Some comet or unusual prodigy? Bap. Why, sir, you know this is your wedding day: First were we sad, fearing you would not come ; Tra. And tell us, what occasion of import Pet. Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear: But, where is Kate? I stay too long from her; Pet. Not I, believe me; thus I'll visit her. To me she's married, not unto my clothes : [Exeunt Petrucio, Grumio, and Biondello. Tra. He hath some meaning in his mad attire: We will persuade him, be it possible, To put on better ere he go to church. Bap. I'll after him, and see the event of this. [Exit. Tra. But, sir, to her love concerneth us to add Her father's liking: Which to bring to pass, As I before imparted to your worship, * i. e. To deviate from my promise, I am to get a man,-whate'er he be, It skills* not much: we'll fit him to our turn,— Luc. Were it, not, that my fellow schoolmaster Re-enter Gremio. Signior Gremio! came you from the church? Gre. A bridegroom, say you? 'tis a groom, in deed, " A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find. The mad-brain'd bridegroom took him such a cuff, Tra. What said the wench, when he arose again? Gre. Trembled and shook; for why, he stamp'd, and swore, As if the vicar meant to cozen him. But after many ceremonies done, He calls for wine :-A health, quoth he; as if But that his beard grew thin and hungerly, [Musick. Enter Petruchio, Katharina, Bianca, Baptista, Hortensio, Grumio, and train. Pet. Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your I know, you think to dine with me to-day, * It was the custom for the company present to drink wine immediately after the marriage-ceremony. Pet. I am content you shall entreat me stay; Pet. Grumio, my horses. Gru. Ay, sir, they be ready; the oats have eaten the horses. Kath. Nay, then, Do what thou canst, I will not go to-day; You may be jogging, whiles your boots are green; Pet. O, Kate, content thee; pr'ythee, be not angry. Kath. I will be angry; What hast thou to do?Father, be quiet, he shall stay my leisure. 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: She is my goods, my chattels; she is iny house, And here she stands, touch her whoever dare; That stops my way in Padua. -Grumio, Draw forth thy weapon, we're beset with thieves; Rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man :-- Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee, Kate; I'll buckler thee against a million. [Exeunt Petruchio, Katharine, 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 For to supply the places at the table, You know, there wants no junkets* at the feast ;-Lucentio, you shall supply the bridegroom's place; And let Bianca take her sister's room. Tra. Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it? Bap. She shall, Lucentio.---Come, gentlemen, [Exeunt. let's go. ACT IV. SCENE I. A hall in Petruchio's country-house. Enter Grumio. Gru. Fye, fye, on all tired jades! on all mad masters, and all foul ways! Was ever man so beaten? was ever man so rayed †; was ever man so weary? I am sent before to make a fire, and they are coming after to warm them. Now, were not I a little pot, and soon hot, my very lips might freeze to my teeth, my tongue to the roof of my mouth, my heart in my + Bewrayed; dirty. * Delicacies. |