The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Part 483

SCENE II.

Padua. Before BAPTISTA'S house

Enter TRANIO as LUCENTIO, and HORTENSIO as LICIO

TRANIO. Is 't possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?

I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.

HORTENSIO. Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said, Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.

[They stand aside]

Enter BIANCA, and LUCENTIO as CAMBIO

LUCENTIO. Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?

BIANCA. What, master, read you, First resolve me that.

LUCENTIO. I read that I profess, 'The Art to Love.'

BIANCA. And may you prove, sir, master of your art!

LUCENTIO. While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart.

[They retire]

HORTENSIO. Quick proceeders, marry! Now tell me, I pray, You that durst swear that your Mistress Blanca Lov'd none in the world so well as Lucentio.

TRANIO. O despiteful love! unconstant womankind!

I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.

HORTENSIO. 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 G.o.d of such a cullion.

Know, sir, that I am call'd Hortensio.

TRANIO. 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 you be so contented, Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.

HORTENSIO. See, how they kiss and court! 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.

TRANIO. And here I take the like unfeigned oath, Never to marry with her though she would entreat; Fie on her! See how beastly she doth court him!

HORTENSIO. Would all the world but he had quite forsworn!

For me, that I may surely keep mine oath, I will be married to a wealtlly widow Ere three days pa.s.s, 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, Shall win my love; and so I take my leave, In resolution as I swore before. Exit TRANIO. 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.

BIANCA. Tranio, you jest; but have you both forsworn me?

TRANIO. Mistress, we have.

LUCENTIO. Then we are rid of Licio.

TRANIO. I' faith, he'll have a l.u.s.ty widow now, That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day.

BIANCA. G.o.d give him joy!

TRANIO. Ay, and he'll tame her.

BIANCA. He says so, Tranio.

TRANIO. Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.

BIANCA. The taming-school! What, is there such a place?

TRANIO. 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

BIONDELLO. O master, master, have watch'd so long That I am dog-weary; but at last I spied An ancient angel coming down the hill Will serve the turn.

TRANIO. What is he, Biondello?

BIONDELLO. Master, a mercatante or a pedant, I know not what; but formal in apparel, In gait and countenance surely like a father.

LUCENTIO. And what of him, Tranio?

TRANIO. If he be credulous and trust my tale, I'll make him glad to seem Vincentio, And give a.s.surance 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

PEDANT. G.o.d save you, sir!

TRANIO. And you, sir; you are welcome.

Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?

PEDANT. Sir, at the farthest for a week or two; But then up farther, and as far as Rome; And so to Tripoli, if G.o.d lend me life.

TRANIO. What countryman, I pray?

PEDANT. Of Mantua.

TRANIO. Of Mantua, sir? Marry, G.o.d forbid, And come to Padua, careless of your life!

PEDANT. My life, sir! How, I pray? For that goes hard.

TRANIO. 'Tis death for any one in Mantua To come to Padua. Know you not the cause?

Your ships are stay'd 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 are but newly come, You might have heard it else proclaim'd about.

PEDANT. Alas, sir, it is worse for me than so!

For I have bills for money by exchange From Florence, and must here deliver them.

TRANIO. Well, sir, to do you courtesy, This will I do, and this I will advise you- First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?

PEDANT. Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been, Pisa renowned for grave citizens.

TRANIO. Among them know you one Vincentio?

PEDANT. I know him not, but I have heard of him, A merchant of incomparable wealth.

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

BIONDELLO. [Aside] As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one.

TRANIO. 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 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 court'sy, sir, accept of it.

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

TRANIO. 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 pa.s.s a.s.surance of a dow'r in marriage 'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here.

In all these circ.u.mstances I'll instruct you.

Go with me to clothe you as becomes you. Exeunt

SCENE III.

PETRUCHIO'S house

Enter KATHERINA and GRUMIO

GRUMIO. No, no, forsooth; I dare not for my life.

KATHERINA. 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 prithee go and get me some repast; I care not what, so it be wholesome food.