hap what hap may, I’ll roundly go about her.
2285It shall go hard if “Cambio” go without her.

He exits.

Scene 5

Enter Petruchio, Katherine, Hortensio, and Servants.

PETRUCHIO

Come on, i’ God’s name, once more toward our
father’s.
Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!

KATHERINE

The moon? The sun! It is not moonlight now.

PETRUCHIO

52290I say it is the moon that shines so bright.

KATHERINE

I know it is the sun that shines so bright.

PETRUCHIO

Now, by my mother’s son, and that’s myself,
It shall be moon, or star, or what I list,
Or e’er I journey to your father’s house.
102295To Servants. Go on, and fetch our horses back
again.—
Evermore crossed and crossed, nothing but crossed!

HORTENSIO , to Katherine

Say as he says, or we shall never go.

KATHERINE

Forward, I pray, since we have come so far,
152300And be it moon, or sun, or what you please.
And if you please to call it a rush candle,
Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me.

PETRUCHIO

I say it is the moon.

KATHERINE

I know it is the moon.

PETRUCHIO

202305Nay, then you lie. It is the blessèd sun.

KATHERINE

Then God be blest, it is the blessèd sun.
But sun it is not, when you say it is not,
And the moon changes even as your mind.
What you will have it named, even that it is,
252310And so it shall be so for Katherine.

HORTENSIO

Petruchio, go thy ways, the field is won.

PETRUCHIO

Well, forward, forward. Thus the bowl should run,
And not unluckily against the bias.
But soft! Company is coming here.

Enter Vincentio.

302315To Vincentio. Good morrow, gentle mistress, where
away?—
Tell me, sweet Kate, and tell me truly, too,
Hast thou beheld a fresher gentlewoman?
Such war of white and red within her cheeks!
352320What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty
As those two eyes become that heavenly face?—
Fair lovely maid, once more good day to thee.—
Sweet Kate, embrace her for her beauty’s sake.

HORTENSIO , aside

He will make the man mad, to make the woman of
402325him.

KATHERINE

Young budding virgin, fair and fresh and sweet,
Whither away, or where is thy abode?
Happy the parents of so fair a child!
Happier the man whom favorable stars
452330Allots thee for his lovely bedfellow.

PETRUCHIO

Why, how now, Kate? I hope thou art not mad!
This is a man—old, wrinkled, faded, withered—
And not a maiden, as thou sayst he is.

KATHERINE

Pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes
502335That have been so bedazzled with the sun
That everything I look on seemeth green.
Now I perceive thou art a reverend father.
Pardon, I pray thee, for my mad mistaking.

PETRUCHIO

Do, good old grandsire, and withal make known
552340Which way thou travelest. If along with us,
We shall be joyful of thy company.

VINCENTIO

Fair sir, and you, my merry mistress,
That with your strange encounter much amazed me,
My name is called Vincentio, my dwelling Pisa,
602345And bound I am to Padua, there to visit
A son of mine which long I have not seen.

PETRUCHIO

What is his name?

VINCENTIO

Lucentio, gentle sir.

PETRUCHIO

Happily met, the happier for thy son.
652350And now by law as well as reverend age,
I may entitle thee my loving father.
The sister to my wife, this gentlewoman,
Thy son by this hath married. Wonder not,
Nor be not grieved. She is of good esteem,
702355Her dowry wealthy, and of worthy birth;
Beside, so qualified as may beseem
The spouse of any noble gentleman.
Let me embrace with old Vincentio,
And wander we to see thy honest son,
752360Who will of thy arrival be full joyous.

VINCENTIO

But is this true, or is it else your pleasure,
Like pleasant travelers, to break a jest
Upon the company you overtake?

HORTENSIO

I do assure thee, father, so it is.

PETRUCHIO

802365Come, go along and see the truth hereof,
For our first merriment hath made thee jealous.

All but Hortensio exit.

HORTENSIO

Well, Petruchio, this has put me in heart!
Have to my widow, and if she be froward,
Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward.

He exits.

ACT 5

Scene 1

Enter Biondello, Lucentio as himself, and Bianca.
Gremio is out before and stands to the side.

BIONDELLO

2370Softly and swiftly, sir, for the priest is
ready.

LUCENTIO

I fly, Biondello. But they may chance to
need thee at home. Therefore leave us.

Lucentio exits with Bianca.

BIONDELLO

5Nay, faith, I’ll see the church a’ your back,
2375and then come back to my master’s as soon as I
can.

