Why are our bodies soft and weak and smooth,
Unapt to toil and trouble in the world,
But that our soft conditions and our hearts
Should well agree with our external parts?
Come, come, you froward and unable worms!
My mind hath been as big as one of yours,
My heart as great, my reason haply more,
To bandy word for word and frown for frown;
But now I see our lances are but straws,
Our strength as weak, our weakness past compare,
That seeming to be most which we indeed least are.
Then vail your stomachs, for it is no boot,
And place your hands below your husband's foot:
In token of which duty, if he please,
My hand is ready; may it do him ease.
PETRUCHIO Why, there's a wench! Come on, and kiss me, Kate.
LUCENTIO Well, go thy ways, old lad; for thou shalt ha't.
VINCENTIO 'Tis a good hearing when children are toward.
LUCENTIO But a harsh hearing when women are froward.
PETRUCHIO Come, Kate, we'll to bed.
We three are married, but you two are sped.
[To LUCENTIO]
'Twas I won the wager, though you hit the white;
And, being a winner, God give you good night!
[Exeunt PETRUCHIO and KATHARINA]
HORTENSIO Now, go thy ways; thou hast tamed a curst shrew.
LUCENTIO 'Tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be tamed so.
[Exeunt]
=41=
THE END |