ACT I.

Scene ii.] Capell.Scene iv. Pope. A ... house.] Theobald.Enter aloftSly...]Enter aloft the drunkard ... Ff Q. A stately Room in the Lord's House: In it a Stage and other Appurtenances, for the Play: and, in another Part, a Bed;Sly, in a rich Night-dress, sitting on it; surrounded by Servants, bearing Apparel, Bason, Ewer, &c. a Sideboard being by. Enter, at lower End, the Lord, himself habited like a Servant. Capell.[1]Sly.]Beg. Ff Q, and elsewhere in the scene.[5]Christophero]ChristopherWarburton.[10]sometime]sometimesF3 F4.[12]idle]evilCollier MS.[17]Christopher]F1 Q F2.ChristopheroF3 F4.Sly's]SiesF1.Burton-heath]Barton-heathSteevens conj.[18]card-maker]cart-makerorcord-makerorcrate-makerorcord-wainerAnon. conj.[21]fourteen pence]xiiii. d. F1 Q F2. xiv. d. F3 F4.score]sorceF2.[22]sheer]F4.sheereF1 Q F2 F3.shearJordan conj.WarwickshireCollier MS.[23]What!]WhatFf Q.What?—Hanmer.bestraught]distraughtSteevens conj. (withdrawn).here's—] Ff.here'sQ.[24]Third Serv.]3. Man. F1 Q F2. 1. Man. F3 F4.[25]is it]it isRowe.[26]shuns]shunRowe.[43]hounds]boundsQ.[47]Sec. Serv.]2. M. Ff Q.[51]with]with th'Anon. conj.[63]o'er-run]o'er-ranTheobald.[71]Christophero]F2 F3 F4.ChristopherF1 Q.[74][presenting the Ewer,&c. Capell.[75]wit]witsF3 F4.[78]so]youRowe.[84]rail]rail'dRowe.[86]no]notCollier MS.[91]of Greece]o' th' GreenHanmer (L. II. apud Theobald conj.).ofGreysorof GreeteHalliwell conj.[92]Henry]HarryCapell conj.[96]See note (vi).][97]Scene v.Pope.Enter ...]Capell. Enter Lady with Attendants. Ff Q (after line 96).[98-100]Capellprints as two linesHow...well;For...wife?[99, 100]Marry...wife?] Printed as prose by Pope.[108]Al'ce]Capell.AlceFf.[110]See note (vii).Madam]Humph madamCapell conj.Madam,myS. Walker conj.[110, 111]Madam...more]As prose in Pope.[111]above]F1 Q F2.aboutF3 F4.year or]year andF4.yearsandRowe.[114, 115]'Tis much...bed] As prose in Pope.[120]In]OnCapell.your]youQ.[124]dreams]dreamRowe.[126]Scene vi.Pope.Enter ...]Ff. Enter another servant. Capell.[129]too much]so muchRowe.[134]Marry...Is not] Capell (play't).Marrie I will let them play, it is notF1 Q F2.Marry I will, let them play,it is notF3.Marry I will, let themplay, is it notF4.comonty]commodity?Pope, from (Q).[134-140]Marry...younger] Capell prints as six lines of verse.[135]gambold]Ff Q.gambolPope.[140]and...younger]We shall ne'erbe younger,and let the world slideCollier (Collier MS.), reading 139, 140 as rhyme.[Seatingher for the Play. Capell. They sit down. Malone.Flourish.]Ff Q. om. Capell.

Scene ii.] Capell.Scene iv. Pope. A ... house.] Theobald.

Enter aloftSly...]Enter aloft the drunkard ... Ff Q. A stately Room in the Lord's House: In it a Stage and other Appurtenances, for the Play: and, in another Part, a Bed;Sly, in a rich Night-dress, sitting on it; surrounded by Servants, bearing Apparel, Bason, Ewer, &c. a Sideboard being by. Enter, at lower End, the Lord, himself habited like a Servant. Capell.

[1]Sly.]Beg. Ff Q, and elsewhere in the scene.

[5]Christophero]ChristopherWarburton.

[10]sometime]sometimesF3 F4.

[12]idle]evilCollier MS.

[17]Christopher]F1 Q F2.ChristopheroF3 F4.

Sly's]SiesF1.

Burton-heath]Barton-heathSteevens conj.

