THE TAMING OF

OF THE SHREW.

DRAMATIS PERSON Æ. A Lord.

GREMIO, CHRISTOPHER SLY, a Tinker. Persons in the HORTENSIO,

Suitors to Bianca. Hostess, Page, Players, Hunts- Induction.

TRANIO, men, and Servants.

BIONDELLO,

Servants to Lucentio. BAPTISTA, a rich Gentleman of Padua.

GRUMIO, VINCENTIO, an old Gentleman of Pisa.

CURTIS,

}Servants to Petruchio.
LUCENTIO, Son to Vincentio,' in love with A Pedant.
Bianca.

KATHARINA, the shrew,
PETRUCHIO, a Gentleman of Verona, a suitor to BIANCA,
Katharina.

Widow.
Tailor, Haberdasher, and Servants attending on Baptista and Petruchio.
SCENE.-Sometimes in Padua, and sometimes in Petruchio's House in the Country.

}Daughters to Baptista.

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INDUCTION.

Lord. What's here? one dead, or drunk?

See, doth he breathe ? SCENE I.-Before an Alehouse on a Heath.

Second Hun. He breathes, my lord. Were he

not warm’d with ale, Enter Hostess and SLY.

This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly. Sly. I'll pheeze yon, in faith.

Lord. O monstrous beast ! how like a swine Hozt. A pair of stocks, rogue !

he lies! Sly. Y' are a baggage: the Slys are no rogues ; Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine look in the chronicles; we came in with Richard image! Conqueror. Therefore, paucas pallabris ; let the Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man. world slide, Sessa!

What think you, if he were convey'd to bed, Host. You will not pay for the glasses you Wrapp'd in sweet clothes, rings put upon his have burst!

fingers, Sly. No, not a denier. Go by, Jeronimy; go A most delicious banquet by his bed, to thy cold bed, and warm thee.

And brave attendants near him when he wakes, Host. I know my remedy: I must go fetch Would not the beggar then forget himself? the third-borough.

Exit. First Hun. Believe me, lord, I think he cannot Sly. Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I'll choose. answer him by law. I'll not budge an inch, Second Hun. It would seem strange unto him boy : let him come, and kindly.

when he wak'd. Lies down on the ground, and falls asleep. Lord. Even as a flattering dream or worthless Horns vinded. Enter a Lord from hunting, with Then take him up and manage well the jest.

fancy. Huntsmen and Servants.

Carry him gently to my fairest chamber, Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well And hang it round with all my wanton pictures; my hounds:

Balm his foul head in warm distilled waters, Brach Merriman, the poor cur is emboss'd, And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet, And couple Clowder with thedeep-mouth'd brach. Procure me music ready when he wakes, Sax'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound ; At the hedge-corner, in the coldest fault ? And if he chance to speak, be ready straight, I would not lose the dog for twenty pound. And with a low submissive reverence Pirst Hun. Why, Belman is as good as he, my Say, “What is it your honour will command ?' lord ;

Let one attend him with a silver basin He cried upon it at the merest loss,

Full of rose-water, and bestrew'd with flowers; And twice to-day pick'd out the dullest scent : Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper, Trust me, I take him for the better dog. And say, “Will’t please your lordship cool your

Lord. Thou art a fool: if Echo were as fleet, hands?'
I would esteem him worth a dozen such. Some one be ready with a costly suit,
Bat sup them well, and look unto them all : And ask him what apparel he will wear;
To-morrow I intend to hunt again.

Another tell him of his hounds and horse, First Hun. I will, my lord.

30 And that his lady mourns at his disease.

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And then, with kind embracements, tempting kisses,

First Hun. My lord, I warrant you we will play our part,

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And with declining head into his bosom,
Bid him shed tears, as being overjoy'd
To see her noble lord restor'd to health,
Who for this seven years hath esteemed him
No better than a poor and loathsome beggar.
And if the boy have not a woman's gift
To rain a shower of commanded tears,
An onion will do well for such a shift,
Which in a napkin being close convey'd,
Shall in despite enforce a watery eye.
See this dispatch'd with all the haste thou canst :
Anon I'll give thee more instructions.

As he shall think, by our true diligence,
He is no less than what we say he is.
Lord. Take him up gently, and to bed with him,
And each one to his office when he wakes.
SLY is borne out. A trumpet sounds.
Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds:
Exit Servant.
Belike, some noble gentleman that means,
Travelling some journey, to repose him here.
Re-enter Servant.

