ACT 1. SCENE 1. A Street in Padua. Flourish. Enter LUCENTIO, and his Man TRANIO. Lucentio. TRANIO, since-for the great desire I had To see fair Padua, nursery of arts- And, by my father's love and leave, am arm'd Gave me my being, and my father first, A merchant of great traffick through the world, Vincentio his son, brought up in Florence, Will I apply, that treats of happiness Tell me thy mind: for I have Pisa left, Ciij 10 20 And And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst. 30 Talk logick with acquaintance that you have, Luc. Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise. Such friends as time in Padua shall beget. 40 Tra. Master, some show, to welcome us to town. Enter BAPTISTA, with KATHARINE and BIANCA. GREMIO and HORTENSIO. NIO stand by. LUCENTIO and TRA Bap. Gentlemen, importune me no farther, But how I firmly am resolv'd you know That That is not to bestow my youngest daughter, 50 If either of you both love Katharina, To make a stale of me amongst these mates? Hor. Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates for you, Unless you were of gentler, milder mould. Kath. I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear? I-wis, it is not half way to her heart: 60 But, if it were, doubt not, her care shall be Tra. Hush, master; here is some good pastime to ward; That wench is stark mad, or wonderful froward. Luc. But in the other's silence I do see Maid's mild behaviour and sobriety. Peace, Tranio. 70 Tra. Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill. Bap. Gentlemen, that I may soon make good What I have said-Bianca, get you in : And let it not displease thee, good Bianca; Kath. A pretty peat! 'tis best Put finger in the eye-an she knew why. Bian. Sister, content you in my discontent.— Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe : My books, and instruments, shall be my company; On them to look, and practise by myself. 80 Luc. Hark, Tranio! thou may'st hear Minerva speak. [Aside. Hor. Signior Baptista, will you be so strange? Sorry am I, that our will effects Bianca's grief. Gre. Why, will you mew her up, Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell, And make her bear the penance of her tongue ? go Bap. Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolv'd: Go in, Bianca. [Exit BIANCA. And for I know, she taketh most delight In musick, instruments, and poetry, To mine own children in good bringing-up; not? 100 [Exit. May I What, shall I be appointed hours; as, though, belike, I knew not what to take, and what to leave? Ha! [Exit. Gre. You may go to the devil's dam; your gifts are so good, here is none will hold you. Their love is not so great, Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together, and fast it fairly out; our cake's dough on both sides. Farewel:-Yet, for the love I bear my sweet Bianca, if I can by any means light on a fit man, to teach her that wherein she delights, I will wish him to her father. 113 Hor. So will I, signior Gremio: But a word, I pray. Though the nature of our quarrel never yet brook'd parle, know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both-that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivals in Bianca's love—to labour and effect one 'specially. Gre. What's that, I pray? Hor. Marry sir, to get a husband for her sister. Hor. I say a husband. 120 Gre. I say, a devil: Think'st thou, Hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell? Hor. Tush, Gremio! though it pass your patience, and mine, to endure her loud alarums, why, man, there be good fellows in the world, an a man could light on them, would take her with all her faults, and money enough. Gre. I cannot tell : but I had as lief take her 131 dowry |