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- Act 4 Scene 4
-
- Once more in Padua, we find that Tranio (still
- disguised as Lucentio) is about to introduce the
- traveller (whom he met in Scene 3) to Baptista.
- Arrangements are made for BiancaÆs marriage, but
- because Baptista prefers not to discuss the
- financial details in his own house, Tranio leads
- them away, leaving Biondello to give directions to
- the real Lucentio, who is to elope with Bianca and
- find St LukeÆs church, where a priest waits to
- marry them.
- os.d. booted: The Pedant still wears his
- travelling boots ù a reminder for the audience that
- he is not the real Vincentio.
- 1 please it you: do you wish me to knock:
- Tranio speaks with the courtesy of a son.
- 2 what else: of course; the Pedant is
- entering into his role as Vincentio ù his next three
- lines seem to be solely for the purpose of forming
- his new character.
- but I be: unless I am.
- 5 Pegasus: the name of an inn, whose sign
- was the flying horse of Greek mythology.
- 6 ÆTis well: Tranio approves the PedantÆs
- acting.
- hold . . . case: keep it up whatever you do.
- 7 austerity: gravity.
- Ælongeth: belongs to, is proper for.
- 8 warrant: promise.
- 9 schooled: told what to do.
- 10 Fear . . . him: donÆt worry about him.
- 11 throughly: perfectly.
- advise: warn.
- 12 right: real.
- 16 looked for: expected.
- 17 tall fellow: good chap.
- hold . . . drink: take that and buy yourself a drink.
- 18 Set your countenance: i.e. put your act on.
- 21 stand good father: show yourself to be a
- good father.
- 22 patrimony: inheritance.
- 23 Soft: steady.
- 24 gather in: collect.
- 25 weighty cause: important matter.
- 27 for: because of.
- 29 stay: delay.
- 31 have him matched: let him get married.
- like: approve.
- 34 one consent: in full agreement; the Pedant
- seems to be struggling a little with his formal
- language.
- bestowed: given in marriage.
- 35 curious I cannot be: I donÆt want to make
- difficulties.
- 38 shortness: brevity (in speaking).
- 41 dissemble: pretend.
- 43 deal with him: treat.
- 44 pass: allow.
- 46 with consent: with my blessing.
- 48 be affied: may be formally betrothed (a
- ceremony before witnesses that was socially
- almost as binding as a wedding in church ù see
- Act 2 Scene 1 line 315 note).
- assurance: legal guarantees.
- 51 Pitchers have ears: A proverbial saying
- that means ôeverybody is listeningö (pitchers are
- water-jugs, whose handles were called ears).
- 52 hearkening still: always listening in.
- 53 happily: perhaps.
- 55 lie: lodge.
- 56 pass: transact.
- 57 your servant here: Lucentio (disguised as
- Cambio); as he indicates the ôservantö, Tranio
- must give him a nod or wink (see Act 4 Scene5
- line 3).
- 58 my boy: i.e. Biondello.
- scrivener: legal writer.
- presently: immediately.
- 59 slender warning: short notice.
- 60 ôThere probably wonÆt be much to eat.ö
- 62 make her: get herself.
- 63 if you will: if you want to.
- 67 Dally not: donÆt waste time.
- 69 One mess: a single dish.
- your cheer: all the hospitality you will receive.
- 70 better it in Pisa: i.e. improve things when
- we get home.
-