He exits.

GREMIO

I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.

Enter Petruchio, Katherine, Vincentio, Grumio, with
Attendants.

PETRUCHIO

Sir, here’s the door. This is Lucentio’s house.
10My father’s bears more toward the marketplace.
2380Thither must I, and here I leave you, sir.

VINCENTIO

You shall not choose but drink before you go.
I think I shall command your welcome here,
And by all likelihood some cheer is toward.

He knocks.

GREMIO , coming forward

15They’re busy within. You were best knock louder.

Merchant looks out of the window.

MERCHANT , as Vincentio

2385What’s he that knocks as
he would beat down the gate?

VINCENTIO

Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?

MERCHANT , as Vincentio

He’s within, sir, but not to
20be spoken withal.

VINCENTIO

2390What if a man bring him a hundred pound
or two to make merry withal?

MERCHANT , as Vincentio

Keep your hundred
pounds to yourself. He shall need none so long as I
25live.

PETRUCHIO , to Vincentio

2395Nay, I told you your son was
well beloved in Padua.—Do you hear, sir? To leave
frivolous circumstances, I pray you tell Signior
Lucentio that his father is come from Pisa and is
30here at the door to speak with him.

MERCHANT , as Vincentio

2400Thou liest. His father is
come from Padua and here looking out at the
window.

VINCENTIO

Art thou his father?

MERCHANT , as Vincentio

35Ay, sir, so his mother says,
2405if I may believe her.

PETRUCHIO , to Vincentio

Why, how now, gentleman!
Why, this is flat knavery, to take upon you another
man’s name.

MERCHANT , as Vincentio

40Lay hands on the villain. I
2410believe he means to cosen somebody in this city
under my countenance.

Enter Biondello.

BIONDELLO , aside

I have seen them in the church
together. God send ’em good shipping! But who is
45here? Mine old master Vincentio! Now we are
2415undone and brought to nothing.

VINCENTIO , to Biondello

Come hither, crack-hemp.

BIONDELLO

I hope I may choose, sir.

VINCENTIO

Come hither, you rogue! What, have you
50forgot me?

BIONDELLO

2420Forgot you? No, sir. I could not forget you,
for I never saw you before in all my life.

VINCENTIO

What, you notorious villain, didst thou
never see thy master’s father, Vincentio?

BIONDELLO

55What, my old worshipful old master? Yes,
2425marry, sir. See where he looks out of the window.

VINCENTIO

Is ’t so indeed?

He beats Biondello.

BIONDELLO

Help, help, help! Here’s a madman will
murder me.

Biondello exits.

MERCHANT , as Vincentio

60Help, son! Help, Signior
2430Baptista!

He exits from window.

PETRUCHIO

Prithee, Kate, let’s stand aside and see the
end of this controversy.

They move aside.Enter Merchant with Servants, and Baptista and
Tranio disguised as Lucentio.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Sir, what are you that offer to
65beat my servant?

VINCENTIO

2435What am I, sir? Nay, what are you, sir! O
immortal gods! O fine villain! A silken doublet, a
velvet hose, a scarlet cloak, and a copatain hat! O, I
am undone, I am undone! While I play the good
70husband at home, my son and my servant spend all
2440at the university.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

How now, what’s the matter?

BAPTISTA

What, is the man lunatic?

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Sir, you seem a sober ancient
75gentleman by your habit, but your words show you
2445a madman. Why, sir, what ’cerns it you if I wear
pearl and gold? I thank my good father, I am able
to maintain it.

VINCENTIO

Thy father! O villain, he is a sailmaker in
80Bergamo.

BAPTISTA

2450You mistake, sir, you mistake, sir! Pray, what
do you think is his name?

VINCENTIO

His name? As if I knew not his name! I have
brought him up ever since he was three years old,
85and his name is Tranio.

MERCHANT , as Vincentio

2455Away, away, mad ass! His
name is Lucentio and he is mine only son, and heir
to the lands of me, Signior Vincentio.

VINCENTIO

Lucentio? O, he hath murdered his master!
90Lay hold on him, I charge you in the Duke’s name.
2460O, my son, my son! Tell me, thou villain, where is
my son Lucentio?

TRANIO , as Lucentio

Call forth an officer.

Enter an Officer.

Carry this mad knave to the jail.—Father Baptista, I
95charge you see that he be forthcoming.

VINCENTIO

2465Carry me to the jail?

