The Taming of the Shrew: Act IV, Scene iii – First Folio
The Taming of the Shrew. Act 4, Scene 3. Katerina
(This text is featured in our interview with Susan Heyward)
Click here to see a fully scanned version of the speech
Click here to see the the non folio version.
1980: The more my wrong, the more his spite appears.
1981: What, did he marrie me to famish me?
1982: Beggers that come vnto my fathers doore,
1983: Vpon intreatie haue a present almes,
1984: If not, elsewhere they meete with charitie:
1985: But I, who neuer knew how to intreat,
1986: Nor neuer needed that I should intreate,
1987: Am staru’d for meate, giddie for lacke of sleepe:
1988: With oathes kept waking, and with brawling fed,
1989: And that which spights me more then all these wants,
1990: He does it vnder name of perfect loue:
1991: As who should say. if I should sleepe or eate
1992: ‘Twere deadly sicknesse, or else present death.
1993: I prethee go, aud get me some repast,
1994: I care not what, so it be holsome foode.