Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

Act 2 - Scene 1

Padua. BAPTISTA’S house

Bianca : Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself, [p]To make a bondmaid
and a slave of me- [p]That I disdain; but for these other
gawds, [p]Unbind my hands, I'll pull them off myself, [p]Yea, all my
raiment, to my petticoat; [p]Or what you will command me will I
do, [p]So well I know my duty to my elders.

Katherina : Of all thy suitors here I charge thee tell [p]Whom thou lov'st best.
See thou dissemble not.

Bianca : Believe me, sister, of all the men alive [p]I never yet beheld that
special face [p]Which I could fancy more than any other.

Katherina : Minion, thou liest. Is't not Hortensio?

Bianca : If you affect him, sister, here I swear [p]I'll plead for you myself
but you shall have him.

Katherina : O then, belike, you fancy riches more: [p]You will have Gremio to keep
you fair.

Bianca : Is it for him you do envy me so? [p]Nay, then you jest; and now I well
perceive [p]You have but jested with me all this while. [p]I prithee,
sister Kate, untie my hands.

Katherina : [Strikes her] If that be jest, then an the rest was so.

Baptista Minola : Why, how now, dame! Whence grows this insolence? [p]Bianca, stand
aside- poor girl! she weeps. [p][He unbinds her] [p]Go ply thy needle;
meddle not with her. [p]For shame, thou hilding of a devilish
spirit, [p]Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee? [p]When
did she cross thee with a bitter word?

Katherina : Her silence flouts me, and I'll be reveng'd.

Baptista Minola : What, in my sight? Bianca, get thee in.

Katherina : What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see [p]She is your treasure,
she must have a husband; [p]I must dance bare-foot on her
wedding-day, [p]And for your love to her lead apes in hell. [p]Talk
not to me; I will go sit and weep, [p]Till I can find occasion of
revenge. Exit KATHERINA

Baptista Minola : Was ever gentleman thus griev'd as I? [p]But who comes here?

Gremio : Good morrow, neighbour Baptista.

Baptista Minola : Good morrow, neighbour Gremio. [p]God save you, gentlemen!

Petruchio : And you, good sir! Pray, have you not a daughter [p]Call'd Katherina,
fair and virtuous?

Baptista Minola : I have a daughter, sir, call'd Katherina.

Gremio : You are too blunt; go to it orderly.

Petruchio : You wrong me, Signior Gremio; give me leave. [p]I am a gentleman of
Verona, sir, [p]That, hearing of her beauty and her wit, [p]Her
affability and bashful modesty, [p]Her wondrous qualities and mild
behaviour, [p]Am bold to show myself a forward guest [p]Within your
house, to make mine eye the witness [p]Of that report which I so oft
have heard. [p]And, for an entrance to my entertainment, [p]I do
present you with a man of mine, [p][Presenting HORTENSIO] [p]Cunning
in music and the mathematics, [p]To instruct her fully in those
sciences, [p]Whereof I know she is not ignorant. [p]Accept of him, or
else you do me wrong- [p]His name is Licio, born in Mantua.

Baptista Minola : Y'are welcome, sir, and he for your good sake; [p]But for my daughter
Katherine, this I know, [p]She is not for your turn, the more my
grief.

Petruchio : I see you do not mean to part with her; [p]Or else you like not of my
company.

Baptista Minola : Mistake me not; I speak but as I find. [p]Whence are you, sir? What
may I call your name?

Petruchio : Petruchio is my name, Antonio's son, [p]A man well known throughout
all Italy.

Baptista Minola : I know him well; you are welcome for his sake.

Gremio : Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray, [p]Let us that are poor
petitioners speak too. [p]Bacare! you are marvellous forward.

Petruchio : O, pardon me, Signior Gremio! I would fain be doing.

Gremio : I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing. [p]Neighbour,
this is a gift very grateful, I am sure of it. To [p]express the like
kindness, myself, that have been more kindly [p]beholding to you than
any, freely give unto you this young [p]scholar [Presenting LUCENTIO]
that hath been long studying at [p]Rheims; as cunning in Greek,
Latin, and other languages, as the [p]other in music and mathematics.
His name is Cambio. Pray accept [p]his service.

