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 my treasure is:
He hath the jewel of my life in hold,
His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca;
And her withholds from me, and other more
Suitors to her, and rivals in my love:
Supposing it a thing impossible,
(For those defects I have before rehears'd,)
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.

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: 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 country man?

Pet. Born in Verona, old Antonio's son:

And offer me, disguis'd 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.
Enter GREMIO; with him LUCENTIO, disguised,
with books under his arm.

Gru. Here's no knavery! See; to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together! Master, master, look about you: Who goes there? ha!

Hor. Peace, Grumio; 'tis the rival of my love:Petruchio, stand by a while.

Gru. A proper stripling, and an amorous!
[They retire.
Gre. O, very well; I have perused the note.
Hark you, sir; I'll have them very 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 papers too,
And let me have them very well perfum'd;
For she is sweeter than perfume itself,
To whom they go. 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 assur'd,)
As firmly as yourself were still in place;
Yea, and (perhaps) with more successful words
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!-Save you, signior Gremio!

Gre. And you're well met, signior Hortensio.

Trow you,

Whither I am going?—To Baptista Minola.
I promis'd to enquire carefully

About a schoolmaster for fair Bianca:
And, by good fortune, I have lighted well
On this young man: for learning, and behavior,
Fit for her turn; well read in poetry,
And other books,-good ones, I warrant you.
Hor. 'Tis weil: and I have met a gentleman,
Hath promis'd me to help me to another,
A fine musician, to instruct our mistress;
So shall I no whit be behind in duty
To fair Bianca, so belov'd of me.

And I do hope good days, and long, to see.

Gre. O, sir, such a life, with such a wife, were

strange:

But, if you have a stomach, to't, o' God's name;
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 I'll hang her.

[Aside
Pet. Why came I hither, but to that intent?
Think you, a little din can daunt mine 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!
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?
And do you tell me of a woman's tongue;
That gives not half so great a blow to the ear,
As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire?
Tush! tush! fear boys with bugs.
Gru.

For he fears none. [Aside.

Gre. Hortensio, hark! This gentleman is happily arriv'd, My mind presumes, for his own good, and ours. Hor. I promis'd we would be contributors, 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. [Aside.

Enter TRANIO, bravely apparell'd; and

BIONDELLO.

Tra. Gentlemen, God save you! If I may be bold, Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way To the house of signior Baptista Minola?

Gre. He that has the two fair daughters:-is t [Aside to TRANIO.] he you mean?

Tra. Even he. Biondello!

Gre. Hark you, sir; You mean not her to Tra. Perhaps, him and her, sir; What have you to do

Pet. Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray Tra. I love no chiders, sir:-Biondello, let's

Tra. For what reason, I beseech you?
Gre. For this reason, if you'll know,-
That she's the choice love of signior Gremio.

Hor. That she's the chosen of signior Hortensio. Tra. Softly, my masters! if you be gentlemen, Do me this right,-hear me with patience. 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 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! this gentleman will out-talk us all.
Luc. Sir, give 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 to ask you,
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 for beauteous modesty. Pet. Sir, sir, the first's for me; let her go by.

Gre. Yea, leave that labor 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 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 us all, and me among the est; An if you break the ice, and do this feat,-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.

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 beholden.

Tra. Sir, I shall not be slack: in sign whereof
Please ye we may contrive this afternoon,
And quaff carouses to our mistress' health;
And do as adversaries do in law,-
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
Gru. Bion. O excellent motion! Fellows, let's
be gone.

Hor. The motion's good indeed, and be it so;Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto.

SCENE I-A Room in Baptista's House.

Enter KATHARINA and BIANCA. Bian. Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong J'o make a bondmaid and a shove of me: [yourself, That I disdain; but for these other gawds,' Unbind my hands, I'll pull them off myself, Yea, all my raiment, to my petticoat; Or, what you will command me, will I do, So well I know my duty to my elders.

