Luc. Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster Doth watch Bianca's steps so narrowly, 'Twere 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, Enter GREMIO. Signior Gremio! came you from the church? Gre. A bridegroom, say you? 'tis a groom indeed, 66 Ay, by gogs-wouns," quoth he; and swore so loud That, all amaz'd, the priest let fall the book : And, as he stoop'd again to take it up, This mad-brain'd bridegroom took him such a cuff, That down fell priest and book, and book and priest; "Now take them up," quoth he, "if any list." Tra. What said the wench, when he rose 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, [Music. Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, BIANCA, BAPTISTA, HORTENSIO, GRUMIO, and Train. Pet. Gentlemen and friends, I thank pains: you for your I know you think to dine with me to-day, Bap. Is't possible you will away to-night? To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife: For I must hence, and farewell to you all. Tra. Let us entreat you stay till after dinner. Pet. I am content you shall entreat me stay; But yet not stay, entreat me how you can. Kath. Now, if you love me, stay. Pet. Grumio, my horse. 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; Bap. 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: Go to the feast, revel and domineer, Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves; I will be master of what is mine own; She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, My household-stuff, my field, my barn, My horse, my ox, my ass, my any thing; And here she stands, touch her whoever dare; That stops my way in Padua. Grumio, Draw forth thy weapon, we are 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 PET., KATH., and GRU. 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! For to supply the places at the table, You know there want 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. [Act III. Sc. III., 1623.] Enter GRUMIO. GRUMIO. IE, fie, on all tired jades, on all mad masters, FIE and all foul ways! Was ever man so beaten ? was ever man so 'ray'd? 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 belly, ere I should come by a fire to thaw me : But, I, with blowing the fire, shall warm myself; for, considering the weather, a taller man than I will take cold. Holla, ho! Curtis! Enter CURTIS. Curtis. Who is that calls so coldly? Gru. A piece of ice. If thou doubt it, thou mayst slide from my shoulder to my heel, with no greater a run but my head and my neck. A fire, good Curtis. Curt. Is my master and his wife coming, Grumio? Gru. O, ay, Curtis, ay: and therefore fire, fire; cast on no water. Curt. Is she so hot a shrew as she's reported? Gru. She was, good Curtis, before this frost: but, thou know'st, winter tames man, woman, and beast: for it hath tam'd my old master and my new mistress, and myself, fellow Curtis. |