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 Contents

From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare

Library
Front Matter Textual Introduction
Synopsis
Characters in the Play

Scene 1
INDUCTION Scene 2

Scene 1
ACT 1 Scene 2

ACT 2 Scene 1

Scene 1
ACT 3 Scene 2

Scene 1
Scene 2
ACT 4 Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5

Scene 1
ACT 5 Scene 2
 From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare
Library

It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their

composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems
have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to
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Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library
 Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine

Until now, with the release of The Folger Shakespeare (formerly

Folger Digital Texts), readers in search of a free online text of
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Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not
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 Synopsis

The Taming of the Shrew begins with an “induction” in which a

nobleman plays a trick on a beggar, Christopher Sly, treating Sly as
if he is a nobleman who has lost his memory. A play is staged for
Sly—the play that we know as The Taming of the Shrew.

In the play, set in Padua, Lucentio and other suitors pursue Bianca,
but are told by her father, Baptista, that her bad-tempered older
sister, Katherine, must marry first. They encourage Petruchio, who
has come to Padua to find a wealthy wife, to court Katherine and
free Bianca to marry.

Petruchio negotiates marriage terms with Baptista, then has a stormy

meeting with Katherine, after which he assures Baptista that the two
have agreed to marry. Petruchio arrives late to their wedding dressed
in strange clothes; he behaves rudely and carries Katherine away
before the wedding dinner. At his home, he embarks on a plan to
“tame” Katherine as one would tame a wild hawk. Starved and kept
without sleep, Katherine eventually agrees with everything Petruchio
says, however absurd. He takes her back to Padua, where they attend
Bianca’s wedding. There Katherine proves more obedient to her
husband than the other wives, whom she chastises before she and
Petruchio go off to consummate their marriage.
 Characters in the Play

CHRISTOPHER SLY, a beggar

Hostess of an alehouse
A Lord
Huntsmen of the Lord
characters in the Induction
Page (disguised as a lady)
Players
Servingmen
Messenger
BAPTISTA MINOLA, father to Katherine and Bianca
KATHERINE, his elder daughter
BIANCA, his younger daughter

PETRUCHIO, suitor to Katherine

GREMIO
HORTENSIO (later disguised as the teacher Litio) suitors to Bianca
LUCENTIO (later disguised as the teacher Cambio)

VINCENTIO, Lucentio’s father

TRANIO (later impersonating Lucentio)
servants to Lucentio
BIONDELLO
A Merchant (later disguised as Vincentio)
GRUMIO
CURTIS
NATHANIEL
PHILLIP servants to Petruchio
JOSEPH
NICHOLAS
PETER

Widow
Tailor
Haberdasher
Officer
Servants to Baptista and Petruchio
 INDUCTION

Scene 1
Enter Beggar (Christopher Sly) and Hostess.

FTLN 0001 SLY I’ll feeze you, in faith.

FTLN 0002 HOSTESS A pair of stocks, you rogue!
FTLN 0003 SLY You’re a baggage! The Slys are no rogues. Look
FTLN 0004 in the chronicles. We came in with Richard Conqueror.
FTLN 0005 Therefore, paucas pallabris, let the world 5
FTLN 0006 slide. Sessa!
FTLN 0007 HOSTESS You will not pay for the glasses you have
FTLN 0008 burst?
FTLN 0009 SLY No, not a denier. Go, by Saint Jeronimy! Go to
FTLN 0010 thy cold bed and warm thee. He lies down. 10
FTLN 0011 HOSTESS I know my remedy. I must go fetch the
FTLN 0012 headborough. She exits.
FTLN 0013 SLY Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I’ll answer him
FTLN 0014 by law. I’ll not budge an inch, boy. Let him come,
FTLN 0015 and kindly. Falls asleep. 15

Wind horns within. Enter a Lord from hunting, with

his train.

LORD
FTLN 0016 Huntsman, I charge thee tender well my hounds.
FTLN 0017 Breathe Merriman (the poor cur is embossed)
FTLN 0018 And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach.
FTLN 0019 Saw’st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good
FTLN 0020 At the hedge corner, in the coldest fault? 20
FTLN 0021 I would not lose the dog for twenty pound!
7
 IND. SC. 1
9 The Taming of the Shrew

FIRST HUNTSMAN
FTLN 0022 Why, Bellman is as good as he, my lord.
FTLN 0023 He cried upon it at the merest loss,
FTLN 0024 And twice today picked out the dullest scent.
FTLN 0025 Trust me, I take him for the better dog. 25
LORD
FTLN 0026 Thou art a fool. If Echo were as fleet,
FTLN 0027 I would esteem him worth a dozen such.
FTLN 0028 But sup them well, and look unto them all.
FTLN 0029 Tomorrow I intend to hunt again.
FTLN 0030 FIRST HUNTSMAN I will, my lord. 30
First Huntsman exits.
LORD, noticing Sly
FTLN 0031 What’s here? One dead, or drunk? See doth he
FTLN 0032 breathe.
SECOND HUNTSMAN
FTLN 0033 He breathes, my lord. Were he not warmed with ale,
FTLN 0034 This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly.
LORD
FTLN 0035 O monstrous beast, how like a swine he lies! 35
FTLN 0036 Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image!
FTLN 0037 Sirs, I will practice on this drunken man.
FTLN 0038 What think you, if he were conveyed to bed,
FTLN 0039 Wrapped in sweet clothes, rings put upon his
FTLN 0040 fingers, 40
FTLN 0041 A most delicious banquet by his bed,
FTLN 0042 And brave attendants near him when he wakes,
FTLN 0043 Would not the beggar then forget himself?
THIRD HUNTSMAN
FTLN 0044 Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.
SECOND HUNTSMAN
FTLN 0045 It would seem strange unto him when he waked. 45
LORD
FTLN 0046 Even as a flatt’ring dream or worthless fancy.
FTLN 0047 Then take him up, and manage well the jest.
 IND. SC. 1
11 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0048 Carry him gently to my fairest chamber,

FTLN 0049 And hang it round with all my wanton pictures;
FTLN 0050 Balm his foul head in warm distillèd waters, 50
FTLN 0051 And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet;
FTLN 0052 Procure me music ready when he wakes
FTLN 0053 To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound.
FTLN 0054 And if he chance to speak, be ready straight
FTLN 0055 And, with a low, submissive reverence, 55
FTLN 0056 Say “What is it your Honor will command?”
FTLN 0057 Let one attend him with a silver basin
FTLN 0058 Full of rosewater and bestrewed with flowers,
FTLN 0059 Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper,
FTLN 0060 And say “Will ’t please your Lordship cool your 60
FTLN 0061 hands?”
FTLN 0062 Someone be ready with a costly suit,
FTLN 0063 And ask him what apparel he will wear.
FTLN 0064 Another tell him of his hounds and horse,
FTLN 0065 And that his lady mourns at his disease. 65
FTLN 0066 Persuade him that he hath been lunatic,
FTLN 0067 And when he says he is, say that he dreams,
FTLN 0068 For he is nothing but a mighty lord.
FTLN 0069 This do, and do it kindly, gentle sirs.
FTLN 0070 It will be pastime passing excellent 70
FTLN 0071 If it be husbanded with modesty.
THIRD HUNTSMAN
FTLN 0072 My lord, I warrant you we will play our part
FTLN 0073 As he shall think by our true diligence
FTLN 0074 He is no less than what we say he is.
LORD
FTLN 0075 Take him up gently, and to bed with him, 75
FTLN 0076 And each one to his office when he wakes.
Sly is carried out.
Sound trumpets within.
FTLN 0077 Sirrah, go see what trumpet ’tis that sounds.
Servingman exits.
 IND. SC. 1
13 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0078 Belike some noble gentleman that means

FTLN 0079 (Traveling some journey) to repose him here.

Enter Servingman.

FTLN 0080 How now? Who is it? 80

FTLN 0081 SERVINGMAN An ’t please your Honor, players
FTLN 0082 That offer service to your Lordship.
LORD
FTLN 0083 Bid them come near.

Enter Players.

FTLN 0084 Now, fellows, you are welcome.

FTLN 0085 PLAYERS We thank your Honor. 85
LORD
FTLN 0086 Do you intend to stay with me tonight?
FIRST PLAYER
FTLN 0087 So please your Lordship to accept our duty.
LORD
FTLN 0088 With all my heart. This fellow I remember
FTLN 0089 Since once he played a farmer’s eldest son.—
FTLN 0090 ’Twas where you wooed the gentlewoman so well. 90
FTLN 0091 I have forgot your name, but sure that part
FTLN 0092 Was aptly fitted and naturally performed.
SECOND PLAYER
FTLN 0093 I think ’twas Soto that your Honor means.
LORD
FTLN 0094 ’Tis very true. Thou didst it excellent.
FTLN 0095 Well, you are come to me in happy time, 95
FTLN 0096 The rather for I have some sport in hand
FTLN 0097 Wherein your cunning can assist me much.
FTLN 0098 There is a lord will hear you play tonight;
FTLN 0099 But I am doubtful of your modesties,
FTLN 0100 Lest, over-eying of his odd behavior 100
FTLN 0101 (For yet his Honor never heard a play),
FTLN 0102 You break into some merry passion,
FTLN 0103 And so offend him. For I tell you, sirs,
FTLN 0104 If you should smile, he grows impatient.
 IND. SC. 1
15 The Taming of the Shrew

FIRST PLAYER
FTLN 0105 Fear not, my lord, we can contain ourselves 105
FTLN 0106 Were he the veriest antic in the world.
LORD, to a Servingman
FTLN 0107 Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery
FTLN 0108 And give them friendly welcome every one.
FTLN 0109 Let them want nothing that my house affords.
One exits with the Players.
FTLN 0110 Sirrah, go you to Bartholomew, my page, 110
FTLN 0111 And see him dressed in all suits like a lady.
FTLN 0112 That done, conduct him to the drunkard’s chamber,
FTLN 0113 And call him “Madam,” do him obeisance.
FTLN 0114 Tell him from me, as he will win my love,
FTLN 0115 He bear himself with honorable action, 115
FTLN 0116 Such as he hath observed in noble ladies
FTLN 0117 Unto their lords, by them accomplishèd.
FTLN 0118 Such duty to the drunkard let him do
FTLN 0119 With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy,
FTLN 0120 And say “What is ’t your Honor will command, 120
FTLN 0121 Wherein your lady and your humble wife
FTLN 0122 May show her duty and make known her love?”
FTLN 0123 And then with kind embracements, tempting kisses,
FTLN 0124 And with declining head into his bosom,
FTLN 0125 Bid him shed tears, as being overjoyed 125
FTLN 0126 To see her noble lord restored to health,
FTLN 0127 Who, for this seven years, hath esteemed him
FTLN 0128 No better than a poor and loathsome beggar.
FTLN 0129 And if the boy have not a woman’s gift
FTLN 0130 To rain a shower of commanded tears, 130
FTLN 0131 An onion will do well for such a shift,
FTLN 0132 Which (in a napkin being close conveyed)
FTLN 0133 Shall in despite enforce a watery eye.
FTLN 0134 See this dispatched with all the haste thou canst.
FTLN 0135 Anon I’ll give thee more instructions. 135
A Servingman exits.
FTLN 0136 I know the boy will well usurp the grace,
 IND. SC. 2
17 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0137 Voice, gait, and action of a gentlewoman.

FTLN 0138 I long to hear him call the drunkard “husband”!
FTLN 0139 And how my men will stay themselves from
FTLN 0140 laughter 140
FTLN 0141 When they do homage to this simple peasant,
FTLN 0142 I’ll in to counsel them. Haply my presence
FTLN 0143 May well abate the over-merry spleen
FTLN 0144 Which otherwise would grow into extremes.
They exit.

Scene 2
Enter aloft Christopher Sly, the drunkard, with
Attendants, some with apparel, basin and ewer, and
other appurtenances, and Lord dressed as an Attendant.

FTLN 0145 SLY For God’s sake, a pot of small ale.

FIRST SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0146 Will ’t please your Lord drink a cup of sack?
SECOND SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0147 Will ’t please your Honor taste of these conserves?
THIRD SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0148 What raiment will your Honor wear today?
FTLN 0149 SLY I am Christophero Sly! Call not me “Honor” nor 5
FTLN 0150 “Lordship.” I ne’er drank sack in my life. An if you
FTLN 0151 give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef.
FTLN 0152 Ne’er ask me what raiment I’ll wear, for I have no
FTLN 0153 more doublets than backs, no more stockings than
FTLN 0154 legs, nor no more shoes than feet, nay sometime 10
FTLN 0155 more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look
FTLN 0156 through the over-leather.
LORD, as Attendant
FTLN 0157 Heaven cease this idle humor in your Honor!
FTLN 0158 O, that a mighty man of such descent,
FTLN 0159 Of such possessions, and so high esteem 15
FTLN 0160 Should be infusèd with so foul a spirit!
 IND. SC. 2
19 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0161 SLY What, would you make me mad? Am not I Christopher
FTLN 0162 Sly, old Sly’s son of Burton Heath, by birth a
FTLN 0163 peddler, by education a cardmaker, by transmutation
FTLN 0164 a bearherd, and now by present profession a 20
FTLN 0165 tinker? Ask Marian Hacket, the fat alewife of Wincot,
FTLN 0166 if she know me not! If she say I am not fourteen
FTLN 0167 pence on the score for sheer ale, score me up for the
FTLN 0168 lying’st knave in Christendom. What, I am not
FTLN 0169 bestraught! Here’s— 25
THIRD SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0170 O, this it is that makes your lady mourn.
SECOND SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0171 O, this is it that makes your servants droop.
LORD, as Attendant
FTLN 0172 Hence comes it that your kindred shuns your house,
FTLN 0173 As beaten hence by your strange lunacy.
FTLN 0174 O noble lord, bethink thee of thy birth, 30
FTLN 0175 Call home thy ancient thoughts from banishment,
FTLN 0176 And banish hence these abject lowly dreams.
FTLN 0177 Look how thy servants do attend on thee,
FTLN 0178 Each in his office ready at thy beck.
FTLN 0179 Wilt thou have music? Hark, Apollo plays, Music. 35
FTLN 0180 And twenty cagèd nightingales do sing.
FTLN 0181 Or wilt thou sleep? We’ll have thee to a couch
FTLN 0182 Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed
FTLN 0183 On purpose trimmed up for Semiramis.
FTLN 0184 Say thou wilt walk, we will bestrew the ground. 40
FTLN 0185 Or wilt thou ride? Thy horses shall be trapped,
FTLN 0186 Their harness studded all with gold and pearl.
FTLN 0187 Dost thou love hawking? Thou hast hawks will soar
FTLN 0188 Above the morning lark. Or wilt thou hunt?
FTLN 0189 Thy hounds shall make the welkin answer them 45
FTLN 0190 And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth.
FIRST SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0191 Say thou wilt course. Thy greyhounds are as swift
FTLN 0192 As breathèd stags, ay, fleeter than the roe.
 IND. SC. 2
21 The Taming of the Shrew

SECOND SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0193 Dost thou love pictures? We will fetch thee straight
FTLN 0194 Adonis painted by a running brook, 50
FTLN 0195 And Cytherea all in sedges hid,
FTLN 0196 Which seem to move and wanton with her breath,
FTLN 0197 Even as the waving sedges play with wind.
LORD, as Attendant
FTLN 0198 We’ll show thee Io as she was a maid
FTLN 0199 And how she was beguilèd and surprised, 55
FTLN 0200 As lively painted as the deed was done.
THIRD SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0201 Or Daphne roaming through a thorny wood,
FTLN 0202 Scratching her legs that one shall swear she bleeds,
FTLN 0203 And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep,
FTLN 0204 So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn. 60
LORD, as Attendant
FTLN 0205 Thou art a lord, and nothing but a lord;
FTLN 0206 Thou hast a lady far more beautiful
FTLN 0207 Than any woman in this waning age.
FIRST SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0208 And till the tears that she hath shed for thee
FTLN 0209 Like envious floods o’errun her lovely face, 65
FTLN 0210 She was the fairest creature in the world—
FTLN 0211 And yet she is inferior to none.
SLY
FTLN 0212 Am I a lord, and have I such a lady?
FTLN 0213 Or do I dream? Or have I dreamed till now?
FTLN 0214 I do not sleep: I see, I hear, I speak, 70
FTLN 0215 I smell sweet savors, and I feel soft things.
FTLN 0216 Upon my life, I am a lord indeed
FTLN 0217 And not a tinker, nor Christopher Sly.
FTLN 0218 Well, bring our lady hither to our sight,
FTLN 0219 And once again a pot o’ the smallest ale. 75
SECOND SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0220 Will ’t please your Mightiness to wash your hands?
FTLN 0221 O, how we joy to see your wit restored!
 IND. SC. 2
23 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0222 O, that once more you knew but what you are!
FTLN 0223 These fifteen years you have been in a dream,
FTLN 0224 Or, when you waked, so waked as if you slept. 80
SLY
FTLN 0225 These fifteen years! By my fay, a goodly nap.
FTLN 0226 But did I never speak of all that time?
FIRST SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0227 Oh, yes, my lord, but very idle words.
FTLN 0228 For though you lay here in this goodly chamber,
FTLN 0229 Yet would you say you were beaten out of door, 85
FTLN 0230 And rail upon the hostess of the house,
FTLN 0231 And say you would present her at the leet
FTLN 0232 Because she brought stone jugs and no sealed
FTLN 0233 quarts.
FTLN 0234 Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket. 90
FTLN 0235 SLY Ay, the woman’s maid of the house.
THIRD SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0236 Why, sir, you know no house, nor no such maid,
FTLN 0237 Nor no such men as you have reckoned up,
FTLN 0238 As Stephen Sly and old John Naps of Greete,
FTLN 0239 And Peter Turph and Henry Pimpernell, 95
FTLN 0240 And twenty more such names and men as these,
FTLN 0241 Which never were, nor no man ever saw.
FTLN 0242 SLY Now, Lord be thanked for my good amends!
FTLN 0243 ALL Amen.
FTLN 0244 SLY I thank thee. Thou shalt not lose by it. 100

Enter Page as Lady, with Attendants.

FTLN 0245 PAGE, as Lady How fares my noble lord?

FTLN 0246 SLY Marry, I fare well, for here is cheer enough.
FTLN 0247 Where is my wife?
PAGE, as Lady
FTLN 0248 Here, noble lord. What is thy will with her?
SLY
FTLN 0249 Are you my wife, and will not call me “husband”? 105
FTLN 0250 My men should call me “lord.” I am your goodman.
 IND. SC. 2
25 The Taming of the Shrew

PAGE,as Lady
FTLN 0251 My husband and my lord, my lord and husband,
FTLN 0252 I am your wife in all obedience.
SLY
FTLN 0253 I know it well.—What must I call her?
FTLN 0254 LORD, as Attendant “Madam.” 110
FTLN 0255 SLY “Alice Madam,” or “Joan Madam”?
LORD
FTLN 0256 “Madam,” and nothing else. So lords call ladies.
SLY
FTLN 0257 Madam wife, they say that I have dreamed
FTLN 0258 And slept above some fifteen year or more.
PAGE, as Lady
FTLN 0259 Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me, 115
FTLN 0260 Being all this time abandoned from your bed.
SLY
FTLN 0261 ’Tis much.—Servants, leave me and her alone.—
FTLN 0262 Madam, undress you, and come now to bed.
PAGE, as Lady
FTLN 0263 Thrice noble lord, let me entreat of you
FTLN 0264 To pardon me yet for a night or two; 120
FTLN 0265 Or if not so, until the sun be set.
FTLN 0266 For your physicians have expressly charged,
FTLN 0267 In peril to incur your former malady,
FTLN 0268 That I should yet absent me from your bed.
FTLN 0269 I hope this reason stands for my excuse. 125
FTLN 0270 SLY Ay, it stands so that I may hardly tarry so long; but
FTLN 0271 I would be loath to fall into my dreams again. I will
FTLN 0272 therefore tarry in despite of the flesh and the
FTLN 0273 blood.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER
FTLN 0274 Your Honor’s players, hearing your amendment, 130
FTLN 0275 Are come to play a pleasant comedy,
FTLN 0276 For so your doctors hold it very meet,
 IND. SC. 2
27 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0277 Seeing too much sadness hath congealed your

FTLN 0278 blood,
FTLN 0279 And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy. 135
FTLN 0280 Therefore they thought it good you hear a play
FTLN 0281 And frame your mind to mirth and merriment,
FTLN 0282 Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life.
FTLN 0283 SLY Marry, I will. Let them play it. Messenger exits.
FTLN 0284 Is not a comonty a Christmas gambold or a tumbling 140
FTLN 0285 trick?
PAGE, as Lady
FTLN 0286 No, my good lord, it is more pleasing stuff.
FTLN 0287 SLY What, household stuff?
FTLN 0288 PAGE, as Lady It is a kind of history.
FTLN 0289 SLY Well, we’ll see ’t. Come, madam wife, sit by my 145
FTLN 0290 side, and let the world slip. We shall ne’er be
FTLN 0291 younger.
They sit.
 ACT 1

Scene 1
Flourish. Enter Lucentio and his man Tranio.

