The Taming of the Shrew: Act 2, Scene 1


           Enter KATHARINA and BIANCA.
           [Bianca's hands are tied.]

      BIANCA
  1   Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself,
  2   To make a bondmaid and a slave of me;
3. gawds: ornaments.
  3   That I disdain: but for these other gawds,
  4   Unbind my hands, I'll pull them off myself,
  5   Yea, all my raiment, to my petticoat;
  6   Or what you will command me will I do,
  7   So well I know my duty to my elders.

      KATHARINA
  8   Of all thy suitors, here I charge thee, tell
  9   Whom thou lovest best: see thou dissemble not.

      BIANCA
 10   Believe me, sister, of all the men alive
 11   I never yet beheld that special face
 12   Which I could fancy more than any other.

      KATHARINA
13. Minion: hussy.
 13   Minion, thou liest. Is't not Hortensio?

      BIANCA
14. affect: like, want to pursue.
 14   If you affect him, sister, here I swear
 15   I'll plead for you myself, but you shall have him.

      KATHARINA
 16   O then, belike, you fancy riches more:
17. keep you fair: i.e., well supplied with fine clothes and cosmetics.
 17   You will have Gremio to keep you fair.

      BIANCA
18. envy me: have a grudge against me.
 18   Is it for him you do envy me so?
 19   Nay then you jest, and now I well perceive

Charlotte Randle as Bianca
Monica Dolan as Katharina
 20   You have but jested with me all this while:
 21   I prithee, sister Kate, untie my hands.

      KATHARINA
 22   If that be jest, then all the rest was so.

           Strikes her.

           Enter BAPTISTA.

      BAPTISTA
 23   Why, how now, dame! whence grows this insolence?
 24   Bianca, stand aside. Poor girl! she weeps.
 25   Go ply thy needle; meddle not with her.
26. hilding of a devilish sprit: worthless beast with a devilish spirit.
 26   For shame, thou hilding of a devilish spirit,
 27   Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee?
 28   When did she cross thee with a bitter word?

      KATHARINA
 29   Her silence flouts me, and I'll be revenged.

           Flies after BIANCA.

      BAPTISTA
 30   What, in my sight? Bianca, get thee in.

           Exit BIANCA.

      KATHARINA
31. suffer me: allow me [to take revenge on Bianca].
 31   What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see
 32   She is your treasure, she must have a husband;
33-34. dance . . . hell: —Dancing barefoot at a sister's wedding and leading apes in hell were both, according to folklore, properly humiliating punishments for old maids.


Spinster Leading Apes in Hell
 33   I must dance bare-foot on her wedding day
 34   And for your love to her lead apes in hell.
 35   Talk not to me: I will go sit and weep
 36   Till I can find occasion of revenge.

           Exit.

      BAPTISTA
 37   Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I?
 38   But who comes here?

           Enter GREMIO, LUCENTIO in the
stage direction. habit: clothing.  mean: of low rank. —Lucentio is disguised as a schoolmaster, and schoolmasters are not gentlemen.
           habit of a mean man; PETRUCHIO,
           [with HORTENSIO disguised as a
           musician; and] TRANIO [disguised
           as Lucentio] with his boy [BIONDELLO]
           bearing a lute and books.

      GREMIO
 39   Good morrow, neighbor Baptista.

      BAPTISTA
 40   Good morrow, neighbor Gremio.
 41   God save you, gentlemen!

      PETRUCHIO
 42   And you, good sir! Pray, have you not a daughter
 43   Call'd Katharina, fair and virtuous?

      BAPTISTA
 44   I have a daughter, sir, called Katharina.

      GREMIO
45. orderly: properly; i.e., more ceremoniously.
 45   You are too blunt: go to it orderly.

      PETRUCHIO
 46   You wrong me, Signior Gremio: give me leave.
 47   I am a gentleman of Verona, sir,
 48   That, hearing of her beauty and her wit,
 49   Her affability and bashful modesty,
50. qualities: natural gifts.
 50   Her wondrous qualities and mild behavior,
 51   Am bold to show myself a forward guest
 52   Within your house, to make mine eye the witness
 53   Of that report which I so oft have heard.
54. for an entrance to my entertainment: i.e., as an entrance fee for being allowed to join the group of men who are acknowledged suitors of Bianca.
 54   And, for an entrance to my entertainment,
 55   I do present you with a man of mine,

           [Presenting Hortensio.]

