1    Is't possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca
2    Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?
3    I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.

4    Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said,
5    Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.

6    Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?

7    What, master, read you? first resolve me that.

8    I read that I profess, the Art to Love.

9    And may you prove, sir, master of your art!

10   While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart!

11   Quick proceeders, marry! Now, tell me, I pray,
12   You that durst swear at your mistress Bianca
13   Loved none in the world so well as Lucentio.

14   O despiteful love! unconstant womankind!
15   I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.

16   Mistake no more: I am not Licio,
17   Nor a musician, as I seem to be;
18   But one that scorn to live in this disguise,
19   For such a one as leaves a gentleman,
20   And makes a god of such a cullion:
21   Know, sir, that I am call'd Hortensio.

22   Signior Hortensio, I have often heard
23   Of your entire affection to Bianca;
24   And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness,
25   I will with you, if you be so contented,
26   Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.

27   See, how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio,
28   Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow
29   Never to woo her no more, but do forswear her,
30   As one unworthy all the former favours
31   That I have fondly flatter'd her withal.

32   And here I take the unfeigned oath,
33   Never to marry with her though she would entreat:
34   Fie on her! see, how beastly she doth court him!

35   Would all the world but he had quite forsworn!
36   For me, that I may surely keep mine oath,
37   I will be married to a wealthy widow,
38   Ere three days pass, which hath as long loved me
39   As I have loved this proud disdainful haggard.
40   And so farewell, Signior Lucentio.
41   Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,
42   Shall win my love: and so I take my leave,
43   In resolution as I swore before.

44   Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace
45   As 'longeth to a lover's blessed case!
46   Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love,
47   And have forsworn you with Hortensio.

48   Tranio, you jest: but have you both forsworn me?

49   Mistress, we have.

50   Then we are rid of Licio.

51   I' faith, he'll have a lusty widow now,
52   That shall be wood and wedded in a day.

53   God give him joy!

54   Ay, and he'll tame her.

55   He says so, Tranio.

56   Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.

57   The taming-school! what, is there such a place?

58   Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master;
59   That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long,
60   To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue.

61   O master, master, I have watch'd so long
62   That I am dog-weary: but at last I spied
63   An ancient angel coming down the hill,
64   Will serve the turn.

65   What is he, Biondello?

66   Master, a mercatante, or a pedant,
67   I know not what; but format in apparel,
68   In gait and countenance surely like a father.

69   And what of him, Tranio?

70   If he be credulous and trust my tale,
71   I'll make him glad to seem Vincentio,
72   And give assurance to Baptista Minola,
73   As if he were the right Vincentio
74   Take in your love, and then let me alone.

75   God save you, sir!

76   And you, sir! you are welcome.
77   Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?

78   Sir, at the farthest for a week or two:
79   But then up farther, and as for as Rome;
80   And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life.

81   What countryman, I pray?

82   Of Mantua.

83   Of Mantua, sir? marry, God forbid!
84   And come to Padua, careless of your life?

85   My life, sir! how, I pray? for that goes hard.

86   'Tis death for any one in Mantua
87   To come to Padua. Know you not the cause?
88   Your ships are stay'd at Venice, and the duke,
89   For private quarrel 'twixt your duke and him,
90   Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly:
91   'Tis, marvel, but that you are but newly come,
92   You might have heard it else proclaim'd about.

93   Alas! sir, it is worse for me than so;
94   For I have bills for money by exchange
95   From Florence and must here deliver them.

96   Well, sir, to do you courtesy,
97   This will I do, and this I will advise you:
98   First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?

99   Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been,
100  Pisa renowned for grave citizens.

101  Among them know you one Vincentio?

102  I know him not, but I have heard of him;
103  A merchant of incomparable wealth.

104  He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say,
105  In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.

Aside
106   As much as an apple doth an oyster,
107  and all one.

108  To save your life in this extremity,
109  This favour will I do you for his sake;
110  And think it not the worst of an your fortunes
111  That you are like to Sir Vincentio.
112  His name and credit shall you undertake,
113  And in my house you shall be friendly lodged:
114  Look that you take upon you as you should;
115  You understand me, sir: so shall you stay
116  Till you have done your business in the city:
117  If this be courtesy, sir, accept of it.

118  O sir, I do; and will repute you ever
119  The patron of my life and liberty.

120  Then go with me to make the matter good.
121  This, by the way, I let you understand;
122  my father is here look'd for every day,
123  To pass assurance of a dower in marriage
124  'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here:
125  In all these circumstances I'll instruct you:
126  Go with me to clothe you as becomes you.