_Pet._ Why came I hither but to that intent? Think you a little din can daunt mine ears? Have I not in my time heard lions roar? 195 Have I not heard the sea puff'd up with winds Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat? Have I not heard great ordnance in the field, And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies? Have I not in a pitched battle heard 200 Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang? And do you tell me of a woman's tongue, That gives not half so great a blow to hear As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire? Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. _Gru._ For he fears none. 205 _Gre._ Hortensio, hark: This gentleman is happily arrived, My mind presumes, for his own good and ours. _Hor._ I promised we would be contributors And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe'er. 210 _Gre._ And so we will, provided that he win her. _Gru._ I would I were as sure of a good dinner. _Enter_ TRANIO _brave_, _and_ BIONDELLO. _Tra._ Gentlemen, God save you. If I may be bold, Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way To the house of Signior Baptista Minola? 215 _Bion._ He that has the two fair daughters: is't he you mean? _Tra._ Even he, Biondello. _Gre._ Hark you, sir; you mean not her to-- _Tra._ Perhaps, him and her, sir: what have you to do? 220 _Pet._ Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray. _Tra._ I love no chiders, sir. Biondello, let's away. _Luc._ Well begun, Tranio. _Hor._ Sir, a word ere you go; Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no? 225 _Tra._ And if I be, sir, is it any offence? _Gre._ No; if without more words you will get you hence. _Tra._ Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free For me as for you? _Gre._ But so is not she. _Tra._ For what reason, I beseech you? 230 _Gre._ For this reason, if you'll know, That she's the choice love of Signior Gremio. _Hor._ That she's the chosen of Signior Hortensio. _Tra._ Softly, my masters! if you be gentlemen, Do me this right; hear me with patience. 235 Baptista is a noble gentleman, To whom my father is not all unknown; And were his daughter fairer than she is, She may more suitors have and me for one. Fair Leda's daughter had a thousand wooers; 240 Then well one more may fair Bianca have: And so she shall; Lucentio shall make one, Though Paris came in hope to speed alone. _Gre._ What, this gentleman will out-talk us all! _Luc._ Sir, give him head: I know he'll prove a jade. 245 _Pet._ Hortensio, to what end are all these words?