Kath. I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet; The meat was well, if you were so contented. Pet. I tell thee, Kate, 'twas burnt and dried away; And I expressly am forbid to touch it, For it engenders choler, planteth anger; And better 'twere, that both of us did fast,Since, of ourselves, ourselves are choleric,Than feed it with such over-roasted flesh. Be patient; to-morrow it shall be mended, And, for this night, we'll fast for company:Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber. [Exeunt Petruchio, Katharina, and Curtis. Nath. [Advancing] Peter, didst ever see the like? Peter. He kills her in her own humour. 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, Re-enter PETRUCHIO. Pet. Thus have I politicly begun my reign, [Exeunt. To make her come, and know her keeper's call, And here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster, Ay, and amid this hurly, I intend, That all is done in reverent care of her; [Exit. SCENE II. PADUA. Before BAPTISTA's House. Enter TRANIO and HORTENSIO. Tra. Is't possible, friend Licio, that Bianca 1 tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand. [They stand aside. 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. heart. Bian. And may you prove, sir, master of you art! Luc. While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my [They retire. 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. O despiteful love! unconstant woman-kind!I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful. Hor. Mistake no more: I am not Licio, But one that scorn to live in this disguise, Tra. Signior Hortensio, I have often heard Of your entire affection to Bianca; And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness, Hor. See, how they kiss and court!-Signior Lucentio, Here is my hand, and here I firmly vowNever 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,- 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, [Exit Hor.-Luc. and Bian. 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 An ancient angel coming down the hill, Tra. What is he, Biondello? Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, [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! To come to Padua; Know you not the cause? This will I do, and this will I advise you ;- Tra. Among them, know you one Vincentio? Tra. He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say, In countenance somewhat doth resemble you. Bion. As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all [Aside. one. Tra. To save your life in this extremity, 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. SCENE III. A Room in PETRUCHIO'S House. 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? Beggars, that come unto my father's door, Upon entreaty, have a present alms; If not, elsewhere they meet with charity: |