back to 4.5 skip to 5.2 The Taming of the Shrew Act 5, Scene 1 GREMIO discovered. Enter behind BIONDELLO, LUCENTIO, and BIANCA BiondelloSoftly and swiftly, sir; for the priest is ready. LucentioI fly, Biondello: but they may chance to need thee at home; therefore leave us. BiondelloNay, 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 GremioI marvel Cambio comes not all this while. Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, VINCENTIO, GRUMIO, with Attendants PetruchioSir, 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. VincentioYou 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 GremioThey’re busy within; you were best knock louder. Pedant looks out of the window PedantWhat’s he that knocks as he would beat down the gate? VincentioIs Signior Lucentio within, sir? PedantHe’s within, sir, but not to be spoken withal. VincentioWhat if a man bring him a hundred pound or two, to make merry withal? PedantKeep your hundred pounds to yourself: he shall need none, so long as I live. PetruchioNay, 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. PedantThou liest: his father is come from Padua and here looking out at the window. VincentioArt thou his father? PedantAy, 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. PedantLay hands on the villain: I believe a’ means to cozen somebody in this city under my countenance. Re-enter BIONDELLO BiondelloI 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. BiondelloHope I may choose, sir. VincentioCome hither, you rogue. What, have you forgot me? BiondelloForgot you! no, sir: I could not forget you, for I never saw you before in all my life. VincentioWhat, you notorious villain, didst thou never see thy master’s father, Vincentio? BiondelloWhat, my old worshipful old master? yes, marry, sir: see where he looks out of the window. VincentioIs’t so, indeed. Beats BIONDELLO BiondelloHelp, help, help! here’s a madman will murder me. Exit PedantHelp, son! help, Signior Baptista! Exit from above PetruchioPrithee, Kate, let’s stand aside and see the end of this controversy. They retire Re-enter Pedant below; TRANIO, BAPTISTA, and Servants TranioSir, what are you that offer to beat my servant? VincentioWhat 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. TranioHow now! what’s the matter? BaptistaWhat, is the man lunatic? TranioSir, 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. VincentioThy father! O villain! he is a sailmaker in Bergamo. BaptistaYou mistake, sir, you mistake, sir. Pray, what do you think is his name? VincentioHis 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. PedantAway, away, mad ass! his name is Lucentio and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, Signior Vincentio. VincentioLucentio! 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? TranioCall 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. VincentioCarry me to the gaol! GremioStay, officer: he shall not go to prison. BaptistaTalk not, Signior Gremio: I say he shall go to prison. GremioTake heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catched in this business: I dare swear this is the right Vincentio. PedantSwear, if thou darest. GremioNay, I dare not swear it. TranioThen thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio. GremioYes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio. BaptistaAway with the dotard! to the gaol with him! VincentioThus strangers may be hailed and abused: O monstrous villain! Re-enter BIONDELLO, with LUCENTIO and BIANCA BiondelloO! we are spoiled and—yonder he is: deny him, forswear him, or else we are all undone. Lucentio Kneeling Pardon, sweet father. VincentioLives my sweet son? Exeunt BIONDELLO, TRANIO, and Pedant, as fast as may be BiancaPardon, dear father. BaptistaHow hast thou offended? Where is Lucentio? LucentioHere’s Lucentio, Right son to the right Vincentio; That have by marriage made thy daughter mine, While counterfeit supposes bleared thine eyne. GremioHere’s packing, with a witness to deceive us all! VincentioWhere is that damned villain Tranio, That faced and braved me in this matter so? BaptistaWhy, tell me, is not this my Cambio? BiancaCambio is changed into Lucentio. LucentioLove 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. VincentioI’ll slit the villain’s nose, that would have sent me to the gaol. BaptistaBut do you hear, sir? have you married my daughter without asking my good will? VincentioFear not, Baptista; we will content you, go to: but I will in, to be revenged for this villany. Exit BaptistaAnd I, to sound the depth of this knavery. Exit LucentioLook not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown. Exeunt LUCENTIO and BIANCA GremioMy cake is dough; but I’ll in among the rest, Out of hope of all, but my share of the feast. Exit KatharinaHusband, let’s follow, to see the end of this ado. PetruchioFirst kiss me, Kate, and we will. KatharinaWhat, in the midst of the street? PetruchioWhat, art thou ashamed of me? KatharinaNo, sir, God forbid; but ashamed to kiss. PetruchioWhy, then let’s home again. Come, sirrah, let’s away. KatharinaNay, I will give thee a kiss: now pray thee, love, stay. PetruchioIs not this well? Come, my sweet Kate: Better once than never, for never too late. Exeunt The Taming of the Shrew Act 5, Scene 1