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 ,