The Dramatic Works of Shakespeare

Bion. Then thus. Baptista is safe, talking with the Happy the parents of so fair a child ! deceiving father of a deceitful son.

Luc. And what of him?

Pec

Happier the man, whom favourable stars

shall

Allot thee for his lovely bed-fellow!

Pet

-D

This is a man, old, wrinkled, faded, wither'd;
And not a maiden, as thou say'st he is.

ces,

is co

Bion. His daughter is to be brought by you to the Pet. Why, how now, Kate! I hope, thou art not mad,

Bion. The old priest at St Luke's church is at your Cath. Pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes, command at all hours.

Luc. And what ofall this?

Bion. I cannot tell; except they are busied about a counterfeit assurance. Take you assurance of her, cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum: to the church; -take the priest, clerk, and some sufficient honest witnesses!

If this be not that you look for, I have no more to say, But, bid Bianca farewell for ever and a day. [Going. Luc. Hear'stthou, Biondello ?

Bion. I cannottarry: I knew a wench married in an afternoon, as she went to the garden for parsley to stuff a rabbit; and so may you, sir; and so adieu, sir. My master hath appointed me to go to St Luke's to bid the priest be ready to come, against you come with your appendix.

[Exit.

Luc. I may, and will, if she be so contented; She will be pleas'd, then wherefore should I doubt? Hap whathap may, I'll roundly go about her;

It shall go hard, if Cambio go without her.

[Exit.

SCENE V. - A public road.

Enter PETRUCHIO, CATHARINA, and HORTENSIO. Pet. Come on, o' God's name; once more toward

our father's!

Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!
Cath. The moon! the sun; it is not moonlight now.
Pet. I say, it is the moon that shines so so bright.
Cath. I know, it is the sun that shines so bright.
Pet. Now, by my mother's son, and that's myself,
It shall be moon, or star, or what I list,

Or ere I journey to your father's house: -
Go on, and fetch our horses back again!-
Evermore cross'd, and cross'd, nothing but cross'd!
Hor. Say as he says, or we shall never go.

Cath. Forward, I pray, since we have come so far,
And be it moon, or sun, or what you please:
And if you please to call it a rush candle,
Henceforth I vow, it shall be so for me.

Pet. I say, itis the moon,

Cath. I know it is.

Pet. Nay, then you lie; it is the blessed sun. Cath. Then God be bless'd, it is the blessed sun: But sun it is not, when you say it is not; Aud the moon changes, even as your mind. What you will have it named, even that it is; And so it shall be so, for Catharine.

That have been so bedazzled with the sun,
That every thing I look on seemeth green:
Now I perceive, thou art a reverend father;
Pardon, I pray thee, for my mad mistaking.
Pet. Do, good old grandsire; and withal, make known
Which way thou travellest: if along with us,
We shall be joyful of thy company.

Vin. Fair sir, - and you my merry mistress,
That with your strange encounter much amaz'd me, -
My name is call'd - Vincentio; my dwelling-Pisa:
And bound 1 am to Padua, there to visit

A son of mine, which long I have not seen.
Pet. What is his name?

Vin. Lucentio, gentle sir.
Pet. Happily met! the happier for thy son!
And now by law, as well as reverend age,
I may entitle thee - my loving father;
The sister to my wife, this gentlewoman,
Thy son by this hath married. Wonder not,
Nor be not griev'd; she is of good esteem,
Her dowry wealthy, and of worthy birth;
Beside, so qualified as may beseem
The spouse of any noble gentleman.
Let me embrace with old Vincentio:
And wander we to see thy honest son,
Who will of thy arrival be full joyous.
Vin. But is this true? or is it else your pleasure,

Like pleasant travellers, to break a jest Upon the company, you overtake?

Hor. 'A will make the man mad, to make a woman

of him.

Hor. I do assure thee, father, so it is.
Pet. Come, go along, and see the truth hereof!
For our first merriment hath made thee jealous.

[Exeunt Petruchio, Catharina, and Vincentio.
Hor. Well, Petruchio, this hath put me in heart.
Have to my widow; and if she be froward,
Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward.

