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The Taming of the Shrew: Act III, Scene 2

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The Taming of the Shrew
Act III, Scene 2

Padua. Before Baptista’s house.

Byam Shaw, 1901

  1. Enter Baptista, Gremio, Tranio as Lucentio, Katherine,
  2. Bianca, Lucentio as Cambio, and others, attendants.

Baptista

1 - 7
  1. To Tranio.
  2. Signior Lucentio, this is the ’pointed day,
  3. That Katherine and Petruchio should be married,
  4. And yet we hear not of our son-in-law.
  5. What will be said? What mockery will it be,
  6. To want the bridegroom when the priest attends
  7. To speak the ceremonial rites of marriage?
  8. What says Lucentio to this shame of ours?

Katherina

8 - 20
  1. No shame but mine. I must forsooth be forc’d
  2. To give my hand oppos’d against my heart
  3. Unto a mad-brain rudesby full of spleen,
  4. Who woo’d in haste, and means to wed at leisure.
  5. I told you, I, he was a frantic fool,
  6. Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior;
  7. And to be noted for a merry man,
  8. He’ll woo a thousand, ’point the day of marriage,
  9. Make friends, invite, and proclaim the banes,
  10. Yet never means to wed where he hath woo’d.
  11. Now must the world point at poor Katherine,
  12. And say, “Lo, there is mad Petruchio’s wife,
  13. If it would please him come and marry her!”

Tranio

21 - 25
  1. Patience, good Katherine, and Baptista too.
  2. Upon my life, Petruchio means but well,
  3. Whatever fortune stays him from his word.
  4. Though he be blunt, I know him passing wise;
  5. Though he be merry, yet withal he’s honest.

Katherina

26
  1. Would Katherine had never seen him though!
  1. Exit weeping followed by Bianca and others.

Baptista

27 - 29
  1. Go, girl, I cannot blame thee now to weep,
  2. For such an injury would vex a very saint,
  3. Much more a shrew of thy impatient humor.
  1. Enter Biondello.

Biondello

30 - 31
  1. Master, master, news, old news, and such news as you never
  2. heard of!

Baptista

32
  1. Is it new and old too? How may that be?

Biondello

33
  1. Why, is it not news to hear of Petruchio’s coming?

Baptista

34
  1. Is he come?

Biondello

35
  1. Why, no, sir.

Baptista

36
  1. What then?

Biondello

37
  1. He is coming.

Baptista

38
  1. When will he be here?

Biondello

39
  1. When he stands where I am, and sees you there.

Tranio

40
  1. But say, what to thine old news?

Biondello

41 - 58
  1. Why, Petruchio is coming in a new hat and an old jerkin; a
  2. pair of old breeches thrice turn’d; a pair of boots that
  3. have been candle-cases, one buckled, another lac’d; an old
  4. rusty sword ta’en out of the town armory, with a broken
  5. hilt, and chapeless; with two broken points; his horse
  6. hipp’d, with an old mothy saddle and stirrups of no kindred;
  7. besides, possess’d with the glanders and like to mose in the
  8. chine, troubled with the lampass, infected with the
  9. fashions, full of windgalls, sped with spavins, ray’d with
  10. the yellows, past cure of the fives, stark spoil’d with the
  11. staggers, begnawn with the bots, sway’d in the back, and
  12. shoulder-shotten, near-legg’d before, and with a
  13. half-cheek’d bit and a head-stall of sheep’s leather, which
  14. being restrain’d to keep him from stumbling, hath been often
  15. burst, and now repair’d with knots; one girth six times
  16. piec’d, and a woman’s crupper of velure, which hath two
  17. letters for her name fairly set down in studs, and here and
  18. there piec’d with packthread.

Baptista

59
  1. Who comes with him?

Biondello

60 - 65
  1. O, sir, his lackey, for all the world caparison’d like the
  2. horse; with a linen stock on one leg, and a kersey boot-hose
  3. on the other, gart’red with a red and blue list; an old hat,
  4. and the humor of forty fancies prick’d in’t for a feather: a
  5. monster, a very monster in apparel, and not like a Christian
  6. footboy or a gentleman’s lackey.

Tranio

66 - 67
  1. ’Tis some odd humor pricks him to this fashion;
  2. Yet oftentimes he goes but mean apparell’d.
Costume design for Tranio disguised as Lucentio

Costume design for Tranio disguised as Lucentio

Robert L. Bööcke, circa 1890

Baptista

68
  1. I am glad he’s come, howsoe’er he comes.

Biondello

69
  1. Why, sir, he comes not.

Baptista

70
  1. Didst thou not say he comes?

Biondello

71
  1. Who? That Petruchio came?

Baptista

72
  1. Ay, that Petruchio came.

Biondello

73
  1. No, sir, I say his horse comes, with him on his back.

Baptista

74
  1. Why, that’s all one.

