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Speeches (Lines) for Gremio
in "Taming of the Shrew"

Total: 58

---
# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

I,1,351

Baptista Minola. Gentlemen, importune me no farther,
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 Katherina,
Because I know you well and love you well,
Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.

Gremio. To cart her rather. She's too rough for me.
There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?


2

I,1,363

Hortensio. From all such devils, good Lord deliver us!

Gremio. And me, too, good Lord!


3

I,1,384

Hortensio. Signior Baptista, will you be so strange?
Sorry am I that our good will effects
Bianca's grief.

Gremio. Why will you mew her up,
Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell,
And make her bear the penance of her tongue?


4

I,1,402

Katherina. 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

Gremio. You may go to the devil's dam; your gifts are so good
here's none will hold you. There! 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.


5

I,1,414

Hortensio. 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.

Gremio. What's that, I pray?


6

I,1,416

Hortensio. Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister.

Gremio. A husband? a devil.


7

I,1,418

Hortensio. I say a husband.

Gremio. 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?


8

I,1,424

Hortensio. 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.

Gremio. I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her dowry with this
condition: to be whipp'd at the high cross every morning.


9

I,1,433

Hortensio. 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 maintain'd 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?

Gremio. 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.


10

I,2,692

(stage directions). [They stand aside]

Gremio. 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 paper too,
And let me have them very well perfum'd;
For she is sweeter than perfume itself
To whom they go to. What will you read to her?


11

I,2,707

Lucentio. 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.

Gremio. O this learning, what a thing it is!


12

I,2,712

Hortensio. Grumio, mum! [Coming forward]
God save you, Signior Gremio!

Gremio. And you are well met, Signior Hortensio.
Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista Minola.
I promis'd to enquire carefully
About a schoolmaster for the 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 ye.


13

I,2,725

Hortensio. '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 beloved of me.

Gremio. Beloved of me- and that my deeds shall prove.


14

I,2,734

Hortensio. 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 Katherine;
Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.

Gremio. So said, so done, is well.
Hortensio, have you told him all her faults?


15

I,2,738

Petruchio. I know she is an irksome brawling scold;
If that be all, masters, I hear no harm.

Gremio. No, say'st me so, friend? What countryman?


16

I,2,742

Petruchio. 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.

Gremio. O Sir, such a life with such a wife were strange!
But if you have a stomach, to't a God's name;
You shall have me assisting you in all.
But will you woo this wild-cat?


17

I,2,762

Grumio. For he fears none.

Gremio. Hortensio, hark:
This gentleman is happily arriv'd,
My mind presumes, for his own good and ours.


18

I,2,767

Hortensio. I promis'd we would be contributors
And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe'er.

Gremio. And so we will- provided that he win her.


19

I,2,775

Tranio. Even he, Biondello.

Gremio. Hark you, sir, you mean not her to-


20

I,2,783

Tranio. And if I be, sir, is it any offence?

Gremio. No; if without more words you will get you hence.


21

I,2,786

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

Gremio. But so is not she.


22

I,2,788

Tranio. For what reason, I beseech you?

Gremio. For this reason, if you'll know,
That she's the choice love of Signior Gremio.


23

I,2,801

Tranio. 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.

Gremio. What, this gentleman will out-talk us all!


24

I,2,810

Petruchio. Sir, sir, the first's for me; let her go by.

Gremio. Yea, leave that labour to great Hercules,
And let it be more than Alcides' twelve.


25

II,1,880

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

Gremio. Good morrow, neighbour Baptista.


26

II,1,886

Baptista Minola. I have a daughter, sir, call'd Katherina.

Gremio. You are too blunt; go to it orderly.


27

II,1,913

Baptista Minola. I know him well; you are welcome for his sake.

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


28

II,1,917

Petruchio. O, pardon me, Signior Gremio! I would fain be doing.

Gremio. 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
beholding to you than any, 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.


29

II,1,1151

Katherina. I'll see thee hang'd on Sunday first.

Gremio. Hark, Petruchio; she says she'll see thee hang'd first.


30

II,1,1171

Baptista Minola. I know not what to say; but give me your hands.
God send you joy, Petruchio! 'Tis a match.

Gremio. [with TRANIO:] Amen, say we; we will be witnesses.


31

II,1,1177

(stage directions). Exeunt PETRUCHIO and KATHERINA severally

Gremio. Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly?


32

II,1,1183

Baptista Minola. The gain I seek is quiet in the match.

Gremio. 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.


33

II,1,1189

Tranio. And I am one that love Bianca more
Than words can witness or your thoughts can guess.