ACT V.

[Exit.

SCENE I. - Padua. Before Lucentio's house. Enter, on one side, BIONDELLO, LUCENTIO, and BIANCA; GREMIO walking on the other side.

Bion. Softly and swiftly, sir; for the priest is ready. Luc. Ifly, Biondello: but they may chance to need thee at home, therefore leave us. Bion. Nay, faith, I'll see the church o' your back; and then come back to my master as soon as I can.

[Exeunt Lucentio, Bianca, and Biondello.

Gre. I marvel, Cambio comes not all this while. Enter PETRUCHIO, CATHARINA, VINCENTIO, and Atten

dants.

Pet. Sir, here's the door, this is Lucentio's house, My father's bears more toward the market-place; Thither must I, and here I leave you, sir.

Vin. You shall not choose but drink before you go; I think, I shall command your welcome here, And, by all Hikelihood, some cheer is toward. [Knocks. Gre. They're busy within, you had best knock louder. Enter Pedant above, at a window.

Ped. What's he, that knocks as he would beat down the gate?

Vin. Is signior Lucentio within, sir?
Ped. He's within, sir, but not to be spoken withal.
Vin. What if a man bring him a hundred pound or
two, to make merry withal?

Ped. Keep your hundred pounds to yourself; he shall need none, so long as I live.

Pet. Nay, I told you, your son was beloved in Padua. - Do you hear, sir? - to leave frivolous circumstances, I pray you, tell signior Lucentio, that his father is come from Pisa, and is here at the door to speak with

him.

Re-enter BIONDELLO.

Bion. I have seen them in the church together; God send 'em good shipping! -But who is here? mine old master, Vincentio? now we are undone, and brought to nothing.

Vin. Come hither, crack-hemp! [Seeing Biondello.
Bion. I hope, I may choose, sir.

Vin. Comehither, you rogue! What, have you forgot me?

Bion. Forgot you? no, sir: I could not forget you, for I never saw you before in all my life.

Vin. What, you notorious villain, didst thou never see thy master's father, Vincentio?

Bion. What, my old, worshipful old master? yes, marry, sir; see where he looks out of the window. Vin. Is't so, indeed?

[Beats Biondello.

Bion. Help, help, help! here's a madman will murder

me.

Ped. Help, son! help, signior Baptista!

[Exit.

[Exit from the window.

Pet. Pr'ythee Kate, let's stand aside, and see the end of this controversy. [They retire.

Re-enter Pedant below; BAPTISTA, TRANIO, and Ser

vants.

Tra. Sir, what are you, that offer to beat my servant? Vin. What am I, sir? nay, what are you, sir? immortal gods! O fine villain! A silken doublet! a velvet hose! a scarlet cloak! and a copatain hat!O, I am undone! I am undone! while I play the good husband at home, my son and my servant spend all at the university.

Tra. How now! what's the matter?

Bap. What, is the man lunatic?

Tra. Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your habit, but your words show you a madman. Why, sir, what concerns it you, if I wear pearl and gold? I thank my good father, I am able to maintain it.

Vin. Thy father? O, villain! he is asail-maker in Bergamo.

Bap. You mistake, sir; you mistake, sir. Pray, what do you think is his name?

Vin. His name? as if I knew not his name: I have brought him up ever since he was three years old, and his name is - Tranio.

Ped. Away, away, mad ass! his name is Lucentio; and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, signior Vincentio.

Vin. Lucentio! O, he hath murdered his master! Lay hold on him, I charge you, in the duke's name' O, my son, my son! - tell me, thou villain, whereis my son Lucentio?

Tra. Call forth an officer: [Enter one with an officer.] carry this mad knave to the gaol! - Father Baptista, I charge you see, that he be forthcoming.

Vin. Carry me to the gaol!

Gre. Stay, officer; he shall not go to prison.

Bap. Talk not, signior Gremio; I say, he shall go to prison.