LUCENTIO
FTLN 0292 Tranio, since for the great desire I had
FTLN 0293 To see fair Padua, nursery of arts,
FTLN 0294 I am arrived for fruitful Lombardy,
FTLN 0295 The pleasant garden of great Italy,
FTLN 0296 And by my father’s love and leave am armed 5
FTLN 0297 With his goodwill and thy good company.
FTLN 0298 My trusty servant well approved in all,
FTLN 0299 Here let us breathe and haply institute
FTLN 0300 A course of learning and ingenious studies.
FTLN 0301 Pisa, renownèd for grave citizens, 10
FTLN 0302 Gave me my being, and my father first,
FTLN 0303 A merchant of great traffic through the world,
FTLN 0304 Vincentio, come of the Bentivolii.
FTLN 0305 Vincentio’s son, brought up in Florence,
FTLN 0306 It shall become to serve all hopes conceived 15
FTLN 0307 To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds.
FTLN 0308 And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study
FTLN 0309 Virtue, and that part of philosophy
FTLN 0310 Will I apply that treats of happiness
FTLN 0311 By virtue specially to be achieved. 20
FTLN 0312 Tell me thy mind, for I have Pisa left
FTLN 0313 And am to Padua come, as he that leaves
31
 ACT 1. SC. 1
33 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0314 A shallow plash to plunge him in the deep

FTLN 0315 And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.
TRANIO
FTLN 0316 Mi perdonato, gentle master mine. 25
FTLN 0317 I am in all affected as yourself,
FTLN 0318 Glad that you thus continue your resolve
FTLN 0319 To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy.
FTLN 0320 Only, good master, while we do admire
FTLN 0321 This virtue and this moral discipline, 30
FTLN 0322 Let’s be no stoics nor no stocks, I pray,
FTLN 0323 Or so devote to Aristotle’s checks
FTLN 0324 As Ovid be an outcast quite abjured.
FTLN 0325 Balk logic with acquaintance that you have,
FTLN 0326 And practice rhetoric in your common talk; 35
FTLN 0327 Music and poesy use to quicken you;
FTLN 0328 The mathematics and the metaphysics—
FTLN 0329 Fall to them as you find your stomach serves you.
FTLN 0330 No profit grows where is no pleasure ta’en.
FTLN 0331 In brief, sir, study what you most affect. 40
LUCENTIO
FTLN 0332 Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise.
FTLN 0333 If, Biondello, thou wert come ashore,
FTLN 0334 We could at once put us in readiness
FTLN 0335 And take a lodging fit to entertain
FTLN 0336 Such friends as time in Padua shall beget. 45

Enter Baptista with his two daughters, Katherine and

Bianca; Gremio, a pantaloon, and Hortensio, suitors
to Bianca.

FTLN 0337 But stay awhile! What company is this?

TRANIO
FTLN 0338 Master, some show to welcome us to town.
Lucentio and Tranio stand by.
BAPTISTA, to Gremio and Hortensio
FTLN 0339 Gentlemen, importune me no farther,
FTLN 0340 For how I firmly am resolved you know:
 ACT 1. SC. 1
35 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0341 That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter 50

FTLN 0342 Before I have a husband for the elder.
FTLN 0343 If either of you both love Katherine,
FTLN 0344 Because I know you well and love you well,
FTLN 0345 Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.
GREMIO
FTLN 0346 To cart her, rather. She’s too rough for me.— 55
FTLN 0347 There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?
KATHERINE, to Baptista
FTLN 0348 I pray you, sir, is it your will
FTLN 0349 To make a stale of me amongst these mates?
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0350 “Mates,” maid? How mean you that? No mates for
FTLN 0351 you, 60
FTLN 0352 Unless you were of gentler, milder mold.
KATHERINE
FTLN 0353 I’ faith, sir, you shall never need to fear.
FTLN 0354 Iwis it is not halfway to her heart.
FTLN 0355 But if it were, doubt not her care should be
FTLN 0356 To comb your noddle with a three-legged stool 65
FTLN 0357 And paint your face and use you like a fool.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0358 From all such devils, good Lord, deliver us!
FTLN 0359 GREMIO And me too, good Lord.
TRANIO, aside to Lucentio
FTLN 0360 Husht, master, here’s some good pastime toward;
FTLN 0361 That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward. 70
LUCENTIO, aside to Tranio
FTLN 0362 But in the other’s silence do I see
FTLN 0363 Maid’s mild behavior and sobriety.
FTLN 0364 Peace, Tranio.
TRANIO, aside to Lucentio
FTLN 0365 Well said, master. Mum, and gaze your fill.
BAPTISTA, to Gremio and Hortensio
FTLN 0366 Gentlemen, that I may soon make good 75
FTLN 0367 What I have said—Bianca, get you in,
 ACT 1. SC. 1
37 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0368 And let it not displease thee, good Bianca,

FTLN 0369 For I will love thee ne’er the less, my girl.
KATHERINE
FTLN 0370 A pretty peat! It is best
FTLN 0371 Put finger in the eye, an she knew why. 80
BIANCA
FTLN 0372 Sister, content you in my discontent.—
FTLN 0373 Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe.
FTLN 0374 My books and instruments shall be my company,
FTLN 0375 On them to look and practice by myself.
LUCENTIO, aside to Tranio
FTLN 0376 Hark, Tranio, thou mayst hear Minerva speak! 85
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0377 Signior Baptista, will you be so strange?
FTLN 0378 Sorry am I that our goodwill effects
FTLN 0379 Bianca’s grief.
FTLN 0380 GREMIO Why will you mew her up,
FTLN 0381 Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell, 90
FTLN 0382 And make her bear the penance of her tongue?
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0383 Gentlemen, content you. I am resolved.—
FTLN 0384 Go in, Bianca. Bianca exits.
FTLN 0385 And for I know she taketh most delight
FTLN 0386 In music, instruments, and poetry, 95
FTLN 0387 Schoolmasters will I keep within my house
FTLN 0388 Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio,
FTLN 0389 Or, Signior Gremio, you know any such,
FTLN 0390 Prefer them hither. For to cunning men
FTLN 0391 I will be very kind, and liberal 100
FTLN 0392 To mine own children in good bringing up.
FTLN 0393 And so, farewell.—Katherine, you may stay,
FTLN 0394 For I have more to commune with Bianca. He exits.
KATHERINE
FTLN 0395 Why, and I trust I may go too, may I not?
FTLN 0396 What, shall I be appointed hours as though, belike, 105
FTLN 0397 I knew not what to take and what to leave? Ha!
She exits.
 ACT 1. SC. 1
39 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0398 GREMIO You may go to the Devil’s dam! Your gifts are
FTLN 0399 so good here’s none will hold you.—Their love is
FTLN 0400 not so great, Hortensio, but we may blow our nails
FTLN 0401 together and fast it fairly out. Our cake’s dough on 110
FTLN 0402 both sides. Farewell. Yet for the love I bear my
FTLN 0403 sweet Bianca, if I can by any means light on a fit
FTLN 0404 man to teach her that wherein she delights, I will
FTLN 0405 wish him to her father.
FTLN 0406 HORTENSIO So will I, Signior Gremio. But a word, I 115
FTLN 0407 pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet never
FTLN 0408 brooked parle, know now upon advice, it toucheth
FTLN 0409 us both (that we may yet again have access to our
FTLN 0410 fair mistress and be happy rivals in Bianca’s love) to
FTLN 0411 labor and effect one thing specially. 120
FTLN 0412 GREMIO What’s that, I pray?
FTLN 0413 HORTENSIO Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister.
FTLN 0414 GREMIO A husband? A devil!
FTLN 0415 HORTENSIO I say “a husband.”
FTLN 0416 GREMIO I say “a devil.” Think’st thou, Hortensio, 125
FTLN 0417 though her father be very rich, any man is so very a
FTLN 0418 fool to be married to hell?
FTLN 0419 HORTENSIO Tush, Gremio. Though it pass your patience
FTLN 0420 and mine to endure her loud alarums, why,
FTLN 0421 man, there be good fellows in the world, an a man 130
FTLN 0422 could light on them, would take her with all faults,
FTLN 0423 and money enough.
FTLN 0424 GREMIO I cannot tell. But I had as lief take her dowry
FTLN 0425 with this condition: to be whipped at the high cross
FTLN 0426 every morning. 135
FTLN 0427 HORTENSIO Faith, as you say, there’s small choice in
FTLN 0428 rotten apples. But come, since this bar in law
FTLN 0429 makes us friends, it shall be so far forth friendly
FTLN 0430 maintained till by helping Baptista’s eldest daughter
FTLN 0431 to a husband we set his youngest free for a 140
FTLN 0432 husband, and then have to ’t afresh. Sweet Bianca!
FTLN 0433 Happy man be his dole! He that runs fastest gets the
FTLN 0434 ring. How say you, Signior Gremio?
 ACT 1. SC. 1
41 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0435 GREMIO I am agreed, and would I had given him the
FTLN 0436 best horse in Padua to begin his wooing that would 145
FTLN 0437 thoroughly woo her, wed her, and bed her, and rid
FTLN 0438 the house of her. Come on.
Gremio and Hortensio exit.
Tranio and Lucentio remain onstage.
TRANIO
FTLN 0439 I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible
FTLN 0440 That love should of a sudden take such hold?
LUCENTIO
FTLN 0441 O Tranio, till I found it to be true, 150
FTLN 0442 I never thought it possible or likely.
FTLN 0443 But see, while idly I stood looking on,
FTLN 0444 I found the effect of love-in-idleness,
FTLN 0445 And now in plainness do confess to thee
FTLN 0446 That art to me as secret and as dear 155
FTLN 0447 As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was:
FTLN 0448 Tranio, I burn, I pine! I perish, Tranio,
FTLN 0449 If I achieve not this young modest girl.
FTLN 0450 Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst.
FTLN 0451 Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt. 160
TRANIO
FTLN 0452 Master, it is no time to chide you now.
FTLN 0453 Affection is not rated from the heart.
FTLN 0454 If love have touched you, naught remains but so:
FTLN 0455 Redime te captum quam queas minimo.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 0456 Gramercies, lad. Go forward. This contents; 165
FTLN 0457 The rest will comfort, for thy counsel’s sound.
TRANIO
FTLN 0458 Master, you looked so longly on the maid,
FTLN 0459 Perhaps you marked not what’s the pith of all.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 0460 O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face,
FTLN 0461 Such as the daughter of Agenor had, 170
FTLN 0462 That made great Jove to humble him to her hand
FTLN 0463 When with his knees he kissed the Cretan strand.
 ACT 1. SC. 1
43 The Taming of the Shrew

TRANIO
FTLN 0464 Saw you no more? Marked you not how her sister
FTLN 0465 Began to scold and raise up such a storm
FTLN 0466 That mortal ears might hardly endure the din? 175
LUCENTIO
FTLN 0467 Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move,
FTLN 0468 And with her breath she did perfume the air.
FTLN 0469 Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.
TRANIO, aside
FTLN 0470 Nay, then ’tis time to stir him from his trance.—
FTLN 0471 I pray, awake, sir! If you love the maid, 180
FTLN 0472 Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it
FTLN 0473 stands:
FTLN 0474 Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd
FTLN 0475 That till the father rid his hands of her,
FTLN 0476 Master, your love must live a maid at home, 185
FTLN 0477 And therefore has he closely mewed her up,
FTLN 0478 Because she will not be annoyed with suitors.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 0479 Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father’s he!
FTLN 0480 But art thou not advised he took some care
FTLN 0481 To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her? 190
TRANIO
FTLN 0482 Ay, marry, am I, sir—and now ’tis plotted!
LUCENTIO
FTLN 0483 I have it, Tranio!
FTLN 0484 TRANIO Master, for my hand,
FTLN 0485 Both our inventions meet and jump in one.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 0486 Tell me thine first. 195
FTLN 0487 TRANIO You will be schoolmaster
FTLN 0488 And undertake the teaching of the maid:
FTLN 0489 That’s your device.
FTLN 0490 LUCENTIO It is. May it be done?
TRANIO
FTLN 0491 Not possible. For who shall bear your part 200
 ACT 1. SC. 1
45 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0492 And be in Padua here Vincentio’s son,

FTLN 0493 Keep house, and ply his book, welcome his friends,
FTLN 0494 Visit his countrymen and banquet them?
LUCENTIO
FTLN 0495 Basta, content thee, for I have it full.
FTLN 0496 We have not yet been seen in any house, 205
FTLN 0497 Nor can we be distinguished by our faces
FTLN 0498 For man or master. Then it follows thus:
FTLN 0499 Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead,
FTLN 0500 Keep house, and port, and servants, as I should.
FTLN 0501 I will some other be, some Florentine, 210
FTLN 0502 Some Neapolitan, or meaner man of Pisa.
FTLN 0503 ’Tis hatched, and shall be so. Tranio, at once
FTLN 0504 Uncase thee. Take my colored hat and cloak.
They exchange clothes.
FTLN 0505 When Biondello comes, he waits on thee,
FTLN 0506 But I will charm him first to keep his tongue. 215
FTLN 0507 TRANIO So had you need.
FTLN 0508 In brief, sir, sith it your pleasure is,
FTLN 0509 And I am tied to be obedient
FTLN 0510 (For so your father charged me at our parting:
FTLN 0511 “Be serviceable to my son,” quoth he, 220
FTLN 0512 Although I think ’twas in another sense),
FTLN 0513 I am content to be Lucentio,
FTLN 0514 Because so well I love Lucentio.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 0515 Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves,
FTLN 0516 And let me be a slave, t’ achieve that maid 225
FTLN 0517 Whose sudden sight hath thralled my wounded eye.

Enter Biondello.

FTLN 0518 Here comes the rogue.—Sirrah, where have you

FTLN 0519 been?
BIONDELLO
FTLN 0520 Where have I been? Nay, how now, where are you?
 ACT 1. SC. 1
47 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0521 Master, has my fellow Tranio stolen your clothes? 230
FTLN 0522 Or you stolen his? Or both? Pray, what’s the news?
LUCENTIO
FTLN 0523 Sirrah, come hither. ’Tis no time to jest,
FTLN 0524 And therefore frame your manners to the time.
FTLN 0525 Your fellow, Tranio here, to save my life,
FTLN 0526 Puts my apparel and my count’nance on, 235
FTLN 0527 And I for my escape have put on his;
FTLN 0528 For in a quarrel since I came ashore
FTLN 0529 I killed a man and fear I was descried.
FTLN 0530 Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes,
FTLN 0531 While I make way from hence to save my life. 240
FTLN 0532 You understand me?
FTLN 0533 BIONDELLO Ay, sir. Aside. Ne’er a whit.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 0534 And not a jot of “Tranio” in your mouth.
FTLN 0535 Tranio is changed into Lucentio.
BIONDELLO
FTLN 0536 The better for him. Would I were so too. 245
TRANIO
FTLN 0537 So could I, faith, boy, to have the next wish after,
FTLN 0538 That Lucentio indeed had Baptista’s youngest
FTLN 0539 daughter.
FTLN 0540 But, sirrah, not for my sake, but your master’s, I
FTLN 0541 advise 250
FTLN 0542 You use your manners discreetly in all kind of
FTLN 0543 companies.
FTLN 0544 When I am alone, why then I am Tranio;
FTLN 0545 But in all places else, your master Lucentio.
FTLN 0546 LUCENTIO Tranio, let’s go. One thing more rests, that 255
FTLN 0547 thyself execute, to make one among these wooers. If
FTLN 0548 thou ask me why, sufficeth my reasons are both
FTLN 0549 good and weighty. They exit.
The Presenters above speak.
FIRST SERVINGMAN
FTLN 0550 My lord, you nod. You do not mind the play.
 ACT 1. SC. 2
49 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0551 SLY Yes, by Saint Anne, do I. A good matter, surely. 260
FTLN 0552 Comes there any more of it?
FTLN 0553 PAGE, as Lady My lord, ’tis but begun.
FTLN 0554 SLY ’Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady.
FTLN 0555 Would ’twere done.
They sit and mark.

Scene 2
Enter Petruchio and his man Grumio.

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0556 Verona, for a while I take my leave
FTLN 0557 To see my friends in Padua, but of all
FTLN 0558 My best belovèd and approvèd friend,
FTLN 0559 Hortensio. And I trow this is his house.
FTLN 0560 Here, sirrah Grumio, knock, I say. 5
FTLN 0561 GRUMIO Knock, sir? Whom should I knock? Is there
FTLN 0562 any man has rebused your Worship?
FTLN 0563 PETRUCHIO Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.
FTLN 0564 GRUMIO Knock you here, sir? Why, sir, what am I, sir,
FTLN 0565 that I should knock you here, sir? 10
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0566 Villain, I say, knock me at this gate
FTLN 0567 And rap me well, or I’ll knock your knave’s pate.
GRUMIO
FTLN 0568 My master is grown quarrelsome. I should knock
FTLN 0569 you first,
FTLN 0570 And then I know after who comes by the worst. 15
FTLN 0571 PETRUCHIO Will it not be?
FTLN 0572 Faith, sirrah, an you’ll not knock, I’ll ring it.
FTLN 0573 I’ll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it.
He wrings him by the ears. Grumio falls.
FTLN 0574 GRUMIO Help, mistress, help! My master is mad.
FTLN 0575 PETRUCHIO Now knock when I bid you, sirrah 20
FTLN 0576 villain.
 ACT 1. SC. 2
51 The Taming of the Shrew

Enter Hortensio.

FTLN 0577 HORTENSIO How now, what’s the matter? My old

FTLN 0578 friend Grumio and my good friend Petruchio? How
FTLN 0579 do you all at Verona?
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0580 Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray? 25
FTLN 0581 Con tutto il cuore ben trovato, may I say.
FTLN 0582 HORTENSIO Alia nostra casa ben venuto, molto
FTLN 0583 honorato signor mio Petruchio.—Rise, Grumio,
FTLN 0584 rise. We will compound this quarrel. Grumio rises.
FTLN 0585 GRUMIO Nay, ’tis no matter, sir, what he ’leges in 30
FTLN 0586 Latin. If this be not a lawful cause for me to leave
FTLN 0587 his service—look you, sir: he bid me knock him
FTLN 0588 and rap him soundly, sir. Well, was it fit for a
FTLN 0589 servant to use his master so, being perhaps, for
FTLN 0590 aught I see, two-and-thirty, a pip out? 35
FTLN 0591 Whom, would to God, I had well knocked at first,
FTLN 0592 Then had not Grumio come by the worst.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0593 A senseless villain, good Hortensio.
FTLN 0594 I bade the rascal knock upon your gate
FTLN 0595 And could not get him for my heart to do it. 40
FTLN 0596 GRUMIO Knock at the gate? O, heavens, spake you not
FTLN 0597 these words plain: “Sirrah, knock me here, rap me
FTLN 0598 here, knock me well, and knock me soundly”? And
FTLN 0599 come you now with “knocking at the gate”?
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0600 Sirrah, begone, or talk not, I advise you. 45
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0601 Petruchio, patience. I am Grumio’s pledge.
FTLN 0602 Why, this’ a heavy chance ’twixt him and you,
FTLN 0603 Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio.
FTLN 0604 And tell me now, sweet friend, what happy gale
FTLN 0605 Blows you to Padua here from old Verona? 50
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0606 Such wind as scatters young men through the world
 ACT 1. SC. 2
53 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0607 To seek their fortunes farther than at home,

FTLN 0608 Where small experience grows. But in a few,
FTLN 0609 Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me:
FTLN 0610 Antonio, my father, is deceased, 55
FTLN 0611 And I have thrust myself into this maze,
FTLN 0612 Happily to wive and thrive, as best I may.
FTLN 0613 Crowns in my purse I have and goods at home,
FTLN 0614 And so am come abroad to see the world.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0615 Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee 60
FTLN 0616 And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favored wife?
FTLN 0617 Thou ’dst thank me but a little for my counsel—
FTLN 0618 And yet I’ll promise thee she shall be rich,
FTLN 0619 And very rich. But thou ’rt too much my friend,
FTLN 0620 And I’ll not wish thee to her. 65
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0621 Signior Hortensio, ’twixt such friends as we
FTLN 0622 Few words suffice. And therefore, if thou know
FTLN 0623 One rich enough to be Petruchio’s wife
FTLN 0624 (As wealth is burden of my wooing dance),
FTLN 0625 Be she as foul as was Florentius’ love, 70
FTLN 0626 As old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd
FTLN 0627 As Socrates’ Xanthippe, or a worse,
FTLN 0628 She moves me not, or not removes at least
FTLN 0629 Affection’s edge in me, were she as rough
FTLN 0630 As are the swelling Adriatic seas. 75
FTLN 0631 I come to wive it wealthily in Padua;
FTLN 0632 If wealthily, then happily in Padua.
FTLN 0633 GRUMIO, to Hortensio Nay, look you, sir, he tells you
FTLN 0634 flatly what his mind is. Why, give him gold enough
FTLN 0635 and marry him to a puppet or an aglet-baby, or an 80
FTLN 0636 old trot with ne’er a tooth in her head, though she
FTLN 0637 have as many diseases as two-and-fifty horses. Why,
FTLN 0638 nothing comes amiss, so money comes withal.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0639 Petruchio, since we are stepped thus far in,
 ACT 1. SC. 2
55 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0640 I will continue that I broached in jest. 85

FTLN 0641 I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife
FTLN 0642 With wealth enough, and young and beauteous,
FTLN 0643 Brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman.
FTLN 0644 Her only fault, and that is faults enough,
FTLN 0645 Is that she is intolerable curst, 90
FTLN 0646 And shrewd, and froward, so beyond all measure
FTLN 0647 That, were my state far worser than it is,
FTLN 0648 I would not wed her for a mine of gold.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0649 Hortensio, peace. Thou know’st not gold’s effect.
FTLN 0650 Tell me her father’s name, and ’tis enough; 95
FTLN 0651 For I will board her, though she chide as loud
FTLN 0652 As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0653 Her father is Baptista Minola,
FTLN 0654 An affable and courteous gentleman.
FTLN 0655 Her name is Katherina Minola, 100
FTLN 0656 Renowned in Padua for her scolding tongue.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0657 I know her father, though I know not her,
FTLN 0658 And he knew my deceasèd father well.
FTLN 0659 I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her,
FTLN 0660 And therefore let me be thus bold with you 105
FTLN 0661 To give you over at this first encounter—
FTLN 0662 Unless you will accompany me thither.
FTLN 0663 GRUMIO, to Hortensio I pray you, sir, let him go while
FTLN 0664 the humor lasts. O’ my word, an she knew him as
FTLN 0665 well as I do, she would think scolding would do little 110
FTLN 0666 good upon him. She may perhaps call him half a
FTLN 0667 score knaves or so. Why, that’s nothing; an he begin
FTLN 0668 once, he’ll rail in his rope tricks. I’ll tell you what,
FTLN 0669 sir, an she stand him but a little, he will throw a
FTLN 0670 figure in her face and so disfigure her with it that 115
FTLN 0671 she shall have no more eyes to see withal than a cat.
FTLN 0672 You know him not, sir.
 ACT 1. SC. 2
57 The Taming of the Shrew

HORTENSIO
FTLN 0673 Tarry, Petruchio. I must go with thee,
FTLN 0674 For in Baptista’s keep my treasure is.
FTLN 0675 He hath the jewel of my life in hold, 120
FTLN 0676 His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca,
FTLN 0677 And her withholds from me and other more,
FTLN 0678 Suitors to her and rivals in my love,
FTLN 0679 Supposing it a thing impossible,
FTLN 0680 For those defects I have before rehearsed, 125
FTLN 0681 That ever Katherina will be wooed.
FTLN 0682 Therefore this order hath Baptista ta’en,
FTLN 0683 That none shall have access unto Bianca
FTLN 0684 Till Katherine the curst have got a husband.
FTLN 0685 GRUMIO “Katherine the curst,” 130
FTLN 0686 A title for a maid, of all titles the worst.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0687 Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace
FTLN 0688 And offer me disguised in sober robes
FTLN 0689 To old Baptista as a schoolmaster
FTLN 0690 Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca, 135
FTLN 0691 That so I may, by this device at least,
FTLN 0692 Have leave and leisure to make love to her
FTLN 0693 And unsuspected court her by herself.
FTLN 0694 GRUMIO Here’s no knavery! See, to beguile the old
FTLN 0695 folks, how the young folks lay their heads together! 140

Enter Gremio and Lucentio, disguised as Cambio, a

schoolmaster.

