Scoena Prima.
Enter Begger and Hostes, Christophero Sly.
Begger.
ILe pheeze you infaith.
Host.
A paire of stockes you rogue.
Beg.
Y'are a baggage, the
Slies are no Rogues. Looke in the Chronicles, wee came in with
Richard Conqueror: therefore
Paucas pallabris, let the world slide: Sessa.
Host.
You will not pay for the glasses you haue burst?
Beg.
No, not a deniere: goe by
Ieronimie, goe to thy cold b
[...]
[...]d warme thee.
Host.
I know my remedie, I must goe fetch the Head-borough.
Beg.
Third, or fourth, or fift Borough, Ile answere him by Law. He not budge an inch boy: Let him come and kindly.
Falles asleepe.
Winde hornes. Enter a Lord from hunting, with his traine.
Lo.
Huntsman I charge thee, tender well my hounds,
Brach
Meriman, the poore Curre is imbost.
And couple
Clowder with the deepe mouth'd brach,
Saw'st thou not boy how
Siluer made it good.
At the hedge corner, in the coldest fault,
I would not loose the dogge for twentie pound.
Hunts.
Why
Belman is as good as he my Lord,
He cried vpon it at the meerest losse,
And twice to day pick'd out the dullest sent,
Trust me, I take him for the dogge.
Lord.
Thou art a foole, if
Eccho were as fleete,
[Page]
I would esteeme him worth a dozen such:
But sup them well, and looke vnto them all.
To morrow I intend to hunt againe.
Hunts.
I will my Lord.
Lord.
What's heere. One dead, or drunke? See doth he breath?
2.
Hun.
He breath's my Lord. Were he not warm'd with Ale, this were a bed but cold to sleepe so soundly.
Lord.
Oh mounstrous beast how like a swine he lyes.
Gr
[...]me death how foule and loathsome is thine image:
[...]s, I will practise on this drunken man.
What thinke you, if he were conuey'd to bed,
Wrap'd in sweet cloathes: Rings put vpon his fingers:
A most delicious banquet by his bed,
And braue attendants neere him when he wakes,
Would not the begger then forget himselfe?
1.
Hunts.
Beleeue me Lord, I thinke hee cannot choose.
2.
H.
It would seeme strange vnto him when he wak'd,
Lord.
Euen as a flat'ring dreame, or worthles fancie.
Then take him vp, and manage well the iest:
Carrie him gently to my fairest Chamber,
And hang it round with all my wanton pictures.
Balme his foule head in warme distiled waters,
And burne sweet Wood to make the lodging sweete:
Procure me musicke readie when he wakes,
To make a dulcet and a heauenly sound:
And if he chance to speake be ready straight
(And with alow submissiue reuerence)
Say what is it your honor will command:
Let one attend him with a siluer Bason
Full of rose-water, And bestrew'd with flowers,
Another beare the Ewer: the third a Diaper,
And say wilt please your Lordship coole your hands.
Some one be readie with a costly sui
[...]e,
And aske him what apparell he will weare:
Another tell him of his Hounds and Horse,
And that his Lady mournes at his disease,
Perswade him that he hath bin Lunaticke,
And when he sayes he is, say that he dreames,
For he is nothing but a mightie Lord:
[Page]
This do, and doe it kindly, gentle sirs,
It will be pastime passing excellent,
If it be husbanded with modestie.
1.
Hunts.
My Lord I warrant you we wil play our part
As he shall thinke by our true dilligence
He is no lesse then what we say he is.
Lord.
Take him vp gently, and to bed with him,
And each one to his office when he wakes.
Sound Trumpets.
Sirrah, go see what Trumpet 'tis that sounds,
Belike some Noble Gentleman that meanes
(Trauelling some iourney) to repose him heere.
Enter Seruingman.
How now? who is it?
Ser.
An't please your Honor, players
That offer seruice to your Lordship.
Enter players.
Lord.
Bid them come neere;
Now fellowes, you are welcome.
Players.
We thanke your Honor.
Lord.
Do you intend to stay with me to night?
2.
Player.
So please your Lordshippe to accept our dutie.
Lord.
With all my heart. This fellow I remember,
Since once he plaide a Farmers eldest sonne,
Twas where you woo'd the Gentlewoman so well:
I haue forgot your name: but sure that part
Was aptly fitted, and naturally perform'd,
Sincklo.
I thinke 'twas
Soto that your Honor meanes.
Lord.
'Tis verie true, thou didst it excellent:
Well you are come to me in happie time,
The rather for I haue some sport in hand,
Wherein your cunning can assist me much.
There is a Lord will heare you play to night;
But I am doubtfull of your modesties,
Least (ouer-eying of his odde behauiour,
For yet his honor neuer heard a play)
You breake into some merrie passion,
[Page]
And so offend him: for I tell you sirs,
If you should smile, he growes impatient.
Play.
Feare not my Lord we can containe our selues,
Were he the veriest anticke in the world.
Lord.
Go sirra, Take them to the Butterie,
And giue them friendly welcome euery one,
Let them want nothing that my house affoords.
Exit one with the Players.
Sirra go you to Bartholmew my page,
And see him drest in all suites like a Ladie:
That done, conduct him to the drunkards chamber,
And call him Madam, do him obeisance:
Tell him from me (as he will win my loue)
He bare himselfe with honorable action,
Such as he hath obseru'd in noble Ladies
Vnto their Lords, by them accomplished,
Such dutie to the drunkard let him do:
With soft lowe tongue, and lowly curtesie,
And say: What is 't your Honor doth command,
Wherein your Ladie, and your humble wife,
May shew her dutie, and make knowne her loue.
And then with kinde imbracements, tempting kisses,
And with declining head into his bosome
Bid him shed teares, as being ouer-ioyed
To see her noble Lord restor'd to health,
Who for this seuen yeares hath esteemed him
No better then a poore and loathsome begger:
And if the boy haue not a womans guift
To raine a shower of commanded teares,
An Onion will do well for such a shift,
Which in a Napkin (being close-conuei'd)
Shall in despight enforce a waterie eie:
See this dispatch'd with all the hast thou canst,
Anon Ile giue thee more instructions.
Exit a seruingman.
I know the boy will wel vsurpe the grace,
Voice, gate, and action of a Gentlewoman:
[Page]
I long to heare him call the drunkard husband,
And how my men will stay themselues from laughter,
When they do homage to this simple peasant,
Ile in to counsell them: haply my presence
May well abate the ouer-merrie spleene,
Which otherwise would grow into extreames.
Enter aloft the drunkard with attendants, some with apparel, Bason and Ewer, & other appurtenances, & Lord.
Beg.
For Gods sake a pot of small Ale.
1
Ser.
Wilt please your Lordship drinke a cup of sacke?
2
Ser.
Wilt please your Honor taste of these Conserues?
3.
Ser.
What raiment will your honor weare to day.
Beg.
I am
Christophero Sly, call not mee Honor nor Lordship: I ne're dranke sacke in my life: and if you giue me any Conserues, giue mee conserues of Beefe: nere ask me what raiment Ile weare, for I haue no more doublets then Backes: no more stockings then legges: nor no more shooes then feet, nay somtime more feet then shooes, or such shooes as my toes looke through the ouer leather.
Lord.
Heauen cease this idle humor in your Honor.
Oh that a mightie man of such discent,
Of such possessions, and so high esteeme
Should be infused with so foule a spirit.
Beg.
What would you make me mad? Am not I
Christopher Slie, old
Slies sonne of Burton-heath by byrth a Pedler, by education a Cardmaker, by transmutation a Beare-heard, and now by present profession a Tinker. Aske
Marrian Hacket the fat Alewife of Wincot, if shee know me not: if she say I am not xiiii. d. on the score for sheere Ale; score mee vp for the lyingst knaue in Christendome. What I am not bestraught: here's
3.
Man.
Oh this it is that makes your Ladie mourne.
2
Mar.
Oh this is it that makes your seruants droop.
Lord.
Hence comes it, that your kindred shuns your house
As beaten hence by your strange Lunacie.
Oh Noble Lord, bethinke thee of thy birth,
Call home thy ancient thoughts from banishment,
And banish hence these abiect lowlie dreames:
Looke how thy seruants do attend on thee,
[Page]
Each in his office readie at thy becke.
Wilt thou haue musicke? Harke Apollo playes,
Musicke
And twentie caged Nightingales do sing,
Or wilt thou sleepe? Wee'l haue thee to a Couch,
Softer and sweeter then the lustfull bed
On purpose trim'd vp for Semiramis.
Say thou wilt walke: we will bestrow the ground.
Or wilt thou ride? thy horses shall be trap'd,
Their harnesse studded all with Gold and Pearle.
Dost thou loue hawking? Thou hast hawkes will soare
Aboue the Morning Larke. Or wilt thou hunt,
Thy bounds shall make the Welkin answer them
And fetch shrill ecchoes from the hollow earth.
1
Man.
Say thou wilt course, thy gray-hounds are as swift
As breathed Stags: I fleeter then the Roe.
2
M.
Dost thou loue pictures? we wil fetch thee strait
Adonis painted by a running brooke,
And Citherea all in sedges hid,
Which seeme to moue and wanton with her breath,
Euen as the wauing sedges play with winde.
Lord.
Wee'l shew thee
Io, as she was a Maid,
And how she was beguiled and surpriz'd,
As liuelie painted, as the deede was done.
3
Man.
Or
Daphne roming through a thornie wood,
Scratching her legs, that one shal sweare she bleeds,
And at that sight shall sad Apollo weepe,
So workmanlie the blood and teares are drawne.
Lord.
Thou art a Lord and nothing but a Lord:
Thou hast a Ladie farre more Beautifull,
Then any woman in this waining age.
1
Man.
And til the teares that she hath shed for thee,
Like enuious flouds ore-run her louely face,
She was the fairest creature in the world,
And yet she is inferiour to none.
Beg.
Am I a Lord and haue I such a Ladie?
Or do I dreame? Or haue I dream'd till now?
I do not sleepe: I see, I heare, I speake:
I smel sweet sauors, and I feele soft things:
Vpon my life I am a Lord indeede,
[Page]
And not a Tinker, nor Christopher Slie.
Well, bring our ladie hither to our sight,
And once againe a pot o'th smallest Ale.
2.
Man.
Wilt please your mightinesse to wash your hands:
Oh how we ioy to see your wit resto'd,
Oh that once more you knew but what you are:
These fifteene yeeres you haue bin in a dreame,
Or when you wak'd, so wak'd as if you slept.
Beg.
These fifteene yeeres, by my say, a goodly nap,
But did I neuer speake of all that time.
1
Man.
Oh yes my Lord, but verie idle words
For though you lay heere in this goodlie chamber,
Yet would you say, ye weare beaten out of doore,
And raile vpon the Hostesse of the house,
And say you would present her at the Leete,
Because she brought stone-iugs, and no sea'ld quarts:
Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket.
Beg.
I, the womans maid of the house.
3.
Man
Why sir you konw no house, nor no such maid
Nor no such men as you haue reckon'd vp,
As
Stephen Slie, and old
Iohn Naps of Greece,
And
Peter Turph, and
Henry Pimpernell,
And twentie more such names and men as these,
Which neuer were, nor no man euer saw.
Beg.
Now Lord be thanked for my good amends.
All.
Amen
Enter Ladie with Attendants.
Beg.
I thanke thee, thou shalt not loose by it.
Lady
How fares my noble Lord?
Beg.
Marrie I fare well, for heereis cheere enough.
Where is my wife?
La.
Heere noble Lord what is thy will with her
Beg.
Are you my wife and will not call mee husband?
My men should call mee Lord, I am your good-man.
La.
My husband and my Lord, my Lord and husband I am your wife in all obedi nce.
Beg.
I know it well, what must I call her?
Lord.
Madam.
Beg.
Alce Madam, or
Ione Madam?
Lord.
[Page]
Madam, and nothing else, so Lords call Ladies
Beg.
Madame wife, they say that I haue dream'd,
And slept aboue some fifteene yeare or more.
Lady.
I, and the time seeme's thirty vnto me,
Being all this time abandon'd from your bed.
Beg.
'Tis much, seruants leaue me and her alone:
Madam vndresse you, and come now to bed.
La.
Thrice noble Lord, Let me intreate of you
To pardon me yet for a night or two;
Or if not so, vntill the Sun be set.
For your Physitions haue expressely charg'd,
In perill to incurre you former malady,
That I should yet absent me from your bed:
I hope this reason stands for my excuse.
Beg.
I, It stands so that I may hardly tarry so long:
But I would be loth to fall into my dreames againe: I will therefore tarrie in despight of the flesh and the blood.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess.
Your Honors Players hearing your amendment,
Are come to play a pleasant Comedie,
For so your Doctors hold it verie meete,
Seeing too much sadnesse hath congeal'd your blood,
And melancholly is the Nurse of frenzie,
Therefore they thought it good you heare a play,
And frame your minde to mirth and merriment,
Which barres a thousand harmes, and lengthens life.
Beg.
Marrie I will let them play, it is not a Commontie, a Christmas gambold, or a tumbling tricke?
Lady.
No my good Lord, it is more pleasing stuffe.
Beg.
What houshold stuffe.
Lady.
It is a kind of history.
Beg.
Well, we'l see't:
Com Madam wife sit by my side,
And let the world slip, wee shall nere be yonger.
Flourish. Enter Lucentio, and his man Triano.
Luc.
Tranio, since for the great desire I had
To see faire
Padua, nurserie of Arts,
[Page]
I, am arriu'd for fruitfull
Lumbardie,
The pleasant garden of great
Italy,
And by my fathers loue and leaue am arm'd
With his good will, and thy good companie.
My trustie seruant well approu'd in all,
Heere let vs breath, and haply institute
A course of Learning, and ingenious studies.
Pisa renowned for graue Citizens
Gaue me my being, and my father first
A Merchant of great Trafficke through the world:
Vincentio's come of the
Bentiuolij,
Ʋicentio's sonne, brought vp in
Florence,
It shall become to serue all hopes conceiu'd
To decke his fortune with his vertuous deedes:
And therefore
Tranio, for the time I studie,
Vertue and that part of Philosophie
Will I applie, that treates of happinesse,
By verue specially to be atchieu'd.
Tell me thy minde, for I haue
Pisa left,
And am to
Padua come, as he that leaues
A shallow plash, to plunge him in the deepe,
And with sacietie seekes to quench his thirst.