Gre. Take heed, signior Baptista, lest you be coneycatched in this business! I dare swear, this is the right Vincentio.

Ped. Swear, ifthou darest.

Gre. Nay, I dare not swear it.

Tra. Then thou wert best say, that I am not Lucentio. Gre. Yes, Iknow thee to be signior Lucentio.

Bap. Away with the dotard; to the gaol with him! Vin. Thus strangers may be haled and abus'd. - O monstrous villain!

Re-enter BLONDELLO, with LUCENTIO, and BIANCA. Bion. O, we are spoiled, and -Yonder heis; deny him, forswear him, or else we are all undone. Luc. Pardon, sweet father!

Vin. Lives my sweetest son?

[Kneeling.

[Biondello, Tranio, and Pedant run out. [Kneeling.

Bian. Pardon, dear father!

Bap. How hast thou offended? Where is Lucentio?

Luc. Here's Lucentio,

Right son unto the right Vincentio;

That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,
While counterfeit supposes blear'd thine eyne.
Gre. Here's packing, with a witness, to deceive us all !
Vin. Where is that damned villain, Tranio,

That fac'd and brav'd me in this matter so?
Bap. Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?
Bian. Cambio is chang'd into Lucentio.

Luc. Love wrought these miracles. Bianca's love
Made me exchange my state with Tranio,
While he did bear my countenance in the town;
And happily I have arriv'd at last
Unto the wished haven of my bliss:-
What Tranio did, myself enforc'd him to;

Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake!

Vin. I'll slit the villain's nose, that would have sent me to the gaol.

Bap. But do you hear, sir? [To Lucentio.] Have you married my daughter without asking my good-will? Vin. Fearnot, Baptista; we will content you, go to : But I will in to be revenged for this villainy. [Exit. Bap. And I, to sound the depth of this knavery. [Exit. Luc. Look not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown. [Exeunt Luc. and Bian.

Gre. My cake is dough. But I'll in among the rest;
Out of hope of all, -but my share of the feast. [Exit.
PETRUCHIO And CATHARINA advance.

Cath. Husband, let's follow, to see the end of this ado.
Pet. First kiss me, Kate, and we will.
Cath. What, in the midst of the street?
Pet. What, art thou ashamed of me?

Cath. No, sir; God forbid! - but ashamed to kiss.
Pet. Why, then let's home again! - Come, sirralı,

let's away!

Cath. Nay, I will give thee a kiss: now pray thee, love,
stay!

Pet. Is not this well? - Come, my sweet Kate!
Better once than never, for never too late. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. - A Room in Lucentio's house.
Abanquet set out. Enter BAPTISTA, VINCENTIO, GRE-
MIO, the Pedant, LUCENTIO, BIANCA, PETRUCHIO, CA-
THARINA, HORTENSIO, and Widow; TRANIO, ΒΙΟΝ-
DELLO, GRUMIO, and others, attending.

Luc. At last, though long, our jarring notes agree:
And time it is, when raging war is done,
To smile at'scapes and perils overblown.-

My fair Bianca, bid my father welcome,

While I with self-same kindness welcome thine: -
Brother Petruchio, - sister. Catharina, -

And thou, Hortensio, with thy loving widow,

Feast with the best, and welcome to my house;
My banquet is to close our stomachs up,

After our great good cheer. Pray you, sit down!
For now we sit to chat, as well as eat [They sit at table.

Pet. Nothing but sit and sit, and eat and eat!

Bap. Padua affords this kindness, son Petruchio.

Pet. Padua affords nothing but what is kind.
Hor. For both our sakes, I would that word were true.
Pet. Now, formy life, Hortensio fears his widow.
Wid. Then never trust me, if I be afeard.

Pet. You are sensible, and yet you miss my sense;
I mean, Hortensio is afeard of you.

Wid. He, that is giddy, thinks the world turns round.
Pet. Roundly replied.

Cath. Mistress, how mean you that?

Wid. Thus I conceive by him.

Pet. Conceives by me! - How likes Hortensio that?
Hor. My widow says, thus she conceives her tale.

