Hortensio.
Petruchio.
Come on, in Heav'n's name; once more toward our father's.
Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!
Cat.
The moon! the sun; it is not moon-light now.
Pet.
I say, it is the moon that shines so bright.
Cat.
I know, it is the sun that shines so bright.
Pet.
Now, by my mother's son, and that's myself,
It shall be moon, or star, or what I list,
Or ere I journey to your father's house:—
Go on, and fetch our horses back again.—
Evermore crost, and crost; nothing but crost!
Hor.
Say as he says, or we shall never go.
Cat.
Forward, I pray, since we have come so far,
And be it moon, or sun, or what you please:
And if you please to call it a rush-candle,
Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me.
Pet.
I say, it is the moon.
Cat.
I know, it is the moon.
Pet.
Nay, then, you lie; it is the blessed sun.
Cat.
Then, Heav'n be blest, it is the blessed sun:—
But sun it is not, when you say it is not;
And the moon changes even as your mind.
What you will have it nam'd, even that it is;
And so it shall be, sir, for Catherine.
-- 139 --
Hor.
Petruchio, go thy ways, the field is won.
Pet.
Well, forward, forward:—thus the bowl should run,
And not unluckily against the bias.—
But soft; some company is coming here.—
Enter Vincentio, journeying.
Good morrow, gentle mistress: Whither away?
Tell me, sweet Kate, and tell me truly too,
Hast thou beheld a fresher gentlewoman?
Such war of white and red within her cheeks!
What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty,
As those two eyes become that heavenly face?—
Fair lovely maid, once more good day to thee:—
Sweet Kate, embrace her for her beauty's sake.
Hor.
'A will make the man mad, to make a woman
of him.
Cat.
Young budding virgin, fair, and fresh, and sweet,
Whither away: or where is thy abode?
Happy the parents of so fair a child;
Happier the man, whom favourable stars
Allot thee for his lovely bedfellow!
Pet.
Why, how now, Kate! I hope, thou art not mad:
This is a man, old, wrinkl'd, faded, wither'd;
And not a maiden, as thou say'st he is.
Cat.
Pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes,
That have been so bedazzl'd with the sun,
That every thing I look on seemeth green:
Now I perceive, thou art a reverend father;
Pardon, I pray thee, for my mad mistaking* note.
Pet.
Do, good old grand-sire; and, withal, make known
Which way thou travel'st: if along with us,
We shall be joyful of thy company.
Vin.
Fair sir,—and you, my merry mistress here,—
That with your strange encounter much amaz'd me;
-- 140 --
My name is call'd—Vincentio, dwelling—Pisa:
And bound I am to Padua; there to visit
A son of mine, which long I have not seen.
Pet.
What is his name?
Vin.
Lucentio, gentle sir.
Pet.
Happily met; the happier for thy son.
And now by law, as well as reverend age,
I may entitle thee—my loving father;
The sister of my wife, this gentlewoman,
Thy son by this hath marry'd:—Wonder not,
Nor be not griev'd; she is of good esteem,
Her dowry wealthy, and of worthy birth;
Beside, so qualify'd as may beseem
The spouse of any noble gentleman.
Let me embrace with old Vincentio:
And wander we to see thy honest son,
Who will of thy arrival be full joyous.
Vin.
But is this true? or is it else your pleasure,
Like pleasant travellers to break a jest
Upon the company you overtake?
Hor.
I do assure thee, father, so it is.
Pet.
Come, go along, and see the truth hereof;
For our first merriment hath made thee jealous.
[Exeunt Cat. Pet. and Vin.
Hor.
Well, sir Petruchio, this has put me in heart:—
Have to my widow; and if she be froward,
Then hast thou taught Hortensio be untoward.
[Exit.
SCENE II.
Padua. Before Tranio's House.
Enter Biondello, with Lucentio and Bianca, hastily;
Gremio is seen entering behind.
Bio.
Softly and swiftly, sir; for the priest is ready.
Luc.
I fly, Biondello: but they may chance to need
thee at home, therefore leave us.
[Exit, with Bianca.
Bio.
Nay, 'faith, I'll see the church o'your back; and
then come back to my master's as soon as I can.
[Exit.
Gre.
I marvel, Cambio comes not all this while.
-- 141 --
Enter Petruchio, Catherine, Vincentio, and Attendants.
Pet.
Sir, here's the door, this is Lucentio's house,
My father's bears more toward the market-place;
Thither must I, and here I leave you, sir.
Vin.