FTLN 0696 Master, master, look about you. Who goes there, ha?
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0697 Peace, Grumio, it is the rival of my love.
FTLN 0698 Petruchio, stand by awhile.
Petruchio, Hortensio, and Grumio stand aside.
GRUMIO, aside
FTLN 0699 A proper stripling, and an amorous.
 ACT 1. SC. 2
59 The Taming of the Shrew

GREMIO, to Lucentio
FTLN 0700 O, very well, I have perused the note. 145
FTLN 0701 Hark you, sir, I’ll have them very fairly bound,
FTLN 0702 All books of love. See that at any hand,
FTLN 0703 And see you read no other lectures to her.
FTLN 0704 You understand me. Over and beside
FTLN 0705 Signior Baptista’s liberality, 150
FTLN 0706 I’ll mend it with a largess. Take your paper too.
FTLN 0707 And let me have them very well perfumed,
FTLN 0708 For she is sweeter than perfume itself
FTLN 0709 To whom they go to. What will you read to her?
LUCENTIO, as Cambio
FTLN 0710 Whate’er I read to her, I’ll plead for you 155
FTLN 0711 As for my patron, stand you so assured,
FTLN 0712 As firmly as yourself were still in place,
FTLN 0713 Yea, and perhaps with more successful words
FTLN 0714 Than you—unless you were a scholar, sir.
GREMIO
FTLN 0715 O this learning, what a thing it is! 160
GRUMIO, aside
FTLN 0716 O this woodcock, what an ass it is!
FTLN 0717 PETRUCHIO, aside Peace, sirrah.
HORTENSIO, aside
FTLN 0718 Grumio, mum. Coming forward.
FTLN 0719 God save you, Signior Gremio.
GREMIO
FTLN 0720 And you are well met, Signior Hortensio. 165
FTLN 0721 Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista Minola.
FTLN 0722 I promised to enquire carefully
FTLN 0723 About a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca,
FTLN 0724 And by good fortune I have lighted well
FTLN 0725 On this young man, for learning and behavior 170
FTLN 0726 Fit for her turn, well read in poetry
FTLN 0727 And other books—good ones, I warrant you.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0728 ’Tis well. And I have met a gentleman
 ACT 1. SC. 2
61 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0729 Hath promised me to help me to another,

FTLN 0730 A fine musician to instruct our mistress. 175
FTLN 0731 So shall I no whit be behind in duty
FTLN 0732 To fair Bianca, so beloved of me.
GREMIO
FTLN 0733 Beloved of me, and that my deeds shall prove.
FTLN 0734 GRUMIO, aside And that his bags shall prove.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0735 Gremio, ’tis now no time to vent our love. 180
FTLN 0736 Listen to me, and if you speak me fair
FTLN 0737 I’ll tell you news indifferent good for either.
Presenting Petruchio.
FTLN 0738 Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met,
FTLN 0739 Upon agreement from us to his liking,
FTLN 0740 Will undertake to woo curst Katherine, 185
FTLN 0741 Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.
FTLN 0742 GREMIO So said, so done, is well.
FTLN 0743 Hortensio, have you told him all her faults?
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0744 I know she is an irksome, brawling scold.
FTLN 0745 If that be all, masters, I hear no harm. 190
GREMIO
FTLN 0746 No? Sayst me so, friend? What countryman?
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0747 Born in Verona, old Antonio’s son.
FTLN 0748 My father dead, my fortune lives for me,
FTLN 0749 And I do hope good days and long to see.
GREMIO
FTLN 0750 Oh, sir, such a life with such a wife were strange. 195
FTLN 0751 But if you have a stomach, to ’t, i’ God’s name!
FTLN 0752 You shall have me assisting you in all.
FTLN 0753 But will you woo this wildcat?
FTLN 0754 PETRUCHIO Will I live?
GRUMIO
FTLN 0755 Will he woo her? Ay, or I’ll hang her. 200
 ACT 1. SC. 2
63 The Taming of the Shrew

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0756 Why came I hither but to that intent?
FTLN 0757 Think you a little din can daunt mine ears?
FTLN 0758 Have I not in my time heard lions roar?
FTLN 0759 Have I not heard the sea, puffed up with winds,
FTLN 0760 Rage like an angry boar chafèd with sweat? 205
FTLN 0761 Have I not heard great ordnance in the field
FTLN 0762 And heaven’s artillery thunder in the skies?
FTLN 0763 Have I not in a pitchèd battle heard
FTLN 0764 Loud ’larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets clang?
FTLN 0765 And do you tell me of a woman’s tongue, 210
FTLN 0766 That gives not half so great a blow to hear
FTLN 0767 As will a chestnut in a farmer’s fire?
FTLN 0768 Tush, tush, fear boys with bugs!
FTLN 0769 GRUMIO For he fears none.
FTLN 0770 GREMIO Hortensio, hark. 215
FTLN 0771 This gentleman is happily arrived,
FTLN 0772 My mind presumes, for his own good and yours.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0773 I promised we would be contributors
FTLN 0774 And bear his charge of wooing whatsoe’er.
GREMIO
FTLN 0775 And so we will, provided that he win her. 220
GRUMIO
FTLN 0776 I would I were as sure of a good dinner.

Enter Tranio, disguised as Lucentio, and Biondello.

TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 0777 Gentlemen, God save you. If I may be bold,
FTLN 0778 Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way
FTLN 0779 To the house of Signior Baptista Minola?
FTLN 0780 BIONDELLO He that has the two fair daughters—is ’t 225
FTLN 0781 he you mean?
FTLN 0782 TRANIO, as Lucentio Even he, Biondello.
GREMIO
FTLN 0783 Hark you, sir, you mean not her to—
 ACT 1. SC. 2
65 The Taming of the Shrew

TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 0784 Perhaps him and her, sir. What have you to do?
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0785 Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray. 230
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 0786 I love no chiders, sir. Biondello, let’s away.
LUCENTIO, aside
FTLN 0787 Well begun, Tranio.
FTLN 0788 HORTENSIO Sir, a word ere you go.
FTLN 0789 Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no?
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 0790 An if I be, sir, is it any offense? 235
GREMIO
FTLN 0791 No, if without more words you will get you hence.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 0792 Why sir, I pray, are not the streets as free
FTLN 0793 For me, as for you?
FTLN 0794 GREMIO But so is not she.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 0795 For what reason, I beseech you? 240
GREMIO
FTLN 0796 For this reason, if you’ll know:
FTLN 0797 That she’s the choice love of Signior Gremio.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0798 That she’s the chosen of Signior Hortensio.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 0799 Softly, my masters. If you be gentlemen,
FTLN 0800 Do me this right: hear me with patience. 245
FTLN 0801 Baptista is a noble gentleman
FTLN 0802 To whom my father is not all unknown,
FTLN 0803 And were his daughter fairer than she is,
FTLN 0804 She may more suitors have, and me for one.
FTLN 0805 Fair Leda’s daughter had a thousand wooers. 250
FTLN 0806 Then well one more may fair Bianca have.
FTLN 0807 And so she shall. Lucentio shall make one,
FTLN 0808 Though Paris came in hope to speed alone.
 ACT 1. SC. 2
67 The Taming of the Shrew

GREMIO
FTLN 0809 What, this gentleman will out-talk us all!
LUCENTIO, as Cambio
FTLN 0810 Sir, give him head; I know he’ll prove a jade. 255
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0811 Hortensio, to what end are all these words?
HORTENSIO, to Tranio
FTLN 0812 Sir, let me be so bold as ask you,
FTLN 0813 Did you yet ever see Baptista’s daughter?
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 0814 No, sir, but hear I do that he hath two,
FTLN 0815 The one as famous for a scolding tongue 260
FTLN 0816 As is the other for beauteous modesty.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0817 Sir, sir, the first’s for me; let her go by.
GREMIO
FTLN 0818 Yea, leave that labor to great Hercules,
FTLN 0819 And let it be more than Alcides’ twelve.
PETRUCHIO, to Tranio
FTLN 0820 Sir, understand you this of me, in sooth: 265
FTLN 0821 The youngest daughter, whom you hearken for,
FTLN 0822 Her father keeps from all access of suitors
FTLN 0823 And will not promise her to any man
FTLN 0824 Until the elder sister first be wed.
FTLN 0825 The younger then is free, and not before. 270
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 0826 If it be so, sir, that you are the man
FTLN 0827 Must stead us all, and me amongst the rest,
FTLN 0828 And if you break the ice and do this feat,
FTLN 0829 Achieve the elder, set the younger free
FTLN 0830 For our access, whose hap shall be to have her 275
FTLN 0831 Will not so graceless be to be ingrate.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0832 Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive.
FTLN 0833 And since you do profess to be a suitor,
FTLN 0834 You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman,
FTLN 0835 To whom we all rest generally beholding. 280
 ACT 1. SC. 2
69 The Taming of the Shrew

TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 0836 Sir, I shall not be slack; in sign whereof,
FTLN 0837 Please you we may contrive this afternoon
FTLN 0838 And quaff carouses to our mistress’ health,
FTLN 0839 And do as adversaries do in law,
FTLN 0840 Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends. 285
GRUMIO AND BIONDELLO
FTLN 0841 O excellent motion! Fellows, let’s be gone.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 0842 The motion’s good indeed, and be it so.—
FTLN 0843 Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto.
They exit.
 ACT 2

Scene 1
Enter Katherine and Bianca with her hands tied.

BIANCA
FTLN 0844 Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself,
FTLN 0845 To make a bondmaid and a slave of me.
FTLN 0846 That I disdain. But for these other goods—
FTLN 0847 Unbind my hands, I’ll pull them off myself,
FTLN 0848 Yea, all my raiment to my petticoat, 5
FTLN 0849 Or what you will command me will I do,
FTLN 0850 So well I know my duty to my elders.
KATHERINE
FTLN 0851 Of all thy suitors here I charge thee tell
FTLN 0852 Whom thou lov’st best. See thou dissemble not.
BIANCA
FTLN 0853 Believe me, sister, of all the men alive 10
FTLN 0854 I never yet beheld that special face
FTLN 0855 Which I could fancy more than any other.
KATHERINE
FTLN 0856 Minion, thou liest. Is ’t not Hortensio?
BIANCA
FTLN 0857 If you affect him, sister, here I swear
FTLN 0858 I’ll plead for you myself, but you shall have him. 15
KATHERINE
FTLN 0859 O, then belike you fancy riches more.
FTLN 0860 You will have Gremio to keep you fair.
73
 ACT 2. SC. 1
75 The Taming of the Shrew

BIANCA
FTLN 0861 Is it for him you do envy me so?
FTLN 0862 Nay, then, you jest, and now I well perceive
FTLN 0863 You have but jested with me all this while. 20
FTLN 0864 I prithee, sister Kate, untie my hands.
Katherine strikes her.
KATHERINE
FTLN 0865 If that be jest, then all the rest was so.

Enter Baptista.

BAPTISTA
FTLN 0866 Why, how now, dame, whence grows this
FTLN 0867 insolence?—
FTLN 0868 Bianca, stand aside.—Poor girl, she weeps! 25
He unties her hands.
FTLN 0869 To Bianca. Go ply thy needle; meddle not with her.
FTLN 0870 To Katherine. For shame, thou hilding of a devilish
FTLN 0871 spirit!
FTLN 0872 Why dost thou wrong her that did ne’er wrong
FTLN 0873 thee? 30
FTLN 0874 When did she cross thee with a bitter word?
KATHERINE
FTLN 0875 Her silence flouts me, and I’ll be revenged!
She flies after Bianca.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0876 What, in my sight?—Bianca, get thee in.
Bianca exits.
KATHERINE
FTLN 0877 What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see
FTLN 0878 She is your treasure, she must have a husband, 35
FTLN 0879 I must dance barefoot on her wedding day
FTLN 0880 And, for your love to her, lead apes in hell.
FTLN 0881 Talk not to me. I will go sit and weep
FTLN 0882 Till I can find occasion of revenge. She exits.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0883 Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I? 40
FTLN 0884 But who comes here?
 ACT 2. SC. 1
77 The Taming of the Shrew

Enter Gremio; Lucentio disguised as Cambio

in the habit of a mean man; Petruchio with
Hortensio disguised as Litio; and Tranio disguised
as Lucentio, with his boy, Biondello bearing a lute
and books.

FTLN 0885 GREMIO Good morrow, neighbor Baptista.

FTLN 0886 BAPTISTA Good morrow, neighbor Gremio.—God
FTLN 0887 save you, gentlemen.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0888 And you, good sir. Pray, have you not a daughter 45
FTLN 0889 Called Katherina, fair and virtuous?
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0890 I have a daughter, sir, called Katherina.
GREMIO, to Petruchio
FTLN 0891 You are too blunt. Go to it orderly.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0892 You wrong me, Signior Gremio. Give me leave.—
FTLN 0893 I am a gentleman of Verona, sir, 50
FTLN 0894 That hearing of her beauty and her wit,
FTLN 0895 Her affability and bashful modesty,
FTLN 0896 Her wondrous qualities and mild behavior,
FTLN 0897 Am bold to show myself a forward guest
FTLN 0898 Within your house, to make mine eye the witness 55
FTLN 0899 Of that report which I so oft have heard,
FTLN 0900 And, for an entrance to my entertainment,
FTLN 0901 I do present you with a man of mine,
Presenting Hortensio, disguised as Litio
FTLN 0902 Cunning in music and the mathematics,
FTLN 0903 To instruct her fully in those sciences, 60
FTLN 0904 Whereof I know she is not ignorant.
FTLN 0905 Accept of him, or else you do me wrong.
FTLN 0906 His name is Litio, born in Mantua.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0907 You’re welcome, sir, and he for your good sake.
 ACT 2. SC. 1
79 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 0908 But for my daughter Katherine, this I know, 65

FTLN 0909 She is not for your turn, the more my grief.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0910 I see you do not mean to part with her,
FTLN 0911 Or else you like not of my company.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0912 Mistake me not. I speak but as I find.
FTLN 0913 Whence are you, sir? What may I call your name? 70
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0914 Petruchio is my name, Antonio’s son,
FTLN 0915 A man well known throughout all Italy.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0916 I know him well. You are welcome for his sake.
GREMIO
FTLN 0917 Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray
FTLN 0918 Let us that are poor petitioners speak too! 75
FTLN 0919 Bacare, you are marvelous forward.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0920 O, pardon me, Signior Gremio, I would fain be
FTLN 0921 doing.
GREMIO
FTLN 0922 I doubt it not, sir. But you will curse your wooing.
FTLN 0923 To Baptista. Neighbor, this is a gift very grateful, 80
FTLN 0924 I am sure of it. To express the like kindness, myself,
FTLN 0925 that have been more kindly beholding to you than
FTLN 0926 any, freely give unto you this young scholar presenting
FTLN 0927 Lucentio, disguised as Cambio that hath
FTLN 0928 been long studying at Rheims, as cunning in Greek, 85
FTLN 0929 Latin, and other languages as the other in music and
FTLN 0930 mathematics. His name is Cambio. Pray accept his
FTLN 0931 service.
FTLN 0932 BAPTISTA A thousand thanks, Signior Gremio.—Welcome,
FTLN 0933 good Cambio. To Tranio as Lucentio. But, 90
FTLN 0934 gentle sir, methinks you walk like a stranger. May I
FTLN 0935 be so bold to know the cause of your coming?
 ACT 2. SC. 1
81 The Taming of the Shrew

TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 0936 Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own,
FTLN 0937 That being a stranger in this city here
FTLN 0938 Do make myself a suitor to your daughter, 95
FTLN 0939 Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous.
FTLN 0940 Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me,
FTLN 0941 In the preferment of the eldest sister.
FTLN 0942 This liberty is all that I request,
FTLN 0943 That, upon knowledge of my parentage, 100
FTLN 0944 I may have welcome ’mongst the rest that woo
FTLN 0945 And free access and favor as the rest.
FTLN 0946 And toward the education of your daughters
FTLN 0947 I here bestow a simple instrument
FTLN 0948 And this small packet of Greek and Latin books. 105
Biondello comes forward with the gifts.
FTLN 0949 If you accept them, then their worth is great.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0950 Lucentio is your name. Of whence, I pray?
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 0951 Of Pisa, sir, son to Vincentio.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0952 A mighty man of Pisa. By report
FTLN 0953 I know him well. You are very welcome, sir. 110
FTLN 0954 To Hortensio as Litio. Take you the lute,
FTLN 0955 To Lucentio as Cambio. and you the set of books.
FTLN 0956 You shall go see your pupils presently.
FTLN 0957 Holla, within!

Enter a Servant.

FTLN 0958 Sirrah, lead these gentlemen 115

FTLN 0959 To my daughters, and tell them both
FTLN 0960 These are their tutors. Bid them use them well.
Servant exits with Hortensio and Lucentio.
FTLN 0961 We will go walk a little in the orchard,
FTLN 0962 And then to dinner. You are passing welcome,
FTLN 0963 And so I pray you all to think yourselves. 120
 ACT 2. SC. 1
83 The Taming of the Shrew

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0964 Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste,
FTLN 0965 And every day I cannot come to woo.
FTLN 0966 You knew my father well, and in him me,
FTLN 0967 Left solely heir to all his lands and goods,
FTLN 0968 Which I have bettered rather than decreased. 125
FTLN 0969 Then tell me, if I get your daughter’s love,
FTLN 0970 What dowry shall I have with her to wife?
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0971 After my death, the one half of my lands,
FTLN 0972 And, in possession, twenty thousand crowns.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0973 And, for that dowry, I’ll assure her of 130
FTLN 0974 Her widowhood, be it that she survive me,
FTLN 0975 In all my lands and leases whatsoever.
FTLN 0976 Let specialties be therefore drawn between us,
FTLN 0977 That covenants may be kept on either hand.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0978 Ay, when the special thing is well obtained, 135
FTLN 0979 That is, her love, for that is all in all.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0980 Why, that is nothing. For I tell you, father,
FTLN 0981 I am as peremptory as she proud-minded;
FTLN 0982 And where two raging fires meet together,
FTLN 0983 They do consume the thing that feeds their fury. 140
FTLN 0984 Though little fire grows great with little wind,
FTLN 0985 Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all.
FTLN 0986 So I to her and so she yields to me,
FTLN 0987 For I am rough and woo not like a babe.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0988 Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed. 145
FTLN 0989 But be thou armed for some unhappy words.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 0990 Ay, to the proof, as mountains are for winds,
FTLN 0991 That shakes not, though they blow perpetually.
 ACT 2. SC. 1
85 The Taming of the Shrew

Enter Hortensio as Litio with his head broke.

