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 sworn me? Tra. Mistress we have. Luc. 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. Sir, at the furthest for a week or two: But then up further; and as far as Rome; And so to Tripoly, if heaven lend me life. Tra. What countryman, I pray? Ped. goes hard. Of Mantua. Tra. Well, sir, to do you courtesy, Ped. Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been; Tra. Among them, know you one Vincentio? Ped. I know him not, but I have heard of him; A merchant of incomparable wealth. Tra. He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say, In countenance somewhat doth resemble you. Bian. As much as an apple doth an oyster, and [Aside. all one. Tra. To save your life in this extremity, His name and credit shall you undertake, Then we are rid of Licio. Look, that you take upon you as you should; Tra. He'll have a widow now, That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day. Bian. Heaven give him joy! 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 7 coming down the hill, Will serve the turn. Tra. What is he, Biondello? Bion. Master, a mercatantè, or a pedant 8, Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, 6 Despicable fellow. You understand me, sir; - so shall you stay 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; To pass assurance of a dower in marriage My father is here look'd for every day, In all these circumstances I'll instruct you: 'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here : Go with me, sir, to clothe you as becomes you. [Exeun He does it under name of perfect love; I care not what, so it be wholesome food. Gru. What say you to a neat's foot? Kath. I'll have no bigger; this doth fit the time, Hor. Kath. 'Tis passing good; I pr'ythee let me have it. And speak I will; I am no child, no babe; Kath. I like it well; good Grumio, fetch it me. Or else you get no beef of Grumio. Kath. Then both, or one, or any thing thou wilt. Enter PETRUCHIO with a dish of meat; and Pet. How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort ? 9 Hor. Mistress, what cheer? 'Faith, as cold as can be. Kath. Hor. Signior Petruchio, fye! you are to blame! Much good do it unto thy gentle heart! Come, tailor, let us see these ornaments; Your betters have endur'd me say my mind; Kath. Love me, or love me not, I like the cap; Pet. Thy gown? why, ay :- Come, tailor, let us O mercy, see what masking stuff is here? gown. Pet. Marry, and did; but if you be remember'd, Kath. I never saw a better-fashion'd gown, Pet. Why, true; he means to make a puppet of thee. Tai. She says, your worship means to make a puppet of her. Pet. O monstrous arrogance! Thou liest, thou Thou yard, three quarters, half-yard, quarter, nail, Gru. I gave him no order, I gave him the stuff. Tai. I have. Pet. Read it. Gru. The note lies in his throat, if he says I said so. Tai. Imprimis, a loose-bodied gown: Gru. Master, if ever I said loose-bodied gown, sew me in the skirts of it, and beat me to death with a bottom of brown thread: I said, a gown. Pet. Proceed. Tai. With a small compassed cape; Gru. I confess the cape. Tai. With a trunk sleeve; Gru. Error i'the bill, sir; error i'the bill. I commanded the sleeves should be cut out, and sewed up again; and that I'll prove upon thee, though thy little finger be armed in a thimble. Tai. This is true, that I say; an I had thee in place where, thou shouldst know it. Gru. I am for thee straight: take thou the bill, give me thy mete-yard 6, and spare not me. Hor. Gramercy, Grumio! then he shall have no odds. Pet. Well, sir, in brief, the gown is not for me. Gru. You are i'the right, sir. Pet. Hortensio, say thou wilt see the tailor paid: [Aside. Go, take it hence; be gone, and say no more. Hor. Tailor, I'll pay thee for thy gown to-morrow. Take no unkindness of his hasty words: Away, I say; commend me to thy master. [Exit Tailor. Pet. Well, come, my Kate; we will unto your father's, Even in these honest mean habiliments; Kath. I dare assure you, sir, 'tis almost two; I will not go to-day; and ere I do, sun. SCENE IV. - Padua. Before Baptista's House. Enter TRANIO, and the Pedant dressed like Tra. Sir, this is the house: Please it you, that I call? 6 Measuring yard. Ped. I warrant you: But, sir, here comes your boy; 'Twere good, he were school'd. Tra. Fear you not him. Sirrah, Biondello, Tra. But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista? Bion. I told him, that your father was at Venice; And that you look'd for him this day in Padua. Tra. Thou'rt a tall 7 fellow; hold thee that to drink. Here comes Baptista:-set your countenance, sir. Enter BAPTISTA and LUCENTIO. Signior Baptista, you are happily met: — Sir, [To the Pedant.] This is the gentleman I told you of; pray you, stand good father to me now, Give me Bianca for my patrimony. Ped. Soft, son! - Sir, by your leave; having come to Padua Bap. Sir, pardon me in what I have to say; best, We be affied; and such assurance ta'en, Bap. Not in my house, Lucentio; for, you know, Tra. Then at my lodging, an it like you, sir: There doth my father lie; and there, this night, We'll pass the business privately and well: Send for your daughter by your servant here, My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently. The worst is this, that, at so slender warning, You're like to have a thin and slender pittance. & Scrupulous. 7 Brave. 1 Betrothed, 9 Assure or convey 2 Haply, perhaps, Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me. Bap. It likes me well ; — Cambio, hie you home, | And if you please to call it a rush candle, Luc. I pray the gods she may with all my heart! Bap. What say'st thou, Biondello? Bion. You saw my master wink and laugh upon you? Luc. Biondello, what of that? Bion. 