} Gru. And that his bags shall prove. [Aside. Hor. Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love: I'll tell you news indifferent good for either. Hortensio, have you told him all her faults? Gre. No, say'st me so, friend? What country-man? Gre. O, sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange : But, if you have a stomach, to't o'God's name; You shall have me assisting you in all. But will you woo this wild cat? Pet. Will I live? Gru. Will he woo her? ay, or I'll hang her. [Aside. Pet. Why came I hither, but to that intent? Think you, a little din can daunt mine ears? Have I not in my time heard lions roar? Have I not heard the sea, puff'd up with winds, Rage like an angry boar, chafed with sweat? Have I not heard great ordnance in the field, And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies? Have I not in a pitched battle heard Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang? And do you tell me of a woman's tongue; That gives not half so great a blow to the ear, As will a chesnut in a farmer's fire? Tush! tush! fear boys with bugs. Gru. Gre. Hortensio, hark! This gentleman is happily arriv'd, For he fears none. [Aside. My mind presumes, for his own good and yours. Hor. I promis'd, we would be contributors, And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe'er. Gre. And so we will; provided, that he win her. Gru. I would, I were as sure of a good dinner. [Aside. Enter TRANIO, bravely apparelled; and BIONDELlo. Gre. He that has the two fair daughters:-is't [Aside to Tranio] 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? Gre. But so is not she. Tra. For what reason, I beseech you? Gre. For this reason, if you'll know, That she's the choice love of signior Gremio. To whom my father is not all unknown; And so she shall; Lucentio shall make one, Pet. Sir, sir, the first's for me; let her go by. Hor. Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive; Tra. Sir, I shall not be slack: in sign whereof, Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends. Gru. Bion. O excellent motion! Fellows, let's begone, Hor. The motion's good indeed, and be it so;— Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto. [Exeunt. SCENE 1. The same. A Room in BAPTISTA's House. Enter KATHARINA and BIANCA. [self, Bian. Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong your- Kath. Of all thy suitors, here I charge thee, tell Which I could fancy more than any other. Kath. Minion, thou liest; Is't not Hortensio ? Bian. If you affect him, sister, here I swear, I'll plead for you myself, but you shall have him. Kath. O then, belike, you fancy riches more; You will have Gremio to keep you fair. Bian. Is it for him you do envy me so? [Strikes her. Bup. Why, how now, dame! whence grows this insolence? Bianca, stand aside;-poor girl! she weeps:- [Flies after Bianca. Bap. What, in my sight?-Bianca, get thee in. [Exit Bianca. Kath. Will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see, She is your treasure, she must have a husband? I must dance bare-foot on her wedding-day, And, for your love to her, lead apes in hell. Talk not to me; I will go sit and weep, Till I can find occasion of revenge. [Exit Katharina. Bap. Was ever gentleman thus griev'd as I? But who comes here? Enter GREMIO, with LUCENTIO in the Habit of a mean Man; PETRUCHIO, with HORTENSIO as a Musician; and TRANIO, with BIONDELLO bearing a Lute and Books. Gre. Good morrow, neighbour Baptista. Bap. Good morrow, neighbour Gremio: God save you, gentlemen! Pet. And you, good sir! Pray, have you not a daughter Call'd Katharina, fair and virtuous? Bap. I have a daughter, sir, call'd Katharina. Pet. You wrong me, signior Gremio; give me leave,I am a gentleman of Verona, sir, |