The Dramatic Works of Shakespeare

Gave me my being, and my father first,
A merchant of great traffic through the world,
Vincentio, come of the Bentivolii,

Vincentio his son, brought up in Florence,
It shall become, to serve all hopes conceiv'd,
To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds:
And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study,
Virtue, and that part of philosophy
Will I apply, that treats of happiness,
By virtue 'specially to be achieve'd.
Tell me thy mind! for I have Pisa left,
And am to Padua come, as he, that leaves
A shallow plash, to plunge him in the deep,
And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.
Tra. Mi perdonate, gentle master mine,
I am in all affected, as yourself;

Glad, that you thus continue your resolve,
To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy.
Only, good master, while we do admire
This virtue, and this moral discipline,
Let's be no stoics, nor no stocks, I pray,
Or so devote to Aristotle's checks,
As Ovid be an outcast quite abjur'd;
Talk logic with acquaintance that you have,
And practise rhetoric in your common talk;
Music and poesy use to quicken you;
The mathematics, and the mataphysics,
Fall to them, as you find your stomach serves you.
No profit grows, where is no pleasure ta’en;—
In brief, sir, study what you most affect!

Luc. Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise.
If, Biondello, thou wert come ashore,
We could at once put us in readiness,
And take a lodging, fit to entertain
Such friends, as time in Padua shall beget.
But stay awhile: what company is this?

Tra. Master, some show, to welcome us to town.
Enter BAPTISTA, CATHARINA, BIANCA, GREMIO and HOR-
TENSIO. LUCENTIO and TRANIO stand aside.
Bap. Gentlemen, impórtune me no further!
For how I firmly am resolv'd you know;

That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter,
Before I have a husband for the elder.
If either of you both love Catharina,
Because I know you well, and love you well,
Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.
Gre. To cart her rather: She's too rough for me;
There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?
Cath. I pray you, sir, [To Bap.] is it your will
To make a stale of me amongst these mates?
Hor. Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates for
you,

Unless you were of gentler, milder mould.

Cath. I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear;
I wis, it is not half way to her heart:
But, if it were, doubt not, her care should 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!
Gre. And me too, good Lord!

Tra. Hush, master! here is some good pastime
toward;

That wench is stark mad, or wonderful froward.
Luc. But in the other's silence I do see
Maid's mild behaviour and sobriety.
Peace, Tranio!

Tra. Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill.
Bap. Gentlemen, 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.
Cath. A pretty peat! 'tis best

Put finger in the eye, -an she knew why.

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.
[Aside.
Hor. Signior Baptista, will you be so strange ?
Sorry am I, that our 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! I am resolv'd:
Go in, Bianca!

[Exit Bianca

And for I know, she taketh most delight
In music, instruments, and poetry,
Schoolmasters willl 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
To mine own children in good bringing up;
And so farewell! Catharina, you may stay;
For I have more to commune with Bianca. [Exit.
Cath. Why, and 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! [Exit.
Gre. You may go to the devil's dam; your gifts are
so good, here is none will hold you. Their 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 brook'd
parle, 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. Think'st thou, Hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell?

Hor. Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience, and mine, to endure her loud alarums, why, man, there be good fellows in the world, an a man could light on them, would take her with all 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 choice in rotten apples. But, come; 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, that would thoroughly woo her, wed her, and bed her, and rid the house of her. Come on![Exeunt Gremio and Hortensio. Tra. [Advancing.]I pray, sir, tell me,-Is it possible, That love should of a sudden take such hold? Lord. 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, Ipine, 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 not time to chide you now;
Affection is not rated from the heart.

If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so,— Redime te captum quam queas minimo!

Luc. Gramercies, lad; go forward: this contents: The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's 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,

That made great Jove to humble him to her hand,
When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan strand.
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 endure 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. I pray, awake, sir! If you love the maid,

Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it stands:
Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd,
That, till the father rid his hands of her,
Master, your love must live a maid at home;
And therefore has he closely mew'd her up,
Because she shall not be annoy'd with suitors.
Luc. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he!
But art thou not advis'd, he took some care
To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her?
Tra. Ay, marry, am I, sir; and now 'tis plotted.
Luc. I have it, Tranio.

Tra. Master, for my hand,

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, 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 mean man of Pisa.-
"Tis hatch'd, and shall be so. -Tranio, at once
Uncase thee; take my colour'd hat and cloak,
When Biondello comes, he waits on thee;
But I will charm him first to keep his tongue.
Tra. So had you need.

[They exchange habits.

In brief, then, sir, sith it your pleasure is,
And I am tied to be obedient;

(For so your father charg'd 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: And let me be a slave, to achieve that maid, Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded eye. Enter BIONDELLO.

Here comes the rogue.—Sirrah, where have you been?

Bion. Where have I been? Nay, how now, where

are you?

Master, has my fellow Tranio stol'n your clothes?
Or you stol'n 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,
Ikill'd a man, and fear I was 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 a whit.

