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Bian. And may you prove, sir, master of your

art!

Luc. While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of

my heart.

[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!

kind!

unconstant woman

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,
For such a one as leaves a gentleman,
And makes a god of such a cullion:
Know, sir, that I am call'd- Hortensio.
Tra. Signior Hortensio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca;

And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness,
I will with you, - if be so contented,
you

Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.

Hor. Signior Lucentio,

Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow-
Never to woo her more; but do forswear her,
As one unworthy all the former favours
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: 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,
As I have lov'd this proud disdainful haggard :
And so farewell, signior Lucentio.—

Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,

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Shall win my love:- and so I take my leave,
In resolution as I swore before.

[Exit HORTENSIO. LUCENTIO and BIANCA advance.

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.

Then we are rid of Licio.

Tra. He'll have a widow now,

That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day.
Bian. Heaven 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' coming down the hill,
Will serve the turn.

Tra.

What is he, Biondello?
Bion. Master, a mercatantè, or a pedant,
I know not what; but formal in apparel,
In gait and countenance surely like a father.
Luc. And what of him, Tranio ?

Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale,
I'll make him glad to seem Vincentio ;

7 Messenger.

8 A merchant or a schoolmaster.

And give assurance to Baptista Minola,
As if he were the right Vincentio.
Take in your love, and then let me alone.

[Exeunt LUCENTIO and BIANCA.

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 God lend me life. Tra. What countryman, I pray?

Ped.

Of Mantua.

Tra. Of Mantua, sir?-marry, heaven forbid ' And come to Padua, careless of your life?

Ped. My life, sir! how, I pray? for that goes hard.

Tra. 'Tis death for any one in Mantua To come to Padua ; Know you not the cause? Your ships are staid at Venice; and the duke (For private quarrel 'twixt your duke and him) Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly: 'Tis marvel; but that you're but newly come, You might have heard it else proclaim'd about. Ped. Alas, sir, it is worse for me than so; For I have bills for money by exchange From Florence, and must here deliver them. Tra. Well, sir, to do you courtesy, This will I do, and this will I advise you; First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa? Ped. Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been; Pisa, renowned for grave citizens. 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.

Bion. As much as an apple dotn an oyster, and all one.

Tra. To save your life in this extremity, This favour will I do you for his sake;

[Aside.

And think it not the worst of all your fortunes,
That you are like to sir Vincentio.

His name and credit shall you undertake,
And in my house you shall be friendly lodg'd; -
Look, that you take upon you as you should;
You understand me, sir; -so shall you stay
Till you have done your business in the city:
If this be courtesy, sir, accept of it.

Ped. O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever
The patron of my life and liberty.

Tra. Then go with me, to make the matter good. This, by the way, I let you understand; My father is here look'd for every day, Το pass assurance of a dower in marriage 'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here: In all these circumstances I'll instruct you: Go with me, sir, to clothe you as becomes you. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

A Room in Petruchio's House.

Enter KATHARINA and GRUMIO.

Gru. No, no; forsooth: I dare not, for my life. Kath. The more my wrong, the more his spite

appears:

What, did he marry me to famish me?
Beggars, that come unto my father's door,
Upon entreaty, have a present alms;
If not, elsewhere they meet with charity:
But I, who never knew how to entreat,
Nor never needed that I should entreat,

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,
He does it under name of perfect love;

As who should say, if I should sleep, or eat,
'Twere deadly sickness, or else present death.
I pr'ythee go, and get me some repast;
I care not what, so it be wholesome food.
Gru. What say you to a neat's foot?

Kath. 'Tis passing good; I pr'ythee let me have it.

Gru. I fear, it is too cholerick a meat :How say you to a fat tripe, finely broil'd? Kath. I like it well; good Grumio, fetch it me. Gru. I cannot tell; I fear, 'tis cholerick. What say you to a piece of beef, and mustard? Kath. A dish that I do love to feed upon. 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.

slave,

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 [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

dish of meat; and

HORTENSIO.

Pet. How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all

amort ??

9 Dispirited; a Gallicism.

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