that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivals in Bianca's love,-to labour and effect one thing 'specially. Gre. What's that, I pray? Hor. Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister. Gre. A husband! a devil. Hor. I say, a husband. 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 faults, and money enough. Gre. I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her dowry with this condition,-to be whipped at the high-cross every morning. Hor. Faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotten apples. But, come; since this bar in law makes us friends, it shall be so far forth friendly maintained,-till by helping Baptista's eldest daughter to a husband, we set his youngest free for a husband, and then have to't afresh. Sweet Bianca! Happy man be his dole ! He that runs fastest gets the ring.9 How say you, signior Gremio? Gre. I am agreed; and 'would I had given him the best horse in Padua to begin his wooing, that would thoroughly woo her, wed her, and bed her, and rid the house of her. Come on. [Exe. GRE. and HOR. Tra. [advancing.] I pray, sir, tell me,-Is it possible That love should of a sudden take such hold? Luc. O, Tranio, till I found it to be true, I never thought it possible, or likely ; But see! while idly I stood looking on, [8] Dole is any thing dealt out or distributed, though its original meaning was the provision given away at the doors of great men's houses. [9] An allusion to the sport of running at the ring. DOUCE. Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt. Tra. Master, it is no time to chide you now; If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so,- Luc. Gramercies, lad; go forward: this contents; The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound. Tra. Master, you look so longly 3 on the maid, That made great Jove to humble him to her hand, Tra. Saw you no more? mark'd you not, how her sister Tra. Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance. I pray, awake, sir; If you love the maid, Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it stands: That, till the father rid his hands of her, Luc. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he! Tra. Master, for my hand, Both our inventions meet and jump in one. Luc. Tell me thine first. Tra. 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 ? [1] Is not driven out by chiding MALONE. [2] Our author had this line from Lylly, which I mention that it may not be brought as an argument for his learning. JOHNSON. [3] i. e. longingly. I have met with no example of this adverb. STEE Keep house, and ply his book; welcome his friends; Luc. Basta ;4 content thee; for I have it full. [They exchange habits. In brief, then, sir, sith it your pleasure is, And I am tied to be obedient; (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, because Lucentio loves : Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded eye. Here comes the rogue.—Sirrah, where have you been? Bion. I, sir? ne'er a whit. Luc. And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth; [4] i. e. 'tis enough; Italian and Spanish. STEEVENS. Es] Port is figure, show, appearance. JOHNSON. Tranio is chang'd into Lucentio. 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: But in all places else, your master Lucentio. -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 Serv. 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. Enter PETRUCIO and GRUMIO. Pet. Verona, for a while I take my leave, To see my friends in Padua ; but, of all, My best beloved and approved friend, Hortensio ; and, I trow, this is his house :— Here, sirrah Grumio; knock, I say. 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 ring 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. 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.6-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 ought 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, I bade the rascal knock upon your gate, Spake you not these words plain,—Sirrah,knock me here, Pet. Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise you. Hor. Petruchio, patience; I am Grumio's pledge : Why, this is a heavy chance 'twixt him and you; Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio. And tell me now, sweet friend,-what happy gale Blows you to Padua here, from old Verona ? Pet.Such wind as scatters young men through the world, To seek their fortunes further than at home, Where small experience grows. But, in a few, Antonio, my father, is deceas'd; And I have thrust myself into this maze, [6] i. e. I suppose, what he alleges in Latin. Petruchio has been just speaking Italian to Hortensio, which Grumio mistakes for the other language. STEEV. |