Ere three days pass; which hath as long lov'd me, Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, [Exit HORTENSIO.-LUCENTIO and BIANCA advance. Tra. Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace, As 'longeth to a lover's blessed case ! Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love; And have forsworn you, with Hortensio. Bian. Tranio, you jest; But have you both forsworn 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. He says so, Tranio. Tra. 'Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school. Bian. The taming-school! what, is there such a place? Tra. Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master; Enter BIONDELLO, running. Bion. O master, master, I have watch'd so long, That I am dog-weary; but at last I spied An ancient angel coming down the hill, Will serve the turn. Tra. What is he, Biondello? Bion. Master, a mercatantè, or a pedant, Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, Take in your love, and then let me alone. [Exeunt LUCENTIO and BIANCA. 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. 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 hard. To come to Padua; Know you not the cause? Ped. Alas, sir, it is worse for me than so; This will I do, and this will I advise you ;- Tra. Among them, know you one Vincentio ? 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. Tra. To save your life in this extremity, This favour will I do you for his sake; His name and credit shall you undertake, [Aside. And in my house you shall be friendly lodg'd :— Ped. O, sir, I do; and will repeat you ever Tra. Then go with me to make the matter good. To pass assurance of a dower in marriage 'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here: In all these circumstances I'll instruct 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? Beggars, that come unto my father's door, Upon entreaty, have a present alms; If not, elsewhere they meet with charity: But I,-who never knew how to entreat,- 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. How say you to a fat tripe, finely broil'd? Kath. I like it well; good Grumio, fetch it me. Gru. I cannot tell; I fear, 'tis cholerick. What say you to a piece of beef, and mustard ? Gru. Ay, but the mustard is too hot a little. Or else you get no beef of Grumio. Kath. Then both, or one, or any thing thou wilt. That feed'st me with the very name of meat: That triumph thus upon my misery! Go, get thee gone, I say. Enter PETRUCHIO with a dish of meat; and HORTEN SIO. Pet. How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort? Hor. Mistress, what cheer? Kath. 'Faith, as cold as can be. Pet. Pluck up thy spirits, look cheerfully upon me. Here, love; thou see'st how diligent I am, To dress thy meat myself, and bring it thee: [Sets the dish on a table. I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits thanks. What, not a word? Nay then, thou lov'st it not; And all my pains is sorted to no proof: Here, take away this dish. Kath. 'Pray you, let it stand. Pet. The poorest service is repaid with thanks; And so shall mine, before you touch the meat. Kath. I thank you, sir. |