The Taming of the Shrew: Act 2, Scene 1
Enter KATHARINA and BIANCA.
[Bianca's hands are tied.]
BIANCA
1 Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself, 2 To make a bondmaid and a slave of me;3. gawds: ornaments.
3 That I disdain: but for these other gawds, 4 Unbind my hands, I'll pull them off myself, 5 Yea, all my raiment, to my petticoat; 6 Or what you will command me will I do, 7 So well I know my duty to my elders.
KATHARINA
8 Of all thy suitors, here I charge thee, tell 9 Whom thou lovest best: see thou dissemble not.
BIANCA
10 Believe me, sister, of all the men alive 11 I never yet beheld that special face
12 Which I could fancy more than any other.
KATHARINA
13. Minion: hussy.
13 Minion, thou liest. Is't not Hortensio?
BIANCA
14. affect: like, want to pursue.
14 If you affect him, sister, here I swear 15 I'll plead for you myself, but you shall have him.
KATHARINA
16 O then, belike, you fancy riches more:17. keep you fair: i.e., well supplied with fine clothes and cosmetics.
17 You will have Gremio to keep you fair.
BIANCA
18. envy me: have a grudge against me.
18 Is it for him you do envy me so? 19 Nay then you jest, and now I well perceive
Charlotte Randle as Bianca
Monica Dolan as Katharina
20 You have but jested with me all this while: 21 I prithee, sister Kate, untie my hands. KATHARINA
22 If that be jest, then all the rest was so.
Strikes her.
Enter BAPTISTA.
BAPTISTA
23 Why, how now, dame! whence grows this insolence? 24 Bianca, stand aside. Poor girl! she weeps.
25 Go ply thy needle; meddle not with her.
26. hilding of a devilish sprit: worthless beast with a devilish spirit.
26 For shame, thou hilding of a devilish spirit, 27 Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee? 28 When did she cross thee with a bitter word?
KATHARINA
29 Her silence flouts me, and I'll be revenged.
Flies after BIANCA.
BAPTISTA
30 What, in my sight? Bianca, get thee in.
Exit BIANCA.
KATHARINA
31. suffer me: allow me [to take revenge on Bianca].
31 What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see 32 She is your treasure, she must have a husband;33-34. dance . . . hell: —Dancing barefoot at a sister's wedding and leading apes in hell were both, according to folklore, properly humiliating punishments for old maids.
Spinster Leading Apes in Hell
Spinster Leading Apes in Hell
33 I must dance bare-foot on her wedding day 34 And for your love to her lead apes in hell. 35 Talk not to me: I will go sit and weep 36 Till I can find occasion of revenge.
Exit.
BAPTISTA
37 Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I? 38 But who comes here?
Enter GREMIO, LUCENTIO in the
stage direction. habit: clothing. mean: of low rank. —Lucentio is disguised as a schoolmaster, and schoolmasters are not gentlemen.
habit of a mean man; PETRUCHIO,
[with HORTENSIO disguised as a
musician; and] TRANIO [disguised
as Lucentio] with his boy [BIONDELLO]
bearing a lute and books.
GREMIO
39 Good morrow, neighbor Baptista.
BAPTISTA
40 Good morrow, neighbor Gremio. 41 God save you, gentlemen!
PETRUCHIO
42 And you, good sir! Pray, have you not a daughter 43 Call'd Katharina, fair and virtuous?
BAPTISTA
44 I have a daughter, sir, called Katharina.
GREMIO
45. orderly: properly; i.e., more ceremoniously.
45 You are too blunt: go to it orderly.
PETRUCHIO
46 You wrong me, Signior Gremio: give me leave. 47 I am a gentleman of Verona, sir, 48 That, hearing of her beauty and her wit, 49 Her affability and bashful modesty,50. qualities: natural gifts.
50 Her wondrous qualities and mild behavior, 51 Am bold to show myself a forward guest 52 Within your house, to make mine eye the witness 53 Of that report which I so oft have heard.54. for an entrance to my entertainment: i.e., as an entrance fee for being allowed to join the group of men who are acknowledged suitors of Bianca.
54 And, for an entrance to my entertainment, 55 I do present you with a man of mine,
[Presenting Hortensio.]
