The Taming of the Shrew
Act II Scene i
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Exerpt: A Room in Baptista's House Enter KATHARINA |
PETRUCHIO
Good-morrow, KATE; for that's your name, I hear.
KATHARINA
Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing: They call me Katharine
that do talk of me.
PETRUCHIO
You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain KATE,
And bonny KATE, and sometimes KATE the curst
But, KATE, the prettiest KATE in Christendom,
Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate,
For dainties are all Kates, and therefore, Kate,
Take this of me, KATE of my consolation; -
Hearing thy mildness prais'd in every town,
Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded, -
Yet no so deeply as to thee belongs, -
Myself am mov'd to woo thee for my wife.
KATHARINA
Mov'd! in good time: let him that mov'd you hither
Remove you hence: I knew you at the first
You were a movable.
PETRUCHIO
Why, what's a movable?
KATHARINA
A joint-stool.
PETRUCHIO
Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me.
KATHARINA
Asses are made to bear, and so are you.
PETRUCHIO
Women are made to bear, and so are you.
KATHARINA
No such jade as bear you, if me you mean.
PETRUCHIO
Alas, good KATE, I will not burden thee! For, knowing thee to be but
young and light, -
KATHARINA
Too light for such a swain as you to catch;
And yet as heavy as my weight should be.
PETRUCHIO
Should be! should buzz.
KATHARINA
Well ta'en, and like a buzzard.
PETRUCHIO
O, slow-wing'd turtle! shall a buzzard take thee?
KATHARINA
Ay, for a turtle, - as he takes a buzzard.
PETRUCHIO
Come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry.
KATHARINA
If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
PETRUCHIO
My remedy is then, to pluck it out.
KATHARINA
Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.
PETRUCHIO
Who knows not where a wasp doth wear his sting? In his tail.
KATHARINA
In his tongue.
PETRUCHIO
Whose tongue?
KATHARINA
Yours, if you talk of tails; and so farewell.
PETRUCHIO
What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again,
Good KATE, I am a gentleman.
KATHARINA
That I'll try.
Striking him