Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor 23
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. Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst: Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt.
TRANIO. Master, it is no time to chide you now; Affection is not rated from the heart: If love have touch ' d you, nought remains but so: Redime te captum quam queas minimo.
LUCENTIO. Gramercies, lad; go forward; this contents; The rest will comfort, for thy counsel ' s sound.
TRANIO. Master, you look ' d so longly on the maid. Perhaps you mark ' d 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 kiss ' d the Cretan strand.
TRANIO. Saw you no more? mark ' d you not how her sister Began to scold and raise up such a storm That mortal ears might hardly endure the din?
LUCENTIO. Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move, And with her breath she did perfume the air; Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.
TRANIO. Nay, then, ' tis time to stir him from his trance. I pray, awake, sir: if you love the maid, Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it stands: Her elder 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 mew ' d her up, Because she will not be annoy ' d with suitors.
LUCENTIO. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father ' s he! But art thou not advis ' d he took some care To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her?
TRANIO. Ay, marry, am I, sir, and now ' tis plotted. LUCENTIO. I have it, Tranio.