Pet. Why, here's no crab; and therefore look not Pet. Now, by saint George, I am too young for Pet. Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth, you 'scape 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; As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? 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 Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn; (Thy beauty, that doth make me like thee well, ) Thou must be married to no man but me: For. I am he am born to tame you, Kate; And bring you from a wild Cat to a Kate · Conformable, as other houshold Kates. Here comes your father; never make denial, I must and will have Katharine to my wife. Re-enter Baptista, Gremio, and Tranio. Bap. Now, Signior Petruchio: How speed you with My daughter? 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, You have show'd a tender fatherly regard, To wish me wed to one half lunatick; 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 my self; 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!- O, you are novices! 'tis a world to see, A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew. Give me thy hand, Kate: I will unto Venice, 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: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 clap'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: '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. But thine doth fry. Skipper, stand back; 'tis age, that nourisheth. Tra. But youth, in ladies' eyes that flourisheth. 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, If, whilst I live, she will be only mine. Tra. That, only, came well in-Sir, list to me, I am my father's heir, and only son: If I may have your daughter to my wife, I'll leave her houses three or four as good, Gre. Two thousand ducats by the year, of land! My land amounts not to so much in all: |