Page 1478 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

man, woman, and beast; for [20] it hath tamed my old master, and my
new mistress, and myself, fellow Curtis.

CURT IS

Away, you three-inch fool! I am no beast.

GRUMIO

Am I but three inches? Why, thy horn is a foot, and so long am I at the
least. But wilt thou make a [25] fire, or shall I complain on thee to our
mistress, whose hand, she being now at hand, thou shalt soon feel, to thy
cold comfort, for being slow in thy hot office?

CURT IS

I prithee, good Grumio, tell me how goes the world? [30]

GRUMIO

A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine; and therefore fire. Do thy
duty, and have thy duty, for my master and mistress are almost frozen to
death.

CURT IS

There’s fire ready, and therefore, good Grumio, the news. [35]

GRUMIO

Why, ‘Jack, boy, ho, boy!’ and as much news as wilt thou.

CURT IS

Come, you are so full of cony-catching.

GRUMIO

Why, therefore, fire, for I have caught extreme cold. Where’s the cook? Is
supper ready, the house [40] trimmed, rushes strewed, cobwebs swept,
the servingmen in their new fustian, their white stockings, and every officer
his wedding-garment on? Be the Jacks fair within, the Jills fair without, the
carpets laid, and everything in order? [45]

CURT IS

All ready; and therefore, I pray thee, news.

GRUMIO