Curt. How? Gru. Out of their saddles into the dirt; And thereby hangs a tale. Curt. Let's ha't, good Grumio. Gru. Lend thine ear. Curt. Here. Gru. There. [Striking him. Curt. This is to feel a tale, not to hear a tale. Gru. And therefore 'tis called, a sensible tale: and this cuff was but to knock at your ear, and beseech listening. Now I begin: Imprimis, we came down a foul hill, my master riding behind my mistress; Curt. Both on one horse? Gru. What's that to thee? Gru. Tell thou the tale: But had'st thou not cross'd me, thou should'st have heard how her horse fell, and she under her horse; thou should'st have heard, in how miry a place: how she was bemoil'd; how he left her with the horse upon her; how he beat me because her horse stumbled: how she waded through the dirt to pluck him off me; how he swore; how she pray'd that never pray'd before; how I cried; how the horses ran away; how her bridle was burst; how I lost my crupper; - with many things of worthy memory; which now shall die in oblivion, and thou return unexperienced to thy grave. Curt. By this reckoning, he is more shrew than she. Gru. Ay; and that thou and the proudest of you all shall find, when he comes home. But what talk I of this?-call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Philip, Walter, Sugarsop, and the rest: let their heads be sleekly combed, their blue coats brushed, and their garters of an indifferent knit: let them curt'sy with their left legs; and not presume to touch a hair of my master's horse-tail, till they kiss their hands. Are they all ready? Curt. They are. Gru. Call them forth. Curt. Do you hear, ho? you must meet my mas ter, to countenance my mistress. Gru. Why she hath a face of her own. Curt. Who knows not that? Gru. Thou, it seems; that call'st for company to countenance her. Curt. I call them forth to credit her. Gru. Why, she comes to borrow nothing of them. Enter several Servants. Nath. Welcome home, Grumio. Jos. What, Grumio! Nich. Fellow Grumio! Nath. How now, old lad? Gru. Welcome, you;-how now, you;-what, you;-fellow, you;-and thus much for greeting. Now, my spruce companions, is all ready, and all things neat? Nath. All things is ready: How near is our master? 1 Gru. E'en at hand, alighted by this; and thereCock's passion, silence! fore be not, my master. Enter PETRUCHIO and KATHARINA. I hear Pet. Where be these knaves? What, no man at door, To hold my stirrup, nor to take my horse! All Serv. Here, here, sir; here, sir, Pet. Here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! here, sir, You loggerheaded and unpolished grooms! Gru. Here, sir; as foolish as I was before. Pet. You peasant swain! you whoreson malt-horse drudge! Did I not bid thee meet me in the park, Gru. Nathaniel's coat, sir, was not fully made, And Gabriel's pumps were all unpink'd i' the heel; There was no link to colour Peter's hat 49, And Walter's dagger was not come from sheathing: There were none fine, but Adam, Ralph, and Gre gory; The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly; Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you. Pet. Go, rascals, go, and fetch my supper in. [Exeunt some of the Servants. Where is the life that late I led [Sings. Where are those-Sit down, Kate, and welcome. Soud, soud, soud, soud 50! Re-enter Servants, with supper. Why, when, I say?-Nay, good sweet Kate, be merry. Off with my boots, you rogues, you villains; When? It was the friar of orders grey, As he forth walked on his way: [Sings. Out, out, you rogue! you pluck my foot awry: Take that, and mend the plucking off the other. [Strikes him. Be merry, Kate: -Some water, here; what ho!Where's my spaniel Troilus? - Sirrah, get you hence, And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither: [Exit Servant. One, Kate, that you must kiss, and be acquainted with. Where are my slippers? - Shall I have some water? [A bason is presented to him. Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily:[Servant lets the ewer fall. You whoreson villain! will you let it fall? [Strikes him. Kath. Patience, I pray you; 'twas a fault unwilling. Pet. A whoreson, beetleheaded, flapear'd knave! Come, Kate, sit down; I know you have a stomach. Will you give thanks, sweet Kate; or else shall I?What is this? mutton? 1 Serv. Pet. 1 Serv. Ay. Who brought it? I. Pet. 'Tis burnt; and so is all the meat: What dogs are these? - Where is the rascal cook? How durst you, villains, bring it from the dresser, And serve it thus to me that love it not? There, take it to you, trenchers, cups, and all: [Throws the meat, &c. about the stage. You heedless joltheads, and unmanner'd slaves! What, do you grumble? I'll be with you straight. Kath. I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet. The meat was well, if you were so contented. Pet. I tell thee, Kate, 'twas burnt, and dried away; And I expressly am forbid to touch it, For it engenders choler, planteth anger; And better 'twere, that both of us did fast,Since, of ourselves, ourselves are cholerick,Than feed it with such over-roasted flesh. Be patient; to-morrow it shall be mended, And, for this night, we'll fast for company:Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber. [Exeunt Petruchio, Katharina, and Curtis. Nath. [Advancing]. Peter, did'st ever see the like? Peter. He kills her in her own humour. Re-enter CURTIS. Gru. Where is he? Curt. In her chamber, Making a sermon of continency to her: |