Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor 61
CURTIS. Is she so hot a shrew as she ' s reported?
GRUMIO. She was, good Curtis, before this frost; but thou knowest winter tames man, woman, and beast; for it hath tamed my old master, and my new mistress, and myself, fellow Curtis.
CURTIS. Away, you three-inch fool! I am no beast.
GRUMIO. Am I but three inches? Why, thy horn is a foot; and so long am I at the least. But wilt thou make a fire, or shall I complain on thee to our mistress, whose hand,--she being now at hand,-- thou shalt soon feel, to thy cold comfort, for being slow in thy hot office?
CURTIS. I prithee, good Grumio, tell me, how goes the world?
GRUMIO. A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine; and therefore fire. Do thy duty, and have thy duty, for my master and mistress are almost frozen to death.
CURTIS. There ' s fire ready; and therefore, good Grumio, the news? GRUMIO. Why, ' Jack boy! ho, boy!' and as much news as thou wilt. CURTIS. Come, you are so full of cony-catching.
GRUMIO. Why, therefore, fire; for I have caught extreme cold. Where ' s the cook? Is supper ready, the house trimmed, rushes strewed, cobwebs swept, the serving-men in their new fustian, their white stockings, and every officer his wedding-garment on? Be the Jacks fair within, the Jills fair without, and carpets laid, and everything in order?
CURTIS. All ready; and therefore, I pray thee, news? GRUMIO. First, know my horse is tired; my master and mistress fallen out. CURTIS. How?