The Taming of the Shrew Page #4

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 not I in a pitched battle heard

Loud 'larums, neighing steeds,

and trumpets' clang?

Let me crack thee!

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?

Rush, tush, fear boys with bugs!

Nay, I will swear so loud.

O, no! Sister, no!

O, good sister, wrong me not,

nor wrong yourself,

To make a bondmaid and a slave of me.

Minion!

Of all thy suitors here I charge thee tell

Whom dost thou lov'st best.

Believe me, sister, of all the men alive

I never yet beheld that special face

Which I could fancy more than any other.

Minion, thou liest.

Katharina! Katharina! Bianca!

Daughters! Daughters!

What, in my sight?

Ah, Bianca, get thee in.

Why dost thou wrong her

that did ne'er wrong thee?

When did she cross thee with a bitter word?

Nay, now I see

She is your treasure, she must have a husband,

I must dance barefoot on her wedding-day.

Daughter Katharina, I pray you!

Talk not to me, I will go sit and weep,

Till I can find occasion for revenge.

Katharina! Katharina!

Signor Baptista.

Good morrow, good my neighbour.

Neighbour, I promis'd to enquire most carefully

about a schoolmaster for fair Bianca,

Well read in poetry and other books.

And by good fortune, I have lighted well.

Neighbour, I freely give unto you

this young scholar,

that hath long been studying at Rheims

and other universities

where he has acquir'd his learning;

cunning in Latin...

And Greek... and other languages.

- His name is Cambio. Pray accept his service.

- Master!

A thousand thanks, Signor.

Welcome.

May I be so bold

as to ask the cause of your coming?

Ya! Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own,

That, being a stranger in this city here,

Do make myself a suitor to your daughter,

Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous.

- Signor...

- Lucentio is my name.

His name is Litio, born in Mantua.

Lucentio is my name,

And l, this little packet of Greek and Latin...

- Enough!

- Lucentio!

Pray, have you not a daughter

CalI'd Katharina, fair and virtuous?

I have a daughter, sir, calI'd Katharine.

And I, sir, if I get your daughter's love,

What dowry shall I have with her as wife?

Nay, nay! You are too blunt, go to it orderly.

But whence are you?

What may I call your name?

Signor Baptista, my business asketh haste,

And every day I cannot come to woo.

I am a gentleman of Verona, sir,

That hearing of her beauty and her wit,

Her affability and gentle modesty,

Her wondrous qualities and mild behaviour,

Am bold to show myself a forward guest

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