 56   Cunning in music and the mathematics,
 57   To instruct her fully in those sciences,
 58   Whereof I know she is not ignorant:
 59   Accept of him, or else you do me wrong:
 60   His name is Litio, born in Mantua.

      BAPTISTA
 61   Y' are welcome, sir; and he, for your good sake.
 62   But for my daughter Katharina, this I know,
 63   She is not for your turn, the more my grief.

      PETRUCHIO
 64   I see you do not mean to part with her,
 65   Or else you like not of my company.

      BAPTISTA
66. as I find: i.e., as the facts stand.
 66   Mistake me not; I speak but as I find.
 67   Whence are you, sir? what may I call your name?

      PETRUCHIO
 68   Petruchio is my name; Antonio's son,
 69   A man well known throughout all Italy.

      BAPTISTA
70. I know him well: i.e., his reputation is well known to me.
 70   I know him well: you are welcome for his sake.

      GREMIO
71. Saving your tale: with all due respect for everything you have to say about yourself. (Said with heavy irony.)
 71   Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray,
 72   Let us, that are poor petitioners, speak too:
73. Backare: back off (?). —This Italian-sounding word is probably Shakespeare's invention.
 73   Backare! you are marvellous forward.

      PETRUCHIO
74. would fain be doing: am eager to get into action. —Also, then as now, "do" could have a sexual meaning.
 74   O, pardon me, Signior Gremio; I would fain be doing.

      GREMIO
75. curse: put a curse on; ruin.
 75   I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing.
76. this is a gift very grateful: i.e., this gift of the services of "Litio" (Hortensio disguised as a schoolmaster with expertise in music and mathematics) is surely very welcome. 78. kindly: naturally. —Gremio is reminding Baptista that he is Baptista's neighbor and deserves as much consideration as Hortensio.
 76   Neighbor, this is a gift very grateful, I am
 77   sure of it. To express the like kindness, myself,
 78   that have been more kindly beholding to you than
 79   any, freely give unto you this young scholar,

           [Presenting Lucentio.]

80. Rheims: i.e., Reims University, "one of the largest and most important universities in Europe during the Middle Ages."
 80   that hath been long studying at Rheims; as cunning
 81   in Greek, Latin, and other languages, as the other
 82   in music and mathematics: his name is Cambio; pray,
 83   accept his service.

      BAPTISTA
 84   A thousand thanks, Signior Gremio.
 85   Welcome, good Cambio.

           [To Tranio.]

86. stranger: foreigner.
 86   But, gentle sir, methinks you walk like a stranger:
 87   may I be so bold to know the cause of your coming?

      TRANIO
 88   Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own,
 89   That, being a stranger in this city here,
 90   Do make myself a suitor to your daughter,
 91   Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous.
 92   Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me,
 93   In the preferment of the eldest sister.
 94   This liberty is all that I request,
 95   That, upon knowledge of my parentage,
 96   I may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo
97. favor: leave, permission.
 97   And free access and favor as the rest:
 98   And, toward the education of your daughters,
99. a simple instrument: a musical instrument suitable for beginners (?); it's a lute (see line 106).
 99   I here bestow a simple instrument,
100   And this small packet of Greek and Latin books:
101   If you accept them, then their worth is great.

      BAPTISTA
102. Lucentio is your name: —It's hard to tell how Baptista knows this, but it's important for the audience to be reminded that Tranio is pretending to be his master, Lucentio.
102   Lucentio is your name; of whence, I pray?

      TRANIO
103   Of Pisa, sir; son to Vincentio.

      BAPTISTA
104. report: reputation.
104   A mighty man of Pisa; by report
105   I know him well: you are very welcome, sir,
106   [To Hortensio.] Take you the lute, and
106        [To Lucentio.] you the set of books;
107. presently: immediately.
107   You shall go see your pupils presently.
108   Holla, within!

           Enter a SERVANT.

108                         Sirrah, lead these gentlemen
109   To my daughters; and tell them both,
110   These are their tutors: bid them use them well.

           [Exit Servant, with Lucentio and Hortensio,
           Biondello following.]

111. orchard: garden.
111   We will go walk a little in the orchard,
112. passing: exceedingly.
112   And then to dinner. You are passing welcome,
113   And so I pray you all to think yourselves.

