Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor 57
TRANIO. Why, she ' s a devil, a devil, the devil ' s dam.
GREMIO. Tut! she ' s a lamb, a dove, a fool, to him. I ' ll tell you, Sir Lucentio: when the priest Should ask if Katherine should be his wife, ' Ay, by gogs-wouns ' quoth he, and swore so loud That, all amaz ' d, the priest let fall the book; And as he stoop ' d again to take it up, 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.'
TRANIO. What said the wench, when he rose again?
GREMIO. 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 He had been abroad, carousing to his mates After a storm; quaff ' d off the muscadel, And threw the sops all in the sexton ' s face, Having no other reason But that his beard grew thin and hungerly And seem ' d to ask him sops as he was drinking. This done, he took the bride about the neck, And kiss ' d her lips with such a clamorous smack That at the parting all the church did echo. And I, seeing this, came thence for very shame; And after me, I know, the rout is coming. Such a mad marriage never was before. Hark, hark! I hear the minstrels play.
[ Music.]
[ Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHERINA, BIANCA, BAPTISTA, HORTENSIO, GRUMIO, and Train.]
PETRUCHIO. Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains: I know you think to dine with me to-day, And have prepar ' d great store of wedding cheer But so it is- my haste doth call me hence, And therefore here I mean to take my leave.
BAPTISTA. Is ' t possible you will away to-night?
PETRUCHIO. I must away to-day before night come. Make it no wonder: if you knew my business, You would entreat me rather go than stay. And,