Biondello

75 - 79
  1. Nay, by Saint Jamy,
  2. I hold you a penny,
  3. A horse and a man
  4. Is more than one,
  5. And yet not many.
  1. Enter Petruchio and Grumio.

Petruchio

80
  1. Come, where be these gallants? Who’s at home?

Baptista

81
  1. You are welcome, sir.

Petruchio

82
  1. And yet I come not well.

Baptista

83
  1. And yet you halt not.

Tranio

84 - 85
  1. Not so well apparell’d
  2. As I wish you were.

Petruchio

86 - 91
  1. Were it better I should rush in thus:
  2. Pretends great excitement.
  3. But where is Kate? Where is my lovely bride?
  4. How does my father?—Gentles, methinks you frown,
  5. And wherefore gaze this goodly company,
  6. As if they saw some wondrous monument,
  7. Some comet or unusual prodigy?

Baptista

92 - 96
  1. Why, sir, you know this is your wedding-day.
  2. First were we sad, fearing you would not come,
  3. Now sadder, that you come so unprovided.
  4. Fie, doff this habit, shame to your estate,
  5. An eye-sore to our solemn festival!

Tranio

97 - 99
  1. And tell us what occasion of import
  2. Hath all so long detain’d you from your wife,
  3. And sent you hither so unlike yourself?

Petruchio

100 - 106
  1. Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear—
  2. Sufficeth I am come to keep my word,
  3. Though in some part enforced to digress,
  4. Which at more leisure I will so excuse
  5. As you shall well be satisfied with all.
  6. But where is Kate? I stay too long from her.
  7. The morning wears, ’tis time we were at church.

Tranio

107 - 108
  1. See not your bride in these unreverent robes,
  2. Go to my chamber, put on clothes of mine.

Petruchio

109
  1. Not I, believe me, thus I’ll visit her.

Baptista

110
  1. But thus, I trust, you will not marry her.

Petruchio

111 - 118
  1. Good sooth, even thus; therefore ha’ done with words;
  2. To me she’s married, not unto my clothes.
  3. Could I repair what she will wear in me,
  4. As I can change these poor accoutrements,
  5. ’Twere well for Kate, and better for myself.
  6. But what a fool am I to chat with you,
  7. When I should bid good morrow to my bride,
  8. And seal the title with a lovely kiss!
  1. Exit with Grumio.

Tranio

119 - 121
  1. He hath some meaning in his mad attire.
  2. We will persuade him, be it possible,
  3. To put on better ere he go to church.

Baptista

122
  1. I’ll after him, and see the event of this.
  1. Exit with Gremio and Attendants.

Tranio

123 - 132
  1. But, sir, love concerneth us to add
  2. Her father’s liking, which to bring to pass,
  3. As before imparted to your worship,
  4. I am to get a man—what e’er he be,
  5. It skills not much, we’ll fit him to our turn—
  6. And he shall be Vincentio of Pisa,
  7. And make assurance here in Padua
  8. Of greater sums than I have promised.
  9. So shall you quietly enjoy your hope,
  10. And marry sweet Bianca with consent.
Typhoo Tea series "Characters From Shakespeare"

From: Typhoo Tea series "Characters From Shakespeare"

Typhoo Tea, 1905

Lucentio

133 - 137
  1. Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster
  2. Doth watch Bianca’s steps so narrowly,
  3. ’Twere good methinks to steal our marriage,
  4. Which once perform’d, let all the world say no,
  5. I’ll keep mine own, despite of all the world.

Tranio

138 - 144
  1. That by degrees we mean to look into,
  2. And watch our vantage in this business.
  3. We’ll overreach the greybeard, Gremio,
  4. The narrow-prying father, Minola,
  5. The quaint musician, amorous Litio,
  6. All for my master’s sake, Lucentio.
  7. Enter Gremio.
  8. Signior Gremio, came you from the church?

Gremio

145
  1. As willingly as e’er I came from school.

Tranio

146
  1. And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?

Gremio

147 - 148
  1. A bridegroom, say you? ’Tis a groom indeed,
  2. A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find.

Tranio

149
  1. Curster than she? Why, ’tis impossible.

Gremio

150
  1. Why, he’s a devil, a devil, a very fiend.

Tranio

151
  1. Why, she’s a devil, a devil, the devil’s dam.

Gremio

152 - 160
  1. Tut, she’s a lamb, a dove, a fool to him!
  2. I’ll tell you, Sir Lucentio: when the priest
  3. Should ask if Katherine should be his wife,
  4. “Ay, by gogs-wouns,” quoth he, and swore so loud,
  5. That all amaz’d the priest let fall the book,
  6. And as he stoop’d again to take it up,
  7. This mad-brain’d bridegroom took him such a cuff
  8. That down fell priest and book, and book and priest.
  9. “Now take them up,” quoth he, “if any list.”

