ACT 1
Scene 1
...younger. They sit.
Flourish. Enter Lucentio and his man Tranio.
...quench his thirst.
Mi perdonato, gentle master mine.
I am in all affected as yourself,
Glad that you thus continue your resolve
To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy.
Only, good master, while we do admire
This virtue and this moral discipline,
Let’s be no stoics nor no stocks, I pray,
Or so devote to Aristotle’s checks
As Ovid be an outcast quite abjured.
Balk 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.
...company is this?
Master, some show to welcome us to town.
Lucentio and Tranio stand by.
...too, good Lord.
aside to Lucentio
Husht, master, here’s some good pastime toward;
That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.
...sobriety. Peace, Tranio.
aside to Lucentio
Well said, master. Mum, and gaze your fill.
...her. Come on.
I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible
That love should of a sudden take such hold?
...know thou wilt.
Master, it is no time to chide you now.
Affection is not rated from the heart.
If love have touched you, naught remains but so:
Redime te captum quam queas minimo.
...thy counsel’s sound.
Master, you looked so longly on the maid,
Perhaps you marked not what’s the pith of all.
...the Cretan strand.
Saw you no more? Marked you not how her sister
Began to scold and raise up such a storm
That mortal ears might hardly endure the din?
...saw in her.
aside
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 mewed her up,
Because she will not be annoyed with suitors.
...to instruct her?
Ay, marry, am I, sir—and now ’tis plotted!
...have it, Tranio!
Master, for my hand,
Both our inventions meet and jump in one.
...me thine first.
You will be schoolmaster
And undertake the teaching of the maid:
That’s your device.
...it be done?
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?
...hat and cloak.
They exchange clothes.
...keep his tongue.
So had you need.
In brief, sir, sith it your pleasure is,
And I am tied to be obedient
(For so your father charged 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.
...were so too.
So could I, faith, boy, to have the next 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.
...good and weighty.
They exit.
Scene 2
...a good dinner.
Enter Tranio, disguised as Lucentio, and Biondello.
as Lucentio
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?
...he you mean?
as Lucentio
Even he, Biondello.
...not her to—
as Lucentio
Perhaps him and her, sir. What have you to do?
...hand, I pray.
as Lucentio
I love no chiders, sir. Biondello, let’s away.
...yea or no?
as Lucentio
An if I be, sir, is it any offense?
...get you hence.
as Lucentio
Why sir, I pray, are not the streets as free
For me, as for you?
...is not she.
as Lucentio
For what reason, I beseech you?
...of Signior Hortensio.
as Lucentio
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.
...see Baptista’s daughter?
as Lucentio
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.
...and not before.
as Lucentio
If it be so, sir, that you are the man
Must stead us all, and me amongst the rest,
And if you break the ice and do this feat,
Achieve the elder, set the younger free
For our access, whose hap shall be to have her
Will not so graceless be to be ingrate.
...rest generally beholding.
as Lucentio
Sir, I shall not be slack; in sign whereof,
Please you 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.
...your ben venuto.
They exit.
ACT 2
Scene 1
...who comes here?
Enter Gremio; Lucentio disguised as Cambio in the habit of a mean man; Petruchio with Hortensio disguised as Litio; and Tranio disguised as Lucentio, with his boy, Biondello bearing a lute and books.
...of your coming?
as Lucentio
Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own,
That being a stranger in this city here
Do make myself a suitor to your daughter,
Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous.
Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me,
In the preferment of the eldest sister.
This liberty is all that I request,
That, upon knowledge of my parentage,
I may have welcome ’mongst the rest that woo
And free access and favor as the rest.
And toward the education of your daughters
I here bestow a simple instrument
And this small packet of Greek and Latin books.
Biondello comes forward with the gifts.
If you accept them, then their worth is great.
...whence, I pray?
as Lucentio
Of Pisa, sir, son to Vincentio.
...attend her here—
All but Petruchio exit.
...other household Kates.
Enter Baptista, Gremio, and Tranio as Lucentio.
...thee hanged first.
as Lucentio
Is this your speeding? Nay,
then, goodnight our part.
...’Tis a match.
as Lucentio
Amen, say we. We will be witnesses.
...a desperate mart.
as Lucentio
’Twas a commodity lay fretting by you.
’Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas.
...was suitor first.
as Lucentio
And I am one that love Bianca more
Than words can witness or your thoughts can guess.
