The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare

TAMING OF THE SHREW.

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE.

WARBURTON and Farmer have questioned the authenticity of this play; one declaring it to be certainly spuri. ous, and the other supposing that Shakspeare merely adapted it to the stage, with certain additions and cor rections. Malone, however, upon very satisfactory grounds, ranks it among the earliest efforts of Shakspeare's muse; as it abounds with the doggrel measure so common in the old comedies immediately preceding the time at which he commenced writing for the stage; and with a tiresome play upon words, which he took occasion to condemn in one of his subsequent comedies. The year 1549 is the probable date of its production. Yet Steevens discovers the hand of Shakspeare in almost every scene; and Johnson considers the whole play very popular, sprightly, and diverting. "The two plots (says the learned Doctor) are so well united, that they can hardly be called two, without injury to the art with which they are interwoven." That part of the story which suggests the title of the play, 9 probably a work of invention. The under-plot, which comprises the love-scenes of Lucentio, the pleasing incident of the pedant, with the characters of Vincentio, Tranio, Gremio and Biondello, is taken from a comedy of George Gascoigne's (an author of considerable popularity) called Supposes, translated from Ariosto's I Suppositi, and acted in 1566, by the gentlemen of Grey's Inn. The singular Induction to this piece is taken from Goulart's “Histories admirables de notre temps," in which its leading circumstance is related as a real fact, practised upon a mean artisan at Brussels, by Philip the Goo duke of Burgundy. The Taming of the Shrew condensed within the compass of a modern after-piece invariably elicits considerable mirth; for the respective parts of Katharina and Petruchio are exceedingly spirited, ludicrous, and diverting. But, in its present form, many of the scenes are unpardonably tedious, and many of the incidents perplexingly involved. To those who look for "sermons in stones, and good in every thing," we cannot exactly point out the moral of this domestic occurrence; since the successful issue of Petruchio's experiment in one solitary instance, will scarcely warrant its practical repetition in any of the numerous cases which seem to call for a similar remedy.

SCENE, sometimes in Padua ; and sometimes in Petruchio's House in the Country.

CHARACTERS IN THE INDUCTION

To the original Play of The Taming of a Shrew, entered on the Stationers' Books in 1594, and

printed in quarto, in 1607.

A LORD, &c.

SLY.

A Tapster.

Page, Players, Huntsmen, &c.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

ALPHONSUS, a merchant of Athens.

JEROBEL, Duke of Cestus.

AURELIUS, his Son,

FERANDO,
POLIDOR,

Suitors to the Daughters Tailor, Haberdasher, and Servants to Fe

of Alphonsus.

rando and Alphonsus.

SCENE, Athens; and sometimes Ferando's Country Honse.

INDUCTION.

And say, Will't please your lordship cool your

hands?

SCENE 1.-Before an Alehouse on a Heath. Some one be ready with a costly suit,

Enter HOSTESS and SLY.

Sly. I'll pheese you, in faith.
Host. A pair of stocks, you rogue!

Sly. Y' are a baggage; the Slies are no rogues: Look in the chronicles, we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore, paucas pallabris ; † let the world slide: Sessa!

Host. You will not pay for the glasses you have burst? S

Sly. No, not a denier: Go by, says Jeronimy; -Go to thy cold bed, and warm thee.

Host. I know my remedy, I must go fetch the thirdborough. T [Eait. Sly. Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, PH answer him by law; I'll not budge an inch, boy; let him come, and kindly.

[Lies down on the ground and falls asleep. Wind horns. Enter a LORD from hunting,

with huntsmen and servants.

Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds:

Brach ** Merriman,-the poor cur is emboss'd,tt And couple Clowder with the deep mouth'd

brach.

Saw'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good
At the hedge corner, in the coldest fault?
I would not lose the dog for twenty pound.

1 Hun. Why, Belman is as good as he, my He cried upon it at the merest loss, [lord; And twice to-day pick'd out the dullest scent: Trust me, I take him for the better dog.

Lord. Thou art a foo!; if Echo were as fleet, I would esteem him worth a dozen such. But sup them well, and look unto them all; To-morrow I intend to hunt again.

1 Hun. I will, my lord.

Lord. What's here? one dead, or drunk? See, doth be breathe?

2 Hun. He breathes, my lord: Were he not warm'd with ale,

This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly. Lord. O monstrous beast! how like a swine he lies! [Image! Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man.What think you, if he were convey'd to bed, Wrapp'd in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers,

A most delicious banquet by his bed, And brave attendants near him when he wakes Would not the beggar then forget himself? 1 Hun. Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.

