Gru. I confess the cape. Tai. With a trunk sleeve; -- Tai. The sleeves curiously cut. Gru. Error i'the bill, sir; error i'the bill. I commanded the sleeves should be cut out, and sewed up again; and that I'll prove upon thee, though thy little finger be armed in a thimble. Tai. This is true, that I say; an I had thee in place where, thou shoud'st know it. Gru. I am for thee straight: take thou the bill, give me thy mete-yard, and spare not me. Hor. God-a-mercy, Grumio! then he shall have no odds. Pet. Well, sir, in brief, the gown is not for me. Pet. Why, sir, what's your conceit in that? Take up my mistress' gown to his master's use! Pet. Hortensio, say thou wilt see the tailor paid :— [Aside. Go take it hence; be gone, and say no more. Hor. Tailor, I'll pay thee for thy gown to-morrow.. Take no unkindness of his hasty words: Away, I say; commend me to thy master. [Exit Tailor. Pet. Well, come, my Kate; we will unto your father's, Even in these honest mean habiliments; Our purses shall be proud, our garments poor: Because his painted skin contents the eye? It shall be what o'clock I say it is. Hor. Why, so! this gallant will command the sun. [Exeunt. G SCENE IV. PADUA. BEFORE BAPTISTA'S HOUSE. Enter Tranio, and the Pedant dressed like Vincentio, Tra. Sir, this is the house; Please it you, that I call? Ped. Ay, what else? and, but I be deceived, Signior Baptista may remember me, Near twenty years ago, in Genoa, where We were lodgers at the Pegasus. Tra. 'Tis well; And hold your own, in any case, with such Enter Biondello. Ped. I warrant you: But, sir, here comes your boy; 'Twere good, he were school'd. Tra. Fear you not him. Sirrah, Biondello, Now do your duty throughly, I advise you; Imagine 'twere the right Vincentio. Bion. Tut! fear not me. Tra. But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista? bion. I told him, that your father was at Venice; And that you look'd for him this day in Padua. Tra. Thou'rt a tall fellow; hold thee that to drink. Here comes Baptista:-set your countenance, sir.— Enter Baptista and Lucentio. Signior Baptista, you are happily met:- This is the gentleman I told you of; I pray you, stand good father to me now, Ped. Soft, son! Sir, by your leave; having come to Padua Signior Baptista, of whom I hear so well. Bap. Sir, pardon me in what I have to say;Your plainness, and your shortness, please me well. Right true it is, your son Lucentio here Doth love my daughter, and she loveth him, Or both dissemble deeply their affections: And, therefore, if you say no more than this,That like a father you will deal with him, And pass my daughter a sufficient dower, The match is fully made, and all is done: Your son shall have my daughter with consent. Tra. I thank you, sir. Where then do you know best, We be affied; and such assurance ta'en, As shall with either part's agreement stand? Bap. Not in my house, Lucentio; for, you know, Pitchers have ears, and I have many servants: Besides, old Gremio is heark'ning still; And, happily, we might be interrupted. Tra. Then at my lodging, an it like you, sir: There doth my father lie; and there, this night, We'll pass the business privately and well: Send for your daughter by your servant here, My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently. The worst is this,-that, at so slender warning, You're like to have a thin and slender pittance. Bap. It likes me well:-Cambio, hie you home, And bid Bianca make her ready straight: And, if you will, tell what hath happened:Lucentio's father is arriv'd in Padua, And how she's like to be Lucentio's wife. Luc. I pray the gods she may, with all my heart! Tra. Dally not with the gods, but get thee gone. Signior Baptista, shall I lead the way? Welcome! one mess is like to be your cheer: Come, sir; we'll better it in Pisa. I follow you. [Exeunt Tranio, Pedant, and Baptista. Bion. Cambio. Luc. What say'st thou, Biondello? Bion. You saw my master wink and laugh upon Luc. Biondello, what of that? Bion. 'Faith, nothing; but he has left me here behind, to expound the meaning or moral of his signs and tokens. Luc. I pray thee, moralize them. |