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.
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.