Open Source Shakespeare

The Taming of the Shrew

Act IV

Scene 1. PETRUCHIO’S country house

Scene 2. Padua. Before BAPTISTA’S house

Scene 3. PETRUCHIO’S house

Scene 4. Padua. Before BAPTISTA’S house

Scene 5. A public road

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Act IV, Scene 1

PETRUCHIO’S country house

       

Enter GRUMIO

  • Grumio. Fie, fie on all tired jades, on all mad masters, and all
    foul ways! Was ever man so beaten? Was ever man so ray'd? 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 teeth, my tongue to the roof 1625
    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!

Enter CURTIS

  • Curtis. Who is that calls so coldly?
  • Grumio. 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.
  • Curtis. Is my master and his wife coming, Grumio? 1635
  • Grumio. O, ay, Curtis, ay; and therefore fire, fire; cast on no
    water.
  • Curtis. Is she so hot a shrew as she's reported?
  • Grumio. She was, good Curtis, before this frost; but thou know'st
    winter tames man, woman, and beast; for it hath tam'd my old 1640
    master, and my new mistress, and myself, fellow Curtis.
  • Curtis. Away, you three-inch fool! I am no beast.
  • Grumio. 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 I complain
    on thee to our mistress, whose hand- she being now at hand- thou 1645
    shalt soon feel, to thy cold comfort, for being slow in thy hot
    office?
  • Curtis. I prithee, good Grumio, tell me how goes the world?
  • Grumio. A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine; and
    therefore fire. Do thy duty, and have thy duty, for my master and 1650
    mistress are almost frozen to death.
  • Curtis. There's fire ready; and therefore, good Grumio, the news?
  • Grumio. Why, 'Jack boy! ho, boy!' and as much news as thou wilt.
  • Curtis. Come, you are so full of cony-catching!
  • Grumio. Why, therefore, fire; for I have caught extreme cold. 1655
    Where's the cook? Is supper ready, the house trimm'd, rushes
    strew'd, cobwebs swept, the serving-men in their 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 everything in order? 1660
  • Curtis. All ready; and therefore, I pray thee, news.
  • Grumio. First know my horse is tired; my master and mistress fall'n
    out.
  • Curtis. How?
  • Grumio. Out of their saddles into the dirt; and thereby hangs a 1665
    tale.
  • Curtis. Let's ha't, good Grumio.
  • Grumio. Lend thine ear.
  • Curtis. Here.
  • Grumio. There. [Striking him] 1670
  • Curtis. This 'tis to feel a tale, not to hear a tale.
  • Grumio. And therefore 'tis call'd a sensible tale; and this cuff
    was but to knock at your car and beseech list'ning. Now I begin:
    Imprimis, we came down a foul hill, my master riding behind my
    mistress- 1675
  • Curtis. Both of one horse?
  • Grumio. What's that to thee?
  • Curtis. Why, a horse.
  • Grumio. Tell thou the tale. But hadst thou not cross'd me, thou
    shouldst have heard how her horse fell and she under her horse; 1680
    thou shouldst have heard in how miry a place, how she was
    bemoil'd, how he left her with the horse 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 pray'd that never pray'd
    before, how I cried, how the horses ran away, how her bridle was 1685
    burst, how I lost my crupper- with many things of worthy memory,
    which now shall die in oblivion, and thou return unexperienc'd to
    thy grave.
  • Curtis. By this reck'ning he is more shrew than she.
  • Grumio. Ay, and that thou and the proudest of you all shall find 1690
    when he comes home. But what talk I of this? Call forth
    Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Philip, Walter, Sugarsop, and the
    rest; let their heads be sleekly comb'd, their blue coats brush'd
    and their garters of an indifferent knit; let them curtsy with
    their left legs, and not presume to touch a hair of my mastcr's 1695
    horse-tail till they kiss their hands. Are they all ready?
  • Curtis. They are.
  • Grumio. Call them forth.
  • Curtis. Do you hear, ho? You must meet my master, to countenance my
    mistress. 1700
  • Grumio. Why, she hath a face of her own.
  • Curtis. Who knows not that?
  • Grumio. Thou, it seems, that calls for company to countenance her.
  • Curtis. I call them forth to credit her.
  • Grumio. Why, she comes to borrow nothing of them. 1705

