Page 1426 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

HORT ENSIO

Faith, as you say, there’s small choice in rotten apples. But come, since this
bar in law makes us [135] friends, it shall be so far forth friendly
maintained till by helping Baptista’s eldest daughter to a husband we set
his youngest free for a husband, and then have to’t afresh. Sweet Bianca!
Happy man be his dole. He that runs fastest gets the ring. How say you,
Signor [140] Gremio?

GREMIO

I am agreed, and would I had given him the best horse in Padua to begin
his wooing that would thoroughly woo her, wed her, and bed her, and rid
the house of her. Come on. [145]

Exeunt Gremio and Hortensio.

T RANIO

I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible
That love should of a sudden take such hold?

LUCENT IO

O Tranio, till I found it to be true,
I never thought it possible or likely.
But see, while idly I stood looking on, [150]
I found the effect of love in idleness,
And now in plainness do confess to thee,
That art to me as secret and as dear
As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was,
Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio, [155]
If I achieve not this young modest girl.
Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst.
Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt.

T RANIO

Master, it is no time to chide you now;
Affection is not rated from the heart. [160]
If love have touch’d you, naught remains but so,
Redime te captum quam queas minimo.

LUCENT IO

Gramercies, lad. Go forward, this contents.
The rest will comfort, for thy counsel’s sound.