Now, Signior Gremio, came you from the church?

Gre.
As willingly as e'er I came from school.

Tra.
And is the Bride and Bridegroom coming home?

Gre.
A Bridegroom, say you? 'tis a groom, indeed,
A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find.

Tra.
Curster than she? why, 'tis impossible.

Gre.
Why, he's a devil, a devil, a very fiend.

Tra.
Why, she's a devil, a devil, the devil's dam.

Gre.
Tut, she's a lamb, a dove, a fool to him:
I'll tell you, Sir Lucentio; when the Priest
Should ask, if Catharine should be his wife?
Ay, by gogs-woons, quoth he: and swore so loud,
That, all amaz'd, the Priest let fall the book;
And as he stoop'd again to take it up,
This mad-brain'd Bridegroom took him such a cuff,
That down fell priest and book, and book and priest.
Now take them up, quoth he, if any list.

Tra.
What said the wench, when he rose up again?

Gre.
Trembled and shook; for why, he stamp'd and swore,
As if the Vicar meant to cozen him.
But after many ceremonies done,
He calls for wine: a health, quoth he; as if
H'ad been aboard carowsing to his Mates
After a storm; quafft off the muscadel,
And threw the sops all in the sexton's face;
Having no other cause, but that his beard
Grew thin and hungerly, and seem'd to ask
His sops as he was drinking. This done, he took
The Bride about the neck, and kist her lips

With such a clamorous smack, that at the parting
All the church echo'd; and I seeing this,
Came thence for very shame; and after me,
I know, the rout is coming: Such a mad marriage
Ne'er was before.—Hark, hark, I hear the minstrels. [Musick plays.

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