Unit 1

P R O L O G U E

Ladies to you, in whose defence and right,

Fletcher’s brave Muse prepar’d her self to fight

A battle without blood, ’twas well fought too,

(The victory’s yours, though got with much ado.)

We do present this Comedy, in which

A rivulet of pure wit flows, strong and rich

In Fancy, Language, and all parts that may

Add grace and ornament to a merry Play.

Which this may prove. Yet not to go too far

In promises from this our female war,

We do entreat the angry men would not

Expect the mazes of a subtle plot,

Set Speeches, high expressions; and what’s worse,

in a true Comedy, politic discourse.

The end we aim at, is to make you sport;

Yet neither gall the City, nor the Court.

Hear, and observe his Comic strain and when

Y’are sick of melancholy, see’t again.

‘Tis no Dear Physick, since ’twill quit the cost:

Or his intentions, with our pains, are lost.

Unit 2

Actus Primus– Scæna Prima. Act One, Scene One

Enter Gremio, Hortensio, and Tranio, with rosemary, as from a wedding.

Gremio

God give ‘em joy.

Tranio Amen.

Hortensio Amen, say I too.

The Puddings now i’th proof; alas poor wench,

Through what a mine of patience must thou work,

Ere thou know’st good hour more?

Tranio ‘Tis too true. Certain,

Me thinks her father has dealt harshly with her,

Exceeding harshly, and not like a Father,

To match her to this dragon Petruchio.

I pity the poor gentlewoman.

Gremio Me thinks now,

He’s not so terrible as people think him.

Hortensio (Aside)

This old thief flatters, out of mere devotion,

To please the father for his second daughter.

Tranio (Aside)

But shall he have her?

Hortensio (Aside) Yes, when I have Rome.

And yet the father’s for him.

Gremio I’ll assure ye,

I hold him a good man.

Hortensio Yes, sure a wealthy,

But whether a good womans man, is doubtful.

Tranio

Would ’twere no worse.

Gremio What though his other wife,

Out of her most abundant stubbornness,

Out of her daily hue and cries upon him,

(For sure she was a rebel) turn’d his temper,

And forc’d him blow as high as she? Dost follow

He must retain that long-since buried tempest,

To this soft maid?

Hortensio I fear it.

Tranio So do I too,

And so far, that if God had made me woman,

And his wife that must be -

Gremio What would you do sir?

Tranio

I would learn to eat coals with an angry cat,

And spit fire at him.

Hortensio So I should think too.

Tranio

Yet the bare remembrance of his first wife

Will make him start in’s sleep, and very often

Cry out for cudgels, out of fear her ghost

Should walk, and wear ‘em yet. Since his first marriage,

He is no more the still Petruchio,

Hortensio He’s a good fellow,

And on my word I love him: but to think

A fit match for this tender soul. He will bury her

Ten pound to twenty shillings, within these three weeks

Tranio:

I’ll be your half.

Enter Grumio with a pot of Wine.

Gremio He loves her most extremely,

And so long ‘twil be honey-moon. Now Grumio

You are a busy man I am sure.

Grumio Yes certain,

This old sport must have eggs,

Tranio That’s right sir.

Hortensio

We shall be for you presently.

Grumio O my old sir,

When shall we see your worship run at Ring?

Upon my little honesty, your mistress,

If I have any speculation, must think

This single thrumming of a Fiddle,

Without a bow, but e’en poor sport.

Gremio Y’are merry.

Grumio

Would I were wise too: so God bless your worship.

Exit Grumio

Tranio

The fellow tells you true.

Hortensio When is the day man?

Come, come, you’ll steal a marriage.

Gremio Nay believe me:

But when her father pleases I am ready,

And all my friends shall know it.

Tranio Why not now?

One charge had serv’d for both.

Gremio There’s reason in’t.

Hortensio

Call’d Rowland.

Gremio

Will ye walk ? They’ll think we are lost.

Come Gentlemen.

Tranio You have wip’t him now.

Hortensio

So will he never the wench I hope.

Tranio I wish it. Exeunt.

Unit 3

Scæna secunda. Act One, Scene Two

Enter Rowland, and Livia.

Rowland

Now Livia, if you’ll go away to night,

If your affections be not made of words -

Livia

I love you, and you know how dearly, Rowland;

My affections ever have been your servants.

Rowland

Why then take this way.

Livia

Twill be a childish and a less prosperous course.

Why should we do our honest love such wrong,

To over-run our fortunes?

Rowland Then you flatter.

Livia

Alas you know I cannot.

Rowland What hope’s left else

But flying, to enjoy ye?

Livia

My father’s bent against us; what but ruin,

Can such a by-way bring us? If your fears

Would let you look with my eyes, I would show you,

How our staying here would win us a far surer course

Rowland

And then old Gremio h’as ye.

Livia No such matter:

For hold this certain, begging, stealing, whoring,

Sooner finds me, then that drawn fox, Gremio.

Rowland

But his money -

Livia His money Rowland?

Oh Love forgive me, what a faith hast thou?

Why, can his money kiss me?

Rowland Yes.

Livia Behind,

O’ my troth, thou makst me merry with thy fear:

Can’s money lie with me, as you may do?

Alas, what fools you men are! His mouldy money?

No Rowland, no man shall make use of me;

My beauty was born free, and free I’ll give it

To him that loves, not buys me. You yet doubt me.

Rowland

I cannot say I doubt ye.

Livia Go thy ways,

Prithee believe me, if I do not carry it,

For both our goods -

Rowland But -

Livia What but?

Rowland I would tell you.

Livia

I know all you can tell me; all’s but this,

You would have me, and lie with me; is’t not so ?

Rowland

Yes.

Livia Why you shall; will that content you? Go.

Rowland

I am very loathe to go.

Enter Bianca, and Maria

Livia Here’s my sister;

Go, prithee go; this kiss, and credit me,

Ere I am three nights older, I am for thee:

You shall hear what I do.

Rowland I had rather feel it.

Livia:

Farewell.

Rowland

Farewell.

Exit Rowland.

Unit 4

Livia Alas, poor fool, how it looks?

It would e’en hang itself, should I but cross it.

For pure love to the matter I must hatch a plot.

Bianca

Nay never look for merry hour Maria,

If now you make it not; let not your blushes,

Your modesty, and tenderness of spirit,

Make you continual anvil to his anger:

Since his first wife, my sister Kate, set him going,

Nothing can bind his rage:

Maria Stay, shall I do it?

Bianca

Have you a stomach to’t?

Maria I never showed it.

Bianca

‘Twill show the rarer, and the stronger in you.

But do not say I urg’d you.

Maria I am perfect,

Farewell all poorer thoughts, but spite and anger,

Till I have wrought a miracle. Now cousin,

I am no more the gentle tame Maria;

Mistake me not; I have a new soul in me

Adieu all tenderness, I dare continue;

Maids that are made of fears and modest blushes,

View me, and love my example.

Bianca Here is your sister.

Maria

The brave old man’s love.

Bianca That loves the young man.

Maria

Ay and hold thee there wench: what a grief of heart

When Venus’ revels should up-rouse Old Night,

To lie and count the clock and rise sport-starv’d?

Livia

Dear sister, where have you been that you talk thus?

Maria

Why at Church, where I am bid to talk thus:

I am a wife now.

Livia It seems so, and a modest.

Maria

You are an ass;

When thou art married once, thy modesty

Will never buy thee Pins.

Livia ‘Bless me.

Maria From what?

Bianca

From such a tame fool as our cousin Livia!

Livia

You are not mad.

Maria Yes wench, and so must you be,

Or none of our acquaintance. ’Tis bed time.

Pardon me yellow Hymen, that I mean

Thine offrings to protract, or to keep fasting

My valiant Bridegroom.

Livia Leave it Maria,

I fear I have mark’d too much, for goodness leave it;

Divest you with obedient hands; to bed.

Maria

To bed? No Livia!

Before I know that heat, there’s a fellow must yet

Be made a man, for he is yet a monster;

Here (indicates the ground beneath her foot) must his head be Livia.

Livia

Never hope it.

Tis as easy with a seive to scoop the ocean, as

To tame Petruchio.

Maria Stay, sister, hear me,

Ne’er unlock the treasure of my womb

If I do give way unto my husbands will,

Or be a wife, in any thing but’s hopes,

Till I have made him easy as a child,

And tame as fear!

Bianca All the several wrongs

Done by imperious husbands to their wives,

These thousand years and upwards, strengthen thee!

Thou hast a brave cause.

Maria And I’ll do it bravely

Or may I knit my life out ever after.

Livia

In what part of the world got she this spirit?

Yet pray Maria, look before you truly,

Besides the disobedience of a wife,

Which yet I cannot think your own, this shows

So distant from your sweetness.

Maria Disobedience.

You talk too tamely. By the faith I have

In mine own noble will, that childish woman

That lives a prisoner to her husband’s pleasure,

Has lost her making, and becomes a beast,

Created for his use, not fellowship.

Livia

His first wife Katherine said as much.

Maria She was a fool,

And took a scurvy course; let her be nam’d

‘Mongst those that wish for things, but dare not do ‘em:

I have a new dance for him.

Livia Are you of this faith?

Bianca

Yes truly, and will die in’t.

Livia

Hey, hey boys, this is excellent!

Bianca

Thou wilt be chronicl’d.

Maria That’s all I aim at.

Livia

I must confess, I do with all my heart

Hate an imperious husband, and in time

Might be so wrought upon.

Bianca To make him cuckold?

Maria

If he deserve it.

Livia There I’ll leave ye, Ladies.

