Gru. Where is he?
Curt. In her chamber,
Making a sermon of continency to her:
And rails and swears, and rates; that she, poor soul,
Knows not which way to stand, to look, to speak;
And sits as one new-risen from a dream.
Away, away! for he is coming hither.
Re-enter PETRUCHIO.
Pet. Thus have I politically begun my reign,
And 'tis my hope to end successfully:
My falcon now is sharp, and passing empty;
And, till she stoop, she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,*
To make her come, and know her keeper's call,
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites,
That bate,† and beat, and will not be obedient.
She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not;
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I'll find about the making of the bed;
And here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets:-
Ay, and amid this hurly, I intend,‡
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And, in conclusion, she shall watch all night:
And, if she chance to nod, I'll rail, and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness;
And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong humour:-
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; 'tis charity to show.
Hor. Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said, Stand by, and mark the manner of his teaching.
SCENE II.-Padua. Before BAPTISTA's House.
Enter TRANIO and HORTENSIO.
Tra. Is't possible, friend Licio, that Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio ?
I tell you, Sir, she bears me fair in hand.
Enter BIANCA and LUCENTIO.
Luc. Now, mistress, profit you in what you read? Bian. What, master, read you? first resolve me that. *To tame my wild hawk,
+ Flutter.
Luc. I read that I profess, the art to love.
Bian. And may you prove, Sir, master of your art!
Luc. While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart.
Hor. Quick proceeders, marry! Now, tell me, I pray,
You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca
Loved none in the world so well as Lucentio.
Tra. O despiteful love! unconstant woman-kind!—
I tell thee, Lício, this is wonderful.
Hor. Mistake no more: I am not Licio,
Nor a musician, as I seem to be;
But one that scorn to live in this disguise,
For such a one as leaves a gentleman,
And makes a god of such a cullion:
Know, Sir, that I am call'd-Hortensio.
Tra. Signior Hortensio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca;
And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness,
I will with you,-if you be so contented,-
Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.
Hor. See, how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio,
Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow-
Never to woo her more; but do forswear her,
As one unworthy all the former favours
That I have fondly flatter'd her withal.
Tra. And here I take the like unfeigned oath,—
Ne'er to marry with her though she would entreat:
Fie on her! see how beastly she doth court him.
Hor. 'Would, all the world, but he, had quite forsworn!
For me, that I may surely keep mine oath,
I will be married to a wealthy widow,
Ere three days pass; which hath as long loved me,
As I have loved this proud disdainful haggard;
And so farewell, signior Lucentio.-
Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,
Shall win my love:-and so I take my leave,
In resolution as I swore before.
[Exit HORTENSIO.-LUCENTIO and BIANCA advance.
Tra. Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace
As 'longeth to a lover's blessed case!
Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love;
And have forsworn you, with Hortensio.
Bian. Tranio, you jest; But have you both forsworn me? Tra. Mistress, we have.
Luc. Then we are rid of Licio.
Tra. I' faith, he'll have a lusty widow now,
That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day.
Bian. God give him joy!
Tra. Ay, and he'll tame her.
Bian. He says so, Tranio.
Tra. 'Faith he is gone unto the taming-school.
Bian. The taming-school! what, is there such a place?
Tra. Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master;
That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long,-
To tame a shrew, and charm her chattering tongue.
Enter BIONDELLO, running.
Bion. O master, master, I have watch'd so long
That I am dog-weary; but at last I spied
An ancient angel* coming down the hill,
Will serve the turn.
Tra. What is he, Biondello ?
Bion. Master, a mercatantè, or a pedant,†
I know not what; but formal in apparel,
In gait and countenance surely like a father.
Luc. And what of him, Tranio ?
Tra. If he be credulous and trust my tale,
I'll make him glad to seem Vincentio;
And give assurance to Baptista Minola,
As if he were the right Vincentio.
Take in your love, and then let me alone.
[Exeunt LUCENTIO and BIANCA.
Enter a PEDANT.
Ped. God save you, Sir!
Tra. And you, Sir, you are welcome.
Travel you far on, or are you at the furthest?
Ped. Sir, at the furthest for a week or two:
But then up further; and as far as Rome;
And so to Tripoly, if God lend me life.
Tra. What countryman, I pray?
Ped. Of Mantua.
Tra. Of Mantua, Sir ?-marry, God forbid ?
And come to Padua, careless of your life?
Ped. My life, Sir! how, I pray? for that goes hard.
Tra. 'Tis death for any one in Mantua
To come to Padua; Know you not the cause?
