Scene 1
Enter Katherine and Bianca with her hands tied .
BIANCA
Good sister , wrong me not , nor wrong yourself ,
To make a bondmaid and a slave of me .
That I disdain . But for these other goods —
Unbind my hands , I’ll pull them off myself ,
Yea , all my raiment to my petticoat ,
Or what you will command me will I do ,
So well I know my duty to my elders .
KATHERINE
Of all thy suitors here I charge thee tell
Whom thou lov’st best . See thou dissemble not .
BIANCA
Believe me , sister , of all the men alive
I never yet beheld that special face
Which I could fancy more than any other .
KATHERINE
Minion , thou liest . Is ’t not Hortensio ?
BIANCA
If you affect him , sister , here I swear
I’ll plead for you myself , but you shall have him .
KATHERINE
O , then belike you fancy riches more .
You will have Gremio to keep you fair .
[75]ACT 2. SC. 1
BIANCA
Is it for him you do envy me so ?
Nay , then , you jest , and now I well perceive
You have but jested with me all this while .
I prithee , sister Kate , untie my hands .
Katherine strikes her .
KATHERINE
If that be jest , then all the rest was so .
Enter Baptista .
BAPTISTA
Why , how now , dame , whence grows this
insolence ? —
Bianca , stand aside . — Poor girl , she weeps !
He unties her hands .
To Bianca .
Go ply thy needle ; meddle not with her .
To Katherine .
For shame , thou hilding of a devilish
spirit !
Why dost thou wrong her that did ne’er wrong
thee ?
When did she cross thee with a bitter word ?
KATHERINE
Her silence flouts me , and I’ll be revenged !
She flies after Bianca .
BAPTISTA
What , in my sight ? — Bianca , get thee in .
Bianca exits .
KATHERINE
What , will you not suffer me ? Nay , now I see
She is your treasure , she must have a husband ,
I must dance barefoot on her wedding day
And , for your love to her , lead apes in hell .
Talk not to me . I will go sit and weep
Till I can find occasion of revenge .
She exits .
BAPTISTA
Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I ?
But who comes here ?
[77]ACT 2. SC. 1
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 .
GREMIO
Good morrow , neighbor Baptista .
BAPTISTA
Good morrow , neighbor Gremio . — God
save you , gentlemen .
PETRUCHIO
And you , good sir . Pray , have you not a daughter
Called Katherina , fair and virtuous ?
BAPTISTA
I have a daughter , sir , called Katherina .
GREMIO
, to Petruchio
You are too blunt . Go to it orderly .
PETRUCHIO
You wrong me , Signior Gremio . Give me leave . —
I am a gentleman of Verona , sir ,
That hearing of her beauty and her wit ,
Her affability and bashful modesty ,
Her wondrous qualities and mild behavior ,
Am bold to show myself a forward guest
Within your house , to make mine eye the witness
Of that report which I so oft have heard ,
And , for an entrance to my entertainment ,
I do present you with a man of mine ,
Presenting Hortensio , disguised as Litio
Cunning in music and the mathematics ,
To instruct her fully in those sciences ,
Whereof I know she is not ignorant .
Accept of him , or else you do me wrong .
His name is Litio , born in Mantua .
BAPTISTA
You’re welcome , sir , and he for your good sake .
[79] ACT 2. SC. 1 But for my daughter Katherine , this I know ,
She is not for your turn , the more my grief .
PETRUCHIO
I see you do not mean to part with her ,
Or else you like not of my company .
BAPTISTA
Mistake me not . I speak but as I find .
Whence are you , sir ? What may I call your name ?
PETRUCHIO
Petruchio is my name , Antonio’s son ,
A man well known throughout all Italy .
BAPTISTA
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 marvelous forward .
PETRUCHIO
O , pardon me , Signior Gremio , I would fain be
doing .
GREMIO
I doubt it not , sir . But you will curse your wooing .
To Baptista .
Neighbor , 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 , disguised as Cambio 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 .
BAPTISTA
A thousand thanks , Signior Gremio . — Welcome ,
good Cambio .
But ,
gentle sir , methinks you walk like a stranger . May I
be so bold to know the cause of your coming ?
[81]ACT 2. SC. 1
TRANIO
, 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 .
BAPTISTA
Lucentio is your name . Of whence , I pray ?
TRANIO
, as Lucentio
Of Pisa , sir , son to Vincentio .
BAPTISTA
A mighty man of Pisa . By report
I know him well . You are very welcome , sir .
Take you the lute ,
and you the set of books .