Bianca

Thou hast not so much Noble anger in thee.

Maria

Go sleep, go sleep, what we intend to do,

Lies not for such starv’d souls as thou hast Livia.

Livia

The Bridegroom will be with you presently

Maria

That’s more then you know.

Bianca: Good night.

Unit 5

Enter Grumio.

Grumio My Master forsooth.

Maria Oh how does thy Master? prithee commend me to him.

Grumio How’s this? My master stays forsooth.

Maria Am I his Groom? Where lay he last night, forsooth?

Grumio In the parlour.

Maria There lies his way.

Grumio I mean your chamber. Y’are very merry Mistress.

Maria

‘Tis a good sign I am sound-hearted Grumio Exeunt.

Grumio

Ha, is the wind in that door?

By’r Lady, we shall have foul weather then.

I do not like the shuffling of these women;

They are mad beasts when they knock their heads together

Call you this weddings? Sure this is a knavery,

A very dainty knavery. Well, my sir

Has been as good at finding out these toys,

As any living; if he lose it now,

At his own peril be it. I must follow. Exit.

Unit 6

Scena tertia. Act One, Scene Three

Enter Servants with lights, Petruchio, Petronius, Gremio,Tranio, and Hortensio.

Petruchio

You that are married, gentlemen, have at ye

For a round wager now.

Hortensio Of this night’s stage?

Petruchio Yes.

Hortensio

I am your first man: a pair of gloves of twenty shillings

Petruchio

Done: who takes me up next? I am for all bets.

Gremio

Well lusty Laurence, were’t but my night now,

Old as I am, I would make you clap on spurs,

But I would reach you, and bring you to your trot too.

I would Gallants.

Petruchio:

Well said good Will; but where’s the stuff, boy, ha?

Old father time, your hour-glass is empty.

Tranio

A good tough ride would break thee all to pieces ;

Thou hast not breath enough to say thy prayers.

Petronius

See how these boys despise us. Will you to bed son?

This pride will have a fall.

Petruchio Upon your daughter;

But I shall rise again.

Petronius

Will you to bed son, and leave talking;

Petruchio

Well my masters, if I do sink under my business,

As I find ‘tis very possible, I am not the first that has

Miscarried so; that’s my comfort, what may be done

I can and will do.

Enter Grumio.

How now is my fair bride a bed?

Unit 7

Grumio No truly sir.

Petronius

Not a bed yet? Body o’me: we’ll up

And ruffle her

Petruchio Let’s up, let’s up. Come fellows

Grumio

That you cannot neither.

Petruchio And why?

Grumio Unless

You’ll drop down through the chimney like a daw,

Or force in the windows ‘tis impossible.

Petruchio

What dost thou mean?

Grumio The truth is all the doors

Are shut; not a hole for a mouse, but holds

A cat in’t. Sure, she’s victual’d for this month.

Petruchio

Art not thou drunk?

Hortensio

He’s drunk, he’s drunk; come, come, let’s up.

Grumio Yes, yes, I am drunk: ye may go up, ye may Gentlemen, but take heed to your heads: I

say no more.

Hortensio I’ll try that. Exit Hortensio

Petronius

How dost thou say? The door fast lock’d fellow?

Grumio

Yes truly sir, tis lock’d, and guarded too;

And two desperate tongues planted behind it.

Petruchio

How’s this? how’s this “they” are?

Is there another with her?

Grumio

Yes marry is there, and an engineer.

Gremio

Who’s that for Heavens sake?

Grumio Colonel Bianca,

She commands the walls: I’ll venture a years

Wages, draw all your force before it, and mount

Your ablest piece of battery, you shall not

Enter it these three nights yet.

Enter Hortensio.

Petruchio

I laugh at that good Grumio.

Hortensio Beat back again,

She’s fortified for ever.

Grumio Am I drunk now sir?

Hortensio He

That dares most, go up now, and be cool’d. I

Have ‘scap’d a pretty scouring.

Petruchio What are they mad?

Lock’d out a doors, and on my wedding-night?

Nay, and I suffer this, I may go graze.

Come gentlemen, I’ll batter. Is this virtuous?

Hortensio

Do, and be beaten off with shame, as I was:

Unit 8

Enter Maria and Bianca above.

Petronius

Why how now, daughter? What entrenched?

Maria

A little guarded for my safety sir.

Petruchio

For your safety sweet-heart? why who offends you ?

I come not to use violence.

Maria

I think you cannot sir, I am better fortified.

Petruchio

I know your end: you would fain reprieve

Your maiden-head a night, or two.

Maria Yes,

Or ten, or twenty, or say an hundred;

Or indeed, till I list lie with you.

Petronius.

Till you list lie with him? why who are you Madam?

Bianca

That trim Gentleman’s wife, sir.

Petruchio

Cry you mercy, do you command too?

Maria

Yes marry does she, and in chief.

Bianca

I do command, and you shall go without

Your wife, for this night.

Maria

And for the next too wench, and so as’t follows.

Petronius.

Thou wilt not, wilt ‘a?

Maria Yes indeed Dear father,

And till he seal to what I shall set down,

For any thing I know, for ever.

Hortensio

By’r lady these are bugs-words.

Petruchio

You’ll let me in I hope, for all this jesting.

Maria

Hope still Sir.

Petronius. You will come down I am sure.

Maria

I am sure I will not.

Petronius I’ll fetch you then.

Bianca

The power of the whole County cannot sir,

Unless we please to yield.

Petruchio

Prithee Maria tell me what’s the reason,

And do it freely, you deal thus strangely with me?

You were not forc’d to marry; your consent

Went equally with mine, if not before it.

My person, is not, old nor weak with Physick,

My means and my conditions are no shamers

Of him that owns ‘em, all the world knows that,

And my friends no reliers on my fortunes.

Maria

All this I believe, and none of all these parcels

I dare except against. Nay, more, so far

I am from making these the ends I aim at,

These idle outward things, these women’s fears,

That were I yet unmarried, free to choose

Through all the Tribes of man, I’d take Petruchio

In’s shirt, with one ten groats to pay the priest,

Before the best man living,

Petronius.

Why do you play the fool then, and stand prating

Out of the window?

Petruchio

If you will have me credit you Maria,

Come down, and let your love confirm it.

Maria

Stay there, sir, that bargain’s yet to make.

Bianca

Play sure wench, the packs in thine own hand.

Petruchio

Why this is a Riddle!

I love you, and I love you not?

Maria It is so:

And till your own experience do untie it,

This distance I must keep.

Petruchio If you talk more,

I will be angry, very angry.

Maria

I am glad on’t, and I will talk.

Petruchio Prithee peace,

Let me not think thou art mad. I tell thee woman,

If thou goest forward, I am still Petruchio.

Maria

And I am worse, a woman that can fear

Neither Petruchio Furioso, nor his fame,

There’s a short method for you, now you know me.

Petronius.

Use no more words, but come down instantly,

I charge thee by the duty of a child.

Petruchio

Prithee come Maria, I forgive all.

Maria

(To Petruchio) Stay there. (To Petronius) That duty, that you charge me by

Is now another man’s, you gave’t away

I’th church, if you remember, to my husband:

So all you can exact now, is no more

But only a due reverence to your person,

Which thus I pay. Your blessing, and I am gone

To bed for this night.

Petronius. This is monstrous!

Bianca

Fathers should not rave, sir;

A little Rubarb now were excellent.

Petruchio

Then by that duty you owe to me Maria,

Open the door, and be obedient: I am quiet yet.

Maria

I do confess that duty. Yet as I

take it sir, I owe no more then you owe

back again.

Petruchio You will not bargain?

All I owe, presently, let me but up, I’ll pay.

Maria

Y’are too hot, and such prove jades at length;

You do confess a duty or respect to me from you again:

That’s very near, or full the same, with mine?

Petruchio Yes.

Maria

Then by that duty, or respect, or what

You please to have it, go to bed and leave me,

And trouble me no longer with your fooling;

For know, I am not for you.

Petruchio Well, what remedy?

Maria

A week hence, or a fortnight, as you bear you,

And as I find my will observ’d, I may

With intercession of some friends be brought

May be to kiss you; and so quarterly

To pay a little rent by composition,

You understand me?

Petruchio Well there are more maids

Then mistress, that’s my comfort.

Maria Yes, and more men too!

Petruchio I must not to bed with this stomach, and no meat Lady.

Maria

Feed where you will, for I’ll none of you.

Bianca

You had best back one of the dairy maids.

Petruchio

Now if thou would’st come down, and tender me

All the delights due to a marriage bed,

I would stand thus heavy, thus despising

Thee, and thy best allurings. Yea, all the

Rare beauty that’s laid upon your bodies.

For lay but the painter, the doctor with his diets,

And the tailor, and you appear like flayed

Cats. Nay, not so handsome. For without doubt

Your minds are miserable: there’s no masks can

Hide them! There is your true visage.

Maria

And we appear (like her that sent us hither,

That only excellent and beauteous Nature )

Truly our selves, for men to wonder at,

But too divine to handle. We are gold,

In our own natures pure, but when we suffer

The husband’s stamp upon us, the base alloys,

Of you, men are mingled with us,

And make us blush like copper.

Petruchio

Good night. Come Gentlemen; i’le fast for this night,

But by this hand — well. I shall come up yet ?

Maria No.

Petruchio

Here will I watch thee like a wither’d jury,

Thou shalt neither have meat, fire, nor Candle,

Nor any thing that’s easy. Do you rebel so soon?

Yet take mercy.

Bianca

Lay down your flag: to bed sir; I’ll assure you

A months seige will not shake us.

