Crowns in my purse I have, and goods at home, Hor. Petruchio, fhall I then come roundly to thee, Pet. Signior Hortenfio, 'twixt fuch friends as us She moves me not, or not removes, at least, I come to wive it wealthily in Padua: Gru. Nay, look you, fir, he tells you flatly what his mind is; why, give him gold enough, and marry him to a puppet, or an aglet-baby, or an old trot with ne'er a tooth in her head, though she have as many diseases as two and fifty horses; why, nothing comes amifs, fo money comes withal. Hor. Petruchio, fince we are ftep'd thus far in, I will continue that I broach'd in jeft. I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife With wealth enough, and young, and beauteous, Is, that she is intolerably curft, And fhrewd, and froward, fo beyond all measure, That were my state far worfer than it is, I would not wed her for a mine of gold. ↑ This, probably, alludes to fome ftory in an Italian novel, and should be written Florentio's love. Pet. Pet. Hortenfio, peace! thou know'ft not gold's effect; For I will board her, though the chide as loud Renown'd in Padua for her fcolding tongue. Pet. I know her father, though I know not her; And he knew my deceased father well: I will not fleep, Hortenfio, till I see her; And therefore let me be thus bold with you, Unless you will accompany me thither. Gru. I pray you, fir, let him go while the humour lafts. O'my word, an fhe knew him as well as I do, fhe would think fcolding would do little good upon him: she may, perhaps, call him half a score knaves, or so: why, that's nothing; an he begin once, he'll rail in his rhetorick. I'll tell you what, fir, an fhe stand him but a little, he will throw a figure in her face, and fo disfigure her with it, that she shall have no more eyes to fee withal than a cat: you know him not, fir. Hor. Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee; For in Baptifta's house my treasure is: He hath the jewel of my life in hold, His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca; And her withholds he from me, and other more Suppofing it a thing impoffible, From thofe defects I have before rehears'd, That none fhall have access unto Bianca, A title for a maid of all titles the worst. Hor. Hor. Now fhall my friend Petruchio do me grace, And offer me, disguis'd in fober robes, To old Baptifta as a schoolmaster Well feen in musick, to instruct Bianca ; SCENE VI. Enter Gremio, and Lucentio difguis'd. Gru. Here's no knavery! fee, to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together! Mafter, look about you: who goes there? ha. Hor. Peace, Grumio; 'tis the rival of my love. Gru. A proper ftripling, and an amorous! I'll mend it with a largess. Take your papers, To whom they go: what will you read to her? As firmly as yourself were still in place: Yea, and, perhaps, with more fuccefsful words Hor. Grumio, mum! God fave you, fignior Gremio. Gre.. Gre. And you are well met, fignior Hortenfio. Trow you whither I am going? to Baptifta Minola: I promis'd to inquire carefully about a schoolmafter for the fair Bianca; and, by good fortune, I have lighted well on this young man; for learning, and behaviour, fit for her turn, well read in poetry, and other books, good ones, I warrant ye. Hor. 'Tis well; and I have met a gentleman Hath promis'd me to help me to another, A fine musician to inftruct our mistress; So fhall I no whit be behind in duty To fair Bianca, fo belov'd of me. Gre. Belov'd of me, and that my deeds shall prove. Hor. Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love: I'll tell you news indifferent good for either. Hortenfio, have you told him all her faults? Pet. I know, fhe is an irksome brawling scold; If that be all, masters, I hear no harm. Gre. No, fay'ft me fo, friend? pray, what countryman? Pet. Born in Verona, old Antonio's fon; My father's dead, my fortune lives for me, And I do hope good days and long to fee. Gre. O, fuch a life with fuch a wife were strange; But, if you have a ftomach, to't o'god's name, But will you woo this wild cat? Pet. Will I live? Gru. Will he woo her? ay, or I'll hang her. Pet. Why came I hither, but to that intent? Think you, a little din can daunt my ears? Have I not in my time heard lions roar? Have I not heard the fea, puff'd up with winds, Loud larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets clang? Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. This gentleman is happily arriv'd, My mind prefumes, for his own good, and ours. Gre. And so we will, provided that he win her. SCENE VII. To them Tranio bravely apparell'd, and Biondello. Tra. Gentlemen, god fave you! If I may be bold, tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way to the house of fignior Baptifta Minola? Bion. He that has the two fair daughters? is't he you mean ? Tra. Even he, Biondello. Gre. Hark you, fir; you mean not her to Tra. Perhaps, him and her; what have you to do? Hor. Sir, a word ere you go: Are you a fuitor to the maid you talk of, yea, or no? VOL. II. M m [afide. Tra. |