And every day I cannot come to woo. Bap. After my death, the one half of my lands: Pet. And, for that dowry, I'll assure her of Bap. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd, Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father, For I am rough, and woo not like a babe. Bap. Well may'st thou woo, and happy be thy speed! But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words. Pet. Ay, to the proof; as mountains are for winds, That shake not, though they blow, perpetually. Re-enter HORTENSIO, with his head broken. Bap. How now, my friend? why dost thou look so pale! 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; Frets, call you these? quoth she: I'll fume with them: [9] A fret is that stop of a musical ins "ument which causes or regulates the bration of the string. JOHNSON. 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; O, how I long to have some chat with her! Bap. Well, go with me, and be not so discomfited: [Exe. BAP. GRE. TRA. and HOR. And say, she uttereth piercing eloquence : When I shall ask the banns, and when be married:- Good-morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear. 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, Per. Why, what's a moveable? Kath. A joint-stool.' Pet. Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me. Kath. Asses are made to bear, and so are you. Pet. Women are made to bear, and so are you. Kath. No such jade, sir, as you, if me you mean. Pet. Alas, good Kate! I will not burden 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. Kath. Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. Pet. O, slow-wing'd turtle! shall a buzzard take thee? 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. Pet. My remedy is then, to pluck it out. Kath. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies. Pet. Who knows not where a wasp doth wear his sting? In his tail. Kath. In his tongue. Pet. Whose tongue ? Kath. Yours, if you talk of tails; and so farewell. Pet. What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come [Striking him. Pet. I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again. 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. [1] This is a proverbial expression STEEVENS. Perhaps we may read better-Ay, for a turtle, and he takes a buzzard. i. e. he may take me for a turtle, and he shall find me a hank. JOHNSON. [3] A craven is a degenerate, dispirited cock. STEEVENS. Craven was a term also applied to those who in appeals of battle became reereant, and by pronouncing this word, called for quarter from their opponents; the consequence of which was, that they forever after were deemed infamous. REED. Kath. It is my fashion, when I see a crab. Pet. Why, here's no crab; and therefore look not sou Kath. There is, there is. Pet. Then show it me. Kath. Had I a glass, I would. Pet. What, you mean my face? Kath. Well aim'd of such a young one. Pet. Now, by saint George, I am too young Kath. Yet you are wither'd. Pet. 'Tis with cares. Kath. I care not. for you. 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. For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous, Why does the world report, that Kate doth limp? As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? And then let Kate be chaste, and Dian sportful! Kath. A witty mother! witless else her son. Pet. Am I not wise? 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. That you shall be my wife; your dowry 'greed on; = For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty, Signior Petruchio: How speed you with Pet. How but well, sir? how but well? Bap. Why, how now, daughter Katharine ? in your dumps? Kath. Call you me, daughter? now I promise you, You have show'd a tender fatherly regard, To wish me wed to one half lunatic; A mad-cap ruffian, and a swearing Jack, That thinks with oaths to face the matter out. Pet. Father, 'tis thus,-yourself and all the world, For she's not froward, but modest as the dove; And Roman Lucrece for her chastity: And to conclude,-we have 'greed so well together, Kath. I'll see thee hang'd on Sunday first. Gre. Hark, Petruchio! she says, she'll see thee hang'd first. Tra. Is this your speeding? nay, then, good night our part! Pet. Be patient, gentlemen; I choose her for myself; If she and I be pleas'd, what's that to you? 'Tis bargain'd 'twixt us twain, being alone, That she shall still be curst in company. I tell you, 'tis incredible to believe How much she loves me : 0, the kindest Kate !— [4] The editor of the second folio with some probability reads--from a wild Kat (meaning certainly cat.) MALONE. [5] The story of Grisel is to be found among the compositions of the French Fabliers. DOUCE. |