BAPTISTA
FTLN 0992 How now, my friend, why dost thou look so pale?
HORTENSIO, as Litio
FTLN 0993 For fear, I promise you, if I look pale. 150
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0994 What, will my daughter prove a good musician?
HORTENSIO, as Litio
FTLN 0995 I think she’ll sooner prove a soldier!
FTLN 0996 Iron may hold with her, but never lutes.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 0997 Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute?
HORTENSIO, as Litio
FTLN 0998 Why, no, for she hath broke the lute to me. 155
FTLN 0999 I did but tell her she mistook her frets,
FTLN 1000 And bowed her hand to teach her fingering,
FTLN 1001 When, with a most impatient devilish spirit,
FTLN 1002 “‘Frets’ call you these?” quoth she. “I’ll fume with
FTLN 1003 them!” 160
FTLN 1004 And with that word she struck me on the head,
FTLN 1005 And through the instrument my pate made way,
FTLN 1006 And there I stood amazèd for a while,
FTLN 1007 As on a pillory, looking through the lute,
FTLN 1008 While she did call me “rascal fiddler,” 165
FTLN 1009 And “twangling Jack,” with twenty such vile terms,
FTLN 1010 As had she studied to misuse me so.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1011 Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench.
FTLN 1012 I love her ten times more than ere I did.
FTLN 1013 O, how I long to have some chat with her! 170
BAPTISTA, to Hortensio as Litio
FTLN 1014 Well, go with me, and be not so discomfited.
FTLN 1015 Proceed in practice with my younger daughter.
FTLN 1016 She’s apt to learn, and thankful for good turns.—
FTLN 1017 Signior Petruchio, will you go with us,
FTLN 1018 Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you? 175
 ACT 2. SC. 1
87 The Taming of the Shrew

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1019 I pray you do. I’ll attend her here—
All but Petruchio exit.
FTLN 1020 And woo her with some spirit when she comes!
FTLN 1021 Say that she rail, why then I’ll tell her plain
FTLN 1022 She sings as sweetly as a nightingale.
FTLN 1023 Say that she frown, I’ll say she looks as clear 180
FTLN 1024 As morning roses newly washed with dew.
FTLN 1025 Say she be mute and will not speak a word,
FTLN 1026 Then I’ll commend her volubility
FTLN 1027 And say she uttereth piercing eloquence.
FTLN 1028 If she do bid me pack, I’ll give her thanks 185
FTLN 1029 As though she bid me stay by her a week.
FTLN 1030 If she deny to wed, I’ll crave the day
FTLN 1031 When I shall ask the banns, and when be marrièd.
FTLN 1032 But here she comes—and now, Petruchio, speak.

Enter Katherine.

FTLN 1033 Good morrow, Kate, for that’s your name, I hear. 190
KATHERINE
FTLN 1034 Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing.
FTLN 1035 They call me Katherine that do talk of me.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1036 You lie, in faith, for you are called plain Kate,
FTLN 1037 And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst.
FTLN 1038 But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom, 195
FTLN 1039 Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate
FTLN 1040 (For dainties are all Kates)—and therefore, Kate,
FTLN 1041 Take this of me, Kate of my consolation:
FTLN 1042 Hearing thy mildness praised in every town,
FTLN 1043 Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded 200
FTLN 1044 (Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs),
FTLN 1045 Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1046 “Moved,” in good time! Let him that moved you
FTLN 1047 hither
 ACT 2. SC. 1
89 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1048 Remove you hence. I knew you at the first 205
FTLN 1049 You were a movable.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1050 Why, what’s a movable?
FTLN 1051 KATHERINE A joint stool.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1052 Thou hast hit it. Come, sit on me.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1053 Asses are made to bear, and so are you. 210
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1054 Women are made to bear, and so are you.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1055 No such jade as you, if me you mean.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1056 Alas, good Kate, I will not burden thee,
FTLN 1057 For knowing thee to be but young and light—
KATHERINE
FTLN 1058 Too light for such a swain as you to catch, 215
FTLN 1059 And yet as heavy as my weight should be.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1060 “Should be”—should buzz!
FTLN 1061 KATHERINE Well ta’en, and like a
FTLN 1062 buzzard.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1063 O slow-winged turtle, shall a buzzard take thee? 220
KATHERINE
FTLN 1064 Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1065 Come, come, you wasp! I’ faith, you are too angry.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1066 If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1067 My remedy is then to pluck it out.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1068 Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies. 225
 ACT 2. SC. 1
91 The Taming of the Shrew

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1069 Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting?
FTLN 1070 In his tail.
FTLN 1071 KATHERINE In his tongue.
FTLN 1072 PETRUCHIO Whose tongue?
KATHERINE
FTLN 1073 Yours, if you talk of tales, and so farewell. 230
FTLN 1074 PETRUCHIO What, with my tongue in your tail?
FTLN 1075 Nay, come again, good Kate. I am a gentleman—
FTLN 1076 KATHERINE That I’ll try. She strikes him.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1077 I swear I’ll cuff you if you strike again.
FTLN 1078 KATHERINE So may you lose your arms. 235
FTLN 1079 If you strike me, you are no gentleman,
FTLN 1080 And if no gentleman, why then no arms.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1081 A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books.
FTLN 1082 KATHERINE What is your crest? A coxcomb?
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1083 A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen. 240
KATHERINE
FTLN 1084 No cock of mine. You crow too like a craven.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1085 Nay, come, Kate, come. You must not look so sour.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1086 It is my fashion when I see a crab.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1087 Why, here’s no crab, and therefore look not sour.
FTLN 1088 KATHERINE There is, there is. 245
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1089 Then show it me.
FTLN 1090 KATHERINE Had I a glass, I would.
FTLN 1091 PETRUCHIO What, you mean my face?
FTLN 1092 KATHERINE Well aimed of such a young one.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1093 Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you. 250
 ACT 2. SC. 1
93 The Taming of the Shrew

KATHERINE
FTLN 1094 Yet you are withered.
FTLN 1095 PETRUCHIO ’Tis with cares.
FTLN 1096 KATHERINE I care not.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1097 Nay, hear you, Kate—in sooth, you ’scape not so.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1098 I chafe you if I tarry. Let me go. 255
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1099 No, not a whit. I find you passing gentle.
FTLN 1100 ’Twas told me you were rough, and coy, and sullen,
FTLN 1101 And now I find report a very liar.
FTLN 1102 For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing
FTLN 1103 courteous, 260
FTLN 1104 But slow in speech, yet sweet as springtime flowers.
FTLN 1105 Thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance,
FTLN 1106 Nor bite the lip as angry wenches will,
FTLN 1107 Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk.
FTLN 1108 But thou with mildness entertain’st thy wooers, 265
FTLN 1109 With gentle conference, soft, and affable.
FTLN 1110 Why does the world report that Kate doth limp?
FTLN 1111 O sland’rous world! Kate like the hazel twig
FTLN 1112 Is straight, and slender, and as brown in hue
FTLN 1113 As hazelnuts, and sweeter than the kernels. 270
FTLN 1114 O, let me see thee walk! Thou dost not halt.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1115 Go, fool, and whom thou keep’st command.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1116 Did ever Dian so become a grove
FTLN 1117 As Kate this chamber with her princely gait?
FTLN 1118 O, be thou Dian and let her be Kate, 275
FTLN 1119 And then let Kate be chaste and Dian sportful.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1120 Where did you study all this goodly speech?
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1121 It is extempore, from my mother wit.
 ACT 2. SC. 1
95 The Taming of the Shrew

KATHERINE
FTLN 1122 A witty mother, witless else her son.
FTLN 1123 PETRUCHIO Am I not wise? 280
FTLN 1124 KATHERINE Yes, keep you warm.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1125 Marry, so I mean, sweet Katherine, in thy bed.
FTLN 1126 And therefore, setting all this chat aside,
FTLN 1127 Thus in plain terms: your father hath consented
FTLN 1128 That you shall be my wife, your dowry ’greed on, 285
FTLN 1129 And, will you, nill you, I will marry you.
FTLN 1130 Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn,
FTLN 1131 For by this light, whereby I see thy beauty,
FTLN 1132 Thy beauty that doth make me like thee well,
FTLN 1133 Thou must be married to no man but me. 290
FTLN 1134 For I am he am born to tame you, Kate,
FTLN 1135 And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate
FTLN 1136 Conformable as other household Kates.

Enter Baptista, Gremio, and Tranio as Lucentio.

FTLN 1137 Here comes your father. Never make denial.

FTLN 1138 I must and will have Katherine to my wife. 295
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1139 Now, Signior Petruchio, how speed you with my
FTLN 1140 daughter?
FTLN 1141 PETRUCHIO How but well, sir? How but well?
FTLN 1142 It were impossible I should speed amiss.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1143 Why, how now, daughter Katherine? In your 300
FTLN 1144 dumps?
KATHERINE
FTLN 1145 Call you me daughter? Now I promise you
FTLN 1146 You have showed a tender fatherly regard,
FTLN 1147 To wish me wed to one half lunatic,
FTLN 1148 A madcap ruffian and a swearing Jack, 305
FTLN 1149 That thinks with oaths to face the matter out.
 ACT 2. SC. 1
97 The Taming of the Shrew

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1150 Father, ’tis thus: yourself and all the world
FTLN 1151 That talked of her have talked amiss of her.
FTLN 1152 If she be curst, it is for policy,
FTLN 1153 For she’s not froward, but modest as the dove; 310
FTLN 1154 She is not hot, but temperate as the morn.
FTLN 1155 For patience she will prove a second Grissel,
FTLN 1156 And Roman Lucrece for her chastity.
FTLN 1157 And to conclude, we have ’greed so well together
FTLN 1158 That upon Sunday is the wedding day. 315
KATHERINE
FTLN 1159 I’ll see thee hanged on Sunday first.
FTLN 1160 GREMIO Hark, Petruchio, she says she’ll see thee
FTLN 1161 hanged first.
FTLN 1162 TRANIO, as Lucentio Is this your speeding? Nay,
FTLN 1163 then, goodnight our part. 320
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1164 Be patient, gentlemen. I choose her for myself.
FTLN 1165 If she and I be pleased, what’s that to you?
FTLN 1166 ’Tis bargained ’twixt us twain, being alone,
FTLN 1167 That she shall still be curst in company.
FTLN 1168 I tell you, ’tis incredible to believe 325
FTLN 1169 How much she loves me. O, the kindest Kate!
FTLN 1170 She hung about my neck, and kiss on kiss
FTLN 1171 She vied so fast, protesting oath on oath,
FTLN 1172 That in a twink she won me to her love.
FTLN 1173 O, you are novices! ’Tis a world to see 330
FTLN 1174 How tame, when men and women are alone,
FTLN 1175 A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew.—
FTLN 1176 Give me thy hand, Kate. I will unto Venice
FTLN 1177 To buy apparel ’gainst the wedding day.—
FTLN 1178 Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests. 335
FTLN 1179 I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1180 I know not what to say, but give me your hands.
FTLN 1181 God send you joy, Petruchio. ’Tis a match.
 ACT 2. SC. 1
99 The Taming of the Shrew

GREMIO AND TRANIO,as Lucentio

FTLN 1182 Amen, say we. We will be witnesses.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1183 Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu. 340
FTLN 1184 I will to Venice. Sunday comes apace.
FTLN 1185 We will have rings, and things, and fine array,
FTLN 1186 And kiss me, Kate. We will be married o’ Sunday.
Petruchio and Katherine exit
through different doors.
GREMIO
FTLN 1187 Was ever match clapped up so suddenly?
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1188 Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant’s part 345
FTLN 1189 And venture madly on a desperate mart.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1190 ’Twas a commodity lay fretting by you.
FTLN 1191 ’Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1192 The gain I seek, is quiet in the match.
GREMIO
FTLN 1193 No doubt but he hath got a quiet catch. 350
FTLN 1194 But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter.
FTLN 1195 Now is the day we long have lookèd for.
FTLN 1196 I am your neighbor and was suitor first.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1197 And I am one that love Bianca more
FTLN 1198 Than words can witness or your thoughts can guess. 355
GREMIO
FTLN 1199 Youngling, thou canst not love so dear as I.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1200 Graybeard, thy love doth freeze.
FTLN 1201 GREMIO But thine doth fry!
FTLN 1202 Skipper, stand back. ’Tis age that nourisheth.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1203 But youth in ladies’ eyes that flourisheth. 360
 ACT 2. SC. 1
101 The Taming of the Shrew

BAPTISTA
FTLN 1204 Content you, gentlemen. I will compound this strife.
FTLN 1205 ’Tis deeds must win the prize, and he of both
FTLN 1206 That can assure my daughter greatest dower
FTLN 1207 Shall have my Bianca’s love.
FTLN 1208 Say, Signior Gremio, what can you assure her? 365
GREMIO
FTLN 1209 First, as you know, my house within the city
FTLN 1210 Is richly furnishèd with plate and gold,
FTLN 1211 Basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands;
FTLN 1212 My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry;
FTLN 1213 In ivory coffers I have stuffed my crowns, 370
FTLN 1214 In cypress chests my arras counterpoints,
FTLN 1215 Costly apparel, tents, and canopies,
FTLN 1216 Fine linen, Turkey cushions bossed with pearl,
FTLN 1217 Valance of Venice gold in needlework,
FTLN 1218 Pewter and brass, and all things that belongs 375
FTLN 1219 To house or housekeeping. Then, at my farm
FTLN 1220 I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail,
FTLN 1221 Six score fat oxen standing in my stalls,
FTLN 1222 And all things answerable to this portion.
FTLN 1223 Myself am struck in years, I must confess, 380
FTLN 1224 And if I die tomorrow this is hers,
FTLN 1225 If whilst I live she will be only mine.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1226 That “only” came well in. To Baptista. Sir, list to
FTLN 1227 me:
FTLN 1228 I am my father’s heir and only son. 385
FTLN 1229 If I may have your daughter to my wife,
FTLN 1230 I’ll leave her houses three or four as good,
FTLN 1231 Within rich Pisa walls, as any one
FTLN 1232 Old Signior Gremio has in Padua,
FTLN 1233 Besides two thousand ducats by the year 390
FTLN 1234 Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.—
FTLN 1235 What, have I pinched you, Signior Gremio?
 ACT 2. SC. 1
103 The Taming of the Shrew

GREMIO
FTLN 1236 Two thousand ducats by the year of land?
FTLN 1237 Aside. My land amounts not to so much in all.—
FTLN 1238 That she shall have, besides an argosy 395
FTLN 1239 That now is lying in Marcellus’ road.
FTLN 1240 To Tranio. What, have I choked you with an argosy?
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1241 Gremio, ’tis known my father hath no less
FTLN 1242 Than three great argosies, besides two galliasses
FTLN 1243 And twelve tight galleys. These I will assure her, 400
FTLN 1244 And twice as much whate’er thou off’rest next.
GREMIO
FTLN 1245 Nay, I have offered all. I have no more,
FTLN 1246 And she can have no more than all I have.
FTLN 1247 To Baptista. If you like me, she shall have me and
FTLN 1248 mine. 405
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1249 Why, then, the maid is mine from all the world,
FTLN 1250 By your firm promise. Gremio is outvied.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1251 I must confess your offer is the best,
FTLN 1252 And, let your father make her the assurance,
FTLN 1253 She is your own; else, you must pardon me. 410
FTLN 1254 If you should die before him, where’s her dower?
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1255 That’s but a cavil. He is old, I young.
GREMIO
FTLN 1256 And may not young men die as well as old?
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1257 Well, gentlemen, I am thus resolved:
FTLN 1258 On Sunday next, you know 415
FTLN 1259 My daughter Katherine is to be married.
FTLN 1260 To Tranio as Lucentio. Now, on the Sunday
FTLN 1261 following, shall Bianca
FTLN 1262 Be bride to you, if you make this assurance.
FTLN 1263 If not, to Signior Gremio. 420
FTLN 1264 And so I take my leave, and thank you both.
 ACT 2. SC. 1
105 The Taming of the Shrew

GREMIO
FTLN 1265 Adieu, good neighbor. Baptista exits.
FTLN 1266 Now I fear thee not.
FTLN 1267 Sirrah young gamester, your father were a fool
FTLN 1268 To give thee all and in his waning age 425
FTLN 1269 Set foot under thy table. Tut, a toy!
FTLN 1270 An old Italian fox is not so kind, my boy.
Gremio exits.
TRANIO
FTLN 1271 A vengeance on your crafty withered hide!—
FTLN 1272 Yet I have faced it with a card of ten.
FTLN 1273 ’Tis in my head to do my master good. 430
FTLN 1274 I see no reason but supposed Lucentio
FTLN 1275 Must get a father, called “supposed Vincentio”—
FTLN 1276 And that’s a wonder. Fathers commonly
FTLN 1277 Do get their children. But in this case of wooing,
FTLN 1278 A child shall get a sire, if I fail not of my cunning. 435
He exits.
 ACT 3

Scene 1
Enter Lucentio as Cambio, Hortensio as Litio, and
Bianca.

LUCENTIO, as Cambio
FTLN 1279 Fiddler, forbear. You grow too forward, sir.
FTLN 1280 Have you so soon forgot the entertainment
FTLN 1281 Her sister Katherine welcomed you withal?
FTLN 1282 HORTENSIO, as Litio But, wrangling pedant, this is
FTLN 1283 The patroness of heavenly harmony. 5
FTLN 1284 Then give me leave to have prerogative,
FTLN 1285 And when in music we have spent an hour,
FTLN 1286 Your lecture shall have leisure for as much.
LUCENTIO, as Cambio
FTLN 1287 Preposterous ass, that never read so far
FTLN 1288 To know the cause why music was ordained. 10
FTLN 1289 Was it not to refresh the mind of man
FTLN 1290 After his studies or his usual pain?
FTLN 1291 Then give me leave to read philosophy,
FTLN 1292 And, while I pause, serve in your harmony.
HORTENSIO, as Litio
FTLN 1293 Sirrah, I will not bear these braves of thine. 15
BIANCA
FTLN 1294 Why, gentlemen, you do me double wrong
FTLN 1295 To strive for that which resteth in my choice.
FTLN 1296 I am no breeching scholar in the schools.
FTLN 1297 I’ll not be tied to hours, nor ’pointed times,
 ACT 3. SC. 1
111 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1298 But learn my lessons as I please myself. 20

FTLN 1299 And, to cut off all strife, here sit we down.
FTLN 1300 To Hortensio. Take you your instrument, play you
FTLN 1301 the whiles;
FTLN 1302 His lecture will be done ere you have tuned.
HORTENSIO, as Litio
FTLN 1303 You’ll leave his lecture when I am in tune? 25
LUCENTIO, aside
FTLN 1304 That will be never. To Hortensio. Tune your
FTLN 1305 instrument. Hortensio steps aside to tune his lute.
FTLN 1306 BIANCA Where left we last?
FTLN 1307 LUCENTIO, as Cambio Here, madam:
Showing her a book.
FTLN 1308 Hic ibat Simois, hic est Sigeia tellus, 30
FTLN 1309 Hic steterat Priami regia celsa senis.
FTLN 1310 BIANCA Conster them.
FTLN 1311 LUCENTIO Hic ibat, as I told you before, Simois, I am
FTLN 1312 Lucentio, hic est, son unto Vincentio of Pisa,
FTLN 1313 Sigeia tellus, disguised thus to get your love, Hic 35
FTLN 1314 steterat, and that “Lucentio” that comes a-wooing,
FTLN 1315 Priami, is my man Tranio, regia, bearing my port,
FTLN 1316 celsa senis, that we might beguile the old pantaloon.
FTLN 1317 HORTENSIO, as Litio Madam, my instrument’s in
FTLN 1318 tune. 40
FTLN 1319 BIANCA Let’s hear. He plays. Oh fie, the treble jars!
FTLN 1320 LUCENTIO, as Cambio Spit in the hole, man, and tune
FTLN 1321 again. Hortensio tunes his lute again.
FTLN 1322 BIANCA Now let me see if I can conster it. Hic ibat
FTLN 1323 Simois, I know you not; hic est Sigeia tellus, I trust 45
FTLN 1324 you not; Hic steterat Priami, take heed he hear us
FTLN 1325 not; regia, presume not; celsa senis, despair not.
HORTENSIO, as Litio
FTLN 1326 Madam, ’tis now in tune. He plays again.
FTLN 1327 LUCENTIO, as Cambio All but the bass.
HORTENSIO, as Litio
FTLN 1328 The bass is right. ’Tis the base knave that jars. 50
 ACT 3. SC. 1
113 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1329 Aside. How fiery and forward our pedant is.
FTLN 1330 Now for my life the knave doth court my love!
FTLN 1331 Pedascule, I’ll watch you better yet.
BIANCA, to Lucentio
FTLN 1332 In time I may believe, yet I mistrust.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 1333 Mistrust it not, for sure Aeacides 55
FTLN 1334 Was Ajax, called so from his grandfather.
BIANCA
FTLN 1335 I must believe my master; else, I promise you,
FTLN 1336 I should be arguing still upon that doubt.
FTLN 1337 But let it rest.—Now, Litio, to you.
FTLN 1338 Good master, take it not unkindly, pray, 60
FTLN 1339 That I have been thus pleasant with you both.
HORTENSIO, as Litio, to Lucentio
FTLN 1340 You may go walk, and give me leave awhile.
FTLN 1341 My lessons make no music in three parts.
LUCENTIO, as Cambio
FTLN 1342 Are you so formal, sir? Well, I must wait
FTLN 1343 Aside. And watch withal, for, but I be deceived, 65
FTLN 1344 Our fine musician groweth amorous.
He steps aside.
HORTENSIO, as Litio
FTLN 1345 Madam, before you touch the instrument,
FTLN 1346 To learn the order of my fingering
FTLN 1347 I must begin with rudiments of art,
FTLN 1348 To teach you gamut in a briefer sort, 70
FTLN 1349 More pleasant, pithy, and effectual
FTLN 1350 Than hath been taught by any of my trade.
FTLN 1351 And there it is in writing fairly drawn.
BIANCA
FTLN 1352 Why, I am past my gamut long ago.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 1353 Yet read the gamut of Hortensio. 75
Giving her a paper.
 ACT 3. SC. 2
115 The Taming of the Shrew

BIANCA reads
FTLN 1354 “Gamut I am, the ground of all accord:
FTLN 1355 A re, to plead Hortensio’s passion;
FTLN 1356 B mi, Bianca, take him for thy lord,
FTLN 1357 C fa ut, that loves with all affection;
FTLN 1358 D sol re, one clef, two notes have I; 80
FTLN 1359 E la mi, show pity or I die.”
FTLN 1360 Call you this “gamut”? Tut, I like it not.
FTLN 1361 Old fashions please me best. I am not so nice
FTLN 1362 To change true rules for odd inventions.

