Re-enter CURTIS.

Gru. Where is he?
Curt. In her chamber,

Making a sermon of continency to her:

And rails, and swears, and rates; that she, poor

soul,

Knows not which way to stand, to look, to speak ;
And sits as one new-risen from a dream.
Away, away! for he is coming hither.

Re-enter PETRUCHIO.

[Exeunt.

Pet. Thus have I politickly begun my reign, And 'tis my hope to end successfully : My falcon now is sharp, and passing empty; And, till she stoop, she must not be full-gorg'd, For then she never looks upon her lure.* Another way I have to man my haggard, To make her come, and know her keeper's call, That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites, That bate,' and beat, and will not be obedient. She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat; Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall

not;

As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I'll find about the making of the bed;
And here I'll filing the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets :-

Ay, and amid this hurly, I intend,2

That all is done in reverend care of her;
And, in conclusion, she shall watch all night:
And, if she chance to nod, I'll rail, and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness ;

And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong hu

mour:

He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; 'tis charity to show.

SCENE II.

Padua. Before Baptista's House.

Enter TRANIO and HORTENSIO.

[Erit.

Tra. Is't possible, friend Licio, that Bianca Doth fancy any other but Lucentio? I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand. Hor. Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said, Stand by, and mark the manner of his teaching. [They stand aside.

2

Enter BIANCA and LUCENTIO.

Luc. Now, mistress, profit you in what you

read? Bian. What, master, read you? first resolve me that.

Luc. I read that I profess, the art to love.

Bian. And may you prove, sir, master of your

art!

Luc. While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of
my heart.
[They retire.

amid this hurly, I intend,] Intend is sometimes used by our author for pretend.

Hor. Quick proceeders, marry! Now, tell me, I

pray,

You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca
Lov'd none in the world so well as Lucentio.

Tra. Odespiteful love! unconstant womankind!I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.

Hor. Mistake no more: I am not Licio,
Nor a musician, as I seem to be;
But one that scorn to live in this disguise,
For such a one as leaves a gentleman,
And makes a god of such a cullion : 3
Know, sir, that I am call'd-Hortensio.

Tra. Signior Hortensio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca ;
And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness,
I will with you, if you be so contented,-
Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.

Hor. See, how they kiss and court! Signior

Lucentio,

Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow-
Never to woo her more; but do forswear her,
As one unworthy all the former favours
That I have fondly flatter'd her withal.

Tra. And here I take the like unfeigned oath, Ne'er to marry with her though she would entreat: Fye on her! see, how beastly she doth court him. Hor. 'Would, all the world, but he, had quite

forsworn!

For me, that I may surely keep mine oath,
I will be married to a wealthy widow,
Ere three days pass; which hath as long lov'd me,
As I have lov'd this proud disdainful haggard :
And so farewell, signior Lucentio.-

Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,

3

- cullion:] A term of degradation, with no very decided meaning: a despicable fellow, a fool, &c.

my

Shall win love:-and so I take my leave,
In resolution as I swore before.

[Exit HORTENSIO.-LUCENTIO and BIANCA
advance.

- Tra. Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace As 'longeth to a lover's blessed case!

Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love;
And have forsworn you, with Hortensio.

Bian. Tranio, you jest; But have you both forsworn me?

Tra. Mistress, we have.

Luc.

Then we are rid of Licio.

Tra. I'faith, he'll have a lusty widow now, That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day.

Bian. God give him joy!

Tra. Ay, and he'll tame her.
Bian.
He says so, Tranio.
Tra. 'Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.
Bian. The taming-school' what, is there such a
place?

Tra. Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master;
That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long,-
To tame a shrew, and charm her chattering tongue.
Enter BIONDELLO, running.

Bion. O master, master, I have watch'd so long That I'm dog-weary; but at last I spied

An ancient angel' coming down the hill,

Will serve the turn.

Tra.

What is he, Biondello?

Bion. Master, a mercatantè," or a pedant,

4 An ancient angel-] For angel Mr. Theobald, and after him Sir T. Hanmer and Dr. Warburton, read engle, or a gull, but angel may mean messenger.

Master, a mercatantè,] The old editions read marcantant, The Italian word mercatantè is frequently used in the old plays for a merchant, and therefore I have made no scruple of placing it here. STEEVENS.

I know not what; but formal in apparel,
In gait and countenance surely like a father.
Luc. And what of him, Tranio?

Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale,
I'll make him glad to seem Vincentio;
And give assurance to Baptista Minola,
As if he were the right Vincentio.

Take in your love, and then let me alone.

[Exeunt LUCENTIO and BIANCA.

Enter a Pedant.

Ped. God save you, sir!
Tra.

And you, sir! you are welcome.

Travel you far on, or are you at the furthest ?
Ped. Sir, at the furthest for a week or two:

But then up further; and as far as Rome;
And so to Tripoly, if God lend me life.

Tra. What countryman, I pray?

Ped.

Of Mantua.

Tra. Of Mantua, sir?-marry, God forbid!

And come to Padua, careless of your life?

Ped. My life, sir! how, I pray ? for that goes

hard.

Tra. Tis death for any one in Mantua To come to Padua; Know you not the cause? Your ships are staid at Venice; and the duke (For private quarrel 'twixt your duke and him,) Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly : "Tis marvel; but that you're but newly come, You might have heard it else proclaim'd about.

Ped. Alas, sir, it is worse for me than so;

For I have bills for money by exchange
From Florence, and must here deliver them.

Tra. Well, sir, to do you courtesy,
This will I do, and this will I advise you :
First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?

10