GREMIO

Stay, officer. He shall not go to prison.

BAPTISTA

Talk not, Signior Gremio. I say he shall go to
prison.

GREMIO

100Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catched
2470in this business. I dare swear this is the
right Vincentio.

MERCHANT , as Vincentio

Swear, if thou dar’st.

GREMIO

Nay, I dare not swear it.

TRANIO , as Lucentio

105Then thou wert best say that I
2475am not Lucentio.

GREMIO

Yes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio.

BAPTISTA

Away with the dotard, to the jail with him.

VINCENTIO

Thus strangers may be haled and abused.—
110O monstrous villain!

Enter Biondello, Lucentio and Bianca.

BIONDELLO

2480O, we are spoiled, and yonder he is! Deny
him, forswear him, or else we are all undone.

Biondello, Tranio, and Merchant
exit as fast as may be.

LUCENTIO

Pardon, sweet father.

Lucentio and Bianca kneel.

VINCENTIO

Lives my sweet son?

BIANCA

115Pardon, dear father.

BAPTISTA

2485How hast thou offended?
Where is Lucentio?

LUCENTIO

Here’s Lucentio,
Right son to the right Vincentio,
120That have by marriage made thy daughter mine
2490While counterfeit supposes bleared thine eyne.

GREMIO

Here’s packing, with a witness, to deceive us all!

VINCENTIO

Where is that damnèd villain, Tranio,
That faced and braved me in this matter so?

BAPTISTA

125Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?

BIANCA

2495Cambio is changed into Lucentio.

LUCENTIO

Love wrought these miracles. Bianca’s love
Made me exchange my state with Tranio,
While he did bear my countenance in the town,
130And happily I have arrivèd at the last
2500Unto the wishèd haven of my bliss.
What Tranio did, myself enforced him to.
Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake.

VINCENTIO

I’ll slit the villain’s nose that would have
135sent me to the jail!

BAPTISTA

2505But do you hear, sir, have you married my
daughter without asking my goodwill?

VINCENTIO

Fear not, Baptista, we will content you. Go
to! But I will in to be revenged for this villainy.

He exits.

BAPTISTA

140And I to sound the depth of this knavery.

He exits.

LUCENTIO

2510Look not pale, Bianca. Thy father will not
frown.

They exit.

GREMIO

My cake is dough, but I’ll in among the rest,
Out of hope of all but my share of the feast.

He exits.

KATHERINE

145Husband, let’s follow to see the end of
2515this ado.

PETRUCHIO

First kiss me, Kate, and we will.

KATHERINE

What, in the midst of the street?

PETRUCHIO

What, art thou ashamed of me?

KATHERINE

150No, sir, God forbid, but ashamed to kiss.

PETRUCHIO

2520Why, then, let’s home again. To Grumio. Come,
sirrah, let’s away.

KATHERINE

Nay, I will give thee a kiss.She kisses him.
Now pray thee, love, stay.

PETRUCHIO

155Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate.
2525Better once than never, for never too late.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Baptista, Vincentio, Gremio, the Merchant,
Lucentio, and Bianca; Hortensio and the Widow,
Petruchio and Katherine; Tranio, Biondello, and
Grumio, with Servingmen bringing in a banquet.

LUCENTIO

At last, though long, our jarring notes agree,
And time it is when raging war is done
To smile at ’scapes and perils overblown.
My fair Bianca, bid my father welcome,
52530While I with selfsame kindness welcome thine.
Brother Petruchio, sister Katherina,
And thou, Hortensio, with thy loving widow,
Feast with the best, and welcome to my house.
My banquet is to close our stomachs up
102535After our great good cheer. Pray you, sit down,
For now we sit to chat as well as eat.

They sit.

PETRUCHIO

Nothing but sit and sit, and eat and eat!

BAPTISTA

Padua affords this kindness, son Petruchio.

PETRUCHIO

Padua affords nothing but what is kind.

HORTENSIO

152540For both our sakes I would that word were true.

PETRUCHIO

Now, for my life, Hortensio fears his widow!

WIDOW

Then never trust me if I be afeard.

PETRUCHIO

You are very sensible, and yet you miss my sense:
I mean Hortensio is afeard of you.

WIDOW

202545He that is giddy thinks the world turns round.

PETRUCHIO

Roundly replied.

KATHERINE

Mistress, how mean you that?

WIDOW

Thus I conceive by him.

PETRUCHIO

Conceives by me? How likes Hortensio that?

