Page 1440 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

But so is not she.

T RANIO

For what reason, I beseech you?

GREMIO

For this reason, if you’ll know,
That she’s the choice love of Signor Gremio. [235]

HORT ENSIO

That she’s the chosen of Signor Hortensio.

T RANIO

Softly, my masters. If you be gentlemen,
Do me this right; hear me with patience.
Baptista is a noble gentleman,
To whom my father is not all unknown, [240]
And were his daughter fairer than she is,
She may more suitors have, and me for one.
Fair Leda’s daughter had a thousand wooers,
Then well one more may fair Bianca have.
And so she shall. Lucentio shall make one, [245]
Though Paris came, in hope to speed alone.

GREMIO

What, this gentleman will out-talk us all!

LUCENT IO

Sir, give him head, I know he’ll prove a jade.

PET RUCHIO

Hortensio, to what end are all these words?

HORT ENSIO

Sir, let me be so bold as ask you, [250]
Did you yet ever see Baptista’s daughter?

T RANIO

No, sir, but hear I do that he hath two:
The one as famous for a scolding tongue