Baptista Minola : A thousand thanks, Signior Gremio. Welcome, good Cambio. [p][To
TRANIO] But, gentle sir, methinks you walk like a stranger. [p]May I
be so bold to know the cause of your coming?

Tranio : Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own [p]That, being a stranger in
this city here, [p]Do make myself a suitor to your daughter, [p]Unto
Bianca, fair and virtuous. [p]Nor is your firm resolve unknown to
me [p]In the preferment of the eldest sister. [p]This liberty is all
that I request- [p]That, upon knowledge of my parentage, [p]I may have
welcome 'mongst the rest that woo, [p]And free access and favour as
the rest. [p]And toward the education of your daughters [p]I here
bestow a simple instrument, [p]And this small packet of Greek and
Latin books. [p]If you accept them, then their worth is great.

Baptista Minola : Lucentio is your name? Of whence, I pray?

Tranio : Of Pisa, sir; son to Vincentio.

Baptista Minola : A mighty man of Pisa. By report [p]I know him well. You are very
welcome, sir. [p]Take you the lute, and you the set of books; [p]You
shall go see your pupils presently. [p]Holla, within! [p][Enter a
SERVANT] [p]Sirrah, lead these gentlemen [p]To my daughters; and tell
them both [p]These are their tutors. Bid them use them well. [p][Exit
SERVANT leading HORTENSIO carrying the lute and LUCENTIO with the
books] [p]We will go walk a little in the orchard, [p]And then to
dinner. You are passing welcome, [p]And so I pray you all to think
yourselves.

Petruchio : Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste, [p]And every day I cannot
come to woo. [p]You knew my father well, and in him me, [p]Left solely
heir to all his lands and goods, [p]Which I have bettered rather than
decreas'd. [p]Then tell me, if I get your daughter's love, [p]What
dowry shall I have with her to wife?

Baptista Minola : After my death, the one half of my lands [p]And, in possession, twenty
thousand crowns.

Petruchio : And for that dowry, I'll assure her of [p]Her widowhood, be it that
she survive me, [p]In all my lands and leases whatsoever. [p]Let
specialities be therefore drawn between us, [p]That covenants may be
kept on either hand.

Baptista Minola : Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd, [p]That is, her love; for
that is all in all.

Petruchio : Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father, [p]I am as peremptory as
she proud-minded; [p]And where two raging fires meet together, [p]They
do consume the thing that feeds their fury. [p]Though little fire
grows great with little wind, [p]Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire
and all. [p]So I to her, and so she yields to me; [p]For I am rough,
and woo not like a babe.

Baptista Minola : Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed [p]But be thou arm'd for
some unhappy words.

Petruchio : Ay, to the proof, as mountains are for winds, [p]That shake not though
they blow perpetually.

Baptista Minola : How now, my friend! Why dost thou look so pale?

Hortensio : For fear, I promise you, if I look pale.

Baptista Minola : What, will my daughter prove a good musician?

Hortensio : I think she'll sooner prove a soldier: [p]Iron may hold with her, but
never lutes.

Baptista Minola : Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute?

Hortensio : Why, no; for she hath broke the lute to me. [p]I did but tell her she
mistook her frets, [p]And bow'd her hand to teach her
fingering, [p]When, with a most impatient devilish spirit, [p]'Frets,
call you these?' quoth she 'I'll fume with them.' [p]And with that
word she struck me on the head, [p]And through the instrument my pate
made way; [p]And there I stood amazed for a while, [p]As on a pillory,
looking through the lute, [p]While she did call me rascal
fiddler [p]And twangling Jack, with twenty such vile terms, [p]As she
had studied to misuse me so.

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

Baptista Minola : Well, go with me, and be not so discomfited; [p]Proceed in practice
with my younger daughter; [p]She's apt to learn, and thankful for good
turns. [p]Signior Petruchio, will you go with us, [p]Or shall I send
my daughter Kate to you?