Gremio. Youngling, thou canst not love so dear as I.


34

II,1,1191

Tranio. Greybeard, thy love doth freeze.

Gremio. But thine doth fry.
Skipper, stand back; 'tis age that nourisheth.


35

II,1,1199

Baptista Minola. Content you, gentlemen; I will compound this strife.
'Tis deeds must win the prize, and he of both
That can assure my daughter greatest dower
Shall have my Bianca's love.
Say, Signior Gremio, what can you assure her?

Gremio. 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;
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 belongs
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.


36

II,1,1225

Tranio. 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's 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?

Gremio. Two thousand ducats by the year of land!
[Aside] 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?


37

II,1,1234

Tranio. Gremio, 'tis known my father hath no less
Than three great argosies, besides two galliasses,
And twelve tight galleys. These I will assure her,
And twice as much whate'er thou off'rest next.

Gremio. Nay, I have off'red 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.


38

II,1,1244

Tranio. That's but a cavil; he is old, I young.

Gremio. And may not young men die as well as old?


39

II,1,1252

Baptista Minola. Well, gentlemen,
I am thus resolv'd: on Sunday next you know
My daughter Katherine 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.

Gremio. Adieu, good neighbour. Exit BAPTISTA
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. Exit


40

III,2,1512

Tranio. That by degrees we mean to look into
And watch our vantage in this business;
We'll over-reach the greybeard, Gremio,
The narrow-prying father, Minola,
The quaint musician, amorous Licio-
All for my master's sake, Lucentio.
[Re-enter GREMIO]
Signior Gremio, came you from the church?

Gremio. As willingly as e'er I came from school.


41

III,2,1514

Tranio. And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?

Gremio. A bridegroom, say you? 'Tis a groom indeed,
A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find.


42

III,2,1517

Tranio. Curster than she? Why, 'tis impossible.

Gremio. Why, he's a devil, a devil, a very fiend.


43

III,2,1519

Tranio. Why, she's a devil, a devil, the devil's dam.

Gremio. Tut, she's a lamb, a dove, a fool, to him!
I'll tell you, Sir Lucentio: when the priest
Should ask if Katherine should be his wife,
'Ay, by gogs-wouns' quoth he, and swore so loud
That, all amaz'd, the priest let fall the book;
And as he stoop'd again to take it up,
This 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.'


44

III,2,1529

Tranio. What said the wench, when he rose again?

Gremio. 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 abroad, 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.
And 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 plays]
Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHERINA, BIANCA, BAPTISTA, HORTENSIO, GRUMIO, and train


45

III,2,1563

Petruchio. It may not be.

Gremio. Let me entreat you.


46

III,2,1584

Katherina. I will be angry; what hast thou to do?
Father, be quiet; he shall stay my leisure.

Gremio. Ay, marry, sir, now it begins to work.


47

III,2,1608

Baptista Minola. Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones.

Gremio. Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing.


48

III,2,1612

Bianca. That, being mad herself, she's madly mated.

Gremio. I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated.


49

V,1,2356

(stage directions). Exeunt LUCENTIO, BIANCA, and BIONDELLO

Gremio. I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.


50

V,1,2364

Vincentio. You shall not choose but drink before you go;
I think I shall command your welcome here,
And by all likelihood some cheer is toward. [Knocks]

Gremio. They're busy within; you were best knock louder.


51

V,1,2432

Vincentio. Carry me to the gaol!

Gremio. Stay, Officer; he shall not go to prison.


52

V,1,2434

Baptista Minola. Talk not, Signior Gremio; I say he shall go to prison.

Gremio. Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catch'd in
this business; I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.


53

V,1,2437

Pedant. Swear if thou dar'st.

Gremio. Nay, I dare not swear it.


54

V,1,2439

Tranio. Then thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio.

Gremio. Yes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio.


55

V,1,2456

Lucentio. Here's Lucentio,
Right son to the right Vincentio,
That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,
While counterfeit supposes blear'd thine eyne.

Gremio. Here's packing, with a witness, to deceive us all!


56

V,1,2477

(stage directions). Exeunt LUCENTIO and BIANCA

Gremio. My cake is dough, but I'll in among the rest;
Out of hope of all but my share of the feast. Exit


57

V,2,2530

Baptista Minola. How likes Gremio these quick-witted folks?

Gremio. Believe me, sir, they butt together well.


58

V,2,2582

Petruchio. How! She's busy, and she cannot come!
Is that an answer?

Gremio. Ay, and a kind one too.
Pray God, sir, your wife send you not a worse.


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