Tranio.
Is't possible, friend Licio, that Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?
I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.

Hor.
To satisfy you, sir, in what I have said,
Stand by, and mark the manner of his teaching. [They retire.

Luc.
Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?

Bia.
What, master, read you? first resolve me that.

Luc.
I read that I profess, the art to love.

Bia.
And may you prove, sir, master of your art!

Luc.
While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart. [Court apart.

Hor.
Marry, quick proceeders!—Tell me now, I pray, [Advancing.
You that durst swear your mistress fair Bianca
Lov'd none i'th' world so well as her Lucentio?

Tra.
Despightful 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,
For such a one as leaves a gentleman,
And makes a god of such a cullion:
Know, sir, that I am call'd—Hortensio.

Tra.
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.

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.

&blquo;Tra.
&blquo;And here I take the like unfeigned oath,—
&blquo;Never to marry her, though she would entreat:
&blquo;Fie on her! see, how beastly she doth court him.

&blquo;Hor.
&blquo;'Would, all the world, but he, had quite forsworn!
&blquo;For me,—that I may surely keep mine oath,
&blquo;I will be marry'd to a wealthy widow,
&blquo;Ere three days pass; which hath as long lov'd me,
&blquo;As I have lov'd this proud disdainful haggard:
&blquo;And so farewel, 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 Hor.

Tra.
Mistress Bianca, [passing to the other side.] 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.

Bia.
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.

Bia.
God give him joy!

Tra.
Ay, and he'll tame her.

Bia.
He says so, Tranio.

Tra.
'Faith, he is gone unto the taming school.

Bia.
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. &blquo;Enter Biondello, running.

&blquo;Bio.
&blquo;O, master, master, I have watch'd so long
&blquo;That I'm dog-weary; but at last I spy'd
&blquo;An ancient engle coming down the hill,

&blquo;Will serve the turn.

&blquo;Tra.
&blquo;What is he, Biondello?

&blquo;Bio.
&blquo;Master, a mercatante, or a pedant,
&blquo;I know not what; but formal in apparel,
&blquo;In gait and countenance surely like a father.

&blquo;Luc.
&blquo;What of him, Tranio?

&blquo;Tra.
&blquo;If he be credulous, and trust my tale,
&blquo;I'll make him glad to seem Vincentio;
&blquo;And give assurance to Baptista Minola,
&blquo;As if he were the right Vincentio.
&blquo;Take in your love, and then let me alone. [Exeunt Luc. and Bia. &blquo;Enter a Pedant.

&blquo;Ped.
&blquo;Heav'n save you, sir!

&blquo;Tra.
&blquo;And you, sir! you are welcome.
&blquo;Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?

&blquo;Ped.
&blquo;Sir, at the farthest, for a week or two:
&blquo;But then up farther; and as far as Rome;
&blquo;And so to Tripoly, if Heav'n lend me life.

&blquo;Tra.
&blquo;What countryman, I pray?

&blquo;Ped.
&blquo;Of Mantua.

&blquo;Tra.
&blquo;Of Mantua, sir?—marry now, heav'n forbid!—
&blquo;And come to Padua, careless of your life?

&blquo;Ped.
&blquo;My life, sir! how, I pray? for that goes hard.

&blquo;Tra.
&blquo;'Tis death for any one in Mantua
&blquo;To come to Padua; know you not the cause?
&blquo;Your ships are stay'd at Venice; and the duke,
&blquo;For private quarrel 'twixt your duke and him,
&blquo;Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly:
&blquo;'Tis marvel; but that you're but newly come,
&blquo;You might have heard it else proclaim'd about.

&blquo;Ped.
&blquo;Alas, sir, it is worse for me than so;
&blquo;For I have bills for money by exchange
&blquo;From Florence, and must here deliver them.

&blquo;Tra.
&blquo;Well, sir, to do you courtesy herein,
&blquo;This will I do, and this I will advise you;—
&blquo;First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?

&blquo;Ped.
&blquo;Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been;
&blquo;Pisa, renowned for grave citizens.

&blquo;Tra.
&blquo;Among them, know you one Vincentio!

&blquo;Ped.
&blquo;I know him not, but I have heard of him;
&blquo;A merchant of incomparable wealth.

&blquo;Tra.
&blquo;He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say,
&blquo;In count'nance somewhat doth resemble you.

&blquo;Bio.
&blquo;As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one. [Aside.

&blquo;Tra.
&blquo;To save your life in this extremity,
&blquo;This favour will I do you for his sake;
&blquo;And think it not the worst of all your fortunes,
&blquo;That you are like to Sir Vincentio.
&blquo;His name and credit shall you undertake,
&blquo;And in my house you shall be friendly lodg'd;—
&blquo;Look that you take upon you as you should;
&blquo;You understand me, sir;—so shall you stay,
&blquo;'Till you have done your business in the city:
&blquo;If this court'sy, sir, accept of it.

&blquo;Ped.
&blquo;O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever
&blquo;The patron of my life and liberty.

&blquo;Tra.
&blquo;Then go with me, to make the matter good.
&blquo;This, by the way, I let you understand;—
&blquo;My father is here look'd for every day,
&blquo;To pass assurance of a dower in marriage
&blquo;'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here:
&blquo;In all these circumstances I'll instruct you.
&blquo;Go with me, sir, to cloath you as becomes you* ^note. [Exeunt.

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