Pet. You wrong me, fignior Gremio; give me leaveI am a gentleman of Verona, fir, That, hearing of her beauty, and her wit, Her wondrous qualities, and mild behaviour, [prefenting Hortenfio, Cunning in mufic, and the mathematics, Bap. You're welcome, fir; and he, for your good fake: But for my daughter, Catherine,this I know, Bap. Miftake me not, I fpeak but as I find. A man well known throughout all Italy. Bap. I know him well: you are welcome for his fake. Gre. Saving your tale,. Petruchio, I pray, let Us, that are poor petitioners, speak too : Baccare! you are marvellous forward, fir. Pet. O, pardon me, fignior Gremio; I would fain be doing. Gre. I doubt it not, fir; but you will curfe ing. Neighbour, your woo [to Baptifta. This is a gift very grateful, I am fure of it: [prefenting Lucentio. That hath been long studying at Rheims; as cunning In Latin, Greek, and other languages, [to Tra. As the other in mufic, and the mathematics: Nor is your firm refolve unknown to me, And, toward the education of your daughters, And this fmall packet of Greek and Latin books: [giving the Lute, and Books.. If you accept them, then their worth is great. Bap. Lucentio is your name? of whence, I pray? Tra. Of Pifa, fir; fon to Vincentio. Bap. A mighty man of Pifa, by report; I know him well: you're very welcome, fir.- Hola, within there! Enter a Servant. -Sirrah, fhew these gentlemen To my two daughters; and then tell them both, [Exit Servant, with Luc. and Hor. Bio. follows. We will go walk a little in the orchard, And then to dinner: You are paffing welcome, Pet. Signior Baptifta, my business asketh hafte, And every day I cannot come to woo. You knew my father well; and, in him, me, Left Left folely heir to all his lands and goods, Bap. After my death, the one half of my lands Pet. And, for that dowry, I'll affure her for Bap. Ay, when the fpecial thing is well obtain'd, Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father, For I am rough, and woo not like a babe. Bap. Well may'ft thou woo, and happy be thy speed! But be thou arm'd for fome unhappy words. Pet. Ay, to the proof; as mountains are for winds, That shake not, though they blow perpetually. Re-enter Hortenfio, with his Head broke Bap. How now, my friend? why doft thou look fo pale? Hor. For fear, I promise you, if I look pale. Bap. What, will my daughter prove a good mufician ?? Hor. I think he'll fooner prove a foldier; Iron may hold with her, but never lutes. Bap. Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute.. And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering; F 3 And And there I ftood amazed for a while, As on a pillory, looking through the lute: And, twangling Jack; with twenty fuch vile terms, Pet. Now, by the world, it is a lufty wench; I love her ten times more than e'er I did : O, how I long to have some chat with her! Bap. Well, go with me, [to Hor.] and be not fo difcomfited: Proceed in practice with my younger daughter; [Exeunt Bap. Gre. Tra. and Hor Say, that the frown; I'll fay, fhe looks as clear And fay-she uttereth piercing eloquence: When I fhall ask the banns, and when be marry'd † : Enter Catherine. Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear. Cat. Well have you heard, but fomething hard of hearing; They call me-Catherine, that do talk of me. This defcription of the treatment he has met, is moft humoroufly picturefque, and affords food for laughter in every line. + Petruchio's idea of dealing with Catherine by contradiction, is a very politic propofition for one of her turbulent character; as undoubtedly nothing sooner, or more effectually subdues a violent temper, than a real or affected one of the fame kind in opposition. Pet. You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate, And bonny Kate, and fometimes Kate the curft; But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom, Kate of Kate-hall, my fuper-dainty Kate, For dainties are all cates: And therefore, Kate, Take this of me, Kate of my confolation Hearing thy mildness prais'd.in every town, Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty founded,, (Yet not fo deeply as to thee belongs) Myfelf am mov'd to woo thee for my wife. Cat. 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 Cat. A-joint-ftook. Pet. Thou haft hit it: come, fit on me. Cat. Affes are made to bear, and so are you. Pet. Women are made to bear, and so are you. "Cat. No fuch jade, fir, as you, if me you mean. "Pet. Alas, good Kate! I will not burthen thee: "For, knowing thee to be but young and light, ་ "Cat. Too light for fuch a swain as you to catch ;"And yet as heavy as my weight should be. "Pet. Should be? should buz. "Cat. Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. "Pet. O flow-wing'd turtle! fhall a buzzard take "thee? "Cat. Ay, for a turtle; as he takes a buzzard. "Pet. Come, come, you wafp; i' faith, you are too ❝angry. འ "Cat. If I be wafpifh, beft beware my fting. Pet. My remedy is then to pluck it out. "Cat. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies. "Pet. Who knows not where a wasp does wear his "fting? In his tail. "Cat. In his tail! in his tongue. "Pet. In his tongue? whofe tongue ? "Cat. Yours, if you talk of tails; and so farewel |