Enter four or five SERVINGMEN

  • Nathaniel. Welcome home, Grumio!
  • Philip. How now, Grumio!
  • Joseph. What, Grumio!
  • Nicholas. Fellow Grumio! 1710
  • Nathaniel. How now, old lad!
  • Grumio. 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?
  • Nathaniel. All things is ready. How near is our master? 1715
  • Grumio. E'en at hand, alighted by this; and therefore be not-
    Cock's passion, silence! I hear my master.

Enter PETRUCHIO and KATHERINA

  • Petruchio. Where be these knaves? What, no man at door
    To hold my stirrup nor to take my horse! 1720
    Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Philip?
  • Servants. Here, here, sir; here, sir.
  • Petruchio. Here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! here, sir!
    You logger-headed and unpolish'd grooms!
    What, no attendance? no regard? no duty? 1725
    Where is the foolish knave I sent before?
  • Grumio. Here, sir; as foolish as I was before.
  • Petruchio. 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? 1730
  • Grumio. Nathaniel's coat, sir, was not fully made,
    And Gabriel's pumps were all unpink'd i' th' 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; 1735
    The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly;
    Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you.
  • Petruchio. Go, rascals, go and fetch my supper in.
    [Exeunt some of the SERVINGMEN]
    [Sings] Where is the life that late I led? 1740
    Where are those-
    Sit down, Kate, and welcome. Soud, soud, soud, soud!
    [Re-enter SERVANTS with supper]
    Why, when, I say? Nay, good sweet Kate, be merry.
    Off with my boots, you rogues! you villains, when? 1745
    [Sings] 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.
    [Strikes him] 1750
    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:
    [Exit SERVINGMAN] 1755
    One, Kate, that you must kiss and be acquainted with.
    Where are my slippers? Shall I have some water?
    Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily.
    You whoreson villain! will you let it fall? [Strikes him]
  • Katherina. Patience, I pray you; 'twas a fault unwilling. 1760
  • Petruchio. A whoreson, beetle-headed, flap-ear'd knave!
    Come, Kate, sit down; I know you have a stomach.
    Will you give thanks, sweet Kate, or else shall I?
    What's this? Mutton?
  • First Servant. Ay. 1765
  • Petruchio. Who brought it?
  • Peter. I.
  • Petruchio. '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 1770
    And serve it thus to me that love it not?
    There, take it to you, trenchers, cups, and all;
    [Throws the meat, etc., at them]
    You heedless joltheads and unmanner'd slaves!
    What, do you grumble? I'll be with you straight. 1775

[Exeunt SERVANTS]

  • Katherina. I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet;
    The meat was well, if you were so contented.
  • Petruchio. I tell thee, Kate, 'twas burnt and dried away,
    And I expressly am forbid to touch it; 1780
    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.
    Be patient; to-morrow 't shall be mended. 1785
    And for this night we'll fast for company.
    Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber. Exeunt

Re-enter SERVANTS severally

  • Nathaniel. Peter, didst ever see the like?
  • Peter. He kills her in her own humour. 1790

Re-enter CURTIS

  • Grumio. Where is he?
  • Curtis. 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. 1795
    And sits as one new risen from a dream.
    Away, away! for he is coming hither. Exeunt

Re-enter PETRUCHIO

  • Petruchio. Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
    And 'tis my hope to end successfully. 1800
    My falcon now is sharp and passing empty.
    And till she stoop she must not be full-gorg'd,
    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, 1805
    That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
    That bate and beat, and will not be obedient.
    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 1810
    I'll find about the making of the bed;
    And here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
    This way the coverlet, another way the sheets;
    Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
    That all is done in reverend care of her- 1815
    And, in conclusion, she shall watch all night;
    And if she chance to nod I'll rail and brawl
    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. 1820
    He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
    Now let him speak; 'tis charity to show. Exit

       

Act IV, Scene 2

Padua. Before BAPTISTA’S house

       

Enter TRANIO as LUCENTIO, and HORTENSIO as LICIO

  • Tranio. Is 't possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca
    Doth fancy any other but Lucentio? 1825
    I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.
  • Hortensio. Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said,
    Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.