Gremio: Well said Colonel.

Maria

To bed, to bed Petruchio. good night Gentlemen,

You’ll make my father sick with sitting up:

Here you shall find us any time these ten days,

Unless we may march off with our contentment.

Petruchio

I’ll hang first.

Maria And I’ll quarter if I do not,

I’ll make you know, and fear a wife Petruchio,

There my cause lies.

You have been famous for a woman tamer,

And bear the fear’d-name of a brave wife-breaker :

A woman now shall take those honours off,

And tame you; nay, never look so big, nor

Stamp, nor fret. She shall, believe me,

And I am she: what think ye? Good night to all,

Ye shall find sentinels

Bianca If ye dare sally. Exeunt above.

Petronius.

The devil’s in ‘em, e’en the very devil.

Petruchio

I’ll devil ‘em: by these ten bones I will!

This is fine dancing! Gentlemen, stick to me.

We will beleaguer ‘em, and starve ‘em out.

Petronius

If the good women of the town dare succour ‘em,

We shall have wars indeed.

Petruchio

We’ll fire ‘em out, or make ‘em take their pardons,

Hear what I say, on their bare knees, hang ‘em!

Am I Petruchio, fear’d, and spoken of,

And on my wedding night am I thus jaded?

Exeunt.

Unit 9

Actus Secundus Scæna Prima. Act Two, Scene One

Enter Livia at one door, and Gremio at another harkening

Rowland

Here comes Livia, my beloved,

And yonder walks the gelding harkening.

Yet I’ll salute her. Save you beauteous mistress.

Livia:

Save you sir.

Rowland

Why do you look so strange? .

Livia I use to look sir

Without examination.

Rowland Belike then

The object discontents you?

Livia Yes it dos.

Gremio: (Aside) Sits the wind in that quarter?

Rowland

Is’t come to this? you know me, do you not?

Livia

Yes as I may know many by repentance.

Rowland

Why do you break your faith?

Livia I’ll tell you that too,

You are under age, and no band holds upon you.

Gremio:

(Aside)Excellent wench!

Livia Sue out your understanding,

And get more hair, to cover your bare chin

And if you can, more manners.

Gremio: (Aside) Better still!

Rowland

How, Mistress? What have I done to incur

Such mockery? Do you know me? Ha?

Livia

Because I have known you, I’ll be thus kind to you

Farewell, and be a man, and I’ll provide you,

Because I see y’are desperate, some staid chamber-maid

That may relieve your youth, with wholesome doctrine.

Enter Petronius

Gremio

She’s mine from all the world. Ha wench?

Livia Ha capon ?

gives him a box o’th ear and exits, then privily returns and hides her, hearkening.

Gremio

How’s this? I do not love these favours. Save you.

Rowland

The devil take thee! wrings him by th’ nose.

Gremio Oh!

Rowland There’s a love token for you! Exit

Unit 10

Petronius

Good signior Gremio, what’s the matter?

Gremio

Your daughter, sir, has blown my nose.

Petronius

You gave her some ill language?

Gremio Not a word,

Petronius

O’ my Conscience,

When I got these two wenches I was drunk.

But tell me, did she slight our Rowland too?

Gremio

That’s all my comfort: She made child Rowland:

A mere hobby horse which I held more than wonder,

I having seen her within’s three days kiss him

With such an appetite as though she would eat him.

Petronius

There is some trick in this. How did he take it?

Gremio

Ready to cry; he ran away.

Petronius. I fear her.

I have bespoke a Priest: and within’s two houres

I’ll have ye married; will that please you?

Gremio Yes.

Petronius

I’ll see it done my self.

Gremio

This night, then, I shall enjoy her?

Petronius. You shall.

Come then let’s comfort

My Son Petruchio.

Gremio Do you hear the rumour,

They say the women are in insurrection,

And mean to make a -

Petronius. Let ‘em, let ‘em,

We’ll ship ‘em out in ducking stools, there they’ll sail

As brave Columbus did, till they discover

The happy Islands of obedience.

We stay too long, Come.

Gremio Now Saint George be with us. Exeunt.

Unit 11

Scæna Secunda. Act Two, Scene Two

Livia alone comes forward

Livia

Now if I can but get in handsomely,

Father I shall deceive you, and this night

For all your private plotting, I’ll no wedlock.

I have shifted sail, and find my sister’s safety

A sure retirement. Pray to heaven that Rowland

Do not believe too far, what I said to him,

For yon old foxcase forc’d me, that’s my fear.

Stay, let me see, this quarter fierce Petruchio

Keeps with his myrmidons. I must be sudden,

Above there. Enter Maria, and Bianca above.

Maria Qui va là?.

Livia A Friend.

Maria

Alas poor wench who sent thee, I know you come to parly.

Livia

Y’are deceiv’d, urg’d by the goodness of your cause

I come to do as you do.

Maria Y’are too weak, too foolish,

To cheat us with your smoothness. Do not we know

Thou hast been kept up tame?

Livia

Believe me.

Maria No, prithee good Livia

Utter thy eloquence somewhere else.

Bianca Good Cousin

Alas we know who sent you.

Livia O’ my word -

Bianca

Stay there; did their wisdoms think

That sent you hither, we would be so foolish,

To entertain our gentle Sister,

And give her credit, while the wooden horse

Petruchio stole upon us? No good Sister,

Go home, and tell the merry Greeks that sent you,

Troy shall burn, and I, will carry this lady,

And over seas unknown, seek out a land,

Where like a race of noble amazons,

We’ll root our selves and to our endless glory

Live, and despise base men.

Livia I’ll second ye.

Bianca

How long have you been thus?

Livia That’s all one cousin.

I stand for freedom now.

Maria

Swear by thy sweet-heart Rowland you mean

Nothing but fair and safe, and honourable

To us, and to your self.

Livia I swear.

Bianca Stay yet,

Swear as you hate Gremio, and find him

Worse then a poor dried fish, full of more aches

Than autumn has. As you do constantly

Believe he’s nothing but an old empty

Bag with a grey beard. .

Livia I do swear it.

Maria

I do believe thee, be thou worthy of it.

You come not empty?

Livia No, here’s cakes, and cold meat,

And tripe of proof. Behold here’s wine, and beer,

Be sudden I shall be surpris’d else.

Maria

Meet at the low parlor door, there lies a close way.

Bianca

Be wary as you come,

Livia I warrant ye. Exeunt.

Unit 12

Scæna Tertia. Act Two, Scene Three

Enter Rowland and Tranio at several doors

Tranio

Now Rowland?

Rowland How do you?

Tranio How dost thou man?

Thou look’st ill:

Rowland Yes, pray can you tell me Tranio,

Who knew the devil first?

Tranio A woman.

Rowland

So were they not well acquainted?

Tranio May be so,

For they had certain dialogues together.

Rowland

He sold her fruit, I take it?

Tranio Yes, and Cheese

That choked all mankind after.

Rowland

That cold fruit after eating bred naught in her

But windy promises.

Tranio

Your Mistress has a little frown’d it may be?

Rowland

She was my Mistress.

Tranio Is she not ?

Rowland No Tranio.

She has done me such disgrace, so spitefully,

That henceforth a good horse shall be my Mistress,

And if you see her, tell her I do beseech you -

Tranio

I will Rowland.

Rowland She may sooner

Shed one true tear, mean one hour constantly,

Be old, and honest, married, and a maid,

Then make me see her more, or more believe her.

And now I have met a messenger, farewell sir. Exit.

Tranio

Alas poor Rowland, I will do it for thee:

This is that dog Gremio, but I hope

To see him cold i’th mouth first ‘er he enjoy her.

I’ll watch this young man, desperate thoughts may seize him

And if my purse, or counsel can, I’ll ease him.

Exit.

Unit 13

Scæna quatro. Act Two, Scene Four

Enter Petruchio, Petronius, Gremio, and Hortensio.

Petruchio

For look you Gentlemen, say that I grant her

Out of my free and liberal love, a pardon,

Which you and all men else know she deserves not,

Can all the world leave laughing?

Petronius.

I think not.

Petruchio No by God they cannot;

For pray consider, have you ever read,

Or heard of, or can any man imagine.

So stiff a tom boy, of so set a malice,

And such a brazen resolution,

As this young Crab-tree? And without a cause!

Not a foul word comes ‘cross her, not a fear,

She justly can take hold on, and do you think

I must sleep out my anger, and endure it,

Dance a jig to her ease, and lull her mischief?

Give me a Spindle first! No, no my Masters,

Were she as fair as Helen a Greece, I would tabor her,

Till all the Legions that are crept into her,

Flew out with fire i’th tails.

Hortensio Methinks you err now,

For to me seems, a little suff’rance

Were a far surer cure.

Petruchio Yes, I can suffer,

Where I see promises of peace and amendment.

Gremio

Give her a few conditions.

Petruchio I’ll be hang’d first.

Hortensio

This must not be. Enter Peter.

Unit 14

Peter Arm, arm, out with your weapons,

For all the women in the Kingdom’s on ye;

They swarm like wasps, and nothing can destroy ‘em,

But stopping of their hive, and smothering of ‘em.

Enter. Grumio

Grumio

Stand to your guard sir, all the devils extant

Are broke upon us, like a cloud of thunder;

Together they heave stools, and fling

Many potlids, dart ladles, tossing irons,

Hortensio

Lo you, fierce Petruchio, this comes of your impatience.

Peter

There’s one bought in the bears, and fought ‘em

In the church-yard after even song.

