Bian. Tranio, you jest; But have you both for sworn 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. Bian. place? Tranio. Tra. Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master; Enter Biondello, running. Bion. O master, master, I have watch'd so long Tra. In gait and countenance surely like a father. Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, Enter a Pedant. Ped. God save you, sir! Tra. And you, sir! you are welcome. Travel you far on, or are you at the furthest? Ped. Sir, at the furthest for a week or two: But then up further; and as far as Rome; And so to Tripoly, if God lend me life. Tra. What countryman, I pray? Ped. Of Mantua. Tra. Of Mantua, sir?-marry, God forbid! And come to Padua, careless of your life? Ped. My life, sir! how I pray? for that goes Tra. 'Tis death for any one in Mantua To come to Padua; Know you not the cause? Your ships are staid 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're 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, Ped. Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been; Pisa, renowned for grave citizens. hard. 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 somewhat doth resemble you. Bion. As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one. [Aside. Tra. To save your life in this extremity, you undertake, His name and credit shall Ped. O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever 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 in marriage 'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here: In all these circumstances I'll instruct you: Go with me, sir, to clothe you as becomes you. [Exeunt. SCENE III. A ROOM IN PETRUCHIO'S HOUSE. Enter Katharina and Grumio. Gru. No, no, forsooth; I dare not, for my life. Kath. The more my wrong, the more his spite appears: What, did he marry me to famish me? As who should say,—if I should sleep, or eat, I care not what, so it be wholesome food. Kath. 'Tis passing good; I pr'ythee let me have it. Kath. I like it well; good Grumio, fetch it me. What say you to a piece of beef, and mustard? Or else you get no beef of Grumio. Kath. Then both, or one, or any thing thou wilt. Gru. Why, then the mustard without the beef. Kath. Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave, [Beats him. That feed'st me with the very name of meat: Sorrow on thee, and all the pack of you, Enter Petruchio, with a dish of meat; and Hortensio. Pet. How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort? Hor. Mistress, what cheer? Kath. me. Here, love; thou see'st how diligent I am, Kath. Hor. Signior Petruchio, fie! you are to blame: Pet. Eat it up all, Hortensio, if thou lov'st me.[Aside. Much good do it unto thy gentle heart! |