[They stand aside]

Enter BIANCA, and LUCENTIO as CAMBIO

  • Lucentio. Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?
  • Bianca. What, master, read you, First resolve me that.
  • Lucentio. I read that I profess, 'The Art to Love.'
  • Bianca. And may you prove, sir, master of your art!
  • Lucentio. While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart. 1835

[They retire]

  • Hortensio. Quick proceeders, marry! Now tell me, I pray,
    You that durst swear that your Mistress Bianca
    Lov'd none in the world so well as Lucentio.
  • Tranio. O despiteful love! unconstant womankind! 1840
    I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.
  • Hortensio. 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 1845
    And makes a god of such a cullion.
    Know, sir, that I am call'd Hortensio.
  • Tranio. Signior Hortensio, I have often heard
    Of your entire affection to Bianca;
    And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness, 1850
    I will with you, if you be so contented,
    Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.
  • Hortensio. See, how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio,
    Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow
    Never to woo her more, but do forswear her, 1855
    As one unworthy all the former favours
    That I have fondly flatter'd her withal.
  • Tranio. And here I take the like unfeigned oath,
    Never to marry with her though she would entreat;
    Fie on her! See how beastly she doth court him! 1860
  • Hortensio. Would all the world but he had quite forsworn!
    For me, that I may surely keep mine oath,
    I will be married to a wealtlly widow
    Ere three days pass, which hath as long lov'd me
    As I have lov'd this proud disdainful haggard. 1865
    And so farewell, Signior Lucentio.
    Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,
    Shall win my love; and so I take my leave,
    In resolution as I swore before. Exit
  • Tranio. Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace 1870
    As 'longeth to a lover's blessed case!
    Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love,
    And have forsworn you with Hortensio.
  • Bianca. Tranio, you jest; but have you both forsworn me?
  • Tranio. Mistress, we have. 1875
  • Lucentio. Then we are rid of Licio.
  • Tranio. I' faith, he'll have a lusty widow now,
    That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day.
  • Bianca. God give him joy!
  • Tranio. Ay, and he'll tame her. 1880
  • Bianca. He says so, Tranio.
  • Tranio. Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.
  • Bianca. The taming-school! What, is there such a place?
  • Tranio. Ay, mistress; and Petruchio is the master,
    That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long, 1885
    To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue.

Enter BIONDELLO

  • Biondello. 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 1890
    Will serve the turn.
  • Tranio. What is he, Biondello?
  • Biondello. Master, a mercatante or a pedant,
    I know not what; but formal in apparel,
    In gait and countenance surely like a father. 1895
  • Lucentio. And what of him, Tranio?
  • Tranio. 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. 1900
    Take in your love, and then let me alone.

Exeunt LUCENTIO and BIANCA

Enter a PEDANT

  • Pedant. God save you, sir!
  • Tranio. And you, sir; you are welcome. 1905
    Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?
  • Pedant. Sir, at the farthest for a week or two;
    But then up farther, and as far as Rome;
    And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life.
  • Tranio. What countryman, I pray? 1910
  • Pedant. Of Mantua.
  • Tranio. Of Mantua, sir? Marry, God forbid,
    And come to Padua, careless of your life!
  • Pedant. My life, sir! How, I pray? For that goes hard.
  • Tranio. 'Tis death for any one in Mantua 1915
    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,
    Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly.
    'Tis marvel- but that you are but newly come, 1920
    You might have heard it else proclaim'd about.
  • Pedant. Alas, sir, it is worse for me than so!
    For I have bills for money by exchange
    From Florence, and must here deliver them.
  • Tranio. Well, sir, to do you courtesy, 1925
    This will I do, and this I will advise you-
    First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?
  • Pedant. Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been,
    Pisa renowned for grave citizens.
  • Tranio. Among them know you one Vincentio? 1930
  • Pedant. I know him not, but I have heard of him,
    A merchant of incomparable wealth.
  • Tranio. He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say,
    In count'nance somewhat doth resemble you.
  • Biondello. [Aside] As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all 1935
    one.
  • Tranio. 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
    That you are like to Sir Vincentio. 1940
    His name and credit shall you undertake,
    And in my house you shall be friendly lodg'd;
    Look that you take upon you as you should.
    You understand me, sir. So shall you stay
    Till you have done your business in the city. 1945
    If this be court'sy, sir, accept of it.
  • Pedant. O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever
    The patron of my life and liberty.
  • Tranio. Then go with me to make the matter good.
    This, by the way, I let you understand: 1950
    My father is here look'd for every day
    To pass assurance of a dow'r in marriage
    'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here.
    In all these circumstances I'll instruct you.
    Go with me to clothe you as becomes you. Exeunt 1955