Enter a Servant.

SERVANT
FTLN 1363 Mistress, your father prays you leave your books 85
FTLN 1364 And help to dress your sister’s chamber up.
FTLN 1365 You know tomorrow is the wedding day.
BIANCA
FTLN 1366 Farewell, sweet masters both. I must be gone.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 1367 Faith, mistress, then I have no cause to stay.
Bianca, the Servant, and Lucentio exit.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 1368 But I have cause to pry into this pedant. 90
FTLN 1369 Methinks he looks as though he were in love.
FTLN 1370 Yet if thy thoughts, Bianca, be so humble
FTLN 1371 To cast thy wand’ring eyes on every stale,
FTLN 1372 Seize thee that list! If once I find thee ranging,
FTLN 1373 Hortensio will be quit with thee by changing. 95
He exits.

Scene 2
Enter Baptista, Gremio, Tranio as Lucentio, Katherine,
Bianca, Lucentio as Cambio, and others, Attendants.

BAPTISTA, to Tranio
FTLN 1374 Signior Lucentio, this is the ’pointed day
 ACT 3. SC. 2
117 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1375 That Katherine and Petruchio should be married,

FTLN 1376 And yet we hear not of our son-in-law.
FTLN 1377 What will be said? What mockery will it be,
FTLN 1378 To want the bridegroom when the priest attends 5
FTLN 1379 To speak the ceremonial rites of marriage?
FTLN 1380 What says Lucentio to this shame of ours?
KATHERINE
FTLN 1381 No shame but mine. I must, forsooth, be forced
FTLN 1382 To give my hand, opposed against my heart,
FTLN 1383 Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen, 10
FTLN 1384 Who wooed in haste and means to wed at leisure.
FTLN 1385 I told you, I, he was a frantic fool,
FTLN 1386 Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior,
FTLN 1387 And, to be noted for a merry man,
FTLN 1388 He’ll woo a thousand, ’point the day of marriage, 15
FTLN 1389 Make friends, invite, and proclaim the banns,
FTLN 1390 Yet never means to wed where he hath wooed.
FTLN 1391 Now must the world point at poor Katherine
FTLN 1392 And say “Lo, there is mad Petruchio’s wife,
FTLN 1393 If it would please him come and marry her.” 20
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1394 Patience, good Katherine, and Baptista too.
FTLN 1395 Upon my life, Petruchio means but well,
FTLN 1396 Whatever fortune stays him from his word.
FTLN 1397 Though he be blunt, I know him passing wise;
FTLN 1398 Though he be merry, yet withal he’s honest. 25
KATHERINE
FTLN 1399 Would Katherine had never seen him, though!
She exits weeping.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1400 Go, girl. I cannot blame thee now to weep,
FTLN 1401 For such an injury would vex a very saint,
FTLN 1402 Much more a shrew of thy impatient humor.

Enter Biondello.

FTLN 1403 BIONDELLO Master, master, news! And such old 30

FTLN 1404 news as you never heard of!
 ACT 3. SC. 2
119 The Taming of the Shrew

BAPTISTA
FTLN 1405 Is it new and old too? How may that be?
FTLN 1406 BIONDELLO Why, is it not news to hear of Petruchio’s
FTLN 1407 coming?
FTLN 1408 BAPTISTA Is he come? 35
FTLN 1409 BIONDELLO Why, no, sir.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1410 What then?
FTLN 1411 BIONDELLO He is coming.
FTLN 1412 BAPTISTA When will he be here?
BIONDELLO
FTLN 1413 When he stands where I am, and sees you there. 40
FTLN 1414 TRANIO, as Lucentio But say, what to thine old news?
FTLN 1415 BIONDELLO Why, Petruchio is coming in a new hat and
FTLN 1416 an old jerkin, a pair of old breeches thrice turned,
FTLN 1417 a pair of boots that have been candle-cases, one
FTLN 1418 buckled, another laced; an old rusty sword ta’en 45
FTLN 1419 out of the town armory, with a broken hilt, and
FTLN 1420 chapeless; with two broken points; his horse
FTLN 1421 hipped, with an old mothy saddle and stirrups of no
FTLN 1422 kindred, besides possessed with the glanders and
FTLN 1423 like to mose in the chine, troubled with the lampass, 50
FTLN 1424 infected with the fashions, full of windgalls,
FTLN 1425 sped with spavins, rayed with the yellows, past cure
FTLN 1426 of the fives, stark spoiled with the staggers, begnawn
FTLN 1427 with the bots, swayed in the back and shoulder-shotten,
FTLN 1428 near-legged before, and with a half-checked 55
FTLN 1429 bit and a headstall of sheep’s leather,
FTLN 1430 which, being restrained to keep him from stumbling,
FTLN 1431 hath been often burst, and now repaired with
FTLN 1432 knots; one girth six times pieced, and a woman’s
FTLN 1433 crupper of velour, which hath two letters for her 60
FTLN 1434 name fairly set down in studs, and here and there
FTLN 1435 pieced with packthread.
FTLN 1436 BAPTISTA Who comes with him?
 ACT 3. SC. 2
121 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1437 BIONDELLO Oh, sir, his lackey, for all the world caparisoned
FTLN 1438 like the horse: with a linen stock on one leg 65
FTLN 1439 and a kersey boot-hose on the other, gartered with
FTLN 1440 a red and blue list; an old hat, and the humor of
FTLN 1441 forty fancies pricked in ’t for a feather. A monster,
FTLN 1442 a very monster in apparel, and not like a Christian
FTLN 1443 footboy or a gentleman’s lackey. 70
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1444 ’Tis some odd humor pricks him to this fashion,
FTLN 1445 Yet oftentimes he goes but mean-appareled.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1446 I am glad he’s come, howsoe’er he comes.
FTLN 1447 BIONDELLO Why, sir, he comes not.
FTLN 1448 BAPTISTA Didst thou not say he comes? 75
FTLN 1449 BIONDELLO Who? That Petruchio came?
FTLN 1450 BAPTISTA Ay, that Petruchio came!
FTLN 1451 BIONDELLO No, sir, I say his horse comes with him on
FTLN 1452 his back.
FTLN 1453 BAPTISTA Why, that’s all one. 80
BIONDELLO
FTLN 1454 Nay, by Saint Jamy.
FTLN 1455 I hold you a penny,
FTLN 1456 A horse and a man
FTLN 1457 Is more than one,
FTLN 1458 And yet not many. 85

Enter Petruchio and Grumio.

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1459 Come, where be these gallants? Who’s at home?
FTLN 1460 BAPTISTA You are welcome, sir.
FTLN 1461 PETRUCHIO And yet I come not well.
FTLN 1462 BAPTISTA And yet you halt not.
FTLN 1463 TRANIO, as Lucentio Not so well appareled as I wish 90
FTLN 1464 you were.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1465 Were it better I should rush in thus—
 ACT 3. SC. 2
123 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1466 But where is Kate? Where is my lovely bride?

FTLN 1467 How does my father? Gentles, methinks you frown.
FTLN 1468 And wherefore gaze this goodly company 95
FTLN 1469 As if they saw some wondrous monument,
FTLN 1470 Some comet or unusual prodigy?
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1471 Why, sir, you know this is your wedding day.
FTLN 1472 First were we sad, fearing you would not come,
FTLN 1473 Now sadder that you come so unprovided. 100
FTLN 1474 Fie, doff this habit, shame to your estate,
FTLN 1475 An eyesore to our solemn festival.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1476 And tell us what occasion of import
FTLN 1477 Hath all so long detained you from your wife
FTLN 1478 And sent you hither so unlike yourself. 105
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1479 Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear.
FTLN 1480 Sufficeth I am come to keep my word,
FTLN 1481 Though in some part enforcèd to digress,
FTLN 1482 Which at more leisure I will so excuse
FTLN 1483 As you shall well be satisfied with all. 110
FTLN 1484 But where is Kate? I stay too long from her.
FTLN 1485 The morning wears. ’Tis time we were at church.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1486 See not your bride in these unreverent robes.
FTLN 1487 Go to my chamber, put on clothes of mine.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1488 Not I, believe me. Thus I’ll visit her. 115
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1489 But thus, I trust, you will not marry her.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1490 Good sooth, even thus. Therefore, ha’ done with
FTLN 1491 words.
FTLN 1492 To me she’s married, not unto my clothes.
FTLN 1493 Could I repair what she will wear in me, 120
FTLN 1494 As I can change these poor accoutrements,
 ACT 3. SC. 2
125 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1495 ’Twere well for Kate and better for myself.
FTLN 1496 But what a fool am I to chat with you
FTLN 1497 When I should bid good morrow to my bride
FTLN 1498 And seal the title with a lovely kiss! 125
Petruchio exits, with Grumio.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1499 He hath some meaning in his mad attire.
FTLN 1500 We will persuade him, be it possible,
FTLN 1501 To put on better ere he go to church.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1502 I’ll after him, and see the event of this.
All except Tranio and Lucentio exit.
TRANIO
FTLN 1503 But, sir, to love concerneth us to add 130
FTLN 1504 Her father’s liking, which to bring to pass,
FTLN 1505 As I before imparted to your Worship,
FTLN 1506 I am to get a man (whate’er he be
FTLN 1507 It skills not much, we’ll fit him to our turn),
FTLN 1508 And he shall be “Vincentio of Pisa,” 135
FTLN 1509 And make assurance here in Padua
FTLN 1510 Of greater sums than I have promisèd.
FTLN 1511 So shall you quietly enjoy your hope
FTLN 1512 And marry sweet Bianca with consent.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 1513 Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster 140
FTLN 1514 Doth watch Bianca’s steps so narrowly,
FTLN 1515 ’Twere good, methinks, to steal our marriage,
FTLN 1516 Which, once performed, let all the world say no,
FTLN 1517 I’ll keep mine own despite of all the world.
TRANIO
FTLN 1518 That by degrees we mean to look into, 145
FTLN 1519 And watch our vantage in this business.
FTLN 1520 We’ll overreach the graybeard, Gremio,
FTLN 1521 The narrow prying father, Minola,
FTLN 1522 The quaint musician, amorous Litio,
FTLN 1523 All for my master’s sake, Lucentio. 150
 ACT 3. SC. 2
127 The Taming of the Shrew

Enter Gremio.

TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1524 Signior Gremio, came you from the church?
GREMIO
FTLN 1525 As willingly as e’er I came from school.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1526 And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?
GREMIO
FTLN 1527 A bridegroom, say you? ’Tis a groom indeed,
FTLN 1528 A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find. 155
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1529 Curster than she? Why, ’tis impossible.
GREMIO
FTLN 1530 Why, he’s a devil, a devil, a very fiend.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1531 Why, she’s a devil, a devil, the devil’s dam.
GREMIO
FTLN 1532 Tut, she’s a lamb, a dove, a fool to him.
FTLN 1533 I’ll tell you, Sir Lucentio: when the priest 160
FTLN 1534 Should ask if Katherine should be his wife,
FTLN 1535 “Ay, by gog’s wouns!” quoth he, and swore so loud
FTLN 1536 That, all amazed, the priest let fall the book,
FTLN 1537 And as he stooped again to take it up,
FTLN 1538 This mad-brained bridegroom took him such a cuff 165
FTLN 1539 That down fell priest and book, and book and priest.
FTLN 1540 “Now, take them up,” quoth he, “if any list.”
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1541 What said the wench when he rose again?
GREMIO
FTLN 1542 Trembled and shook, for why he stamped and swore
FTLN 1543 As if the vicar meant to cozen him. 170
FTLN 1544 But after many ceremonies done,
FTLN 1545 He calls for wine. “A health!” quoth he, as if
FTLN 1546 He had been aboard, carousing to his mates
FTLN 1547 After a storm; quaffed off the muscatel
 ACT 3. SC. 2
129 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1548 And threw the sops all in the sexton’s face, 175
FTLN 1549 Having no other reason
FTLN 1550 But that his beard grew thin and hungerly,
FTLN 1551 And seemed to ask him sops as he was drinking.
FTLN 1552 This done, he took the bride about the neck
FTLN 1553 And kissed her lips with such a clamorous smack 180
FTLN 1554 That at the parting all the church did echo.
FTLN 1555 And I, seeing this, came thence for very shame,
FTLN 1556 And after me I know the rout is coming.
FTLN 1557 Such a mad marriage never was before! Music plays.
FTLN 1558 Hark, hark, I hear the minstrels play. 185

Enter Petruchio, Katherine, Bianca, Hortensio, Baptista,

Grumio, and Attendants.

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1559 Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains.
FTLN 1560 I know you think to dine with me today
FTLN 1561 And have prepared great store of wedding cheer,
FTLN 1562 But so it is, my haste doth call me hence,
FTLN 1563 And therefore here I mean to take my leave. 190
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1564 Is ’t possible you will away tonight?
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1565 I must away today, before night come.
FTLN 1566 Make it no wonder. If you knew my business,
FTLN 1567 You would entreat me rather go than stay.
FTLN 1568 And, honest company, I thank you all, 195
FTLN 1569 That have beheld me give away myself
FTLN 1570 To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife.
FTLN 1571 Dine with my father, drink a health to me,
FTLN 1572 For I must hence, and farewell to you all.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1573 Let us entreat you stay till after dinner. 200
FTLN 1574 PETRUCHIO It may not be.
FTLN 1575 GREMIO Let me entreat you.
FTLN 1576 PETRUCHIO It cannot be.
 ACT 3. SC. 2
131 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1577 KATHERINE Let me entreat you.

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1578 I am content. 205
FTLN 1579 KATHERINE Are you content to stay?
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1580 I am content you shall entreat me stay,
FTLN 1581 But yet not stay, entreat me how you can.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1582 Now, if you love me, stay.
FTLN 1583 PETRUCHIO Grumio, my horse. 210
FTLN 1584 GRUMIO Ay, sir, they be ready; the oats have eaten the
FTLN 1585 horses.
FTLN 1586 KATHERINE Nay, then,
FTLN 1587 Do what thou canst, I will not go today,
FTLN 1588 No, nor tomorrow, not till I please myself. 215
FTLN 1589 The door is open, sir. There lies your way.
FTLN 1590 You may be jogging whiles your boots are green.
FTLN 1591 For me, I’ll not be gone till I please myself.
FTLN 1592 ’Tis like you’ll prove a jolly surly groom,
FTLN 1593 That take it on you at the first so roundly. 220
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1594 O Kate, content thee. Prithee, be not angry.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1595 I will be angry. What hast thou to do?—
FTLN 1596 Father, be quiet. He shall stay my leisure.
GREMIO
FTLN 1597 Ay, marry, sir, now it begins to work.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1598 Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner. 225
FTLN 1599 I see a woman may be made a fool
FTLN 1600 If she had not a spirit to resist.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1601 They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command.—
FTLN 1602 Obey the bride, you that attend on her.
FTLN 1603 Go to the feast, revel and domineer, 230
FTLN 1604 Carouse full measure to her maidenhead,
 ACT 3. SC. 2
133 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1605 Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves.

FTLN 1606 But for my bonny Kate, she must with me.
FTLN 1607 Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret;
FTLN 1608 I will be master of what is mine own. 235
FTLN 1609 She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house,
FTLN 1610 My household stuff, my field, my barn,
FTLN 1611 My horse, my ox, my ass, my anything.
FTLN 1612 And here she stands, touch her whoever dare.
FTLN 1613 I’ll bring mine action on the proudest he 240
FTLN 1614 That stops my way in Padua.—Grumio,
FTLN 1615 Draw forth thy weapon. We are beset with thieves.
FTLN 1616 Rescue thy mistress if thou be a man!—
FTLN 1617 Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee,
FTLN 1618 Kate. 245
FTLN 1619 I’ll buckler thee against a million.
Petruchio and Katherine exit, with Grumio.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1620 Nay, let them go. A couple of quiet ones!
GREMIO
FTLN 1621 Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1622 Of all mad matches never was the like.
LUCENTIO, as Cambio
FTLN 1623 Mistress, what’s your opinion of your sister? 250
BIANCA
FTLN 1624 That being mad herself, she’s madly mated.
GREMIO
FTLN 1625 I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 1626 Neighbors and friends, though bride and
FTLN 1627 bridegroom wants
FTLN 1628 For to supply the places at the table, 255
FTLN 1629 You know there wants no junkets at the feast.
FTLN 1630 To Tranio. Lucentio, you shall supply the
FTLN 1631 bridegroom’s place,
FTLN 1632 And let Bianca take her sister’s room.
 ACT 3. SC. 2
135 The Taming of the Shrew

TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1633 Shall sweet Bianca practice how to bride it? 260
BAPTISTA, to Tranio
FTLN 1634 She shall, Lucentio. Come, gentlemen, let’s go.
They exit.
 ACT 4

Scene 1
Enter Grumio.

FTLN 1635 GRUMIO Fie, fie on all tired jades, on all mad masters,
FTLN 1636 and all foul ways! Was ever man so beaten? Was
FTLN 1637 ever man so ’rayed? Was ever man so weary? I am
FTLN 1638 sent before to make a fire, and they are coming
FTLN 1639 after to warm them. Now were not I a little pot and 5
FTLN 1640 soon hot, my very lips might freeze to my teeth, my
FTLN 1641 tongue to the roof of my mouth, my heart in my
FTLN 1642 belly, ere I should come by a fire to thaw me. But I
FTLN 1643 with blowing the fire shall warm myself. For, considering
FTLN 1644 the weather, a taller man than I will take 10
FTLN 1645 cold.—Holla, ho, Curtis!

Enter Curtis.

FTLN 1646 CURTIS Who is that calls so coldly?

FTLN 1647 GRUMIO A piece of ice. If thou doubt it, thou mayst
FTLN 1648 slide from my shoulder to my heel with no greater
FTLN 1649 a run but my head and my neck. A fire, good Curtis! 15
FTLN 1650 CURTIS Is my master and his wife coming, Grumio?
FTLN 1651 GRUMIO Oh, ay, Curtis, ay, and therefore fire, fire! Cast
FTLN 1652 on no water.
FTLN 1653 CURTIS Is she so hot a shrew as she’s reported?
FTLN 1654 GRUMIO She was, good Curtis, before this frost. But 20
FTLN 1655 thou know’st winter tames man, woman, and
139
 ACT 4. SC. 1
141 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1656 beast, for it hath tamed my old master and my new
FTLN 1657 mistress and myself, fellow Curtis.
FTLN 1658 CURTIS Away, you three-inch fool, I am no beast!
FTLN 1659 GRUMIO Am I but three inches? Why, thy horn is a 25
FTLN 1660 foot, and so long am I, at the least. But wilt thou
FTLN 1661 make a fire? Or shall I complain on thee to our
FTLN 1662 mistress, whose hand (she being now at hand) thou
FTLN 1663 shalt soon feel, to thy cold comfort, for being slow in
FTLN 1664 thy hot office? 30
FTLN 1665 CURTIS I prithee, good Grumio, tell me, how goes the
FTLN 1666 world?
FTLN 1667 GRUMIO A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine,
FTLN 1668 and therefore fire! Do thy duty, and have thy duty,
FTLN 1669 for my master and mistress are almost frozen to 35
FTLN 1670 death.
FTLN 1671 CURTIS There’s fire ready. And therefore, good Grumio,
FTLN 1672 the news!
FTLN 1673 GRUMIO Why, “Jack boy, ho boy!” and as much news
FTLN 1674 as wilt thou. 40
FTLN 1675 CURTIS Come, you are so full of cony-catching.
FTLN 1676 GRUMIO Why, therefore fire, for I have caught extreme
FTLN 1677 cold. Where’s the cook? Is supper ready, the house
FTLN 1678 trimmed, rushes strewed, cobwebs swept, the servingmen
FTLN 1679 in their new fustian, their white stockings, 45
FTLN 1680 and every officer his wedding garment on? Be
FTLN 1681 the Jacks fair within, the Jills fair without, the
FTLN 1682 carpets laid, and everything in order?
FTLN 1683 CURTIS All ready. And therefore, I pray thee, news.
FTLN 1684 GRUMIO First, know my horse is tired, my master and 50
FTLN 1685 mistress fallen out.
FTLN 1686 CURTIS How?
FTLN 1687 GRUMIO Out of their saddles into the dirt, and thereby
FTLN 1688 hangs a tale.
FTLN 1689 CURTIS Let’s ha’ t, good Grumio. 55
FTLN 1690 GRUMIO Lend thine ear.
FTLN 1691 CURTIS Here.
 ACT 4. SC. 1
143 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1692 GRUMIO There! He slaps Curtis on the ear.

