Scene 1

[SCENE 1][Petruchio's country house.]

Enter Grumio.

GRU:

Fie, fie on all tired jades, on all mad masters, and all foul
ways! Was ever man so 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(5)
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, ho!
Curtis!(10)

Enter Curtis.

CUR:

Who is that calls so coldly?

GRU:

A piece of ice: if thou doubt it, thou mayst slide from
my shoulder to my heel with no greater a run but my
head and my neck. A fire, good Curtis.

CUR:

Is my master and his wife coming, Grumio?(15)

GRU:

O, ay, Curtis, ay: and therefore fire, fire; cast on no
water.

CUR:

Is she so hot a shrew as she's reported?

GRU:

She was, good Curtis, before this frost: but, thou knowest,
winter tames man, woman, and beast; for it hath(20)
tamed my old master and my new mistress and myself, fellow
Curtis.

CUR:

Away, you three-inch fool! I am no beast.

GRU:

Am I but three inches? why, thy horn is a foot; and so
long am I at the least. But wilt thou make a fire, or shall(25)
I complain on thee to our mistress, whose hand, she
being now at hand, thou shalt soon feel, to thy cold com-
fort, for being slow in thy hot office?

CUR:

I prithee, good Grumio, tell me, how goes the world?

GRU:

A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine; and(30)
therefore fire: do thy duty, and have thy duty; for my
master and mistress are almost frozen to death.

CUR:

There's fire ready; and therefore, good Grumio, the
news.

GRU:

Why, ‘Jack, boy! ho! boy!’ and as much news as will(35)
thaw.

CUR:

Come, you are so full of cony-catching!

GRU:

Why, therefore fire; for I have caught extreme cold.
Where's the cook? is supper ready, the house trimmed,
rushes strewed, cobwebs swept; the serving-men in their(40)
new fustian, their white stockings, and every officer his
wedding-garment on? Be the Jacks fair within, the Jills
fair without, the carpets laid, and every thing in order?

CUR:

All ready; and therefore, I pray thee, news.

GRU:

First, know, my horse is tired; my master and mis-(45)
tress fallen out.

CUR:

How?

GRU:

Out of their saddles into the dirt; and thereby hangs a
tale.

CUR:

Let's ha't, good Grumio.(50)

GRU:

Lend thine ear.

CUR:

Here.

GRU:

There.

CUR:

This is to feel a tale, not to hear a tale.

GRU:

And therefore 'tis called a sensible tale: and this cuff(55)
was but to knock at your ear, and beseech listening. Now
I begin: Inprimis, we came down a foul hill, my master
riding behind my mistress,—

CUR:

Both of one horse?

GRU:

What's that to thee?(60)

CUR:

Why, a horse.

GRU:

Tell thou the tale: but hadst thou not crossed me, thou
shouldst have heard how her horse fell and she under
her horse; thou shouldst have heard in how miry a place,
how she was bemoiled, how he left her with the horse(65)
upon her, how he beat me because her horse stumbled,
how she waded through the dirt to pluck him off me, how
he swore, how she prayed, that never prayed before, how I
cried, how the horses ran away, how her bridle was burst,
how I lost my crupper, with many things of worthy mem-(70)
ory, which now shall die in oblivion and thou return unex-
perienced to thy grave.

CUR:

By this reckoning he is more shrew than she.

GRU:

Ay; and that thou and the proudest of you all shall find
when he comes home. But what talk I of this? Call forth(75)
Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Philip, Walter, Sugarsop and
the rest: let their heads be sleekly combed, their blue
coats brushed, and their garters of an indifferent knit: let
them curtsy with their left legs and not presume to touch
a hair of my master's horse-tail till they kiss their hands.(80)
Are they all ready?

CUR:

They are.

GRU:

Call them forth.

CUR:

Do you hear, ho? you must meet my master to
countenance my mistress.(85)

GRU:

Why, she hath a face of her own.

CUR:

Who knows not that?

GRU:

Thou, it seems, that calls for company to countenance
her.

CUR:

I call them forth to credit her.(90)

Enter four or five serving men.

GRU:

Why, she comes to borrow nothing of them.

NAT:

Welcome home, Grumio!

PHI:

How now, Grumio!

JOS:

What, Grumio!

NIC:

Fellow Grumio!(95)

NAT:

How now, old lad?

GRU:

Welcome, you;—how now, you;—what, you;—fellow,
you;—and thus much for greeting. Now, my spruce
companions, is all ready, and all things neat?

NAT:

All things is ready. How near is our master?(100)

GRU:

E'en at hand, alighted by this; and therefore be not—
Cock's passion, silence! I hear my master.

Enter Petruchio and Katherine.

PET:

Where be these knaves? What, no man at door
To hold my stirrup nor to take my horse!
Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Philip?(105)

ALL SERVING-MEN:

Here, here, sir; here, sir.