[18]card-maker]cart-makerorcord-makerorcrate-makerorcord-wainerAnon. conj.

[21]fourteen pence]xiiii. d. F1 Q F2. xiv. d. F3 F4.

score]sorceF2.

[22]sheer]F4.sheereF1 Q F2 F3.shearJordan conj.WarwickshireCollier MS.

[23]What!]WhatFf Q.What?—Hanmer.

bestraught]distraughtSteevens conj. (withdrawn).

here's—] Ff.here'sQ.

[24]Third Serv.]3. Man. F1 Q F2. 1. Man. F3 F4.

[25]is it]it isRowe.

[26]shuns]shunRowe.

[43]hounds]boundsQ.

[47]Sec. Serv.]2. M. Ff Q.

[51]with]with th'Anon. conj.

[63]o'er-run]o'er-ranTheobald.

[71]Christophero]F2 F3 F4.ChristopherF1 Q.

[74][presenting the Ewer,&c. Capell.

[75]wit]witsF3 F4.

[78]so]youRowe.

[84]rail]rail'dRowe.

[86]no]notCollier MS.

[91]of Greece]o' th' GreenHanmer (L. II. apud Theobald conj.).ofGreysorof GreeteHalliwell conj.

[92]Henry]HarryCapell conj.

[96]See note (vi).]

[97]Scene v.Pope.

Enter ...]Capell. Enter Lady with Attendants. Ff Q (after line 96).

[98-100]Capellprints as two linesHow...well;For...wife?

[99, 100]Marry...wife?] Printed as prose by Pope.

[108]Al'ce]Capell.AlceFf.

[110]See note (vii).

Madam]Humph madamCapell conj.Madam,myS. Walker conj.

[110, 111]Madam...more]As prose in Pope.

[111]above]F1 Q F2.aboutF3 F4.

year or]year andF4.yearsandRowe.

[114, 115]'Tis much...bed] As prose in Pope.

[120]In]OnCapell.your]youQ.

[124]dreams]dreamRowe.

[126]Scene vi.Pope.

Enter ...]Ff. Enter another servant. Capell.

[129]too much]so muchRowe.

[134]Marry...Is not] Capell (play't).Marrie I will let them play, it is notF1 Q F2.Marry I will, let them play,it is notF3.Marry I will, let themplay, is it notF4.

comonty]commodity?Pope, from (Q).

[134-140]Marry...younger] Capell prints as six lines of verse.

[135]gambold]Ff Q.gambolPope.

[140]and...younger]We shall ne'erbe younger,and let the world slideCollier (Collier MS.), reading 139, 140 as rhyme.

[Seatingher for the Play. Capell. They sit down. Malone.

Flourish.]Ff Q. om. Capell.