Petruchio : I pray you do. Exeunt all but PETRUCHIO [p]I'll attend her
here, [p]And woo her with some spirit when she comes. [p]Say that she
rail; why, then I'll tell her plain [p]She sings as sweetly as a
nightingale. [p]Say that she frown; I'll say she looks as clear [p]As
morning roses newly wash'd with dew. [p]Say she be mute, and will not
speak a word; [p]Then I'll commend her volubility, [p]And say she
uttereth piercing eloquence. [p]If she do bid me pack, I'll give her
thanks, [p]As though she bid me stay by her a week; [p]If she deny to
wed, I'll crave the day [p]When I shall ask the banns, and when be
married. [p]But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, speak. [p][Enter
KATHERINA] [p]Good morrow, Kate- for that's your name, I hear.

Katherina : Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing: [p]They call me
Katherine that do talk of me.

Petruchio : You lie, in faith, for you are call'd plain Kate, [p]And bonny Kate,
and sometimes Kate the curst; [p]But, Kate, the prettiest Kate in
Christendom, [p]Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate, [p]For
dainties are all Kates, and therefore, Kate, [p]Take this of me, Kate
of my consolation- [p]Hearing thy mildness prais'd in every
town, [p]Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded, [p]Yet not so
deeply as to thee belongs, [p]Myself am mov'd to woo thee for my
wife.

Katherina : Mov'd! in good time! Let him that mov'd you hither [p]Remove you
hence. I knew you at the first [p]You were a moveable.

Petruchio : Why, what's a moveable?

Katherina : A join'd-stool.

Petruchio : Thou hast hit it. Come, sit on me.

Katherina : Asses are made to bear, and so are you.

Petruchio : Women are made to bear, and so are you.

Katherina : No such jade as you, if me you mean.

Petruchio : Alas, good Kate, I will not burden thee! [p]For, knowing thee to be
but young and light-

Katherina : Too light for such a swain as you to catch; [p]And yet as heavy as my
weight should be.

Petruchio : Should be! should- buzz!

Katherina : Well ta'en, and like a buzzard.

Petruchio : O, slow-wing'd turtle, shall a buzzard take thee?

Katherina : Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard.

Petruchio : Come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry.

Katherina : If I be waspish, best beware my sting.

Petruchio : My remedy is then to pluck it out.

Katherina : Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.

Petruchio : Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting? [p]In his tail.

Katherina : In his tongue.

Petruchio : Whose tongue?

Katherina : Yours, if you talk of tales; and so farewell.

Petruchio : What, with my tongue in your tail? Nay, come again, [p]Good Kate; I am
a gentleman.

Katherina : That I'll try. [She strikes him]

Petruchio : I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again.

Katherina : So may you lose your arms. [p]If you strike me, you are no
gentleman; [p]And if no gentleman, why then no arms.

Petruchio : A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books!

Katherina : What is your crest- a coxcomb?

Petruchio : A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen.

Katherina : No cock of mine: you crow too like a craven.

Petruchio : Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not look so sour.

Katherina : It is my fashion, when I see a crab.

Petruchio : Why, here's no crab; and therefore look not sour.

Katherina : There is, there is.

Petruchio : Then show it me.

Katherina : Had I a glass I would.

Petruchio : What, you mean my face?

Katherina : Well aim'd of such a young one.

Petruchio : Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you.

Katherina : Yet you are wither'd.

Petruchio : 'Tis with cares.

Katherina : I care not.

Petruchio : Nay, hear you, Kate- in sooth, you scape not so.

Katherina : I chafe you, if I tarry; let me go.

Petruchio : No, not a whit; I find you passing gentle. [p]'Twas told me you were
rough, and coy, and sullen, [p]And now I find report a very
liar; [p]For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous, [p]But
slow in speech, yet sweet as springtime flowers. [p]Thou canst not
frown, thou canst not look askance, [p]Nor bite the lip, as angry
wenches will, [p]Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk; [p]But
thou with mildness entertain'st thy wooers; [p]With gentle conference,
soft and affable. [p]Why does the world report that Kate doth
limp? [p]O sland'rous world! Kate like the hazel-twig [p]Is straight
and slender, and as brown in hue [p]As hazel-nuts, and sweeter than
the kernels. [p]O, let me see thee walk. Thou dost not halt.

