Taming of the Shrew

GRUMIO


Out of their saddles into the dirt; and thereby
hangs a tale.
 
GRUMIO


And therefore 'tis called a sensible tale: and this
cuff was but to knock at your ear, and beseech
listening. Now I begin: Imprimis, we came down a
foul hill, my master riding behind my mistress,--
 
GRUMIO


Tell thou the tale: but hadst thou not crossed me,
thou shouldst have heard how her horse fell and she
under her horse; thou shouldst have heard in how
miry a place, how she was bemoiled, how he left her
with the horse upon her, how he beat me because
her horse stumbled, how she waded through the dirt
to pluck him off me, how he swore, how she prayed,
that never prayed before, how I cried, how the
horses ran away, how her bridle was burst, how I
lost my crupper, with many things of worthy memory,
which now shall die in oblivion and thou return
unexperienced to thy grave.
 
GRUMIO


Ay; and that thou and the proudest of you all shall
find when he comes home. But what talk I of this?
Call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Philip,
Walter, Sugarsop and the rest: let their heads be
sleekly combed their blue coats brushed and their
garters of an indifferent knit: let them curtsy
with their left legs and not presume to touch a hair
of my master's horse-tail till they kiss their
hands. Are they all ready?
 
CURTIS


Do you hear, ho? you must meet my master to
countenance my mistress.
 
Note: The end of Act III Scene 2 and beginning of Act IV are missing.

BAPTISTA

Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones.

( about 19 posts missing between these two )

CURTIS

There's fire ready; and therefore, good Grumio, the news.
 
GRUMIO


Thou, it seems, that calls for company to
countenance her.
 
GRUMIO


Why, she comes to borrow nothing of them.

Enter four or five Serving-men
 
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