I promis'd to inquire carefully About a schoolmaster for fair Bianca: And, by good fortune, I have lighted well On this young man; for learning, and behaviour, And other books,-good ones, I warrant you. Gre. Belov'd of me,—and that my deeds shall Gru. And that his bags shall prove. [Aside. Hor. Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love: Listen to me, and if you speak me fair, I'll tell you news indifferent good for either. Gre. No, say'st me so, friend? What country- Pet. Born in Verona, old Antonio's son: My father dead, my fortune lives for me; And I do hope good days, and long, to see. Gre. O, sir, such a life, with such a wife, were But, if you have a stomach, to't, o' God's name; Will I live? Pet. [Aside. Pet. Why came I hither, but to that intent? Think you, a little din can daunt mine ears? Have I not in my time heard lions roar? Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang? That gives not half so great a blow to the ear, Tush! tush! fear boys with bugs. Gru. Gre. Hortensio, hark! For he fears none. [Aside. This gentleman is happily arriv'd, My mind presumes, for his own good, and yours. Enter Tranio, bravely apparelled; and Biondello. Tra. Gentlemen, God save you! If I may be bold, Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way To the house of signior Baptista Minola? Gre. He that has the two fair daughters-is't [Aside to Tranio.] he you mean? Tra. Even he. Biondello! Gre. Hark you, sir; You mean not her toTra. Perhaps, him and her, sir; What have you to do? Pet. Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray. Tra. I love no chiders, sir:-Biondello, let's away. Luc. Well begun, Tranio. Hor. Sir, a word ere you go [Aside. Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea, or no? (1) Fright boys with bug-bears. Tra. An if I be, sir, is it any offence? Gre. No; if, without more words, you will get you hence. Tra. Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free For me, as for you? Gre. But so is not she. Tra. For what reason, I beseech you? Gre. For this reason, if you'll know, That she's the choice love, of signior Gremio. Hor. That she's the chosen of signior Hortensio. Tra. Softly, my masters! if you be gentlemen, Do me this right,-hear me with patience. Baptista is a noble gentleman, To whom my father is not all unknown; Pet. Hortensio, to what end are all these words? Pet. Sir, sir, the first's for me; let her go by. Gre. Yea, leave that labour to great Hercules; And let it be more than Alcides' twelve. Pet. Sir, understand you this of me, insooth;The youngest daughter, whom you hearken for, Her father keeps from all access of suitors; And will not promise her to any man, Until the elder sister first be wed: The younger then is free, and not before. Tra. If it be so, sir, that you are the man Must stead us all, and me among the rest; An if you break the ice, and do this feat,- Hor. Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive; Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends. Gru. Bion. O excellent motion!-Fellows,2 let's begone. Hor. The motion's good indeed, and be it so ;Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I-The same. A room in Baptista's house. Enter Katharina and Bianca. Bian. Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself, To make a bondmaid and a slave of me; Kath. Of all thy suitors, here I charge thee, tell Which I could fancy more than any other. (1) Ungrateful. (2) Companions. Kath. Minion, thou liest; Is't not Hortensio ? Bian. Is it for him you do envy me so? Kath. If that be jest, then all the rest was so. [Strikes her. Enter Baptista. Bap. Why, how now, dame! whence grows this insolence? Bianca, stand aside;-poor girl! she weeps:-- [Flies after Bianca. Bap. What, in my sight?-Bianca, get thee in. [Exit Bianca. Kath. Will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see, She is your treasure, she must have a husband? I must dance bare-foot on her wedding-day, And, for your love to her, lead ap in hell. Talk not to me; I will go sit and weep, apes Till I can find occasion of revenge. [Exit Kath. Bap. Was ever gentleman thus griev'd as I? But who comes here? Enter Gremio, with Lucentio in the habit of a mean man; Petruchio, with Hortensio as a musician; and Tranio, with Biondello bearing a lute and books. Gre. Good-morrow, neighbour Baptista. (1) Love. (2) A worthless woman. |