That, hearing of her beauty and her wit, Her wondrous qualities, and mild behaviour,— Within your house, to make mine eye the witness [Presenting Hortensio. Cunning in music, and the mathematics, Bap. You're welcome, sir; and he, for your good sake : Pet. I see, you do not mean to part with her; Bap. Mistake me not, I speak but as I find. Bap. I know him well, you are welcome for his sake. Let us, that are poor petitioners, speak too: Pet. O, pardon me, signior Gremio; I would fain be doing. Gre. I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing. Neighbour, this is a gift very grateful, I am sure of it. To express the like kindness myself, that have been more kindly beholden to you than any, I freely give unto you this young scholar [Presenting Lucentio] that hath been long studying at Rheims; as cunning in Greek, Latin, and other languages, as the other in music and mathematics: his name is Cambio; pray, accept his service. Bap. A thousand thanks, signior Gremio: welcome, good Cambio.-But, gentle sir [To Tranio], methinks you walk like a stranger; May I be so bold to know the cause of your coming? Tra. Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own; That, being a stranger in this city here, Do make myself a suitor to your daughter, Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous. Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me, That, upon knowledge of my parentage, And, toward the education of your daughters, And this small packet of Greek and Latin books: Bap. A mighty man of Pisa; by report You shall go see your pupils presently. Holla, within! Sirrah, lead Enter a Servant. These gentlemen to my daughters; and tell them both, These are their tutors; bid them use them well. [Exit Serv. with Hor. Luc. and Bion. We will go walk a little in the orchard, And then to dinner: You are passing welcome, Pet. Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste, And every day I cannot come to woo. Bap. After my death, the one half of my lands: Bap. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd, This is, her love; for that is all in all. Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father, For I am rough, and woo not like a babe. Bap. Well may'st thou woo, and happy be thy speed! But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words. Pet. Ay, to the proof; as mountains are for winds, That shake not, though they blow perpetually. Re-enter HORTENSIO, with his Head broken. Bap. How now, my friend? why dost thou look so _pale? Hor. For fear, I promise you, if I look pale. Bap. What, will my daughter prove a good musician? Hor. I think she'll sooner prove a soldier; Iron may hold with her but never lutes. Bap. Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? Frets, call you these? quoth she: I'll fume with them : As on a pillory, looking through the lute: And-twangling Jack; with twenty such vile terms, As she had studied to misuse me so. Pet. Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench; I love her ten times more than e'er I did: O, how I long to have some chat with her! Bap. Well, go with me, and be not so discomfited; Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you? [Exeunt Bap. Gre. Tra. and Hor. Say, that she frown; I'll say, she looks as clear And say she uttereth piercing eloquence: When I shall ask the banns, and when be married :— Enter KATHARINA. Good-morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear. Kath. Well have you heard, but something hard of They call me-Katharine, that do talk of me. [hearing; Pet. You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate, And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst; But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom, Kate of Kate-hall, my supper-dainty Kate, For dainties are all cates: and therefore, Kate, Take this of me, Kate of my consolation;— Hearing thy mildness prais'd in every town, Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded (Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs), Myself am mov'd to woo thee for my wife. Kath. Mov'd! in good time: let him that mov'd you hither, Remove you hence: I knew you at the first, You were a moveable. Pet. Why, what's a moveable? Kath. A joint-stool. Kath. Kath. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies. Kath. Pet. In his tongue. Whose tongue? Kath. Your's, if you talk of tails; and so farewell. Pet. What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again, Good Kate; I am a gentleman. That I'll try. If you strike me, you are no gentleman: |