honour, nor lordship: I never drank sack in my life; and 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 legs, nor no more shoes than feet; nay, sometimes, more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look through the over-leather. Lord. Heaven cease this idle humour in your O, that a mighty man, of such descent, Sly, What, would you make me mad! Am not I Christopher Sly, old Sly's son of Burtonheath; by birth a pedlar, by education a cardmaker, by transmutation a bear-head, and now by present profession a thinker? Ask Marian Hacket, the fat ale-wife 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 lyingest knave in Christendom. What, I am not bestraught:* Here's 1 Serv. O, this it is, that makes your lady mourn. 2 Serv. O, this it is, that makes your servants droop. Lord. Hence comes it that your kindred shun your house, Sly. Am I a lord? and have I such a lady? [SERVANTS present an ewer, basin, and napkin. nap. But did I never speak of all that time? 1 Serv. O, yes, my lord; but very idle words:For though you lay here in this goodly chamber, Yet would you say, ye were beaten out of door; And rail upon the hostess of the house; And say you would present her at the leet,t Because she brought stone jugs and no seal'd Sometimes you would call out for Cicely [Hacket. Sly. Ay, the woman's maid of the house. 3 Serv. Why, Sir, you know no house, nor no such maid; quarts: As beaten hence by your strange lunacy. Nor no such men, as you have reckon'd up,- And twenty caged nightingales do sing: soar Above the morning lark: Or wilt thou hunt? Thy hounds shall make the wilkin answer them, And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth. 1 Serv. Say thou wilt course; thy greyhounds As breathed stages, ay, fleeter than the roe. [breath, Adonis, painted by a running brook : Lord. We'll show thee Io, as she was a maid; 1 Serv. And, till the tears that she hath shed for thee, And twenty more such names and men as these amends! All. Amen. Sly. I thank thee; thou shalt not loose by it Sly. Marry, I fare well; for here is cheer Page. Here noble lord; What is thy will with her? Sly. Are you my wife, and will not call me-husband? My men should call me-lord; I am your good Madam, undress you and come now to bed. you, Like envious floods, o'er-ran her lovely face, *Distracted. *Faith, 4 + Court-feet. Sly. Ay, 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 SERVANT. We could at once put us in readiness; Serv. Your honour's players, hearing your Enter BAPTista, Katharina, Bianca, GRE amendment, And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy, Therefore they thought it good you hear play, And frame your mind to mirth and merriment, Which bears a thousand harms, and lengthens life. Sly. Marry, I will; let them play it is not a commonty,* a Chrismas gambol, or a tumbling trick? Page. No, my good lord; it is more pleasing stuff. Sly. What, household stuff? Sly. Well, we'll see't: Come, madam wife, sit by my side, and let the world slip; we shall ne'er be younger. [They sit down. ACT I. Enter LUCENTIO and TRANIO. Luc. Tranio, since-for the great desire I had Glad that you thus continue your resolve, MIO, and HORTENSIO. LUCENTIO and TRANIO stand aside. Bap. Gentlemen, importune me no further For how I firmly am resolv'd you know; That is not to bestow my youngest daughter Before I have a husband for the elder: If either of you both love Katharina, Because I knew you well, and love you well, Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure. Gre. To cart her rather : She's too rough for To make a stale* of me amongst these mates? Hor. Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates for you, Unless you were of gentler, milder mould. Kath. I'faith, Sir, you shall never need to 1 wis, it is not half way to her heart: [fear; But, if 1 were, doubt not her care should be To comb yournoddle 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! Tra. Hush, master! here is some good pas time toward; That wench is stark mad, or wonderful forward. 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,-and 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 may'st 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 bear the penance of her tongue? Bap. Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolv'd:--Go in Bianca. [Exit BIANCA. And for I knew, she taketh most delight in 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, Prefer them hither, for to cunning¶ men I will be very kind, and liberal To mine own children in good bringing up; And so farewell. Katharina you may stay; For I have more to commune with Bianca. [Erit + Pet. * A bait or decoy. Shut. †Think. I Recommend." Knowing, learner Kath. Why, and I trust I may go too; May I not ? [belike, What, shall I be appointed hours; as though, I knew not what to take, and what to leave? Ha! [Exit. Gre. You may go to the devil's dam; your gifts are so good, here is none will hold you. Their love is not so great, Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together, 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 wish him to her father 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,t it toucheth us both,-that we may yet a ain have access to our fa.r 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 Gre. A husband! a devil. 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 indure her loud alarms, 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 dowery with this condition,-to be whipped at the high-cross very morning. Hor. 'Faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotton 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 [Exeunt GREMIO and HORTENSIO, Fra. [Advancing. I pray, Sir, tell me,-Is it possible on. That love should of a sudden take such hold? Tra. Master, it is no time to chide you now Affection is not rated from the heart: [so,If love have touch'd you, nought remains b Redime te captum quam queas minimo Luc. Gramercies, lad; go forward: t contents; The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's soun Tra. Master, you look'd so longly on th maid, Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all Endowments. † Consideration. Gain or lot. Began to scold; and raise up such a storm, That mortal ears might hardly endure the din; Luc Tranio, I saw her coral !ips 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. I 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, Luc. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he! But art thou not advis'd, he took some care To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her? Tra. Ay, marry, am I, Sir; and now 'tis plotted. Luc. I have it, Tranio. Tra. Master, for my hand, Both our inventions meet and jump in one. Luc. Tell me thine first. Tra. You will be schoolmaster, And undertake the teaching of the maid: That's your device. Luc. It is May it be done? Tra. Not possible; For who shall bear your And be in Padua here Vicentio's son? [part, Keep house, and ply his book; welcome his friends; Visit his countrymen, and banquet them? Luc. Basta ;t content thee; for I have it full. We 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, Keep house, and port, and servants, as I should; I will some other be; some Florentine, Tra. So had you need. [They exchange habits: For so your father charg'd me at our parting: Be serviceable to my son, quoth he, Although, I think, 'twas in another sense,) am content to be Lucentio, ecause so well I love Lucentio. Luc Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves: And let me be a slave, to achieve that maid Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded eye. And therefore frame your manners to the time. Bion. I. Sir, ne'er a whit. Luc. And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth; Tranio is chang'd into Lucentio. Bion. The better for him; Would I were so too! Tra. So would I, faith, boy, to have the next wish after,[daughter. That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest But, sirrah,-not for my sake, but your master's,-I advise You use your manners discreetly in all kind of When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio; One thing more rests, that thyself execute;- Sufficeth, my reasons are both good and Sly. Yes, by Saint Anne, do I. A good mat- Sly. 'Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady; 'Would 't were done! 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 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 aught I see,) two and thirty, -a pip out? Whom, 'would to God, I had well knock'd at first, Then had not Grumio come by the worst. Pet. A senseless villain-Good Hortensio, I bade the rascal knock upon your gate, And could not get him for my heart to do it. Gru. Knock at the gate?-O heavens! Spake you not these words plain,-Sirrah, knock me here, [soundly? Rap me here, knock me well, and knock me And come you now with-knocking at the gate? Pet. Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise To seek their fortunes further than at home, And I have thrust myself into this maze, SCENE II.--The same.--Before HORTENSIO'S Haply to wive, and thrive, as best I may: House. Enter PETRUCHIO and GRUMIO. Gru. Knock, Sir! whom should I knock? is there any man has rebused your worship? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me here soundly. Gru. Knock you here, Sir! why, Sir, what am I, Sir, that I should knock you here, Sir? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me at this gate, And rap me well, or I'll knock your knave's pate. Gru. My master is grown quarrelsome: I And then I know after who comes by the worst. Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll wring Pet. Now, knock when I bid you: sirrah! villain! Enter HORTENSIO. Con tutto il core bene trovato, may I say. Crowns in my purse I have, and goods at home, Hor. Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee, And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour'd wife? Pet. Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we, Few words suffice: and, therefore, if thou know Gru. Nay, look you, Sir, he tells you fatly 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, I will continue that I broach'd in jest. [ous; I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife + Few words. Set the story. No. 39, of "A Thousand Notabis Things," A small image on the tag of a façë. Brought up, as best becomes a gentlewoman: | And let me have them very well perfum'd; Tell me her father's name, and 'tis enough; And he knew my deceased father well:- 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 rail in his rope tricks.* I'll tell you what, Sir,-an she standt him but a little, he will throw a figure 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. Hor. Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee: His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca ; A title for a maid, of all titles the worst. Hor. Now shall my friend Petruchio do me And offer me, disguis'd in sober robes, Gru. Here's no knavery! See; to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay ther heads together! Master, master, look abou. you: Who goes there? ha! Hor. Peace, Grumio; 'tis the rival of my Petruchio, stand by a while. [love: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: As for my patron, (stand you so assur'd,) Hor. Grumio, mum!--God save you, signior Gre. And you're well met, signior Horten- Whither I am going?-To Baptista Minola. About a schoolmaster for fair Bianca; Fit for her turn; well read in poetry, Gre. Belov'd of me,-and that my deeds Gru. And that his bags shall prove, [Aside. If that be all, masters, hear no harm. Gre. No, say'st me so, friend? What countryman ? Pet. 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, Gre. O, Sir, such a life, with such a wife? were strange: But, if you have a stomach, to't o'God's name; Pet. Will I live? Gru. Will he woo her? ay, or I'll hang her. [Aside. Pet. Why came I hither, but to that intent? [Aside. Gru. For he fears non e. Gre Hortensio, hark! [pers too, My mind presumes, for his own good, and [yours. Fright boys with bug-bearr. + Withstand. Custody. |