You shall go see your pupils presently .
Holla , within !
Enter a Servant .
Sirrah , lead these gentlemen
To my daughters , and tell them both
These are their tutors . Bid them use them well .
Servant exits with Hortensio and Lucentio .
We will go walk a little in the orchard ,
And then to dinner . You are passing welcome ,
And so I pray you all to think yourselves .
[83]ACT 2. SC. 1
PETRUCHIO
Signior Baptista , my business asketh haste ,
And every day I cannot come to woo .
You knew my father well , and in him me ,
Left solely heir to all his lands and goods ,
Which I have bettered rather than decreased .
Then tell me , if I get your daughter’s love ,
What dowry shall I have with her to wife ?
BAPTISTA
After my death , the one half of my lands ,
And , in possession , twenty thousand crowns .
PETRUCHIO
And , for that dowry , I’ll assure her of
Her widowhood , be it that she survive me ,
In all my lands and leases whatsoever .
Let specialties be therefore drawn between us ,
That covenants may be kept on either hand .
BAPTISTA
Ay , when the special thing is well obtained ,
That is , her love , for that is all in all .
PETRUCHIO
Why , that is nothing . For I tell you , father ,
I am as peremptory as she proud-minded ;
And where two raging fires meet together ,
They do consume the thing that feeds their fury .
Though little fire grows great with little wind ,
Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all .
So I to her and so she yields to me ,
For I am rough and woo not like a babe .
BAPTISTA
Well mayst thou woo , and happy be thy speed .
But be thou armed for some unhappy words .
PETRUCHIO
Ay , to the proof , as mountains are for winds ,
That shakes not , though they blow perpetually .
[85]ACT 2. SC. 1
Enter Hortensio as Litio with his head broke .
BAPTISTA
How now , my friend , why dost thou look so pale ?
HORTENSIO
, as Litio
For fear , I promise you , if I look pale .
BAPTISTA
What , will my daughter prove a good musician ?
HORTENSIO
, as Litio
I think she’ll sooner prove a soldier !
Iron may hold with her , but never lutes .
BAPTISTA
Why , then thou canst not break her to the lute ?
HORTENSIO
, as Litio
Why , no , for she hath broke the lute to me .
I did but tell her she mistook her frets ,
And bowed her hand to teach her fingering ,
When , with a most impatient devilish spirit ,
‘‘Frets’ call you these ?’ quoth she . ‘I’ll fume with
them !’
And with that word she struck me on the head ,
And through the instrument my pate made way ,
And there I stood amazèd for a while ,
As on a pillory , looking through the lute ,
While she did call me ‘rascal fiddler ,’
And ‘twangling Jack ,’ with twenty such vile terms ,
As had she studied to misuse me so .
PETRUCHIO
Now , by the world , it is a lusty wench .
I love her ten times more than ere I did .
O , how I long to have some chat with her !
BAPTISTA
Well , go with me , and be not so discomfited .
Proceed in practice with my younger daughter .
She’s apt to learn , and thankful for good turns . —
Signior Petruchio , will you go with us ,
Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you ?
[87]ACT 2. SC. 1
PETRUCHIO
I pray you do . I’ll attend her here —
All but Petruchio exit .
And woo her with some spirit when she comes !
Say that she rail , why then I’ll tell her plain
She sings as sweetly as a nightingale .
Say that she frown , I’ll say she looks as clear
As morning roses newly washed with dew .
Say she be mute and will not speak a word ,
Then I’ll commend her volubility
And say she uttereth piercing eloquence .
If she do bid me pack , I’ll give her thanks
As though she bid me stay by her a week .
If she deny to wed , I’ll crave the day
When I shall ask the banns , and when be marrièd .
But here she comes — and now , Petruchio , speak .
Enter Katherine .
Good morrow , Kate , for that’s your name , I hear .
KATHERINE
Well have you heard , but something hard of hearing .
They call me Katherine that do talk of me .
PETRUCHIO
You lie , in faith , for you are called plain Kate ,
And bonny Kate , and sometimes Kate the curst .
But Kate , the prettiest Kate in Christendom ,
Kate of Kate Hall , my super-dainty Kate
( For dainties are all Kates ) — and therefore , Kate ,
Take this of me , Kate of my consolation :
Hearing thy mildness praised in every town ,
Thy virtues spoke of , and thy beauty sounded
( Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs ) ,
Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife .
KATHERINE
‘Moved ,’ in good time ! Let him that moved you
hither
[89] ACT 2. SC. 1 Remove you hence . I knew you at the first
You were a movable .
