No Fear Shakespeare
The Taming of the Shrew
Act 4, Scene 2
Original Text |
Modern Text |
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Enter TRANIO as
LUCENTIO and HORTENSIO as
LITIO
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TRANIO enters, disguised as
LUCENTIO, accompanied by
HORTENSIO, disguised as
LITIO. |
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TRANIO
(as
LUCENTIO)
Is ’t possible, friend Litio, that mistress Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?
I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.
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TRANIO
(as
LUCENTIO) I don’t believe
it, Litio. It’s not possible that Bianca could prefer
another man to me. I’ve seen the way she behaves.
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5 |
HORTENSIO
(as
LITIO) Sir, to satisfy you in what I
have said,
Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.
They stand aside
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HORTENSIO
(as
LITIO) You want proof of what
I’m telling you? Stand right here and watch this
fellow’s “lesson.”
(they stand off to one side)
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Enter BIANCA and
LUCENTIO as CAMBIO
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BIANCA enters with
LUCENTIO disguised as
CAMBIO. |
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LUCENTIO
(as
CAMBIO) Now, mistress, profit you in
what you read?
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LUCENTIO
(as
CAMBIO) Well, mistress, are you
learning from what you’re reading?
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BIANCA
What, master, read you? First resolve me that.
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BIANCA
What are you reading, teacher? Answer me that first.
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10 |
LUCENTIO
(as
CAMBIO) I read that I profess,
The Art to Love.
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LUCENTIO
(as
CAMBIO) I’m reading the book
I know
best—
The Art of Love
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BIANCA
And may you prove, sir, master of your art.
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BIANCA
I hope you’re an expert in your field.
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LUCENTIO
(as
CAMBIO) While you, sweet dear, prove
mistress of my heart!
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LUCENTIO
(as
CAMBIO) Well, my dear,
you’re the mistress of my heart in any case!
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15 |
HORTENSIO
(as
LITIO) Quick proceeders, marry! Now,
tell me, I pray,
You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca
Loved none in the world so well as Lucentio.
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HORTENSIO
(as
LITIO) Quick work for schoolwork! How
do you explain that? I though you said your precious Bianca loved no
one better than you, Lucentio!
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TRANIO
(as
LUCENTIO) O despiteful love!
Unconstant womankind!
I tell thee, Litio, this is wonderful!
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TRANIO
(as
LUCENTIO) Oh spiteful love! Faithless
womanhood! It’s incredible, Litio!
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