Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor 45
KATHERINA. Call you me daughter? Now I promise you You have show ' d a tender fatherly regard To wish me wed to one half lunatic, A mad-cap ruffian and a swearing Jack, That thinks with oaths to face the matter out.
PETRUCHIO. Father, ' tis thus: yourself and all the world That talk ' d of her have talk ' d amiss of her: If she be curst, it is for policy, For she ' s not froward, but modest as the dove; She is not hot, but temperate as the morn; For patience she will prove a second Grissel, And Roman Lucrece for her chastity; And to conclude, we have ' greed so well together That upon Sunday is the wedding-day.
KATHERINA. I ' ll see thee hang ' d on Sunday first. GREMIO. Hark, Petruchio; she says she ' ll see thee hang ' d first. TRANIO. Is this your speeding? Nay, then good-night our part!
PETRUCHIO. Be patient, gentlemen. I choose her for myself; If she and I be pleas ' d, what ' s that to you? ' Tis bargain ' d ' twixt us twain, being alone, That she shall still be curst in company. I tell you, ' tis incredible to believe How much she loves me: O! the kindest Kate She hung about my neck, and kiss on kiss She vied so fast, protesting oath on oath, That in a twink she won me to her love. O! you are novices: ' tis a world to see, How tame, when men and women are alone, A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew. Give me thy hand, Kate; I will unto Venice, To buy apparel ' gainst the wedding-day. Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests; I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine.
BAPTISTA. I know not what to say; but give me your hands. God send you joy, Petruchio! ' Tis a match.
GREMIO, TRANIO. Amen, say we; we will be witnesses.
PETRUCHIO. Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu. I will to Venice; Sunday comes apace; We will have rings and things, and fine array; And