And so farewell. Katharina you may stay; [Exit. Kath. Why, and I trust, I may go too; May I not? What, shall I be appointed hours; as though, belike, I knew not what to take, and what to leave? Ha! [Exit. Gre. You may go to the devil's dam; your gifts are so good, here is none will hold you. Their love is not so great, Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together, and fast it fairly out; our cake's dough on both sides. Farewell:-Yet, for the love I bear my sweet Bianca, if I can by any means light on a fit man, to teach her that wherein she delights, I will wish him to her father. Hor. So will I, signior Gremio: But a word, I pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brook'd parle, know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both,— that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivals in Bianca's love,-to labour and effect one thing 'specially. Gre. What's that, I pray? Hor. Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister. Hor. I say, a husband. Gre. I say, a devil: Think'st thou, Hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell? Hor. Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience, and mine, to endure her loud alarums, why, man, there be good fellows in the world, an a man could light on them, would take her with all faults, and money enough. Gre. I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her dowry with this condition,-to be whipped at the high-cross every morning. Hor. 'Faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotten apples. But, come; since this bar in law makes us friends, it shall be so far forth friendly maintained,→ till by helping Baptista's eldest daughter to a husband, we set his youngest free for a husband, and then have to't afresh.-Sweet Bianca!-Happy man be his dole! He that runs fastest, gets the ring. How say you, signior Gremio ? Gre. I am agreed: and 'would I had given him the best horse in Padua to begin his wooing, that would thoroughly woo her, wed her, and bed her, and rid the house of her. Come on. [Exeunt GREMIO and HORTENSIO. Tra. [Advancing.] I pray, sir, tell me,-Is it pos sible That love should of a sudden take such hold? Luc. O Tranio, till I found it to be true, I never thought it possible, or likely; Tra. Master, it is no time to chide you now; If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so,-- Luc. Gramercies, lad; go forward: this contents; The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound. Tra. Master, you look'd so longly on the maid, Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all. Luc. O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face, That made great Jove to humble him to her hand, Tra. Saw you no more? mark'd you not, how her sister Began to scold; and raise up such a storm, Tra. Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance. I pray, awake, sir; If you love the maid, Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. stands : Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd, Thus it Luc. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he! Tra.. Both our inventions meet and jump in one. Luc. Tell me thine first. Tra. Master, for my hand, You will be schoolmaster, And undertake the teaching of the maid : Luc. It is: May it be done? Tra. Not possible; For who shall bear your part, And be in Padua here Vincentio's son ? Keep house, and ply his book; welcome his friends; Luc. Basta; content thee; for I have it full. 'Tis hatch'd, and shall be so:-Tranio, at once Tra. So had you need. [They exchange habits. In brief then, sir, sith it your pleasure is, And I am tied to be obedient; (For so your father charg'd me at our parting ; Although, I think, 'twas in another sense,) Because so well I love Lucentio. Luc. Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves: And let me be a slave, to achieve that maid Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded eye. Enter BIONDELLO. Here comes the rogue.—Sirrah, where have you been? Bion. Where have I been? Nay, how now, where are you? Master, has my fellow Tranio stol'n your clothes? Bion. I, sir? ne'er a whit. Bion. The better for him; 'Would I were so too! after, That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest daughter. But, sirrah,-not for my sake, but your master's, I advise You use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies : When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio; But in all places else, your master Lucentio. One thing more rests, that thyself execute ; To make one among these wooers: If thou ask me why, Sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty. [Exeunt. |