FTLN 1693 CURTIS This ’tis to feel a tale, not to hear a tale.
FTLN 1694 GRUMIO And therefore ’tis called a sensible tale. And 60
FTLN 1695 this cuff was but to knock at your ear and beseech
FTLN 1696 list’ning. Now I begin: Imprimis, we came down a
FTLN 1697 foul hill, my master riding behind my mistress—
FTLN 1698 CURTIS Both of one horse?
FTLN 1699 GRUMIO What’s that to thee? 65
FTLN 1700 CURTIS Why, a horse.
FTLN 1701 GRUMIO Tell thou the tale! But hadst thou not crossed
FTLN 1702 me, thou shouldst have heard how her horse fell,
FTLN 1703 and she under her horse; thou shouldst have heard
FTLN 1704 in how miry a place, how she was bemoiled, how he 70
FTLN 1705 left her with the horse upon her, how he beat me
FTLN 1706 because her horse stumbled, how she waded
FTLN 1707 through the dirt to pluck him off me, how he swore,
FTLN 1708 how she prayed that never prayed before, how I
FTLN 1709 cried, how the horses ran away, how her bridle was 75
FTLN 1710 burst, how I lost my crupper, with many things of
FTLN 1711 worthy memory which now shall die in oblivion,
FTLN 1712 and thou return unexperienced to thy grave.
FTLN 1713 CURTIS By this reck’ning, he is more shrew than she.
FTLN 1714 GRUMIO Ay, and that thou and the proudest of you all 80
FTLN 1715 shall find when he comes home. But what talk I of
FTLN 1716 this? Call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Phillip,
FTLN 1717 Walter, Sugarsop, and the rest. Let their heads
FTLN 1718 be slickly combed, their blue coats brushed, and
FTLN 1719 their garters of an indifferent knit. Let them curtsy 85
FTLN 1720 with their left legs, and not presume to touch a hair
FTLN 1721 of my master’s horse-tail till they kiss their hands.
FTLN 1722 Are they all ready?
FTLN 1723 CURTIS They are.
FTLN 1724 GRUMIO Call them forth. 90
FTLN 1725 CURTIS, calling out Do you hear, ho? You must meet
FTLN 1726 my master to countenance my mistress.
FTLN 1727 GRUMIO Why, she hath a face of her own.
 ACT 4. SC. 1
145 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1728 CURTIS Who knows not that?

FTLN 1729 GRUMIO Thou, it seems, that calls for company to 95
FTLN 1730 countenance her.
FTLN 1731 CURTIS I call them forth to credit her.
FTLN 1732 GRUMIO Why, she comes to borrow nothing of them.

Enter four or five Servingmen.

FTLN 1733 NATHANIEL Welcome home, Grumio.

FTLN 1734 PHILLIP How now, Grumio? 100
FTLN 1735 JOSEPH What, Grumio!
FTLN 1736 NICHOLAS Fellow Grumio!
FTLN 1737 NATHANIEL How now, old lad?
FTLN 1738 GRUMIO Welcome, you!—How now, you?—What,
FTLN 1739 you!—Fellow, you!—And thus much for greeting. 105
FTLN 1740 Now, my spruce companions, is all ready and all
FTLN 1741 things neat?
FTLN 1742 NATHANIEL All things is ready. How near is our
FTLN 1743 master?
FTLN 1744 GRUMIO E’en at hand, alighted by this. And therefore 110
FTLN 1745 be not—Cock’s passion, silence! I hear my master.

Enter Petruchio and Katherine.

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1746 Where be these knaves? What, no man at door
FTLN 1747 To hold my stirrup nor to take my horse?
FTLN 1748 Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Phillip?
FTLN 1749 ALL THE SERVANTS Here! Here, sir, here, sir! 115
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1750 “Here, sir! Here, sir! Here, sir! Here, sir!”
FTLN 1751 You loggerheaded and unpolished grooms.
FTLN 1752 What? No attendance? No regard? No duty?
FTLN 1753 Where is the foolish knave I sent before?
GRUMIO
FTLN 1754 Here, sir, as foolish as I was before. 120
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1755 You peasant swain, you whoreson malt-horse
FTLN 1756 drudge!
 ACT 4. SC. 1
147 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1757 Did I not bid thee meet me in the park

FTLN 1758 And bring along these rascal knaves with thee?
GRUMIO
FTLN 1759 Nathaniel’s coat, sir, was not fully made, 125
FTLN 1760 And Gabriel’s pumps were all unpinked i’ th’ heel.
FTLN 1761 There was no link to color Peter’s hat,
FTLN 1762 And Walter’s dagger was not come from sheathing.
FTLN 1763 There were none fine but Adam, Rafe, and Gregory.
FTLN 1764 The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly. 130
FTLN 1765 Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1766 Go, rascals, go, and fetch my supper in!
The Servants exit.
FTLN 1767 Sings. Where is the life that late I led?
FTLN 1768 Where are those—
FTLN 1769 Sit down, Kate, and welcome. 135
They sit at a table.
FTLN 1770 Soud, soud, soud, soud!

Enter Servants with supper.

FTLN 1771 Why, when, I say?—Nay, good sweet Kate, be

FTLN 1772 merry.—
FTLN 1773 Off with my boots, you rogues, you villains! When?
FTLN 1774 Sings. It was the friar of orders gray, 140
FTLN 1775 As he forth walkèd on his way—

Servant begins to remove Petruchio’s boots.

FTLN 1776 Out, you rogue! You pluck my foot awry.

FTLN 1777 Take that! He hits the Servant.
FTLN 1778 And mend the plucking of the other.—
FTLN 1779 Be merry, Kate.—Some water here! What ho! 145

Enter one with water.

FTLN 1780 Where’s my spaniel Troilus? Sirrah, get you hence

FTLN 1781 And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither.
A Servant exits.
 ACT 4. SC. 1
149 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1782 One, Kate, that you must kiss and be acquainted
FTLN 1783 with.—
FTLN 1784 Where are my slippers? Shall I have some water?— 150
FTLN 1785 Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily.—
FTLN 1786 You whoreson villain, will you let it fall?
He hits the Servant.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1787 Patience, I pray you, ’twas a fault unwilling.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1788 A whoreson beetle-headed flap-eared knave!—
FTLN 1789 Come, Kate, sit down. I know you have a stomach. 155
FTLN 1790 Will you give thanks, sweet Kate, or else shall I?—
FTLN 1791 What’s this? Mutton?
FTLN 1792 FIRST SERVANT Ay.
FTLN 1793 PETRUCHIO Who brought it?
FTLN 1794 PETER I. 160
FTLN 1795 PETRUCHIO ’Tis burnt, and so is all the meat.
FTLN 1796 What dogs are these? Where is the rascal cook?
FTLN 1797 How durst you, villains, bring it from the dresser
FTLN 1798 And serve it thus to me that love it not?
FTLN 1799 There, take it to you, trenchers, cups, and all! 165
He throws the food and dishes at them.
FTLN 1800 You heedless joltheads and unmannered slaves!
FTLN 1801 What, do you grumble? I’ll be with you straight.
The Servants exit.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1802 I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet.
FTLN 1803 The meat was well, if you were so contented.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1804 I tell thee, Kate, ’twas burnt and dried away, 170
FTLN 1805 And I expressly am forbid to touch it,
FTLN 1806 For it engenders choler, planteth anger,
FTLN 1807 And better ’twere that both of us did fast
FTLN 1808 (Since of ourselves, ourselves are choleric)
FTLN 1809 Than feed it with such over-roasted flesh. 175
FTLN 1810 Be patient. Tomorrow ’t shall be mended,
 ACT 4. SC. 1
151 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1811 And for this night we’ll fast for company.
FTLN 1812 Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber.
They exit.

Enter Servants severally.

FTLN 1813 NATHANIEL Peter, didst ever see the like?

FTLN 1814 PETER He kills her in her own humor. 180

Enter Curtis.

FTLN 1815 GRUMIO Where is he?

FTLN 1816 CURTIS In her chamber,
FTLN 1817 Making a sermon of continency to her,
FTLN 1818 And rails and swears and rates, that she (poor soul)
FTLN 1819 Knows not which way to stand, to look, to speak, 185
FTLN 1820 And sits as one new-risen from a dream.
FTLN 1821 Away, away, for he is coming hither!
The Servants exit.

Enter Petruchio.

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 1822 Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
FTLN 1823 And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
FTLN 1824 My falcon now is sharp and passing empty, 190
FTLN 1825 And, till she stoop, she must not be full-gorged,
FTLN 1826 For then she never looks upon her lure.
FTLN 1827 Another way I have to man my haggard,
FTLN 1828 To make her come and know her keeper’s call.
FTLN 1829 That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites 195
FTLN 1830 That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
FTLN 1831 She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat.
FTLN 1832 Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
FTLN 1833 As with the meat, some undeservèd fault
FTLN 1834 I’ll find about the making of the bed, 200
FTLN 1835 And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
FTLN 1836 This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
FTLN 1837 Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
 ACT 4. SC. 2
153 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1838 That all is done in reverend care of her.

FTLN 1839 And, in conclusion, she shall watch all night, 205
FTLN 1840 And, if she chance to nod, I’ll rail and brawl,
FTLN 1841 And with the clamor keep her still awake.
FTLN 1842 This is a way to kill a wife with kindness.
FTLN 1843 And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humor.
FTLN 1844 He that knows better how to tame a shrew, 210
FTLN 1845 Now let him speak; ’tis charity to shew.
He exits.

Scene 2
Enter Tranio as Lucentio and Hortensio as Litio.

TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1846 Is ’t possible, friend Litio, that mistress Bianca
FTLN 1847 Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?
FTLN 1848 I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.
HORTENSIO, as Litio
FTLN 1849 Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said,
FTLN 1850 Stand by, and mark the manner of his teaching. 5
They stand aside.

Enter Bianca and Lucentio as Cambio.

LUCENTIO,
as Cambio
FTLN 1851 Now mistress, profit you in what you read?
BIANCA
FTLN 1852 What, master, read you? First resolve me that.
LUCENTIO, as Cambio
FTLN 1853 I read that I profess, The Art to Love.
BIANCA
FTLN 1854 And may you prove, sir, master of your art.
LUCENTIO, as Cambio
FTLN 1855 While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart. 10
They move aside and kiss and talk.
HORTENSIO, as Litio
FTLN 1856 Quick proceeders, marry! Now tell me, I pray,
 ACT 4. SC. 2
155 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1857 You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca
FTLN 1858 Loved none in the world so well as Lucentio.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1859 O despiteful love, unconstant womankind!
FTLN 1860 I tell thee, Litio, this is wonderful! 15
HORTENSIO
FTLN 1861 Mistake no more. I am not Litio,
FTLN 1862 Nor a musician as I seem to be,
FTLN 1863 But one that scorn to live in this disguise
FTLN 1864 For such a one as leaves a gentleman
FTLN 1865 And makes a god of such a cullion. 20
FTLN 1866 Know, sir, that I am called Hortensio.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1867 Signior Hortensio, I have often heard
FTLN 1868 Of your entire affection to Bianca,
FTLN 1869 And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness,
FTLN 1870 I will with you, if you be so contented, 25
FTLN 1871 Forswear Bianca and her love forever.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 1872 See how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio,
FTLN 1873 Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow
FTLN 1874 Never to woo her more, but do forswear her
FTLN 1875 As one unworthy all the former favors 30
FTLN 1876 That I have fondly flattered her withal.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1877 And here I take the like unfeignèd oath,
FTLN 1878 Never to marry with her, though she would entreat.
FTLN 1879 Fie on her, see how beastly she doth court him!
HORTENSIO
FTLN 1880 Would all the world but he had quite forsworn! 35
FTLN 1881 For me, that I may surely keep mine oath,
FTLN 1882 I will be married to a wealthy widow
FTLN 1883 Ere three days pass, which hath as long loved me
FTLN 1884 As I have loved this proud disdainful haggard.
FTLN 1885 And so farewell, Signior Lucentio. 40
FTLN 1886 Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,
 ACT 4. SC. 2
157 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1887 Shall win my love, and so I take my leave,

FTLN 1888 In resolution as I swore before.
Hortensio exits;
Bianca and Lucentio come forward.
TRANIO
FTLN 1889 Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace
FTLN 1890 As ’longeth to a lover’s blessèd case! 45
FTLN 1891 Nay, I have ta’en you napping, gentle love,
FTLN 1892 And have forsworn you with Hortensio.
BIANCA
FTLN 1893 Tranio, you jest. But have you both forsworn me?
TRANIO
FTLN 1894 Mistress, we have.
FTLN 1895 LUCENTIO Then we are rid of Litio. 50
TRANIO
FTLN 1896 I’ faith, he’ll have a lusty widow now
FTLN 1897 That shall be wooed and wedded in a day.
FTLN 1898 BIANCA God give him joy.
TRANIO
FTLN 1899 Ay, and he’ll tame her.
FTLN 1900 BIANCA He says so, Tranio? 55
TRANIO
FTLN 1901 Faith, he is gone unto the taming school.
BIANCA
FTLN 1902 The taming school? What, is there such a place?
TRANIO
FTLN 1903 Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master,
FTLN 1904 That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long
FTLN 1905 To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue. 60

Enter Biondello.

BIONDELLO
FTLN 1906 O master, master, I have watched so long
FTLN 1907 That I am dog-weary, but at last I spied
FTLN 1908 An ancient angel coming down the hill
FTLN 1909 Will serve the turn.
 ACT 4. SC. 2
159 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1910 TRANIO What is he, Biondello? 65

BIONDELLO
FTLN 1911 Master, a marcantant, or a pedant,
FTLN 1912 I know not what, but formal in apparel,
FTLN 1913 In gait and countenance surely like a father.
FTLN 1914 LUCENTIO And what of him, Tranio?
TRANIO
FTLN 1915 If he be credulous, and trust my tale, 70
FTLN 1916 I’ll make him glad to seem Vincentio
FTLN 1917 And give assurance to Baptista Minola
FTLN 1918 As if he were the right Vincentio.
FTLN 1919 Take in your love, and then let me alone.
Lucentio and Bianca exit.

Enter a Merchant.

MERCHANT
FTLN 1920 God save you, sir. 75
FTLN 1921 TRANIO, as Lucentio And you, sir. You are welcome.
FTLN 1922 Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?
MERCHANT
FTLN 1923 Sir, at the farthest for a week or two,
FTLN 1924 But then up farther, and as far as Rome,
FTLN 1925 And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life. 80
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1926 What countryman, I pray?
FTLN 1927 MERCHANT Of Mantua.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1928 Of Mantua, sir? Marry, God forbid!
FTLN 1929 And come to Padua, careless of your life?
MERCHANT
FTLN 1930 My life, sir? How, I pray? For that goes hard. 85
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1931 ’Tis death for anyone in Mantua
FTLN 1932 To come to Padua. Know you not the cause?
FTLN 1933 Your ships are stayed at Venice, and the Duke,
FTLN 1934 For private quarrel ’twixt your duke and him,
 ACT 4. SC. 2
161 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 1935 Hath published and proclaimed it openly. 90

FTLN 1936 ’Tis marvel, but that you are but newly come,
FTLN 1937 You might have heard it else proclaimed about.
MERCHANT
FTLN 1938 Alas, sir, it is worse for me than so,
FTLN 1939 For I have bills for money by exchange
FTLN 1940 From Florence, and must here deliver them. 95
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1941 Well, sir, to do you courtesy,
FTLN 1942 This will I do, and this I will advise you.
FTLN 1943 First tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?
MERCHANT
FTLN 1944 Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been,
FTLN 1945 Pisa renownèd for grave citizens. 100
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1946 Among them know you one Vincentio?
MERCHANT
FTLN 1947 I know him not, but I have heard of him:
FTLN 1948 A merchant of incomparable wealth.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1949 He is my father, sir, and sooth to say,
FTLN 1950 In count’nance somewhat doth resemble you. 105
FTLN 1951 BIONDELLO, aside As much as an apple doth an
FTLN 1952 oyster, and all one.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1953 To save your life in this extremity,
FTLN 1954 This favor will I do you for his sake
FTLN 1955 (And think it not the worst of all your fortunes 110
FTLN 1956 That you are like to Sir Vincentio):
FTLN 1957 His name and credit shall you undertake,
FTLN 1958 And in my house you shall be friendly lodged.
FTLN 1959 Look that you take upon you as you should.
FTLN 1960 You understand me, sir. So shall you stay 115
FTLN 1961 Till you have done your business in the city.
FTLN 1962 If this be court’sy, sir, accept of it.
 ACT 4. SC. 3
163 The Taming of the Shrew

MERCHANT
FTLN 1963 O sir, I do, and will repute you ever
FTLN 1964 The patron of my life and liberty.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 1965 Then go with me, to make the matter good. 120
FTLN 1966 This, by the way, I let you understand:
FTLN 1967 My father is here looked for every day
FTLN 1968 To pass assurance of a dower in marriage
FTLN 1969 ’Twixt me and one Baptista’s daughter here.
FTLN 1970 In all these circumstances I’ll instruct you. 125
FTLN 1971 Go with me to clothe you as becomes you.
They exit.

Scene 3
Enter Katherine and Grumio.

GRUMIO
FTLN 1972 No, no, forsooth, I dare not for my life.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1973 The more my wrong, the more his spite appears.
FTLN 1974 What, did he marry me to famish me?
FTLN 1975 Beggars that come unto my father’s door
FTLN 1976 Upon entreaty have a present alms. 5
FTLN 1977 If not, elsewhere they meet with charity.
FTLN 1978 But I, who never knew how to entreat,
FTLN 1979 Nor never needed that I should entreat,
FTLN 1980 Am starved for meat, giddy for lack of sleep,
FTLN 1981 With oaths kept waking and with brawling fed. 10
FTLN 1982 And that which spites me more than all these wants,
FTLN 1983 He does it under name of perfect love,
FTLN 1984 As who should say, if I should sleep or eat
FTLN 1985 ’Twere deadly sickness or else present death.
FTLN 1986 I prithee, go, and get me some repast, 15
FTLN 1987 I care not what, so it be wholesome food.
FTLN 1988 GRUMIO What say you to a neat’s foot?
 ACT 4. SC. 3
165 The Taming of the Shrew

KATHERINE
FTLN 1989 ’Tis passing good. I prithee let me have it.
GRUMIO
FTLN 1990 I fear it is too choleric a meat.
FTLN 1991 How say you to a fat tripe finely broiled? 20
KATHERINE
FTLN 1992 I like it well. Good Grumio, fetch it me.
GRUMIO
FTLN 1993 I cannot tell. I fear ’tis choleric.
FTLN 1994 What say you to a piece of beef and mustard?
KATHERINE
FTLN 1995 A dish that I do love to feed upon.
GRUMIO
FTLN 1996 Ay, but the mustard is too hot a little. 25
KATHERINE
FTLN 1997 Why then, the beef, and let the mustard rest.
GRUMIO
FTLN 1998 Nay then, I will not. You shall have the mustard
FTLN 1999 Or else you get no beef of Grumio.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2000 Then both, or one, or any thing thou wilt.
GRUMIO
FTLN 2001 Why then, the mustard without the beef. 30
KATHERINE
FTLN 2002 Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave,
She beats him.
FTLN 2003 That feed’st me with the very name of meat.
FTLN 2004 Sorrow on thee, and all the pack of you
FTLN 2005 That triumph thus upon my misery.
FTLN 2006 Go, get thee gone, I say. 35

Enter Petruchio and Hortensio with meat.

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2007 How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort?
HORTENSIO
FTLN 2008 Mistress, what cheer?
FTLN 2009 KATHERINE Faith, as cold as can be.
 ACT 4. SC. 3
167 The Taming of the Shrew

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2010 Pluck up thy spirits. Look cheerfully upon me.
FTLN 2011 Here, love, thou seest how diligent I am, 40
FTLN 2012 To dress thy meat myself and bring it thee.
FTLN 2013 I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits thanks.
FTLN 2014 What, not a word? Nay then, thou lov’st it not,
FTLN 2015 And all my pains is sorted to no proof.
FTLN 2016 Here, take away this dish. 45
FTLN 2017 KATHERINE I pray you, let it stand.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2018 The poorest service is repaid with thanks,
FTLN 2019 And so shall mine before you touch the meat.
FTLN 2020 KATHERINE I thank you, sir.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 2021 Signior Petruchio, fie, you are to blame. 50
FTLN 2022 Come, Mistress Kate, I’ll bear you company.
PETRUCHIO, aside to Hortensio
FTLN 2023 Eat it up all, Hortensio, if thou lovest me.—
FTLN 2024 Much good do it unto thy gentle heart.
FTLN 2025 Kate, eat apace.
Katherine and Hortensio prepare to eat.
FTLN 2026 And now, my honey love, 55
FTLN 2027 Will we return unto thy father’s house
FTLN 2028 And revel it as bravely as the best,
FTLN 2029 With silken coats and caps and golden rings,
FTLN 2030 With ruffs and cuffs and farthingales and things,
FTLN 2031 With scarves and fans and double change of brav’ry, 60
FTLN 2032 With amber bracelets, beads, and all this knav’ry.
FTLN 2033 What, hast thou dined? The tailor stays thy leisure
FTLN 2034 To deck thy body with his ruffling treasure.

Enter Tailor.

FTLN 2035 Come, tailor, let us see these ornaments.

FTLN 2036 Lay forth the gown. 65

Enter Haberdasher.

FTLN 2037 What news with you, sir?

 ACT 4. SC. 3
169 The Taming of the Shrew

HABERDASHER
FTLN 2038 Here is the cap your Worship did bespeak.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2039 Why, this was molded on a porringer!
FTLN 2040 A velvet dish! Fie, fie, ’tis lewd and filthy.
FTLN 2041 Why, ’tis a cockle or a walnut shell, 70
FTLN 2042 A knack, a toy, a trick, a baby’s cap.
FTLN 2043 Away with it! Come, let me have a bigger.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2044 I’ll have no bigger. This doth fit the time,
FTLN 2045 And gentlewomen wear such caps as these.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2046 When you are gentle, you shall have one too, 75
FTLN 2047 And not till then.
FTLN 2048 HORTENSIO, aside That will not be in haste.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2049 Why, sir, I trust I may have leave to speak,
FTLN 2050 And speak I will. I am no child, no babe.
FTLN 2051 Your betters have endured me say my mind, 80
FTLN 2052 And if you cannot, best you stop your ears.
FTLN 2053 My tongue will tell the anger of my heart,
FTLN 2054 Or else my heart, concealing it, will break,
FTLN 2055 And, rather than it shall, I will be free
FTLN 2056 Even to the uttermost, as I please, in words. 85
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2057 Why, thou sayst true. It is a paltry cap,
FTLN 2058 A custard-coffin, a bauble, a silken pie.
FTLN 2059 I love thee well in that thou lik’st it not.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2060 Love me, or love me not, I like the cap,
FTLN 2061 And it I will have, or I will have none. 90
Exit Haberdasher.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2062 Thy gown? Why, ay. Come, tailor, let us see ’t.
FTLN 2063 O mercy God, what masking-stuff is here?
 ACT 4. SC. 3
171 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2064 What’s this? A sleeve? ’Tis like a demi-cannon.

