Fall to them, as you find your stomach serves you: Luc. Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise. Such friends, as time in Padua shall beget. Tra. Master, some show, to welcome us to town. If either of you both love Katharina, Kath. I pray you, sir, [To Bap.] is it your will To make a stale of me amongst these mates? Hor. Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates Unless you were of gentler, milder mould. [for you, Kath I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear; I wis, it is not half way to her heart: But, if it were, doubt not her care should be To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool, And paint your face, and use you like a fool. Hor. From all such devils, good Lord, deliver us! Gre. And me too, good Lord! [ward; Tra. Hush, master! here is some good pastime toThat wench is stark mad, or wonderial froward. Luc. But in the other's silence 1 do see Maids' mild behaviour and sobriety. Peace, Tranio. Tra. Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill. Bap. Gentlemen, 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. Kath. A pretty peat! 'tis best Put finger in the eye,-an she knew why. Bian. Sister, content you in my discontent. Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe: My books, and instruments, shall be my company; On them to look, and practise by myself. Luc. Hark, Tranio! thou mayst hear Minerva speak. [Aside. Hor. Signior Baptista, will you be so strange? Sorry am I, that our good will effects Bianca's grief. Gre. Why, will you mew her up, Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell, And make her hear the penance of her tongue? And for I know, she taketh most delight Hor. So will I, signior Gremio: But a word, I pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brook'd parle, know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both, that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivals in Bianca's love, to labour and effect one thing 'specially. Gre. What's that, I pray Hor. Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister. Gre. I 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? Hor. Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience, and mine, to endure her loud alarums, why, man, there be good fellows in the world, an a man could light on them, would take her with all faults, and money enough. Gre. I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her dowry with this condition,-to be whipped at the high-cross every morning. Hor. '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 maintained,-till by helping Baptista's eldest daughter to 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 ? Gre. I am agreed and 'would I had given him the best 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. [Exeunt Gremio and Hortensio. Tra. [Advancing] I pray, sir, tell me,-Is it possible That love should of a sudden take such hold? Luc. O Tranio, till I found it to be true, I never thought possible, or likely; But see! while idly I stood looking on, I found the effect of love in idleness: And now in plainness do confess to thee,That 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: Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst; Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt. Tra. Master, it is no time to chide you now; Affection is not rated from the heart: If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so,Redime te captum quam queas minimo. Luc. Gramercies, lad; go forward: this contents; The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound. Tra. Master, you look'd so longly on the maid, Perhaps you mark 'd not what's the pith of all. Luc. O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face, Such as the daughter of Agenor had, That made great Jove to humble him to her hand, When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan strand. [sister Tra. Saw you no more? mark'd you not, how her Began to scold; and raise up such a storm, That mortal ears might hardly endure the din? Luc. 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. Tra. Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance. Master for my hand, You will be schoolmaster, Luc. It is May it be done? Luc. Basta; content thee; for I have it full. Tra. So had you need. [They exchange Habits. (For so your father charg'd me at our parting; I am content to be Lucentio, Because so well I love Lucentio. Luc. Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves: Here comes the rogue.-Sirrah, where have you been? Master, has my fellow, Tranio, stol'n your clothes? I kill'd a man, and fear I was descried: Bion. I, sir? ne'er a whit. Bion. The better for him; 'Would I were so too! You use your manners discreetly in all kind of com- One thing more rests, that thyself execute ;- Sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty. Page. My lord, 'tis but begun. Sly. 'Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam 'Would't were done! SCENE II. The same. Before Hortensio's Pet. Verona, for awhile I take my leave, [lady; House. Gru. Knock, sir! whom should I knock? is there any man has rebused your worship? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me here soundly. Pet. Villain, I say, knock me at this gate, And then I know after who comes by the worst. 'Faith, sirrab, an you'll not knock, I'll wring it; [He wrings Grumio by the Ears. Gru. Help, masters, help! my master is mad. Pet. Now, knock when I bid you: sirrah! villain! Enter Hortensio. use his master so; being perhaps (for aught I see), Whom, would to God, I had well knock'd at first, [here, I bade the rascal knock upon your gate, And I have thrust myself into this maze, Hor. Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee, Pet. Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we, I come to wive it wealthily in Padua ; Gru. Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his mind is: Why, give him gold enough and 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. Hor. Petruchio, since we have stepp'd thus far in, And shrewd, and froward; so beyond all measure, [effect: I would not wed her for a mine of gold. Gru. I pray you, sir, let him go while the humour lasts. O'my word an she knew him as well 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 Hor. How now? what's the matter?