The Taming of the Shrew


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Here comes your father: never make denial;  
I must and will have Katharina to my wife.  
Re-enter BAPTISTA, GREMIO, and TRANIO  
BAPTISTA  
Now, Signior Petruchio, how speed you with my daughter?  
PETRUCHIO  
How but well, sir? how but well?  
It were impossible I should speed amiss.  
BAPTISTA  
Why, how now, daughter Katharina! in your dumps?  
KATHARINA  
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-cup 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.  
KATHARINA  
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 pleased, 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,  


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33 34 35 36 37

Quick Jump
1 21 43 64 85