They call me-Katharine, that do talk of me.
Pet. You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain
Kate,

And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst;
But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom,
Kate of Kate-hall, my super-dainty Kate,
For dainties are all cates: and therefore, Kate,
Take this of me, Kate of my consolation;-
Hearing thy mildness prais'd in every town,
Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded,
(Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs,)
Myself am mov'd to woo thee for my wife.

Kath. Mov'd! in good time: let him that mov'd you hither,

Bemove you hence: I knew you at the first,
You were a moveable.

Why, what's a moveable?

Pet. Kath. A joint-stool. Pet. Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me. Kath. Asses are made to bear, and so are you. Pet. Women are made to bear, and so are you. Kath. No such jade, sir, as you, if me you mean. Pet. Alas, good Kate! I will not burden thee: For, knowing thee to be but young and light,— Kath. Too light for such a swain as you to catch; And yet as heavy as my weight should be. Pet. Should be? should buz. Kath.

Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. Pet. O, slow-wing'd turtle! shall a buzzard take thee?

Kath. Ay, for a turtle; as he takes a buzzard. Pet. Come, come, you wasp; i'faith, you are too

angry.

Kath. If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
Pet. My remedy is then, to pluck it out.
Kath. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.
Pet. Who now not where a wasp doth wear
his sting?

In his tail.

Kath. In his tongue.
Pet.

Whose tongue? Kath. Yours, if you talk of tails; and so farewell.

Pet. What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again, Good Kate; I am a gentleman. Kath.

That I'll try. [Striking him. Pet. I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again. Kath. So may you lose your arms: If you strike me, you are no gentleman; And if no gentleman, why, then no arms. Pet. A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books. Kath. What is your crest? a coxcomb? Pel. A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen. Kath. No cock of mine, you crow too like a

craven.'

Pet. Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not look

so sour.

Kath. It is my fashion, when I see a crab.
Pet. Why, here's no crab; and therefore look

not sour.

Kath. There is, there is.
Pet. Then show it mc.
Kath.
Had I a glass, I would.
Pet. What, you mean my face?
Kath.
Well aim'd of such a young one.
Pet. Now, by Saint George, I am too young for

you.

Kath. Yet you are wither'd.. Pet.

Kath.

'Tis with cares.

(1) A degenerate cock.

1 care not.

Pet. Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth, you 'scape

not so.

Kath. I chafe you, if I tarry; 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 find report a very liar;

For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing cour teous;

(2) By.

But slow in speech, yet sweet as spring-time flowers:
Thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance,
Nor bite the lip, as angry wenches will;
Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk;
But thou with mildness entertain'st thy wooers,
With gentle conference, soft and affable.
Why does the world report, that Kate doth limp?
O slanderous world! Kate, like the hazle-twig,
Is straight and slender; and as brown in hue
As hazle nuts, and sweeter than the kernels.
O, let me see thee walk: thou dost not halt.

Kath. Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st command, Pet. Did ever Dian so become a grove, As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? O, be thou Dian, and let her be Kate;" And then let Kate be chaste, and Dian sportful! Kath. Where did you study all this goodly speech?

Pet. It is extempore, from my mother-wit. Kath. A witty mother! witless else her son. Pet. Am I not wise?

Kath.

Yes; keep you warm.
Pet. Marry, so I mean, sweet Katharine, in thy
bed:
And therefore, setting all this chat aside,

Thus in plain terms:-Your father hath consented
That you shall be my wife; your dowry 'greed on;
And, will you, nill you, I will marry you.
Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn;
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:
For I am he, am born to tame you, Kate;
And bring you from a wild cat to a Kate
Conformable, as other household Kates.
Here comes your father: never make denial,
I must and will have Katharine to my wife.

Re-enter Baptista, Gremio, and Tranio.
Bap. Now,
Signior Petruchio: How speed you with
My daughter?
Pet.

How but well, sir? how but well?
It were impossible I should speed amiss.
Bap. Why, how now, daughter Katharine? in
your dumps?

Kath. Call you me daughter? now I promise you, You have show'd a tender fatherly regard, To wish me wed to one half lunatic; A mad-cap ruffian, and a swearing Jack, That thinks with oaths to face the matter out.

Pet. Father, 'tis thus,-yourself and all the world,
That talk'd of her, have talk'd amiss of her;
If she be curst, it is for policy:

For she's not froward, but modest as the dove;
She is not hot, but temperate as the morn;
For patience she will prove a second Grissel;
And Roman Lucrece for her chastity:
And to conclude,-we have 'greed so well toge
ther,

That upon Sunday is the wedding-day.
Kath. I'll see thee hang'd on Sunday first.

Gre. Hark, Petruchio! she says, she'll see thee hang'd first.

