a tooth in her head, though she have as many diseases as two and fifty horses: why, nothing comes amiss, so money conies withal. Hor. Petruchio, since we have stepp'd thus far in, I will continue that I broach'd in jest. I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife With wealth enough, and young, and beauteous; Is, that she is intolerably curst, And shrewd, and froward; so beyond all measure, I would not wed her for a mine of gold. Pet. Hortensio, peace; thou know'st not gold's effect: Tell me her father's name, and 'tis enough; An affable and courteous gentleman : Renown'd in Padua for her scolding tongue. I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her; And therefore let me be thus bold with you, Unless you will accompany me thither. Gru. I pray you, sir, let him go while the humour lasts. O' my word, an she knew him as well as I do, she would think scolding 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 rope tricks. I'll tell you what, sir,-an she stand him but a little, he will throw a figure in her face, and so disfigure her with it, that she shall have no more eyes to see withal than a cat. You know him not, sir. Hor. Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee; For in Baptista's keep my treasure is: He hath the jewel of my life in hold, His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianea; And her withholds from me, and other more (For these defects I have before rehearsed,) Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en, That none shall have access unto Bianca, A title for a maid, of all titles the worst. Hor. Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace, Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca: Enter GREMIO with him LUCENTIO disguised, with books under his arm. Gru. Here's no knavery! See, to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together! Master, master, look about you: Who goes there? ha! Hor. Peace, Grumio; 'tis the rival of my love.Petruchio, stand by a while. Gru. A proper stripling, and an amorous ! (They retire.) And see you read no other lectures to her : Signior Baptista's liberality, I'll mend it with a largess. Take your papers too, For she is sweeter than perfume itself, To whom they go. What will you read to her ? Hor. Grumio, mum!-God save you, signior Gremio! you, Whither I am going?-To Baptista Minola. I promised to inquire carefully About a schoolmaster for 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 you. To fair Bianca, so beloved of me. Gre. Beloved of me,-and that my deeds shall prove. Gru. And that his bags shall prove. (Aside.) Hor. Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love: Listen to me, and if you speak me fair, I'll tell you news indifferent good for either. Here is a gentleman, whom by chance I met, Hortensio, have you told him all her faults? If that be all, masters, I hear no harm. Gre. No, say'st me so, friend? What countryman? Pet. Born in Verona, old Antonio's son: My father dead, my fortune lives for me; And I do hope good days, and long, to see. Gre. O, sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange : But, if you have a stomach, to't, o' God's name; Pet. Will I live? Gru. Will he woo her? ay, or I'll hang het. (Aside.) Pet. Why came I hither, but to that intent? Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang? That gives not half so great a blow to the car, As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire? Tush tush! fear boys with bugs. Gru. Gre. Hortensio, hark! For he fears none. (side.) This gentleman is happily arrived. My mind presumes, for his own good, and yours. (Aside.) Enter TRANIO, bravely apparelled, and BIONDELLO. Tra. Gentlemen, God save you! If I may be bold, Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way To the house of Signior Baptista Minola? Gre. He that has the two fair daughters: (Aside to Tranio.) is 't he you mean? Tra. Even he. Biondello! Gre. Hark you, sir: You mean not her to Tra. Perhaps, him and her, sir. What have you to do? Pet. Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray. Hor. Sir, a word ere you go, Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no? Tra, An if I be, sir, is it any offence? Gre. No; if, without more words, you will get you hence. Tra. Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free For me, as for you? But so is not she. Gre. That she's the choice love of signior Gremio. Hor. That she's the chosen of signior Hortensio. To whom my father is not all unknown; Hor. Sir, let me be so bold as to ask you, Pet. Sir, sir, the first 's for me; let her go by. Pet. Sir, understand you this of me, in sooth,- The younger then is free, and not before. Hor. Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive; And since you do profess to be a suitor, You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman, To whom we all rest generally beholden. Tra. Sir, I shall not be slack: in sign whereof, Please ye we may contrive this afternoon, And quaff carouses to our mistress' health; Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends. Gru. Bion. O excellent motion! Fellows, let's be gone. Hor. The motion 's good, indeed, and be it so ; Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto. ACT II. [Exeunt. SCENE I.-The same. A Room in Baptista's House. Enter KATHARINA and BIANCA. Bian. Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong your self, To make a bondmaid and a slave of me,- |