The Taming of the Shrew

true? or is it else your pleasure,
Like pleasant travellers, to break a jest
Upon the company you overtake? Hortensio I do assure thee, father, so it is. Petruchio

Come, go along, and see the truth hereof;
For our first merriment hath made thee jealous. Exeunt all but Hortensio.

Hortensio

Well, Petruchio, this has put me in heart.
Have to my widow! and if she be froward,
Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward. Exit.

Act V

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.
Lucentio	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. Exeunt Lucentio, Bianca, and Biondello.
Gremio	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.
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	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. 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 retire.
	Re-enter Pedant below; Tranio, Baptista, 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 sail-maker 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 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?
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-catched in this business: I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.
Pedant	Swear, if thou darest.
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 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.
Lucentio	Kneeling. Pardon, sweet father.
Vincentio	Lives my sweet son? Exeunt Biondello, Tranio, and Pedant, as fast as may be.
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 faced and braved me in this matter so?
Baptista	Why, tell me, is