The Taming of the Shrew: Act 4, Scene 2
Enter TRANIO [as Lucentio] and
HORTENSIO.
TRANIO
1
Is't possible, friend Litio, that Mistress Bianca 2
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?3. bears me fair in hand: treats me encouragingly. However, to "bear in hand" also means "to lead on with intent to deceive," which the stupid Lucentio that Tranio pretends to be does not think of. Of course, in his own person, Tranio is very crafty and much smarter than Hortensio.
3
I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.
HORTENSIO
4
Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said, 5
Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.
Enter BIANCA and LUCENTIO.
LUCENTIO
6. profit you: do you make progress. read: study (evidently, both Bianca and "Cambio" carry books).
6
Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?
BIANCA
7. resolve: answer.
7
What, master, read you? first resolve me that.
LUCENTIO
8. I read that I profess: I study what I practice. Art to Love: Ovid's Ars Amatoria.
8
I read that I profess, the Art to Love.
BIANCA
9
And may you prove, sir, master of your art!
LUCENTIO
10
While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart!
HORTENSIO
11. proceeders: (1) workers, doers. (2) candidates for academic degrees; playing on the academic term "to proceed Master of Arts," suggested by Bianca's "master of your art."
11
Quick proceeders, marry! Now, tell me, I pray, 12
You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca 13
Loved none in the world so well as Lucentio.
TRANIO
14
O despiteful love! unconstant womankind!15. wonderful: a cause for wonder; astounding.
15
I tell thee, Litio, this is wonderful.
HORTENSIO
16
Mistake no more: I am not Litio, 17
Nor a musician, as I seem to be; 18
But one that scorn to live in this disguise,19. such a one: i.e., Bianca. leaves a gentlemanleaves a gentleman: refuses a gentleman (i.e., myself, Hortensio). 20. cullion: base fellow (referring to to "Cambio"; literally the word means testicle).
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.
TRANIO
22
Signior Hortensio, I have often heard23. entire: unfeigned, sincere.
23
Of your entire affection to Bianca;24. lightness: wantonness.
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.
HORTENSIO
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 favors31. fondly: foolishly.
31
That I have fondly flatter'd her withal.
TRANIO
32
And here I take the unfeigned oath, 33
Never to marry with her though she would entreat:34. beastly: i.e., lewdly.
34
Fie on her! see, how beastly she doth court him!
HORTENSIO
35. Would all the world but he had quite forsworn: may everyone in the world forsake her except him. Hortensio is spitefully wishing that the poor scholar, "Cambio" will be the only man willing to take Bianca for a wife.
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.
Exit.
TRANIO
44
Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace45. 'longeth: belongs.
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.
BIANCA
48
Tranio, you jest: but have you both forsworn me?
TRANIO
49
Mistress, we have.
LUCENTIO
49
Then we are rid of Litio.
TRANIO
50. lusty: lively, spirited, vigorous.
50
I' faith, he'll have a lusty widow now, 51
That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day.
BIANCA
52
God give him joy!
TRANIO
53
Ay, and he'll tame her.
BIANCA
53
He says so, Tranio?
TRANIO
54. he is gone unto the taming-school: Shakespeare seems to have gotten ahead of his plot, since Hortensio doesn't appear at Petruchio's house (which I assume is the "taming-school") until the next scene.
54
Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.
BIANCA
55
The taming-school! what, is there such a place?
TRANIO
56
Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master;57. tricks eleven and twenty long: i.e., plenty of tricks to win the game, as in the card game, "one and thirty."
57
That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long, 58
To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue.
Enter BIONDELLO.
BIONDELLO
59
O master, master, I have watch'd so long 60
That I am dog-weary: but at last I spied61. ancient angel: i.e., a fellow of the good old stamp. The angel was a gold coin. ...more 62. serve the turn: answer our purpose.
61
An ancient angel coming down the hill, 62
Will serve the turn.
TRANIO
62
What is he, Biondello?
BIONDELLO
63. mercantant: merchant (Italian mercantante). pedant: schoolmaster.
63
Master, a mercantant, or a pedant, 64
I know not what; but formal in apparel, 65
In gait and countenance surely like a father.
LUCENTIO
66
And what of him, Tranio?
TRANIO
67
If he be credulous and trust my tale, 68
I'll make him glad to seem Vincentio, 69
And give assurance to Baptista Minola, 70
As if he were the right Vincentio 71
Take in your love, and then let me alone.
Exeunt LUCENTIO and BIANCA.
Illustration by Sir John Gilbert
Enter a Pedant.
Pedant
72
God save you, sir!
TRANIO
72
And you, sir! you are welcome. 73
Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?
Pedant
74
Sir, at the farthest for a week or two: 75
But then up farther, and as far as Rome; 76
And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life.
TRANIO
77
What countryman, I pray?
Pedant
77
Of Mantua.
TRANIO
78
Of Mantua, sir? marry, God forbid! 79
And come to Padua, careless of your life?
Pedant
80. that goes hard: i.e., that's frightening.
80
My life, sir! how, I pray? for that goes hard.
TRANIO
81
'Tis death for any one in Mantua 82
To come to Padua. Know you not the cause? 83
Your ships are stay'd at Venice, and the duke, 84
For private quarrel 'twixt your duke and him, 85
Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly: 86
'Tis, marvel, but that you are but newly come, 87
You might have heard it else proclaim'd about.
Pedant
88
Alas! sir, it is worse for me than so; 89
For I have bills for money by exchange 90
From Florence and must here deliver them.
TRANIO
91
Well, sir, to do you courtesy, 92
This will I do, and this I will advise you: 93
First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?
Pedant
94
Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been, 95
Pisa renowned for grave citizens.
TRANIO
96
Among them know you one Vincentio?
Pedant
97
I know him not, but I have heard of him; 98
A merchant of incomparable wealth.
TRANIO
99
He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say,100
In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.
BIONDELLO [Aside.]
101
As much as an apple doth an oyster,102. all one: no matter, whatever.
102
and all one.
TRANIO
103
To save your life in this extremity,104
This favor will I do you for his sake;105
And think it not the worst of an your fortunes106
That you are like to Sir Vincentio.107. credit: reputation. undertake: assume.
107
His name and credit shall you undertake,108
And in my house you shall be friendly lodged:109. take upon you: i.e., act your part.
109
Look that you take upon you as you should;110
You understand me, sir: so shall you stay111
Till you have done your business in the city:112
If this be courtesy, sir, accept of it.
Pedant
113. repute: consider.
113
O sir, I do; and will repute you ever114
The patron of my life and liberty.
TRANIO
115
Then go with me to make the matter good.116
This, by the way, I let you understand;117
My father is here look'd for every day,118. pass assurance: convey a legal guarantee.
118
To pass assurance of a dower in marriage119
'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here:120. circumstances: details.
120
In all these circumstances I'll instruct you:121
Go with me to clothe you as becomes you.
Exeunt.