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How now! who is it?
Serv.

An it please your honour,
Players that offer service to your lordship.
Lord. Bid them come near.

Persuade him that he hath been lunatic;
And, when he says he is-say that he dreams,
For he is nothing but a mighty lord.
This do, and do it kindly, gentle sirs:
It will be pastime passing excellent,
If it be husbanded with modesty.

Enter Players.

Now, fellows, you are welcome.
Players. We thank your honour.
Lord. Do you intend to stay with me to-night?
A Player. So please your lordship to accept
our duty.

Lord. With all my heart. This fellow I re-
member,

Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son :
'Twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman so well.
I have forgot your name; but, sure, that part
Was aptly fitted and naturally perform'd.

A Player. I think 'twas Soto that your honour

means.

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Lord. 'Tis very true: thou didst it excellent.
Well, you are come to me in happy time,
The rather for I have some sport in hand
Wherein your cunning can assist me much.
There is a lord will hear you play to-night;
But I am doubtful of your modesties,
Lest, over-eyeing of his odd behaviour,
For yet his honour never heard a play,
You break into some merry passion
And so offend him; for I tell you, sirs,
If you should smile he grows impatient.

A Player. Fear not, my lord: we can contain
ourselves

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Were he the veriest antick in the world.

Lord. Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery,
And give them friendly welcome every one:
Let them want nothing that my house affords.
Exit one with the Players.
Sirrah, go you to Barthol'mew my page,
And see him dress'd in all suits like a lady:
That done, conduct him to the drunkard's
chamber;

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Exit Servant.
I know the boy will well usurp the grace,
Voice, gait, and action of a gentlewoman:
I long to hear him call the drunkard husband,
And how my men will stay themselves from
laughter

When they do homage to this simple peasant.
I'll in to counsel them: haply, my presence
May well abate the over-merry spleen
Which otherwise would grow into extremes.
Exeunt.

And call him 'madam'; do him obeisance.
Tell him from me, as he will win my love,
He bear himself with honourable action,
Such as he hath observ'd in noble ladies
Unto their lords, by them accomplished:
Such duty to the drunkard let him do
With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy ;
And say What is 't your honour will command,
Wherein your lady and your humble wife
May show her duty, and make known her love?' |

SCENE II.-A Bedchamber in the Lord's House.

Enter aloft SLY in a rich night-gown, with Attendants; some with apparel, others with basin, ewer and other appurtenances; and LORD, dressed like a servant.

Sly. For God's sake! a pot of small ale.
First Serv. Will 't please your lordship drink
a cup of sack?

Second Serv. Will't please your honour taste
of these conserves?

Third Serv. What raiment will your honour wear to-day?

Sly. Iam Christophero Sly; call not me honour, nor lordship: I ne'er drank sack in my life; and if you give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef. Ne'er ask me what raiment I'll wear, for I have no more doublets than backs, no more stockings than legs, nor no more shoes than feet; nay, sometime more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look through the overleather. Lord. Heaven cease this idle humour in your honour!

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O! that a mighty man, of such descent,
Of such possessions, and so high esteem,
Should be infused with so foul a spirit.

Sly. What would you make me mad? Am not I Christopher Sly, old Sly's son of Burtonheath, by birth a pedlar, by education a cardmaker, by transmutation a bear-herd, and now by present profession a tinker? Ask Marian Hacket, the fat ale-wife of Wincot, if she know me not if she say I am not fourteen pence on the score for sheer ale, score me up for the lyingest knave in Christendom. What! I am not bestraught: here's

First Serv. O! this it is that makes your lady

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Call home thyancient thoughts from banishment, Sly. Ay, the woman's maid of the house.
And banish hence these abject lowly dreams. Third Serv. Why, sir, you know no house, nor
Look how thy servants do attend on thee,

no such maid, Each in his office ready at thy beck:

Nor no such men as you have reckon'd up, Wilt thou have music ? hark ! Apollo plays, As Stephen Sly, and old John Naps of Greece,

Music. And Peter Turf, and Henry Pimpernell, And twenty caged nightingales do sing: And twenty more such names and men as these, Or wilt thou sleep? we'll have thee to a couch Which never were nor no man ever saw. Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed

Sly. Now, Lord be thanked for my goodamends ! On purpose trimm'd up for Semiramis.

