The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Israel Gollancz William Shakespeare [233]
I may entitle thee my loving father:
The sister to my wife, this gentlewoman,
Thy son by this hath married. Wonder not,
Nor be not grieved- she is of good esteem,
Her dowry wealthy, and of worthy birth;
Beside, so qualified as may beseem
The spouse of any noble gentleman.
Let me embrace with old Vincentio;
And wander we to see thy honest son,
Who will of thy arrival be full joyous.
VINCENTIO.
But is this 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
Enter BIONDELLO, LUCENTIO, and BIANCA; GREMIO is out before
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.
Exeunt LUCENTIO, BIANCA, and BIONDELLO
GREMIO.
I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.
Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHERINA, VINCENTIO, GRUMIO,
and 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, Vicentio!
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.
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 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!