2

Lord

Heaven cease this idle humor in your honor!    
O, that a mighty man of such descent,    
Of such possessions and so high esteem,
Should be infused with so foul a spirit!    

Sly

What, would you make me mad? Am not I Christopher
Sly, old Sly's son of Burtonheath, by birth a peddler, by     
education a cardmaker, by transmutation a bear-herd,    
and now by present profession a tinker? Ask Marian     
[Enter Tranio as Lucentio and Hortensio as Litio]

Tranio

Litio, my friend, is it possible that Bianca likes anyone more than me, Lucentio? If she’s just leading me on, she’s doing it very well.

Hortensio

To convince you of what I’ve said before, just watch the way this man teaches her.

[They stand aside. Enter Bianca, and Lucentio as Cambio]

Lucentio

Now, did you learn from what you’ve been reading?

[Enter Baptista, Gremio, Tranio as Lucentio, Katherina, Bianca, Lucentio as Cambio, and attendants]

Baptista

[To Tranio] Signor Lucentio, it’s the day of Katherina and Petruchio’s wedding. But I haven’t heard from my son-in-law. What will people think? What an embarrassment it’ll be, to have the groom missing when the priest arrives to hold the wedding ceremony! Lucentio, what do you say about our shame?

Katherina

[Enter Petruchio and his man Grumio]

Petruchio

I’m leaving Verona for a little while, to see my friends in Padua. I especially want to visit my best friend Hortensio — and I think this is his house! Here it is, Grumio, knock.

Grumio

Knock, sir? Whom should I “knock”? Has someone offended you?

Petruchio

Idiot! I’m telling you to knock for me, here.

[Enter aloft the drunkard (Sly) with attendants (some with apparel, basin and pitcher, and other luxurious accessories) and Lord]

Sly

For God’s sake, get me a mug of weak beer!

First Servingman

Would your lordship not like a glass of foreign wine?

Second Servingman

Would your honor like to taste these candied fruits?

Third Servingman

What outfit does your honor want to wear today?

Pages