Padua.A public place.EnterLucentioand his manTranio.Luc.Tranio, since for the great desire I hadTo see fair Padua, nursery of arts,I am arrivedforfruitful Lombardy,The pleasant garden of great Italy;5And by my father's love and leave am arm'dWith his good will and thy good company,My trusty servant, well approved in all,Here let us breathe andhaplyinstituteA course of learning andingeniousstudies.10Pisa renowned for grave citizensGave me my being and my father first,A merchant of great traffic through the world,Vincentio, comeof the Bentivolii.Vincentio'ssonbroughtup in Florence15It shall become to serve all hopes conceived,To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds:And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study,Virtueand that part of philosophyWill I apply that treats of happiness20By virtue specially to be achieved.Tell me thy mind; for I have Pisa leftAnd am to Padua come, as he that leavesA shallow plash to plunge him in the deepAnd with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.25Tra.Mi perdonato,gentle master mine,I am in all affected as yourself;Glad that you thus continue your resolveTo suck the sweets ofsweetphilosophy.Only, good master, while we do admire30This virtue and this moral discipline,Let's be no stoics nor no stocks, I pray;Or so devote to Aristotle'schecksAsOvidbe an outcast quite abjured:Balklogicwithacquaintance that you have35And practise rhetoric in your common talk;Music and poesy use to quicken you;The mathematics and the metaphysics,Fall to them asyou findyour stomachserves you;No profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en:40In brief, sir, study what you most affect.Luc.Gramercies,Tranio, well dost thou advise.If, Biondello,thou wertcome ashore,We could at once put us in readiness,And take a lodging fit to entertain45Such friends as time in Padua shall beget.But stay a while: what company is this?Tra.Master, some show to welcome us to town.EnterBaptista,Katharina,Bianca,Gremio,andHortensio.LucentioandTraniostand by.Bap.Gentlemen,importune menofarther,For how I firmly am resolved you know;50That is, not to bestow my youngest daughterBefore I have a husband for the elder:If either of you both love Katharina,Because I know you well and love you well,Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.55Gre.[Aside]To cart her rather: she's too rough for me.There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?Kath.I pray you, sir, is it yourwillTo make a stale of me amongstthesemates?Hor.Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates foryou,60Unless you were of gentler, mildermould.Kath.I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear:I wisit is not half way to her heart;But if it were, doubt not her careshouldbeTo comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool65And paint your face and use you like a fool.Hor.From all such devils, good Lord deliverus!Gre.And me too,goodLord!Tra.Husht,master!here'ssome good pastime toward:That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.70Luc.But in the other's silence do I seeMaid's mild behaviour and sobriety.Peace, Tranio!Tra.Wellsaid, master; mum! and gaze your fill.Bap.Gentlemen,that I may soon make good75What I have said, Bianca, get you in:And let it not displease thee, good Bianca,For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl.Kath.A prettypeat! it is bestPut finger in the eye, an she knew why.80Bian.Sister, content you in my discontent.Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe:My books and instruments shall be my company,On them to look and practise by myself.Luc.Hark, Tranio! thou may'st hear Minerva speak.85Hor.Signior Baptista, will you be so strange?Sorry am I thatourgood will effectsBianca's grief.Gre.Why will you mew her up,Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell,And make her bear the penance of her tongue?90Bap.Gentlemen, content ye;I am resolved:Go in, Bianca:[Exit Bianca.And for I know she taketh most delightIn music, instruments and poetry,Schoolmasters will I keep within my house,95Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio,Or Signior Gremio, you, know any such,Prefer them hither; for to cunning menI will be very kind, andliberalTo mine own children in good bringing-up:100And so farewell. Katharina, you may stay;For I have more to commune with Bianca.[Exit.Kath.Why,andI trust I may go too, may Inot?What, shall I be appointed hours; as though, belike,I knew not what to take, and what to leave, ha?[Exit.105Gre.You may go to the devil's dam: your gifts are sogood,here'snone will hold you.Theirlove is not so great,Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together, and fast itfairly out: our cake's dough on both sides. Farewell:yet, for the love I bear my sweet Bianca, if I can by any110means light on a fit man to teach her that wherein shedelights, I will wish him to her father.Hor.So will I, Signior Gremio: but a word, I pray.Though the nature of our quarrelyet neverbrookedparle,know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both, that we may115yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivalsin Bianca's love, to labour and effect one thing specially.Gre.What's that, I pray?Hor.Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister.Gre.A husband! a devil.120Hor.I say, a husband.Gre.I say, a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, thoughher father be very rich,anyman is so very a fool to bemarried to hell?Hor.Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience and125mine to endure herloudalarums,why, man, there be goodfellows in the world, an a man could light on them, wouldtake her withallfaults, and money enough.Gre.I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her dowry withthis condition, to be whipped at the high-cross every morning.130Hor.Faith, as you say, there'ssmallchoice in rottenapples.But come;since this bar in law makes us friends,it shall be so far forth friendly maintained till by helpingBaptista's eldest daughter to a husband we set his youngestfree for a husband, and then have to't afresh. Sweet Bianca!135Happy man be his dole! He that runs fastest getsthe ring. How say you, Signior Gremio?Gre.I am agreed; and would I had given him the besthorse in Padua to beginhis wooingthat wouldthoroughlywoo her, wed her and bed her and rid the house of her!140Come on.[ExeuntGremio and Hortensio.Tra.I pray, sir, tell me, is it possibleThat love shouldofa sudden take such hold?Luc.O Tranio, till I found it to be true,I never thought it possible or likely;145But see, while idly I stood looking on,I found the effect of love in idleness:And now in plainness do confess to thee,That art to me as secret and as dearAs Anna to the Queen of Carthage was,150Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio,If I achieve not this young modest girl.Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst;Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt.Tra.Master, it is no time to chide you now;155Affection is not rated from the heart:If lovehavetouch'dyou,noughtremains but so,'Redime tecaptumquam queas minimo.'Luc.Gramercies,lad, go forward; this contents:The rest will comfort, for thycounsel'ssound.160Tra.Master, you look'd so longly on the maid,Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all.Luc.O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face,Such as the daughter ofAgenor had,That made great Jove to humble him to her hand,165When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretanstrond.Tra.Saw you no more? mark'd you not how her sisterBegan to scold and raise up such a stormThat mortal ears mighthardlyendurethe din?Luc.Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move170And with her breath she did perfume the air:Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.Tra.Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance.Ipray,awake, sir: if you love themaid,Bend thoughts andwitsto achieve her. Thus it stands:175Hereldestsister is so curst and shrewdThat till the fatherridhis hands of her,Master, your love must live a maid at home;And therefore has he closely mew'd her up,Becauseshewillnot be annoy'd with suitors.180Luc.Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he!But art thou not advised, he took some careTo get hercunningschoolmastersto instruct her?Tra.Ay, marry, am I, sir; and now 'tis plotted.Luc.I have it, Tranio.Tra.Master, for my hand,185Both our inventions meet and jump in one.Luc.Tell me thine first.Tra.You will be schoolmasterAnd undertake the teaching of the maid:That's your device.Luc.It is: may it be done?Tra.Not possible; for who shall bear yourpart,190And be in Padua here Vincentio's son;Keep house and ply his book, welcome his friends,Visit his countrymen and banquet them?Luc.Basta; content thee, for I have it full.We have not yet been seen in any house,195Nor can we be distinguish'd by our facesFor man or master; then it follows thus;Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead,Keep house and port and servants, as I should:I will some other be; some Florentine,200Some Neapolitan, ormeanerman of Pisa.'Tishatch'd and shall be so: Tranio, at onceUncase thee;takemy colour'd hat and cloak:When Biondello comes, he waits on thee;But I will charm him first to keep his tongue.205Tra.Sohad youneed.In brief, sir,sithit 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,210Although I think 'twas in another sense;I am content to be Lucentio,Because so well I love Lucentio.Luc.Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves:And let me be a slave,toachieve that maid215Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd mywoundedeye.Here comes the rogue.EnterBiondello.Sirrah, where have you been?Bion.Where have I been! Nay, how now! where areyou? Master,hasmy fellowTranio stolen your clothes?Or you stolen his? or both? pray, what's the news?220Luc.Sirrah, come hither: 'tis no time to jest,And therefore frame your manners to the time.Your fellow Tranio here, to save my life,Puts my apparel and my countenance on,And I for my escape have put on his;225For in a quarrel since I cameashoreI kill'd a man and fear Iwasdescried:Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes,While I make way from hence to save my life:You understand me?Bion.I, sir! ne'era whit.230Luc.And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth:Tranio is changed into Lucentio.Bion.The better for him: would I were so too!Tra.SocouldI,faith,boy, to have the next wish after,That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest daughter.235But, sirrah, not for my sake, but your master's, IadviseYou use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies:When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio;But in all places elseyourmaster Lucentio.Luc.Tranio, let'sgo:one thing more rests, that thyself240execute, to make oneamongthese wooers: if thou askme why, sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty.[Exeunt.The presenters above speak.First Serv.My lord, you nod; you do not mind the play.Sly.Yes,by Saint Anne, do I. A good matter, surely:comes there any more of it?245Page.My lord, 'tis but begun.Sly.'Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady:would'tweredone![They sit and mark.