All. Amen. Say thou wilt walk, we will bestrew the ground : Sly. I thank thee; thou shalt not lose by it. Or wilt thou ride, thy horses shall be trapp'd, Their harness studded all with gold and pearl.

Enter the Page, as a lady, with Attendants. Dost thou love hawking ? thou hast hawks will Page. How fares my noble lord ?

Sly. Marry, I fare well, for here is cheerenough. Above the morning lark: or wilt thou hunt? Where is my wife ? Thy hounds shall make the welkin answer them, Page. Here, noble lord : what is thy will with And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth. her ? First Serv. Say thou wilt course ; thy grey- Sly. Are you my wife, and will not call me hounds are as swift

husband ? As breathed stags, ay, fleeter than the roe. My men should call me lord: I am your goodman. Stcond Serv. Dost thou love pictures ? we will Page. My husband and my lord, my lord and fetch thee straight

husband; Adonis painted by a running brook,

I am your wife in all obedience. And Cytherea all in sedges hid,

Sly. I know it well. What must I call her! Which seem to move and wanton with her breath, Lord. Madam. Even as the waving sedges play with wind. Sly. Al'ce madam, or Joan madam ?

Lord. We'll show thee Io as she was a maid, Lord. Madam, and nothing else : so lords call And how she was beguiled and surpris'd,

ladies. As lively painted as the deed was done.

Sly. Madam wife, they say that I have dream'd Third Serv. Or Daphne roaming through a And slept above some fifteen year or more. thomy wood,

Page. Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me, Scratching her legs that one shall swear she Being all this time abandon'd from your bed. bleeds ;

Sly. 'Tis much. Servants, leave me and her And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep,

alone. So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn. Madam, undress you, and come now to bed.

Lord. Thou art a lord and nothing but a lord : Page. Thrice-noble lord, let me entreat of you Thou hast a lady far more beautiful

To pardon me yet for a night or two, Than any woman in this waning age.

Or if not so, until the sun be set : First Serv. And till the tears that she hath For your physicians have expressly charg'd, shed for thee

In peril to incur your former malady, Like envious floods o'er-run her lovely face, That I should yet absent me from your bed : She was the fairest creature in the world ; I hope this reason stands for my excuse. And yet she is inferior to none.

Sly. Ay, it stands so, that I may hardly tarry Sly. Am I a lord ? and have I such a lady? so long ; but I would be loath to fall into my Or do I dream? or have I dream'd till now? 70 dreams again : I will therefore tarry in despite I do not sleep; I see, I hear, I speak;

of the flesh and the blood. I smell sweet savours, and I feel soft things:

nter a Servant. Upon my life, I am a lord indeed, And not a tinker, nor Christophero Sly.

Serv. Your honour's players, hearing your Well, bring our lady hither to our sight;

amendment, And once again, a pot o' the smallest alé. Are come to play a pleasant comedy ; Second Serv. Will't please your mightiness to For so your doctors hold it very meet, wash your hands?

Seeing too much sadness hath congeal'd your Servants present an ewer, basin, and napkin. blood, O! hew we joy to see your wit restor'd,

And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy: O ! that once more you knew but what you are. Therefore they thought it good you hear a play, These fifteen years you have been in a dream, 80 And frame your mind to mirth and merriment, Or, when you wak'd, so wak'd as if you slept. Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life. Sly. These fifteen years ! by my fay, a goodly Sly. Marry, I will; let them play it. Is not nap.

a comonty a Christmas gambold or a tumbling. But did I never speak of all that time?

trick? First Ser. O! yes, my lord, but very idle words; Page. No, my good lord; it is more pleasing For though you lay here in this goodly chamber, stuff. Yet would you say ye were beaten out of door, Sly. What! household stuff ? And rail upon the hostess of the house,

Page. It is a kind of history. And say you would present her at the leet, Sly. Well, we 'll see't. Come, madam wife, Because she brought stone jugs and no seal’d sit by my side quarts.

And let the world slip: we shall ne'er be younger. Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket.

Plourish,

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Hor. Mates, maid! how mean you that? no ACT I.

mates for you,

Unless you were of gentler, milder mould. SCENE I.Padua. A public Place.

Kath. I' faith, sir, you shall never need to fear :

I wis it is not half way to her heart ;
Enter LUCENTIO and TRANIO.

