Tra. [advancing.] I pray, sir, tell me, is it pos sible That love should of a sudden take such hold? Luc. O Tranio, till I found it to be true, I never thought it possible, or likely; Tra. Master, it is no time to chide you now: If love have touch'd you, naught remains but so ;Redime te captum quam queas minimo. Luc. Gramercies, lad; go forward: this contents: The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound. Luc. O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face; That made great Jove to humble him to her hand, When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan strand. Tra. Saw you no more? mark'd you not, how her sister 1 Driven out by chiding. 2 Longingly. 3 Europa. Began to scold; and raise up such a storm, Luc. Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move, Tra. Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance. I pray, awake, sir; if you love the maid, Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it stands: Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd, That, till the father rid his hands of her, Tra. Master, for my hand, Both our inventions meet and jump in one. Luc. Tell me thine first. Tra. Not possible; for who shall bear your part, And be in Padua here Vincentio's son; Keep house, and ply his book; welcome his friends; Visit his countrymen, and banquet them? Luc. Basta;1 content thee; for I have it full.2 We have not yet been seen in any house; Nor can we be distinguish'd by our faces For man or master: then it follows thus :Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead, Keep house, and port,3 and servants, as I should: I will some other be; some Florentine, Some Neapolitan, or meaner man of Pisa.— 'Tis hatch'd, and shall be so. Tranio, at once Uncase thee; take my color'd hat and cloak: When Biondello comes, he waits on thee; But I will charm him first to keep his tongue. Tra. So had you need. [they exchange habus. In brief then, sir, sith it your pleasure is, And I am tied to be obedient; (For so your father charged me at our parting; Be serviceable to my son,' quoth he, Although, I think, 'twas in another sense) I am content to be Lucentio, Because so well I love Lucentio. Luc. Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves; And let me be a slave, to achieve that maid, Enter BIONDello. Here comes the rogue.-Sirrah, where have you been? 1 'Tis enough. * I have already planned the whole stratagem Show, appearance. 4 Since. Bion. Where have I been? Nay, how now, where are you? Master, has my fellow Tranio stolen your clothes; Or you stolen his ? or both? pray, what's the news? Luc. Sirrah, come hither; 'tis no time to jest, And therefore frame your manners to the time. Your fellow Tranio here, to save my life, Puts my apparel and my countenance on, And I for my escape have put on his; For in a quarrel, since I came ashore, I kill'd a man, and fear I was descried. Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes, While I make way from hence to save my life. You understand me? Bion. I, sir? ne'er a whit. Luc. And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth: Tranio is changed into Lucentio. Bion. The better for him: would I were so too! Tra. So would I, faith, boy, to have the next wish after, That Lucentio indee had Baptista's youngest daughter. But, sirrah,—not for my sake, but your master's—I advise You use your manners discreetly in all kind of com panies. When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio; One thing more rests, that thyself execute;— To make one among these wooers: if thou ask me why, Sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty. [Exeunt 1 SER. My lord, you nod; you do not mind the play. SLY. Yes, by Saint Anne, do I. A good matter, surely; comes there any more of it? PAGE. My lord, 'tis but begun. SLY. 'Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady: would't were done! SCENE II. The same. Before Hortensio's house. Enter PETRUCHIO and GRUMIO. Pet. Verona, for awhile I take my leave, To see my friends in Padua; but, of ail, My best beloved and approved friend, Hortensio; and, I trow, this is his house.Here, sirrah Grumio; knock, I say. Gru. Knock, sir! whom should I knock? is there any man has rebused your worship? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me here soundly. Gru. Knock you here, sir? why, sir, what am I, sir, that I should knock you here, sir? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me at this gate, And rap me well, or I'll knock your knave's pate. |