Tranio

161
  1. What said the wench when he rose again?

Gremio

162 - 178
  1. Trembled and shook; for why, he stamp’d and swore
  2. As if the vicar meant to cozen him.
  3. But after many ceremonies done,
  4. He calls for wine. “A health!” quoth he, as if
  5. He had been aboard, carousing to his mates
  6. After a storm, quaff’d off the muscadel,
  7. And threw the sops all in the sexton’s face,
  8. Having no other reason
  9. But that his beard grew thin and hungerly,
  10. And seem’d to ask him sops as he was drinking.
  11. This done, he took the bride about the neck,
  12. And kiss’d her lips with such a clamorous smack
  13. That at the parting all the church did echo.
  14. And I seeing this, came thence for very shame,
  15. And after me I know the rout is coming.
  16. Such a mad marriage never was before.
  17. Hark, hark, I hear the minstrels play.
  1. Music plays.
  1. Enter Petruchio, Kate, Bianca, Hortensio as Litio, Baptista,
  2. Grumio, and Train.

Petruchio

179 - 183
  1. Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains.
  2. I know you think to dine with me today,
  3. And have prepared great store of wedding cheer,
  4. But so it is, my haste doth call me hence,
  5. And therefore here I mean to take my leave.

Baptista

184
  1. Is’t possible you will away tonight?

Petruchio

185 - 192
  1. I must away today, before night come.
  2. Make it no wonder; if you knew my business,
  3. You would entreat me rather go than stay.
  4. And, honest company, I thank you all
  5. That have beheld me give away myself
  6. To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife.
  7. Dine with my father, drink a health to me,
  8. For I must hence, and farewell to you all.

Tranio

193
  1. Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.

Petruchio

194
  1. It may not be.

Gremio

195
  1.                Let me entreat you.

Petruchio

196
  1. It cannot be.

Katherina

197
  1.               Let me entreat you.

Petruchio

198
  1. I am content.

Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee, Kate! I’ll buckler thee against a million.

New York Times; April 2, 1916

Katherina

199
  1. Are you content to stay?

Petruchio

200 - 201
  1. I am content you shall entreat me stay,
  2. But yet not stay, entreat me how you can.

Katherina

202
  1. Now if you love me stay.

Petruchio

203
  1.                          Grumio, my horse.

Grumio

204
  1. Ay, sir, they be ready; the oats have eaten the horses.

Katherina

205 - 212
  1. Nay then,
  2. Do what thou canst, I will not go today,
  3. No, nor tomorrow—not till I please myself.
  4. The door is open, sir, there lies your way;
  5. You may be jogging whiles your boots are green.
  6. For me, I’ll not be gone till I please myself.
  7. ’Tis like you’ll prove a jolly surly groom,
  8. That take it on you at the first so roundly.

Petruchio

213
  1. O Kate, content thee, prithee be not angry.

Katherina

214 - 215
  1. I will be angry; what hast thou to do?
  2. Father, be quiet, he shall stay my leisure.

Gremio

216
  1. Ay, marry, sir, now it begins to work.

Katherina

217 - 219
  1. Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner.
  2. I see a woman may be made a fool,
  3. If she had not a spirit to resist.

Petruchio

220 - 237
  1. They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command.
  2. Obey the bride, you that attend on her.
  3. Go to the feast, revel and domineer,
  4. Carouse full measure to her maidenhead,
  5. Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves;
  6. But for my bonny Kate, she must with me.
  7. Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret,
  8. I will be master of what is mine own.
  9. She is my goods, my chattels, she is my house,
  10. My household stuff, my field, my barn,
  11. My horse, my ox, my ass, my any thing;
  12. And here she stands, touch her whoever dare,
  13. I’ll bring mine action on the proudest he
  14. That stops my way in Padua. Grumio,
  15. Draw forth thy weapon, we are beset with thieves;
  16. Rescue thy mistress if thou be a man
  17. Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee, Kate!
  18. I’ll buckler thee against a million.
  1. Exeunt Petruchio, Katherina, and Grumio.

Baptista

238
  1. Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones.

Gremio

239
  1. Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing.

Tranio

240
  1. Of all mad matches never was the like.

Lucentio

241
  1. Mistress, what’s your opinion of your sister?

Bianca

242
  1. That being mad herself, she’s madly mated.

Gremio

243
  1. I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated.

Baptista

244 - 248
  1. Neighbors and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants
  2. For to supply the places at the table,
  3. You know there wants no junkets at the feast.
  4. Lucentio, you shall supply the bridegroom’s place,
  5. And let Bianca take her sister’s room.

Tranio

249
  1. Shall sweet Bianca practice how to bride it?

Baptista

250
  1. She shall, Lucentio. Come, gentlemen, let’s go.
  1. Exeunt.

To me she’s married, not unto my clothes.

Carl Gehrts, 1885

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