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Verona, for a while I take my leave, To see my friends in Padua, but of all My best beloved and approved friend, Hortensio; and I trow this is his house. Here, sirrah Grumio; knock, I say.
Verona, I’m leaving for a while, To visit my friends in Padua, but out of all My closest and most trusted friend, Hortensio; and I think this is his house. Here, servant Grumio; knock, I said.
Knock, sir! whom should I knock? is there man has rebused your worship?
Knock, sir! Who should I knock? Has someone insulted you, sir?
Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.
Fool, I said, knock on this door hard.
Knock you here, sir! why, sir, what am I, sir, that I should knock you here, sir?
Knock on this door, sir? Why, sir, who am I, sir, that I should knock on this door, sir?
Villain, I say, knock me at this gate And rap me well, or I’ll knock your knave’s pate.
Fool, I said, knock on this gate And bang it loudly, or I’ll knock your stupid head.
My master is grown quarrelsome. I should knock you first, And then I know after who comes by the worst.
My master’s getting angry. I should knock you first, And then I’ll know who’ll come out worse.
Will it not be? Faith, sirrah, an you’ll not knock, I’ll ring it; I’ll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it.
Won’t you do it? Honestly, if you won’t knock, I’ll ring the bell; I’ll see how well you can sing “do, re, mi.”
Help, masters, help! my master is mad.
Help, masters, help! My master is mad.
Now, knock when I bid you, sirrah villain!
Now, knock when I tell you, you foolish servant!
How now! what’s the matter? My old friend Grumio! and my good friend Petruchio! How do you all at Verona?
What’s going on? What’s the matter? My old friend Grumio! And my good friend Petruchio! How are you all doing in Verona?
Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray? ’Con tutto il cuore, ben trovato,’ may I say.
Signior Hortensio, are you here to stop the fight? "With all my heart, it’s good to see you," may I say.
’Alla nostra casa ben venuto, molto honorato signor mio Petruchio.’ Rise, Grumio, rise: we will compound this quarrel.
"Welcome to our house, most honored sir Petruchio." Get up, Grumio, get up: we’ll settle this argument.
Nay, ’tis no matter, sir, what he ’leges in Latin. if this be not a lawful case for me to leave his service, look you, sir, he bid me knock him and rap him soundly, sir: well, was it fit for a servant to use his master so, being perhaps, for aught I see, two and thirty, a pip out? Whom would to God I had well knock’d at first, Then had not Grumio come by the worst.
No matter, sir, what he says in Latin. If this is not a good enough reason for me to leave his service, listen, sir, he told me to knock on him and hit him hard, sir: well, was it right for a servant to treat his master like that, especially if, as far as I can tell, he’s about thirty-two, almost finished? I wish I had knocked on him properly in the first place. Then I wouldn’t have ended up the one in trouble.
A senseless villain! Good Hortensio, I bade the rascal knock upon your gate And could not get him for my heart to do it.
You senseless fool! Good Hortensio, I told this idiot to knock on your gate But couldn’t get him to do it, no matter what.
Knock at the gate! O heavens! Spake you not these words plain, ’Sirrah, knock me here, rap me here, knock me well, and knock me soundly’? And come you now with, ’knocking at the gate’?
Knock at the gate! Oh my god! Didn’t you just say these words clearly, ’Hey, knock on the door here, hit it here, knock it hard, and knock it properly’? And now you come with, ’knocking at the gate’?
Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise you.
Hey, get lost, or don’t speak, I’m telling you.
Petruchio, patience; I am Grumio’s pledge: Why, this’s a heavy chance ’twixt him and you, Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio. And tell me now, sweet friend, what happy gale Blows you to Padua here from old Verona?
Petruchio, calm down; I’m Grumio’s guarantor: Well, this is a tough situation between you two, Your old, loyal, cheerful servant Grumio. And tell me now, dear friend, what good luck Brought you here to Padua from old Verona?
