Kath. Too light for such a swain as you to catch; And yet as heavy as my weight should be. Pet. Should be? Should buz. Kath. Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. Pet. 0, slow-wing'd turtle! Shall a buzzard take thee? Kath. Ay, for a turtle; as he takes a buzzard. Pet. Come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry. Kath. If I be waspish, best beware my sting. Kath. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies. Pet. Who knows not where a wasp doth wear his In his tail. Kath. In his tongue. Pet. Whose tongue? [sting? Kath. Yours, if you talk of tails; and so farewell. Pet. What, with my tongue in your tail? Nay, come again, Good Kate; I am a gentleman. Kath. That I'll try. [Striking 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; Pet. A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen. craven*. Pet. Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not look so sour. Kath. It is my fashion, when I see a crab. sour. Kath. There is, there is. Pet.Then shew it me. Kath. Had I a glass, I would. Pet. What, you mean my face? Kath. Well aim'd oft such a young one. Pet. Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you. Kath. Yet you are wither'd. Pet. 'Tis with cares. Kath. I care not. Pet. Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth, you 'scape not so. A degenerate cock. + By. 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; But slow in in speech, yet sweet as spring-time flowers: Thou canst not frown thou canst not look askance, Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk; Why does theworld report, that Kate doth limp? And then let Kate be chaste, and Dian sportful! 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 (Thy beauty, that doth make me like thee well,) Re-enter BAPTISTA, GREMIO, and TRANIO. Signior Petruchio: How speed you with Pet. How but well, Sir? How but well? Bap. Why, how now daughter Katharine? In your dumps? Kath. Call you me daughter? Now, I promise you, You have shew'd a tender fatherly regard, A mad-cap ruffian, and a swearing Jack, Pet. Father, 'tis thus,-yourself and all the world, For she's not froward, but modest as the dove; And to conclude,-we have 'greed so well together, 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? I tell you, 'tis incredible to believe How much she loves me: O, the kindest Kate!- 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. To vie and revie, were terms at cards, now superseded by the word bays. It is well worth seeing. A dastardly creature. We will have rings, and things, and fine array; And kiss me, Kate, we will be married o' Sunday. [Exeunt Petruchio and Katharine severally. Gre. Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly! Bap. Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant's part, And venture madly on a desperate mart. Tra. 'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you: 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. Skipper, stand back; 'tis age, that nourisheth. 'Tis deeds must win the prize; and he, of both, 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; Fine linen, Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl, Tra. That, only, came well in-Sir, list to me, • Counterpanes. I am my father's heir, and only son: ure. Besides two thousand ducats by the year, Gre. Two thousand ducats by the year, of land! Tra. Gremio, 'tis known, my father hath no less Than three great argosies; besides two galliasses †, And twelve tight gallies: these I will assure her, And twice as much, whate'er thou offer'st next. 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, By your firm promise; Gremio is out-vied. Bap. I must confess, your offer is the best; And, let your father make her the assurance, She is your own; else, you must pardon me: If you should die before him, where's her dower? Tra. That's but a cavil; he is old, I young. Gre. And may not young men die, as well as old? Bap. Well, gentlemen, I am thus resolved-On Sunday next, you know, Now, on the Sunday following, shall Bianca And so I take my leave, and thank you both. [Exit. not; 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 ‡, Merchant-ship. A vessel of burthen, worked both with sails and The highest card. |