Kath. Of all thy suitors, here I charge thee, tell Whom thou lov'st best: see thou dissemble not. Bian. Believe me, sister, of all the men alive I never yet beheld that special face, Which I could fancy more than any other.

Kath. Minion, thou liest; Is't not Hortensio? Bian. If you affect' him, sister, here I swear, I'll plead for you myself, but you shall have him. Kath. O then, belike, you fancy riches more; You will have Gremio to keep you fair.

Bian. Is it for him you do envy me so? Nay. then you jest; and now I well perceive, You have but jested with me all this while: I pr'ythee, sister Kate, untie my hands. Kath. If that be jest, then all the rest was so. [Strikes her.

[Exeunt

Kath. Her silence flouts me, and I'll be reveng'd. [Flies after BIANCA. Bap. What, in my sight?-Bianca, get thee in. [Exit BIANCA.

Kath. Will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see, She is your treasure, she must have a husband; I must dance barefoot on her wedding-day, And, for your love to her, lead apes in hell. Talk not to me; I will go sit and weep, Till I can find occasion of revenge.

[Exit KATHARINA. Bap. Was ever gentleman thus griev'd as I? But who comes here?

Enter GREMIO, with LUCENTIO in the habit of a mean man; PETRUCHIO, with HORTENSIO as a musician; and TRANIO, with BIONDELLO bearing a lute and books.

Gre. Good-morrow, neighbor Baptista.

Bap. Good-morrow, neighbor Gremio: save you gentlemen!

Pet. And you, good sir! Pray, have you not a daughter

Call'd Katharina, fair, and virtuous?

Bap. I have a daughter, sir, call'd Katha.ina.
Gre. You are too blunt, go to it orderly.
Pet. You wrong me, signior Gremio; give me
leave.-

I am a gentleman of Verona, sir,

That, hearing of her beauty, and her wit,
Her affability, and bashful modesty,
Her wondrous qualities, and mild behavior,-
Am bold to show myself a forward guest
Within your house, to make mine eye the witness

• Companions.

And woo her with some spirit when she comes.
Say, that she rail: Why, then I'll tell her plain,
She sings as sweetly as a nightingale:
Say, that she frown: I'll say, she looks as clear
As morning roses newly wash'd with dew:
Say, she be mute, and will not speak a word;
Then I'll commend her volubility,
And say she uttereth piercing eloquence:
If she do bid me pack, I'll give her thanks,
As though she bid me stay by her a week;
If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day

When I shall ask the banns, and when be married.—
But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, speak.
Enter KATHARINA.
Good-morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear.
Kath. Well have you heard, but something hard
of hearing;

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,

Remove you hence: I knew you at the first,
You were 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.

Why, what's a moveable?

Pat. Should be? should buz.

Kath. Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. [thee?
Pet. O, slow-winged turtle! shall a buzzard take
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 knows not where a wasp doth wear In his tail. [his sting?

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,
Good Kate; I am a gentleman. [come again,
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? Ó, put me in thy books.
Kath What is your crest? a coxcomb?
Pet. A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen.
Kath. No cock of mine, you crow too like a
craven.s

A degenerate cock.

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 courteous;
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.
Pet. Marry, so I mean, sweet Katharine, in thy
And therefore, setting all this chat aside, [bed:
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,

Yes; keep you warm.

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.

Costly apparel, tents and canopies,

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 together,
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: 0, 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. [hands;
Bup. I know not what to say; give me your
Heaven 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 Kate, we will be married o'Sunday.
[Exeunt PETRUCHIO, and KATHARINA, severally.
Gre. Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly?
Bap. 'Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant's
And venture madly on a desperate mart. [part,

me,

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 neighbor, 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 furnished with plate and gold;
Basins, and ewers, to lave her dainty hands;
My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry:
In ivory coffers I have stuff'd my crowns;

To vye and revye were terms at cards, now superseded by the word brag.

It is well worth seeing.

A dastardly creature.

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.

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 gallies: 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.

[Exit.