Shakespeare's First Folio Part 193

Luc. Sir, to satisfie you in what I haue said, Stand by, and marke the manner of his teaching.

Enter Bianca.

Hor. Now Mistris, profit you in what you reade?

Bian. What Master reade you first, resolue me that?

Hor. I reade, that I professe the Art to loue

Bian. And may you proue sir Master of your Art

Luc. While you sweet deere proue Mistresse of my heart

Hor. Quicke proceeders marry, now tel me I pray, you that durst sweare that your Mistris Bianca Lou'd me in the World so wel as Lucentio

Tra. Oh despightful Loue, vnconstant womankind, I tel thee Lisio this is wonderfull

Hor. Mistake no more, I am not Lisio, Nor a Musitian as I seeme to bee, But one that scorne to liue in this disguise, For such a one as leaues a Gentleman, And makes a G.o.d of such a Cullion; Know sir, that I am cal'd Hortensio

Tra. Signior Hortensio, I haue often heard Of your entire affection to Bianca, And since mine eyes are witnesse of her lightnesse, I wil with you, if you be so contented, Forsweare Bianca, and her loue for euer

Hor. See how they kisse and court: Signior Lucentio, Heere is my hand, and heere I firmly vow Neuer to woo her more, but do forsweare her As one vnworthie all the former fauours That I haue fondly flatter'd them withall

Tra. And heere I take the like vnfained oath, Neuer to marrie with her, though she would intreate, Fie on her, see how beastly she doth court him

Hor. Would all the world but he had quite forsworn For me, that I may surely keepe mine oath.

I wil be married to a wealthy Widdow, Ere three dayes pa.s.se, which hath as long lou'd me, As I haue lou'd this proud disdainful Haggard, And so farewel signior Lucentio, Kindnesse in women, not their beauteous lookes Shal win my loue, and so I take my leaue, In resolution, as I swore before

Tra. Mistris Bianca, blesse you with such grace, As longeth to a Louers blessed case: Nay, I haue tane you napping gentle Loue, And haue forsworne you with Hortensio

Bian. Tranio you iest, but haue you both forsworne mee?

Tra. Mistris we haue

Luc. Then we are rid of Lisio

Tra. I'faith hee'l haue a l.u.s.tie Widdow now, That shalbe woo'd, and wedded in a day

Bian. G.o.d giue him ioy

Tra. I, and hee'l tame her

Bianca. He sayes so Tranio

Tra. Faith he is gone vnto the taming schoole

Bian. The taming schoole: what is there such a place?

Tra. I mistris, and Petruchio is the master, That teacheth trickes eleuen and twentie long, To tame a shrew, and charme her chattering tongue.

Enter Biondello.

Bion. Oh Master, master I haue watcht so long, That I am dogge-wearie, but at last I spied An ancient Angel comming downe the hill, Wil serue the turne

Tra. What is he Biondello?

Bio. Master, a Marcantant, or a pedant, I know not what, but formall in apparrell, In gate and countenance surely like a Father

Luc. And what of him Tranio?

Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, Ile make him glad to seeme Vincentio, And giue a.s.surance to Baptista Minola.

As if he were the right Vincentio

Par. Take me your loue, and then let me alone.

Enter a Pedant.

Ped. G.o.d saue you sir

Tra. And you sir, you are welcome, Trauaile you farre on, or are you at the farthest?

Ped. Sir at the farthest for a weeke or two, But then vp farther, and as farre as Rome, And so to Tripolie, if G.o.d lend me life

Tra. What Countreyman I pray?

Ped. Of Mantua

Tra. Of Mantua Sir, marrie G.o.d forbid, And come to Padua carelesse 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 priuate quarrel 'twixt your Duke and him, Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly: 'Tis meruaile, but that you are but newly come, You might haue heard it else proclaim'd about

Ped. Alas sir, it is worse for me then so, For I haue bils for monie by exchange From Florence, and must heere deliuer them

Tra. Wel sir, to do you courtesie, This wil I do, and this I wil aduise you.

First tell me, haue you euer beene at Pisa?

Ped. I sir, in Pisa haue I often bin, Pisa renowned for graue Citizens

Tra. Among them know you one Vincentio?

Ped. I know him not, but I haue heard of him: A Merchant of incomparable wealth

Tra. He is my father sir, and sooth to say, In count'nance somewhat doth resemble you

Bion. As much as an apple doth an oyster, & all one

Tra. To saue your life in this extremitie, This fauor wil I do you for his sake, And thinke it not the worst of all your fortunes, That you are like to Sir Vincentio.

His name and credite shal you vndertake, And in my house you shal be friendly lodg'd, Looke that you take vpon you as you should, You vnderstand me sir: so shal you stay Til you haue done your businesse in the Citie: If this be court'sie sir, accept of it

Ped. Oh sir I do, and wil repute you euer The patron of my life and libertie

Tra. Then go with me, to make the matter good, This by the way I let you vnderstand, My father is heere look'd for euerie day, To pa.s.se a.s.surance of a dowre in marriage 'Twixt me, and one Baptistas daughter heere: In all these circ.u.mstances Ile instruct you, Go with me to cloath you as becomes you.

Exeunt.

Actus Quartus. Scena Prima.

Enter Katherina and Grumio.