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. 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. 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, Good Kate; I am a gentleman. Kath. That I'll try. [Striking him. strike again. Pet. I swear I'll cuff you, if you 6 A joint-stool.] This is a proverbial expression: See Ray's Collection. Kath. So may you lose your arms: If you strike me, you are no gentleman; And if no gentleman, why, then no arms. so sour. my Kath. It is my fashion, when I see a crab. hen. 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. 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; 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, But thou with mildness entertain'st thy wooers, Pet. Did ever Dian so become a grove, As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? And then let Kate be chaste, and Dian sportful! 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 Re-enter BAPTISTA, GREMIO, and TRANIO. Signior Petruchio: 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 promise you, You have show'd a tender fatherly regard, A mad-cap ruffian, and a swearing Jack, Pet. Father, 'tis thus,-yourself and all the world, 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, 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: O, the kindest Kate!She hung about my neck; and kiss on kiss She vied so fast, protesting oath on oath, 8 She vied so fast,] Vye and revye were terms at cards, now superseded by the more modern word, brag. That in a twink she won me to her love. How tame, when men and women are alone, Bap. I know not what to say: but give me your hands; God send you joy, Petruchio! 'tis a match. Gra. Tra. Amen, say we; we will be witnesses. Pet. Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu; I will to Venice, Sunday comes apace:We will have rings, and things, and fine array; And kiss me, Kate, we will be married o' Sunday. [Exeunt PETRUCHIO and KATHARINE, severally. Gre. Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly? Bap. Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant's part, And venture madly on a desperate mart. Tra. 'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you: 'Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas. Bap. The gain I seek is-quiet in the match. Gre. No doubt, but he hath got a quiet catch. But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter ;Now is the day we long have looked for ; I am your neighbour, and was suitor first. Tra. And I am one, that love Bianca more Than words can witness, or your thoughts can guess. Gre. Youngling! thou canst not love so dear as I. This 'tis a world to see,] i. e. it is wonderful to see. expression is often met with in old historians as well as dramatic writers. A meacock wretch-] i. e. a timorous dastardly creature. |