Page 1434 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

That, were my state far worser than it is, [90]
I would not wed her for a mine of gold.

PET RUCHIO

Hortensio, peace. Thou know’st not gold’s effect.
Tell me her father’s name and ’tis enough.
For I will board her though she chide as loud
As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack. [95]

HORT ENSIO

Her father is Baptista Minola,
An affable and courteous gentleman.
Her name is Katherina Minola,
Renown’d in Padua for her scolding tongue.

PET RUCHIO

I know her father, though I know not her, [100]
And he knew my deceased father well.
I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her,
And therefore let me be thus bold with you
To give you over at this first encounter,
Unless you will accompany me thither. [105]

GRUMIO

I pray you, sir, let him go while the humour lasts. O’ my word, and she
knew him as well as I do, she would think scolding would do little good
upon him. She may perhaps call him half a score knaves or so. Why, that’s
nothing; and he begin once, he’ll rail [110] in his rope-tricks. I’ll tell you
what, sir, and she stand him but a little, he will throw a figure in her face,
and so disfigure her with it that she shall have no more eyes to see withal
than a cat. You know him not, sir. [115]

HORT ENSIO

Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee,
For in Baptista’s keep my treasure is.
He hath the jewel of my life in hold,
His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca,
And her withholds from me and other more, [120]
Suitors to her and rivals in my love,
Supposing it a thing impossible,