Guido. Would he sell everything this house contains?
And every one, would he sell every one?
Bianca. Oh, everything and every one, my lord,
Unless it were himself; he values not
A woman as a velvet, or a wife
At half the price of silver-threaded woof.
Guido. Then I would strike a bargain with him straight,
Bianca. He is from home; may be will sleep from home;
But I, my lord, can show you all we have;
Can measure ells and sum their price, my lord.
Guido. It is thyself, Bianca, I would buy.
Bianca. O, then, my lord, it must be with Simone
You strike your bargain; for to sell myself
Would be to do what I most truly loathe.
Good-night, my lord; it is with deep regret
I find myself unable to oblige
Your lordship.
Guido. Nay, I pray thee let me stay
And pardon me the sorry part I played,
As though I were a chapman and intent
To lower prices, cheapen honest wares.
Bianca. My lord, there is no reason you should stay.
Guido. Thou art my reason, peerless, perfect, thou,
The reason I am here and my life’s goal,
For I was born to love the fairest things . . .
Bianca. To buy the fairest things that can be bought.