Your ships are staid at Venice; and the duke
(For private quarrel 'twixt your duke and him)
Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly:
"Tis marvel; but that you're but newly come,
You might have heard it else proclaim'd about.
Ped. Alas, Sir, it is worse for me than so;
For I have bills for money by exchange
From Florence, and must here deliver them.
Tra. Well, Sir, to do you courtesy,
This will I do, and this will I advise you ;-
First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?
Ped. Ay, Sir, in Pisa have I often been;
Pisa, renowned for grave citizens.
Tra. Among them, know you one Vincentio ? Ped. I know him not, but I have heard of him: A merchant of incomparable wealth.
*A messenger.
† A merchant or a schoolmaster.
Tra. He is my father, Sir, and sooth to say, In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.
Bion. As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one.
Tra. To save your life in this extremity, This favour will I do you for his sake:
And think it not the worst of all your fortunes,
That you are like to Sir Vincentio.
His name and credit shall you undertake,
And in my house you shall be friendly lodged:-
Look, that you take upon you as you should;
You understand me, Sir;-so shall you stay
Till you have done your business in the city:
If this be courtesy, Sir, accept of it.
Ped. O, Sir, I do; and will repute you ever
The patron of my life and liberty.
Tra. Then go with me, to make the matter good.
This, by the way, I let you understand ;—
My father is here look'd for every day,
To pass assurance* of a dower in marriage
"Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here:
In all these circumstances I'll instruct you:
Go with me, Sir, to clothe you as becomes you.
If not, elsewhere they meet with charity:
But I,-who never knew how to entreat,-
Am starved for meat, giddy for lack of sleep:
With oaths kept waking, and with brawling fed:
And that which spites me more than all these wants,
He does it under name of perfect love;
As who should say,-if I should sleep or eat,
"Twere deadly sickness, or else present death.—
I pr'ythee go, and get me some repast:
I care not what, so it be wholesome food.
SCENE III.—A Room in PETRUCHIO's House.
Enter KATHARINA and GRUMIO.
Gru. No, no; forsooth; I dare not, for my life.
Kath. The more my wrong, the more his spite appears:
What, did he marry me to famish me?
Beggars, that come unto my father's door,
Upon entreaty have a present alms;
Gru. What say you to a neat's foot?
Kath. 'Tis passing good, I pr'ythee let me have it.
Gru. I fear it is too choleric a meat:
How say you to a fat tripe, finely broil'd?
Kath. I like it well; good Grumio, fetch it me.
Gru. I cannot tell; I fear, 'tis choleric.
What say you to a piece of beef, and mustard ?
* Conveyance.
Kath. A dish that I do love to feed upon.
Gru. Ay, but the mustard is too hot a little.
Kath. Why, then the beef, and let the mustard rest.
Gru. Nay, then, I will not; you shall have the mustard,
Or else you get no beef of Grumio.
Kath. Then both, or one, or anything thou wilt.
Gru. Why, then, the mustard without the beef.
Kath. Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave, [Beats him. That feed'st me with the very name of meat: Sorrow on thee, and all the pack of you, That triumph thus upon my misery! Go, get thee gone, I say.
Enter PETRUCHIO with a dish of meat; and HORTENSIO
Pet. How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort ?*
Hor. Mistress, what cheer?
Kath. 'Faith, as cold as can be.
Pet. Pluck up thy spirits, look cheerfully upon me.
Here, love; thou see'st how diligent I am,
To dress thy meat myself, and bring it thee:
[Sets the dish on a table.
I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits thanks.
What, not a word? Nay, then, thou lov'st it not;
And all my pains is sorted to no proof:†
Here take away this dish.
Kath. 'Pray you, let it stand.
Pet. The poorest service is repaid with thanks; And so shall mine, before you touch the meat.
Kath. I thank you, Sir.
Hor. Signior Petruchio, fie! you are to blame!
Come mistress Kate, I'll bear you company.
Pet. Eat it up all, Hortensio, if thou lov'st me.-
Much good do it unto thy gentle heart!
Kate, eat apace:-And now, my honey love,
Will we return unto thy father's house;
And revel it as bravely as the best,
With silken coats, and caps, and golden rings,
With ruffs, and cuffs, and farthingales, and things;
With scarfs, and fans, and double change of bravery,+
With amber bracelets, beads, and all this knavery.
What, hast thou dined? The tailor stays thy leisure,
To deck thy body with his ruffling treasure
Enter TAILOR.
Come, tailor, let us see these ornaments;
Enter HABERDASHER.
Lay forth the gown.-What news with you, Sir?
Hab. Here is the cap your worship did bespeak.
Find no approval.
* Dispirited.
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