Bap. Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolv'd; · Go in, Bianca. [Exit BIANCA And for I know, she taketh most delight Or Signior Gremio, you, If you, Hortensio, - know any such, Prefer them hither: for to cunning men I will be very kind, and liberal To mine own children in good bringing-np; For I have more to commune with Bianca. [Exit. What, shall I be appointed hours; as though, belike, I knew not what to take, and what to leave? Ha! [Exit. Gre. You may go to the devil's dam; your gifts are so good, here is none will hold you. Their love is not so great, Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together, and fast it fairly out; our cake's dough on both sides. Farewell: Yet, for the love I bear my sweet Bianca, if I can by any means light on a fit man, to teach her that wherein she delights, I will wish him to her father. Hor. So will I, Signior Gremio: But a word, I pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brook'd parle, know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both, 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. Hor. I say, a husband. Gre. I say, a devil: Think'st thou, Hortensio, though 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 whipp'd 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 ma kes us friends it shall be so far forth friendly maintain'd, 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 mau be his dole! He that runs fastest, gets the ring. 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. [Exeunt GREMIO, and HORTENSIO. Tra. [Advancing.] I pray, Sir, tell me, possible That love should of a sudden take such hold? I never thought it possible, or likely; 2 Is it 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 contentss That made great Jove to humble him to her hand, Began to scold; and raise up such a storm, T Tra. Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance. Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd, Luc. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he! Tra. Master, for my hand, Bet our inventions meet and jump in one. Lac. Tell me tine 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? Keep house, and ply his book; welcome his friends; Luc. Basta; content thee; for I have it full. Some Neapolitan, or mean man of Pisa. 'Tis hatch'd, and shall be so: - Tranio, at once They exchange habits. In brief, 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. Trania, be so, because Lucentio loves: And let me be a slave to atchieve that maid Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded eye. 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. Luc. And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth; 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: When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio; But in all places else, your master Lucentio. 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 Serv. My Lord, you nad: you do not mind the play. |