1

S't poffible, friend Licio, that Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?
I tell you, Sir, fhe bears me fair in hand.
Hor. To fatisfie you, Sir, in what I faid,
Stand by, and mark the manner of his teaching.
Enter Bianca and Lucentio.

Luc. Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?
Bian. What mafter read you firft, refolve me that?
Luc. I read that I profefs, the art of love.

T

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Bian. And may you prove, Sir, master of your art. Luc. While you, fweet dear, prove mistress of my heart. Hor. Quick proceeders! marry! now tell me I pray, you that durft swear that your mistress Bianca lov'd none in the world fo well as Lucentio.

Tra. O defpightful love, unconftant womankind!

I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.

Hor. Mistake no more, I am not Licio,

Nor a musician, as I feem to be,

But one that scorn to live in this disguise,
For fuch a one as leaves a gentleman,
And makes a God of fuch a cullion;
Know, Sir, that I am call'd Hortenfio.
Tra. Signior Hortenfio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca,

And

And fince mine eyes are witnefs of her lightness,

I will with you, if you be fo contented,

Forfwear Bianca and her love for ever.

Hor. See how they kifs and court. Signior Lucentio,
Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow
Never to woo her more, but do forfwear her
As one unworthy all the former favours
That I have fondly flatter'd her withal.

Tra. And here I take the like unfeigned oath,
Never to marry her, tho' fhe intreat.

Fie on her, see how beaftly fhe doth court him.

Hor. Would all the world but he had quite forfworn her. For me, that I may furely keep mine oath,

I will be married to a wealthy widow,

Ere three days pass, which has as long lov'd me,
As I have lov'd this proud difdainful haggard.
And so farewel, Signior Lucentio.

Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,
Shall win my love: and fo I take my leave,
In refolution as I fwore before.

Tra. Miftrefs Bianca, blefs you with fuch grace,

As longeth to a lover's bleffed case:

Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love,

And have forfworn you with Hortenfio.

[Exit Hor.

Bian. Tranio, you jeft: but have you both forfworn me? Tra. Mistress, we have.

Luc. Then we are rid of Licio.

Tra. I'faith he'll have a lufty 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. He fays fo, Tranio.

Tra. 'Faith he is gone unto the taming school.

Bian. The taming school? what, is there fuch a place?
Tra. Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master,
That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long,

To tame a fhrew, and charm her chattering tongue.

Bion. Oh master, master, I have watch'd so long,
That I'm dog weary; but at last I spied

An ancient angel coming down the hill
Will ferve the turn.

Tra. What is he, Biondello?

Bion. Mafter, a mercantant, or else a pedant;
I know not what; but formal in apparel;
In gate and countenance, furely like a father.
Luc. And what of him, Tranio?

Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale,

I'll make him glad to seem Vincentio,

And give affurance to Baptifta Minola,

As if he were the right Vincentio :

Take me your love, and then let me alone. [Ex. Luc. & Bian.

Enter a Pedant.

Ped. God fave you, Sir.

Tra. And you, Sir; you are welcome:

Travel you far on, or are you at the fartheft?
Ped. Sir, at the fartheft for a week or two;
But then up farther, and as far as Rome;
And fo to Tripoly, if God lend me life.
Tra. What countryman, I pray?

Ped. Of Mantua.

Tra. Of Mantua, Sir? God forbid;

And

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 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 worfe for me than fo;
For I have bills for mony by exchange
From Florence, and must here deliver them.
Tra. Well, Sir, to do you courtesie,
This will I do, and this will I advise you;
Firft tell me, have you ever been at Pifa?
Ped. Ay, Sir, in Pisa have I often been;
Pifa 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 footh to say,

In count'nance somewhat doth resemble you.

Bion. As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one. [Afide.

Tra. To fave your life in this extremity,

This favour will I do you for his fake;

And think it not the worst of all your fortunes

That you are like to Sir Vincentio :

His name and credit fhall you undertake,
And in my house you shall be friendly lodg'd:
Look that you take upon you as you should.
You understand me, Sir: fo fhall you stay
'Till you have done your business in the city.
If this be court'fie, Sir, accept of it.

VOL. II.

X x

Ped.

[Exeunt.

Ped. Oh, 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 affurance of a dowre in marriage
'Twixt me and one Baptifta's daughter here:
In all these circumftances I'll inftruct you:
Go with me, Sir, to cloath you as becomes you.

Tra.

SCENE IL

Enter Tranio, and the Pedant dreft like Vincentio. Irs, this is the house, please it you that. I call. Ped. Ay what elfe, and (but I be deceived,) Signior Baptifta may remember me

Near twenty years ago in Genoa.

Tra. Where we were lodgers, at the Pegafus: "Tis well, and hold your own in any cafe With fuch aufterity as longeth to a father.

Enter Biondello.

Ped. I warrant you: but Sir, here comes your boy; 'Twere good he were school'd.

Tra. Fear you not him; firrah Biondello, Now do your duty throughly, I advise you: Imagine 'twere the right Vincentio..

Bion. Tut, fear not me.

Tra. But haft thou done thy errand to Baptifta?
Bion. I told him that your father was in Venice,

And that you look'd for him in Padua.

Tra