       

Act IV, Scene 3

PETRUCHIO’S house

       

Enter KATHERINA and GRUMIO

  • Grumio. No, no, forsooth; I dare not for my life.
  • Katherina. The more my wrong, the more his spite appears.
    What, did he marry me to famish me?
    Beggars that come unto my father's door 1960
    Upon entreaty have a present alms;
    If not, elsewhere they meet with charity;
    But I, who never knew how to entreat,
    Nor never needed that I should entreat,
    Am starv'd for meat, giddy for lack of sleep; 1965
    With oaths kept waking, and with brawling fed;
    And that which spites me more than all these wants-
    He does it under name of perfect love;
    As who should say, if I should sleep or eat,
    'Twere deadly sickness or else present death. 1970
    I prithee go and get me some repast;
    I care not what, so it be wholesome food.
  • Grumio. What say you to a neat's foot?
  • Katherina. 'Tis passing good; I prithee let me have it.
  • Grumio. I fear it is too choleric a meat. 1975
    How say you to a fat tripe finely broil'd?
  • Katherina. I like it well; good Grumio, fetch it me.
  • Grumio. I cannot tell; I fear 'tis choleric.
    What say you to a piece of beef and mustard?
  • Katherina. A dish that I do love to feed upon. 1980
  • Grumio. Ay, but the mustard is too hot a little.
  • Katherina. Why then the beef, and let the mustard rest.
  • Grumio. Nay, then I will not; you shall have the mustard,
    Or else you get no beef of Grumio.
  • Katherina. Then both, or one, or anything thou wilt. 1985
  • Grumio. Why then the mustard without the beef.
  • Katherina. Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave,
    [Beats him]
    That feed'st me with the very name of meat.
    Sorrow on thee and all the pack of you 1990
    That triumph thus upon my misery!
    Go, get thee gone, I say.