56 Cunning in music and the mathematics, 57 To instruct her fully in those sciences, 58 Whereof I know she is not ignorant: 59 Accept of him, or else you do me wrong: 60 His name is Litio, born in Mantua.
BAPTISTA
61 Y' are welcome, sir; and he, for your good sake. 62 But for my daughter Katharina, this I know, 63 She is not for your turn, the more my grief.
PETRUCHIO
64 I see you do not mean to part with her, 65 Or else you like not of my company.
BAPTISTA
66. as I find: i.e., as the facts stand.
66 Mistake me not; I speak but as I find. 67 Whence are you, sir? what may I call your name?
PETRUCHIO
68 Petruchio is my name; Antonio's son, 69 A man well known throughout all Italy.
BAPTISTA
70. I know him well: i.e., his reputation is well known to me.
70 I know him well: you are welcome for his sake.
GREMIO
71. Saving your tale: with all due respect for everything you have to say about yourself. (Said with heavy irony.)
71 Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray, 72 Let us, that are poor petitioners, speak too:73. Backare: back off (?). —This Italian-sounding word is probably Shakespeare's invention.
73 Backare! you are marvellous forward.
PETRUCHIO
74. would fain be doing: am eager to get into action. —Also, then as now, "do" could have a sexual meaning.
74 O, pardon me, Signior Gremio; I would fain be doing.
GREMIO
75. curse: put a curse on; ruin.
75 I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing.76. this is a gift very grateful: i.e., this gift of the services of "Litio" (Hortensio disguised as a schoolmaster with expertise in music and mathematics) is surely very welcome. 78. kindly: naturally. —Gremio is reminding Baptista that he is Baptista's neighbor and deserves as much consideration as Hortensio.
76 Neighbor, this is a gift very grateful, I am 77 sure of it. To express the like kindness, myself, 78 that have been more kindly beholding to you than 79 any, freely give unto you this young scholar,
[Presenting Lucentio.]
80. Rheims: i.e., Reims University, "one of the largest and most important universities in Europe during the Middle Ages."
80 that hath been long studying at Rheims; as cunning 81 in Greek, Latin, and other languages, as the other 82 in music and mathematics: his name is Cambio; pray, 83 accept his service.
BAPTISTA
84 A thousand thanks, Signior Gremio. 85 Welcome, good Cambio.
[To Tranio.]
86. stranger: foreigner.
86 But, gentle sir, methinks you walk like a stranger: 87 may I be so bold to know the cause of your coming?
TRANIO
88 Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own, 89 That, being a stranger in this city here, 90 Do make myself a suitor to your daughter, 91 Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous. 92 Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me, 93 In the preferment of the eldest sister. 94 This liberty is all that I request, 95 That, upon knowledge of my parentage, 96 I may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo97. favor: leave, permission.
97 And free access and favor as the rest: 98 And, toward the education of your daughters,99. a simple instrument: a musical instrument suitable for beginners (?); it's a lute (see line 106).
99 I here bestow a simple instrument,100 And this small packet of Greek and Latin books:101 If you accept them, then their worth is great.
BAPTISTA
102. Lucentio is your name: —It's hard to tell how Baptista knows this, but it's important for the audience to be reminded that Tranio is pretending to be his master, Lucentio.
102 Lucentio is your name; of whence, I pray?
TRANIO
103 Of Pisa, sir; son to Vincentio.
BAPTISTA
104. report: reputation.
104 A mighty man of Pisa; by report105 I know him well: you are very welcome, sir,106 [To Hortensio.] Take you the lute, and106 [To Lucentio.] you the set of books;107. presently: immediately.
107 You shall go see your pupils presently.
108 Holla, within!
Enter a SERVANT.
108 Sirrah, lead these gentlemen109 To my daughters; and tell them both,110 These are their tutors: bid them use them well.
[Exit Servant, with Lucentio and Hortensio,
Biondello following.]
111. orchard: garden.
111 We will go walk a little in the orchard,112. passing: exceedingly.
112 And then to dinner. You are passing welcome,113 And so I pray you all to think yourselves.
PETRUCHIO
114 Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste,115 And every day I cannot come to woo.116 You knew my father well, and in him me,117 Left solely heir to all his lands and goods,118 Which I have better'd rather than decreased:119 Then tell me, if I get your daughter's love,120 What dowry shall I have with her to wife?
