Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor 55
PETRUCHIO . 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 , As if they saw some wondrous monument , Some comet or unusual prodigy ?
BAPTISTA . Why , sir , you know this is your wedding-day : First were we sad , fearing you would not come ; Now sadder , that you come so unprovided . Fie ! doff this habit , shame to your estate , An eye-sore to our solemn festival .
TRANIO . And tell us what occasion of import Hath all so long detain ' d you from your wife , And sent you hither so unlike yourself ?
PETRUCHIO . Tedious it were to tell , and harsh to hear ; Sufficeth , I am come to keep my word , Though in some part enforced to digress ; Which at more leisure I will so excuse As you shall well be satisfied withal . But where is Kate ? I stay too long from her ; The morning wears , ' tis time we were at church .
TRANIO . See not your bride in these unreverent robes ; Go to my chamber , put on clothes of mine .
PETRUCHIO . Not I , believe me : thus I ' ll visit her . BAPTISTA . But thus , I trust , you will not marry her .
PETRUCHIO . Good sooth , even thus ; therefore ha ' done with words ; To me she ' s married , not unto my clothes . Could I repair what she will wear in me As I can change these poor accoutrements , ' Twere well for Kate and better for myself . 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 !
[ Exeunt PETRUCHIO , GRUMIO , and BIODELLO .]
TRANIO . He hath some meaning in his mad attire . We will persuade him , be it possible , To put on better ere he go to church .