in apparel; and not like a Christian footboy, or a gentleman's lackey. Tra. "Tis some odd humour pricks him to this fashion; Yet oftentimes he goes but mean apparell'd. Bap. I am glad he is come, howsoe'er he comes. Bap. Didst thou not say, he comes? Bion. Who? that Petruchio came. Bap. Ay, that Petruchio came. Bion. No, sir; I say, his horse comes with him on his back. Bap. Why, that's all one. Bion. Nay, by saint Jamy, 1 hold you a penny, A horse and a man is more than one, and yet not many. Enter PETRUCHIO and GRUMIO. Pet. Come, where be these gallants? who is at home? Bap. You are welcome, sir. Pet. Bap. And yet you halt not. As I wish you were. And yet I come not well. Not so well apparell'd Pet. Were it better I should rush in thus. But where is Kate? where is my lovely bride? How does my father?-Gentles, methinks you frown: And wherefore gaze this goodly company, As if they saw some wondrous monument, Some comet or unusual prodigy? Bap. Why, sir, you know, this is your wedding-day: First were we sad, fearing you would not come; Tra. And tell us, what occasion of import Pet. Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear: Which, at more leisure, I will so excuse But, where is Kate? I stay too long from her; To me she's married, not unto my clothes: [Exeunt Petruchio, Grumio, and Biondello: Tra. He hath some meaning in his mad attire: We will persuade him, be it possible, To put on better ere he go to church. Bap. I'll after him, and see the event of this. [Exit. Tra. But, sir, to her love concerneth us to add Her father's liking: Which to bring to pass, As I before imparted to your worship, I am to get a man,-whate'er he be, It skills not much: we'll fit him to our turn,— Luc. Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster 1 The narrow-prying father, Minola; Re-enter GREMIO. Signior Gremio! came you from the church? The mad-brain'd bridegroom took him such a cuff, Tra. What said the wench, when he arose again? Gre. Trembled and shook; for why, he stamp'd and As if the vicar meant to cozen him. But after many ceremonies done, He calls for wine :-A health, quoth he; as if swore, But that his beard grew thin and hungerly, [Music Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, BIANCA, BAPTISTA, HORTENSIO, GRUMIO, and Train. Pet. Gentlemen and friends,I thank you for your pains: I know, you think to dine with me to-day, And have prepar'd great store of wedding cheer; But so it is, my haste doth call me hence, And therefore here I mean to take my leave. Bap. Is't possible, you will away to-night? Pet. I must away to-day, before night come :Make it no wonder; if you knew my business, You would entreat me rather go than stay. And, honest company, I thank you all, That have beheld me give away myself To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife: Dine with my father, drink a health to me; For I must hence, and farewell to you all. Tra. Let us entreat you stay till after dinner. Pet. It may not be. Gre. Pet. It cannot be. Pet. I am content. Kath. Let me entreat you. Let me entreat you. Are you content to stay? 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 horses. 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; No, nor to-morrow, nor till I please myself. The door is open, sir, there lies your way, You may be jogging, whiles your boots are green; That take it on you at the first so roundly. Pet. 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 merry2 -or go hang yourselves; She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, That stops my way in Padua. -Grumio, Draw forth thy weapon, we're beset with thieves; Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee, Kate; [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! Luc. Mistress, what's your opinion of your sister? Bap. Neighbours and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants For to supply the places at the table, You know, there wants no junkets at the feast ;— Tra. Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it? go. Exeunt. |