The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare

Enter a SERVANT.

Serv. Mistress, your father prays you leave
your books,

And help to dress your sister's chamber up;
You know, to-morrow is the wedding-day.
Bian. Farewell, sweet masters, both; I must
be gone.[Exeunt BIANCA and SERVANT.
Luc. Faith mistress, then I have no cause to
stay.
[Exit.

Tra. But, say, what :-To thine old news. Bion. Why, 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 candlecases, one buckled, another laced; an old rusty sword ta'en out of the town armory, With a broken hilt, and chapeless; with two broken points: His horse hipped with an old mothy saddle, the stirrups of no kindred: besides, possessed with the glanders, and like to mose in the chine; troubled with the lampass, Methinks, he looks as though he were in love; infected with the fashions,* full of wind-galls, Yet if thy thoughts, Bianca, be so humble, sped with spavins, raied with the yellows, past To cast thy wand'ring eyes on every stale," cure of the fives, stark spoiled with the stagSeize thee, that list: If once I find thee rang-gers, begnawn with the bots; swayed in the

Hor. But I have cause to pry into this dant;

pe.

ing,
Hortensio will be quit with thee by changing.
[Exit.
SCENE II.-The same-Before BAPTISTA'S
House

Enter BAPTISTA, GREMIO, TRANIO, KATHARINE,
BIANCA, LUCENTIO, and Attendants.
Bap. Signior Lucentio, [To TRANIO.] this is
the 'pointed day
[ried,
That Katharine and Petruchio should be mar-
And yet we hear not of our son-in-law:
What will be said? what mockery will it be,
To want the bridegroom, when the priest at

tends

banns;

Yet never means to wed where he hath woo'd.
Now must the world point at poor Katharine,
And say,-Lo, there is mad Petruchio's wife,
If it would please him come and marry her.

Tra. Patience, good Katharine, and Bap-
tista too;

Upon my life, Petruchio means but well,
Whatever fortune stays him from his word:
Though he be blunt, I know him passing wise;
Though he be merry, yet withal he's honest.
Kath. 'Would Katharine had never seen him
though!

[Exit, weeping, followed by BIANCA and others.
Bap. Go, girl; I cannot blame thee now to
weep;

For such an injury would vex a saint,
Much more a shrew of thy impatient humour.

back, and shoulder-shotten; ne'er-legged before, and with a half-check'd bit, and a headstall of sheep's leather; which, being restrained to keep him from stumbling, hath been often burst, and now repaired with knots: one girt six times pieced, and a woman's crupper of velure, which hath two letters for her name, fairly set down in studs, and here and there 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 & gentleman's lackey.

Tra. 'Tis some odd humour pricks him to
this fashion;-

Yet oftentimes he goes but mean apparell'd,
Bap. I am glad he is come, howsoe'er he

comes.

And wherefore gaze this goodly company;
Some comet, or unusual prodigy?
As if they saw some wondrous monument,

Bap. Why, Sir, you know, this is your
ding-day:

wed

First were we sad, fearing you would not come;
Now sadder, that you come so unprovided.
Fie! doff this habit, shame to your estate,
An eye-sore to our solemn festival.

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?

* Farcy.

† Vives; a distemper in horses, little differing from the strangles. 6 Stocking

✰ Velvet.

Pet. Teidous it were to tell, and harsh to | And, as he stoop'd again to take it up, [cuff,
The mad-brain'd bridegroom took him such a
That down fell priest and book, and book and
priest;

hear:
Suffiiceth, I am come to keep my word,
Though in some part enforced to digress ;*
Which, at more leisure, I will so excuse
As you shall well be satisfied withal.
But, where is Kate? I stay too long from her;
The morning wears, 'tis time we were at
church.

Tra. See not your bride in these unrever

her.

Pet. Good sooth, even thus; therefore have
done with words;

To me she's married, not unto my clothes;
Could I repair what she will wear in me,
As I can change these poor accoutrements,
"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,
And seal the title with a lovely kiss?

[Exeunt. PETRUCHIO, GRUMIO, and
BIONDELLO.
Tra. He hath some meaning in his mad at-
We will persrade him, be it possible, [tire:
To put on better ere he go to church.
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,
I am to get a man,-whate'er he be,

It skillst not much; we'll fit him to our turn,
And he shall be Vincentio of Pisa;
And make assurance, here in Padua,
Of greater sums than I have promised.
So shall you quietly enjoy your hope,
And marry sweet Bianca with consent.

Now take them up, quoth he, if any list.

Tra. What said the wench, when he rose again?

Gre. Trembled and shook; for why, he
stamp'd, and swore,

As if the vicar meant to cozen him.
But after many ceremonies done,
He calls for wine :-A health, quoth he; as if
He had been aboard carousing to his mates
After a storm :-Quaff'd off the muscadel,*
And threw the sops all in the sexton's face;
Having no other reason,-

But that his beard grew thin and hungerly,
And seem'd to ask him sops as he was drink-

come :

Make it no wonder; if you knew my business,

Luc. Were it not that my fellow-school-You would entreat me rather go than stay.

master

Doth watch Bianca's steps so narrowly,
Twere good, methinks, to steal ou. marriage;
Which once perform'd, let all the world say

no,

I'll keep mine own, despite of all the word.