Tra.
Me Pardinato, gentle maister mine:
I am in all affected as your selfe,
Glad that you thus continue your resolue,
To sucke the sweets of sweete Philosophie.
Onely (good master) while we do admire
This vertue and this morall discipline,
Let's be no Stoickes, nor no stockes I pray,
Or so deuote to
Aristotles checkes
As
Ouid; be an out-cast quite abiur'd:
Balke Logicke with acquaintaince that you haue,
And practise Rhetoricke in your common talke,
Musicke and poesie vse, to quicken you,
The Mathematickes and the Metaphysickes
Fall to them as you finde your stomacke serues you:
No pro
[...]it growes where is no pleasure tane:
In briefe sir, studie what you most affect.
Luc.
Gramercies
Tranio, well dost thou aduise,
[Page]
If
Biondello thou wert come ashore,
We could at once put vs in readinesse,
And take a Lodging fit to entertaine
Such friendes (as time) in
Padua shall beget.
But stay a while, what companie is this?
Tra.
Master some shew to welcome vs to Towne.
Enter Baptista with and his two daughters, Katerina Bianca, Gremio a Pantelowne, Hortentio sister to Bianca. Lucen Tranio, standby.
Bap.
Gentlemen importune me no farther,
For how I firmly am resolu'd you know:
That is not to bestow my yongest daughter,
Before I haue a husband for the elder:
If either of you both loue
Katherina,
Because I know you well, and loue you well,
Leaue shall you haue to court her at your pleasure.
Gre.
To cart her rather. She's to rough for mee,
There, there
Hortensio, will you any Wife?
Kate.
I pray you sir, is it your will
To make a stale of me amongst these mates?
Hor.
Mates maid, how meane you that?
No mates for you,
Vnlesse you were of Gentler milder mould.
Kate.
I faith sir, you shall neuer neede to feare,
I-wis it is not halfe way to her heart:
But if it were, doubt not, her care should be,
To combe your noddle with a three-legg'd stoole,
And paint your f
[...]ce, and vse you like a foole.
Hor.
From all such diuels, good Lord deliuer vs.
Gre.
And me too, good Lord.
Tra.
Husht master, heres some good pastime toward;
That wench is starke mad or wonderfull froward.
Lucen.
But in the others silence do I see,
Maids milde behauiour and sobrietie.
Peace
Tranio.
Tra.
Well said M
r, mum, and gaze your fill.
Bap.
Gentlemen, that I may soone make good.
[Page]
What I haue said
Bianca get you in,
And let it not displease thee good
Bianca,
For I will loue thee nere the lesse my girle.
Kate
A pretty peate, it is best put finger in the eye, and she knew why.
Bian.
Sister content you in my discontent.
Sir
[...]o your pleasure humbly I subscribe:
My bookes and instruments shall be my companie,
On them to looke, and practise by my selfe.
Luc.
Harke
Tranio, thou maist heare
Minerua speak.
Hor.
Signior
Baptista, will you be so strange,
Sorrie am I that our good will effects
Bianca's greefe.
Gre.
Why will you mew her vp
(Signior
Baptista) for this fiend of hell,
And make her beare the pennance of her tongue.
Bap.
Gentlemen content ye: I am resolud:
Go in
Bianca.
And for I know she taketh most delight
In Musicke, Instrumen
[...]s, and Poetry,
Schoolemasters will I keepe within my house,
Fit to instruct her youth. If you
Hortensio,
Or signior
Gremio you know any such,
Preferre them hither: for to cunning men,
I will be very kind and liberall,
To mine owne children, in good bringing vp,
And so farewell:
Katherina you may stay,
For I haue more to commune with
Bianca.
Exit.
Kate.
Why and I trust I may go too, may I not?
What shall I be appointed houres, as though
(Belike) I knew not what to take,
And what to leaue? Ha.
Exit
Gre.
You may go to the diuels dam: your gifts are so good heere's none will holde you: There loue is not so great
Hortensio, but we may blow our nailes together, and fast it fairely out. Our cakes dough on both sides. Farewell: yet for the loue I beare my sweete
Bianca, if I can by any meanes light on a fitt man to teach her that wherein shee delights, I will wish him to her father.
Hor.
[Page]
So will I signiour
Gremio: but a word I pray: Though the nature of our quarrell yet neuer brook'd Parle, know now vpon aduice, it toucheth vs both: that we may yet againe haue accesse to to our faire Mistris, and be happie riuals in
Bianca's loue, to labour and effect one thing specially.
Gre.
What's that I pray?
Hor.
Marrie sir to get a husband for her Sister.
Gre.
A husband: a diuell.
Hor.
I say a husband.
Gre.
I say, a diuell: Think'st thou
Horensio, though her father be verie rich, any man is so verie a foole to be married to hell?
Hor.
Tush
Gremio: though it passe your patience & mine to endure her lowd alarums, why man there be good fellowes in the world, and a man could light on them, would take her with all faults, and mony enough.
Gre.
I cannot tell: but I had as lief take her dowrie with this condition; To be whipt at the high crosse euerie morning.
Hor.
Faith (as you say) there's small choice in rotten apples: but come, since this bar in law makes vs friends, it shall be so farr forth friendly maintain'd, till by helping
Baptistas eldest daughter to a husband, wee set his yongest free for a husband, and then haue too t'afresh; Sweete
Bianca, happy man be his dole: he that runnes fastest, gets the Ring: How say you signior
Gremio?
Grem.
I am agreed, and would I had giuen him the best horse in
Padua to begin his woing that would thoroughly woe her, wed her, and bed her, and ridde the house of her. Come on.
Exeunt ambo. Manet Tranio and Lucentio.
Tra.
I pray sir tel me, is it possible
That loue should of a sodaine take such hold.
Luc.
Oh
Tranio till I found it to be true,
I neuer thought it possible or likely.
But see, while idely I stood looking on,
I found the effect of loue in idlenesse,
And now in plainesse do confesse to thee
That art to mee as secret and as deere
As
Anna to the Queene of Carthage was:
Tranio I burne, I pine, I perish
Tranio,
If I atchueieue not this yong modest gyrle:
[Page]
Counsail me
Tranio, for I know thou canst:
Assist me
Tranio, for I know thou wilt.
Tra.
Master it is no time to chide you now,
Affection is not rated from the heart:
If loue haue touch'd you, naught remaines but so,
Redime te captam quam queas minimo.
Luc.
Gramercies Lad: Go forward, this contents,
The rest will comfort, for thy counsels sound.
Tra.
Master, you look'd so longly on the maide,
Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all.
Luc.
Oh yes, I saw sweete beautie in her face,
Such as the daughter of
Agenor had,
That made great
Ioue to humble him to her hand,
When with his knees he kist the Cretan strond.
Tra.
Saw you no more? mark'd you not how her sister
Began to scold, and raise vp such a storme,
That mortal eares might hardly indure the din.
Luc.
Tranio, I saw her corrall lips to moue,
And with her breath she did perfume the ayre,
Sacred and sweete was all I saw in her.
Tra.
Nay, then 'tis time to stirre him from his trance:
I pray you awake sir: if you loue the Maide,
Bend thoughts and wits to atchieue her. Thus it stands:
Her elder sister is so curst and shrew'd,
That till the Father rid his hands of her,
Master, your loue must liue a maide at home,
And therefore has he closely meu'd her vp,
Because she will not be annoy'd with suiters.