Such wind as scatters young men through the world, To seek their fortunes farther than at home Where small experience grows. But in a few, Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me: Antonio, my father, is deceased; And I have thrust myself into this maze, Haply to wive and thrive as best I may: Crowns in my purse I have and goods at home, And so am come abroad to see the world.
A wind that sends young men out into the world, To seek their fortunes far from home Where they don’t learn much. But in short, Mr. Hortensio, here’s the deal with me: My father Antonio has passed away; And I’ve thrown myself into this mess, Maybe to marry and make the best of things: I’ve got money in my pocket and stuff at home, And so I’ve come out to see the world.
Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour’d wife? Thou’ldst thank me but a little for my counsel: And yet I’ll promise thee she shall be rich And very rich: but thou’rt too much my friend, And I’ll not wish thee to her.
Petruchio, should I just come straight out and tell you That I’d wish you to a really sharp, unpleasant wife? You wouldn’t thank me much for my advice: But I’ll promise you she’ll be rich Very rich: but you’re too much of a friend, So I won’t wish her to you.
Signior Hortensio, ’twixt such friends as we Few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know One rich enough to be Petruchio’s wife, As wealth is burden of my wooing dance, Be she as foul as was Florentius’ love, As old as Sibyl and as curst and shrewd As Socrates’ Xanthippe, or a worse, She moves me not, or not removes, at least, Affection’s edge in me, were she as rough As are the swelling Adriatic seas: I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua.
Mr. Hortensio, between friends like us A few words are enough; so, if you know A woman rich enough to be my wife, Since wealth is the thing I’m dancing for in this wooing game, She can be as ugly as Florentius’ love, As old as the Sibyl, and as nasty and angry As Socrates’ wife Xanthippe, or worse, It wouldn’t bother me, or at least wouldn’t make me lose my feelings for her, Even if she were as rough As the stormy Adriatic seas: I’ve come to marry for money in Padua; If it’s for money, then I’ll be happy in Padua.
Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his mind is: Why give him gold enough and marry him to a puppet or an aglet-baby; or an old trot with ne’er a tooth in her head, though she have as many diseases as two and fifty horses: why, nothing comes amiss, so money comes withal.
Look, sir, he’s telling you straight what he thinks: Why not give him enough gold and marry him to a doll or a silly little thing; or an old woman with no teeth, even if she has as many diseases as fifty-two horses: why, anything will do, as long as money is involved.
Petruchio, since we are stepp’d thus far in, I will continue that I broach’d in jest. I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife With wealth enough and young and beauteous, Brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman: Her only fault, and that is faults enough, Is that she is intolerable curst And shrewd and froward, so beyond all measure That, were my state far worser than it is, I would not wed her for a mine of gold.
Petruchio, since we’ve come this far, I’ll continue with what I started in jest. I can, Petruchio, find you a wife Who’s rich enough and young and beautiful, Raised as a proper lady should be: Her only flaw, and that’s enough of a flaw, Is that she’s unbearable, mean, And nasty, beyond all reason, That, if my situation were worse than it is, I wouldn’t marry her for a mountain of gold.
Hortensio, peace! thou know’st not gold’s effect: Tell me her father’s name and ’tis enough; For I will board her, though she chide as loud As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.
Hortensio, be quiet! You don’t know what gold can do: Just tell me her father’s name and that’s enough; I’ll marry her, even if she shouts as loud As thunder when the autumn clouds break.
Her father is Baptista Minola, An affable and courteous gentleman: Her name is Katharina Minola, Renown’d in Padua for her scolding tongue.
Her father is Baptista Minola, A friendly and courteous gentleman: Her name is Katharina Minola, Famous in Padua for her sharp tongue.
I know her father, though I know not her; And he knew my deceased father well. I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her; And therefore let me be thus bold with you To give you over at this first encounter, Unless you will accompany me thither.
I know her father, though I don’t know her; And he knew my late father well. I won’t rest, Hortensio, until I’ve seen her; So let me be bold with you And give you up right here, unless you’ll come with me.