Hun. It would seem strange unto him when he wak'd.

Lord. Even as a flattering dream, or worthless fancy.

Then take him up, and manage well the jest :-
Carry him gently to my fairest chamber,
And hang it round with all my wanton pic-

tures:

And ask him what apparel he will wear;
Another tell him of his hounds and borse,
And that his lady mourns at his disease:
Persuade him, that he hath been lunatic;
And, when he says he is-, say, that he dreams,
For he is nothing but a mighty lord.
This do, and do it kindly, gentle Sirs;
It will be pastime passing excellent,
If it be husbanded with modesty. ↑

1 Hun. My lord, I warrant you, we'll play our part,

As he shall think, by our true diligence,
He is no less than what we say he is.
Lord. Take him up gently, and to bed with
him;

And each one to his office, when he wakes.—

[Some bear out SLY. A trumpet sounds. Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds :[Exit SERVANT. Belike, some noble gentleman; that means, Travelling some journey, to repose him here.Re-enter a SERVANT.

How now? Who is it?

Serv. An it please your honour, Players that offer service to your lordship. Lord. Bid them come near :

Enter PLAYERS.

Now, fellows, you are welcome.

1 Play. We thank your honour. Lord. Do you intend to stay with me tonight?

2 Play. So please your lordship to accept our duty.

Lord. With all my heart.-This fellow I re

member,

Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son ;'Twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman so well:

I have forgot your name; but, sure, that part Was aptly fitted, and naturally perform'd.

1 Play. I think, 'twas Soto that your honour

means.

Lord. 'Tis very true;-thou didst it excellent.

Well, you are come to me in happy time;
The rather for I have some sport in hand,
Wherein your cunning can assist me much.
There is a lord will hear you play to-night:
But I am doubtful of your modesties:
Lest, over-eying of his odd behaviour,
(For yet his honour never heard a play,)
You break into some merry passion,
And so offend him: for I tell you, Sirs,
If you should smile, he grows impatient.
i Play. Fear not, my lord: we can contain
ourselves,

Were he the veriest antick in the world.

Lord. Go, sirah, take them to the buttery, And give them friendly welcome every one : Let them want nothing that my house affords. [Exeunt SERVANT and PLAYERS. Sirrah, go you to Bartholomew my page, [To a SERVANT. And see him dress'd in all smits like a lady: That done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber,

And call him-madam, do him obeisance,-
Tell him from me, (as he will win my love,-
He bear himself with honourable action,
Such as he bath observ'd in noble ladies
Unto their lords, by them accomplished:
Such duty to the drunkard let him do,
With soft low tongue, and lowly courtesy;
And say,-What is't your honour will com-
mand,

Wherein your lady, and your humble wife,
May show her duty, and make known her 1 ve?

And then-with kind embracements, tempting
kisses,

And with declining head into his bosom,
Bid him shed tears, as being overjoy'd
To see her noble lord restor❜d to health,
Who, for twice seven years, hath esteemed bim
No better than a poor and loathsome beggar :
And if the boy bave not a woman's gift,
To rain a shower of commanded tears,
An onion will do well for such a shift;
Which in a napkin being close convey'd,
Shall in despite enforce a watery eye.
See this despatch'd with all the haste thou canst;
Anon I'll give thee more instructions.~~~~
[Exit SERVANT.
I know, the boy will well usurp the grace,
Voice, gait, and action of a gentlewoman:
I long to hear him call the drunkard, husband;
And how my men will stay themselves from
laughter,

When they do homage to this simple peasant.
I'll in to counsel them: haply my presence
May well abate the over-merry spleen,
Which otherwise would grow into extremes.

SCENE 11.

[Exeunt.

A Bedchamber in the LORD's House.
SLY is discovered in a rich night gown, with
attendants; some with apparel, others
with bason, ewer, and other appurtenances.
Enter LORD, dressed like a Servant.

Sly. For God's sake a pot of small ale.
1 Serv. Will't please your lordship drink a
cup of sack ?

2 Serv. Will't please your honour taste of
these conserves ?

3 Serv. What raiment will your honour wear to-day ?

On purpose trimm'd up for Semiramis.
Say, thou wilt walk; we will bestrew the ground:
Or wilt thou ride? thy horses shall be trapp'd,
Their harness studded all with gold and pearl.
Dost thou love hawking? thou hast hawks will

soar

Above the morning lark: Or wilt thou hunt ?
Thy hounds shall make the welkin answer them,
And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth.
1 Serv. Say, thou wilt course; thy greyhounds
are as swift

As breathed stags, ay, fleeter than the roe.
2 Serv. Dost thou love pictures? we will fetch
thee straight

Adonis, painted by a running brook :
And Cytherea all in sedges bid;
[breath,
Which seein to move and wanton with her
Even as the waving sedges play with wind.
Lord. We'll show thee lo, as she was a maid;
And how she was beguiled and surpris'd,
As lively painted as the deed was done.