But if it were, doubt not her care should be

To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool, Lue. Tranio, since for the great desire I had To see fair Padua, nursery of arts,

And paint your face, and use you like a fool. I am arriv'd for fruitful Lombardy,

Hor. From all such devils, good Lord deliver us! The pleasant garden of great Italy ;

Gre. And me too, good Lord !

Tra. Hush, master! here is some good pasAnd by my father's love and leave am arm'd

time toward : With his good will and thy good company,

That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward. My trusty servant, well approv'd in all,

Luc. But in the other's silence do I see
Here let us breathe, and haply institute

Maid's mild behaviour and sobriety.
A course of learning and ingenious studies.
Pisa, renowned for grave citizens,

Peace, Tranio!

Tra. Well said, master; mum ! and gaze your fill. Gave me my being and my father first, A merchant of great traffic through the world,

Bap. Gentlemen, that I may soon make good

What I have said,-Bianca, get you in :
Vincentio, come of the Bentivolii.
Vincentio's son, brought up in Florence,

And let it not displease thee, good Bianca, It shall become to serve all hopes conceiv’d,

For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl. To deck his fortune with bis virtuous deeds :

Kath. A pretty peat! it is best And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study,

Put finger in the eye, an she knew why. Virtue and that part of philosophy

Bian. Sister, content you in my discontent. sa Will I apply that treats of happiness

Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe : By virtue specially to be achiev'd.

My books and instruments shall be my company, Tell me thy mind; for I have Pisa left

On them to look and practise by myself. And am to Padua come, as he that leases

Luc. Hark, Tranio I thou may'st hear Minerva A shallow plash to plunge him in the deep,

speak. And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.

Hor. Signior Baptista, will you be so strange? Tra. Mi perdonate, gentle master mine,

Sorry am I that our good will effects I am in all affected as yourself,

Bianca's grief.

Gre. Glad that you thus continue your resolve

Why, will you mew her up, To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy.

Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell,

And make her bear the penance of her tongue ? Only, good master, while we do admire This virtue and this moral discipline,

Bap. Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolv'd. » Let's be no stoics nor no stocks,

Go in, Bianca.

Erit BIANCA. pray ; Or so devote to Aristotle's checks

And for I know she taketh most delight As Ovid be an outcast quite abjur’d.

In music, instruments, and poetry, Balk logic with acquaintance that you have,

Schoolmasters will I keep within my house, And practise rhetoric in your common talk;

Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio, Music and poesy use to quicken you ;

Or Signior Gremio, you, know any such, The mathematics and the metaphysics,

Prefer them hither; for to cunning men Fall to them as you find your stomach serves you; To mine own children in good bringing-up ;

I will be very kind, and liberal
No profit grows where is no pleasure ta’en:
In brief, sir, study what you most affect.

And so farewell. Katharina, you may stay ; 16
Luc. Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise. For I have more to commune with Bianca.
If, Biondello, thou wert come ashore,

Erit. We could at once put us in readiness,

Kath. Why, and I trust I may go too; may I

not? And take a lodging fit to entertain Such friends as time in Padua shall beget.

What! shall I be appointed hours, as though, But stay awhile: what company is this?

belike, Tra. Master, some show to welcome us to town. I knew not what to take, and what to leave ?

Ha!

Erit. Enter BAPTISTA, KATHARINA, BIANCA, GREMIO,

Gre. You may go to the devil's dam : your and HORTENSIO. LUCENTIO and TRANIO gifts are so good, here's none will hold you. stand aside.

Their love is not so great, Hortensio, but we

may blow our nails together, and fast it fairly Bap. Gentlemen, importune me no further, out: our cake's dough on both sides. Fare For how I firmly am resolv'd you know; well : yet, for the love I bear my sweet Bianca, That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter 50 if I can by any means light on a fit man to Before I have a husband for the elder.

teach her that wherein she delights, I will wish If either of you both love Katharina,

him to her father. Because I know you well and love you well, Hor. So will I, Signior Gremio: but a word, Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure. I pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet Gre. Aside. To cart her rather : she's too never brooked parle, know now, upon advice, it rough for me.

toucheth us both,--that we may yet again have There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife? access to our fair mistress and be happy rivals Kath. I pray you, sir, is it your will

in Bianca's love,-to labour and effect one thing To make a stale of me amongst these mates ? specially

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Gre. What's that, I pray ?

Master, your love must live a maid at home ; Hor. Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister. And therefore has he closely mew'd her up, Gre. A husband ! a devil.

