The Taming of the Shrew


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SCENE II. Padua. Before BAPTISTA'S house.  
Enter BAPTISTA, GREMIO, TRANIO, KATHARINA, BIANCA, LUCENTIO,  
and others, attendants  
BAPTISTA  
[
To TRANIO] Signior Lucentio, this is the  
'
pointed day.  
That Katharina and Petruchio should be married,  
And yet we hear not of our son-in-law.  
What will be said? what mockery will it be,  
To want the bridegroom when the priest attends  
To speak the ceremonial rites of marriage!  
What says Lucentio to this shame of ours?  
KATHARINA  
No shame but mine: I must, forsooth, be forced  
To give my hand opposed against my heart  
Unto a mad-brain rudesby full of spleen;  
Who woo'd in haste and means to wed at leisure.  
I told you, I, he was a frantic fool,  
Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior:  
And, to be noted for a merry man,  
He'll woo a thousand, 'point the day of marriage,  
Make feasts, invite friends, and proclaim the banns;  
Yet never means to wed where he hath woo'd.  
Now must the world point at poor Katharina,  
And say, 'Lo, there is mad Petruchio's wife,  
If it would please him come and marry her!'  
TRANIO  
Patience, good Katharina, and Baptista too.  
Upon my life, Petruchio means but well,  
Whatever fortune stays him from his word:  
Though he be blunt, I know him passing wise;  
Though he be merry, yet withal he's honest.  
KATHARINA  
Would Katharina had never seen him though!  
Exit weeping, followed by BIANCA and others  
BAPTISTA  
Go, girl; I cannot blame thee now to weep;  
For such an injury would vex a very saint,  
Much more a shrew of thy impatient humour.  
Enter BIONDELLO  
BIONDELLO  
Master, master! news, old news, and such news as  
you never heard of!  
BAPTISTA  


Page
40 41 42 43 44

Quick Jump
1 21 43 64 85