Bap. I have a daughter, sir, call'd Katharina. Gre. You are too blunt, go to it orderly. Pet. You wrong me, signior Gremio; give me leave. I am a gentleman of Verona, sir, Her wondrous qualities, and mild behaviour,— [Presenting Hortensio. Cunning in musick, and the mathematicks, Bap. You're welcome, sir; and he, for your good sake: But for my daughter Katharine,—this I know, Or else you like not of my company. Bap. Mistake me not, I speak but as I find. Whence are you, sir? what may I call your name? Pet. Petruchio is my name; Antonio's son, A man well known throughout all Italy. Bap. I know him well: you are welcome for his sake. Gre. Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray, Let us, that are poor petitioners, speak too: Pet. O, pardou me, signior Gremio; I would fain be doing. Gre. I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing. I Neighbour, this is a gift very grateful, I am sure of it. To express the like kindness myself, that have been more kindly beholden to you than any, freely give unto you this young scholar, [Presenting Lucentio,] that hath been long studying at Rheims; as cunning in Greek, Latin, and other languages, as the other in musick and mathematicks: his name is Cambio; pray, accept his service. Bap. A thousand thanks, signior Gremio: welcome, good Cambio.-But, gentle sir, [To Tranio.] methinks, you walk like a stranger; May I be so bold to know the cause of your coming? Tra. Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own; Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me, That, upon knowledge of my parentage, I may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo, And free access and favour as the rest. And, toward the education of your daughters, And this small packet of Greek and Latin books: If you accept them, then their worth is great. Bap. A mighty man of Pisa; by report I know him well: you are very welcome, sir. Take you [To Hor.] the lute, and you [To Luc.] the set of books, You shall go see your pupils presently. Holla, within! Enter a Servant. Sirrah, lead These gentlemen to my daughters; and tell them both, These are their tutors; bid them use them well. [Exit Servant, with Hortensio, Lucentio, and Biondello. We will go walk a little in the orchard, And then to dinner: You are passing welcome, Pet. Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste, And every day I cannot come to woo. You knew my father well; and in him, me, Bap. After my death, the one half of my lands; Let specialties be therefore drawn between us, Bap. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd, This is, her love; for that is all in all. Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father, I am as peremptory as she proud-minded; And where two raging fires meet together, They do consume the thing that feeds their fury: Though little fire grows great with little wind, Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all: So I to her, and so she yields to me; For I am rough, and woo not like a babe. Bap. Well may'st thou woo, and happy be thy speed! But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words. Pet. Ay, to the proof; as mountains are for winds, That shake not, though they blow perpetually. Re-enter Hortensio, with his head broken. Bap. How now, my friend? why dost thou look so pale? Hor. For fear, I promise you, if I look pale. Bap. What, will my daughter prove a good mu sician? Hor. I think, she'll sooner prove a soldier; Iron may hold with her, but never lutes. Bap. Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? Hor. Why, no; for she hath broke the lute to me. I did but tell her, she mistook her frets, And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering; When, with a most impatient devilish spirit, Frets, call you these? quoth she: I'll fume with them: As on a pillory, looking through the lute: Pet. Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench; O, how I long to have some chat with her! Bap. Well, go with me, and be not so discomfited: Proceed in practice with my younger daughter; Pet. I pray you do; I will attend her here, [Exeunt Baptista, Gremio, Tranio, and Hortensio. And woo her with some spirit when she comes. Say, that she rail; Why, then I'll tell her plain, She sings as sweetly as a nightingale: Say, that she frown; I'll say, she looks as clear As morning roses newly wash'd with dew: Say, she be mute, and will not speak a word; Then I'll commend her volubility, And say-she uttereth piercing eloquence: If she do bid me pack, I'll give her thanks, As though she bid me stay by her a week; If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day When I shall ask the banns, and when be married:But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, speak. |