Tranio stand aside.
Bap.
Gentlemen, impórtune me no further,
For how I firmly am resolv'd you know;
That is,—not to bestow my youngest daughter,
Before I have a husband for the elder:
If either of you both love Katharina,
Because I know you well, and love you well,
Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.
Gre.
To cart her rather: She's too rough for me:—
-- 386 --
There, there Hortensio, will you any wife?
Kath.
I pray you, sir, [To Bap.] is it your will
To make a stale of me amongst these mates9 note
?
Hor.
Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates for you,
Unless you were of gentler, milder mould.
Kath.
I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear;
I wis, it is not half way to her heart:
But, if it were, doubt not her care should be
To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool,
And paint your face, and use you like a fool.
Hor.
From all such devils, good Lord, deliver us!
Gre.
And me too, good Lord!
Tra.
Hush, master! here is some good pastime toward:
That wench is stark mad, or wonderful froward.
Luc.
But in the other's silence I do see
Maids' mild behaviour and sobriety.
Peace, Tranio.
Tra.
Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill.
Bap.
Gentlemen, that I may soon make good
What I have said,—Bianca, get you in:
And let it not displease thee, good Bianca;
For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl.
Kath.
A pretty peat1 note
! tis best
-- 387 --
Put finger in the eye,—an she knew why.
Bian.
Sister, content you in my discontent.—
Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe;
My books, and instruments, shall be my company;
On them to look, and practise by myself.
Luc.
Hark, Tranio! thou may'st hear Minerva speak.
[Aside.
Hor.
Signior Baptista, will you be so strange2 note?
Sorry am I, that our good will effects
Bianca's grief.
Gre.
Why, will you mew her up,
Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell,
And make her bear the penance of her tongue?
Bap.
Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolv'd:—
Go in, Bianca.
[Exit Bianca.
And for I know, she taketh most delight
In musick, instruments, and poetry,
Schoolmasters will I keep within my house,
Fit to instruct her youth.—If you, Hortensio,
Or signior Gremio, you,—know any such,
Prefer them hither; for to cunning men3 note
I will be very kind and liberal
-- 388 --
To mine own children in good bringing-up;
And so farewell. Katharina, you may stay;
For I have more to commune with Bianca.
[Exit.
Kath.
Why, and I trust, I may go too; May I not?
What, shall I be appointed hours; as though, belike,
I knew not what to take, and what to leave? Ha!
[Exit.
Gre.
You may go to the devil's dam; your gifts4 note
are so good, here is none will hold you. Their love
is not so great, Hortensio, but we may blow our
nails together, and fast it fairly out5 note
; our cake's
dough on both sides. Farewell:—Yet, for the love
I bear my sweet Bianca, if I can by any means light
on a fit man, to teach her that wherein she delights,
I will wish him to her father6 note
.
Hor.
So will I, signior Gremio: But a word, I
pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet never
brook'd parle, know now, upon advice7 note
, it toucheth
-- 389 --
us both,—that we may yet again have access to our
fair mistress, and be happy rivals in Bianca's love,—
to labour and effect one thing 'specially.
Gre.
What's that, I pray?
Hor.
Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister.
Gre.
A husband! a devil.
Hor.
I say, a husband.
Gre.
I say, a devil: Think'st thou, Hortensio,
though her father be very rich, any man is so very
a fool to be married to hell?
Hor.
Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience,
and mine, to endure her loud alarums, why, man,
there be good fellows in the world, an a man could
light on them, would take her with all faults, and
money enough.
Gre.
I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her
dowry with this condition,—to be whipped at the
high-cross every morning.
Hor.
'Faith, as you say, there's small choice in
rotten apples. But, come; since this bar in law
makes us friends, it shall be so far forth friendly
maintained,—till by helping Baptista's eldest daughter
to a husband, we set his youngest free for a husband,
and then have to't afresh.—Sweet Bianca!—
Happy man be his dole8 note
! He that runs fastest, gets
the ring9 note. How say you, signior Gremio?
-- 390 --
Gre.
I am agreed: and 'would I had given him
the best horse in Padua to begin his wooing, that
would thoroughly woo her, wed her, and bed her,
and rid the house of her. Come on.