Luc.
Ah
Tranio, what a cruell Fathers he:
But art thou not aduis'd, he tooke some care
To get her cuning Schoolemasters to instruct her.
Tra.
I marrie am I sir, and now 'tis plotted.
Luc.
I haue it
Tranio.
Tra.
Master, for my hand,
Both our inuentions meet and iumpe in one,
Luc.
Tell me thine first.
Tra.
You will be schoole-master,
And vndertake the teaching of the maid:
That's your deuice.
Luc.
[Page]
It is: May it be done?
Tra.
Not possible: for who shall beare your part,
And be in
Padua heere
Vincentio's sonne,
Keepe house and ply his booke, welcome his friends,
Visit his Countriemen, and banquet them?
Luc.
Basta, content thee: for I haue it full.
We haue not yet bin seene in any house,
Nor can we be distinguish'd by our faces,
For man or master: then it followes thus;
Thou shalt be master,
Tranio in my sted:
Keepe house, and port, and seruants as I should,
I will some other be, some
Florentine,
Some
Neapolitan, or meaner man of
Pisa.
'Tis hatch'd, and shall be soe:
Tranio at once
Vncase thee: take my Conlord hat and cloake,
When
Biondello comes, he waites on thee,
But I will charme him first to keepe his tongue.
Tra.
So had you neede:
In breefe Sir, sith it your pleasure is,
And I am tied to be obedient,
For so your father charg'd me at our parting;
Be seruiceable to my sonne (quoth he)
Although I thinke 'twas in another sence,
I am content to be
Lucentio,
Because so well I loue
Lucentio.
Luc.
Tranio be so, because
Lucentio loues,
And let me be a slaue, t'atchieue that maide,
Whose sodaine sight hath thral'd my wounded eye.
Enter Biondello.
Heere comes the rogue. Sirra, where haue you bin?
Bion.
Where haue I beene? Nay how now, where are you?
Master ha's my fellow
Tranio stolne your clothes, or you stolne his or both? Pray what's the newes?
Luc.
Sirra come hither, 'tis no time to iest,
And therefore frame your manners to the time
Your fellow
Tranio heere to saue my life,
Puts my apparell, and my countenance on,
And I for my escape haue put on his:
[Page]
For in a quarrell since I came ashore,
I kil'd a man, and feare I was descried:
Waite you on him, I charge you, as becomes:
While I make way from hence to saue my life:
You vnderstand me?
Bion.
I sir ne're a whit.
Luc.
And not a iot of
Tranio in your mouth,
Tranio is chang'd into
Lucentio.
Bien.
The better for him, would I were so too.
Tra.
So could I 'faith boy, to haue the next wish after, that
Lucentio indeede had
Baptistas yongest daughter. But sirra not for my sake, but your masters, I aduise you vse your manners discreetly in all kinde of companies: When I am alone, why then I am
Tranio: but in all places else, you master
Lucentio.
Luc.
Tranio let's go:
One thing more rests, that thy selfe execute,
To make one among these wooers: if thou aske mee why, Sufficeth: my reasons are both good and waighty.
Exeunt. The Presenters aboue speakes.
1.
Man.
My Lord you nod, you do not minde the play.
Beg.
Yes by Saint Anne do I, a good matter surely: Comes there any more of it?
Lady.
My Lord, 'tis but begun.
Beg.
'Tis a verie excellent peece of worke, Madame Ladie: would 'twere done.
They sit and marke.
Enter Petrucio, and his man Grumio.
Petr.
Verona, for a while I take my leaue,
To see my friends in
Padua; but of all
My best beloued and approued friend
Hortensio: and I trow this is his house:
Heere sirra
Grumio, knocke I say,
Gru.
Knocke sir? whome should I knocke? Is there any man ha's rebsu'd your worship?
Petr.
Villaine I say, knocke me heere soundly.
Gru.
Knocke you heere sir? Why sir, what am I sir, that I should knocke you heere sir.
Petr.
Villaine I say, knocke me at this gate,
And rap me well, or Ile knocke your knaues pate.
Gru.
[Page]
My M
r is growne quarrelsome:
I should knocke you first,
And then I know after who comes by the worst.
Petr.
Will it not be?
Faith Sirrah, and you'l not knocke Ile ring it,
Ile trie how you can
Sol, Fa, and sing it.
He rings him by the eares
Gru.
Helpe mistris helpe, my master is mad.
Petr.
Now knocke when I bid you: sirrrah villaine.
Enter Hortensio
Hor.
How now, what's the matter? my old friend
Grumio, and my good friend
Petruchio? How do you all at
Ʋerona?
Petr.
Signior
Hortensio come you to part the fray?
Contutti le core bene trobatto, may I say.
Hor.
Alla nostra casa bene venuto multo honorata signior m
[...]o Petruchio.
Rise
Grumio rise, we will compound this quarrell.
Gru.
Nay 'tis no matter sir, what he leges in Latine. If this be not a lawfull cause for me to leaue his seuice, looke you sir: He bid me knocke him, and & rap him soundly sir, Well, was it fit for a seruant to vse his master so, being perhaps (for ought I see) two and thirty, a peepe out? Whome would to God I had well knockt at first then had not
Grumio come by the worst.
Petr.
A sencelesse villaine: good
Hortensio,
I bad the rascall knocke vpon your gate,
And could not get him for my heart to do it.
Gru.
Knocke at the gate? Oh heauens: spake you not these words plaine? Sirra, Knocke me heere: rappe me heere: knock me well, and knocke me soundly? And come you now with knocking at the gate?
Pet.
Sirra begon, or talke not I aduise you.
Hor.
Petruchio patience, I am
Grumio's pledge:
Why this a heauie chance twixt him and you,
Your ancient trustie pleasant seruant
Grumio:
And tell me now (sweete friend) what happie gale
Blowes you to
Padua heere, from old
Verona?
Petr.
Such winde as scatters yong men through the world,
To seeke their fortunes farther then at home,
Where small experience growes but in a few.
[Page]
Signior
Hortensio, thus it stands with me,
Antonio my father is deceast,
And I haue thrust my selfe into this maze,
Happily to wiue and thriue, as best I may:
Crownes in my purse I haue, and goods at home,
And so am come abroad to see the world.
Hor.
Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee,
And wish thee to a shrew'd ill-fauor'd wife?
Thou'dst thanke me but a little for my counsell:
And yet Ile promise thee she shall be rich,
And verie rich: but th'art too much my friend,
And Ile not wish thee to her.
Petr.
Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as wee,
Few words su
[...]fice: and therefore, if thou know
One rich enough to be
Petruchio's wife:
▪As wealth is burthen of my woing dance)
Be she as foule as was
Florentius Loue,
As old as
Sibell and as curst and shrow'd
As
Socrates Zentippe, or a worse:
She moues me not, or not remoues at least
Affections edge in me. Were she as rough
As are the swelling
Adriaticke seas.
I come to wiue it wealthily in
Padua:
If wealthily, then happily in
Padua.
Grue.
Nay looke you sir, he tels you flatly what his minde is: Why giue him gold enough, and marrie him to a Puppet or an Aglet babie, or an old trot with ne're a tooth in her head, though she haue as many diseases as two and fiftie horses. Why nothing comes amisse, so monie comes withall.
