Tranio stand by.
Bap.
Gentlemen note, importune me no note farther,
For how I firmly am resolved 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. [Aside]
To cart her rather: she's too rough for me.
There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?
Kath.
I pray you, sir, is it your will note
To make a stale of me amongst these note mates?
Hor.
noteMates, maid! how mean you that? no mates for you,
Unless you were of gentler, milder mould note.
Kath.
I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear:
-- 16 --
I wis note it is not half way to her heart;
But if it were, doubt not her care should note 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 note!
Gre.
And me too, good note Lord!
Tra.
Husht note, master! here's note some good pastime toward:
That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.
Luc.
But in the other's silence do I see
Maid's mild behaviour and sobriety.
Peace, Tranio! note
Tra.
Well note said, master; mum! and gaze your fill.
Bap.
Gentlemen note, 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 peat! it is best
Put finger in the eye, an she knew why note.
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.
Hor.
Signior Baptista, will you be so strange?
Sorry am I that our note 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 note; I am resolved:
Go in, Bianca:
[Exit Bianca. note
-- 17 --
And for I know she taketh most delight
In music, 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 men
I will be very kind, and liberal note
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 note 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? note
[Exit.
Gre.
You may go to the devil's dam: your gifts are so
good, here's note none will hold you. Their note love is not so great,
Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together, and fast it
fairly out: 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 father.
Hor.
So will I, Signior Gremio: but a word, I pray.
Though the nature of our quarrel yet never note brooked parle note,
know now, upon advice, it toucheth 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. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, though
her father be very rich, any note man is so very a fool to be
married to hell?
Hor.
Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience and
-- 18 --
mine to endure her loud note alarums note, why, man, there be good
fellows in the world, an a man could light on them, would
take her with all note 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 note choice in rotten
apples. But come note; 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 dole! He that runs fastest gets
the ring. How say you, Signior Gremio?
Gre.
I am agreed; and would I had given him the best
horse in Padua to begin his wooing note that would thoroughly note
woo her, wed her and bed her and rid the house of her!
Come on.
[Exeunt note Gremio and Hortensio.
Tra.
I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible
That love should of note 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 rated from the heart:
If love have note touch'd note you, nought note remains but so,
-- 19 --
‘Redime te captum note quam queas minimo.’
Luc.
Gramercies note, lad, go forward; this contents:
The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's note sound.
Tra.
Master, you look'd so longly 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 Agenor had note,
That made great Jove to humble him to her hand,
When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan strond note.
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 note endure note 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.
note
I pray note, awake, sir: if you love the maid,
Bend thoughts and wits note to achieve her. Thus it stands:
Her eldest note sister is so curst and shrewd
That till the father rid note his hands of her,
Master, your love must live a maid at home;
And therefore has he closely mew'd her up,
Because she note will note not be annoy'd with suitors.
Luc.
Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he!
But art thou not advised, he took some care
To get her note cunning schoolmasters note to instruct her?
Tra.
Ay, marry, am I, sir; and now 'tis plotted.
Luc.
I have it, Tranio.
Tra.
Master, for my hand,
-- 20 --
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 note,
And be in Padua here Vincentio's son;
Keep house and ply his book, welcome his friends,
Visit his countrymen and banquet them?
Luc.
Basta; content thee, for I have it full.
We have not yet been seen in any house,
Nor can we be distinguish'd by our faces
For man or master; then it follows thus;
Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead,
Keep house and port and servants, as I should:
I will some other be; some Florentine,
Some Neapolitan, or meaner note man of Pisa.
'Tis note hatch'd and shall be so: Tranio, at once
Uncase thee; take note my colour'd note hat and cloak:
When Biondello comes, he waits on thee;
But I will charm him first to keep his tongue.
note
Tra.
So note had you need.
In brief, sir note, sith it your pleasure is note,
And I am tied to be obedient;
For so your father charged 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:
-- 21 --
And let me be a slave, to note achieve that maid
Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded note eye.
Here comes the rogue.
Enter Biondello. note
Sirrah, where have you been?
Bion.