Tra. Is this your speeding? nay, then, good night our part!

Pet. Be patient, gentlemen; I choose her for myself;

If she and I be pleas'd, what's that to you?
'Tis bargain'd 'twixt us twain, being alone,
That she shall still be curst in company.
I tell you, 'tis incredible to believe
How much she loves me: O, the kindest Kate!
She hung about my neck; and kiss on kiss
She vied so fast, protesting oath on oath,
That in a twink she won me to her love.
O, you are novices! 'tis a world to see,"
How tame, when men and women are alone,
A meacock' wretch can make the curstest shrew.-
Give me thy hand, Kate: I will unto Venice,
To buy apparel 'gainst the wedding-day :-
Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests;
I will be sure, my Katharine shall be fine.
Bap. I know not what to say: but give me your
hands;

God send you joy, Petruchio! 'tis a match.

Gre. Tra. Amen, say we; we will be witnesses. Pet. Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu; I will to Venice, Sunday comes apace:-We will have rings, and things, and fine array; And kiss me, Kate, we will be married o'Sunday. [Exeunt Petruchio and Katharine, severally. Gre. Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly? Bap. Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant's part,

-:

And venture madly on a desperate mart.

Tra. 'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you: "Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas.

Bap. The gain I seek is quiet in the match. Gre. No doubt, but he hath got a quiet catch. But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter;— Now is the day we long have looked for; I am your neighbour, and was suitor first.

Tra. And I am one, that love Bianca more Than words can witness, or your thoughts can guess. Gre. Youngling! thou canst not love so dear as I. Tra. Grey-beard! thy love doth freeze. Gre. But thine doth fry. Skipper, stand back: 'tis age that nourisheth. Tra. But youth, in ladies' eyes that flourisheth. Bap. Content you, gentlemen; I'll compound this strife:

'Tis deeds, must win the prize; and he, of both, That can assure my daughter greatest dower, Shall have Bianca's love.

Say, signior Gremio, what can you assure her? Gre. First, as you know, my house within the city,

Is richly furnish'd with plate and gold;
Basons, and ewers, to lave her dainty hands;
My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry:
In ivory coffers I have stuff'd my crowns;
In cypress chests my arras, counterpoints,
Costly apparel, tents, and canopies,
Fine linen, Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl,
Valance of Venice gold in needle-work,
Pewter and brass, and all things that belong
To house, or housekeeping: then, at my farm,
I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail,
Six score fat oxen standing in my stalls,
And all things answerable to this portion.
Myself am struck in years, I must confess;
And, if I die to-morrow, this is hers,
If, whilst I live, she will be only mine.

4

Tra. That only came well in- -Sir, list to me,
I am my father's heir, and only son:
If I may have your daughter to my wife,
I'll leave her houses three or four as good,
Within rich Pisa walls, as any one

Old signior Gremio has in Padua ;
Besides two thousand ducats by the year,
Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.-
What, have I pinch'd you, signior Gremio?

Gre. Two thousand ducats by the year, of land!
My land amounts not to so much in all:
That she shall have; besides an argosy,
That now is lying in Marseilles' road :-
What, have I chok'd you with an argosy?

Tra. Gremio, 'tis known, my father hath no less Than three great argosies; besides two galliasses," And twelve tight allies: these I will assure her, And twice as much, whate'er thou offer'st next.

Gre. Nay, I have offer'd all, I have no more; And she can have no more than all I have ;If you like me, she shall have me and mine. Tra. Why, then the maid is mine from all the world,

By your firm promise; Gremio is out-vied.

Bap. I must confess, your offer is the best; And, let your father make her the assurance, She is your own; else, you must pardon me: If you should die before him, where's her dower? Tra. That's but a cavil; he is old, I young. Gre. And may not young men die, as well as old? Bap. Well, gentlemen,

I am thus resolv'd:-On Sunday next you know,
My daughter Katharine is to be married:
Now, on the Sunday following, shall Bianca
Be bride to you, if you make this assurance;
If not, to signior Gremio:

And so I take my leave, and thank you both. [Ex.
Gre. Adieu, good neighbour.-Now I fear thee
not;
Sirrah, young gamester, your father were a fool
To give thee all, and, in his waning age,
Set foot under thy table: Tut! a toy!
An old Italian fox is not so kind, my boy. [Erit.
Tra. A vengeance on your crafty wither'd hide!
Yet I have faced it with a card of ten."
'Tis in my head to do my master good:-
see no reason, but suppos'd Lucentio
Must get a father, call'd-suppos'd Vincentio;
And that's a wonder: fathers, commonly,
Do get their children; but, in this case of wooing,
A child shall get a sire, if I fail not of my cunning.

