Act I.

SCENE I. Padua. A public place.

Enter LUCENTIO and his man TRANIO.

Luc. Tranio, since for the great desire I had To see fair Padua, nursery of arts, I am arrived for fruitful Lombardy, The pleasant garden of great Italy; And by my father's love and leave am arm'd 5 With his good will and thy good company, My trusty servant, well approved in all, Here let us breathe and haply institute A course of learning and ingenious studies. Pisa renowned for grave citizens 10 Gave me my being and my father first, A merchant of great traffic through the world, Vincentio, come of the Bentivolii. Vincentio's son brought up in Florence It shall become to serve all hopes conceived, 15 To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds: And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study, Virtue and that part of philosophy Will I apply that treats of happiness By virtue specially to be achieved. 20 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.

Tra. Mi perdonato, gentle master mine, 25 I am in all affected as yourself; Glad that you thus continue your resolve To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy. Only, good master, while we do admire This virtue and this moral discipline, 30 Let's be no stoics nor no stocks, I pray; Or so devote to Aristotle's checks As Ovid be an outcast quite abjured: Balk logic with acquaintance that you have And practise rhetoric in your common talk; 35 Music and poesy use to quicken you; The mathematics and the metaphysics, Fall to them as you find your stomach serves you; No profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en: In brief, sir, study what you most affect. 40

Luc. Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise. If, Biondello, thou wert come ashore, We could at once put us in readiness, And take a lodging fit to entertain Such friends as time in Padua shall beget. 45 But stay a while: what company is this?

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

Enter BAPTISTA, KATHARINA, BIANCA, GREMIO, and HORTENSIO. LUCENTIO and TRANIO stand by.

Bap. Gentlemen, importune me no farther, For how I firmly am resolved you know; That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter 50 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.

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

Kath. I pray you, sir, is it your will To make a stale of me amongst these mates?

Hor. Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates for you, Unless you were of gentler, milder mould. 60

Kath. I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear: I wis it is not half way to her heart; But if it were, doubt not her care should be To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool And paint your face and use you like a fool. 65

Hor. From all such devils, good Lord deliver us!

Gre. And me too, good Lord!

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

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

Tra. Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill.

Bap. Gentlemen, that I may soon make good What I have said, Bianca, get you in: 75 And let it not displease thee, good Bianca, For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl.

Kath. A pretty peat! it is best Put finger in the eye, an she knew why.

Bian. Sister, content you in my discontent. 80 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.

Hor. Signior Baptista, will you be so strange? 85 Sorry am I that our good 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?

Bap. Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolved: 90 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, 95 Or Signior Gremio, you, know any such, Prefer them hither; for to cunning men I will be very kind, and liberal To mine own children in good bringing-up: And so farewell. Katharina, you may stay; 100 For I have more to commune with Bianca. [Exit.

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

Gre. You may go to the devil's dam: your gifts are so 105 good, here's none will hold you. Their love 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 110 delights, I will wish him to her father.

Hor. So will I, Signior Gremio: but a word, I pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brooked parle, know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both, that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivals 115 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.

Hor. I say, a husband. 120

Gre. I say, a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell?

Hor. Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience and mine to endure her loud alarums, why, man, there be good 125 fellows in the world, an a man could light on them, would take her with all faults, and money enough.

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

Hor. Faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotten 130 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 135 the ring. How say you, Signior Gremio?

Gre. I am agreed; and would I had given him the best horse in Padua to begin his wooing that would thoroughly woo her, wed her and bed her and rid the house of her! Come on. [Exeunt Gremio and Hortensio. 140

Tra. I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible That love should of a sudden take such hold?

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, 145 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, 150 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; Affection is not rated from the heart: 155 If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so, 'Redime te captum quam queas minimo.'

Luc. Gramercies, lad, go forward; this contents: The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound.

Tra. Master, you look'd so longly on the maid, 160 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 of Agenor had, That made great Jove to humble him to her hand, When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan strond. 165

Tra. Saw you no more? mark'd you not how her sister Began to scold and raise up such a storm That mortal ears might hardly endure the din?

