And say she uttereth piercing eloquence: If she do bid me pack, I'll give her thanks, As though she bid me stay by her a week; 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, 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. 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 moy'd you hither, Remove you hence: I knew you at the first, You were a moveable. Pet. Why, what's a moveable? Kath. A joint - stool. sit on me. Pet. Thou hast hit it: come, 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 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. 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. In his tongue, Pet. Whose tongue? sting? Kath. Yours, if you talk of tails; and so farewell. Pet. What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again, [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. so sour. Kath. It is my fashion, when 1 see a crab. Kath. There is, there is. Pet. Then show it me. Kath. Had I a glass, I would. sour, Pet. What, you mean my face? Kath. Well aim'd of such a young one. Pet. Now, by saint George, I am too young for Kath. Yet you are wither'd. Pet. 'Tis with cares. Kath. I care not. 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 your passing gentle. 'Twas told me, you were rough, and coy, and sullen, And now I find report a very liàr; For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous; 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 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 lunatick; 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, 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; For patience she will prove a second Grissel; And to conclude, we have 'greed so well together, That upon sunday is the wedding - day, 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 1 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! Bap. I know not what to say: but give me your hants; God send you joy, Petruchio! 'tis a match, Gre. 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 clap'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 sea's. |