Bion. When he stands where I am, and sees you there. Now sadder, that you come so unprovided. Tra. And tell us, what occasion of import Hath all so long detain'd you from your wife, And sent you hither so unlike yourself? robes; Tra. But, say, what:-To thine old news. Pet. Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear: Bion. Why, Petruchio is coming, in a new hat Sufficeth, I am come to keep my word, and an old jerkin; a pair of old breeches, thrice Though in some part enforced to digress: turned; a pair of boots that have been candle-cases, Which, at more leisure, I will so excuse one buckled, another laced; an old rusty sword As you shall well be satisfied withal. ta'en out of the town armoury, with a broken hilt, But, where is Kate? I stay too long from her; and chapeless; with two broken points: His horse The morning wears, 'tis time we were at church. hipped with an old mothy saddle, the stirrups of no Tra. See not your bride in these unreverent kindred: besides, possessed with the glanders, and like to mose in the chine; troubled with the lampass, infected with the fashions, full of wind-galls, sped with spavins, raied with the yellows, past cure of the fives, stark spoil'd with the staggers, begnawn with the bots; swayed in the back, and shouldershotten; ne'er-legged before, and with a half- To me she's married, not unto my clothes: checked bit, and a head-stall of sheep's leather: Could I repair what she will wear in me, which, being restrained to keep him from stum-As I can change these poor accoutrements, bling, hath been often burst, and now repaired with "Twere well for Kate, and better for myself. knots: one girt six times pieced, and a woman's But what a fool am I, to chat with you, crupper of velure, which hath two letters for her When I should bid good-morrow to my bride, name, fairly set down in studs, and here and there And seal the title with a lovely kiss? pieced with packthread. Bap. Who comes with him? Bion. O, sir, his lackey, for all the world caparisoned like the horse; with a linen stock on one leg, and a kersey boot-hose on the other, gartered with a red and blue list; an old hat, and The humour of forty fancies pricked in't for a feather: a monster, a very monster in apparel; and not like a Christian footboy, or a gentleman's lackey. Tra. 'Tis some odd humour pricks him to this fashion; Yet oftentimes he goes but mean apparell'd. Go to my chamber, put on clothes of mine. [Exeunt Petruchio, Grumio, and Biondello. Bap. I'll after him, and see the event of this. [Exit. Tra. But, sir, to her love concerneth us to add Her father's liking: Which to bring to pass, As I before imparted to your worship, am to get a man,-whate'er he be, I It skills not much: we'll fit him to our turn,- Bap. I am glad he is come, howsoc'er he And make assurance, here in Padua, comes. Bion. Why, sir, he comes not. Bap. Didst thou not say, he comes? Bion. Who? that Petruchio came? Bap, Ay, that Petruchio came. Of greater sums than I have promised. Bion. No, sir; I say, his horse comes with him 'Twere good, methinks, to steal our marriage; on his back. Bap. Why, that's all one. Bion. Nay, by Saint Jamy, I hold you a penny, A horse and a man is more than one, and yet not many. Enter Petruchio and Grumio. Which once perform'd, let all the world say-no, Tra. That by degrees we mean to look into, Pet. Come, where be these gallants? who is at All for my master's sake, Lucentio. home? Re-enter Gremio. Signior Gremio! came you from the church? Gre. As willingly as e'er I came from school. Tra. And is the bride and bridegroom coming home? Gre. A bridegroom, say you? 'tis a groom, in- A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find. (3) Velvet. (4) Stocking. That all amaz'd, the priest let fall the book: Tra. What said the wench, when he arose again? Gre. Trembled and shook; for why, he stamp'd, and swore, As if the vicar meant to cozen him. He calls for wine :-A health, quoth he; as if But that his beard grew thin and hungerly, [Music. Pet. Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains: I know, you think to dine with me to-day, Bap. Is't possible, you will away to-night? Tra. Let us entreat you stay till after dinner. Pet. It cannot be. Kath. Let me entreat you. Let me entreat you. Pet. I am content. Kath. Are you content to stay? Pet. I am content you shall entreat me stay; But yet not stay, entreat me how you can. Kath. Now, if you love me, stay. Pet. Grumio, my horses. Gru. Ay, sir, they be ready; the oats have eaten the horses. Kath. Nay, then, Do what thou canst, I will not go to-day; angry. Kath. I will be angry; What hast thou to do?Father, be quiet; he shall stay my leisure. Gre. Ay, marry, sir: now it begins to work. Kath. Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner :I see a woman may be made a fool, (1) It was the custom for the company present to drink wine immediately after the marriageceremony. If she had not a spirit to resist. Obey the bride, you that attend on her : I'll buckler thee against a million. [Exeunt Petruchio, Katharine, and Grumio. Bap. Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones. Gre. Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing. Tra. Of all mad matches, never was the like! Luc. Mistress, what's your opinion of your sister? Bian. That, being mad herself, she's madly mated. Gre. I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated. Bap. Neighbours and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants For to supply the places at the table, You know, there wants no junkets at the feast;- Tra. Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it? ACT IV. SCENE I-A hall in Petruchio's country house. Enter Grumio. Gru. Fie, 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 after to warm them. Now, were not I a little pot, and soon 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 the weather, a taller man than I will take cold.-Holla, hoa! Curtis ! Enter Curtis. Curt. Who is that, calls so coldly? Gru. A piece of ice: If thou doubt it, thou may'st slide from my shoulder to my heel, with no greater a run but my head and my neck. A fire, good Curtis. Curt. Is my master and his wife coming, Grumio? Gru. O, ay, Curtis, ay: and therefore fire, fire; cast on no water. Curt. Is she so hot a shrew as she's reported? Gru. She was, good Curtis, before this frost: but, thou know'st, winter tames man, woman, and beast; for it hath tamed my old master, and my new mistress, and myself, fellow Curtis. Curt. Away, you three-inch fool! I am no beast.] Gru. Am I but three inches? why, thy horn is a foot; 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 thy hot office. Curt. I pr'ythee, good Grumio, tell me, How goes the world? Gru. A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine; and, therefore, fire: Do thy duty, and have thy duty; for my master and mistress are almost frozen to death. Curt. There's fire ready; And therefore, good Grumio, the news? Gru. Why, Jack boy! ho boy! and as much news as thou wilt. Gru. Call them forth. Gru. Thou, it seems; that callest for company to countenance her. Curt. I call them forth to credit her. Gru. Why, she comes to borrow nothing of them. Nath. Welcome home, Grumio. Gru. Welcome, you;-how now, you;-what, Curt. Come, you are so full of conycatching:-you;-fellow, you; and thus much for greeting. Gru. Why, therefore, fire; for I have caught ex- Now, my spruce companions, is all ready, and all treme cold. Where's the cook? is supper ready, things neat? the house trimmed, rushes strewed, cobwebs swept; Nath. All things is ready: How near is our the serving-men in their new fustian, their white master? stockings, and every officer his wedding-garment Gru. E'en at hand, alighted by this; and thereon? Be the jacks fair within, the jills fair without, fore be not,Cock's passion, silence!—I hear the carpets laid, and every thing in order? my master. Curt. All ready; And therefore, I pray thee, news? Gru. First, know, my horse is tired; my master and mistress fallen out. Curt. How? Enter Petruchio and Katharina. Pet. Where be these knaves? What, no man at door, To hold my stirrup, nor to take my horse? Gru. Out of their saddles into the dirt; And Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Philip? thereby hangs a tale. Curt. Let's ha't, good Grumio. Gru. Lend thine ear. Curt. Both on one horse? Curt. Why, a horse. All Serv. Here, here, sir; here, sir. Pet. Here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! here, sir!- Gru. Here, sir; as foolish as I was before. Did I not bid thee meet me in the park, Gru. Nathaniel's coat, sir, was not fully made, Gru. Tell thou the tale:But hadst thou not There were none fine, but Adam, Ralph, and Grecrossed me, thou shouldst have heard how her horse gory; fell, and she under her horse; thou should'st have The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly; heard, in how miry a place: how she was bemoil-Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you. ed; how he left her with the horse upon her; how Pet. Go, rascals, go, and fetch my supper in.he beat me because her horse stumbled; how she [Exeunt some of the Servants. waded through the dirt to pluck him off me; how Where is the life that late I led— [Sings. he swore; how she prayed-that never prayed be- Where are those- -Sit down, Kate, and welcome. fore; how I cried; how the horses ran away; how Soud, soud, soud, soud ! Re-enter Servants, with supper. her bridle was burst;2 how I lost my crupper ;with many things of worthy memory; which now shall die in oblivion, and thou return unexperienced Why, when, I say?-Nay, good sweet Kate, be to thy grave. merry. Curt. By this reckoning, he is more shrew than Off with my boots, you rogues, you villains; When? she. It was the friar of orders grey, [Sings. Gru. Ay; and that, thou and the proudest of you all shall find, when he comes home. But what Out, out, you rogue! you pluck my foot awry: talk I of this?-call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nich- Take that, and mend the plucking off the other.olas, Philip, Walter, Sugarsop, and the rest; let [Strikes him. their heads be sleekly combed, their blue coats Be merry, Kate:-Some water, here; what, ho!brushed, and their garters of an indifferent knit: Where's my spaniel Troilus?-Sirrah, get you let them curtsey with their left legs; and not presume to touch a hair of my master's horse-tail, till And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither:they kiss their hands. Are they all ready? Curt. They are. hence, [Exit Servant. One, Kate, that you must kiss, and be acquainted with. (5) A word coined by Shakspeare to express the noise made by a person heated and fatigued. Where are my slippers?