[Exeunt Gremio and Hortensio.
Tra. [Advancing.]
I pray, sir, tell me,—Is it possible
That love should of a sudden take such hold?
Luc.
O Tranio, till I found it to be true,
I never thought it possible, or likely;
But see! while idly I stood looking on,
I found the effect of love in idleness:
And now in plainness do confess to thee,—
That art to me as secret, and as dear,
As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was,—
Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio,
If I achieve not this young modest girl:
Counsel 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 rated1 note
from the heart:
If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so2 note
,—
-- 391 --
Redime te captum quam queas minimo3 note
.
Luc.
Gramercies, lad; go forward: this contents;
The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound.
Tra.
Master, you look'd so longly4 note on the maid,
Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all.
Luc.
O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face,
Such as the daughter of Agenor5 note had,
That made great Jove to humble him to her hand,
When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan strand.
Tra.
Saw you no more? mark'd you not, how her sister
Began to scold; and raise up such a storm,
That mortal ears might hardly endure the din?
Luc.
Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move,
And with her breath she did perfume the air;
Sacred, and sweet, was all I saw in her.
Tra.
Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance.
I pray, awake, sir; If you love the maid,
Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it stands:—
Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd,
-- 392 --
That, till the father rid his hands of her,
Master, your love must live a maid at home;
And therefore has he closely mew'd her up,
Because she shall not be annoy'd6 note with suitors.
Luc.
Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he!
But art thou not advis'd, he took some care
To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her?
Tra.
Ay, marry, am I, sir; and now 'tis plotted.
Luc.
I have it, Tranio.
Tra.
Master, for my hand,
Both our inventions meet and jump in one.
Luc.
Tell me thine first.
Tra.
You will be schoolmaster,
And undertake the teaching of the maid:
That's your device.
Luc.
It is: May it be done?
Tra.
Not possible; For who shall bear your part,
And be in Padua here Vincentio's son?
Keep house, and ply his book; welcome his friends;
Visit his countrymen, and banquet them?
Luc.
Basta7 note; content thee; for I have it full8 note
.
We have not yet been seen in any house;
Nor can we be distinguished by our faces,
For man, or master: then it follows thus;—
Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead,
Keep house, and port9 note
, and servants, as I should:
-- 393 --
I will some other be; some Florentine,
Some Neapolitan, or meaner man of Pisa1 note
.
'Tis hatch'd, and shall be so:—Tranio, at once
Uncase thee; take my colour'd hat and cloak:
When Biondello comes, he waits on thee;
But I will charm him first to keep his tongue.
Tra.
So had you need.
[They exchange habits.
In brief then, sir, sith it your pleasure is,
And I am tied to be obedient;
(For so your father charg'd me at our parting;
Be serviceable to my son, quoth he,
Although, I think, 'twas in another sense,)
I am content to be Lucentio,
Because so well I love Lucentio.
Luc.
Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves:
And let me be a slave, to achieve that maid
Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded eye.
Enter Biondello.
Here comes the rogue.—Sirrah, where have you been?
Bion.
Where have I been? Nay, how now, where are you?
Master, has my fellow Tranio stol'n your clothes?
Or you stol'n his? or both? pray, what's the news?
Luc.
Sirrah, come hither; 'tis no time to jest,
And therefore frame your manners to the time.
Your fellow Tranio here, to save my life,
Puts my apparel and my countenance on,
And I for my escape have put on his;
For in a quarrel, since I came ashore,
-- 394 --
I kill'd a man, and fear I was descried2 note:
Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes,
While I make way from hence to save my life:
You understand me?
Bion.
I, sir? ne'er a whit.
Luc.
And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth;
Tranio is chang'd into Lucentio.
Bion.
The better for him; 'Would I were so too!
Tra.
So would I3 note, 'faith, boy, to have the next wish after,—
That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest daughter.
But, sirrah,—not for my sake, but your master's,—I advise
You use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies:
When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio;
But in all places else, your master4 note Lucentio.
Luc.
Tranio, let's go:—
One thing more rests, that thyself execute;—
To make one among these wooers: If thou ask me why,—
Sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty5 note.
[Exeunt6 note.
-- 395 --
1 Serv.
My lord, you nod; you do not mind the play.