Enter PETRUCHIO, and HORTENSIO with meat

  • Petruchio. How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort?
  • Hortensio. Mistress, what cheer? 1995
  • Katherina. Faith, as cold as can be.
  • Petruchio. Pluck up thy spirits, look cheerfully upon me.
    Here, love, thou seest how diligent I am,
    To dress thy meat myself, and bring it thee.
    I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits thanks. 2000
    What, not a word? Nay, then thou lov'st it not,
    And all my pains is sorted to no proof.
    Here, take away this dish.
  • Katherina. I pray you, let it stand.
  • Petruchio. The poorest service is repaid with thanks; 2005
    And so shall mine, before you touch the meat.
  • Katherina. I thank you, sir.
  • Hortensio. Signior Petruchio, fie! you are to blame.
    Come, Mistress Kate, I'll bear you company.
  • Petruchio. [Aside] Eat it up all, Hortensio, if thou lovest me.- 2010
    Much good do it unto thy gentle heart!
    Kate, eat apace. And now, my honey love,
    Will we return unto thy father's house
    And revel it as bravely as the best,
    With silken coats and caps, and golden rings, 2015
    With ruffs and cuffs and farthingales and things,
    With scarfs and fans and double change of brav'ry.
    With amber bracelets, beads, and all this knav'ry.
    What, hast thou din'd? The tailor stays thy leisure,
    To deck thy body with his ruffling treasure. 2020
    [Enter TAILOR]
    Come, tailor, let us see these ornaments;
    Lay forth the gown.
    [Enter HABERDASHER]
    What news with you, sir? 2025
  • Haberdasher. Here is the cap your worship did bespeak.
  • Petruchio. Why, this was moulded on a porringer;
    A velvet dish. Fie, fie! 'tis lewd and filthy;
    Why, 'tis a cockle or a walnut-shell,
    A knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap. 2030
    Away with it. Come, let me have a bigger.
  • Katherina. I'll have no bigger; this doth fit the time,
    And gentlewomen wear such caps as these.
  • Petruchio. When you are gentle, you shall have one too,
    And not till then. 2035
  • Hortensio. [Aside] That will not be in haste.
  • Katherina. Why, sir, I trust I may have leave to speak;
    And speak I will. I am no child, no babe.
    Your betters have endur'd me say my mind,
    And if you cannot, best you stop your ears. 2040
    My tongue will tell the anger of my heart,
    Or else my heart, concealing it, will break;
    And rather than it shall, I will be free
    Even to the uttermost, as I please, in words.
  • Petruchio. Why, thou say'st true; it is a paltry cap, 2045
    A custard-coffin, a bauble, a silken pie;
    I love thee well in that thou lik'st it not.
  • Katherina. Love me or love me not, I like the cap;
    And it I will have, or I will have none. Exit HABERDASHER
  • Petruchio. Thy gown? Why, ay. Come, tailor, let us see't. 2050
    O mercy, God! what masquing stuff is here?
    What's this? A sleeve? 'Tis like a demi-cannon.
    What, up and down, carv'd like an appletart?
    Here's snip and nip and cut and slish and slash,
    Like to a censer in a barber's shop. 2055
    Why, what a devil's name, tailor, call'st thou this?
  • Hortensio. [Aside] I see she's like to have neither cap nor gown.
  • Tailor. You bid me make it orderly and well,
    According to the fashion and the time.
  • Petruchio. Marry, and did; but if you be rememb'red, 2060
    I did not bid you mar it to the time.
    Go, hop me over every kennel home,
    For you shall hop without my custom, sir.
    I'll none of it; hence! make your best of it.
  • Katherina. I never saw a better fashion'd gown, 2065
    More quaint, more pleasing, nor more commendable;
    Belike you mean to make a puppet of me.
  • Petruchio. Why, true; he means to make a puppet of thee.
  • Tailor. She says your worship means to make a puppet of her.
  • Petruchio. O monstrous arrogance! Thou liest, thou thread, thou 2070
    thimble,
    Thou yard, three-quarters, half-yard, quarter, nail,
    Thou flea, thou nit, thou winter-cricket thou-
    Brav'd in mine own house with a skein of thread!