PET:

Here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! here, sir!
You logger-headed and unpolish'd grooms!
What, no attendance? no regard? no duty?
Where is the foolish knave I sent before?(110)

GRU:

Here, sir; as foolish as I was before.

PET:

You peasant swain! you whoreson malt-horse drudge!
Did I not bid thee meet me in the park,
And bring along these rascal knaves with thee?

GRU:

Nathaniel's coat, sir, was not fully made,(115)
And Gabriel's pumps were all unpink'd i' the heel;
There was no link to colour Peter's hat,
And Walter's dagger was not come from sheathing:
There were none fine but Adam, Ralph, and Gregory;
The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly;(120)
Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you.

PET:

Go, rascals, go, and fetch my supper in.

Exeunt Servants.

Where is the life that late I led—
Where are those—Sit down, Kate, and welcome.—
Soud, soud, soud, soud!

Enter servants with supper.

Why, when, I say? Nay, good sweet Kate, be merry.(125)
Off with my boots, you rogues! you villains, when?
It was the friar of orders grey,
As he forth walked on his way:—
Out, you rogue! you pluck my foot awry:
Take that, and mend the plucking off the other.(130)
Be merry, Kate. Some water, here; what, ho!

Enter one with water.

Where's my spaniel Troilus? Sirrah, get you hence,
And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither:
One, Kate, that you must kiss, and be acquainted with.
Where are my slippers? Shall I have some water?(135)
Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily.
You whoreson villain! will you let it fall?

KAT:

Patience, I pray you; 'twas a fault unwilling.

PET:

A whoreson beetle-headed, flap-ear'd knave!
Come, Kate, sit down; I know you have a stomach.(140)
Will you give thanks, sweet Kate; or else shall I?
What's this? mutton?

SER:

Ay.

PET:

Who brought it?

PETER:

I.(145)

PET:

'Tis burnt; and so is all the meat.
What dogs are these! Where is the rascal cook?
How durst you, villains, bring it from the dresser,
And serve it thus to me that love it not?
There, take it to you, trenchers, cups, and all;(150)
You heedless joltheads and unmanner'd slaves!
What, do you grumble? I'll be with you straight.

KAT:

I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet:
The meat was well, if you were so contented.

PET:

I tell thee, Kate, 'twas burnt and dried away;(155)
And I expressly am forbid to touch it,
For it engenders choler, planteth anger;
And better 'twere that both of us did fast,
Since, of ourselves, ourselves are choleric,
Than feed it with such over-roasted flesh.(160)
Be patient; to-morrow 't shall be mended,
And, for this night, we'll fast for company:
Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber.

Exeunt.

Enter Servants severally.

NAT:

Peter, didst ever see the like?

PETER:

He kills her in her own humour.(165)

Enter Curtis a servant.

GRU:

Where is he?

CUR:

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.(170)
Away, away! for he is coming hither.

Exeunt.

Enter Petruchio.

PET:

Thus have I politicly 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,(175)
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.(180)
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,(185)
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(190)
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.(195)

Exit

Scene 2

[Padua. Before Baptista's house.]

Enter Tranio and Hortensio.

TRA:

Is't possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?
I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.

HOR:

Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said,
Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.(5)

Enter Bianca and Lucentio.

LUC:

Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?

BIA:

What, master, read you? first resolve me that.

LUC:

I read that I profess, the Art to Love.

BIA:

And may you prove, sir, master of your art!

LUC:

While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart!(10)

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 womankind!
I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.(15)

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:(20)
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,(25)
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 no more, but do forswear her,
As one unworthy all the former favours(30)
That I have fondly flatter'd her withal.

TRA:

And here I take the unfeigned oath,
Never 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!(35)
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.(40)
Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,
Shall win my love: and so I take my leave,
In resolution as I swore before.

[Exit]

TRA:

Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace
As 'longeth to a lover's blessed case!(45)
Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love,
And have forsworn you with Hortensio.

BIA:

Tranio, you jest: but have you both forsworn me?

TRA:

Mistress, we have.(50)

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.

BIA:

God give him joy!

TRA:

Ay, and he'll tame her.(55)

BIA:

He says so, Tranio.

TRA:

Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.

BIA:

The taming-school! what, is there such a place?

TRA:

Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master;
That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long,(60)
To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue.

Enter Biondello.

BIO:

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.(65)

TRA:

What is he, Biondello?

BIO:

Master, a mercatante, 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?(70)

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.(75)

[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 farthest?

PED:

Sir, at the farthest for a week or two:
But then up farther, and as far as Rome;(80)
And so to Tripoli, 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?(85)

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 stay'd at Venice, and the duke,
For private quarrel 'twixt your duke and him,(90)
Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly:
'Tis marvel, but that you are 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(95)
From Florence and must here deliver them.

TRA:

Well, sir, to do you courtesy,
This will I do, and this I will advise you:
First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?

PED:

Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been,(100)
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.

TRA:

He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say,(105)
In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.

BIO:

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(110)
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(115)
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.(120)
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:(125)
Go with me to clothe you as becomes you.

Exeunt.