I

[Erit.

ACT III.

SCENE I-A room in Baptista's house. Enter Lucentio, Hortensio, and Bianca.

Luc. Fiddler, forbear; you grow too forward, sir: Have you so soon forgot the entertainment Her sister Katharine welcom'd you withal?

Hor. But, wrangling pedant, this is The patroness of heavenly harmony: Then give me leave to have prerogative; And when in music we have spent an hour, Your lecture shall have leisure for as much.

Luc. Preposterous ass! that never read so far To know the cause why music was ordain'd!

(5) A large merchant-ship.

(6) A vessel ut burthen worked both with sails and oars.

That all amaz'd, the priest let fall the book:
And, as he stoop'd again to take it up,
The mad-brain'd bridegroom took him such a cuff,
That down fell priest and book, and book and priest;
Now take them up, quoth he, if any list.

Tra. What said the wench, when he arose again? Gre. Trembled and shook; for why, he stamp'd, and swore,

As if the vicar meant to cozen him.
But after many ceremonies done,

He calls for wine :-A health, quoth he; as if
He had been aboard carousing to his mates
After a storm :-Quaff'd off the muscadel,'
And threw the sops all in the sexton's face;
Having no other reason,-

But that his beard grew thin and hungerly,
And seem'd to ask him sops as he was drinking.
This done, he took the bride about the neck;
And kiss'd her lips with such a clamorous smack,
That, at the parting, all the church did echo.
I, seeing this, came thence for very shame;
And after me, I know, the rout is coming:
Such a mad marriage never was before;
Hark, hark! I hear the minstrels play. [Music.
Enter Petruchio, Katharina, Bianca, Baptista,
Hortensio, Grumio, and train.

Pet. Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains:

I know, you think to dine with me to-day,
And have prepar'd great store of wedding cheer;
But so it is, my haste doth call me hence,
And therefore here I mean to take my leave.

Bap. Is't possible, you will away to-night?
Pet. I must away to-day, before night come :-
Make it no wonder; if you knew my business,
You would entreat me rather go than stay.
And, honest company, I thank you all,
That have beheld me give away myself
To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife:
Dine with my father, drink a health to me;
For I must hence, and farewell to you all.

Tra. Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.
Pet. It may not be.
Gre.

Let me entreat you.

Pel. It cannot be.
Kath.

Let me entreat you.

Pet. I am content.
Kath.

Are you content to stay?
Pet. I am content you shall entreat me stay;
But yet not stay, entreat me how you can.
Kath. Now, if you love me, stay.
Pet.
Grumio, my horses.
Gru. Ay, sir, they be ready; the oats have
eaten the horses.

Kath. Nay, then,

Do what thou canst, I will not go to-day;
No, nor to-morrow, nor till I please myself.
The door is open, sir, there lies your way.
You may be jogging, whiles your boots are green;
For me, I'll not be gone, till I please myself:-
'Tis like, you'll prove a jolly surly groom,
That take it on you at the first so roundly.
Pet. O, Kate, content thee; pr'ythee, be not

angry.

Kath. I will be angry; What hast thou to do ?— Father, be quiet; he shall stay my leisure.

Gre. Ay, marry, sir: now it begins to work. Kath. Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner :I see a woman may be made a fool,

(1) It was the custom for the company present to drink wine immediately after the marriage

ceremony.

If she had not a spirit to resist. Pet. They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command:

Obey the bride, you that attend on her:
Go to the feast, revel and domineer,
Carouse full measure to her maidenhead,
Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves;
But for my bonny Kate, she must with me.
Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret;
I will be master of what is mine own:
She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house,
My household-stuff, my field, my barn,
My horse, my ox, my ass, my any thing;
And here she stands, touch her whoever dare;
I'll bring my action on the proudest he
That stops my way in Padua.-Grumio,
Draw forth thy weapon, we're beset with thieves;
Rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man:-
Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee,
Kate;

I'll buckler thee against a million.

[Exeunt Petruchio, Katharine, and Grumio. Bap. Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones. Gre. Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing.

Tra. Of all mad matches, never was the like! Luc. Mistress, what's your opinion of your sister? Bian. That, being mad herself, she's madly mated.

Gru. Fie, fie, on all tired jades! on all mad masters! and all foul ways! Was ever man 90 beaten? was ever man so rayed?" was ever man so weary? I am sent before to make a fire, and they are coming after to warm them. Now, were not I a little pot, and soon hot, my very lips might freeze to my teeth, my tongue to the roof of my mouth, my heart in my belly, ere I should come by a fire to thaw me:-But I, with blowing the fire, shall warm myself; for, considering the weather, a taller man than I will take cold.-Holla, hoa! Curtis!