-My old rail in his rope-tricks. I'll tell you what, sir,-an friend Grumio! and my good friend Petruchio!-she stand him but a little, he will throw a figure in How do you all at Verona? her face, and so disfiggre her with it, that she shall Pet. Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray have no more eyes to see withal than a cat: You Con tutto il core bene trovato, may I say. Hor. Alla nostra casa bene venuto, Molto honorato signor mio Petruchio. Rise, Grumio, rise; we will compound this quarrel. Gru. Nay, 'tis no matter, what he 'leges in Latin. If this be not a lawful cause for me to leave his service,-Look yon sir,-he bid me knock him, and rap him soundly, sir: Well, was it fit for a servant to know him not, sir. Hor. Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee; (For those defects I have before rehears'd), That ever Katharina will be woo'd, Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en ;That none shall have access unto Bianca, Till Katharine, the curst, have got a husband. Gru. Katharine, the curst! A title for a maid, of all titles the worst. That gives not half so great a blow to the ear, Gre. Hortensio, hark! This gentleman is happily arriv'd, For he fears none. [Aside. Hor. Now shall my friend, Petruchio, de me grace; My mind presumes, for his own good and yours. And offer me, disguis'd in sober robes, To old Baptista as a schoolmaster Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca: That so I may by this device, at least, Have leave and leisure to make love to her, Enter Gremio; with him Lucentio disguised, with Gru. Here's no knavery! See; to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together! Master, master, look about you: Who goes there? ha! Hor. Peace, Grumio; 'tis the rival of my love :Petruchio, stand by awhile. Gru. A proper stripling, and an amorous ! [They retire. Gre. O, very well; I have perus'd 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 Signior Baptista's liberality, Hor. I promis'd, we would be contributors, And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe❜er. Gre. And so we will; provided, that he win her. Gru. I would, I were as sure of a good dinner. [Asile. Enter Tranio, bravely apparelled; and Biondello. Tra. 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? Gre. He that has the two fair daughters :-is't [Aside to Tranio] he you mean? Tra. Even he. Biondello ! to do? Gre. Hark you, sir; You mean not her to- Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea, or no? I'll mend it with a largess :-Take your papers too, For me, as for you? For she is sweeter than perfume itself, To whom they go. What will you read to her? As for my patron (stand you so assurd), Gre. O this learning! what a thing it is! But so is not she. To whom my father is not all unknown; [mio! And, were his daughter fairer than she is, Gre-She may more suitors have, and me for one. Trow Then well one more may fair Bianca have: Fair Leda's daughter had a thousand wooers; [you, And so she shall; Lucentio shall make one, Though Paris came, in hope to speed alone. Hor. Grumio, mum !-God save you, signior And other books,-good ones, I warrant you. Gre. Belov'd of me,-and that my deeds shall prove. [Aside. Hor. Gremio, '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. Here is a gentleman, whom by chance I met, Upon agreement from us to his liking, Will undertake to woo curst Katharine; Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please. Gre. So said, so done, is wellHortensio, have you told him all her faults? Pet. I know, she is an irksome brawling scold; If that be all, masters, I hear no harm. Gre. No, say'st me so, friend? What countryman? But, if you have a stomach, to't o'God's name; Will I live? Pet. Have I not heard the sea, puff'd up with winds, Loud 'larams, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang? Gre. What! this gentleman will out-talk us all. Pet. Sir, sir, the first's for me; let her go by. Pet. Sir, understand you this of me, insooth ;- Tra. If it be so, sir, that you are the man Hor. Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive; Tra. Sir, I shall not be slack in sign whereof, Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends. That I disdain: but for these other gawds, Kath. Of all thy snitors, here I charge thee, tell Kath. Minion, thou liest; Is't not Hortensio ? Bian. If you affect him, sister, here I swear, I'll plead for you myself, but you shall have him. Kath. O then, belike, you fancy riches more; You will have Gremio to keep you fair. Bian. Is it for him you do envy me so? Nay, then you jest; and now I well perceive, You have but jested with me all this while: I pr'ythee, sister, Kate, untie my hands. Kath. If that be jest, then all the rest was so. [Strikes her. Enter Baptista. Bap. Why, how now, dame! whence grows this insolence? Bianca, stand aside;-poor girl! she weeps:- When did she cross thee with a bitter word? Kath. Her silence flouts me, and I'll be reveng'd. [Flies after Bianca. Bap. What, in my sight?-Bianca, get thee in. [Exit Bianca. Kath. Will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see, She is your treasure, she must have a husband? I must dance bare-foot on her wedding-day, And, 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. [Exit. Bap. Was ever gentleman thus griev❜d as I? But who come here? Enter Gremio, with Lucentio in the Habit of a mean Man; Petruchio, with Hortensio as a Musician; and Tranio, with Biondello bearing a Lute and Books. Gre. Good morrow, neighbour Baptista. Bap. Good morrow, neighbour Gremio: God save you, gentlemen! Pet. And you, good sir! Pray, have you not a Call'd Katharina, fair and virtuous ? [daughter Bap. I have a daughter, sir, call'd Katharina. Her wondrous qualities, and mild behaviour,- [Presenting Hortensio. Bap. You're welcome, sir; and he, for your good But for my daughter Katharina,-this I know, [sake: She is not for your turn, the more my grief. Pet. I see, you do not mean to part with her; Or else you like not of my company. Bap. Mistake me not, I speak but as I find. Whence are you, sir? what may I call your name? Pet. Petruchio is my name; Antonio's son, A man well known throughout all Italy. Bap. I know him well, you are welcome for his Gre. Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray, [sake. Let us, that are poor petitioners, speak too: Baccare you are marvellous forward. Pet. O, pardon me, signior Gremio; I would fain be doing. [wooing. Gre. I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your Neighbour, this is a gift very grateful, I am sure of it. To express the like kindness myself, that have been more kindly beholden to you than any, I freely give unto you this young scholar [Presenting Lucentio] that hath been long studying at Rheims; as canning in Greek, Latin, and other languages, as the other in music and mathematics: his name is Cambio; pray, accept his service. Bap. A thousand thanks, signior Gremio: welcome, good Cambio.-But, gentle sir, [To Tranio], methinks you walk like a stranger; May I be so bold to know the cause of your coming? Tra. Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own; Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me, I may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo, And, toward the education of your daughters, I here bestow a simple instrument, And this small packet of Greek and Latin books: I know him well: you are very welcome, sir.- Enter a Servant. These gentlemen to my daughters; and tell them both, And, in possession, twenty thousand crowns. Pet. And, for that dowry, I'll assure her of Bap. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd, This is, her love; for that is all in all. Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father, I am as peremptory as she proud-minded; And where two raging fires meet together, They do consume the thing that feeds their fury; Though little fire grows great with little wind, Yet 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. [speed! Bap. Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words. Pet. Ay, to the proof; as mountains are for winds, That shake not, though they blow perpetually. Re-enter Hortensio, with his Head broken. Bap. How now, my friend? why dost thou look so pale? Hor. For fear, I promise you, if I look pale. Pet. Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench; Bap. Well, go with me, and be not so discomfited, Proceed in practice with my younger daughter; She's apt to learn, and thankful for good turns. ♦ Signior Petruchio, will you go with us; Say, that she frown; I'll say, she looks as clear And say she uttereth piercing eloquence: When I shall ask the banns, and when be married :- Enter Katharina." Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear. Kath. Well bave you heard, but something hard of hearing; They call me-Katharine, that do talk of me. Pet. You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate, Remove you hence: I knew you at the first, Why, what's a moveable? Kath. A joint-stool. Pet. Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me. Kath. Asses are made to bear, and so are you. Pet. Women are made to bear, and so are you. Kath. No such jade, sir, as you, if me you mean. Pet. Alas, good Kate! I will not burden thee: For, knowing thee to be but young and light,Kath. Too light for such a swain as you to catch; And yet as heavy as my weight should be. Pet. Should be? should buz. Kath. Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. Pet. O slow-wing'd turtle! shall a buzzard take thee! Kath. Ay, for a turtle; as he takes a buzzard. Pet. Come, come, you wasp; i'faith, you are too angry. Kath. If I be waspish, best heware my sting. Pet. My remedy is then to pluck it out. Kath. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies. Pet. Who knows not where a wasp doth wear his In his tail. [sting? Kath. In his tongue. Pet. Whose tongue? Kath. Yours, if you talk of tails; and so farewell. Pet. What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come Good Kate; I am a gentleman. [again, That I'll try. [Striking him. Pet. I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again. Kath. So may you lose your arms: Kath. If you strike me, you are no gentleman: Pet. A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books. Had I a glass, I would. Well aim'd of such a young one. For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous; O, let me see thee walk: thou dost not halt. Kath. Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st command. As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? Yes; keep you warm. Pet. Marry, so I mean, sweet Katharine, in thy bed: And therefore, setting all this chat aside, Signior Petruchio: How speed you with How but well, sir? how but well? Kath. Call you me daughter? now I promise you, You have show'd a tender fatherly regard, To wish me wed to one half lunatic;" A mad-cap ruffian, and a swearing Jack, That thinks with oaths to face the matter out. Pet. Father, 'tis thus,-yourself and all the world, For she's not froward, but modest as the dove; Kath. I'll see thee hang'd on Sunday first. Tra. Is this your speeding? nay, then, good night our part! Pet. Be patient, gentlemen; I choose her for my self'; If she and I be pleas'd, what's that to you? I tell you, 'tis incredible to believe Pet. Now, by saint George, I am too young for you. God send you joy, Petruchio! 'tis a match. Kath. Yet you are wither'd. "Tis with cares. Pet. Kath. I care not. Pet. Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth, you 'scape Kath. I chafe yon, if I tarry; let me go. [not so. Pet. No, not a whit; I find you passing gentle. "Twas told me, you were rough, and coy, and sullen, And now I find report a very liar; Gre. Tra. Amen, say we; we will be witnesses. Pet. Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu; I will to Venice, Sunday comes apace:We will have rings, and things, and fine array; And kiss me, Kate, we will be married o'Sunday. [Exeunt Petruchio and Katharina, severally. Gre. Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly ? |