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  • Title: The Taming of the Shrew (Folio, 1623)
  • Editor: Erin Kelly
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-468-4

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Erin Kelly
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Taming of the Shrew (Folio, 1623)

    The Taming of the Shrew. 223
    I know not what, but formall in apparrell,
    In gate and countenance surely like a Father.
    Luc. And what of him Tranio?
    1920Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale,
    Ile make him glad to seeme Vincentio,
    And giue assurance to Baptista Minola.
    As if he were the right Uincentio.
    Par. Take me your loue, and then let me alone.
    1925Enter a Pedant.
    Ped. God saue you sir.
    Tra. And you sir, you are welcome,
    Trauaile you farre on, or are you at the farthest?
    Ped. Sir at the farthest for a weeke or two,
    1930But then vp farther, and as farre as Rome,
    And so to Tripolie, if God lend me life.
    Tra. What Countreyman I pray?
    Ped. Of Mantua.
    Tra. Of Mantua Sir, marrie God forbid,
    1935And come to Padua carelesse of your life.
    Ped. My life sir? how I pray? for that goes hard.
    Tra. 'Tis death for any one in Mantua
    To come to Padua, know you not the cause?
    Your ships are staid at Venice, and the Duke
    1940For priuate quarrel 'twixt your Duke and him,
    Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly:
    'Tis meruaile, but that you are but newly come,
    you might haue heard it else proclaim'd about.
    Ped. Alas sir, it is worse for me then so,
    1945For I haue bils for monie by exchange
    From Florence, and must heere deliuer them.
    Tra. Wel sir, to do you courtesie,
    This wil I do, and this I wil aduise you.
    First tell me, haue you euer beene at Pisa?
    1950Ped. I sir, in Pisa haue I often bin,
    Pisa renowned for graue Citizens.
    Tra. Among them know you one Vincentio?
    Ped. I know him not, but I haue heard of him:
    A Merchant of incomparable wealth.
    1955Tra. He is my father sir, and sooth to say,
    In count'nance somewhat doth resemble you.
    Bion. As much as an apple doth an oyster, & all one.
    Tra. To saue your life in this extremitie,
    This fauor wil I do you for his sake,
    1960And thinke it not the worst of all your fortunes,
    That you are like to Sir Vincentio.
    His name and credite shal you vndertake,
    And in my house you shal be friendly lodg'd,
    Looke that you take vpon you as you should,
    1965you vnderstand me sir: so shal you stay
    Til you haue done your businesse in the Citie:
    If this be court'sie sir, accept of it.
    Ped. Oh sir I do, and wil repute you euer
    The patron of my life and libertie.
    1970Tra. Then go with me, to make the matter good,
    This by the way I let you vnderstand,
    My father is heere look'd for euerie day,
    To passe assurance of a dowre in marriage
    'Twixt me, and one Baptistas daughter heere:
    1975In all these circumstances Ile instruct you,
    Go with me to cloath you as becomes you. Exeunt.



    Actus Quartus. Scena Prima.

    Enter Katherina and Grumio.
    Gru. No, no forsooth I dare not for my life.
    1980Ka. The more my wrong, the more his spite appears.
    What, did he marrie me to famish me?
    Beggers that come vnto my fathers doore,
    Vpon intreatie haue a present almes,
    If not, elsewhere they meete with charitie:
    1985But I, who neuer knew how to intreat,
    Nor neuer needed that I should intreate,
    Am staru'd for meate, giddie for lacke of sleepe:
    With oathes kept waking, and with brawling fed,
    And that which spights me more then all these wants,
    1990He does it vnder name of perfect loue:
    As who should say. if I should sleepe or eate
    'Twere deadly sicknesse, or else present death.
    I prethee go, aud get me some repast,
    I care not what, so it be holsome foode.
    1995Gru. What say you to a Neats foote?
    Kate. 'Tis passing good, I prethee let me haue it.
    Gru. I feare it is too chollericke a meate.
    How say you to a fat Tripe finely broyl'd?
    Kate. I like it well, good Grumio fetch it me.
    2000Gru. I cannot tell, I feare 'tis chollericke.
    What say you to a peece of Beefe and Mustard?
    Kate. A dish that I do loue to feede vpon.
    Gru. I, but the Mustard is too hot a little.
    Kate. Why then the Beefe, and let the Mustard rest.
    2005Gru. Nay then I wil not, you shal haue the Mustard
    Or else you get no beefe of Grumio.
    Kate. Then both or one, or any thing thou wilt.
    Gru. Why then the Mustard without the beefe.
    Kate. Go get thee gone, thou false deluding slaue,
    2010Beats him.
    That feed'st me with the verie name of meate.
    Sorrow on thee, and all the packe of you
    That triumph thus vpon my misery:
    Go get thee gone, I say.

    2015Enter Petruchio, and Hortensio with meate.
    Petr. How fares my Kate, what sweeting all a-mort?
    Hor. Mistris, what cheere?
    Kate. Faith as cold as can be.
    Pet. Plucke vp thy spirits, looke cheerfully vpon me.
    2020Heere Loue, thou seest how diligent I am,
    To dresse thy meate my selfe, and bring it thee.
    I am sure sweet Kate, this kindnesse merites thankes.
    What, not a word? Nay then, thou lou'st it not:
    And all my paines is sorted to no proofe.
    2025Heere take away this dish.
    Kate. I pray you let it stand.
    Pet. The poorest seruice is repaide with thankes,
    And so shall mine before you touch the meate.
    Kate. I thanke you sir.
    2030Hor. Signior Petruchio, fie you are too blame:
    Come Mistris Kate, Ile beare you companie.
    Petr. Eate it vp all Hortensio, if thou louest mee:
    Much good do it vnto thy gentle heart:
    Kate eate apace; and now my honie Loue,
    2035Will we returne vnto thy Fathers house,
    And reuell it as brauely as the best,
    With silken coats and caps, and golden Rings,
    With Ruffes and Cuffes, and Fardingales, and things:
    With Scarfes, and Fannes, & double change of brau'ry,
    2040With Amber Bracelets, Beades, and all this knau'ry.
    What hast thou din'd? The Tailor staies thy leasure,
    To decke thy bodie with his ruffling treasure.
    Enter Tailor.
    Come