Taming of the Shrew

Pedant


Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been,
Pisa renowned for grave citizens.
 
Pedant


I know him not, but I have heard of him;
A merchant of incomparable wealth.
 
TRANIO


He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say,
In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.
 
BIONDELLO


[Aside] As much as an apple doth an oyster,
and all one.
 
TRANIO


To save your life in this extremity,
This favour will I do you for his sake;
And think it not the worst of an your fortunes
That you are like to Sir Vincentio.
His name and credit shall you undertake,
And in my house you shall be friendly lodged:
Look that you take upon you as you should;
You understand me, sir: so shall you stay
Till you have done your business in the city:
If this be courtesy, sir, accept of it.
 
Pedant


O sir, I do; and will repute you ever
The patron of my life and liberty.
 
TRANIO


Then go with me to make the matter good.
This, by the way, I let you understand;
my father is here look'd for every day,
To pass assurance of a dower in marriage
'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here:
In all these circumstances I'll instruct you:
Go with me to clothe you as becomes you.

Exeunt
 
SCENE III. A room in PETRUCHIO'S house.



Enter KATHARINA and GRUMIO
 
KATHARINA


The more my wrong, the more his spite appears:
What, did he marry me to famish me?
Beggars, that come unto my father's door,
Upon entreaty have a present aims;
If not, elsewhere they meet with charity:
But I, who never knew how to entreat,
Nor never needed that I should entreat,
Am starved for meat, giddy for lack of sleep,
With oath kept waking and with brawling fed:
And that which spites me more than all these wants,
He does it under name of perfect love;
As who should say, if I should sleep or eat,
'Twere deadly sickness or else present death.
I prithee go and get me some repast;
I care not what, so it be wholesome food.
 
KATHARINA


'Tis passing good: I prithee let me have it.
 
GRUMIO


I fear it is too choleric a meat.
How say you to a fat tripe finely broil'd?
 
GRUMIO


I cannot tell; I fear 'tis choleric.
What say you to a piece of beef and mustard?
 
KATHARINA


Why then, the beef, and let the mustard rest.
 
GRUMIO


Nay then, I will not: you shall have the mustard,
Or else you get no beef of Grumio.
 
KATHARINA


Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave,

Beats him

That feed'st me with the very name of meat:
Sorrow on thee and all the pack of you,
That triumph thus upon my misery!
Go, get thee gone, I say.

Enter PETRUCHIO and HORTENSIO with meat
 
PETRUCHIO


How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort?
 
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