FTLN 2065 What, up and down carved like an apple tart?
FTLN 2066 Here’s snip and nip and cut and slish and slash, 95
FTLN 2067 Like to a censer in a barber’s shop.
FTLN 2068 Why, what a devil’s name, tailor, call’st thou this?
HORTENSIO, aside
FTLN 2069 I see she’s like to have neither cap nor gown.
TAILOR
FTLN 2070 You bid me make it orderly and well,
FTLN 2071 According to the fashion and the time. 100
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2072 Marry, and did. But if you be remembered,
FTLN 2073 I did not bid you mar it to the time.
FTLN 2074 Go, hop me over every kennel home,
FTLN 2075 For you shall hop without my custom, sir.
FTLN 2076 I’ll none of it. Hence, make your best of it. 105
KATHERINE
FTLN 2077 I never saw a better-fashioned gown,
FTLN 2078 More quaint, more pleasing, nor more
FTLN 2079 commendable.
FTLN 2080 Belike you mean to make a puppet of me.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2081 Why, true, he means to make a puppet of thee. 110
TAILOR
FTLN 2082 She says your Worship means to make a puppet of
FTLN 2083 her.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2084 O monstrous arrogance! Thou liest, thou thread,
FTLN 2085 thou thimble,
FTLN 2086 Thou yard, three-quarters, half-yard, quarter, nail! 115
FTLN 2087 Thou flea, thou nit, thou winter cricket, thou!
FTLN 2088 Braved in mine own house with a skein of thread?
FTLN 2089 Away, thou rag, thou quantity, thou remnant,
FTLN 2090 Or I shall so be-mete thee with thy yard
FTLN 2091 As thou shalt think on prating whilst thou liv’st. 120
FTLN 2092 I tell thee, I, that thou hast marred her gown.
 ACT 4. SC. 3
173 The Taming of the Shrew

TAILOR
FTLN 2093 Your Worship is deceived. The gown is made
FTLN 2094 Just as my master had direction.
FTLN 2095 Grumio gave order how it should be done.
FTLN 2096 GRUMIO I gave him no order. I gave him the stuff. 125
TAILOR
FTLN 2097 But how did you desire it should be made?
FTLN 2098 GRUMIO Marry, sir, with needle and thread.
TAILOR
FTLN 2099 But did you not request to have it cut?
FTLN 2100 GRUMIO Thou hast faced many things.
FTLN 2101 TAILOR I have. 130
FTLN 2102 GRUMIO Face not me. Thou hast braved many men;
FTLN 2103 brave not me. I will neither be faced nor braved. I
FTLN 2104 say unto thee, I bid thy master cut out the gown,
FTLN 2105 but I did not bid him cut it to pieces. Ergo, thou
FTLN 2106 liest. 135
FTLN 2107 TAILOR Why, here is the note of the fashion to testify.
He shows a paper.
FTLN 2108 PETRUCHIO Read it.
FTLN 2109 GRUMIO The note lies in ’s throat, if he say I said so.
FTLN 2110 TAILOR reads “Imprimis, a loose-bodied gown—”
FTLN 2111 GRUMIO Master, if ever I said “loose-bodied gown,” 140
FTLN 2112 sew me in the skirts of it and beat me to death with
FTLN 2113 a bottom of brown thread. I said “a gown.”
FTLN 2114 PETRUCHIO Proceed.
FTLN 2115 TAILOR reads “With a small-compassed cape—”
FTLN 2116 GRUMIO I confess the cape. 145
FTLN 2117 TAILOR reads “With a trunk sleeve—”
FTLN 2118 GRUMIO I confess two sleeves.
FTLN 2119 TAILOR reads “The sleeves curiously cut.”
FTLN 2120 PETRUCHIO Ay, there’s the villainy.
FTLN 2121 GRUMIO Error i’ th’ bill, sir, error i’ th’ bill! I commanded 150
FTLN 2122 the sleeves should be cut out and sewed
FTLN 2123 up again, and that I’ll prove upon thee, though thy
FTLN 2124 little finger be armed in a thimble.
 ACT 4. SC. 3
175 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2125 TAILOR This is true that I say. An I had thee in place
FTLN 2126 where, thou shouldst know it. 155
FTLN 2127 GRUMIO I am for thee straight. Take thou the bill, give
FTLN 2128 me thy mete-yard, and spare not me.
FTLN 2129 HORTENSIO God-a-mercy, Grumio, then he shall have
FTLN 2130 no odds.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2131 Well, sir, in brief, the gown is not for me. 160
FTLN 2132 GRUMIO You are i’ th’ right, sir, ’tis for my mistress.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2133 Go, take it up unto thy master’s use.
FTLN 2134 GRUMIO Villain, not for thy life! Take up my mistress’
FTLN 2135 gown for thy master’s use!
FTLN 2136 PETRUCHIO Why, sir, what’s your conceit in that? 165
FTLN 2137 GRUMIO O, sir, the conceit is deeper than you think
FTLN 2138 for. Take up my mistress’ gown to his master’s use!
FTLN 2139 O, fie, fie, fie!
PETRUCHIO, aside to Hortensio
FTLN 2140 Hortensio, say thou wilt see the tailor paid.
FTLN 2141 To Tailor. Go, take it hence. Begone, and say no 170
FTLN 2142 more.
HORTENSIO, aside to Tailor
FTLN 2143 Tailor, I’ll pay thee for thy gown tomorrow.
FTLN 2144 Take no unkindness of his hasty words.
FTLN 2145 Away, I say. Commend me to thy master.
Tailor exits.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2146 Well, come, my Kate, we will unto your father’s, 175
FTLN 2147 Even in these honest mean habiliments.
FTLN 2148 Our purses shall be proud, our garments poor,
FTLN 2149 For ’tis the mind that makes the body rich,
FTLN 2150 And as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds,
FTLN 2151 So honor peereth in the meanest habit. 180
FTLN 2152 What, is the jay more precious than the lark
FTLN 2153 Because his feathers are more beautiful?
FTLN 2154 Or is the adder better than the eel
 ACT 4. SC. 4
177 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2155 Because his painted skin contents the eye?

FTLN 2156 O no, good Kate. Neither art thou the worse 185
FTLN 2157 For this poor furniture and mean array.
FTLN 2158 If thou account’st it shame, lay it on me,
FTLN 2159 And therefore frolic! We will hence forthwith
FTLN 2160 To feast and sport us at thy father’s house.
FTLN 2161 To Grumio. Go, call my men, and let us straight to 190
FTLN 2162 him,
FTLN 2163 And bring our horses unto Long-lane end.
FTLN 2164 There will we mount, and thither walk on foot.
FTLN 2165 Let’s see, I think ’tis now some seven o’clock,
FTLN 2166 And well we may come there by dinner time. 195
KATHERINE
FTLN 2167 I dare assure you, sir, ’tis almost two,
FTLN 2168 And ’twill be supper time ere you come there.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2169 It shall be seven ere I go to horse.
FTLN 2170 Look what I speak, or do, or think to do,
FTLN 2171 You are still crossing it.—Sirs, let ’t alone. 200
FTLN 2172 I will not go today, and, ere I do,
FTLN 2173 It shall be what o’clock I say it is.
HORTENSIO, aside
FTLN 2174 Why, so, this gallant will command the sun!
They exit.

Scene 4
Enter Tranio as Lucentio, and the Merchant, booted,
and dressed like Vincentio.

TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 2175 Sir, this is the house. Please it you that I call?
MERCHANT
FTLN 2176 Ay, what else? And but I be deceived,
FTLN 2177 Signior Baptista may remember me,
FTLN 2178 Near twenty years ago, in Genoa,
FTLN 2179 Where we were lodgers at the Pegasus. 5
 ACT 4. SC. 4
179 The Taming of the Shrew

TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 2180 ’Tis well. And hold your own in any case
FTLN 2181 With such austerity as ’longeth to a father.
MERCHANT
FTLN 2182 I warrant you.

Enter Biondello.

FTLN 2183 But, sir, here comes your boy.

FTLN 2184 ’Twere good he were schooled. 10
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 2185 Fear you not him.—Sirrah Biondello,
FTLN 2186 Now do your duty throughly, I advise you.
FTLN 2187 Imagine ’twere the right Vincentio.
FTLN 2188 BIONDELLO Tut, fear not me.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 2189 But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista? 15
BIONDELLO
FTLN 2190 I told him that your father was at Venice,
FTLN 2191 And that you looked for him this day in Padua.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 2192 Thou ’rt a tall fellow. Hold thee that to drink.
He gives him money.

Enter Baptista and Lucentio as Cambio.

FTLN 2193 Here comes Baptista. Set your countenance, sir.

Merchant stands bareheaded.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 2194 Signior Baptista, you are happily met.— 20
FTLN 2195 Sir, this is the gentleman I told you of.
FTLN 2196 I pray you stand good father to me now.
FTLN 2197 Give me Bianca for my patrimony.
FTLN 2198 MERCHANT, as Vincentio Soft, son.—
FTLN 2199 Sir, by your leave, having come to Padua 25
FTLN 2200 To gather in some debts, my son Lucentio
FTLN 2201 Made me acquainted with a weighty cause
FTLN 2202 Of love between your daughter and himself.
 ACT 4. SC. 4
181 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2203 And, for the good report I hear of you,

FTLN 2204 And for the love he beareth to your daughter 30
FTLN 2205 And she to him, to stay him not too long,
FTLN 2206 I am content, in a good father’s care,
FTLN 2207 To have him matched. And if you please to like
FTLN 2208 No worse than I, upon some agreement
FTLN 2209 Me shall you find ready and willing 35
FTLN 2210 With one consent to have her so bestowed,
FTLN 2211 For curious I cannot be with you,
FTLN 2212 Signior Baptista, of whom I hear so well.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 2213 Sir, pardon me in what I have to say.
FTLN 2214 Your plainness and your shortness please me well. 40
FTLN 2215 Right true it is your son Lucentio here
FTLN 2216 Doth love my daughter, and she loveth him,
FTLN 2217 Or both dissemble deeply their affections.
FTLN 2218 And therefore, if you say no more than this,
FTLN 2219 That like a father you will deal with him 45
FTLN 2220 And pass my daughter a sufficient dower,
FTLN 2221 The match is made, and all is done.
FTLN 2222 Your son shall have my daughter with consent.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 2223 I thank you, sir. Where then do you know best
FTLN 2224 We be affied and such assurance ta’en 50
FTLN 2225 As shall with either part’s agreement stand?
BAPTISTA
FTLN 2226 Not in my house, Lucentio, for you know
FTLN 2227 Pitchers have ears, and I have many servants.
FTLN 2228 Besides, old Gremio is heark’ning still,
FTLN 2229 And happily we might be interrupted. 55
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 2230 Then at my lodging, an it like you.
FTLN 2231 There doth my father lie, and there this night
FTLN 2232 We’ll pass the business privately and well.
FTLN 2233 Send for your daughter by your servant here.
He indicates Lucentio, and winks at him.
 ACT 4. SC. 4
183 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2234 My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently. 60

FTLN 2235 The worst is this: that at so slender warning
FTLN 2236 You are like to have a thin and slender pittance.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 2237 It likes me well.—Cambio, hie you home,
FTLN 2238 And bid Bianca make her ready straight.
FTLN 2239 And, if you will, tell what hath happenèd: 65
FTLN 2240 Lucentio’s father is arrived in Padua,
FTLN 2241 And how she’s like to be Lucentio’s wife.
Lucentio exits.
BIONDELLO
FTLN 2242 I pray the gods she may, with all my heart.
TRANIO, as Lucentio
FTLN 2243 Dally not with the gods, but get thee gone.—
FTLN 2244 Signior Baptista, shall I lead the way? 70
FTLN 2245 Welcome! One mess is like to be your cheer.
FTLN 2246 Come, sir, we will better it in Pisa.
FTLN 2247 BAPTISTA I follow you.
All but Biondello exit.

Enter Lucentio.

FTLN 2248 BIONDELLO Cambio.

FTLN 2249 LUCENTIO What sayst thou, Biondello? 75
FTLN 2250 BIONDELLO You saw my master wink and laugh upon
FTLN 2251 you?
FTLN 2252 LUCENTIO Biondello, what of that?
FTLN 2253 BIONDELLO Faith, nothing; but ’has left me here behind
FTLN 2254 to expound the meaning or moral of his signs 80
FTLN 2255 and tokens.
FTLN 2256 LUCENTIO I pray thee, moralize them.
FTLN 2257 BIONDELLO Then thus: Baptista is safe, talking with
FTLN 2258 the deceiving father of a deceitful son.
FTLN 2259 LUCENTIO And what of him? 85
FTLN 2260 BIONDELLO His daughter is to be brought by you to the
FTLN 2261 supper.
 ACT 4. SC. 5
185 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2262 LUCENTIO And then?

FTLN 2263 BIONDELLO The old priest at Saint Luke’s Church is at
FTLN 2264 your command at all hours. 90
FTLN 2265 LUCENTIO And what of all this?
FTLN 2266 BIONDELLO I cannot tell, except they are busied
FTLN 2267 about a counterfeit assurance. Take you assurance
FTLN 2268 of her cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum. To th’
FTLN 2269 church take the priest, clerk, and some sufficient 95
FTLN 2270 honest witnesses.
FTLN 2271 If this be not that you look for, I have no more to
FTLN 2272 say,
FTLN 2273 But bid Bianca farewell forever and a day.
FTLN 2274 LUCENTIO Hear’st thou, Biondello? 100
FTLN 2275 BIONDELLO I cannot tarry. I knew a wench married in
FTLN 2276 an afternoon as she went to the garden for parsley
FTLN 2277 to stuff a rabbit, and so may you, sir. And so adieu,
FTLN 2278 sir. My master hath appointed me to go to Saint
FTLN 2279 Luke’s to bid the priest be ready to come against 105
FTLN 2280 you come with your appendix. He exits.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 2281 I may, and will, if she be so contented.
FTLN 2282 She will be pleased. Then wherefore should I
FTLN 2283 doubt?
FTLN 2284 Hap what hap may, I’ll roundly go about her. 110
FTLN 2285 It shall go hard if “Cambio” go without her.
He exits.

Scene 5
Enter Petruchio, Katherine, Hortensio, and Servants.

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2286 Come on, i’ God’s name, once more toward our
FTLN 2287 father’s.
FTLN 2288 Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!
KATHERINE
FTLN 2289 The moon? The sun! It is not moonlight now.
 ACT 4. SC. 5
187 The Taming of the Shrew

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2290 I say it is the moon that shines so bright. 5
KATHERINE
FTLN 2291 I know it is the sun that shines so bright.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2292 Now, by my mother’s son, and that’s myself,
FTLN 2293 It shall be moon, or star, or what I list,
FTLN 2294 Or e’er I journey to your father’s house.
FTLN 2295 To Servants. Go on, and fetch our horses back 10
FTLN 2296 again.—
FTLN 2297 Evermore crossed and crossed, nothing but crossed!
HORTENSIO, to Katherine
FTLN 2298 Say as he says, or we shall never go.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2299 Forward, I pray, since we have come so far,
FTLN 2300 And be it moon, or sun, or what you please. 15
FTLN 2301 And if you please to call it a rush candle,
FTLN 2302 Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me.
FTLN 2303 PETRUCHIO I say it is the moon.
FTLN 2304 KATHERINE I know it is the moon.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2305 Nay, then you lie. It is the blessèd sun. 20
KATHERINE
FTLN 2306 Then God be blest, it is the blessèd sun.
FTLN 2307 But sun it is not, when you say it is not,
FTLN 2308 And the moon changes even as your mind.
FTLN 2309 What you will have it named, even that it is,
FTLN 2310 And so it shall be so for Katherine. 25
HORTENSIO
FTLN 2311 Petruchio, go thy ways, the field is won.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2312 Well, forward, forward. Thus the bowl should run,
FTLN 2313 And not unluckily against the bias.
FTLN 2314 But soft! Company is coming here.

Enter Vincentio.
 ACT 4. SC. 5
189 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2315 To Vincentio. Good morrow, gentle mistress, where 30

FTLN 2316 away?—
FTLN 2317 Tell me, sweet Kate, and tell me truly, too,
FTLN 2318 Hast thou beheld a fresher gentlewoman?
FTLN 2319 Such war of white and red within her cheeks!
FTLN 2320 What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty 35
FTLN 2321 As those two eyes become that heavenly face?—
FTLN 2322 Fair lovely maid, once more good day to thee.—
FTLN 2323 Sweet Kate, embrace her for her beauty’s sake.
HORTENSIO, aside
FTLN 2324 He will make the man mad, to make the woman of
FTLN 2325 him. 40
KATHERINE
FTLN 2326 Young budding virgin, fair and fresh and sweet,
FTLN 2327 Whither away, or where is thy abode?
FTLN 2328 Happy the parents of so fair a child!
FTLN 2329 Happier the man whom favorable stars
FTLN 2330 Allots thee for his lovely bedfellow. 45
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2331 Why, how now, Kate? I hope thou art not mad!
FTLN 2332 This is a man—old, wrinkled, faded, withered—
FTLN 2333 And not a maiden, as thou sayst he is.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2334 Pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes
FTLN 2335 That have been so bedazzled with the sun 50
FTLN 2336 That everything I look on seemeth green.
FTLN 2337 Now I perceive thou art a reverend father.
FTLN 2338 Pardon, I pray thee, for my mad mistaking.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2339 Do, good old grandsire, and withal make known
FTLN 2340 Which way thou travelest. If along with us, 55
FTLN 2341 We shall be joyful of thy company.
VINCENTIO
FTLN 2342 Fair sir, and you, my merry mistress,
FTLN 2343 That with your strange encounter much amazed me,
FTLN 2344 My name is called Vincentio, my dwelling Pisa,
 ACT 4. SC. 5
191 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2345 And bound I am to Padua, there to visit 60

FTLN 2346 A son of mine which long I have not seen.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2347 What is his name?
FTLN 2348 VINCENTIO Lucentio, gentle sir.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2349 Happily met, the happier for thy son.
FTLN 2350 And now by law as well as reverend age, 65
FTLN 2351 I may entitle thee my loving father.
FTLN 2352 The sister to my wife, this gentlewoman,
FTLN 2353 Thy son by this hath married. Wonder not,
FTLN 2354 Nor be not grieved. She is of good esteem,
FTLN 2355 Her dowry wealthy, and of worthy birth; 70
FTLN 2356 Beside, so qualified as may beseem
FTLN 2357 The spouse of any noble gentleman.
FTLN 2358 Let me embrace with old Vincentio,
FTLN 2359 And wander we to see thy honest son,
FTLN 2360 Who will of thy arrival be full joyous. 75
VINCENTIO
FTLN 2361 But is this true, or is it else your pleasure,
FTLN 2362 Like pleasant travelers, to break a jest
FTLN 2363 Upon the company you overtake?
HORTENSIO
FTLN 2364 I do assure thee, father, so it is.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2365 Come, go along and see the truth hereof, 80
FTLN 2366 For our first merriment hath made thee jealous.
All but Hortensio exit.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 2367 Well, Petruchio, this has put me in heart!
FTLN 2368 Have to my widow, and if she be froward,
FTLN 2369 Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward.
He exits.
 ACT 5

Scene 1
Enter Biondello, Lucentio as himself, and Bianca.
Gremio is out before and stands to the side.

FTLN 2370 BIONDELLO Softly and swiftly, sir, for the priest is
FTLN 2371 ready.
FTLN 2372 LUCENTIO I fly, Biondello. But they may chance to
FTLN 2373 need thee at home. Therefore leave us.
Lucentio exits with Bianca.
FTLN 2374 BIONDELLO Nay, faith, I’ll see the church a’ your back, 5
FTLN 2375 and then come back to my master’s as soon as I
FTLN 2376 can. He exits.
FTLN 2377 GREMIO I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.

Enter Petruchio, Katherine, Vincentio, Grumio, with

Attendants.

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2378 Sir, here’s the door. This is Lucentio’s house.
FTLN 2379 My father’s bears more toward the marketplace. 10
FTLN 2380 Thither must I, and here I leave you, sir.
VINCENTIO
FTLN 2381 You shall not choose but drink before you go.
FTLN 2382 I think I shall command your welcome here,
FTLN 2383 And by all likelihood some cheer is toward.
He knocks.
195
 ACT 5. SC. 1
197 The Taming of the Shrew

GREMIO, coming forward

FTLN 2384 They’re busy within. You were best knock louder. 15
Merchant looks out of the window.
FTLN 2385 MERCHANT, as Vincentio What’s he that knocks as
FTLN 2386 he would beat down the gate?
FTLN 2387 VINCENTIO Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?
FTLN 2388 MERCHANT, as Vincentio He’s within, sir, but not to
FTLN 2389 be spoken withal. 20
FTLN 2390 VINCENTIO What if a man bring him a hundred pound
FTLN 2391 or two to make merry withal?
FTLN 2392 MERCHANT, as Vincentio Keep your hundred
FTLN 2393 pounds to yourself. He shall need none so long as I
FTLN 2394 live. 25
FTLN 2395 PETRUCHIO, to Vincentio Nay, I told you your son was
FTLN 2396 well beloved in Padua.—Do you hear, sir? To leave
FTLN 2397 frivolous circumstances, I pray you tell Signior
FTLN 2398 Lucentio that his father is come from Pisa and is
FTLN 2399 here at the door to speak with him. 30
FTLN 2400 MERCHANT, as Vincentio Thou liest. His father is
FTLN 2401 come from Padua and here looking out at the
FTLN 2402 window.
FTLN 2403 VINCENTIO Art thou his father?
FTLN 2404 MERCHANT, as Vincentio Ay, sir, so his mother says, 35
FTLN 2405 if I may believe her.
FTLN 2406 PETRUCHIO, to Vincentio Why, how now, gentleman!
FTLN 2407 Why, this is flat knavery, to take upon you another
FTLN 2408 man’s name.
FTLN 2409 MERCHANT, as Vincentio Lay hands on the villain. I 40
FTLN 2410 believe he means to cosen somebody in this city
FTLN 2411 under my countenance.