Luc. Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move And with her breath she did perfume the air: 170 Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.

Tra. Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance. I pray, awake, sir: if you love the maid, Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it stands: Her eldest sister is so curst and shrewd 175 That till the father rid his hands of her, Master, your love must live a maid at home; And therefore has he closely mew'd her up, Because she will not be annoy'd with suitors.

Luc. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he! 180 But art thou not advised, he took some care To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her?

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

Luc. I have it, Tranio.

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

Luc. Tell me thine first.

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 your part, And be in Padua here Vincentio's son; 190 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, Nor can we be distinguish'd by our faces 195 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, or meaner man of Pisa. 200 'Tis hatch'd and shall be so: Tranio, at once Uncase thee; take my colour'd hat and cloak: When Biondello comes, he waits on thee; But I will charm him first to keep his tongue.

Tra. So had you need. 205 In brief, sir, sith it your pleasure is, And I am tied to be obedient; For so your father charged me at our parting, 'Be serviceable to my son,' quoth he, Although I think 'twas in another sense; 210 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, to achieve that maid Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded eye. 215 Here comes the rogue.

Enter BIONDELLO.

Sirrah, where have you been?

Bion. Where have I been! Nay, how now! where are you? Master, has my fellow Tranio stolen your clothes? Or you stolen his? or both? pray, what's the news?

Luc. Sirrah, come hither: 'tis no time to jest, 220 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 came ashore 225 I kill'd a man and fear I was descried: 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'er a whit.

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

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

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

Luc. Tranio, let's go: one thing more rests, that thyself execute, to make one among these wooers: if thou ask 240 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?

Page. My lord, 'tis but begun. 245

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

LINENOTES:

A public place.] Capell. A street in Padua. Theobald.

... Tranio.] Triano. F1 Q F2.

for] from Theobald. in Capell (Heath conj.).

haply] F1 Q. happly F2 F3 F4. happily Pope. happ'ly Capell.

ingenious] ingenuous Johnson conj.

Vincentio, come] Hanmer. Vincentio's come Ff Q. Vincentio's son come Malone conj. Vincentio comes Collier MS.

Vincentio's] Ff Q. Vincentio his Pope. Lucentio his Hanmer.

brought] brough F1.

Virtue] To virtue Hanmer.

Mi perdonato] Me pardonato Ff. Me pardinato Q. Mi perdonate Capell (Heath conj.).

sweet] fair Anon. conj.

checks] Ff Q. ethicks Rann (Blackstone conj.). See note (VIII).

Ovid] F3 F4. Ovid; F1 Q F2.

Balk] Talk Rowe. Chop Capell conj. Hack Anon. conj.

with] with' Hunter conj.

you find] om. F4.

serves you] serves Anon. conj.

Gramercies] Gramercy Hanmer.

thou wert] now were Dyce (Collier MS.). then were Delius conj.

... Gremio ...] ... Gremio a Pantelowne ... F1.

... Hortensio ...] ... Hortentio sister to Bianca ... F1 Q.... H. a shuiter to B.... F2.... H. a suitor to B ... F3 F4.

Gentlemen] Gentlemen both Theobald.

no] not Rowe (ed. 2).

will] will and pleasure Hanmer. gracious will Collier (Collier MS.). See note (IX).

these] F1 Q F2. those F3 F4.

As two lines in Ff Q, ending that? ... you.

mould] mood Collier MS.

I wis] F4. I wis F1 Q F2 F3.

should] F1 Q F2. shall F3 F4.

us] me Hanmer.

good] O good Hanmer.

Husht] F1 Q F2. Hush'd F3 F4. Hush Rowe (ed. 2).

here's] F4. heres F1 Q F2 F3. here is Hanmer.

Peace, Tranio!] Peace! Anon. conj.

Well] Why, well Hanmer.

Gentlemen] Come, gentlemen Hanmer. Well, gentlemen Capell.

our] your Hanmer (ed. 2), a misprint.

Gentlemen, content ye] Content ye, gentlemen Hanmer.