    Away, thou rag, thou quantity, thou remnant; 2075
    Or I shall so bemete thee with thy yard
    As thou shalt think on prating whilst thou liv'st!
    I tell thee, I, that thou hast marr'd her gown.
  • Tailor. Your worship is deceiv'd; the gown is made
    Just as my master had direction. 2080
    Grumio gave order how it should be done.
  • Grumio. I gave him no order; I gave him the stuff.
  • Tailor. But how did you desire it should be made?
  • Grumio. Marry, sir, with needle and thread.
  • Tailor. But did you not request to have it cut? 2085
  • Grumio. Thou hast fac'd many things.
  • Tailor. I have.
  • Grumio. Face not me. Thou hast brav'd many men; brave not me. I
    will neither be fac'd nor brav'd. I say unto thee, I bid thy
    master cut out the gown; but I did not bid him cut it to pieces. 2090
    Ergo, thou liest.
  • Tailor. Why, here is the note of the fashion to testify.
  • Petruchio. Read it.
  • Grumio. The note lies in's throat, if he say I said so.
  • Tailor. [Reads] 'Imprimis, a loose-bodied gown'- 2095
  • Grumio. Master, if ever I said loose-bodied gown, sew me in the
    skirts of it and beat me to death with a bottom of brown bread; I
    said a gown.
  • Petruchio. Proceed.
  • Tailor. [Reads] 'With a small compass'd cape'- 2100
  • Grumio. I confess the cape.
  • Tailor. [Reads] 'With a trunk sleeve'-
  • Grumio. I confess two sleeves.
  • Tailor. [Reads] 'The sleeves curiously cut.'
  • Petruchio. Ay, there's the villainy. 2105
  • Grumio. Error i' th' bill, sir; error i' th' bill! I commanded the
    sleeves should be cut out, and sew'd up again; and that I'll
    prove upon thee, though thy little finger be armed in a thimble.
  • Tailor. This is true that I say; an I had thee in place where, thou
    shouldst know it. 2110
  • Grumio. I am for thee straight; take thou the bill, give me thy
    meteyard, and spare not me.
  • Hortensio. God-a-mercy, Grumio! Then he shall have no odds.
  • Petruchio. Well, sir, in brief, the gown is not for me.
  • Grumio. You are i' th' right, sir; 'tis for my mistress. 2115
  • Petruchio. Go, take it up unto thy master's use.
  • Grumio. Villain, not for thy life! Take up my mistress' gown for
    thy master's use!
  • Petruchio. Why, sir, what's your conceit in that?
  • Grumio. O, sir, the conceit is deeper than you think for. 2120
    Take up my mistress' gown to his master's use!
    O fie, fie, fie!
  • Petruchio. [Aside] Hortensio, say thou wilt see the tailor paid.-
    Go take it hence; be gone, and say no more.
  • Hortensio. Tailor, I'll pay thee for thy gown to-morrow; 2125
    Take no unkindness of his hasty words.
    Away, I say; commend me to thy master. Exit TAILOR
  • Petruchio. Well, come, my Kate; we will unto your father's
    Even in these honest mean habiliments;
    Our purses shall be proud, our garments poor; 2130
    For 'tis the mind that makes the body rich;
    And as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds,
    So honour peereth in the meanest habit.
    What, is the jay more precious than the lark
    Because his feathers are more beautiful? 2135
    Or is the adder better than the eel
    Because his painted skin contents the eye?
    O no, good Kate; neither art thou the worse
    For this poor furniture and mean array.
    If thou account'st it shame, lay it on me; 2140
    And therefore frolic; we will hence forthwith
    To feast and sport us at thy father's house.
    Go call my men, and let us straight to him;
    And bring our horses unto Long-lane end;
    There will we mount, and thither walk on foot. 2145
    Let's see; I think 'tis now some seven o'clock,
    And well we may come there by dinner-time.
  • Katherina. I dare assure you, sir, 'tis almost two,
    And 'twill be supper-time ere you come there.
  • Petruchio. It shall be seven ere I go to horse. 2150
    Look what I speak, or do, or think to do,
    You are still crossing it. Sirs, let 't alone;
    I will not go to-day; and ere I do,
    It shall be what o'clock I say it is.
  • Hortensio. Why, so this gallant will command the sun. 2155

