Tranio

Litio, my friend, is it possible that Bianca likes anyone more than me, Lucentio? If she’s just leading me on, she’s doing it very well.

Hortensio

To convince you of what I’ve said before, just watch the way this man teaches her.

Lucentio

Now, did you learn from what you’ve been reading?

Bianca

What have you been reading, master? First tell me that.

Lucentio

I read what I said I would: The Art to Love.

Bianca

And I hope you become master of your art.

Lucentio

While you, my dear, become mistress of my heart!

Hortensio

Tranio

Oh cruel love! Fickle women! I’m telling you, Litio, this is unbelievable.

Hortensio

To tell you the truth, I’m not Litio, and I’m not the musician that I seem to be. I can’t live in this disguise anymore — not for a girl who would turn her back on a gentleman like me, and treat that rascal like a god. You should know that my real name is Hortensio.

Tranio

Hortensio, I’ve heard a lot about your love for Bianca. If you want — since I’ve seen her careless flirting with my own eyes — we can both swear off Bianca forever.

Hortensio

Look how they kiss and flirt! Lucentio, shake my hand. I firmly vow never to woo her again. I renounce her! She’s unworthy of everything I’ve done for her.

Tranio

And I take my oath never to marry her, even if she begged. Damn her. Look how shamelessly she flirts with him!

Hortensio

I wish everyone but Cambio had taken the same oath! As for me, I won’t break my promise. In less than three days, I’ll be married to a wealthy widow. She’s loved me as long as I’ve loved this arrogant, disdainful hawk of a woman. So goodbye, Lucentio. I prefer kindness in women over beauty. So I’ll take my leave, keeping the oath I swore earlier.

Tranio

Mistress Bianca, bless you with everything a lover deserves! No, nevermind. We’ve caught you, and so Hortensio and I have renounced you.

Bianca

You’re kidding, Tranio! Both of you?

Tranio

Yes.

Lucentio

That takes care of Litio.

Tranio

He’s going after an eager widow now. They’ll be married in a day.

Bianca

Good for him!

Tranio

Yes, and he’ll tame her.

Bianca

Is that what he said?

Tranio

It’s true, he’s going to the taming school.

Bianca

The taming school? Is that a real place?

Tranio

Yes, and Petruchio is the teacher: he teaches just the right tricks to tame a shrew and control her blabbering mouth.

Biondello

Master! Master! I watched for so long that I’m dog-tired, but I finally saw an old man coming down the hill! He should do nicely.

Tranio

Who is he, Biondello?

Biondello

Maybe a merchant or a teacher, master, I’m not sure. But in his clothes, his stature and his expression he definitely looks like a father!

Lucentio

What do you want with him, Tranio?

Tranio

If he’s gullible and believes my story, I’ll get him to pretend to be Vincentio! That way, I can convince Baptista Minola that he’s the right Vincentio. Take your love inside and leave the rest to me.

Merchant

Good day, sir!

Tranio

And to you. Welcome! Do you have much further to travel, or will you stop here?

Merchant

I’ll stay for a week or two, but then I’ll keep travelling as far as Rome and Tripoli.

Tranio

Where are you from, may I ask?

Merchant

Mantua.

Tranio

You’re from Mantua, sir? And you’ve risked your life by coming to Padua?

Merchant

My life! What do you mean, sir? That sounds serious.

Tranio

Anyone from Mantua who comes to Padua faces certain death. You don’t know why? Well, our duke is in an argument with your duke. That’s why all your ships were stopped at Venice. It’s been announced and written everywhere! It’s strange that you haven’t heard — it must be because you just got here.

Merchant

Oh no! And it’s even worse for me: I have a check from Florence that I need to cash here.

Tranio

Well, sir, out of respect, let me offer you some advice. First, tell me, have you ever been to Pisa?

Merchant

Yes, I’ve often been to Pisa, renowned for its dignified citizens.

Tranio

Do you know one of those citizens named Vincentio?

Merchant

I don’t know him, but I have heard of him; he’s a merchant of incomparable wealth.

Tranio

He is my father, sir. Truth be told, he resembles you.

Biondello

[Aside] As much as an apple resembles an oyster.

Tranio

To save your life in these dire circumstances, I’ll do you a favor. It’s good luck that you look like Sir Vincentio. Here’s what we’ll do: you can take his name and reputation, and live comfortably in my house; all you have to do is make sure you act like him. You understand me, sir? This way, you can stay until you’ve done your business in the city. Accept this as a favor.

Merchant

Oh, sir, I accept! You’re saving my life and my freedom.

Tranio

Then let’s go carry out the plan. By the way, I should let you know — my father is expected here any day now, because he’s supposed to promise payment for a marriage between me and the daughter of a man named Baptista. But I’ll tell you everything you need to do. Let’s go dress you appropriately.