Taming of the Shrew

Tranio

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

Lucentio

O Tranio, till I found it to be true,
I never thought it possible or likely.
But see, while idly I stood looking on,
I found the effect of love in idleness.

Lucentio

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,    
If I achieve not this young modest girl.

Tranio

Master, it is no time to chide you now;    
Affection is not rated from the heart.    
If love have touched you, naught remains but so.    
'Redime te captam quam queas minimo.'

Tranio

Master, you look'd so longly on the maid,    
Perhaps you marked not what's the pith of all.    

Lucentio

O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face,
Such as the daughter of Agenor had,
That made great Jove to humble him to her hand    
When, with his knees, he kissed the Cretan strand.    

Lucentio

Basta; content thee, for I have it full.    
We have not yet been seen in any house,
Nor can we lie distinguished by our faces    
For man or master. Then it follows thus:
Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead,    
Keep house and port and servants as I should;    
I will some other be, some Florentine,
Some Neapolitan, or meaner man of Pisa.    
'Tis hatched and shall be so. Tranio, at once    
Uncase thee; take my coloured hat and cloak.    
When Biondello comes, he waits on thee,    
But I will charm him first to keep his tongue.

Tranio

I am content to be Lucentio,
Because so well I love Lucentio.
[They exchange clothes]

Lucentio

Tranio, be so because Lucentio loves,
And let me be a slave t’achieve that maid,    
Whose sudden sight hath thralled my wounded eye.    

Tranio

I pray, awake, sir. If you love the maid,
Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it stands:    
Her eldest sister is so curst and shrewd    
That till the father rid his hands of her,
Master, your love must live a maid at home;    
And therefore has he closely mewed her up,   
Because she will not be annoyed with suitors.    

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