Tra. That by degrees we mean to look into,
And watch our vantage in this business:
We'll over-reach the greybeard, Germio,
The narrow-prying father, Minola;
The quaint musician, amorous Licio;
All for my master's sake, Lucentio.-
Re-Enter GREMIO.

Signior Germio! came you from the church?
Gre. As willingly as e'er I came from school.
Tra. And is the bride and bridegroom com-
ing home?

Gre. A bridegroom say you? 'tis a groom,
indeed,

A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find.
Tra. Curster than she? why, tis impossible.
Gre. Why, he's a devil, a devil, a very fiend.
Tra. Why, she's a devil, a devil, the devil's
dam.

Gre. Tut! she's a lamb, a dove, a fool to him.
I'll tell you, Sir Lucentio; When the priest
Should ask-if Kathrine should be his wife,
Ay, by gogs-wouns, quoth he; and swore so
loud,

That, all amaz'd, the priest let fall the book:

* I. e. To deviate from my promise. Strange.

Matters.

And, honest company, I thank you all,
That have beheld me give away myself
Dine with my father, drink a health to me;
To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife;
For I must hence, and farewell to you all.

Tra. Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.
l'et. It may not be.

Gre. Let me entreat you.

Pet. It cannot be.

Kath. 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.

Father be quiet; he shall stay my leisure.
Gre. Ay, marry, Sir; now it begins to work.
Kath. Gentlemen, forward to the bridal din-
I see, a woman may be made a fool, [ner:-
If she had not a spirit to resist.

Pet. They shall go forward, Kate, at thy
command:-

Obey the bride you that attend on her :
Go to the feast, revel and domineer,
Carouse full measure to her maidenhead,
Be 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
I will be master of what is mine own: [fret;
She is my goods, my chattles; she is my house,
My household-stuff, my field, my barn,
My horse, my ox, my ass, my anything;
And here she stands, touch her whoever dare;
I'll bring my action on the proudest he
That stops my way in Padua-Grumio,
Draw forth thy weapon, we're beset with
thieves;

Rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man:-
Fear not sweet wench, they shall not touch
thee, Kate;

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;

Lucentio, you shall supply the bridegroom's place;

And let Bianca take her sister's room.

Tra. Shall sweet Bianca practice how to bride it?

Bap. She shall, Lucentio.-come gentlemen lets's go.

ACT IV.

[Exeunt.

may'st slide from my shoulders 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 pry'thee, 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 though wilt.

Curt. Come, you are so full of cony catching:

Gru. Why therefore fire; for I have caught extreme cold. Where's the cook? is supper ready, the house trimmed, rushes strewed, cobwebs swept; the serving men in their new fustian, their white stockings, and every officer his wedding garment on? Be the jacks fair within, the jills fair without, the carpets laid, and every thing in order?

Curt. All ready; and therefore I pray thee news?

Gru. First, know, my horse is tired; my master and mistress fallen out.

Curt. How?

Gru. Out of their saddles into the dirt; And thereby hangs a tale.

Curt. Let'sha't, good Grumio.
Gru Lend thine ear.

Curt. Here.

Gru. There. [Striking him. Curt. This is to feel a tale, not to hear a

SCENE I-A Hall in PETRUCHIO's Country tale.
House.

Enter GRUMIO.

Gru. Fie, fiie, on all tired jades! on all mad masters! and all foul ways! Was ever man so beaten? was everman so rayed?t 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 !

Gru. And therefore 'tis called. a sensible tale and this cuff was but to knock, at your ear, and beseech listening. Now I begin: Imprimis, we came down a foul hill, my master riding behind my mistress :

Curt. Both on one horse?
Gru. What's that to thee?
Curt. Why, a horse.

Gru. Tell thou the tale:But hadst thou not crossed me, thou should'st have heard, how her horse fell, and she under her horse; thou should'st have heard, in how miry a place: how she was bemoiled;* how he left 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 cried; how the horses ran away; how her bridle was burst ;t how I lost my crupper: -with many things of worthy memory; which

* Bemired.

+ Broken

now shall die in oblivion, and thou return unexperienced to thy grave.

Curt. By this reckoning, he is more shrew than she.

Gru. Ay; and that, thou and the proudest of you all shall find, when he comes home. But what talk I of this?-call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Philip, Walter, Sugarsop, and the rest let their heads be sleekly combed, their blue coats brushed, and their garters of an indifferent* knit: let them curtsey with 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?

Curt. They are.

Gru. Call them forth.

