And every day I cannot come to woo. 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, They do consume the thing that feeds their fury : 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. Bup. 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,9 And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering; When, with a most impatient devilish spirit, Frets, call you these? quoth she: I'll fume with them: [9] A fret is that stop of a musical instrument which causes or regulates the vibration 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. 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 :— 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 mov'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.' Pet. Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me. Kath. Asses are made to bear, and so are you. Kath. Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. Pet. O, slow-wing'd turtle ! shall a buzzard take thee? 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 oftails; and so farewell. If Kath. That I'll try. [Striking him. Pet. I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again. Kath. So may you lose your arms: you strike me, you are no gentleman; And if no gentleman, why, then no arms. Pet. A herald, Kate ? O put me in thy books. Kath. What is your crest? a coxcomb? Pet. A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen. STEEVENS. [2] Perhaps we may read better-Ay, for a turtle, and he takes a buzzard. .e. he may take me for a turtle, and he shall find me a hawk. JOHNS. [3] 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 theiropponents; 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 sour. 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 for you. Kath. Yet you are wither'd. Pet. 'Tis with carés. Kath. I care not. Pet. Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth, you 'scape not so. Kath. I chafe you, if 1 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? Kath. Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st command. As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? And then let Kate be chaste, and Dian sportful! Kath. Where did you study all this goodly speech? Kath. A witty mother witless else her son. 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 Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn; For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty, Signior Petruchio: How speed you with 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, 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, That talk'd of her, have talk'd amiss of her; If she be curs'd, it is for policy: 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 ! [4] The editor of the second folio with some probability reads-from a wild Kat (meaning certainly cat). MAL. [5] The story of Grisel is to be found among the compositions of the French Fabliers. DOUCE. |