You shall not choose but drink before you go;
I think, I shall command your welcome here,
And, by all likelihood, some cheer is toward.
[Noise within. Vin. knocks.
Gre.
They're busy within, you were best knock louder.
[Knocks again.
Enter Pedant, above, at a Window.
Ped.
What's he, that knocks as he would beat down
the gate?
Vin.
Is signior Lucentio within, sir?
Ped.
He's within, sir, but not to be spoken withal.
Vin.
What if a man bring him a hundred pound or
two, to make merry withal?
Ped.
Keep your hundred pounds to yourself; he shall
need none, so long as I live.
Pet.
Nay, I told you, your son was well belov'd in
Padua.—Do you hear, sir,—to leave frivolous circumstances,
—I pray you, tell signior Lucentio, that his father
is come from Pisa, and is here at the door to speak with
him.
Ped.
Thou ly'st; his father is come from—Mantua,
and here looking out at the window.
Vin.
Art thou his father?
Ped.
Ay, sir; so his mother says, if I may believe her.
Pet.
Why, how now, gentleman! [to Vin.] why, this
is flat knavery, to take upon you another man's name.
Ped.
Lay hands on the villain; I believe, 'a means to
cozen somebody in this city under my countenance.
Re-enter Biondello.
Bio.
I have seen them in the church together; Heav'n
send 'em good shipping!—But who is here? [drawing
backward.] mine old master Vincentio? now we're undone
and brought to nothing.
Vin.
Come hither, crack-hemp.
[Seeing Biondello.
-- 142 --
Bio.
I hope, I may choose, sir.
Vin.
Come hither, you rogue; what, have you forgot
me?
Bio.
Forgot you? no, sir: I could not forget you,
for I never saw you before in all my life* note.
Vin.
What, you notorious villain, didst thou never
see thy master's father Vincentio?
Bio.
What, my worshipful old master? yes, marry,
sir; see, where he looks out of the window.
Vin.
Is't so, indeed?
[Beats Biondello.
Bio.
Help, help, help! here's a madman will murther
me.
[Exit, crying out.
Ped.
Help, son! help, signior Baptista!
[Exit, from above.
Pet.
Pr'ythee, Kate, let's stand aside, and see the end
of this controversy.
[Draws her aside.
Re-enter Pedant, below; Tranio, Baptista, and Servants.
Tra.
Sir, what are you, that offer to beat my servant?
Vin.
What am I, sir? nay, what are you, sir?—O immortal
gods! [surveying him.] O fine villain! A silken
doublet! a velvet hose! a scarlet cloak! and a copatain
hat!—O, I'm undone, I'm undone! while I play the
good husband at home, my son and my servant spend all
at the university.
Tra.
How now! what's the matter now?
Bap.
What, is the man lunatic?
Tra.
Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your
habit, but your words shew you a madman: Why, sir,
what concerns it you, if I wear pearl and gold? I thank
my good father, I am able to maintain it.
Vin.
Thy father?—O villain!—he's a sail-maker in
Bergamo.
Bap.
You mistake, sir; you mistake, sir: Pray, what
do you think is his name?
Vin.
His name? as if I knew not his name: I have
brought him up ever since he was three years old, and
his name is—Tranio.
-- 143 --
Ped.
Away, away, mad ass! his name is, Lucentio;
and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, signior
Vincentio.
Vin.
Lucentio! O, he hath murther'd his master!—
Lay hold on him, I charge you in the duke's name:—
O my son, my son!—tell me, thou villain, where is my
son Lucentio?
Tra.
Call forth an officer:—[Enter one with an Officer.]
carry this mad knave to the jail:—father Baptista, I
charge you, see that he be forth-coming.
Vin.
Carry me to the jail!
Gre.
Stay, officer; he shall not go to prison.
Bap.
Talk not, signior Gremio; I say, he shall go to
prison.
Gre.
Take heed, signior Baptista, lest you be coney-catch'd
in this business; I dare swear, this is the right
Vincentio.
Ped.
Swear, if thou dar'st.
Gre.
Nay, I dare not swear it.
Tra.
Then thou wert best say, that I am not Lucentio.
Gre.
Yes, I know thee to be signior Lucentio.
Bap.
Away with the dotard; to the jail with him* note.
Vin.
Thus strangers may be hal'd and abus'd:—O
monstrous villain!
Re-enter Biondello, with Lucentio, and Bianca.
Bio.
O, we are spoil'd, and—Yonder he is; deny
him, forswear him, or else we are all undone.
Luc.
Pardon, sweet father.