HORTENSIO

252550My widow says, thus she conceives her tale.

PETRUCHIO

Very well mended. Kiss him for that, good widow.

KATHERINE

“He that is giddy thinks the world turns round”—
I pray you tell me what you meant by that.

WIDOW

Your husband being troubled with a shrew
302555Measures my husband’s sorrow by his woe.
And now you know my meaning.

KATHERINE

A very mean meaning.

WIDOW

Right, I mean you.

KATHERINE

And I am mean indeed, respecting you.

PETRUCHIO

352560To her, Kate!

HORTENSIO

To her, widow!

PETRUCHIO

A hundred marks, my Kate does put her down.

HORTENSIO

That’s my office.

PETRUCHIO

Spoke like an officer! Ha’ to thee, lad.

He drinks to Hortensio.

BAPTISTA

402565How likes Gremio these quick-witted folks?

GREMIO

Believe me, sir, they butt together well.

BIANCA

Head and butt! An hasty-witted body
Would say your head and butt were head and horn.

VINCENTIO

Ay, mistress bride, hath that awakened you?

BIANCA

452570Ay, but not frighted me. Therefore I’ll sleep again.

PETRUCHIO

Nay, that you shall not. Since you have begun,
Have at you for a bitter jest or two.

BIANCA

Am I your bird? I mean to shift my bush,
And then pursue me as you draw your bow.—
502575You are welcome all.

Bianca, Katherine, and the Widow exit.

PETRUCHIO

She hath prevented me. Here, Signior Tranio,
This bird you aimed at, though you hit her not.—
Therefore a health to all that shot and missed.

TRANIO

O, sir, Lucentio slipped me like his greyhound,
552580Which runs himself and catches for his master.

PETRUCHIO

A good swift simile, but something currish.

TRANIO

’Tis well, sir, that you hunted for yourself.
’Tis thought your deer does hold you at a bay.

BAPTISTA

O, O, Petruchio! Tranio hits you now.

LUCENTIO

602585I thank thee for that gird, good Tranio.

HORTENSIO

Confess, confess! Hath he not hit you here?

PETRUCHIO

He has a little galled me, I confess.
And as the jest did glance away from me,
’Tis ten to one it maimed you two outright.

BAPTISTA

652590Now, in good sadness, son Petruchio,
I think thou hast the veriest shrew of all.

PETRUCHIO

Well, I say no. And therefore, for assurance,
Let’s each one send unto his wife,
And he whose wife is most obedient
702595To come at first when he doth send for her
Shall win the wager which we will propose.

HORTENSIO

Content, what’s the wager?

LUCENTIO

Twenty crowns.

PETRUCHIO

Twenty crowns?
752600I’ll venture so much of my hawk or hound,
But twenty times so much upon my wife.

LUCENTIO

A hundred, then.

HORTENSIO

Content.

PETRUCHIO

A match! ’Tis done.

HORTENSIO

802605Who shall begin?

LUCENTIO

That will I.
Go, Biondello, bid your mistress come to me.

BIONDELLO

I go.

He exits.

BAPTISTA

Son, I’ll be your half Bianca comes.

LUCENTIO

852610I’ll have no halves. I’ll bear it all myself.
Enter Biondello.

How now, what news?

BIONDELLO

Sir, my mistress sends you
word
That she is busy, and she cannot come.

PETRUCHIO

902615How? “She’s busy, and she cannot come”?
Is that an answer?

GREMIO

Ay, and a kind one, too.
Pray God, sir, your wife send you not a worse.

PETRUCHIO

I hope better.

HORTENSIO

952620Sirrah Biondello, go and entreat my wife
To come to me forthwith.

Biondello exits.

PETRUCHIO

O ho, entreat her!
Nay, then, she must needs come.

HORTENSIO

I am afraid, sir,
1002625Do what you can, yours will not be entreated.

Enter Biondello.

Now, where’s my wife?

BIONDELLO

She says you have some goodly jest in hand.
She will not come. She bids you come to her.

PETRUCHIO

Worse and worse. She will not come!
1052630O vile, intolerable, not to be endured!—
Sirrah Grumio, go to your mistress,
Say I command her come to me.

Grumio exits.

HORTENSIO

I know her answer.

PETRUCHIO

What?

HORTENSIO

1102635She will not.

PETRUCHIO

The fouler fortune mine, and there an end.

Enter Katherine.

