Bian. And may you prove, sir, master of your art! Luc. While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart. [They retire. Hor. Quick proceeders, marry! Now, tell me, I pray, You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca kind! unconstant woman I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful. Hor. Mistake no more: I am not Licio, But one that scorn to live in this disguise, And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness, Forswear Bianca and her love for ever. Hor. Signior Lucentio, Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow- Tra. And here I take the like unfeigned oath,Ne'er to marry with her though she would entreat: Hor. 'Would, all the world, but he, had quite forsworn! For me, that I may surely keep mine oath, Ere three days pass; which hath as long lov'd me, Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, Shall win my love:- and so I take my leave, [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; Bian. Tranio, you jest; But have you both for sworn me? Tra. Mistress, we have. Luc. Then we are rid of Licio. Tra. He'll have a widow now, That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day. Bian. 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, Tra. What is he, Biondello? Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, 7 Messenger. 8 A merchant or a schoolmaster. And give assurance to Baptista Minola, [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, heaven 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? Ped. Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been; Pisa, renowned for grave citizens. Tra. Among them, know you one Vincentio ? Ped. I know him not, but I have heard of him; A merchant of incomparable wealth. Tra. He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say, In countenance somewhat doth resemble you. Bion. As much as an apple dotn an oyster, and all one. Tra. To save your life in this extremity, This favour will I do you for his sake; [Aside. And think it not the worst of all your fortunes, His name and credit shall you undertake, Ped. O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever Tra. Then go with me, to make the matter good. This, by the way, I let you understand; My father is here look'd for every day, Το pass assurance of a dower in marriage 'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here: In all these circumstances I'll instruct you: Go with me, sir, to clothe you as becomes you. [Exeunt. SCENE III. A Room in Petruchio's House. Enter KATHARINA and GRUMIO. Gru. No, no; forsooth: I dare not, for my life. Kath. The more my wrong, the more his spite appears: What, did he marry me to famish me? Am starv'd for meat, giddy for lack of sleep; As who should say, if I should sleep, or eat, Kath. 'Tis passing good; I pr'ythee let me have it. Gru. I fear, it is too cholerick a meat :How say you to a fat tripe, finely broil'd? Kath. I like it well; good Grumio, fetch it me. Gru. I cannot tell; I fear, 'tis cholerick. What say you to a piece of beef, and mustard? Kath. A dish that I do love to feed upon. Gru. Ay, but the mustard is too hot a little. Kath. Why, then the beef, and let the mustard rest. Gru. Nay, then I will not; you shall have the mustard, Or else you get no beef of Grumio. slave, Kath. Then both, or one, or any thing thou wilt. Gru. Why, then the mustard without the beef. Kath. Go, get thee gone, thou, false deluding [Beats him. That feed'st me with the very name of meat: Sorrow on thee, and all the pack of you, That triumph thus upon my misery! Go, get thee gone, I say. Enter PETRUCHIO with dish of meat; and HORTENSIO. Pet. How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort ?? 9 Dispirited; a Gallicism. |