Grumio

Then are they victualled with pies and puddings,

Noble Ale. Sausages and pork,

What else they want, they war for.

Petruchio

Come to counsel,

Hortensio

Now you must grant conditions or the Kingdom

Will have no other talk but this.

Petronius. Away then,

And let’s advise the best.

Hortensio: Why do you tremble?

Gremio

Have I liv’d thus long to be knocked o’th head,

With half a washing bottle? Pray be wise sir.

Petruchio

Come, something I’ll do; but what it is I know not.

Unit 15

Scaena Quintus. Act Two, Scene Five

Enter Petronius, Petruchio, Gremio, Hortensio, and Tranio.

Petronius.

I had rather see her carted.

Tranio No more of that sir.

Hortensio

Are ye resolv’d to give her fair conditions?

Twill be the safest way.

Petruchio I am distracted,

Would I had run my head into a halter

When I first woo’d her: if I offer peace,

She’ll urge her own conditions, that’s the devil.

Hortensio

Why say she do?

Petruchio: Say, I am made an Ass, then;

I know her aim. May I with safety of mine honour,

After the mighty manage of my first wife,

Suffer this Cicely, ere she have warm’d my sheets, ,

To hang her fights out, and defy me, friends,

A well known man of war? If this be equal,

And I may suffer, say, and I have done?

Petronius

I do not think you may.

Tranio You’ll make it worse sir.

Hortensio

Pray hear me good Petruchio. But e’en now,

You were contented to give all conditions,

To try how far she would carry, ‘Tis a folly,

To clap the curb on, ere you be sure it proves a natural wildness,

And not a forc’d. Give her conditions,

For on my life this trick is put into her -

Petronius

I should believe so too.

Hortensio And not her own.

Tranio

You’ll find it so.

Hortensio Then if she flounder with you,

Clap spurs on, and in this you’ll deal with temperance,

Avoid the hurry of the world.

Tranio And loose -

Gremio

No honour on my life, sir.

Petruchio I will do it.

Music above.

Petronius.

It seems they are very merry. Enter Grumio.

Petruchio Why God hold it.

Gremio

Now Grumio?

Grumio They are i’th flaunt, sir.

Hortensio Yes we hear ‘em.

Unit 16

Enter Maria, Livia and Bianca above.

Gremio

They look out.

Petruchio Good ev’n Ladies.

Maria

Good you good ev’n sir.

Petruchio How have you slept to night?

Maria

Exceeding well sir.

Petruchio Did you not wish me with you?

Maria

No, believe me, I never thought upon you.

Petruchio

No more war. Puissant ladies, show conditions,

And freely I accept ‘em.

Maria Call in Livia;

She’s in the treaty too.

Enter Livia above.

Gremio How, Livia?

Maria

Hear you that sir?

There’s the conditions for ye, pray peruse ‘em. (Throws the conditions down to Petruchio)

Petronius.

Yes, there she is. It’had been no right rebellion,

Had she held off; what think you man?

Gremio Nay nothing.

O’my conscience, the world’s end, and the goodness of a woman

Will come together.

Petronius Are you there sweet Lady?

Livia

Cry you mercy sir, I saw you not; your blessing.

Petronius

Yes, when I bless a jade,

Gremio You have us’d me finely.

Livia

There’s no other use of thee now,

But to be hung up at the apothecaries,

For some strange monster.

Petronius There’s no talking to ‘em;

How are they sir?

Petruchio As I expected: liberty and clothes,

When, and in what way she will; continual moneys,

Company, and all the house at her dispose;

No tongue to say, ‘Why is this?’ or ‘Whither will it?’;

And Jewels - for her private use, I take it -

Two thousand pound in present: then for music,

And women to read French -

Petronius This must not be.

Petruchio

And at the latter end a clause put in,

That Livia shall by no man be importun’d.

This whole month yet, to marry.

Petronius This is monstrous.

Petruchio

This shall be done, I’ll humour her awhile.

If nothing but repentance, and undoing

Can win her love, I’ll make a shift for one.

Hortensio

When ye are once a bed, all these conditions

Lie under your own seal.

Maria Do you like ‘em?

Petruchio Yes.

And by that faith I gave you ‘fore the priest

I’ll ratify ‘em

Bianca: Stay, what pledges?

Maria

No, I’ll take that oath;

But have a care you keep it.

Bianca: If you do juggle,

Or alter but a letter of these articles

We have set down, the self-same persecution -

Maria

Mistrust him not.

Petruchio By all my honesty —

Maria

Enough. I yield.

We’ll meet you in the parlour.

Petruchio

(To Petronius) Ne’er look sad sir, for I will do it.

Hortensio There’s no danger in’t.

Petruchio

For Livia’s Article, you shall observe it,

I have tied my self.

Petronius. I will.

Petruchio Along then. Now

Either I break, or this stiff plant must bow. Exeunt.

Intermission

Unit 17

Actus tertius, Scæna prima. Act 3 Scene 1

Enter Tranio, and Rowland.

Tranio

Come, you shall take my counsel.

Rowland I shall hang first.

I’ll no more love, ‘tis a bane, most mortal.

No, I thank Heaven, I have got my sleep again,

And now begin to talk sense;

Tranio Wilt thou, Rowland,

Certain ne’er love again?

Rowland I think so, certain,

And if I be not dead drunk, I shall keep it.

Tranio

What wilt thou

Give me for ten pound now, when thou next lovest,

And the same woman still?

Rowland Give me the money.

A hundred, and my bond for’t.

Tranio But pray hear me:

I’ll work all means I can to reconcile ye.

Rowland

Do, do, give me the money.

Tranio There.

Rowland To’t Tranio.

Tranio

You would think it strange now, if another beauty

Love you as much, or more, than she now hates you

Rowland

‘Tis a good hearing, let ‘em love: ten pound more,

I never love that woman.

Tranio There it is;

And so an hundred, if you lose.

Rowland ‘Tis done;

I am sure I am in excellent case to win.

Tranio

I must have leave to tell you what she is

And how she suffers for you

Rowland Ten pound more

I never believe you.

Tranio Let’s walk, I am

Glad your sullen fever’s off.

Rowland Shalt see me Tranio

A monstrous merry man now.

Come, and as we go, tell me the general hurry

Of these mad wenches, and their works.

Tranio I will.

Rowland

And do thy worst.

Tranio Something I’ll do.

Rowland Do Tranio. Exeunt.

Unit 18

Scæna Secunda. Act Three, Scene Two

Enter Petruchio, and Hortensio.

Hortensio

Not let you touch her all this night ?

Petruchio Not touch her.

Hortensio

Where was your courage?

Petruchio Where was her obedience?

Never poor man was sham’d so. Never rascal

That keeps a stud of whores was us’d so basely.

Hortensio

Pray tell me one thing truly; do you love her?

Petruchio

I would I did not.

Hortensio It may be then,

Her modesty requir’d a little violence?

Some women love to struggle.

Petruchio

She swore my force might weary her, but win her

I never could, nor should, till she consented;

And I might take her body prisoner,

But for her mind or appetite -

Hortensio Tis strange;

Used you no more art?

Petruchio Yes, I swore to her,

And by no little ones, if presently

She grew not nearer to me, and dispatched me

Out of the pain I was in, and that eagerly,

I would to her Chamber-maid, and in her hearing

Begin her such a hunts-up.

Hortensio Then she started?

Petruchio

No more then I do now; marry, she answered,

If I were so dispos’d, she could not help it;

But there was one called Grumio, a poor butler

One that might well content a single woman.

She bade me yet these six nights look for nothing,

But a kiss or two to close my stomach.

Hortensio Stay ye, stay ye,

Was she thus when you wooed her?

Petruchio Nothing like,

Nay, so keenly eager, I was afraid

She had been easy, she would shower

Her kisses so upon me.

Hortensio Then I fear

Another spoke’s i’th wheel.

Petruchio Now thou hast found me,

There gnaws my devil, Hortensio!

Hortensio I hear her.

Petruchio

Mark her then, and see the heir

Of spite and prodigality, she has studied

A way to beggar us both!

Enter Maria at the door, with a servant and a woman.

Unit 19

Hortensio Fie, fie Sir. .

Maria

I do not like that dress, tis far too poor,

For those hangings let ‘em be carried where

I gave appointment, they are too base for

My use. Tell the Dutchman

That brought the mares, he must with speed send me

Another suit of horses, I care not much

What price they bear, so they be sound

Where’s the horse man? O good morrow .

Hortensio

Good morrow Lady, how is’t now.

Maria Faith sickly,

This house stands in an ill air.

Hortensio, let me have thy opinion.

Petruchio

‘ Tis very well.

Maria What if I pluck it down,

And built a square upon it, with two courts

Still rising from the entrance?

Petruchio Pray Lady

Will not this cost much money?

Maria Some five thousand,

Petruchio Maria,

This is a fearful course you take pray think on’t,

You are a woman now, a wife, and his

That must in honesty, and justice look for

Some due obedience from you.

Maria That bare word

Shall cost you many a pound more, build upon’t;

Tell me o’due obedience? What’s a husband?

Are we not one piece with you, and as worthy

Our own intentions, as you yours?

Petruchio Pray hear me.

Maria

Take two small drops of water, equal weigh’d,

Tell me which is the heaviest, and which ought

First to descend in duty?

Petruchio You mistake me;

I urge not service from you, nor obedience

In way of duty, but of love, and credit;

All I expect is but a noble care

Of what I have brought you, and of what I am,

And what our name may be

Maria That’s in my making.

Petruchio

Tis true it is so.