      PETRUCHIO
114   Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste,
115   And every day I cannot come to woo.
116   You knew my father well, and in him me,
117   Left solely heir to all his lands and goods,
118   Which I have better'd rather than decreased:
119   Then tell me, if I get your daughter's love,
120   What dowry shall I have with her to wife?

      BAPTISTA
121   After my death the one half of my lands,
122. possession: i.e., immediate possession.
122   And in possession twenty thousand crowns.

      PETRUCHIO
123   And, for that dowry, I'll assure her of
124. widowhood: widow's share of the estate.
124   Her widowhood, be it that she survive me,
125   In all my lands and leases whatsoever:
126. specialties: the specific terms of a contract.
126   Let specialties be therefore drawn between us,
127   That covenants may be kept on either hand.

      BAPTISTA
128   Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd,
129   That is, her love; for that is all in all.

      PETRUCHIO
130   Why, that is nothing: for I tell you, father,
131   I am as peremptory as she proud-minded;
132   And where two raging fires meet together
133. They do consume the thing that feeds their fury: i.e., they cancel each other out.
133   They do consume the thing that feeds their fury:
134   Though little fire grows great with little wind,
135   Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all:
136   So I to her and so she yields to me;
137   For I am rough and woo not like a babe.

      BAPTISTA
138. speed: fortune, luck.
138   Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed!
139   But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words.

      PETRUCHIO
140. Ay, to the proof: i.e., yes, I understand you, and I'm ready for the test of facing down Katharina's shrewishness.
140   Ay, to the proof, as mountains are for winds,
141   That shake not, though they blow perpetually.

       Enter HORTENSIO [disguised as Litio],
(stage direction).with his head broke: with a bleeding cut on his head. —In current productions, Hortensio usually appears wearing a broken lute.
          with his head broke.

      
BAPTISTA
142   How now, my friend! why dost thou look so pale?

      HORTENSIO
143   For fear, I promise you, if I look pale.

      BAPTISTA
144   What, will my daughter prove a good musician?

      HORTENSIO
145   I think she'll sooner prove a soldier
146. hold with her: hold out against her.
146   Iron may hold with her, but never lutes.

      BAPTISTA
147. break her to: break her in to; introduce her to.
147   Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute?

      HORTENSIO
148   Why, no; for she hath broke the lute to me.
149. frets: ridges or bars on the finger board of a lute.
149   I did but tell her she mistook her frets,
150. bow'd: bent.
150   And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering;
151   When, with a most impatient devilish spirit,
152. fume: get angry, as in the common phrase "fret and fume."
152   "Frets, call you these?" quoth she; "I'll fume with them."
153   And, with that word, she struck me on the head,
154   And through the instrument my pate made way;
155. amazed: in confusion. 156. pillory: a device with holes for the neck and hands, used in shaming punishments. . . . . more
155   And there I stood amazed for a while,
156   As on a pillory, looking through the lute;
157   While she did call me rascal fiddler
158. twangling Jack: twanging knave.
158   And twangling Jack; with twenty such vile terms,
159. As had she: as if she had. studied: prepared beforehand.
159   As had she studied to misuse me so.

      PETRUCHIO
160. lusty: lively, vigorous.
160   Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench;
161   I love her ten times more than e'er I did:
162   O, how I long to have some chat with her!

      BAPTISTA
163   Well, go with me and be not so discomfited:
164   Proceed in practise with my younger daughter;
165. apt: willing, quick.
165   She's apt to learn and thankful for good turns.
166   Signior Petruchio, will you go with us,
167   Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you?

      PETRUCHIO
168   I pray you do.

           Exeunt [all but] Petruchio.

168. attend: await.
168                         I will attend her here,
169   And woo her with some spirit when she comes.
170   Say that she rail; why then I'll tell her plain
171   She sings as sweetly as a nightingale:
172. clear: cheerful, serene.
172   Say that she frown, I'll say she looks as clear
173   As morning roses newly wash'd with dew:
174   Say she be mute and will not speak a word;
175   Then I'll commend her volubility,
176   And say she uttereth piercing eloquence:
177. pack: be gone.
177   If she do bid me pack, I'll give her thanks,
178   As though she bid me stay by her a week:
179. deny: refuse. crave the day: inquire the date.
179   If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day
180. ask the banns: have a reading of the required announcement in church of a forthcoming marriage.
180   When I shall ask the banns and when be married.
181   But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, speak.
Laurence Olivier, age 14,
as Katharina

           Enter KATHARINA.

