Page 1441 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 1441
As is the other for beauteous modesty.
PET RUCHIO
Sir, sir, the first’s for me, let her go by. [255]
GREMIO
Yea, leave that labour to great Hercules,
And let it be more than Alcides’ twelve.
PET RUCHIO
Sir, understand you this of me in sooth,
The youngest daughter whom you hearken for
Her father keeps from all access of suitors, [260]
And will not promise her to any man
Until the elder sister first be wed.
The younger then is free, and not before.
T RANIO
If it be so, sir, that you are the man
Must stead us all and me amongst the rest, [265]
And if you break the ice and do this feat,
Achieve the elder, set the younger free
For our access, whose hap shall be to have her
Will not so graceless be to be ingrate.
HORT ENSIO
Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive. [270]
And since you do profess to be a suitor,
You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman,
To whom we all rest generally beholding.
T RANIO
Sir, I shall not be slack. In sign whereof,
Please ye we may contrive this afternoon, [275]
And quaff carouses to our mistress’ health,
And do as adversaries do in law,
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
GRUMIO AND BIONDELLO
O excellent motion! Fellows, let’s be gone.