I pray you, sir, let him go while the humour lasts. O’ my word, an she knew him as well as I do, she would think scolding would do little good upon him: she may perhaps call him half a score knaves or so: why, that’s nothing; an he begin once, he’ll rail in his rope-tricks. I’ll tell you what sir, an she stand him but a little, he will throw a figure in her face and so disfigure her with it that she shall have no more eyes to see withal than a cat. You know him not, sir.
Please, sir, let him go while he’s still in the mood. I swear, if she knew him as well as I do, she would think arguing wouldn’t do any good against him: She might call him a dozen or so bad names: but that’s nothing; if he starts once, he’ll go on and on. I’ll tell you what, sir, if she stands up to him even a little, he’ll throw an insult at her so hard she’ll look like she’s been hit with a slap and have no eyes left to see. You don’t know him like I do, sir.
Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee, For in Baptista’s keep my treasure is: He hath the jewel of my life in hold, His youngest daughter, beautiful Binaca, And her withholds from me and other more, Suitors to her and rivals in my love, Supposing it a thing impossible, For those defects I have before rehearsed, That ever Katharina will be woo’d; Therefore this order hath Baptista ta’en, That none shall have access unto Bianca Till Katharina the curst have got a husband.
Wait, Petruchio, I must go with you, For my treasure is kept by Baptista: He has the jewel of my life locked up, His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca, And he keeps her away from me and others, Suitors and rivals for her love, Believing it’s impossible, Because of the problems I’ve mentioned before, That Katharina will ever get married; So Baptista has made a rule That no one can get to Bianca Until Katharina the mean one has a husband.
Katharina the curst! A title for a maid of all titles the worst.
Katharina the mean one! The worst name for a girl of all names.
Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace, And offer me disguised in sober robes To old Baptista as a schoolmaster Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca; That so I may, by this device, at least Have leave and leisure to make love to her And unsuspected court her by herself.
Now my friend Petruchio will do me a favor, And pretend to be a schoolteacher Well-versed in music, to teach Bianca; So I can, by this plan, at least Have a chance to court her alone.
Here’s no knavery! See, to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together!
No trickery here! Look, see how the young ones trick the old ones by teaming up together!
Master, master, look about you: who goes there, ha?
Master, master, look around: who’s there, huh?
Peace, Grumio! it is the rival of my love. Petruchio, stand by a while.
Quiet, Grumio! It’s the man who loves the same woman as I do. Petruchio, wait a moment.
A proper stripling and an amorous!
A fine young man and a lover!
O, very well; I have perused the note. Hark you, sir: I’ll have them very fairly bound: All books of love, see that at any hand; And see you read no other lectures to her: You understand me: over and beside Signior Baptista’s liberality, I’ll mend it with a largess. Take your paper too, And let me have them very well perfumed For she is sweeter than perfume itself To whom they go to. What will you read to her?
Oh, very well; I’ve read the note carefully. Listen, sir: I’ll have them bound very nicely: All books of love, make sure they’re ready; And make sure you don’t read anything else to her: You understand me: on top of Signior Baptista’s generosity, I’ll add something extra. Take your paper too, And make sure they’re nicely perfumed, Because she’s sweeter than any perfume, To whom they’ll be given. What will you read to her?
Whate’er I read to her, I’ll plead for you As for my patron, stand you so assured, As firmly as yourself were still in place: Yea, and perhaps with more successful words Than you, unless you were a scholar, sir.
Whatever I read to her, I’ll speak on your behalf As if I were your servant, you can count on me, As firmly as if you were still here yourself: Yes, and maybe with more successful words Than you could say, unless you were a scholar, sir.
O this learning, what a thing it is!
Oh, this learning, what a thing it is!
O this woodcock, what an ass it is!
Oh, this fool, what an idiot he is!
Peace, sirrah!
Quiet, you!
Grumio, mum! God save you, Signior Gremio.
Grumio, hush! God save you, Signior Gremio.