BAPTISTA
121 After my death the one half of my lands,122. possession: i.e., immediate possession.
122 And in possession twenty thousand crowns.
PETRUCHIO
123 And, for that dowry, I'll assure her of124. widowhood: widow's share of the estate.
124 Her widowhood, be it that she survive me,125 In all my lands and leases whatsoever:126. specialties: the specific terms of a contract.
126 Let specialties be therefore drawn between us,127 That covenants may be kept on either hand.
BAPTISTA
128 Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd,129 That is, her love; for that is all in all. PETRUCHIO
130 Why, that is nothing: for I tell you, father,131 I am as peremptory as she proud-minded;132 And where two raging fires meet together133. They do consume the thing that feeds their fury: i.e., they cancel each other out.
133 They do consume the thing that feeds their fury:134 Though little fire grows great with little wind,135 Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all:136 So I to her and so she yields to me;137 For I am rough and woo not like a babe.
BAPTISTA
138. speed: fortune, luck.
138 Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed!139 But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words.
PETRUCHIO
140. Ay, to the proof: i.e., yes, I understand you, and I'm ready for the test of facing down Katharina's shrewishness.
140 Ay, to the proof, as mountains are for winds,141 That shake not, though they blow perpetually.
Enter HORTENSIO [disguised as Litio],
(stage direction).with his head broke: with a bleeding cut on his head. —In current productions, Hortensio usually appears wearing a broken lute.
 |
with his head broke.
BAPTISTA
142 How now, my friend! why dost thou look so pale?
HORTENSIO
143 For fear, I promise you, if I look pale.
BAPTISTA
144 What, will my daughter prove a good musician?
HORTENSIO
145 I think she'll sooner prove a soldier146. hold with her: hold out against her.
146 Iron may hold with her, but never lutes.
BAPTISTA
147. break her to: break her in to; introduce her to.
147 Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute?
HORTENSIO
148 Why, no; for she hath broke the lute to me.149. frets: ridges or bars on the finger board of a lute.
149 I did but tell her she mistook her frets,150. bow'd: bent.
150 And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering;151 When, with a most impatient devilish spirit,152. fume: get angry, as in the common phrase "fret and fume."
152 "Frets, call you these?" quoth she; "I'll fume with them."153 And, with that word, she struck me on the head,154 And through the instrument my pate made way;155. amazed: in confusion. 156. pillory: a device with holes for the neck and hands, used in shaming punishments. . . . . more
155 And there I stood amazed for a while,156 As on a pillory, looking through the lute;157 While she did call me rascal fiddler158. twangling Jack: twanging knave.
158 And twangling Jack; with twenty such vile terms,159. As had she: as if she had. studied: prepared beforehand.
159 As had she studied to misuse me so.
PETRUCHIO
160. lusty: lively, vigorous.
160 Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench;161 I love her ten times more than e'er I did:162 O, how I long to have some chat with her!
BAPTISTA
163 Well, go with me and be not so discomfited:164 Proceed in practise with my younger daughter;165. apt: willing, quick.
165 She's apt to learn and thankful for good turns.166 Signior Petruchio, will you go with us,167 Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you?
PETRUCHIO
168 I pray you do.
Exeunt [all but] Petruchio.
168. attend: await.
168 I will attend her here,169 And woo her with some spirit when she comes.170 Say that she rail; why then I'll tell her plain171 She sings as sweetly as a nightingale:172. clear: cheerful, serene.
172 Say that she frown, I'll say she looks as clear173 As morning roses newly wash'd with dew:174 Say she be mute and will not speak a word;175 Then I'll commend her volubility,176 And say she uttereth piercing eloquence:177. pack: be gone.
177 If she do bid me pack, I'll give her thanks,178 As though she bid me stay by her a week:179. deny: refuse. crave the day: inquire the date.
179 If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day180. ask the banns: have a reading of the required announcement in church of a forthcoming marriage.
180 When I shall ask the banns and when be married.181 But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, speak.
 | as Katharina |
Enter KATHARINA.
182 Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear.
