The Taming of the Shrew; Act IV, Scene iii

The Taming of the Shrew.         Act 4, Scene 3.             Katherina

(This text is featured in our interview with Susan Heyward)

(Click here to see the First Folio version)

(Click here to see the fully scanned version)

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