Hor.
Petruchio, since we are stept thus farr in,
I will continue that I broach'd in iest,
I can
Petruchio helpe thee to a wife
With wealth enough, and yong and beautious,
Brought vp as best becomes a Gentlewoman.
Her only fault and that is faults enough,
Is, that she is intollerable curst,
And shrow'd and froward, so beyond all measure,
That were my state farre worser then it is,
I would not wed her for a mine of Gold.
Petr.
[Page]
Hortensio peace: thou knowst not golds effect,
Tell mee her fathers name, and 'tis enough:
For I will boord her, though she chide as loud
As thunder, when the clouds in Autumne cracke.
Hor.
Her father
Baptista Minola,
An affable and courteous Gentleman,
Her name is
Katherina Minola,
Renown'd in
Padua for her scolding tongue.
Petr.
I know her father, though I know not her,
And he knew my deceased father well:
I will not sleepe
Hortensio til I see her,
And therefore let me be thus bold with you,
To giue you ouer at this first encounter,
Vnlesse you will accompanie mee thither.
Gru.
I pray you Sir let him go while the humor lasts. A my word, and she knew him as well as I do, she would thinke scolding would do little good vpon him. Shee may perhaps call him halfe a score Knaues, or so: Why that's nothing; and he begins once, hee'le raile in his rope trickes, Ile tell you what sir, and she stand him but a litle, he will throw a figure in her face, and so disfigure hir with it, that she shall haue no more eies to see withall then a Cat: you know him not sir.
Hor.
Tarrie
Petruchio I must go with thee,
For in
Baptistas keepe my treasure is:
He hath the Iewel of my life in hold,
His yongest daughter, beautifull
Bianca,
And her with-holds from me. Other more
Suters to her, and riuals in my Loue:
Supposing it a thing impossible,
For those defects I haue before rehearst,
That euer
Katherina wil be woo'd
Therfore this order hath
Baptista tane,
That none shall haue accesse vnto
Bianca,
Til
Katherine the Curst, haue got a husband.
Gru.
Katherine the curst,
A title for a maide, of all titles the worst.
Hor.
Now shall my friend
Petruchio do me grace,
And offer me disguis'd in sober robes,
To old
Baptista as a schoole-master
[Page]
Well seene in musicke, to instruct
Bianca,
That so I may by this deuice at least
Haue leaue and leisure to make loue to her,
And vnsuspected court her by her selfe.
Enter Gremio and Lucentio disguisd.
Gru.
Heere's no knauerie. See, to beguile the olde folkes, how the young folkes lay their heads together. Master, master, looke about you: Who goes there?
Hor.
Peace
Grumio, it is the riuall of my Loue.
Petruchio stand by a while.
Grumio.
A propper stripling, and an amorous.
Gremio.
Oh very well, I haue perus'd the note:
Hearke you sir, Ile haue them verie fairely bound,
All bookes of Loue, see that at any hand,
And see you reade no other Lectures to her:
You vnderstand me. Ouer and beside
Signior
Baptistas liberalitie,
Ile mend it with a Largesse. Take your paper too,
And let me haue them verie well perfum'd;
For she is sweeter then Perfume it selfe
To whom they go to: what will you reade to her.
Luc.
What ere I reade to her, Ile pleade for you,
As for my patron, stand you so assur'd,
As firmely as your selfe were still in place,
Yea and perhaps with more successefull words
Then you; vnlesse you were a scholler sir,
Gre.
Oh this learning, what a thing it is,
Gru.
Oh this Woodcocke, what an Asse it is.
Petru.
Peace sirra.
Hor.
Grumio mum: God saue you signior
Gremio.
Gre.
And you are wel met, Signior
Hortensio.
Trow you whither I am going? To
Baptista Minola,
I promist to enquire carefully
Aboute a schoolemaster for the faire
Bianca,
And by good fortune I haue lighted well
On this yong man: For learning and behauiour
Fit for her turne, well read in Poetrie
And other bookes, good ones, I warrant yee.
Hor.
[Page]
'Tis well: and I haue met a Gentleman
Hath promist me to helpe one to another,
A fine Musitian to instruct our mistris,
So shall I no whit be behind in dutie
To faire
Bianca, so beloued of me.
Gre.
Beloued of me, and that my deeds shall proue.
Gru.
And that h
[...]s bags shall proue.
Hor.
G
[...]emio, 'tis now no time to vent our loue,
Listen to me, and if you speake me faire,
Ile tell you ne
[...]es indifferent good for either.
Heere is a Gentleman whom by chance I met
Vpon agreement from vs to his liking,
Will vndertake to woo curst
Katherine,
Yea and to marrie her, if her dowrie please.
Gre.
So said, so done, is well:
Hortensio, haue you told him all her faults?
Petr.
I know she is an irkesome brawling scold:
If that be all Masters, I heare no harme.
Gre.
No, sa
[...]st me so, friend? what Countreyman?
Petr.
Borne in
Ʋerona, old
Butonios sonne:
My father dead, my fortune liues for me,
And I do hope good dayes and long, to see.
Gre.
Oh sir, such a life with such a wife, were strange:
But if you haue stomacke, too't a Gods name,
You shall haue me assisting you in all.
But will you woo this wild-cat?
Petr.
Will I liue?
Gru.
Wil he woo her? I: or Ile hang her.
Petr.
Why came I hither, but to that intent?
Thinke you, a litle dinne can daunt mine cares?
Haue I not in my time heard Lyons rore?
Haue I not heard the sea, puft vp with windes,
Rage like an angry Boare, chafed with sweat?
Haue I not heard great Ordnance in the field?
And heauens Artillerie thunder in the Skies?
Haue I not in a pitched battell heard
Loud larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets clangue?
And do you tell me of a womans tongue?
That giues not halfe so great a blow to heare,
[Page]
As wil a Chesse-nut in a Farmers fire.
Tush, tush, feare boyes with bugs.
Gru.
For he feares none.
Grem,
Hortensio hearke:
This Gentleman is happily arriu'd,
My minde presumes for his owne good, and yours.
Hor.
I promist we would be Contributors,
And beare his charge of wooing what soere.
Gremio.
And so we will, prouided that he win her.
Gru.
I would I were as sure of a good dinner.
Enter Tranio braue, and Biondello.
Tra.
Gentlemen God saue you. If I may be bold
Tell me I beseech you which is the readiest way
To the house of Signior
Baptista Minola?
Bion.
He that ha's the two faire daughters: ist he you meane?
Tra.
Euen he
Biondello.
Gre.
Hearke you sir, you meane not her to—
Tra.
Perhaps him and her sir, what haue you to do?
Petr.
Not her that chides sir, at any hand I pray.
Tanio.
I loue no chiders sir:
Biondello, let's away.
Luc.
Well begun
Tranio.
Hor.
Sir a word ere you go:
Are you a sutor to the Maid you talke of, yea or no?
Tra.
And I be sir, is it any offence?
Gremio.
No: If without more words you will get you hence.
Tra.
Why sir, I Pray you are not the streets as free for me, as for you?
Gre.
But so is not she.
Tra.
For what reason I beseech you.
Gre.
For this reason if you'l kno.
That she's the choice loue of Signior
Gremio.