182   Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear.

      KATHARINA
183. heard, hard: —Pronounced nearly alike. something: somewhat.
183   Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing:
184   They call me Katharina that do talk of me.

      PETRUCHIO
185   You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate,
186   And bonny Kate and sometimes Kate the curst;
187   But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom

      KATHARINA
188. Kate of Kate Hall:. i.e., the renowned Kate. ...more 189. all Kates: —Both "dainties" and "cates" are words for confections, delicacies. 190. of me: from me.
188   Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate,
189   For dainties are all Kates, and therefore, Kate,
190   Take this of me, Kate of my consolation;
191   Hearing thy mildness praised in every town,
192. sounded: proclaimed.
192   Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded,
193   Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs,
194   Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife.

      KATHARINA
195. in good time: indeed, forsooth.
195   Moved! in good time: let him that moved you hither
196   Remove you hence: I knew you at the first
197. moveable: a piece of furniture.
197   You were a moveable.

      PETRUCHIO
197                                     Why, what's a moveable?

      KATHARINA
198. join'd-stool: i.e., a very ordinary piece of furniture. —A "join'd-stool" is so called because it is made by a craftsman trained in joinery, the art of joining together pieces of wood to make furniture. Thus the term "join'd-stool" distinguishes a piece of furniture from natural stools, such as stumps or toadstools.
199. bear: carry (with following puns on "bear children" and "support a man during sexual intercourse").
198   A join'd-stool.

      PETRUCHIO
198                             Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me.

      KATHARINA
199   Asses are made to bear, and so are you.

      PETRUCHIO
200   Women are made to bear, and so are you.

      KATHARINA
201. jade: an ill-conditioned horse that soon tires.
201   No such jade as you, if me you mean.

      PETRUCHIO
202   Alas! good Kate, I will not burden thee;
203. light: 1) of delicate stature, slight; 2) lascivious, wanton. —In her reply, Katherine uses "light" in the sense of "elusive."
203   For, knowing thee to be but young and light—

      KATHARINA
204. swain: country bumpkin.
204   Too light for such a swain as you to catch;
205. as heavy as my weight should be: i.e., as serious and sober as is appropriate.
205   And yet as heavy as my weight should be.

      PETRUCHIO
206. buzz: —Petruchio is punning on be/bee, and he means that all of Katharina's talk is just random buzzing.
206   Should be! should—buzz!

      KATHARINA
206. buzzard: fool.
206                           Well ta'en, and like a buzzard.

      PETRUCHIO
207. turtle: turtledove. buzzard: an inferior kind of hawk. take thee: capture you.
207   O slow-wing'd turtle! shall a buzzard take thee?

      KATHARINA
208. Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard: i.e., yes, he will mistake me for a sweet turtledove just as he is about to snap up a stinging, buzzing insect.
208   Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard.

      PETRUCHIO
209   Come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry.

      KATHARINA
210   If I be waspish, best beware my sting.

      PETRUCHIO
211   My remedy is then to pluck it out.

      KATHARINA
212   Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies,

      PETRUCHIO
213   Who knows not where a wasp does
214   wear his sting? In his tail.

      KATHARINA
215   In his tongue.

      PETRUCHIO
216   Whose tongue?

      KATHARINA
217. talk of tales: talk idly.
217   Yours, if you talk of tales: and so farewell.

      PETRUCHIO
218   What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again,
219   Good Kate; I am a gentleman—

      KATHARINA
219. try: test.
219                                                     That I'll try.

           She strikes him.

      PETRUCHIO
220   I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again.

      KATHARINA
221   So may you lose your arms:
222   If you strike me, you are no gentleman;
223. arms: coat of arms (with a pun on arms as limbs of the body).
223   And if no gentleman, why then no arms.

      PETRUCHIO
224. herald: authority on heraldry. books: (1) heraldic registers; (2) good books; i.e., grace, favor.
224   A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books!

      KATHARINA
225. crest: (1) topmost part of a coat of arms; (2) comb, as on a cock's head. coxcomb: The cap of a court fool. . . . more
225   What is your crest? a coxcomb?

      PETRUCHIO
226. combless cock: gentle rooster (?). —And of course there is a sexual pun.
226   A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen.

      KATHARINA
227. craven: a cock that will not fight.
227   No cock of mine; you crow too like a craven.

      PETRUCHIO
228   Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not look so sour.