Exit Bianca.] Theobald om. Ff Q.

liberal] liberal, Ff Q.

and] om. Rowe.

here's] here is F4.

Their] F1 F2. There Q. Our F3 F4. Your Malone conj. There; Collier. This Collier MS. Her Bubier conj.

yet never] never yet Pope.

parle] F1 Q F2. parlee F3 F4. parly Capell.

any] any a F2.

loud] lowd F1 Q. lewd F2 F3 F4.

alarums] alarms Rowe.

all] all her F4.

small] a small Theobald.

But come] F1 Q. come F2 F3 F4.

his wooing] the wooing Rowe (ed. 2).

thoroughly] F1 Q. throughly F2 F3 F4.

Exeunt...] Exeunt ambo. Manet Tranio and Lucentio. Ff Q.

of] F1 Q F2. on F3 F4.

have] F1 Q. om. F2 F3 F4. has Rowe (ed. 1). hath Rowe (ed. 2).

touch'd] toyl'd Warburton.

nought] F2 F3 F4. naught F1 Q.

captum] F2 F3 F4. captam F1 Q.

Gramercies] Gramercy Rowe.

counsel's] F2 F3 F4. counsels F1 Q.

Agenor had] Agenor's race Collier MS.

strond] F1 Q F2 F3. strand F4.

hardly] scarce Collier MS.

endure] dure S. Walker conj.

pray] pray you Q.

wits] wit Rowe (ed. 2).

eldest] elder Q.

rid] rids Rowe.

she] he Singer conj.

will] shall Rowe.

To get her] Together F2. To gather Long conj. MS.

schoolmasters] masters Collier (Collier MS.).

part] port Anon. conj.

meaner] mean Capell.

'Tis] It is Hanmer, ending lines 200-205 at man ... so ... take ... comes ... first ... need.

take] and here take Hanmer. colour'd] F3 F4. Conlord F1 Q. Coulord F2. om. Hanmer.

So] And so, sir Hanmer.

In brief, sir] In brief, good sir Pope; omitted by Capell. In brief then, sir Malone. Be brief then, sir. Collier MS.

it your pleasure is] it is your pleasure thus Anon. conj.

to] t' Ff Q.

wounded] wond'ring Collier MS.

...Biondello.] ...Binodello. F2.

my fellow] om. Hanmer, who reads 217-219 as three lines, ending you? ... cloaths, ... news?

has] F4. ha's F1 Q F2 F3.

ashore] a shore F1.

was] am F3 F4.

I, sir! ne'er] Ay, sir, ne'er Rowe. Ay, sir.--Ne'er Dyce conj.

could] would F3 F4.

faith] 'faith Ff Q. i' faith Johnson.

your] you F1 Q.

among] 'mong F2.

The presenters above speak.] ... speakes. Ff Q.

'twere] it were Capell.

SCENE II. PADUA. Before HORTENSIO'S house.

Enter PETRUCHIO and his man GRUMIO.

Pet. Verona, for a while I take my leave, To see my friends in Padua, but of all My best beloved and approved friend, Hortensio; and I trow this is his house. Here, sirrah Grumio; knock, I say. 5

Gru. Knock, sir! whom should I knock? is there any man has rebused your worship?

Pet. Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.

Gru. Knock you here, sir! why, sir, what am I, sir, that I should knock you here, sir? 10

Pet. Villain, I say, knock me at this gate And rap me well, or I'll knock your knave's pate.

Gru. My master is grown quarrelsome. I should knock you first, And then I know after who comes by the worst.

Pet. Will it not be? 15 Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll ring it; I'll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it. [He wrings him by the ears.

Gru. Help, masters, help! my master is mad.

Pet. Now, knock when I bid you, sirrah villain!

Enter HORTENSIO.

Hor. How now! what's the matter? My old friend Grumio! 20 and my good friend Petruchio! How do you all at Verona?

Pet. Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray? 'Con tutto il core ben trovato,' may I say.

Hor. 'Alla nostra casa ben venuto, molto honorato 25 signor mio Petrucio.' Rise, Grumio, rise: we will compound this quarrel.