[Kneels to Vin.
Vin.
Lives my sweet son?
[Bio. Tra. and Ped. run off.
Bia.
Pardon, dear father.
[Kneels to Bap.
Bap.
How hast thou offended?—
Where is Lucentio?
Luc.
Here's Lucentio,
Right son unto the right Vincentio;
That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,
While counterfeit supposes blear'd thine eyne.
-- 144 --
Gre.
Here's packing, with a witness, to deceive us all!
Vin.
Where is that damned villain, Tranio,
That fac'd and brav'd me in this matter so?
Bap.
Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?
Bia.
Cambio is chang'd into Lucentio?
Luc.
Love wrought these miracles. Bianca's love
Made me exchange my state with Tranio,
While he did bear my countenance in the town;
And happily I have arriv'd at last
Unto the wished haven of my bliss:—
What Tranio did, myself enforc'd him to;
Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake.
&blquo;Vin.
&blquo;I'll slit the villain's nose, that would have sent
me to the jail.&brquo;
Bap.
But do you hear, sir? [to Luc.] have you marry'd
my daughter without asking my good will?
Vin.
Fear not, Baptista; we will content you, go to:
—But I will in, to be reveng'd for this villany.
[Exit Vin.
Bap.
And I, to sound the depth of this knavery.
[Exit Bap.
Luc.
Look not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown.
[Exeunt Luc. and Bia.
Gre.
My cake is dough: But I'll in among the rest;
Out of hope of all,—but my share of the feast.
[Exit Gre.
Cat.
Husband, let's follow, to see the end of this ado.
Pet.
First kiss me, Kate, and we will.
Cat.
What, in the midst of the street?
Pet.
What, art thou asham'd of me?
Cat.
No, sir; (Heav'n forbid!) but asham'd to kiss.
Pet.
Why, then let's home again:—Come, sirrah, let's away.
Cat.
Nay, I'll give thee a kiss: [kisses him.] now pray thee, love, stay.
Pet.
Is not this well?—Come, my sweet Kate;
Better once than never, for never too late.
[Exeunt.
&blquo;Lor.
&blquo;Who's within there?—
[Seeing Sly asleep.
&blquo;Enter Servants.
&blquo;Asleep again!—go, take him easily up,
-- 145 --
&blquo;And put him in his own apparel again;
&blquo;But see you wake him not in any case.
1. S.
&blquo;It shall be done, my lord:—Come, help to bear him hence.
[Exeunt Ser. with Sly* note.
SCENE III.
The same. A Room in the House. Music. A Banquet set out.
Enter Baptista, Vincentio, Gremio, Pedant, &c. Petruchio,
and Catherine; Lucentio, and Bianca; Hortensio,
and Widow: Tranio, Grumio, Biondello, and others, attending.
Luc.
At last, though long, our jarring notes agree:
And time it is, when raging war is done,
To smile at 'scapes and perils overblown.—
My fair Bianca, bid my father welcome,
While I with self-same kindness welcome thine:—
Brother Petruchio,—sister Catherina,—
And thou, Hortensio, with thy loving widow,—
Feast with the best, and welcome to my house;
My banquet is to close our stomachs up,
After our great good cheer: Pray you, sit down;
For now we sit to chat, as well as eat.
[Company sit to Table.
Pet.
Nothing but sit and sit, and eat and eat.
Bap.
Padua affords this kindness, son Petruchio.
Pet.
Padua affords nothing but what is kind.
Hor.
For both our sakes, I would that word were true.
Pet.
Now, for my life, Hortensio fears his widow.
Wid.
Then never trust me, if I be afeard.
Pet.
You are very sensible, and yet you miss my sense;
I mean, Hortensio is afeard of you.
Wid.
He that is giddy, thinks the world turns round.
Pet.
Roundly reply'd.
Cat.
Mistress, how mean you that?
Wid.
Thus I conceive by him:—
Pet.
Conceive by me!—
How likes Hortensio that?
-- 146 --
Hor.
My widow says,
Thus she conceives her tale.
Pet.
Very well mended.—
Kiss him for that, good widow.
Cat.
He that is giddy, thinks the world turns round:
I pray you, tell me what you meant by that.
Wid.
Your husband, being troubled with a shrew,
Measures my husband's sorrow by his woe:
And now you know my meaning.
Cat.
A very mean meaning.
Wid.
Right, I mean you.
Cat.
And I am mean indeed,
Respecting you.
Pet.
To her, Kate!
Hor.
To her, widow!
Pet.
