The First Meeting

Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear.

Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing: They call me Katharine that do talk of me.

You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate, And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst; But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom, Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate, For dainties are all Kates, and therefore, Kate, Take this of me, Kate of my consolation.

Moved! in good time: let him that moved you hither Remove you hence. I knew you at the first You were a moveable.

Why, what's a moveable?

A join'd-stool.

Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me.

Asses are made to bear, and so are you.

Women are made to bear, and so are you.

No such jade as you, if me you mean.

Come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry.

If I be waspish, best beware my sting.

My remedy is then, to pluck it out.

Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.

Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting? In his tail.

In his tongue.

Whose tongue?

Yours, if you talk of tails: and so farewell.

What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again, Good Kate; I am a gentleman.

That I'll try. [She strikes him.]

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

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