Katherina : Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st command.

Petruchio : Did ever Dian so become a grove [p]As Kate this chamber with her
princely gait? [p]O, be thou Dian, and let her be Kate; [p]And then
let Kate be chaste, and Dian sportful!

Katherina : Where did you study all this goodly speech?

Petruchio : It is extempore, from my mother wit.

Katherina : A witty mother! witless else her son.

Petruchio : Am I not wise?

Katherina : Yes, keep you warm.

Petruchio : Marry, so I mean, sweet Katherine, in thy bed. [p]And therefore,
setting all this chat aside, [p]Thus in plain terms: your father hath
consented [p]That you shall be my wife your dowry greed on; [p]And
will you, nill you, I will marry you. [p]Now, Kate, I am a husband for
your turn; [p]For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty, [p]Thy
beauty that doth make me like thee well, [p]Thou must be married to no
man but me; [p]For I am he am born to tame you, Kate, [p]And bring you
from a wild Kate to a Kate [p]Conformable as other household
Kates. [p][Re-enter BAPTISTA, GREMIO, and TRANIO] [p]Here comes your
father. Never make denial; [p]I must and will have Katherine to my
wife.

Baptista Minola : Now, Signior Petruchio, how speed you with my daughter?

Petruchio : How but well, sir? how but well? [p]It were impossible I should speed
amiss.

Baptista Minola : Why, how now, daughter Katherine, in your dumps?

Katherina : Call you me daughter? Now I promise you [p]You have show'd a tender
fatherly regard [p]To wish me wed to one half lunatic, [p]A mad-cap
ruffian and a swearing Jack, [p]That thinks with oaths to face the
matter out.

Petruchio : Father, 'tis thus: yourself and all the world [p]That talk'd of her
have talk'd amiss of her. [p]If she be curst, it is for
policy, [p]For,she's not froward, but modest as the dove; [p]She is
not hot, but temperate as the morn; [p]For patience she will prove a
second Grissel, [p]And Roman Lucrece for her chastity. [p]And, to
conclude, we have 'greed so well together [p]That upon Sunday is the
wedding-day.

Katherina : I'll see thee hang'd on Sunday first.

Gremio : Hark, Petruchio; she says she'll see thee hang'd first.

Tranio : Is this your speeding? Nay, then good-night our part!

Petruchio : Be patient, gentlemen. I choose her for myself; [p]If she and I be
pleas'd, what's that to you? [p]'Tis bargain'd 'twixt us twain, being
alone, [p]That she shall still be curst in company. [p]I tell you 'tis
incredible to believe. [p]How much she loves me- O, the kindest
Kate! [p]She hung about my neck, and kiss on kiss [p]She vied so fast,
protesting oath on oath, [p]That in a twink she won me to her
love. [p]O, you are novices! 'Tis a world to see, [p]How tame, when
men and women are alone, [p]A meacock wretch can make the curstest
shrew. [p]Give me thy hand, Kate; I will unto Venice, [p]To buy
apparel 'gainst the wedding-day. [p]Provide the feast, father, and bid
the guests; [p]I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine.

Baptista Minola : I know not what to say; but give me your hands. [p]God send you joy,
Petruchio! 'Tis a match.

Gremio : [with TRANIO:] Amen, say we; we will be witnesses.

Petruchio : Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu. [p]I will to Venice; Sunday
comes apace; [p]We will have rings and things, and fine array; [p]And
kiss me, Kate; we will be married a Sunday.

Gremio : Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly?

Baptista Minola : Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant's part, [p]And venture madly
on a desperate mart.

Tranio : 'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you; [p]'Twill bring you gain, or
perish on the seas.

Baptista Minola : The gain I seek is quiet in the match.

