Enter Tranio and Hortensio.
TRANIO.
Is ’t possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio
I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.
HORTENSIO.
Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said
Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.
They stand aside.
Enter Bianca and Lucentio.
LUCENTIO.
Now, mistress, profit you in what you read
BIANCA.
What, master, read you? First resolve me that.
LUCENTIO.
I read that I profess, The Art to Love.
BIANCA.
And may you prove, sir, master of your art
LUCENTIO.
While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart.
They retire.
HORTENSIO.
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.
TRANIO.
O despiteful love! unconstant womankind
I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.
HORTENSIO.
Mistake no more; I am not Licio.
Nor a musician as I seem to be
But one that scorn to live in this disguise
For such a one as leaves a gentleman
And makes a god of such a cullion
Know, sir, that I am call’d Hortensio.
TRANIO.
Signior Hortensio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca
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.
HORTENSIO.
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.
TRANIO.
And here I take the like unfeigned oath
Never to marry with her though she would entreat
Fie on her! See how beastly she doth court him
HORTENSIO.
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
As I have lov’d this proud disdainful haggard.
And so farewell, Signior Lucentio.
Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks
Shall win my love; and so I take my leave
In resolution as I swore before.
Exit Hortensio. Lucentio and Bianca advance.
TRANIO.
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.
BIANCA.
Tranio, you jest; but have you both forsworn me
TRANIO.
Mistress, we have.
LUCENTIO.
Then we are rid of Licio.
TRANIO.
I’ faith, he’ll have a lusty widow now
That shall be woo’d and wedded in a day.
BIANCA.
God give him joy
TRANIO.
Ay, and he’ll tame her.
BIANCA.
He says so, Tranio.
TRANIO.
Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.
BIANCA.
The taming-school! What, is there such a place
TRANIO.
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.
BIONDELLO.
O master, master! I have watch’d so long
That I am dog-weary; but at last I spied
An ancient angel coming down the hill
Will serve the turn.
TRANIO.
What is he, Biondello
BIONDELLO.
Master, a mercatante or a pedant
I know not what; but formal in apparel
In gait and countenance surely like a father.
LUCENTIO.
And what of him, Tranio
TRANIO.
If he be credulous and trust my tale
I’ll make him glad to seem Vincentio
And give assurance to Baptista Minola
As if he were the right Vincentio.
Take in your love, and then let me alone.
Exeunt Lucentio and Bianca.
Enter a Pedant.
PEDANT.
God save you, sir
TRANIO.
And you, sir! you are welcome.
Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest
PEDANT.
Sir, at the farthest for a week or two
But then up farther, and as far as Rome
And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life.
TRANIO.
What countryman, I pray
PEDANT.
Of Mantua.
TRANIO.
Of Mantua, sir? Marry, God forbid
And come to Padua, careless of your life
PEDANT.
My life, sir! How, I pray? for that goes hard.
TRANIO.
Tis death for anyone in Mantua
To come to Padua. Know you not the cause
Your ships are stay’d at Venice; and the Duke
For private quarrel ’twixt your Duke and him
Hath publish’d and proclaim’d it openly.
Tis marvel, but that you are but newly come
You might have heard it else proclaim’d about.
PEDANT.
Alas, sir! it is worse for me than so
For I have bills for money by exchange
From Florence, and must here deliver them.
TRANIO.
Well, sir, to do you courtesy
This will I do, and this I will advise you
First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa
PEDANT.
Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been
Pisa renowned for grave citizens.
TRANIO.
Among them know you one Vincentio
PEDANT.
I know him not, but I have heard of him
A merchant of incomparable wealth.
TRANIO.
He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say
In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.
BIONDELLO.
Aside.] As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one.
TRANIO.
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.
His name and credit shall you undertake
And in my house you shall be friendly lodg’d
Look that you take upon you as you should
You understand me, sir; so shall you stay
Till you have done your business in the city.
If this be courtesy, sir, accept of it.
PEDANT.
O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever
The patron of my life and liberty.
TRANIO.
Then go with me to make the matter good.
This, by the way, I let you understand
My father is here look’d for every day
To pass assurance of a dower in marriage
Twixt me and one Baptista’s daughter here
In all these circumstances I’ll instruct you.
Go with me to clothe you as becomes you.
Exeunt.