Sly.
Yes, by saint Anne, do I. A good matter,
surely; comes there any more of it?
Page.
My lord, 'tis but begun.
Sly.
'Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam
lady; 'Would't were done!
SCENE II.
The same. Before Hortensio's House.
Enter Petruchio and Grumio.
Pet.
Verona, for a while I take my leave,
To see my friends in Padua; but, of all,
My best beloved and approved friend,
Hortensio; and, I trow, this is his house:—
Here, sirrah Grumio; knock, I say.
Gru.
Knock, sir! whom should I knock? is there
any man has rebused your worship7 note?
Pet.
Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.
Gru.
Knock you here8 note, sir? why, sir, what am I,
sir, that I should knock you here, sir?
Pet.
Villain, I say, knock me at this gate,
And rap me well, or I'll knock your knave's pate.
Gru.
My master is grown quarrelsome: I should knock you first,
And then I know after who comes by the worst.
-- 396 --
Pet.
Will it not be?
'Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll wring it9 note;
I'll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it.
[He wrings Grumio by the ears.
Gru.
Help, masters1 note
, help! my master is mad.
Pet.
Now, knock when I bid you: sirrah! villain!
Enter Hortensio.
Hor.
How now? what's the matter?—My old
friend Grumio! and my good friend Petruchio!—
How do you all at Verona?
Pet.
Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray?
Con tutto il core bene trovato, may I say.
Hor.
Alla nostra casa bene venuto,
Molto honorato signor mio Petruchio2 note.
Rise, Grumio, rise; we will compound this quarrel.
Gru.
Nay, 'tis no matter, what he 'leges in
Latin3 note
.—If this be not a lawful cause for me to
-- 397 --
leave his service,—Look you, sir,—he bid me knock
him, and rap him soundly, sir: Well, was it fit for
a servant to use his master so; being, perhaps, (for
aught I see,) two and thirty,—a pip out4 note?
Whom, 'would to God, I had well knock'd at first,
Then had not Grumio come by the worst.
Pet.
A senseless villain!—Good Hortensio,
I bade the rascal knock upon your gate,
And could not get him for my heart to do it.
Gru.
Knock at the gate?—O heavens!
Spake you not these words plain,—Sirrah, knock me here,
Rap me here, knock me well, and knock me soundly5 note
?
And come you now with—knocking at the gate?
Pet.
Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise you.
Hor.
Petruchio, patience; I am Grumio's pledge:
-- 398 --
Why, this a heavy chance 'twixt him and you6 note
;
Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio.
And tell me now, sweet friend,—what happy gale
Blows you to Padua here, from old Verona?
Pet.
Such wind as scatters young men through the world,
To seek their fortunes further than at home,
Where small experience grows. But, in a few7 note
,
Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me:—
Antonio, my father, is deceas'd;
And I have thrust myself into this maze,
Haply to wive, and thrive, as best I may:
Crowns in my purse I have, 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 shrewd ill-favour'd wife?
Thoud'st thank me but a little for my counsel:
And yet I'll promise thee she shall be rich,
And very rich:—but thou'rt too much my friend,
And I'll not wish thee to her.
Pet.
Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we,
Few words suffice: and, therefore, if thou know
One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife,
(As wealth is burthen of my wooing dance8 note)
Be she as foul as was Florentius' love9 note
,
-- 399 --
As old as Sybil, and as curst and shrewd
As Socrates' Xantippe, or a worse,
She moves me not, or not removes, at least,
-- 400 --
Affection's edge in me: were she as rough1 note
As are the swelling Adriatick seas:
I come to wive it wealthily in Padua;
If wealthily, then happily in Padua.
Gru.
Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what
his mind is: Why, give him gold enough and marry
him to a puppet, or an aglet-baby2 note
; or an old trot
with ne'er a tooth in her head, though she have as
many diseases as two and fifty horses3 note; why, nothing
comes amiss, so money comes withal.
Hor.
Petruchio, since we have stepp'd thus far in,
I will continue that I broach'd in jest.
I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife
With wealth enough, and young, and beauteous;
Brought up, as best becomes a gentlewoman:
Her only fault (and that is faults enough4 note,)
Is,—that she is intolerably curst,
And shrewd5 note
, and froward; so beyond all measure,
-- 401 --
That, were my state far worser than it is,
I would not wed her for a mine of gold.