Maria Yes it is Petruchio,

For there was never man without our moulding,

Without our stamp upon him, and our justice,

Left any thing three ages after him

Good, and his own.

Hortensio Good Lady understand him.

Maria

I do too much, sweet Hortensio, he’s one

Of a most spiteful self condition,

Never at peace with any thing but age,

That has no teeth left to return his anger.

A Bravery dwells in his blood yet, of abusing

His first good wife; he’s sooner fire than powder,

And sooner mischief.

Petruchio If I be so sudden

Do not you fear me?

Maria No, nor yet care for you,

And if it may be lawful, I defy you:

Petruchio

Does this become you now?

Maria It shall become me.

Petruchio

Thou disobedient, weak, vain-glorious woman,

Were I but half so wilful, as thou spiteful,

I should now drag thee to thy duty.

Maria Drag me?

Petruchio

But I am friends again: take all your pleasure.

Maria

Now you perceive him Hortensio.

Petruchio I love thee

Above thy vanity, thou faithless creature.

Maria

Would I had been so happy when I married,

But to have met an honest man like thee,

For I am sure thou art good, I know thou art honest,

A handsome hurtless man, a loving man,

And those eyes, that face; wear this for my sake,

And when thou thinkst upon me pity me:

I am cast away, Exit Maria.

Unit 20

Hortensio Why how now man?

Petruchio Pray leave me,

And follow your advices.

Hortensio The man’s jealous!

Petruchio

I shall find a time ere it be long, to ask you

One or two foolish questions.

Hortensio I shall answer

As well as I am able, when you call me:

Farewell sir. Exit Hortensio.

Petruchio Pray farewell. Is there no keeping

A wife to one mans use? ‘Tis hard dealing,

Very hard dealing, gentlemen, strange dealing:

Now in the name of madness, what star reigned,

When I married this second wife, this whirlwind,

That takes all within her compass? Was I

Not well warned, in the days

Of my first doting? Had I not wife enough,

Then, to turn my love to? Did I want vexation,

Or any special care to kill my heart?

Had I not every morning a rare breakfast,

Mixed with a learned lecture of ill language,

And at dinner, a diet of the same dish?

Was there evening that e’er passed over us,

Without “thou knave”, or “thou whore”, for digestion?

And did Heaven forgive me, and take this Serpent

From me? And am I keeping tame devils

Now again? My heart aches!

Something I must do speedily. I’ll die,

If I can handsomely, for that’s the way

To make a rascal of her; I am sick,

Exit.

Unit 21

Scæna Quartus. Act Three, Scene Four

Enter Livia, Bianca, Tranio, and Rowland.

Livia

Then I must be content sir, with my fortune.

Rowland

And I with mine.

Livia I did not think, a look,

Or a poor word or two, could have displanted

Such a fix’d constancy, and for your end too.

Rowland

Come, come, I know your courses. There’s your gew- gaws,

Your rings, and bracelets, and the purse you gave me,

The money’s spent in entertaining you

At plays, and cherry-gardens.

Livia There’s your chain too.

But if you’ll give me leave, I’ll wear the hair still;

I would yet remember you.

Bianca Give him his love back;

The young man has employment for’t.

Tranio Fie Rowland.

Rowland

You cannot fie me out a hundred pound

With this poor plot. Yet, let me ne’er see day more,

If something do not struggle strangely in me.

Bianca

Young man, let me talk with you.

Rowland Well young woman.

Bianca

This was your Mistress once.

Rowland Yes.

Bianca Are ye honest?

I see you are young, and handsome.

Rowland. I am honest.

Bianca

Why that’s well said: and there’s no doubt your judgement

Is good enough, and strong enough to tell you

Who are your foes, and friends. Why did you leave her?

Rowland

She made a puppy of me.

Bianca Be that granted:

She must do so sometimes, and oftentimes;

Love were too serious else.

Rowland A witty woman.

Bianca

Had you lov’d me-

Rowland I would I had.

Bianca And dearly;

And I had lov’d you so - you may love worse sir,

But that is not material -

Rowland (Aside) I shall lose.

Bianca

Some time or other for variety

I should have called you fool, or boy, or bid you

Play with the pages: but have lov’d you still,

Out of all question, and extremely too;

You are a man made to be loved.

Rowland (Aside) This woman

Either abuses me, or loves me deadly.

Bianca

I’ll tell you one thing, if I were to choose

A husband to mine own mind, I should think

One of your mothers making would content me,

For o’my conscience she makes good ones.

Rowland Lady,

I’ll leave you to your commendations:

(Aside) I am in again, The devil take their tongues.

Bianca

You shall not go.

Rowland I will. Yet thus far Livia,

Your sorrow may induce me to forgive you,

But never love again. (Aside) If I stay longer,

I have lost two hundred pound.

Livia Good sir, but thus much–

Tranio

Turn if thou be’st a man.

Livia But one kiss of you;

One parting kiss, and I am gone too.

Rowland Come,

(Aside) I shall kiss fifty pound away at this clap! (They kiss)

We’ll have one more, and then farewell.

Livia Farewell.

Bianca

Well, go thy ways, thou bearst a kind heart with thee.

Tranio

H’as made a stand.

Bianca A noble, brave young fellow,

Worthy a wench indeed.

Rowland I will: I will not. Exit Rowland.

Tranio

He’s gone, but shot again. Play you but your part,

And I will keep my promise: forty Angels

In fair gold, lady. Wipe your eyes: he’s yours

If I have any wit.

Livia I’ll pay the forfeit.

Bianca

Come then, lets see your sister, how she fares now,

After her skirmish; and be sure, old Gremio

Be kept in good hand; then all’s perfect, Livia. Exeunt.

Unit 22

Scena quintus. Act Three, Scene Five

Enter Grumio and Peter.

Peter

O Grumio, Grumio, what becomes of us?

Oh my sweet Master.

Grumio Run for a Physician,

And a whole peck of ‘pothecaries, Peter.

He will die, if they come not quickly,

And bring all people that are skilful

Exit Peter.

Enter Maria, and Servants.

Maria

Out with the Trunks, ho:

Why are you idle? Sirrah, up to th’ Chamber,

And take the hangings down.

Grumio Pray forsooth,

And I beseech ye, tell me, is he dead yet?

Maria

No, but is drawing on: out with the armoire.

Grumio

Then I’ll go see him.

Maria Thou art undone then fellow;

No man that has been near him come near me.

Enter Hortensio, and Petronius.

Hortensio

Why how now Lady, what means this ?

Petronius. Now daughter,

How does my son?

Maria Save all you can for heaven’s sake.!

Enter Livia, Bianca, and Tranio.

Petronius.

How does thy husband woman?

Maria Get you gone,

If you mean to save your lives: the sickness!

Petronius.

Stand further off, I prithee.

Maria The plague is i’th house sir,

My husband has it now;

Alas he is infected, and raves extremely.

Give me some counsel, friends.

Bianca Why lock the doors up,

And send him in a woman to attend him.

Maria

I have bespoke two women and the City

Hath sent a watch by this time: meat nor money

He shall not want, nor prayers.

Petronius. How long is’t

Since it first took him?

Maria But within this three hours. Enter Watch.

Unit 23

I am frighted from my wits: –O here’s the watch;

Pray do your Office, lock the doors up friends,

And patience be his Angel.

Tranio This comes unlook’d for:

Maria

I’ll to the lodge; some that are kind and love me,

I know will visit me. Petruchio within.

Petruchio Do you hear my Masters?

Ho, you that lock the doors up.

Petronius. ‘Tis his voice.

Tranio

Hold, and let’s hear him.

Petruchio Will ye starve me here?

Am I a traitor, or an heretic?

Or am I grown infectious?

Petronius Pray sir, pray.

Petruchio

I am as well as you are, goodman puppy.

Maria

Pray have patience,

You shall want nothing sir.

Petruchio I want a cudgel,

And thee, thou wickedness.

Petronius He speaks well enough.

Maria

Had ever a strong heart sir.

Petruchio Will ye hear me? Gentlemen

If any man misdoubt me for infected,

There is mine arm, let any man look on’t.

Petronius

Nay we’ll go for the Doctor.

Maria ‘Tis the safest;

I saw the signs on him sir.

Petronius. Then there’s but one way.

Petruchio

Will it please you open?

Tranio His fit grows stronger still.

Maria

Let’s save our selves sir. Exeunt.

Unit 24

Petruchio Why Rascals,

Friends, Gentlemen, thou beastly wife, Grumio;

None hear me? Who at the door there?

Enter Petruchio with a piece, running.

Are ye all gone? tricks in my old days, put

Now upon me? and by Lady Green-sleeves?

Am I grown so tame after all my triumphs?

If I were unmarried,

I would do any thing below repentance,

Any base dunghill slavery; be a hang-man,

Ere I would be a husband: O the thousand,

Thousand, ten thousand ways they have to kill us!

I could rail twenty days together now.

I’ll seek ‘em out, and if I have not reason,

And very sensible, why this was done,

I’ll go a hunting yet, and some shall smart for’t. Exit.

Unit 25

Actus Quartus. Scæna prima. Act 4 Scene 1

Enter Gremio and Petronius.

Gremio

That I do love her, is without all question,

And most extremely, dearly, most exactly;

And that I would even now marry her,

As certain too; but to be made a whim-wham,

A Jib-crack, and a Gentleman o’th first house

For all my kindness to her.

Petronius. How you take it!

Wouldst have her come, and lick thee like a calf,

And blow thy nose, and buss thee?

Gremio Not so neither.

Petronius.

What wouldst thou have her do?