[Exeunt]


       

Act IV, Scene 4

Padua. Before BAPTISTA’S house

       

Enter TRANIO as LUCENTIO, and the PEDANT dressed like VINCENTIO

  • Tranio. Sir, this is the house; please it you that I call?
  • Pedant. Ay, what else? And, but I be deceived,
    Signior Baptista may remember me 2160
    Near twenty years ago in Genoa,
    Where we were lodgers at the Pegasus.
  • Tranio. 'Tis well; and hold your own, in any case,
    With such austerity as longeth to a father.

Enter BIONDELLO

  • Pedant. I warrant you. But, sir, here comes your boy;
    'Twere good he were school'd.
  • Tranio. Fear you not him. Sirrah Biondello,
    Now do your duty throughly, I advise you.
    Imagine 'twere the right Vincentio. 2170
  • Biondello. Tut, fear not me.
  • Tranio. But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista?
  • Biondello. I told him that your father was at Venice,
    And that you look'd for him this day in Padua.
  • Tranio. Th'art a tall fellow; hold thee that to drink. 2175
    Here comes Baptista. Set your countenance, sir.
    [Enter BAPTISTA, and LUCENTIO as CAMBIO]
    Signior Baptista, you are happily met.
    [To To the PEDANT] Sir, this is the gentleman I told you of;
    I pray you stand good father to me now; 2180
    Give me Bianca for my patrimony.
  • Pedant. Soft, son!
    Sir, by your leave: having come to Padua
    To gather in some debts, my son Lucentio
    Made me acquainted with a weighty cause 2185
    Of love between your daughter and himself;
    And- for the good report I hear of you,
    And for the love he beareth to your daughter,
    And she to him- to stay him not too long,
    I am content, in a good father's care, 2190
    To have him match'd; and, if you please to like
    No worse than I, upon some agreement
    Me shall you find ready and willing
    With one consent to have her so bestow'd;
    For curious I cannot be with you, 2195
    Signior Baptista, of whom I hear so well.
  • Baptista Minola. Sir, pardon me in what I have to say.
    Your plainness and your shortness please me well.
    Right true it is your son Lucentio here
    Doth love my daughter, and she loveth him, 2200
    Or both dissemble deeply their affections;
    And therefore, if you say no more than this,
    That like a father you will deal with him,
    And pass my daughter a sufficient dower,
    The match is made, and all is done- 2205
    Your son shall have my daughter with consent.
  • Tranio. I thank you, sir. Where then do you know best
    We be affied, and such assurance ta'en
    As shall with either part's agreement stand?
  • Baptista Minola. Not in my house, Lucentio, for you know 2210
    Pitchers have ears, and I have many servants;
    Besides, old Gremio is heark'ning still,
    And happily we might be interrupted.
  • Tranio. Then at my lodging, an it like you.
    There doth my father lie; and there this night 2215
    We'll pass the business privately and well.
    Send for your daughter by your servant here;
    My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently.
    The worst is this, that at so slender warning
    You are like to have a thin and slender pittance. 2220
  • Baptista Minola. It likes me well. Cambio, hie you home,
    And bid Bianca make her ready straight;
    And, if you will, tell what hath happened-
    Lucentio's father is arriv'd in Padua,
    And how she's like to be Lucentio's wife. Exit LUCENTIO 2225
  • Biondello. I pray the gods she may, with all my heart.
  • Tranio. Dally not with the gods, but get thee gone.
    [Exit BIONDELLO]
    Signior Baptista, shall I lead the way?
    Welcome! One mess is like to be your cheer; 2230
    Come, sir; we will better it in Pisa.
  • Baptista Minola. I follow you. Exeunt

Re-enter LUCENTIO as CAMBIO, and BIONDELLO

  • Biondello. Cambio.
  • Lucentio. What say'st thou, Biondello? 2235
  • Biondello. You saw my master wink and laugh upon you?
  • Lucentio. Biondello, what of that?
  • Biondello. Faith, nothing; but has left me here behind to expound
    the meaning or moral of his signs and tokens.
  • Lucentio. I pray thee moralize them. 2240
  • Biondello. Then thus: Baptista is safe, talking with the deceiving
    father of a deceitful son.
  • Lucentio. And what of him?
  • Biondello. His daughter is to be brought by you to the supper.
  • Lucentio. And then? 2245
  • Biondello. The old priest at Saint Luke's church is at your command
    at all hours.
  • Lucentio. And what of all this?
  • Biondello. I cannot tell, except they are busied about a
    counterfeit assurance. Take your assurance of her, cum privilegio 2250
    ad imprimendum solum; to th' church take the priest, clerk, and
    some sufficient honest witnesses.
    If this be not that you look for, I have more to say,
    But bid Bianca farewell for ever and a day.
  • Lucentio. Hear'st thou, Biondello? 2255
  • Biondello. I cannot tarry. I knew a wench married in an afternoon
    as she went to the garden for parsley to stuff a rabbit; and so
    may you, sir; and so adieu, sir. My master hath appointed me to
    go to Saint Luke's to bid the priest be ready to come against you
    come with your appendix. 2260

Exit

  • Lucentio. I may and will, if she be so contented.
    She will be pleas'd; then wherefore should I doubt?
    Hap what hap may, I'll roundly go about her;
    It shall go hard if Cambio go without her. Exit 2265

