The Taming of the Shrew
Page: 17

Tush, tush, feare boyes with bugs

Gru. For he feares none

Grem. Hortensio hearke:
This Gentleman is happily arriu'd,
My minde presumes for his owne good, and yours

Hor. I promist we would be Contributors,
And beare his charge of wooing whatsoere

Gremio. And so we wil, prouided that he win her

Gru. I would I were as sure of a good dinner.
Enter Tranio braue, and Biondello.

Tra. Gentlemen God saue you. If I may be bold
Tell me I beseech you, which is the readiest way
To the house of Signior Baptista Minola?
Bion. He that ha's the two faire daughters: ist he you
meane?
Tra. Euen he Biondello

Gre. Hearke you sir, you meane not her to-
Tra. Perhaps him and her sir, what haue you to do?
Petr. Not her that chides sir, at any hand I pray

Tranio. I loue no chiders sir: Biondello, let's away

Luc. Well begun Tranio

Hor. Sir, a word ere you go:
Are you a sutor to the Maid you talke of, yea or no?
Tra. And if I be sir, is it any offence?
Gremio. 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

Gre. For this reason if you'l kno,
That she's the choise loue of Signior Gremio

Hor. That she's the chosen of signior Hortensio

Tra. Softly my Masters: If you be Gentlemen
Do me this right: heare me with patience.
Baptista is a noble Gentleman,
To whom my Father is not all vnknowne,
And were his daughter fairer then she is,
She may more sutors haue, and me for one.
Faire Laedaes daughter had a thousand wooers,
Then well one more may faire Bianca haue;
And so she shall: Lucentio shal make one,
Though Paris came, in hope to speed alone

Gre. What, this Gentleman will out-talke vs all

Luc. Sir giue him head, I know hee'l proue a Iade

Petr. Hortensio, to what end are all these words?
Hor. Sir, let me be so bold as aske you,
Did you yet euer see Baptistas daughter?
Tra. No sir, but heare I do that he hath two:
The one, as famous for a scolding tongue,