Padua.A public place.

EnterLucentioand his manTranio.

Luc.Tranio, since for the great desire I hadTo see fair Padua, nursery of arts,I am arrivedforfruitful Lombardy,The pleasant garden of great Italy;5And by my father's love and leave am arm'dWith his good will and thy good company,My trusty servant, well approved in all,Here let us breathe andhaplyinstituteA course of learning andingeniousstudies.10Pisa renowned for grave citizensGave me my being and my father first,A merchant of great traffic through the world,Vincentio, comeof the Bentivolii.Vincentio'ssonbroughtup in Florence15It shall become to serve all hopes conceived,To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds:And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study,Virtueand that part of philosophyWill I apply that treats of happiness20By virtue specially to be achieved.Tell me thy mind; for I have Pisa leftAnd am to Padua come, as he that leavesA shallow plash to plunge him in the deepAnd with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.

Luc.Tranio, since for the great desire I had

To see fair Padua, nursery of arts,

I am arrivedforfruitful Lombardy,

The pleasant garden of great Italy;

And by my father's love and leave am arm'd

With his good will and thy good company,

My trusty servant, well approved in all,

Here let us breathe andhaplyinstitute

A course of learning andingeniousstudies.

Pisa renowned for grave citizens

Gave me my being and my father first,

A merchant of great traffic through the world,

Vincentio, comeof the Bentivolii.

Vincentio'ssonbroughtup in Florence

It shall become to serve all hopes conceived,

To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds:

And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study,

Virtueand that part of philosophy

Will I apply that treats of happiness

By virtue specially to be achieved.

Tell me thy mind; for I have Pisa left

And am to Padua come, as he that leaves

A shallow plash to plunge him in the deep

And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.

25Tra.Mi perdonato,gentle master mine,I am in all affected as yourself;Glad that you thus continue your resolveTo suck the sweets ofsweetphilosophy.Only, good master, while we do admire30This virtue and this moral discipline,Let's be no stoics nor no stocks, I pray;Or so devote to Aristotle'schecksAsOvidbe an outcast quite abjured:Balklogicwithacquaintance that you have35And practise rhetoric in your common talk;Music and poesy use to quicken you;The mathematics and the metaphysics,Fall to them asyou findyour stomachserves you;No profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en:40In brief, sir, study what you most affect.

Tra.Mi perdonato,gentle master mine,

I am in all affected as yourself;

Glad that you thus continue your resolve

To suck the sweets ofsweetphilosophy.

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'schecks

AsOvidbe an outcast quite abjured:

Balklogicwithacquaintance that you have

And practise rhetoric in your common talk;

Music and poesy use to quicken you;

The mathematics and the metaphysics,

Fall to them asyou findyour stomachserves you;

No profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en:

In brief, sir, study what you most affect.

Luc.Gramercies,Tranio, well dost thou advise.If, Biondello,thou wertcome ashore,We could at once put us in readiness,And take a lodging fit to entertain45Such friends as time in Padua shall beget.But stay a while: what company is this?

Luc.Gramercies,Tranio, well dost thou advise.

If, Biondello,thou wertcome ashore,

We could at once put us in readiness,

And take a lodging fit to entertain

Such friends as time in Padua shall beget.

But stay a while: what company is this?

Tra.Master, some show to welcome us to town.

EnterBaptista,Katharina,Bianca,Gremio,andHortensio.LucentioandTraniostand by.

Bap.Gentlemen,importune menofarther,For how I firmly am resolved you know;50That is, not to bestow my youngest daughterBefore I have a husband for the elder:If either of you both love Katharina,Because I know you well and love you well,Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.

Bap.Gentlemen,importune menofarther,

For how I firmly am resolved you know;

That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter

Before I have a husband for the elder:

If either of you both love Katharina,

Because I know you well and love you well,

Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.

55Gre.[Aside]To cart her rather: she's too rough for me.There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?

Gre.[Aside]To cart her rather: she's too rough for me.

There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?

Kath.I pray you, sir, is it yourwillTo make a stale of me amongstthesemates?

Kath.I pray you, sir, is it yourwill

To make a stale of me amongstthesemates?

Hor.Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates foryou,60Unless you were of gentler, mildermould.

Hor.Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates foryou,

Unless you were of gentler, mildermould.

Kath.I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear:I wisit is not half way to her heart;But if it were, doubt not her careshouldbeTo comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool65And paint your face and use you like a fool.

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

I wisit is not half way to her heart;

But if it were, doubt not her careshouldbe

To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool

And paint your face and use you like a fool.

Hor.From all such devils, good Lord deliverus!

Gre.And me too,goodLord!

Tra.Husht,master!here'ssome good pastime toward:That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.

Tra.Husht,master!here'ssome good pastime toward:

That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.

70Luc.But in the other's silence do I seeMaid's mild behaviour and sobriety.Peace, Tranio!

Luc.But in the other's silence do I see

Maid's mild behaviour and sobriety.

Peace, Tranio!

Tra.Wellsaid, master; mum! and gaze your fill.