       

Act IV, Scene 5

A public road

       

Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHERINA, HORTENSIO, and SERVANTS

  • Petruchio. Come on, a God's name; once more toward our father's.
    Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!
  • Katherina. The moon? The sun! It is not moonlight now.
  • Petruchio. I say it is the moon that shines so bright. 2270
  • Katherina. I know it is the sun that shines so bright.
  • Petruchio. Now by my mother's son, and that's myself,
    It shall be moon, or star, or what I list,
    Or ere I journey to your father's house.
    Go on and fetch our horses back again. 2275
    Evermore cross'd and cross'd; nothing but cross'd!
  • Hortensio. Say as he says, or we shall never go.
  • Katherina. Forward, I pray, since we have come so far,
    And be it moon, or sun, or what you please;
    And if you please to call it a rush-candle, 2280
    Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me.
  • Petruchio. I say it is the moon.
  • Katherina. I know it is the moon.
  • Petruchio. Nay, then you lie; it is the blessed sun.
  • Katherina. Then, God be bless'd, it is the blessed sun; 2285
    But sun it is not, when you say it is not;
    And the moon changes even as your mind.
    What you will have it nam'd, even that it is,
    And so it shall be so for Katherine.
  • Hortensio. Petruchio, go thy ways, the field is won. 2290
  • Petruchio. Well, forward, forward! thus the bowl should run,
    And not unluckily against the bias.
    But, soft! Company is coming here.
    [Enter VINCENTIO]
    [To VINCENTIO] Good-morrow, gentle mistress; where away?- 2295
    Tell me, sweet Kate, and tell me truly too,
    Hast thou beheld a fresher gentlewoman?
    Such war of white and red within her cheeks!
    What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty
    As those two eyes become that heavenly face? 2300
    Fair lovely maid, once more good day to thee.
    Sweet Kate, embrace her for her beauty's sake.
  • Hortensio. 'A will make the man mad, to make a woman of him.
  • Katherina. Young budding virgin, fair and fresh and sweet,
    Whither away, or where is thy abode? 2305
    Happy the parents of so fair a child;
    Happier the man whom favourable stars
    Allots thee for his lovely bed-fellow.
  • Petruchio. Why, how now, Kate, I hope thou art not mad!
    This is a man, old, wrinkled, faded, withered, 2310
    And not a maiden, as thou sayst he is.
  • Katherina. Pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes,
    That have been so bedazzled with the sun
    That everything I look on seemeth green;
    Now I perceive thou art a reverend father. 2315
    Pardon, I pray thee, for my mad mistaking.
  • Petruchio. Do, good old grandsire, and withal make known
    Which way thou travellest- if along with us,
    We shall be joyful of thy company.
  • Vincentio. Fair sir, and you my merry mistress, 2320
    That with your strange encounter much amaz'd me,
    My name is call'd Vincentio, my dwelling Pisa,
    And bound I am to Padua, there to visit
    A son of mine, which long I have not seen.
  • Petruchio. What is his name? 2325
  • Vincentio. Lucentio, gentle sir.
  • Petruchio. Happily met; the happier for thy son.
    And now by law, as well as reverend age,
    I may entitle thee my loving father:
    The sister to my wife, this gentlewoman, 2330
    Thy son by this hath married. Wonder not,
    Nor be not grieved- she is of good esteem,
    Her dowry wealthy, and of worthy birth;
    Beside, so qualified as may beseem
    The spouse of any noble gentleman. 2335
    Let me embrace with old Vincentio;
    And wander we to see thy honest son,
    Who will of thy arrival be full joyous.
  • Vincentio. But is this true; or is it else your pleasure,
    Like pleasant travellers, to break a jest 2340
    Upon the company you overtake?
  • Hortensio. I do assure thee, father, so it is.
  • Petruchio. Come, go along, and see the truth hereof;
    For our first merriment hath made thee jealous.

Exeunt all but HORTENSIO

  • Hortensio. Well, Petruchio, this has put me in heart.
    Have to my widow; and if she be froward,
    Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward. Exit