The Taming of the Shrew : ACT V : Scene 1 by William Shakespeare @ Classic Reader

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.

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.

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?

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 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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

TRANIO
How now! what's the matter?

BAPTISTA
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.

VINCENTIO
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?

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.

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 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.

VINCENTIO
Carry me to the gaol!

GREMIO
Stay, Officer; he shall not go to prison.

BAPTISTA
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.

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
Away with the dotard; to the gaol with him!

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.

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
How hast thou offended?
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.

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
Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?

BIANCA
Cambio is chang'd 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 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
[To LUCENTIO] 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 villainy.

Exit

BAPTISTA
And I to sound the depth of this knavery

Exit

LUCENTIO
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.

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:
Better once than never, for never too late.

Exeunt

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
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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. 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. 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? 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 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. 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. 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? 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? 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. TRANIO How now! what's the matter? BAPTISTA 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. VINCENTIO 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? 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. 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 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. VINCENTIO Carry me to the gaol! GREMIO Stay, Officer; he shall not go to prison. BAPTISTA 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. 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 Away with the dotard; to the gaol with him! 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. 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 How hast thou offended? 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. 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 Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio? BIANCA Cambio is chang'd 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 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 [To LUCENTIO] 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 villainy. Exit BAPTISTA And I to sound the depth of this knavery Exit LUCENTIO 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. 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: Better once than never, for never too late. Exeunt
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The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare