That, being a stranger in this city here, Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me, That, upon knowledge of my parentage, I may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo, And, toward the education of your daughters, And this small packet(64) of Greek and Latin books: Bap. Lucentio is your name(65)--of whence, I pray? Bap. A mighty man of Pisa; by report I know him well: you're very welcome, sir.— Take you [to Hor.] the lute, and you [to Luc.] the set of books; You shall go see your pupils presently.— Holla, within! Enter a Servant. Sirrah, lead these gentlemen. To my two daughters; and tell them both," These are their tutors: bid them use them well. [Exit Servant, with Hortensio, Lucentio, and Biondello. We will go walk a little in the orchard, And then to dinner. You are passing welcome, And so I pray you all to think yourselves. Pet. Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste, And every day I cannot come to woo.* Bap. After my death, the one half of my lands; And, in possession, twenty thousand crowns. * every day I cannot come to woo.] A proverbial expression found in ballads and elsewhere. Pet. And, for that dowry, I'll assure her of Let specialties be therefore drawn between us, Bap. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd, 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 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? Bap. What, will my daughter prove a good musician? 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 bow'd her hand to teach her fingering; When, with a most impatient devilish spirit, "Frets call you these?" quoth she; "I'll fume with them :" And, with that word, she struck me on the head, And through the instrument my pate made way; 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:(68) Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you? Pet. I pray you do; I will attend her here,— [Exeunt Baptista, Gremio, Tranio, and Hortensio. When I shall ask the banns, and when be married.- 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, Kath. Mov'd! in good time: let him that mov'd you hither Remove you hence I knew you at the first, You were a moveable. Pet. Kath. A joint-stool. Why, what's a moveable? (69) 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 as bear 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. (70) Kath. Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. Pet. Come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry. Pet. My remedy is then, to pluck it out. Kath. Ay, if the fool could find out (71) where it lies. In his tail. Kath. In his tongue. Pet. Whose tongue? 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. [Detaining her. That I'll try. [Striking him. If you strike me, you are no gentleman; Pet. A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books! Pet. A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen. Kath. No cock of mine; you crow too like a craven. 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? Kath. Well aim'd of such a young one. Pet. Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you. Pet. Kath. 'Tis with cares. I care not. Pet. Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth, you scape not so. Pet. No, not a whit: I find you passing gentle. For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous; Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk; Why does the world report that Kate doth limp? Kath. Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st command. (72) 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. Yes; keep you warm. (73) 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 That you shall be my wife; your dowry greed on; |