Enter Biondello.

FTLN 2412 BIONDELLO, aside I have seen them in the church

FTLN 2413 together. God send ’em good shipping! But who is
FTLN 2414 here? Mine old master Vincentio! Now we are 45
FTLN 2415 undone and brought to nothing.
 ACT 5. SC. 1
199 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2416 VINCENTIO, to Biondello Come hither, crack-hemp.

FTLN 2417 BIONDELLO I hope I may choose, sir.
FTLN 2418 VINCENTIO Come hither, you rogue! What, have you
FTLN 2419 forgot me? 50
FTLN 2420 BIONDELLO Forgot you? No, sir. I could not forget you,
FTLN 2421 for I never saw you before in all my life.
FTLN 2422 VINCENTIO What, you notorious villain, didst thou
FTLN 2423 never see thy master’s father, Vincentio?
FTLN 2424 BIONDELLO What, my old worshipful old master? Yes, 55
FTLN 2425 marry, sir. See where he looks out of the window.
FTLN 2426 VINCENTIO Is ’t so indeed? He beats Biondello.
FTLN 2427 BIONDELLO Help, help, help! Here’s a madman will
FTLN 2428 murder me. Biondello exits.
FTLN 2429 MERCHANT, as Vincentio Help, son! Help, Signior 60
FTLN 2430 Baptista! He exits from window.
FTLN 2431 PETRUCHIO Prithee, Kate, let’s stand aside and see the
FTLN 2432 end of this controversy. They move aside.

Enter Merchant with Servants, and Baptista and

Tranio disguised as Lucentio.

FTLN 2433 TRANIO, as Lucentio Sir, what are you that offer to
FTLN 2434 beat my servant? 65
FTLN 2435 VINCENTIO What am I, sir? Nay, what are you, sir! O
FTLN 2436 immortal gods! O fine villain! A silken doublet, a
FTLN 2437 velvet hose, a scarlet cloak, and a copatain hat! O, I
FTLN 2438 am undone, I am undone! While I play the good
FTLN 2439 husband at home, my son and my servant spend all 70
FTLN 2440 at the university.
FTLN 2441 TRANIO, as Lucentio How now, what’s the matter?
FTLN 2442 BAPTISTA What, is the man lunatic?
FTLN 2443 TRANIO, as Lucentio Sir, you seem a sober ancient
FTLN 2444 gentleman by your habit, but your words show you 75
FTLN 2445 a madman. Why, sir, what ’cerns it you if I wear
FTLN 2446 pearl and gold? I thank my good father, I am able
FTLN 2447 to maintain it.
 ACT 5. SC. 1
201 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2448 VINCENTIO Thy father! O villain, he is a sailmaker in

FTLN 2449 Bergamo. 80
FTLN 2450 BAPTISTA You mistake, sir, you mistake, sir! Pray, what
FTLN 2451 do you think is his name?
FTLN 2452 VINCENTIO His name? As if I knew not his name! I have
FTLN 2453 brought him up ever since he was three years old,
FTLN 2454 and his name is Tranio. 85
FTLN 2455 MERCHANT, as Vincentio Away, away, mad ass! His
FTLN 2456 name is Lucentio and he is mine only son, and heir
FTLN 2457 to the lands of me, Signior Vincentio.
FTLN 2458 VINCENTIO Lucentio? O, he hath murdered his master!
FTLN 2459 Lay hold on him, I charge you in the Duke’s name. 90
FTLN 2460 O, my son, my son! Tell me, thou villain, where is
FTLN 2461 my son Lucentio?
FTLN 2462 TRANIO, as Lucentio Call forth an officer.

Enter an Officer.

FTLN 2463 Carry this mad knave to the jail.—Father Baptista, I

FTLN 2464 charge you see that he be forthcoming. 95
FTLN 2465 VINCENTIO Carry me to the jail?
FTLN 2466 GREMIO Stay, officer. He shall not go to prison.
FTLN 2467 BAPTISTA Talk not, Signior Gremio. I say he shall go to
FTLN 2468 prison.
FTLN 2469 GREMIO Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catched 100
FTLN 2470 in this business. I dare swear this is the
FTLN 2471 right Vincentio.
FTLN 2472 MERCHANT, as Vincentio Swear, if thou dar’st.
FTLN 2473 GREMIO Nay, I dare not swear it.
FTLN 2474 TRANIO, as Lucentio Then thou wert best say that I 105
FTLN 2475 am not Lucentio.
FTLN 2476 GREMIO Yes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio.
FTLN 2477 BAPTISTA Away with the dotard, to the jail with him.
FTLN 2478 VINCENTIO Thus strangers may be haled and abused.—
FTLN 2479 O monstrous villain! 110

Enter Biondello, Lucentio and Bianca.

 ACT 5. SC. 1
203 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2480 BIONDELLO O, we are spoiled, and yonder he is! Deny

FTLN 2481 him, forswear him, or else we are all undone.
Biondello, Tranio, and Merchant
exit as fast as may be.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 2482 Pardon, sweet father. Lucentio and Bianca kneel.
FTLN 2483 VINCENTIO Lives my sweet son?
BIANCA
FTLN 2484 Pardon, dear father. 115
FTLN 2485 BAPTISTA How hast thou offended?
FTLN 2486 Where is Lucentio?
FTLN 2487 LUCENTIO Here’s Lucentio,
FTLN 2488 Right son to the right Vincentio,
FTLN 2489 That have by marriage made thy daughter mine 120
FTLN 2490 While counterfeit supposes bleared thine eyne.
GREMIO
FTLN 2491 Here’s packing, with a witness, to deceive us all!
VINCENTIO
FTLN 2492 Where is that damnèd villain, Tranio,
FTLN 2493 That faced and braved me in this matter so?
BAPTISTA
FTLN 2494 Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio? 125
BIANCA
FTLN 2495 Cambio is changed into Lucentio.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 2496 Love wrought these miracles. Bianca’s love
FTLN 2497 Made me exchange my state with Tranio,
FTLN 2498 While he did bear my countenance in the town,
FTLN 2499 And happily I have arrivèd at the last 130
FTLN 2500 Unto the wishèd haven of my bliss.
FTLN 2501 What Tranio did, myself enforced him to.
FTLN 2502 Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake.
FTLN 2503 VINCENTIO I’ll slit the villain’s nose that would have
FTLN 2504 sent me to the jail! 135
FTLN 2505 BAPTISTA But do you hear, sir, have you married my
FTLN 2506 daughter without asking my goodwill?
 ACT 5. SC. 2
205 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2507 VINCENTIO Fear not, Baptista, we will content you. Go

FTLN 2508 to! But I will in to be revenged for this villainy.
He exits.
FTLN 2509 BAPTISTA And I to sound the depth of this knavery. 140
He exits.
FTLN 2510 LUCENTIO Look not pale, Bianca. Thy father will not
FTLN 2511 frown. They exit.
GREMIO
FTLN 2512 My cake is dough, but I’ll in among the rest,
FTLN 2513 Out of hope of all but my share of the feast.
He exits.
FTLN 2514 KATHERINE Husband, let’s follow to see the end of 145
FTLN 2515 this ado.
FTLN 2516 PETRUCHIO First kiss me, Kate, and we will.
FTLN 2517 KATHERINE What, in the midst of the street?
FTLN 2518 PETRUCHIO What, art thou ashamed of me?
FTLN 2519 KATHERINE No, sir, God forbid, but ashamed to kiss. 150
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2520 Why, then, let’s home again. To Grumio. Come,
FTLN 2521 sirrah, let’s away.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2522 Nay, I will give thee a kiss. She kisses him.
FTLN 2523 Now pray thee, love, stay.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2524 Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate. 155
FTLN 2525 Better once than never, for never too late.
They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Baptista, Vincentio, Gremio, the Merchant,

Lucentio, and Bianca; Hortensio and the Widow,
Petruchio and Katherine; Tranio, Biondello, and
Grumio, with Servingmen bringing in a banquet.

LUCENTIO
FTLN 2526 At last, though long, our jarring notes agree,
 ACT 5. SC. 2
207 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2527 And time it is when raging war is done

FTLN 2528 To smile at ’scapes and perils overblown.
FTLN 2529 My fair Bianca, bid my father welcome,
FTLN 2530 While I with selfsame kindness welcome thine. 5
FTLN 2531 Brother Petruchio, sister Katherina,
FTLN 2532 And thou, Hortensio, with thy loving widow,
FTLN 2533 Feast with the best, and welcome to my house.
FTLN 2534 My banquet is to close our stomachs up
FTLN 2535 After our great good cheer. Pray you, sit down, 10
FTLN 2536 For now we sit to chat as well as eat. They sit.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2537 Nothing but sit and sit, and eat and eat!
BAPTISTA
FTLN 2538 Padua affords this kindness, son Petruchio.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2539 Padua affords nothing but what is kind.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 2540 For both our sakes I would that word were true. 15
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2541 Now, for my life, Hortensio fears his widow!
WIDOW
FTLN 2542 Then never trust me if I be afeard.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2543 You are very sensible, and yet you miss my sense:
FTLN 2544 I mean Hortensio is afeard of you.
WIDOW
FTLN 2545 He that is giddy thinks the world turns round. 20
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2546 Roundly replied.
FTLN 2547 KATHERINE Mistress, how mean you that?
FTLN 2548 WIDOW Thus I conceive by him.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2549 Conceives by me? How likes Hortensio that?
HORTENSIO
FTLN 2550 My widow says, thus she conceives her tale. 25
 ACT 5. SC. 2
209 The Taming of the Shrew

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2551 Very well mended. Kiss him for that, good widow.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2552 “He that is giddy thinks the world turns round”—
FTLN 2553 I pray you tell me what you meant by that.
WIDOW
FTLN 2554 Your husband being troubled with a shrew
FTLN 2555 Measures my husband’s sorrow by his woe. 30
FTLN 2556 And now you know my meaning.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2557 A very mean meaning.
FTLN 2558 WIDOW Right, I mean you.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2559 And I am mean indeed, respecting you.
FTLN 2560 PETRUCHIO To her, Kate! 35
FTLN 2561 HORTENSIO To her, widow!
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2562 A hundred marks, my Kate does put her down.
FTLN 2563 HORTENSIO That’s my office.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2564 Spoke like an officer! Ha’ to thee, lad.
He drinks to Hortensio.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 2565 How likes Gremio these quick-witted folks? 40
GREMIO
FTLN 2566 Believe me, sir, they butt together well.
BIANCA
FTLN 2567 Head and butt! An hasty-witted body
FTLN 2568 Would say your head and butt were head and horn.
VINCENTIO
FTLN 2569 Ay, mistress bride, hath that awakened you?
BIANCA
FTLN 2570 Ay, but not frighted me. Therefore I’ll sleep again. 45
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2571 Nay, that you shall not. Since you have begun,
FTLN 2572 Have at you for a bitter jest or two.
 ACT 5. SC. 2
211 The Taming of the Shrew

BIANCA
FTLN 2573 Am I your bird? I mean to shift my bush,
FTLN 2574 And then pursue me as you draw your bow.—
FTLN 2575 You are welcome all. 50
Bianca, Katherine, and the Widow exit.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2576 She hath prevented me. Here, Signior Tranio,
FTLN 2577 This bird you aimed at, though you hit her not.—
FTLN 2578 Therefore a health to all that shot and missed.
TRANIO
FTLN 2579 O, sir, Lucentio slipped me like his greyhound,
FTLN 2580 Which runs himself and catches for his master. 55
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2581 A good swift simile, but something currish.
TRANIO
FTLN 2582 ’Tis well, sir, that you hunted for yourself.
FTLN 2583 ’Tis thought your deer does hold you at a bay.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 2584 O, O, Petruchio! Tranio hits you now.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 2585 I thank thee for that gird, good Tranio. 60
HORTENSIO
FTLN 2586 Confess, confess! Hath he not hit you here?
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2587 He has a little galled me, I confess.
FTLN 2588 And as the jest did glance away from me,
FTLN 2589 ’Tis ten to one it maimed you two outright.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 2590 Now, in good sadness, son Petruchio, 65
FTLN 2591 I think thou hast the veriest shrew of all.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2592 Well, I say no. And therefore, for assurance,
FTLN 2593 Let’s each one send unto his wife,
FTLN 2594 And he whose wife is most obedient
FTLN 2595 To come at first when he doth send for her 70
FTLN 2596 Shall win the wager which we will propose.
 ACT 5. SC. 2
213 The Taming of the Shrew

HORTENSIO
FTLN 2597 Content, what’s the wager?
FTLN 2598 LUCENTIO Twenty crowns.
FTLN 2599 PETRUCHIO Twenty crowns?
FTLN 2600 I’ll venture so much of my hawk or hound, 75
FTLN 2601 But twenty times so much upon my wife.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 2602 A hundred, then.
FTLN 2603 HORTENSIO Content.
FTLN 2604 PETRUCHIO A match! ’Tis done.
FTLN 2605 HORTENSIO Who shall begin? 80
FTLN 2606 LUCENTIO That will I.
FTLN 2607 Go, Biondello, bid your mistress come to me.
FTLN 2608 BIONDELLO I go. He exits.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 2609 Son, I’ll be your half Bianca comes.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 2610 I’ll have no halves. I’ll bear it all myself. 85
Enter Biondello.

FTLN 2611 How now, what news?

FTLN 2612 BIONDELLO Sir, my mistress sends you
FTLN 2613 word
FTLN 2614 That she is busy, and she cannot come.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2615 How? “She’s busy, and she cannot come”? 90
FTLN 2616 Is that an answer?
FTLN 2617 GREMIO Ay, and a kind one, too.
FTLN 2618 Pray God, sir, your wife send you not a worse.
FTLN 2619 PETRUCHIO I hope better.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 2620 Sirrah Biondello, go and entreat my wife 95
FTLN 2621 To come to me forthwith. Biondello exits.
FTLN 2622 PETRUCHIO O ho, entreat her!
FTLN 2623 Nay, then, she must needs come.
 ACT 5. SC. 2
215 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2624 HORTENSIO I am afraid, sir,

FTLN 2625 Do what you can, yours will not be entreated. 100

Enter Biondello.

FTLN 2626 Now, where’s my wife?

BIONDELLO
FTLN 2627 She says you have some goodly jest in hand.
FTLN 2628 She will not come. She bids you come to her.
FTLN 2629 PETRUCHIO Worse and worse. She will not come!
FTLN 2630 O vile, intolerable, not to be endured!— 105
FTLN 2631 Sirrah Grumio, go to your mistress,
FTLN 2632 Say I command her come to me. Grumio exits.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 2633 I know her answer.
FTLN 2634 PETRUCHIO What?
FTLN 2635 HORTENSIO She will not. 110
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2636 The fouler fortune mine, and there an end.

Enter Katherine.

BAPTISTA
FTLN 2637 Now by my holidam, here comes Katherina!
KATHERINE
FTLN 2638 What is your will, sir, that you send for me?
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2639 Where is your sister, and Hortensio’s wife?
KATHERINE
FTLN 2640 They sit conferring by the parlor fire. 115
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2641 Go fetch them hither. If they deny to come,
FTLN 2642 Swinge me them soundly forth unto their husbands.
FTLN 2643 Away, I say, and bring them hither straight.
Katherine exits.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 2644 Here is a wonder, if you talk of a wonder.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 2645 And so it is. I wonder what it bodes. 120
 ACT 5. SC. 2
217 The Taming of the Shrew

PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2646 Marry, peace it bodes, and love, and quiet life,
FTLN 2647 An awful rule, and right supremacy,
FTLN 2648 And, to be short, what not that’s sweet and happy.
BAPTISTA
FTLN 2649 Now fair befall thee, good Petruchio!
FTLN 2650 The wager thou hast won, and I will add 125
FTLN 2651 Unto their losses twenty thousand crowns,
FTLN 2652 Another dowry to another daughter,
FTLN 2653 For she is changed as she had never been.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2654 Nay, I will win my wager better yet,
FTLN 2655 And show more sign of her obedience, 130
FTLN 2656 Her new-built virtue and obedience.

Enter Katherine, Bianca, and Widow.

FTLN 2657 See where she comes, and brings your froward
FTLN 2658 wives
FTLN 2659 As prisoners to her womanly persuasion.—
FTLN 2660 Katherine, that cap of yours becomes you not. 135
FTLN 2661 Off with that bauble, throw it underfoot.
She obeys.
WIDOW
FTLN 2662 Lord, let me never have a cause to sigh
FTLN 2663 Till I be brought to such a silly pass.
BIANCA
FTLN 2664 Fie, what a foolish duty call you this?
LUCENTIO
FTLN 2665 I would your duty were as foolish too. 140
FTLN 2666 The wisdom of your duty, fair Bianca,
FTLN 2667 Hath cost me a hundred crowns since suppertime.
BIANCA
FTLN 2668 The more fool you for laying on my duty.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2669 Katherine, I charge thee tell these headstrong
FTLN 2670 women 145
FTLN 2671 What duty they do owe their lords and husbands.
 ACT 5. SC. 2
219 The Taming of the Shrew

WIDOW
FTLN 2672 Come, come, you’re mocking. We will have no
FTLN 2673 telling.
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2674 Come on, I say, and first begin with her.
FTLN 2675 WIDOW She shall not. 150
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2676 I say she shall.—And first begin with her.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2677 Fie, fie! Unknit that threat’ning unkind brow,
FTLN 2678 And dart not scornful glances from those eyes
FTLN 2679 To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor.
FTLN 2680 It blots thy beauty as frosts do bite the meads, 155
FTLN 2681 Confounds thy fame as whirlwinds shake fair buds,
FTLN 2682 And in no sense is meet or amiable.
FTLN 2683 A woman moved is like a fountain troubled,
FTLN 2684 Muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty,
FTLN 2685 And while it is so, none so dry or thirsty 160
FTLN 2686 Will deign to sip or touch one drop of it.
FTLN 2687 Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper,
FTLN 2688 Thy head, thy sovereign, one that cares for thee,
FTLN 2689 And for thy maintenance commits his body
FTLN 2690 To painful labor both by sea and land, 165
FTLN 2691 To watch the night in storms, the day in cold,
FTLN 2692 Whilst thou liest warm at home, secure and safe,
FTLN 2693 And craves no other tribute at thy hands
FTLN 2694 But love, fair looks, and true obedience—
FTLN 2695 Too little payment for so great a debt. 170
FTLN 2696 Such duty as the subject owes the prince,
FTLN 2697 Even such a woman oweth to her husband;
FTLN 2698 And when she is froward, peevish, sullen, sour,
FTLN 2699 And not obedient to his honest will,
FTLN 2700 What is she but a foul contending rebel 175
FTLN 2701 And graceless traitor to her loving lord?
FTLN 2702 I am ashamed that women are so simple
FTLN 2703 To offer war where they should kneel for peace,
 ACT 5. SC. 2
221 The Taming of the Shrew

FTLN 2704 Or seek for rule, supremacy, and sway

FTLN 2705 When they are bound to serve, love, and obey. 180
FTLN 2706 Why are our bodies soft and weak and smooth,
FTLN 2707 Unapt to toil and trouble in the world,
FTLN 2708 But that our soft conditions and our hearts
FTLN 2709 Should well agree with our external parts?
FTLN 2710 Come, come, you froward and unable worms! 185
FTLN 2711 My mind hath been as big as one of yours,
FTLN 2712 My heart as great, my reason haply more,
FTLN 2713 To bandy word for word and frown for frown;
FTLN 2714 But now I see our lances are but straws,
FTLN 2715 Our strength as weak, our weakness past compare, 190
FTLN 2716 That seeming to be most which we indeed least are.
FTLN 2717 Then vail your stomachs, for it is no boot,
FTLN 2718 And place your hands below your husband’s foot;
FTLN 2719 In token of which duty, if he please,
FTLN 2720 My hand is ready, may it do him ease. 195
PETRUCHIO
FTLN 2721 Why, there’s a wench! Come on, and kiss me, Kate.
They kiss.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 2722 Well, go thy ways, old lad, for thou shalt ha ’t.
VINCENTIO
FTLN 2723 ’Tis a good hearing when children are toward.
LUCENTIO
FTLN 2724 But a harsh hearing when women are froward.
FTLN 2725 PETRUCHIO Come, Kate, we’ll to bed. 200
FTLN 2726 We three are married, but you two are sped.
FTLN 2727 To Lucentio. ’Twas I won the wager, though you
FTLN 2728 hit the white,
FTLN 2729 And being a winner, God give you good night.
Petruchio and Katherine exit.
HORTENSIO
FTLN 2730 Now, go thy ways, thou hast tamed a curst shrow. 205
LUCENTIO
FTLN 2731 ’Tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be tamed so.
They exit.