Gremio is seen entering behind.
Bio.
Softly and swiftly, sir; for the priest is ready.
Luc.
I fly, Biondello: but they may chance to need
thee at home, therefore leave us.
[Exit, with Bianca.
Bio.
Nay, 'faith, I'll see the church o'your back; and
then come back to my master's as soon as I can.
[Exit.
Gre.
I marvel, Cambio comes not all this while.
-- 141 --
Enter Petruchio, Catherine, Vincentio, and Attendants.
Pet.
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.
Vin.
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.
[Noise within. Vin. knocks.
Gre.
They're busy within, you were best knock louder.
[Knocks again.
Enter Pedant, above, at a Window.
Ped.
What's he, that knocks as he would beat down
the gate?
Vin.
Is signior Lucentio within, sir?
Ped.
He's within, sir, but not to be spoken withal.
Vin.
What if a man bring him a hundred pound or
two, to make merry withal?
Ped.
Keep your hundred pounds to yourself; he shall
need none, so long as I live.
Pet.
Nay, I told you, your son was well belov'd 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.
Ped.
Thou ly'st; his father is come from—Mantua,
and here looking out at the window.
Vin.
Art thou his father?
Ped.
Ay, sir; so his mother says, if I may believe her.
Pet.
Why, how now, gentleman! [to Vin.] why, this
is flat knavery, to take upon you another man's name.
Ped.
Lay hands on the villain; I believe, 'a means to
cozen somebody in this city under my countenance.
Re-enter Biondello.
Bio.
I have seen them in the church together; Heav'n
send 'em good shipping!—But who is here? [drawing
backward.] mine old master Vincentio? now we're undone
and brought to nothing.
Vin.
Come hither, crack-hemp.
[Seeing Biondello.
-- 142 --
Bio.
I hope, I may choose, sir.
Vin.
Come hither, you rogue; what, have you forgot
me?
Bio.
Forgot you? no, sir: I could not forget you,
for I never saw you before in all my life* note.
Vin.
What, you notorious villain, didst thou never
see thy master's father Vincentio?
Bio.
What, my worshipful old master? yes, marry,
sir; see, where he looks out of the window.
Vin.
Is't so, indeed?
[Beats Biondello.
Bio.
Help, help, help! here's a madman will murther
me.
[Exit, crying out.
Ped.
Help, son! help, signior Baptista!
[Exit, from above.
Pet.
Pr'ythee, Kate, let's stand aside, and see the end
of this controversy.
[Draws her aside.
Re-enter Pedant, below; Tranio, Baptista, and Servants.
Tra.
Sir, what are you, that offer to beat my servant?
Vin.
What am I, sir? nay, what are you, sir?—O immortal
gods! [surveying him.] O fine villain! A silken
doublet! a velvet hose! a scarlet cloak! and a copatain
hat!—O, I'm undone, I'm undone! while I play the
good husband at home, my son and my servant spend all
at the university.
Tra.
How now! what's the matter now?
Bap.
What, is the man lunatic?
Tra.
Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your
habit, but your words shew you a madman: Why, sir,
what concerns it you, if I wear pearl and gold? I thank
my good father, I am able to maintain it.
Vin.
Thy father?—O villain!—he's a sail-maker in
Bergamo.
Bap.
You mistake, sir; you mistake, sir: Pray, what
do you think is his name?
Vin.
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.
-- 143 --
Ped.
Away, away, mad ass! his name is, Lucentio;
and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, signior
Vincentio.
Vin.
Lucentio! O, he hath murther'd 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?
Tra.
Call forth an officer:—[Enter one with an Officer.]
carry this mad knave to the jail:—father Baptista, I
charge you, see that he be forth-coming.
Vin.
Carry me to the jail!
Gre.
Stay, officer; he shall not go to prison.
Bap.
Talk not, signior Gremio; I say, he shall go to
prison.
Gre.
Take heed, signior Baptista, lest you be coney-catch'd
in this business; I dare swear, this is the right
Vincentio.
Ped.
Swear, if thou dar'st.
Gre.
Nay, I dare not swear it.
Tra.
Then thou wert best say, that I am not Lucentio.
Gre.
Yes, I know thee to be signior Lucentio.
Bap.
Away with the dotard; to the jail with him* note.
Vin.
Thus strangers may be hal'd and abus'd:—O
monstrous villain!
Re-enter Biondello, with Lucentio, and Bianca.
Bio.
O, we are spoil'd, and—Yonder he is; deny
him, forswear him, or else we are all undone.
Luc.
Pardon, sweet father.
[Kneels to Vin.
Vin.
Lives my sweet son?
[Bio. Tra. and Ped. run off.
Bia.
Pardon, dear father.
[Kneels to Bap.
Bap.
How hast thou offended?—
Where is Lucentio?
Luc.
Here's Lucentio,
Right son unto the right Vincentio;
That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,
While counterfeit supposes blear'd thine eyne.
-- 144 --
Gre.
Here's packing, with a witness, to deceive us all!
Vin.
Where is that damned villain, Tranio,
That fac'd and brav'd me in this matter so?
Bap.
Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?
Bia.
Cambio is chang'd into Lucentio?
Luc.
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 arriv'd at last
Unto the wished haven of my bliss:—
What Tranio did, myself enforc'd him to;
Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake.
&blquo;Vin.
&blquo;I'll slit the villain's nose, that would have sent
me to the jail.&brquo;
Bap.
But do you hear, sir? [to Luc.] have you marry'd
my daughter without asking my good will?
Vin.
Fear not, Baptista; we will content you, go to:
—But I will in, to be reveng'd for this villany.
[Exit Vin.
Bap.
And I, to sound the depth of this knavery.
[Exit Bap.
Luc.
Look not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown.
[Exeunt Luc. and Bia.
Gre.
My cake is dough: But I'll in among the rest;
Out of hope of all,—but my share of the feast.
[Exit Gre.
Cat.
Husband, let's follow, to see the end of this ado.
Pet.
First kiss me, Kate, and we will.
Cat.
What, in the midst of the street?
Pet.
What, art thou asham'd of me?
Cat.
No, sir; (Heav'n forbid!) but asham'd to kiss.
Pet.
Why, then let's home again:—Come, sirrah, let's away.
Cat.
Nay, I'll give thee a kiss: [kisses him.] now pray thee, love, stay.
Pet.
Is not this well?—Come, my sweet Kate;
Better once than never, for never too late.
[Exeunt.
&blquo;Lor.
&blquo;Who's within there?—
[Seeing Sly asleep.
&blquo;Enter Servants.
&blquo;Asleep again!—go, take him easily up,
-- 145 --
&blquo;And put him in his own apparel again;
&blquo;But see you wake him not in any case.
1. S.
&blquo;It shall be done, my lord:—Come, help to bear him hence.
[Exeunt Ser. with Sly* note.
John Bell [1774], Bell's Edition of Shakespeare's Plays, As they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London; Regulated from the Prompt Books of each House By Permission; with Notes Critical and Illustrative; By the Authors of the Dramatic Censor (Printed for John Bell... and C. Etherington [etc.], York) [word count] [S10401].