Hor
That she is the chosen of Signior
Hortensio,
Tra.
Softly my Masters: If you be Gentlemen
Do me this right: heare me patience,
Baptista is a noble Gentleman,
To whom my Father is not all vnknowne,
And were his daughter fairer then she is,
She may more sutors haue, and me for one,
[Page]
Faire
Laedaes daughter had a thousand wooers,
Then well one more may faire
Bianca haue;
And so she shall:
Lucentio shall make one,
Though
Paris came, in hope to speede alone.
Gre.
What, this Gentleman will out-talke vs all.
Luc.
Giue him head, I know hee'l proue a Iade.
Petr.
Hortensio, to what end are all these words?
Hor.
Sir, let me be so bold as aske you,
Did you yet euer see
Baptistas daughter?
Tra.
No sir, but heare I do that he hath two:
The one, as famous for a scolding tongue,
As is the other, for beautious modestie.
Pet.
Sir, sir, the first's for me, let her go by
Gre.
Yea leaue that labour to great
Hercules,
And let it be more then
Alcides twelue.
Petr.
Sir vnderstand you this of me (insooth)
The yongest daughter whom you hearken for,
Her father keepes from all accesse of sutors
And will not promise her to any man,
Vntill the elder sister first be wed.
The yonger then is free, and not before.
Tranio.
If it be so sir, that you are the man
Must steed vs all, and me amongst the rest:
And if you breake the ice, and do this seeke,
Atchieue the elder, set the yonger free,
For our accesse, whose hap shall be to haue her,
Wil not so gracelesse be, to be ingrate.
Hor.
Sir you say wel, and well you do conceiue,
And since you do professe to be a sutor,
You must as we do, gratifie this Gentleman,
To whom we all rest generally beholding.
Tranio.
Sir, I shall not be slacke, in signe whereof,
Please ye we may contriue this afternoone,
And quaffe carouses to ou
[...] Mistresse health,
And do as aduersaries do in law,
Striue mightily, but eate and drinke as friends.
Gru. Bion.
Oh excellent motion: fellowes le'ts be gon.
Hor.
The motions good indeed, and be it so,
Petruchio, I shall be your
Been venuto.
Exeunt.
[Page]
Enter Katherina and Bianca.
Bian,
Good sister wrong me not, nor wrong your selfe,
To make a bondmaide and a slaue of mee,
That I disdaine: but for these other goods,
Vnbind my hands, Ile pull them off my selfe,
Yea all my rayment to my petticoate,
Or what you will commaund me, will I do,
So well I know my dutie to my elders.
Kate.
Of all thy sutors heere I charge tell
Whom thou lou'st best: see thou dissemble not.
Bianca.
Beleeue me sister, of all the men aliue,
I neuer yet beheld that speciall face,
Which I could fancie, more then any other.
Kate.
Minion thou lyest: It's not
Hortensio?
Bian.
If thou affect him sister, heere I sweare
Ile plead for you my selfe, but you shall haue him.
Kate.
Oh then belike you fancie riches more.
You will haue
Gremio to keepe you faire.
Bian.
Is it for him you do enuie me so?
Nay then you iest, and now I well perceiue
You haue but iested with me all this while:
I pre thee sister Kate vnite my hands.
Ka.
If that be iest, then all the rest was so.
Strikes her
Enter Baptista.
Bap.
Why how now Dame, whence growes this insolence?
Bianca, stand aside, poore Gyrle she weepes:
Go ply the needle, meddle not with her.
For shame thou hilding of a diuellish spirit,
Why dost thou wrong her, that did nere wrong thee?
When did shee crosse thee with a bitter word?
Kate.
Her silence flouts me, and Ile be reueng'd.
Flies after Bianca.
Bap.
What in my sight?
Bianca get thee in.
Exit.
Kate.
What will you not suffer me: Nay now I see
She is your treasure, she must haue a husband,
I must dance bare-foot on her wedding day,
And for your loue to her, lead Apes in hell.
[Page]
Talke not to me, I will go sit and weepe,
Till I can finde occasion of reuenge.
Bap.
Was euer Gentleman thus greeu'd as I?
But who comes heere.
Enter Gremio, Lucentio, in the habit of a meane man, Petruchio with Tranio, with his boy bearing a Lute and bookes.
Gre.
Good morrow neighbour
Baptista.
Bap.
Good morrow neighbour
Gremio: God saue you Gentlemen.
Petr.
And you good sir: pray haue you not a daughter cal'd
Katerina, and vertuous.
Bap.
I haue a daughter sir, cal'd
Katerina.
Gre.
You are to blunt, go to it orderly.
Petr.
You wrong me signior
Gremio, giue me leaue?
I am a Gentleman of
Ʋerona sir,
That hearing of her beautie, and her wit,
Her affabilitie and bashfull modestie:
Her wondrous qualities and mild behauiour,
Am bold to shew my selfe a forward guest
Within your house, to make mine eie the witnesse
Of that report, Which I so oft haue heard,
And for an entrance to my entertainment,
I do present you with a man of mine
Cunning in musicke, and the Mathematickes,
To instruct her fully in those sciences,
Whereof I know she is not ignorant,
Accept of him, or else you do me wrong,
His name is
Litio, borne in
Mantua.
Bap.
Y'are welcome sir, and he for your good sake
But for my daughter
Katerine, this I know,
She is not for your turne the more my greife.
Pet.
I see you doe not meane to part with her,
Or else you like not of my companie.
Bap.
Mistake me not, I speake but as I finde,
Whence are you sir? What may I call your name.
Pet.
Petruchio is my name
Antonio's sonne
A man well knowne throughout all Italy.
Bap.
[Page]
I know him well: you are welcome for his sake.
Gre.
Sauing your tale
Petruchio, I pray let vs that are poore petitioners speake too?
Bacare, you are meruaylous forward.
Pet.
Oh, pardon me signior
Gremio, I would faine be doing.
Gre.
I doubt it not sir. But you will curse
Your wooing neighbors: this is a guift
Very gratefull, I am sure of it, to expresse
The like kindnesse my selfe, that haue beene
More kindely beholding to you then any
Freely giue vnto this yong scholler, that hath
Beene long studying at
Rhemes, as cunning
In Greeke, Latine, and other Languages,
As the other in musicke and Mathematickes:
His name is
Cambio: pray you accept his seruice.
Bap.
A thousand thankes signior
Gremio:
Welcome good
Cambio. But gentle sir,
Me thinkes you walke like a stranger,
May I be so bold, to know the cause of your comming?
Tra.
Pardon me sir, the boldnesse is mine owne,
That being a stranger in this Cittie heere,
Do make my selfe a sutor to your daughter,
Vnto
Bianca, faire and vertuous:
Nor is your firme resolue, vnknowne to mee,
In the preferment of the eldest sister.
This Libertie is all that I request,
That vpon knowledge of my parentage,
I may haue welcome 'mongst the rest that woo,
And free accesse and fauour as the rest.
And toward the education of your daughters:
I heere bestow a simple instrument,
And this small packet of Greeke and Latine bookes:
If you accept them, then their worth is great:
Bap.
Lucentio is your name of whence I pray.
Tra.
Of
Pisa sir, sonne to
Vincentio.
Bap.
