Kath. thee? Kath. Ay, for a turtle; as he takes a buzzard. Pet. Come, come, you wasp; i̇'faith, you are too angry. Kath. If I be waspish, best beware my sting. In his tail. Kath. Pet. In his tongue. Nay, come again, Good Kate; I am a gentleman. Kath. That I'll try. If you strike me, you are no gentleman; Pet. A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books. Pet. A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen. Kath. No cock of mine, you crow too like a craven. 6 Pet. Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not look so sour. Kath. It is my fashion, when I see a crab. Pet. Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you. Kath. Yet you are wither'd, Pet. Kath. 'Tis with cares. I care not. Pet. Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth, you 'scape 1 not so. Kath. I chafe you, if I tarry; let me go. 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; Why does the world report, that Kate doth limp? As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? Kath. A witty mother! witless else her son. Pet. And therefore, setting all this chat aside, Thus in plain terms :-- Your father hath consented That you shall be my wife; your dowry 'greed on; And, will you, nill you, I will marry you. Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn; For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty, (Thy beauty, that doth make me like thee well,) 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, A mad-cap ruffian, and a swearing Jack, For she's not froward, but modest as the dove; And to conclude, we have 'greed so well together, That upon Sunday is the wedding-day. 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 pleas'd, 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!- Bap. I know not what to say: give me your hands; Heaven send you joy, Petruchio! 'tis a match. We will have rings, and things, and fine array; 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 Than words can witness, or your thoughts can guess. Gre. Youngling! thou canst not love so dear as I. Tra. Grey-beard! thy love doth freeze. Gre. Skipper, stand back; 'tis age that nourisheth. Tra. But youth, in ladies' eyes that flourisheth. 7 To vie and revye were terms at cards now superseded by the word brag. Bap. Content you, gentlemen; I'll compound this strife: 'Tis deeds, must win the prize; and he, of both, That can assure my daughter greatest dower, Shall have Bianca's love. 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; Basons, and ewers, to lave her dainty hands; In ivory coffers I have stuff'd my crowns; Fine linen, Turky cushions boss'd with pearl, Sir, list to me, Tra. That, only, came well in — Gre. Two thousand ducats by the year, of land! Coverings for beds; now called counterpanes. |