Sidor som bilder
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When did she cross thee with a bitter word? KATH. Her silence flouts me, and I'll be reveng'd. [Flies after BIANCA. BAP. What, in my sight? -Bianca, get thee in. [Exit BIANCA. KATH. 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.

[Exit KATHARINA.

BAP. Was ever gentleman thus griev'd as I? But who comes here?

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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 behaviour,

Am bold to show myself a forward guest

& Lead apes in hell.] "To lead apes," as Malone remarks, was one of the employments of a bear-ward, but why or when old maids were condemned to the care of them in hell, we are ignorant. Beatrice, in "Much Ado About Nothing," Act II. Sc. 1, has the same phrase,

"I will even take sixpence in earnest of the bear-herd, and lead his apes into hell."

b As a musician;] In the old copies Hortensio's entrance is not mentioned.

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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.

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 Licio, born in Mantua.

BAP. You're welcome, sir; and he for your
good sake:

But for my daughter Katharine, this I know, She is not for your turn, the more my grief. PET. I see you do not mean to part with her; Or else you like not of my company.

BAP. Mistake me not, I speak but as I find. Whence are you, sir? what may I call your name? PET. Petruchio is my name; Antonio's son, A man well known throughout all Italy.

BAP. I know him well: you are welcome for his sake.

GRE. Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray, Let us, that are poor petitioners, speak too : Baccare! you are marvellous forward.

PET. O, pardon me, signior Gremio; I would fain be doing.

GRE. I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing.

Neighbour, this is a gift very grateful, I am sure of it. To express the like kindness myself, that have been more kindly beholden to you than any, I freely give unto youd this young scholar, [presenting LUCENTIO] 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.

BAP. A thousand thanks, signior Gremio: welcome, good Cambio. But, gentle sir, [to TRANIO] methinks, you walk like a stranger: may I be so bold to know the cause of your coming?

TRA. 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 favour as the rest.

(*) First folio, neighbours.

• Baccare!] An old proverbial saying of doubtful derivation, but meaning stand back.

"Backare, quoth Mortimer to his sow,
Went that sow backe at that bidding, trow you?"
JOHN HEYWOOD'S Book of Proverbs.

d I freely give unto you-1 The folio, 1623, omits I and you, which appear to have been first introduced by Capell.

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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.

PET. 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 better'd rather than decreas'd :
Then tell me, if I get your daughter's love,
What dowry shall I have with her to wife?
BAP. After my death, the one half of my lands;
And, in possession, twenty thousand crowns.

PET. 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.
BAP. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd,
That is, her love; for that is all in all.

PET. 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.

HOR. I think, she'll sooner prove a soldier; Iron may hold with her, but never lutes.

BAP. Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute?

HOR. Why, no; for she hath broke the lute to

me.

I did but tell her she mistook her frets,
And bow'd 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 amazed 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 she had studied to misuse me so.

PET. Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench;
I love her ten times more than e'er I did :
O, how I long to have some chat with her!

BAP. 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?

PET. I pray you do; I will attend her here, — [Exeunt BAPTISTA, GREMIO, TRANIO, and HORTENSIO.

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 wash'd with dew:
Say, she be mute, and will not speak a word;
Then I'll commend her volubility,

And say she uttereth piercing eloquence:

BAP. Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy If she do bid me pack, I'll give her thanks

speed!

But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words.

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As though she bid me stay by her a week; If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day

(*) First folio, had she.

b Mistook her frets,-] A fret is the point at which a string on the lute or guitar is to be stopped.

When I shall ask the banns, and when be married:But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, speak.

Enter KATHARINA.

Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear. KATH. Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing;

They call me Katharine, that do talk of me.

PET. You lie, in faith; for you are call'd 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 cates; and therefore, Kate,
Take this of me, Kate of my consolation ;-
Hearing thy mildness prais'd in every town,
Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded,
(Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs,)
Myself am mov'd to woo thee for my wife.

KATH. Mov'd! in good time: let him that mov'd you hither

Remove you hence: I knew you at the first,

You were a moveable.
PET.

KATH. A joint-stool.
PET.

Why, what's a moveable?

Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me. KATH. Asses are made to bear, and so are you. PET. Women are made to bear, and so are you. KATH. No such jade as you, if me you mean.b PET. Alas, good Kate! I will not burthen thee: For, knowing thee to be but young and light,

KATH. Too light for such a swain as you to
catch;

And yet as heavy as my weight should be.
PET. Should be, should buz!
KATH.

Well ta'en, and like a buzzard.
PET. O, slow-wing'd turtle! shall a buzzard

take thee?

KATH. Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard.d PET. Come, come, you wasp, i' faith, you are too angry.

KATH. If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
PET. My remedy is then, to pluck it out.
KATH. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.
PET. Who knows not where a wasp does wear

In his tail.

his sting?

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KATH. I chafe you, if I tarry; let me go. PET. 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 spring-time 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.
O slanderous world! Kate, like the hazel-twig,
Why does the world report that Kate doth limp?
Is straight, and slender; and as brown in hue,
As hazel-nuts, and sweeter than the kernels.
O, let me see thee walk: thou dost not halt.

