Taming of the Shrew

by William Shakespeare

Act V, Scene I

Padua. Before Lucentio's house.

GREMIO discovered. Enter behind BIONDELLO, LUCENTIO, and BIANCA

Softly and swiftly, sir; for the priest is ready.

I fly, Biondello: but they may chance to need thee
at home; therefore leave us.

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

I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.

Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, VINCENTIO, GRUMIO, with Attendants

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.

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

They're busy within; you were best knock louder.

Pedant looks out of the window

What's he that knocks as he would beat down the gate?

Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?

He's within, sir, but not to be spoken withal.

What if a man bring him a hundred pound or two, to
make merry withal?

Keep your hundred pounds to yourself: he shall
need none, so long as I live.

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.

Thou liest: his father is come from Padua and here
looking out at the window.

Art thou his father?

Ay, sir; so his mother says, if I may believe her.

[To VINCENTIO] Why, how now, gentleman! why, this
is flat knavery, to take upon you another man's name.

Lay hands on the villain: I believe a' means to
cozen somebody in this city under my countenance.

Re-enter 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.

[Seeing BIONDELLO]
Come hither, crack-hemp.

Hope I may choose, sir.

Come hither, you rogue. What, have you forgot me?

Forgot you! no, sir: I could not forget you, for I
never saw you before in all my life.

What, you notorious villain, didst thou never see
thy master's father, Vincentio?

What, my old worshipful old master? yes, marry, sir:
see where he looks out of the window.

Is't so, indeed.

Beats BIONDELLO

Help, help, help! here's a madman will murder me.

Exit

Help, son! help, Signior Baptista!

Exit from above

Prithee, Kate, let's stand aside and see the end of
this controversy.

They retire

Re-enter Pedant below; TRANIO, BAPTISTA, and Servants

Sir, what are you that offer to beat my servant?

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.

How now! what's the matter?

What, is the man lunatic?

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.

Thy father! O villain! he is a sailmaker in Bergamo.

You mistake, sir, you mistake, sir. Pray, what do
you think is his name?

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.

Away, away, mad ass! his name is Lucentio and he is
mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, Signior 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?

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.

Carry me to the gaol!

Stay, officer: he shall not go to prison.

Talk not, Signior Gremio: I say he shall go to prison.

Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be
cony-catched in this business: I dare swear this
is the right Vincentio.

Swear, if thou darest.

Nay, I dare not swear it.

Then thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio.

Yes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio.

Away with the dotard! to the gaol with him!

Thus strangers may be hailed and abused: O
monstrous villain!

Re-enter BIONDELLO, with LUCENTIO and BIANCA

O! we are spoiled and—yonder he is: deny him,
forswear him, or else we are all undone.

[Kneeling] Pardon, sweet father.

Lives my sweet son?

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

Pardon, dear father.

How hast thou offended?
Where is Lucentio?

Here's Lucentio,
Right son to the right Vincentio;
That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,
While counterfeit supposes bleared thine eyne.

Here's packing, with a witness to deceive us all!

Where is that damned villain Tranio,
That faced and braved me in this matter so?

Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?

Cambio is changed into 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.

I'll slit the villain's nose, that would have sent
me to the gaol.

But do you hear, sir? have you married my daughter
without asking my good will?

Fear not, Baptista; we will content you, go to: but
I will in, to be revenged for this villany.

Exit

And I, to sound the depth of this knavery.

Exit

Look not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown.

Exeunt LUCENTIO and BIANCA

My cake is dough; but I'll in among the rest,
Out of hope of all, but my share of the feast.

Exit

Husband, let's follow, to see the end of this ado.

First kiss me, Kate, and we will.

What, in the midst of the street?

What, art thou ashamed of me?

No, sir, God forbid; but ashamed to kiss.

Why, then let's home again. Come, sirrah, let's away.

Nay, I will give thee a kiss: now pray thee, love, stay.

Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate:
Better once than never, for never too late.

Exeunt

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