And you are well met, Signior Hortensio. Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista Minola. I promised to inquire carefully About a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca: And by good fortune I have lighted well On this young man, for learning and behavior Fit for her turn, well read in poetry And other books, good ones, I warrant ye.
And you’re well met, Signior Hortensio. Do you know where I’m going? To Baptista Minola. I promised to carefully look For a teacher for the beautiful Bianca: And by good luck, I’ve found just the right one, For both learning and manners Suitable for her, well-read in poetry And other good books, I promise you.
’Tis well; and I have met a gentleman Hath promised me to help me to another, A fine musician to instruct our mistress; So shall I no whit be behind in duty To fair Bianca, so beloved of me.
That’s good; and I’ve met a gentleman Who promised to help me find another, A fine musician to teach our mistress; So I won’t be outdone in duty To the fair Bianca, who I love so much.
Beloved of me; and that my deeds shall prove.
Loved by me; and my actions will show it.
And that his bags shall prove.
And that his purse will show it.
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. Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met, Upon agreement from us to his liking, Will undertake to woo curst Katharina, Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.
Gremio, now isn’t the time to talk about our love: Listen to me, and if you speak kindly, I’ll tell you something that’s good for both of us. Here’s a gentleman I met by chance, Who, if we agree with him, will woo the sharp-tempered Katharina, Yes, and marry her, if her dowry is acceptable.
So said, so done, is well. Hortensio, have you told him all her faults?
If he says it, then it’s settled. Hortensio, have you told him all her flaws?
I know she is an irksome brawling scold: If that be all, masters, I hear no harm.
I know she’s an annoying, loud-mouthed woman: If that’s all, gentlemen, I don’t see the problem.
No, say’st me so, friend? What countryman?
Really, are you saying that, my friend? Where are you from?
Born in Verona, old Antonio’s son: My father dead, my fortune lives for me; And I do hope good days and long to see.
I’m from Verona, old Antonio’s son: My father is dead, but my fortune still supports me; And I hope to see many good and long days ahead.
O sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange! But if you have a stomach, to’t i’ God’s name: You shall have me assisting you in all. But will you woo this wild-cat?
Oh, sir, such a life, with such a wife, would be strange! But if you’re determined, then go ahead: You’ll have my help in everything. But are you really going to try to marry this wild woman?
Will I live?
Am I alive?
Will he woo her? ay, or I’ll hang her.
Is he going to woo her? Yes, or I’ll hang her.
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 puff’d 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.
Why else would I be here, but for that purpose? Do you think a little noise can scare me? Haven’t I heard lions roar in my time? Haven’t I heard the sea, blown up by winds, Rage like an angry boar, sweating with fury? Haven’t I heard cannons in battle, And thunder from the sky, God’s artillery? Haven’t I heard loud alarms in pitched battles, Horses neighing, and trumpets blaring? And now you want to tell me about a woman’s tongue, Which isn’t even half as hard to listen to As a chestnut popping in a farmer’s fire? Pfft, pfft! Let the boys be afraid of monsters.
For he fears none.
He’s not afraid of anything.
Hortensio, hark: This gentleman is happily arrived, My mind presumes, for his own good and ours.
Hortensio, listen: This man has come, I believe, for his own good and ours.
I promised we would be contributors And bear his charging of wooing, whatsoe’er.
I promised we’d help with the cost of courting her, No matter what it takes.
And so we will, provided that he win her.
And we will, as long as he wins her.
I would I were as sure of a good dinner.
I just wish I was as sure of getting a good dinner.
Gentlemen, God save you. If I may be bold, Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way To the house of Signior Baptista Minola?
Gentlemen, God bless you. If I may be so bold, Could you tell me, please, what’s the quickest way To the house of Signior Baptista Minola?
He that has the two fair daughters: is’t he you mean?
He’s the one with the two beautiful daughters, right?
Even he, Biondello.
Yes, that’s the one, Biondello.
Hark you, sir; you mean not her to--
Listen, sir; you don’t mean her to--
Perhaps, him and her, sir: what have you to do?
