Luc. Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move, And with her breath she did perfume the air; Sacred and sweet, was all I saw in her. Tra. Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance. Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd, Thus it Luc. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he! Tra. Both our inventions meet and jump in one. Luc. Tell me thine first. Tra. Master, for my hand, You will be schoolmaster, And undertake the teaching of the maid: That's your device. Luc. It is: May it be done? Tra. Not possible; For who shall bear your part, And be in Padua here Vincentio's son? Keep house, and ply his book; welcome his friends ; Visit his countrymen, and banquet them? Luc. Basta; content thee; for I have it full. We have not yet been seen in any house; Nor can we be distinguish'd by our faces, For man, or master: then it follows thus Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead, Keep house, and port, and servants, as I should: I will some other be; some Florentine, Some Neapolitan, or mean man of Pisa. "Tis hatch'd, and shall be so:-Tranio, at once Uncase thee; take my colour'd hat and cloak: When Biondello comes, he waits on thee; But I will charm him first to keep his tongue. Tra. So had you need. [They exchange Habits. In brief, sir, sith it your pleasure is, (For so your father charg'd me at our parting; Although, I think, 'twas in another sense); Because so well I love Lucentio. Luc. Tranio, be so, becausé Lucentio loves: Enter BIONDello. Here comes the rogue. Sirrah, where have you been? Bion. Where have I been? Nay, how now, where are you? Master, has my fellow, Tranio, stol'n your clothes? Bion. I, sir? ne'er a whit. Bion. The better for him; 'Would I were so too! Tra. So would I, 'faith, boy, to have the next wish after, That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest daughter. But, sirrah, not for my sake, but your master's,-I advise You use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies: When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio; B Luc. Tranio, let's go : One thing more rests, that thyself execute; To make one among these wooers: If thou ask me why,Sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty. [Exeunt. 1 Ser. My lord, you nod; you do not mind the play. Sly. Yes, by saint Anne, do I. A good matter, surely; Comes there any more of it? Page. My lord, 'tis but begun. Sly. 'Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady ; 'Would't were done! SCENE II. The same. Before HORTENSIO's House. Pet. Verona, for awhile I take my leave, Gru. Knock, sir! whom should I knock? is there any man has rebused your worship? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me here soundly. Gru. Knock you here, sir? why, sir, what am I, sir, that I should knock you here, sir? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me at this gate, And rap me well, or I'll knock your knave's pate. And then I know after who comes by the worst. 'Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll wring it; I'll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it. [He wrings Grumio by the Ears. Gru. Help, masters, help! my master is mad. Pet. Now, knock when I bid you: sirrah! villain! Enter HORTENSIO. Hor. How now? what's the matter?-My old friend Grumio! and my good friend Petruchio!-How do you all at Verona? Pet. Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray? Con tutto il core bene trovato, may I say. Hor. Alla nostra casa bene venuto, Molto honorato signor mio Petruchio. Rise, Grumio, rise; we will compound this quarrel. Gru. Nay, 'tis no matter, what he 'leges in Latin.If this be not a lawful cause for me to leave his service,-Look you, sir,-he bid me knock him, and rap him soundly, sir: Well, was it fit for a servant to use his master so; being perhaps (for aught I see), two and thirty, a pip out? Whom, 'would to God, I had well knock'd at first,' Pet. A senseless villain!-Good Hortensio, Spake you not these words plain, Sirrah, knock me here, And I have thrust myself into this maze, Hor. Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee, folks, how the young folks lay their heads together! Master, master, look about you: Who goes there? ha! Hor. Peace, Grumio; 'tis the rival of my love:Petruchio, stand by awhile. Gru. A proper stripling, and an amorous! [They retire. Gre. O, very well; I have perus'd the note. And see you read no other lectures to her: I'll mend it with a largess:-Take your papers too, To whom they go. What will you read to her? Hor. Grumio, mum!-God save you, signior Gremio! you, Whither I am going?-To Baptista Minola. I promis'd to inquire carefully About a schoolmaster for fair Bianca: And, by good fortune, I have lighted well On this young man; for learning, and behaviour, And other books,-good ones, I warrant you. my deeds shall prove. |