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, I 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. And yet I come not well. Not so well apparell'd Bap. And yet you halt not. As I wish you were. 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; Bap. Why, sir, you know, this is your weddingday: 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: Sufficeth, I am come to keep my word, -to digress;] To deviate from my promise. Which, at more leisure, I will so excuse But, where is Kate? I stay too long from her; Go to my chamber, put on clothes of mine. 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,— fellow schoolmaster 1 Which once perform'd, let all the world say-no, Re-enter GREMIO. Signior Gremio! came you from the church? home? Gre. A bridegroom, say you? 'tis a groom, in deed, A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find. Gre. Tut! she's a lamb, a dove, a fool to him. The 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. Tra. What said the wench, when he arose again? Gre. Trembled and shook; for why, he stamp'd, and swore, As if the vicar meant to cozen him. But after many ceremonies done, He calls for wine:-A health, quoth he; as if But that his beard grew thin and hungerly, [Musick. 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, 1-Quaff'd off the muscadel,] The fashion of introducing a bowl of wine into the church at a wedding, to be drank by the bride and bridegroom, and persons present, was very anciently a constant ceremony; and, as appears from this passage, not abolished in our author's age. 2 And kiss'd her lips-] This also is a very ancient custom, as appears from the following rubrick: " Surgant ambo, sponsus et sponsa, et accipiat sponsus pacem a sacerdote, et ferat sponsæ, osculans eam, et neminem alium, nec ipse, nec ipsa." Manuale Sarum, Paris, 1533, 4to. fol. 69. That have beheld me give away myself To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife: Tra. Let us entreat you stay till after dinner. Gre. Pet. It cannot be. Kath. 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; You may 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 din ner: 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: |