William Shakespeare: The Taming of the Shrew

ACT IV. 3. SCENE III. A room in PETRUCHIO'S house. (continued)

PETRUCHIO.
Read it.

GRUMIO.
The note lies in 's throat, if he say I said so.

TAILOR.
'Imprimis, a loose-bodied gown.'

GRUMIO.
Master, if ever I said loose-bodied gown, sew me in the
skirts of it and beat me to death with a bottom of brown thread;
I said, a gown.

PETRUCHIO.
Proceed.

TAILOR.
'With a small compassed cape.'

GRUMIO.
I confess the cape.

TAILOR.
'With a trunk sleeve.'

GRUMIO.
I confess two sleeves.

TAILOR.
'The sleeves curiously cut.'

PETRUCHIO.
Ay, there's the villainy.

GRUMIO.
Error i' the bill, sir; error i' the bill. I commanded the
sleeves should be cut out, and sew'd up again; and that I'll
prove upon thee, though thy little finger be armed in a thimble.

TAILOR.
This is true that I say; an I had thee in place where thou
shouldst know it.

GRUMIO.
I am for thee straight; take thou the bill, give me thy
mete-yard, and spare not me.

HORTENSIO.
God-a-mercy, Grumio! Then he shall have no odds.

PETRUCHIO.
Well, sir, in brief, the gown is not for me.

GRUMIO.
You are i' the right, sir; 'tis for my mistress.

PETRUCHIO.
Go, take it up unto thy master's use.

GRUMIO.
Villain, not for thy life! Take up my mistress' gown for
thy master's use!

PETRUCHIO.
Why, sir, what's your conceit in that?