A hundred marks, my Kate does put her down.
Hor.
That is my office.
Pet.
Spoke like an officer:—
Ha' to thee, lad.
[Drinks to him.
Bap.
And how likes Gremio these quick-witted folks?
Gre.
Believe me, sir, they but heads well together.
Bia.
How! head, and but? an hasty-witted body
Would say, your head and but were head and horn.
Vin.
Ay, mistress bride, hath that awaken'd you?
Bia.
Ay, but not frighted me; therefore I'll sleep again.
Pet.
Nay, that you shall not; since you have begun,
Have at you for a bitter jest or two.
Bia.
Am I your bird? I mean to shift my bush,
And then pursue me as you draw your bow:—
[rising.
You're welcome all.
[Exit; Cat. and Wid. follow.
Pet.
She hath prevented me.—Here, signior Tranio,
[Filling.
This bird you aim'd at, though you hit her not;
Therefore, a health to all that shot and miss'd.
[Drinks.
Tra.
O, sir, Lucentio slipt me like his grey-hound,
Which runs himself, and catches for his master.
Pet.
A good swift simile,—but something currish.
Tra.
'Tis well, sir, that you hunted for yourself;
'Tis thought, your deer does hold you at a bay.
Bap.
Oh ho, Petruchio, Tranio hits you now.
-- 147 --
Luc.
I thank you for that gird, good Tranio.
Hor.
Confess, confess, hath he not hit you here?
Pet.
'A has a little gall'd me, I confess;
And, as the jest did glance away from me,
'Tis ten to one it maim'd you two out-right.
Bap.
Now, in good sadness, son Petruchio,
I think thou hast the veriest shrew of all.
Pet.
Well, I say—no: and therefore, for assurance,
Please you, let's each one send unto his wife;
And he, whose wife is most obedient
To come at first when he doth send for her,
Shall win the wager which we will propose.
Hor.
Content: The wager?
Luc.
Twenty crowns.
Pet.
Twenty crowns!
I'll venture so much on my hawk, or hound,
But twenty times so much upon my wife.
Luc.
A hundred then.
Hor.
Content.
Pet.
A match; 'tis done.
Hor.
Who shall begin?
Luc.
That will I.—Here, where are you?
Go, Biondello, bid your mistress come to me.
Bio.
I go.
[Exit.
Bap.
Son, I will be your half, Bianca comes.
Luc.
I'll have no halves; I'll bear it all myself.—
Re-enter Biondello.
How now! what news?
Bio.
Sir, my mistress sends you word
That she is busy, and she cannot come.
Pet.
How! she is busy, and she cannot come?
Is that an answer?
Gre.
Ay, and a kind one too:
Pray Heav'n, sir, your wife send you not a worse.
Pet.
I hope, a better.
Hor.
Sirrah Biondello, go, and entreat my wife
To come to me forthwith.
[Exit Bio.
Pet.
Oh ho, entreat her!
Nay, then she must needs come.
-- 148 --
Hor.
I am afraid, sir,
Do what you can, yours will not be entreated.—
Re-enter Biondello.
Now, where's my wife?
Bio.
She says, you have some goodly jest in hand,
She will not come; she bids you come to her.
Pet.
Worse and worse;
She will not come! O vile, intolerable,
Not to be endur'd!—Here, sirrah Grumio,
Go to your mistress; say, I command her come to me.
[Exit Gru.
Hor.
I know her answer.
Pet.
What?
Hor.
That she will not.
Pet.
The fouler fortune mine, and there's an end.
Enter Catherine.
Bap.
Now, by my holidam, here comes Catherina!
Cat.
What is your will, sir, that you send for me?
Pet.
Where is your sister, and Hortensio's wife?
Cat.
They sit conferring by the parlor fire.
Pet.
Go, fetch them hither; if they deny to come,
Swindge me them soundly forth unto their husbands:
Away, I say, and bring them hither straight.
[Exit Catherine.
Luc.
Here is a wonder, if you talk of a wonder.
Hor.
And so it is; I wonder what it bodes.
Pet.
Marry, peace it bodes, and love, and quiet life,
And awful rule, and right supremacy;
And, to be short, what not, that's sweet and happy.
Bap.
Now fair befal thee, good Petruchio!
The wager thou hast won, and I will add
Unto their losses twenty thousand crowns;
Another dowry to another daughter,
For she is chang'd as she had never been.
Pet.
Nay, I will win my wager better yet;
And show more sign of her obedience,
Her new-built virtue of obedience.—
-- 149 --
Re-enter Catherine, with Bianca, and the Widow.
