Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

Act 5 - Scene 1

Padua. Before LUCENTIO’S house

Biondello : Softly and swiftly, sir, for the priest is ready.

Lucentio : I fly, Biondello; but they may chance to need the at [p]home,
therefore leave us.

Biondello : Nay, faith, I'll see the church a your back, and then [p]come back to
my master's as soon as I can.

Gremio : I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.

Petruchio : Sir, here's the door; this is Lucentio's house; [p]My father's bears
more toward the market-place; [p]Thither must I, and here I leave you,
sir.

Vincentio : You shall not choose but drink before you go; [p]I think I shall
command your welcome here, [p]And by all likelihood some cheer is
toward. [Knocks]

Gremio : They're busy within; you were best knock louder.

Pedant : What's he that knocks as he would beat down the gate?

Vincentio : Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?

Pedant : He's within, sir, but not to be spoken withal.

Vincentio : What if a man bring him a hundred pound or two to make [p]merry
withal?

Pedant : Keep your hundred pounds to yourself; he shall need none so [p]long as
I live.

Petruchio : Nay, I told you your son was well beloved in Padua. Do [p]you hear,
sir? To leave frivolous circumstances, I pray you tell [p]Signior
Lucentio that his father is come from Pisa, and is here [p]at the door
to speak with him.

Pedant : Thou liest: his father is come from Padua, and here looking [p]out at
the window.

Vincentio : Art thou his father?

Pedant : Ay, sir; so his mother says, if I may believe her.

Petruchio : [To VINCENTIO] Why, how now, gentleman! [p]Why, this is flat knavery
to take upon you another man's name.

Pedant : Lay hands on the villain; I believe 'a means to cozen [p]somebody in
this city under my countenance.

Biondello : I have seen them in the church together. God send 'em [p]good
shipping! But who is here? Mine old master, Vincentio! Now we [p]are
undone and brought to nothing.

Vincentio : [Seeing BIONDELLO] Come hither, crack-hemp.

Biondello : I hope I may choose, sir.

Vincentio : Come hither, you rogue. What, have you forgot me?

Biondello : Forgot you! No, sir. I could not forget you, for I never [p]saw you
before in all my life.

Vincentio : What, you notorious villain, didst thou never see thy [p]master's
father, Vincentio?

Biondello : What, my old worshipful old master? Yes, marry, sir; see [p]where he
looks out of the window.

Vincentio : Is't so, indeed? [He beats BIONDELLO]

Biondello : Help, help, help! Here's a madman will murder me.

Pedant : Help, son! help, Signior Baptista! Exit from above

Petruchio : Prithee, Kate, let's stand aside and see the end of
this [p]controversy. [They stand aside] [p]
Re-enter PEDANT below; BAPTISTA, TRANIO, and SERVANTS

Tranio : Sir, what are you that offer to beat my servant?

Vincentio : What am I, sir? Nay, what are you, sir? O immortal gods! [p]O fine
villain! A silken doublet, a velvet hose, a scarlet cloak, [p]and a
copatain hat! O, I am undone! I am undone! While I play the [p]good
husband at home, my son and my servant spend all at
the [p]university.

Tranio : How now! what's the matter?

Baptista Minola : What, is the man lunatic?

Tranio : Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your habit, but [p]your
words show you a madman. Why, sir, what 'cerns it you if I [p]wear
pearl and gold? I thank my good father, I am able to [p]maintain it.

Vincentio : Thy father! O villain! he is a sailmaker in Bergamo.

Baptista Minola : You mistake, sir; you mistake, sir. Pray, what do you [p]think is his
name?

Vincentio : His name! As if I knew not his name! I have brought him [p]up ever
since he was three years old, and his name is Tranio.

Pedant : Away, away, mad ass! His name is Lucentio; and he is mine [p]only son,
and heir to the lands of me, Signior Vicentio.

Vincentio : Lucentio! O, he hath murd'red his master! Lay hold on [p]him, I charge
you, in the Duke's name. O, my son, my son! Tell [p]me, thou villain,
where is my son, Lucentio?

Tranio : Call forth an officer. [p][Enter one with an OFFICER] [p]Carry this
mad knave to the gaol. Father Baptista, I charge you [p]see that he be
forthcoming.

Vincentio : Carry me to the gaol!

Gremio : Stay, Officer; he shall not go to prison.

Baptista Minola : Talk not, Signior Gremio; I say he shall go to prison.

Gremio : Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catch'd in [p]this
business; I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.

Pedant : Swear if thou dar'st.

Gremio : Nay, I dare not swear it.

Tranio : Then thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio.

Gremio : Yes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio.

Baptista Minola : Away with the dotard; to the gaol with him!

Vincentio : Thus strangers may be hal'd and abus'd. O monstrous [p]villain!

Biondello : O, we are spoil'd; and yonder he is! Deny him, forswear [p]him, or
else we are all undone.

Lucentio : [Kneeling] Pardon, sweet father.

Vincentio : Lives my sweet son?

Bianca : Pardon, dear father.

Baptista Minola : How hast thou offended? [p]Where is Lucentio?

Lucentio : Here's Lucentio, [p]Right son to the right Vincentio, [p]That have by
marriage made thy daughter mine, [p]While counterfeit supposes blear'd
thine eyne.

Gremio : Here's packing, with a witness, to deceive us all!

Vincentio : Where is that damned villain, Tranio, [p]That fac'd and brav'd me in
this matter so?

Baptista Minola : Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?

Bianca : Cambio is chang'd into Lucentio.

Lucentio : Love wrought these miracles. Bianca's love [p]Made me exchange my
state with Tranio, [p]While he did bear my countenance in the
town; [p]And happily I have arrived at the last [p]Unto the wished
haven of my bliss. [p]What Tranio did, myself enforc'd him to; [p]Then
pardon him, sweet father, for my sake.

Vincentio : I'll slit the villain's nose that would have sent me to [p]the gaol.

Baptista Minola : [To LUCENTIO] But do you hear, sir? Have you married my [p]daughter
without asking my good will?

Vincentio : Fear not, Baptista; we will content you, go to; but I [p]will in to be
revenged for this villainy. Exit

Baptista Minola : And I to sound the depth of this knavery. Exit

Lucentio : Look not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown.

Gremio : My cake is dough, but I'll in among the rest; [p]Out of hope of all
but my share of the feast. Exit

Katherina : Husband, let's follow to see the end of this ado.

Petruchio : First kiss me, Kate, and we will.

Katherina : What, in the midst of the street?

Petruchio : What, art thou asham'd of me?

Katherina : No, sir; God forbid; but asham'd to kiss.

Petruchio : Why, then, let's home again. Come, sirrah, let's away.

Katherina : Nay, I will give thee a kiss; now pray thee, love, stay.

Petruchio : Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate: [p]Better once than never, for
never too late. Exeunt

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