Pet. Very well mended! Kiss him for that, good

widow!

I pray you, tell me what you meant by that.

But twenty times so much upon my wife.
Luc. A hundred, then.

Hor. Content.

Pet. A match; 'tis done.

Hor. Who shall begin?

Luc. That will 1. - Go,

Biondello, bid your mistress come to me!
Bion. Igo.

Bap. Son, I will be your half, Bianca comes.
Luc. I'll have no halves: I'll bear it all myself.

Re-enter BIONDELLO.

How now! what news?

Bion. Sir, my mistress sends you word,
That she is busy, and she cannot come.
Pet. How! she is busy, and she cannot come!
Is that an answer?

Gre. Ay, and a kind one too :

[Exit.

Hor. Sirrah, Biondello, go, and entreat my wife
To come to me forthwith.

[Exit Biondello.

And

Pet. O, ho! entreather!

Top

Nay, then she must needs come.

Pet. Worse and worse; she will not come! O vile,

Pray God, sir, your wife send you not a worse.

Pet. Ihope, better.

Wid. Your husband, being troubled with a shrew, Hor. I am afraid, sir,

Measures my husband's sorrow by his woe:

And now you know my meaning.

Do what you can, yours will not be entreated.

Re-enter BIONDELLO.

Pet. A hundred marks, my Kate does put her down. Intolerable, not to be endur'd!

Bap. How likes Gremio these quick-witted folks?
Gre. Believe me, sir, they butt together well.
Bian. Head, and butt? an hasty-witted body
Would say, your head and butt were head and horn.
Vin. Ay, mistress bride, hath that awaken'd you?
Bian. Ay, but not frighted me; therefore I'll sleep
again.

Pet. Nay, that you shall not; since you have begun,
Have at you for a bitter jest or two.

Bian. Am I your bird? I mean to shift my bush,
And then pursue me, as you draw your bow: -
You are welcome all.

[Exeunt Bianca, Catharina, and Widow.
Pet. She hath prevented me. - Here, signior Tranio,
This bird you aim'dat, though you hit her not;
Therefore, a health to all, that shot and miss'd.
Tra. O, sir, Lucentio slipp'd me like his greyhound,
Which runs himself, and catches for his master.
Pet. A good swift simile, but something currish.
Tra. 'Tis well, sir, that you hunted for yourself;
'Tis thought, your deer does hold you at a bay.
Bap. O ho, Petruchio, Traniohits you now.
Luc. I thank thee for that gird, good Tranio.
Hor. Confess, confess, hath he not hit you here?
Pet. 'A has a little gall'd me, I confess;

And as the jest did glance away from me,
'Tis ten to one, it maim'd you two outright.
Bap.Now, in good sadness, son Petruchio,
I think thou hast the veriest shrew of all.

Pet. Well, I say - no: and therefore, for assurance,
Let's each one send unto his wife;

And he, whose wife is most obedient

To come at first, when hedoth send for her,

Shall win the wager, which we will propose.

Hor. Content! - what is the wager?

Luc. Twenty crowns.

Pet. Twenty crowns!

I'll venture so much on my hawk, orhound,

Pet. The fouler fortune mine, and there an end.

Enter CATHARINA.

Bap. Now, by my holidame, here comes Catharina!
Cath. What is your will, sir, that you send for me?
Pet. Where is your sister, and Hortensio's wife?
Cath. They sit conferring by the parlour fire.
Pet. Go, fetch them hither; if they deny to come,
Swinge me them soundly forth unto their husbands;
Away, I say, and bring them hither straight!

[Exit Catharina.
Luc. Here is a wonder, if you talk of a wonder.
Hor. And so it is; I wonder what it bodes.
Pet. Marry, peace it bodes, and love, and quiet life,
An awfulrule, andright supremacy;
And, to be short, what not, that's sweet and happy.
Bap. Now fairbefal thee, good Petruchio!
The wager thouhast won, and I will add
Unto their losses twenty thousand crowns-
Another dowry to another daughter;
For she is chang'd as she had never been.
Pet. Nay, i will win my wager better yet;
And show more sign of her obedience,
Her new-bailt virtue and obedience.

