The Taming of the Shrew. William Shakespeare

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СКАЧАТЬ (makes an ugly face with a gummy smile)

      though she have as many diseases as two-and-fifty

      horses. (snorts and stomps like a horse)

       HORTENSIO

      I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife

      With wealth enough, and young and beauteous,

      (mimes an hourglass figure with hands) Her only fault

      Is that she is intolerable curst,

      And shrewd, and froward, so beyond all measure,

      I would not wed her for a mine of gold.

       PETRUCHIO

      Hortensio, peace. Thou know’st not gold’s effect.

      I will board her, though she chide as loud

      As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack. (looks

       up and claps hands to mimic a thunderclap)

       HORTENSIO

      Her name is Katherina Minola,

      ALL onstage yell in fear.

      Renowned in Padua

      ALL onstage cheer.

      for her scolding tongue.

       PETRUCHIO

      I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her.

      HORTENSIO (putting arm around PETRUCHIO conspiratorially)

      Tarry, Petruchio. I must go with thee,

      For in Baptista’s keep my treasure is.

      His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca.

      ALL onstage coo.

      Therefore this order hath Baptista ta’en,

      That none shall have access unto Bianca

      ALL onstage coo.

      Till Katherine the curst

      ALL onstage yell in fear.

      have got a husband.

       HORTENSIO

      Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace

      And offer me disguised in sober robes

      To old Baptista as a schoolmaster

      Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca,

      GRUMIO looks as though he has a great idea. He runs to grab a guitar from under his bench. He proudly hands the guitar to HORTENSIO.

      That so I may, by this device at least,

      Have leave and leisure to make love to her.

      ALL exit back to their benches with HORTENSIO strumming the guitar, PETRUCHIO swaggering, and GRUMIO dancing a jig.

      

SCENE 3 (ACT II, SCENE I)

      Padua, at the home of BAPTISTA.

      Enter KATHERINE and BIANCA from their benches. BIANCA’S hands are tied.

       BIANCA

      Good sister, wrong me not,

      Unbind my hands, I’ll pull them off myself,

      Or what you will command me will I do,

      So well I know my duty to my elders.

       KATHERINE

      Of all thy suitors here I charge thee tell

      Whom thou lov’st best.

       BIANCA

      I prithee, sister Kate, untie my hands.

      KATHERINE strikes her.

      Enter BAPTISTA from his bench. He unties BIANCA’S hands.

      BAPTISTA (to KATHERINE)

      For shame, thou hilding of a devilish spirit!

      KATHERINE chases after BIANCA.

       BAPTISTA

      What, in my sight?—Bianca, get thee in.

      Exit BIANCA to her bench.

       KATHERINE

      What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see

      She is your treasure, she must have a husband,

      I must dance barefoot on her wedding day

      And, for your love to her, lead apes in hell.

      Exit KATHERINE to her bench.

       BAPTISTA

      Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I?

      But who comes here?

      Enter PETRUCHIO from his bench.

       BAPTISTA

      God save you, gentleman.

       PETRUCHIO

      And you, good sir. Pray, have you not a daughter

      Called Katherina, fair and virtuous?

       BAPTISTA

      I have a daughter, sir, called Katherina.

       PETRUCHIO

      I СКАЧАТЬ