Taming of the Shrew

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.
 
PETRUCHIO


I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again.
 
KATHARINA


So may you lose your arms:
If you strike me, you are no gentleman;
And if no gentleman, why then no arms.
 
KATHARINA


No cock of mine; you crow too like a craven.
 
PETRUCHIO


Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not look so sour.
 
PETRUCHIO


Why, here's no crab; and therefore look not sour.
 
PETRUCHIO


Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you.
 
PETRUCHIO


Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth you scape not so.
 
PETRUCHIO


No, not a whit: I find you passing gentle.
'Twas told me you were rough and coy and sullen,
And now I find report a very liar;
For thou are pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous,
But slow in speech, yet sweet as spring-time flowers:
Thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance,
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?
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.
 
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