We will go walk a little in the orchard, And then to dinner: you are passing welcome; Pet. Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste, And every day I cannot come to woo. You knew my father well; and in him, me, Bap. After my death, the one half of my lands; And, in possession, twenty thousand crowns. Pet. And, for that dowry, I'll assure her of Bap. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd, This is, her love; for that is all in all. Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father, I am as peremptory as she proud-minded; And where two raging fires meet together, They do consume the thing that feeds their fury: Though little fire grows great with little wind, Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all: So I to her, and so she yields to me; For I am rough, and woo not like a babe. Bap. Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed! But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words. Pet. Ay, to the proof; as mountains are for winds, That shake not, though they blow perpetually. Re-enter HORTENSIO, with his head broken. Bap. How now, my friend? why dost thou look so pale? Hor. For fear, I promise you, if I look pale. sician? Hor. I think, she 'll sooner prove a soldier: Iron may hold with her, but never lutes. 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,1 And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering; When, with a most impatient devilish spirit, And, with that word, she struck me on the head, As on a pillory, looking through the lute; A fret is that stop of a musical instrument which causes or regulates the vibration of the string. And twangling Jack;1 with twenty such vile terms, 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. O, how I long to have some chat with her! Bap. Well, go with me, and be not so discom fited: Proceed in practice with my younger daughter; Pet. I pray you, do; I will attend her here, Say, that she frown; I'll say, she looks as clear If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day When I shall ask the banns, and when be mar ried. But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, speak. 1 Paltry musician. Enter KATHARINA. 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, And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst; Kath. Moved! in good time: let him that moved you hither, Remove you hence: I knew you at the first, You were a moveable. Pet. Why, what's a moveable? Kath. A joint-stool. Pet. Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me. Kath. Asses are made to bear, and so are you. Pet. Women are made to bear, and so are you. Kath. No such jade, sir, as you, if me you mean. Pet. Alas, good Kate! I will not burden thee; For, knowing thee to be but young and light,— Kath. Too light for such a swain as you to catch; And yet as heavy as my weight should be. Kath. Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. Pet. O 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. 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 doth wear his sting? In his tail. Kath. Pet. In his tongue. Whose tongue ? Kath. Yours, if you talk of tails; and so fare well. Pet. What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again, Good Kate; I am a gentleman. If Kath. That I'll try. [striking him. Pet. I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again. 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. |