And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong humour Now let him speak; 'tis charity to shew. SCENE II.-Padua. Before Baptista's house. Enter TRANIO and HORTENSIO. Tra. Is't possible, friend Licio, that Bianca Doth fancy any other but Lucentio ? I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand. [Exit. Hor. Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said, Stand by, and mark the manner of his teaching. [They stand aside. Enter BIANCA and LUCENTIQ. Luc. Now, mistress, profit you in what you read? [They retire. Tra. O despiteful love! unconstant 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 ́scorn to live in this disguise, Of your entire affection to Bianca ; And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness, Forswear Bianca and her love for ever. Hor. See, how they kiss and court!-Signior Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow- 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: Fye 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 keep mine oath, I will be married to a wealthy widow, Ere three days pass; which hath as long lov'd me, Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, 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. me? Tra. Mistress, we have. Luc. both forsworn Then we are rid of Licio Tra. I'faith, he'll have a lusty widow now, That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day. Bian. God give him joy! Bian. He says so, Tranio. Tra. Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master; Bion. O master, master, I have watch'd so long An ancient angel coming down the hill, Tra. What is he, Biondello? 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. To come to Padua; Know you not the cause? This will I do, and this will I advise you ;- Ped. Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been ; Tra. Among them, know you one Vincentio ? A merchant of incomparable wealth. Tra. He is my father, sır; 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 ; [Aside. Look, that you take upon you as you should; Ped. O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever 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. 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 ap pears: 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: As who should say,-if I should sleep, or eat, |