And then to dinner. You are passing welcome, Pet. Seignior Baptista, my business asketh haste, And every day I cannot come to woo. You knew my father well; and in him, me, Pet. And for that dowry, I'll assure her of1 Let specialties be therefore drawn between us, Bap. Ay, when the special thing is well obtained; This is, her love; for that is all in all. Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father, For I am rough, and woo not like a babe. Bap. Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed! But be thou armed 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. 1 Perhaps we should read on. Of and on are frequently confounded by the negligence of printers, in the old copy. 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,' And bowed her hand to teach her fingering, When, with a most impatient, devilish spirit, As on a pillory, looking through the lute; And, twangling Jack; with twenty such vile terms, 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 discomfited. And woo her with some spirit when she comes. Say, that she frown; I'll say she looks as clear 1 Frets are the points at which a string is to be stopped, formerly marked on the neck of such instruments as the lute or guitar. If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day Enter KATHARINA. Good-morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear. Kath. Well have you heard, but something hard 1 of hearing; They call me-Katharine, that do talk of me. Pet. You lie, in faith; for you are called plain Kate, And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst; But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom, Kate of Kate-Hall, my super-dainty Kate, For dainties are all cates; and therefore, Kate, Take this of me, Kate of my consolation;— Hearing thy mildness praised in every town, Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauties sounded, (Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs,) Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife. Kath. Moved! in good time; let him that moved you hither, Remove you hence. I knew you at the first, You were a movable. Pet. Kath. A joint-stool. Why, what's a movable? 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. Pet. Should be? should buzz. Kath. Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. Pet. O, slow-winged turtle! shall a buzzard take thee? 1 This is a poor quibble upon heard, which was then pronounced hard. Kath. Ay, for a turtle; as he takes a buzzard.1 angry. Kath. If I be waspish, best beware my sting. In his tail. Kath. Pet. 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. 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. Pet. A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen. craven.2 Pet. Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not look so sour. Kath. It is my fashion when I see a crab. Pet. Why, here's no crab; and therefore look not sour. Kath. There is, there is. Pet. Then show it me. Kath. Had I a glass, I would. Pet. What, you mean my face? 1 This kind of expression seems to have been proverbial. So in The Three Lords of London, 1590 :— 66 hast no more skill Than take a falcon for a buzzard.” 2 A cowardly, degenerate cock. Kath. Well aimed of such a young one. Pet. Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you. Kath. Yet you are withered. Pet. Kath. 'Tis with cares. I care not. 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 ; Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk ; Kath. Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st command. As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? O, be thou Dian, and let her be Kate; And then let Kate be chaste, and Dian sportful! Kath. Where did you study all this goodly speech? Kath. A witty-mother! witless else her son. Kath. Yes; keep you warm.1 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 you shall be my wife; your dowry 'greed on; That 1 This appears to allude to some proverb. |