The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 3 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 3 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
_Tra._ 'Tis well; and hold your own, in any case,
With such austerity as 'longeth to a father.
_Ped._ I warrant you.
_Enter_ BIONDELLO.
But, sir, here comes your boy;
'Twere good he were school'd.
_Tra._ Fear you not him. Sirrah Biondello, 10
Now do your duty throughly, I advise you:
Imagine 'twere the right Vincentio.
_Bion._ Tut, fear not me.
_Tra._ But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista?
_Bion._ I told him that your father was at Venice; 15
And that you look'd for him this day in Padua.
_Tra._ Thou'rt a tall fellow: hold thee that to drink.
Here comes Baptista: set your countenance, sir.
_Enter_ BAPTISTA _and_ LUCENTIO.
Signior Baptista, you are happily met.
[_To the Pedant_] Sir, this is the gentleman I told you of: 20
I pray you, stand good father to me now,
Give me Bianca for my patrimony.
_Ped._ Soft, son!
Sir, by your leave: having come to Padua
To gather in some debts, my son Lucentio 25
Made me acquainted with a weighty cause
Of love between your daughter and himself:
And, for the good report I hear of you,
And for the love he beareth to your daughter,
And she to him, to stay him not too long, 30
I am content, in a good father's care,
To have him match'd; and, if you please to like
No worse than I, upon some agreement
Me shall you find ready and willing
With one consent to have her so bestow'd; 35
For curious I cannot be with you,
Signior Baptista, of whom I hear so well.
_Bap._ Sir, pardon me in what I have to say:
Your plainness and your shortness please me well.
Right true it is, your son Lucentio here 40
Doth love my daughter, and she loveth him,
Or both dissemble deeply their affections:
And therefore, if you say no more than this.
That like a father you will deal with him,
And pass my daughter a sufficient dower, 45
The match is made, and all is done:
Your son shall have my daughter with consent.
_Tra._ I thank you, sir. Where then do you know best
We be affied and such assurance ta'en
As shall with either part's agreement stand? 50
_Bap._ Not in my house, Lucentio; for, you know,
Pitchers have ears, and I have many servants:
Besides, old Gremio is hearkening still;
And happily we might be interrupted.
_Tra._ Then at my lodging, an it like you: 55
There doth my father lie; and there, this night,
We'll pass the business privately and well.
Send for your daughter by your servant here;
My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently.
The worst is this, that, at so slender warning, 60
You are like to have a thin and slender pittance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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