Bap. Good-morrow, neighbour Gremio: God save you, gentlemen! Pet. And you, good sir! Pray, have you not a daughter Call'd Katharina, fair, and virtuous? Bap. I have a daughter, sir, call'd Katharina. Pet. You wrong me, signior Gremio; give me I am a gentleman of Verona, sir, That,-hearing of her beauty, and her wit, Her wondrous qualities, and mild behaviour,- [Presenting Hortensio. Bap. You're welcome, sir; and he, for your But for my daughter Katharine,-this I know, Pet. I see, you do not mean to part with her; Bap. Mistake me not, I speak but as I find. Whence are you, sir? what may I call your name? Pet. Petruchio is my name; Antonio's son, A man well known throughout all Italy. Bap. I know him well: you are welcome for his sake. Gre. Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray, Let us, that are poor petitioners, speak too: Baccare! you are marvellous forward. (1) A proverbial exclamation then in use. Pet. O, pardon me, signior Gremio ; I would fain be doing. Gre. I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing. Neighbour, this is a gift very grateful, I am sure of it. To express the like kindness myself, that have been more kindly beholden to you than any, I freely give unto you this young scholar [Presenting Lucentio.] that hath been long studying at Rheims; as cunning in Greek, Latin, and other languages, as the other in music and mathematics: his name is Cambio; pray, accept his service. Bap. A thousand thanks, signior Gremio: welcome, good Cambio.-But, gentle sir [To Tranio.] methinks you walk like a stranger; May I be so bold to know the cause of your coming? Tra. Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own; Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me, I may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo, And, toward the education of your daughters, And this small packet of Greek and Latin books: Tra. Of Pisa, sir; son to Vincentio. Bap. A mighty man of Pisa; by report I know him well: you are very welcome, sir.Take you [To Hor.] the lute, and you [To Luc.] the set of books, You shall go see your pupils presently. Sirrah, lead Enter a Servant. These gentlemen to my daughters; and tell them both, These are their tutors; bid them use them well. We will go walk a little in the orchard, Pet. Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste, And every day I cannot come to woo. You knew my father well; and in him, me, Bap. After my death, the one half of my lands: Bap. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd, This is, her love; for that is all in all. Pet. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father, I am as peremptory as she proud-minded; And where two raging fires meet together, They do consume the thing that feeds their fury: Though little fire grows great with little wind, Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all: So I to her, and so she yields to me: For I am rough, and woo not like a babe. Bap. Well may'st thou woo, and happy be thy speed! But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words. 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. Bap. What, will my daughter prove a good musician? 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,1 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, As on a pillory, looking through the lute : terms, As she had studied to misuse me so. 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: Proceed in practice with my younger daughter; She's apt to learn, and thankful for good turns.Signior Petruchio, will you go with us; Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you? (1) A fret in music is the stop which causes or regulates the vibration of the string. (2) Paltry musician. She sings as sweetly as a nightingale : Say, that she frown; I'll say, she looks as clear And say she uttereth piercing eloquence : 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. And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst; Remove you hence: I knew you at the first, Pet. Kath. A joint-stool. Why, what's a moveable? 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, |