      KATHARINA
229. crab: crab apple. —Crab apples are notoriously sour.
229   It is my fashion, when I see a crab.

      PETRUCHIO
230   Why, here's no crab; and therefore look not sour.

      KATHARINA
231   There is, there is.

      PETRUCHIO
232   Then show it me.

      KATHARINA
233. glass: mirror.
233   Had I a glass, I would.

      PETRUCHIO
234   What, you mean my face?

      KATHARINA
235. aim'd of: guessed by.  young: inexperienced, ignorant.
235   Well aim'd of such a young one.

      PETRUCHIO
236. young: i.e., strong.
236   Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you.

      KATHARINA
237   Yet you are wither'd.

      PETRUCHIO
238. 'Tis with cares: —Here Petruchio may be claiming to be a melancholy lover who is wasting away because the beloved lady will not return his love.
238   'Tis with cares.

      KATHARINA
239   I care not.

      PETRUCHIO
240. scape: escape.
240   Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth you scape not so.

      KATHARINA
241. chafe: irritate.  let me go: —Apparently Petruchio physically keeps Katharina from leaving. A little later she is limping.
241   I chafe you if I tarry: let me go.

      PETRUCHIO
242   No, not a whit: I find you passing gentle.
243. coy: disdainful.
243   'Twas told me you were rough and coy and sullen,
244   And now I find report a very liar;
245   For thou are pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous,
246. But slow in speech: i.e., a bit slow in response to what others have to say.  247. askance: scornfully.
246   But slow in speech, yet sweet as spring-time flowers:
247   Thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance,
248   Nor bite the lip, as angry wenches will,
249   Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk,
250   But thou with mildness entertain'st thy wooers,
251. conference: conversation.
251   With gentle conference, soft and affable.
252   Why does the world report that Kate doth limp?
253   O slanderous world! Kate like the hazel-twig
254   Is straight and slender and as brown in hue
255   As hazel nuts and sweeter than the kernels.
256. halt: limp.
256   O, let me see thee walk: thou dost not halt.

      KATHARINA
257. whom thou keep'st command: i.e., command your servants, not me.
257   Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st command.

      PETRUCHIO
258. Dian: Diana, goddess of the hunt and of chastity. become: adorn.
258   Did ever Dian so become a grove
259   As Kate this chamber with her princely gait?
260   O, be thou Dian, and let her be Kate;
261. sportful: amorous.
261   And then let Kate be chaste and Dian sportful!

      KATHARINA
262   Where did you study all this goodly speech?

      PETRUCHIO
263. mother-wit: native intelligence.
263   It is extempore, from my mother-wit.

      KATHARINA
264. Witless else her son: i.e., without the intelligence inherited from his mother, he would have none at all.
264   A witty mother! witless else her son.

      PETRUCHIO
265   Am I not wise?

      KATHARINA
266. keep you warm: Alluding to the proverbial "wit enough to keep oneself warm" (very similar to "sense enough to come in out of the rain"), which she implies is as much wit as he possesses.
266   Yes; keep you warm.

      PETRUCHIO
267   Marry, so I mean, sweet Katharina, in thy bed:
268   And therefore, setting all this chat aside,
269   Thus in plain terms: your father hath consented
270   That you shall be my wife; your dowry 'greed on;
271. nill you: will you not.
271   And, Will you, nill you, I will marry you.
272. for your turn: to suit you.
272   Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn;
273   For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty,
274   Thy beauty, that doth make me like thee well,
275   Thou must be married to no man but me;
276   For I am he am born to tame you Kate,
277. wild Kate: Perhaps with a pun on wildcat.
277   And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate
278   Conformable as other household Kates.
279   Here comes your father: never make denial;
280   I must and will have Katharina to my wife.

           Enter BAPTISTA, GREMIO, and TRANIO
           [disguised as Lucentio].

      BAPTISTA
281. speed: succeed, fare.
281   Now, Signior Petruchio, how speed you with my daughter?

      PETRUCHIO
282   How but well, sir? how but well?
283   It were impossible I should speed amiss.

      BAPTISTA
284. in your dumps: downcast.
284   Why, how now, daughter Katharina! in your dumps?

      KATHARINA
285. promise: assure.
285   Call you me daughter? now, I promise you
286   You have show'd a tender fatherly regard,
287   To wish me wed to one half lunatic;
288   A madcap ruffian and a swearing Jack,
289. face: brazen.
289   That thinks with oaths to face the matter out.

      PETRUCHIO
290   Father, 'tis thus: yourself and all the world,
291   That talk'd of her, have talk'd amiss of her:
292. policy: ulterior motive, crafty purpose.
292   If she be curst, it is for policy,
293   For she's not froward, but modest as the dove;
294   She is not hot, but temperate as the morn;
295. Grissel: Griselda, a model of wifely patience. ...more 296. Lucrece: Lucretia, a Roman lady who committed suicide after her rape by Sextus Tarquinius. Shakespeare told the story in The Rape of Lucrece.
295   For patience she will prove a second Grissel,
296   And Roman Lucrece for her chastity:
297   And to conclude, we have 'greed so well together,
298   That upon Sunday is the wedding-day.

      KATHARINA
299   I'll see thee hang'd on Sunday first.

      GREMIO
300   Hark, Petruchio; she says she'll see thee hang'd first.

      TRANIO
301   Is this your speeding? nay, then, good night our part!

      PETRUCHIO
302   Be patient, gentlemen; I choose her for myself:
303   If she and I be pleased, what's that to you?
304   'Tis bargain'd 'twixt us twain, being alone,
305   That she shall still be curst in company.
306   I tell you, 'tis incredible to believe
307   How much she loves me: O, the kindest Kate!
308   She hung about my neck; and kiss on kiss
309. vied: i.e., kept matching in an effort to go me one better, kiss for kiss.  310. in a twink: in the blink of an eye.
309   She vied so fast, protesting oath on oath,
310   That in a twink she won me to her love.
311. a world: worth a whole world, matter for wonder.
311   O, you are novices! 'tis a world to see,
312   How tame, when men and women are alone,
313. meacock: timid, cowardly.
313   A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew.
314. Venice: —Venice is famous for its luxury goods.
314   Give me thy hand, Kate: I will unto Venice,
315. 'gainst: in preparation for.
315   To buy apparel 'gainst the wedding-day.
316   Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests;
317. fine: handsomely or elegantly dressed.
317   I will be sure my Katharina shall be fine.

      BAPTISTA
318   I know not what to say: but give me your hands;
319   God send you joy, Petruchio! 'tis a match.

      GREMIO, TRANIO
320   Amen, say we: we will be witnesses.

      PETRUCHIO
321   Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu;
322   I will to Venice; Sunday comes apace:
323   We will have rings and things and fine array;
324. kiss me, Kate: Petruchio makes this demand/request twice more, at Act 5, Scene 1, line 143 and at Act 5, Scene 2, line 180.
324   And kiss me, Kate, we will be married o'Sunday.

           Exeunt PETRUCHIO and KATHARINA.

      GREMIO
325. clapp'd up: settled (by a shaking of hands).
325   Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly?

      BAPTISTA
326   Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant's part,
327. mart: bargain.
327   And venture madly on a desperate mart.

      TRANIO
328. lay fretting: decaying in disuse (with a play on "irritable"). —The "commodity" is Katharina as a prospective bride.
328   'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you:
329   'Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas.

      BAPTISTA
330   The gain I seek is, quiet in the match.

      GREMIO
331. quiet catch: i.e., acquisition (Kate) that others will yield him without dispute (?).
331   No doubt but he hath got a quiet catch.
332   But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter:
333   Now is the day we long have looked for:
334   I am your neighbor, and was suitor first.

      TRANIO
335   And I am one that love Bianca more
336   Than words can witness, or your thoughts can guess.

      GREMIO
337   Youngling, thou canst not love so dear as I.

      TRANIO
338   Graybeard, thy love doth freeze.

      GREMIO
338                                                   But thine doth fry.
339. Skipper: flighty fellow.
339   Skipper, stand back: 'tis age that nourisheth.

      TRANIO
340   But youth in ladies' eyes that flourisheth.

      BAPTISTA
341. Content you: be calm. compound: settle.
341   Content you, gentlemen: I will compound this strife:
342. he of both: whichever of you two.
342   'Tis deeds must win the prize; and he of both
343. dower: guaranteed widow's benefits.
343   That can assure my daughter greatest dower
344   Shall have my Bianca's love.
345   Say, Signior Gremio, What can you assure her?