BAPTISTA

Now by my holidam, here comes Katherina!

KATHERINE

What is your will, sir, that you send for me?

PETRUCHIO

Where is your sister, and Hortensio’s wife?

KATHERINE

1152640They sit conferring by the parlor fire.

PETRUCHIO

Go fetch them hither. If they deny to come,
Swinge me them soundly forth unto their husbands.
Away, I say, and bring them hither straight.

Katherine exits.

LUCENTIO

Here is a wonder, if you talk of a wonder.

HORTENSIO

1202645And so it is. I wonder what it bodes.

PETRUCHIO

Marry, peace it bodes, and love, and quiet life,
An awful rule, and right supremacy,
And, to be short, what not that’s sweet and happy.

BAPTISTA

Now fair befall thee, good Petruchio!
1252650The wager thou hast won, and I will add
Unto their losses twenty thousand crowns,
Another dowry to another daughter,
For she is changed as she had never been.

PETRUCHIO

Nay, I will win my wager better yet,
1302655And show more sign of her obedience,
Her new-built virtue and obedience.

Enter Katherine, Bianca, and Widow.

See where she comes, and brings your froward
wives
As prisoners to her womanly persuasion.—
1352660Katherine, that cap of yours becomes you not.
Off with that bauble, throw it underfoot.

She obeys.

WIDOW

Lord, let me never have a cause to sigh
Till I be brought to such a silly pass.

BIANCA

Fie, what a foolish duty call you this?

LUCENTIO

1402665I would your duty were as foolish too.
The wisdom of your duty, fair Bianca,
Hath cost me a hundred crowns since suppertime.

BIANCA

The more fool you for laying on my duty.

PETRUCHIO

Katherine, I charge thee tell these headstrong
1452670women
What duty they do owe their lords and husbands.

WIDOW

Come, come, you’re mocking. We will have no
telling.

PETRUCHIO

Come on, I say, and first begin with her.

WIDOW

1502675She shall not.

PETRUCHIO

I say she shall.—And first begin with her.

KATHERINE

Fie, fie! Unknit that threat’ning unkind brow,
And dart not scornful glances from those eyes
To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor.
1552680It blots thy beauty as frosts do bite the meads,
Confounds thy fame as whirlwinds shake fair buds,
And in no sense is meet or amiable.
A woman moved is like a fountain troubled,
Muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty,
1602685And while it is so, none so dry or thirsty
Will deign to sip or touch one drop of it.
Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper,
Thy head, thy sovereign, one that cares for thee,
And for thy maintenance commits his body
1652690To painful labor both by sea and land,
To watch the night in storms, the day in cold,
Whilst thou liest warm at home, secure and safe,
And craves no other tribute at thy hands
But love, fair looks, and true obedience—
1702695Too little payment for so great a debt.
Such duty as the subject owes the prince,
Even such a woman oweth to her husband;
And when she is froward, peevish, sullen, sour,
And not obedient to his honest will,
1752700What is she but a foul contending rebel
And graceless traitor to her loving lord?
I am ashamed that women are so simple
To offer war where they should kneel for peace,
Or seek for rule, supremacy, and sway
1802705When they are bound to serve, love, and obey.
Why are our bodies soft and weak and smooth,
Unapt to toil and trouble in the world,
But that our soft conditions and our hearts
Should well agree with our external parts?
1852710Come, come, you froward and unable worms!
My mind hath been as big as one of yours,
My heart as great, my reason haply more,
To bandy word for word and frown for frown;
But now I see our lances are but straws,
1902715Our strength as weak, our weakness past compare,
That seeming to be most which we indeed least are.
Then vail your stomachs, for it is no boot,
And place your hands below your husband’s foot;
In token of which duty, if he please,
1952720My hand is ready, may it do him ease.

PETRUCHIO

Why, there’s a wench! Come on, and kiss me, Kate.

They kiss.

LUCENTIO

Well, go thy ways, old lad, for thou shalt ha ’t.

VINCENTIO

’Tis a good hearing when children are toward.

LUCENTIO

But a harsh hearing when women are froward.

PETRUCHIO

2002725Come, Kate, we’ll to bed.
We three are married, but you two are sped.
To Lucentio. ’Twas I won the wager, though you
hit the white,
And being a winner, God give you good night.

Petruchio and Katherine exit.

HORTENSIO

2052730Now, go thy ways, thou hast tamed a curst shrow.

LUCENTIO

’Tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be tamed so.

They exit.