II
MUSICAL EDUCATION
The following passages give a lively picture of what a music-master might have to put up with from young ladies of quality.
Shrew. 21, 142. Re-enter Hortensio with his head broken.
| Bap. | How now, my friend? why dost thou look so pale? |
| Hor. | For fear, I promise you, if I look pale? |
| Bap. | What, will my daughter [Kate] prove a good musician? |
| Hor. | I think, she'll sooner prove a soldier: Iron may hold her, but never lutes. |
| Bap. | Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? |
| Hor. | Why, no, for she hath broke the lute to me. I did but tell her she mistook her frets, And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering, When, with a most impatient, devilish spirit, "Frets call you these?" quoth she; "I'll fume with them;" And with that word she struck me on the head, And through the instrument my pate made way; And there I stood amazed for a while, |
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