And every day I cannot come to woo. Bap. After my death, the one half of my lands: And, in possession, twenty thousand crowns. Bap. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd, This is, her love; for that is all in all. Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father, I am as peremptory as she proud-minded; 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? Hor. For fear, I promise you, if I look pale. Bap. What, will my daughter prove a good musician? 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; them: And, with that word, she struck me on the head, As on a pillory, looking through the lute: 5 And-twangling Jack; with twenty such vile terms, As she had studied to misuse me so. Pet. Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench; I love her ten times more than e'er I did: O, how I long to have some chat with her! Bap. Well, go with me, and be not so discomfited: Proceed in practice with my younger daughter; Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you? 4 her frets,] A fret is that stop of a musical instrument which causes or regulates the vibration of the string, JOHNSON. And-twangling Jack;] To twangle is a provincial expression, and signifies to flourish capriciously on an instrument, as performers often do after having tuned it, previous to their beginning a regular composition... And woo her with some spirit when she comes. Say, that she frown; I'll say, she looks as clear And say-she uttereth piercing eloquence: When I shall ask the banns, and when be married: But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, 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. Kate, And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst; Kath. Mov'd! in good time: let him that mov'd you hither, Remove you Pet. hence: I knew you at the first, Why, what's a moveable? Kath. A joint-stool." Pet. 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. 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. In his tail. Kath. Pet. In his tongue. Whose tongue? Kath. Yours, if you talk of tails; and so fare well. Pet. What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again, A joint-stool.] This is a proverbial expression: 66 Cry you mercy, I took you for a join'd stool." See Ray's Collection.. If Kath. So may you lose your arms: you strike me, you are no gentleman; Pet. A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen. so 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. Had I a glass, I would. Well aim'd of such a young one. Pet. What, you mean my face? Kath. Pet. Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you. Kath. Yet you are wither'd. Pet. Kath. 'Tis not 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. 'Twas told me, you were rough, and coy, and sullen, And now I find report a very liar; For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous; But slow in speech, yet sweet as spring-time flowers: Thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance, Nor bite the lip, as angry wenches will; Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk; 7 - a craven.] A craven is a degenerate, dispirited cock. Craven was a term also applied to those who in appeals of battle became recreant, and by pronouncing this word, called for quarter from their opponents; the consequence of which was they were for ever after deemed infamous. |