Part 14 (1/2)

[_Exit_ PETRUCHIO.

So I'll make fast The door: goodness, bear witness 'tis a potent Power outweighs my duty.

ANT. Amazement! on what tenters do you stretch [me].

O, how this alteration wracks my reason! I m[ust try]

To find the axletree on which it hangs!

Am I asleep?

AUR. Shake off thy wonder; leave that seat; 'twas set To sink thy body for ever from the eyes Of human sight; to tell thee how would be A fatal means to both our ruins----briefly, My love has broke the bands of nature With my father to give you being.

ANT. Happy, [O] happy vision! the bless'd preparative To this same hour; my joy would burst me else.

AUR. Receive me to thy arms.

ANT. I would not wish to live but for thee: [but for thee,]

Life were a trouble; welcome to my soul.

AUR. Stand; I have a ceremony To offer to our safety, ere we go.

[_She takes a dog, and ties it to the chair: she stamps: the chair and dog descend: a pistol-shot within: a noise of a mill._

Had not my love, like a kind branch Of some o'erlooking tree, catch'd thee, Thou'dst fallen, never to look upon the world again.

ANT. What shall I offer to my life's preserver?

AUR. Only thy heart, crown'd with a wreath of love.

Which I will ever keep; and in exchange Deliver mine.

ANT. Thus I deliver: in this kiss receive't.

AUR. In the same form Aurelia yields up hers.

[_A noise._

ANT. What noise is that?

AUR. I fear my father.

ANT. What's to be done?

AUR. Through the back-ward, of which I have The key, we'll suddenly make 'scape; Then in two gowns, of which I am provided, We'll clothe ourselves, till we be pa.s.s'd all fear.

ANT. Be't as you please: 'tis my good genius' will That I obey--command; I'll follow still.

[_Exeunt._

_Enter_ PETRUCHIO _with servants_.

PET. She's gone unto her prayers; may every bead Draw down a blessing on her, that like seed May grow into a harvest: 'tis a girl My age is proud of; she's indeed the model Of her dead mother's virtues, as of shape.

Bear hence this banquet.