Gru. Nay, 'tis no matter, sir, what he 'leges in Latin. If this be not a lawful cause for me to leave his service, look you, sir, he bid me knock him and rap him soundly, sir: 30 well, was it fit for a servant to use his master so, being perhaps, for aught I see, two-and-thirty, a pip out? Whom would to God I had well knock'd at first, Then had not Grumio come by the worst.

Pet. A senseless villain! Good Hortensio, 35 I bade the rascal knock upon your gate And could not get him for my heart to do it.

Gru. Knock at the gate! O heavens! Spake you not these words plain, 'Sirrah, knock me here, rap me here, knock me well, and knock me soundly'? And come you 40 now with, 'knocking at the gate'?

Pet. Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise you.

Hor. Petruchio, patience; I am Grumio's pledge: Why, this's a heavy chance 'twixt him and you, Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio. 45 And tell me now, sweet friend, what happy gale Blows you to Padua here from old Verona?

Pet. Such wind as scatters young men through the world To seek their fortunes farther than at home Where small experience grows. But in a few, 50 Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me: Antonio, my father, is deceased; And I have thrust myself into this maze, Haply to wive and thrive as best I may: Crowns in my purse I have and goods at home 55 And so am come abroad to see the world.

Hor. Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour'd wife? Thou'ldst thank me but a little for my counsel: And yet I'll promise thee she shall be rich 60 And very rich: but thou'rt too much my friend, And I'll not wish thee to her.

Pet. Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we Few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife, 65 As wealth is burden of my wooing dance, Be she as foul as was Florentius' love, As old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd As Socrates' Xanthippe, or a worse, She moves me not, or not removes, at least, 70 Affection's edge in me, were she as rough As are the swelling Adriatic seas: I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua.

Gru. Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his mind 75 is: why, give him gold enough and marry him to a puppet or an aglet-baby; or an old trot with ne'er a tooth in her head, though she have as many diseases as two and fifty horses: why, nothing comes amiss, so money comes withal.

Hor. Petruchio, since we are stepp'd thus far in, 80 I will continue that I broach'd in jest. I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife With wealth enough and young and beauteous, Brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman: Her only fault, and that is faults enough, 85 Is that she is intolerable curst And shrewd and froward, so beyond all measure, That, were my state far worser than it is, I would not wed her for a mine of gold.

Pet. Hortensio, peace! thou know'st not gold's effect: 90 Tell me her father's name and 'tis enough; For I will board her, though she chide as loud As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.

Hor. Her father is Baptista Minola, An affable and courteous gentleman: 95 Her name is Katharina Minola, Renown'd in Padua for her scolding tongue.

Pet. I know her father, though I know not her; And he knew my deceased father well. I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her; 100 And therefore let me be thus bold with you To give you over at this first encounter, Unless you will accompany me thither.

Gru. I pray you, sir, let him go while the humour lasts. O' my word, an she knew him as well as I do, she would think 105 scolding would do little good upon him: she may perhaps call him half a score knaves or so: why, that's nothing; an he begin once, he'll rail in his rope-tricks. I'll tell you what, sir, an she stand him but a little, he will throw a figure in her face and so disfigure her with it that she shall have no 110 more eyes to see withal than a cat. You know him not, sir.

Hor. Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee; For in Baptista's keep my treasure is: He hath the jewel of my life in hold, His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca; 115 And her withholds from me and other more, Suitors to her and rivals in my love; Supposing it a thing impossible, For those defects I have before rehearsed, That ever Katharina will be woo'd; 120 Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en, That none shall have access unto Bianca Till Katharine the curst have got a husband.

Gru. Katharine the curst! A title for a maid of all titles the worst. 125

Hor. Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace; And offer me disguised in sober robes To old Baptista as a schoolmaster Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca; That so I may, by this device, at least 130 Have leave and leisure to make love to her And unsuspected court her by herself.

Gru. Here's no knavery! See, to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together!

Enter GREMIO, and LUCENTIO disguised.