Pet.
Hortensio, peace; thou know'st not gold's effect:—
Tell me her father's name, and 'tis enough;
For I will board her, though she chide as loud
As thunder, when the clouds in autumn crack.
Hor.
Her father is Baptista Minola,
An affable and courteous gentleman:
Her name is Katharina Minola,
Renown'd in Padua for her scolding tongue.
Pet.
I know her father, though I know not her;
And he knew my deceased father well;—
I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her;
And therefore let me be thus bold with you,
To give you over at this first encounter,
Unless you will accompany me thither.
Gru.
I pray you, sir, let him go while the humour
lasts. O' my word, an she knew him as well as I
do, she would think scolding would do little good
upon him: She may, perhaps, call him half a score
knaves, or so: why, that's nothing; an he begin
once, he'll rail in his rope-tricks6 note
. I'll tell you
-- 402 --
what, sir,—an she stand him7 note but a little, he will
throw a figure in her face, and so disfigure her with
it, that she shall have no more eyes to see withal
than a cat8 note
: You know him not, sir.
Hor.
Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee;
For in Baptista's keep9 note
my treasure is:
-- 403 --
He hath the jewel of my life in hold,
His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca;
And her withholds from me, and other more
Suitors to her, and rivals in my love1 note
:
Supposing it a thing impossible,
(For those defects I have before rehears'd,)
That ever Katharina will be woo'd,
Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en2 note
;—
That none shall have access unto Bianca,
Till Katharine the curst have got a husband.
Gru.
Katherine the curst!
A title for a maid, 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 school master
Well seen in music3 note
, to instruct Bianca:
That so I may by this device, at least,
-- 404 --
Have leave and leisure to make love to her,
And, unsuspected, court her by herself.
Enter Gremio; with him Lucentio disguised, with
books under his arm.
Gru.
Here's no knavery! See; to beguile the
old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together!
Master, master, look about you: Who goes
there? ha!
Hor.
Peace, Grumio; 'tis the rival of my love:—
Petruchio, stand by a while.
Gru.
A proper stripling, and an amorous!
[They retire.
Gre.
O, very well; I have perus'd the note.
Hark you, sir; I'll have them very fairly bound:
All books of love, see that at any hand4 note
;
And see you read no other lectures to her:
You understand me:—Over and beside
Signior Baptista's liberality,
I'll mend it with a largess:—Take your papers too,
And let me have them very well perfum'd;
For she is sweeter than perfume itself,
To whom they go5 note. What will you read to her?
Luc.
Whate'er I read to her, I'll plead for you,
As for my patron, (stand you so assur'd,)
As firmly as yourself were still in place:
Yea, and (perhaps) with more successful words
Than you, unless you were a scholar, sir.
Gre.
O this learning! what a thing it is!
Gru.
O this woodcock! what an ass it is!
Pet.
Peace, sirrah.
-- 405 --
Hor.
Grumio, mum!—God save you, signior Gremio!
Gre.
And you're well met, signior Hortensio. Trow you,
Whither I am going?—To Baptista Minola.
I promis'd to enquire carefully
About a schoolmaster for fair Bianca6 note:
And, by good fortune, I have lighted well
On this young man; for learning, and behaviour,
Fit for her turn; well read in poetry,
And other books,—good ones, I warrant you.
Hor.
'Tis well: and I have met a gentleman,
Hath promis'd me to help me7 note
to another,
A fine musician to instruct our mistress;
So shall I no whit be behind in duty
To fair Bianca, so belov'd of me.
Gre.
Belov'd of me,—and that my deeds shall prove.
Gru.
And that his bags shall prove.
[Aside.
Hor.
Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love:
Listen to me, and if you speak me fair,
I'll tell you news indifferent good for either.
Here is a gentleman, whom by chance I met,
Upon agreement from us to his liking,
Will undertake to woo curst Katharine;
Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.
Gre.
So said, so done, is well:—
Hortensio, have you told him all her faults?
Pet.
I know, she is an irksome brawling scold;
If that be all, masters, I hear no harm.
