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"THERE TAKE IT TO YOU, TRENCHERS CUPS AND ALL

Act 1.euel.

London Published by The nuwe Te M. Chupside April 3.10.

Printed by Dixon Son.

Be patient; to-morrow it shall be mended,
And, for this night, we'll fast for company :-
Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber.

[Exeunt Petruchio, Katharina, and Curtis. Nath. [Advancing.] Peter, didst ever see the like?

Peter. He kills her in her own humour.

Re-enter Curtis.

Gru. Where is he?

Curt. In her chamber,

Making a sermon of continency to her;

And rails, and swears, and rates; that she, poor soul,

Knows not which way to stand, to look, to speak;
And sits as one new-risen from a dream.
Away, away for he is coming hither.

Re-enter Petruchio.

[Exeunt.

Pet. Thus have I politickly begun my reign, And 'tis my hope to end successfully: My falcon now is sharp, and passing empty; And till she stoop, she must not be full-gorg'd, 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, That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites, That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient. She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat; Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not; As with the meat, some undeserved fault I'll find about the making of the bed;

And 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 reverent care of her;

A thing stuffed to look like the game which the hawk was to pursue.

To tame my wild hawk.

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And, in conclusion, she shall watch all night:
And, if she chance to nod, I'll rail, and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is the way to kill a wife with kindness;
And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong hu-

mour:

He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak: 'tis charity to show.

SCENE II.

Padua. Before Baptista's house.

Enter Tranio and Hortensio.

Tra. Is't possible, friend Lucio, that Bianca Doth fancy any other but Lucentio ?

I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.

[Exit.

Hor. Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said, Stand by, and mark the manner of his teaching. [They stand aside.

Enter Bianca and Lucentio.

Luc. Now, mistress, profit you in what you read? Bian. What, master, read you? first resolve me that.

Luc. I read that I profess the art to love.

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

art!

heart.

Luc. While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my [They retire. Hor. Quick proceeders, marry! Now, tell me, I

pray,

You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca
Lov'd none in the world so well as Lucentio.

Tra. O despiteful love! unconstant womankind!

I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.

Hor. Mistake no more: I am not Licio, 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,
And makes a god of such a cullion*
Know, sir, that I am call'd-Hortensio.

Tra. Signior Hortensio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca ;

And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness, I will with you,-if you be so contented,Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.

Hor. See, how they kiss and court!

Lucentio,

-Signior

Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow—
Never to woo her more; but do forswear her,
As one unworthy all the former favours
That I have fondly flatter'd her withal.

Tra. And here I take the like unfeigned oath,Ne'er to marry with her though she would entreat : Fye on her! see, how beastly she doth court him. Hor. 'Would 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 lov'd me,
As I have lov'd this proud disdainful haggard :
And 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.

[Exit Hortensio.-Lucentio and Bianca advance. Tra. Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace As 'longeth to a lover's blessed case!

Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love;
And have forsworn you, with Hortensio.

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

Tra. Mistress, we have.

Luc.

Then we are rid of Licio.

Tra. I'faith, he'll have a lusty widow now,

*Despicable fellow.

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