Kath. No cock of mine, you crow too like a craven. Pet. Why, here's no crab; and therefore look not sour. 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. Pet. 'Tis with cares. Kath. I care not. 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 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. Pet. Am I not wise? 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 * Fcr. Conformable, as other household Kates. Re-enter BAPTISTA, GREMIO, and TRANIO. Bap. Now, 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, For she's not froward, but modest as the dove; And to conclude,- 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 pleased, 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! She hung about my neck; and kiss on kiss A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew.- : I will be sure, my Katharine shall be fine. Bap. I know not what to say: but give me your hands; 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: * Wagered, as at cards. + Well worth. Effeminate. We will have rings, and things, and fine array; [Exeunt PETRUCHIO and KATHARINA severally. Gre. Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly? Tra. 'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you: "Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas. Bap. The gain I seek is-quiet in the match. Gre. No doubt, but he hath got a quiet catch. But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter;Now is the day we long have looked for; I am your neighbour, and was suitor first. Tra. And I am one, that love Bianca more Gre. But thine doth fry. Skipper, stand back; 'tis age, that nourisheth. Tra. But youth, in ladies' eyes that flourisheth. Bap. Content you, gentlemen; I'll compound this strife: Say, Signior Gremio, what can you assure her? Gre. First, as you know, my house within the city Is richly furnished with plate and gold; Basins, and ewers, to lave her dainty hands; Fine linen, Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl, -Sir, list to me, * Probably the tapestry of Tiria, in Natolia, is here referred to. † Counterpanes. Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.- Gre. Two thousand ducats by the year, of land! Tra. Gremio, 'tis known my father hath no less Gre. Nay, I have offer'd all, I have no more; And she can have no more than all I have ;If you like me, she shall have me and mine. Tra. Why, then the maid is mine from all the world, Bap. I must confess, your offer is the best; Gre. And may not young men die, as well as old? I am thus resolved:-On Sunday next, you know, Gre. Adieu, good neighbour.-Now I fear thee not; [Exit. And so I take my leave, and thank you both. Sirrah, young gamester, your father were a fool To give thee all, and, in his waning age, Set foot under thy table: Tut! a toy! An old Italian fox is not so kind, my boy. [Exit. Tra. A vengeance on your crafty wither'd hide! Yet I have faced it with a card of ten.t "Tis in my head to do my master good: * A vessel of burden worked both with sails and oars. [Exit. ACT III. SCENE I-A room in BAPTISTA'S House. Enter LUCENTIO, HORTENSIO, and BIANCA. Hor. Sirrah, I will not bear these braves of thine. [TO BIANCA.-HORTENSIO retires. Luc. That will be never;-tune your instrument. Bian. Where left we last? Luc. Here, madam : Hac ibat Simois; hic est Sigeia tellus; Hic steterat Priami regia celsa senis. Bian. Construe them. Luc. Hac ibat, as I told you before,-Simois, I am Lucentio,hic est, son unto Vincentio of Pisa, Sigeia tellus, disguised thus to get your love;-Hic steterat, and that Lucentio that comes a wooing, Priami, is my man Tranio,-regia, bearing my port,― celsa senis, that we might beguile the old pantaloon. Hor. Madam, my instrument 's in tune. Bian. Let's hear; O fie! the treble jars. Luc. Spit in the hole, man, and tune again. [Returning. [HORTENSIO plays. Bian. Now let me see if I can construe it: Hac ibat Simois, I know you not; hic est Sigeia tellus, I trust you not; Hic steterat Priami, take heed he hear us not;-regia, presume not;celsa senis, despair not. * Liable to be whipped. |