KATHARINA
183. heard, hard: —Pronounced nearly alike. something: somewhat.
183 Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing:184 They call me Katharina that do talk of me.
PETRUCHIO
185 You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate,186 And bonny Kate and sometimes Kate the curst;187 But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom KATHARINA
188. Kate of Kate Hall:. i.e., the renowned Kate. ...more 189. all Kates: —Both "dainties" and "cates" are words for confections, delicacies. 190. of me: from me.
188 Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate,189 For dainties are all Kates, and therefore, Kate,190 Take this of me, Kate of my consolation;191 Hearing thy mildness praised in every town,192. sounded: proclaimed.
192 Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded,193 Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs,194 Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife.
KATHARINA
195. in good time: indeed, forsooth.
195 Moved! in good time: let him that moved you hither196 Remove you hence: I knew you at the first197. moveable: a piece of furniture.
197 You were a moveable.
PETRUCHIO
197 Why, what's a moveable?
KATHARINA
198. join'd-stool: i.e., a very ordinary piece of furniture. —A "join'd-stool" is so called because it is made by a craftsman trained in joinery, the art of joining together pieces of wood to make furniture. Thus the term "join'd-stool" distinguishes a piece of furniture from natural stools, such as stumps or toadstools.
199. bear: carry (with following puns on "bear children" and "support a man during sexual intercourse").
199. bear: carry (with following puns on "bear children" and "support a man during sexual intercourse").
198 A join'd-stool.
PETRUCHIO
198 Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me.
KATHARINA
199 Asses are made to bear, and so are you.
PETRUCHIO
200 Women are made to bear, and so are you.
KATHARINA
201. jade: an ill-conditioned horse that soon tires.
201 No such jade as you, if me you mean. PETRUCHIO
202 Alas! good Kate, I will not burden thee;203. light: 1) of delicate stature, slight; 2) lascivious, wanton. —In her reply, Katherine uses "light" in the sense of "elusive."
203 For, knowing thee to be but young and light—
KATHARINA
204. swain: country bumpkin.
204 Too light for such a swain as you to catch;205. as heavy as my weight should be: i.e., as serious and sober as is appropriate.
205 And yet as heavy as my weight should be. PETRUCHIO
206. buzz: —Petruchio is punning on be/bee, and he means that all of Katharina's talk is just random buzzing.
206 Should be! should—buzz!
KATHARINA
206. buzzard: fool.
206 Well ta'en, and like a buzzard.
PETRUCHIO
207. turtle: turtledove. buzzard: an inferior kind of hawk. take thee: capture you.
207 O slow-wing'd turtle! shall a buzzard take thee?
KATHARINA
208. Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard: i.e., yes, he will mistake me for a sweet turtledove just as he is about to snap up a stinging, buzzing insect.
208 Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard.
PETRUCHIO
209 Come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry.
KATHARINA
210 If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
PETRUCHIO
211 My remedy is then to pluck it out.
KATHARINA
212 Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies,
PETRUCHIO
213 Who knows not where a wasp does214 wear his sting? In his tail.
KATHARINA
215 In his tongue.
PETRUCHIO
216 Whose tongue?
KATHARINA
217. talk of tales: talk idly.
217 Yours, if you talk of tales: and so farewell.
PETRUCHIO
218 What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again,219 Good Kate; I am a gentleman—
KATHARINA
219. try: test.
219 That I'll try.
She strikes him.
PETRUCHIO
220 I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again.
KATHARINA
221 So may you lose your arms:222 If you strike me, you are no gentleman;223. arms: coat of arms (with a pun on arms as limbs of the body).
223 And if no gentleman, why then no arms. PETRUCHIO
224. herald: authority on heraldry. books: (1) heraldic registers; (2) good books; i.e., grace, favor.
224 A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books!
KATHARINA
225. crest: (1) topmost part of a coat of arms; (2) comb, as on a cock's head. coxcomb: The cap of a court fool. . . . more
225 What is your crest? a coxcomb?
PETRUCHIO
226. combless cock: gentle rooster (?). —And of course there is a sexual pun.
226 A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen.
KATHARINA
227. craven: a cock that will not fight.
227 No cock of mine; you crow too like a craven.
PETRUCHIO
228 Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not look so sour.