KATH. Go, fool, and, whom thou keep'st,
command.

a A joint-stool.] "Cry you mercy, I took you for a join'd-stool," is an old proverbial saying. It occurs as a proverb in Lyly's Mother Bombie," 1594. and also in "King Lear," Act III. Sc. 6. b No such jade as you, if me you mean.] Petruchio's reply shows clearly there is some omission or misprint in this line. e Should be, should buz!] A quibble is intended on the buzz

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of the bee, and buz, applied to a din of words:"But you wyl choplogick And be Bee-to-busse."

The Contention betwyxte Churchyeard and Camell, &c. 1560. d A buzzard.] A beetle: so called on account of its humming, buzzing noise.

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speech?

PET. It is extempore, from my mother-wit.
KATH. A witty mother! witless else her son.
PET. Am I not wise?
KATH.

Yes; keep you warm. PET. Marry, so I mean, sweet Katharine, 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;

a Yes; keep you warm.] An allusion to a proverbial phrase, of which the sense is not apparent. It is found again in "Much Ado about Nothing," Act I. Sc. 1,

that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm-."

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.
Here comes your father; never make denial,
I must and will have Katharine to my wife.

Re-enter BAPTISTA, GREMIO, and TRANIO.

BAP. Now, Signior Petruchio, how speed you with my daughter?

PET. How but well, sir? how but well?

It were impossible I should speed amiss.

BAP. Why, how now, daughter Katharine? in your dumps?

b From a wild Kate-] Modern editors usually read "a wild cat," but the intended play on the words Kate cat, and Kates cats, is sufficiently obvious without altering the text.

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KATH. Call you me daughter? now I promise | And venture madly on a desperate mart.

you,

You have show'd a tender fatherly regard,
To wish me wed to one half lunatic;
A mad-cap ruffian, and a swearing Jack,

That thinks with oaths to face the matter out.

TRA. 'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you;
'Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas.
BAP. The gain I seek is quiet in* the match.
GRE. No doubt, but he hath got a quiet catch.
But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter;

PET. Father, 't is thus, -yourself and all the Now is the day we long have looked for;

world,

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hanged first.

TRA. Is this your speeding? nay, then, good night our part!

PET. Be patient, gentlemen; I choose her for myself;

If she and I be pleas'd, what's that to you?
'Tis bargain'd '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 Katharine shall be fine.

a

BAP. I know not what to say: but give me your hands;

God send you joy, Petruchio! 'tis a match.
GRE. TRA. Amen, say we; we will be witnesses.
PET. Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu;
I will to Venice; Sunday comes apace:
We will have rings, and things, and fine
And, kiss me, Kate; we will be married o' Sunday.
[Exeunt PETRUCHIO and KATHARINA severally. (1)
GRE. Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly?
BAP. Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant's
part,

I am your neighbour, and was suitor first.

TRA. And I am one that love Bianca more Than words can witness, or your thoughts can guess. GRE. Youngling! thou canst not love so dear as I. TRA. Greybeard! thy love doth freeze. GRE.

But thine doth fry. Skipper, stand back; 'tis age that nourisheth. TRA. But youth, in ladies' eyes that flourisheth. BAP. 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 Bianca's love.

Say, signior Gremio, what can you assure her?

GRE. First, as you know, my house within the
city

Is richly furnished with plate and gold;
Basins, and ewers, to lave her dainty hands;
My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry :
In ivory coffers I have stuff'd my crowns;
In cypress chests my arras, counterpoints,
Costly apparel, tents, and canopies,
Fine linen, Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl,
Valance of Venice gold in needlework,
Pewter and brass, and all things that belong
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 to-morrow, this is hers,
If, whilst I live, she will be only mine.

TRA. That only came well in. 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 pinch'd you, signior Gremio?

GRE. Two thousand ducats by the year of land! My land amounts not to so much in all :

array;

a 'Tis a world to see,-] An expression frequently found in the old writers, meaning, it is wonderful to see.

b A meacock-] A milk-livered, chicken-hearted fellow. The word, Nares thinks, was originally applied to denote a hen-pecked husband.

c Counterpoints,-] Coverings for beds, now called counterpanes. "Counterpoints were, in ancient times, extremely costly. In Wat Tyler's rebellion, Stowe informs us, when the insurgents broke into the wardrobe in the Savoy, they destroyed a coverlet, worth a thousand marks." - MALONE.

(*) First folio, me.

(+) First folio, my Bianca's.

d Tents,-] Hangings; so called, it has been suggested, from the tenters upon which they were hung.

e Pewter-] This composite metal, common as it is now, was so expensive formerly, that vessels made of it were hired by some of the nobility by the year. See Holinshed's "Description of England," pp. 188, 189.

f My land amounts not to so much in all:] Warburton proposed to substitute but for not; and I believe either but or yst was Shakespeare's word.

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