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? Nay then you jest, and now I well perceive 20 Kath. If that be jest, then all the rest was so. [Strikes her. Enter Baptista. Bap. Why, how now, dame! whence grows this inso lence? Bianca, stand aside. Poor girl! she weeps. Go ply thy needle; meddle not with her. Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee? Bap. What, in my sight? Bianca, get thee in. 30 [Exit Bianca. Kath. What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see Bap. Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I? But who comes here? [Exit. Enter Gremio, 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 40 you, gentlemen! Pet. And you, good sir; Pray, have you not a daughter Bap. I have a daughter, sir, called Katharina. Pet. You wrong me, Signior Gremio: give me leave. That, hearing of her beauty and her wit, 50 [Presenting Hortensio. Cunning in music and the mathematics, Bap. You're welcome, sir; and he, for your good sake. She is not for your turn, the more my grief. Pet. I see you do not mean to part with her, 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. 60 Bap. I know him well: you are welcome for his sake. 70 Gre. Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray, Let us, that are poor petitioners, speak too: Pet. O, pardon me, Signior Gremio; I would fain be doing. Gre. I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing. Neighbour, this is a gift very grateful, I am sure of it. To express the like kindness, myself, that have been more kindly beholding to you than any, freely give unto you this young scholar [presenting Lucentio], that hath been long 80 studying at Rheims; as cunning in Greek, Latin, and other languages, as the other in music and mathematics: his name is Cambio; pray, accept his service. Bap. A thousand thanks, Signior Gremio. Welcome, Tra. Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own; Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me, This liberty is all that I request, 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, I here bestow a simple instrument, And this small packet of Greek and Latin books: 90 100 Bap. Lucentio is your name; of whence, I pray? Bap. A mighty man of Pisa; by report I know him well: you are very welcome, sir. 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 Luc. and Hor., Bion. following. We will go walk a little in the orchard, And then to dinner. You are passing welcome, Pet. Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste, 120 130 Pet. Why, that is nothing: for I tell you, father, I am as peremptory as she proud-minded; For I am rough and woo not like a babe. Bap. Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed! Re-enter Hortensio, with his head broke. 140 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 musician? Hor. I think she 'll sooner prove a soldier. Iron may hold with her, but never lutes. 150 Bap. Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? them': And, with that word, she struck me on the head, As on a pillory, looking through the lute; And twangling Jack; with twenty such vile terms, |