A mightie man of
Pisa by report,
I know him well: you are verie welcome sir:
Take you the Lute, and you the set of bookes,
You shall go see your pupils presently.
Holla, within.
Sirrah, lead these Gentlemen
To my daughters, and tell them both
These are their Tutors, bid them vse them well,
We will go walke a litle in the Orchard,
And then to dinner: you are passing welcome,
And so I pray you all to thinke yourselues.
Pet.
Signior
Baptista, my businesse asketh haste,
And euery day I cannot come to woo,
You knew my father well, and in him me,
Left solie heire to all his Lands and goods,
Which I haue bettered rather then decreast.
Then tell me, If I get your daughters loue,
What dowrie shall I haue with her to wife.
Bap.
After my death, the one halfe of my Lands,
And in possession twentie thousand Crownes.
Pet:
And for that dowrie, Ile assure her of
Her widdow-hood, be it that she suruiue me
In all my Lands and Leases whatsoeuer,
Let specialties be therefore drawne betweene vs,
That couenants may be kept on either hand.
Bap.
I, when the speciall thing is well obtain'd,
That is her loue: for that is all in all.
Pet.
Why that is nothing: for I tell you father,
I am as peremptorie as she proud minded:
And where two raging fires meere together,
They do consume the thing that feedes their furie.
Though litle fire growes great with litle winde,
Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all:
So I to her, and so she yeelds to me,
For I am rough, and woo not like a babe.
Bap.
Well maist thou woo, and happie be thy speed;
But be thou arm'd for some vnhappie words.
Pet.
I to the proofe, as Mountaines are for windes,
That shakes not, though they blow perpetually
Enter Hortensio with his head broke.
Bap.
How now my friend why dost thou looke so pale?
Hor.
For feare I promise you, if I looke pale.
Bap.
[Page]
What will my daughter proue a good Musitian?
Hor.
I thinke she'l proue a souldier,
Iron may hold with her, but neuer Lutes.
Bap.
Why then thou canst not breake her to the Lute?
Hor.
Why no for she hath broke the Lute to me:
I did but tell her she mistooke her frets,
And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering,
When (with a moist impatient diuellish spirit)
Frets call you these? (quoth she( Ile fume with them:
And with that word she stroke me on the head,
And through the instrument my pate made way,
And there I stood amazed for a while,
As on a Pillorie, looking through the Lute,
While she did call me Rascall, Fidler,
And twangling Iacke, with twentie such vilde tearmes,
As had she studied to misuse me so.
Pet.
Now by the world, it is a lustie Wench,
I loue her ten times more then ere I did,
Oh how I long to haue some chat with her.
Bap.
Well go with me, and be not so discomfited.
Proceed in Practise with my yonger daughter,
She's apt to learne, and thankefull for good turnes:
Signior
Petruchio, will you go with vs,
Or shall I send my daughter
Kate to you.
Exit. Manet Petruchio.
Pet.
I pray you do. Ile attend her heere,
And woo her with some spirit when she comes,
Say that she raile, why then Ile tell her plaine,
She sings as sweetly as a Nightinghale:
Say that she frowne, Ile say she lookes as cleare
As Morning Roses newly washt with dew:
Say she be mute, and will not speake a word,
Then Ile commend her volubility,
And say she vttereth piercing eloquence:
If she do bid me packe, Ile giue her thankes,
As though she bid me stay by her a weeke:
If she denie to wed, Ile craue the day
When I shall aske the banes, and when be married.
But heere she comes, and now
Petruchio speake.
Good morrow
Kate, for thats your name I heare.
Kate.
Well haue you heard, but some thing hard of hearing:
They call me
Katerine, that do talke of me.
Pet.
You lye in faith, for you are call'd plaine
Kate,
And bony
Kate, and somtimes
Kate the curst:
But
Kate, the prettiest
Kate in Christendome,
Kate of
Kate-hall, my super-daintie
Kate,
For dainties are all
Kates, and therefore
Kate
Take this of me,
Kate of my consolation,
Hearing thy mildnesse prais'd in euery Towne,
Thy vertues spoke of, and thy beautie sounded,
Yet not so deepely as to thee belongs,
My selfe am mou'd to woo thee for my wife.
Kate.
Mou'd in good time, let him that mou'd you hither
Remoue you hence: I Knew you at the first
You were a moueable.
Pet.
Why, what's a moueable?
Kat.
A ioyn'd stoole.
Pet.
Thou hast hit it: come sit on me.
Kate.
Asses are made to beare, and so are you,
Pet.
Women are made to beare, and so are you
Kate.
No such Iade as you, if me you meane
Pet.
Alas good
Kate, I will not burden thee,
For knowing thee to be but yong and light.
Kate.
Too light for such a swaine as you to catch,
And yet as heauie as my waight should be.
Pet.
Shold be, should: buzze.
Kate.
Well tane, and like a buzzard.
Pet.
Oh slow-wing'd Turtle shall a buzzard take thee?
Kate.
I for a Turtle as he takes a buzzard.
Pet.
Come, come you waspe, y'saith you are too angrie.
Kate.
If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
Pet.
My remedy is then to plucke it out.
Kate.
I, If the foole could finde it where it lies.
Pet.
Who knowes not where a Waspe does weare his sting?
In his taile.
Kate.
In his tongue?
Pet.
Whose tongue.
Kate.
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Yours if you talke of tailes, and so farewell.
Pet.
What with my tongue in your taile.
Nay, come againe, good
Kate, I am a Gentleman,
Kate.
That Ile trie.
she strikes him
Pet.
I sweare Ile cuffe you, if you strike againe.
Kate.
So may you loose your armes.
If you strike me, you are no Gentleman,
And if no Gentleman, why then no armes.
Pet.
A Herald
Kate? Oh put me in thy bookes.
Kate.
What is your Crest, a Coxcombe?
Pet.
A combelesse Cocke, so
Kate will be my Hen.
Kate.
No Cocke of mine you crow too like a crauen.
Pet.
Nay come
Kate come: you must not looke so sowre.
Kate.
It is my fashion when I see a Crab.
Pet.
Why heere's no crab, and therefore looke not sowre.
Kate.
There is, there is.
Pet.
Then shew it mee.
Kate.
Had I a glasse, I would.
Pet.
What, you meane my face.
Kate.
Well aym'd of such a yong one.
Pet.
Now by S. George I am too yong for you.
Kate.
Yet you are wither'd.
Pet.
'Tis with cares.
Kate.
I care not.
Pet.
Nay heare you
Kate. In sooth you scape not so.
Kate.
I chafe you if I tarrie. Let me go.
Pet.
No, not a whit, I find you passing gentle:
'Twas told me you were rough, and coy, and sullen,
And now I finde report a very lyar:
For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous,
But slow in speech: yet sweete as spring-time flowers.
Thou canst not frowne, thou canst not looke a sconce,
Nor bite the lip, as angrie wenches will,
Nor hast thou pleasure to be crosse in talke:
But thou with mildnesse entertain'st thy wooers,
With gentle conference, soft, and affable.
Why does the world report that
Kate doth limpe?
Oh sland'rous world:
Kate like the hazle twig
Is straight, and slender, and as browne in hue
[Page]
As hazle nuts, and sweeter then the kernels:
Oh let me see thee walke, thou dost not halt.
Kate.
Go foole, and whom thou keep'st command.
