Curt. In her chamber, Making a sermon of continency to her: And rails, and swears, and rates; that she, poor soul, Away, away! for he is coming hither. Re-enter PETRUCHIO. Pet. Thus have I politicly begun my reign, [Exeunt. To make her come, and know her keeper's call, And here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster, That all is done in reverend care of her; And thus I'll curb her mad and head-strong humour:- Now let him speak; 'tis charity to show. SCENE II. Padua. Before BAPTISTA'S House. HORTENSIO. [Exit. Enter TRANIO and Tra. Is't possible, friend Licio, that Bianca I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand. [5] A haszard is a wild hawk; to mana ham is to tame her JOHNSON. To bate is to flutter as a hawk does when it swoops upon its prey. Minsheu supposes it to be derived either from batre, Fr. to beat. or from s'abatre, to descend. MALONE. [7] Intend is sometimes used by our author for pretend, and is, I believe, so used here. MALONE. Stand by, and mark the manner of his teaching. [They stana aside 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 to love. heart. Bian. And may you prove, sir, master of your art! Luc. While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my [They retire Hor. Quick proceeders, marry! Now, tell me, I pray, You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca Lov'd none in the world so well as Lucentio. 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, Tra. Signior Hortensio, I have often heard And since 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 woo 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,— 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 [Exit HOR 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. Bian. Tranio, you jest; but have you both forsworn me? Tra. Mistress, we have. Luc. 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. Tra. Ay, and he'll tame her. Bian. He says so, Tranio. Tra. 'Faith, he is 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 shrew, and charm her chattering tongue. Enter BIONDELLO, running. Bion. O, master, master, I have watch'd so long, An ancient angel coming down the hill, Tra. What is he, Biondello? 8 Bion. Master, a mercatantè, or a pedant, Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, Take in your love, and then let me alone. [Exe. Luc. and BIAN. Tra. And you, sir! you are welcome. Travel you far on, or are you at the furthest? Tra. What countryman, I pray? [8] Angel primitively signifies a messenger, but perhaps this sense is inapplicable tc the passage before us. Chapman, in his translation of Homer, always calls a messenger an angel. STEEVENS. [9] The Italian word mercatante, is frequently used in the old plays for a mer chant. A pedant was the common name for a teacher of languages. STEEVENS 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? Tra. Among them, know you one Vincentio ? A merchant of incomparable wealth. Tra. He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say, In countenance somewhat doth resemble you. Bion. [Aside.] As much as an apple doth an oyster, and 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, That you are like to sir Vincentio. [all one. Ped. O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever SCENE III. A Room in PETRUCHIO's House. Enter Katharina ana GRUMIO. Gru. No, no, forsooth; I dare not, for my life. Kath. The more my wrong, the more his spite appears As who should say,-if I should sleep, or eat, Kath. 'Tis passing good; I pr'ythee let me have it. Kath. I like it well; good Grumio, fetch it me. What say you to a piece of beef, and mustard? Kath. Then, both, or one, or any thing thou wilt. That feed'st me with the very name of meat: That triumph thus upon my misery! Go, get thee gone, I say. Enter PETRUCHIO with a dish of meat; and HORTENSIO. Pet. How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort? Hor. Mistress, what cheer? Kath. 'Faith, as cold as can be. Pet. Pluck up thy spirits, look cheerfully upon me. |