I know not what; but formal in apparel, Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, 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, God 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 doth an oyster, and all one. Tra. To save your life in this extremity, This favour will I do you for his sake; And think it not the worst of all your fortunes, His name and credit shall you undertake, And in my house you shall be friendly lodg'd ;- Ped. O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever [Aside. 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, To pass assurance of a dower in marriage Go with me, sir, to clothe you as becomes you'. [Exeunt. 6 To pass assurance -] To pass assurance means to make a conveyance or deed. Deeds are by law-writers called, The common assurances of the realm," because thereby each man's property is assured to him. Go with me, &c.] There is an old comedy called Supposes, translated from Ariosto, by George Gascoigne. Thence Shakspeare borrowed this part of the plot, (as well as some of the phraseology,) though Theobald pronounces it his own invention. There, likewise, he found the names of Petruchio and Licio. My young master and his man exchange habits, and persuade a Scenæse, as he is called, to personate the father, exactly as in this play, by the pretended danger of his coming from Sienna to Ferrara, contrary to the order of the government. SCENE III. A Room in Petruchio's House. Enter KATHARINA and GRUMIO. Gru. No, no; forsooth, I dare not for my life. pears: What, did he marry me to famish me? Beggars, that come unto my father's door, As who should say,-if I should sleep, or eat, 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. What say you to a piece of beef and mustard? 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. 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 slave, That feed'st me with the very name of meat: [Beats him. Enter PETRUCHIO with a dish of meat; and HORTENSIO. Pet. How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort ? Hor. Mistress, what cheer? Kath. 'Faith, as cold as can be. Pet. Pluck up thy spirits, look cheerfully upon me. Here, love; thou see'st how diligent I am, To dress thy meat myself, and bring it thee: [Sets the dish on a table. I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits thanks. What, not a word? Nay then, thou lov'st it not; And all my pains is sorted to no proof': Here, take away this dish. Kath. 'Pray you, let it stand. Pet. The poorest service is repaid with thanks; And so shall mine, before you touch the meat. Kath. I thank you, sir. Hor. Signior Petruchio, fye! you are to blame! Come, mistress Kate, I'll bear you company. Pet. Eat it up all, Hortensio, if thou lov'st me. [Aside. Much good do it unto thy gentle heart! Kate, eat apace :—And now, my honey love, And revel it as bravely as the best, 8 What, sweeting, all amort ?] This gallicism is common to many of the old plays. That is, all sunk and dispirited. 9 And all my pains is sorted to no proof:] And all my labour has ended in nothing, or proved nothing. With silken coats, and caps, and golden rings, Enter Tailor. Come, tailor, let us see these ornaments2; Enter Haberdasher. Lay forth the gown.-What news with you, sir? A knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap: Away with it, come, let me have a bigger. Kath. I'll have no bigger; this doth fit the time, And gentlewomen wear such caps as these. Pet. When you are gentle, you shall have one too, And not till then. Hor. That will not be in haste. [Aside. Kath. Why, sir, I trust, I may have leave to speak ; And speak I will; I am no child, no babe: 1 with his ruffling treasure.] i. e. rustling. 2 Come, tailor, let us see these ornaments ;] In our poet's time, women's gowns were usually made by men. A custard-coffin,] A coffin was the ancient culinary term for the raised crust of a pie or custard. |