KATHARINA
229. crab: crab apple. —Crab apples are notoriously sour.
229 It is my fashion, when I see a crab.
PETRUCHIO
230 Why, here's no crab; and therefore look not sour.
KATHARINA
231 There is, there is.
PETRUCHIO
232 Then show it me.
KATHARINA
233. glass: mirror.
233 Had I a glass, I would.
PETRUCHIO
234 What, you mean my face?
KATHARINA
235. aim'd of: guessed by. young: inexperienced, ignorant.
235 Well aim'd of such a young one.
PETRUCHIO
236. young: i.e., strong.
236 Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you.
KATHARINA
237 Yet you are wither'd.
PETRUCHIO
238. 'Tis with cares: —Here Petruchio may be claiming to be a melancholy lover who is wasting away because the beloved lady will not return his love.
238 'Tis with cares.
KATHARINA
239 I care not.
PETRUCHIO
240. scape: escape.
240 Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth you scape not so.
KATHARINA
241. chafe: irritate. let me go: —Apparently Petruchio physically keeps Katharina from leaving. A little later she is limping.
241 I chafe you if I tarry: let me go.
PETRUCHIO
242 No, not a whit: I find you passing gentle.243. coy: disdainful.
243 'Twas told me you were rough and coy and sullen,244 And now I find report a very liar;245 For thou are pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous,246. But slow in speech: i.e., a bit slow in response to what others have to say. 247. askance: scornfully.
246 But slow in speech, yet sweet as spring-time flowers:247 Thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance,248 Nor bite the lip, as angry wenches will,249 Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk,250 But thou with mildness entertain'st thy wooers,251. conference: conversation.
251 With gentle conference, soft and affable.252 Why does the world report that Kate doth limp?253 O slanderous world! Kate like the hazel-twig254 Is straight and slender and as brown in hue255 As hazel nuts and sweeter than the kernels.256. halt: limp.
256 O, let me see thee walk: thou dost not halt.
KATHARINA
257. whom thou keep'st command: i.e., command your servants, not me.
257 Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st command.
PETRUCHIO
258. Dian: Diana, goddess of the hunt and of chastity. become: adorn.
258 Did ever Dian so become a grove259 As Kate this chamber with her princely gait?260 O, be thou Dian, and let her be Kate;261. sportful: amorous.
261 And then let Kate be chaste and Dian sportful!
KATHARINA
262 Where did you study all this goodly speech?
PETRUCHIO
263. mother-wit: native intelligence.
263 It is extempore, from my mother-wit.
KATHARINA
264. Witless else her son: i.e., without the intelligence inherited from his mother, he would have none at all.
264 A witty mother! witless else her son.
PETRUCHIO
265 Am I not wise?
KATHARINA
266. keep you warm: Alluding to the proverbial "wit enough to keep oneself warm" (very similar to "sense enough to come in out of the rain"), which she implies is as much wit as he possesses.
266 Yes; keep you warm.
PETRUCHIO
267 Marry, so I mean, sweet Katharina, in thy bed:268 And therefore, setting all this chat aside,269 Thus in plain terms: your father hath consented270 That you shall be my wife; your dowry 'greed on;271. nill you: will you not.
271 And, Will you, nill you, I will marry you.272. for your turn: to suit you.
272 Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn;273 For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty,274 Thy beauty, that doth make me like thee well,275 Thou must be married to no man but me;276 For I am he am born to tame you Kate,277. wild Kate: Perhaps with a pun on wildcat.
277 And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate278 Conformable as other household Kates.279 Here comes your father: never make denial;280 I must and will have Katharina to my wife.
Enter BAPTISTA, GREMIO, and TRANIO
[disguised as Lucentio].
BAPTISTA
281. speed: succeed, fare.
281 Now, Signior Petruchio, how speed you with my daughter?
PETRUCHIO
282 How but well, sir? how but well?283 It were impossible I should speed amiss.
BAPTISTA
284. in your dumps: downcast.
284 Why, how now, daughter Katharina! in your dumps?
KATHARINA
285. promise: assure.
285 Call you me daughter? now, I promise you286 You have show'd a tender fatherly regard,287 To wish me wed to one half lunatic;288 A madcap ruffian and a swearing Jack,289. face: brazen.
