Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father, I am as peremptory as she proud-minded; For I am rough and woo not like a babe. Bap. Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed! Re-enter Hortensio, with his head broke. 140 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 Bap. 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, 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 hold with her, but never lutes. them': And, with that word, she struck me on the head, As on a pillory, looking through the lute; And twangling Jack; with twenty such vile terms, 150 As she had studied to misuse me so. Pet. Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench; I love her ten times more than e'er I did: 160 170 [Exeunt Baptista, Gremio, Tranio, and Hortensio. When I shall ask the banns, and when be married. Enter Katharina. 180 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, But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom, Kate of Kate-Hall, my super-dainty Kate, For dainties are all Kates, and therefore, Kate, 190 Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife. Kath. Moved! in good time: let him that moved you hither, Pet. Remove you hence: I knew you at the first You were a moveable. Kath. A join'd-stool. Pet. Why, what's a moveable? Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me. Kath. Asses are made to bear, and so are you. For, knowing thee to be but young and light,— 200 Kath. Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. Pet. Come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry. Kath. If I be waspish, best beware my sting. Pet. My remedy is then, to pluck it out. Kath. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies. Pet. Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting? In his tail. 211 Kath. Yours, if you talk of tails: and so farewell. Pet. What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again, Kath. Good Kate; I am a gentleman. That I'll try. [She strikes him. Pet. I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again. Kath. So may you lose your arms: If 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. 220 Kath. No cock of mine; you crow too like a craven. Pet. Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not look so sour. Kath. It is my fashion, when I see a crab. 230 Pet. Why, here's no crab; and therefore look not sour. Kath. There is, there is. Pet. Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you. Kath. Yet you are wither'd. Pet. Kath. 'Tis with cares. 240 I care not. Pet. Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth you scape not so. Pet. No, not a whit: I find you passing gentle. 'Twas told me you were rough and coy and sullen, And now I find report a very liar; For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous, 250 But slow in speech, yet sweet as spring-time flowers: Why does the world report that Kate doth limp? As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? And then let Kate be chaste and Dian sportful! Kath. A witty mother! witless else her son. Kath. Yes; keep you warm. 260 270 Pet. Marry, so I mean, sweet Katharine, in thy bed: Thy beauty, that doth make me like thee well, For I am he am born to tame you, Kate, |