William Shakspeare's Complete Works, Dramatic and Poetic

And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy,
Therefore, they thought it good you hear a play,
And frame your mind to mirth and merriment,
Which bars a thousand harms, and lengthens life.
Sly. Marry, I will; let them play it: Is not a
commonty a Christmas gambol, or a tumbling-
trick?

Page. No, my good lord; it is more pleasing

stuff.

Sly. What, household stuff?
Page. It is a kind of history.

Sly. Well, we'll see't: Come, madam wife, sit
by my side, and let the world slip; we shall ne'er
be younger.
[They sit down.

ACT I.

Enter Baptista, Katharina, Bianca, Gremio, and
Hortensio. 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 Katharina,
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?
Kath. 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.

Kath. 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,

SCENE I-Padua. A Public Place. Enter And paint your face, and use you like a fool.

Lucentio and Tranio.

Luc. Tranio, since-for the great desire I had
To see fair Padua, nursery of arts,—
I am arriv'd for fruitful Lombardy,
The pleasant garden of great Italy;
And, by my father's love and leave, am arm'd
With his good will, and thy good company,
Most trusty servant, well approv'd in all;
Here let us breathe, and happily institute
A course of learning, and ingenious2 studies.
Pisa, renowned for grave citizens,
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 achiev'd.
Tell me thy mind: for I have Pisa left,
And am to Padua come; as he that leaves
A shallow plash,3 to plunge him in the deep,
And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.

Tra. Mi perdonate,4 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,5
As Ovid be an outcast quite abjur'd:
Talk logic with acquaintance that you have,
And practice rhetoric in your common talk:
Music and poesy use to quicken you;
The mathematics, and the metaphysics,
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.

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
Maids' 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.

Kath. A pretty peat !9 '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,
Signier 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 will I keep within my house,
Fit to instruct her youth.-If you, Hortensio,
Or signior Gremio, you,-know any such,
Prefer them hither; for to cunning12 men
I will be very kind, and liberal
To mine own children in good bringing-up;
And so farewell. Katharina, you may stay;
For I have more to commune with Bianca. [Exit.
Kath. 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!

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?
Luc. 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, I pine, 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 no time to chide you now;
Affection is not rated3 from the heart:
If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so,—
Redime et 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 longly4 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 daughters 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.

(1) Consideration. (2) Gain or lot.
(3) Driven out by chiding. (4) Longingly.
(5) Europa. (6) 'Tis enough.

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 ;6 content thee; for I have it full. We have not yet been seen in any house; Nor can we be distinguished 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, sith8 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, I kill'd a man, and fear I was descried :9 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|| Rap me here, knock me well, and knock me wish after,

That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest
daughter.

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

You use your manners discreetly in all kind of
companies:

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.

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, this is a heavy chance 'twixt him and
Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio.
And tell me now, sweet friend,-what happy gale
Blows you to Padua here, from old Verona ?

you;

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,2
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,

Sly. 'Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam || And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour'd wife? 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, and 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.
I
Hor. Alla nostra casa bene venuto,
Molto honorato signor mio Petruchio.
Rise, Grumio, rise; we will compound this quarrel.
Gru. Nay, 'tis no matter, what he 'leges1 in Latin.
-if this be not a lawful cause for me to leave his
service,-Look you, 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,

(1) Alleges. (2) Few words.

(3) See the story, No. 39, of A Thousand Notable Things.'

Thou'dst thank me but a little for my counsel:
And very rich :-but thou'rt too much my friend,
And yet I'll promise thee she shall be rich,
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,3
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.

Pet. Hortensio, peace; thou know'st not gold's
Tell me her father's name, and 'tis enough;
effect:-
For I will board her, though she chide as loud
As thunder, when the clouds in autumn crack.

Hor. Her father is Baptista Minola,
An affable and courteous gentleman:
Her name is Katharina 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 hu mour lasts. O' my word, an she knew him as well as I do, she would think scolding would do little

(4) A small image on the tag of lace.

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 stand2 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 keep3 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 taʼen ;— 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. 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.

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. [Aside.

Gru. And that his bags shall prove.

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 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?

Gru. Here's no knavery! See; to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads to-Have I not heard the sea, puff'd up with winds, gether! 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 ;6
And see you read no other lectures to her:
You understand me :-Over and beside

Signior Baptista's liberality,

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' elang
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.8
Gru.

Gre. Hortensio, hark!

For he fears none. [Aside

I'll mend it with a largess :-Take your papers too, This gentleman is happily arriv'd,

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 you, signior
Gremio!

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

Trow you,

Whither I am going?-To Baptista Minola.

I promis'd to inquire carefully

About a schoolmaster for fair Bianca:
And, y 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;

(1) Abusive language. (2) Withstand. (3) Custody. (4) These measures.

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.
Gru. I would, I were as sure of a good dinner.

[Aside

Enter Tranio, bravely apparelled; 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

Gre. No; if, without more words, you will get you hence.

Tra. Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free For me, as for you?

But so is not she.

Gre.
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.

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.

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, insooth;-I
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;
An if break the ice, and do this feat,-
Achieve the elder, set the younger free

you

For our access,-whose hap shall be to have her, Will not so graceless be, to be ingrate.!

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 will 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. Enter Baptista.

Bap. Why, how now, dame! whence grows this insolence?

Bianca, stand aside;-poor girl! she weeps:-
Go ply thy needle; meddle not with her.-
For shame, thou hildings of a devilish spirit,
Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee?
When did she cross thee with a bitter word?

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? 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 Kath. 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, neighbour Baptista. Bap. Good-morrow, neighbour Gremio: God save you, gentlemen!

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

Call'd Katharina, fair, and virtuous?

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,2 let's|| I am a gentleman of Verona, sir,

begone.

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

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

Bap. You're welcome, sir; and he, for your good sake:

But for my daughter Katharine,-this I know,
She is not for your turn, the more my grief.

Pet. I see, you do not mean to part with her;

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Книги

William Shakspeare's Complete Works, Dramatic and Poetic, Том 1