_Pet._ My remedy is then, to pluck it out. 210
_Kath._ Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.
_Pet._ Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting? In his tail.
_Kath._ Yours, if you talk of tails: and so farewell.
_Pet._ What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again, 215 Good Kate; I am a gentleman.
_Kath._ That I'll try. [_She strikes him._
_Pet._ I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again.
_Kath._ So may you lose your arms: If you strike me, you are no gentleman; And if no gentleman, why then no arms. 220
_Pet._ A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books!
_Pet._ A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen.
_Kath._ No cock of mine; you crow too like a craven.
_Pet._ Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not look so sour. 225
_Kath._ It is my fashion, when I see a crab.
_Pet._ Why, here's no crab; and therefore look not sour.
_Kath._ Well aim'd of such a young one. 230
_Pet._ Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you.
_Pet._ Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth you scape not so.
_Kath._ I chafe you, if I tarry: let me go.
_Pet._ No, not a whit: I find you passing gentle. 235 'Twas told me you were rough and coy and sullen, And now I find report a very liar; For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous, But slow in speech, yet sweet as spring-time flowers: Thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance, 240 Nor bite the lip, as angry wenches will, Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk, But thou with mildness entertain'st thy wooers, With gentle conference, soft and affable. Why does the world report that Kate doth limp? 245 O slanderous world! Kate like the hazel-twig Is straight and slender and as brown in hue As hazel-nuts and sweeter than the kernels. O, let me see thee walk: thou dost not halt.
_Kath._ Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st command. 250
_Pet._ Did ever Dian so become a grove As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? O, be thou Dian, and let her be Kate; And then let Kate be chaste and Dian sportful!
_Kath._ Where did you study all this goodly speech? 255
_Pet._ It is extempore, from my mother-wit.
_Kath._ A witty mother! witless else her son.
_Pet._ Marry, so I mean, sweet Katharine, in thy bed: And therefore, setting all this chat aside, 260 Thus in plain terms: your father hath consented That you shall be my wife; your dowry 'greed on; And, will you, nill you, I will marry you. Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn; For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty, 265 Thy beauty, that doth make me like thee well, Thou must be married to no man but me; For I am he am born to tame you Kate, And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate Conformable as other household Kates. 270 Here comes your father: never make denial; I must and will have Katharine to my wife.