My escort from Verona is none other than Petruchio. His ribs have long since healed, and he has not a scar on his handsome face. His man, Grumio, attends us on the journey. As we traverse eastward, the two men torment one another with a friendly fire of jokes and insults. Their comic banter soothes me some and helps to alleviate the despair I carry with me to Padua.
I sought him out, Trooch, having heard that he was leaving Verona to see the world and seek his fortune, which is to say, to find a wife. A rich one.
I on the other hand desire knowledge, and there is nowhere better than Padua, the Università degli Studi di Padova. I am hopeful that, although I am a woman, they
will allow me to study there. I have heard tell that this fine university (guided, perhaps, by the light of Renaissance thinking) does not look unfavorably upon intelligent females.
It is a week before we arrive in Padua, dusty and tired, and we go direct to the home of Trooch’s friend Hortensio. Before the servant Grumio e’en knocks upon the door, I curtsy to Petruchio.
“My lord, I thank thee for thy guardianship on this excursion. I shall leave thee to thy task now and set off to see to mine own.”
“You are most humbly welcome, Rosaline,” Trooch replies. He bows gallantly, then catches me in a hug. “Pretty child, I shall pray to the saints to guide you in your worthy pursuits. Study well, learn much, and I suggest you pay particular attention to the science of healing injured hearts, for lovely as you are, you will surely break your share of them here in Padua.”
His remark is merely innocent flattery, but I cannot help thinking of Juliet.
Grumio produces a crudely drawn map from his satchel—directions to the university. “’Tis not far, my lady,” he assures me.
“Thank you, Grumio, and good-bye.”
I turn to Petruchio and kiss his cheek. “Farewell, friend. I shall listen for news of a wedding. I hope thou findest thyself a lady who is—”
“Wealthy? Beauteous?”
“Smart!”
Trooch laughs.
I round the corner and pause to draw a steadying breath. Not far from here is the university, alive with the greatest, most gifted artists of our day. The University of Padua, with its Palazzo Bo and the Anatomy Theater, where miraculous operations called autopsies are performed for the purpose of academic advancement and scientific understanding.
Not far from here, I shall begin my future. Answer my calling.
Find my dream.