Tra. But to her love concerneth us to add It skills not much, we'll fit him to our turn,- 141 Luc. Were it not that my fellow-schoolmaster Doth watch Bianca's steps so narrowly, 'T were good, methinks, to steal our marriage; Which once perform'd, let all the world say no, I'll keep mine own, despite of all the world. Tra. That, by degrees, we mean to look into, And watch our vantage in this business: We'll over-reach the greybeard, Gremio, The narrow-prying father, Minola, The quaint musician, amorous Licio; All for my master's sake, Lucentio. Re-enter GREMIO. 150 Signior Gremio, came you from the church? Gre. As willingly as e'er I came from school. Tra. And is the bride and bridegroom coming home? Gre. A bridegroom say you? 't is a groom indeed, A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find. Tra. Curster than she? why, 't is impossible. Gre. Why, he's a devil, a devil, a very fiend. 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 160 Should ask, if Katharine should be his wife, "Ay, by gogs-wouns,' quoth he; and swore so loud, "1 That, at the parting, all the church did echo: And I, seeing this, came thence for very shame; And after me, I know, the rout is coming. Such a mad marriage never was before:— Hark, hark! I hear the minstrels play. [Music. Re-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, And have prepar'd great store of wedding cheer; But so it is, my haste doth call me hence, Kath. I will be angry: what hast thou to do? Father, be quiet: he shall stay my leisure. 219 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 command. Obey the bride, you that attend on her; Go to the feast, revel and domineer, [Carouse full measure to her maidenhead, Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves:] But for my bonny Kate, she must with me. Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret; 230 231 I will be master of what is mine own: Rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man.— I'll buckler1 thee against a million. 240 [Exeunt Petruchio, Katharina, 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 249 For to supply the places at the table, 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. |