      GREMIO
346   First, as you know, my house within the city
347   Is richly furnished with plate and gold;
348. lave: wash.
348   Basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands;
349. Tyrian: purple or dark red.
349   My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry;
350. crowns: gold coins.
350   In ivory coffers I have stuff'd my crowns;
351. arras counterpoints: tapestry counterpanes.
351   In cypress chests my arras counterpoints,
352. tents: bed curtains, hangings.
352   Costly apparel, tents, and canopies,
353   Fine linen, Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl,
353. boss'd: embossed, studded. 354. Valence: fringes or short draperies edging bed canopies.
354   Valance of Venice gold in needlework,
355   Pewter and brass and all things that belong
356   To house or housekeeping: then, at my farm
357. milch-kine to the pail: dairy cattle.
357   I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail,
358   Sixscore fat oxen standing in my stalls,
359. all things answerable to this portion: i.e., everything else on the same scale. 360. struck: i.e., advanced.
359   And all things answerable to this portion.
360   Myself am struck in years, I must confess;
361   And if I die tomorrow, this is hers,
362   If whilst I live she will be only mine.

      TRANIO
363   That "only" came well in. Sir, list to me:
364   I am my father's heir and only son:
365   If I may have your daughter to my wife,
366   I'll leave her houses three or four as good,
367   Within rich Pisa walls, as any one
368   Old Signior Gremio has in Padua;
369. ducats: Venetian gold coins.
369   Besides two thousand ducats by the year
370. jointure: marriage settlement.
370   Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.
371. pinch'd: discomfited.
371   What, have I pinch'd you, Signior Gremio?

      GREMIO
372   Two thousand ducats by the year of land!
373   My land amounts not to so much in all:
374. argosy: large merchant vessel.
374   That she shall have; besides an argosy
375. Marseilles' road: harbor of Marseilles.
375   That now is lying in Marseilles' road.
376. chok'd: silenced.
376   What, have I chok'd you with an argosy?

      TRANIO
377   Gremio, 'tis known my father hath no less
378. galliasses: heavy, low-built vessels; large galleys.
378   Than three great argosies; besides two galliasses,
379. tight: watertight, sound.
379   And twelve tight galleys: these I will assure her,
380   And twice as much, whate'er thou offer'st next.

      GREMIO
381   Nay, I have offer'd all, I have no more;
382   And she can have no more than all I have:
383   If you like me, she shall have me and mine.

      TRANIO
384. from all the world: to the exclusion of the claim of anyone else.  385. out-vied: outbid.
384   Why, then the maid is mine from all the world,
385   By your firm promise: Gremio is out-vied.

      BAPTISTA
386   I must confess your offer is the best;
387. let your father make her the assurance: i.e., if your father will guarantee the bargain.
387   And, let your father make her the assurance,
388   She is your own; else, you must pardon me,
389   if you should die before him, where's her dower?

      TRANIO
390   That's but a cavil: he is old, I young.

      GREMIO
391   And may not young men die, as well as old?

      BAPTISTA
392   Well, gentlemen,
393   I am thus resolved: on Sunday next you know
394   My daughter Katharina is to be married:
395   Now, on the Sunday following, shall Bianca
396   Be bride to you, if you make this assurance;
397. If not, to Signior Gremio: i.e., if your father will not guarantee the bargain, Bianca goes to Signior Gremio.
397   If not, to Signior Gremio.
398   And so, I take my leave, and thank you both.

      GREMIO
399   Adieu, good neighbor.

           Exit [BAPTISTA].

399                                 Now I fear thee not:
400. gamester: Perhaps alluding to the fact that Tranio's offer rests on a gamble, not a certainty.
400   Sirrah young gamester, your father were a fool
401   To give thee all, and in his waning age
402. Set foot under thy table: i.e., become a dependent in your household. a toy: nonsense.
402   Set foot under thy table: tut, a toy!
403   An old Italian fox is not so kind, my boy.

           Exit.

      TRANIO
404   A vengeance on your crafty wither'd hide!
405. fac'd it with a card of ten: i.e., bluffed my way to a win at this hand of cards with only a ten-spot.
405   Yet I have fac'd it with a card of ten.
406   'Tis in my head to do my master good:
407   I see no reason but supposed Lucentio
408   Must get a father, call'd supposed Vincentio;
409   And that's a wonder: fathers commonly
410. get: beget.
410   Do get their children; but in this case of wooing,
411   A child shall get a sire, if I fail not of my cunning.

           Exit.