SCENE, before Baptifla's House.

Enter Tranio and Hortenfio.
S't possible, friend Licio, that Bianca (19)

Doth fancy any other but Lucentio ?
I tell you, Sir, the bears me fair in hand.

Hor. To satisfy you, Sir, in what I said,
Stand by, and mark the manner of his teaching,

[They fland by.
Enter Bianca and Lucentio.
Luc. Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?
Bian. What, master, read you? first, resolve me that,
Luc. I read that I profess, the art of love.
Bian. And may you prove, Sir, master of your art !
Luc, While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of

my

heart.

(They retire back ward. Hor. Quick proceeders ! marry! now, tell me, I pray, you that durft swear that your mistress Bianca lov'd none in the world so well as Lucentio.

Tra. O despightful love, unconftant womankind !
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 fcorn to live in this disguise,
For such a one as leaves a gentleman,
And makes a God of such

collion;
Know, Sir, that I am callid Hortenfio.

Tra. Signior Hortenfio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca;
And fince mine eyes are witness of her lightness,
I will with you, if you be so contented,
Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.

Hor. See, how they kiss and court!Signior Lucentio,
Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow
Never to wooe 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,
Never to marry her, tho' the intreat.
Fy on her! see, how beastly fhe doth court him.

Hor. Would all the world, but he, had quite forsworn
For me, that I may surely keep mine oath, [her!
I will be married to a wealthy widow,
Ere three days pass, which has as long lov'd me,
As I have lov'd this proud disdainful haggard.
And so farewel, 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 Hor,
Tra. Mistress Bianca, bless you
As longeth to a lover's blessed cale :
Nay, I have ta’en you napping, gentle love,
And have forsworn you with Hortenfio.

[Lucentio and Bianca come forward.
Bian. Tranio, you jeft: But have you boih forsworn me?
Tra, Mistrets, we have.
Luc. Then we are rid of Licio.

Tra. l'faith, he'll have a luty widow now,
That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day.

with such grace,

Bian. God gave him joy!

Wasirto? Tra. Ay, and he'll tame her. 1 13 jfiri? Bian. He says so, Tranio. Tra. 'Faith, he's 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 threw, and charm her chattering tongue.

Enter Biondello, running.
Bion. Oh master, master, I have watch'd so long,
That I'm dog-weary; but at laft I spied (20)
An ancient engle, going down the hill,
Will serve the turn.

Tra, What is he, Biondello?

Bion. Mafter, a mercantant, or else a pedant; I know not what; but formal in apparel; (21)

a

pray?

In gate and countenance surly 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,
And give him assurance to Baptifta Minala,
As if he were the right Vincentio :
Take in your love, and then let me alone.

[Exe. Luc. and Bian.

Enter a Pedant. Ped. God save you, Sir.

Tra. And you, Sir; you are welcome:
Travel you far ok, or are you at the farthest?

Ped. Sir, at the farthest for a week or two;
But then up farther, and as far as Rome;
And so to Tripoly, if God lend me life.
Tra. What
countrydian,

I
Ped. Of Mantua,

Tra. Of Mantua, Sir? God forbid !
And come to Padua, careless of

your

life? Ped. My life, Sir! hcw, 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 elle proclaim'd about.

Ped. Alas, Sir; it is worse for me than fo;
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 advile you ;
First, tell me, have you ever been at Pila?

Ped. Ay, Sir, in Pisa have I often been 5 Pifa renowned for grave citizens. magifterial. Besides, Tranio's directions to the pedant for his beham viour vouch for my emendation,

'Tis well; and hold your own in any case,
With such austerity as longerb to a falber,

Tia

Liefde.

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, footh to say, In count'nance 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 fake; And think it not the worit 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 fhall you stay 'Till you have done

your

businefs in the city. If this be court'sy, Sir, accept of it.

Ped. Oh, 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 underftand,
My father is here look'd for every day,
To pass affurance of a dowre in marriage
'Twixt me and one Baptifla's daughter here :
In all these circumstances I'll inftruct you:
Go with me, Sir, to cloath you as becomes you. [Exeunt,

Enter Catharina and Grumio.
Gru. No, no, forsooth, I dare not for my life.

Cath. The more my wrong, the more his spite appears :
What, did he marry me to familh me?
Beggars, that come unto my father's door,
Upon intreaty, have a present alms;
If not, elfewhere they meet with charity:
But I, who never knew how to intreat,
Nor never needed that I should intreat,
Am ftarv'd for meat, giddy for lack of sleep;
With oaths kept waking, and with brawling fed;
And that, which spights me more than all chefe wants,
He does it under name of perfect love:

As