Enter Tranio and Hortensio.

Tra. Is't possible friend Lisio, that mistris Bianca Doth fancie any other but Lucentio, I tel you sir, she beares me faire in hand

Luc. Sir, to satisfie you in what I haue said, Stand by, and marke the manner of his teaching. Enter Bianca.

Hor. Now Mistris, profit you in what you reade? Bian. What Master reade you first, resolue me that? Hor. I reade, that I professe the Art to loue

Bian. And may you proue sir Master of your Art

Luc. While you sweet deere proue Mistresse of my heart

Hor. Quicke proceeders marry, now tel me I pray, you that durst sweare that your Mistris Bianca Lou'd me in the World so wel as Lucentio

Tra. Oh despightful Loue, vnconstant womankind, I tel thee Lisio this is wonderfull

Hor. Mistake no more, I am not Lisio, Nor a Musitian as I seeme to bee, But one that scorne to liue in this disguise, For such a one as leaues a Gentleman, And makes a God of such a Cullion; Know sir, that I am cal'd Hortensio

Tra. Signior Hortensio, I haue often heard Of your entire affection to Bianca, And since mine eyes are witnesse of her lightnesse, I wil with you, if you be so contented, Forsweare Bianca, and her loue for euer

Hor. See how they kisse and court: Signior Lucentio, Heere is my hand, and heere I firmly vow Neuer to woo her more, but do forsweare her As one vnworthie all the former fauours That I haue fondly flatter'd them withall

Tra. And heere I take the like vnfained oath, Neuer to marrie with her, though she would intreate, Fie on her, see how beastly she doth court him

Hor. Would all the world but he had quite forsworn For me, that I may surely keepe mine oath. I wil be married to a wealthy Widdow, Ere three dayes passe, which hath as long lou'd me, As I haue lou'd this proud disdainful Haggard, And so farewel signior Lucentio, Kindnesse in women, not their beauteous lookes Shal win my loue, and so I take my leaue, In resolution, as I swore before

Tra. Mistris Bianca, blesse you with such grace, As longeth to a Louers blessed case: Nay, I haue tane you napping gentle Loue, And haue forsworne you with Hortensio

Bian. Tranio you iest, but haue you both forsworne mee? Tra. Mistris we haue

Luc. Then we are rid of Lisio

Tra. I'faith hee'l haue a lustie Widdow now, That shalbe woo'd, and wedded in a day

Bian. God giue him ioy

Tra. I, and hee'l tame her

Bianca. He sayes so Tranio

Tra. Faith he is gone vnto the taming schoole

Bian. The taming schoole: what is there such a place? Tra. I mistris, and Petruchio is the master, That teacheth trickes eleuen and twentie long, To tame a shrew, and charme her chattering tongue. Enter Biondello.

Bion. Oh Master, master I haue watcht so long, That I am dogge-wearie, but at last I spied An ancient Angel comming downe the hill, Wil serue the turne

Tra. What is he Biondello? Bio. Master, a Marcantant, or a pedant, I know not what, but formall in apparrell, In gate and countenance surely like a Father

Luc. And what of him Tranio? Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, Ile make him glad to seeme Vincentio, And giue assurance to Baptista Minola. As if he were the right Vincentio

Par. Take me your loue, and then let me alone. Enter a Pedant.

Ped. God saue you sir

William Shakespeare
Classic Literature Library

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