Luc. And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth; Tranio is chang'd into Lucentio.

Bion. The better for him; 'would I were so too! Tra. So would I, 'faith, boy, to have the next wish after,

That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest daugh

ter.

But, sirrah, not for my sake, but your master's, I advise

You use your manners discreetly in all kind of compa

nies.

When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio;
But in all places else, your master Lucentio.
Luc. Tranio, let's go!—

One thing more rests, that thyself execute;-
To make one among these wooers. If thou ask me why,-
Sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty.
[Exeunt.

1 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't were done!

SCENE II.-The same. Before Hortensio's house.
Enter PETRUCHIO and GRUMIO.

Pet. Verona, for a while I take my leave,
To see my friends in Padua, but, of all,
My best beloved and approved friend,
Hortensio; and, I trow, this is his house :-
Here, sirrah Grumio; knock, I say.

Gru. Knock, sir! whom should I knock? is there any man has rebused 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,

And then I know after who comes by the worst.
Pet. Will it not be?

'Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll wring it;
I'll try, how you can sol, fa, and sing it.

[He wrings Grumio by the ears. Gru. Help, masters, help! my master is mad. Pet. Now, knock, when I bid you: sirrah! villain! 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 bene trovato, may I say. Hor. Alla nostra casa bene venuto, Molto honorato signior mio Petruchio. Rise, Grumio, rise! we will compound this quarrel. Gru. Nay, 'tis no matter, what he 'leges in Latin.

If this be not a lawful cause for me to leave his service, - look your 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 out?

Whom, 'would to God, I had well knock'd at first,
Then had not Grumio come by the worst.
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.
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?

Pet. Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise you. Hor. Petruchio, patience! I am Grumio's pledge; Why, 'tis a heavy chance 'twixt him and you; Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio. And tell me now, sweet friend,-what happy gale Blows you to Padua here, from old Verona?

Pet. Such wind as scatters young men through the world,

To seek their fortunes further than at home,
Where small experience grows. But, in a few,
Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me:-
Antonio, my father, is deceas'd;

And I have thrust myself into this maze,
Haply 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 shrew'd ill-favour'd wife?
Thou'dst thank me but a little for my counsel:
And yet I'll promise thee, she shall be rich,
And very rich:- but thou'rt too much my friend,
And I'll not wish thee to her.

Pet. Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we, Few words suffice: and, therefore, if thou know One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife,

(As wealth is burthen of my wooing dance,)

Be she as foul as was Florentius' love,

As old as Sybil, and as curst and shrewd
As Socrates' Xantippe, or a worse,
She moves me not, or not removes, at least,
Affection's edge in me; were she as 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 horses: why, nothing comes amiss, so money comes withal.

Hor. Petruchio, since we have 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 is faults enough,)

Is,

that she is intolerably curst,

And shrewd, and froward; so beyond all measure,
That, were my state far worser than it is,
I would not wed her for a mine of gold.
Hor.Hortensio, peace; thou know'st not gold'se ffect.-
Tell me her father's name, and 'tis enough;
For I will board her, though she chide as loud,
As thunder, when the clouds inautumn crack.
Hor. Her fathers is Baptista Minola,
An affable and courteous gentleman:
Her name is Catharina 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' 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 once, he'll rail in his rope-tricks. 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 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 Catharina will be v'oo'd.
Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en, -
That none shall have access unto Bianca,
Till Catharine the curst have got a husband.
Gru. Catharine the curst!

A title for a maid, of all titles the worst!

Hor. Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace, 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 perus'd 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!--God save yon, 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 behaviour,
Fit for her turn, well read in poetry,
And other books,-good ones, I warrant you.
Hor. 'Tis well: 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.

Gre. Belov'd of me,— and that my deeds shall prove.
Gru. And that his bags shall prove.
[Aside.

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 Catharine;
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 countryman?
Pet. Born in Verona, old Antonio's son:
My father dead, my fortune lives for 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 the 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 chesnut in a farmer's fire?
Tush! tush! fear boys with bugs!
Gru. For he fears none.

Gre. Hortensio, hark!

This gentleman is happily arriv'd,

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 ever yet 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 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 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 rest;
And 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 :

[Aside. Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends!
Gru. Bion.O excellent motion! Fellows, let's begone!
Hor. The motion's good, indeed, and be it so!
Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto.

My mind presumes, for his own good, and yours.
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.

ACT II.

Enter CATHARINA and BIANCA.

[Exeunt.

Gru. I would, I were as sure of a good dinner. [Aside. SCENE I.-The same. A room in Baptista's house.
Enter TRANIO, bravely apparell'd; and BIONDELLO.
Tra. Gentlemen, God save you! IfI 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?— [Aside to Tranio.] is't he you mean?

Bian. Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself,
To make a bondmaid and a slave of me!
That I disdain: but for these other gawds,
Unbind my hands, I'll pull them of 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.
Cath. 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
never yet beheld that special face
Which I could fancy more than any other.

Cath. 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.
Cath. 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!
Cath. If that be jest, then all the rest was so.
[Strikes her.