Bap.Gentlemen,that I may soon make good75What I have said, Bianca, get you in:And let it not displease thee, good Bianca,For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl.

Bap.Gentlemen,that I may soon make good

What I have said, Bianca, get you in:

And let it not displease thee, good Bianca,

For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl.

Kath.A prettypeat! it is bestPut finger in the eye, an she knew why.

Kath.A prettypeat! it is best

Put finger in the eye, an she knew why.

80Bian.Sister, content you in my discontent.Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe:My books and instruments shall be my company,On them to look and practise by myself.

Bian.Sister, content you in my discontent.

Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe:

My books and instruments shall be my company,

On them to look and practise by myself.

Luc.Hark, Tranio! thou may'st hear Minerva speak.

85Hor.Signior Baptista, will you be so strange?Sorry am I thatourgood will effectsBianca's grief.

Hor.Signior Baptista, will you be so strange?

Sorry am I thatourgood will effects

Bianca's grief.

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

Gre.Why will you mew her up,

Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell,

And make her bear the penance of her tongue?

90Bap.Gentlemen, content ye;I am resolved:Go in, Bianca:[Exit Bianca.And for I know she taketh most delightIn music, instruments and poetry,Schoolmasters will I keep within my house,95Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio,Or Signior Gremio, you, know any such,Prefer them hither; for to cunning menI will be very kind, andliberalTo mine own children in good bringing-up:100And so farewell. Katharina, you may stay;For I have more to commune with Bianca.[Exit.

Bap.Gentlemen, content ye;I am resolved:

Go in, Bianca:[Exit Bianca.

And for I know she taketh most delight

In music, instruments and poetry,

Schoolmasters will I keep within my house,

Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio,

Or Signior Gremio, you, know any such,

Prefer them hither; for to cunning men

I will be very kind, andliberal

To mine own children in good bringing-up:

And so farewell. Katharina, you may stay;

For I have more to commune with Bianca.[Exit.

Kath.Why,andI trust I may go too, may Inot?What, shall I be appointed hours; as though, belike,I knew not what to take, and what to leave, ha?[Exit.

Kath.Why,andI trust I may go too, may Inot?

What, shall I be appointed hours; as though, belike,

I knew not what to take, and what to leave, ha?[Exit.

105Gre.You may go to the devil's dam: your gifts are sogood,here'snone will hold you.Theirlove is not so great,Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together, and fast itfairly out: our cake's dough on both sides. Farewell:yet, for the love I bear my sweet Bianca, if I can by any110means light on a fit man to teach her that wherein shedelights, I will wish him to her father.

Gre.You may go to the devil's dam: your gifts are so

good,here'snone will hold you.Theirlove is not so great,

Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together, and fast it

fairly out: our cake's dough on both sides. Farewell:

yet, for the love I bear my sweet Bianca, if I can by any

means light on a fit man to teach her that wherein she

delights, I will wish him to her father.

Hor.So will I, Signior Gremio: but a word, I pray.Though the nature of our quarrelyet neverbrookedparle,know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both, that we may115yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivalsin Bianca's love, to labour and effect one thing specially.

Hor.So will I, Signior Gremio: but a word, I pray.

Though the nature of our quarrelyet neverbrookedparle,

know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both, that we may

yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivals

in Bianca's love, to labour and effect one thing specially.

Gre.What's that, I pray?

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

Gre.A husband! a devil.

120Hor.I say, a husband.

Hor.I say, a husband.

Gre.I say, a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, thoughher father be very rich,anyman is so very a fool to bemarried to hell?

Gre.I say, a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, though

her father be very rich,anyman is so very a fool to be

married to hell?

Hor.Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience and125mine to endure herloudalarums,why, man, there be goodfellows in the world, an a man could light on them, wouldtake her withallfaults, and money enough.

Hor.Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience and

mine to endure herloudalarums,why, man, there be good

fellows in the world, an a man could light on them, would

take her withallfaults, and money enough.

Gre.I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her dowry withthis condition, to be whipped at the high-cross every morning.

Gre.I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her dowry with

this condition, to be whipped at the high-cross every morning.