Gremio Do as she should do;

Put on a clean smock, and to Church, and marry,

And then to bed a God’s name,

She is as nimble that way as an eel;

Give fair quarter, I am old and crazy,

And subject to much fumbling, I confess it;

Yet something I would have that’s warm, to hatch me:

Petronius.

Go get you gone, and dream

She’s thine within these two days, for she is so;

Think not of worldly business,

It cools the blood; and burn your night-cap,

It looks like half a winding-sheet, and urges

From a young wench nothing but cold repentance:

You may eat Onions, but not too lavish.

Gremio I am glad of that.

Shall I hope once again, say’t,

Petronius. You shall sir:

And you shall have your hope.

Exeunt.

Unit 26

Actus Quartus. Scæna secundus. Act 4 Scene 2

Enter Petruchio, Grumio and Peter.

Grumio.

And as I told your worship, all the hangings,

Brass, Pewter, Plate, ev’n to the very piss-pots.

Peter

And the march beer was going too: Oh Grumio

What a sad sight was that?

Petruchio Go trim the house up. .

And put the things in order as they were

Exit Peter and Grumio

What a hap had I, when my fate flung me

Upon this bear-whelp !

Were she a whore directly, or a scold,

I had my wish, and knew which way to reign her:

Enter Maria

Here she comes.

Now if she have a colour, for the fault is

A cleanly one, upon my conscience

I shall forgive her yet, and find a something

Certain, I married for: her wit: I’ll mark her.

Unit 27

Maria

Not let his wife come near him in his sickness,

Not come to comfort him? Refus’d?

To deny his wife a visitation? His wife, that

Lov’d him, oh heaven forgive her for’t! Nay, doted,

Nay had run mad, had she not married him,

Petruchio

Though I do know this falser then the devil,

I cannot choose but love it.

Maria I dare not

Believe him such a base, debauched companion,

That one refusal of a tender maid

Would make him feign this sickness out of need.

Petruchio

This woman would have made a most rare Jesuit

She can prevaricate on any thing. I’ll go to her:

Are you a wife for any man?

Maria For you Sir.

If I were worse, I were better; That you are well,

At least, that you appear so, I thank heaven,

Long may it hold and that you are here, I am glad too,

But that you have abus’d me wretchedly,

And such a way that shames the name of husband,

Such a malicious mangy way, so mingled,

(Never look strangely on me, I dare tell you)

With breach of honesty, care, kindness, manners.

Petruchio

Holla, you kick too fast.

Maria

Am I not married to you, tell me that?

Petruchio

I would I could not tell you.

Maria Or am I grown

Because I have been a little peevish to you,

Only to try your temper such a dog-leech

I could not be admitted to your presence?

Petruchio

If I endure this, hang me.

Thou art the subtlest woman I think living,

I am sure the lewdest; now be still, and mark me;

Were I but any way addicted to the devil,

I should now think I had met his play-fellow

Tell me thou, paltry spiteful whore: do you cry?

I’ll make you roar, before I leave.

Maria Your pleasure.

Petruchio

Was it not sin enough, and wickedness

In full abundance like a rascal to abuse

The tie of marriage, with rebellion,

Childish and base rebellion? But continuing.

After forgiveness too, and worse, your mischief,

And against him setting the hope of heaven by,

And the Dear reservation of his honour

Nothing above ground could have won to hate thee:

Well go thy ways.

Maria Yes.

Petruchio You shall hear me out first:

If I should beat thee now, as much may be,

Dost thou not well deserve it, o’ thy conscience,

Dost thou not cry, come beat me?

Maria I defy you.

And my last loving tears farewell: the first stroke,

The very first you give me if you dare strike,

Try me, and you shall find it so, for ever

Never to be recall’d: I know you love me,

Mad till you have enjoy’d me; I do turn

Utterly from you, and what man I meet first

That has but spirit to deserve a favour,

Let him bear any shape, the worse the better,

Shall kill you, and enjoy me,

And so farewell for this time. Exit Maria

Petruchio Grief go with thee,

If there be any witchcrafts, herbs, or potions,

Saying my prayers back-ward, fiends, or fairies

That can again unlove me, I am made. Exit.

Unit 28

Scæna Tertia. Act Four, Scene Three

Enter Bianca, and Tranio.

Tranio Faith Mistress, you must do it.

Bianca Are the writings ready I told you of?

Tranio Yes they are ready, but to what use I know not.

Bianca

Y’are an ass, you must have all things construed,

Go too, fetch Rowland hither presently,

Your twenty pound lies bleeding else: she is married

Within these twelve hours, if we cross it not,

And see the Papers of one size.

Tranio I have ye.

Bianca

And for disposing of ‘em.

Tranio If I fail you

Cut my head off with a hand saw.

Bianca Well sir.

Petronius and Gremio I’ll see sent for

About your business; go.

Tranio I am gone Exit Tranio

Bianca

Ho Livia. Enter Livia.

Unit 29

Livia Who’s that?

Bianca A friend of yours, Lord how you look now,

As if you had lost a fortune.

Livia O Bianca.

I am the most undone, unhappy woman.

Bianca

Be quiet wench, thou shalt be done, or all shall split for’t,

No more of these minc’d passions, they are mangy,

And ease thee of nothing, but a little wind,

Thou fear’st Gremio?

Livia E’en as the Gallows.

Bianca

Keep thee there still. And you love Rowland? Say.

Livia

If I say not I am sure I lie

Bianca

What would’st thou give that woman,

In spight of all his anger, and thy fear,

And all thy Father’s policy, that could

Clap ye within these two nights quietly

Into a bed together?

Livia Bianca,

Me thinks you should not mock me.

Bianca Mock a pudding.

I speak good honest English, and good meaning.

Follow but my counsel and if thou hast him not,

Let me nev’r know a good night more. You must

Be very sick o’th instant.

Livia Well, what follows?

Bianca.

And in that sickness send for all your friends,

Your Father, and your plague, old Gremio,

And Rowland shall be there too.

Livia What of these?

Bianca

Do you not twitter yet? Of this shall follow

That which shall make thy heart leap.You shall know all,

But first walk in, and practise; pray be sick.

Livia

I do believe you; and I am sick.

Bianca

To bed then, come, I’ll send away your servants

Post for your fool, and Father; and good fortune,

As we mean honesty, now strike up the shot. Exeunt.

Unit 30

Scæna Quarta. Act Four, Scene Four

Enter Tranio, and Rowland.

Tranio

Nay, on my conscience, I have lost my money,

But that’s all one: I’ll never more persuade you,

Rowland

But did she send for me?

Tranio I deal directly

With you, sir Enter Servant.

Rowland How now fellow,

Whither post you so fast?

Servant. O sir my Master

Pray did you see my Master?

Rowland Why your Master?

Servant.

My pretty Mistress Livia.

Rowland What of her?

Servant.

Is fallen sick o’th sudden.

Rowland How o’th sullens?

Servant.

O’th sudden sir, I say, very sick.Fare you well sir. Exit Servant

Unit 31

Rowland

What should her sickness be?

Tranio For you it may be.

Rowland

Yes when my brains are out, I may believe it,

Never before I am sure: yet I may see her

‘Twill be a point of honesty:

Tranio It will so.

Rowland

It may be not, too. You would fain be fingering

This old sin-off’ring of two hundred, Tranio,

How daintily, and cunningly you drive me

Up like a deer to’th toil, yet I may leap it,

And what’s the woodman then?

Tranio A loser by you.

Speak will you go or not? to me ’tis equal.

Rowland

Along then, twenty pound more if thou dar’st,

I give her not a good word.

Tranio Not a Penny. Exeunt.

Unit 32

Scæna quintus. Act Four, Scene Five

Enter Petruchio, Grumio, and Peter.

Petruchio

Prithee, entreat her come, I will not trouble her

Above a word or two. Exit Peter.

Ere I endure

This life, and with a woman, and a vow’d one

To all the mischief’s she can lay upon me,

I’ll go to plough again, and eat leek porridge.

No, there be other countries, Grumio, for me,

And other people, yea, and other women.

If I have need, and the sun, they say

Shines as warm there, as here, and till I have lost

Either myself, or her, I care not whether

Nor which first -

Grumio. Me thinks now,

If your good worship could but have the patience -

Petruchio

The patience, why the patience?

Grumio. Why I’ll tell you,

Could you but have the patience.

Petruchio Well, the patience?

Grumio.

To laugh at all she does, or when she rails,

To have a drum beaten o’th top o’th house,

To give the neighbours warning of her ‘larm,

As I do when my wife rebels.

Petruchio Thy wife?

Thy wife’s a pigeon to her, a mere slumber,

The dead of night’s not stiller.

Thou know’st her way.

Grumio I should do, I am sure.

I have ridden it night, and day, this twenty year.

Petruchio

The rainbow sheds not her many colours

Quicker and more than this deceitful woman

Weaves in her dyes of wickedness. Enter Peter

What says she?

Peter

She’s mad Sir.

Petruchio How mad is she?

Peter As mad as heart

Can wish sir. She has dressed her self

(Saving your worships reverence) just i’th cut

Of one of those that multiply i’th suburbs

For single money!

Petruchio What new way’s this?

Peter

There came in Master Hortensio,

Petruchio And what

Did Master Hortensio when he came in?

Get my trunks ready sirrah, I’ll be gone straight.

Peter

He’s here to tell you

Enter Hortensio.

She’s horn mad Grumio.

Hortensio Call ye this a woman?

Petruchio

Yes sir, she is a woman,

Hortensio Sir, I doubt it.

Petruchio

I had thought you had made experience.

