Taming of the Shrew

[The acting troupe commences their play. The setting is a public square in the city of Padua, located in the northern Italian region of Lombardy. The sound of trumpets. Enter Lucentio, a young aristocrat, and his servant, Tranio. They have just arrived in Padua from Pisa.]

Lucentio

Tranio, since for the great desire I had
To see fair Padua, nursery of arts,    
I am arrived for fruitful Lombardy,    
The pleasant garden of great Italy,

Hortensio

That she's the chosen of Signor Hortensio.

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Softly, my masters! If you be gentlemen,    
Do me this right: hear me with patience.
Baptista is a noble gentleman,
To whom my father is not all unknown;    
And were his daughter fairer than she is,        
She may more suitors have, and me for one.
Fair Leda's daughter had a thousand wooers;    
Then well one more may fair Bianca have,
And so she shall. Lucentio shall make one,

Hortensio

That she's the chosen of Signor Hortensio.

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Softly, my masters! If you be gentlemen,    
Do me this right: hear me with patience.
Baptista is a noble gentleman,
To whom my father is not all unknown;    
And were his daughter fairer than she is,        
She may more suitors have, and me for one.
Fair Leda's daughter had a thousand wooers;    
Then well one more may fair Bianca have,
And so she shall. Lucentio shall make one,

Grumio (servant)

[Aside] I would I were as sure of a good dinner.    
[Enter Lucentio's two servants, Tranio and Biondello. Tranio is impersonating Lucentio, and Biondello is playing along with the deception.]

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Gentlemen, God save you. If I may be bold, tell me,     
I beseech you, which is the readiest way to the house of     
Signor Baptista Minola?

Biondello

He that has the two fair daughters, is't he you mean?

Petruchio

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 heard the sea, puffed up with winds,
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 I not, in a pitched battle, heard
Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang?    
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?
Tush, tush, fear boys with bugs.    

Gremio

You shall have me assisting you in all.
But will you woo this wildcat?

Petruchio

Will I live?    

Grumio (servant)

[Aside] Will he woo her? Ay, or I'll hang her.

Petruchio

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 heard the sea, puffed up with winds,
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 I not, in a pitched battle, heard
Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang?    
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?

Grumio (servant)

[Aside] And that, his bags shall prove.    

Hortensio

Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love.    
Listen to me, and if you speak me fair,    
I'll tell you news indifferent good for either.    
[Presenting Petruchio] 
Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met,
Upon agreement from us to his liking,    
Will undertake to woo curst Katherine,

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