PETRUCHIO
Why , what’s a movable ?
KATHERINE
A joint stool .
PETRUCHIO
Thou hast hit it . Come , sit on me .
KATHERINE
Asses are made to bear , and so are you .
PETRUCHIO
Women are made to bear , and so are you .
KATHERINE
No such jade as you , if me you mean .
PETRUCHIO
Alas , good Kate , I will not burden thee ,
For knowing thee to be but young and light —
KATHERINE
Too light for such a swain as you to catch ,
And yet as heavy as my weight should be .
PETRUCHIO
‘Should be’ — should buzz !
KATHERINE
Well ta’en , and like a
buzzard .
PETRUCHIO
O slow-winged turtle , shall a buzzard take thee ?
KATHERINE
Ay , for a turtle , as he takes a buzzard .
PETRUCHIO
Come , come , you wasp ! I’ faith , you are too angry .
KATHERINE
If I be waspish , best beware my sting .
PETRUCHIO
My remedy is then to pluck it out .
KATHERINE
Ay , if the fool could find it where it lies .
[91]ACT 2. SC. 1
PETRUCHIO
Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting ?
In his tail .
KATHERINE
In his tongue .
PETRUCHIO
Whose tongue ?
KATHERINE
Yours , if you talk of tales , and so farewell .
PETRUCHIO
What , with my tongue in your tail ?
Nay , come again , good Kate . I am a gentleman —
KATHERINE
That I’ll try .
She strikes him .
PETRUCHIO
I swear I’ll cuff you if you strike again .
KATHERINE
So may you lose your arms .
If you strike me , you are no gentleman ,
And if no gentleman , why then no arms .
PETRUCHIO
A herald , Kate ? O , put me in thy books .
KATHERINE
What is your crest ? A coxcomb ?
PETRUCHIO
A combless cock , so Kate will be my hen .
KATHERINE
No cock of mine . You crow too like a craven .
PETRUCHIO
Nay , come , Kate , come . You must not look so sour .
KATHERINE
It is my fashion when I see a crab .
PETRUCHIO
Why , here’s no crab , and therefore look not sour .
KATHERINE
There is , there is .
PETRUCHIO
Then show it me .
KATHERINE
Had I a glass , I would .
PETRUCHIO
What , you mean my face ?
KATHERINE
Well aimed of such a young one .
PETRUCHIO
Now , by Saint George , I am too young for you .
[93]ACT 2. SC. 1
KATHERINE
Yet you are withered .
PETRUCHIO
’Tis with cares .
KATHERINE
I care not .
PETRUCHIO
Nay , hear you , Kate — in sooth , you ’scape not so .
KATHERINE
I chafe you if I tarry . Let me go .
PETRUCHIO
No , not a whit . I find you passing gentle .
’Twas told me you were rough , and coy , and sullen ,
And now I find report a very liar .
For thou art pleasant , gamesome , passing
courteous ,
But slow in speech , yet sweet as springtime flowers .
Thou canst not frown , thou canst not look askance ,
Nor bite the lip as angry wenches will ,
Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk .
But thou with mildness entertain’st thy wooers ,
With gentle conference , soft , and affable .
Why does the world report that Kate doth limp ?
O sland’rous world ! Kate like the hazel twig
Is straight , and slender , and as brown in hue
As hazelnuts , and sweeter than the kernels .
O , let me see thee walk ! Thou dost not halt .
KATHERINE
Go , fool , and whom thou keep’st command .
PETRUCHIO
Did ever Dian so become a grove
As Kate this chamber with her princely gait ?
O , be thou Dian and let her be Kate ,
And then let Kate be chaste and Dian sportful .
KATHERINE
Where did you study all this goodly speech ?
PETRUCHIO
It is extempore , from my mother wit .
[95]ACT 2. SC. 1
KATHERINE
A witty mother , witless else her son .
PETRUCHIO
Am I not wise ?
KATHERINE
Yes , keep you warm .
PETRUCHIO
Marry , so I mean , sweet Katherine , in thy bed .
And therefore , setting all this chat aside ,
Thus in plain terms : your father hath consented
That you shall be my wife , your dowry ’greed on ,
And , will you , nill you , I will marry you .
Now , Kate , I am a husband for your turn ,
For by this light , whereby I see thy beauty ,
Thy beauty that doth make me like thee well ,
Thou must be married to no man but me .
For I am he am born to tame you , Kate ,
And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate
Conformable as other household Kates .
Enter Baptista , Gremio , and Tranio as Lucentio .
