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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, we were sad, fearing you would not come.
Now sadder, that you come so unprovided.
Fy! doff this habit, shame to your estate,
An eye-sore to our solemn festival.

Hor. And tell us what occasion of import
Hath all along detain'd you from your wife,
And sent you hither so unlike yourself!

Pet. Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear:
Let it suffice, I'm come to keep my word
But where is Kate? I stay too long from her;
The morning wears; 'tis time we were at church.
Hor. See not your bride in these unreverent
robes;

Go to my chamber, put on cloaths of mine.
Pet. Not I, believe me, thus I'll visit her.
Bap. But thus I trust you will not marry her?
Pet. Goodsooth, even thus; therefore ha'
done with words;

To me she's married, not unto my cloaths:
Could I repair what she will wear in me,
As I could change these poor

accoutrements, "Twere well for Kate, and better for myself.

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But what a fool am I to chat with you,

When I should bid good-morrow to my bride, And seal the title with a lovely kiss!

What, ho! my Kate! my Kate! [Exit Pet. "Hor. He hath some meaning in this 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 th' event of this. [Exeunt all but Grumio.

Grum. He's gone swearing to church with her. I would sooner have led her to the gallows. If he can but hold it, 'tis well---And if I know any thing of myself and master, no two men were ever born with such qualities to tame women----When madam goes home, we must look for another-guise master than we have had.---We shall see old Coil between 'em.-If I can spy into futurity a little, there will be much clatter among the moveables, and some practice for the surgeons. By this the parson has given 'em his licence to fall together by the ears.

Enter PEDRO.

Ped. Grumio, your master bid me find you out, and speed you to your country-house, to prepare for his reception; and if he finds not things as he expects 'em, according to the directions that he gave you, you know, he says, what

follows: This message he delivered before his bride, even in her way to church, and shook his whip in token of his love.

Grum. I understand it, sir, and will convey the same token to my horse immediately, that he may take to his heels, in order to save my bones, and his own ribs. [Exit Grumio Ped. So odd a master, and so fit a man, Were never seen in Padua before.

Enter BIONDEllo.

Now, Biondello, came you from the church? Bion. As willing as e'er I came from school. Ped. And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?

Bion. A bridegroom, say you? 'tis a groom indeed;

A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall

find.

Ped. Curster than she? why 'tis impossible. Bion. Why, he's a devil; a devil! a very fiend!

Ped. Why, she's a devil; a devil! the devil's dam,

Bion. Tut! she's a lamb, a dove, a fool to him.

I'll tell you, brother Pedro, when the priest
Did ask if Catherine should be his wife,

Aye, by gogs-wounds, quoth he, and swore so loud,

That, all amaz'd, the priest let fall his book; And as he stoop'd again to take it up,

This mad-brain'd bridegroom took him such a cuff,

That down fell priest and book, and book and priest.

Now take them up, quoth he, if any list.

Ped. What said the wench when he rose up again?

Bion. Trembled and shook; for why? he stamp'd and swore,

As if the vicar went to cozen him.
But after many ceremonies done,

He calls for wine; a health, quoth he, as if
He'd been aboard carousing to his mates
After a storm; quafft off the muscadel,
And threw the sops all in the sexton's face;
Having no other cause, but that his beard
Grew thin and hungerly, and seem'd to ask
His sops as he was drinking. This done, he took
The bride about the neck, and kiss'd her lips
With such a clamorous smack, that at the part-

ing

All the church echo'd; and I seeing this,
Came thence for very shame; and after me
I know the rout is coming.

Such a mad marriage never was before

Hark, hark, I hear the minstrels play.

[Music.

Enter PETRUCHIO, (singing] CATHERINE, BIANCA, HORTENSIO, and BAPTISTA.

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 intreat 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.

Hor. Let me intreat you, stay till after dinner.
Pet. It may not be.

Bian. Let me intreat you, that my sister stay; I come on purpose to attend the wedding; And pass this day in mirth and festival.

Pet. It cannot be.

Cath. Let me intreat you.

Pet. I am content

Cath. Are you content to stay!

Pet. I am content you shall intreat my stay; But yet not stay, intreat me how you can. Cath. Now if you love me, stay.

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