Gre. Hark, Petruchio! she says she'll see thee hanged first. Tra. Is this your speeding? Nay, then, good night our part! Pet. Be patient, gentlemen; I choose her for myself. If she and I be pleased, what's that to you? "Tis bargained 'twixt us twain, being alone, That she shall still be curst in company. I tell you, 'tis incredible to believe How much she loves me. O, the kindest Kate !— Bap. I know not what to say; but give me your hands; God send you joy, Petruchio! 'tis a match. Gre. Tra. Amen, say we; we will be witnesses. Pet. Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu; I will to Venice; Sunday comes apace. We will have rings, and things, and fine array; And kiss me, Kate; we will be married o' Sunday. [Exeunt PET. and KATH. severally. Gre. Was ever match clapped up so suddenly? Bap. Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant's part, And venture madly on a desperate mart. Tra. 'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you. "Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas. Bap. The gain I seek is-quiet in the match. 1 This phrase, which frequently occurs in old writers, is equivalent to, it is a wonder, or a matter of admiration to see. · 2 A tame, dastardly creature, particularly an over-mild husband. Gre. No doubt, but he hath got a quiet catch. But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter;Now is the day we long have looked for; I am your neighbor, and was suitor first. Tra. And I am one that love Bianca more Than words can witness, or your thoughts can guess. Gre. Youngling! thou canst not love so dear as I. Tra. Gray-beard! thy love doth freeze. Gre. But thine doth fry Skipper, stand back; 'tis age that nourisheth. Tra. But youth, in ladies' eyes that flourisheth. Bap. Content you, gentlemen; I'll compound this strife. 'Tis deeds must win the prize; and he, of both, That can assure my daughter greatest dower, Shall have Bianca's love. Say, seignior Gremio, what can you assure her? Gre. First, as you know, my house within the city Is richly furnished with plate and gold; Basins, and ewers, to lave her dainty hands: In ivory coffers I have stuffed my crowns; 2 Fine linen, Turkey cushions bossed with pearl, Tra. That only came well in. -Sir, list to me. I am my father's heir, and only son: 1 Coverings for beds; now called counterpanes. 2 Tents were hangings, tentes (French), probably so named from the tenters upon which they were hung, I'll leave her houses three or four as good, Tra. Gremio,'tis known my father hath no less By your firm promise; Gremio is outvied. Bap. I must confess, your offer is the best; And, let your father make her the assurance, She is your own; else, you must pardon me. If you should die before him, where's her dower? Tra. That's but a cavil; he is old, I young. Gre. And may not young men die, as well as old? I am thus resolved.-On Sunday next, you know, Now, on the Sunday following, shall Bianca And so I take my leave, and thank you both. [Exit. Gre. Adieu, good neighbor.--Now, I fear thee not; Sirrah, young gamester, your father were a fool 1 A galiass (galeazza, Ital.) was a great or double galley. The masts were three, and the number of seats for rowers thirty-two. Set foot under thy table, Tut! a toy! An old Italian fox is not so kind, my boy. [Exit. Tra. A vengeance on your crafty withered hide! Yet I have faced it with a card of ten.1 'Tis in my head to do my master good:- Do get their children; but, in this case of wooing, [Exit. ACT III. SCENE I. A Room in Baptista's House. Enter LUCENTIO, HORTENSIO, and BIANCA, Luc. Fiddler, forbear; you grow too forward, sir. Have you so soon forgot the entertainment Her sister Katharine welcomed you withal? Hor. But, wrangling pedant, this is The patroness of heavenly harmony. Then give me leave to have prerogative; And when in music we have spent an hour, Your lecture shall have leisure for as much. 1 This phrase, which often occurs in old writers, was most probably derived from some game at cards, wherein the standing boldly upon a ten was often successful. 2 After this Mr. Pope introduced the following speeches of the presenters, as they are called; from the old play : Slie. When will the fool come again? * Sim. Anon, my lord. Slie. Give some more drink here; where's the tapster? Here, Sim, eat some of these things. Sim. I do, my lord. Slie. Here, Sim, I drink to thee. * This probably alludes to the custom of filling up the vacancy of the stage between the acts by the appearance of a fool on the stage; unless Sly meant Sinder, the servant to Ferando, in the old piece, which seems likely from a subsequent pass; ge Luc. Preposterous ass! that never read so far After his studies, or his usual pain? Hor. Sirrah, I will not bear these braves of thine. Luc. Here, madam. Hac ibat Simois; hic est Sigeia tellus ; Bian. Construe them. Luc. Hac ibat, as I told you before,1-Simois, I am Lucentio,—hic est, son unto Vincentio of Pisa,-Sigeia tellus, disguised thus to get your love ;-Hic steterat, and that Lucentio that comes a wooing, Priami, is my man Tranio,-regia, bearing my port,-celsa senis, that we might beguile the old pantaloon. Hor. Madam, my instrument's in tune. [Returning. Bian. Let's hear.[HORTENSIO plays. O fie! The treble jars. Luc. Spit in the hole, man, and tune again. Bian. Now let me see if I can construe it. Hac ibat Simois, I know you not;-hic est Sigeia tellus, I trust you not;-Hic steterat Priami, take heed he 1 This species of humor, in which Latin is translated into English of a perfectly different meaning, is to be found in two plays of Middleton, The Witch, and The Chaste Maid of Cheapside; and in other writers. |