289 That thinks with oaths to face the matter out.
PETRUCHIO
290 Father, 'tis thus: yourself and all the world,291 That talk'd of her, have talk'd amiss of her:292. policy: ulterior motive, crafty purpose.
292 If she be curst, it is for policy,293 For she's not froward, but modest as the dove;294 She is not hot, but temperate as the morn;295. Grissel: Griselda, a model of wifely patience. ...more 296. Lucrece: Lucretia, a
Roman lady who committed suicide after her rape by Sextus Tarquinius. Shakespeare told the story in The Rape of Lucrece.
295 For patience she will prove a second Grissel,296 And Roman Lucrece for her chastity:297 And to conclude, we have 'greed so well together,298 That upon Sunday is the wedding-day.
KATHARINA
299 I'll see thee hang'd on Sunday first.
GREMIO
300 Hark, Petruchio; she says she'll see thee hang'd first.
TRANIO
301 Is this your speeding? nay, then, good night our part!
PETRUCHIO
302 Be patient, gentlemen; I choose her for myself:303 If she and I be pleased, what's that to you?304 'Tis bargain'd 'twixt us twain, being alone,305 That she shall still be curst in company.306 I tell you, 'tis incredible to believe307 How much she loves me: O, the kindest Kate!308 She hung about my neck; and kiss on kiss309. vied: i.e., kept matching in an effort to go me one better, kiss for kiss. 310. in a twink: in the blink of an eye.
309 She vied so fast, protesting oath on oath,310 That in a twink she won me to her love.311. a world: worth a whole world, matter for wonder.
311 O, you are novices! 'tis a world to see,312 How tame, when men and women are alone,313. meacock: timid, cowardly.
313 A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew.314. Venice: —Venice is famous for its luxury goods.
314 Give me thy hand, Kate: I will unto Venice,315. 'gainst: in preparation for.
315 To buy apparel 'gainst the wedding-day.316 Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests;317. fine: handsomely or elegantly dressed.
317 I will be sure my Katharina shall be fine.
BAPTISTA
318 I know not what to say: but give me your hands;319 God send you joy, Petruchio! 'tis a match.
GREMIO, TRANIO
320 Amen, say we: we will be witnesses.
PETRUCHIO
321 Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu;322 I will to Venice; Sunday comes apace:323 We will have rings and things and fine array;324. kiss me, Kate: Petruchio makes this demand/request twice more, at Act 5, Scene 1, line 143 and at Act 5, Scene 2, line 180.
324 And kiss me, Kate, we will be married o'Sunday.
Exeunt PETRUCHIO and KATHARINA.
GREMIO
325. clapp'd up: settled (by a shaking of hands).
325 Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly?
BAPTISTA
326 Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant's part,327. mart: bargain.
327 And venture madly on a desperate mart.
TRANIO
328. lay fretting: decaying in disuse (with a play on "irritable"). —The "commodity" is Katharina as a prospective bride.
328 'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you:329 'Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas.
BAPTISTA
330 The gain I seek is, quiet in the match.
GREMIO
331. quiet catch: i.e., acquisition (Kate) that others will yield him without dispute (?).
331 No doubt but he hath got a quiet catch.332 But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter:333 Now is the day we long have looked for:334 I am your neighbor, and was suitor first.
TRANIO
335 And I am one that love Bianca more336 Than words can witness, or your thoughts can guess.
GREMIO
337 Youngling, thou canst not love so dear as I.
TRANIO
338 Graybeard, thy love doth freeze.
GREMIO
338 But thine doth fry.339. Skipper: flighty fellow.
339 Skipper, stand back: 'tis age that nourisheth.
TRANIO
340 But youth in ladies' eyes that flourisheth.
BAPTISTA
341. Content you: be calm. compound: settle.
341 Content you, gentlemen: I will compound this strife:342. he of both: whichever of you two.
342 'Tis deeds must win the prize; and he of both343. dower: guaranteed widow's benefits.
343 That can assure my daughter greatest dower344 Shall have my Bianca's love.345 Say, Signior Gremio, What can you assure her?
