SCENE I
Padua. Before LUCENTIO’S house.
[GREMIO discovered. Enter behind BIONDELLO, LUCENTIO, and BIANCA]
BIONDELLO
Softly and swiftly, sir; for the priest is ready.
Softly and swiftly, sir; for the priest is ready.
LUCENTIO
I fly, Biondello: but they may chance to need thee at home; therefore leave us.
I fly, Biondello: but they may chance to need thee at home; therefore leave us.
BIONDELLO
Nay, faith, I’ll see the church o’ your back; and then come back to my master’s as soon as I can.
Nay, faith, I’ll see the church o’ 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.
I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.
[Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, VINCENTIO, GRUMIO, with 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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
What’s he that knocks as he would beat down the gate?
VINCENTIO
Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?
Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?
Pedant
He’s within, sir, but not to be spoken withal.
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?
What if a man bring him a hundred pound or two, to make merry withal?
Pedant
Keep your hundred pounds to yourself: he shall need none, so long as I live.
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 at the door to speak with him.
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 at the door to speak with him.
Pedant
Thou liest: his father is come from Padua and here looking out at the window.
Thou liest: his father is come from Padua and here looking out at the window.
VINCENTIO
Art thou his father?
Art thou his father?
Pedant
Ay, sir; so his mother says, if I may believe her.
Ay, sir; so his mother says, if I may believe her.
PETRUCHIO
[To VINCENTIO] Why, how now, gentleman! why, this is flat knavery, to take upon you another man’s name.
[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.
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.
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]
[Seeing BIONDELLO]
Come hither, crack-hemp.
BIONDELLO
Hope I may choose, sir.
Hope I may choose, sir.
VINCENTIO
Come hither, you rogue. What, have you forgot me?
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.
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?
What, you notorious villain, didst thou never see thy master’s father, Vincentio?
BIONDELLO
What, my old worshipful old master? yes, marry, sir: see where he looks out of the window.
What, my old worshipful old master? yes, marry, sir: see where he looks out of the window.
VINCENTIO
Is’t so, indeed.
Is’t so, indeed.
[Beats BIONDELLO]
BIONDELLO
Help, help, help! here’s a madman will murder me.
Help, help, help! here’s a madman will murder me.
[Exit]
Pedant
Help, son! help, Signior Baptista!
Help, son! help, Signior Baptista!
[Exit from above]
PETRUCHIO
Prithee, Kate, let’s stand aside and see the end of this controversy.
Prithee, Kate, let’s stand aside and see the end of this controversy.
[They retire]
[Re-enter Pedant below; TRANIO, BAPTISTA, and Servants]
TRANIO
Sir, what are you that offer to beat my servant?
Sir, what are you that offer to beat my servant?
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.
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.
TRANIO
How now! what’s the matter?
How now! what’s the matter?
BAPTISTA
What, is the man lunatic?
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 maintain it.
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 maintain it.
VINCENTIO
Thy father! O villain! he is a sailmaker in Bergamo.
Thy father! O villain! he is a sailmaker in Bergamo.
BAPTISTA
You mistake, sir, you mistake, sir. Pray, what do you think is his name?
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 up ever since he was three years old, and his name is Tranio.
His name! as if I knew not his name: I have brought him 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 Vincentio.
Away, away, mad ass! his name is Lucentio and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, Signior Vincentio.
VINCENTIO
Lucentio! O, he hath murdered his master! Lay hold on him, I charge you, in the duke’s name. O, my son, my son! Tell me, thou villain, where is my son Lucentio?
Lucentio! O, he hath murdered his master! Lay hold on him, I charge you, in the duke’s name. O, my son, my son! Tell me, thou villain, where is my son Lucentio?
TRANIO
Call forth an officer.
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.
I charge you see that he be forthcoming.
VINCENTIO
Carry me to the gaol!
Carry me to the gaol!
GREMIO
Stay, officer: he shall not go to prison.
Stay, officer: he shall not go to prison.
BAPTISTA
Talk not, Signior Gremio: I say he shall go to prison.
Talk not, Signior Gremio: I say he shall go to prison.
GREMIO
Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catched in this business: I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.
Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catched in this business: I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.
Pedant
Swear, if thou darest.
Swear, if thou darest.
GREMIO
Nay, I dare not swear it.
Nay, I dare not swear it.
TRANIO
Then thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio.
Then thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio.
GREMIO
Yes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio.
Yes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio.
BAPTISTA
Away with the dotard! to the gaol with him!
Away with the dotard! to the gaol with him!
VINCENTIO
Thus strangers may be hailed and abused: O monstrous villain!
Thus strangers may be hailed and abused: O monstrous villain!
[Re-enter BIONDELLO, with LUCENTIO and BIANCA]
BIONDELLO
O! we are spoiled and – yonder he is: deny him, forswear him, or else we are all undone.
O! we are spoiled and – yonder he is: deny him, forswear him, or else we are all undone.
LUCENTIO
| [Kneeling] | Pardon, sweet father. |
VINCENTIO
Lives my sweet son?
Lives my sweet son?
[Exeunt BIONDELLO, TRANIO, and Pedant, as fast as may be]
BIANCA
Pardon, dear father.
Pardon, dear father.
BAPTISTA
How hast thou offended?
Where is Lucentio?
How hast thou offended?
Where is Lucentio?
LUCENTIO
Right son to the right Vincentio;
That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,
While counterfeit supposes bleared thine eyne.
| Here’s Lucentio, |
That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,
While counterfeit supposes bleared thine eyne.
GREMIO
Here’s packing, with a witness to deceive us all!
Here’s packing, with a witness to deceive us all!
VINCENTIO
Where is that damned villain Tranio,
That faced and braved me in this matter so?
Where is that damned villain Tranio,
That faced and braved me in this matter so?
BAPTISTA
Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?
Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?
BIANCA
Cambio is changed into Lucentio.
Cambio is changed into Lucentio.
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.
What Tranio did, myself enforced him to;
Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake.
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.
What Tranio did, myself enforced 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.
I’ll slit the villain’s nose, that would have sent me to the gaol.
BAPTISTA
But do you hear, sir? have you married my daughter without asking my good will?
But do you hear, sir? have you married my 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 villany.
Fear not, Baptista; we will content you, go to: but
I will in, to be revenged for this villany.
[Exit]
BAPTISTA
And I, to sound the depth of this knavery.
And I, to sound the depth of this knavery.
[Exit]
LUCENTIO
Look not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown.
Look not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown.
[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.
My cake is dough; but I’ll in among the rest,
Out of hope of all, but my share of the feast.
[Exit]
KATHARINA
Husband, let’s follow, to see the end of this ado.
Husband, let’s follow, to see the end of this ado.
PETRUCHIO
First kiss me, Kate, and we will.
First kiss me, Kate, and we will.
KATHARINA
What, in the midst of the street?
What, in the midst of the street?
PETRUCHIO
What, art thou ashamed of me?
What, art thou ashamed of me?
KATHARINA
No, sir, God forbid; but ashamed to kiss.
No, sir, God forbid; but ashamed to kiss.
PETRUCHIO
Why, then let’s home again. Come, sirrah, let’s away.
Why, then let’s home again. Come, sirrah, let’s away.
KATHARINA
Nay, I will give thee a kiss: now pray thee, love, stay.
Nay, I will give thee a kiss: now pray thee, love, stay.
PETRUCHIO
Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate:
Better once than never, for never too late.
Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate:
Better once than never, for never too late.
[Exeunt]