Because sbe will not be annoy'd with suitors. Hor. I say, a husband.

Luc. Ah! Tranio, what a cruel father's he ; Gre. I say, a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, But art thou not advis’d he took some care though her father be very rich, any man is so Toget her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her? very a fool to be married to hell ?

Tra. Ay, marry am I, sir ; and now 'tis plotted. Hor. Tush, Gremio! though it pass your

Luc. I have it, Tranio. patience and mine to endure her loud alarums, Tra.

Master, for my hand, why, man, there be good fellows in the world, Both our inventions me and jump in one. an a man could light on them, would take her Luc. Tell me thine first. with all faults, and money enough.

Tra.

You will be schoolmaster, Gre. I cannot tell ; but I had as lief take her And undertake the teaching of the maid : dowry with this condition, to be whipped at the That's your device. high-cross every morning.

Luc.

It is : may it be done? Hor. Faith, as you say, there's small choice Tra. Not possible; for who shall bear your part, in rotten apples. But, come; since this bar in And be in Padua here Vincentio's son ; law makes us friends, it shall be so far forth Keep house and ply his book, welcome his friends, friendly maintained, till by helping Baptista's Visit his countrymen, and banquet them? eldest daughter to a husband, we set his youngest Luc. Basta, content thee ; for I have it full. free for a husband, and then have to 't afresh. We have not yet been seen in any house, Sweet Bianca! Happy man be his dole! He Nor can we be distinguished by our faces that runs fastest gets the ring. How say you, For man or master : then, it follows thus : Signior Gremio ?

Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead, Gre. I am agreed : and would I had given him Keep house, and port, and servants, as I should : the best horse in Padua to begin his wooing, I will some other be; some Florentine, that would thoroughly woo her, wed her, and Some Neapolitan, or meaner man of Pisa. bed her, and rid the house of her. Come on. 'Tis hatch'd and shall be so: Tranio, at once

Exeunt GREMIO and HORTENSIO. Uncase thee, take my colour'd hat and cloak: 210 Tra. I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible

When Biondello comes, he waits on thee; That love should of a sudden take such hold ? 150 But I will charm him first to keep his tongue. Luc. O Tranio! till I found it to be true,

I'ra. So had you need. I never thought it possible or likely ;

In brief then, sir, sith it your pleasure is, But see, while idly I stood looking on,

And I am tied to be obedient; I found the effect of love in idleness ;

For so your father charg'd me at our parting, And now in plainness do confess to thee, • Be serviceable to my son,' quoth he, That art to me as secret and as dear

Although I think 'twas in another sense ; As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was,

I am content to be Lucentio, Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio,

Because so well I love Lucentio. If I achiere not this young modest girl.

Luc. Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves ; Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst : 160 And let me be a slave, to achieve that maid Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt. Whose sudden sight hath thrall’d my wounded

Ira. Master, it is no time to chide you now; eye.
Affection is not rated from the heart :

Enter BIONDELLO.
If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so,
Redime te captum quam queas minimo.

Here comes the rogue. Sirrah, where have you Luc. Gramercies, lad; go forward : this con- been ? tents :

Bion. Where have I been! Nay, how now ! The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound. where are you?

Tra. Master, you look'd so longly on the maid, Master, has my fellow Tranio stol’n your clothes ? Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all. Or you stol'n his ? or both ? pray, what's the

Luc. O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face, 170 news? Such as the daughter of Agenor had,

Luc. Sirrah, come hither : 'tis no time to jest, That made great Jove to humble him to her And therefore frame your manners to the time. hand,

Your fellow Tranio here, to save my life,
When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan strand. Puts my apparel and my countenance on,
Tra. Saw you no more ? mark'd you not how And I for my escape have put on his ;
her sister

For in a quarrel since I came ashore
Began to scold and raise up such a storm I kill'd a man, and fear I was descried.
That mortal ears might hardly endure the din ? Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes,

Luc. Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move, While I make way from hence to save my life : And with her breath she did perfume the air ; You understand me? Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.

Bion.

I, sir ! ne'er a whit. Tra. Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his Luc. And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth : trance.

180 Tranio is chang'd into Lucentio. I pray, awake, sir : if you love the maid,

Bion. The better for him: would I were so too! Bend thonghts and wits to achieve her. Thus it Tra. So could I, faith, boy, to have the next stands :

wish after, Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd,

That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest That till the father rid his hands of her,

daughter.

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