Re-enter SERVANTS, with supper. Why, when, I say?-Nay, good sweet Kate, be merry. [When? Off with my boots, you rogues, you villains; It was the friar of orders grey, [Sings. As he forth walked on his way:Out, out, you rogue! you pluck my foot awry; Take that, and mend the plucking off the [Strikes him. Be merry, Kate:-Some water, here; what, [hence, Where's my spaniel Troilus?--Sirrah, get you And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither :[Exit SERVANT. One, Kate, that you must kiss, and be acquainted with.

other.

ho!

Curt. Do you hear, ho? you must meet my Where are my slippers?-Shall I have some master, to countenance my mistress.

Gru. Why, she hath face of her own.
Curt. Who knows not that?

Gru. Thou, it seems; that callest for com

pany to countenance her.

Curt. I call them forth to credit her.

Gru. Why, she comes to borrow nothing of them.

Enter several SERVANTS.

Nath. Welcome home, Grumio.
Phil. How now, Grumio?

Jos. What, Grumio!

Nich. Fellow Grumio!

Nath. How now, old lad?

Gru Welcome, you;-how now, you; what, you;-fellow, you;-and thus much for greeting. Now, my spruce companions, is all ready, and all things neat?

Nath. All things is ready; How near is our master?

Gru. E'en at hand, alighted by this; and therefore be not,-Cock's passion, silence! I hear my master.

Enter PETRUCHIO and KATHARINA.
Pet. Where be these knaves? What, no man
at door,

To hold my stirrup, nor to take my horse!
Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Philip?

All Serv. Here, here, Sir, here, Sir.
Pet. Here, Sir! here, Sir! here, Sir, here,
Sir!-

You logger-headed and unpolished grooms!
What, no attendance? no regard? no duty?-
Where is the foolish knave I sent before?

Gru. Here, Sir; as foolish as I was before. Pet. You 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?
Gru. Nathaniel's coat, Sir, was not fully
made,
[heel;

And Gabriel's pumps were all unpink'd i'the
There was no linkt to colour Peter's hat,
And Walter's dagger was not come from
sheathing:

There were none fine, but Adam, Ralph, and
Gregory;

The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly;
Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet

you.

Pet. Go, rascals go, and fetch my supperin.[Exeunt some of the SERVANTS. Where is the life that late I ledWhere are these-Sit down, Kate, and wel

Soud, soud, soud, soud !‡

*Not different one from the other.

A torch of pitch.

[Sings.

[come,

water? [A basin is presented to him. Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome hearti[SERVANT lets the ewer fall. You whoreson villain! will you let it fall?

ly:

[Strikes him.

What dogs are these? Where is the rascal

Pet. 'Tis burnt; and so is all the meat:

cook?

[dresser, How durst you, villains, bring it from the 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 headless 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.
For it engenders choler, planteth anger;
And better 'twere, that both of us did fast,-
Since, of ourselves, ourselves are choleric,-
Than feed it with such over-roasted flesh.
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

Pet. Thus have I politicly begun my reign
And 'tis my hope to end successfully:
My falcon now is sharp, and passing empty;

A word coined by Shakspear to ex press the nois And. till she stoop, she must not be full-gorg❜

made by a person heated and fatigued,

For then she never looks upon her love.*
Another way I have to man my haggard,t
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 reverend 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.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness;
And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong
humour:-

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

[Exit. SCENE II.-Padua.-Before BAPTISTA'S House.

Enter TRANIO and HORTENSIO. Tra. Is't possible. friend Licio, that Bianca Doth fancy any other but Lucentio ?

I 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. How, mistress, profit you in what you

read?

Bian. What, master, read you? first resolve me that.

Luc. Lread 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, 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 the, 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 light

ness,

I will with you,-If you be so contended,-
Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.

Hor. 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,
As one unworthy all the former favours
That I have fondly flatter'd her withal.

Tra. And here I take the like unfeigned oath,[treat: Ne'er to marry with her though she would enA thing stuffed to look like the game which the hawk was to pursue.

To tame my wild hawk.

Pretend.

Flutter. Despicable fellow.

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,
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 As 'longeth to a lover's blessed case! [grace 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, That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day. Bian. God give him joy!

Tra. Ay, and he'll tame her.
Bian. He says so, Tranio.

Tra. 'Faith he is gone unto the tamingschool.

Bian. The taming-school! what, is there such a place?

Tra. Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master;

That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty longTo tame a shrew, and charm her chattering

tongue.

Enter BIONDELLO, running.

Bion. O master, master, I have watch'n so

long

That I'm dog-weary; but at last I spied
An ancient angel* coming down the hill,
Will serve the turn.

Tra. What is he, Biondello?

Bion. Master, a mercatante, or a pedant,t I know not what; but formal in apparel, In gait and countenance surely like a father. Luc. And what of him, Tranio?

Tra. If 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. [Exeunt LUCENTIO and BIANCA, Enter a PEDANT.

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 so 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,)

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The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: From the Text of ..., Volume 1