3 Serv. Or Daphne, roaming through a thorny
wood;
Scratching her legs that one shall swear she
bleeds:

And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep,
So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn.
Lord. Thou art a lord, and nothing but a lord:
Thou hast a lady far more beautiful
Than any woman in this waning age.

1 Serv. And, till the tears that she bath shed
for thee,

Like envious floods, o'er-ran her lovely face,
She was the fairest creature in the world;
And yet she is inferior to none.

Sly. Am I a lord? and have I such a lady?
Or do I dream? or have I dream'd till now ?
I do not sleep: I see, I hear, I speak;

I smell sweet savours, and I feel soft things :-
Upon my life, I am a lord, indeed;
And not a tinker, nor Christophero Sly.-
Well, bring our lady hither to our sight;
And once again, a pot o' the smallest ale.
2 Serv. Will't please your mightiness to wash
your hands?

Sly. I am Christophero Sly; call not mehonour, nor lordship: I never drank sack in my life; and if you give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef: Ne'er ask me what raiment I'll wear; for I have no more doublets than backs, no more stockings than legs, nor no more shoes than feet; nay, sometimes, more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look through the over-Oh! leather.

Lord. Heaven cease this idle humour in your
honour!

Oh! that a mighty man, of such descent,
Of such possessions, and so high esteem,
Should be infused with so foul a spirit!

Sly. What, would you make me mad? Am not I Christopher Sly, old Sly's son of Burtonheath; by birth a pedlar, by education a cardmaker, by transmutation a bear-herd, and now by present profession a tinker? Ask Marian Hacket, the fat ale-wife of Wincot, if she know me not if she say I am not fourteen pence on the score for sheer ale, score me up for the lyingest knave in Christendom. What, I am not bestraught: Here's

1 Serv. Oh! this it is, that

mourn.

makes your lady 2 Serv. Oh! this it is that makes your servants droop.

Lord. Hence comes it that your kindred shun
your house,

As beaten hence by your strange lunacy.
O noble lord, bethink thee of thy birth;
Call home thy ancient thoughts from banish-

ment,

And banish bence these abject lowly dreams:
Look how thy servants do attend on thee,
Each in his office ready at thy heck.
Wilt thou have music? hark! Apollo plays,

[SERVANTS present an ewer, basin, and napkin.

Oh! how we joy to see your wit restor'd!

that once more you knew but what you
are !

These fifteen years you have been in a dream;
Or, when you wak'd, so wak'd as if you slept.
Sly. These fifteen years, by my fay, a goodly
nap.

But did I never speak of all that time?

1 Serv. O yes, my lord; but very idle words :-
For though you lay here in this goodly chamber,
Yet would you say, ye were beaten out of door;
And rail upon the hostess of the house;
And say, you would present her at the leet,+
Because she brought stone jugs and no seal'd
quarts:

Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hackel.
Sly. Ay, the woman's maid of the house.
3 Serv. Why, Sir, you know no house, nor
no such maid;
Nor no such men, as you have reckon'd up,-
As Stephen Sly, and old John Naps of Greece,
And Peter Turf, and Henry Pimpernell;
And twenty more such names and men as these,
Which never were, nor no man ever saw.
Sly. Now, Lord be thanked for my good
amends!

Bion. Where have I been? Nay, how now, Gru. Nay, 'tis no matter, what he 'leges in where are you? [clothes? Latin.-If this be not a lawful cause for me to Master, has my fellow Tranio stolen your leave his service,-Look you, Sir,-he bid me Or you stolen his? or both? pray, what's the knock him, and rap him soundly, Sir: Well, was it fit for a servant to use his master so; being, perhaps, (for aught I see,) two and thirty, -a pip out?

news?

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 came ashore, 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. 1, Sir, ne'er a whit.

Luc. And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth; Tranio is chang'd into Lucentio.

Bion. The better for him; Would I were so

too!

Tra. So would 1, faith, boy, to have the next wish after,[daughter, That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest But sirrah,-not for my sake, but your master's, -I advise

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 me why,

Sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty. [Exeunt. 1 Serv. My lord, you nod; you do not mind the play.