'Faith nothing; but he has left me here behind, to expound the meaning or moral of his signs and tokens. Luc. I pray thee moralize them. Pet. I say, it is the moon. Hor. Petruchio, go thy ways; the field is won. And not unluckily against the bias — Enter VINCENTIO, in a travelling dress. Bion. Then thus. Baptista is safe, talking with Such war of white and red within her cheeks! the deceiving father of a deceitful son. Luc. And what of him? What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty, Bion. His daughter is to be brought by you to Fair lovely maid, once more good day to thee: the supper. Luc. And then? Sweet Kate, embrace her for her beauty's sake. Bion. The old priest at Saint Luke's church is woman of him. at your command at all hours. Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, and HORTENSIO. Pet. Come on; once more toward our father's house. Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon! Pet. I say, it is the moon that shines so bright. It shall be moon, or star, or what I list, Hor. Say as he says, or we shall never go. Kath. Young budding virgin, fair, and fresh, Whither away; or where is thy abode? Pet. Why, how now, Kate! I hope thou art not This is a man, old, wrinkled, faded, wither'd; Kath. Pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes, Which way thou travellest: if along with us, Vin. Fair sir, and you my merry mistress, Lucentio, gentle sir. Vin. But is this true? or is it else your pleasure, Hor. I do assure thee, father, so it is. Pet. Come, go along, and see the truth hereof; For our first merriment hath made thee jealous. [Exeunt PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, and VINCENTIO. Hor. Well, Petruchio, this hath put me in heart. Have to my widow; and if she be froward, Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward. [Erit. ACT V. SCENE 1. - Padua. Before Lucentio's House. Enter on one side BIONDELLO, LUCENTIO, and BIANCA; GREMIO walking on the other side. Bion. Softly and swiftly, sir; for the priest is ready. Luc. I fly, Biondello: but they may chance to need thee at home, therefore leave us. Bion. Nay, I'll see the church o' your back; and then come back to my master as soon as I can. [Exeunt LUCENTIO, BIANCA, and BIONDELLO. Gre. I marvel Cambio comes not all this while. Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, VINCENTIO, and Attendants. Pet. Sir, here's the door, this is Lucentio's house, My father's bears more toward the market-place; Thither must I, and here I leave you, sir. Vin. You shall not choose but drink before you go; I think, I shall command your welcome here, And by all likelihood, some cheer is toward. [Knocks. Gre. They're busy within, you were best knock louder. Enter Pedant above, at a window. Vin. What, you notorious villain, didst thou never see thy master's father, Vincentio ? Bion. What, my old, worshipful old master? yes, marry, sir; see where he looks out of the window. Vin. Is't so, indeed? [Beats BIONDEllo. Bion. Help, help, help! here's a madman will murder me. [Erit. Ped. Help, son! help, signior Baptista! [Exit, from the window. Pet. Pr'ythee, Kate, let's stand aside, and see the end of this controversy. [They retire. Re-enter Pedant below; BAPTISTA, TRANIO, and Servants. Tra. Sir, what are you, that offer to beat my servant? Vin. What am I, sir? nay what are you, sir?— O immortal gods! O fine villain! A silken doublet! a velvet hose! a scarlet cloak! and a copatain hat! 3 - O, I am undone! I am undone! while I play the good husband at home, my son and my servant spend all at the university. Tra. How now! what's the matter? Tra. Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman Ped. What's he, that knocks as he would beat by your habit, but your words show you a madman: down the gate? Vin. Is signior Lucentio within, sir? Ped. He's within, sir, but not to be spoken withal. Vin. What if a man bring him a hundred pound or two, to make merry withal? Ped. Keep your hundred pounds to yourself; he shall need none, so long as I live. Pet. Nay, I told you, your son was beloved in Padua. Do you hear, sir? -to leave frivolous circumstances, I pray you, tell signior Lucentio, that his father is come from Pisa, and is here at the door to speak with him. Why, sir, what concerns it you, if I wear pearl and gold? I thank my good father, I am able to maintain it. Vin. Thy father? O, villain! he is a sail-maker in Bergamo, Bap. You mistake, sir; you mistake, sir: Pray, what do you think is his name? Vin. His name? as if I knew not his name: I have brought him up ever since he was three years Tranio. old, and his name is Ped. Away, away, mad ass! his name is Lucentio? and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands Ped. Thou liest; his father is come from Pisa, of me, signior Vincentio. and here looking out at the window. Vin. Art thou his father? Ped. Ay, sir; so his mother says, if I may believe her. Pet. Why, how now, gentlemen! [To VINCEN.] why, this is flat knavery, to take upon you another man's name. Ped. Lay hands on the villain; I believe 'a means to cozen somebody in this city under my countenance. Re-enter BIONDELLO. Bion. I have seen them in the church together: But who is here? mine old master, Vincentio? now we are undone, and brought to nothing. Vin. Come hither, crack-hemp. [Seeing BIONDello. Bion. I hope, I may choose, sir. Vin. Come hither, you rogue: What, have you forgot me? Bion. Forgot you? no, sir: I could not forget you, for I never saw you before in all my life. Vin. Lucentio! O, he hath murdered his master! -Lay hold on him, I charge you, in the duke's O, my son, my son!-tell me, thou villain, where is my son Lucentio? name: Tra. Call forth an officer: -[Enter one with an Officer.] Carry this mad knave to the gaol:- Father Baptista, I charge you see, that he be forthcoming. Vin. Carry me to the gaol! Gre. Stay, officer; he shall not go to prison. Bap. Talk not, signior Gremio; I say he shall go to prison. Gre. Take heed, signior Baptista, lest you be cheated in this busines; I dare swear, this is the right Vincentio. Ped. Swear, if thou darest. Gre. Nay, I dare not swear it. Tra. Then thou wert best say, that I am not Lucentio. Gre. Yes, I know thee to be signior Lucentio. Bap. Away with the dotard; to the gaol with him. 3 A hat with a conical crown. |