Gremio : No doubt but he hath got a quiet catch. [p]But now, Baptista, to your
younger daughter: [p]Now is the day we long have looked for; [p]I am
your neighbour, and was suitor first.

Tranio : And I am one that love Bianca more [p]Than words can witness or your
thoughts can guess.

Gremio : Youngling, thou canst not love so dear as I.

Tranio : Greybeard, thy love doth freeze.

Gremio : But thine doth fry. [p]Skipper, stand back; 'tis age that nourisheth.

Tranio : But youth in ladies' eyes that flourisheth.

Baptista Minola : Content you, gentlemen; I will compound this strife. [p]'Tis deeds
must win the prize, and he of both [p]That can assure my daughter
greatest dower [p]Shall have my Bianca's love. [p]Say, Signior Gremio,
what can you assure her?

Gremio : First, as you know, my house within the city [p]Is richly furnished
with plate and gold, [p]Basins and ewers to lave her dainty
hands; [p]My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry; [p]In ivory coffers I
have stuff'd my crowns; [p]In cypress chests my arras
counterpoints, [p]Costly apparel, tents, and canopies, [p]Fine linen,
Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl, [p]Valance of Venice gold in
needle-work; [p]Pewter and brass, and all things that belongs [p]To
house or housekeeping. Then at my farm [p]I have a hundred milch-kine
to the pail, [p]Six score fat oxen standing in my stalls, [p]And all
things answerable to this portion. [p]Myself am struck in years, I
must confess; [p]And if I die to-morrow this is hers, [p]If whilst I
live she will be only mine.

Tranio : That 'only' came well in. Sir, list to me: [p]I am my father's heir
and only son; [p]If I may have your daughter to my wife, [p]I'll leave
her houses three or four as good [p]Within rich Pisa's walls as any
one [p]Old Signior Gremio has in Padua; [p]Besides two thousand ducats
by the year [p]Of fruitful land, all which shall be her
jointure. [p]What, have I pinch'd you, Signior Gremio?

Gremio : Two thousand ducats by the year of land! [p][Aside] My land amounts
not to so much in all.- [p]That she shall have, besides an
argosy [p]That now is lying in Marseilles road. [p]What, have I chok'd
you with an argosy?

Tranio : Gremio, 'tis known my father hath no less [p]Than three great
argosies, besides two galliasses, [p]And twelve tight galleys. These I
will assure her, [p]And twice as much whate'er thou off'rest next.

Gremio : Nay, I have off'red all; I have no more; [p]And she can have no more
than all I have; [p]If you like me, she shall have me and mine.

Tranio : Why, then the maid is mine from all the world [p]By your firm promise;
Gremio is out-vied.

Baptista Minola : I must confess your offer is the best; [p]And let your father make her
the assurance, [p]She is your own. Else, you must pardon me; [p]If you
should die before him, where's her dower?

Tranio : That's but a cavil; he is old, I young.

Gremio : And may not young men die as well as old?

Baptista Minola : Well, gentlemen, [p]I am thus resolv'd: on Sunday next you know [p]My
daughter Katherine is to be married; [p]Now, on the Sunday following
shall Bianca [p]Be bride to you, if you make this assurance; [p]If
not, to Signior Gremio. [p]And so I take my leave, and thank you
both.

Gremio : Adieu, good neighbour. Exit BAPTISTA [p]Now, I fear thee
not. [p]Sirrah young gamester, your father were a fool [p]To give thee
all, and in his waning age [p]Set foot under thy table. Tut, a
toy! [p]An old Italian fox is not so kind, my boy. Exit

Tranio : A vengeance on your crafty withered hide! [p]Yet I have fac'd it with
a card of ten. [p]'Tis in my head to do my master good: [p]I see no
reason but suppos'd Lucentio [p]Must get a father, call'd suppos'd
Vincentio; [p]And that's a wonder- fathers commonly [p]Do get their
children; but in this case of wooing [p]A child shall get a sire, if I
fail not of my cunning.

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Next: Act 3 - Scene 1

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