Drama  |  William Shakespeare  |  Taming of the Shrew  |  Scene 1.

Taming of the Shrew — Scene 1. (Part 5 of 7)

ALL SERVING-MEN

Here, here, sir; here, sir.

PETRUCHIO

Here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! here, sir!
You logger-headed and unpolish'd grooms!
What, no attendance? no regard? no duty?
Where is the foolish knave I sent before?

GRUMIO

Here, sir; as foolish as I was before.

PETRUCHIO

You peasant swain! you whoreson malt-horse drudge!
Did I not bid thee meet me in the park,
And bring along these rascal knaves with thee?

GRUMIO

Nathaniel's coat, sir, was not fully made,
And Gabriel's pumps were all unpink'd i' the heel;
There was no link to colour Peter's hat,
And Walter's dagger was not come from sheathing:
There were none fine but Adam, Ralph, and Gregory;
The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly;
Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you.

PETRUCHIO

Go, rascals, go, and fetch my supper in.
Exeunt Servants
Singing
Where is the life that late I led–
Where are those–Sit down, Kate, and welcome.–
Sound, sound, sound, sound!

Re-enter Servants with supper
Why, when, I say? Nay, good sweet Kate, be merry.
Off with my boots, you rogues! you villains, when?

Sings
It was the friar of orders grey,
As he forth walked on his way:–
Out, you rogue! you pluck my foot awry:
Take that, and mend the plucking off the other.

Strikes him
Be merry, Kate. Some water, here; what, ho!
Where's my spaniel Troilus? Sirrah, get you hence,
And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither:
One, Kate, that you must kiss, and be acquainted with.
Where are my slippers? Shall I have some water?

Enter one with water
Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily.
You whoreson villain! will you let it fall?

Strikes him