That in a twink she won me to her love. O, you are novices! 'tis a world to see, 8 A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew.- Bap. I know not what to say; but give me your hands; Gre. Tra. Amen, say we; we will be witnesses. I will to Venice, Sunday comes apace :— [Exeunt PETRUCHIO and KATHARINA, severally. Gre. Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly? Tra. 'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you: Tra. And I am one, that love Bianca more Than words can witness, or your thoughts can guess. Gre. But thine doth fry. Skipper, stand back; 'tis age that nourisheth. Tra. But youth, in ladies' eyes that flourisheth. Bap. Content you, gentlemen; I will compound this strife: "Tis deeds must win the prize; and he, of both, That can assure my daughter greatest dower, Shall have Bianca's love. Say, Signior Gremio, what can you assure her? Gre. First, as you know, my house within the city Is richly furnished with plate and gold ; In ivory coffers I have stuff'd my crowns; Fine linen, Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl, Tra. That, 'only,' came well in.-Sir, list to me, If I may have your daughter to my wife, I'll leave her houses three or four as good, Old Signior Gremio has in Padua ; Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.- Gre. Two thousand ducats by the year of land! Tra. Gremio, 'tis known, my father hath no less V And twelve tight galleys: these I will assure her, If you like me, she shall have me and mine. Tra. Why, then the maid is mine from all the world, Bap. I must confess, your offer is the best; I am thus resolv'd:-on Sunday next you know, And so I take my leave, and thank you both. [Exit BAPTISTA. Now I fear thee not; Sirrah, young gamester, your father were a fool An old Italian fox is not so kind, my boy. [Exit. Tra. A vengeance on your crafty wither'd hide! 'Tis in my head to do my master good:- Do get their children; but, in this case of wooing, [Exit. Enter LUCENTIO, HORTENSIO, and BIANCA. Luc. Fiddler, forbear; you grow too forward, sir. Have you so soon forgot the entertainment Her sister Katharine welcom'd you withal? Hor. But, wrangling pedant, this is The patroness of heavenly harmony: Then give me leave to have prerogative; And when in music we have spent an hour, Your lecture shall have leisure for as much. Luc. Preposterous ass! that never read so far To know the cause why music was ordain'd! Was it not, to refresh the mind of man After his studies or his usual pain? Then give me leave to read philosophy, And, while I pause, serve in your harmony. Hor. Sirrah, I will not bear these braves of thine. Hor. You'll leave his lecture when I am in tune? [TO BIANCA. HORTENSIO retires. Luc. That will be never ;-tune your instrument. Bian. Where left we last? Luc. Here, madam : Hac ibat Simois; hic est Sigeia tellus; Hic steterat Priami regia celsa senis. Bian. Construe them. Luc. Hac ibat, as I told you before-Simois, I am Lucentiohic est, son unto Vincentio of Pisa-Sigeia tellus, disguised thus to get your love ;-Hic steterat, and that Lucentio that comes a wooing-Priami, is my man Tranio-regia, bearing my portcelsa senis, that we might beguile the old pantaloon. Hor. Madam, my instrument's in tune. Bian. Let's hear; [HORTENSIO plays. O fie! the treble jars. [Coming forward. Luc. Spit in the hole, man, and tune again. Bian. Now let me see if I can construe it: Hac ibat Simois, I know you not; hic est Sigeia tellus, I trust you not ;—Hic steterat Priami, take heed he hear us not ;-regia, presume not;-celsa senis, despair not. Hor. Madam, 'tis now in tune. Luc. All but the base. Hor. The base is right; 'tis the base knave that jars. How fiery and forward our pedant is! |