The Taming of the Shrew (1590-1)

Intro

Online Critical Edition in Progress - Version 1.b.
Date variant: 1590-3
Shakespeare Network - https://shakespearenetwork.net/

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Act V, 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
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.

Gremio
I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.

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
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.

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.

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 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
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
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 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.

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
villain!

Biondello
O, we are spoil'd; and yonder he is! Deny him, forswear
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?
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 Minola
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 Minola
[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 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;
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 (1590-1)

Act V, Scene 1

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