Gre.
No, say'st me so, friend? What countryman?
Pet.
Born in Verona, old Antonio's son8 note
:
-- 406 --
My father dead, my fortune lives for me;
And I do hope good days, and long, to see.
Gre.
O, sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange:
But if you have a stomach, to't o'God's name;
You shall have me assisting you in all.
But will you woo this wild cat?
Pet.
Will I live?
Gru.
Will he woo her? ay, or I'll hang her.
[Aside.
Pet.
Why came I hither, but to that intent?
Think you, a little din can daunt mine ears?
Have I not in my time heard lions roar?
Have I not heard the sea, puff'd up with winds,
Rage like an angry boar, chafed with sweat?
Have I not heard great ordnance in the field,
And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies?
Have I not in a pitched battle heard
Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang9 note
?
-- 407 --
And do you tell me of a woman's tongue;
That gives not half so great a blow to the ear1 note
,
As will a chesnut in a farmer's fire?
Tush! tush! fear boys with bugs2 note
.
Gru.
For he fears none.
[Aside.
Gre.
Hortensio, hark!
This gentleman is happily arriv'd,
My mind presumes, for his own good, and yours.
Hor.
I promis'd, we would be contributors,
And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe'er.
Gre.
And so we will; provided, that he win her.
Gru.
I would, I were as sure of a good dinner.
[Aside.
Enter Tranio, bravely apparell'd; and Biondello.
Tra.
Gentlemen, God save 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 has the two fair daughters:—is't [Aside to Tranio,] he you mean3 note
?
-- 408 --
Tra.
Even he, Biondello4 note.
Gre.
Hark you, sir; You mean not her to&wblank;5 note
Tra.
Perhaps, him and her, sir; What have you to do?
Pet.
Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray.
Tra.
I love no chiders, sir:—Biondello, let's away.
Luc.
Well begun, Tranio.
[Aside.
Hor.
Sir, a word ere you go;—
Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea, or no?
Tra.
An if I be, sir, is it any offence?
Gre.
No; if, without more words, you will get you hence.
Tra.
Why, sir, I pray, 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'll know,—
That she's the choice love of signior Gremio.
Hor.
That she's the chosen of signior Hortensio.
Tra.
Softly, my masters! if you be gentlemen,
-- 409 --
Do me this right,—hear me with patience.
Baptista is a noble gentleman,
To whom my father is not all unknown;
And, were his daughter fairer than she is,
She may more suitors have, and me for one.
Fair Leda's daughter had a thousand wooers;
Then well one more may fair Bianca have:
And so she shall; Lucentio shall make one,
Though Paris came, in hope to speed alone.
Gre.
What! this gentleman will out-talk us all.
Luc.
Sir, give him head; I know, he'll prove a jade.
Pet.
Hortensio, to what end are all these words?
Hor.
Sir, let me be so bold as ask you,
Did you yet ever see Baptista's daughter?
Tra.
No, sir; but hear I do, that he hath two;
The one as famous for a scolding tongue,
As is the other for beauteous modesty.
Pet.
Sir, sir, the first's for me; let her go by.
Gre.
Yea, leave that labour to great Hercules;
And let it be more than Alcides' twelve.
Pet.
Sir, understand you this of me, insooth;—
The youngest daughter, whom you hearken for,
Her father keeps from all access of suitors;
And will not promise her to any man,
Until the elder sister first be wed:
The younger then is free, and not before.
Tra.
If it be so, sir, that you are the man
Must stead us all, and me among the rest;
An if you break the ice, and do this feat6 note,
Achieve the elder, set the younger free
For our access,—whose hap shall be to have her,
Will not so graceless be, to be ingrate.
Hor.
Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive;
And since you do profess to be a suitor,
-- 410 --
You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman,
To whom we all rest generally beholden.
Tra.
Sir, I shall not be slack: in sign whereof,
Please ye we may contrive this afternoon5 note
,
And quaff carouses to our mistress health;
And do as adversaries do in law6 note,—
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
Gru., Bion.
O excellent motion! Fellows, let's begone7 note.
Hor.
The motion's good indeed, and be it so;—
Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto.
[Exeunt.
-- 411 --
James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].
