By virtue fpecially to be atchiev'd. Luc. Gramercies, Tranio, well doft thou advise; Such friends, as time in Padua fhall beget. Tra. Mafter, fome fhow to welcome us to town. Enter Baptifta with Katharina and Bianca, Gremio and Bap. Gentlemen, importune me no farther, Gre. To cart her rather. She's too rough for me. There, there, Hortenfe, will you any wife? Kath. I pray you, Sir, is it your will To make a stale of me amongst thefe mates? Hor. Mates, maid, how mean you that? no mates for you; Unless you were of gentler milder mould. Kath. I'faith, Sir, you fhall never need to fear, But if it were, doubt not, her care shall be Hor. From all fuch devils, good Lord, deliver us. Tra. Hufh, mafter, here's fome good paftime toward That wench is ftark mad, or wonderful froward. Luc. But in the other's filence I do fee Maid's mild behaviour and fobriety. Peace, Tranio. Tra. Well faid, mafter, mum, and gaze your fill. Bap. Gentlemen, that I may foon make good What I have faid, Bianca get you in, And let it not difpleafe thee, good Bianca, Kath. A pretty pet, it is beft put finger in the eye an fhe knew why. Bian. Sifter, content you in my difcontent. My books and inftruments fhall be my company, Luc. Hark, Tranio, thou may't hear Minerva Ipeak. Bianca's grief. Gre. Why will you mew her up, Signior Baptifta, for this fiend of hell, And make her bear the penance of her tongue And for I know she taketh moft.delight Ia In mufick, inftruments, and poetry, To mine own children, in good bringing up, [Exit. Kath. Why, I truft I may go too, may I not ? what, fhall I be appointed hours, as tho', belike, I knew not what to take, and what to leave? ha! [Exit. SCENE III. Gre. You may go to the devil's dam: your gifts are fo good, here is none will hold you. Our love is not fo great, Hortenfio, but we may blow our nails togegether, and faft it fairly out. Our cake's dow on both fides. Farewel; yet for the love I bear my fweet Bianca, if I can by any means light on a fit man to teach her that wherein the delights, I will wifh him to her father. Hor. So will I, Signior Gremio: but a word, I pray; tho' the nature of our quarrel never yet 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 'fpecially. Gre. What's that, I pray ? Hor. Marry Sir, to get a husband for her fifter. Hor. I fay a husband. Gre. I fay a devil. Think'ft thou, Hortenfio, tho her father be very rich, any man is fo very a fool to be married to hell? Hor. Tufh, Gremio; tho' it pafs your patience and mine to endure her a loud alarms, why, man, there be good fellows in the world, an a man could light on them, would take her with all her faults, and mony enough. a lewd. Gre. Gre. I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her dowry with this condition, to be whip'd at the high-crofs every morning. Hor. 'Faith, as you fay, there's fmall choice in rotten apples: come, fince this bar in law makes us friends, it fhall be fo far forth friendly maintain'd, 'till by helping Baptifta's eldest daughter to a hufband, we let his youngeft free for a husband, and then have to't afresh. Sweet Bianca! happy man be his dole; he that runs fastest gets the ring; how fay you, Signior Gremio ? Gre. I am agreed, and would I had given him the beft horfe in Padua to begin the wooing that would throughly woo her, wed her, and bed her, and rid the house of her. Come on. [Exeunt Gre. and Hor. Manent Tra, and Lucen. SCENE IV. Tra. I pray, Sir, tell me, is it poffible I never thought it poffible or likely. Tra. Mafter, it is no time to chide you now; If love hath touch'd you, nought remains but fo, Luc. Gramercy, lad; go forward, this contents, Luc Luc. O yes, 1 faw fweet beauty in her face, Such as the daughter of Agenor had, That made great Jove to humble him to her hand, When with his knees he kifs'd the Cretan ftrand. Tra. Saw you no more? mark'd you not how her fifter Began to fcold, and raife up fuch a storm, Tra. Nay, then 'tis time to ftir him from his trance : I pray awake, Sir; if you love the maid Bend thoughts and wit t'atchieve her. Thus it ftands : Tra. Mafter, for my hand, Both our inventions meet and jump in one. Tra. You will be fchool-mafter, And undertake the teaching of the maid : That's your device. Luc. It is may it be done? Tra. Not poffible for who fhall bear your part, And be in Padua here Vincentio's fon, Keep houfe, and ply his book, welcome his friends, Luc. Bafta, content thee, for I have it full. Keep |