Pet.
Did euer
Dian so become a Groue
As
Kate this chamber with her princely gate:
Oh be thou
Dian, and let her be
Kate,
And then let
Kate be chast, and
Dian sportfull.
Kate.
Where did you studie all this goodly speech?
Pet.
It is
extempore, from my mother wit.
Kate.
A wittie mother, witlesse else her sonne.
Pet.
Am I not wise?
Kate.
Yes, keepe you warme.
Pet.
Marry so I meane sweete
Katherine in thy bed:
And therefore setting all this chat aside,
Thus in plaine termes: your father hath consented
That you shall be my wife; your dowrie greed on,
And will you, nill you, I will marry you.
Now
Kate, I am a husband for your turne,
For by this light, whereby I see thy beauty,
Thy beauty that doth make me like thee well,
Thou must be married to no man but me,
Enter Baptista, Gremio, Tranio.
For I am he am borne to tame you
Kaue,
And bring you from a wilde
Kate to a
Kate
Conformable as other houshold
Kates:
Heere comes your father, neuer make deniall,
I must, and will haue
Katherine to my wife.
Bap.
Now Signior
Petruchio, how speed you with my daughter?
Pet.
How but well sir? how but well?
It were impossible I should speed amisse.
Bap.
Why how now daughter
Katherine, in your dumps?
Kat.
Call you me daughter? now I promise you
You haue shewd a tender fatherly regard,
To wish me wed to one halfe Lunaticke,
A mad cap ruffian and a swearing Iacke,
That thinkes with oathes to face the matter out.
Pet.
Father 'tis thus, your selfe and all the world
That talk'd of her, haue talk'd amisse of her:
[Page]
If she be curst, it is for policie,
For shee's not froward, but modest as the Doue
Shee is not hot but temperate as the morne,
For patience, she will proue a second
Grissell,
And Roman
Lucrece for her chastitie:
And to conclude, we haue greed so well together,
That vpon sonday is the wedding day,
Kate.
Ile see thee hang'd on sonday first,
Gre.
Hark
Petruchio, she sayes shee'll see thee hang'd first
Tra.
Is this your speeding? nay then godnight our part.
Pet.
Be patient Gentlemen, I choose her for my selfe,
If she and I be pleas'd, what's that to you?
'Tis bargain'd twixt vs twaine being alone,
That she shall still be curst in companie.
I tell you 'tis incredible to belieue
How much she loues me: oh the kindest
Kate,
Shee hung about my necke, and kisse on kisse
Shee vi'd so fast, protesting oath on oath,
That in a twinke she won me to her loue.
Oh you are nouices, 'tis a world to see
How came when men and women are alone,
A meacocke wretch can make the curstest shrew:
G
[...]ue me thy hand
Kate, I will vnto
Ʋenice
To buy apparell 'gainst the wedding day;
Prouide the feast father, and bid the guests,
I will be sure my
Katherine shall be fine.
Bap.
I know not what to say, but giue me your hands,
God send you ioy
Petruchio, 'tis a match.
Gre. Tra.
Amen say we, we will be witnesses.
Pet.
Father and wife, and Gentlemen adieu,
I will to
Venice, sonday comes apace,
We will haue rings, and things and fine arrayr
And kisse me
Kate, we will be married a sonday.
Exit Petruchio and Katherine.
Gre.
Was euer match clapt vp so sodainly?
Bap.
Faith Gentlemen now I play a merchants part,
And venture madly on a desperate Mart.
Tra.
I was a commodity lay fretting by you,
[Page]
'Twill bring you gaine, or perish on the seas.
Bap.
The game I seeke, is quiet me the match.
Gre.
No doubt but he hath got a quiet catch,
But now
Baptista, to your yonger daughter,
Now is the day we long haue looked for,
I am your neighbour, and was sutor first.
Tra.
And I am one that loue
Bianca more
Then words can witnesse, or your thoughts can guesse.
Gre.
Yongling thou canst not loue so deare as I.
Tra.
Gray-beard thy loue doth freeze.
Gre.
But thine doth frie,
Skipper stand backe, 'tis age that nourisheth.
Tra.
But youth in Ladies eyes that flourisheth.
Bap.
Content you Gentlemen, I will compound this strife
'Tis deeds must win the prize, and he of both
That can assure my daughter greatest dower,
Shall haue my
Biancas loue.
Say signior
Gremio, what can you assure her?
Gre.
First, as you know, my house within the City
Is richly furnished with plate and gold,
Basons and ewers to laue her dainty hands:
My hangings all of
tirian tapestrie:
In Iuory coffers I haue stuft my Crownes:
In Cipres chests my arras counterpoints,
Costly apparell, tents, and Canopies,
Fine linnen, Turky cushions bost with pearle,
Vallens of Venice gold, in needle worke:
Pewter and brasse, and all things that belongs
To house or house-keeping: then at my farme
I haue a hundred milch-kine to the pale,
Sixe-score fat Oxen standing in my stalls,
And all things answerable to this portion.
My selfe am strooke in yeeres I must confesse,
And if I die to morrow this is hers
If whil'st I liue she will be only mine.
Tra.
That only came welll in: sir, list to me,
I am my fathers heyre and onely sonne,
If I may haue your daughter to my wife,
Ile leaue her houses three or foure as good
[Page]
Within rich
Pisa walls, as any one
Old Signior
Gremio has in
Padua,
Besides two thousand, Duckets by the yeere
Of fruitfull Land, all which shall be her ioynter.
What, haue I pincht you Signior
Gremio?
Gre.
Two thousand Duckets by the yeere of land,
My Land amounts not to so much in all:
That she shall haue, besides an Argosie
That now is lying in Marcellus roade:
What, haue I choakt you with an Argosie
Tra.
Gremio, 'tis knowne my father hath no lesse
Then three great Argosies, besides two Galliasses
And twelue tite Gallies, these I will assure her,
And twice as much what ere thou offrest next.
Gre.
Nay, I haue offred all, I haue no more,
And she can haue no more then all I haue,
If you like me she shall haue me and mine.
Tra.
Why then the maid is mine from all the world
By your firme promise,
Gremio is out-uied.
Bap.
I must confesse your offer is the best,
And let your father make her the assurance,
She is your owne, else you must pardon me:
If you should die before him where's her dower?
Tra.
That's but a cauill: hee is olde, I yong.
Gre.
And may not yong men die as well as old?
Bap.
Well Gentlemen, I am thus resolu'd,
On sonday next, you know,
My daughter
Katherine is to be married:
Now on the sonday following shall
Bianca
Be Bride to you, if you make this assurance:
If not to Signior
Gremio:
And so I take my leaue, and thanke you both.
Exit,
Gre.
Adieu good neighbour: now I feare thee not:
Sirra, yong gamester, your father were a foole
To giue thee all, and in his waining age
Set foot vnder thy table: tut, a toy,
An olde Italian foxe is not so kinde my boy.
Exit.
Tra.
A vengeance on your crafty withered hide,
Yet I haue fac'd it with a card often:
[Page]
'Tis in my head to doe my master good:
I see no reason but suppos'd
Lucentio
Must get a father, call'd suppos'd
Vincentio,
And that's a wonders: fathers commonly
Doe get their children: but in this case of woing,
A childe shall get a sire, if I faile not of my cunning.
Exit.