Sly. Yes, by saint Anne, do I. A good mat. ter, surely; Comes there any more of it? Page. My lord, 'tis but begun.

Sly. 'Tis a very excellent piece of work,
madam lady; 'Would 'twere done!
SCENE II.-The same.-Before HORTENSIO's
House.

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

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

Pet. Villain, I say, knock me here soundly. Gru. Knock you here, Sir? why, Sir, what an 1, Sir, that I should knock you here, Sir?

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: should knock you first, And then I know after who comes by the worst. Pet. Will it not be?

'Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll wring it; I'll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it.

[He wrings GRUMIO by the ears. Gru. Help, masters, help! my master is mad.

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, 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 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 a heavy chance 'twixt him and you; Your ancient trusty, pleasant servant Grumio. 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 further than at home,
Where small experience grows. But, in a few
Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me :-
Antonio, my father, is deceas'd;
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,
And so am come abroad to see the world.

Hor. Petrucio, shall I then come roundly to

thee.

And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour'd wife ?
Thoud'st thank me but a little for my counsel:
And yet I'll promise thee she shall be rich,
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,
(As wealth is burden of my wooing dance,)
Be she as foul as was Florentins' love,

As old as Sybil, and as curst and shrewd
As Socrates' Xantippe, or a worse,
She moves me not, or not removes, at least,
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 flat.y what bis mind is: Why, give him gold enough and marry him to a puppet, or an aglet-baby ; ý 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 have stepp'd thus far in,

I will continue that I broach'd in jest.

Pet. Now, knock when I bid you: sirrah!! can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife villain !

Enter HORTENSIO.

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

Pet. Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray ?

Con tutto il core bene trovato, may I say.
Hor. Alla nostra casa, bene venuto,
Molto honorato signor mio Petruchio.
Rise, Grumio, rise; we will compound this
quarrel.

• Observed.

With wealth enough, and young, and beaute

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:
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;
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 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 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; 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 rehears'd,) That ever Katharina will be woo'd, 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.
Hor. Now shall my friend Petruchio do me
grace;

And offer me, disguis'd 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,
Have leave and leisure to make love to her,
And, unsuspected, court her by herself.
Enter GREMIO; with him LUCENTIO disguised,
with books under his arm.

Gru. Here's no knavery! See; to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together! Master, master, look about you: Who goes there? ha!

Hor. Peace, Grumio; 'tis the rival of my Petruchio, stand by a while. [love :Gru. A proper stripling, and an amorous! [They retire. Gre. O very well; I have perus'd the note. Hark you, Sir; I'll have them very fairly bound:

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,

[too,

I'll mend it with a largess: **-Take your papers
And let me have them very well perfum'd;
For she is sweeter than perfume itself,
To whom they go. 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 assur'd)
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!
Pet. Peace, sirrah.

Hor. Grumio, mum !-God save you, signior

I promis'd to enquire carefully

About a scoolmaster for fair Bianca :

And, by good fortune, I have lighted well

On this young man; for learning, and be. haviour,

Fit for her turn; well read in poetry,

And other books,-good ones, I warrant you.
Hor. 'Tis well and I have inet a gentleman,
Hath promis'd 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 belov'd of me.

Gre. Belov'd of me,-and that my deeds shall prove.

Gru. And that his bags shall prove. [Aside. Hor. Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our Listen to me, and if you speak me fair, [love : I'll tell you news indifferent good for either. 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;Hortensio, bave you told him all her faults f 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 Verono, old Antonio's son: 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 o'God's name ;
You shall have me assisting you in all.
But will you woo this wild cat ?

Pet. Will I live!

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

[Aside.

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? Have I not beard the sea, puff'd up with winds Rage like an angry boar, chafed with sweat ? Have I not heard great ordnance in the field, Have I not in a pitched battle heard And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies? Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang?

[Aside. [your's.

And do you tell me of a woman's tongue;
That gives not half so great a blow to the ear,
As will a chesnut in a farmer's fire?
Tush! tush! fear boys with bugs.
Gru. For he fears none.
Gre. Hortensio, bark!
This gentleman is happily arriv'd,
My mind presumes, for his own good, and
Hor. I promis'd, we would be contributors,
And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe'er.
Gre. And so we will; provided, that he win
her.

Gru. I would, I were as sure of a good din[Aside.

ner.

pray.

Tra. I love no chiders, Sir :-Biondello, let's

away.

Luc. Well begun, Tranio.

Hor. Si, a word ere you go:

Fright boys with bug-bear

[Aside,

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