Maybe him and her, sir: what’s it to you?
Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray.
Not her who complains, sir, at any rate, I beg.
I love no chiders, sir. Biondello, let’s away.
I don’t like complainers, sir. Biondello, let’s go.
Well begun, Tranio.
Nice start, Tranio.
Sir, a word ere you go; Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no?
Sir, one word before you leave; Are you courting the girl you’re talking about, yes or no?
And if I be, sir, is it any offence?
And if I am, sir, is that a problem?
No; if without more words you will get you hence.
No; but if you don’t mind, leave without saying more.
Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free For me as for you?
Why, sir, I ask, are the streets not as free For me as they are for you?
But so is not she.
But she’s not.
For what reason, I beseech you?
Why not, if I may ask?
For this reason, if you’ll know, That she’s the choice love of Signior Gremio.
For this reason, if you want to know, She’s the preferred love of Signior Gremio.
That she’s the chosen of Signior Hortensio.
She’s the chosen one of Signior Hortensio.
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, Though Paris came in hope to speed alone.
Hold on, my friends! if you’re gentlemen, Do me this favor; listen to me patiently. Baptista is a noble man, Whose family isn’t unknown to mine; And if his daughter were fairer than she is, She could have even more suitors, and I’d be one. Fair Leda’s daughter had a thousand suitors; So it’s fine if fair Bianca has one more: And she will; Lucentio will be that one, Even if Paris came hoping to win alone.
What! this gentleman will out-talk us all.
What! This guy will talk us all under the table.
Sir, give him head: I know he’ll prove a jade.
Sir, let him speak: I know he’ll end up making a fool of himself.
Hortensio, to what end are all these words?
Hortensio, what’s the point of all these words?
Sir, let me be so bold as ask you, Did you yet ever see Baptista’s daughter?
Sir, may I be bold enough to ask, Have you ever seen Baptista’s daughter yet?
No, sir; but hear I do that he hath two, The one as famous for a scolding tongue As is the other for beauteous modesty.
No, sir; but I hear that he has two, One is famous for always complaining, The other for being beautifully modest.
Sir, sir, the first’s for me; let her go by.
Sir, sir, I want the first one; let the other go.
Yea, leave that labour to great Hercules; And let it be more than Alcides’ twelve.
Yes, leave that task to Hercules, And let it be more difficult than the twelve labors of Hercules.
Sir, understand you this of me in sooth: The younges t daughter whom you hearken for Her father keeps from all access of suitors, And will not promise her to any man Until the elder sister first be wed: The younger then is free and not before.
Sir, understand this from me, truly: The younger daughter, whom you’re talking about, Her father keeps her away from all suitors, And won’t promise her to any man Until the older daughter is married first: Then the younger one is free, but not before.
If it be so, sir, that you are the man Must stead us all and me amongst the rest, And if you break the ice and do this feat, Achieve the elder, set the younger free For our access, whose hap shall be to have her Will not so graceless be to be ingrate.
If that’s the case, sir, and you’re the man Who must help us all, including me, And if you break the ice and accomplish this task, Win the older one, and set the younger one free For us to court, she who will be lucky enough to have her Won’t be ungrateful.
Sir, you say well and well you do conceive; And since you do profess to be a suitor, You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman, To whom we all rest generally beholding.
Sir, you speak well, and you understand clearly; And since you’ve decided to be a suitor, You must, as we do, show gratitude to this gentleman, To whom we are all generally indebted.
Sir, I shall not be slack: in sign whereof, Please ye we may contrive this afternoon, And quaff carouses to our mistress’ health, And do as adversaries do in law, Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
Sir, I won’t be lazy: as a sign of that, If you please, we can arrange this afternoon, And drink to our mistress’ health, And do as opponents do in court, Strive hard, but eat and drink as friends.
O excellent motion! Fellows, let’s be gone.
Excellent idea! Let’s go, fellows.
The motion’s good indeed and be it so, Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto.
The idea is good, and let it be so, Petruchio, I’ll be your welcome guest.