Hor. I think, she 'll sooner prove a soldier; Iron may hold with 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, And, with that word, she struck me on the head, As on a pillory, looking through the lute; And twangling Jack; with twenty such vile terms, Pet. Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench; Bap. Well, go with me, and be not so discomfited: [Exeunt BAP., GRE., TRA., and Hox. Say, that she frown; I'll say, she looks as clear If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day When I shall ask the banns, and when be married :— But here she comes; and now, Petrucio, speak. Enter KATHARINA. Good morrow, Kate; for that 's your name, I hear. Kath. Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing; They call me-Katharine, that do talk of me. Pet. You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate, And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst; But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom, Kate of Kate-Hall, my super-dainty Kate, For dainties are all cates; and therefore, Kate, Take this of me, Kate of my consolation;Hearing thy mildness prais'd in every town, Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded, (Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs,) Myself am mov'd to woo thee for my wife. Kath. Mov'd! in good time: let him that mov'd you hither Remove you hence: I knew you at the first, You were a moveable. Pet. Kath. A joint-stool. Why, what's a moveable? Pet. Kath. Asses are made to bear, and so are you. Pet. Women are made to bear, and so are you. Kath. No such jade as you, if me you mean. Pet. Alas, good Kate! I will not burthen thee: For, knowing thee to be but young and light,— Kath. Too light for such a swain as you to catch; And yet as heavy as my weight should be. Pet. Should be? should? buz! a Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me. Kath. Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. Pet. O, slow-wing'd turtle! shall a buzzard take thee? Buz is an interjection of ridicule. Kath. Ay, for a turtle; as he takes a buzzard. Pet. Come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry. Kath. If I be waspish, best beware my sting. Kath. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies. Whose tongue? Kath. Yours, if you talk of tails; and so farewell. Pet. What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again. Good Kate; I am a gentleman. Kath. That I'll try. [Striking him. If you strike me you are no gentleman; Pet. A herald, Kate? O put me in thy books. Pet. A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen. sour. Kath. It is my fashion, when I see a crab. Pet. Why, here 's no crab; and therefore look not sour. Kath. There is, there is. Pet. Then show it me. Kath. Had I a glass, I would. Pet. What, you mean my face? a Craven. A craven cock, and a craven knight, were each contemptible. The knight who had craven, or craved, life from an antagonist, was branded with the name which he had uttered in preferring safety to honour, Kath. Pet. Kath. "T is with cares. I care not. Pet. Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth you 'scape not so. Kath. I chafe you, if I tarry; let me go. Pet. No, not a whit. I find you passing gentle. 'T was told me, you were rough, and coy, and sullen, And now I find report a very liar; For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous, Kath. Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st command. As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? And then let Kate be chaste, and Dian sportful. Kath. Where did you study all this goodly speech? Kath. A witty mother! witless else her son. Kath. Yes; keep you warm. Pet. Marry, so I mean, sweet Katharine, in thy bed: And, therefore, setting all this chat aside, Thus in plain terms :-Your father hath consented Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn; Re-enter BAPTISTA, GREMIO, and TRANIO. Bap. Now, signior Petrucio: How speed you with my daughter? Pet. How but well, sir? how but well? It were impossible I should speed amiss. Bap. Why, how now, daughter Katharine? in your dumps? Kath. Call you me daughter? now I promies you, You have show'd a tender fatherly regard, To wish me wed to one half lunatic; A madcap ruffian, and a swearing Jack, That thinks with oaths to face the matter out. Pet. Father, 't is thus,-yourself and all the world, That talk'd of her, have talk'd amiss of her; If she be curst, it is for policy: For she 's not froward, but modest as the dove; And to conclude,-we have 'greed so well together, Kath. I'll see thee hang'd on Sunday first. Gre. Hark, Petrucio! she says she 'll see thee hang'd first. Tra. Is this your speeding? nay, then, good night our part! |