Taming of the Shrew

Lucentio (as himself)

                             Then we are rid of Litio.  

Tranio

I' faith, he'll have a lusty widow now,    
That shall be wooed and wedded in a day.    

Bianca

God give him joy!

Tranio

                               Ay, and he'll tame her.  

Bianca

He says so, Tranio?

Tranio

Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.

Tranio (as himself)

Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace    
As 'longeth to a lover's blessèd case!    
Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love,    
And have forsworn you with Hortensio.    

Bianca

Tranio, you jest. But have you both forsworn me?

Tranio

Mistress, we have.

Lucentio (as himself)

                             Then we are rid of Litio.  

Tranio

Bianca

Tranio

Bianca

Tranio

Bianca

Tranio

[Enter Biondello, who continues to address his fellow servant Tranio as his master, even though the only others around are Lucentio and Bianca, who are in on the ruse.]

Biondello

Tranio

Biondello

Lucentio

Tranio

[Exit Lucentio and Bianca. Enter a Merchant.]

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Biondello

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

[Exit]

Bianca

And may you prove, sir, master of your art.

Lucentio

While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart.    
[Bianca and Lucentio move away out of hearing, and Hortensio-as-Litio and Tranio-as-Lucentio come forward. Hortensio thinks that they’ve just overheard Bianca flirting with her language tutor.]

Hortensio-as-Litio

Quick proceeders, marry!     

Petruchio

Thus have I politicly begun my reign,    
And 'tis my hope to end successfully.    
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,    
And till she stoop, she must not be full-gorged,    
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,    
To make her come and know her keeper's call:
That is to watch her, as we watch these kites    
That bate and beat, and will not be obedient.    

Petruchio

Thus have I politicly begun my reign,    
And 'tis my hope to end successfully.    
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,    
And till she stoop, she must not be full-gorged,    
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,    
To make her come and know her keeper's call:
That is to watch her, as we watch these kites    
That bate and beat, and will not be obedient.    

Katherina

I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet.    
The meat was well if you were so contented.    

Petruchio

I tell thee, Kate, 'twas burnt and dried away,
And I expressly am forbid to touch it,    
For it engenders choler, planteth anger,    
And better 'twere that both of us did fast —    
Since of ourselves, ourselves are choleric —    
Than feed it with such over-roasted flesh.

Petruchio

[Singing] Where is the life that late I led?    
Where are those — Sit down, Kate, and welcome.
[Humming] Soud, soud, soud, soud!
[Re-enter Servants with supper]
Why, when, I say! — Nay, good sweet Kate, be merry —    
Off with my boots, you rogues! You villains, when!    
[Singing] It was the friar of orders grey,
As he forth walked on his way —

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