Here comes your father . Never make denial .
I must and will have Katherine to my wife .
BAPTISTA
Now , Signior Petruchio , how speed you with my
daughter ?
PETRUCHIO
How but well , sir ? How but well ?
It were impossible I should speed amiss .
BAPTISTA
Why , how now , daughter Katherine ? In your
dumps ?
KATHERINE
Call you me daughter ? Now I promise you
You have showed a tender fatherly regard ,
To wish me wed to one half lunatic ,
A madcap ruffian and a swearing Jack ,
That thinks with oaths to face the matter out .
[97]ACT 2. SC. 1
PETRUCHIO
Father , ’tis thus : yourself and all the world
That talked of her have talked amiss of her .
If she be curst , it is for policy ,
For she’s not froward , but modest as the dove ;
She is not hot , but temperate as the morn .
For patience she will prove a second Grissel ,
And Roman Lucrece for her chastity .
And to conclude , we have ’greed so well together
That upon Sunday is the wedding day .
KATHERINE
I’ll see thee hanged on Sunday first .
GREMIO
Hark , Petruchio , she says she’ll see thee
hanged first .
TRANIO
, as Lucentio
Is this your speeding ? Nay ,
then , goodnight our part .
PETRUCHIO
Be patient , gentlemen . I choose her for myself .
If she and I be pleased , what’s that to you ?
’Tis bargained ’twixt us twain , being alone ,
That she shall still be curst in company .
I tell you , ’tis incredible to believe
How much she loves me . O , the kindest Kate !
She hung about my neck , and kiss on kiss
She vied so fast , protesting oath on oath ,
That in a twink she won me to her love .
O , you are novices ! ’Tis a world to see
How tame , when men and women are alone ,
A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew . —
Give me thy hand , Kate . I will unto Venice
To buy apparel ’gainst the wedding day . —
Provide the feast , father , and bid the guests .
I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine .
BAPTISTA
I know not what to say , but give me your hands .
God send you joy , Petruchio . ’Tis a match .
[99]ACT 2. SC. 1
GREMIO and TRANIO
, as Lucentio
Amen , say we . We will be witnesses .
PETRUCHIO
Father , and wife , and gentlemen , adieu .
I will to Venice . Sunday comes apace .
We will have rings , and things , and fine array ,
And kiss me , Kate . We will be married o’ Sunday .
Petruchio and Katherine exit
through different doors .
GREMIO
Was ever match clapped up so suddenly ?
BAPTISTA
Faith , gentlemen , now I play a merchant’s part
And venture madly on a desperate mart .
TRANIO
, as Lucentio
’Twas a commodity lay fretting by you .
’Twill bring you gain , or perish on the seas .
BAPTISTA
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 lookèd for .
I am your neighbor and was suitor first .
TRANIO
, as Lucentio
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 .
TRANIO
, as Lucentio
Graybeard , thy love doth freeze .
GREMIO
But thine doth fry !
Skipper , stand back . ’Tis age that nourisheth .
TRANIO
, as Lucentio
But youth in ladies’ eyes that flourisheth .
[101]ACT 2. SC. 1
BAPTISTA
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 furnishèd with plate and gold ,
Basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands ;
My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry ;
In ivory coffers I have stuffed my crowns ,
In cypress chests my arras counterpoints ,
Costly apparel , tents , and canopies ,
Fine linen , Turkey cushions bossed with pearl ,
Valance of Venice gold in needlework ,
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 tomorrow this is hers ,
If whilst I live she will be only mine .
TRANIO
, 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 ?
[103]ACT 2. SC. 1
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 Marcellus’ road .
To Tranio .
What , have I choked you with an argosy ?
TRANIO
, 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 .
GREMIO
Nay , I have offered all . I have no more ,
And she can have no more than all I have .
To Baptista .
If you like me , she shall have me and
mine .
TRANIO
, as Lucentio
Why , then , the maid is mine from all the world ,
By your firm promise . Gremio is outvied .
BAPTISTA
I must confess your offer is the best ,
And , let your father make her the assurance ,
She is your own ; else , you must pardon me .
If you should die before him , where’s her dower ?
TRANIO
, as Lucentio
That’s but a cavil . He is old , I young .
GREMIO
And may not young men die as well as old ?
BAPTISTA
Well , gentlemen , I am thus resolved :
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 .
[105]ACT 2. SC. 1
GREMIO
Adieu , good neighbor .
Baptista exits .
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 .
Gremio exits .
TRANIO
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 .