For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl. Bian. Sister, content you in my discontent. On them to look, and practise by myself. Luc. Hark, Tranio! thou may'st hear Minerva speak. [Aside Hor. Signior Baptista, will you be so strange ?6 Sorry am I, that our good will effects Bianca's grief. Gre. Why will you mew her up, Bap. Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolv'd : Go in, Bianca. [Exit BIANCA -And for I know, she taketh most delight [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, [5] Peat or pet is a word of endearment from petit, little, as if it meant pretty little thing. JOHNSON. [6] That is, so odd, so different from others in your conduct. JOHN. [7] Cunning had not yet lost its original signification of knowing, earned, as may be observed in the translation of the Bible. JOHNSON. that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivals in Bianca's love, -to labour and ef fect one thing 'specially. Gre. What's that, I pray? Hor. Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister. Gre. A husband! a devil. 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 !8 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. [Exe. GRE. and Hor. Tra. [advancing.] I pray, sir, tell me,-Is it possible I never thought it possible, or likely; [8] Dole is any thing dealt out or distributed, though its original meaning was the provision given away at the doors of great men's houses. STEEV. [9] An allusion to the sport of running at the ring. DOUCE. ACT 1. THE SHREW. 21 Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt. Luc. Gramercies, lad; go forward: this contents; Such as the daughter of Agenor had, Tra. Saw you no more? mark'd you not, how her sister 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. Thus it stands: -Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd, That, till the father rid his hands of her, Master, your love must live a maid at home; And therefore has he closely mew'd her up, Because she shall not be annoy'd with suitors. Luc. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he ! But art thou not advis'd, he took some care To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her? Tra. Ah, marry, am I, sir; and now 'tis plotted. Luc. I have it, Tranio. Tra. Master, for my hand, Both our inventions meet and jump in one. Luc. Tell me thine first. Tra. You will be schoolmaster, And undertake the teaching of the maid: That's your device. Luc. It is: May it be done? Tra. Not possible; For who shall bear your part, And be in Padua here Vincentio's son ? [1] Is not driven out by chiding. MALONE. [2] Our author had this line from Lylly, which I mention that it may not be brought as an argument for his learning. JOHNSON. [i. e. longingly. I have met with no example of this adverb. STEE 1 Keep house, and ply his book; welcome his friends; Luc. Basta : 4 content thee; for I have it full. Tra. So had you need. [They exchange habits. In brief, then, sir, sith it your pleasure is, (For so your father charg'd me at our parting; Because so well I love Lucentio. Luc. Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves : Enter BIONDELLO. Luc. Sirrah, come hither; 'tis no time to jest, Bion. I, sir? ne'er a whit. Luc. And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth; [4] i. e. 'tis enough; Italian and Spanish. STEEVENS. [5] Port is figure, show, appearance. JOHNSON. Tranio is chang'd into Lucentio. Bion. The better for him; 'Would I were so too! Tra. So would I, 'faith, boy, to have the next wish after; That Lucentio, indeed, had Baptista's youngest daughter. But, sirrah, not for my sake, but your master's,-I ad vise You use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies: Luc. Tranio, let's go : -One thing more rests, that thyself execute;- [Exeunt. 1 Serv. My lord, you nod; you do not mind the play. Sly. Yes, by saint Anne, do I. A good matter, sure ly; Comes there any more of it? Page. My lord, 'tis but begun. Sly. 'Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady; 'Would't were done ! SCENE II. The same. Before HORTENSIO's House. Enter PETRUCIO and GRUMIO. Pet. Verona, for a while I take my leave, To see my friends in Padua; but, of all, Hortensio; and, I trow, this is his house : Here, sirrah Grumio; knock, I say. Gru. Knock, sir! whom should i knock ? is there any man has rebused your worship? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me here soundly. Gru. Knock you here, sir? why, sir, what am I, sir, that I should knock you here, sir? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me at this gate, And rap me well, or I'll knock your knave's pate. Gru. My master is grown quarrelsome: I should knock you first, And then I know after who comes by the worst. Pet. Will it not be? 'Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll ring it; I'll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it. [He wrings GRUMIO by the ears |