Stand by, and mark the manner of his teaching. [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 your 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 womankind! I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful. Hor. Mistake no more: I am not Licio, Nor a musician, as I seem to be; 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, Forswear Bianca and her love for ever. Hor. See, how they kiss and court!-Signior Lucentio, Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow: Never to woo her more; but do forswear her, That I have fondly flatter'd her withal. 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, that I may surely keep mine oath, I will be married to a wealthy widow, Ere three days pass; which hath as long lov'd me, Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, [Exit HoR. LUCENTIO and BIANCA advance. Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love; Bian. Tranio, you jest; but have you both forsworn me? 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, That I'm dog-weary; but at last I spied An ancient angel going down the hill, 8 Will serve the turn. Tra. What is he, Biondello? Bion. Master, a mercatantè, or a pedant, 9 Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, Take in your love, and then let me alone. [Exe. Luc. and BIAN. 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. Of Mantua. [8] Angel primitively signifies a messenger, but perhaps this sense is inapplicable to the passage before us. Chapman, in his translation of Homer, always calls a messenger an angel. STEEV. [9] The Italian word mercatante, is frequently used in the old plays for a merchant. A pedant was the the common name for a teacher of languages. Tra. Of Mantua, sir?-marry, God forbid ! 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. Tra. He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say, In countenance somewhat doth resemble you. Bion. [Aside.] As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one. Tra. To save your life in this extremity, This favour will I do you for his sake; And think it not the worst of all your fortunes, 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. To pass assurance of a dower in marriage Go with me, sir, to clothe you as becomes you. [Exe. SCENE III. A Room in PETRUCHIO's House. Enter KATHARINA and GRUMIO. Gru. No, no, forsooth; I dare not, for my life. Beggars, that come unto my father's door, If not, elsewhere they meet with charity : Am starv'd for meat, giddy for lack of sleep; With oaths kept waking, and with brawling fed: And that which spites me more than all these wants, As who should say,-if I should sleep, or eat, Kath. 'Tis passing good; I pr'ythee let me have it. How say you to a fat tripe, finely broil'd? Kath. I like it well; good Grumio, fetch it me. What say you to a piece of beef, and mustard? Gru. Ay, but the mustard is too hot a little. Kath. Why, then the beef, and let the mustard rest. Gru. Nay, then I will not; you shall have the mustard, Or else you get no beef of Grumio. Kath. Then, both, or one, or any thing thou wilt. Gru. Why, then the mustard without the beef. Kath. Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave, [Beats him. That feed'st me with the very name of meat : Sorrow on thee, and all the pack of you, That triumph thus upon my misery! Go, get thee gone, I say. Enter PETRUCHIO with a dish of meat; and HORTENSIO. Pet. How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort? Hor. Mistress, what cheer? Kath. 'Faith, as cold as can be. Pet. Pluck up thy spirits, look cheerfully upon me. Here, love; thou seest how diligent I am, [Sets the dish on a table. Kath. 'Pray you, let it stand. Pet. The poorest service is repaid with thanks ; And so shall mine, before you touch the meat. Kath. I thank you, sir. Hor. Signior Petruchio, fie! you are to blame! -Come, mistress Kate, I'll bear you company. Pet. Eat it up all, Hortensio, if thou lov'st me. [Aside. -Much good do it unto thy gentle heart! Kate, eat apace:-And now, my honey love, Will we return unto thy father's house; And revel it as bravely as the best, With silken coats, and caps, and golden rings, Enter Tailor. -Come, tailor, let us see these ornaments.* Lay forth the gown.-What news with you, sir? A knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap; Kath. I'll have no bigger; this doth fit the time, And gentlewomen wear such caps as these. Pet. When you are gentle, you shall have one too, And not till then. Hor. That will not be in haste. [Aside. Kath. Why, sir, I trust, I may have leave to speak; And speak I will; I am no child, no babe: [1] In our poet's time, women's gowns were usually made by men. MAL. |