Bap.
Gentlemen Both, importune me no farther,
For how I firmly am resolv'd, you know;
That is, not to bestow my youngest Daughter,
Before I have a husband for the elder;
If either of you both love Catharina,
Because I know you well, and love you well,
Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.

Gre.
To cart her rather.—She's too rough for me:
There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?

Cath.
I pray you, Sir, is it your will
To make a Stale of me amongst these mates?

Hor.
Mates, maid, how mean you that? no mates for you;
Unless you were of gentler, milder, mould.

Cath.
I'faith, Sir, you shall never need to fear,
I wis, it is not half way to her heart:
But if it were, doubt not, her care shall be
To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool,
And paint your face, and use you like a fool.

Hor.
From all such devils, good Lord, deliver us.

Gre.
And me too, good Lord.

Tra. aside.
Hush, master, here's some good pastime toward;
That wench is stark mad, or wonderful froward.

Luc. aside.
But in the other's silence I do see
Maid's mild behaviour and sobriety.
Peace, Tranio.

Tra. aside.
Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill.

Bap.
Gentlemen, that I may soon make good
What I have said, Bianca, get you in;

And let it not displease thee, good Bianca;
For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl.

Cath.

A pretty Peat! it is best put finger in the eye, an she knew why.

Bian.
Sister, content you in my discontent.
Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe:
My books and instruments shall be my company,
On them to look, and practise by my self.

Luc.
Hark, Tranio, thou may'st hear Minerva speak. [aside.

Hor.
Signior Baptista, will you be so strange?
Sorry am I, that our good will effects
Bianca's grief.

Gre.
Why will you mew her up,
Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell,
And make her bear the penance of her tongue?

Bap.
Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolv'd:
Go in, Bianca.— [Exit Bianca.
And for I know, she taketh most delight
In musick, instruments, and poetry;
School-masters will I keep within my house,
Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio,
Or Signior Gremio, you, know any such,
Prefer them hither: for to cunning men
I will be very kind; and liberal
To mine own children, in good bringing up;
And so farewel: Catharina, you may stay,
For I have more to commune with Bianca. [Exit.

Cath.

Why, and, I trust, I may go too, may I not? what, shall I be appointed hours, as tho', belike, I knew not what to take, and what to leave? ha!