1

Sly

You’re a baggage, the Slys are no rogues. Look in the     
chronicles, we came in with Richard Conqueror.     
Therefore, paucas pallabris, let the world slide. Sessa!     
[Gremio enters alone and stands aside. Then Biondello, Lucentio (no longer in disguise), and Bianca enter.]

Biondello

Quietly and quickly, sir; the priest is ready.

Lucentio

I’m coming, Biondello. But they might need you at home, so leave us.

[Exit Lucentio and Bianca]

Biondello

No, I swear I’ll make sure you’re safely married first, and then come back to my master’s as soon as I can.

Grumio

Curse all worn-out horses, all crazy masters, all dirty roads! Has anyone ever been as beaten-up as I am? So defiled? So weary? I was sent ahead to make a fire, and Katherina and Petruchio will come along later to warm up. Now, if I weren’t so small and easy to heat up, my lips would freeze to my teeth, my tongue to the roof of my mouth, and my heart in my belly before I found a fire to thaw me. But as I make this fire, I’ll warm myself up. In this weather, a bigger man than I am would freeze. Hey, Curtis!

[Enter Lucentio as Cambio, Hortensio as Litio, and Bianca]

Lucentio

Hold on, fiddler. You’re too eager. Did you already forget how her sister Katherina thanked you last time?

Hortensio

You quarrelsome teacher. Bianca is the queen of heavenly harmony. Let me go first, and once we’ve had a music lesson for an hour, you can lecture her for the same amount of time.

[Enter Katherina, and Bianca (with her hands tied)]

Bianca

Good sister, don’t do this to me—or to yourself. Don’t treat me like a slave. If you want my clothes, just untie me and I’ll take them off myself. You can have them all, down to my slip. I’ll do what you ask. I know to obey my elders.

Katherina

In that case, here’s what I ask: who do you like best of all your suitors? Tell the truth.

[Enter Christopher Sly (a beggar) and the Hostess]

Sly

I’ll drive you off, I swear.

Hostess

You’ll be locked up, scoundrel!

Sly

You tramp, the Slys are no scoundrels. Look us up in the history books. My family came to England with Richard Conquerer. So enough talk, let it go. Shut up!

Hostess

You won’t pay for the glasses you broke?

Cassius

                                                        Antony,
The posture of your blows are yet unknown;
But, for your words, they rob the Hybla bees,
And leave them honeyless.

Antony

Not stingless too?

Brutus

O yes, and soundless too!
For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony,
And very wisely threat before you sting.

Antony

Villains! You did not so when your vile daggers
Hacked one another in the sides of Caesar.
You showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like hounds,
And bowed like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet;
Whilst damnèd Casca, like a cur, behind
Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers!

Brutus

That govern us below.

Cassius

                                     Then, if we lose this battle,
You are contented to be led in triumph
Thorough the streets of Rome?

Brutus

No, Cassius, no. Think not, thou noble Roman,
That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome.
He bears too great a mind. But this same day

Pages