Enter BAPTISTA.

good Cambio!-But, gentle sir, [To Tranio ] methinks Bap. Why, how now, dame! whence grows this in- you walk like a stranger. May I be so bold to know the solence?

Bianca, stand aside! - poor girl! she weeps:-
Go ply thy neddle; meddle not with her!-
For shame, thou hilding of a devilish spirit,
Why dost thou wrong her, that did ne'er wrong thee?
When did she cross thee with a bitter word?
Cath. Her silence flouts me, and I'll be reveng'd.
[Flies after Bianca.
Bap. What, in my sight? - Bianca, get thee in!
[Exit Bianca.

Cath. Will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see,
She is your treasure, she must have a husband;
I must dance bare-foot 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 Catharina.
Bap. Was ever gentleman thus griev'd as I?
But who comes here?

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

Gre. Good-morrow, neighbour Baptista!
Bap. Good-morrow, neighbour Gremio! God save
you, gentlemen!

Pet. And you, good sir! Pray,have you not a daughter
Call'd Catharina, fair, and virtuous?

Bap. I have a daughter, sir, call'd Catharina!
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 behaviour,—
Am bold to show myself a forward guest
Within your house, to make mine eye the witness
Of that report, which I so oft have heard.
And, for an entrance to my entertainment,
I do present you with a man of mine,

[Presenting Hortensio.

Cunning in music, and the mathematics,
To instruct her fully in those sciences,
Whereof, I know, she is not ignorant.
Accept of him, or else you do me wrong;
His name is Licio, born in Mantua.

cause of your coming?

Tra. Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own;
That, being a stranger in this city here,
Do make myself a suitor to your daughter,
Unto Bianca, fair, and virtuous.

Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me,
In the preferment of the elder sister.
This liberty is all that I request,
That upon knowledge of my parentage,
may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo,
And free access and favour as the rest.

And toward the education of your daughters,

I here bestow a simple instrument,

And this small packet of Greek and Latin books:
If you accept them, then their worth is great.
Bap. Lucentio is your name? of whence, I pray?
Tra. Of Pisa, sir; son to Vincentio.

These gentlemen to my daughters; and tell them both,
These are their tators; bid them use them well.

[Exit Servant, with Hortensio, Lucentio, and
Biondello.

We will go walk a little in the orchard,
And then to dinner. You are passing welcome,
And so I pray you all to think yourselves.

Pet. Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste,
And every day I cannot come to woo.
You knew my father well; and in him, me,
Left solely heir to all his lands and goods,
Which I have better'd rather than decreas'd.
Then tell me, -if I get your daughter's love,
What dowry shall I have with her to wife?
Bap. After my death, the one half of my lands,
And, in possession, twenty thousand crowns.
Pet. And, for that dowry, I'll assure her of
Her widowhood, - be it that she survive me, -
In all my lands and leases whatsoever.
Let specialties be therefore drawn between us,

Bap. You're welcome,sir; and he,for your good sake: That covenants may be kept on either hand!

But for my daughter Catharina, - this I know,
She is not for your turn, the more my grief.
Pet. I see, you do not mean to part with her;

Or else you like not of my company.
Bap. Mistake me not, I speak but as I find.
Whence are you, sir? what may I call your name?
Pet. Petruchio is my name, Antonio's son,

A man well known throughout all Italy.

Bap. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd,
That is, her love; for that is all in all.
Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father,
I am as peremptory, as she proud-minded;
And where two raging fires meet together,
They do consume the thing that feeds their fury:
Though little fire grows great with little wind,
Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all:

Bap. I know him well: you are welcome for his sake. So I to her, and so she yields to me;

Gre. Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray, Let us, that are poor petitioners, speak too: Baccare! you are marvellous forward.

Bet. O, pardon me, signior Gremio; I would fain be doing.

Gre. I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing.

Neighbour, this is a gift very grateful, I am sure of it. To express the like kindness myself, that have been more kindly beholden to you than any, I freely give unto you this young scholar, [Presenting Lucentio.] that hath been long studying at Rheims; as cunning in Greek, Latin, and other languages, as the other in music and mathematics: his name is Cambio ; pray, accept his service!

Bap. A thousand thanks, signior Gremio! welcome,

For I am rough, and woo not like a babe.

Bap. Well may'st thou woo, and happy be thy speed!
But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words!
Pet. Ay, to the proof; as mountains are for winds,
That shake not, though they blow perpetually.

Re-enter HORTENSIO, with his head broken.
Bap. How now, my friend? why dost thou look so
pale?

Hor. For fear, I promise you, if I look pale.
Bap.What, will my daughter prove a good musician?
Hor. I think, she'll sooner prove a soldier;
Iron may hold with her, but never lutes.
Bap. Why,then thou canst not break her to the lute?
Hor. Why, no; for she hath broke the lute to me.
I did but tell her, she mistook her frets,
And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering;

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The Dramatic Works of Shakespeare, Part 1