Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor 47
hangings all of Tyrian tapestry ; In ivory coffers I have stuff ' d my crowns ; In cypress chests my arras counterpoints , Costly apparel , tents , and canopies , Fine linen , Turkey cushions boss ' d with pearl , Valance of Venice gold in needle-work ; Pewter and brass , and all things that belong To house or housekeeping : then , at my farm I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail , Six score fat oxen standing in my stalls , And all things answerable to this portion . Myself am struck in years , I must confess ; And if I die to-morrow this is hers , If whilst I live she will be only mine .
TRANIO . That ' only ' came well in . Sir , list to me : I am my father ' s heir and only son ; If I may have your daughter to my wife , I ' ll leave her houses three or four as good Within rich Pisa ' s walls as any one Old Signior Gremio has in Padua ; Besides two thousand ducats by the year Of fruitful land , all which shall be her jointure . What , have I pinch ' d you , Signior Gremio ?
GREMIO . Two thousand ducats by the year of land ! My land amounts not to so much in all : That she shall have , besides an argosy That now is lying in Marseilles ' road . What , have I chok ' d you with an argosy ?
TRANIO . Gremio , ' tis known my father hath no less Than three great argosies , besides two galliasses , And twelve tight galleys ; these I will assure her , And twice as much , whate ' er thou offer ' st next .
GREMIO . Nay , I have offer ' d all ; I have no more ; And she can have no more than all I have ; If you like me , she shall have me and mine .
TRANIO . Why , then the maid is mine from all the world , By your firm promise ; Gremio is out-vied .
BAPTISTA . I must confess your offer is the best ; And let your father make her the assurance , She is your own ; else , you must pardon me ; If you should die before him , where ' s her dower ?
TRANIO . That ' s but a cavil ; he is old , I young . GREMIO . And may not young men die as well as old ?