130Hor.Faith, as you say, there'ssmallchoice in rottenapples.But come;since this bar in law makes us friends,it shall be so far forth friendly maintained till by helpingBaptista's eldest daughter to a husband we set his youngestfree for a husband, and then have to't afresh. Sweet Bianca!135Happy man be his dole! He that runs fastest getsthe ring. How say you, Signior Gremio?

Hor.Faith, as you say, there'ssmallchoice in rotten

apples.But come;since this bar in law makes us friends,

it shall be so far forth friendly maintained till by helping

Baptista's eldest daughter to a husband we set his youngest

free for a husband, and then have to't afresh. Sweet Bianca!

Happy man be his dole! He that runs fastest gets

the ring. How say you, Signior Gremio?

Gre.I am agreed; and would I had given him the besthorse in Padua to beginhis wooingthat wouldthoroughlywoo her, wed her and bed her and rid the house of her!140Come on.[ExeuntGremio and Hortensio.

Gre.I am agreed; and would I had given him the best

horse in Padua to beginhis wooingthat wouldthoroughly

woo her, wed her and bed her and rid the house of her!

Come on.[ExeuntGremio and Hortensio.

Tra.I pray, sir, tell me, is it possibleThat love shouldofa sudden take such hold?

Tra.I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible

That love shouldofa sudden take such hold?

Luc.O Tranio, till I found it to be true,I never thought it possible or likely;145But see, while idly I stood looking on,I found the effect of love in idleness:And now in plainness do confess to thee,That art to me as secret and as dearAs Anna to the Queen of Carthage was,150Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio,If I achieve not this young modest girl.Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst;Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt.

Luc.O Tranio, till I found it to be true,

I never thought it possible or likely;

But see, while idly I stood looking on,

I found the effect of love in idleness:

And now in plainness do confess to thee,

That art to me as secret and as dear

As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was,

Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio,

If I achieve not this young modest girl.

Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst;

Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt.

Tra.Master, it is no time to chide you now;155Affection is not rated from the heart:If lovehavetouch'dyou,noughtremains but so,'Redime tecaptumquam queas minimo.'

Tra.Master, it is no time to chide you now;

Affection is not rated from the heart:

If lovehavetouch'dyou,noughtremains but so,

'Redime tecaptumquam queas minimo.'

Luc.Gramercies,lad, go forward; this contents:The rest will comfort, for thycounsel'ssound.

Luc.Gramercies,lad, go forward; this contents:

The rest will comfort, for thycounsel'ssound.

160Tra.Master, you look'd so longly on the maid,Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all.

Tra.Master, you look'd so longly on the maid,

Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all.

Luc.O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face,Such as the daughter ofAgenor had,That made great Jove to humble him to her hand,165When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretanstrond.

Luc.O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face,

Such as the daughter ofAgenor had,

That made great Jove to humble him to her hand,

When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretanstrond.

Tra.Saw you no more? mark'd you not how her sisterBegan to scold and raise up such a stormThat mortal ears mighthardlyendurethe din?

Tra.Saw you no more? mark'd you not how her sister

Began to scold and raise up such a storm

That mortal ears mighthardlyendurethe din?

Luc.Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move170And with her breath she did perfume the air:Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.

Luc.Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move

And with her breath she did perfume the air:

Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.

Tra.Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance.Ipray,awake, sir: if you love themaid,Bend thoughts andwitsto achieve her. Thus it stands:175Hereldestsister is so curst and shrewdThat till the fatherridhis hands of her,Master, your love must live a maid at home;And therefore has he closely mew'd her up,Becauseshewillnot be annoy'd with suitors.

Tra.Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance.

Ipray,awake, sir: if you love themaid,

Bend thoughts andwitsto achieve her. Thus it stands:

Hereldestsister is so curst and shrewd

That till the fatherridhis hands of her,

Master, your love must live a maid at home;

And therefore has he closely mew'd her up,

Becauseshewillnot be annoy'd with suitors.

180Luc.Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he!But art thou not advised, he took some careTo get hercunningschoolmastersto instruct her?

Luc.Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he!

But art thou not advised, he took some care

To get hercunningschoolmastersto instruct her?

Tra.Ay, marry, am I, sir; and now 'tis plotted.

Luc.I have it, Tranio.

Tra.Master, for my hand,185Both our inventions meet and jump in one.

Tra.Master, for my hand,

Both our inventions meet and jump in one.

Luc.Tell me thine first.

Tra.You will be schoolmasterAnd undertake the teaching of the maid:That's your device.

