Hor. Petruchio, go thy ways, the field is won. Pet. Well, forward, forward:-thus the bowl fhould run, And not unluckily against the bias.- But foft; fome company is coming here.- Good morrow, gentle miftrefs: Whither away? Hor. 'A will make the man mad, to make a woman of him. Cat. Young budding virgin, fair, and fresh, and fweet, Whither away or where is thy abode ? Allot thee for his lovely bedfellow ! Pet. Why, how now, Kate! I hope, thou art not mad: This is a man, old, wrinkl'd, faded, wither'd ;. And not a maiden, as thou fay'st he is. Cat. Pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes,. Pet. Do, good old grand-fire; and, withal, make known Which way thou travel'ft: if along with us, Vin. Fair fir, and you, my merry mistress here,That with your ftrange encounter much amaz'd me; The fervile conceffions of Catherine are a very juft picture of an over-bearing tyrannical mind, broke down to fubmiffion; for the moft imperious, violent, and pragmatical, while improperly indulged, are the most obfequious, when properly restrained. My My name is call'd-Vincentio, dwelling-Pifa s Vin. Lucentio, gentle fir. Pet. Happily met; the happier for thy fon Vin. But is this true? or is it elfe your pleafure, Hor. I do affure thee, father, fo it is. Pet. Come, go along, and fee the truth hereof; For our firft merriment hath made thee jealous. [Exeunt Cat. Pet. and Vin. Hor. Well, fir Petruchio, this has put me in heart :Have to my widow; and if fhe be froward, Then haft thou taught Hortenfio be untoward. [Exit, SCENE II. Padua. Before Tranio's House. Enter Biondello, with Lucentio and Bianca, baftily; Gremio is feen entering behind. Bio. Softly and fwiftly, fir; for the priest is ready. Luc. I fy, Biondello: but they may chance to need thee at home, therefore leave us. [Exit, with Bianca.. Bio. Nay, 'faith, I'll fee the church o'your back; and then come back to my master's as foon as I can. [Exit Gre. I marvel, Cambia comes not all this while. Enter Petruchio, Catherine, Vincentio, and Attendants. Vin. You shall not choose but drink before you go s [Noife within. Vin. knocks. Gre. They're bufy within, you were best knock louder. [Knocks again. Enter Pedant, above, at a Window. Ped. What's he, that knocks as he would beat down the gate ? Vin. Is fignior Lucentio within, fir? Ped. He's within, fir, but not to be fpoken withal. Vin. What if a man bring him a hundred pound or two, to make merry withal? Ped. Keep your hundred pounds to yourfelf; he fhall need none, fo long as I live. Pet. Nay, I told you, your fon was well belov'd in Padua,-Do you hear, fir,-to leave frivolous circumftances, I pray you, tell fignior Lucentio, that his father is come from Pifa, and is here at the door to speak with him. Ped. Thou ly'ft; his father is come from- Maxtua, and here looking out at the window. Vin. Art thou his father? Ped. Ay, fir; fo his mother fays, if I may believe her. Pet. Why, how now, gentleman! [to Vin.] why, this is flat knavery, to take upon you another man's name. Ped. Lay hands on the villain; I believe, 'a means to cozen fomebody in this city under my countenance. Re-enter Biondello. Bio. I have feen them in the church together; Heav'n fend 'em good fhipping!-But who is here? [drawing backward.] mine old mafter Vincentio ? now we're undone and brought to nothing. [Seeing Biondello. Vin. Come hither, crack-hemp. Bio. I hope, I may choose, fir. Vin. Come hither, you rogue; what, have you forgot me? Bio. Forgot you? no, fir: I could not forget you; for I never faw you before in all my life *. Vin. What, you notorious villain, didft thou never fee thy mafter's father Vincentio? Bio. What, my worshipful old mafter? yes, marry, fir; fee, where he looks out of the window. Vin. Is't fo, indeed? [Beats Biondello. Bio. Help, help, help! here's a madman will murther me. [Exit, crying out. Ped. Help, fon! help, fignior Baptifta! [Exit, from above. Pet. Pr'ythee, Kate, let's ftand afide, and see the end of this controversy. [Draws her afide. Re-enter Pedant, below; Tranio, Baptifta, and Servants. Tra. Sir, what are you, that offer to beat my fervant? Vin. What am I, fir? nay, what are you, fir ?-O immortal gods! [furveying him.] O fine villain! A filken doublet! a velvet hofe! a fcarlet cloak! and a copatain hat!-O, I'm undone, I'm undone! while I play the good husband at home, my fon and my fervant fpend all at the univerfity. Tra. How now! what's the matter now? Bap. What, is the man lunatic ? Tra. Sir, you feem a fober ancient gentleman by your habit, but your words fhew you a madman: Why, fir, what concerns it you, if I wear pearl and gold? I thank my good father, I am able to maintain it. Vin. Thy father -O villain !—he's a fail-maker in Bergamo. Bup. You mistake, fir; you mistake, fir: Pray, what do you think is his name? Vin. His name? as if I knew not his name: I have brought him up ever fince he was three years old, and his name is-Tranio. Biondello's affected ignorance of his old mafter, is a diverting fuggeftion; and the confequence of Vincentio's beating him, produces very confiderable entertainment. 143 Ped. Away, away, mad afs! his name is, Lucentio ; and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, fig nior Vincentio. Vin. Lucentio! O, he hath murther'd his mafter! Lay hold on him, I charge you in the duke's name :— O my fon, my fon !-tell me, thou villain, where is my 'fon Lucentio ? Tra. Call forth an officer :-[Enter one with an Officer.] carry this mad knave to the jail :-father Baptifta, I charge you, fee that he be forth-coming. Vin. Carry me to the jail! Gre. Stay, officer; he fhall not go to prison. Bap. Talk not, fignior Gremio; I fay, he fhall go to prifon. coney Gre. Take heed, fignior Baptifta, left you be catch'd in this bufinefs; I dare fwear, this is the right Vincentio. Ped. Swear, if thou dar'ft. Gre. Nay, I dare not fwear it. Tra. Then thou wert best say, that I am not Lucentio. Gre. Yes, I know thee to be fignior Lucentio. Bap. Away with the dotard; to the jail with him *. Vin. Thus ftrangers may be hal'd and abus'd:-O monftrous villain ! Re-enter Biondello, with Lucentio, and Bianca. Bio. O, we are spoil'd, and-Yonder he is; deny him, forfwear him, or elfe we are all undone. Luc. Pardon, fweet father. [Kneels to Vin. [Bio. Tra. and Ped. run off. Bia. Pardon, dear father. [Kneels to Bap. Bap. How haft thou offended? Where is Lucentio ? Luc. Here's Lucentio, Right fon unto the right Vincentio ; That have by marriage made thy daughter mine, The confufion of this scene is, without exaggeration, a moft pleafant appeal to feelings of a lively nature; performed with spirit and wolubility, it must have a very happy effect, |