See, where she comes; and brings your froward wives
As prisoners to her womanly persuasion.—
Catherine, that cap of yours becomes you not;
Off with that bauble, throw it under foot.
[Cat. pulls off her cap, and throws it down.
Wid.
Lord, let me never have a cause to sigh,
'Till I be brought to such a silly pass!
Bia.
Fie! what a foolish duty call you this?
Luc.
I would, your duty were as foolish too:
The wisdom of your duty, fair Bianca,
Cost me a hundred crowns since supper-time.
Bia.
The more fool you, for laying on my duty.
Pet.
Catherine, I charge thee, tell these head-strong women
What duty they do owe their lords and husbands.
Wid.
Come, come, you're mocking; we will have no telling.
Pet.
Come on, I say; and first begin—
Wid.
She shall not.
Pet.
I say, she shall;—and first begin with her.
Cat.
Fie, fie! unknit that threat'ning unkind brow;
[to the Widow.
And dart not scornful glances from those eyes,
To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor:
It blots thy beauty, as frosts bite the meads;
Confounds thy fame, as whirlwinds shake fair buds;
And in no sense is meet, or amiable.
&blquo;A woman mov'd, is like a fountain troubl'd,
&blquo;Muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty;
&blquo;And, while it is so, none so dry or thirsty
&blquo;Will deign to sip, or touch one drop of it.
Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper,
Thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee,
And for thy maintenance: commits his body
To painful labour, both by sea and land;
To watch the night in storms, the day in cold,
Whilst thou ly'st warm at home, secure and safe;
And craves no other tribute at thy hands,
But love, fair looks, and true obedience,—
-- 150 --
Too little payment for so great a debt.
Such duty as the subject owes the prince,
Even such a woman oweth to her husband:
And, when she's froward, peevish, sullen, sour,
And not obedient to his honest will,
What is she, but a foul contending rebel,
And graceless traitor to her loving lord?
I am asham'd, that women are so simple,
To offer war where they should kneel for peace;
Or seek for rule, supremacy, and sway,
When they are bound to serve, love, and obey* note.
&blquo;Why are our bodies soft, and weak, and smooth,
&blquo;Unapt to toil and trouble in the world;
&blquo;But that our soft conditions, and our hearts,
&blquo;Should well agree with our external parts?
&blquo;Come, come, you froward and unable worms!
&blquo;My mind hath been as big as one of yours,
&blquo;My heart as great; my reason, haply, more,
&blquo;To bandy word for word, and frown for frown:
&blquo;But now, I see, our lances are but straws;
&blquo;Our strength is weak, our weakness past compare,—
&blquo;That seeming to be most, which we indeed least are.
&blquo;Then vail your stomachs, for it is no boot;
&blquo;And place your hands below your husband's foot:
&blquo;In token of which duty, if he please,
&blquo;My hand is ready, may it do him ease.
Pet.
Why, there's a wench!—Come on, and kiss me, Kate.
[Pulls her to him, and kisses her.
Luc.
Well, go thy ways, old lad; for thou shalt ha't.
Vin.
'Tis a good hearing, when children are toward.
Luc.
But a harsh hearing, when women are froward.
Pet.
Come, Kate, we'll to bed:—
[Rising.
We three are marry'd, but you two are sped.
'Twas I won the wager, though you hit the white;
And, being a winner, Heav'n give you good night!
[Exit, leading out Catherine.
-- 151 --
&blquo;Hor.
&blquo;Now go thy ways, thou hast tam'd a curst shrew.
&blquo;Luc.
&blquo;'Tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be tam'd so.
[Exeunt omnes.
&blquo;SCENE III.
The Alehouse. Sly upon his Bench as before; Tapster at the Door.
&blquo;Sly. [waking.]
&blquo;Sim, give's some more wine.—What!
all the players gone?—Am not I a lord?&brquo;
&blquo;Tap.
A lord, with a murrain!—Come, art thou
drunk still?
[rouzing him.
&blquo;Sly.
Who's this? tapster?—O, I have had the
bravest dream that ever thou heard'st in all thy life.
&blquo;Tap.
Yea, marry; but thou hadst best get thee home,
for your wife will course you for dreaming here all night.
&blquo;Sly.
&blquo;Will she? I know how to tame a shrew; I
dreamt upon it all this night, and thou hast wak'd me
out of the best dream that ever I had. But I'll to my
wife, and tame her too, if she anger me† note.&brquo;
[Exeunt
