Page 1438 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

GRUMIO

Will he woo her? Ay, or I’ll hang her.

PET RUCHIO

Why came I hither but to that intent?
Think you a little din can daunt mine ears?
Have I not in my time heard lions roar?
Have I not heard the sea, puff’d up with winds, [200]
Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat?
Have I not heard great ordnance in the field,
And heaven’s artillery thunder in the skies?
Have I not in a pitched battle heard
Loud ’larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets’ clang? [205]
And do you tell me of a woman’s tongue,
That gives not half so great a blow to hear
As will a chestnut in a farmer’s fire?
Tush, tush, fear boys with bugs!

GRUMIO

For he fears none.

GREMIO

Hortensio, hark. [210]
This gentleman is happily arriv’d,
My mind presumes, for his own good and yours.

HORT ENSIO

I promis’d we would be contributors
And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe’er.

GREMIO

And so we will, provided that he win her. [215]

GRUMIO

I would I were as sure of a good dinner.

Enter Tranio brave, and Biondello.

T RANIO

Gentlemen, God save you. If I may be bold,