Master, master, look about you: who goes there, ha? 135

Hor. Peace, Grumio! it is the rival of my love. Petruchio, stand by a while.

Gru. A proper stripling and an amorous!

Gre. O, very well; I have perused the note. Hark you, sir; I'll have them very fairly bound: 140 All books of love, see that at any hand; And see you read no other lectures to her: You understand me: over and beside Signior Baptista's liberality, I'll mend it with a largess. Take your paper too, 145 And let me have them very well perfumed: For she is sweeter than perfume itself To whom they go to. What will you read to her?

Luc. Whate'er I read to her, I'll plead for you As for my patron, stand you so assured, 150 As firmly as yourself were still in place: Yea, and perhaps with more successful words Than you, unless you were a scholar, sir.

Gre. O this learning, what a thing it is!

Gru. O this woodcock, what an ass it is! 155

Pet. Peace, sirrah!

Hor. Grumio, mum! God save you, Signior Gremio.

Gre. And you are well met, Signior Hortensio. Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista Minola. I promised to inquire carefully 160 About a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca: And by good fortune I have lighted well On this young man, for learning and behaviour Fit for her turn, well read in poetry And other books, good ones, I warrant ye. 165

Hor. 'Tis well; and I have met a gentleman Hath promised me to help me to another, A fine musician to instruct our mistress; So shall I no whit be behind in duty To fair Bianca, so beloved of me. 170

Gre. Beloved of me; and that my deeds shall prove.

Gru. And that his bags shall prove.

Hor. Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love: Listen to me, and if you speak me fair, I'll tell you news indifferent good for either. 175 Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met, Upon agreement from us to his liking, Will undertake to woo curst Katharine, Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.

Gre. So said, so done, is well. 180 Hortensio, have you told him all her faults?

Pet. I know she is an irksome brawling scold: If that be all, masters, I hear no harm.

Gre. No, say'st me so, friend? What countryman?

Pet. Born in Verona, old Antonio's son: 185 My father dead, my fortune lives for me; And I do hope good days and long to see.

Gre. O sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange! But if you have a stomach, to't i' God's name: You shall have me assisting you in all. 190 But will you woo this wild-cat?

Pet. Will I live?

Gru. Will he woo her? ay, or I'll hang her.

Pet. Why came I hither but to that intent? Think you a little din can daunt mine ears? Have I not in my time heard lions roar? 195 Have I not heard the sea puff'd up with winds Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat? Have I not heard great ordnance in the field, And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies? Have I not in a pitched battle heard 200 Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang? And do you tell me of a woman's tongue, That gives not half so great a blow to hear As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire? Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs.

Gru. For he fears none. 205

Gre. Hortensio, hark: This gentleman is happily arrived, My mind presumes, for his own good and ours.

Hor. I promised we would be contributors And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe'er. 210

Gre. And so we will, provided that he win her.

Gru. I would I were as sure of a good dinner.

Enter TRANIO brave, and BIONDELLO.

Tra. Gentlemen, God save you. If I may be bold, Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way To the house of Signior Baptista Minola? 215

Bion. He that has the two fair daughters: is't he you mean?

Tra. Even he, Biondello.

Gre. Hark you, sir; you mean not her to--

Tra. Perhaps, him and her, sir: what have you to do? 220

Pet. Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray.

Tra. I love no chiders, sir. Biondello, let's away.

Luc. Well begun, Tranio.

Hor. Sir, a word ere you go; Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no? 225

Tra. And if I be, sir, is it any offence?

Gre. No; if without more words you will get you hence.

Tra. Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free For me as for you?

Gre. But so is not she.

Tra. For what reason, I beseech you? 230

Gre. For this reason, if you'll know, That she's the choice love of Signior Gremio.

Hor. That she's the chosen of Signior Hortensio.

Tra. Softly, my masters! if you be gentlemen, Do me this right; hear me with patience. 235 Baptista is a noble gentleman, To whom my father is not all unknown; And were his daughter fairer than she is, She may more suitors have and me for one. Fair Leda's daughter had a thousand wooers; 240 Then well one more may fair Bianca have: And so she shall; Lucentio shall make one, Though Paris came in hope to speed alone.

