Tra.
Is't possible, friend Licio, that ^note Mistress ^note Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?

I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.

Hor. ^note
Sir ^note, to satisfy you in what I have ^note said, ^note
Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching. Enter Bianca and Lucentio ^note.

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

Bian.
What, master, read you? first ^note resolve me that.

Luc. ^note
I read that I profess, the Art to ^note Love.

Bian.
And may you prove, sir, master of your art! ^note

Luc.
While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart!

Hor.
Quick proceeders, marry ^note! Now, tell me ^note, I pray,
You that durst swear that your mistress ^note Bianca
Loved none ^note in the ^note world so well as ^note Lucentio ^note.

Tra.
O ^note despiteful 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 ^note,
As one unworthy all the former favours
That I have fondly flatter'd her ^note withal.

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

Hor.
Would all the world but he had quite forsworn ^note!
For me, that I may surely keep mine oath, ^note
I will be married to a wealthy widow,
Ere three days pass, which hath ^note as long loved me
As I have loved this proud disdainful haggard.
And so farewell, Signior Lucentio.
Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,
Shall win my love: and so ^note I take my leave,
In resolution as I swore before. [Exit.

Tra. ^note
Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace
As 'longeth ^note to a lover's blessed case!
Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love,
And have forsworn you with Hortensio.

Bian.
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.

Bian.
God give him joy!

Tra.
Ay, and he'll tame her ^note.

Bian.
He says so, Tranio.

Tra.
Faith, he is gone unto ^note the taming-school.

Bian.
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. ^noteEnter Biondello. ^note

Bion.
O master, master, I have watch'd so long
That I am ^note dog-weary! but at last I spied
An ancient angel ^{note note} coming ^note down the hill,
Will serve the turn.

Tra.
What is he, Biondello?

Bion.
Master, a mercatantè, or ^note a pedant,
I know not what; but formal in apparel,
In gait and countenance surely ^note like a father.

Luc.
And ^note what of him, Tranio ^note?

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

Ped.
God save you, sir!

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

Ped.
Sir, at the farthest for a week or two:

But then up farther, and ^note as far as Rome;
And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life.

Tra.
What countryman, I pray?

Ped.
Of Mantua.

Tra.
Of Mantua, sir? marry ^note, God forbid!
And come to Padua, careless of your life?

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

Tra.
'Tis death for any one in ^note 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 ^note but newly come,
You might have heard it else proclaim'd about.

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

Tra.
Well, sir, to do you courtesy ^note,
This will I do, and this I will ^note advise you:
First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?

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

Tra.
Among them know you one Vincentio?

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

Tra.
He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say,
In countenance ^note somewhat doth resemble you.

Bion.
As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one. [Aside. ^note

Tra.
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 ^note Vincentio.
His name and credit shall you undertake,
And in my house you shall be friendly lodged:
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 ^note:
If this be courtesy ^note, sir, accept of it.

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

Tra.
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 ^note in marriage
'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here:
In all these circumstances I'll instruct you:
Go with me ^note to clothe you as becomes you. [Exeunt. ^note

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