Hortensio Sir,

Pray be not mistaken: by this hand

Your wife’s as chaste, and honest as a virgin,

For any thing I know: ’tis true she gave me

A Ring.

Petruchio For rutting.

Hortensio You are much deceiv’d still,

Believe me, I never even kissed her, and now

Coming in visitation, like a friend,

I think she is mad sir, suddenly she started,

And snatch’d the ring away, and drew her knife out,

To what intent I know not.

Petruchio Is this certain?

Hortensio

As I am here sir.

Petruchio I believe you honest. Enter Maria.

Unit 33

And pray continue so.

Hortensio She comes.

Petruchio Now Damsel,

What will your beauty do, if I forsake you?

Do you deal by signs, and tokens? As I guess then,

You’ll walk abroad, this summer, and catch captains,

Or hire a piece of holy ground i’th suburbs,

And keep a nest of Nuns?

Hortensio

Nay, now you are too bitter.

Petruchio Nev’r a whit sir:

I’ll tell thee woman; for now I have day to see thee,

And all my wits about me, and I speak

Not out of passion neither (leave your mumping)

I know you’re well enough. When I chose thee

To make a bedfellow, I took more trouble,

Then twenty terms can come to, I took a Leprosy,

Nay worse, the plague, nay worse yet, a possession

And had the devil with thee.

Hortensio

Do you think she’s sensible of this?

Petruchio I care not,

Be what she will: the pleasure I take in her,

Thus I blow off, the care I took to love her,

Like this point I untie, and thus I loose it,

The husband I am to her, thus I sever:

My vanity farewell! Yet, for you have been

So near me as to bear the name of wife,

My unquench’d charity shall tell you thus much

(Though you deserve it well) you shall not beg;

What I ordian’d your jointure honestly

You shall have settled on you,

And now I am for travel.

Maria Now I love you,

And now I see you are a man I’ll talk to you,

And I forget your bitterness.

Hortensio How now man?

Maria Sure sir

You have hit upon a happy course, a blessed,

And one will make you virtuous

Petruchio She’ll ship me.

Maria

Nay, sir, you do not conceive me. ‘Tis

A way of understanding I long wishd for,

And now tis come, take heed you fly not back sir,

Me thinks you look a new man to me now,

A man of excellence, and now I see

Some great design set in you. You may think now

‘Twere my part weakly to weep your loss,

And to resist you, but I love you, beyond

Woman! Go, and go alone,

Only your noble mind for your companion,

Go far, too far you cannot: still the farther

The more experience finds you:

Petruchio Dost hear her?

Hortensio Yes.

I wonder that she writes not.

Maria Then when time,

And fullness of occasion have new made you,

And squared you from a sot into a signor,

Come home an aged man, as did Ulysses,

And I your glad Penelope.

Petruchio What should I do?

Hortensio

Why by my troth I would travel,

Did not you mean so?

Petruchio Alas no, nothing less man:

I did it but to try sir, she’s the devil,

And now I find it, for she drives me, I must go:

Are my trunks down there, and my horses ready?

Maria.

Sir, for your house, and if you please to trust me

With that you leave behind.

Petruchio Bring down the money.

Maria

As I am able, and to my poor fortunes,

I’ll govern as a widow.

Petruchio How’s the wind?

She’ll wish me out o’th world anon.

Maria For France.

Tis very fair; get you aboard to night sir,

And lose no time, you know the tide stays no man,

I have cold meats ready for you.

Petruchio Fare thee well,

Thou hast fooled me o’th kingdom with a vengeance,

And thou canst fool me in again.

Maria. Not I sir,

I love you better, take your time, and pleasure,

I’ll see you hors’d.

Petruchio

I think thou wouldst see me hangd too,

Were I but half as willing.

Maria Any thing

That you think well of, I dare look upon.

Petruchio

You’ll bear me to the lands end Hortensio,

And other of my friends I hope.

Hortensio Never doubt sir,

Maria

I am sure you’ll kiss me ‘ere I go; I have business,

And stay long here I must not.

Petruchio Get thee going.

For if thou tarriest but an other dialogue

I’ll kick thee to thy Chamber.

Maria Fare you well Sir,

And bear your self wisely, and worthily,

And for those flying fames here of your follies,

Your gambols, and ill breeding of your youth, I’ll deal

So like a wife, that loves your reputation,

That those shall die.

Petruchio Now the Devil,

That was your first good master, shower his blessing

Upon ye all: into whose custody ____

Hortensio You had better go.

Petruchio

I will go then. Let’s seek out,

All my friends to see me fair aboard:

Then women, if there be a storm at Sea,

Worse then your tongues can make, and waves more broken

Then your dissembling faiths are, let me feel

Nothing but tempests, till they crack my keel.

Exeunt

Unit 34

Actus Quintus, Scæna Prima. Act Five Scene 1

Enter Gremio, Petronius, and Bianca with four papers.

Petronius.

If this fair repentance of my Daughter

Spring from your good persuasion, as it seems so,

I must confess I have mistook you,

And I repent.

Bianca When I told her

How good, and gentle yet, with free contrition

Again you might be purchas’d: loving woman,

She heard me, yet all my counsel,

And comfort in this case, could not so heal her

But that grief got his share too, and she sickened.

Petronius.

I am sorry she’s so ill, yet glad her sickness

Has got so good a ground.

[to Gremio] Go get you in, and see your Mistress.

Bianca She is sick sir,

But you may kiss her whole.

Gremio How.

Bianca Comfort her.

May be she needs confession.

Gremio By St. Mary,

She shall have absolution then and penance.

Exit Gremio

Bianca

Here comes the others too. Enter Rowland and Tranio

Petronius .

Good ev’n to you Rowland, you are welcome.

Rowland

Thank you.

Petronius. I have a certain Daughter.

No doubt you know her well.

Rowland Nor never shall sir.

She is a woman, and the ways unto her

Are like the finding of a certain path

After a deep fallen Snow.

Petronius Well that’s by’th by still.

This Daughter that I tell you of is fallen

A little crop sick, with the dangerous surfeit

She took of your affection.

Rowland Mine sir?

Petronius. Yes sir.

Or rather, as it seems, repenting.

And there she lies within, debating on’t.

Rowland Well, sir.

Petronius.

I think ’twere well you would see her.

Rowland If you please sir;

I am not squeamish of my visitation.

Petronius.

But, this I’ll tell you, she is alter’d much,

You’ll find her now another Livia.

Rowland

I have enough o’th old sir.

Petronius. No more fool,

To look gay babies in your eyes young Rowland,

And hang about your pretty neck.

Rowland I am glad on’t,

And thank my Fates I have scaped such execution.

Petronius.

And buss you till you blush again.

Rowland Well, what follows?

Petronius.

She’s mine now, as I please to settle her,

At my command, and where I please to plant her:

Only she would take a kind of farewell of you,

And give you back a wand’ring vow or two

You left in pawn; and two or three slight oaths

She lent you too, she looks for.

Rowland She shall have ‘em

With all my heart, sir, and if you like it better,

A free release in writing.

Petronius There’s the matter;

And you shall be thus released from her, Rowland.

Rowland

So be it. Your twenty pound sweats, Tranio.

Tranio

‘Twill not undo me, Rowland, do your worst.

Rowland

Come, shall we see her Sir?

Bianca What’er she says

You must bear manly Rowland, for her sickness

Has made her somewhat teatish.

Rowland Let her talk

Till her tongue ache I care not: by this hand

Thou hast a handsome face wench, and a body

Daintily mounted; (aside) now do I feel an hundred

Pounds running directly from me, as if I

Pissed it.

Unit 35

Enter Livia discovered abed, and Gremio by her.

Bianca

Pray draw ‘em softly, the least hurry sir

Puts her to much impatience.

Petronius. How is’t daughter?

Livia

O very sick, yet somewhat better

I hope; because this goodman has forgiven

Me. Oh my head:

Bianca Well done wench.

Livia

Father, and all good people that shall hear me,

I have abus’d this man perniciously;

Was never old man humbled so; I have scorned him,

And called him nasty names, I have spit at him,

At a christ’ning once, I gave him purging comfits

That soil’d his breeches; and one night

I strewed the stairs with peas, as he passed down;

And the good Gentleman (woe worth me for’t)

Fell two and twenty stairs. All this villainy

Did I: I Livia, I alone, untaught.

Gremio

And I unasked, forgive it.

Livia Where’s Bianca?

Bianca

Here Cousin.

Livia Give me drink,

Bianca There.

Livia Who’s that?

Gremio Rowland.

Livia

O my dissembler, you and I must part.

Come nearer sir.

Rowland I am sorry for your sickness.

Livia

Be sorry for your self sir, you have wrong’d me,

But I forgive you; are the papers ready?

Bianca

I have ‘em here: wilt please you view ‘em?

Petronius. Yes.

Livia

Show ‘em the young man too, I know he’s willing

To shift his sails too.’Tis for his more advancement;

Alas, we might have beggared one another;

We are young both, and a world of children

Might have been left behind to curse our follies:

We had been undone Bianca, had we married,

Undone for ever: I confess I lov’d him,

I care not who shall know it, most entirely

And once, upon my conscience, he lov’d me;

But farewell that, we must be wiser cousin.

Love must not leave us to the world. Have you done?

Rowland

Yes, and am ready to subscribe.

Livia Pray stay then:

Give me the papers, and let me peruse ‘em,

And so much time, as may afford a tear

At our last parting.

Bianca Pray retire, and leave her,

I’ll call ye presently.

Petronius. Come Gentlemen,

The shower must fall.