Gre. What, this gentleman will out-talk us all!

Luc. Sir, give him head: I know he'll prove a jade. 245

Pet. Hortensio, to what end are all these words?

Hor. Sir, let me be so bold as ask you, Did you yet ever see Baptista's daughter?

Tra. No, sir; but hear I do that he hath two, The one as famous for a scolding tongue 250 As is the other for beauteous modesty.

Pet. Sir, sir, the first's for me; let her go by.

Gre. Yea, leave that labour to great Hercules; And let it be more than Alcides' twelve.

Pet. Sir, understand you this of me in sooth: 255 The youngest daughter whom you hearken for Her father keeps from all access of suitors; And will not promise her to any man Until the elder sister first be wed: The younger then is free and not before. 260

Tra. If it be so, sir, that you are the man Must stead us all and me amongst the rest; And if you break the ice and do this feat, Achieve the elder, set the younger free For our access, whose hap shall be to have her 265 Will not so graceless be to be ingrate.

Hor. Sir, you say well and well you do conceive; And since you do profess to be a suitor, You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman, To whom we all rest generally beholding. 270

Tra. Sir, I shall not be slack: in sign whereof, Please ye we may contrive this afternoon, And quaff carouses to our mistress' health, And do as adversaries do in law, Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends. 275

Gru. Bion. O excellent motion! Fellows, let's be gone.

Hor. The motion's good indeed and be it so, Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Rowe. SCENE V. Pope.

Before ... house.] Pope.

but of all] best of all Anon. conj.

his] the F3 F4.

knock?] knock, sir? Capell.

has] F4. ha's F1 Q F2 F3. That has Capell.

rebused] rebsu'd Q. abused Tyrwhitt conj.

ring] wring Malone.

... wrings ...] ... rings ... Ff Q.

masters] Theobald. mistris Ff Q.

sirrah villain!] sirrah! villain! Theobald.

Con tutto ... trovato] Theobald. Contutti le core bene trobatto Ff Q (trovatto F2 F3 F4).

ben] F2 F3 F4. bene F1 Q.

molto] Theobald. multo Ff Q.

honorato] honorata F1 Q.

signor] Theobald. signior Ff Q.

Grumio, rise] F1 Q F2. Grumio F3 F4.

sir] om. Rowe.

he 'leges] Capell. he leges Ff Q. be leges Rann (Tyrwhitt conj.). he alledges Long conj. MS.

pip] Rowe (ed. 2). peepe F1 Q F2. peep F3 F4.

out] mo Collier MS.

this's] this Ff Q. this is Rowe. this so Mason conj. this' Dyce (S. Walker conj.). this? Collier.

young men] F3 F4. yong men Q. yongmen F1 F2.

grows. But in a few,] grows; but in a few, Hanmer. grows but in a few. Ff Q. grows, but in a few. Theobald. grows but in a mew. Warburton.

have] must Rowe (ed. 2).

Haply] Malone. Happily Ff Q. Happly Rowe (ed. 2). Happ'ly Hanmer.

Thou'ldst] Thou'lt Hanmer.

thou'rt] Rowe. th' art Ff Q.

Signior] om. Q.

we] us Rowe (ed. 2).

thou] you Rowe (ed. 2).

burden] guerdon Becket conj.

dance] song Johnson conj.

Florentius'] Florentio's Hanmer conj.

Sibyl] Sibell F1 Q F2 F3 Sibel F4.

Xanthippe] Zentippe F1 Q. Zantippe F2 F3 F4. Xantippe Theobald.

a worse] even worse Collier MS.

Affection's ... me] F1 Q. Affection's edge in time F2 F3 F4. Affection sieg'd in coin Warburton.

as] is as F1.

as two and fifty] too as fifty Rann.

horses] houses Becket conj.

and that] as that Capell.

faults] F1 Q. fault F2 F3 F4.

intolerable] intolerably Hanmer.

shrewd] shrow'd F1 Q. shrew'd F2 F3 F4.

froward] forward Warburton.

is] om. Q.

