Spake you not these words plain,-Sirrah, knock me here, Rap me here, knock me well, and knock me soundly? And come you now with-knocking at the gate ? Pet. Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise you. Hor. Petruchio, patience; I am Grumio's pledge: Why, this a heavy chance 'twixt him and you; Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio. And tell me now, sweet friend,-what happy gale Blows you to Padua here, from old Verona ? Pet. Such wind as scatters young men through the world, To seek their fortunes further than at home, And I have thrust myself into this maze, Haply to wive, and thrive, as best I may : Hor. Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee, And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour'd wife? Pet. Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we, Few words suffice: and, therefore, if thou know One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife, (As wealth is burthen of my wooing dance,) 3 Few words. Be she as foul as was Florentius' love,4 She moves me not, or not removes, at least, I come to wive it wealthily in Padua ; 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; 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, I will continue that I broach'd in jest. I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife With wealth enough, and young, and beauteous; 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; + See the story, No. 39, of " A Thousand Notable Things.' An affable and courteous gentleman: Her name is Katharina Minola, Renown'd in Padua for her scolding tongue. 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 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 stand' 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; 8 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 (For those defects I have before rehears'd,) • Abusive language. 7 Withstand. 8 Custody. 9 These measures. Till Katharine the curst have got a husband. A title for a maid, of all titles the worst. Hor. Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace; Well seen in musick, 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 amorous! [They retire. Gre. O, very well; I have perus'd the note. Hark you, sir; I'll have them very fairly bound: And see you read no other lectures to her: Signior Baptista's liberality, I'll mend it with a largess: 3-Take your papers too, And let me have them very well perfum'd; For she is sweeter than perfume itself, Luc. Whate'er I read to her, I'll plead for you, As for my patron, (stand you so assur'd,) As firmly as yourself were still in place: Yea, and (perhaps) with more successful words Than you, unless you were a scholar, sir. Gre. O this learning! what a thing it is! Gru. O this woodcock! what an ass it is! Pet. Peace, sirrah. Hor. Grumio, mum! God save you, signior Gremio! Gre. And you're well met, signior Hortensio. Whither I am going?-To Baptista Minola. About a schoolmaster for fair Bianca: And, by good fortune, I have lighted well And other books,-good ones, I warrant you. 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, |