Rowland Would I had never seen her.

Exeunt all but Bianca and Livia

Unit 36

Bianca

Thou hast done bravely wench.

Livia Pray Heaven it prove so.

Bianca

There are the other papers. When they come

Begin you first, and subscribe the rest

Hard by your side.

Livia Didst mark Gremio,

In what an agony he was, and how he cried most

When I abus’d him most?

Bianca That was but reason.

Livia

Oh what a stinking cur is this?

Though I was but to counterfeit, he made me

Directly sick indeed.

Bianca Let him be hang’d.

Livia Amen.

Bianca

And lie you still and once more to your business.

Livia Call ‘em in.

Now if there be a power that pities lovers,

Help now, and hear my prayers.

Unit 37

Enter Petronius, Rowland, Tranio, Gremio.

Petronius. Is she ready?

Bianca

She has done her lamentations: pray go to her.

Livia

Rowland, come near me, and before you seal,

Give me your hand: take it again; now kiss me,

This is the last acquaintance we must have;

I wish you ever happy: there’s the paper.

Rowland

Pray stay a little.

Petronius. (Aside)Let me never live more

But I do begin to pity this young fellow;

How heartily he weeps!

Bianca There’s Pen and Ink sir.

Livia

Ev’n here I pray you. Tis a little Emblem

How near you have been to me.

Rowland There.

Bianca Your hands too,

As witnesses.

Petronius. By any means

To th’ book son.

Gremio With all my heart.

Bianca You must deliver it.

Rowland

There Livia, and a better love light on thee,

I can no more.

Bianca To this you must be witness too.

Petronius.

We will.

Bianca Do you deliver it now.

Livia. Pray set me up;

There Rowland, all thy old love back: and may

A new to come exceed mine, and be happy.

I must no more.

Rowland Farewell:

Livia A long farewell. Exit Rowland.

Bianca

Leave her by any means, till this wild passion

Be off her head; a day hence you may see her,

‘Twill be better.

Petronius. Pray, good mistress, tend her.

I must to horse straight: to see my son aboard;

Were but his wife as fit for pity, as

This wench, I were happy.

Bianca Fare ye well; (To Gremio )tomorrow

You shall receive a wife to quit your sorrow Exeunt.

Unit 38

Scena Secundus. Act Five, Scene Two

Enter Rowland, and Tranio stealing behind him.

Rowland

What a dull ass was I to let her go thus!

Upon my life she loves me still. Well, paper,

Oh bitter words, I’ll read ye once again,

And then for ever study to forget ye.

How’s this? Let me look better on’t: A Contract?

I swear, a marriage contract, seal’d, and ratified,

Her father’s hand set to it, and Gremio’s!

I do not dream sure, let me read again,

The same still! ‘Tis a contract.

Tranio ‘Tis so Rowland;

And by the virtue of the same, you pay me

An hundred pound to morrow

Rowland Art sure Tranio,

We are both alive now?

Tranio Wonder not, ye have lost.

Rowland

If this be true, I grant it.

Tranio ‘Tis most certain,

There’s a ring for you too, if you want it?

Rowland Yes.

Tranio

When shall I have my money?

Rowland Stay ye, stay ye,

When shall I marry her?

Tranio Tonight.

Rowland

I have lost then, and Heaven knows I am glad on’t.

Let’s go, and tell me all, and tell me how,

For yet I am a Pagan in it.

Tranio I have a Priest too,

And all shall come as even as may be. Exeunt.

Unit 39

Scæna Tertia. Act Five, Scene Three

Enter Grumio, Peter, and Porters, with Chest and Hampers.

Grumio

Bring ‘em away sirs.

Peter Must the great Trunks go too?

Grumio

Yes, and the Hampers; nay be speedy Masters;

He’ll be at Sea before us else.

Peter O Grumio,

What a most blessed turn hast thou!

To have the Sea between thee and this woman,

Nothing can drown her tongue, but a storm.

Now could I wish her in that Trunk:

Grumio God shield man,

I had rather have a Bear in’t.

Peter Yes, I’ll tell ye:

For in the passage if a tempest take ye,

Then, I would have the Master

Out of a powerful providence, to cry,

Lighten the ship of all hands, or we perish;

Then this woman, should by all means

Over-board presently.

Grumio O’ that condition,

So we were certain to be rid of her,

I would wish her with us: But believe me Peter,

She would spoil the fishing on this coast for ever,

For none would keep her company, but Dog-fish,

Enter Hortensio.

Unit 40

Hortensio

Home with your stuff again; the journeys ended.

Grumio

What does your worship mean?

Hortensio

Your master, O Petruchio, your master’s dead,

His body coming back; his wife, his devil;

The grief of her

Grumio Has killed him?

Hortensio Killed him, killed him.

Peter

Is there no law to hang her.

Hortensio Get ye in,

And let her know her misery, I dare not

For fear impatience seize me, see her more,

I must away again: Bid her for wife-hood,

Cry if she can: your weeping cannot mend it.

The body will be here within this hour, so tell her;

And all his friends to curse her. Farewell fellows.

Exit Hortensio

Peter

O Grumio, Grumio.

Grumio O my worthy Master. Exeunt.

Unit 41

Scæna Quarta. Act Five, Scene Four

Enter Petronius, Hortensio, Gremio, and Petruchio born in a Coffin.

Petronius.

Set down the body.

Enter Maria in black, and Grumio.

There lies your husband, there your loving husband,

There he that was Petruchio, too good for ye;

Your stubborn, and unworthy way has killed him

Ere he could reach the Sea;

Maria Pray ye all hear me,

And judge me as I am, not as you covet,

For that would make me yet more miserable:

‘Tis true, I have cause to grieve, and mighty cause;

And truly and unfeignedly I weep it.

Hortensio

I see there’s some good nature yet left in her.

Maria

But what’s the cause? Mistake me not: not this man,

As he is dead, I weep for - Heaven defend it,

I never was so childish - but his life,

His poor unmanly wretched foolish life,

Is that my full eyes pity, there’s my mourning.

Petronius.

Dost thou not shame?

Maria I do, and even to water,

To think what this man was, to think how simple,

How far below a man, how far from reason,

From common understanding, and all Gentry,

He had a happy turn he died. I’ll tell ye,

These are the wants I weep for, not his person.

The memory of this man, had he liv’d

But two years longer, had begot more follies,

Then wealthy Autumn flies. But let him rest,

He was a fool, and farewell he

Petruchio Unbutton me,

I die indeed else. O Maria,

Oh my unhappiness, my misery!

Petronius.

Go to him whore;—if he perish,

I’ll see thee hang’d my self.

Petruchio Why, why, why Maria?

Maria

I have done my worst, and have my end, forgive me;

From this hour make me what you please: I have tam’d ye,

And now am vowed your servant: Look not strangely,

Nor fear what I say to you. Dare you kiss me?

Thus I begin my new love.

Petruchio Once again?

Maria

With all my heart.

Petruchio Once again Maria!

O Gentlemen, I know not where I am.

Hortensio

Get ye to bed then: there you’ll quickly know sir.

Petruchio

Never no more your old tricks?

Maria Never sir.

Petruchio

You shall not need, for as I have a faith

No cause shall give occasion.

Maria As I am honest,

And as I am a maid yet, all my life

From this hour since, since ye make so free profession,

I dedicate in service to your pleasure.

Hortensio

Aye, marry, this goes roundly off.

Petruchio Go Grumio,

Get all the best meat may be bought for money,

And let the hogsheds blood, I am born again:

Well, little England, when I see a husband

Of any other Nation stern or jealous,

I’ll wish him but a woman of thy breeding,

Enter Rowland, Livia, Bianca, and Tranio.

Unit 42

Petronius.

What have we here?

Tranio A poor married couple

Desire an offering sir.

Bianca Never frown at it,

You cannot mend it now: there’s your own hand;

And yours Gremio, to confirm the bargain.

Petronius.

My hand?

Gremio Or mine?

Bianca You’ll find it so.

Petronius. A trick!

I swear a trick.

Bianca Yes sir, we tricked ye.

Livia Father.

Petronius.

Hast thou lied with him? Speak!

Livia Yes, truly sir.

Petronius.

And hast thou done the deed boy?

Rowland I have done sir,

That, that will serve the turn, I think.

Petruchio A match then,

I’ll be the maker up of this. Gremio,

There’s now no remedy you see; be willing;

For be, or be not, he must have the wench.

Gremio

Since I am over-reach’d, let’s in to dinner,

And if I can I’ll drink’t away.

Tranio That’s well said.

Petronius.

Well sirrah, you have played a trick, look to’t,

And let me be a grandsire within’s twelvemonth,

Or by this hand, I’ll curtail half your fortunes.

Rowland

There my labour shall not want, sir: your money;

Here’s one has undertaken.

Tranio Well, I’ll trust her,

And glad I have so good a pawn.

Rowland I’ll watch ye.

Petruchio

Let’s in, and drink of all hands, and be jovial:

I have my colt again, and now she carries;

And Gentlemen, whoever marries next,

Let him be sure he keep him to his Text. Exeunt.

Unit 43

E P I L O G U E

The Tamer’s tam’d, but so, as nor the men

Can find one just cause to complain of, when

They fitly do consider in their lives,

They should not reign as Tyrants o’er their wives.

Nor can the women from this precedent

Insult, or triumph: it being aptly meant,

To teach both Sexes due equality;

And as they stand bound, to love mutually.

If this effect, arising from a cause

Well laid, and grounded, may deserve applause,

We something more then hope, our honest ends

Will keep the men, and women too, our friends.