Tra.You will be schoolmaster

And undertake the teaching of the maid:

That's your device.

Luc.It is: may it be done?

Tra.Not possible; for who shall bear yourpart,190And be in Padua here Vincentio's son;Keep house and ply his book, welcome his friends,Visit his countrymen and banquet them?

Tra.Not possible; for who shall bear yourpart,

And be in Padua here Vincentio's son;

Keep house and ply his book, welcome his friends,

Visit his countrymen and banquet them?

Luc.Basta; content thee, for I have it full.We have not yet been seen in any house,195Nor can we be distinguish'd by our facesFor man or master; then it follows thus;Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead,Keep house and port and servants, as I should:I will some other be; some Florentine,200Some Neapolitan, ormeanerman of Pisa.'Tishatch'd and shall be so: Tranio, at onceUncase thee;takemy colour'd hat and cloak:When Biondello comes, he waits on thee;But I will charm him first to keep his tongue.

Luc.Basta; content thee, for I have it full.

We have not yet been seen in any house,

Nor can we be distinguish'd by our faces

For man or master; then it follows thus;

Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead,

Keep house and port and servants, as I should:

I will some other be; some Florentine,

Some Neapolitan, ormeanerman of Pisa.

'Tishatch'd and shall be so: Tranio, at once

Uncase thee;takemy colour'd hat and cloak:

When Biondello comes, he waits on thee;

But I will charm him first to keep his tongue.

205Tra.Sohad youneed.In brief, sir,sithit 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,210Although I think 'twas in another sense;I am content to be Lucentio,Because so well I love Lucentio.

Tra.Sohad youneed.

In brief, sir,sithit 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.

Luc.Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves:And let me be a slave,toachieve that maid215Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd mywoundedeye.Here comes the rogue.

Luc.Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves:

And let me be a slave,toachieve that maid

Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd mywoundedeye.

Here comes the rogue.

EnterBiondello.

Sirrah, where have you been?

Bion.Where have I been! Nay, how now! where areyou? Master,hasmy fellowTranio stolen your clothes?Or you stolen his? or both? pray, what's the news?

Bion.Where have I been! Nay, how now! where are

you? Master,hasmy fellowTranio stolen your clothes?

Or you stolen his? or both? pray, what's the news?

220Luc.Sirrah, come hither: 'tis no time to jest,And therefore frame your manners to the time.Your fellow Tranio here, to save my life,Puts my apparel and my countenance on,And I for my escape have put on his;225For in a quarrel since I cameashoreI kill'd a man and fear Iwasdescried:Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes,While I make way from hence to save my life:You understand me?

Luc.Sirrah, come hither: 'tis no time to jest,

And therefore frame your manners to the time.

Your fellow Tranio here, to save my life,

Puts my apparel and my countenance on,

And I for my escape have put on his;

For in a quarrel since I cameashore

I kill'd a man and fear Iwasdescried:

Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes,

While I make way from hence to save my life:

You understand me?

Bion.I, sir! ne'era whit.

230Luc.And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth:Tranio is changed into Lucentio.

Luc.And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth:

Tranio is changed into Lucentio.

Bion.The better for him: would I were so too!

Tra.SocouldI,faith,boy, to have the next wish after,That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest daughter.235But, sirrah, not for my sake, but your master's, IadviseYou use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies:When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio;But in all places elseyourmaster Lucentio.

Tra.SocouldI,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, Iadvise

You use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies:

When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio;

But in all places elseyourmaster Lucentio.

Luc.Tranio, let'sgo:one thing more rests, that thyself240execute, to make oneamongthese wooers: if thou askme why, sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty.[Exeunt.

Luc.Tranio, let'sgo:one thing more rests, that thyself

execute, to make oneamongthese wooers: if thou ask

me why, sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty.[Exeunt.

The presenters above speak.

First Serv.My lord, you nod; you do not mind the play.

Sly.Yes,by Saint Anne, do I. A good matter, surely:comes there any more of it?

Sly.Yes,by Saint Anne, do I. A good matter, surely:

comes there any more of it?

245Page.My lord, 'tis but begun.

Page.My lord, 'tis but begun.

Sly.'Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady:would'tweredone![They sit and mark.

Sly.'Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady:

would'tweredone![They sit and mark.

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