And thus Fil curb her mad and headstrong humour:~ He that knows.better how to tame a shrew, Now let him speak; 'tis charity, to show. SCENE II. Padua. Before Baptista's House. Enter TRANIO and HORTENSIO. [Exit. Tra. Is't possible, friend Licio, that Bianca I tell you, Sir, she bears me fair in hand. Enter BIANCA and LUCENTIO. Luc. Now, Mistress, profit you in what you read? Hor.. Quick proceeders, marry! Now, tell me, I pray, Hor. Mistake no more: I am not Licio, But one that scorn to live in this disguise, And makes a god of such a cullion: Of Tra. Signior Hortensio, I have often heard your entire affection to Bianca; And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness, Hor. See, how they kiss and court! Lucentio, Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow - Signior Tra. And here I take the like unfeigned oath; — Ne'er to marry with her though she would entreat: Fie on her! see, how beastly she doth court him. Hor. 'Would, all the world, but he, had quite forsworn! For me, Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, [Exit HORTENSIO. advance. - LUCENTIO and BIANCA 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 for Tra. Mistress, we have. sworn me? Luc. Then we are rid of Licio. Tra. Ifaith, 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 That I'm dog-weary; but at last I spied An ancient angel coming down the hill, Will serve the turn. Tra. What is he, Biondello?, Bion. Master, a mercatantè, or a pedant, Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, Take in your love, and then let me alone. [Exeunt LUCENTIO and BIANCA, Ped. God save you, Sir! Tra. And you, Sir! you are welcome.. Ped. Of Manta. Tra. Of Manttia, Sir? marry, God forbid! And come to Padua, careless of your life? Ped. My life, Sir! how I pray? for that goes hard. 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 A merchant of incomparable wealth. I Tra. He is my father, Sir; and, sooth to say, In countenance somewhat doth resemb you. Bion. As much as an apple doth an oyster, and Tra. To save your life in his extremity, This favour will I do you for his sake; And think it not the worst of all your fortunes, That you are like to Sir Vincentio. His name and credit shall you undertake, And in my house you shall be friendly lodg'd; 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, To 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 Room in Petruchio's House. Enter KATHARINA' and GRUMIO. Gru. No, no', forfooth; 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, 'Twere deadly sickness, or else present death, I pr'ythee go, and get me some repast; I care not what, so it be wholesome food. Gru. What say yon to a neat's foot?' Kath. 'Tis passing good; I pr'ythee let me have it. How say you to a fat tripe, finely broil'd? |