Open Source Shakespeare

The Taming of the Shrew

• To print this text, click here
• To save this text, go to your browser's File menu, then select Save As


       

Act V, Scene 1

Padua. Before LUCENTIO’S house

       

Enter BIONDELLO, LUCENTIO, and BIANCA; GREMIO is out before

  • Biondello. Softly and swiftly, sir, for the priest is ready. 2350
  • Lucentio. I fly, Biondello; but they may chance to need the at
    home, therefore leave us.
  • Biondello. Nay, faith, I'll see the church a your back, and then
    come back to my master's as soon as I can.

Exeunt LUCENTIO, BIANCA, and BIONDELLO

  • Gremio. I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.

Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHERINA, VINCENTIO, GRUMIO, and ATTENDANTS

  • Petruchio. Sir, here's the door; this is Lucentio's house;
    My father's bears more toward the market-place;
    Thither must I, and here I leave you, sir. 2360
  • Vincentio. You shall not choose but drink before you go;
    I think I shall command your welcome here,
    And by all likelihood some cheer is toward. [Knocks]
  • Gremio. They're busy within; you were best knock louder.

[PEDANT looks out of the window]

  • 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
    merry withal? 2370
  • Pedant. Keep your hundred pounds to yourself; he shall need none so
    long as I live.
  • Petruchio. Nay, I told you your son was well beloved in Padua. Do
    you hear, sir? To leave frivolous circumstances, I pray you tell
    Signior Lucentio that his father is come from Pisa, and is here 2375
    at the door to speak with him.
  • Pedant. Thou liest: his father is come from Padua, and here looking
    out at the window.
  • Vincentio. Art thou his father?
  • Pedant. Ay, sir; so his mother says, if I may believe her. 2380
  • Petruchio. [To VINCENTIO] Why, how now, gentleman!
    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
    somebody in this city under my countenance.

Re-enter BIONDELLO

  • Biondello. I have seen them in the church together. God send 'em
    good shipping! But who is here? Mine old master, Vincentio! Now we
    are undone and brought to nothing.
  • Vincentio. [Seeing BIONDELLO] Come hither, crack-hemp.
  • Biondello. I hope I may choose, sir. 2390
  • Vincentio. Come hither, you rogue. What, have you forgot me?
  • Biondello. Forgot you! No, sir. I could not forget you, for I never
    saw you before in all my life.
  • Vincentio. What, you notorious villain, didst thou never see thy
    master's father, Vincentio? 2395
  • Biondello. What, my old worshipful old master? Yes, marry, sir; see
    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.

Exit

  • Pedant. Help, son! help, Signior Baptista! Exit from above
  • Petruchio. Prithee, Kate, let's stand aside and see the end of this
    controversy. [They stand aside]
    Re-enter PEDANT below; BAPTISTA, TRANIO, and SERVANTS
  • Tranio. Sir, what are you that offer to beat my servant? 2405
  • Vincentio. What am I, sir? Nay, what are you, sir? O immortal gods!
    O fine villain! A silken doublet, a velvet hose, a scarlet cloak,
    and a copatain hat! O, I am undone! I am undone! While I play the
    good husband at home, my son and my servant spend all at the
    university. 2410
  • 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
    your words show you a madman. Why, sir, what 'cerns it you if I
    wear pearl and gold? I thank my good father, I am able to 2415
    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
    think is his name?
  • Vincentio. His name! As if I knew not his name! I have brought him 2420
    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
    only son, and heir to the lands of me, Signior Vicentio.
  • Vincentio. Lucentio! O, he hath murd'red his master! Lay hold on
    him, I charge you, in the Duke's name. O, my son, my son! Tell 2425
    me, thou villain, where is my son, Lucentio?
  • Tranio. Call forth an officer.
    [Enter one with an OFFICER]
    Carry this mad knave to the gaol. Father Baptista, I charge you
    see that he be forthcoming. 2430
  • 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
    this business; I dare swear this is the right Vincentio. 2435
  • 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! 2440
  • Vincentio. Thus strangers may be hal'd and abus'd. O monstrous
    villain!

Re-enter BIONDELLO, with LUCENTIO and BIANCA

  • Biondello. O, we are spoil'd; and yonder he is! Deny him, forswear
    him, or else we are all undone. 2445

Exeunt BIONDELLO, TRANIO, and PEDANT, as fast as may be

  • Lucentio. [Kneeling] Pardon, sweet father.
  • Vincentio. Lives my sweet son?
  • Bianca. Pardon, dear father.
  • Baptista Minola. How hast thou offended? 2450
    Where is Lucentio?
  • Lucentio. Here's Lucentio,
    Right son to the right Vincentio,
    That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,
    While counterfeit supposes blear'd thine eyne. 2455
  • Gremio. Here's packing, with a witness, to deceive us all!
  • Vincentio. Where is that damned villain, Tranio,
    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. 2460
  • Lucentio. Love wrought these miracles. Bianca's love
    Made me exchange my state with Tranio,
    While he did bear my countenance in the town;
    And happily I have arrived at the last
    Unto the wished haven of my bliss. 2465
    What Tranio did, myself enforc'd him to;
    Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake.
  • Vincentio. I'll slit the villain's nose that would have sent me to
    the gaol.
  • Baptista Minola. [To LUCENTIO] But do you hear, sir? Have you married my 2470
    daughter without asking my good will?
  • Vincentio. Fear not, Baptista; we will content you, go to; but I
    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. 2475

Exeunt LUCENTIO and BIANCA

  • Gremio. My cake is dough, but I'll in among the rest;
    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. 2480
  • 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. 2485
  • Petruchio. Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate:
    Better once than never, for never too late. Exeunt