Which, at more leisure, I will so excuse As you shall well be satisfied withal. But, where is Kate? I stay too long from her; Go to my chamber, put on clothes of mine. To me she's married, not unto my clothes: [Exeunt PETRUCHIO, GRUMIO, and BIONDELLO. Bap. I'll after him, and see the event of this. [Exit. Tra. But, sir, to her love concerneth us to add Her father's liking: Which to bring to pass, As I before imparted to your worship, 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 Which once perform'd, let all the world say-no, Re-enter GREMIO. Signior Gremio! came you from the church? home? Gre. A bridegroom, say you? 'tis a groom, indeed, A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find. Gre. Tut! she's a lamb, a dove, a fool to him. 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, HORTENSIO, GRUMIO, and Train. Pet. Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains: I know, you think to dine with me to-day, Bap. Is't possible, you will away to-night? Quaff'd off the muscadel,] The fashion of introducing a bowl of wine into the church at a wedding, to be drank by the bride and bridegroom, and persons present, was very anciently at constant ceremony; and, as appears from this passage, not abolished in our author's age. 2 And kiss'd her lips-] This also is a very ancient custom, as appears from the following rubrick: "Surgant ambo, sponsus et sponsa, et accipiat sponsus pacem a sacerdote, et ferat sponsæ, osculans eam, et neminem alium, nec ipse, nec ipsa." Manuale Sarum, Paris, 1533, 4to. fol. 69. That have beheld me give away myself Gre. Pet. It cannot be. Pet. I am content. Let me entreat you. Let me entreat you. Are you content to stay? 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 din ner: 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: Go to the feast, revel and domineer, Be mad and merry,--or go hang yourselves; Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret; She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, My horse, my ox, my ass, my any thing; And here she stands, touch her whoever dare; That stops my way in Padua. -Grumio, Draw forth thy weapon, we're beset with thieves ; Rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man: Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee, Kate; 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? Bap. She shall, Lucentio.-Come, gentlemen, let's go. [Exeunt. |