O'] Rowe (ed. 2). A Ff Q.

begin] begins Q.

his] her Anon. conj.

rope-tricks] trope-tricks Theobald conj. rhetorick Hanmer. rhetoricks Capell. roop tricks Anon conj.

keep] Ff Q. house Rowe.

And her] Her he Rann.

withholds from me and other more] Capell (Thirlby conj.). withholds from me. Other more F1 Q. with-holds he from me. Other more F2 F3 F4 (hee F2) with-holds he from me, and others more Theobald. with-holds he from me, and other more Hanmer.

For] From Hanmer.

herself] myself Capell.

SCENE VI. Pope.

Gru.] Gru. [aside.] Dyce.

their heads] theirs head F2.

... disguised.] Ff Q (after line 131). ... disguised, with books under his arm. Capell.

Master, master] Master Rowe.

ha?] om. Q.

it is] 'tis Pope.

Petruchio, stand...] Petruchio, stand we by a little while Capell. Petruchio. Stand ... Edd. conj.

a while] a whilt F2.

Hark you] Hark S. Walker conj.

very] om. Anon. conj.

Take your paper too,] Take your papers too Pope. Take your papers Hanmer. Here, take your papers too Capell. See note (X).

go to] go Rowe.

Hor. Grumio, mum!] Hor. Grumio mum: F1 Q. Hor. Gru. mum: F2 F3 F4.

And you are] And you're Steevens.

promised] promis'd him Capell.

schoolmaster] master Collier (Collier MS.).

the fair] fair Steevens.

ye] you Steevens.

help me] Rowe. help one Ff Q.

deeds] deed Warburton.

What] pray, what Hanmer.

Antonio's] Rowe. Butonios F1 Q F2. Butonio's F3 F4.

father] father's Rowe.

O sir, such] Oh, such Hanmer. Sir, such Capell.

stomach, to't ... name:] stomach to't, ... name, Bubier conj.

a stomach] stomacke Q.

to't i'] Edd. too't a F1 Q F2 F3. to't a F4. to't o' Theobald.

er] om. Rann.

mine] my Rowe (ed. 2).

sweat] pursuit Theobald conj.

trumpets' clang] trumpets clangue Ff Q. trumpets' clangue Capell.

hear] th' ear Hanmer (Warburton).

ours] Theobald (Thirlby conj.). yours Ff Q.

SCENE VII. Pope.

... brave,] ... bravely apparelled, Pope.

you. If ... bold,] you, if ... bold. Edd. conj.

Bion.] Gre. Capell (Tyrwhitt and Heath conj.).

is't he] is't [aside to Tranio] he Malone.

Even he, Biondello.] Even he Biondello. Ff Q. Even he, sir. Capell. Even he. Biondello! Steevens (Tyrwhitt and Heath conj). Even he. Rann.

her to--] Ff Q. her too. Tyrwhitt conj. her to woo. Halliwell (Malone conj.).

Not] Nor Rowe (ed. 2).

And if] Ff. And Q. An if Hanmer.

I pray] Ff. I pray you Q.

That she's] She's Hanmer.

That she's] Ff. That she is Q. She is Hanmer.

Signior] om. Hanmer.

with patience] Ff. patience Q.

suitors] sutore F2.

What,] What, what, Capell.

Sir, give] Ff. Give Q.

as ask you] F1 Q. as to ask you F2 F3 F4. as ask you this Capell.

As is the other] As the other is Pope.

the elder] the eldest Rowe (ed. 2). her elder Capell. See note (XI).

stead] Capell. steed Ff Q.

And if] An if Capell.

feat] Rowe. seeke F1 Q F2. seek F3 F4.

beholding] beholden Rowe.

contrive] convive Theobald.

mistress'] mistress' (for mistresses') S. Walker conj.

Gru.] Gre. Ritson conj.

Bion.] om. Capell.

I shall] I'll Capell.

ben venuto] F2 F3 F4. been venuto F1 Q. See note (XII).