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The Taming of the Shrew

Yale University Press

Contents

About This Book................................................ixIntroduction...................................................xixSome Essentials of the Shakespearean Stage.....................xxxvThe Taming of the Shrew........................................1An Essay by Harold Bloom.......................................155Further Reading................................................165Finding List...................................................171

Chapter One

SCENE I

In front of an alehouse

ENTER Hostess and Sly

Sly I'll pheeze you, in faith.

Hostess A pair of stocks, you rogue!

Sly Y'are 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! 5

Hostess You will not pay for the glasses you have burst? Sly No, not a denier. Go by, Saint Jeronimy, go to thy cold bed and warm thee.

Hostess I know my remedy, I must go fetch the third-borough.

EXIT Hostess

Sly Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I'll answer him by 10 law. I'll not budge an inch, boy. Let him come, and kindly.

LIES DOWN ON THE GROUND, AND FALLS INTO A DRUNKEN SLEEP

sound of hunting horns. Enter a Lord, with Huntsmen and Servants

Lord Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds.

Brach Merriman, the poor cur, is embossed.

And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach. 15 Saw'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good At the hedge-corner, in the coldest fault? I would not lose the dog for twenty pound.

Huntsman 1 Why, Bellman is as good as he, my lord, He cried upon it at the merest loss, 20 And twice today picked out the dullest scent. Trust me, I take him for the better dog.

Lord Thou art a fool. If Echo were as fleet, I would esteem him worth a dozen such. But sup them well, and look unto them all. 25 Tomorrow I intend to hunt again.

Huntsman 1 I will, my lord.

Lord (seeing Sly) What's here? One dead, or drunk? See doth he breathe.

Huntsman 2 He breathes, my lord. Were he not warmed with ale, This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly. 30

Lord O monstrous beast, how like a swine he lies! Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image. Sirs, I will practice on this drunken man. What think you, if he were conveyed to bed, Wrapped in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, 35 A most delicious banquet by his bed, And brave attendants near him when he wakes, Would not the beggar then forget himself?

Huntsman 1 Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.

Huntsman 2 It would seem strange unto him when he waked. 40

Lord Even as a flattering dream or worthless fancy. Then take him up, and manage well the jest. Carry him gently to my fairest chamber, And hang it round with all my wanton pictures. Balm his foul head in warm distilld waters, 45 And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet. Procure me music ready when he wakes, To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound. And if he chance to speak, be ready straight, And with a low submissive reverence 50 Say, "What is it your honor will command?" Let one attend him with a silver basin Full of rose-water, and bestrewed with flowers, Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper, And say, "Will't please your lordship cool your hands?" Some one be ready with a costly suit, 55 And ask him what apparel he will wear. Another tell him of his hounds and horse, And that his lady mourns at his disease. Persuade him that he hath been lunatic, And when he says he is, say that he dreams, For he is nothing but a mighty lord. This do, and do it kindly, gentle sirs, It will be pastime passing excellent, If it be husbanded with modesty. 65

Huntsman 1 My lord, I warrant you we will play our part As he shall think by our true diligence He is no less than what we say he is.

Lord Take him up gently, and to bed with him, And each one to his office when he wakes. 70

Sly is carried out trumpet sounds

Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds

EXIT Servant

Belike some noble gentleman that means, Traveling some journey, to repose him here.

Servant returns

How now? Who is it? Servant An it please your honor, players That offer service to your lordship. 75

Lord Bid them come near.

ENTER Players

Now fellows, you are welcome. Players We thank your honor.

Lord Do you intend to stay with me tonight?

Player So please your lordship to accept our duty.

Lor. With all my heart. This fellow I remember, 80 Since once107 he played a farmer's eldest son - 'Twas where you wooed the gentlewoman so well. I have forgot your name. But sure that part Was aptly fitted110 and naturally111 performed.

Player I think 'twas Soto that your honor means. 85

Lord 'Tis very true, thou didst it excellent. Well, you are come to me in happy time, The rather for I have some sport in hand Wherein your cunning can assist me much. There is a lord will hear you play tonight, 90 But I am doubtful of your modesties, Lest - over-eying of his odd behavior, For yet his honor never heard a play - You break into some merry passion And so offend him. For I tell you sirs, 95 If you should smile, he grows impatient.

Player Fear not my lord, we can contain ourselves, Were he the veriest antic in the world.

Lord Go sirrah, take them to the buttery, And give them friendly welcome every one, 100 Let them want nothing that my house affords.

EXIT Servant with Players

Sirrah, go you to Bartholomew my page, And see him dressed in all suits like a lady. That done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber, And call him Madam, do him obeisance. 105 Tell him from me, as he will win my love, He bear himself with honorable action, Such as he hath observed in noble ladies Unto their lords, by them accomplishd. Such duty to the drunkard let him do, 110 With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy, And say "What is't your honor will command,...