1.1.148-198

TRANIO: Is it possible that I should fall in love so suddenly?

LUCENTIO: Oh Tranio, I never believed it until I found it to be true myself. But while I just stood looking around, I fell in love. And now I’ll honestly confess a secret to you that’s very dear to me: I burn, I pine! I would die, Tranio, if I couldn’t have this wonderful young girl. Give me some advice, Tranio, because I know you can. Help me, Tranio, because I know you will.

TRANIO: Master, I can’t help you now. I can’t scold love away from the heart. If you fall in love, you can only b uy yourself out of captivity for as little as you can.

LUCENTIO: Thanks, boy. Go ahead. This makes me happy. The rest will be fine, your advice is sound.

TRANIO: Master, you looked for so long at the girl, and so longingly, maybe you didn’t notice the most important thing.

LUCENTIO: Oh yes, I saw beauty in her face, such as Europa from //Metamorphoses// had, that made great Jove so humble that he took her hand and kissed it.

TRANIO: Did you see nothing else? Didn’t you see how her sister Katherine began to scream and raise such a ruckus that human ears can hardly endure the noise?

LUCENTIO: Tranio, I saw her coral coloured lips move, and her sweet breath made the air around her smell as good as perfume. I only saw sweetness and sacredness in her.

TRANIO (aside): No, it’s time to wake him from his dream. (to Lucentio): Please, wake up, sir! If you love the girl, use your wits to get her. This is how the situation is: her older sister is so angry and bad-tempered that until her father marries her off and gets rid of her, your love (Bianca) must live alone at home, so Baptista has closed her in his house so that she will not be bothered by her many suitors.

LUCENTIO: Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father he is! But did he not say that he was looking for tutors to give her private lessons?

TRANIO: Yes, what good fortune – I have a plan!

LUCENTIO: I have one too!

TRANIO: I would bet my hand that we share the same idea!

LUCENTIO: Tell me yours first!

TRANIO: You will disguise as a tutor and give the girl private lessons. That will be your way to seduce her.