-Shall I have some water? This is the way to kill a wife with kindness; [A bason is presented to him. And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong hu Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily :You whoreson villain! will you let it fall? [Strikes him. Kath. Patience, I pray you; 'twas a fault unwilling. mour: [Servant lets the ewer fall. He that knows better how to tame a shrew, Pet. A whereson, beetle-headed, flap-ear'd knave! Pet. '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? There, take it to you, trenchers, cups, and all: [Throws the meat, &c. about the stage. You heedless joltheads, and unmanner'd slaves? What, do you grumble? I'll be with you straight. Kath. I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet; The meat was well, if you were so contented. Pet. I tell thee, Kate, 'twas burnt and dried away; And I expressly am forbid to touch it, [Exeunt Petruchio, Katharina, and Curtis. Nath. [Advancing.] Peter, didst ever see the like? Peter. He kills her in her own humour. Pet. Thus have I politicly 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,4 That all is done in reverent care of her; 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. (1) A thing stuffed to look like the game which the hawk was to pursue. (2) To tame my wild hawk. Tra. Is't possible, friend Licio, that Bianca Doth fancy any other but Lucentio ? tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand. 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! Luc. While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart. [They retire. Hor. Quick proceeders, marry! Now, tell me, You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca Tra. O despiteful love! unconstant womankind! I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful. Hor. Mistake no more: I am not Licio, Tra. Signior Hortensio, I have often heard Hor. See, how they kiss and court!--Signior Lucentio, Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow- Tra. And here I take the like unfeigned oath,— Ne'er to marry with her though she would entreat: Fie 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, [Exit Hortensio.-Luc. and Bian. 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. Then we are rid of Licio. Tra. F'faith, he'll have a lusty widow now, That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day. Tra. Ay, and he'll tame her. He says so, Tranio. Tra. 'Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school. Bian. The taming-school! what, is there such a place? Tra. Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master; That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long,― To tame a shrew, and charm her chattering tongue. Enter Biondello running. Bion. O master, master, I have watch'd so long, Tra. Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, Ped. God save you, sir! Tra. And you, sir! you are welcome. Travel you far on, or are you at the furthest? Ped. Sir, at the furthest for a week or two: But then up further, and as far as Rome; And so to Tripoly, if God lend me life. Tra. What countryman, I pray? Ped. Of Mantua. Tra. Of Mantua, sir?-marry, God forbid! And come to Padua, careless of your life? Ped. My life, sir! how, I pray? for that goes hard. Tra. 'Tis death for any one in Mantua To come to Padua; Know you not the cause? Your ships are staid at Venice; and the duke (For private quarrel 'twixt your duke and him,) Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly: 'Tis marvel; but that you're but newly come, You might have heard it else proclaim'd about. Ped. Alas, sir, it is worse for me than so; For I have bills for money by exchange From Florence, and must here deliver them. Tra. Well, sir, to do you courtesy, This will I do, and this will I advise you ;First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa? Ped. Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been; Pisa, renowned for grave citizens. Tra. Among them, know you one Vincentio : Ped. I know him not, but I have heard of him; A merchant of incomparable wealth. Tra. He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say, In countenance somewhat doth resemble you. Bion. As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one. [Aside. Tra. To save your life in this extremity, His name and credit shall you undertake, (1) Messenger. (2) A merchant or a schoolmaster. I Ped. O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever The patron of my life and liberty. Tra. Then go with me, to make the matter good. This, by the way, I let you understand ;My father is here look'd for every day, To pass assurance of a dower in marriage 'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here: In all these circumstances I'll instruct you : Go with me, sir, to clothe you as becomes you. [Exeunt. SCENE III-A room in Petruchio's house. Enter Katharina and Grumio. Gru. No, no; forsooth; I dare not, for my life. Kath. The more my wrong, the more his spite appears: What, did he marry me to famish me? Gru. I fear it is too choleric a meat :- rest. Gru. Nay, then I will not; you shall have the mustard, Or else you get no beef of Grumio. slave, Kath. Then both, or one, or any thing thou wilt. Gru. Why, then the mustard without the beef. Kath. Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding [Beats him. That feed'st me with the very name of meat: Sorrow on thee, and all the pack of you, That triumph thus upon my misery! Go, get thee gone, I say. Enter Petruchio with a dish of meat; and Hortensio. Pet. How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort ?3 Hor. Mistress, what cheer? me. Here, love; thou sce'st how diligent I am, I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits thanks. Kath. (3) Dispirited; a gallicism. |