Re-enter CATHARINA, with BIANCA, and Widow.
See, where she comes: and brings your froward wives
As prisoners to her womanly persuasion.
Catharine, that cap of yours becomes you not;
Off with that bauble, throw it under foot.

Catharina pulls off her cap, and throws it down.
Wid. Lord, let me never have a cause to sigh,
Til I be brought to such a silly pass!

Bian. Fye! what a foolish duty call you this?
Luc. I would your duty were as foolish too.

The wisdom of your duty, fair Bianca,
Hath cost me an hundred crowns since supper time.
Bian. The more fool you, for laying on my duty.

Pet. Catharine, I charge thee, tell these headstrong I am asham'd that women are so simple

women,

What duty they do owe their lords and husbands! Wid. Come, come, you're mocking; we will haveno telling.

Pet. Come on, I say; and first begin with her!
Wid. She shall not.

Pet. I say, she shall; -and first begin with her!
Calh. Fye, fye! unknit that threat'ning unkind brow;
And dart not scornful glances from those eyes,
To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor!
It blots thy beauty, as frosts bite the meads,
Confounds thy fame, as whirlwinds shake fair buds,
And in no sense is meet, or amiable.
A woman mov'd, is like a fountain troubled,
Muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty;
And, while it is so, none so dry or thirsty
Will deign to sip, or touch one drop of it.
Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper,
Thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee
And for thy maintenance: commits his body
To painful labour, both by sea and land,
To watch the night in storms, the day in cold,
While thou liest warm at home, secure and safe;
And craves no other tribute at thy hands,
But love, fair looks, and true obedience-
Too little payment for so great a debt!
Such duty as the subject owes the prince,
Even such, a woman oweth to her husband:
And, when she's froward, peevish, sullen, sour,
And not obedient to his honest will,
Whatisshe, but a foul contending rebel,
And graceless traitor to her loving lord?-

To offer war, where they should kneel for peace;
Or seek for rule, supremacy, and sway,
Where they are bound to serve, love and obey.
Why are our bodies soft, and weak, and smooth,
Unapt to toil and trouble in the world;
But that our soft conditions, and our hearts,
Should well agree with our external parts?
Come, come, you froward and unable worms!
My mind hath been as big, as one of yours,
My heart as great; my reason, haply, more,
To bandy word for word, and frown for frown.
But now, I see, our lances are but straws;
Our strength as weak, our weakness past compare, -
That seeming to be most, which we least are.
Then vail your stomachs, foritisno boot,

And place your hands below your husband's foot:
In token of which duty, if he please,

My hand is ready, may it do him ease!

Pet. Why, there's a wench! - Come on, and kiss

me, Kate!

Luc. Well, go thy ways, old lad; for thou shalt ha't.
Vin. 'Tis a good hearing, when children are toward.
Luc. But a harsh hearing, when women are froward.
Pet. Come, Kate, we'll to bed! -

We three are married, but you two are sped.
'Twas I won the wager, though you hit the white!

[To Lucentio. [Exeunt Petruchio and Cath. Hor. Now go thy ways, thou hast tam'd a curs't shrew. Luc. 'Tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be tam'd

And, being a winner, God give you good night!

so.

[Exeunt.

Arch. Verily, I speak it in the freedom of my knowledge: we cannot with such magnificence-in so rare -I know not what to say. - We will give you sleepy

drinks; that your senses, unintelligent of our insuffi- Charge him too coldly. Tell him, you are sure, cience, may, though they cannot praise us, as little All in Bohemia's well: this satisfaction

The by-gone day proclaim'd; say this to him,
He's beat from his best ward.

Leon. Well said, Hermione!

