I tell you, Sir, fhe bears me fair in hand. Enter Bianca and Lucentio. [They ftand by. Luc. Now, mistress, profit you in what you read? Bian. What, mafter, read you? first, resolve me that. Luc. I read That I profefs, the art of Love. Bian. And may you prove, Sir, master of your art Luc. While you, fweet dear, prove mistress of my heart. [They retire backward. Hor. Quick proceeders! marry! now, tell me, I pray, you that durft fwear that your mistress Bianca lov'd none in the world fo well as Lucentio. Tra. Defpightful love, unconftant womankind! I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful. Hor. Miftake no more, I am not Licio, Nor a musician, as I feem to be; But One that fcorn to live in this disguise And fince mine eyes are witness of her lightnefs, Hor. See, how they kifs and court! - Signior Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow of an A, or one Word intervening, he comes out again equipp'd like Vincentio. If fuch a Critick be fit to publish a Stage-Writer, I fhall not envy Mr. Pope's Admirers, if they should think fit to applaud his Sagacity. I have replac'd the Scenes in that Order, in which I found them in the Old Books, That That I have fondly flatter'd her withal. Tra. And here I take the like unfeigned oath, Never to marry her, tho' fhe intreat. Fie on her! fee, how beaftly the doth court him. Hor. 'Would all the world, but he, had quite forfworn her! For me, that I may furely keep mine oath, I will be married to a wealthy widow, Ere three days pass, which has as long lov'd me, Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, [Exit Hor. Tra. Mistress Bianca, blefs you with fuch grace, As longeth to a lover's bleffed cafe : Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle Love, And have forfworn you with Hortenfio. [Lucentio and Bianca come forward. Bian. Tranio, you jeft: but have you both forfworn me? Tra. Mistress, we have. Luc. Then we are rid of Licio. Tra. I'faith, he'll have a lufty widow now, That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day. Bian. God give him joy! Tra. Ay, and he'll tame her. Bian. He fays fo, Tranio. Tra. 'Faith, he's gone unto the Taming-school. Bian. The Taming-school? what, is there fuch place? Tra. Ay, miftrefs, and Petruchio is the mafter; That teaches tricks eleven and twenty long, To tame a Shrew, and charm her chattering tongue. Enter Biondello, running. Bion. Oh mafter, mafter, I have watch'd fo long, That That I'm dog-weary; but at laft I fpied (17) Tra. What is he, Biondello? Bion, Mafter, a mercantant, or else a pedant; Tra. If he be credulous, and trust my tale, Take in your love, and then let me alone. [Exeunt Luc. and Bian Enter a Pedant. Ped. God fave you, Sir. Tra. And you, Sir; you are welcome : Travel (17) but at last I fpied An ancient Angel going down the Hill, Tho' all the printed Copies agree in this Reading, I am confi. dent, that Shakespeare intended no Profanation here; nor indeed any Compliment to this old Man who was to be impos'd upon, and made a Property of. The Word I have reftor'd, certainly retrieves the Author's Meaning: and means, either in its first Signification, a Burdash; (for the Word is of Spanish Extraction, Ingle, which is equivalent to inguen of the Latines ;) or, in its metaphorical Senfe, a Gull, a Cully, one fit to be made a Tool of. (18) but formal in Apparel ; I have made bold to read, furly; and furely, I believe, I am right in doing fo. Our Poet always represents his Pedants, imperious and magifterial. Befides, Tranio's Directions to the Pedant for his Behaviour vouch for my Emendation. 'Tis well; and bold your own in any Cafe, Ped Ped. Sir, at the fartheft for a week or two; Ped. Of Mantua. Tre. Of Mantua, Sir? God forbid ! And come to Padua, careless of your Life? Ped. My life, Sir! how, I pray for that goes hard. To come to Padua; know you not the cause? Tra. Among them know you one Vincentio ? A merchant of incomparable wealth. Tra. He is my father, Sir; and, footh to fay, In count'nance fomewhat doth resemble you. Biron. As much as an apple doth an oyfter, and all one. Tra. To fave your life in this extremity, This favour will I do you for his fake ; And think it not the worst of all your fortunes, His name and credit fhall you undertake, [Afide Ped. Ped. Oh, Sir, I do; and will repute you ever The Patron of my life and liberty. Tra. Then go with me to make the matter good : This by the way I let you understand, My father is here look'd for every day, To país affurance of a dower in marriage 'Twixt me and one Baptifta's daughter here: In all these Circumstances I'll inftru&t you : Go with Me, Sir, to cloath you as becomes you. Exeunt Catharina and Grumio. [Exeunt. Gru. No, no, forfooth, I dare not for my life. pears: What, did he marry me to famish me? As who would fay, if I fhould fleep or eat Cath. 'Tis paffing good; I pr'ythee, let me have it. How fay you to a fat tripe finely broil'd? Cath. I like it well; good Grumio, fetch it me. Gru. I cannot tell;-I fear, it's cholerick: What fay you to a piece of beef and mustard? Cath. A difh, that I do love to feed upon. Gru. Ay, but the muftard is too hot a little. Cath. Why, then the beef, and let the muttard rest. Gru. Nay, then I will not; you shall have the muf tard, |