BIONDELLO

Where have I been? Nay how now, where are you? Master ha my fellow Tranio stolen your clothes, or you stolen his or both? Pray what's the news? I sir never a whit. He that ha the two fair daughters: is't he you mean? Master, master, news, and such news as you never herd of, Why, is it not news to hear of Petruchio's coming? Why no sir? He is coming. When he stands where I am, and sees you there. O sir, his Lackey, for all the world Caparisoned Like the horse: with a linen stock on one leg and a kersey boothose on the other, gartered with a read and blue list; and old hat, and the humour of forty fancies pricked in't for a teacher: a monster, a we ry monster in apparel, and not Like a Christian footboy, or a Gentleman's Lackey. Why sir, he comes not. Who, that Petruchio came? No sir, I say his horse comes with him on his back. O Master master I have watched so long, That I am dog weary, but at last I spied And ancient Angel coming down the hill, Will serve the turn Master a Marcantant, or a pedant, I know not what, but formal in apparel, In gate and countenance surely Like a Father. As much as and apple does and oyster, and all one, Tut, fear not me. I told him that your father was at Ʋ enice, And that you look't for him this day in Padua. Cambio. The old Priest at Saint Lukes Church is at your come manned at all hours. I cannot tell, expect they are busied about a counter feit assurance: take you assurance of her. Cum privilegio and Impre mendum solemn, to the Church take the Priest, Clarke, and some sufficient honest witnesses: If this be not that you look for, I have no more to say, But bid Bianca farewell for ever and a day. I have seen them in the Church together, God send them good sh pping: but who is here? mine old Master Vincentio: now we are undone and brought to nothing. I hope I may choose Sir. What my worshipful old master? yet marry sir see where he looks out of the window. Help, help, help, here's a mad man will murder me. O we are spoiled, and yonder he is, deny him, forswear him, or else we are all undone. Sir, my Mistress sends you word That she is busy, and she cannot come. She says you have some goodly Jest in hand, She will not come: she bids you come to her. The better for him, would I were so too. Why Petruchio is coming, in a new hat and and old jerkin, a pair of old breeches thrice turned; a pair of boots that have been candle-cases, one buckled, another laced: and old rusty sword taken out of the Town Armoury, with a broken hilt, and chapelesse: with two broken points: his horse hip'd with and old mothy saddle, and stirrups of no kindred: beside possessed with the glanders, and Like to mose in the chine, troubled with the Lamb pass, infected with the fashions, full of Windegalls, sped with Spavins, rayed with the Yellows, passed cure of the Fives, stark spoiled with the Staggers, begnawne with the Bots, Waid in the back, and shoulder-shotten, near leg'd before, and with a halfe-chekt Bit, and a headstall of sheeps leather, which being restrai ned to keep him from stumbling, hath been often burst, and now repaired with knots: one girth six times pieced, and a woman's Crupper of velure which hath two letters for her name, fairly set down in studs, and here and there pieced with packthreed. Nay by S. Iamy, I hold you a penny, a horse and a man is more then one, and yet not many. I pray the Gods she may with all my heart. You saw my Master wink and laugh upon you? Faith nothing: but has left me here behind to expound the meaning or moral of his signs and tokens. Then thus: Baptista is safe talking with the deceiving Father of a deceitful son. I cannot tarry: I knew a wench married in and after noon as she went to the Garden for Parsley to stuff a Rabit, and so may you sir: and so adieu sir, my Master hath appointed me to go to Saint Lukes to bid the Priest be ready to come against you come with your appendix. Softly and swiftly sir, for the Priest is ready. Forgotten you, no sir: I could not forget you, for I never saw you before in all my life. His daughter is to be brought by you to the supper. Nay faith' I'll see the Church a your back, And then come back to my mistress as soon as I can. I go. Exit.