We will persuade him, be it possible, To put on better ere he go to church. I am to get a man,-whate'er he be, It skills not much: we'll fit him to our turn,- Luc. Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster Tra. That by degrees we mean to look into, Re-enter Gremio. Signior Gremio! came you from the church? Gre. A bridegroom, say you? 'tis a groom, in- A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find. Tra. Why, she's a devil, a devil, the devil's dam. Gre. Tut! she's a lamb, a dove, a fool to him. I'll tell you, sir Lucentio; When the priest Should ask-if Katharine should be his wife, Ay, by gogs-wouns, quoth he; and swore so loud, That all amaz'd, the priest-let fall the book: And, as he stoop'd again to take it up, The mad-brain'd bridegroom took him such a cuff, That down fell priest and book, and book and priest; Now take them up, quoth he, if any list. Tra. What said the wench, when he arose again? Gre. Trembled and shook; for why, he stamp'd, and swore, As if the vicar meant to cozen him. But after many ceremonies done, He calls for wine:-A health, quoth he; as if But that his beard grew thin and hungerly, [Musick. Enter Petruchio, Katharina, Bianca, Baptista, Hor. tensio, Grumio, and train. Pet. Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains: I know, you think to dine with me to-day, It was the custom for the company present to drink wine immediately after the marriage-ceremony. But so it is, my haste doth call me hence, my leave. Bap. Is't possible, you will away to-night? Pet. I must away to-day, before night come :Make it no wonder; if you knew my business, You would entreat me rather go than stay. And, honest company, I thank you all, That have beheld me give away myself To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife: Dine with my father, drink a health to me; For I must hence, and farewell to you all. Tra. Let us entreat you stay till after dinner. Pet. It may not be. Pet. I am content you shall entreat me stay; But yet not stay, entreat me how you can. Kath. Now, if you love me, stay. Pet. Grumio, my horses. Gru. Ay, sir, they be ready; the oats have eaten the horses. Kath. Nay, then, Do what thou canst, I will not go to-day; No, nor to-morrow, nor till I please myself. You may be jogging, whiles your boots are green; Pet. O, Kate, content thee; pr'ythee, be not angry. Kath. I will be angry; What hast thou to do?— Father, be quiet; he shall stay my leisure. Gre. Ay, marry, sir: now it begins to work. Kath. Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner:I see a woman may be made a fool, If she had not a spirit to resist. Pet. They shall go forward, Kate, at thy com mand: Obey the bride, you that attend on her: Carouse full measure to her maidenhead, She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee, I'll buckler thee against a million. [Exeunt Petruchio, Katharine, and Grumio. Bap. Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones. Gre. Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing. Tra. Of all mad matches, never was the like! Luc. Mistress, what's your opinion of your sister? Bian. That, being mad herself, she's madly mated. Gre. I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated. Bap. Neighbours and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants For to supply the places at the table, You know, there wants no junkets at the feast;Lucentio, you shall supply the bridegroom's place; And let Bianca take her sister's room. Tra. Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it? Bup. She shall, Lucentio.-Come, gentlemen, [Exeunt. let's go. *Delicacies. ACT IV. SCENE I. A hall in Petruchio's country house. Enter Grumio. Gru. Fy, fy, on all tired jades! on all mad masters! and all foul ways! Was ever man so beaten? was ever man so rayed? was ever man so weary? I am sent before to make a fire, and they are coming after to warm them. Now, were not I a little pot, and soon hot, my very lips might freeze to my teeth, my tongue to the roof of my mouth, my heart in my belly, ere I should come by a fire to thaw me:-But I, with blowing the fire, shall warm myself; for, considering the weather, a taller man than I will take cold. Holla, hoa! Curtis! Enter Curtis. Curt. Who is that, calls so coldly? Gru. A piece of ice: If thou doubt it, thou may'st slide from my shoulder to my heel, with no greater a run but my head and my neck. A fire, good Curtis. Curt. Is my master and his wife coming, Grumio? Gru. O, ay, Curtis, ay: and therefore fire, fire; cast on no water. Curt. Is she so hot a shrew as she's reported? Gru. She was, good Curtis, before this frost: but, thou know'st, winter tames man, woman, and beast; for it hath tamed my old master, and my new mistress, and myself, fellow Curtis. Curt. Away, you three-inch fool! I am no beast. Bewrayed; dirty. |