Where have I been! Nay, how now! where are
you? Master, has note my fellow note Tranio stolen your clothes?
Or you stolen 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 note
I kill'd a man and fear I was note descried:
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 note a whit.
Luc.
And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth:
Tranio is changed into Lucentio.
Bion.
The better for him: would I were so too!
Tra.
So could note I, faith note, 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 note:
When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio;
But in all places else your note master Lucentio. note
Luc.
Tranio, let's go: one thing more rests, that thyself
-- 22 --
execute, to make one among note these wooers: if thou ask
me why, sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty. note
[Exeunt.
The presenters above speak. note
First 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 'twere note done! note
[They sit and mark. note
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
Padua. Before Hortensio's house. note
Enter Petruchio and his man Grumio.
Pet.
Verona, for a while I take my leave,
To see my friends in Padua, but of all note
My best beloved and approved friend,
Hortensio; and I trow this is his note house.
Here, sirrah Grumio; knock, I say.
Gru.
Knock, sir! whom should I knock? note is there any
man has note rebused note your worship?
Pet.
Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.
Gru.
Knock you here, 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,
-- 23 --
And then I know after who comes by the worst.
Pet.
Will it not be?
Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll ring note it;
I'll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it.
[He wrings note him by the ears.
Gru.
Help, masters note, help! my master is mad.
Pet.
Now, knock when I bid you, sirrah villain! note
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 ben trovato note,’ may I say note.
Hor.
‘Alla nostra casa ben note venuto, molto note honorato note
signor note mio Petrucio.’
Rise, Grumio, rise note: we will compound this quarrel.
Gru.
Nay, 'tis no matter, sir note, what he 'leges note in Latin. If
this be not a lawful cause for me to 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 note out note?
Whom would to God I had well knock'd at first,
Then had not Grumio come by the worst note.
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.
-- 24 --
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 soundly’? And come you
now with, ‘knocking at the gate’? note
Pet.
Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise you.
Hor.
Petruchio, patience; I am Grumio's pledge:
Why, this's note a heavy chance 'twixt him and you,
Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio note.
And tell me now, sweet friend, what happy gale
Blows you to Padua here from old Verona?
Pet.
Such wind as scatters young men note through the world
To seek their fortunes farther than at home
Where small experience grows. But in a few, note
Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me:
Antonio, my father, is deceased;
And I have note thrust myself into this maze,
Haply note 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?
Thou'ldst note thank me but a little for my counsel:
And yet I'll promise thee she shall be rich
And very rich: but thou'rt note too much my friend,
And I'll not wish thee to her.
Pet.
Signior note Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we note
Few words suffice; and therefore, if thou note know
One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife,
-- 25 --
As wealth is burden note of my wooing dance note,
Be she as foul as was Florentius' note love,
As old as Sibyl note, and as curst and shrewd
As Socrates' Xanthippe note, or a worse note,
She moves me not, or not removes, at least,
Affection's edge in me note, were she as note rough
As are the swelling Adriatic 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-baby; or an old trot with ne'er a tooth in her
head, though she have as many diseases as two and fifty note
horses note: why, nothing comes amiss, so money comes withal.
Hor.
Petruchio, since we are 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 note is faults note enough,
Is that she is intolerable note curst
And shrewd note and froward note, so beyond all measure,
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;
Fro I will board her, though she chide as loud
As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.
Hor.
Her father is note Baptista Minola,
-- 26 --
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' note 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 note once, he'll rail in his note rope-tricks note. I'll tell you what,
sir, an she stand him 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 cat. You know him not, sir.
Hor.
Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee;
For in Baptista's keep note my treasure is:
He hath the jewel of my life in hold,
His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca;
And her note withholds from me and other more note,
Suitors to her and rivals in my love;
Supposing it a thing impossible,
For note those defects I have before rehearsed,
That ever Katharina will be woo'd;
Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en,
That none shall have access unto Bianca
Till Katharine the curst have got a husband.
Gru.
Katharine the curst!
A title for a maid of all titles the worst.
-- 27 --
Hor.
Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace;
And offer me disguised in sober robes
To old Baptista as a schoolmaster
Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca;
That so I may, by this device, at least
Have leave and leisure to make love to her
And unsuspected court her by herself note.
note
Gru. note
Here's no knavery! See, to beguile the old
folks, how the young folks lay their heads note together!
Enter Gremio, and Lucentio disguised. note
Master, master note, look about you: who goes there, ha? note
Hor.
Peace, Grumio! it is note the rival of my love.
Petruchio, stand note by a while note.
Gru.
A proper stripling and an amorous!
Gre.
O, very well; I have perused the note.
Hark you note, sir; I'll have them very note fairly bound:
All books of love, see that at any hand;
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 paper too, note
And let me have them very well perfumed:
For she is sweeter than perfume itself
To whom they go to 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 assured,
As firmly as yourself were still in place:
Yea, and perhaps with more successful words
-- 28 --
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!
Hor.
Grumio, mum! note God save you, Signior Gremio.
Gre.
And you are note well met, Signior Hortensio.
Trow you whither note I am going? To Baptista Minola.
I promised note to inquire carefully
About a schoolmaster note for the fair note Bianca: 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 ye note.
Hor.
'Tis well; and I have met a gentleman
Hath promised me to help me note to another, note
A fine musician to instruct our mistress;
So shall I no whit be behind in duty
To fair Bianca, so beloved of me.
Gre.
Beloved of me; and that my deeds note shall prove.
Gru.
And that his bags shall prove.
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?
-- 29 --
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 note countryman?
Pet.
Born in Verona, old Antonio's note son:
My father note dead, my fortune lives for me;
And I do hope good days and long to see.
Gre.
O sir, such note a life, with such a wife, were strange!
But if you have a stomach note, to't i' note God's name: note
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 note I'll hang her.
Pet.
Why came I hither but to that intent?
Think you a little din can daunt mine note 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 note?
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' clang note?
And do you tell me of a woman's tongue,
That gives not half so great a blow to hear note
As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire?
Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs.
Gru.
For he fears none.
Gre.
Hortensio, hark:
This gentleman is happily arrived,
My mind presumes, for his own good and ours note.
Hor.
I promised we would be contributors
-- 30 --
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.
noteEnter Tranio brave, note and Biondello.
Tra.
Gentlemen, God save you. If I may be bold, note
Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way
To the house of Signior Baptista Minola? note
Bion. note
He that has the two fair daughters: is't he note you
mean?
Tra.
Even he, Biondello. note
Gre.
Hark you, sir; you mean not her to— note
Tra.
Perhaps, him and her, sir: what have you to do?
Pet.
Not note her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray.
Tra.
I love no chiders, sir. Biondello, let's away.
Luc.
Well begun, Tranio.
Hor.
Sir, a word ere you go;
Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no?
Tra.
And if note I be, sir, is it any offence?
Gre.
No; if without more words you will get you hence.
Tra.
Why, sir, I pray note, 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 note the choice love of Signior Gremio.
Hor.
That she's note the chosen of Signior note Hortensio.
Tra.
Softly, my masters! if you be gentlemen,
-- 31 --
Do me this right; hear me with patience note.
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 note 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, note this gentleman will out-talk us all!
Luc.
Sir, give note 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 note,
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 note 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 in sooth:
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 note 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 note us all and me amongst the rest;
And if note you break the ice and do this feat 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.
-- 32 --
Hor.
Sir, you say well and well you do conceive;
And since you do profess to be a suitor,
You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman,
To whom we all rest generally beholding note.
Tra.
Sir, I shall not be slack: in sign whereof,
Please ye we may contrive note this afternoon,
And quaff carouses to our mistress' note health,
And do as adversaries do in law,
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
Gru. note Bion. note
O excellent motion! Fellows, let's be gone.
Hor.
The motion's good indeed and be it so,
Petruchio, I shall note be your ben venuto note.
[Exeunt.
William Aldis Wright [1863–1866], The works of William Shakespeare edited by William George Clark... and John Glover [and William Aldis Wright] (Macmillan and Co., London) [word count] [S10701].