...dear as I.
as Lucentio
Graybeard, thy love doth freeze.
...age that nourisheth.
as Lucentio
But youth in ladies’ eyes that flourisheth.
...be only mine.
as Lucentio
That “only” came well in. To Baptista.
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 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 pinched you, Signior Gremio?
...with an argosy?
as Lucentio
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.
...and mine.
as Lucentio
Why, then, the maid is mine from all the world,
By your firm promise. Gremio is outvied.
...where’s her dower?
as Lucentio
That’s but a cavil. He is old, I young.
...kind, my boy.
A vengeance on your crafty withered hide!—
Yet I have faced it with a card of ten.
’Tis in my head to do my master good.
I see no reason but supposed Lucentio
Must get a father, called “supposed Vincentio”—
And that’s a wonder. Fathers commonly
Do get their children. But in this case of wooing,
A child shall get a sire, if I fail not of my cunning.
He exits.
ACT 3
Scene 2
...thee by changing.
Enter Baptista, Gremio, Tranio as Lucentio, Katherine, Bianca, Lucentio as Cambio, and others, Attendants.
...and marry her.”
as Lucentio
Patience, good Katherine, and Baptista too.
Upon my life, Petruchio means but well,
Whatever fortune stays him from his word.
Though he be blunt, I know him passing wise;
Though he be merry, yet withal he’s honest.
...sees you there.
as Lucentio
But say, what to thine old news?
...a gentleman’s lackey.
as Lucentio
’Tis some odd humor pricks him to this fashion,
Yet oftentimes he goes but mean-appareled.
...you halt not.
as Lucentio
Not so well appareled as I wish
you were.
...our solemn festival.
as Lucentio
And tell us what occasion of import
Hath all so long detained you from your wife
And sent you hither so unlike yourself.
...were at church.
as Lucentio
See not your bride in these unreverent robes.
Go to my chamber, put on clothes of mine.
...a lovely kiss!
as Lucentio
He hath some meaning in his mad attire.
We will persuade him, be it possible,
To put on better ere he go to church.
...event of this.
But, sir, to love concerneth us to add
Her father’s liking, which to bring to pass,
As I before imparted to your Worship,
I am to get a man (whate’er he be
It skills not much, we’ll fit him to our turn),
And he shall be “Vincentio of Pisa,”
And make assurance here in Padua
Of greater sums than I have promisèd.
So shall you quietly enjoy your hope
And marry sweet Bianca with consent.
...all the world.
That by degrees we mean to look into,
And watch our vantage in this business.
We’ll overreach the graybeard, Gremio,
The narrow prying father, Minola,
The quaint musician, amorous Litio,
All for my master’s sake, Lucentio.
... Enter Gremio.
as Lucentio
Signior Gremio, came you from the church?
...came from school.
as Lucentio
And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?
...girl shall find.
as Lucentio
Curster than she? Why, ’tis impossible.
...a very fiend.
as Lucentio
Why, she’s a devil, a devil, the devil’s dam.
...“if any list.”
as Lucentio
What said the wench when he rose again?
...to you all.
as Lucentio
Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.
...die with laughing.
as Lucentio
Of all mad matches never was the like.
...her sister’s room.
as Lucentio
Shall sweet Bianca practice how to bride it?
...gentlemen, let’s go.
They exit.
ACT 4
Scene 2
...charity to shew.
Enter Tranio as Lucentio and Hortensio as Litio.
as Lucentio
Is ’t possible, friend Litio, that mistress Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?
I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.
...of his teaching.
They stand aside.
...well as Lucentio.
as Lucentio
O despiteful love, unconstant womankind!
I tell thee, Litio, this is wonderful!
...am called Hortensio.
as Lucentio
Signior Hortensio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca,
And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness,
I will with you, if you be so contented,
Forswear Bianca and her love forever.
...flattered her withal.
as Lucentio
And here I take the like unfeignèd oath,
Never to marry with her, though she would entreat.
Fie on her, see how beastly she doth court him!
...Lucentio come forward.
Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace
As ’longeth to a lover’s blessèd case!
Nay, I have ta’en you napping, gentle love,
And have forsworn you with Hortensio.
...both forsworn me?
Mistress, we have.
...rid of Litio.
I’ faith, he’ll have a lusty widow now
That shall be wooed and wedded in a day.
...give him joy.
Ay, and he’ll tame her.
...says so, Tranio?
Faith, he is gone unto the taming school.
...such a place?
Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master,
That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long
To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue.
...serve the turn.
What is he, Biondello?
...of him, 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.
Take in your love, and then let me alone.
...save you, sir.
as Lucentio
And you, sir. You are welcome.
Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?
...lend me life.
as Lucentio
What countryman, I pray?
... Of Mantua.
as Lucentio
Of Mantua, sir? Marry, God forbid!
And come to Padua, careless of your life?
...that goes hard.
as Lucentio
’Tis death for anyone in Mantua
To come to Padua. Know you not the cause?
Your ships are stayed at Venice, and the Duke,
For private quarrel ’twixt your duke and him,
Hath published and proclaimed it openly.
’Tis marvel, but that you are but newly come,
You might have heard it else proclaimed about.
...here deliver them.
as Lucentio
Well, sir, to do you courtesy,
This will I do, and this I will advise you.
First tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?
...for grave citizens.
as Lucentio
Among them know you one Vincentio?
...of incomparable wealth.
as Lucentio
He is my father, sir, and sooth to say,
In count’nance somewhat doth resemble you.
...and all one.
as Lucentio
To save your life in this extremity,
This favor will I do you for his sake
(And think it not the worst of all your fortunes
That you are like to Sir Vincentio):
His name and credit shall you undertake,
And in my house you shall be friendly lodged.
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.
If this be court’sy, sir, accept of it.
...life and liberty.
as Lucentio
Then go with me, to make the matter good.
This, by the way, I let you understand:
My father is here looked for every day
To pass assurance of a dower 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.
They exit.
Scene 4
...command the sun!
Enter Tranio as Lucentio, and the Merchant, booted, and dressed like Vincentio.
as Lucentio
Sir, this is the house. Please it you that I call?
...at the Pegasus.
as Lucentio
’Tis well. And hold your own in any case
With such austerity as ’longeth to a father.
...he were schooled.
as Lucentio
Fear you not him.—Sirrah Biondello,
Now do your duty throughly, I advise you.
Imagine ’twere the right Vincentio.
...fear not me.
as Lucentio
But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista?
...day in Padua.
as Lucentio
Thou ’rt a tall fellow. Hold thee that to drink. He gives him money.
Enter Baptista and Lucentio as Cambio.
Here comes Baptista. Set your countenance, sir.
...Merchant stands bareheaded.
as Lucentio
Signior Baptista, you are happily met.—
Sir, this is the gentleman I told you of.
I pray you stand good father to me now.
Give me Bianca for my patrimony.
...daughter with consent.
as Lucentio
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?
...might be interrupted.
as Lucentio
Then at my lodging, an it like you.
There doth my father lie, and there this night
We’ll pass the business privately and well.
Send for your daughter by your servant here. He indicates Lucentio, and winks at him.
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.
...all my heart.
as Lucentio
Dally not with the gods, but get thee gone.—
Signior Baptista, shall I lead the way?
Welcome! One mess is like to be your cheer.
Come, sir, we will better it in Pisa.
...I follow you.
All but Biondello exit.
ACT 5
Scene 1
...controversy.They move aside.
Enter Merchant with Servants, and Baptista and Tranio disguised as Lucentio.
as Lucentio
Sir, what are you that offer to
beat my servant?
...at the university.
as Lucentio
How now, what’s the matter?
...the man lunatic?
as Lucentio
Sir, you seem a sober ancient
gentleman by your habit, but your words show you
a madman. Why, sir, what ’cerns it you if I wear
pearl and gold? I thank my good father, I am able
to maintain it.
...my son Lucentio?
as Lucentio
Call forth an officer.
Enter an Officer.
Carry this mad knave to the jail.—Father Baptista, I
charge you see that he be forthcoming.
...not swear it.
as Lucentio
Then thou wert best say that I
am not Lucentio.
...are all undone.
Biondello, Tranio, and Merchant exit as fast as may be.
Scene 2
...never too late.
Enter Baptista, Vincentio, Gremio, the Merchant, Lucentio, and Bianca; Hortensio and the Widow, Petruchio and Katherine; Tranio, Biondello, and Grumio, with Servingmen bringing in a banquet.
...well as eat.
They sit.
...shot and missed.
O, sir, Lucentio slipped me like his greyhound,
Which runs himself and catches for his master.
...but something currish.
’Tis well, sir, that you hunted for yourself.
’Tis thought your deer does hold you at a bay.
...be tamed so.
They exit.