Talk not to me, I will go sit and weep,
Till I can find occasion of revenge.
Exit.
Bap.
Was ever gentleman thus griev’d as I?
But who comes here?
Enter Gremio, Lucentio in the habit of a mean man, Petruchio with [Hortensio as a musician, and] Tranio [as Lucentio] with his boy [Biondello] bearing a lute and books.
Gre. Good morrow, neighbor Baptista.
Bap. Good morrow, neighbor Gremio. God save you, gentlemen!
Pet.
And you, good sir! Pray have you not a daughter
Call’d Katherina, fair and virtuous?
Bap.
I have a daughter, sir, call’d Katherina.
Gre.
You are too blunt, go to it orderly.
Pet.
You wrong me, Signior Gremio, give me leave.
I am a gentleman of Verona, sir,
That hearing of her beauty and her wit,
Her affability and bashful modesty,
Her wondrous qualities and mild behavior,
Am bold to show myself a forward guest
Within your house, to make mine eye the witness
Of that report which I so oft have heard.
And for an entrance to my entertainment,
I do present you with a man of mine,
Presenting Hortensio.
Cunning in music and the mathematics,
To instruct her fully in those sciences,
Whereof I know she is not ignorant.
Accept of him, or else you do me wrong.
His name is Litio, born in Mantua.
Bap.
Y’ are welcome, sir, and he, for your good sake.
But for my daughter Katherine, this I know,
She is not for your turn, the more my grief.
Pet.
I see you do not mean to part with her,
Or else you like not of my company.
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.
Bap.
I know him well; you are welcome for his sake.
Gre.
Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray
Let us that are poor petitioners speak too.
[Backare]! you are marvellous forward.
Pet.
O, pardon me, Signior Gremio, I would fain be doing.
Gre. I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing.
[Neighbor], 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 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, good Cambio. [To Tranio.] But, gentle sir, methinks you walk like a stranger. May I be so bold to know the cause of your coming?
Tra.
Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own,
That being a stranger in this city here,
Do make myself a suitor to your daughter,
Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous.
Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me,
In the preferment of the eldest sister.
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 favor 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.
If you accept them, then their worth is great.
Bap.
Lucentio is your name, of whence, I pray?
Tra.
Of Pisa, sir, son to Vincentio.
Bap.
A mighty man of Pisa; by report
I know him well. You are very welcome, sir.
Take you the lute, and you the set of books.
You shall go see your pupils presently.
Holla, within!
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 Lucentio and Hortensio, Biondello following.]
We will go walk a little in the orchard,
And then to dinner. You are passing welcome,
And so I pray you all to think yourselves.
Pet.
Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste,
And every day I cannot come to woo.
You knew my father well, and in him me,
Left soly heir to all his lands and goods,
Which I have bettered rather than decreas’d.
Then tell me, if I get your daughter’s love,
What dowry shall I have with her to wife?
Bap.
After my death, the one half of my lands,
And in possession twenty thousand crowns.
Pet.
And for that dowry, I’ll assure her of
Her widowhood, be it that she survive me,
In all my lands and leases whatsoever.
Let specialties be therefore drawn