Taming of the Shrew

[Guru]

HORTENSIO


I say, a husband.

 

[Guru]

GREMIO


I say, a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, though
her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool
to be married to hell?

 

[Guru]

HORTENSIO


Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience and mine
to endure her loud alarums, why, man, there be good
fellows in the world, an a man could light on them,
would take her with all faults, and money enough.

 

[Guru]

GREMIO


I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her dowry with
this condition, to be whipped at the high cross
every morning.

 

[Guru]

HORTENSIO


Faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotten
apples. But come; since this bar in law makes us
friends, it shall be so far forth friendly
maintained all by helping Baptista's eldest daughter
to a husband we set his youngest free for a husband,
and then have to't a fresh. Sweet Bianca! Happy man
be his dole! He that runs fastest gets the ring.
How say you, Signior Gremio?

 

[Guru]

GREMIO


I am agreed; and would I had given him the best
horse in Padua to begin his wooing that would
thoroughly woo her, wed her and bed her and rid the
house of her! Come on.

Exeunt GREMIO and HORTENSIO

 

[Guru]

TRANIO


I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible
That love should of a sudden take such hold?

 

[Guru]

LUCENTIO


O Tranio, till I found it to be true,
I never thought it possible or likely;
But see, while idly I stood looking on,
I found the effect of love in idleness:
And now in plainness do confess to thee,
That art to me as secret and as dear
As Anna to the queen of Carthage was,
Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio,
If I achieve not this young modest girl.
Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst;
Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt.

 

[Guru]

TRANIO


Master, it is no time to chide you now;
Affection is not rated from the heart:
If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so,
'Redime te captum quam queas minimo.'

 

[Guru]

LUCENTIO


Gramercies, lad, go forward; this contents:
The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound.

 

[Guru]

TRANIO


Master, you look'd so longly on the maid,
Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all.

 

[Guru]

LUCENTIO


O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face,
Such as the daughter of Agenor had,
That made great Jove to humble him to her hand.
When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan strand.

 

[Guru]

TRANIO


Saw you no more? mark'd you not how her sister
Began to scold and raise up such a storm
That mortal ears might hardly endure the din?

 

[Guru]

LUCENTIO


Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move
And with her breath she did perfume the air:
Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.

 

[Guru]

TRANIO


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 eldest sister is so curst and shrewd
That till the father rid his hands of her,
Master, your love must live a maid at home;
And therefore has he closely mew'd her up,
Because she will not be annoy'd with suitors.

 

[Guru]

LUCENTIO


Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he!
But art thou not advised, he took some care
To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her?

 

[Guru]

TRANIO


Ay, marry, am I, sir; and now 'tis plotted.

 

[Guru]

LUCENTIO


I have it, Tranio.

 

[Guru]

TRANIO


Master, for my hand,
Both our inventions meet and jump in one.

 

[Guru]

LUCENTIO


Tell me thine first.

 

[Guru]

TRANIO


You will be schoolmaster
And undertake the teaching of the maid:
That's your device.

 

[Guru]

LUCENTIO


It is: may it be done?

 

[Guru]

TRANIO


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?

 

[Guru]

LUCENTIO


Basta; content thee, for I have it full.
We have not yet been seen in any house,
Nor can we lie 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 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 colour'd hat and cloak:
When Biondello comes, he waits on thee;
But I will charm him first to keep his tongue.

 

[Guru]

TRANIO


So had you need.
In brief, 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.