Her. To tell, he longs to see his son, were strong:
But let him say so then, and let him go;
But let him swear so, and he shall not stay,
We'll thwack him hence with distaffs.-
Yet of your royal presence [ To Polixenes.] I'll ad-

venture

mature dignities, and royal necessities, made separa- The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia
tion of their society, their encounters, though not You take my lord, I'll give him my commission,
personal, have been royally attornied, with inter- To let him there a month, behind the gest

change of gifts, letters, loving embassies; that they

have seemed to be together, though absent, shook hands, as over a vast, and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. The heavens continue their loves!

Arch. I think, there is not in the world either malice, or matter, to alter it. You have an unspeakable comfort of your young prince Mamillius; it is a gentleman of the greatest promise, that ever came into my note. Cam. I very well agree with you in the hopes of him: it is a gallant child; one that, indeed, physics the subject, makes old hearts fresh: they, that went on crutches ere he was born, desire yet their life, to see him

SCENE II. The same. Aroom of state in the palace.
Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS,

CAMILLO, and Attendants.

Pol. Nine changes of the wat'ry star have been
The shepherd's note, since we have left our throne
Without a burden: time as long again

Would be fill'd up, my brother, with our thanks;
And yet we should, for perpetuity,

Go hence in debt. And therefore, like a cipher,
Yet standing in rich place, I multiply,

With one we thank you, many thousands more,
That go before it.

Leon. Stay your thanks awhile

And pay them, when you part!

Pol. Sir, that's to-morrow.

I am question'd by my fears, of what may chance,
Or breed upon our absence: that may blow

No sneaping winds at home, to make us say,

This is put forth too truly! Besides, I have stay'd

To tire your royalty.

Leon. Wearetougher, brother,

Than you can putus to't.

Pol. No longer stay.

Leon. One seven-night longer.

Pol. Very sooth, to-morrow.

Prefix'd for's parting: yet, good deed, Leontes,
I love thee not a jar o'the clock behind
What lady she her lord. --You'll stay?
Pol. No, madam.

Her. Nay, but you will?

Pol. I may not, verily.

Her. Verily!

You put me off with limber vows: but I,
Though you would seek to unsphere the stars with

oaths,

Should yet say, Sir, no going. Verily,
You shall not go; alady's verily is

As potent, as a lord's. Will you go yet?
Force me to keep you as a prisoner,

Not like a guest; so you shall pay your fees,
When you depart, and save your thanks. How say you?
My prisoner? or my guest? by your dread verily,
One of them you shall be.

Pol. Your guest then, madam:
To be your prisoner, should import offending;
Which is for me less easy to commit,
Than you to punish.

Her. Not your gaoler then,

But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question you
Of my lord's tricks, and yours, when you were boys;
You were pretty lordlings then.

Pol. We were, fair queen,

Twolads, that thought, there was no more behind,
But such a day to-morrow as to-day,

And to be boy eternal.

Her. Was not my lord the verier wag o'thetwo?
Pol. We were as twinn'd lambs, that did frisk i'the sun,
And bleat the one at the other: what we chang'd,
Was innocence for innocence; we knew not
The doctrine of ill-doing, no, nor dream'd

That any did. Had we pursued that life,

And our weak spirits ne'er been higher rear'd
With stronger blood, we should have answer'd heaven
Boldly, Not guilty; the imposition clear'd,
Hereditary ours.

Her. By this we gather,

You have tripp'd since.

Pol. O my most sacred lady,

Temptations have since then been born to us; for
In those unfledg'd days was my wife a girl;

Leon. We'll part the time between's then: and in that Your

I'll no gain-saying.

Pol. Press me not, 'beseech you, so!

There is no tongue, that moves, uone, none i'the world,
So soon as yours, could win me: so it should now,
Were there necessity in your request, although
"Twere needful, I denied it. My affairs

Do even drag me homeward: which to hinder
Were, in your love, a whip to me; my stay
To you a charge and trouble: to save both,
Farewell, our brother!

Leon: Tongue-tied, our queen? speak you.

Her. I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until You had drawn oaths from him, not so stay. You, sir,

Your precious self had not then cross'd the eyes
Of my young play-fellow.

Her. Grace to boot!

« Previous Continue »

Books