But thine doth fry. Gre. Tra. But youth, in ladies eyes that flourisheth. Say, seignior Gremio, what can you assure her? Fine linen, Turkey cushions bossed with pearl, Sir, list to me. I am my father's heir, and only son: Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.- Gre. Two thousand ducats by the year, of land! Tra. Gremio, 'tis known my father hath no less If you like me, she shall have me and mine. Tra. Why, then the maid is mine from all the world, By your firm promise; Gremio is outvied. Bap. I must confess, your offer is the best; Gre. And may not young men die, as well as old? I am thus resolved. On Sunday next, you know, And so I take my leave, and thank you both. [Exit. Gre. Adieu, good neighbor.-Now, I fear thee not; Sirrah, young gamester, your father were a fool To give thee all, and, in his waning age, Set foot under thy table. Tut! a toy! An old Italian fox is not so kind, my boy! [Exit. Tra. A vengeance on your crafty withered hide! Must get a father, called-supposed Vincentio; Do get their children; but, in this case of wooing, A child shall get a sire, if I fail not of my cunning. [Exit. ACT III. SCENE I. A Room in Baptista's House. Enter LUCENTIO, HORTENSIO, and BIANCA. Luc. Fiddler, forbear; you grow too forward, sir. Luc. Preposterous ass! that never read so far And, while I pause, serve in your harmony. Hor. Sirrah, I will not bear these braves of thine. Bian. Why, gentlemen, you do me double wrong, To strive for that which resteth in my choice. I am no breeching scholar in the schools; I'll not be tied to hours, nor 'pointed times, But learn my lessons as I please myself. And, to cut off all strife, here sit we down.— Take you your instrument, play you the whiles; His lecture will be done ere you have tuned. Hor. You'll leave his lecture when I am in tune? [To BIANCA.-HORTENSIO retires. Luc. That will be never!-Tune your instrument. Bian. Where left we last? Luc. Here, madam. Hac ibat Simois; hic est Sigeia tellus; Bian. Construe them. Luc. Hac ibat, as I told you before,-Simois, I am Lucentio,hic est, son unto Vincentio of Pisa,-Sigeia tellus, disguised thus to get your love; -Hic steterat, and that Lucentio that comes a wooing, Priami, is my man Tranio, —regia, bearing my port,-celsa senis, that we might beguile the old pantaloon. Hor. Madam, my instrument's in tune. [Returning. [HORTENSIO plays. Bian. Let's hear. O fie! The treble jars. Luc. Spit in the hole, man, and tune again. Bian. Now let me see if I can construe it. Hac ibat Simois, I know you not; - hic est Sigeia tellus, I trust you not;-Hic steterat Priami, take heed he hear us not; regia,— presume not; -celsa senis, despair not. Hor. Madam, 'tis now in tune. All but the base. Hor. The base is right; 'tis the base knave that jars. How fiery and forward our pedant is! Now, for my life, the knave doth court my love. Pedascule, I'll watch you better yet. Bian. In time I may believe, yet I mistrust. Luc. Mistrust it not; for sure, acides Was Ajax,-called so from his grandfather. D Bian. I must believe my master; else, I promise you, I should be arguing still upon that doubt. But let it rest.-Now, Licio, to you. Good masters, take it not unkindly, pray, That I have been thus pleasant with you both. Hor. You may go walk, [To LUCENTIO.] and give me leave awhile; My lessons make no music in three parts. Luc. Are you so formal, sir? Well, I must wait And watch withal; for, but I be deceived, Our fine musician groweth amorous. Hor. Madam, before you touch the instrument, Than hath been taught by any of my trade. Bian. Why, I am past my gamut long ago. [Aside. Bian. [Reads.] Gamut I am, the ground of all accord, Call you this gamut? Tut! I like it not: Enter a Servant. Serv. Mistress, your father prays you leave your books, And help to dress your sister's chamber up; You know to-morrow is the wedding-day. Bian. Farewell, sweet masters both; I must be gone. [Exeunt BIANCA and Servant. Luc. 'Faith, mistress, then I have no cause to stay. Hor. But I have cause to pry into this pedant; [Exit. [Exit. SCENE II. The same. Before Baptista's House. Enter BAPTISTA, GREMIO, TRANIO, KATHARINA, Bianca, LUCENTIO, and Attendants. Bap. Seignior Lucentio, [To TRANIO.] this is the 'pointed day, That Katharine and Petruchio should be married, What will be said? What mockery will it be, To want the bridegroom, when the priest attends. What says Lucentio to this shame of ours? Kath. No shame but mine. I must, forsooth, be forced To give my hand, opposed against my heart, Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen: Who wooed in haste, and means to wed at leisure. Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior; He'll woo a thousand, 'point the day of marriage, Tra. Patience, good Katharine, and Baptista too. Kath. 'Would Katharine had never seen him though! Bap. Go, girl; I cannot blame thee now to weep; For such an injury would vex a very saint, Much more a shrew of thy impatient humor. Enter BIONDEllo. Bion. Master, master! news, old news, and such newe as you never heard of! Bap. Is it new and old too? How may that be? Bion. Why, is it not news to hear of Petruchio's coming? Bap. Is he come? Bion. Why, no, sir. |