And yet I'll promise thee she shall be rich, Pet. Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we, Gru. Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his mind is: 'Why, give him gold enough, and marry him to a puppet, or an aglet-baby;2 or an old trot with ne'er a tooth in her head, though she have as many diseases as two and fifty horses: why, nothing comes amiss, so money comes withal. Hor. Petruchio, since we have stepp'd thus far in, And shrewd, and froward; so beyond all measure, Pet. Hortensio, peace; thou know'st not gold's effect: Tell me her father's name, and 'tis enough; (1) See the story, No. 39, of A Thousand Notable Things.' (2) A small image on the tag of lace. Hor. Her father is Baptista Minola, Pet. I know her father, though I know not her; And he knew my deceased father well :I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her; And therefore let me be thus bold with you, To give you over at this first encounter, Unless you will accompany me thither. Gru. I pray you, sir, let him go while the humour lasts. O' my word, an she knew him as well as I do, she would think scolding would do little good upon him: She may, perhaps, call him half a score knaves, or so: why, that's nothing; an he begin once, he'll rail in his rope-tricks. I'll tell you what, sir,-an she stand2 him but a little, he will throw a figure in her face, and so disfigure her with it, that she shall have no more eyes to see withal than a cat: you know him not, sir. Hor. Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee; For in Baptista's keep my treasure is : He hath the jewel of my life in hold, His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca; And her withholds from me, and other more Suitors to her, and rivals in my love: Supposing it a thing impossible (For those defects I have before rehears'd,) That ever Katharina will be woo'd, Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en ;That none shall have access unto Bianca, Till Katharine the curst have got a husband. Gru. Katharine the curst! A title for a maid, of all titles the worst. Hor. Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace; And offer me, disguis'd in sober robes, (1) Abusive language. (2) Withstand. Well seen1 in music, to instruct Bianca : Enter Gremio; with him Lucentio disguised, with books under his arm. Gru. Here's no knavery! See; to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together! Master, master, look about you: Who goes there? ha! Hor. Peace, Grumio; 'tis the rival of my love :Petruchio, stand by a while. Gru. A proper stripling, and an amcrous! [They retire. Gre. O, very well; I have perus'd the note. Hark you, sir; I'll have them very fairly bound: All books of love, see that at any hand ;2 And see you read no other lectures to her: You understand me:-Over and beside Signior Baptista's liberality, I'll mend it with a largess :3-Take your papers too, As for my patron (stand you so assur'd,) Gre. this learning! what a thing it is! Hor. Grumio, mum!-God save you, signior Gremio! Gre. And you're well met, signior Hortensio. Trow you, Whither I am going? - To Baptista Minola. (1) Versed. (2) Rate. (3) Present. I promis'd to inquire carefully And, by good fortune, I have lighted well Hor. 'Tis well: and I have met a gentleman, Hath promis'd me to help me to another, So shall I no whit be behind in duty To fair Bianca, so belov'd of me. Gre. Belov'd of me, and that my deeds shall prove. Gru. And that his bags shall prove. [Aside. Hor. Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love: Listen to me, and if you speak me fair, Gre. No, say'st me so, friend? What country man? Pet. Born in Verona, old Antonio's son: My father dead, my fortune lives for me; And I do hope & od days, and long, to see. Gre. O, sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange: But, if you have a stomach, to't, o' God's name; You shall have me assisting you in all. But will you woo this wild cat? Pet. Will I live? Gru. Will he woo her? ay, or I'll hang her. [Aside. Pet. Why came I hither, but to that intent? Think you, a little din can daunt mine ears? Have I not in my time heard lions roar? Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang? That gives not half so great a blow to the ear, Tush! tush! fear boys with bugs.1 Gre. Hortensio, hark! For he fears none. This gentleman is happily arriv'd, [Aside. My mind presumes, for his own good, and yours. Hor. I promis'd, we would be contributors, And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe'er. Gre. And so we will; provided, that he win her. Gru. I would, I were as sure of a good dinner. [Aside. Enter Tranio, bravely apparelled; and Biondello. Tra. Gentlemen, God save you! If I may be bold, Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way To the house of signior Baptista Minola? Gre. He that has the two fair daughters:-is't [Aside to Tranio.] he you mean? Tra. Even he. Biondello! Gre. Hark you, sir; You mean not her toTra. Perhaps, him and her, sir; What have you to do? Pet. Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray. Tra. I love no chiders, sir:-Biondello, let's away. Luc. Well begun, Tranio. Hor. Sir, a word ere you go ; [Aside. Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea, or no? (1) Fright boys with bug-bears. |