2
Lord
Sly
Lord
[Enter Baptista, Vincentio, Gremio, the Merchant, Lucentio with Bianca, Hortensio with the Widow, Tranio, Biondello, and Grumio, followed by Petruchio and Katherina. The Servingmen bring in a banquet]
Lucentio
[Enter Tranio as Lucentio and Hortensio as Litio]
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.
[They stand aside. Enter Bianca, and Lucentio as Cambio]
Lucentio
Now, did you learn from what you’ve been reading?
[Enter Baptista, Gremio, Tranio as Lucentio, Katherina, Bianca, Lucentio as Cambio, and attendants]
Baptista
[To Tranio] Signor Lucentio, it’s the day of Katherina and Petruchio’s wedding. But I haven’t heard from my son-in-law. What will people think? What an embarrassment it’ll be, to have the groom missing when the priest arrives to hold the wedding ceremony! Lucentio, what do you say about our shame?
Katherina
[Enter Petruchio and his man Grumio]
Petruchio
I’m leaving Verona for a little while, to see my friends in Padua. I especially want to visit my best friend Hortensio — and I think this is his house! Here it is, Grumio, knock.
Grumio
Knock, sir? Whom should I “knock”? Has someone offended you?
Petruchio
Idiot! I’m telling you to knock for me, here.
[Enter aloft the drunkard (Sly) with attendants (some with apparel, basin and pitcher, and other luxurious accessories) and Lord]
Sly
For God’s sake, get me a mug of weak beer!
First Servingman
Would your lordship not like a glass of foreign wine?
Second Servingman
Would your honor like to taste these candied fruits?
Third Servingman
What outfit does your honor want to wear today?