GREMIO
346 First, as you know, my house within the city347 Is richly furnished with plate and gold;348. lave: wash.
348 Basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands;349. Tyrian: purple or dark red.
349 My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry;350. crowns: gold coins.
350 In ivory coffers I have stuff'd my crowns;351. arras counterpoints: tapestry counterpanes.
351 In cypress chests my arras counterpoints,352. tents: bed curtains, hangings.
352 Costly apparel, tents, and canopies,353 Fine linen, Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl,353. boss'd: embossed, studded. 354. Valence: fringes or short draperies edging bed canopies.
354 Valance of Venice gold in needlework,355 Pewter and brass and all things that belong356 To house or housekeeping: then, at my farm357. milch-kine to the pail: dairy cattle.
357 I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail,358 Sixscore fat oxen standing in my stalls,359. all things answerable to this portion: i.e., everything else on the same scale. 360. struck: i.e., advanced.
359 And all things answerable to this portion.360 Myself am struck in years, I must confess;361 And if I die tomorrow, this is hers,362 If whilst I live she will be only mine. TRANIO
363 That "only" came well in. Sir, list to me:364 I am my father's heir and only son:365 If I may have your daughter to my wife,366 I'll leave her houses three or four as good,367 Within rich Pisa walls, as any one368 Old Signior Gremio has in Padua;369. ducats: Venetian gold coins.
369 Besides two thousand ducats by the year370. jointure: marriage settlement.
370 Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.371. pinch'd: discomfited.
371 What, have I pinch'd you, Signior Gremio?
GREMIO
372 Two thousand ducats by the year of land!373 My land amounts not to so much in all:374. argosy: large merchant vessel.
374 That she shall have; besides an argosy375. Marseilles' road: harbor of Marseilles.
375 That now is lying in Marseilles' road.376. chok'd: silenced.
376 What, have I chok'd you with an argosy?
TRANIO
377 Gremio, 'tis known my father hath no less378. galliasses: heavy, low-built vessels; large galleys.
378 Than three great argosies; besides two galliasses,379. tight: watertight, sound.
379 And twelve tight galleys: these I will assure her,380 And twice as much, whate'er thou offer'st next. GREMIO
381 Nay, I have offer'd all, I have no more;382 And she can have no more than all I have:383 If you like me, she shall have me and mine.
TRANIO
384. from all the world: to the exclusion of the claim of anyone else. 385. out-vied: outbid.
384 Why, then the maid is mine from all the world,385 By your firm promise: Gremio is out-vied.
BAPTISTA
386 I must confess your offer is the best;387. let your father make her the assurance: i.e., if your father will guarantee the bargain.
387 And, let your father make her the assurance,388 She is your own; else, you must pardon me,389 if you should die before him, where's her dower?
TRANIO
390 That's but a cavil: he is old, I young.
GREMIO
391 And may not young men die, as well as old?
BAPTISTA
392 Well, gentlemen,393 I am thus resolved: on Sunday next you know394 My daughter Katharina is to be married:395 Now, on the Sunday following, shall Bianca396 Be bride to you, if you make this assurance;397. If not, to Signior Gremio: i.e., if your father will not guarantee the bargain, Bianca goes to Signior Gremio.
397 If not, to Signior Gremio.398 And so, I take my leave, and thank you both.
GREMIO
399 Adieu, good neighbor.
Exit [BAPTISTA].
399 Now I fear thee not:400. gamester: Perhaps alluding to the fact that Tranio's offer rests on a gamble, not a certainty.
400 Sirrah young gamester, your father were a fool401 To give thee all, and in his waning age402. Set foot under thy table: i.e., become a dependent in your household. a toy: nonsense.
402 Set foot under thy table: tut, a toy!403 An old Italian fox is not so kind, my boy.
Exit.
TRANIO
404 A vengeance on your crafty wither'd hide!405. fac'd it with a card of ten: i.e., bluffed my way to a win at this hand of cards with only a ten-spot.
405 Yet I have fac'd it with a card of ten.406 'Tis in my head to do my master good:407 I see no reason but supposed Lucentio408 Must get a father, call'd supposed Vincentio;409 And that's a wonder: fathers commonly410. get: beget.
410 Do get their children; but in this case of wooing,411 A child shall get a sire, if I fail not of my cunning.
Exit.